After the demon shark case in Li’er Kingdom, the secret realm opened, and disciples from various sects entered the secret realm together. Because Zanxing and her group had disturbed the Golden Flower Tiger, they were trapped within Wudong Mountain and, by chance, encountered a wisp of divine consciousness that Qinghua Xianzi had left in the painting. When Gu Baiying and the others rescued Zanxing and emerged from the secret realm, they had seen scattered weapons and bloodstains from disciples of other sects near the transmission array. At that time, everyone speculated that these disciples might have encountered an ambush by Mo Sha, and they had wanted to quickly return to the Taiyan Sect to inform Shaoyang Zhenren of this matter. However, they were sent to Wufan City by the tampered transmission array, which delayed them for some time.

“Master said that during the days we were in Wufan City, disciples from the Xiangling Sect had sent a sound transmission to their sect leader, informing them that we were trapped in Wudong Mountain,” Tian Fangfang said. “The fellow cultivators from the Xiangling Sect are more righteous than those bastards from the Chihua Gate.”

Zanxing asked curiously: “Then what are they doing at the Taiyan Sect this time?”

“Junior Sister doesn’t know, but on the very night we were trapped in Wudong Mountain, they indeed encountered a Mo Sha ambush in the secret realm. The Chihua Gate lost several disciples, and both the Yinfeng Sect and Xiangling Sect suffered heavy casualties. This time, the Xiangling Sect’s sect leader personally brought disciples to our door—they’re probably here about this matter.”

“Mo Sha?” Zanxing paused in her steps.

Tian Fangfang said, “Indeed,” he moved closer to Zanxing and lowered his voice: “That day in Li’er Kingdom, the merfolk said that the person behind it was searching for a painting, and that the painting contained Qinghua Xianzi’s inheritance. Moreover, after the great war between humans and demons twenty years ago, the Xiaoyuan Pearl disappeared without a trace. The demon clan that picked up the Xiaoyuan Pearl may want to make a comeback. We should prepare early.”

Xiaoyuan Pearl… Zanxing clenched her palm tightly.

While they were talking, the three had already arrived at the entrance to Jinhua Hall.

Usually, Jinhua Hall was cold and quiet except for when Yueguang Daoren came to drink tea. Today, it was quite lively, and they could hear voices inside from early on.

“Those demon clans are truly detestable. They dare to be so arrogant now—what will happen in the future? We should have eradicated them back then. Who knows if a second Gui Diao Tang will appear?”

“Shut up, Putao.”

This was a woman’s voice.

Zanxing followed Gu Baiying inside, and Gu Baiying said, “Master.”

Everyone looked toward them.

A group of people stood in Jinhua Hall. Several faces were familiar—they were disciples from the Xiangling Sect they had encountered in Li’er Kingdom. Standing beside Putao was a woman in yellow robes. This woman had beautiful features with natural arrogance in her eyes and brows, holding a long sword with flowing sleeves—she was a beauty of outstanding grace, though her posture and expression were somewhat haughty.

“This is the sect leader of the Xiangling Sect, Aunt Rongshuang,” Tian Fangfang whispered.

Li Danshu was speaking with Shaoyang Zhenren. Seeing that Zanxing had also arrived, he said with a beaming smile: “Nephew Zanxing, seeing you looking so spirited, you must be fine now.”

That Aunt Rongshuang, hearing this, turned her head and cast a critical gaze over Zanxing before speaking: “So she’s the one who received Qinghua’s inheritance?” She paused, then continued: “Only at the Golden Core stage of cultivation, nothing special. When did Qinghua’s judgment become so poor?”

“My mother’s choice needs no commentary from others,” Gu Baiying snorted. “When did the affairs of the Taiyan Sect become the business of other sects to interfere with?”

Putao became indignant: “Gu Baiying, how can you speak to our sect leader like that?”

Gu Baiying’s tone was disdainful: “You also know she’s your sect leader—what does that have to do with me?”

Rongshuang looked toward Shaoyang Zhenren: “Shaoyang, is this how you teach your disciples manners?”

Shaoyang Zhenren’s expression remained calm, as if he hadn’t heard the dispute in the hall. He only said: “Rongshuang, there’s no need to argue with the younger generation. Regarding the Mo Sha, I will send people to enter Li’er Kingdom with you to investigate the person behind this.”

Rongshuang said coldly: “That would be best.”

Zhao Mayi stepped forward from the corner at the right moment. Having spent many years traveling outside, his speech carried some worldly smoothness. He said with a smile, “Fellow cultivators, Sect Leader Rongshuang, let me first take you to rest. Once our sect leader and master have decided who will go to Li’er Kingdom, we’ll set out immediately. Now that the demon clan is eyeing us covetously, our major sects must work together even more to crush the demon clan’s conspiracy.”

Rongshuang glanced at him, essentially accepting his gesture of goodwill, and left the Law Hall with several disciples and Zhao Mayi.

Li Danshu patted his chest: “Finally sent them away.” He shook his head and muttered to himself: “She’s a beauty too, so why am I so afraid of her?”

Cui Yufu walked in from outside and, hearing this, mocked him: “Look at how pathetic you are.”

“You’re so capable,” Li Danshu glanced at him sideways. “If you’re so capable, why don’t you stop hiding outside?”

“Stop arguing, both of you,” Yueqin interrupted their dispute. “Let’s just listen to what the sect leader master has to say.”

Gu Baiying looked up at Shaoyang Zhenren: “Master, what did you mean earlier about re-entering Li’er Kingdom’s secret realm?”

