The matter of the Qingfeng Nunnery’s hidden realm was neither big nor small.

If nothing could be investigated, it would naturally be a trivial matter, but if something was truly discovered, it might become an earth-shaking event.

Sending Qu Zhengfeng was currently Yashan’s most prudent and careful approach – he had sufficient strength and reputation, making him the most suitable candidate.

However…

From Jian Chou’s perspective, the focus became completely different.

When they had discussed the Jianzhu Sect matter, she had also been present. She could predict that Yashan would send Qu Zhengfeng, and even felt he was the best choice, but why…

“Master, for the Qingfeng Nunnery hidden realm, who is Yashan sending… Xie Buchen?”

Xie Buchen.

When this name emerged from her tongue again, somehow it carried a completely unfamiliar feeling.

As if she didn’t know this person at all.

But she knew it was just an illusion.

Fudao Shanren looked at her strangely, seeming to want to ask something.

Jian Chou suppressed the unrest in her heart and explained: “When Master brought the disciple back to Shijiu Zhou, we borrowed passage through the Qingfeng Nunnery’s hidden realm. At that time, there seemed to be an evil beast inside fighting with the Master, quite formidable. Even with Master’s cultivation, you struggled with that beast for quite some time. No matter how talented Kunwu’s Xie Buchen might be, he shouldn’t be more powerful than the Master. Sending him there – could Hengxu Laoguai have some ulterior motive?”

Jian Chou had personally witnessed everything outside the Qingfeng Nunnery’s hidden realm back then.

Now, when she spoke these words, they were reasonable and logical.

Fudao Shanren’s earlier doubts were suppressed, but new doubts arose from Jian Chou’s words.

“That beast was a monster born within the hidden realm, but it was severely injured by me last time, so it shouldn’t have much power left. Therefore, your Junior Brother Qu should be safe going there. However, Xie Buchen, at most, still has Foundation Establishment cultivation. Going in would likely be more dangerous than safe.”

“Hengxu Zhenren isn’t that foolish…”

From Fudao Shanren’s and Jian Chou’s conversation, Shen Jiu had already heard some clues.

He scratched the back of his head and suddenly thought of something, chuckling: “Perhaps Hengxu Zhenren calculated that our Yashan would send Senior Brother Qu, so he deliberately sent their sect’s genius? Although Yashan and Kunwu aren’t exactly close, they were two great sects that fought side by side back then. Master, you and Hengxu Zhenren don’t get along, but over all these years, neither of you has strangled the other. So maybe Hengxu Zhenren intends to have Second Senior Brother take care of that person?”

Take care?

This was quite an interesting thought.

Hearing this, Fudao Shanren lowered his gaze to look at that oily, fatty chicken leg, chuckling along, somewhat eerily: “What that old monster Hengxu is thinking, I’m not clear about. But if the second one is there, he might as well truly ‘take good care’ of that genius.”

After speaking, that secretive laughter immediately became wild cackling.

“…”

Jian Chou’s gaze slowly moved from Fudao Shanren’s face to Shen Jiu’s face, seeing relaxed smiles on the faces of all the junior brothers standing in the room.

The relationship between Kunwu and Yashan wasn’t bad.

This feeling…

Made Jian Chou somewhat conflicted.

Qu Zhengfeng, Xie Buchen.

Two names passed through Jian Chou’s heart like a small boat crossing a calm lake.

Over there, whenever Fudao Shanren thought of the power difference between Qu Zhengfeng and that Kunwu boy, he felt delighted.

His enthusiasm rising, he directly slapped the table and said cheerfully: “No, with such a good opportunity, I must properly mock Kunwu!”

Exploring a Qingfeng Nunnery hidden realm and only sending a Foundation Establishment new disciple – has Yashan run out of people?

I don’t care if you’ve run out of people or not – first, let me seize this chance to mock you!

Thinking this, Fudao Shanren’s eyes lit up, and without hesitation, he reached out to grab at the air.

“Rumble!”

A bolt of lightning instantly appeared, grasped in Fudao Shanren’s hand. He casually squeezed it into a thin lightning bolt and threw it toward the door!

Whoosh!

The pale blue lightning instantly disappeared into the layers of cloud shadows outside.

Kunwu.

Rarely did Hengxu Zhenren not stay in the Celestial Hall, instead walking from one end of the plaza to its edge, seeming about to descend.

Behind him followed many Kunwu disciples in unified blue robes, respectful and solemn.

Just at this moment—

“Rumble!”

