Xiaoyao Peak
Ye Kong refined materials with boundless true flames.
He directly placed all the spiritual plants on the boundless true flames to roast, emitting a strong aroma.
Smoke rose slowly, forming a dark cloud that dispersed with the wind.
A rich scent gradually drifted throughout Xiaoyao Peak.
"Yes, this is the scent," Ye Kong smiled faintly.
Lin Yaoyao had just fed Xiao Lan and was about to leave when she caught the scent.
"Enchanting fragrance?"
Lin Yaoyao immediately realized something was amiss and tried to block her sense of smell, but it was too late.
Xiaobai, awakened by the scent, emerged from his cultivation state.
"Hmm? What scent is this?" Xiaobai frowned.
He took a deep breath.
Swoosh!
Directly, he fell into a deep slumber.
The scent drifted away from Xiaoyao Peak.
Everyone who smelled it, be it peak masters or disciples, fell into a deep sleep.
Aboard the Star River.
Luo Yangtian caught the scent of the enchanting smoke and immediately waved his hand to activate a barrier.
"Who... is poisoning us?"
Then, he too fell asleep.
Back at Xiaoyao Peak.
Ye Kong stopped when the spiritual plants turned yellow from roasting.
He then picked some cotton to make filters and wrapped the roasted leaves neatly.
Cigarettes, made!
"Now I won't lack something to pass the time," Ye Kong said with a smile.
Immediately, he lit one with a lighter and took a puff.
The taste of Huazi!
Although it was a cigarette, it was harmless. One inhale and exhale, and it was gone.
Of course, it was harmless to Ye Kong, but for others, one sniff could knock them out.
After all, this was the material for enchanting fragrance, not real tobacco.
Ye Kong sat by the Bitter Sea, fishing while smoking, feeling refreshed.
He didn't know that besides him, the entire Xinghe Sect had been enchanted into a deep sleep.
Ye Kong fished for a while, glancing at Lin Yaoyao's thatched cottage.
"My disciple isn't cultivating, but sleeping instead?"
"Ah, my disciple is too lazy. With mediocre talent, she still doesn't cultivate diligently."
"Xiaobai too, sleeping so soundly!"
Ye Kong shook his head and sighed, fishing for a while before returning to his room to rest.
That night, it was extremely quiet.
The next day.
As the sun rose, Luo Yangtian woke up groggily.
Everyone in Xinghe Sect also woke up, feeling dizzy and disoriented.
They recalled smelling a strange scent and then losing consciousness.
They had no idea what had happened.
Shortly after Luo Yangtian woke up, the three elders and several peak masters arrived at the Xinghe Palace.
"Sect Master, did something happen yesterday?" The Second Elder asked with a bow.
Luo Yangtian solemnly nodded and said, "I suspect the Demon Cult poisoned our Xinghe Sect last night."
"I activated the barrier before falling unconscious, which saved us!"
"The Sect Master is wise!" Everyone bowed in unison.
Yesterday, after smelling the scent, they hadn't reacted in time and fell asleep.
If not for the Sect Master activating the barrier in advance, they might not have woken up.
"The Demon Cult is too despicable, resorting to poison when they can't fight!" Chen Chunyang cursed angrily.
"Yes, I suggest we eradicate the Demon Cult!" The First Elder agreed.
"The Demon Cult Patriarch was sealed by the Sect Master with a single palm, yet they still don't know their place!" The Third Elder growled.
They all believed the Demon Cult was responsible for the poisoning.
No one would have guessed that it was actually Ye Kong roasting tobacco.
After all, who else would create such a massive toxic fog besides the Demon Cult?
Luo Yangtian pondered, "Why would the Demon Cult release a mist in our Xinghe Sect?"
"First Elder, how's the investigation into the spies from the Music Palace progressing?" Luo Yangtian asked through telepathy.
"Sect Master, there's no trace at all," the First Elder replied.
"Remain vigilant. The Music Palace's evil intentions persist," Luo Yangtian said sternly.
