Feng Qingxiu suddenly woke up, touched the corner of his eyes, and found them wet with tears. The events of the dream were still vividly imprinted in his mind.  

Luckily, it was just a dream.  

How terrifying—how could I have such a dream?  

He sat up and quickly performed an incantation to tidy his appearance. But thinking of what had happened earlier, he couldn’t help but feel a bit helpless.

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In truth, he had long noticed something strange about his master.  

His master… only showed a slight bit of warmth to him. Toward others, even his daughter, Mingyu, he was cold and indifferent, completely resembling the cold and emotionless Xing Dao Master of the legends. Feng Qingxiu had thought it was just normal master-apprentice affection.  

But seeing how his master treated Senior Brother Yang, who was also an apprentice of his, he now realized his master was quite indifferent toward the bond between master and apprentice…

Could it be that master also… No, impossible!  

Feng Qingxiu shook his head. He was just an ordinary person—how could someone as godly as his master ever like him?  

Still, from now on, I shouldn’t be so hard on Master. He’s been lonely for many years. Letting him have a bit of happiness once in a while isn’t so bad.

Thinking this, he lowered his head and looked at his shadow, which was touching his right hand—the hand that had touched his master’s body.  

This time, Feng Qingxiu was genuinely angry. He instinctively clenched his right hand.  

However, unlike before, this time, he caught the shadow.  

That sensation of being completely one with it…  

He could even feel that he could easily control this shadow, even enter the shadows of others.

Feng Qingxiu toyed with the shadow in his hand, squeezing it like rubber. With a casual gesture, he drew out an incredibly pure demonic energy from it—so thick it was almost tangible. He could sense that within this shadow, something was sealed, trapping countless terrifying powers. If he wanted, he could break that seal and shed his human form, transforming into a demon…

What a joke! Feng Qingxiu immediately flung the shadow away.  

He was the head disciple of Kun-Lai, with the best master and the best sect in the world. Why would he become a demon, hunted down by everyone, living a life of loneliness and danger?

Recalling the illusion in his dream, Feng Qingxiu left his room. Right now, he needed to see his master, safe and sound, to calm his troubled heart.  

However, after searching all of Zhuiyun Peak, he couldn’t find his master.  

So he went to ask the elders.

“Didn’t he tell you?” Bai Shuixian, who had lost half a move to Yan Zhao and was forced to stay behind to guard the flying peaks, wasn’t pleased. She replied offhandedly, “He probably went to the Black Witchlands with Luo Chi and the others.”

“Oh…” Feng Qingxiu’s disappointment was evident. After a moment, he lowered his head and said quietly, “Thank you for telling me, elder.”

Bai Shuixian glanced at him with affection and warned, “You’re a good kid. Don’t go finding trouble.”

“Of course.” Feng Qingxiu nodded weakly and turned to leave.

“Disciples these days are becoming harder and harder to understand.” Bai Shuixian sighed and went back to her work.

***

Elsewhere, the sky was vast, and cold winds swept past.  

A strong wind carrying damp, chilling gloom swept through the pitch-black chasms, making the withered grass bow and the tall trees lower their heads.  

The black abyss looked like a crack in the earth, its depth unfathomable. The endlessly weathered cliffs gradually vanished into the darkness.

Standing atop the high cliff, Ji Yunlai withdrew his divine consciousness. There was a strange force in the abyss below, filled with decay and deathly stillness, blocking his perception like a thick fog.  

At his feet, there was a small path, barely an inch wide. If one didn’t have keen eyesight, they wouldn’t even see the path.  

This was the entrance to the Black Witchlands.  

Below, something familiar was calling out to him.  

If he wasn’t mistaken, it was his Dao Seed.  

But why was it here?

He couldn’t be bothered to think too much. Taking a step forward, he floated down like a feather.  

He didn’t need the path. The powerful suction from the abyss was something he could easily resist.  

But he had still underestimated the depth of the abyss. After adjusting his descent speed multiple times, a whole day had passed, and he was still falling.  

This was endless! At his current speed, he could have traveled from Yuntian Domain to Kun-Lai. The Nine Abyss were far deeper than he had expected—it seemed almost unnatural.

He tried to leave, but found that everything around him was pitch black. The dark aura covered everything, and there was no sense of direction.  

