Rouman Immortal Mountain.
It was already Frost’s Descent, and the mountain valleys were filled with crimson leaves. At the summit, a blush of pink clouds crowned the peak.
A wild, primal scent still lingered in Bai Yazhi’s cave residence. She brushed aside the hair clinging damply to her forehead, her face still flushed.
So this is the pleasure of dual cultivation.
She had studied the art on Rouman Peak, and now, after experiencing it for herself, Bai Yazhi found herself utterly immersed.
Caressing the sturdy man at her side, she began the final cleanup.
Cultivation Base! Everything she had gained here was added to her own Cultivation Base!
“Bai—Bai Junior Sister, I really can’t go on anymore.” The man was visibly spent, his eyes sunken. Though his muscles were still taut, even raising his arm made his body tremble.
A flash of dissatisfaction crossed Bai Yazhi’s eyes, but she kept it hidden.
She put on a smile and said softly, “Then let’s meet another day. I’ll see you off, Senior Brother.”
“Could I rest here for the night?” The man was clearly exhausted, but Bai Yazhi gently pushed him up and made him dress, though he was reluctant.
“I plan to meditate and focus on cultivation tonight. If Senior Brother stays, I’m sure I won’t be able to restrain myself come midnight…” she cooed.
The man shuddered, his face turning pale. “Then I’d better leave.”
After he left, Bai Yazhi calculated with her fingers. She had already sent out quite a few Secret Affinity tokens, and there was still a lover due to visit tonight.
If the two men happened to run into each other, things would get ugly.
She quickly cleaned up any traces left in her room, reapplied her makeup, and reclined sideways on her bed to await her next prey.
***
Meanwhile, at the Disciplinary Hall of Rouman Peak.
Two stern-looking female elders were scrutinizing a neatly folded paper document.
“This Bai Yazhi—she’s only recently joined our Rouman Peak, yet her Cultivation Base has broken through time after time. If she isn’t some genius born with a Pure Yin body, then she must be guilty of harvesting others’ energy.”
“Who’d have thought the Peak Lord would suddenly order an investigation into this unremarkable disciple? As expected, the Immortal Lord’s powers are unfathomable. Not even the smallest matter on Rouman Peak can escape her gaze.”
“I’ve already sent people to look for evidence in secret. If Bai Yazhi really is secretly cultivating under the pretense of dual cultivation and tarnishing our reputation, I’ll make sure she witnesses the punishment methods passed down by Rouman Peak over the centuries!”
“Immortal Lord Lian Yue entrusted us to manage Rouman Peak while she remains in the background, yet she sees all, and quietly sets things right. Think of those major events in Rouman Peak over the last century—Immortal Lord Lian Yue was involved in every one.”
“This time too—at the mere hint of something that could damage our reputation, Immortal Lord Lian Yue immediately took action. If only one of our juniors had half her bearing, Rouman Peak wouldn’t be on the decline.”
The two elders’ eyes were filled with admiration, as if the Peak Lord’s greatness surpassed anything they could imagine.
“I wonder which celestial paradise Immortal Lord Lian Yue is at now, chatting and laughing with the newly met talents of the Immortal Realm.”
“I heard she’s made rapid progress in cultivation these years and is planning to enter closed-door seclusion soon, hoping to form her nascent soul before Immortal Lord Qingquan of Biluo Peak does.”
The two continued to chat, their talk drifting to the topic of Immortal Lord Lian Yue being designated as the future master of Yunhai Immortal Pavilion.
“Truly worthy of being Immortal Lord Lian Yue.”
“So envious of Immortal Lord Lian Yue.”
***
Elsewhere, after Li Xunmiao had spent several days in seclusion, Gu Ze had finally finished refining the Dragon Vein Essence Blood he’d obtained from Songhuo Peak.
His physical strength was greatly tempered, but his Cultivation Base had hardly improved.
Advancing from the sixth to the seventh layer was several times harder than breaking through from the third to the fourth.
If he couldn’t soon get a chance to improve his Cultivation Base from Li Xunmiao, Gu Ze had no confidence he could break through quickly.
