After bargaining with the Yuntian spirit demon clans for a long time, Elders Yan Zhao and Bai Shuixian finally obtained the most crucial item they came to Yuntian Domain for—Earth Essence.

Feng Qingxiu, as the head disciple, had the fortune of laying his eyes on this extremely precious item, which had nearly exhausted all the resources of an entire flying peak. The grains of sand placed in the jade box were deep black and non-reflective, with only about enough to fill an average boy’s handful. They looked almost identical to ordinary sand, but the difference was that this handful of soil was as heavy as a mountain. Even with Feng Qingxiu’s Golden Core strength, he couldn’t lift it.

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This single handful of soil would be enough for Kun-Lai to use for a hundred years. It was simply miraculous. Feng Qingxiu carefully pinched a single grain and observed it at his fingertips.

Regrettably, he couldn’t discern any difference.

Beside him, his master chuckled lightly, picking up the grain of sand and examining it closely before nodding, “You can’t see it like that.”

With a wave of his hand, a waterfall-like image suddenly appeared in the void, showing the grain of sand magnified thousands of times. When magnified, it resembled an irregular rock, but its surface remained incredibly smooth.

His master waved his hand again, and the image magnified further.

The surface was still pitch black and extremely smooth.

His master laughed softly and magnified the image once more.

Finally, faint holes appeared on the black surface, and those different holes naturally formed a pattern that resembled a ward, filled with mysterious profundity. Just looking at it made Feng Qingxiu’s mind spin rapidly, as though he had touched upon some profound truth of the Dao. An overwhelming amount of information assaulted his soul, and he instinctively shut his eyes to block it out, barely avoiding fainting.

Ji Yunlai withdrew the image and flicked the grain of sand back into the jade box, then patted his apprentice’s head.

“So, Xiao Qing, you need to train hard. Otherwise, just looking at the remnants of a great Dao seal will be too much for you to handle.” Ji Yunlai smiled.

Just now, he had magnified that single grain of Earth Essence nearly ten thousand times to glimpse a fraction of its pattern. He’d used a self-created technique, something only a Synthesis cultivator could manage. Only he could create the Cloud Talisman True Seed because using the Dao warding seals on this Earth Essence required cultivation. Without it, even looking at the seals would be unbearable, let alone modifying and utilizing it.

This world is truly fascinating.

“No, it wasn’t that I couldn’t handle it,” Feng Qingxiu shook his head slightly, his expression dazed. “It felt more like something was warning me not to look.”

Oh?

Ji Yunlai was puzzled and placed a finger on his apprentice’s brow, sending in a sliver of divine consciousness.

In an instant, he withdrew.

Feng Qingxiu’s mind was clear, his spiritual roots strong—nothing seemed amiss.

“Master, how exactly does the Cloud Talisman True Seed purify spiritual roots?” Feng Qingxiu asked curiously.

“Spiritual roots are in the spiritual platform. You can think of it as a seed. The moment it comes into contact with external energy at birth, the seed sprouts, and what grows is your spiritual root. It’s like… an antenna—no, like a tentacle that helps you sense the elemental energies of the five elements,” Ji Yunlai, who had suffered from the limitations of having four spiritual roots back in the day, had studied this deeply and explained it to his apprentice. “Actually, everyone has spiritual roots. Some are large, some are small. Some people have many; others have few.”

“So, if someone has fewer roots, they have single or dual spiritual roots, and if they have more, they have mixed spiritual roots? Those with large roots are said to have spiritual roots, while those with small ones are considered to have none?” His apprentice quickly grasped the concept.

“Exactly. The Cloud Talisman True Seed merges into your being, giving your spiritual roots a patch of land to grow in, providing it with an innate foundation so it can thrive,” Ji Yunlai casually revealed Kun-Lai’s most guarded secret to his apprentice. “The Cloud Talisman Dao Seed is a lesser form of Earth Essence. It can’t grow spiritual roots, so it’s only good for growing vegetables, herbs, and grains.”

According to the records he’d left behind, when he first created the True Seed and passed the technique to the Synthesis elders, he had practically taught them all hand by hand. However, their skills were lacking, and the things they made couldn’t meet the standards of the True Seed. When placed in the spiritual platform, the spiritual roots either ignored this foundation or the seed, influenced by the cultivator’s pure spiritual energy, began to self-germinate and transform into land.

And that was how the Cloud Talisman Dao Seed came to be.

In truth, the Cloud Talisman Dao Seed was nothing more than a failed product of the True Seed, a way to make use of waste.

But Ji Yunlai figured that his pre-amnesia self would never have expected that the greatest boon to Kun-Lai would not be the precious True Seed, but rather the so-called failed product, the spiritual fields that could only grow herbs and crops. These, in turn, had laid the foundation for Kun-Lai and become something countless external sects coveted.

It was a classic case of losing on one end and gaining on another.

Feng Qingxiu listened with a racing heart, unable to help but imagine himself one day casually creating such a heavenly treasure and being praised by his master.

Yan Zhao, who had been listening on the side, grumbled, “Senior Brother, it’s because your standards for the True Seed were too high. It’s definitely not our fault.”

Back then, being taught by their senior brother to make True Seeds was simply a nightmare for them. Even though they had achieved Synthesis and their divine consciousness could connect with the spiritual world, transforming something as small as a grain of sand into a seed using the inherent Dao intent of the Earth Essence took incredible effort. They worked so hard, day and night, unable to sleep. Even Shui Xian, who loved her beauty so much, ended up pulling out a lot of her hair.

Who knows how terrified they felt every time their senior brother checked their work; they wanted nothing more than to split open the grain of sand and hide inside. 

As the eldest among the junior brothers and sisters, he was the first to undergo inspection. Afterward, he developed a heart demon that made him shudder whenever he heard the words “do it again.”

Ji Yunlai casted him a faint glance, saying nothing.

Yan Zhao instantly stiffened, taking a step back and putting his junior sister Bai Shuixian in the most visible spot.

Bai Shuixian shot him a disdainful glance before gently addressing their senior brother, “Eldest Senior Brother, tomorrow Second Senior Brother and I will be heading to the Black Witchlands to explore. You can watch over things on the flying peaks.”

After several expeditions, they had already grasped the rough layout of the Yuntian Domain. The only area lacking information was the land below the Nine Abyss, which they now needed to explore. Originally, one of them was supposed to remain on the flying peaks as a guardian, but since their Sect Leader was present, there was no longer any concern.

Ji Yunlai also knew of that place and nodded, “I will go. One of you stays behind.”

Yan Zhao and Bai Shuixian exchanged glances, seeing the determination in each other’s eyes, understanding that they would need to duel to decide who would go and who would stay.

Feng Qingxiu had heard a little about the Black Witchlands and looked at his master with hopeful eyes.

Ji Yunlai smiled as he patted his apprentice’s head and said, “No.”

Feng Qingxiu lowered his head in disappointment and retreated to the side, becoming a silent backdrop as his master conversed with the two elders.

After they finished talking, they returned to Zhuiyun Peak in silence.

Ji Yunlai clearly wasn’t going to compromise on this matter. He vaguely sensed something about the Black Witchlands, an undeniable call that he had to answer. Any place that could give him such a feeling would certainly not be simple, and as for Xiao Qing, it was safer for him to remain on the flying peak.

Feng Qingxiu, seeing that his master was adamant, stopped dwelling on it and turned his attention to managing affairs on the flying peak.

Then he received an invitation from Qingnu.

Also present were Peak Master An, Peak Master You, Senior Brother Yang, Qiao Long, and the two elders he had just seen earlier.

“It’s been confirmed, they are indeed three shaman cultivators,” An Xian said, her eyes gleaming as she took a swig of wine. “I saw them myself and even exchanged a few blows, tested their curse poisons. Qingnu just cured me, so it’s treatable, nothing major.”

Qiao Long glanced at her silently, saying nothing.

