In the main hall of the Wanxian Sect, He Wangsheng, the sect leader, stood solemnly, gazing at the vast sea of sky beyond the mountains.
Recently, strange occurrences had been happening in Tianhai, filling him with unease.
Though the Wanxian Sect, as the leader of the righteous path, was powerful, it was also surrounded by enemies. One misstep could send them tumbling into the abyss.
Just as He Wangsheng was lost in thought, Qin Shouan, the elder of the Punishment Hall, hurried into the hall.
He Wangsheng glanced at Qin Shouan but didn't see He Yuan with him.
"Elder Qin, where is that rebellious son of mine?" He Wangsheng asked.
"Well... Fairy Ling Miao has allowed him to enter Yunhai Peak. He's probably there by now," Qin Shouan replied, though even he found it hard to believe.
"You're saying He Yuan is at Yunhai Peak?" He Wangsheng's disbelief was evident.
"I was there when it happened. Fairy Ling Miao herself gave the order. As for why, I can't say. Perhaps she believes He Yuan still has a chance to redeem himself," Elder Qin explained hesitantly.
Meanwhile, He Yuan had followed Xu Ziang to a valley halfway up Yunhai Peak.
"This is Master's private residence. Do not disturb her unless necessary. If you have any questions, you can ask Senior Sister or me. Since Master has allowed you to join Yunhai Peak, focus on your cultivation and do not bring shame to this peak," Xu Ziang said indifferently as he led the way.
When Xu Ziang learned that He Yuan had been permitted to join Yunhai Peak, his expression had turned sour. In his mind, he should have been the only male disciple on the peak, ensuring that his master, senior sister, and junior sister remained his alone.
As they walked through a bamboo forest pavilion, Fairy Ling Miao approached gracefully. Her gaze softened when it fell on Xu Ziang, but it turned icy when she noticed He Yuan trailing behind.
This old hag is so biased. Whatever, I'll let it slide since she's pretty, He Yuan thought to himself.
Fairy Ling Miao's expression darkened further upon hearing his inner complaint.
"Master, about the matter from last time..." Xu Ziang began in a low voice.
Hearing him, Fairy Ling Miao's attention shifted away from He Yuan.
"I will take you down the mountain in two days. The Demonic Valley is shrouded in poisonous miasma. Prepare a batch of detoxification pills before we go," she said, her voice light and ethereal.
He Yuan's ears perked up at the mention of the Demonic Valley.
The Demonic Valley—that's the lair of Old Man Wan Du before his tribulation. Oh no, I remember now! That's where this old woman gets poisoned by lust and lets Xu Ziang take advantage of her.
Fairy Ling Miao's brows furrowed. How could He Yuan know about this? She had never shared this information with anyone, and Xu Ziang had been confined to Yunhai Peak, making it impossible for him to have leaked it.
Haha, I bet the old woman has no idea that Xu Ziang already knows the formation layout of the Demonic Valley. He's taking her there to let her bear the brunt of the dangers while he reaps the rewards.
Fairy Ling Miao's initial disbelief turned to suspicion, and her gaze toward Xu Ziang lost its usual gentleness.
"We'll head down the mountain in a few days. He Yuan, prepare yourself to join us. There may be opportunities there, so seize them," she said after a moment of thought.
Xu Ziang's expression darkened. This opportunity was supposed to be his alone. How could he tolerate sharing it with He Yuan?
"Master, the Demonic Valley is too dangerous. Bringing Junior Brother along might be..." Xu Ziang feigned concern.
"Yes, yes, that place is far too dangerous. It's better for you to go without me, Immortal Venerable," He Yuan quickly chimed in.
He wasn't opposed to seizing opportunities, but the Demonic Valley was perilous. Besides, he knew of other places with treasures, so there was no need to compete with Xu Ziang.
"It's fine as long as I'm there," Fairy Ling Miao said firmly, her cold glance silencing Xu Ziang.
Xu Ziang's heart sank. His master had always been kind and gentle toward him. Why was she so cold now? It must be because of He Yuan's presence.
Damn He Yuan! He's stealing Master's favor from me! Xu Ziang thought, shooting a resentful glance at He Yuan.
At that moment, Fairy Ling Miao extended her jade-like hand, revealing a fragrant, multicolored pill. "Since you've joined Yunhai Peak, you are now my disciple. This Marrow-Transforming Pill can enhance your cultivation by a hundred days' worth of effort. Consider it my gift to you as a new disciple."
The Marrow-Transforming Pill was a treasure. Consuming one was equivalent to a hundred days of cultivation, with no side effects. It was a dream item for any cultivator below the Foundation Establishment stage.
As expected, Xu Ziang's eyes burned with envy and resentment. There were only two Marrow-Transforming Pills on Yunhai Peak, both refined by Fairy Ling Miao using her own cultivation. Everyone had assumed they would go to Xu Ziang. Yet, He Yuan, the spoiled son of the sect leader, had received one.
Damn He Yuan! He's stealing my opportunities! Xu Ziang seethed inwardly.
He Yuan, meanwhile, could feel Xu Ziang's resentment but could only sigh inwardly.
Going to the Demonic Valley and getting the Marrow-Transforming Pill weren't my idea. If you're going to hate someone, hate that crazy old woman Ling Miao!
But now that things had come to this, He Yuan could only hope that Fairy Ling Miao would protect him. If necessary, he'd subtly guide her, as he knew the layout of the Demonic Valley well.
Unbeknownst to He Yuan, Su Jin'er, upon learning of their trip to the Demonic Valley and the gift of the Marrow-Transforming Pill, grew worried. She feared her master had been deceived by He Yuan and that the gentle Xu Ziang might be in danger. To help Xu Ziang, she gifted him a Qingxin Pill she had treasured for a year. Though not as potent as the Marrow-Transforming Pill, it could still slightly enhance a cultivator's strength below the Foundation Establishment stage.
Over the next two days, He Yuan returned to the main peak of the Wanxian Sect to ask his father for some pills and visited the elder of the Spirit Treasure Hall to receive a spiritual weapon. Satisfied, he returned to Yunhai Peak.
Two days later, Fairy Ling Miao, true to her word, took He Yuan and Xu Ziang aboard her spirit shuttle and left the Wanxian Sect.
Standing on the shuttle, He Yuan marveled at the sky tens of thousands of meters below. This is truly a world of immortals. I wonder when I'll be able to fly freely like this.
Fairy Ling Miao glanced at He Yuan's excited expression and found him less annoying than she had thought.
Although this old woman is a bit crazy, she's still powerful. I'll need to keep her as an ally in the Demonic Valley, He Yuan thought.
But when Fairy Ling Miao overheard his inner musings, her expression turned icy again.
Hah, I was giving him too much credit!
The Demonic Valley was tens of thousands of kilometers away from the Wanxian Sect, but for Fairy Ling Miao, a master at the Spirit Severing stage, the distance was trivial.
Upon arrival, He Yuan immediately consumed a handful of detoxification pills, well aware of the dangers of the poisonous miasma. Fairy Ling Miao, on the other hand, simply swallowed a single pill.
Xu Ziang, meanwhile, stared at the miasma with a dark expression. His mind was occupied with how to use the valley's formations to eliminate He Yuan and claim Old Man Wan Du's inheritance for himself.
He Yuan, too, had his own thoughts. If only I could get rid of this scheming Xu Ziang here, I could cultivate in peace afterward. Without him, the Wanxian Sect might avoid destruction.
Little did he know, Fairy Ling Miao was deeply shaken by his inner revelations.