Chapter 14

After classes ended today, it happened to be the day the sect distributed the daily Spirit Stones.  

Every sect provided its disciples with a monthly stipend. Generally speaking, the amount wasn’t much, but it was enough to cover essential cultivation expenses. If one wanted more spending money, they could take on exorcism tasks within the sect’s jurisdiction.  

Of course, for a slacker sect like the Ninefold Mountain Moon Sect, voluntarily taking on missions was out of the question. They had to rely on the senior brothers from the Exorcising Hall to assign duty rosters, and everyone had to follow the schedule—no complaints allowed.  

While Le Yao was queuing up to collect her stipend, she happened to spot Peng Peng arriving with A Xue and picked up Peng Peng’s share as well.  

“Here’s your monthly stipend, Junior Sister. Hmm, since you’ve just joined the sect, it might not be much. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask your senior brothers and sisters.”  

Le Yao took the opportunity to give A Xue a good rub. The big, fluffy snow leopard felt wonderful to the touch—though it looked intimidating enough that she didn’t dare pet it too much.  

She couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. This junior sister was truly extraordinary. Even with a Celestial Deficiency Physique, she was this impressive. If she were in perfect health, she’d probably be the cream of the crop among the younger generation of cultivators in the cultivation world.  

Peng Peng took the pouch of Spirit Stones and counted them.  

Fifty in total.  

She looked up and asked, “Senior Sister Le Yao, how much is your monthly stipend?”  

“A hundred. Why?” Le Yao thought Peng Peng was upset about her meager allowance and reassured her, “Don’t worry. When you’re older, you’ll earn just as much. And if your cultivation reaches a high level, like Immortal Yue, you could even make a thousand Spirit Stones a month!”  

Peng Peng touched the Mustard Seed Pouch on her person, which contained tens of thousands of Spirit Stones, and became even more convinced of her conclusion.  

When she had mentioned this sum of ten thousand Spirit Stones to her master, he had simply told her to use it as pocket money to buy candied hawthorns and sugar paintings—meaning ten thousand Spirit Stones was practically worthless.  

But within the sect, even someone as powerful as her master only earned a measly thousand Spirit Stones a month.  

Their Ninefold Mountain Moon Sect was truly struggling in dire poverty.  

“Senior Sister,” Peng Peng said solemnly, standing on tiptoes to pat Le Yao’s shoulder, “you’ve worked hard.”  

Le Yao, who enjoyed free meals, lodging, a generous salary, light workload, and job security: ?  

Hmm…  

She wasn’t sure what was so hard about attending classes for three hours a day, but her junior sister really knew how to show concern!  

Le Yao grinned and pinched the little girl’s cheeks. Compared to when Peng Peng had first arrived at the sect, thin and frail, her cheeks were now much plumper and more satisfying to squeeze.  

By the time Le Yao had her fill of cheek-pinching and left, Peng Peng had already gathered directions to the nearby sects around Ninefold Mountain Moon Sect.  

Peng Peng made her decision with a firm nod:  

“Let’s go to the Everlasting Life Sect!”  

The cultivation world consisted of the Nine Sects, Three Schools, and Four Sages. Among them, the Three Schools had specialized roles—for example, the Everlasting Life Sect was dedicated to healing and medicine.  

Peng Peng thought about it. Since they were doctors, they must be richer than their own sect. Maybe she could even scavenge some Spirit Plants or Spirit Pills for Ji Shu.  

“Same as usual—Qiuqiu, you scout ahead. A Xue, this is your first time joining us, but don’t be scared. Just stick with us, and I’ll protect you if there’s any danger.”  

Ye Qi couldn’t help but scoff at her words.  

This ignorant little brat.  

That snow leopard might only have a hundred years of cultivation and couldn’t even speak, but if it really wanted to, it could flatten her into paste with a single swipe of its paw.

“Oh right, and you too, Ye Qi,” Peng Peng said, looking down at the ring in her hand. “I’ll protect you as well.”

Ye Qi was taken aback.

Inside the sea of consciousness, the young man sat cross-legged, arms folded. After a long silence, he snorted lightly:

[“…No need. Just worry about yourself.”]

Peng Peng tilted her head.

What was he being so tsundere about? She could clearly sense he was quite pleased.

Riding on A Xue, Peng Peng and her group arrived at the territory of the Everlasting Life Sect within an hour.

True enough, even from outside the mountain gates, they could already see the grand and majestic palaces, steps paved with white marble, and even the entrance plaque carved from precious sandalwood—every detail exuded wealth.