“Three cultivators at the Synthesis stage aren’t something you come across easily,” Qingnu said excitedly, spreading out a map and pointing to a spot in the Nine Abyss. “They’re right here, on the path leading to that remnant branch of the Wu clan. We can ambush them there. Then I’ll have three Synthesis cultivators to, uh, treat. Success is the only option. Do any of you have any issues?”

Bai Shuixian and Yan Zhao sighed and exchanged glances, “Alright, let’s help you first.”

They didn’t dare say no. If they did, these reckless troublemakers would just go ahead without them. If they didn’t follow, these daring young ones would venture on their own.

“I can bring my flying peak,” Peak Master Yang said, his expression mild as a gentleman, “Temporarily containing one Synthesis cultivator won’t be a problem. You handle the other two.”

“I, along with Wugou, can handle one,” Peak Master You also nodded, “No objections, right?”

Though phrased as a question, it was stated like a fact. Qingnu glanced at the transparent jellyfish on Peak Master You’s neck and knew Poison Peak was here to snatch a share of the spoils, but she had no way to refuse them.

Sigh, when would she finally reach the Synthesis stage?

But for this ambush, her cultivation wasn’t enough to participate, and she wouldn’t be able to stop it even if she tried.

Still, having two Synthesis cultivators to experiment on… that would keep her entertained for quite a while.

“By the way, one more thing.” Qingnu took out a talisman stone and handed it to Feng Qingxiu, “This item seems to be something that Luo Chi is quite anxious about. It’s probably not ordinary. Please help me take a look.”

She knew very well that Feng Qingxiu couldn’t identify what it was. The item was meant for the Sect Leader, but with her current status and cultivation, she wasn’t at the level to casually approach the Sect Leader.

However, giving it to Feng Qingxiu was practically the same as giving it to the Sect Leader.

Feng Qingxiu nodded and accepted it.

After discussing the plan, everyone went their separate ways.

Feng Qingxiu sent them off, noticing that a gentle breeze had begun to blow. Before he knew it, it was already evening.

He took out the talisman stone given to him by Qingnu and handed it to Ji Yunlai. “Master, what do you think this is?”

Ji Yunlai took it casually. The stone looked completely ordinary, but as soon as he touched it, he felt a strange connection, as if it was a part of his very essence.

Almost immediately, he knew what it was.

A trace of his true essence entered the stone, causing it to emit a faint glow. A weak force was faintly drawn toward a distant place.

He smiled slightly, with a hint of amusement in his voice, “This is my Dao seed.”

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Feng Qingxiu’s expression changed dramatically. How could his master’s Dao seed end up in someone else’s hands? What had happened?

Ji Yunlai noticed his apprentice’s worried expression and, still smiling, added calmly, “Rather, it’s just a stone that fell from it.”

“…”

Unable to hold back, Feng Qingxiu scolded his master once again.

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An Xian’s swordsmanship is second only to the Sect Leader in Kun-Lai. 

Her sword techniques were derived from Kun-Lai swordsmanship, but she developed her own style. To advance her skill, she had tried almost every sword path: royal, tyrant, evil, cunning, righteous, unconventional, and even rare sword paths like time, decay, and life. 

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

From initial confusion to a final realization that it didn’t matter what path it was—whatever worked was best—she succeeded. 

In the end, when she reached Synthesis, she slashed through illusions and achieved great completion. An Xian had always wielded the sword unconstrained by any Dao intention or technique, encompassing all phenomena of the heavens. She had a beast-like instinct, and when she swung her sword, it was as though jade shattered and stars crumbled. So, the first time she met Xiao Qing, she tested him with a single sword stroke. 

Out of respect for the Sect Leader, An Xian didn’t try a second strike at that time. Although the Sect Leader had brought her here to spar with a fledgling disciple who was two great cultivation stages below her, An Xian was quite pleased with the arrangement. 

Feng Qingxiu’s Formless Sword was essentially a lower-grade version of the Sect Leader’s own sword technique, but the Sect Leader would never spar with her. Therefore, towards such a rare opportunity to test her swordsmanship against the Sect Leader’s sword. If not now, when? 

Thus, An Xian held nothing back. She never knew what it meant to hold back. Her sword blossomed furiously, starting with absolute extremity. As her sword was drawn, the surroundings seemed to faintly fill with void stars, which faded away with her sword intent. 

Feng Qingxiu could see her strike. The sword light resembled the Milky Way, encompassing all things. His Formless Sword split into countless strands, but they sank like a clay ox into the vast river, vanishing without a trace. 

“Xiao An can see through many sword intents and use the most suitable countermeasure,” Ji Yunlai said with a smile from the side. “Even though you have the protection of the formless sword energy, Xiao Qing, you will still feel the difficulty.” 

An Xian flashed a proud smile and her sword momentum became even more fierce, stirring countless falling leaves. Each leaf, like a blade, clashed with Feng Qingxiu’s formless sword energy, producing countless shrill whistles that caused clouds to churn in all directions. 

Within a few breaths, Feng Qingxiu was beaten black and blue, his body covered in wounds—this was even with the automatic protection of his formless sword energy. He also had to suppress the sharpest of his sword intent, not daring to unleash it—it was too powerful. 

“Don’t worry,” Ji Yunlai casually added fuel to the fire. “No matter how badly you injure An Xian, I will compensate for it.” 

Alright then, since his master said so… 

Feng Qingxiu stopped holding back, releasing his divine consciousness fully, and the number of formless sword energy instantly multiplied. 

An Xian’s eyes flashed with surprise. Controlling each strand of sword energy was like growing an extra hand, requiring immense focus. Most people would struggle to draw a circle with one hand and a square with the other, yet just now, Feng Qingxiu had controlled hundreds of sword strands—far beyond the capacity of someone at his Golden Core stage. 

Now, the number… An Xian didn’t even bother to count. If it wasn’t ten thousand, it was at least eight thousand. She shifted her sword stance, and her sword energy roared like thunder, exploding with a violent burst. 

Since a single sword couldn’t win, she’d fight by trading blows and embracing mutual destruction. 

And so, Feng Qingxiu experienced firsthand what it meant to be reckless, to disregard life, to seek mutual destruction. 

After less than two hours, Ji Yunlai called a halt to the fight. Peak Master An, now covered in deep wounds inflicted by formless sword energy, bore many cuts several inches deep. Yet, not a single drop of blood spilled from these wounds; in fact, they twitched and healed rapidly, leaving no scars. 

Ji Yunlai handed her a Cloud Talisman True Seed as payment for medical expenses and sparring. An Xian was overjoyed. The Cloud Talisman True Seed was worth a hundred times more than the regular Dao Seed, far more than she had earned from her recent plundering! 

These injuries were nothing! Not only had she sparred to her heart’s content she also made money from it. 

“Sect Leader, call on me next time for training!” An Xian waved as she walked away, reluctant to leave, turning back every few steps. 

Ji Yunlai chuckled softly, crouching down beside Xiao Qing, who was too exhausted to move, and stretched his hand to calm Xiao Qing’s chaotic spiritual energy. Xiao Qing was also covered in wounds, though he could control his blood flow, so they weren’t life-threatening. Stroking his apprentice gently, he asked, “Apprentice, did that pose enough challenge?” 

So, Xiao Qing, no more complaining to your master in the future! 

Feng Qingxiu appeared thoughtful and nodded. “This apprentice has learned the lesson.” 

Ji Yunlai nodded in satisfaction and reached out to lift his apprentice up. 

“Master!” Feng Qingxiu turned bright red from his neck to his ears and immediately jumped out of his master’s arms, crashing onto the bed—his master was fast, practically reaching the bed in a single step. 

“Why so shy?” Ji Yunlai took out a box of medicinal paste. “Come, let me apply the medicine for you…” 

In the next second, the medicine was snatched away, and Ji Yunlai was shoved out the door, which slammed shut with a talisman representing rejection slapped on it. 

