---
Ruan Fei quickly withdrew her hand from Qi Yuan's grasp, her eyes flashing with murderous intent before she forced a smile.
"Is that so? Master Kuang Feng wouldn't deceive me and take advantage of the situation, would he?"
Qi Yuan remained serious. This woman was dangerous—her murderous intent had been real. Whether she planned to kill a man or a woman, he wasn't sure, but she definitely had something in mind.
"Junior Sister Ruan, ask the Three-Fingered Demon, and you'll find out. Just don't mention that I told you. Otherwise, no one will give you tips in the future."
Hearing this, Ruan Fei shot him a sharp look but quickly composed herself. With a polite apology, she turned and flew away in a hurry.
Qi Yuan smirked inwardly but kept his expression proud and indifferent. He had already figured out most of these people's troubles while observing from the shadows.
Despite Ruan Fei's confident demeanor, she was well aware of her precarious situation. The influence of her ancestors had waned, and she had been searching for a new potential investment—someone promising enough to secure her future.
As for One-Eye? If he had been worth betting on, Ruan Fei wouldn't have been looking elsewhere.
Though Duyan had reached the Jindan stage early, Kuang Feng had caught up quickly, making Ruan Fei the subject of endless gossip. Her Taoist heart had long been shattered—otherwise, Qi Yuan wouldn't have been able to get away with touching her hand.
Qi Yuan wandered through the medicine garden, observing the numerous medicinal herbs planted throughout. Most were valuable, yet their ages were relatively young—typically no more than a hundred years old. When they matured, someone would transplant them back to the Hehuan Sect.
Qi Yuan didn't need the elixirs themselves, but their seeds and seedlings were another matter.
Spotting a Foundation Establishment disciple in charge of the area, he called out arrogantly, "You there. Come here."
The fat man in yellow hurried over, bowing in respect. "Master Kuang Feng, what are your orders?"
Qi Yuan subtly activated the Inverted Five Elements Field, applying slight pressure on the man. "Go to the warehouse and bring me a sample of each spiritual medicine seed. Make sure not to miss any. If I find out there's a mistake, you'll regret it."
The fat man in yellow paled and quickly nodded. "Yes, yes, Master Kuang Feng! I'll make sure everything is in order."
Qi Yuan waved him off and made his way toward the Five Elements True Spirit Tree. Upon arrival, he frowned slightly.
Powerful restrictions surrounded the spiritual tree, and a colorful toad lay beneath it, standing guard. Judging by its aura, it was at the early Jindan stage.
Sensing someone's approach, the toad lazily lifted its eyelids and gave Qi Yuan a cold stare before closing them again, unbothered.
Qi Yuan returned its indifference, pretending to examine the area before slowly flying away.
Not only would he need to deal with One-Eye, but this toad as well. A direct confrontation was unwise. Poisoning them would be a much safer approach.
Once he obtained the Five Elements True Spirit Fruit, he would slip away unnoticed.
Back when he killed Tian Buque, he had found a bottle of "Zhuang Zhou Pills" in his storage bag—a drug that lulled the soul into a deep, blissful dream. Tian Buque had used it to incapacitate female cultivators.
Now, Qi Yuan had the perfect opportunity to put it to use.
Over the next few days, he carried on as usual, gathering information while mixing powdered Zhuang Zhou Pills into the toad's spiritual feed.
Meanwhile, the fat man in yellow successfully delivered a storage bag filled with spiritual medicine seeds, including some rare ones.
One day, Duyan sent Qi Yuan an invitation for drinks, offering reconciliation.
Qi Yuan smirked as he read it. He had planned to invite Duyan over himself to charm him into lowering his guard—but One-Eye had beaten him to it.
With a few bottles of specially prepared spirit wine in hand, Qi Yuan made his way to One-Eye's cave.
"Haha, Kuang Feng, you're finally here!"
One-Eye personally came out to greet him, standing beside Ruan Fei, who wore a charming smile. The Three-Fingered Demon stood slightly behind them, also smiling.
Qi Yuan glanced at them coldly. "How could I refuse when One-Eye himself invites me?"
"Brother Kuang Feng, you're too polite," One-Eye said earnestly. "My wife made me realize that as overseers of the sect's medicine garden, we can't afford unnecessary conflicts. So, let's settle this with a drink."
Qi Yuan sat down and remarked, "With good wine, there should be good company."
One-Eye chuckled. "I knew what Master Kuang Feng likes, so I prepared something special—some captives from the Yue State sects."
Ruan Fei clapped her hands. "They're all female disciples from the six sects of Yue State. You'll find them quite enjoyable."
Qi Yuan feigned excitement, playing his role well.
Several young women were brought in, their exquisite features marred by fear and helplessness.
As Qi Yuan scanned them, his fingers twitched slightly—among them was a familiar face.
Nie Ying.
The most beautiful woman in Huangfeng Valley.
How had she been captured?
One-Eye grinned. "Brother Kuang Feng, what do you think? I quite like them."
Ruan Fei smirked. "What? Are you not satisfied with me? Was I too gentle last time?"
One-Eye quickly raised his hands in surrender. "No, no, you misunderstood. I was asking about Brother Kuang Feng."
Qi Yuan took a sip of his wine, then spoke just as Ruan Fei's temper was about to flare. "Enough. I came here to drink, not to watch you two argue. I'll take the one in the middle—I don't care for the rest."
Nie Ying's heart clenched with sorrow. The restrictions on her body had sealed her spiritual power, leaving her completely helpless—even unable to take her own life.
The other captured women, though struggling to hide it, showed fleeting expressions of relief.
One-Eye laughed. "Brother Kuang Feng has good taste! She's the most beautiful of them all. She's yours—do with her as you please."
"Oh, thank you very much," Qi Yuan replied expressionlessly.
One-Eye forced a smile, suppressing his irritation.
Ruan Fei waved them toward the table. "Enough talk! Let's drink."
One-Eye quickly sat down, and Nie Ying was pushed toward Qi Yuan.
"Well, Junior Sister Nie, how did you end up in this situation?"
Nie Ying's eyes widened in shock. Was this really Senior Brother Qi?
"Relax. Just act as if you're being promised a benefit."
Nie Ying immediately understood. Senior Brother Qi was here to help!
Forcing a complex expression of joy and helplessness, she lowered her gaze.
One-Eye chuckled. "Brother Kuang Feng, you're a man who knows how to spend. That girl was won over by you in an instant."
Qi Yuan smirked. "I'm in a good mood today. I brought some fine spirit wine—let's share a drink."
With a flick of his wrist, several bottles of expensive spirit wine appeared on the table.
Nie Ying pulled out a cork, letting the fragrance of the wine spread through the hall as she poured a drink for Qi Yuan.
One-Eye's eyes gleamed with anticipation—he was a notorious drunkard.
The Three-Fingered Demon's heart tightened. Something felt off. He opened his mouth to speak, but the moment he sensed Qi Yuan's murderous intent, he immediately shut it.
This was the prelude to a trap—and he knew it all too well.
(End Of Chapter)