Atop the mountain peak, clouds danced and swirled, immortal energy floated around.
A four-story pavilion stood majestically at the summit, towering as if piercing the sky.
This was the Spirit Pill Pavilion, which housed the worldâs most precious spirit medicines.
"Junior Brother He, go on in."
Before the Spirit Pill Pavilion, Su Xin, dressed in a plain skirt, spoke to Qin Gengyun.
"Thank you, Senior Sister Suxin."
Qin Gengyun nodded and followed Su Xin into the Spirit Pill Pavilion.
This senior sister of Danxia Peak was different from other female disciples. She dressed simply, with no jewels or adornments on her head. Her whole demeanor was as serene as water, and her steps were gentle and inaudible.
Walking behind her, Qin Gengyun could faintly smell a delicate fragrance emanating from her long flowing hair.
It was the scent of the soap used for washing hair.
A scent typical of ordinary women, yet completely different from the unique fragrance of his wife.
Qin Gengyun felt slightly gloomy in his heart, having missed the opportunity of the Outer Sect grand competition. He wondered when he would be able to approach Ruo Mei again.
"Junior Brother He doesnât seem that happy?"
Su Xin suddenly turned and looked at him, prompting Qin Gengyun to hastily reply:
"I feel that winning wasnât honorable, and I feel guilty in my heart."
Su Xin said, "If Junior Sister Ruo is truly fond of you, the two of you will naturally have a chance to compete again in the future. Thereâs no need for such knots."
Qin Gengyun said, "Thank you, Senior Sister, for the enlightenment."
Su Xin didnât say more, leading him to a corner on the first floor and handing him a brocade box:
"This is the Ice Heart Rejuvenation Pill."
Qin Gengyun took it, opened it, and saw two crystal-clear, jade-like pills that were identical to the Ice Heart Rejuvenation Pill from the Cyan Lotus Sectâs relic.
"Thank you, Senior Sister!"
Qin Gengyun felt a bit excited, finally able to resolve the Pill Poison that had troubled him for years!
With the pills in hand, Su Xin led Qin Gengyun out. The Spirit Pill Pavilion had four full floors, and to an ordinary Loose Cultivator, the Ice Heart Rejuvenation Pill, as difficult as reaching heaven, was just in a corner on the first floor. One could only wonder what precious spirit pills were hidden on the upper three floors.
Su Xin suddenly asked, "Iâm curious, Junior Brother He, where are you from? Which region are you from?"
Qin Gengyun was startled and immediately understood that he had stood out too much, arousing suspicion.
Thatâs why Tantai Mingyue had sent Su Xin to probe him, perhaps even at the behest of several other Peak Masters.
He quickly answered, "Iâm from an unknown small tribe in the Northern Wilderness. Seeing many Treasure Hunting Teams there, I learned to hunt demonic beasts and treasures to trade for goods outside."
"Later, I was discovered by Senior Sister Ye; she said I had extraordinary talent and brought me and my sister to the Zhenyang Sect."
Su Xin was silent for a moment before asking, "What about Lan Yin?"
Qin Gengyun calmly replied, "Taoist Friend Lan is a friend I met during treasure hunting in the Northern Wilderness."
Su Xin nodded, asking no further, and led him out of the Spirit Pill Pavilion. The two mounted their flying swords once more.
The surrounding strong winds blew Su Xinâs long hair, revealing her slender waist and roundness below.
This Senior Sister of Danxia Peak was modest and low-key, but her figure was exceptionally voluptuous.
Yet all of Qin Gengyunâs attention was on the flying sword beneath his feet.
If one day I can use Sword Flight, carrying my wife above the mountains and within the white clouds, wouldnât that be wonderful?
"Once you enter the Inner Sect, you can obtain a lower-grade flying sword. Whether you can perform Sword Flight depends on your aptitude."
Su Xin seemed to know what he was thinking and spoke up.
Qin Gengyun promptly said, "Thank you, Senior Sister, for the advice."
Su Xin turned back, "Tonight at Lianxia Hall, the master will host a banquet for the disciples of each peak. If you have the heart, you should be able to see Ruo Mei again."
