Yan Feng returned to his room, wiping the sweat from his neck and feeling the wetness in his hair. Without bothering to remove his shoes, socks, or outer clothes, he collapsed onto the bed, utterly exhausted. As soon as he closed his eyes, the image of the new sect master’s faintly smiling face appeared in the darkness, along with the subtle expression on his face as he looked down at the smoke tube.

Had he discovered something?

No! It couldn’t be that easy. The smoke tube and the poison inside were his own creations; he had never shown them to anyone. Besides, the new sect master had never been part of the Medical Hall, so there was no way he could recognize Yan Feng’s work.

Even as he tried to reassure himself, Yan Feng still couldn’t shake his unease. He knew that his actions tonight had surely aroused the new sect master’s suspicions. The only reason the sect master hadn’t taken action against him yet might be because HuLü Yan hadn’t woken up. In that case, should he strike first?

Yan Feng had initially feared the life-bound magical artifact the sect master possessed, but if he delayed any longer, he might soon find himself at the mercy of the sect master, like fish on a chopping board. He would be left with no choice but to be slaughtered.

Since that was the case, wasn’t it better to take a gamble?

As this thought emerged, the question that had been bothering Yan Feng for many days resurfaced—who exactly was the new sect master?

HuLü Yan had been alone for many years, wandering without any companions. Where could he have met such a person?

In a flash of realization, Yan Feng recalled that when members of the sect went searching for HuLü Yan outside, they had also been looking for another person who had been traveling with him.

What was that person’s name again?

Mi… Mi Lu! Yes, that’s it!

If he remembered correctly, he had heard others in the sect mention that this Mi Lu was somehow connected to the Mi family, one of the four great clans. Could this be the key?

Yan Feng pondered for a long time, until the thoughts made his head hurt. Eventually, he decided to lie down and rest. Just as he was about to fall asleep, he suddenly heard a soft knock on the door.

Startled, Yan Feng jolted awake, all traces of sleep vanishing instantly. He sprang from the bed and grabbed the dagger hidden under his pillow, his eyes fixed on the door.

“Who’s there?”

“Senior Brother Yan Feng,” came a trembling female voice from outside. “It’s me, Jing Lan.”

It took Yan Feng a moment to recall who Jing Lan was—the junior sister assigned to clean the area around HuLü Yan’s room by the new sect master. But in reality, she was just one of the new recruits who had joined the Medical Hall less than six months ago. Yan Feng had never paid any attention to these newcomers, whether in the past or now.

So why was she seeking him out so late at night?

Although Yan Feng suspected it might be a trap set by the sect master, Jing Lan didn’t leave. She continued knocking cautiously, and after a moment of hesitation, Yan Feng finally got out of bed and walked to the door. He cracked the door open and saw a small, thin figure standing outside.

Jing Lan looked up and softly called, “Senior Brother Yan Feng.”

Hiding behind the door, Yan Feng only exposed half of his face, his voice low as he asked, “What do you need?”

Jing Lan nodded nervously, glancing around to ensure no one else was nearby. She leaned closer to the door and, with a timid voice, said, “While I was cleaning earlier, I accidentally discovered something. I didn’t know who to tell, but after thinking it over, I decided to tell you, Senior Brother Yan Feng.”

“What is it?”

“The barrier that the sect master set up doesn’t fully cover our sect,” Jing Lan whispered. “Or it could be that it conflicts with the barrier left by the former sect master. There’s a place on the west side of the back mountain, right behind the sect master’s residence, where the barrier is broken.”

Before she finished speaking, Yan Feng’s eyes widened with surprise. “What did you say?”

Jing Lan flinched at his intense reaction and tried to step back, but Yan Feng quickly grabbed her arm.

“S-Senior Brother Yan Feng…” Jing Lan winced in pain, her small face twisting.

“You’re saying the barrier at the back mountain is damaged? Are you certain?”

“I’m certain,” Jing Lan replied, holding back tears from the pain, “I tested it. There’s definitely a break in the barrier there.”

