...Tianxuan Hall.
The atmosphere inside the grand hall was unbearably heavy, as though the air itself had frozen.
"Starry Sky Holy Land has gone too far!" Sheng Xuzi roared, his furious voice reverberating throughout the hall. "How dare they lay a hand on one of our own!"
His usually warm and approachable expression had vanished, replaced by undisguised rage. His eyes blazed with murderous intent.
The gathered Elders were equally incensed.
"Competition between juniors is one thing, but Tianshu personally intervened!" one Elder shouted. "How long has Little Yu even been cultivating?"
"If the older generation can attack the younger generation without consequence, then what's the point of preserving the Sect's legacy?"
"Exactly! We absolutely cannot let this matter slide!"
Sheng Xuzi slowly clenched his fists, his gaze turning ice-cold.
"I will personally go to Starry Sky Holy Land and demand an explanation."
A terrifying aura briefly leaked from his body, causing the surrounding space to tremble faintly.
Those people had become far too complacent.
Had they truly forgotten?
Heavenly Profound Holy Land was not only protected by the current Luo Suxin.
In his own era...
He, Sheng Xuzi, had also been a peerless genius who had suppressed an entire generation.
At that moment, Qingxuan, who had remained quietly standing in the corner, suddenly spoke.
"Ancestor has returned."
Everyone immediately turned to look at her.
"I just saw her."
Sheng Xuzi froze for a brief moment before a gleam flashed across his eyes.
"Good."
"I'll head to Starry Sky Holy Land first."
He looked toward the assembled Elders and spoke in a solemn voice.
"The rest of you, immediately report everything that happened to Ancestor."
...Inside the Deacon Hall, the faint fragrance of sandalwood incense lingered in the air.
Warm sunlight filtered through the carved wooden lattice windows, scattering dappled patterns across the polished floor.
"This is Chu Yuli."
The Deacon Elder made the introduction, his gaze settling on the young woman.
Chu Yuli lowered her head. The plain appearance created by her disguise concealed the breathtaking beauty beneath. She nervously twisted her fingers together, unable to suppress the anxiety in her heart.
She had merely accepted a task to tend the Medicinal Garden.
She had only... secretly picked a few spiritual herbs.
How had the Deacon Elder caught her red-handed?
She truly hadn't meant any harm. She was simply too poor.
There had been no one guarding the Medicinal Garden, so she had... accidentally taken a few herbs.
---
Seated at the head of the hall, Ye Ximei studied Chu Yuli with interest.
This girl's actions are cautious, yet her eyes hold an unyielding determination.
She reminds me a little of Wanqing.
The Deacon Elder continued with obvious admiration.
"This young lady was personally recommended by Meng Lanyin to become a True Disciple. Since Peak Master Lanyin values her so highly, she must possess extraordinary talent worthy of Xuannü Peak."
Chu Yuli secretly glanced at the elder before lowering her head again, gratitude flashing through her heart.
He's helping me... He's pleading for me.
Although...
Her identity was completely wrong.
Fortunately, Verdant Mist Peak had very few residents and didn't even issue exclusive Personal Disciple tokens. No one actually knew who her Master was.
Otherwise...
She would have died from embarrassment.
A Saint's Disciple caught stealing herbs from the Medicinal Garden...
She didn't particularly care about losing face herself.
But if word reached her Master...
He would probably be too ashamed to face anyone.
---
Ye Ximei nodded slightly.
That little girl from Xuannü Peak truly has good judgment.
She recognized Chu Yuli's potential at first glance.
However... this Disciple is one I want.
No one else can have her.
She slowly rose to her feet, deliberately clearing her throat as she adopted a solemn expression.
Chu Yuli's heart instantly sank.
It's over...
Am I still going to be punished?
She only hoped this matter wouldn't spread throughout the Holy Land.
"Chu Yuli."
Ye Ximei spoke calmly, yet every word carried unquestionable authority.
"Are you willing to become my Disciple?"
Chu Yuli froze.
She looked up in astonishment.
Before her stood an elegant woman dressed in flowing purple robes, every graceful movement radiating the charm and elegance of a mature beauty.
Who... is she?
