Qionghua Peak remained just as it had been.
Not many people knew that Meng Shuying had returned, and since she hadn't gone to pay her respects to her master, she managed to enjoy a few quiet days.
She had always been solitary, so she didn't feel lonely. But occasionally, when she caught sight of Yanmo Peak shrouded in clouds and mist, she felt a bit lost.
She had thought about going to find her Senior Sister to explain everything and clear up the misunderstanding between them. But every time she approached Yanmo Peak, her pride held her back.
She had been sincere with her Senior Sister, so why didn't her Senior Sister believe her?
Did her Senior Sister really see her as nothing more than a liar, someone fickle and untrustworthy?
Meng Shuying couldn't tell if she felt more wronged or angry. It was like there was a weight on her chest, making it hard to breathe, sapping her will to cultivate, and even making her feet feel heavy, each step a struggle.
Several times she had nearly reached her Senior Sister's door, only to stop herself, turning instead to Yuguang Hall to find Uncle Master Yun Fei.
As Qingxu Sect's only top-grade alchemist, Yun Fei was always busy. Aside from the three peak masters, it was difficult for anyone else to meet with her.
Though she had taken on several disciples who helped with much of her work, some high-grade pills were too complex and required her personal attention.
When Meng Shuying arrived, Ning Li was outside drying spiritual herbs. Seeing her approach, he set down his tray. "Junior Sister, your timing is unfortunate. Master just entered the alchemy room not long ago. It might be a while before she comes out."
"It's fine, I'll wait."
Ning Li was a recent disciple of Yun Fei. He had originally been from Baizhan Peak, but after building his foundation three years ago, Yun Fei noticed his talent for alchemy and took him in.
Everyone in Qingxu Sect knew that Yun Fei had few disciples, but because she was an alchemist, she controlled much of the sect's resources. Anyone who became her disciple would never have to worry about cultivation resources again.
Ning Li had not hesitated when Yun Fei offered to take him in, immediately agreeing to switch allegiance to her.
Since Meng Shuying had something she needed from Yun Fei, she had visited Yuguang Hall several times since her return and had met Ning Li on a few occasions. In her impression, Ning Li was a careful and reliable person despite his low cultivation level.
It was no wonder Yun Fei had said that Ning Li was the only one of her disciples capable of inheriting her mantle.
Ning Li continued separating the tangled herbs, occasionally glancing at Meng Shuying as she sat on the porch. After a moment, he straightened up and said, "The materials you brought a few days ago have been processed. We managed to produce two teleportation talismans and two speed talismans. Would you like to take them now?"
Meng Shuying had been lost in thought, but his words brought her back to reality. "Yes, I'll take them."
Ning Li led her to the room where Yun Fei usually cultivated, took a key from his sleeve, and carefully unlocked a cabinet on the side, taking out four talismans and handing them to Meng Shuying.
"Crafting spatial talismans is extremely difficult. Even with Master's skill, the success rate is low. The materials you provided were only enough for these four."
"Four is plenty. Thank you, Senior Brother Ning."
As she placed the talismans into her Qiankun bag, a glint of something dark flashed in Ning Li's eyes.
"It might be a bit presumptuous to ask, but the materials for these talismans and those pills were very rare. How did you come by them, Junior Sister?"
Yun Fei had asked the same question when Meng Shuying had first brought her the materials. Hearing Ning Li ask now, she assumed he was merely curious and didn't hide anything, recounting how she had obtained those treasures.
Heavenly materials and earthly treasures often appeared with accompanying phenomena. During her years traveling the mortal world, Meng Shuying had always sought out these treasures whenever she heard of their appearance. Though nine out of ten times she returned empty-handed, she occasionally got lucky, managing to claim a share from the many cultivators who also sought them. Over time, she accumulated her collection.
Meng Shuying didn't know much about pills or spiritual artifacts, so she had just taken whatever she could find.
After hearing her story, Ning Li expressed admiration. "Your travels sound truly extraordinary, Junior Sister. It makes one envious."
He then sighed. "I have a younger sister who was once a disciple of Qionghua Peak. She used to tell me that if she ever got permission to travel, she would go to the mortal world and find spiritual pills and medicines to aid my cultivation."
Meng Shuying didn't respond as he might have expected, asking where his sister was now. Instead, she simply said, "Now that you've become a disciple of Uncle Master Yun Fei, I'm sure your sister would be very happy."
Ning Li smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "If she were still here, I'm sure she would be."
Meng Shuying nodded but didn't say more.
Every year, some disciples in Qingxu Sect grew disillusioned after years of fruitless cultivation and returned to the mortal world to live as ordinary people. Meng Shuying assumed Ning Li's sister had done the same.
When Yun Fei emerged from the alchemy room, she looked pleased, clearly satisfied with her latest batch of pills. Seeing Meng Shuying waiting on the porch, her smile widened, and she tossed her a jade bottle. "Here's the Revival Pill you requested."
Meng Shuying took the pill and carefully examined the seals on the jade bottle, ensuring everything was in order before bowing to Yun Fei. "Thank you, Uncle Master Yun Fei."
"Enough with the formalities. I'm just curious, though. The materials you gave me could have been used to make Foundation Pills to enhance a Nascent Soul cultivator's power. Why did you choose to have me make a Revival Pill instead?"
The Revival Pill was a life-saving elixir, also quite valuable, but it had a significant drawback: it only worked for Golden Core cultivators.