Upon hearing this, the initial surprise in Yan Feng’s eyes was quickly replaced by an intense excitement. He released Jing Lan’s arm, muttering to himself, “This is great! Truly, heaven hasn’t abandoned me…”

Then, a sudden thought occurred to him, and he turned to glare at Jing Lan. “Did you tell anyone else about this?”

Jing Lan’s face turned pale, and she quickly shook her head. “No, I didn’t tell anyone. Only you, Senior Brother Yan Feng.”

“That’s good.”

“Senior Brother Yan Feng, what should we do next?” Jing Lan asked nervously. “Do you think we could quietly escape through the broken part of the barrier while the sect master isn’t paying attention?”

“No!” Yan Feng immediately rejected the idea. Jing Lan flinched again, rubbing her arm pitifully. Realizing his reaction had been a bit too strong, Yan Feng softened his tone and said gently, “Even if we do escape, we can’t just leave everyone else behind, can we? Would you really abandon your fellow disciples?”

Jing Lan hesitated. “I… I…”

“Right now, it’s just us few left in the sect. If only the two of us escape, the Medical Hall might truly cease to exist.”

Jing Lan became anxious. “Then what should we do, Senior Brother Yan Feng?”

Yan Feng paused for a moment, his eyes gleaming. “I have a plan—”

After staying outside Yan Feng’s door for about fifteen minutes, Jing Lan finally left, covering her head with her clothing like a thief and hurriedly walking away. But she didn’t return to her own room. Instead, she headed straight for HuLü Yan’s courtyard.

As soon as she stepped through the gate, she saw a shadowy figure standing silently on the ground below the steps. The moonlight was dim, making it impossible to see the person’s face clearly.

Despite the distance, Jing Lan’s heart pounded heavily in her chest. Even from afar, the oppressive aura radiating from the figure felt like a heavy stone pressing down on her, making it hard for her to breathe.

She quickly stopped in her tracks and lowered her head humbly.

Soon, the person spoke. “Did you deliver the message?”

Jing Lan’s face turned ashen, and she stammered, “Yes, I delivered it.”

“Good,” the figure replied. “Make sure you have everything I asked for ready.”

“Yes.”

—

As the year drew to a close, reports of missing people began to circulate frequently in Jiu Yao County.

First, the Young Master of the Medical Hall, Ming Sui, disappeared. Then the Young Master of the Spirit Pill Sect, Qi Heng, followed by several Spirit Pill Sect disciples who went out looking for Qi Heng. None of them returned.

Some said it was because Ming Sui and Qi Heng had acted too arrogantly, unintentionally provoking powerful enemies. Others speculated that their disappearance was related to Lady Wan from the Demon Realm. Perhaps one of Lady Wan’s admirers had gotten jealous of their infatuation with her and took advantage of the distraction caused by the rejection of Lady Wan to quietly eliminate them.

There were even rumors that the ordinary person who rejected Lady Wan had killed Ming Sui. After all, the last time anyone saw Ming Sui, he was unconscious and being dragged out of the Thousands Serpent Pit by that person.

The rumors grew wilder, spreading to other sects.

Taisheng Sect was among those who took notice.

Lin Ji, the sect master of Taisheng Sect, was always vigilant and observant. The moment he lost contact with Ming De Yi, he sensed something was amiss. However, at the time, he was preoccupied with investigating the mysterious force with the HuLü family, which caused him to delay looking into Ming De Yi’s disappearance. In the end, not only did his investigation lead nowhere, but he also missed the best chance to search for Ming De Yi.

It wasn’t until word came from his informants in the Spirit Pill Sect that Qi Wangtian, along with his two trusted subordinates, had gone missing, that Lin Ji began to take the matter seriously.

In a large room, three people sat scattered across the space—Master Daoist Wu Qi of the Xuan Yun Sword Sect, Master Daoist Qiu Bei of Tian Ming Mountain, and the senior disciple of the Yun Yan Sect, Cui Yishuang.

Though the cultivation world was famously known for the Four Great Sects, Two Clans, and Four Major Families, there were countless lesser-known sects and families. Outside the most prominent names, there were many sects with considerable strength, though they lacked the luck to make it to the top.

