Night had fallen, and after a day of running about, Bai Yazhi finally returned to her small cave dwelling.
Looking at the ancient, worn-out magic treasures, Cultivation Technique Fragments, and expired pills that nearly covered the floor, she felt her efforts for the day hadn’t been wasted.
She’d scoured every inch of land within dozens of miles around her cave dwelling.
Later, with some sweet words and clever tricks, she’d sell this pile of junk to her fellow junior brothers who’d joined the sect at the same time, boasting that they were “as good as new, used by a female cultivator only,” and with a bit of coyness, wouldn’t they just shower her with spirit stones?
Still, it would be better if she could find a true opportunity.
That Li Xunmiao always seemed to be surrounded by opportunities.
Just thinking about it made Bai Yazhi grind her teeth in frustration.
She’d heard rumors that a genuine magic treasure had recently emerged in the desolate, lifeless Yellow Springs Valley.
She didn’t need to think hard to know it was Li Xunmiao and Gu Ze, that pair of shameless dogs, who had gotten lucky!
Afterward, Bai Yazhi made a special trip to the Yellow Springs Valley and searched for two whole days, turning over every stone, but still didn’t find even a scrap of treasure.
Li Xunmiao’s luck was better than hers, her cultivation higher, and even the height of her cave dwelling was above hers!
Clearly, before joining the sect, Li Xunmiao’s clothes were ragged, looking every bit the beggar.
Now she rarely showed herself, and when she did, it was always in that white robe, aloof as a high mountain flower untouchable by mortals—she really did look a bit like an immortal.
Bai Yazhi just couldn’t swallow this anger.
She was determined to find her own unique opportunity, rise above Li Xunmiao, and then trample both her and Gu Ze under her feet.
Even as she was about to sleep, Bai Yazhi couldn’t stop thinking about this.
In a hazy half-dream, she seemed to hear faint voices from beyond the heavens.
“On Songhuo Peak.”
“Your opportunity is there.”
Songhuo Peak? Bai Yazhi felt like that voice echoed in her ears all night, keeping her from sleeping soundly.
***
The next day, she suddenly woke with a start—it was already late in the morning. Squinting, she muttered to herself, “Songhuo Peak, why does that name keep echoing in my dreams?
Could it really be where my opportunity lies?”
Hard to say.
But… it might also be a trap. No, who would go to such lengths to plot against a mere Qi Refining cultivator? Most likely, it really is an opportunity.
Though Bai Yazhi felt a vague sense of unease, she still chose to trust the voice from her dream. If she missed her chance, she’d probably regret it forever.
On the other side.
Gu Ze pushed open his window to greet the sunlight.
Last night, he’d used the Peak Master Token to send Bai Yazhi a message, straining his voice half the night, calling out “Songhuo Peak.” He still didn’t know if Bai Yazhi believed it.
If he could trick Bai Yazhi into going to Songhuo Peak, he could push her into the fire while helping Li Xunmiao seize her opportunity.
Even if he couldn’t kill her, he could at least dampen her spirit and make it easier for himself to snatch her innate talent.
As soon as he opened the window, Gu Ze spotted Li Xunmiao wandering in his courtyard.
When did she arrive? He hadn’t noticed at all. Well, he never let his guard up against Li Xunmiao’s aura, so it wasn’t strange that she could show up anywhere.
“Senior Brother, what a coincidence.” Li Xunmiao raised her sleeve and waved, revealing a slender, pale wrist.
“Coincidence? This is my courtyard. Why aren’t you cultivating? What’s so interesting here?” Gu Ze walked out and, picking a flower from the garden, handed it to the white-robed girl.
“Cultivation needs work-life balance too—even geniuses need rest.” Li Xunmiao accepted the flower, bringing it to her lips for a gentle sniff, her face lighting up with delight.
Well, that fit her character—Li Xunmiao was never the type to hole up in a cave for bitter cultivation. Wandering about suited her growth far more.
“Junior Sister, if you’re bored, how about we visit Songhuo Peak together?” Gu Ze invited.
Li Xunmiao had come right to his door—saving him the trouble of seeking her out.
The girl didn’t hesitate in the least, nodding gently, “Wherever Senior Brother Gu wants to take Xunmiao, she will go.”
Li Xunmiao was quick-witted. She guessed that Gu Ze must have prepared an opportunity for her at Songhuo Peak, which was why he suddenly invited her.
In her heart, Gu Ze was supremely capable—he’d likely paved her immortal path long ago, and all she needed to do was follow his arrangements.