Peng Peng couldn’t help but feel envious.

Though their Ninefold Mountain Moon Sect was doing just fine now, once she had money in the future, she’d give their sect the same level of grandeur!

“Young Mistress, Young Mistress, I found it—”

Qiuqiu, who had been scouting ahead, flapped her wings and flew back, happily leading the way.

“I just saw it—the disciples of the Everlasting Life Sect dump their furnace slag and medicinal waste into a large pit at the back of the mountain. That must be their garbage dump!”

“Great! Let’s head there, let’s go!”

A thunderclap roared in the sky, a clear sign that rain was coming.

Sure enough, by the time Peng Peng and the others reached the back mountain garbage dump, heavy raindrops had already begun to fall.

Though Ye Qi couldn’t physically sense the outside world, he knew Peng Peng’s body shouldn’t be exposed to the rain.

So he said: [“It’s raining—stop playing around and find shelter.”]

Peng Peng took out a raincoat from her Mustard Seed Pouch, rolled up her sleeves, and declared spiritedly:

“A little rain can’t defeat me! A true warrior dares to face a life of scavenging! Who else but me can revitalize our sect? Qiuqiu, A Xue, let’s go!”

Since when was scavenging garbage the way to revitalize a sect?!

Besides, any sect that relied on a five-year-old digging through trash to survive should just shut down already!

Ye Qi could only watch as Peng Peng mistook wild mushrooms for thousand-year Spirit Fungus, half a radish for premium ginseng, and even a clearly labeled sect registry book for a “death notebook” that could kill anyone whose name was written in it.

[…As if you’d just stumble upon something like that. Do you think you’re the King of Hell or something?]

But Peng Peng paid no mind. The Mustard Seed Pouch her master had given her was plenty big, so she stuffed everything inside—including piles of furnace slag and a rusted alchemy cauldron that looked decent enough.

She even urged Ye Qi: [“Why aren’t you helping? Look at our second and fourth brothers—they’re practically my right and left hands! Don’t think you can slack off just because you’re pretty.”]

Ye Qi let out a dry laugh.

Who’d want to be your right-hand man in garbage scavenging?

The rain grew heavier, the patter of droplets mingling with the rising earth’s breath, filling the air with the thick scent of mud.

Ye Qi checked the time and was about to urge Peng Peng to head back when he suddenly detected a sharp, hidden killing intent within the rain.

The young man in the sea of consciousness tensed instantly.

[“Run—!”]

Hearing Ye Qi’s unusually stern voice, Peng Peng froze.

The ambush happened in an instant.

A Xue, who had also sensed the danger, was immediately bound by Demon Binding Rope. The snow leopard’s eyes turned crimson—if it had been the same kind of rope Zhu Xianfei had used before, it might have broken free. But now, it was completely immobilized, a testament to the attacker’s formidable cultivation.

Qiuqiu sensed the danger and immediately tried to flee to send a message, but in the next moment, she was struck by a bolt of lightning, crashing to the ground with even her tail feathers singed.

“Qiuqiu!”

Peng Peng hurried forward to scoop up the frizzled little sparrow, then shielded A Xue behind her.

“Who’s there! Who dares to ambush us so shamelessly!”

A deep voice echoed from the forest:

“A cultivator? Or a Spirit Demon—who exactly are you?”

Ye Qi inwardly cursed—this was bad.

His soul energy was weak, concealed within this slightly spiritual ring, which should have been foolproof. Even a high-level cultivator like Yue Wujiu might not have detected it.

But in the cultivation world, there just happened to be a type of cultivator specialized in dealing with demons and monsters. Their cultivation techniques were extremely unique—anything related to Spirit Demons or demonic beings, they could detect with acute sensitivity.

He had to think of a solution fast…

Inside the ring, Ye Qi was sweating nervously, but Peng Peng remained utterly oblivious to the crisis.

“Who am I? Hmph, you’ve asked the right question.”

All Peng Peng knew was that this person had tied up A Xue and turned Qiuqiu into a bald little chick. As the Boss, she absolutely couldn’t let this coward hiding in the shadows off the hook.

“I originally wanted to interact with you cultivators as an ordinary person—”

“But since you insist on this, then don’t blame me—”

Under the watchful eyes of everyone.

Peng Peng raised the hand wearing the ring, declaring with solemn gravity:

“Supreme Return to Throne! Go forth, Third Brother—!”

The hidden figure in the forest remained unmoved.