If his true body were here, he could easily escape this natural void rift. But unfortunately, this was just a soul fragment, carrying only a portion of his power. Once that power was used up, he would have to return to the flying peak to recharge using high-grade spiritual stones. If he exhausted it here, he’d have no choice but to return to his main body.

That… would be very embarrassing.

Ji Yunlai chuckled softly. Since awakening, his days had been going too smoothly. Not only had he become so arrogant that he couldn’t recognize his own feelings, but because his spiritual consciousness had also grown so strong that he no longer had the vigilance he once had. Before awakening, he had been a cautious little cultivator who wouldn’t step into dangerous places without at least seventy percent certainty.

It turns out that man’s true enemy isn’t weakness but arrogance. Rushing into unknown places and disregarding the experience of others, believing one’s strength can overcome everything—that’s the real lesson here.

However, fortunately, this problem can still be resolved. 

This lesson must be remembered. The reason the High Priest had requested something from him to enter the Nine Abyss was likely because the place was too strange, where even Human Immortals could easily get lost. If he really got stuck here, unable to escape, Xiao Qing would surely be beside himself with worry, maybe even come looking for him…

The thought alone was terrifying!

Ji Yunlai took out a small stone, no bigger than a fingernail, and gently crushed it. As the stone dust scattered, his figure instantly became ethereal and vanished into the darkness.

***

Luo Chi, like a wisp of spiritual light, floated down a narrow path along the cliff. A faint flame on his finger illuminated a great distance, but even so, he remained extremely cautious. According to his sect’s records, one could never be too careful in this place.

With his speed as a Demigod cultivator, it still took him two days and nights to finish the path. Under the light of his flame, an endless plain stretched out before him, covered in gray-green wormwood. Something rustled in the grass, moving about.

Luo Chi shrugged and brought the flame closer to the nearest patch of grass. As if burned, a grotesque creature, covered in hands, scurried out of the grass.

“Is this what happens when the darkness hides you? You grow any which way?” Luo Chi muttered, increasing the size of the flame. Based on his instincts, what he was searching for should be in this direction.

He took out a talisman stone and used his divine eye to observe the flow of energy above, confirming the direction.

Yes, this way.

Thankfully, the three major sects had stayed in the Yuntian Domain for over ten thousand years and knew a little about the Black Witchlands. That was the only reason he could come down so quickly. As for the Kun-Lai peak masters, they were probably still trekking slowly along the road. The Wu clan here liked to randomly open paths, and the Abyss even had cracks leading to the Endless Void. Falling into one wouldn’t be easy to escape from.

Luo Chi looked up, pondering how he could negotiate with Jietian Dao to trade with Kun-Lai once this business was done. Lately, he hadn’t seen a trace of that great person’s spiritual fragment…

He sighed softly, ready to get to work.

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Then, he saw the god-like figure who had recently haunted his dreams, quietly standing in the distant wormwood.

Even though Luo Chi had experienced countless storms, he was still momentarily left stunned.

…Alright, he took back what he just said. The phantoms in these Witchlands really knew how to take shape. A perfect replica!

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After a cultivator achieves the Golden Core stage, their body becomes solidified and typically ceases to grow. Therefore, unless someone deliberately chooses to transform into an old man, the younger a cultivator appears, the earlier they must have attained the Dao.

Compared to his master, Feng Qingxiu achieved the Dao slightly later. Although he wasn’t yet twenty, those two years were a time of rapid growth in height, so Feng Qingxiu actually stood about an inch taller than his master, who still maintained a youthful appearance. However, his master’s aura was so overwhelming that even a giant would seem small before him.

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Feng Qingxiu placed one hand against the mountain rock behind his master, his expression cold: “How does Master want me to scold you?”

Ji Yunlai felt a moment of daze. That familiar sensation even quickened the heartbeat of his nonexistent heart in this form. Unable to resist, he raised a hand to touch his apprentice’s face. However, despite only being a soul fragment now, he was still a Human Immortal. In the instant he raised his hand, he regained his senses, and the hand naturally landed on his apprentice’s shoulder instead. He chuckled softly, “Xiao Qing, you’re quite fierce this time. You really startled me.”

Feng Qingxiu let go, turned, and walked away, with what seemed like a faint dark aura following him.

Ji Yunlai watched the shadow of his apprentice ripple away and slowly sat down on a stone chair, picking up the tea his apprentice had brewed. The fragrance of the tea lingered, and the tea was slightly warm, akin to a gentleman—gentle and as refined as jade.

