Beichen Sect.  

The Cloud Crane Peak where Shen Qixi and Rong Xueci resided.  

On the other side of the peak, hidden behind a secret formation, lay another cave dwelling concealed within the mountain—used for secluded cultivation or to hide one’s traces.  

This cave dwelling was crafted by Rong Xueci, and Shen Qixi had never set foot in it.  

She didn’t know that sometimes, Rong Xueci never left—he was right by her side.  

But during these times, Rong Xueci could not meet Shen Qixi.  

The cave dwelling, reinforced by defensive formations, stood firm as gold and white spiritual energies clashed violently in the air.  

Light shimmered, and the interior of the cave resembled a celestial paradise.  

However, if anyone were to step inside, they would risk being injured by the rampant, chaotic spiritual energy—enough to annihilate the souls of any cultivator below the Nascent Soul stage.  

Amidst the turbulent spiritual energy sat a man clad in thin white robes, his appearance already transformed.  

His once jet-black hair had turned snow-white, and his skin grew even more translucent, like flawless jade.  

A pair of furry cat ears twitched lightly atop his head, while a fluffy white tail swayed behind him.  

His eyes had shifted to a gleaming gold, their vertical pupils sharp and brimming with feline wildness.  

This was the second stage of Rong Xueci’s feline transformation.  

Due to certain experiences in his early years, he would periodically fall into a frenzied state.  

He could no longer fully control the transformation of his body.  

In this world, demonic beasts were considered heretical. As a revered Immortal Venerable in the eyes of all, Rong Xueci refused to let anyone know his true form.  

Moreover, if his wife discovered he was a demonic beast, she would surely fear him.  

Back then, the reason she had fallen for him was because she thought he was an immortal.  

And if he were an immortal, he must surely hail from an orthodox immortal family—a being of impeccable righteousness.  

After days of restraint, Rong Xueci had temporarily regained control over the chaotic spiritual energy.  

He raised his hand, his pale fingers curling tightly in the air, veins bulging on the back of his hand. His eyes narrowed slightly, the corners lifting in a faint arc as golden light swirled within his pupils.  

In an instant, all the raging gold and white spiritual energy in the air surged back to its source like flowing water.  

“Meow…” Rong Xueci murmured.  

His tail lifted lightly behind him.  

Rong Xueci’s personality was, indeed, cold and aloof.  

But in his feline state, some behaviors were beyond his control.  

He withdrew his hand and pressed his lips lightly against his knuckles, suppressing the urge to lick them.  

Licking himself while in human form… was strange.  

His long years in the cultivation world had instilled human morals deep within his mind.  

Rong Xueci circulated his spiritual energy once more, and soon, his appearance reverted to that of the aloof and elegant Immortal Venerable.  

“……”  

Upon returning to the cave dwelling, Rong Xueci found his wife absent.  

“Wife?”  

He called out several times.  

No response.  

A shadow flickered across Rong Xueci’s face.  

He swiftly conjured a spell, and soon, an image formed before him—a projection woven from spiritual energy.  

The cave dwelling… or rather, the entirety of Cloud Crane Peak, the entire Beichen Sect, and even Shen Qixi herself bore formations left behind by Rong Xueci. These formations could be used to trace past events and uncover what had happened.  

Soon, an image of Shen Qixi appeared in the room.  

“My wife… wasn’t sleeping?” Rong Xueci watched the projection with concern.

In the projection, Shen Qixi got up and continued her cultivation.  

“My wife is truly diligent,” Rong Xueci murmured, a trace of heartache flickering in his eyes. His fingers brushed against the spiritual image of Shen Qixi through the void.  

Whenever Shen Qixi failed to advance in her cultivation, her spiritual roots would suffer excruciating pain.  

Coupled with the fact that her chances of successful breakthroughs were minuscule, Rong Xueci wished even more for his wife to rely on him.  

There was nothing wrong with staying in their cave dwelling all the time.  

In Rong Xueci’s worldview, if not for his duties as an Immortal Venerable, he would gladly let Shen Qixi keep him confined indoors for the rest of their lives.  

After a while, Rong Xueci learned from the projection that Shen Qixi had followed the immortal attendant of Elder Kongling to Kunshi Cliff.  

“So, my wife just went to attend a meeting.” The furrow between Rong Xueci’s elegant brows smoothed out.  

This meant she would return.  

But since she hadn’t come home yet, he should go pick her up.  

…

Inside the Fusheng Scroll Secret Realm.

Elder Kongling’s immortal attendant anxiously searched for traces of Shen Qixi, praying that no mishap had occurred.  

What was supposed to be a simple meeting had somehow turned into such a disaster!  

Zhao Ruorui landed steadily on one knee, his expression darkening as he slowly rose to his feet.  

Something was wrong with the operation of the Fusheng Scroll Secret Realm.  

Who had tampered with it?  

Under normal circumstances, disciples entering the secret realm would do so in an orderly manner and would not be scattered apart.  

As the leader, he needed to quickly locate the other Beichen Sect disciples who had entered the secret realm and ensure their safety.  

However, Zhao Ruorui also realized that this situation likely meant everyone on Kunshi Cliff had been pulled into the secret realm.  

Including his shiniang (master’s wife).  

The other disciples could wait—they wouldn’t die so easily.  

But his shiniang was a mortal.  

The minimum requirement to enter the Fusheng Scroll Secret Realm was Foundation Establishment cultivation. Shen Qixi’s meager cultivation was nowhere near enough—even a single demonic beast or poisonous herb could kill her.  

Zhao Ruorui lifted his foot, about to set off to find Shen Qixi, but then paused.  

“Why should I care about her? If she can’t even handle the Fusheng Scroll Secret Realm, then she doesn’t deserve to be Shizun’s wife in the first place.”

“If she dies here, it’s for the best.”

“To think a righteous cultivator could harbor such vicious thoughts,” a mocking voice rang out.  

“Who’s there?!” Zhao Ruorui’s expression instantly turned grave. Ice shards materialized around him, swiftly shooting toward the intruder.  

The figure dodged Zhao Ruorui’s attack with ease.  

Zhao Ruorui remained composed, his cold gaze fixed on the newcomer.  

This person’s cultivation surpassed even the Nascent Soul stage—unfathomable and dangerous.  

At the same time, only someone of this level could interfere with the Fusheng Scroll Secret Realm.  

Zhao Ruorui studied the intruder.  

Clad in black robes and masked, a single lock of snow-white hair peeked out from the side of their face.  

Judging by their stature, they appeared almost childlike, their voice neither distinctly male nor female.  

Zhao Ruorui said coldly, “No matter your intentions, even if you kill everyone in the Fusheng Scroll Secret Realm, you won’t eliminate all loose ends. Sooner or later, the entire cultivation world will hunt you down.”  

“Hahahaha!” The intruder seemed amused.  

“I never said I was going to kill you.”  

“I’m here to—”  

“Shh.” A woman’s voice interjected.  

Zhao Ruorui frowned.  

The other voice was impossible to discern clearly—it left no trace in his memory, defying analysis.  

It was a profound concealment technique.