Eastern Wilderness
A gentle breeze stirred, creating ripples across the waters.
A rainbow-colored light shot across the sky, reflecting sharply on the emerald spring.
Atop a mountain peak, a man stood with hands behind his back, surveying the surroundings.
Yun Gu Sect
"Reporting, Sect Master. That rainbow light landed on Qingcui Mountain."
"Good. I understand."
Yun Dehe waved for his disciple to step back, then turned to Zhao Lingyi.
"Disciple, the cultivators descending from the Spirit Realm have already been subdued by Xiānzhǔ. As for this cultivator who came now, do you think he is from the Spirit Realm?"
Zhao Lingyi pondered. "Very likely. According to the letter from the front, the heavenly ladders have risen in both Central Domain and Bei Ming. They must know that the Nan siblings perished. We must be wary of this unfamiliar cultivator."
"Hmm, you make a good point. But according to the report, he flew from the north. Perhaps he was sent by Beiming. His strength certainly will not be low," Yun Dehe analyzed steadily.
"Yes. Even if everyone in our sect risked their lives, we could not match him," Zhao Lingyi said.
Yun Dehe clasped his hands behind his back, expression grave. "Then how shall we handle this matter?"
"As long as we use these, we can deal with it ourselves!"
Outside the Gate, Yun Hui stumbled in, holding a storage ring.
Both Zhao Lingyi and Yun Dehe looked at him in confusion.
Yun Dehe frowned slightly. "Hui'er, why are you so reckless today? Speak calmly. We are discussing an important matter."
"I'm talking about something huge!" Yun Hui tripped but lifted his head with a wide smile.
Seeing this, Yun Dehe was furious. "Carefree fool. Do you know another disaster is coming to the Eastern Wilderness?"
"I know! I heard it all! I rushed over to help you solve it!"
Yun Hui bared his bright white teeth.
Yun Dehe was momentarily stunned, then rapped his head lightly. "You silly boy, don't tell me you've come up with some reckless scheme again?"
"No, no! Just look!"
Ignoring the bump on his head, Yun Hui excitedly opened the storage ring. Items fell to the ground, their brilliance immediately drawing the gaze of both Yun Dehe and Zhao Lingyi.
Zhao Lingyi stepped forward abruptly, eyes fixed on the weapons. "This quality… this spiritual essence… could these all be immortal artifacts?"
"Yes, exactly! The Xiānzhǔ sent us these immortal artifacts to protect ourselves!"
Yun Hui was ecstatic, eyes glued to the immortal artifacts, unwilling to look away.
Yun Dehe stared in astonishment at the immortal artifacts. "Our Yun Gu Sect really is useless!"
Yun Hui lifted his head. "Father, what are you saying? With these immortal artifacts, how could Yungu Sect ever be useless?!"
"You boy. We've relied on Fairy Ranran for so long and contributed nothing ourselves. We only survive because of her protection. If we aren't useless, what are we?"
Without warning, Yun Dehe rapped Yun Hui's head once more.
Yun Hui pouted miserably. "According to you, all these immortal artifacts were made by Fairy Ranran. Our Yun Gu Sect has existed for tens of thousands of years, yet we cannot even refine a spiritual treasure!"
Yun Dehe: "…"
Suddenly, he felt even sadder. How was that possible?
Zhao Lingyi silently stared at the immortal artifacts. When did Yun Hui become so good at cursing?
He felt deeply wounded. No one in this world could compare to the genius that is Fairy Ranran. Attempting to do so is just self-shame.
Gu Ling Mountain
"Achoo!"
Fairy Yao Ranran touched her nose and muttered, "Could someone be calling me a White Lotus behind my back again?"
She crushed the spiritual herb in her hand, then turned to Mu Xin with a smile. "Here, eat this. It's good for your body!"
Mu Xin's mouth twitched violently, clearly unwilling. He was forced to take the crushed herb and swallow it in one gulp.
Yao Ranran glanced at the disordered alchemy room and sighed. "Another failure. Refining spiritual herbs isn't my forte. I'd better continue with refining instruments."
Mu Xin's face was blue and purple after the herb. He ground his teeth as he stared at her back, wishing he could chew her up and swallow her.
Yao Ranran ignored him, walking into her room and closing the door.
Clang clang clang!
As the sound of forging rang out, villagers within ten miles felt a sudden sense of security.
"As long as Xiānzhǔ is with us, disasters will never strike our village."
"Better than worshiping heaven or earth is to worship Xiānzhǔ. May she bless my son with health and our village with peace."
"Please, Xiānzhǔ…"
"Thank you, Xiānzhǔ…"
Every corner of the village saw white light rising from the ground, carrying the hopes of the people toward the distance of belief, entering Yao Ranran's mind.
"What the…? My mind suddenly feels so full of things!"
Yao Ranran paused her forging, the iron hammer clanging to the floor. She held her head as a flurry of voices rang inside her.
"Another Spirit Realm cultivator has come to the Eastern Wilderness. Sect Master Yun and others have received immortal artifacts. The villagers are praying for my protection…"
"Praying for a grandson? Worshiping me might be useless. Better to pray to the Fertility Guanyin."
Listening to the voices, she muttered to herself.
Half an hour later, she opened the window, gazing at the village lit with lanterns in the distance.
"Those from the Spirit Realm are relentless. Even though Sect Master Yun has immortal artifacts, he must still be uneasy…"
She withdrew her gaze and opened the door with a wave of her sleeve.
Mu Xin stood at the doorway, grinding his teeth in frustration.
Startled by the door opening, he retracted his scowl.
Yao Ranran pursed her lips, smiling faintly. "Mu Xin, you seem familiar with cultivators from the Spirit Realm. Tonight, why not go meet your old friends?"
Mu Xin froze.
When was he familiar with them? That's nonsense!
Yao Ranran was not asking. Under the Heavenly Dao contract, Mu Xin had no choice but to follow her and immediately set off to find the 'old friends' she mentioned.
"Damn woman!"
Through the clouds, Mu Xin flew furiously, cursing unwillingly.
Qingcui Mountain
A massive divine sense enveloped several peaks.
Mo Rui frowned, a trace of doubt in his eyes. "Why is it so calm? I can't even sense the Nan siblings. Even the weakest in the Eastern Wilderness shouldn't occupy so quickly!"
He spread his divine sense to nearby villages. The peaceful atmosphere felt strange.
"Where are the Nan siblings? When have they been so merciful to mortals? Something is wrong in the Eastern Wilderness. Did one of the Nan siblings betray and not lead an attack?"