After setting down the teacup, he stared at the fingers that had just touched his apprentice. His fingers were long, pale, and flawless, as if they were naturally carved by the heavens, still holding a trace of warmth. That feeling—like a heartbeat—was unsettling.

Something, it seemed, had crossed a line.

How could this be? Ji Yunlai rested his chin on his hand, falling into deep thought.

Recalling the past, he suddenly realized that since the second day he woke up as a sixteen-year-old, he had clearly been in a constant state of fear. Yet, it seemed that the moment he saw Xiao Qing, all that fear melted away.

Among the thousands of Kun-Lai disciples, his gaze had never wavered, blind to everything else, to the point he hadn’t even noticed how different Xiao Qing was. No, maybe it was precisely because he was so different that it seemed only natural…

So, I seem to have fallen for Xiao Qing?

How could that be? We’re master and apprentice! Ji Yunlai frowned slightly, trying to reject the thought. I didn’t take him as an apprentice because I liked him… did I?

He seriously thought about it and suddenly felt a bit deflated. It seemed he really had taken Xiao Qing as an apprentice because he liked him. But at that time, it was a pure, innocent fondness for a junior! Sure, I was mentally sixteen—but no! Let’s not blame it on being sixteen. I lived on Earth for more than thirty years; by any calculation, I’m still his elder!

But once Ji Yunlai figured it out, he felt even more deflated. So I really do like Xiao Qing?

Is it… just loneliness from being single for a thousand years?

Ji Yunlai chuckled lightly and picked up the teacup, sipping it. The tea had cooled, its taste slightly bitter.

Still… this isn’t good.

Xiao Qing is still young and has his whole life ahead of him. I’m his master, after all. I shouldn’t affect his worldview, nor should I misuse my position to lead him astray.

When he’s grown older, more experienced and worldly, then we’ll see if I still feel this way.

Until then, I’m just his master. Only his master.

He raised the teacup and drained it in one gulp.

But suddenly, he realized something.

Wait, so in the past, I was constantly flirting with Xiao Qing without realizing it…?

Sigh… I’ll have to be more mindful from now on.

Having figured everything out, Ji Yunlai found that he wasn’t happy. On the contrary, thinking about how he wouldn’t be able to tease the easily flustered Xiao Qing anymore, he felt utterly dejected inside, though one wouldn’t know it judging by his cold and indifferent exterior.

After sitting there for a long time, he turned to see that his apprentice had locked himself away in his room again.

He was a little unsure what to do with Xiao Qing.

***

After sitting for a long time, his apprentice still didn’t come out.

Ji Yunlai thought for a bit and decided to leave for a while to let himself sober up.

The young man named Luo Chi from Jietian Dao had taken the stone that fell from his Dao Seed and left the flying peak for the Nine Abyss.

With his divine consciousness, he watched as An Xian also packed equipment and prepared to go to the Black Witchlands.

Ji Yunlai was also a little curious about that place. What was there to be afraid of in such a dangerous place that even Synthesis cultivators didn’t dare to go to easily?

It just so happened that he also wanted to go there to find something, so he decided to go there first.

***

Feng Qingxiu returned to his room, placed restrictive wards all around it, and finally buried his head in the soft bedding.

Heaven knows how terrified he had just been.

At that moment when he, in a fit of pique, pushed his master, he had instinctively thought of… doing something… How could he even think like that?

That’s his most respected master! How could he think of pushing his master down?!

And his master—how could he be so easily pushed over?!

He looked at his hand. It was this hand that had pushed his master. I’m not going to wash this hand—no! This hand should be chopped off!

Feng Qingxiu touched his burning ears.

He suddenly realized, maybe, possibly, or perhaps… vaguely… No, no! He just respects his master. It’s the love an apprentice has for his master!

What am I even thinking? He pressed the hand that had pushed his master against his burning face.

That’s my master!  

The master I’ve admired since I was young.  

I’m just too young. I need to recite the Purity Sutra more often. I can’t have these kinds of thoughts anymore.  

But my master is so beautiful… I fantasize… no, I mustn’t think that way, it’s an insult to him!  

How can this be happening?!  

Feng Qingxiu’s mind was a tangled mess, his heart uneasy, much like when he was younger, worrying about whether he would be accepted into Kun-Lai.  