He left a Flying Message for Li Xunmiao, then decided to make a trip to Rouman Peak.
That way, even if Li Xunmiao suddenly came out of seclusion, he wouldn’t have to search the world for Gu Ze.
He also wondered if Lian Yue had kept her previous promise.
As for Bai Yazhi’s current condition, Gu Ze wanted to confirm it with his own eyes. At the same time, he wanted to see if it was the right moment to seize her talent.
Though he’d spent three years at Yunhai Immortal Pavilion, this was his first time coming to Rouman Peak.
Each of the twenty-four immortal mountains was unique, concealing countless opportunities and waiting for those with fate to discover them.
From afar, seeing the gates of Rouman Peak, Gu Ze slowly brought his spirit boat to a stop and descended onto the smooth stone steps.
Throughout the mountain, the aura of cultivators could be sensed everywhere—Rouman Peak was much more lively than Biluo Peak.
Still, Gu Ze didn’t dare to probe around carelessly, lest he stumble upon something unspeakable and invite trouble.
After passing through the gate and walking a short distance up the stone steps, he was approached by two eye-catching young female disciples.
One had long hair, the other short, both with fair faces, rosy cheeks, and a well-maintained glow.
“Junior Brother, you look rather unfamiliar.” The two blocked Gu Ze’s path, their gazes roaming over him as if they’d found some rare treasure.
“Greetings, Senior Sisters. I am Gu Ze from Biluo Peak—this is indeed my first visit to Rouman Immortal Mountain.” Since they spoke first, Gu Ze replied frankly, cupping his hands in greeting.
“Oh? Does Junior Brother Gu Ze have a Secret Affinity token for this place?”
A Secret Affinity token? Gu Ze really didn’t. He’d come here to find Immortal Lord Lian Yue.
Previously, Lian Yue had told him she’d be back at Rouman Peak instead of staying at the black market. If he wanted to see her, he should come to Rouman Peak.
But Gu Ze had no idea where she was right now.
Rather than seeking her out, it was easier to let Lian Yue find him.
With the divine sense of a Gold Core Cultivator, she’d have no trouble sensing his presence—he only needed to stroll around, and Lian Yue would surely notice.
“I don’t have a Secret Affinity token,” Gu Ze answered truthfully.
The two exchanged a glance. The long-haired female cultivator turned her wrist, taking out a red talisman, while the short-haired one removed an earring.
“In that case, why not accept our Secret Affinity tokens? If you find yourself with nowhere to go—perhaps tonight—you can use the spiritual imprint on the tokens to find us. We can urge each other on in cultivation and attain the Dao all the sooner!”
A fine way to “urge each other on in cultivation.”
The two young women were clearly experienced, and both had an eye on Gu Ze’s youthful, handsome appearance and the fact that he was already at the sixth layer of Qi Refining.
“Junior Brother, the two of us can assist your cultivation and help you break through to the seventh layer even faster.” Their offer was indeed tempting.
Before Gu Ze could refuse, a heavy aura suddenly locked onto him.
His shoulders grew heavy, yet the two female disciples seemed unaffected, as if they felt nothing.
Lian Yue was showing him her power, just for him.
“I must decline,” Gu Ze said, and the weight on his shoulders eased considerably.
“All right then… We wish you a fated encounter.” The two didn’t press him. On Rouman Peak, everything was based on mutual consent, and besides, countless young talents came through every day.
After they had walked a ways off, Gu Ze remained where he was.
He’d barely managed to catch his breath, thinking Lian Yue had nothing more in store, when a small hand suddenly reached out and yanked him across space.
In the blink of an eye, the surroundings changed. Gu Ze was pulled through the void to stand before Lian Yue.
He was now in a resplendent lady’s chamber adorned with carved beams and painted rafters.
A fragrant breeze brushed past, and rare, luxurious spiritual fruits were laid out in abundance on a round table supported by a wisp of smoke.
The cabinets lining the room were filled with treasures—it was so lavish that even a Gold Core Cultivator would be dazzled.
