In desperate situations, people often unleash extraordinary power. Under the assault of over a hundred hyenas, Xiang Haikui wielded the Heaven Fury Sword with increasing proficiency, her movements becoming increasingly flashy.

Whether influenced by Heaven Fury or simply due to recent suppression, she felt an exhilarating sense of release.

Just as she was enjoying herself, red flower petals suddenly drifted down from above the canyon, like a rain of flowers.

As the petals fell on the hyenas, they didn’t even have time to react before being instantly incinerated to ash.

Xiang Haikui’s face paled with fright. With divine footwork, she dodged the petals and quickly pressed herself against the wall.

A palace-dressed beauty slowly descended, while Xiang Haikui was covered in blood and filth, still sticky with hyena saliva, exuding a foul odor.

The palace beauty landed at a distance, covering her nose with her sleeve: “Little girl, I just heard you cursing Yin Changli?”

Xiang Haikui’s eyelid twitched. Had someone come to capture him?

If so, he probably would have already fled, right?

Not understanding the situation, Xiang Haikui was considering how to respond when she heard Yin Changli’s light chuckle descending from above: “Are you looking for me, miss?”

Xiang Haikui was stunned when she saw him, because he had changed into a different outfit—still a light gray scholar’s robe, but more elegant and refined than before.

He also now held a bamboo scroll fan.

After Yin Changli appeared, the seductive woman no longer paid attention to Xiang Haikui, turning to curtsy to him: “This humble one is Luo Yunxiu, greetings to the Palace Master.”

Yin Changli: “So you’re the current generation’s master of the Extreme Pleasure Palace?”

Luo Yunxiu smiled: “Indeed, I am.”

Her smile was truly enchanting; even Xiang Haikui, a woman, was almost captivated.

Yin Changli, however, showed a regretful expression: “How pitiful for my Extreme Pleasure Palace. Once it bloomed with the most beautiful flowers, but now, it’s been planted with scallions.”

As he spoke, he covered his nose with his fan, as if smelling something strange, wrinkling his brow in disgust.

This gesture and expression perfectly mirrored how Luo Yunxiu had just treated Xiang Haikui.

What did he mean—he was the flower and she was the scallion? Luo Yunxiu’s seductive face immediately darkened: “Elder, you betrayed Other Shore City and are already a criminal. I treat you with respect, and this is your attitude?”

Yin Changli laughed: “Could it be that if my attitude were better, you wouldn’t arrest me?”

Luo Yunxiu was choked by his response.

Xiang Haikui squatted in the corner listening. Other Shore City, Extreme Pleasure Palace—she recalled her master mentioning them.

It was…

She now knew who Yin Changli was.

In the cultivation world, there was the Upper Realm and the mortal realm—how could it lack the underworld?

But the underworld in the cultivation world wasn’t called the underworld, but the Netherworld.

Its capital was Other Shore City. The Netherworld Lord was equivalent to an emperor, but those truly in charge were the twelve Palace Masters within Other Shore City.

The Extreme Pleasure Palace was one of the twelve palaces.

Years ago, Yin Changli had a peculiar temperament and constantly clashed with the other Palace Masters. One day, while he was away, a precious treasure went missing from the Netherworld, and his colleagues all pointed fingers at him.

The Netherworld Lord interrogated him thoroughly. Angered, he made a military pledge, expending great effort to finally capture the real thief and return the treasure.

But unexpectedly, that very night, Yin Changli stole that treasure again.

Not only that, he emptied the entire Netherworld Treasury, even stealing the Netherworld Lord’s Imperial Seal, thus fleeing Other Shore City and becoming a fugitive.

Luo Yunxiu suddenly turned coquettish again: “Elder Yin, this humble one is merely fulfilling a duty. As you can see, how could a frail woman like me be your match? I only hope that when you strike, you’ll be gentle with me.”

Hearing this, Yin Changli closed his fan and smiled: “As your elder, I dislike bullying women even more. Come, I’ll let you have three moves and only use thirty percent of my power.”

“Then thank you, Elder.” Luo Yunxiu continued smiling coquettishly. As soon as she finished speaking, red spider lilies began spinning around her body.

It was a beautiful opening move, but before she could attack, Yin Changli moved like the wind, almost teleporting to her, and kicked her in the face!

Luo Yunxiu was instantly stunned by the kick. Her protective barrier shattered as she was kicked flying.

Yin Changli laughed coldly: “You called yourself feeble-minded, and I thought you were being modest, but you truly are feeble-minded if you believed the words of the fugitive you’re trying to capture.”

Luo Yunxiu got up from the ground, furious: “You’re still an elder, how could you…”

Yin Changli: “Has Other Shore City run out of people? Has it fallen so low as to send a woman who sells her charms to capture me?”

Luo Yunxiu was nearly dying with rage: “I advise you not to be so arrogant! The Lord has found a divine artifact specifically designed to counter you!”

Yin Changli: “So, you deliberately came to warn me?”