Ji Yunlai stood in place for a moment, then let out a soft laugh. 

When he had lifted Xiao Qing earlier, the boy’s shadow had clearly rippled and bubbled. 

Such a contrary Xiao Qing… 

***

The practice duel on Zhuiyun Peak was anything but subtle. Standing on a tree, Nightingale cracked open melon seeds and asked the squid beside him, “Uh, You Jia, why aren’t you posting a headline? Peak Master An is fighting the Sect Leader’s head apprentice!” 

“What’s so headline-worthy about An Xian beating people up? No one would even bother clicking.” You Jia waved dismissively. He wanted to keep watching, but sword energy already filled the void, scattering every single bystander off the peak. 

“What a disaster,” Nightingale lamented as he picked up his dropped melon seeds. “If they were going to clear the field, they could’ve just said so. A gentleman uses words, not fists. Totally ruined my fun.” 

You Jia ignored the seed-collecting bird and instead gazed thoughtfully toward Zhuiyun Peak. 

With his years of headline experience, he was certain something was off with that master and apprentice duo! He had to follow up closely. 

He had a feeling he was about to uncover the biggest scoop of his career! He could already see himself reaching the pinnacle of his profession, his name going down in Kun-Lai history… 

“Squid, why are all your tentacles flailing? What’s gotten you so excited?” Nightingale, having retrieved his seeds, looked curiously at him. 

You Jia coughed lightly, reining in his excited appendages, and spoke gently to him, “Anyway, where’s your snake brother?” 

“He’s been entangled with some big serpent lately and hasn’t left his cave,” Nightingale shrugged. “A few days ago, I even dyed my feathers yellow to go baiting with you guys from Sword Peak. But who would’ve guessed that your peak master stirred up so much trouble? She forcefully got other spirit demons to rob her, so these past few days, Yun Capital has been empty of spirit demons, and I haven’t made any money. That’s why I came back to snack on seeds.”

“Big serpent, is it Hai Chaoxu?” You Jia thought of the large snake that wandered around at the foot of the flying peaks all day and was somewhat impressed by these two spirit demons’ ability to stir up trouble. “You’ve caught the biggest fish, Hai Chaoxu, and you’re still hanging around here? Do you know how rich he is?”

“I don’t sell out my brothers,” Nightingale replied, warily watching him.

“Twenty bags of cloud melon seeds.” You Jia casually dumped out a huge pile of seeds. “Do me a favor.”

Nightingale tilted his head slightly and coughed with a bit of reserve, “Speak, I’ll help.”

You Jia smiled in satisfaction and then quickly revealed a plan involving blowing a few words in the right ears to monopolize the Kun-Lai mouse trade of the sea dragon-snake clan.

Nightingale nodded, “No problem.”

So they set off together back to Zhuiyun Peak.

On the way, they saw the captive from Jietian Dao, Luo Chi, speaking nicely to Qingnu, seemingly wanting to redeem something.

Qingnu refused.

Her reasoning was very simple: “Everything else can be redeemed, but we’ve seen all kinds of talismans in Kun-Lai, and even we don’t know what this talisman stone is. You tell me what it’s for, and I’ll let you take it back.”

Luo Chi looked troubled.

Qingnu shrugged and was about to leave.

Luo Chi, looking a bit vexed, thought for a while and said, “What if I exchange it for three Synthesis cultivators?”

“What did you say?” Qingnu’s steps abruptly halted, and even You Jia and Nightingale, who were passing by, couldn’t help but listen in.

“Recently, some shaman cultivators from the Southern Continent’s Wu clan want to complete a wager in the Black Witchlands. Since it’s dangerous in the outer territories, three Synthesis cultivators are traveling together. Judging by the time, they should be arriving near here soon. These three shaman cultivators are known for committing all kinds of evil, and they’ve even used countless ordinary people in blood sacrifices for their spiritual tools. If you capture them, it’ll bring you boundless merit. You don’t need to release them; you can also study shamanic medical techniques, which Kun-Lai doesn’t have…” As a seasoned schemer from the Central Continent, Luo Chi smoothly shifted the calamity elsewhere.

This hit exactly where Qingnu was most interested.

“And what about the stone?” Qingnu, indeed tempted, still hesitated a little.

“It has absolutely nothing to do with Kun-Lai. I’m just looking for a treasure that’s about to emerge. If it has anything to do with Kun-Lai, may I never escape from Kun-Lai’s grasp for the rest of my life!” Luo Chi swore.

“Alright then, if you really capture three Synthesis shamans, returning your stone won’t be an issue. By the way, what is the Black Witchlands?” Qingnu asked out of curiosity.

“It’s the only place among the Nine Abyss without the waters of the Yellow Springs. It’s vast underneath, filled with ghostly realms and demonic creatures. There’s a remnant branch of the ancient Wu clan barely surviving in that terrifying land, seemingly guarding something. The air there is quite strange, and it seems to spawn demonic creatures. I haven’t seen it myself, so I’m not too sure,” Luo Chi explained what he knew. “However, it’s said that place connects to the netherworld. Every generation of Great Xuan priests used to travel there. Those three shaman cultivators are going to find that branch of Wu clan.”

These secrets revealed the deep foundations of a sect that had lasted ten thousand years. His high status allowed him to know a bit more than others. Ordinary cultivators, even from sects like Kun-Lai, which hadn’t accumulated enough, wouldn’t easily have access to such knowledge, no matter how powerful they were.

“Do you have a way to track down those three shamans?” Qingnu asked again. After all, the world was vast, and Synthesis cultivators had an instinct for avoiding danger. They weren’t easy to find.

Luo Chi revealed a proud smile, “Though unworthy, in the art of tracking, no one in the world can surpass me except for Taiqing Shangren.”

With his natural Divine Eye, he had an infamous nickname, “The Great Treasure Hunter Luo Chi,” though whoever called him that was said to be sent into reincarnation shortly after.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Qingnu was extremely pleased, “Come, let’s discuss this at my place.”

Luo Chi nodded.

You Jia watched their retreating backs, silently considering whether he should join in to make a quick profit too.  

Three Synthesis cultivators must have plenty of good stuff…

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Feng Qingxiu was still young, while Yang Fuyin had been entrenched in Kun-Lai for years, a real old hand. After searching for half a day, he still couldn’t find an opening to strike.  

After thinking for a long time, Feng Qingxiu just sent a warning, telling Senior Brother that if he pulled such malicious pranks again, he wouldn’t hesitate to share his meticulously drawn designs on the Kun-Lai main forum.  

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Yang Fuyin’s reply was rather cryptic: “This co-created work is merely returned to their rightful owner. Junior Brother Feng, think carefully about your actions to avoid regret.”  

Feng Qingxiu was utterly confused. He had never met this Senior Brother before, so how could they have co-created such nonsensical things? It was completely eye-searing.  

Kun-Lai’s attire was somewhat different from the Central Continent’s; it was said that the Sect Leader had brought these clothes from the Central Continent and modified them when founding the sect. The designs were always simple and clean. Feng Qingxiu had always thought Senior Brother Yang was a model of Kun-Lai, but now, it seemed he wasn’t quite the respectable figure he thought. Hmph!  

However, the letter had already been delivered. If this happened again, Feng Qingxiu would not show any mercy! He’d make sure Senior Brother Yang hit the headlines for sure.  

Over the next two days, it seemed Senior Brother Yang had been intimidated by the threat and didn’t cause any more trouble, which allowed Feng Qingxiu to breathe a sigh of relief and focus on another major event.  

Finally, the cultivators from Ziyun Dao arrived at Yun Capital, the beast demon’s nest, after traveling day and night.  

