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The journey home had finally come to an end.
Qi Yuan presented his identity token and easily entered Huangfeng Valley. Along the way, he overheard disciples whispering about him.
"Senior Brother Qi is so handsome!"
"I want to treat Brother Qi like my younger brother."
Hearing this, Qi Yuan could only respond with a smile. With his current cultivation at the foundation-building stage and his status as Hong Fu's disciple, he no longer needed to be overly cautious, even when facing the sect leader, Zhong Lingdao.
The disciples still in the Qi training stage were eager to get close to him, hoping to gain some advantage. Some might even go so far as to flatter him excessively. After all, Hong Fu had enough influence to determine whether Zhong Lingdao remained in his position. If he offended any Jindan stage cultivator in the valley, his leadership could come to an abrupt end.
Upon returning, Qi Yuan planned to visit his master, Hong Fu, first. Afterward, he intended to see Chen Qiaoqian and express his feelings for her. He figured a few days of patience would help smooth things over.
At Hong Fu's cave mansion, Qi Yuan entered the hall with a smile, ready to greet his master. However, before he could bow, a cold voice interrupted him.
"Traitor! You finally return? Kneel before your master!"
Qi Yuan was taken aback. He had only been gone for a month and hadn't done anything to anger Hong Fu—so why was she so furious?
"I don't understand what I did wrong, Master. Please enlighten me."
Hong Fu's already stern expression turned even colder. Her gaze carried the chill of an ice cavern that had endured for a thousand years. She stared at her disciple with obvious disappointment, unwilling to let him dismiss the matter so easily.
Though she wanted to lash out at him, she suppressed her emotions, unwilling to let a rare thousand-year-old elixir cloud her judgment completely.
A month earlier, Hong Fu had been in seclusion but found herself distracted. She had wanted to read for a while before bathing, yet the moment she stepped into the bathroom, an unpleasant lingering scent overwhelmed her.
Recalling Qi Yuan's presence in her retreat chamber, her rage ignited. Even though he had thoroughly cleaned the space multiple times, his efforts had failed to erase every trace. A Jindan stage cultivator's senses were far sharper than those of a foundation-building cultivator. Even the faintest scent was enough to be detected.
"Kneel, traitor!"
Standing to the side, Dong Xuan'er flinched slightly, a trace of fear in her expression. Hong Fu was kind to her, but when angered, she could be terrifying. These moments had left a lasting psychological scar on Dong Xuan'er since childhood, one she had yet to overcome.
Qi Yuan, though intimidated, understood there was no way out. He had no idea what had provoked Hong Fu, but he could only comply for now. He knelt without resistance.
Watching him submit so quickly, Dong Xuan'er felt a fleeting sense of satisfaction. However, as she glanced at him again, a flicker of warmth crossed her face. Stealing a glance at her master to ensure she wasn't being watched, she exhaled quietly in relief.
Qi Yuan's obedience tempered Hong Fu's rising fury. Allowing a disciple to disobey would be a humiliation, but at least he still understood proper etiquette. Had he refused, she would have been forced to take harsher measures, especially after presenting him with the thousand-year-old elixir.
Still, she could not let this go entirely. Keeping her tone cold, she delivered her verdict.
"You will be confined to your quarters for three months. Do not leave without my permission."
Qi Yuan remained bewildered but held his tongue. Without another word, he left to serve his sentence.
Once he was gone, Hong Fu's expression softened. She lifted her teacup and took a sip before shifting her gaze to Dong Xuan'er, who remained standing beside her.
"Xuan'er, do you like Qi Yuan?"
Hong Fu had once considered pairing Dong Xuan'er with Qi Yuan. Their families shared an old bond, and she had even given Qi Yuan a thousand-year-old elixir to aid his cultivation. He possessed a unique opportunity that allowed him to refine his five-element spiritual roots, and his previously carefree nature had matured significantly.
Everything had been proceeding as planned—until Hong Fu detected traces of another woman in his life.
To confirm her suspicions, she discreetly checked Dong Xuan'er's aura, verifying that she remained untouched. That meant Qi Yuan's heart belonged elsewhere.
Having suffered heartbreak in the past, Hong Fu valued loyalty above all else. If Qi Yuan was the type to toy with a woman's feelings, she would not allow Dong Xuan'er to fall into his grasp.
Hearing Hong Fu's unexpected question, Dong Xuan'er froze, her face turning red. She wasn't sure how to answer. Did she like Qi Yuan?
The memory of him sketching her in a moment of vulnerability still made her furious. She wanted revenge. Yet, when she was alone, his presence crept into her thoughts, bringing an unexplainable warmth to her heart.
"Xuan'er..." Hong Fu sighed, recognizing the telltale signs of inner conflict. She suddenly felt a deep sense of frustration.
Had she misjudged Qi Yuan all along? Was he merely a flirt who played with women's emotions?
Her doubts deepened as she recalled the secret technique she had bestowed upon him—Thunder, Sun, Clouds, and Rain. Though she had never personally tested its power, her keen insight told her it was a force few female cultivators could resist.
She had intended for Qi Yuan to use it to grow closer to Dong Xuan'er, but now it seemed that plan had backfired. Xuan'er had failed to capture Qi Yuan's heart, and instead, he had set his sights elsewhere.
Hong Fu clenched her fists, her resentment growing. Why had that person left behind such a dangerous technique?
She resolved to keep a close watch on Qi Yuan. If he used his newfound abilities to manipulate female cultivators, she would put an end to it immediately.
Time passed as the stars shifted, the sun rose, and the moon set.
Confined to his quarters, Qi Yuan had no idea why Hong Fu had punished him, nor did he dwell on it. Instead, he used the time to study the formation jade slips left behind by Xin Ruyin.
Xin Ruyin, knowing that Qi Yuan was not naturally gifted in formations, had carefully explained each concept in a straightforward manner. Everything—from breaking formations to strengthening them—was laid out in clear detail, accelerating Qi Yuan's understanding.
With this newfound knowledge, he could establish himself among lower-level cultivators by displaying even a fraction of his skills. Yet, he remained keenly aware of the true source of his progress, and his admiration for Xin Ruyin deepened.
A red transmission talisman suddenly flickered into his room.
Glancing at it, Qi Yuan recognized the sender—Master Hong Fu. He quickly set down the jade slip and read the message.
She had assigned him and Dong Xuan'er to attend a treasure hunt at Yanling Fort on her behalf. Before that, they were to visit Li Huayuan's cave.
Was Han Li coming as well?
Perhaps this was an opportunity. If he could purchase some Wangchen Pills from Han Li, it wouldn't raise suspicion.
Still, the thought crossed his mind—what would happen if Han Li himself took the Wangchen Pill?
Shaking off the distraction, Qi Yuan changed into fresh robes and, in a flash of light, set off on his new mission.
(End of chapter)