She's even more imposing than Peak Master Meng Lanyin...
Wait! Now isn't the time to think about that!
"Thank you for your kindness, Senior," Chu Yuli hurriedly bowed respectfully. "But this Junior already has a Master."
"I know."
Ye Ximei answered calmly.
"I'll simply speak with your Master."
Although her expression remained composed, inwardly she felt rather annoyed.
What a troublesome process...
In theory, everyone in the Heavenly Profound Holy Land was either her Disciple or her grand-disciple.
Unfortunately, the System refused to acknowledge such technicalities.
It insisted the person had to formally become her Disciple.
Furthermore...
It had to be voluntary.
Thinking of that requirement gave her a headache.
Among her few Disciples, only Mo Yu and Ling Wanqing had been relatively easy to raise.
The others had taken an unbelievable amount of effort.
---
Chu Yuli's mind was in complete chaos.
People can actually steal someone else's Disciple?
The woman before her clearly possessed a status far above even the Peak Master of Xuannü Peak.
She was almost certainly a Grand Elder.
A Grand Elder outranks Master...
Grandmaster Ye Ximei rarely interferes with Holy Land affairs...
Yet she calls herself Senior Sister to Meng Lanyin...
One thought after another tangled together until her mind became a complete mess.
No.
I can't panic.
I'll pretend to be a little slow for now.
Once I return, I'll ask Junior Martial Aunt Wanqing what to do.
Immediately, she put on an expression of admiration and looked at Ye Ximei with sparkling eyes.
"Senior, my Master is an extraordinary person. He saved my life."
"No matter what happens... I will never betray him."
"Unless Master personally tells me to leave..."
"I will never agree."
---
Ye Ximei raised an eyebrow, amusement flashing through her beautiful eyes.
This little girl is surprisingly principled.
"Do you even know who I am?"
She smiled faintly.
"As for your Master... even if they stood before me, they would still have to treat me with respect."
The Deacon Elder also hurriedly persuaded her.
"That's right, little Chu."
"This opportunity isn't something everyone receives."
"You should cherish it."
Chu Yuli shook her head firmly.
"No matter what... I will never betray my Master."
Seeing the unwavering determination in her eyes, Ye Ximei finally gave up trying to persuade her.
"Very well."
"I'll speak to your Master personally."
As soon as the words left her lips, her figure blurred and vanished without a trace, leaving behind only a faint lingering fragrance.
Originally, she had intended to head directly toward Xuannü Peak.
However, midway through her journey, her delicate brows suddenly knitted together.
Without hesitation, she changed direction and flew straight toward Tianxuan Peak.
Watching Ye Ximei disappear, Chu Yuli finally let out a sigh of relief before hurriedly rushing back toward Verdant Mist Peak.
Mo Yu extended his Divine Sense into the storage ring and couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath.
It was the first time in his life he had seen such an astonishing amount of wealth.
As far as his Divine Sense could reach, mountains of Top-Grade Spirit Stones stretched endlessly. Even with a rough estimate, there had to be at least eight hundred thousand of them.
Beyond the Spirit Stones lay countless treasures—Spiritual Treasures, Cultivation Techniques, Medicinal Pills, and rare Heaven and Earth Treasures—so numerous that they dazzled the eyes.
Among them were even three Spirit Treasures:
Demonic Heaven Spear — a Medium-Grade Spirit Treasure.
Blood Moon Saber — a Low-Grade Spirit Treasure.
Nether Shadow Sword — a Low-Grade Spirit Treasure.
Unfortunately, all three were tailored for Demonic Cultivators, making them unsuitable for Mo Yu.
Even so, if they were sold, they would fetch an astronomical fortune.
"So?" Su Meier asked curiously after noticing Mo Yu standing there in silence. "Did you find anything good?"
Mo Yu finally snapped out of his daze and answered truthfully,
"About eight hundred thousand Top-Grade Spirit Stones... along with countless Spiritual Treasures, Cultivation Techniques, Medicinal Pills, and Heaven and Earth Treasures."
Even after saying it aloud, he still found the number hard to believe. The wealth inside the ring was enough to support the cultivation of an entire first-rate sect for many years.