Feng Qingxiu thought to himself that the flying peak truly was a great tool for expeditions. The Kun-Lai expedition team had leisurely and often stopped along the way, gathering all sorts of materials for cultivation, and had even spent a few days baiting spirit demons in Yun Capital. These flying cultivators had only just caught up to them, and at their speed, they couldn’t even eat their dust.  

Ziyun Dao demanded one person in exchange for one piece of goods. The place for the exchange was in Yun Capital City, and the one providing the venue was the dragon-serpent spirit demon they had briefly met before, named Hai Chaoxu.  

When the two sides met, it wasn’t tense, but each stood on their own side. Ziyun Dao handed over a bag marked with names for the Kun-Lai cultivators to check. After the verification, the Kun-Lai cultivators would call a name, and then the named Ziyun Dao prisoner would be freed from their restrictions and allowed to walk over to Ziyun Dao’s side.  

The expressions on the Ziyun Dao prisoners were diverse—some were filled with sorrow, others with anger, some looked resigned, and a few were indifferent. An Xian, standing off to the side, remarked that it was an entertaining sight.  

“They might as well stick a price tag on our heads.” One of the Ziyun Dao disciples said bitterly. As a cultivator, it was the first time he had suffered such humiliation.  

“Look on the bright side,” another cultivator tried to comfort him. “After all, we’ve only been sold two or three times. At least we don’t have to stay under the Demoness’ thumb anymore.”  

“Are you going to thank them for that?” the bitter cultivator sneered.  

“Not exactly thank them, but it’s still better than losing our lives like the small sects we’ve wiped out in the Central Continent.” The other cultivator replied casually.  

“Yeah, we should really thank Elder Yan for this one.” Another Ziyun Dao cultivator, looking around to ensure no one was paying attention, said quietly, “I heard that Elder Yan held off the Demoness by himself, which is why we didn’t fall into her hands.”  

“That’s true…” The reason was so compelling that even the bitter cultivator nodded in agreement.  

At that moment, another name was called.  

The bitter cultivator’s expression stiffened. He straightened his clothes and, without a word, walked out with a blank expression.  

“They’ve really put a price on us,” a Ziyun Dao disciple chuckled bitterly. “Judging by my price, I think I can pay off this debt with just a thousand-year-old jade mushroom.”  

“My price probably isn’t that high either,” another disciple smiled wryly. “I don’t even know whether to be relieved or not.”  

“We did gain something from Kun-Lai at least,” one cultivator continued. “If only that vein-expanding needle hadn’t almost driven me to a heart demon. If its effects were halved, I’d be willing to endure it again.”  

“True, it feels like my bottleneck has loosened a bit,” someone sighed. “But I heard the high-level medics’ needles don’t hurt as much. I asked about the price… let’s not even talk about it. I’d have to be sold a few more times to afford it.”  

“Exactly, and that meridian-supplementing needle—after using it, it felt like I could soar straight to the heavens, but the process was like being deep-fried in an oil pan for half a minute. Kun-Lai is too much. How can high-level medics charge so much?”  

“Trash sect!”  

“Yeah…”  

Before they were fully exchanged, they spent the entire time going back loudly criticizing Kun-Lai for being money-grubbing. Their words were filled with disdain for Kun-Lai’s various peak masters, and the Medicine, Poison, and Pill Peaks weren’t spared either—from the top disciples to the juniors, none escaped their insults.  

The disciples from Kun-Lai’s Sword Peak, who were in charge of guarding the prisoners, had notoriously fiery tempers. Hearing this made them want to teach those prisoners a lesson, but An Xian held them back.  

“Let them be,” Peak Master An Xian gulped down a mouthful of wine and sighed contentedly before smiling, “They’ve already been forced into submission. Can’t we let them cry out a little?”  

It made so much sense that the Sword Peak disciples all nodded in agreement. When they looked at the prisoners again, their gazes became rather peculiar.  

The prisoners, shuddering under those looks, fell silent and stopped talking.  

The scene became awkwardly quiet once more.  

Finally, when the last name was called, it was: “Luo Chi.” 

The elder who spoke out the name felt bitter in his heart. This person was also a little ancestor with a background too high to offend. He hoped Kun-Lai hadn’t discovered his identity; otherwise, there would definitely be more trouble.  

Then, he saw that the Sword Peak disciple didn’t take the pouch out but instead, Luo Chi came out himself to receive the slightly heavy pouch.  

“Thank you, Elder,” he quickly scanned it and then swiftly wrote a list to hand over, “I’m delayed currently and can’t return to the sect for now. You can withdraw the expenses from Jietian Dao.”  

“Then be careful in everything you do.” The Elder had no intention of keeping him around. This kind of ancestor was a hot potato for Ziyun Dao as well. Since he wanted to leave, they were more than happy to let him go.  

Luo Chi nodded and left the scene.  

Jietian Dao and Ziyun Dao had a good relationship on the surface, but if he stayed, it would only double their awkwardness.  

In the end, Qingnu personally handed over Elder Yan of Ziyun Dao when she came out, and Ziyun Dao had to nearly empty out a thousand years of accumulation. 

Qingnu was still reluctant, softly suggesting that if they were willing to let Elder Yan stay for another year, not only would she refuse the ransom from Ziyun Dao, but she would pay them triple the amount of his ransom price, as well as guaranteeing that Elder Yan would be returned in perfect condition a year later.  

To be honest, the elder from Ziyun Dao was tempted for a brief moment.  

But Ziyun Dao was one of the three major sects, and they still needed to save face. If the other two sects found out that Ziyun Dao was even selling off its elders, they would be laughed at for ten thousand years.  

So, he painfully refused.  

Thus, the handover ended successfully, and Ziyun Dao almost left overnight, not staying a moment longer.  

The Sword Peak disciples were all a bit disappointed. If there was another fight, they could have captured and sold them again.  

But they still profited greatly. The ransom for these captives went directly to those who caught them. They were then sold once to the three peaks, the ransom earned them another amount of money, and the spiritual medicines they got could be sold to Medicine Peak for even more money.  

At least, with the income they made on this stint alone they could spend lavishly for a long time.  

An Xian took half a share of the ransom payment, and her reasoning was solid—she started the fight. 

It was so reasonable that even Yan Zhao was momentarily speechless. 

The Sword Peak disciples fully supported it, giving it willingly, and even suggested that their boss should start more fights next time because it was faster than baiting for money.  

This, of course, drew various mockeries from the wealthy disciples of other peaks, but overall, everyone was still satisfied.  

Feng Qingxiu looked at the extra spiritual stone credits in his Net Charm and felt like it was all a dream.  

He had been in the outer sect over a year ago, worried about the money for buying talisman paper, and now he was so rich that he didn’t even dare count how many digits were in his credits.  

He felt like if this continued, he would be spoiled rotten by his master.  

He gently suggested to his master that in the future, he should handle things himself. Otherwise, with his master always around, life would have no challenges.  

This was a polite way of saying, “Master, could you stop following me around all the time?”  

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Ji Yunlai snorted softly and said indifferently, “If Xiao Qing wants challenges, that’s the simplest thing.”  

The next day, Ji Yunlai ruthlessly interrupted Peak Master An’s enthusiastic baiting scheme, dragging her to spar with Xiao Qing instead.  

Instantly, it became a scene of utter chaos.  

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After lingering in the Yuntian Domain for several days, the ransom payment from the Ziyun Dao was still on its way, but Sword Peak, from the peak master to the disciples, had already stirred up the beast demon nest so much that the spirit demons had fled in panic. 

Of course, walking the night road often meant stumbling upon some hard bones to chew. Along the way, many disciples had sustained serious injuries, but the cultivators of Medicine Peak were there to properly tend to them.

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Besides the disciples showcasing their skills, there were also many brave unaffiliated cultivators who had tagged along with the flying peaks, trying to make some extra profit by trading spiritual grains in the beast demon nest.