With a glance, he noticed his shadow swaying erratically on the ground.  

He didn’t even have the strength to pull it back together.  

After a while, he realized that his shadow seemed to be silently watching him.  

Though shadows couldn’t actually “see”, he could just feel it.  

Thinking about the earlier incident when his formless sword struck his shadow, Feng Qingxiu felt he didn’t even deserve to breathe. If he couldn’t even control his own shadow, how could he be worthy of being his master’s apprentice?  

***

His mind in turmoil, after much deliberation, it was still a jumbled mess. So Feng Qingxiu simply grabbed a pillow and covered his head, deciding to sleep.  

This was something he learned while in the outer sect—when your mind is unsettled, if you can’t resolve it, then take a good rest, adjust your mood, and face it again. Never force yourself to meditate, or you might suffer a deviation in your cultivation.  

The shadow tilted its head slightly and then returned under Feng Qingxiu.  

Feng Qingxiu started dreaming again.  

In his dream, he saw his master standing silently before a blood-stained white camellia, eerily quiet. He stood beside him, unable to do anything.

This was not the master he knew. He was too cold, so cold that just being near him made Feng Qingxiu feel as if he would shiver.  

Master stood there, gazing at the bloodstains on the camellia from sunrise to sunset, and then to the next sunrise.  

The camellia bloomed without withering, and the blood remained as bright as ever. But the surrounding mountains and forests gradually turned from green to yellow, eventually covered in thick white snow, until the first snow melted and life returned.  

Finally, his gaze shifted towards Feng Qingxiu.  

After a long time, he spoke, “You’ve won.”  

The voice was devoid of emotion, yet Feng Qingxiu wanted nothing more than to rush forward and shout for him to stop looking, but he couldn’t move.  

Master raised his fingers, and that pale fingertip was wrapped in a domineering sword light, slowly extending towards the center of his forehead.  

Feng Qingxiu almost screamed as he tried to leap forward.  

But he couldn’t move, as if he were just a stubborn ghost of an obsession standing there. 

Master, what are you doing?  

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“I don’t want to wait for you to return anymore.” It seemed that his cries had been heard, for the master across from him calmly directed the sword light at his own forehead. His voice finally carried a hint of warmth, like a soft feather brushing against Feng Qingxiu’s heart. He said, “Don’t be afraid, I just want us to meet at our best moment.”  

No, no, I don’t want to meet you like this, I just want you to be well, as long as you’re well!  

I’ll be back soon, wait for me—!

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Kun-Lai cultivators are known for their swift actions, and as soon as they set their target, everyone moves quickly. As the initiator of this “shifting trouble elsewhere” plan, Luo Chi also went along. With a Dao oath and the dual threats of Qingnu, there was no fear of him causing any trouble along the way.

Moreover, Luo Chi had a special ability. Despite the incredible stealth of the three shaman cultivators, Luo Chi, who was only in the Nascent Soul stage, could easily spot them among countless disguises. So, bringing Luo Chi was essential.

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Every cultivator who has reached the Synthesis stage is an ancient monster with hundreds or even thousands of years of experience (except for Kun-Lai). While Kun-Lai had over twenty such cultivators, which seemed like a lot, it was only because Kun-Lai itself was a unique anomaly (Luo Chi’s words).

In the Southern Continent, which was teeming with demonic beasts and venomous creatures, where swamps were as common as to appear every three steps, and toxic miasma every five steps, these three Synthesis cultivators made up half of all such cultivators in the region.

If their journey from birth to Synthesis were written into a book, each story would be more outlandishly exaggerated than the popular cultivation novels of the Western Continent. Tales of near-death experiences would appear no fewer than ten times, and fortunate encounters would fill the entire narrative. This was the common path for most non-Kun-Lai cultivators: those who survived were kings. As long as one could survive the many calamities, they would eventually reach Synthesis.

At that stage, calling them the “winners of life” was no exaggeration.

Thus, the most valuable items in the Central Continent were never rare herbs or treasures but life-saving items like external avatars, replacement golden bodies, or the cocoon-shedding technique of the Frost Cicada.