A huge blue lightning bolt split the sky, striking straight toward Hengxu Zhenren!

Another thunder message.

Those who dared send thunder messages to Kunwu were few; those who dared directly send thunder messages to Hengxu Zhenren so ostentatiously, afraid others wouldn’t notice, could be identified with one’s toes.

Throughout Shijiu Zhou, besides Kunwu’s great enemies and Yashan’s Fudao Shanren, no one else came to mind.

Sighing inwardly, Hengxu Zhenren gestured backward, indicating that the tense crowd to relax.

The thunder message had already descended directly.

Hengxu Zhenren reached out to catch it, and the thunder message was directly grasped in his palm, with electric serpents wildly crackling as if trying to bore through his hand.

Frowning, Hengxu Zhenren squeezed hard with his five fingers.

Snap, snap, snap.

All the electric serpents completely exploded, their light dissipating.

Now what remained in Hengxu Zhenren’s palm was just an ordinary thunder message.

Pressing with his finger, the thunder message unfolded.

Row after row of text filled with Fudao Shanren’s arrogance and insolence.

“Your Kunwu has no people left, actually sending a yellow-mouthed child to explore the Qingfeng Nunnery’s hidden realm. Alas, alas! Considering our hundreds of years of friendship, I will surely instruct Zhengfeng to take care of him. You old dog Hengxu needs not thank me. Hahaha…”

…

Calling someone “old dog Hengxu” to their face – over these years, Fudao’s temper had become increasingly detestable.

With a casual wave and sweep of his great sleeve.

A wild wind swept over, immediately scattering the text on the thunder message.

Hengxu Zhenren’s face showed no emotional fluctuation as he only asked: “Has he departed?”

Below the plaza lay an endless sea of clouds.

Layer upon layer of white clouds outlined Kunwu’s mountain ranges.

Xie Buchen’s wooden house, though on the mountainside, still afforded a good overlooking view.

“Clang…”

The sound of a sword scabbard lightly hitting the wall.

Xie Buchen hung that ordinary sword back up, standing beneath this wall and looking up for a long time.

He was about to depart for the Qingfeng Nunnery hidden realm…

His gaze flickered slightly, the dark green robe heavy in color, pressing down on him weightily.

Turning around, Xie Buchen collected the books from his desk one by one and put them back on the bookshelf.

However, just as he was about to close the last book, his hand paused.

This was a book that looked very ancient, with sparse writing on it. In the center was a simple sketch.

It was a six-legged, four-winged monster shaped like a yellow sack, its first right wing raised high, occupying most of the page in an exaggerated size. Around this wing were waves representing wind and symbols representing lightning.

Beside it, a line of small text was annotated:

Dijiang, Innate Dao Seal, Second Wind-Thunder Wing.

Staring at this line for a long time, Xie Buchen finally narrowed his gaze and closed the book.

Even if someone among those who entered the Killing Red Small Realm with Gu Qingmei obtained the Dijiang Guyu, they might not know the secret hidden within the bone jade, much less can research such a rare thing as an Innate Dao Seal.

Only he was destined to have no connection with this “Wind-Thunder Wing” Dao Seal.

Then…

Let this Dao Seal become a pearl lost in the vast sea.

The bookshelf against the wall was already full of books.

Xie Buchen reached out and placed this nameless ancient book among the countless volumes, taking one last look before turning to leave.

Having come to Shijiu Zhou for over three months, cultivating endlessly, studying endlessly, researching endlessly, with single-minded focus, no trivial matters able to disturb his heart…

Hengxu Zhenren said this was a trial.

He wondered what would be waiting for him in the Qingfeng Nunnery’s hidden realm?

Step by step, Xie Buchen left the small wooden house, carefully closing the door behind him and locking it with an unremarkable small copper lock. He casually placed the key above the door before turning to walk down the mountain path.

Yashan.

After sending the thunder message, thinking of Hengxu Zhenren’s reaction, Fudao Shanren was delighted.

However, Jian Chou’s face showed no particularly happy expression. She looked at Fudao Shanren for a long time and suddenly thought of a question: “Master, where are my little marten and bone jade?”

“Eh?”

Fudao Shanren was stunned, stopped laughing, and looked up in surprise.

Inside the room, complete silence.

Seeing this, Jian Chou raised an eyebrow, her gaze moving from Fudao Shanren’s face to Shen Jiu’s: “Fourth Junior Brother, if I remember correctly, the little marten was with you before I went down to the Beast Trapping Arena?”

