"Miss Ran, I'm coming out of retreat today, and I heard from my teacher that you were looking for me. Who is that friend of mine?"
After exchanging names, Chen Guan cut to the chase and
got straight to the point. He considered himself a worldly person, and standing before such a seemingly untouched woman, he felt a sense of dissonance. He just wanted to get this over with.
Ran Qingchen didn't respond to the question. Instead, she flipped a delicate hand, revealing an ordinary gold coin.
"Yun'er?!"
Taking the coin, feeling its slightly heavier weight than usual, Chen Guan gasped in surprise. His aura emanated unconsciously, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, I'm being overly sensitive, Miss Ran. May I ask if Yun'er is visiting Yin Valley?"
He could understand Yun Yun coming to Zhongzhou. As long as Yun Shan achieved a breakthrough, the Yunlan Sect would no longer need her undivided attention.
But the fact that she'd settled in Yin Valley after arriving in Zhongzhou was a bit unexpected.
At first, he almost thought Yin Gu had done something he shouldn't have, but a closer look revealed his overthinking.
If that were the case, the other party wouldn't have come to see him so brazenly.
"It's nothing. Mr. Chen Guan and Sister Yun'er are deeply in love, so this kind of display is perfectly natural. It's indeed somewhat inappropriate for Qingchen to come this time. Please rest assured, Mr. Chen Guan, Sister Yun'er is safe. The reason I couldn't come in person was mainly because I was busy at a critical moment in my cultivation,"
Ran Qingchen explained in an ethereal voice, her smile reserved yet polite.
Chen Guan nodded slightly, believing it mostly, but not completely.
"Excuse me, but I'd like to ask how Yun'er got to Yin Gu?"
Ran Qingchen hesitated for a moment, as if deciding this wasn't the place to talk. She glanced at the deserted inn and instantly made a decision.
To gain his trust, she had to dispel his suspicions.
Immediately, she waved her jade hand gently, casting a soundproof barrier around her.
"It's a long story, so I'll cut to the chase. Due to some issues in the valley, I was ordered out a few days ago. My original intention was to seek help in Burning Flame Valley. However, as I passed the outskirts of the Black Mist Mountains, I spotted a fierce battle. One of the parties involved was Sister Yun Yun. Seeing her exhausted, nearly exhausted, yet gritting her teeth and refusing to retreat, I was deeply impressed and offered my modest assistance."
"Because of this incident, Sister Yun Yun and I became friends. To ensure her recovery, I took the initiative to bring her back to Sound Valley. It was only later that I learned about Mr. Chen Guan from her."
This was perhaps a case of a 'hero' saving the damsel in distress.
Knowing that Yun Yun was safe, Chen Guan felt relieved, but his expression remained grim.
"Which force attacked Yun'er?"
Ran Qingchen shook his head.
"Even Miss Ran can't be sure of her origins?"
"No, Mr. Chen Guan is mistaken. The one fighting Sister Yun Yun that day wasn't a human, but an out-of-control puppet. According to Sister Yun Yun, that puppet was..."
Looking at Chen Guan, Ran Qingchen didn't finish his words, but his meaning was clear.
Chen Guan froze, memories flashing through his mind like a revolving lantern, and suddenly he understood.
When he and Little Medical Immortal had previously journeyed to the Black Mist Mountains to seize the Netherworld Poison Fire, he had deliberately left a puppet at the periphery for safety. However, after encountering the Netherworld Poison Monster, he was preoccupied with escaping and forgot all about such things.
Afterwards, the carefully crafted puppet was recovered, but the one guarding the periphery was completely forgotten. Once
a low-grade puppet like this was beyond its control, it had only one possibility: to execute its master's final command day after day for a thousand years, and anyone who interrupted would be considered an enemy!
It seems that after discovering the puppet, Yun Yun recognized it as hers, sparking some unwarranted anxiety, leading to the subsequent events.
Having sorted out the key, Chen Guan was speechless.
After all this fuss, the enemy turned out to be me!
His face flushed, and he didn't want to meet Ran Qingchen's gaze.
"Miss Ran, does Yun'er know my whereabouts now?"
"Don't worry, Mr. Chen Guan. Although Sound Valley is secluded, it does have channels to communicate with the outside world. With your current reputation, it shouldn't be difficult to find out. After I found out where you were, I immediately informed Sister Yun Yun. She wanted to come find you, but I saw she was on the verge of a breakthrough, so I stopped her and let her break through in peace within the valley."
That was all well and good. Chen Guan nodded slightly, feeling relieved.