Placing her unconditional trust in Senior Brother Gu was the best choice.
Gu Ze wasn’t in a rush. He kept using the Peak Master Token to secretly transmit sound to Bai Yazhi, fueling her curiosity about Songhuo Peak.
Once Bai Yazhi could no longer hold back and snuck out of Biluo Peak—after not returning for an entire day—Gu Ze finally called Li Xunmiao and set off together.
Since Bai Yazhi loved scavenging for treasure, it would only be livelier with more people.
***
Songhuo Peak was a flat-topped immortal mountain.
The earth veins below this mountain were deficient in water among the five elements, so fire-attributed spiritual energy ran rampant, often bursting forth from within the mountain to form Natural Earth Fire Vents. With a bit of formation to restrain them, these made for excellent natural forges.
Most disciples here pursued the path of artifact refinement.
To make it easier for disciples to trade the magic treasures they forged, the gates of Songhuo Peak were open; any disciple from Yunhai Immortal Pavilion could register and enter.
Gu Ze first led Li Xunmiao to the bounty board outside the mountain gate to take on a task.
Most postings here were sect tasks—gathering materials or clearing out dangerous beasts.
There were also some personal tasks posted by individual disciples. The one Gu Ze accepted was a team exploration of the earth vein’s depths.
Li Xunmiao’s opportunity lay deep within Songhuo Peak’s earth veins, and Gu Ze had been fretting for a proper excuse to boldly go inside.
The mission only required them to collect Iron Marrow for the disciples of Songhuo Peak.
With that pretext, the two could travel the tunnel dug by sect elders all the way into the earth veins—safe and efficient.
Even walking through the forested mountains of Songhuo Peak, the dense woods couldn’t shield them from the scorching heat.
This heat came from deep underground.
Suddenly, Li Xunmiao stopped and glared into the distance, her face serious.
Seeing her so wary, Gu Ze immediately extended his Divine Sense in that direction.
Bai Yazhi!
She was there, clinging affectionately to the arm of a young cultivator whom Gu Ze didn’t recognize.
The man wore an orange-red Daoist robe with a sword at his waist. With a glance, Gu Ze recognized him as a personal disciple of Songhuo Peak.
He couldn’t help but marvel at Bai Yazhi—how did she manage to cozy up to a Songhuo Peak personal disciple in just one day? That kind of determination was almost “admirable.”
Actually, Bai Yazhi’s odd behavior while searching for treasure on Songhuo Peak had caught Chen Lang’s attention.
Noticing she was just a newly-joined junior sister from another immortal mountain, Chen Lang chatted with her out of curiosity and warned her that the mountain’s earth fires could erupt at any time.
For someone unfamiliar with the area, wandering here was very dangerous.
Bai Yazhi, feigning interest, presented Chen Lang with a pill she’d bought at a high price, winning his favor.
So, the two agreed to explore Songhuo Peak together that day, with Chen Lang acting as her guide and introducing her to his acquaintances.
One pill for connections—Bai Yazhi was practically overjoyed.
“Who’s there?”
Chen Lang was already at the eighth layer of Qi Refining—Gu Ze and Li Xunmiao’s actions couldn’t escape his senses.
In an instant, he brought Bai Yazhi with him across a hundred meters to stand before the pair.
Sizing them up, Chen Lang noticed the plain white robe marking Li Xunmiao’s status.
Seeing that she too was a personal disciple, and even the Peak Master’s own, his tense expression softened immediately.
“So, you’re both from Biluo Peak as well. Yazhi, do you know them?” As soon as he asked, he felt the atmosphere turn cold.
There was not a hint of warmth in Gu Ze or Li Xunmiao’s eyes—only wariness toward Bai Yazhi.
Bai Yazhi didn’t answer. Instead, she clung to Chen Lang’s sleeve, tears welling in her eyes as she choked out, “Those two have always targeted me at Biluo Peak. Gu Ze has sabotaged my opportunities more than once, and now they’ve followed me all the way to Songhuo Peak.”
“This time, they’re clearly here to steal my opportunity again. Senior Brother Chen, you have to stand up for me.”
“This…” Chen Lang shook his head helplessly.
He was interested in Bai Yazhi, but it wasn’t worth making enemies over a girl he’d just met.
These were Biluo Peak’s affairs—if it caused trouble on Songhuo Peak and implicated him, he’d gain nothing.
“Senior Brother, you don’t know us at all—surely you can’t judge based on her words alone?” Gu Ze said, his tone measured.