No matter how severe a Golden Core cultivator's injuries, as long as their core remained intact, the Revival Pill could save their life.
Before Meng Shuying could answer, Yun Fei seemed to realize something. "Oh, I get it. You're worried about failing to form your Nascent Soul and dying, so you want a Revival Pill just in case? That's not a bad idea, but it's a bit wasteful."
The biggest danger during the formation of a Nascent Soul was the three Heavenly Lightning Tribulations. However, the arrays in Qingxu Sect could mitigate most of the damage. With Yun Fei's experience, she was confident that Meng Shuying would successfully form her Nascent Soul without any issues.
Meng Shuying put the jade bottle away and didn't offer any further explanation. She took out the agreed-upon payment from her Qiankun bag and presented it to Yun Fei.
Yun Fei glanced at the items, then handed them to Ning Li, instructing him to take them to the storeroom and organize them properly.
"There's one more thing. Since you've returned, have you visited Senior Sister Min yet? I mentioned to the Sect Leader yesterday that you were back, and it seemed she didn't know."
Yun Fei gave Meng Shuying a pointed look, her words laced with meaning. "And you're about to form your Nascent Soul."
After leaving Yun Fei, Meng Shuying hadn't yet returned to her quarters when she encountered Jiang Ye, who had come looking for her.
In the few years since they'd last seen each other, Jiang Ye hadn't changed much—still as arrogant as ever. Upon seeing Meng Shuying, her eyes narrowed. "Since you've returned to Qionghua Peak, why haven't you gone to pay your respects to our master?"
As Meng Shuying sized her up, Jiang Ye blatantly did the same, her brows furrowing when she couldn't discern Meng Shuying's cultivation level. "What's your cultivation now?"
Over the past few years, with the master's favor, Jiang Ye's cultivation had advanced quickly. Just a few days ago, she had broken through to the late stage of the Golden Core.
There weren't many standout disciples on Qionghua Peak. Aside from Senior Sister Yu Qing, whom she often bossed around, no one else had a higher cultivation level than her.
Jiang Ye had been rather smug about this, but seeing that Meng Shuying's cultivation was now higher than hers brought back memories of her own past failures. Her expression darkened, and she scolded loudly, "No matter what your cultivation is, as long as you're a member of Qionghua Peak, you must adhere to the sect's rules and respect your elders. Hmph, you're such an ingrate. Master has always kept you in mind!"
Meng Shuying had never liked Jiang Ye and wasn't bothered by her provocation. She cast a glance at her and then turned, heading toward Lanfang Palace.
Enraged by being deliberately ignored, Jiang Ye held back her anger and instead flew ahead to Lanfang Palace. The moment she entered, she whined to Min Lanmeng, "Master, I just saw Meng Shuying."
Knowing that Min Lanmeng favored obedient disciples, she knelt by her feet, clinging to her knees as she played the victim. "I reminded Meng Shuying to come and pay her respects as you instructed, but she responded harshly. I don't think she has any respect for you."
Min Lanmeng held a fan, lazily waving it as she spoke in a relaxed tone. "She's about to form her Nascent Soul, so naturally, she doesn't need to respect me anymore."
"Form her Nascent Soul?" Jiang Ye's eyes widened in shock.
"Yes, it's almost laughable. She's my disciple, yet I had to hear from an outsider, Yun Fei, that she's about to face the Heavenly Tribulation."
Min Lanmeng covered her face with her fan, revealing only her cold, sharp eyes as she looked down at Jiang Ye. "I thought you would be the first to form a Nascent Soul on Qionghua Peak."
Hearing the coldness in her tone, Jiang Ye couldn't stop herself from trembling, fear creeping into her eyes. When her master was in a good mood, she was treated well, but if anyone displeased her…
Jiang Ye's hand on Min Lanmeng's knee trembled uncontrollably. Just as she was about to speak, she noticed Min Lanmeng's expression shift, a smirk forming on her lips. "But maybe it's better this way."
Jiang Ye didn't understand why her master had suddenly changed her mind, but she tried to decipher her intentions from the few words exchanged. Finding no clues, she forced a smile and said, "If you think it's good, then it is. I'll do whatever you say, Master."
When Meng Shuying arrived at Lanfang Palace, she saw the two of them sharing a seemingly affectionate moment. She paused at the door, deliberately cleared her throat, and then entered.
She was no longer the naive Meng Shuying of the past and could clearly see the undercurrents between the two. Remembering how Min Lanmeng had once tried to recruit her, she felt a wave of disgust.
She approached Min Lanmeng and knelt on one knee, bowing her head. "Master."
She followed protocol, offering a respectful greeting without explaining why she hadn't come sooner.
Min Lanmeng's lips curved into a smile, though her eyes were cold, like a venomous snake fixated on Meng Shuying.
"I hear you're about to form your Nascent Soul? Have you sensed when the tribulation will arrive?"
"If all goes well, it should be within the next month."
When Meng Shuying returned to Qingxu Sect, she had sensed the timing of the Heavenly Tribulation. She had considered telling Su Luowei but didn't do so due to her lingering resentment.
"Good. I'll personally oversee your tribulation. You're the first disciple of this generation on Qionghua Peak to form a Nascent Soul, so nothing can go wrong."
Meng Shuying didn't know why Min Lanmeng was suddenly showing concern, but since she was her master, it made sense for her to be there during the tribulation, so she didn't refuse.
Meanwhile, Su Luowei received a new task.
The emotionless electronic voice echoed:
[Main Mission 5: The Nascent Soul]