...
Evening.
Lianxia Hall.
According to tradition, the main peak hosting the annual Outer Sect competition sets a banquet afterward.
This year was no exception for Danxia Peak.
The Peak Masters of the other four peaks, Commanding Disciples, and Outer Sect disciples who participated in the competition were all invited.
At that moment, Qin Gengyun was sitting with other disciples of Divinity Transformation Peak.
In stark contrast to the previous indifference he received, Qin Gengyun was now a star among stars.
The disciples of Divinity Transformation Peak kept coming over to offer him toasts.
Even Shi Ying, who had consistently mocked him, approached with a wine cup in hand, awkwardly saying:
"Junior Brother He, your talent and luck are extraordinary, I admire you."
From his tone, it was clear that he was still unconvinced, repeatedly mentioning talent and luck. In his mind, Qin Gengyun thought you are mistaken, Senior Brother, itâs not just talent, I also have a cheat.
As for luck, I have my wife.
You canât compare with me.
However, itâs naturally not appropriate to say such infuriating words directly. Qin Gengyun maintained a smile on his face and clinked glasses with Shi Ying:
"Senior Brother Shi, thereâs no need to mind, after all, we wonât be practicing together anymore."
Shi Ying was taken aback, only then remembering the announcement made by the Peak Master earlier that day, that He Zhiqiu was entering the Inner Sect. Thus, he would become a full-fledged Inner Sect Disciple, while Shi Ying would still be grinding in the Outer Sect. His expression quickly turned gloomy, and he hurriedly drank, slipping away to a corner to sulk.
Qin Gengyun looked around. Mo Xiaolan was entangled with Wu Yiren, with the princess even personally feeding him food.
Liu Su was engrossed in eating and drinking; male disciples would occasionally try to chat her up, but she ignored them.
At the tables of the other peaks, disciples were clinking glasses and enjoying themselves, yet Ruo Meiâs presence was conspicuously absent.
Qin Gengyun went over to Danxia Peakâs table, offered a few glasses of wine, and then found someone to ask:
"This Senior Brother, didnât Junior Sister Ruo come?"
A cold snort sounded beside him: "Senior Brother He won on stage, and offstage you want to claim her too?"
It was Zhou LingâEr, her cheeks flushed from drinking, glaring coldly at Qin Gengyun.
Qin Gengyun hastily asked, "Junior Sister Zhou, I didnât mean anything else, just wanted to say a few words to Junior Sister Ruo."
Zhou LingâEr snorted, "Junior Sister Ruo has already informed the Peak Master that she took a leave, saying sheâs unwell and canât attend."
Qin Gengyun further asked, "Junior Sister Zhou, could you take me to see Junior Sister Ruo?"
Zhou LingâErâs eyes widened: "Senior Brother He, donât push your luck!"
Qin Gengyun quickly waved his hand, departing from Danxia Peakâs table.
At this moment, Liu Su came over, pulling him out of Lianxia Hall.
"Son-in-law, you really donât understand a womanâs thoughts. Zhou LingâEr prides herself on her beauty, yet you ask her to take you to find another woman. Isnât that an insult to her dignity?"
Liu Su smiled mischievously and said, "Have you really taken a liking to that Ruo Mei? Son-in-law, if youâre holding back uncomfortably, you can come to me!"
Qin Gengyun glared at her: "You pulled me out just to say this?"
Liu Su then became serious, whispering, "Just now, Xiaolan told me that Wu Yiren informed her that Si Minglan and Fang Xue will be brought to Zhenyang Mountain tomorrow."
Qin Gengyun was shocked: "So soon? I thought there were still two days?"
Liu Su said, "Wu Yiren mentioned itâs the Western Empressâs decision, fearing dreams may change if the night drags on, wanting to convict Si Minglan as soon as possible."
Qin Gengyun pondered for a moment and said solemnly, "In that case, we need to advance our plans."
Liu Su nodded: "Xiaolan has already arranged to meet Wu Yiren at the Love Immortal Forest tomorrow, and weâll act there."