That was just what Chen Lang wanted to hear. He was already hesitant, and now, with an easy way out, he took it gladly.
“Junior Sister Bai, if there’s a grudge between you and this Junior Sister, why not settle it here with a duel? No matter who wins, let bygones be bygones.” He suggested.
His address shifted from the familiar “Yazhi” to the more distant “Junior Sister Bai”—clearly trying to play the mediator.
Bai Yazhi bit her lip, eyes darting venomously at Li Xunmiao.
She’d just built up a delicate connection with Chen Lang, only for these two to ruin her plans. Chen Lang now also knew she was carrying grudges since joining—if he got too close, he’d only find trouble.
Trying to play the peacemaker was just his way of pushing Bai Yazhi to resolve her issues quickly—he had no reason to keep investing in someone he’d only met yesterday.
A junior sister he barely knew wasn’t worth offending the Peak Master’s personal disciples.
Bai Yazhi activated her talent, noticing that Li Xunmiao had no magic treasures on her. On the other hand, Gu Ze’s storage pouch made her heart race with anticipation.
Recently, Bai Yazhi had acquired several powerful treasures, including some of mid-grade quality. Bullying another cultivator at the same second layer of Qi Refining as herself should be easy, right?
In fact, she’d just broken through to the second layer thanks to some fortuitous gains.
“Alright~ Since Senior Brother Chen says so, then—”
She was about to agree with a bright smile when Li Xunmiao’s icy voice interrupted her.
“I never said I agreed.” Li Xunmiao shrank back beside Gu Ze, gazing quietly at the pair before her.
This senior brother claimed to be impartial, but he didn’t know anything about their history. His proposal was just a way to wash his hands of their feud.
If Bai Yazhi won, he could side with her in celebration. If Li Xunmiao won, he could seize the chance to comfort Bai Yazhi and earn her favor.
And he could watch two girls fight—why not?
Now, being flatly refused by Li Xunmiao, Chen Lang felt embarrassed. As a personal disciple of Songhuo Peak, he was used to respect—being slapped down by a new disciple was a first.
“Junior Sister Li, you’re making me look bad here.” His face turned stern as he gazed coldly at the pair.
“Making you look bad?” Li Xunmiao tilted her head in confusion. “All I see is you trying to fan the flames. No matter who wins, you won’t lose out, isn’t that so?”
Gu Ze cast an appreciative glance at Li Xunmiao.
He’d often thought she was naïve and even doubted if she could handle destiny’s trials, but seeing her calmly face a stranger’s demands reassured him.
“You can’t put it like that. I was trying to mediate your quarrel—you shouldn’t be so ungrateful!” Being exposed, Chen Lang’s face grew darker as he tried to defend himself.
Li Xunmiao’s gaze slid right past him.
The one who’s ungrateful is you, isn’t it? We barely know each other—why should you meddle?
“Senior Brother Gu, let’s go. We still have a mission to do.”
The two of them walked off without giving Gu Ze or Bai Yazhi another glance.
Chen Lang seethed with nameless anger. It was the first time he’d been treated so lightly.
“Who exactly are those two?” he asked, voice low, turning to Bai Yazhi.
She quickly squeezed out a couple of tears, adding fuel to the fire with an embellished tale of her tragic experiences.
Bai Yazhi painted the pair as heartless villains who seized others’ opportunities and ignored their fellow disciples, even plotting murder and theft.
Chen Lang listened, sighing with deep pain. “To think such scum exists in our Yunhai Immortal Pavilion! Don’t worry, Junior Sister Bai—I’ll make sure to teach them a hard lesson!”
He knew Bai Yazhi’s words were half-truths, but Li Xunmiao’s attitude had truly irked him—his anger needed an outlet, and this was a convenient excuse.
***
The mountain was quiet.
After walking some distance, Li Xunmiao still gripped Gu Ze’s sleeve tightly.
Only then did Gu Ze notice her hand was trembling slightly.
“Junior Sister, it’s best not to make enemies when we’re out and about.” Gu Ze sighed, placing his hand on hers.
She froze, feeling the warmth of his palm, but her tongue twisted as she tried to speak.
Quickly, she withdrew her hand and tucked it into her sleeve.
Gu Ze didn’t mind. Grabbing her hand so suddenly had been a bit reckless.
Luckily, Junior Sister wasn’t angry.
“Senior Brother Gu, even if I didn’t offend that Senior Brother today, Bai Yazhi would still slander us in the future, and he’d help her, becoming our enemy anyway. Since he’s an enemy, Xunmiao will cut them down together.”
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