As Luo Chi descended from the flying peak, he stepped onto the moist, moss-covered ground. He picked up a handful of wet soil with moss and compared it to the information in his memory. With an incantation, his figure shifted, landing directly atop the giant beast demon nest in the cloud sea.

He had traveled from the Central Continent to the Southern Continent, and then entered the remote area of the Yuntian Domain, controlled by Jietian Dao and the Taiqing Sect. Unexpectedly, he ended up captured in the territory of Ziyun Dao.

Fortunately, his adaptability wasn’t too bad. If word of his capture had reached Jietian Dao, his mother would have mocked him for half a year. And the trouble on the Taiqing Sect’s side would have piled as high as the sky.

Moreover, the mission he was on had failed.

The ancient cultivator from the Taiqing Sect had tasked him with finding something but only mentioned that he should head northwest and that fate would guide him. Given the huge debt of karma he owed the ancient cultivator, he couldn’t refuse.

To make matters worse, during his capture, the sensing stone that could detect the object was stolen by Demoness Qingnu of Kun-Lai.

Now this was quite embarrassing.

How could he retrieve the sensing stone from Demoness Qingnu? He couldn’t draw attention to himself, or else if they discovered he was assisting a Human Immortal in finding treasure, they would never return it.

The only thing he had left to offer was his skills.

As he pondered this, he noticed a young man walking past him not far away. 

It was the same youth who had shattered his spiritual armor with one sword strike. Word was that his surname was Feng, the head apprentice of the Kun-Lai Sect Leader, someone of equally noble status no worse than his own.

Perhaps he could try something on his side?

Luo Chi thought for a moment and approached him, greeting, “Feng gongzi…”

Feng Qingxiu stopped and nodded, immediately recognizing the young man before him. During the battle, this person had been lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike. He had intercepted his formless sword energy, causing his sword to break and injuring his heart meridian due to the backlash. It had taken the Demoness Qingnu quite some time to heal him.

But it was simply a case of conflicting loyalties, with each person fighting for their side—nothing awkward about it. He had also approved Luo Chi’s ransom payment yesterday.

“Last time, you broke my sword.” Luo Chi pulled out his broken longsword from his palm, pointing to the strange cracks on it. “Your sword energy has left a demonic trace on it, and I can’t reintegrate it. Could you help remove the trace?”

Because the sword was broken, he was able to get a cheaper price for it during his ransom payment.

Feng Qingxiu looked at the strand of formless sword energy coiling around the blade’s fracture and nodded, calling back the sword energy. 

The returning energy seemed somewhat reluctant, and as it left the blade, the sword trembled slightly before automatically repairing itself. Luo Chi breathed a sigh of relief and inserted the sword back into his palm.

“Is this a spiritual weapon?” Feng Qingxiu asked, recognizing at a glance that the sword had a spiritual soul—a rare treasure that could grow alongside its master. Given Luo Chi’s background, possessing such an item was not surprising.

Feng Qingxiu’s own formless sword energy was technically a spiritual weapon too, though it had a habit of feeding on other spiritual weapon souls, which explained its reluctance to leave.

“Indeed. Ying Che was forged from magnetite gathered at the Northern Sea Eye and tempered with cold iron. After nurturing it with blood and flesh for a hundred years, it finally became a spiritual sword.” Luo Chi smiled as he brushed his hand over his arm. “I’ve long heard of Kun-Lai’s disciples being extraordinary, and it’s my first time seeing someone who could control a spiritual weapon while still in the Golden Core stage. Was this weapon bestowed upon you by your Sect Leader?”

In truth there was no such rule—anyone could use a spiritual weapon once it recognized them as its master. However, in the Central Continent, spiritual weapons were rarely given to cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage; doing so would essentially invite others to come and rob them.

Feng Qingxiu nodded slightly. “You flatter me, but yes, it was.”

The Xing Dao Master’s cultivation method was unique in style and naturally the spiritual weapons he bestowed would be different from those of the Central Continent. Luo Chi knew that continuing a discussion on spiritual weapon maintenance would be pointless, so he changed the topic. “To be honest, my sword still has some deficiencies. I’ve been searching for materials over the years, but unfortunately, many have ended up in the hands of your sect’s Qingnu. I’ve been unable to find her lately. Could you help me arrange a meeting with her? I would be deeply grateful.”

This wasn’t difficult, but Feng Qingxiu knew that with the prisoner exchange coming up soon, Qingnu was likely busy with that Grand Elder of Ziyun Dao and wouldn’t have time for a meeting. He nodded, “Qingnu is currently in Seclusion. You might be able to meet her in three days.”

By then, the prisoner exchange with Ziyun Dao would have happened, and Qingnu would likely be eager to extract more information about Jietian Dao’s healing techniques.

“Many thanks…” Luo Chi nodded but suddenly paused.

He had seen someone—or rather, something not quite human.

It seemed to be a wisp of a soul.

Luo Chi had been born with Divine Eyes, which had earned him a place as a disciple of the ancient cultivator of the Taiqing Sect. This ability allowed him to see through all illusions and ghostly trickery.

The ancient cultivator’s goal was for Luo Chi to inherit his Taishang Dao, honing his Divine Eyes to their peak, allowing him to perceive the world’s fortunes and see through the myriad layers of existence.

This was why Luo Chi could clearly see the faint, ethereal wisp of a soul drifting by.

That wisp of soul only smiled faintly, yet it seemed to gather all the world’s essence in its form, like a moon suspended in the heavens, drawing all gazes toward it.

Luo Chi was no stranger to awe-inspiring sights.

He had met world-renowned figures—the ancient cultivator of the Taiqing Sect, his grandmother, Venerable Yan of Ziyun Dao, and even the legendary Taixuan Qingxiao. He had even witnessed the Xing Dao Master of Kun-Lai in the apocalyptic scene during the heavenly tribulations in the Southern Continent back then, displaying unparalleled mastery over the laws of heaven and earth.

But all those figures had an unmistakable air of distance, treating all beings—living or dead—equally, their detachment evident.

Jietian Dao cultivated through emotions, and while Luo Chi found such manipulation of countless lives in the palm of one’s hand to be utterly tedious. Towards the emotionless Dao of the Taiqing Sect, he avoided it even more like the plague.

However, the soul just now was definitely a supreme power of the Great Sage/Human Immortal rank. 

But that kind of smile and demeanor…  

Just recalling it made a flush of red slowly creep up from the tips of Luo Chi’s ears. He silently covered his face.  

For the beauty, there was no choice but to sell a few items from Taiqing and Ziyun. 

After all, everyone had been scheming against each other for so many years; they all knew each other’s cards…  

“Clang!” A sword’s hum, as loud as a great bell, suddenly pulled him out of his fantasy. It was the spiritual sword connected to his soul through his blood, sensing his thoughts and mercilessly pouring cold water on him.  

“You scared me.” Luo Chi gently touched his left hand and spoke softly to the sword he dearly loved, which was heavily injured.  

The long sword hummed again, questioning him, “Don’t daydream any longer, have you thought about who that soul was?”  

Luo Chi suddenly froze.

***

On the way back, Feng Qingxiu frowned slightly: “It seemed that person saw you?”  

Ji Yunlai was unconcerned: “So what?”  

He had only concealed himself a little, not wanting to cause trouble. If he wished, even if that boy had another pair of eyes, he wouldn’t have been able to see him.  

Feng Qingxiu had nothing more to say. He was clearly the only one who could see his master… but he simply replied, “It’s nothing, just a little strange.”  

Ji Yunlai secretly glanced at the shadow of his apprentice swinging a sword, ready to strike, and smiled: “In the future, just make sure he doesn’t see me.”  

“I’m not that…” Feng Qingxiu wanted to say ‘petty’, but somehow it didn’t sound right. Feeling a bit frustrated, he stopped talking.  

“I understand.” Ji Yunlai’s smile deepened, and he patted his apprentice’s head.  

