Chapter 14

An hour before the secret realm opened, Ye Qiao and her group headed to the entrance. Xue Yu had mentioned earlier that the secret realm was filled with mist that could cause dizziness if inhaled. Many people bought magical items to block the mist in advance to avoid accidents.

Ye Qiao asked, “So, do we have any magical items?”

“No,” Xue Yu replied honestly, “Changming Sect doesn’t have any artifact refiners, so if we want any, we’d have to buy them from Chengfeng Sect, which has plenty of them.”

“So, we’re just going in like this without any precautions?” Was it really this casual?

In Ye Qiao’s memory, every time the female protagonist entered a secret realm, she had a plethora of heavenly treasures and magical items. Why were they so shabby?

Ming Xuan nonchalantly said, “If you can hold your breath, do so. If not, cover your mouth and nose with something. It could be troublesome if we get into a fight, though.”

Ye Qiao started thinking that if it was just mist, it might be no different from the morning smog in the modern world.

She rummaged through her storage bag, found a piece of cloth, and cut it into the shape of a mask using her sword. She added a string, making it quite perfect.

“Wear it,” Ye Qiao said, making several more masks just in case, and handed them to the other three.

Surprisingly, they fit quite well.

Though they looked a bit strange, Ming Xuan picked one up curiously and asked, “Little sister, what is this?”

Ye Qiao replied, “A mask.”

None of the three had seen such a thing before, finding it very odd. Ye Qiao put one on her face and demonstrated how to use it. In this world, there were always more solutions than problems. Without magical items, masks would do.

Some people looked a bit perplexed, but under the bright gaze of the little sister, they couldn’t bring themselves to refuse her.

After the four of them put on their masks, many curious onlookers glanced their way as they walked.

Dressed oddly, what are those things on their mouths?

When they arrived at the secret realm entrance, well-established sects like the Yueqing Sect had already taken out their magical tools, setting up shields to protect their members inside.

Only three of the five direct disciples of Yueqing Sect had come this time: Yun Que, the chief disciple Song Hansheng, and a somewhat familiar face.

Su Zhuo.

Ye Qiao remembered Su Zhuo as the junior brother who had betrayed the original protagonist. However, probably because of the mask, he didn’t recognize her. Sensing her probing gaze, Su Zhuo frowned and instinctively shielded Yun Que.

Mistaking her for yet another jealous female cultivator.

His little sister was very beautiful, and there were countless female cultivators who disliked her. Su Zhuo was worried she might get hurt and looked back at Ye Qiao coldly.

Feeling his icy gaze, Ye Qiao touched the tip of her nose and clicked her tongue lightly in her heart.

A devoted admirer gets nothing in the end.

In the original story, Su Zhuo was at most a loyal backup, not even qualifying as a male supporting character.

“You there, young friend,” an older cultivator approached. “What are those things on your mouths?”

He wasn’t the only one curious about their masks. Once he spoke up, the others also gathered around to ask.

“Is it a new artifact from Chengfeng Sect?”

“But it doesn’t have any spiritual energy fluctuations.”

“So what is it?”

Ye Qiao’s mind stirred slightly. She took out the remaining masks from her storage pouch, smiled, and said, “These are masks I developed. Although they’re not as good as artifacts, they might help against the harmful smog in the secret realm.”

“Really?”

Most of those coming to the minor secret realm were from small sects or were rogue cultivators. Not everyone could afford artifacts like those from the Yueqing Sect.

Her words instantly piqued their interest.

Ye Qiao calmly continued, “Genuine product. Only five lower-grade spirit stones each. You won’t be disappointed.”

“Would anyone like to try?” She asked enthusiastically.

Mu Chongxi watched in awe as she started advertising on the spot. “Little sister… you’re amazing.”

He wouldn’t dare to do such a thing in front of so many people.

Is this even possible?

Xue Yu cleared his throat. “Little sister is always enthusiastic when it involves spirit stones.”

Before the secret realm opened, all the masks Ye Qiao had were sold out, though she kept some in reserve just in case.

“Let’s go, the secret realm is open.”

Mu Chongxi took the lead. After entering the secret realm, they found it shrouded in smoke. The rogue cultivators who bought masks were amazed to discover they indeed blocked most of the toxic smog and worked very effectively.

Xue Yu awkwardly touched his mask. He had prepared some Breath-Holding Pills, thinking that if the masks didn’t work, he would distribute the pills.

But now it seemed unnecessary.

“Where do you get all these strange ideas?”

Ye Qiao responded without looking back, “The wisdom of the predecessors.”

Thanks to technological development.

Su Zhuo sneered lightly, seeing the crowd around Ye Qiao’s group. “Taking advantage of such small benefits, how shameful.”

Yun Que nodded in rare agreement, “Maybe they’re from a poor small sect. That girl… is rather pitiful.”

Even though she was around their age, she had to humble herself for a few spirit stones.

However, upon entering the secret realm, the Yueqing Sect members’ sense of superiority gradually faded. Although they had protective artifacts, constantly using them consumed spiritual energy. Meanwhile, those with masks showed no signs of poisoning, proving the masks’ effectiveness.

Even Su Zhuo, who had mocked before, couldn’t help but suggest, “Senior brother, why don’t we buy some from them?”

After all, they only cost five lower-grade spirit stones, just a trivial amount.

Song Hansheng knew that continuously consuming spiritual energy wasn’t sustainable. Reluctantly, he approached Ye Qiao and her group.

“May I ask if you have any masks left?”

Ye Qiao was surprised that someone from Yueqing Sect would come to buy something. “Of course, we do.”

Song Hansheng immediately prepared to pay, about to ask for three masks when Ye Qiao added, “But the price has changed.”

“What?”

He frowned, thinking this was typical.

People from small sects seize any opportunity to gouge others.

“What do you mean?”

Ye Qiao held up one finger. “One hundred top-grade spirit stones each.”

Even Song Hansheng was taken aback.

“You!” Su Zhuo angrily stepped forward, “You’re raising the price just to target us.” The price was more than fifty times higher. No one would believe it wasn’t intentional.

Ye Qiao played with the mask in her hand, shrugged, and said insincerely, “Oh well, we’re just a poor small sect. We need the money.”

She was indeed doing it on purpose. When Su Zhuo informed Yun Hen about the Mayfly Grass, the original protagonist’s painstakingly acquired spiritual herbs were taken away. She never forgot that.

“I’m sure the esteemed disciples of Yueqing Sect can afford this,” she emphasized “esteemed disciples.”

Ye Qiao had discovered something interesting. These direct disciples of major sects were all overly concerned about their reputation.

As if it could feed them.

Then she couldn’t be blamed for seizing the opportunity to extort them; after all, she had no shame.

Su Zhuo’s voice instantly died in his throat, stuck there and choking him with anger.

Sure, Yueqing Sect was wealthy, but they weren’t stupid.

A hundred top-grade spirit stones could buy a bottle of high-quality pills; why would they waste it on this worthless thing?

But if they refused, with so many rogue cultivators watching, it would embarrass Yueqing Sect.

After a moment of changing expressions, Song Hansheng finally looked at Su Zhuo. “Give her the spirit stones.”

With the senior brother’s order, Su Zhuo gritted his teeth and reluctantly handed over the money.

When he received the flimsy mask, he had the odd feeling that everyone around was laughing at him.