“Ah…”

Shen Jiu’s face immediately showed embarrassment.

At that moment, Jian Chou had a bad premonition.

Shen Jiu rubbed his hands together, quite embarrassed: “Well… Senior Sister’s little marten has too big a temper. When we held it, it ignored us. When Senior Sister fainted, oh no, fell asleep, it ran directly to the riverbank at the front mountain. We all went to see it and brought it food, but it refused to come back, no matter what. Um, we never mistreated it – Senior Sister, please don’t misunderstand…”

A string of words poured from Shen Jiu’s mouth.

But Jian Chou was stunned.

She didn’t doubt whether Shen Jiu and the others would mistreat the little marten – after all, she knew the little marten’s abilities well. She had originally thought that bringing the little marten back, even if she wasn’t around, it would have gotten familiar with Shen Jiu and the others. How could it still return to the riverbank?

The image of that pile of ragged hills suddenly appeared in her mind, and Jian Chou’s mouth twitched.

Seeing Shen Jiu still blaming himself, Jian Chou couldn’t help saying: “Fourth Junior Brother needn’t be nervous. I originally found the little marten at the front riverbank. It probably still doesn’t want to live in Yashan. It’s more familiar with the riverbank. I’ll go find it later.”

After speaking, Shen Jiu was stunned – was that so?

But Jian Chou didn’t continue with this topic, turning back to look at Fudao Shanren: “Master, where’s the bone jade?”

“…”

Fudao Shanren blinked and shook his head.

“Didn’t you take it with you that day?”

It’s over.

Jian Chou suddenly realized, slapping her forehead: “It’s not still over there, is it…”

“Where?”

Fudao Shanren was completely confused.

Jian Chou had no time to explain, directly saying: “Master, I’m going to the Beast Trapping Arena for a moment. I’ll be back shortly!”

After speaking, she swung her axe, immediately transforming into a black light that leaped directly from the small house door, tracing a smooth arc as it plunged into Guihe Well!

At the end of the Beast Trapping Arena, in the long corridor.

“Huff, huff, huff, huff…”

Heavy breathing sounds.

The Dijiang Guyu sat against the stone wall, its one large and one small eye already closed, its head nodding bit by bit – it had fallen asleep.

“Tap, tap…”

Hurried footsteps approached.

Seeing this scene, Jian Chou immediately stopped.

The Dijiang Guyu was curled in the corner, sleeping deeply, completely unaware that someone had arrived.

It was immersed in sweet dreams, the not-very-attractive mouth that Jian Chou had drawn was curved upward, as if dreaming of something delicious, or perhaps someone else?

Jian Chou couldn’t help wondering if spirits could dream, too.

The end of the entire corridor was extremely quiet.

That great door stood unremarkably before Jian Chou, with the Dijiang Guyu in the corner beside the door. In this complete silence, the breathing sounds were particularly obvious.

After standing for who knows how long, Jian Chou finally slowly began to move, light and soundless.

She reached out and gently lifted the Dijiang Guyu from the ground. The Dijiang Guyu seemed uncomfortable and drowsily opened its eyes, the one large and one small eye appearing extraordinarily comical.

After looking at Jian Chou once, it made some babbling sounds, actually turned over, closed its eyes, and fell asleep again.

“…”

This little thing.

In an instant, Jian Chou’s heart was filled with tenderness.

She sighed helplessly and tucked the bone jade into her wide sleeve. It didn’t notice at all, or rather…

Didn’t care at all, very peaceful, very reassured.

In Jian Chou’s sleeve, the Dijiang Guyu slept deeply.

“Little bone, don’t worry. He… can’t beat me, so I’ll be fine going in. You just stand here and wait for me, don’t run around, okay?”

The words she had used to coax the Dijiang Guyu that day echoed in Jian Chou’s ears.

A shallow guilt suddenly arose in her heart.

Jian Chou thought that the Dijiang Guyu was, after all, a little spirit, its intelligence seemingly like that of a small child, too naive… She should deceive it less in the future, or it might be abducted by someone someday.

Thinking this, Jian Chou smiled self-mockingly.

Raising a little spirit and treating it like raising a child.

She lifted her feet and left the Beast Trapping Arena again.

All of Yashan was now shrouded in residual red.

Another sunset.

Jian Chou’s figure emerged from Guihe Well, but instead of returning directly to her small house, she flew out of the Yashan path to the front mountain—

She hadn’t forgotten there was still the little marten.

