Return to Qing Shan

Not long after Xiao Yi Xian left the valley, Gu He sensed through his soul perception that she had already gone far away and could no longer see him. Rising to his feet, he sent Dou Qi into his back, summoned his Dou Qi Wings, and flew in the direction she had gone. Using the power of his soul perception, he followed her from afar. Though he had made many arrangements for Xiao Yi Xian's mission, she was ultimately his disciple, and he could not rest easy letting her face it alone.

After guiding the Blue Eagle to the outskirts of the Monster Mountain Range, not far from Qingshan Town, Xiao Yi Xian jumped down. Thinking that she might be recognized if she entered Qingshan Town directly and someone reported her to Yao Chen—after all, she had stayed in the town for quite some time—she took a veil from her Ring, covered her face, and set out for Qingshan Town on foot.

When Xiao Yi Xian arrived in Qingshan Town, her figure and bearing immediately drew the townspeople's attention. Though the town's proximity to the Monster Mountain Range meant that outsiders came through every day, a woman as beautiful and extraordinary as her was still rare. Especially with her veil, the hazy beauty it created was impossible to resist.

Xiao Yi Xian stopped a town resident, and the other townspeople immediately looked at him with envy. Seeing a woman with the bearing of a fairy descended from heaven take the initiative to speak to him, the resident became somewhat nervous.

"Hello. Is there a Dou Master-level expert in Qingshan Town named Sun Yi?" Xiao Yi Xian asked politely.

Hearing that this woman knew a Dou Master, the naked greed in the surrounding townspeople's eyes immediately vanished. They cautiously glanced at her and decided to wait and see.

"You mean Lord Sun Yi? He's still in town, but he'll be leaving soon. He finally saved enough money to have his daughter become Master Nigu's disciple. He'll soon be the father of a distinguished alchemist," the resident said enviously.

At the mention of alchemists, a trace of envy also flashed through Xiao Yi Xian's eyes. Her body's attributes had ultimately doomed her to never become part of that noble profession.

Steadying herself, Xiao Yi Xian continued, "That's wonderful. Do you know where he lives? I am the disciple of one of his old acquaintances and would like to pay him a visit."

After hearing Gu He explain the situation outside not long ago, Xiao Yi Xian cautiously chose not to reveal her true purpose.

"I do, I do! I've even been to his house before! Miss, how about I take you there myself?" the resident eagerly volunteered.

After giving it some thought, Xiao Yi Xian declined his offer. She merely asked him for the address and decided to find the place herself.

Though the resident looked disappointed, he did not dare act rashly and told Xiao Yi Xian Sun Yi's address.

After leaving that spot, Xiao Yi Xian did not immediately head to Sun Yi's home according to the address the resident had given her. Instead, she entered an apothecary. After buying some medicinal ingredients, she asked the shop assistant the same question. Only after confirming that the resident's address was correct did she finally head for Sun Yi's residence.

Above the clouds, Gu He nodded. It seemed he had underestimated Xiao Yi Xian's ability to adapt. But thinking about it, before becoming his disciple, she had survived outside for more than ten years. Though she had never deeply studied the precautions needed in the outside world, she had absorbed them through what she saw and heard. How could she possibly be as easily deceived as he had imagined?

Gu He chuckled and shook his head, looking forward to Xiao Yi Xian's next performance.

Xiao Yi Xian lightly stepped along the bluestone road. Most of the townspeople glanced several extra times at such an outstanding beauty, only to snatch their gazes back as if shocked when Xiao Yi Xian looked their way. Sun Yi's residence was far from the area of Qingshan Town where Xiao Yi Xian had once been active. Although both were within Qingshan Town, it was still a town with over a hundred thousand permanent residents. To Xiao Yi Xian, Sun Yi's location was undoubtedly unfamiliar. No wonder they had never crossed paths. As she walked, Xiao Yi Xian admired the scenery of her hometown that she had never seen before.

Before long, Xiao Yi Xian found her destination: a small residence. Its gate was tightly shut, worn and dilapidated with age. The couplets on either side of the door were also old. It was clear they had not been replaced for at least a year, because they did not even match. The left read, "Dwelling in a treasured land brings flourishing wealth," while the right read, "As the years renew, blessings fill the home." The horizontal plaque read, "May all wishes come true."

After confirming once more that this was Sun Yi's residence, Xiao Yi Xian gently knocked on the door. "Is anyone home? I am the disciple of an old acquaintance of yours. Knowing that you are in Qingshan Town, I have come to visit."

Xiao Yi Xian waited briefly, then soon heard a slightly hoarse male voice from inside. "Who is it? Push the door open and come in yourself. It isn't shut tight."

Xiao Yi Xian frowned slightly, feeling that this man was truly discourteous. But remembering that mercenaries had always been rough, she decided Sun Yi was not deliberately targeting anyone and let it go.

Pushing open the gate, she saw a small courtyard. Some vegetables had been planted within it, but their owner had not tended them diligently, and a great deal of weeds grew alongside them.

A rough-featured man sat on the doorstep, carefully wiping a sword. When Xiao Yi Xian entered, he sensed her aura. Rising to his feet, he asked doubtfully, "I don't know which of my friends accepted such an outstanding disciple. At such a young age, you're already a seven-star Dou Zhe. Speak honestly." At the same time, he released a faint trace of the pressure of a Dou Master.

Xiao Yi Xian stopped. Knowing that they likely could not continue without making things clear, she took a jade bottle from her Ring. Inside was a blood-red medicinal pill. "Do you still remember this pill?" With that, she tossed the jade bottle toward Sun Yi.

Sun Yi caught the pill, frowning in confusion. Seeing that Xiao Yi Xian made no further move, he used his thumb to open the jade bottle, pressed his index and middle fingers together, and lightly fanned the scent toward his nose. The moment he smelled that familiar fragrance, the memories hidden deep in his heart seemed to be torn open, making his entire body tremble slightly. Swallowing, Sun Yi made one final confirmation. "Are you that lord's disciple?"

"Yes. Master said that you once offended him, but you also helped him once. He gave you the corresponding punishment and reward as well," Xiao Yi Xian answered with a light smile.

Sun Yi listened to Xiao Yi Xian's reply with cold sweat covering his forehead. There was no longer any doubt in his heart. She was a junior of that alchemist he had encountered months ago. Even if she was not his disciple, she was certainly someone extremely close to him.

Sun Yi put down his sword and respectfully presented the pill to Xiao Yi Xian with both hands. "This lowly one failed to recognize your greatness and offended you. I hope you will be magnanimous, Fairy. If there is anything you wish this lowly one to do, I will accomplish it even if I must give everything I have."

Xiao Yi Xian took back the pill. She was not surprised by Sun Yi's change in attitude. After all, she had seen many people in the Imperial Capital treat her master with utmost respect. The respect of a mere Dou Master was hardly anything surprising.

"I did come to you because I need your help with something. Once it is done, you will receive a Qi Gathering Powder." Having confirmed both sides' identities, Xiao Yi Xian did not wish to delay any longer, lest complications arise. She stated her terms directly.