Luo Yunxiu was stunned: “I didn’t…”

Yin Changli: “I understand now. You’ve admired me for a long time, so you used capture as an excuse to tip me off.”

Luo Yunxiu anxiously defended: “I have not…”

Yin Changli: “I’ll remember this favor. You may be a bit ugly, but considering your devoted heart toward me, I permit you to qualify to adore me.”

Luo Yunxiu nearly rolled her eyes.

Taking the opportunity, Yin Changli had already teleported to Xiang Haikui’s side and taken her away.

…

After leaving Fierce Wind Plain, walking through the corridor of the Ten Thousand Bones Cave, Xiang Haikui followed behind Yin Changli without making a sound.

Yin Changli asked as they walked: “Why so quiet suddenly? Weren’t you cursing me quite fiercely earlier?”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Xiang Haikui carefully apologized.

Then came Qi Yin’s voice: “What happened? Did you encounter pursuers?”

“Yes, Master.” Xiang Haikui quickly stepped forward and vividly described what had just happened, praising Yin Changli to the skies.

She hoped to please him enough to forget that she had cursed him.

Qi Yin frowned and transmitted a message to Yin Changli: “What’s going on? I asked you to increase her wild intent, but I don’t see wildness—instead, she’s become timid?”

Yin Changli sighed: “There’s no way around it. With my power, truly no one dares to be wild in my presence.”

After scolding him, Qi Yin began scolding Xiang Haikui: “What are you being timid about? Someone like him? At my peak, I could handle two of him.”

Yin Changli laughed: “You might be able to defeat me, but could you catch me?”

“Well…” Qi Yin was also choked. In terms of escape ability, truly, no one could catch him.

He could only change the subject: “Little Kui, I told you to drink wine before practicing the sword. Why didn’t you listen?”

Xiang Haikui hurriedly said: “Disciple was just about to say, disciple truly cannot drink wine.”

Drinking wine could excite the blood and qi. She used to be somewhat allergic to alcohol and thought that now that she was cultivating, her physical constitution would be different, but it wasn’t.

“Can a disciple use a substitute?” She wanted to switch to chili peppers—she couldn’t enjoy food without spice, and eating too many peppers easily went to her head.

Before confessing to her campus crush, she had eaten two heaven-facing peppers.

After she spoke, Qi Yin was stunned: “No problem. What suits you is best, but what are chili peppers?”

Xiang Haikui was also stunned. This world didn’t have chili peppers?

She described the appearance of chili peppers and looked toward Yin Changli, who shook his head.

That’s it—Xiang Haikui suddenly felt life was hopeless.

Seeing her disappointed expression, Yin Changli said: “Describe the taste; perhaps there’s a substitute.”

“The taste? It’s like a burning fire in your mouth when you eat it…” After speaking, she looked at him with full of hope.

Yin Changli pondered: “Come with me.”

It seemed promising. Xiang Haikui followed him back to the small black ball, to his treasure repository, and watched as he took out several “pea pods” from a small drawer storing medicinal materials.

Yin Changli handed them to her: “Try these.”

She took them in her hand, was about to put them in her mouth, but remembered his past misdeeds: “Can this really be eaten?”

Yin Changli: “Of course I’ve eaten them; that’s how I know what you’re describing.”

That made sense. Xiang Haikui boldly took a bite, and her eyes brightened: “Yes, this is the flavor!”

But it was truly too spicy, making her head feel numb.

Why did she feel dizzy?

No, she was getting dizzy.

…

When she woke up, she was lying on a bed.

“Awake?”

She was startled—Yin Changli was sitting beside her bed. Looking at her reflection in his dark eyes, she was even more surprised that her face was swollen.

“Does that thing have poison?” Her speech was slurred.

“It seems it does.” Yin Changli nodded.

Xiang Haikui was speechless: “Then, when I asked if it could be eaten, you said it could!”

“When I ate it, nothing happened at all.” Yin Changli was telling the truth. When he ate it, there were no signs of poisoning. How would he know if ordinary people would be poisoned? “It’s a minor poison, nothing serious. I’ve already neutralized it for you.”

Xiang Haikui pursed her lips. He was petty, still remembering how she had confronted him earlier, seizing any opportunity to bully her.

As she cursed endlessly in her heart, Heaven Fury trembled continuously nearby.

Yin Changli pretended not to see and stood up from beside the bed: “Today’s practical training hasn’t ended yet, but that place isn’t safe anymore. Let’s change locations.”

Xiang Haikui had first fought hyenas, then been poisoned, and was now exhausted. Practicing sword would have no efficiency. She shook her head: “Elder, I want to rest today and go tomorrow.”

“Angry?” Yin Changli looked down at her.

“No.” She was truly tired.

“This was my fault.” Yin Changli pondered for a moment, then said, “As compensation, I’ll take you to a place-a place you’ll like.”

Xiang Haikui’s interest was piqued: “Where?”