What do you understand… Feng Qingxiu felt a twinge of conflict in his heart, so he dropped the subject altogether.

When they returned to the flying peak, Feng Qingxiu thought of the things given to him by Senior Brother Yang and had a vague desire to connect needle and thread…  

No, no!  

How could he let his master see those embarrassing inner robes of strange styles?  

That would be a grave offense, deceiving his master and dishonoring his ancestors.  

“What grave offense?” Ji Yunlai asked from the side.  

“Nothing, just thinking that Senior Brother Yang’s generosity can’t be refused, so I ought to prepare a return gift.” Feng Qingxiu was startled that he had let slip part of his thoughts.  

“Is that so.” Ji Yunlai didn’t expose him and just gazed out at the brilliant sunset, now coloring the western horizon. For some reason, he felt as though something was waiting for him in the west.  

But the west here was nothing but the endless chasm of the Abyss.  

He had tried to descend, but the turbid waters below were incredibly fierce, with the power to cleanse the soul. Even sending down a mere part of his spirit would cause some damage.  

He had only come here to accompany Xiao Qing, so he hadn’t gone down again.  

Seeing Feng Qingxiu’s flushed face, Ji Yunlai couldn’t help teasing him again: “With Xiao Yang being so mischievous, you might as well just accept me instead.”  

Feng Qingxiu’s ears first turned red, then his face turned blue. Looking incredibly fierce, he was about to retort with “Impossible!” when he noticed his master’s barely concealed smile. His mind turned, and he glanced mildly at his master, replying calmly, “Alright, whenever you decide on a date.”  

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Ji Yunlai was taken aback by the counterattack and laughed: “Why wait? Today works.”  

“It seems Master doesn’t care about me at all, not even bothering to choose a proper day. Let’s leave it for the next life then.” Seeing that his master remained unflustered, Feng Qingxiu could only sigh in defeat. “Enough joking. Help me think about what return gift I should give to Senior Brother Yang.” 

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Xiao Yang is getting more and more over the line. Does he think he can tease my disciple?

Ji Yunlai was slightly displeased and mentally marked a cross next to Yang Fuyin’s name, thinking that it might be time to discipline this apprentice. However, this was a small matter. After considering it for a moment, he continued to gaze into the distance.

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This travel trip was so much fun!

Yun Capital rose high into the clouds, with a sea of clouds flowing around it. From afar, it looks like a city floating in the sky. Adding in the occasional appearances of spirit demons and creatures flying in and out, Ji Yunlai felt as if he had stepped into a fantasy world.

There was no place for the flying peaks to land in Yun Capital, so they landed on a flat space outside the cliff.

This city, if it could be called a city, was more like a massive beast demon’s nest. Here, one had to be constantly on guard against possible attacks from spirit demons and monsters, so they must move in groups.

Feng Qingxiu’s group, of course, included his master.

After going through various preparations for landing the flying peaks and activating wards, Ji Yunlai excitedly carried his apprentice up to the beast demon’s nest that was Yun Capital.

Upon arriving at the nest, they saw a rule posted: The beast demons in Yun Capital must not exceed the size of the nearby stone monument. The stone monument was six meters tall, wide, and long. Standing next to it, Ji Yunlai and Xiao Qing instantly appeared small in comparison.

As they walked, the two chatted.

Ji Yunlai said, “For the free-spirited spirit demon clans, a gathering place like a city is really rare. They usually just take whatever they lack by force, or they wait by a spiritual herb for a thousand years to mature. Only Great Sages can suppress these unruly spirit demons.”

Feng Qingxiu smiled faintly, then sighed a bit. “I pity those great spirit demons who guard their spiritual treasures for years, only to have them snatched away at the last moment, even becoming prey themselves.”

“This is the survival law of the spirit demons: the strong prey on the weak, and nature takes its course,” Ji Yunlai nodded, recalling his own experiences. He mused, “In truth, the human race is no different, except we’ve learned to defy the heavens.”

“Isn’t it about following the will of the heavens?” Feng Qingxiu had been following his master’s train of thought but suddenly couldn’t reconcile this idea. “Humans observe the changes of the seasons, summarize the 24 solar terms, and follow the rhythm of farming. Even cultivation often involves proclaiming ‘this is the will of the heavens.'”

“On the surface, yes. But if we truly followed the will of heaven, we wouldn’t be cultivating for immortality at all. Humans are smarter than spirit demons because they learn from experience and exploit loopholes.” Ji Yunlai spoke casually while examining the various spiritual items around the beast demon nest. Here, if one wanted something, they had to ask about it and trade; it was like a primitive society.

Though in some ways, it was even less civilized—at least in primitive society, there wasn’t the principle of eating someone just because it was a moment of pique.

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from the side, “Two pounds of Azure Rice, deal or no deal?”

Feng Qingxiu turned curiously and saw Black Snake holding a bag, negotiating with a peacock whose feathers were incredibly brilliant. The object the peacock guarded outside its nest was exactly what Black Snake was pointing at—a dark, indistinct item.

The peacock tilted its head. “Three pounds.”

“Deal!” Black Snake agreed instantly, taking out the rice from his pouch and handing it over.

The peacock eyed Black Snake’s pouch, clearly still filled with rice, with a predatory gleam.

Black Snake, having taken the dark item, turned to leave.

The peacock glanced over and followed closely behind.

Feng Qingxiu was about to step forward to assist when he noticed a few disciples from Wenjian Peak also looking pleased and following along.

Well, Feng Qingxiu backed off; it seemed his help wasn’t needed.

However, in the next second, they all saw the peacock cry out in alarm and fly away, panic-stricken, dropping a flurry of feathers.

A massive seven-headed snake appeared in Yun Capital, its body spanning a thousand meters, hissing, “That beauty snake is my beloved. No one is allowed to touch him!”

The other spirit demons, seeing this, said nothing. They silently memorized Black Snake’s appearance and returned to their own business.

Hai Chaoxu, satisfied, transformed back into the form of a graceful young man, though his lower body was still that of a long tail. He seductively wrapped it around Black Snake’s leg, wearing an overbearing expression like a king. “Beauty, you’ve finally come. I’ve been waiting for you in Yun Capital for so long. Do you know? Ever since you lashed me with your tail in bed that last time, I haven’t been able to forget you…”

“Slap!” Black Snake’s long tail appeared instantly, mercilessly slapping him across the face. “Idiot! Don’t you dare come looking for me again!”

With that, he stormed off in a rage.

The several disciples from Wenjian Peak looked at each other, speechless.

After a while, one disciple sighed, “I told you that snake couldn’t be trusted…”

“Such hindsight!” The other disciples angrily bombarded him.

“How about we find his brother, that bird?” someone suggested. “Fishing requires bait, after all, and weak spirit demons are the best bait here.”

“But that nightingale’s talent is camouflage. It can make itself completely unnoticeable. Bringing him out wouldn’t attract anyone’s attention.” Another objected.

“Just paint him a bright color to make him stand out. Let’s ask Huang Wei.”

“Great idea.”

Feng Qingxiu and Ji Yunlai, both amused, wandered around for a while longer before finally returning to the flying peak.

Yan Zhao and Bai Shuixian came to ask him to keep an eye on the flying peaks, as they were going to find the Great Sage here to inquire about collecting Earth Essence.

Feng Qingxiu, of course, agreed readily. Then he asked his master, “What exactly is Earth Essence?”

Ji Yunlai carefully explained it to him.

Earth Essence is found in a tributary that splits from the Abyss and flows into the river here. The eerie underworld energy causes all sorts of fierce beasts to grow in the river, which are extremely numerous and violent. However, this energy also causes the occasional appearance of a grain of extremely black and heavy sand at the river bottom. Collecting this sand is incredibly difficult.

Such is the wonder of the world—these things that are useless to spirit demons are key to cultivating Cloud Talisman Dao Seeds. A single grain of this sand can sell for 5,000 spiritual stones in Kun-Lai. Powerful cultivators then make it into Cloud Talisman Dao Seeds, which can easily sell for 10,000 spiritual stones.