"Alright, with me here, it's safe for now. Strengthen your vigilance, and report any trace of the Music Palace immediately!" Luo Yangtian ordered.
"Yes!" Everyone replied and left.
Those who woke up the next day were also discussing in whispers.
"Yesterday, we all seemed to have been enchanted."
"It must be the Demon Cult. Who would go to such lengths to release enchanting smoke within the sect?"
"Yes, thankfully the Sect Master was here. He must have intervened while we were asleep."
"Long live the Sect Master!"
...
On Xiaoyao Peak.
Lin Yaoyao woke up shakily, rubbing her head.
She put Xiao Lan aside and entered meditation, regaining her clarity.
"Who released the enchanting fragrance?" Lin Yaoyao wondered after waking up.
Never mind, as long as everything was fine.
Xiaobai gradually woke up in his room.
Upon waking, he checked his body.
Limbs, eyes, nose, ears, all present.
I'm still alive, I'm fine.
I was careless. Even I, the Emperor, fell for it. This shouldn't have happened.
Ye Kong sat by the Bitter Sea, relieved to see his disciple awake.
He didn't expect the cigarette's potency to be so strong, causing his disciple to sleep for an entire day.
He'd have to smoke in secret from now on.
Qi Cultivation +1...
Ye Kong watched his cultivation progress and shook his fishing rod.
Life returned to calm. These days of fishing had all resulted in Qi Cultivation +1.
The dragon carp in the Bitter Sea swam around Ye Kong's feet in circles.
"Another breakthrough," Ye Kong chuckled.
The dragon carp in the pond had been with him for ten years. Every time Ye Kong improved or acquired something good, the dragon carp would share in it.
Wherever Ye Kong had a bite to eat, the dragon carp had a sip of soup.
So, despite its carp appearance, the dragon carp had long evolved into a dragon with immense power.
Strictly speaking, the dragon carp was Ye Kong's pet.
The dragon carp spat out bubbles and turned over.
In the vast expanse of the Bitter Sea, a golden dragon churned the waves, swallowing clouds and spewing mist, seeming like the master of the sea.
Only Ye Kong could see this scene.
Ye Kong stroked the dragon carp's head, played with it for a while, and then returned to the courtyard for a nap.
Xiao Lan, now awake, strode around with regal steps.
It didn't need to cultivate, only to eat, drink, and sleep well.
"Meow~" Xiao Lan meowed, confirming no one was around before darting towards the Bitter Sea.
It wanted fish.
The dragon carp in the Bitter Sea looked like a plump and elongated carp.
"Meow~" The ghostly blue cat meowed and, taking advantage of the dragon carp's emergence, pounced.
As it flew over the Bitter Sea, it regretted its decision.
The dragon carp transformed into a long dragon, grabbing Xiao Lan with a claw and holding it underwater.
"Meow meow meow~" Xiao Lan, held underwater by the dragon carp, had no chance of resistance.
Ye Kong just returned and heard Xiao Lan's cries, emerging from his room.
Approaching the Bitter Sea, he saw the dragon carp playing with a tiny blue spot.
Just as the dragon carp was about to swallow the tiny blue spot, Ye Kong reached out and pulled Xiao Lan out.
"You can't eat that," Ye Kong said.
The dragon carp spat out bubbles and dived back into the water.
Ye Kong led Xiao Lan, now drenched, and shook his head.
"Why did you go into the water?"
Xiao Lan trembled, unsure if it was fear or the strong wind.
"Don't run around carelessly in the future, understand?"
Ye Kong casually placed Xiao Lan on the ground and returned to the Xiaoyao Pavilion with his hands behind his back.
If he hadn't come out in time, Xiao Lan might have ended up as dragon food.
"Meow~"
Xiao Lan tentatively meowed, and the dragon carp surfaced.
"Meow!" The ghostly blue cat's fur stood on end, and it turned to flee.
Too scary for a cat!