Ling Hua frowned, astonished that the Treasure Armor he had repeatedly relied on during his Foundation Establishment stage had been shattered by a single strike of heavenly thunder.
A flicker of regret crossed his eyes before he swiftly produced a Seven-Colored Treasure Umbrella.
The umbrella's ribs were crafted from a unique greenish-yellow spirit bamboo, while the canopy was made of white silk adorned with paintings of Azure Fish and Jade Lotuses. As spiritual energy flowed into the umbrella, the Azure Fish and Jade Lotuses on its surface seemed to come alive, their painted forms shimmering as if swimming and swaying.
When the heavenly thunder struck, Ling Hua raised the umbrella in defense. The Jade Lotuses on the canopy swayed gently, dispersing the thunderous force. A portion of the thunderbolt was swallowed by the leaping Azure Fish, while another fraction was channeled through the bamboo ribs, leaving dazzling streaks of lightning in its wake. Only a small portion of the original force finally reached Ling Hua's body.
The explosive heavenly thunder had been instantly transformed into gentle, crackling electricity by the Treasure Umbrella.
Ling Hua could barely suppress his delight. "The Seven-Colored Golden Bamboo Umbrella truly lives up to its reputation!"
Below, the assembled crowd watched in horror as the heavenly thunder shattered Ling Hua's Treasure Armor. Most assumed he would surely perish under the next strike.
Some wrung their hands in pity, while others gloated at his impending doom.
Zhu Shen, in particular, felt a surge of relief at his own failed Pill Condensation attempt, witnessing the thunder's overwhelming power.
I'm fortunate I never had the chance to face such a Thunder Tribulation. Otherwise, I likely would have met a tragic end, my body destroyed and my Dao extinguished.
The thought of Ling Hua's impending doom under the heavenly thunder during his Core Formation Tribulation brought a malicious smile to Zhu Shen's face.
But to his utter astonishment, Ling Hua calmly produced an obscure, umbrella-shaped magic tool that effortlessly deflected the subsequent waves of heavenly thunder, leaving him looking remarkably composed.
Zhu Shen froze in stunned disbelief.
Wei Zhong, having just parried an opponent's magic treasure with his Golden Seal, also sensed the sudden shift in the heavens.
"Impossible! How could a mere magic tool possibly block a Core Formation Lightning Tribulation?" the Scarface Cultivator roared in disbelief and fury.
They had assumed Ling Hua would perish under the Heavenly Tribulation without their intervention, yet this unexpected turn of events left them seething with rage.
Incensed, the Scarface Cultivator slammed his chest with a fist, spitting a mouthful of vital blood onto the Black Shuttle Magic Artifact. His hands flew through a series of hand seals as he prepared to unleash a swift, lethal technique against Wei Zhongfang, hoping to disrupt Ling Hua's tribulation.
Wei Zhongfang dared not hesitate. While activating the Golden Scissors Talisman Treasure to interrupt the Scarface Cultivator, he tightened his grip on his White Jade Token, knowing he still had a Third-Tier defensive technique stored within.
Having refined the Token for many years, Wei Zhongfang knew that its Third-Tier defensive technique would automatically activate upon encountering an attack of that level. He could also manually control it.
"Fellow Daoist Wei, I'll assist you!" Seeing the Scarface Cultivator cornered and Wei Zhongfang in dire straits, Qing Ze could no longer stand idly by. He leaped forward, shrouding the Scarface Cultivator in a swirling cloud of black mist while simultaneously activating his magic sword.
Wei Zhongfang glanced gratefully at Qing Ze. As a Loose Cultivator, Qing Ze had no obligation to intervene, and could have remained an uninvolved observer like the other cultivators. Yet his selfless act of chivalry was truly commendable.
Within a pavilion of the Ling Clan, a circular formation was etched into the ground. Twelve Qi Refining experts at the peak of their cultivation sat cross-legged around the outermost ring, while four Foundation Establishment Stage Old Daoists occupied the inner circle. At the very center of the formation sat Ling Ziwei herself.
Seeing her elder brother temporarily stabilize himself under the Thunder Tribulation with the Seven-Colored Golden Bamboo Umbrella, Ling Ziwei turned her attention to the events unfolding outside the formation.
The four attackers had arrived with overwhelming force, quickly forcing the Ling Clan members and Wei Zhong onto the defensive.