The long Yashan cable bridge appeared before Jian Chou, but she didn’t spare it a glance, flying directly toward the riverbank.

In the setting sun, the weeds among the Thousand Tombs carried an almost eerie purple color.

Jian Chou still remembered where she had first encountered the little marten. Looking over, she immediately spotted that pile of “junk” in its original position, seemingly unchanged.

Where was the little marten?

Jian Chou had originally thought it had returned for its pile of junk, but unexpectedly, there wasn’t even a trace of it being disturbed.

“Little marten!”

Standing before this pile of junk, Jian Chou shouted.

Her clear voice mixed with the river water and carried far.

Rustle, rustle.

Sounds immediately came from the grass.

Whoosh!

Jian Chou saw a familiar lightning-like gray shadow dart out from the corner of her vision.

She was immediately delighted: “Little marten!”

“Awoo!”

As if it hadn’t expected Jian Chou to come looking for it, the little marten’s agile body landed on Jian Chou’s shoulder, affectionately rubbing Jian Chou’s neck with its tail while making “howling” sounds.

Jian Chou laughed: “I thought you had such backbone, not even wanting this pile of junk… treasures anymore.”

“Wu wu wu!”

The little marten immediately became indignant, glaring at Jian Chou angrily, pointing with its claws at the pile of things on the ground, then at its own heart.

Bullying marten!

Bullying marten!

Those were treasures it had worked so hard to collect, all things dear to its heart!

Stupid human, if you don’t appreciate them, then shut up!

Jian Chou blinked and slapped it on the head.

“Smack!”

“Awoo!”

“Weren’t you the one who insisted on following me? How dare you run away once we got to Yashan? Try running away again! See if I don’t break your marten legs!” Jian Chou pretended to be fierce, glaring at the little marten.

One person and one marten, four eyes.

The little marten was so scared all its fur stood on end, immediately lifting both its legs with its claws, hugging them with difficulty while sitting on Jian Chou’s shoulder with just its bottom – quite steadily.

“Wu wu wu!”

Oh no, she’ll even break marten legs – is there any humanity left?

“Heh…”

Jian Chou was just about to have a proper talk with the little marten about future matters when, unexpectedly, a light chuckle came from the grass.

At that instant, she immediately gripped the Ghost Axe in her hand, her body tensing as she looked toward the sound.

Under the setting sun’s illumination, the tributary of Nine-Head River had glimmering broken light, much like the day Jian Chou had gone to the Killing Red Small Realm.

However, today there weren’t so many strange things happening after all.

In the air, besides the damp smell of river water and the fragrance of green grass, there seemed to be a hint of intense, mellow wine aroma.

“No need to be nervous, Junior Sister…”

A somewhat familiar voice, carrying laughter.

Beside a certain grave mound ahead, in the tall grass, a tall black figure seemed to sway as it stood up.

Now Jian Chou could finally see clearly.

Actually, without looking, she already knew who it was.

There wouldn’t be a second person in Yashan who would annoyingly call her Junior Sister.

Frowning, Jian Chou’s fingers gripping the Ghost Axe didn’t loosen, her voice cold: “Senior Brother.”

Listen to that tone.

Qu Zhengfeng had some dirty marks on him, as if he had just been leaning against some grave, not caring at all.

He smiled as he came out, carrying a somewhat carefree air, his gaze falling on Jian Chou’s face as he raised an eyebrow: “Unwilling and reluctant – why call me Senior Brother in private?”

Jian Chou’s expression didn’t change, still cold: “Unwilling and reluctant – why call me Senior Sister in public?”

Almost biting sarcasm returned in kind.

The smile on Qu Zhengfeng’s face finally faded somewhat.

He had heard about the Innate Dao Seal matter. Looking at Jian Chou now, she had indeed changed greatly again.

Her speed was too fast…

So fast that even he couldn’t help but feel some jealousy.

Taking two more steps forward, Qu Zhengfeng finally appeared completely before Jian Chou.

The little marten tilted its head, its two lively eyes examining him with apparent curiosity.

Qu Zhengfeng’s gaze also fell on this little marten, but didn’t linger long before returning to Jian Chou.

“Junior Sister’s abilities have grown.”

Jian Chou didn’t answer, only saying: “When I came out earlier, Master was asking about Senior Brother’s whereabouts. Fourth Junior Brother said Senior Brother would come to bid farewell later.”

“No farewell.”