The ring held high by Peng Peng also stayed silent. What Ye Qi wanted to say could be summarized in six points:

“……”

Seeing no reaction from the ring, Peng Peng withdrew her hand in confusion and shook it:

[What’s wrong with you? Out of battery? Hello? Can you hear me calling you?]

Ye Qi: [How about this—just pretend I’m dead.]

Peng Peng: [?]

Ye Qi truly wanted to know.

What crime had he committed in his past life for the heavens to punish him with such a little fool.

Unfortunately, no one answered his question. The only response came from the figure stepping through the rain-soaked leaves.

Ye Qi immediately shouted: [Quick, quick, quick! Take off the ring and hide it! Don’t let this person find it!]

Peng Peng, panicking as the figure drew closer, fumbled to remove the ring while asking:

[C-can’t I just hide it in the Mustard Seed Pouch?]

[No! Throw it far away!]

As Gu Xue Daojun arrived with the wind, Peng Peng, having mustered all her strength to fling the ring, stumbled and fell right at his feet.

Their eyes met.

Those deep blue pupils were as profound as glaciers, like eternal ice that never melted. A single glance was enough to make one feel the chill of winter in this April spring.

He studied Peng Peng intently for a long moment, as if confirming something.

“What were you doing just now?”

Covered in mud and water, Peng Peng lifted her head, looking both bedraggled and pitiful.

She answered crisply:

“Picking up trash.”

“You can tame beasts—why would you pick up trash?”

“Because our sect is very poor.”

“…Are you a disciple of the Ninefold Mountain Moon Sect?”

Peng Peng immediately jumped up: “Are you looking down on us! Why does saying ‘poor’ automatically mean Ninefold Mountain Moon Sect!”

The man fell silent for a few seconds at her retort, deciding to skip the topic.

He untied the Demon Binding Rope restraining A Xue.

“I just sensed an immense soul force, far beyond an ordinary Spirit Demon. This is no place to linger—you should take refuge in the Everlasting Life Sect for now. I still need to patrol further…”

“If Daojun keeps patrolling like this, you’ll be throwing your life away!”

An elderly voice called out from behind.

Turning toward the sound, they saw a cultivator from the Everlasting Life Sect clad in purple sect robes, drawn by the commotion.

“Running out in the middle of treatment—no matter how devoted Daojun is to the duties of the Celestial Pivot Sect, you can’t gamble with your life like this.”

The elder in purple gestured for his disciples to assist, then turned his gaze to Peng Peng.

“And this is…?”

“A disciple of the Ninefold Mountain Moon Sect,” Gu Xue Daojun paused, then added, “Here to scavenge trash.”

The Everlasting Life Sect’s medical cultivators: ???

Peng Peng, sensing this might embarrass her sect, made a feeble attempt to salvage the situation:

“W-well… not exactly scavenging trash! I was just helping you check if any treasures got accidentally thrown away with the garbage…”

That’s still scavenging trash!!

The medical cultivators were stunned.

They’d known the neighboring Ninefold Mountain Moon Sect wasn’t well-off, but they hadn’t realized things were this dire.

Even a five-year-old junior sister was being sent out to beg for food—just how desperate were things over there?

One of the senior sisters immediately took pity:

“The rain is so heavy, little junior sister. Why not come to our sect to rest until it stops?”

Peng Peng: “Huh? N-no, that’s okay…”

“Look at you, covered in mud. You need to change into dry clothes. And you should stay for a meal—see how our sect’s food compares to yours.”

Peng Peng: “I’m sure our sect’s food is the best, but I can’t judge without trying others! Please, let me taste it!”

Lured by the promise of a meal, Peng Peng instantly forgot all about Ye Qi.

Medical cultivators were compassionate, and their sect was exceptionally hospitable.

Not only did Peng Peng get a hot bath and fresh clothes, but A Xue and Qiuqiu also enjoyed a soak in the hot springs. Sweet-talking Qiuqiu, mimicking Peng Peng’s usual flattery, charmed the sect’s pretty senior sisters into giving her a Feather Growth Pill.

“…Senior sister, who was that cold-faced cultivator earlier?”

After stuffing herself silly, Peng Peng patted her round belly and finally remembered to ask about the person she’d met at the garbage dump.

“You don’t know him? That’s the Celestial Pivot Sect’s leader, Gu Xue Daojun.”

At the mention of Gu Xue Daojun, the senior sister’s face lit up with a dreamy smile.