“Just lie here.” He went out to instruct the Tuntun Shu, preparing to leave.

…

When they reached their destination and emerged from the small black ball, Xiang Haikui’s expression confirmed that Yin Changli had been right.

This was truly a place Xiang Haikui would like.

Because she was a feather enthusiast who loved feathered ornaments, and this was a spiritual beast garden with only one type of animal.

Phoenixes!

“Elder, are these phoenixes?” Xiang Haikui could hardly believe it—a garden full of red phoenixes?

Yin Changli: “They’re just a breed raised for eating.”

Xiang Haikui: “Is the cultivation world this extravagant?”

Raising phoenixes like chickens for food?

Yin Changli raised his hand, pointing to the side of her head, “As compensation for you, catch a phoenix and replace your feather ornament. That peacock feather is an unsightly green.”

Yin Changli had used two iridescent leaf-shaped scales on both sides of his head like hairpins, pulling his hair back behind his ears to reveal his entire face.

Previously, Xiang Haikui had liked this hairstyle and asked if she could imitate it.

Yin Changli didn’t mind and let her do as she pleased. The next day, he saw that she had done her hair the same way as his, only replacing the scales with two peacock feathers.

Haikui:!

Even if they were chicken-like phoenixes, they were still phoenixes. Using phoenix feathers as decorations was extremely extravagant.

Xiang Haikui rubbed her hands like a fly: “This—This-this doesn’t seem right.”

Yin Changli laughed: “Then you don’t want them?”

She answered very quickly: “I do!”

He nodded: “Then go ahead.”

Haikui froze.

“Aren’t you going?”

“Me?”

Yin Changli looked at her strangely: “Who else? If I were to strike, why would I bring you here—to cheer me on?”

Xiang Haikui: …

Yin Changli saw her expression change from O__O to ╰_╯ and burst into laughter.

Still laughing? Haikui’s good mood instantly vanished. She thought, even if these phoenix feathers are good, this old man doesn’t want them anymore! What’s it to you if the peacock feathers are an unsightly green? They’re not stuck on your head!

“Alright, I won’t tease you anymore.” After laughing, Yin Changli straightened up and casually flicked his long sleeve, sending out a whirlwind with blades inside, spiraling outward.

Those phoenixes were swept into the sky, flying about like a swarm of headless flies, crashing into each other. Feathers fell in abundance, all fiery red plumes.

So beautiful! Xiang Haikui involuntarily stretched out her hand, letting a red feather fall into her palm.

Fine, she forgave him. Among the fluttering phoenix feathers, she ran out to pick some of the most beautiful ones and hid them in her storage ring.

“I’m done, Elder, let’s go back…” She turned back after selecting, suddenly stunned, looking around. “Elder? Elder?”

Yin Changli had disappeared.

Several men in military attire charged in from somewhere, and seeing the scene in the garden, they nearly fainted!

These phoenixes were meant to pull the Young Lord’s carriage for his wedding tomorrow, carefully selected to ensure each had the finest feathers, but now they were a flock of bald chickens!

“How dare you!”

“Catch her!”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Good heavens! Seeing the situation, Haikui immediately realized that Yin Changli had set her up again!

Explanations would be useless, and she couldn’t just sit and wait for capture, so she used the footwork her master had taught her to flee frantically.

The garden servants, out of breath, couldn’t catch up with her. They marveled inwardly—how could someone with such low cultivation have such strong physical stamina and adaptability?

“Why haven’t the garden masters arrived yet?”

“We’ve contacted them. They said they were knocked unconscious on the way. It seems there are accomplices.”

“Never mind, release the Heavenly Thunder Roar!”

Xiang Haikui was fleeing for her life when suddenly she heard a tiger-like roar from above, thinking it might be a guardian beast of the garden.

Glancing upward, she saw it was a huge ball of lightning, trailing sparks, striking down at her!

It was too fast; she calculated quickly and realized she couldn’t dodge.

Feeling Heaven Fury trembling in its scabbard, she instantly drew the sword and raised it high. The lightning struck the tip of Heaven Fury.

By the time the electric current flowed into Xiang Haikui’s body, it had become very weak. She only felt a slight numbness in her arms and smelled burning hair.

By the time the next ball formed, those people behind had caught up again. She no longer fled but brandished her sword to fight!

This time, she didn’t rely on cursing the great Yin to increase her wild intent—it was no longer necessary. Both she and her sword now understood that he wasn’t deliberately making fun of her.

The combined strength of these people barely matched her own, and the lightning ball, after striking through Heaven Fury into her body, was continuously clearing her meridians.

Perhaps he wanted her to understand that many unexpected events happen suddenly, just like that hand that had suddenly pushed her to her death in the bathwater.

He had been meticulous in his selection, with the best intentions.

All that could be said was that cultivation wasn’t easy, but from now on, she had something to boast about.

I, Xiang Haikui.

Hammered dogs in the Fierce Wind Canyon, got my hair permed in the Phoenix Garden!