Yueqin sighed: “Disciples from several major sects were simultaneously ambushed by the demon clan in Li’er Kingdom’s secret realm, suffering heavy casualties. We suspect the demon clan wants to make a comeback. The merfolk said they encountered the person behind this in Li’er Kingdom. The elders of Chihua Gate are determined to send people to re-explore Li’er Kingdom to see if they can find any clues.”

Gu Baiying spoke up: “I’ll go too.”

“Junior Brother, don’t get involved in this excitement,” Li Danshu shook his head repeatedly. “Your spiritual meridians haven’t been repaired yet. Right now, you’re only relying on my pills to temporarily suppress the surging Yuanli—it’s very dangerous.”

Zanxing glanced at Gu Baiying: “You didn’t tell the martial uncles about the treasure map?”

Shaoyang Zhenren’s expression shifted slightly.

“What treasure map?” Cui Yufu was completely confused.

Zanxing raised her hand, and a map floated out from her Qiankun Bag. She said, “When we were in Wufan City, the Serpent Witch gave me a treasure map. She said the treasure location contains a sacred tree, and pills made from its fruit can restore Seventh Martial Uncle’s spiritual meridians completely.” She had thought Gu Baiying had already told them, but unexpectedly, he hadn’t said anything.

The map floated in mid-air. Gu Baiying snatched it away and stuffed it back into Zanxing’s Qiankun Bag, scolding: “Put it away properly. What are you taking it out for?”

Li Danshu was displeased: “Junior Brother, what kind of behavior is that? Do you think we would covet our nephew’s treasure map?” The next moment, he shamelessly moved closer: “Nephew Zanxing, good girl, could you let your martial uncle look at your treasure map for just a little while?”

Gu Baiying slapped his hand away and sneered: “Senior Brother, could you have some shame?”

“Seventh Junior Brother, I’m asking Nephew Zanxing, so why are you getting angry?” Li Danshu blew on his hand, somewhat dissatisfied: “Being so controlling—what’s the relationship between you two?”

Zanxing: “……”

Shaoyang Zhenren looked toward Zanxing: “Zanxing.”

“Disciple is here.”

“What do you plan to do?”

“Me?” Zanxing said, “This treasure map is useless to me, so I’ll give it to Seventh Martial Uncle.”

“Yang Zanxing,” Gu Baiying looked at her incredulously: “This is a treasure map!”

Zanxing nodded: “I know. I originally sought it for you anyway.”

He was speechless, finally squeezing out after a long while: “……You idiot.”

“Baiying’s spiritual meridians indeed need repair, and the Serpent Witch giving you the treasure map is also your fortune. In that case, you should go with Baiying to the treasure location to search for the sacred tree,” Shaoyang Zhenren lowered his eyes.

Gu Baiying was startled: “Master……”

“It’s decided then,” Shaoyang Zhenren stood up. “Depart in a few days.”

He left the Law Hall, leaving the others in the hall. Cui Yufu and Li Danshu crowded around Zanxing, chattering noisily.

“Nephew Zanxing, let me look at your treasure map, just for a moment, half an hour, how about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea? I’ll give you ten superior pills as payment.”

“Forget it. Nephew, don’t listen to this profiteer. He wants to make a copy. Your Fourth Martial Uncle doesn’t deal in empty promises. When you go to the treasure location, see if there are any talisman secret manuals and bring them back. Uncle Cui will trade with you.”

“What use are those talismans? Pills are better. Why not look for more alchemy materials? Sixth Junior Brother’s disciple is like my disciple—don’t be polite with me, Nephew… Nephew?”

Zanxing had already been dragged away by Gu Baiying.

After leaving Jinhua Hall, Gu Baiying released her hand and scolded irritably: “Yang Zanxing, are you crazy?”

Zanxing was puzzled: “What’s wrong?”

“That’s a treasure map, and you took it out in the main hall in front of everyone. Are you missing a brain?” He looked at her with disappointment, pointing at Zanxing’s forehead and fiercely lecturing: “Do you know that sometimes, for even a small spiritual treasure, cultivators might even invite fatal disasters?”

“But aren’t the martial uncles all our people?” Zanxing interrupted him: “I’m not stupid—of course I know the principle of not flaunting wealth. But the matter of your spiritual meridians needing repair has already spread throughout the entire Taiyan Sect. You’re usually arrogant and domineering, with many enemies. By taking out the treasure map, I can at least quell some rumors.”

“You……”

“Besides, that treasure map was originally sought for you. Did you expect me to hide it and refuse to take it out?”

Zanxing now understood why Gu Baiying had never told Shaoyang Zhenren and the others about the treasure map. He was probably afraid of attracting others’ covetousness and was even guarding against Xuan Lingzi and the others.

“The treasure map doesn’t only contain the sacred tree—there might be other spiritual treasures and cultivation methods,” he said with difficulty after a long while. “You’re the first person I’ve ever seen who regards such a thing so lightly.”

Zanxing smiled at him: “Is that a compliment?”

As if dazzled by her smile, Gu Baiying turned his head away, avoiding her gaze, and asked in a low voice: “Yang Zanxing, when we were in Wufan City, the Serpent Witch granted you one question. Why did you use that question on me? Do you know how precious that opportunity was? As long as you spoke up, any question would have an answer……”

“If we couldn’t find a solution for your spiritual meridians, wouldn’t you die?”

Gu Baiying was stunned.

Zanxing stepped forward and looked into his eyes: “I told you, I want to change my fate, and I want to change yours too.”