Luo Chi, who inherited the wisdom of both the Taiqing and Jietian Dao sects, easily saw through the techniques of the shaman cultivators. “These three are from the Southern Continent’s Black Wu Sect, a large Wu clan that operates like a tribe. Unfortunately, none of them survived multiple Dao calamities. During the last Great Xuan Dao Calamity, their mountain gate was destroyed, and their sect was scattered. They split into different groups and fled to the small islands of the Southern Sea. It wasn’t until the fall of Great Xuan that they returned to their ancestral lands. But now, the three groups refuse to acknowledge each other, each claiming to be the true successors of the Wu Sect. Recently, they learned that the sect’s lost relic from the Great Xuan Dao Calamity is hidden in the Black Witchlands. Moreover, their captured clan members are also in that place. They agreed that whoever retrieves the ancestral relic will be recognized as the legitimate sect leader, and the three great tribes—Heaven, Earth, and Man—will merge back into the Great Wu Clan.”

The rise and fall of Great Xuan, which had once gathered all the Dao manuals under heaven, only to be completely destroyed, reducing the four major sects to three, with countless minor sects wiped from history, was the most catastrophic Dao calamity on record.

As for how Luo Chi knew this in such detail, there was no need to ask. This information came from an old monster of the Taiqing Sect who had been handsomely paid for a divination, though Luo Chi had been half-asleep during the Dao lecture at the time.

“They all use a form of substitute death incantation in their spiritual technique, so regular killing moves won’t finish them off,” Luo Chi explained, though he wasn’t sure of the exact technique, as it was a mystery of Wu cultivation. “However, before setting off, they used a cruel Wu ritual to sacrifice three cities in the Southern Continent, killing nearly ten thousand people. They harvested the blood and souls to create a towering spiritual artifact, similar to the ‘cicada-shedding’ technique.”

Cicadas shed their shells and emerge anew, so it wasn’t surprising that they’d employ such extensive life-preserving measures.

“Damn them, impossible to kill…” Qingnu smiled briefly, and An Xian patted her sword with satisfaction. Yang Fuyin and the two elders were equally pleased.

Not being able to kill them made capturing them much easier. What was initially a difficult task of capturing them alive suddenly became far more manageable.

Even so, the ambush on the three shaman cultivators didn’t go as smoothly as expected.

Along the way, aside from the first one who was trapped by Yang Fuyin and couldn’t escape, the others kept unleashing incantations repeatedly, almost slipping away several times. If not for Luo Chi’s all-seeing eye guiding them, they would have lost track of them after two or three encounters.

As for the two shaman cultivators, they had cursed Kun-Lai and all its members at least once in their hearts. They never imagined they’d provoke Kun-Lai’s elite forces, especially since they had been deliberately avoiding them.

Moreover, they had already used blood escape techniques, cicada shedding, and divine-demon recalls—how were they still being pursued relentlessly?

Finally, as one of them was trapped and engaged in a death struggle, the last shaman cultivator managed to escape.

“Kun-Lai…” This skeletal, corpse-like shaman cultivator had no left eye. In the hollow socket, a black centipede raised its head, wriggling toward the direction of his fallen comrade. The sight was terrifying and gruesome. After glaring with rage, he placed his hand in the empty socket, allowing the black-headed, red-bodied centipede to crawl into his palm. The blood-red centipede looked as if it had been soaked in a sea of blood.

Grinding his teeth, he let the centipede bite into his palm.

The “Flying Centipede to the Heavens” technique was meant to be a life-saving measure against great spirit demons, but now he had no choice but to use it for escape.

He cursed Kun-Lai again through gritted teeth, his voice icy and sinister. “Xing Dao Master Ji Yunlai! Once I return to the Southern Continent, the Man Wu tribe will repay this debt a hundredfold.”

The centipede absorbed his essence, transforming into a cloud of blood mist that enveloped him. In an instant, he turned into a streak of red light, flying toward the south.

***

At Zhuiyun Peak, a master and apprentice sat quietly under the moonlight, sipping tea.

This tea was said to come from a newly discovered premium tea tree in Yuntian Domain that Tea Peak discovered. The Tea Peak disciples hadn’t even had a chance to taste it before Yan Zhao had swooped in and brought it to them, practically begging them to take it.

Feng Qingxiu, being from an affluent family, was skilled at brewing tea. His elegant movements flowed like water, graceful and beautiful. Even Ji Yunlai felt a slight thirst watching him.

The tea, as expected, was delightful. After accepting the cup handed to him with both hands, Ji Yunlai took a small sip and found himself thoroughly satisfied.

He gave his apprentice a rare, unreserved compliment.