Ling Ziwei's anxiety was palpable, yet she was bound to her position at the formation's core, unable to abandon her duties and join the battle.
"Hah!"
A Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment Clan Elder of the Ling Clan roared furiously, forcibly spitting a mouthful of vital essence blood onto his magic tool.
Unable to withstand the pressure from the other Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, Wei Zhong was forced to resort to desperate measures.
His vital essence and blood flowed along his magic sword, spreading from his arm throughout his entire body. In the blink of an eye, a crimson grid materialized around him, woven from countless minute blood-red talismanic patterns intricately linked together.
Meanwhile, the other Ling Clan cultivators, locked in combat with Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment opponents, were also bleeding profusely and wouldn't be able to hold out much longer.
Wei Zhongfang nervously watched his enemy. The Golden Scissors Talisman Treasure had already been activated, and a golden beam streaked between them, reaching the Scarface Cultivator in an instant. The scissors' blades snapped open, poised to sever his neck.
But at that very moment, Scarface completed his incantation. The spiritual light of the Black Shuttle dimmed as he flicked his fingers, sending the artifact hurtling toward Wei Zhongfang.
The Black Shuttle effortlessly pierced through the Golden Scissors Talisman Treasure. The golden light flickered and died, revealing the talisman treasure's original form before it spontaneously combusted in mid-air.
Wei Zhongfang's vision blurred with darkness. He could no longer track the Black Shuttle's trajectory with his eyes alone; only his divine sense could barely perceive its movements. Knowing he had no other defenses left, he hastily activated the Third-Tier defensive technique stored within his Token.
A jade-colored treasure bottle materialized in the air, Wei Zhongfang already trapped inside.
The bottle's surface was adorned with lifelike carvings of flowers, plants, trees, birds, beasts, insects, and fish, their forms vibrant and detailed. When the Black Shuttle struck the bottle, it felt as if it had pierced a thick, elastic membrane.
Like a pebble dropped into water, the impact sent concentric ripples spreading across the bottle's surface. For a moment, the two forces were locked in a tense stalemate.
Simultaneously, Daoist Qingze's attack arrived. Swarms of tiny black insects enveloped the Scarface Cultivator in a dense swarm.
Yet the Scarface Cultivator merely activated the defensive formation on his magic robe, his two fingers still pointed unwaveringly at Wei Zhongfang, showing no intention of relinquishing his target.
Even as the black insects breached his robe's defenses and began gnawing at his flesh, he remained unmoved.
"Hmph, do you think I'm invisible?" Daoist Qingze scoffed.
His magic sword descended from above, while a massive white-scaled serpent materialized beside him, its thick tail arching high to slam down upon the Scarface Cultivator.
Under this relentless barrage, the Scarface Cultivator could no longer afford to ignore the attacks.
Withdrawing his fingers, he sent the Black Shuttle hurtling back. With a single strike, it severed Daoist Qingze's Flying Sword, then arced through the air to pierce the serpent's tail before darting straight toward Daoist Qingze himself.
The power of the magic treasure was terrifying, especially now that the Scarface Cultivator was channeling it with all his might using a secret technique.
The white serpent roared in agony, and Qing Ze's expression changed drastically as he swiftly retracted his sword and retreated. A dark green Turtle Shield materialized before him, but the Black Shuttle pierced straight through it before coming to a halt. Relief washed over Qing Ze's face as he narrowly escaped.
With a sickening thud, the Scarface Cultivator's arm, along with part of his shoulder, plummeted to the ground. The severed limb immediately lost its spiritual light protection, and a swarm of black Spirit Insects surged forward. Within moments, they devoured the flesh and blood, leaving only bare, crimson-tinged bones.
Just then, Wei Zhongfang had seized the opportunity when the Scarface Cultivator was retracting his magic treasure to attack Qing Ze. He had unleashed the Flying Throwing Technique, striking the arm the cultivator was using to channel his spell.
The Scarface Cultivator had already been pushing his Dharma Body to its limits to activate the magic treasure through his secret technique. Now, with his flesh being devoured by Spirit Insects and his arm severed by Wei Zhongfang, his face turned ashen. His airborne body faltered, then plunged downward, the Black Shuttle Magic Artifact falling limply to the ground like a wounded bird.