Unexpectedly, Qu Zhengfeng laughed, giving an answer that surprised Jian Chou.

No farewell?

What did that mean?

Jian Chou couldn’t help but frown.

“Why not go?”

Qu Zhengfeng had no intention of fighting today. He glanced at Jian Chou, then turned to look at Nine-Head River.

“Who decreed that every departure must be preceded by farewell?”

“…”

Naturally, no one had ever decreed such a thing.

Jian Chou felt Qu Zhengfeng’s answer was incomprehensible. She suddenly thought of the Qingfeng Nunnery hidden realm trip, and thus was too lazy to think about all of Qu Zhengfeng’s strangeness.

“Does Senior Brother know that this Qingfeng Nunnery hidden realm trip is extremely dangerous? Moreover, Kunwu is sending Hengxu Zhenren’s newly accepted disciple, Xie Buchen.”

Qu Zhengfeng nodded, seemingly not surprised at all.

“I know.”

Jian Chou said, “As far as I know, Senior Brother doesn’t like Kunwu.”

“Don’t like?”

Qu Zhengfeng suddenly raised an eyebrow, looking back at Jian Chou.

“You speak with such certainty – be careful. Kunwu and Yashan have always been the two pillars of the Central Domain. Your words have the suspicion of sowing discord.”

“Is it because of the battle six hundred years ago?”

In Jian Chou’s mind appeared the scene she had witnessed in the karmic illusion realm of the Killing Red Small Realm.

“The one who launched a sneak attack on the battlefield – was it someone from Kunwu?”

“…”

Completely icy gaze.

Qu Zhengfeng’s entire being seemed instantly shrouded in a malevolent aura, his eyes like knives falling on Jian Chou.

Word by word, almost venomous:

“Who told you?”

So it was true?

Jian Chou looked at Qu Zhengfeng, her eyes suddenly carrying some scrutiny.

Such scrutiny was not how a junior sister would look at a senior brother.

The black color on Qu Zhengfeng suddenly became grimly cold.

He also stared at Jian Chou.

After a long time, he slowly withdrew his gaze, his voice low and hoarse: “You’re a junior sister who doesn’t please people. Only at the third level of Body Refinement, yet you dare try to trick me?”

“…”

Jian Chou immediately looked at him.

Body Refinement.

Without even looking at her, Qu Zhengfeng seemed to know every thought in her heart.

A smile slowly appeared at the corner of his lips.

“The ‘Human Weapon’ Body Refinement method – I’ve achieved the fifth realm of Black Wind Bone Patterns. Junior Sister is currently only at Heaven-Earth Viscera. Even if you borrowed the power of flesh, blood, muscles, and bones to defeat Qi Shaofeng, do you think you can be a legitimate Senior Sister?”

He knew everything.

However…

Jian Chou only said, “My battle with him was not for the title of Senior Sister.”

It was just to know how great the gap truly was.

Qu Zhengfeng was too lazy to listen.

The setting sun was sinking lower – it was time for him to depart.

“Whatever your purpose, it has nothing to do with me.”

After speaking, he moved his feet, and the light of the Sea Light Sword surged out as he was about to leave.

Jian Chou suddenly spoke: “Senior Brother.”

The sword light condensed, and Qu Zhengfeng raised an eyebrow: “What else does Junior Sister have?”

“Nothing major, just one request.” Jian Chou looked at Qu Zhengfeng’s back, frank and calm: “If Senior Brother encounters Xie Buchen in the Qingfeng Nunnery hidden realm, please spare his life.”

“…”

Qu Zhengfeng slowly narrowed his eyes and finally turned to look at her.

Spare?

This was Yashan’s Senior Sister, Junior Sister?

“I didn’t know Junior Sister had such a deep friendship with Kunwu people that you’d plead for him. Moreover… Junior Sister seems certain I intend to harm Kunwu.”

Someone who could be so ruthless, even to accidental harm like Wu Duan, probably wouldn’t treat Xie Buchen any better.

Moreover, Jian Chou already vaguely understood where Qu Zhengfeng’s ill will and malice toward Kunwu originated, making her even more certain.

Facing Qu Zhengfeng’s half-mocking words, Jian Chou remained unmoved.

She was very clear about what she was saying.

She was even clearer about what she intended to do.

Raising her gaze to meet Qu Zhengfeng’s eyes, Jian Chou held her axe with both hands and bowed: “No deep friendship exists, but deep hatred does. If Senior Brother spares his life, someday Jian Chou will personally end him with this blade.”