Xuan Yun Sword Sect, Tian Ming Mountain, and the Yun Yan Sect were three such sects that had privately aligned with Lin Ji.

Just two hours earlier, Lin Ji had sent out a transmission talisman, and now representatives from all three sects had gathered in one place.

However, due to past conflicts over a boy rescued by the HuLü family, the Xuan Yun Sword Sect and the Yun Yan Sect had been at odds, with the Yun Yan Sect repeatedly retaliating against the Xuan Yun Sword Sect, much to their displeasure.

Seeing that it was Cui Yishuang, the senior disciple, who had come instead of an elder, Master Daoist Wu Qi’s interest was piqued. He glanced at her slyly and said, “I hear good things have been happening for the Yun Yan Sect lately.”

Cui Yishuang, who had been sipping tea and skimming the tea leaves, paused at his words and looked up with a fake smile. “Oh? And what might Master Daoist Wu Qi mean by that?”

“The entire cultivation world is buzzing with the news that your sect is about to become in-laws with the HuLü family,” Wu Qi replied, his words dripping with sarcasm. “I hope you’ll pass along our congratulations to your sect master when you return. With the HuLü family’s backing, maybe your sect will finally squeeze its way into the ranks of the Four Sects and Two Clans next year?”

Unbothered by his mocking tone, Cui Yishuang calmly took a sip of tea, then slowly replied, “I wasn’t aware lunch was served without vinegar today. Why is everything tasting so sour? Ah, it must be coming from Master Daoist Wu Qi’s side. If you’re so envious, why not have someone from your sect marry into a powerful family too?”

Wu Qi didn’t expect Cui Yishuang to embrace the insult and laugh it off, making his face turn red with anger. His expression darkened as he sneered, “Our Xuan Yun Sword Sect disciples rely on their own hard work to improve. We don’t have the face to go around climbing the social ladder like your sect.”

“Oh, is that so?” Cui Yishuang put down her teacup and leaned back, resting her arms on the table. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Make sure your words are clear, then. Is it because your sect cares too much about face to try climbing the ladder, or is it because your disciples are too plain and unremarkable, not worth a second glance from the proud sons of the HuLü family? Even if they wanted to, I doubt they’d manage to catch anyone’s eye.”

Furious, Wu Qi slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups shake. “You—!”

Hot tea spilled onto the table, but Cui Yishuang calmly withdrew her hand, a smile still playing on her lips. “No need to get angry, Master Daoist Wu Qi. Did I strike a nerve?”

Unable to outtalk her, Wu Qi’s defenses crumbled, and he pointed at Cui Yishuang, cursing, “What’s there to be smug about? Everyone knows that your sect only rose to its current position by clinging to the HuLü family. Without them, you’re nothing!”

Cui Yishuang’s expression gradually turned cold. “If we could secure the HuLü family’s support, that’s our skill. If you have what it takes, why don’t you try?”

Wu Qi snorted, “That’s exactly why the HuLü family doesn’t think much of you. Back when they were allocating that boy, your sect master begged and pleaded but couldn’t win him over. Meanwhile, our Xuan Yun Sword Sect only stayed out of the fray, and yet your sect kept targeting us with petty schemes. Why don’t you go challenge the HuLü family or the Mi family, instead of clinging to us?”

Cui Yishuang’s face twisted in frustration. She shot to her feet, ready to retaliate, but just then, a voice shouted from outside.

“What’s all this noise? I didn’t call you here to argue!”

Lin Ji’s booming voice silenced both of them immediately.

Like deflated balloons, Cui Yishuang and Wu Qi instantly calmed down. They both hurriedly lowered their heads, muttering, “Sect Master Lin…”

At that moment, Qiu Bei, who had been sitting quietly the whole time, finally stood up, clasped his hands, and greeted Lin Ji, “Sect Master Lin.”

Lin Ji, though over fifty years old, looked much younger thanks to proper care and fast cultivation progress. He appeared no older than thirty.

However, Lin Ji always wore dark robes and kept a stern expression, making him appear far more intimidating than the smiling tiger, HuLü Xing of the HuLü family.