Realizing his defeat, the Scarface Cultivator could no longer resist Wei Zhongfang and Qing Ze. He lifted his head, his gaze burning with malice as he glared at Wei Zhongfang.
Wei Zhongfang saw something in the Scarface Cultivator's eyes and his expression abruptly changed. "Fellow Daoist Qingze, run! He's going to self-destruct!"
Before he could finish speaking, the Scarface Cultivator and his Black Shuttle Magic Artifact erupted into a searing ball of light.
Wei Zhongfang braced himself within the protective bottle, watching as fine cracks spiderwebbed across its surface. He immediately activated his Blackwater Spirit Garment, and the spiritual light on his magic robe flared brightly.
Boom!
The bottle shattered, and Wei Zhongfang was hurled away by the exploding spiritual energy.
Qing Ze fared even worse, tumbling head over heels through the air for nearly half a mile before slamming into the ground. He spat out a mouthful of blood, and the Turtle Shield in his hand cracked and shattered into fragments.
Witnessing their companion's self-inflicted demise, the remaining three cultivators' eyes turned bloodshot. Their attacks grew even more frenzied, overwhelming the Ling Clan cultivators who cried out in pain.
Wei Zhongfang swallowed a Spirit Pill to heal his injuries and rejoined the battle. Qing Ze, too exhausted to continue fighting, released his protective spirit beast and sat cross-legged to meditate and recover.
In the sky, Ling Hua had already weathered six strikes of heavenly thunder with his Seven-Colored Golden Bamboo Umbrella. Combined with the first strike absorbed by his Treasure Armor, only two more bolts remained in his Heavenly Lightning Tribulation.
By now, the Treasure Umbrella was in tatters. Its white silk canopy was scorched black, riddled with countless holes, and the Azure Fish Jade Lotus patterns that had once adorned it had vanished without a trace.
The bluish-yellow bamboo ribs were charred, cracked, and brittle, resembling the worn-out handle of a decades-old bamboo broom.
Ling Hua knew that the umbrella wouldn't withstand the next strike.
Stowing the ruined Treasure Umbrella, he gazed up at the churning thunderclouds overhead, his eyes hardening with determination.
The Core Formation Heavenly Tribulation consisted of nine successive waves of heavenly thunder, each stronger than the last, with increasingly longer intervals between them.
The time between the seventh and eighth strikes was long enough for him to unleash a technique.
Earthen-yellow spiritual energy coiled around Ling Hua's arms and hands, drawing in the ambient spiritual energy to form a massive earthen-yellow vortex.
As the vortex dissipated, Ling Hua's figure was gone, replaced by an earthen-yellow giant towering over twelve meters tall.
The giant shimmered with spiritual light, its head tilted skyward, its arms crossed protectively over its chest.
At that moment, the eighth heavenly thunderbolt struck.
The silver lightning instantly slammed into the giant's body, peeling away layers of yellow earth like crumbling leaves. The giant shattered, revealing Ling Hua battered and disheveled within.
Ling Hua's magic robe was shattered, blood seeped from his wounds, and his spiritual energy was nearly exhausted. Facing the final bolt of heavenly thunder, he seemed to have no way to defend himself.
With a swift movement, he retreated into the Ling Clan's Grand Formation.
At that moment, Ling Ziwei, positioned within the formation, her eyes gleaming with determination, declared, "Everyone, it's our turn! Whether the Ling Clan ascends to the ranks of Core Formation clans depends entirely on this battle!"
She lowered her hands to the ground, connecting them with the formation's patterns, and poured every ounce of her spiritual energy into it. The four Foundation Establishment cultivators and twelve Qi Refining practitioners followed suit, channeling their energy into the formation.
As spiritual energy flooded into the formation, the Ling Clan's Grand Formation underwent a dramatic transformation. The jade bowl that had enveloped the clan's territory contracted and warped, collapsing inward until it solidified into a jade lotus flower several tens of feet long.
Ling Hua now sat cross-legged upon the lotus platform, its petals closing around him in layers of protection.
This process continued for dozens of breaths, yet the heavenly thunder still didn't strike. Instead, the dark clouds above grew denser, radiating an even more terrifying celestial might. Even Wei Zhongfang and the others engaged in battle nearby keenly felt an overwhelming oppressive pressure.