Kun-Lai once lost a Cloud Talisman Dao Seed, and it ended up being auctioned off at the Ten Thousand Immortal Conference in the Central Continent. The three major sects fought fiercely for it, and it eventually sold for more than 100,000 spiritual stones.

So, this expedition’s most important objective is to collect grains of Earth Essence. According to legend, this material was once used by Yu the Great to control floods. Just a tiny bit can fill valleys and mountains. Back then, Ji Yunlai also used the infinitely growing nature of Earth Essence to make Cloud Talisman Dao Seeds, which could be placed in a cultivator’s spiritual sea of consciousness and turned into a small world, cultivating alongside its owner. This solved the issue of weak foundations in cultivation.

“The spiritual sea of consciousness, what exactly is it? How can it hold an entire world?” Feng Qingxiu was filled with curiosity about this question. Although he could observe the spiritual sea of consciousness within his spiritual platform during meditation, his cultivation level was still too low to fully understand it.

“The spiritual platform is located at the center of the forehead, where the soul resides. It is the place where the human body connects with heaven and earth.” Ji Yunlai lightly tapped his apprentice’s forehead. “In cultivation, there’s a saying that the human body is a boat to cross the sea of suffering in the mortal world. This is because the human body aligns with the Dao, giving people a chance to attain eternal life. Although the spiritual platform occupies only a small space in the forehead, it can be expanded by the power of the soul.”

Feng Qingxiu understood some of this but had many more questions.

“Consider a storage pouch. It may appear small on the outside, but the space inside is vast. To further expand the space, wouldn’t you need better materials to support the spatial wards that hold the contents?” Ji Yunlai patiently explained.

Feng Qingxiu nodded. “Exactly.”

“The spiritual platform is the same. If you want to expand its space, your soul must be strong. There are legends of great masters from the ancient times, who could create entire worlds with a single flower or leaf. Our Peak Master Tu of Shenong Peak can create up to a thousand acres of spiritual fields, but even he is still far from that level.” Ji Yunlai patted his apprentice’s head.

“Master, since you’re a Human Immortal, have you ever planted a Cloud Talisman Dao Seed?” Feng Qingxiu asked curiously. After all, his master was Human Immortal.

“I…” Ji Yunlai was about to say no but stopped. Given his personality, if he were to have his people try something, he would definitely be the first to test it himself.

However, since awakening, he had not seen any trace of his spiritual fields within his sea of consciousness.  

The spiritual fields were bound to its owner; even if it could be passed on to someone else, it would damage their spiritual platform.  

But since awakening, he had not seen any trace of his spiritual fields within his sea of consciousness.  

So, where had his fields—or rather, his world—gone, and how large would it have been?  

…He would have to go back and investigate thoroughly.

***

On the Sword Peak, Peak Master An gazed from afar at the eerie city, feeling full of energy, confident she could take on ten Synthesis cultivators at once: “It seems the people in that city have changed! We can go fishing now. Qiao Qiao, come, give me makeup that makes me look like a delicate young girl.”  

Qiao Long was unmoved: “Did you forget? Last time, after you chased that ancient spirit demon’s blood for ten thousand miles and killed him here, they all recognize your scent.”  

An Xian was instantly displeased: “Can’t we rob people happily anymore? Fine, Qiao Qiao, you dress as a girl, and I’ll dress as a guy. I refuse to believe it won’t work!”  

You Bazhua: “If you want to fight, just go. Why come up with so many excuses?”  

An Xian glanced at him disdainfully: “Useless trash that can’t even fight me should shut up! Or else come fight me.”  

You Bazhua turned and walked away.

Thus, only the master and apprentice remained on the peak.

An Xian’s eyes suddenly twitched as she stared into the distance: “The people from Ziyun Dao haven’t come to pay ransom for the captives yet, right? Look at those useless people from Medicine Peak; they actually let a captive escape…”  

“Luo Chi? He paid his ransom himself.” Qiao Long gave her a helpless look. “I just went to Medicine Peak to exchange for some elixirs to mask your scent. Let me do your makeup.”  

“When he was caught, wasn’t he already searched? How did he still have money to ransom himself?” An Xian sat down in front of Qiao Long, her gaze never leaving the captive, as if trying to figure out where the money was hidden.  

“He used a detoxification technique that neutralizes the properties of poisons. Guan Yuli is a kind person and appraised it at a high price. Not only did he allow him to pay his own ransom, but he also gave him extra resources. Now he’s staying with the unaffiliated cultivators on the flying peak for the expedition.” Qiao Long deftly styled her hair into a youthful bun and took out a powder box. “Close your eyes!”  

An Xian closed her eyes, allowing her apprentice to apply the makeup: “Qiao Qiao, after we’re done robbing, I plan to go to the Black Witchlands. You don’t need to come with me.”  

Qiao Long’s fingers paused: “There are still things on the Sword Peak to take care of. There’s no rush. The things you gave to Bai Yue aren’t much; I know that.”  

“I promised Yang Fuyin certain things, and I can’t delay giving it to him forever.” An Xian smiled lightly, “The trials of knife mountains and fire seas, I always have to try them.”  

Qiao Long finished the final touches of the makeup, coldly standing up: “Do as you wish.”  

“Don’t be angry,” An Xian took out a small hand mirror and, satisfied with the delicate appearance in the reflection, casually said, “You know that the thrill of walking between life and death is my favorite. What’s the point of idle cultivation every day?”  

“You don’t need my permission,” Qiao Long said indifferently. “An expedition is meant to explore unknown regions and seek new spiritual treasures, which is your duty as a peak master.”  

“You’re so heartless…”  

An Xian felt a wave of sadness.  

Qiao Long glanced at her, casually remarking: “The Cloud Talisman Dao Seed that Sect Leader gave you, did you store it in that place?”  

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“Yes…” An Xian abruptly stopped, her face showing suspicion. After a long pause, she finally said softly, “Nothing escapes you. But Qiao Qiao, prying into things you shouldn’t know comes with consequences!”  

“I’m just confused. Why did Sect Leader give his spiritual world to you?” Qiao Long couldn’t understand. “What is your relationship?” 

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This answer caused Madam Guan’s hand, which was holding the needle, to pause slightly. It wasn’t out of fear of Jietian Dao. After all, that sect occupies the northeastern part of the Central Continent, which is more than a hundred thousand miles away from here. Besides, they had no qualms about capturing even the Grand Elder of Ziyun Dao, so capturing a second-generation cultivator wasn’t really a big deal.

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The issue was more about Jietian Dao’s sect leader, Cheng Qiuyue, who, in recent years, had pursued a strategy of forming distant alliances while attacking closer rivals. Among the three high sects, she had not made any major moves against Kun-Lai. She was also known for her chivalrous reputation, acting fairly and thoroughly. In a Central  Continent increasingly embroiled in conflicts due to dwindling resources, she stood as a rare example of integrity, governing her realm without the chaos and bullying found in other places.

Therefore, it didn’t seem necessary to sour relations with Jietian Dao over such a minor issue. Small private disputes were one thing, but an all-out war was something else entirely.

He reported the matter to the elders and asked the young man why he had teamed up with Ziyun Dao.

Wasn’t staying alive better? Why choose the path of destruction?

The captive was silent for a moment before replying calmly, “I was merely trying to save an old acquaintance when I was injured by an formless sword energy.”

Guan Yuli immediately remembered that during the previous conflict with Ziyun Dao, Senior Brother Feng Qingxiu had gravely injured a Nascent Soul cultivator with a single strike of sword energy. The injured cultivator was then sold to Qingnu Peak for a high price, where he was treated for a day. After Elder Yan agreed to give Ziyun Dao’s Synthesis stage Elder Yan to Qingnu, Qingnu, being overwhelmed with work, passed the injured Nascent Soul cultivator along—was that him?