Gu Ze gave the room a brief glance, then noticed Lian Yue sitting at the table with her back to him, so he lowered his gaze to the floor.
Before he could speak, a slender, double-edged dagger flew toward him.
It landed perfectly between his legs, quivering in the floor.
“What’s this…?” Gu Ze instinctively took a half-step back.
“Pick it up. That’s my Secret Affinity token for you. Next time another disciple tries to pester you, just show this to them!”
Though Lian Yue tried to keep her tone steady, Gu Ze could tell she was slightly displeased.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have thrown the dagger with such pinpoint accuracy and a hint of threat.
Are all the cultivators of Rouman Peak this possessive?
Picking up the dagger, Gu Ze examined the intricate runes flowing across its surface, feeling a sense of innate completeness.
A supreme-grade artifact!
“This is a bit too valuable.”
“It’s only an artifact. Just a small gift for a close friend, nothing worth mentioning.”
“I mean, using a supreme-grade artifact as a Secret Affinity token—surely there aren’t many on Rouman Peak who can be so extravagant. Won’t people suspect I’m here to find you?” Gu Ze explained.
Lian Yue’s body trembled slightly, her fingers clenching. Though Gu Ze couldn’t see her face, she was clearly unsettled.
“You and I are close friends; I have a clear conscience! It’s not like we have some affair that’s all over Rouman Peak, so what if people find out?”
Her words lacked conviction, and she muttered under her breath, “But our secret friendship can’t be exposed. You were smart enough today not to mention me by name. Remember to keep it secret from now on—unless I say otherwise, let’s only meet at the Yunhai Market in future.”
Gu Ze shook his head helplessly, marveling at how secretive Lian Yue was.
“Let’s set that aside for now. I came today about the previous matter. How is Bai Yazhi? You haven’t killed her, have you?” Gu Ze asked seriously.
Lian Yue flicked her hand and produced a warrant—it was a wanted order for Bai Yazhi.
“She’s been secretly harvesting the energy of cultivators who come to Rouman Peak. Even without your request, I wouldn’t allow someone like that to stay here.”
“What a disaster she is. Letting someone like her in—truly Yunhai Pavilion’s misfortune.” Lian Yue sighed, lamenting Bai Yazhi’s natural talent.
Though her character was terrible, Bai Yazhi’s talent wasn’t lacking. Unfortunately, after persecuting Gu Ze and now refusing to repent, no one would defend her anymore.
“So what are you planning to do with Bai Yazhi?”
“We’ll see. If she submits, I’ll cripple her Cultivation Base and expel her from the sect. If she tries to resist… the elders of Rouman Peak will deal with her. Their methods are much crueler than mine—she’ll wish she was dead,” Lian Yue said lightly, as if such matters were routine.
Gu Ze’s eyes brightened.
A fate worse than death—that suited him perfectly. If Bai Yazhi were to die suddenly, it would be a real loss to him.
Even if Bai Yazhi lost her Cultivation Base, her innate talent should remain. Even as a mortal, she could sense the artifacts carried by others.
“Once she’s dealt with, can I see her?”
“What, so you can thoroughly humiliate her?” Lian Yue leaned on her hand, smiling.
Though she faced away from Gu Ze, her tone made her teasing obvious.
“Something like that. I’m not exactly a merciful saint—when I see my enemies suffering, I can’t help but add to their misery,” Gu Ze admitted.
“It’s only human,” Lian Yue replied indifferently. “Letting you see her is fine. That’s what secret friends are for—helping each other, don’t you agree?”
Something’s off! Gu Ze looked up sharply, pressing his lips together, a hint of nervousness in his gaze.
“And besides, didn’t I just give you a very precious Secret Affinity token? Isn’t that right?”
“Always making me give, don’t you think it’s time for Junior Brother Gu Ze to return the favor?” Lian Yue’s tone grew increasingly amused.
Clearly, everything comes at a price. There’s no such thing as a free lunch on Rouman Peak—the Peak Lord abides by this rule, too.
Lian Yue had acted with generosity, holding nothing back. Now it was Gu Ze’s turn, empty-handed, to offer his thanks.