He glanced up at Ran Qingchen, whose eyes held a hint of anticipation. Chen Guan knew she had come personally to ask him to visit Sound Valley.
Partly to pick up Yun Yun, but also, most likely because she needed his help with something, but couldn't bring herself to say it directly right now.
Seeing through the situation but not speaking out, Ran Qingchen remained silent, and Chen Guan naturally didn't take the initiative to approach.
"That's good. Thank you, Miss Ran, for this matter. Please wait a moment. I'll tell the teacher, and then I'll go to Yin Valley with you to pick up Yun'er."
Regardless, since Yun Yun was in Yin Valley, he had to go there.
As for any future matters in Yin Valley that might require his assistance, it wouldn't be too late to make a decision after meeting Yun Yun.
As far as the ways of the world were concerned, as long as what Ran Qingchen said was true and not particularly troublesome, Chen Guan didn't mind helping.
"I'll obey Mr. Chen Guan."
Ran Qingchen nodded slightly, understanding his concerns, and smiled softly, appearing very frank.
As long as they could get the people back, the trip would be halfway accomplished.
Chen Guan said nothing more, leaving the Yunlai Inn and heading straight for the Dan Tower.
Coincidentally, Xuan Kongzi and the others had just returned.
Without hiding anything, Chen Guan recounted the entire story.
"Go without worry. Although Yin Valley is secluded, its reputation is top-notch. I've dealt with them several times before. Now that they've asked you for a favor, perhaps you'll have the opportunity to experience their Nine-Colored Spirit Rainbow Pool. It's a truly enviable opportunity, one I never even dreamed of." Xuan Kongzi stroked his beard and sighed.
"Nine-Colored Spirit Rainbow Pool?"
"Yes, it's a wonderful place in Yin Valley. Everyone who's experienced it speaks highly of it. I can't go into details, but you'll know when you go."
"I understand. Thank you, Master."
...
After leaving Danta, Chen Guan returned to the Yunlai Inn to reunite with Ran Qingchen.
Without further delay, they set off via the spatial wormhole in Shengdan City.
After four stops along the way and skirting the Black Mist Mountains, they finally turned southwest. It took a full seven days to finally reach a vast expanse of lush forest.
Upon arriving here, Chen Guan could sense a strange sense of layering in the space ahead, not dissimilar to his first visit to the inner courtyard of Canaan Academy, but even more obscure. Without a strong spiritual power, it would be impossible to perceive.
"This is where my Sound Valley is located. Please wait, sir,"
Ran Qingchen said, pulling out a guqin.
He then cradled it in one hand and gently plucked the strings with the other. As more than ten tunes played, the scene before him subtly shifted.
Amidst the lush forest, a vast valley had emerged, surrounded by verdant mountains and clear waters. Birds chirped, waterfalls flowed, and fallen petals shone in a riot of color. Everywhere exuded a tranquil and elegant atmosphere.
Even more peculiar, Chen Guan discovered that the elegant buildings were actually built atop giant pink shells. A faint, soft glow continuously emanated, filling the entire valley with a dreamlike aura.
Compared to this, even the old monster Youdu's Qingce Manor seemed a bit underwhelming.
"As expected of the legendary Sound Valley, this is the paradise on earth,"
Chen Guan exclaimed respectfully.
Ran Qingchen smiled faintly, not overly modest.
As the two paused to observe, a hunched old woman suddenly appeared from a distant pavilion. Without making any movement, she simply glanced at Chen Guan, and he felt as if he had been thoroughly observed.
A Dou Zun powerhouse!
Even more powerful than the resurrected Skyfire Venerable!
Even a Semi-Saint wasn't out of the question.
The old woman had arrived and departed just as quickly. After a quick glance and a slight nod to the two, she vanished quietly.
"This is Granny Lu. She's rather aloof. Please don't mind, Mr. Chen Guan."
Chen Guan shook his head. Though somewhat curious about the old woman's specific abilities, he hesitated to ask.
"Sister Yunyun is cultivating in the pool. Please follow me, sir."
Knowing Chen Guan's concern, Ran Qingchen smiled and landed on the ground, leading the way behind the giant shell in the center.
Chen Guan followed closely behind.
The pace wasn't fast, and after just over ten minutes, they were nearing their destination.
Surprisingly, the disciples of Yin Valley were far fewer than Chen Guan had expected. He had encountered no more than ten along the way, all of them, without exception, strikingly beautiful women.
From their addresses, Chen Guan also confirmed Ran Qingchen's more detailed identity.