“The Celestial Pivot Sect upholds the laws of the cultivation world and vanquishes evil across the land. Gu Xue Daojun, at just three hundred years old, became the first in the Tribulation Transcending Stage—his cultivation is profound, his looks peerless, and he’s perennially ranked first on the cultivation world’s ‘Most Desirable Bachelor’ list among female cultivators.”

Peng Peng gnawed on a chicken claw, baffled.

Sure, he was good-looking, but she thought her senior sister was prettier, and her master was even more so.

“Ah, what a shame though—Gu Xue Daojun is already betrothed. A lifelong regret for so many.”

“But I heard he’s not particularly attached to his fiancée. Rumor has it his female disciple is the one who truly holds his heart?”

“Are you insane? A man as disciplined as Gu Xue Daojun would never cross the line between master and disciple!”

“That’s what they say, but didn’t he go mad searching for that missing disciple? Even ventured into the Western Wilderness Demonic Domain, nearly got himself killed…”

The senior sisters were in the midst of their lively discussion, and Peng Peng listened intently while gnawing on a chicken leg.

“Senior sisters, what does ‘teacher-student impropriety’ mean?”

At Peng Peng’s question, the senior sisters immediately covered her mouth:

“No, no! We didn’t say anything, and you didn’t hear anything!”

When Yue Wujiu returned to the sect, Tranquil Evil Peak was unusually quiet. The absence of the usual sounds of the little girl and her Spirit Demon running wild made Yue Wujiu feel somewhat out of sorts.

“Where’s Peng Peng?”

Ji Shu emerged from the herb garden and shook his head:

“She disappeared right after classes ended today. Maybe she’s playing with the other senior sisters—Master, how was your harvest today?”

Yue Wujiu pulled out a pile of materials for crafting Automatons from his Mustard Seed Pouch.

“Earned a hundred thousand Spirit Stones from demon-slaying commissions, all spent on these materials. Once I craft five high-level Automatons, I can exchange them for a million Spirit Stones. That should be enough for house repairs and alchemy.”

However.

The journey these past few days had been rushed, and he hadn’t expended so much spiritual energy in years. He couldn’t help but feel exhausted.

The Automaton crafting could wait another ten days. He needed a good long sleep first…

Yue Wujiu yawned.

Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly saw a group of people riding the clouds and wind in the distance.

Their purple robes fluttered like rosy clouds—they were the medical cultivators from the neighboring Everlasting Life Sect. Yue Wujiu was puzzled. Though the two sects were neighbors, they rarely interacted. Why had they come unannounced today?

And it seemed they were heading straight for Tranquil Evil Peak.

“Forgive our intrusion, Immortal Yue.”

The leading senior brother bowed respectfully to Yue Wujiu.

Yue Wujiu nodded in return, utterly bewildered.

Upon closer inspection, he noticed the Everlasting Life Sect disciples were looking at him strangely.

There was pity, sympathy, and even a hint of… reproach?

Yue Wujiu: “May I ask why you’ve come—”

“Master!”

A familiar voice called out from behind one of the purple-robed senior sisters.

Yue Wujiu exclaimed in surprise, “Peng Peng? Why are you with the Everlasting Life Sect disciples?”

At this, Peng Peng, knowing she was in the wrong, stiffened her smile and shrank behind the senior sister.

The leading senior brother from the Everlasting Life Sect glanced at Peng Peng, then at the dignified Immortal Revered before him.

This man appeared so refined and extraordinary now—who would have guessed he was secretly struggling so much? Truly, appearances could be deceiving.

“Our sect leader heard of your circumstances and was deeply troubled. Since your sect… has fallen into such dire straits, as neighbors, you really should have let us know.”

Yue Wujiu & Ji Shu: “……?”

Let them know what?

Peng Peng, disagreeing with this statement, jumped out and stood protectively in front of Yue Wujiu and the others.

“Senior brother, that’s not the right way to put it! As the saying goes, ‘though poor in wealth, one must not be poor in spirit.’ Even if their sect is on the brink of starvation, they can’t just accept charity!”

Peng Peng patted her Mustard Seed Pouch, stuffed with various odds and ends, and declared confidently:

“Don’t worry, I’ll collect scraps to support them!”

…On the brink of starvation?

…Collecting scraps?

Yue Wujiu looked at the grand procession escorting Peng Peng back, then at the varied expressions on everyone’s faces. He closed his eyes in anguish.

No more rest.

Starting tomorrow—no, tomorrow he would get to work.