The magic tools hovering in the air gradually slowed, the battle below no longer able to influence the success or failure of Ling Hua's tribulation.
Everyone stared fixedly at the dark clouds overhead, awaiting the most devastating ninth bolt of heavenly thunder.
Suddenly, silver light flashed within the pitch-black storm clouds.
A thunderous force emerged, more formidable than any single strike before—indeed, more powerful than the combined force of the previous eight.
With a blinding flash, the silver light struck the jade-colored lotus. The thick, lustrous jade hue vanished instantly, and within the pavilion, Ling Ziwei spat out a mouthful of blood, her face ashen.
Those around her fared even worse. All twelve Qi Refining cultivators perished instantly, and only one of the four Foundation Establishment Clan Elders still drew breath.
The Ling Clan's Third-Tier Grand Formation shattered in an instant, triggering a chain reaction of explosions as spiritual materials detonated across the clan's territory.
Yet, at this terrible cost, Ling Hua had finally weathered the terrifying ninth bolt of heavenly lightning.
The dark clouds gradually dispersed, and sunlight once more bathed the ravaged land.
The Heavenly Lightning Tribulation had passed. Ling Hua was now a true Core Formation cultivator.
"Hahaha! Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Ling, on successfully achieving Core Formation! Luochuan Prefecture has gained another Core Formation Fellow Daoist. Perhaps our paths will cross again in the future!"
"I must take my leave now. Farewell!"
With these words, the black-robed Core Formation cultivator transformed into a streak of escape light and vanished before Sikong Changming's eyes.
It seemed this individual was not affiliated with the four black-robed Foundation Establishment cultivators below.
Sikong Changming glanced at the weakened Ling Clan below but chose not to pursue the fleeing cultivator. Instead, he soared toward the remaining three.
Realizing that Ling Hua had successfully achieved Core Formation, the trio understood their mission had utterly failed. Without attempting to escape, they detonated themselves on the spot, their lives extinguished in an instant.
Wei Zhongfang dragged the Ling Clan members to safety, astonished by the trio's unwavering resolve.
What deep-seated hatred must they harbor for the Ling Clan to sacrifice themselves so readily?
"Long time no see, Little Friend Chu—or should I call you Little Friend Wei now?" Sikong Changming descended through the air, smiling warmly at Wei Zhongfang.
Wei Zhongfang clasped his hands in a respectful bow. "Greetings, Senior Si Kong. Names are mere formalities; please address me as you see fit."
"Haha! Then I'll call you Wei Zhongfang. I'll check on Brother Ling first. We can share some wine and catch up later." With a flick of his sleeve, Sikong Changming headed toward the Ling Clan Grounds.
Moments later, he reappeared with Ling Hua.
"Greetings, Senior Ling! Greetings, Senior Si Kong!"
The cultivators present bowed deeply in reverence, acutely aware that Ling Hua's successful Core Formation had elevated him to a higher echelon of cultivation.
"Fellow Daoists," Ling Hua announced, "having successfully achieved Core Formation, the Ling Clan will host a grand Core Formation Ceremony next month. We humbly invite you to grace us with your presence."
After his address, the cultivators dispersed, leaving only Wei Zhongfang, Qing Ze, and Sikong Changming behind.
"I must extend my deepest gratitude to Fellow Daoists Wei Zhongfang and Qing Ze for your invaluable assistance," Ling Hua said. "Without your intervention, the Ling Clan would have suffered catastrophic losses."
Wei Zhongfang glanced at the severely injured cultivators being escorted away by members of the Ling Clan. "It was merely a trivial matter," he replied. "No need for such formalities."
Suddenly, Wei Zhongfang's expression shifted. "Please forgive me, Senior Ling, but I have pressing business to attend to. I will pay my respects at your Core Formation Ceremony on another day."
Ling Hua had intended to keep Wei Zhongfang longer to express his gratitude, but observing his abrupt change in demeanor, he surmised that Wei Zhongfang likely had something delicate to handle.
"In that case, I won't detain you, Fellow Daoist," Ling Hua said. "But please remember that the Ling Clan owes you a debt of gratitude. Should you ever require assistance, do not hesitate to ask. We will spare no effort to repay this kindness."