With Lin Ji’s scolding, the room fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The two disciples who had followed Lin Ji in kept their heads down, barely daring to breathe.

After a long pause, Lin Ji finally stepped inside, saying, “Sit down. There’s no need to stand around.”

Relieved, Cui Yishuang and Wu Qi quickly sat back down, their earlier arrogance completely gone.

Qiu Bei slowly returned to his seat as well.

Lin Ji motioned for a disciple to close the door and stand guard outside. Then, with long strides, he walked to the head seat in the center of the room and sat down.

One of the disciples hurriedly brought him a cup of tea, but Lin Ji didn’t even glance at it. His sharp gaze swept across Cui Yishuang, Wu Qi, and Qiu Bei.

Cui Yishuang and Wu Qi, feeling guilty about their earlier argument, couldn’t meet his eyes. Only Qiu Bei looked back at him with a calm expression.

Clenching his fist, Lin Ji asked angrily, “Have you heard about the disappearance of Ming De Yi and Qi Wangtian?”

Cui Yishuang bit her lip, remaining silent.

Wu Qi feigned ignorance, refusing to answer.

After a brief silence, Qiu Bei was the first to speak up. “Sect Master Lin, I’ve heard a bit about it.”

“Go on,” Lin Ji urged.

“I heard that a female cultivator from the Demon Realm hosted a competition for her admirers, and both the Young Master of the Medical Hall and the Young Master of the Spirit Pill Sect participated. After the competition ended, they both vanished. Soon after, their sect masters went missing as well.”

Cui Yishuang gasped. “Is that true?!”

Qiu Bei ignored her and continued addressing Lin Ji. “It seems the Spirit Pill Sect is in turmoil. They haven’t even revealed that Qi Wangtian is missing. All they’ve said is that a few disciples went missing while searching for Qi Heng.”

Wu Qi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Ming De Yi and Qi Wangtian are both in the Golden Core stage. Who could have taken them? Why would they disappear so suddenly?”

Once everyone had spoken, Lin Ji finally responded coldly, “The person responsible is both within our expectations and beyond them.”

Wu Qi muttered, “Sect Master Lin, do you mean…”

But Lin Ji didn’t answer. Instead, he motioned to the disciple beside him. “Bring him in.”

“Yes, sir.”

The disciple left the room, returning moments later with another disciple in tow, leading someone inside.

As soon as that person stepped into the room, he dropped to his knees with a loud thud, his forehead knocking against the floor as he begged, “I come from the Medical Hall. My name is Yan Feng. Please, Master Daoists, have mercy and save my life!”

—

To avoid arousing Mi Lu’s suspicions, Yan Feng pretended to be sick for two more days after returning. He didn’t expect that Mi Lu, bored out of his mind, would eventually wander over to his place.

When Mi Lu opened the door and stepped inside, he found Yan Feng lying in bed, just as bored. The moment Yan Feng met Mi Lu’s gaze, cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He scrambled to sit up and even coughed weakly. “Sect Master.”

“No need to get up. Stay lying down,” Mi Lu said, pressing Yan Feng’s shoulder back onto the bed. “I’m just here to check on you.”

Yan Feng lay back under the covers and forced a smile. “Thank you, Sect Master, for your concern.”

As Mi Lu casually glanced around the room, he said nonchalantly, “It’s not like I was particularly worried about you. I’m just bored and needed something to do.”

Yan Feng: “…”

His forced smile vanished as he gave up trying to keep up the act.

Seeing Mi Lu wandering around the room, seemingly searching for something, Yan Feng became anxious, afraid that Mi Lu might discover something amiss. In a hurry, he said, “Sect Master, please sit down. Don’t tire yourself out.”

Mi Lu replied with a casual “Alright,” and promptly sat down on the edge of Yan Feng’s bed.

Yan Feng: “…”

It seemed Mi Lu had no idea how uncomfortable his presence made Yan Feng. Instead, he asked offhandedly, “Does your sect have peach trees?”

“Peach trees?” Yan Feng thought for a moment before recalling. “Ah, yes, near the back mountain, there’s a peach grove. But it’s still the middle of winter, and the weather outside is freezing. The peach trees won’t bloom for a while.”