Feng Qingxiu’s ears turned slightly red as he sipped his tea to hide his reaction.

Suddenly, Ji Yunlai, holding his tea in one hand, stood up casually and walked to the edge of the cliff. With a simple gesture, he summoned a red piece of amber from thin air.

“What is that?” Feng Qingxiu asked curiously. The amber was a faint red, but inside it seemed to contain countless blood vessels, as if blood was flowing through them. At its center, something resembling a heart pulsed rhythmically. It was clearly not a good kind of amber.

“Someone who just called my name,” Ji Yunalai tossed the amber onto the stone table carelessly. “Don’t touch it. It’s dirty.”

Feng Qingxiu obediently heeded his master’s warning. He didn’t really want to touch something that looked so bloody anyway.

“How far can you hear, Master?” Feng Qingxiu handed his master a handkerchief to wipe his hands.

Ji Yunalai was quite pleased with his apprentice’s attentiveness and, with some restraint, said, “At the level of a Human Immortal, as long as someone calls my name, I can hear it.”

As he spoke, he enjoyed the look of admiration in his apprentice’s eyes. Feeling proud, he added, “Remember this, Qingxiu. Even for a Human Immortal, if the distance is too great—say, as far as Kun-Lai—it’s not likely one would chase after someone calling their name. They’d just remember it and settle the score later. But if the person is nearby, like this one…”

He pointed to the amber on the table as an example. “If someone is within a thousand miles of my soul fragment and shouts my name, they’re just inviting me to deal with them. Two fingers are enough to catch them. In the future, don’t mention the names of other Human Immortals, or they will sense your location from afar.”

“Don’t worry, Master. I don’t even know the names of any other Human Immortals,” Feng Qingxiu nodded. The name of the Xing Dao Master had only become famous recently. Give it another thousand years, and people would only know him as the Xing Dao Master and forget his real name.

He glanced sympathetically at the amber, thinking that the person inside was probably cornered and desperate when they cursed. Who would have guessed they’d run into his master here?

Everyone knew the Xing Dao Master was always stationed in Kun-Lai and never left.

But daring to call his master’s name out loud? Serves him right!

The two of them waited for a while longer, and soon, Yan Zhao and Qingnu arrived to report on the night’s battle. Yan Zhao sharply criticized An Xian for focusing too much on fighting and neglecting the bigger picture, which led to the enemy escaping.

An Xian, however, retorted that Yan Zhao was too cautious. He could have resolved the situation with one decisive strike instead of worrying about every little thing. What’s so bad about causing damage? Didn’t he see that Qingnu was there to handle it?

Their argument was cut short by a mere glance from Ji Yunlai.

And thus, the matter was dismissed.

A while later, Luo Chi and Qingnu came over. Luo Chi quietly asked Qingnu to return something of his.

Qingnu glanced at Feng Qingxiu and nonchalantly said, “Senior Brother Feng, have you figured anything out? If not, give it back to him.”

Ji Yunlai glanced at Luo Chi with an amused expression, and with a flick of his fingers, the very item Luo Chi longed for—his talisman stone—floated in front of him.

Luo Chi stood frozen, staring at the god-like figure before him, who held his teacup and looked at him with amusement. A flush spread from his ears to his forehead. After a long moment, he carefully picked up the talisman stone, his voice trembling slightly with embarrassment. “Thank you…”

Feng Qingxiu nodded to Qingnu, signaling her to see him out.

After they had left, Feng Qingxiu finally asked his master, “Why did you return the stone to him?”

“Because I honestly can’t remember where I put my Dao Seed,” Ji Yunlai shrugged. “Might as well let him look for it.”

The reasoning that he had forgotten where his Dao Seed was left Feng Qingxiu speechless. He stared at his master, expecting more of an explanation.

“I really forgot, I’m not lying to you,” Ji Yunlai said casually.

“…”

Feng Qingxiu felt utterly exhausted and didn’t even have the energy to scold his master anymore.

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Ji Yunlai, however, seemed slightly displeased by his apprentice’s worried expression. So he reached out, gently cupped Feng Qingxiu’s face, and smiled. “Qingxiu.”

Feng Qingxiu looked up at him.

His master smiled warmly, “You can~ scold me again if you want~.”

“…” Feng Qingxiu remained silent for a moment before suddenly reaching out and pushing his master against the mountain rock.

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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.”

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

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?”  

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

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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