If what he said was true, then he really was unlucky.

Senior Brother Feng’s formless sword energy was notoriously known for breaking through all incantations and artifacts, making it the nemesis of all spiritual artifacts.

This second-generation cultivator had likely been quite confident at the time, thinking that even if he couldn’t help much, at worst he could run and protect himself. But the moment Senior Brother Feng noticed someone lurking around the battlefield, he wouldn’t have wasted any words and would have immediately struck with his sword…

“Your name?” Guan Yuli asked.

“Luo Chi,” the prisoner replied calmly.

Soon, Elder Yan arrived. The distance between flying peaks was quite short, and Kun-Lai’s elders were not ones to put on airs.

After some questioning, Elder Yan nodded and said, “Treat him well. Once he’s healed and pays his fees, he can leave.”

Then he turned and left.

A cultivator with some background was nothing special. According to Kun-Lai’s rules, no exceptions were needed. After all, even though the disciples of Medicine Peak, Pill, and Poison Peak liked to stir up trouble, they never caused any deaths.

Guan Yuli instantly understood the meaning behind it and nodded, signaling that he got the message.

Medicine Peak’s medical fees… they could be outrageously expensive.

The captive, naturally, overheard this. Over the past few days on the flying peak, his understanding of the world had expanded significantly. After a brief silence, he suddenly said, “I am willing to swear a heart demon oath, promising that while captured in Kun-Lai, I will harbor no thoughts of escape or resistance. May I join the unaffiliated cultivators among the expedition?”

Guan Yuli was stunned. “You’re the son of a sect leader! The high sects aren’t that poor, are they?”

Jietian Dao, being one of the three high sects, surely had its share of resources.

The captive fell silent again before finally saying, “Not exactly poor… I just refused an arranged marriage, so…”

An ancient cultivator from the Taixu Sect had predicted that he would face imprisonment this year—either a prison of love or a physical prison. After a brief internal struggle, he chose to flee to foreign lands to escape the love tribulation. A physical prison would eventually end, but a love prison could be endless.

“Who’s forcing you into marriage?” Madam Guan was a little surprised.

The captive just shook his head slightly, not wanting to discuss the matter further.

Madam Guan gave him a sympathetic look. He had witnessed firsthand the pressure of being forced into marriage. He himself, being a bamboo spirit demon, didn’t rely on pollen for reproduction, but for spirit demons like You Jia or Huang Wei, who were solitary by nature and not interested in reproducing, this was seen as heresy by beast-type spirit demon clans, who loved both eating and reproducing.

The ideological conflict between the younger and older generations of ordinary spirit demon clans was becoming an increasingly troublesome issue in Kun-Lai.

“Then you’ll have to stay in Kun-Lai for a while. The environment here won’t be as good as in your sect,” Guan Yuli said regretfully.

“No,” the captive said dismissively. “Aside from the occasional disturbances, both the spiritual energy and spiritual resources here are far superior to those in the various sects of the Central Continent.”

“The Central Continent can’t be that lacking in spiritual resources, right?” It is the most prosperous place for the human race after all, and Guan Yuli hadn’t thought of it being otherwise.

“If there were just one sect of cultivators, it would naturally be sufficient. And if it’s only the three major sects, it would still be enough,” the captive shook his head slightly, recalling the current tense situation in the Central Continent. “But with the three major sects, thirty-six middle sects, over nine thousand minor sects, and countless scattered unaffiliated cultivators, it will inevitably be lacking.”

That’s why he hadn’t gone to the other continents but had come to the Outlands to see if there were any other opportunities for breakthroughs.

“Then why not reduce the number of disciples?” Madam Guan, who grew up in Kun-Lai, was a little curious about the Central Continent. In Kun-Lai, when there isn’t enough spiritual rice and spiritual resources for the Foundation Establishment disciples, the difficulty of the outer sect exams inevitably increases, which will allow some substandard disciples to flow to smaller sects.

“Then who would be the first to reduce?” The captive gently shook his head. “If the combat power within the sect is insufficient, even a slight misstep could lead to being swallowed by other sects. Even if your Kun-Lai is far away in the Western Continent, aren’t you always on guard?”

The Western Continent is indeed too far from the prosperous lands of the human race, so far that the larger powers can hardly reach it. However, this success didn’t come easily. Kun-Lai also experienced a setback in the Central Continent before it was reborn from the ashes in the Western Continent. Even now, the remains of Kun-Lai within the Taiqing Sect’s domain of influence is a precious territory that the Taiqing Sect has sent people to excavate several times. Occasionally, manuscripts of talisman and warding methods by the Xing Dao Master would circulate in the Central Continent, provoking the three major sects to take action to snatch the treasure for themselves.

“I understand. However, regarding your request, let’s discuss it after the poison in your system is resolved. Qingnu is busy and will be here shortly.” Madam Guan nodded, seeming to think of some other solution. He picked up a square needle as thick as a long chopstick and stabbed it into his hand along the Shaoyang Meridian.

The sensation was too intoxicating. The captive considered his tolerance and recalled the feeling he had when being tormented by Qingnu. He shook his hand, and the petrification receded, revealing a wrist as flawless as jade.

Madam Guan was stunned.

“You’ve already healed it. I shouldn’t need to pay too much for it, right?” the captive asked softly.

There was no choice; with the declining morals of society, if one didn’t play some tricks, everyone would struggle to survive.

***

Ji Yunlai smiled in amusement. This is what an expedition is like—it can mature the disciples both mentally and physically at a rapid pace.

Shaking his head, he withdrew his gaze, looking at his apprentice who had returned to normal and no longer blushed, then glanced at the shadow that had settled down to the point of being indistinguishable from any other ordinary shadow, feeling a bit regretful.

Xiao Qing used to be so playful; now he doesn’t even want to play with me…

Feeling his master’s soulful gaze, Feng Qingxiu suddenly turned around, a look of vigilance on his face. “What do you want to do now?”

…The older his apprentice got, the less obedient he became. Ji Yunlai felt a sense of sadness.

In the following days, Feng Qingxiu’s life continued as usual: handling various matters on the peak, practicing swordsmanship, cultivating, meditating, and occasionally being teased by his master.

They encountered several waves of beast demons along the way, and various flying peaks suffered some minor injuries, but the newbies, having gone through the baptism of these battles, were now nearly accustomed to the rhythm and were no longer as flustered as they were at the beginning.

They also occasionally searched below the Abyss, and with Ji Yunlai watching over them, not many people fell into the Nine Abyss this time.

Compared to previous losses, these could be considered negligible.

For a time, the mountain veins of the various flying peaks were filled with many valuable items.

After stopping several times along the way, about twenty days after leaving Ziyun Dao City, a strange city appeared on the distant horizon.

It was a city amidst the sea of clouds, where enormous beast demons occasionally flew out, illuminated by the distant sunset, appearing grand and awe-inspiring.

The buildings were not square houses built by humans but various caves scattered within stone forests, with the spaces between them being very sparse, indicating territory belonging to the beast demons.

As the flying peaks approached, they discovered that the city was not actually in the sea of clouds but on top of a high mountain. This mountain was exceptionally bizarre in appearance, with a square shape and cliffs thousands of meters high on all sides, looking as though it had been cut flat with an axe.

“It looks like a large slice of cake thrown down by the heavens,” Ji Yunlai commented.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

However, today seemed particularly quiet, with few disciples coming out to watch. Ji Yunlai turned around and found his apprentice still engrossed in some information recorded in a jade tablet for quite some time.

“What are you looking at?” the master asked his apprentice.

“A book given by Senior Brother Yang.” Feng Qingxiu’s ears turned slightly red as he casually crushed the jade tablet, his teeth clenched slightly. “With such a thoughtful senior brother, I should give back something as well.”

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