Yin Valley, Young Valley Master.
As expected.
"Excuse me, sir. Because Yin Valley is secluded, the number of disciples has always been small. After my mother's accident, there has been no further growth. Now, there are just over a hundred." For
such a vast Yin Valley, this small number of people was truly incredible.
However, to underestimate Yin Valley for this reason would be a grave mistake.
Putting aside the others, the old woman alone was enough to intimidate anyone.
"We've arrived. This is Yin Valley... my place of cultivation. The Nine-Colored Spirit Rainbow Pool, where Sister Yun Yun cultivates."
Ran Qingchen paused before a barrier shrouded in fluorescent light, resembling a giant, inverted jade bowl.
After a brief hesitation, he began to form hand seals.
Following a dazzling series of hand seals, a portal slowly opened near the top of the barrier. Then, a burst of light cascaded down, forming a series of steps as the two watched.
"Sir, ascend the steps and you'll see Sister Yun Yun. But please keep quiet, lest you disturb her cultivation."
"Thank you,"
Chen Guan nodded, ascending.
The steps, formed by the screen of light, felt as solid as they could be.
Without haste, in just half a minute, Chen Guan arrived at the barrier's opened portal.
Looking in from the outside, he discovered a strange scene within the barrier, resembling...
a giant mushroom with a sunken top?!
At the center of that sunken center, a pool of jade-like liquid filled with a captivating fragrance. A single whiff made him feel his internal Dou Qi flow at a faster pace.
This must be some kind of medicinal concoction!
He could smell the medicinal herbs, and Chen Guan had a suspicion. He wondered how many precious herbs must have been used to create such a large pool.
Looking forward again, Chen Guan finally caught sight of Yun Yun, as beautiful as ever.
He also understood Ran Qingchen's hesitation.
Yun Yun, now, sat cross-legged like a great white fish, eyes closed, revealing only the upper part of her shoulders.
Yet, beneath the medicinal liquid,
a faint glimpse of her impressive figure was visible. His gaze flickered, then quickly returned to his gaze. He wasn't an outsider. What had Sect Master Yun not seen?
After a brief moment of admiration, Chen Guan carefully released his mental energy, a look of astonishment gradually crossing his face.
Peak six-star Dou Huang?!
This was on the verge of breaking through to seven stars!
Honestly, this speed was somewhat beyond Chen Guan's expectations.
Once he broke through to seven stars, and then took the Imperial Extreme Pill and the Breaking Sect Pill, wouldn't he be able to reach the Dou Zong realm straight away, with
just the right amount of luck? It was a bit unexpected, but it was a good thing nonetheless .
Retracting his mental energy, Chen Guan pondered for a moment and roughly guessed the reason for Sect Master Yun's rapid progress.
This Nine-Colored Spirit Rainbow Pool, praised even by Xuan Kongzi, must have played a significant role.
With a slight smile, Chen Guan stepped down.
He had been able to feign ignorance when Ran Qingchen mentioned the Nine-Colored Spirit Rainbow Pool earlier, but now, seeing Yun Yun's state, he felt embarrassed to pretend.
"Yun'er's breakthrough should take about a day. I thank the Young Valley Master for his care on her behalf."
"Mr. Chen Guan, you're too polite. Sister Yun Yun and I hit it off right away. It's only natural. I've arranged accommodations for you. Please follow me, sir."
Following the Young Valley Master, they soon arrived at a fresh attic.
"Mr. Chen Guan, please rest here for a while. I'll tell the other disciples in the valley to try not to disturb you,"
Ran Qingchen said, leading Chen Guan to his residence. As she prepared to leave, she seemed to hesitate several times.
Seeing this, Chen Guan stopped her
argument. "Young Valley Master, if you have anything to say, just speak directly. Since you're Yun'er's friend, you're also my friend."
As he finished speaking, Ran Qingchen's eyes could clearly see the darkening in her expression.
Taking a deep breath to cheer herself up, she looked at Chen Guan with hope, then pulled out a jade box and held it in the air.
The moment the jade box appeared, the temperature around them plummeted, and frost began to form on the ground beneath their feet at a visible speed.
Even Chen Guan felt a long-lost chill at this moment. The strange fire stirred slightly within him, and only then did he feel better.
"Mr. Chen Guan, do you recognize this?"
Ran Qingchen's fingers stiffly opened the jade box. A crystal the size of a fingernail, shaped like a water droplet and emitting a chilling aura, suddenly appeared.
(End of this chapter)