"Many thanks, Senior," Wei Zhongfang said, bowing respectfully to the two Core Formation cultivators. He then patted Qing Ze on the arm, leaving him to recuperate, and summoned his Green Boat, which transformed into a streak of emerald light as it departed.
Ling Hua watched Wei Zhongfang's retreating figure, a flicker of unreadable emotion in his eyes. He thought of Ling Ziwei, who had been gravely injured during their expedition, and sighed inwardly.
Turning to the disheveled Qing Ze, he said, "Fellow Daoist Qingze, please remain with the Ling Clan to heal. We will certainly repay this debt for your assistance."
Qing Ze clasped his hands in gratitude. "Thank you, Senior!"
Several miles beyond the Ling Clan's territory, Wei Zhongfang found a secluded spot and entered his Grotto-Heaven.
A plump golden carp floated lazily on the surface of a pond, flanked by two peculiar spirit grasses. One of the grasses bore a ripe golden Spirit Fruit.
The fruit's skin shimmered with overlapping layers of scale-like segments, emitting a dazzling golden light.
After years of waiting, the Spirit Fruit had finally matured, presenting Big Gold with an opportunity to advance.
Big Gold stared intently at the fruit, radiating an overwhelming sense of longing.
Wei Zhongfang said calmly, "Eat."
Big Gold twitched its barbels, plucked the Spirit Fruit from the plant, and swallowed it whole.
Unlike Nine-Colored's multi-day slumber during her breakthrough, the spiritual energy within the Grotto-Heaven was immediately stirred by Big Gold. A swirling vortex of spiritual energy formed around him, enveloping his body as Wei Zhongfang watched from a distance.
Wei Zhongfang recalled how he had tamed Big Gold, who resided in the Clear River Secret Realm—a place seemingly left behind by Senior Bai He's former sect. As a spirit beast from a Transformation God Sect, Big Gold had displayed extraordinary potential even in his First-Tier form. Now, to reach the Second-Tier, he had consumed a Spirit Fruit that Wei Zhongfang had sought for years without success.
Big Gold is no ordinary spirit beast, Wei Zhongfang mused, studying the swirling vortex. "This surge of spiritual energy is far more ferocious than Nine-Colored's breakthrough."
The vortex whipped up the surrounding spiritual crops into the air. Wei Zhongfang swiftly waved his sleeve, shielding the fields and preventing significant damage.
Time passed steadily. Big Gold's advancement lasted a full hour before the vortex finally subsided, revealing his transformed body.
Gone was Big Gold's previous round and plump figure. His body had grown sleeker and more streamlined, his bulky torso noticeably slimmer.
Big Gold's scales had become finer and denser, now half their original size. Upon closer inspection, each scale resembled a meticulously crafted golden gem, shimmering with dazzling brilliance.
His massive fish head had also shrunk by an inch, and two prominent bulges had formed on his forehead, as if embryonic dragon horns were about to sprout.
Having successfully advanced to the Second-Tier, Big Gold curiously inspected his new form. Then, he soared out of the water, gliding as if propelled by an invisible force, until he reached Wei Zhongfang. He affectionately nudged Wei Zhongfang's body with his head.
After reaching the Second-Tier, Big Gold had inexplicably gained the ability to levitate.
Wei Zhongfang reached up to touch the bulges on Big Gold's forehead, confirming they were indeed remarkably hard.
"Are you trying to transform into a dragon?" Wei Zhongfang murmured in awe.
Big Gold didn't understand Wei Zhongfang's reference to dragons. He simply continued to nuzzle against Wei Zhongfang's Daoist robe, looking thoroughly content.
Wei Zhongfang scrutinized Big Gold's entire form. Ignoring the bulges on his head, Big Gold still resembled a large, exceptionally refined fish, showing no fundamental transformation.
"A dragon has four legs, yet you still have the body of a fish. It seems a significant transformation won't occur until you reach the Third-Tier or Fourth-Rank," Wei Zhongfang said, patting Big Gold on the head a few times before sending him back to the pond below.
The pond Wei Zhongfang had casually dug was already becoming too small for Big Gold. He considered eventually releasing him into the Cloudstream near Cloudglow Island, where he could keep company with the Nine-Colored carp residing in the cliffs above.
Leaving the Grotto-Heaven, Wei Zhongfang steered his Green Boat back to Cloudglow Island. After a month of secluded cultivation, he ventured to the Ling Clan once more.