Mi Lu didn’t mind. “That’s fine. I’ll go take a look anyway.”

“Sect Master, you might not see any peach blossoms right now.”

“Doesn’t matter. HuLü Yan and I will just go take a look at the peach trees.”

“That’s fine…” Yan Feng responded, but then his expression froze, and he stared at Mi Lu in disbelief. “You—you and HuLü Yan?”

Mi Lu smiled cheerfully. “Yes, me and HuLü Yan.”

“HuLü Yan… he’s awake?”

“Mm, he’s awake,” Mi Lu confirmed. “But since he just woke up, he’s not in the best spirits. So I thought we’d take a walk outside.”

Yan Feng let out a quiet “Oh” and fell silent.

Mi Lu raised an eyebrow at him. “Is something wrong?”

“No, no, nothing’s wrong,” Yan Feng forced a smile. “It’s good that he’s awake… really good.”

After Mi Lu left, Yan Feng quickly climbed out of bed. He sealed the news of HuLü Yan’s awakening into a transmission talisman, then hurriedly sneaked out of the barrier and shattered the talisman.

On his way back, he noticed that the peach grove was close to the broken part of the barrier. If Mi Lu and HuLü Yan visited the peach grove, they would inevitably pass by the damaged section of the barrier, which would easily reveal the flaw.

Realizing this, Yan Feng broke out in a cold sweat, followed by a deep sense of relief.

Thankfully, he had sent word to the Taisheng Sect. It wouldn’t be long before Sect Master Lin Ji arrived with reinforcements.

Originally, Lin Ji had instructed him to return and act as if nothing was wrong, dragging things out as long as possible. After all, HuLü Yan had effortlessly killed Qi Wangtian and his two companions and had nearly wiped out the entire Medical Hall. Lin Ji had no choice but to be cautious and prepare thoroughly.

But now, they were out of time. If Mi Lu discovered the broken barrier, it would be impossible for Lin Ji and the others to sneak in undetected.

They would lose the element of surprise, and their plan would be ruined.

Meanwhile, Mi Lu was holding HuLü Yan’s hand, leisurely walking toward the peach grove. As they walked, he tried to sense HuLü Yan’s cultivation level but still couldn’t detect anything.

However, in just a few days, it seemed that HuLü Yan had grown taller again. His facial features were becoming more defined, but his usual cold expression made him seem even more distant. The aura around him had grown colder.

Just as they were nearing the peach grove, Mi Lu sensed something was off and abruptly stopped in his tracks.

HuLü Yan, caught off guard, walked right into Mi Lu, nearly knocking him over.

Mi Lu instinctively steadied himself, but before he could react, he felt a sudden emptiness behind him. Turning around, he saw HuLü Yan hastily retreating several steps, as if the person he had just bumped into was a terrifying monster.

“What’s wrong with you?” Mi Lu asked, confused. He reached out to grab HuLü Yan’s hand but found that his skin was burning hot.

Looking up, he saw that HuLü Yan’s face was flushed red!

HuLü Yan couldn’t see how red his face was, but he could feel how hot it was. Since losing his sight, his other senses had been heightened. And when he had just bumped into Mi Lu, he realized that the dreams he had been having were not deceiving him.

So, Mi Lu’s body really was that soft, like the gummy candy his mother had bought for him when he was a child. Pressing it slightly would leave an indentation.

So, Mi Lu’s body really was that light. Just by accidentally bumping into him, he had nearly knocked Mi Lu off balance.

So, Mi Lu really did smell nice, like flowers and grass—completely different from the overwhelming perfume he had smelled on many of the prostitutes when he was a child.

If only he had eyes.

Then he could see what Mi Lu looked like.

This thought, which had been suppressed countless times, finally burst forth like wild weeds growing uncontrollably toward the light.

He had to get his eyes back!

He couldn’t wait any longer!

His eyes! Where were his eyes?

Suddenly, HuLü Yan sensed something. His calm expression rippled with emotion, like a storm surging through the sea.

He felt it…

His eyes had arrived.