The sight of the reactivated formation told Wei Zhongfang that the Ling Clan's damaged defenses had been fully restored.
As he entered the Ling Clan estate, he was immediately greeted by Ling Yunsheng.
"Senior Wei, please come in quickly!"
"The Clan Head has been eagerly awaiting your arrival."
"Clan Head?" Wei Zhongfang asked curiously.
"Yes, Clan Uncle Ling Hua. After achieving Core Formation, the Old Clan Head abdicated in his favor, passing the position to him."
They're using a Core Formation cultivator to bolster the clan's prestige, Wei Zhongfang mused.
As he pondered this, Ling Yunsheng led him into a quaint, antique-style courtyard within the Ling Clan estate.
"The Clan Head is currently entertaining guests, Senior. Please rest for a moment," Ling Yunsheng said with a smile before bowing and withdrawing.
Wei Zhongfang sat down at a stone table in the courtyard. After waiting for some time without Ling Hua appearing, Ling Ziwei arrived instead.
"Fellow Daoist Wei, you left so abruptly the other day that I didn't even have a chance to express my gratitude," she said.
Seeing Ling Ziwei approach, Wei Zhongfang rose and clasped his hands in greeting. "Immortal Maiden Ling, please forgive my hasty departure. I had an urgent matter to attend to—one of my spirit beasts was on the verge of advancing in rank..."
He quickly explained the situation.
Ling Ziwei nodded slightly, now understanding why Wei Zhongfang had left so abruptly. "Were you injured when you stopped those thieves the other day?" she asked.
Wei Zhongfang shook his head. "Just minor scratches, they've already healed. But I lost quite a few spiritual treasures—two talisman treasures and a Third-Tier passive defensive technique..."
As Wei Zhongfang meticulously listed his losses as if they were precious family heirlooms, Ling Ziwei burst into laughter. "Fellow Daoist Wei, you're truly amusing," she said. "Did you really think the Ling Clan would try to welch on our debts?"
"Rest assured, I've already convinced my elder brother to release all the Thousand Spirit Water Stones from the Ling Clan's treasury."
"Understood!"
With a flick of her sleeve, Ling Ziwei conjured sixteen shimmering blue Thousand Spirit Water Stones onto the stone table.
Wei Zhongfang's heart skipped a beat. At the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild's market price, these stones were worth a staggering sixteen thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Could the Ling Clan truly be giving them away so casually?
He looked up at Ling Ziwei, but she simply pushed the stones toward him. "Fellow Daoist Wei, please accept these without hesitation. If you hadn't intervened to stop those two thieves, the Ling Clan would have been in grave danger."
After a moment's hesitation, Wei Zhongfang finally accepted the Thousand Spirit Water Stones.
They then discussed Ling Hua's recent Core Formation. When the conversation turned to the attackers who had targeted the Ling Clan, Ling Ziwei sighed helplessly. "My elder brother has long mingled with the loose cultivators, righting wrongs and settling scores with reckless abandon. He's made countless enemies over the years. After acquiring the Dustfall Pill at the auction, the Ling Clan came under the covert surveillance of treacherous individuals."
"To eliminate these enemies once and for all, my brother boldly invited guests to witness his Core Formation Ceremony, and he also asked Senior Si Kong to help protect him from interference. Unfortunately, they countered by deploying a Core Formation cultivator of their own to restrain Senior Si Kong..."
In just a few sentences, Ling Ziwei summarized the conflict. However, she deliberately omitted the details of the grudge that had driven the Late-Stage and Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators to risk their lives. Wei Zhongfang, sensing her reluctance, wisely refrained from pressing for more information.
"Immortal Maiden Ling, could you elaborate on the specific methods Brother Ling used to withstand the Thunder Tribulation during his Core Formation Ceremony?"
After a moment of contemplation, Ling Ziwei replied, "I'm not entirely familiar with the techniques my brother employed. I can only provide a general overview."
Seeing her willingness to share, Wei Zhongfang leaned in intently.
"The first bolt of heavenly thunder was blocked by his Second-Tier Treasure Armor. There's nothing particularly noteworthy about that..."
As Ling Ziwei continued her explanation in the courtyard, completely unaware that Ling Hua had arrived outside.
Hearing her about to reveal confidential information, Ling Hua shook his head in resignation.