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Between the towering mountains, multiple checkpoints were set up by the Hehuan Sect, with a wide no-fly restriction covering the area.
More than twenty Hehuan Sect disciples stood guard, magical instruments in hand, their expressions stern as they questioned every passing cultivator.
Nearby, the lifeless bodies of several Qianhuan Sect disciples lay on the ground—a grim warning.
No one dared to resist. Even disciples from other sects, despite their pride, obediently complied. The choice was clear: obey and live, or resist and die. What was a little humiliation compared to survival?
Above the checkpoint, a man and a woman hovered in mid-air, both at the early stage of Jindan cultivation.
"What happened to that no-fly restriction you mentioned?"
"Silly boy, those rules apply to others, not to us," the woman teased.
Shen Yuli held his Daoist partner's slender waist, his brows furrowed in frustration. The sect had issued strict orders, yet despite countless interrogations, they still had no leads. If they failed again, he would surely be reprimanded.
The woman beside him had the delicate beauty of someone from Jiangnan's water towns, and after practicing the Hehuan Sect's techniques, she had become even more enchanting. The male disciples below frequently stole glances at her, unable to resist.
Yue Jingying leaned in with a playful smile. "My dear, this is only the beginning. Don't be so gloomy. Tonight, I'll take care of you and help you relax."
Shen Yuli's eyes brightened, and for a moment, he wished the sun would set immediately.
Seeing his reaction, Yue Jingying playfully punched his chest and buried her face in his arms, a satisfied smirk on her lips.
Just then, a commotion broke out at the checkpoint below.
"Husband, someone's causing trouble," Yue Jingying noted, glancing down.
Shen Yuli barely spared a look. "They're just two Foundation Establishment cultivators. The guards can handle it."
However, a sharp voice rang out from below—
"Are you blind? Did you not see my top-ranking token?"
A top-ranking token?
The guards hesitated. Such a token belonged exclusively to the descendants of the Hehuan Sect's high-ranking elders…
Had they just provoked someone they shouldn't have?
Shen Yuli immediately snapped out of his daze. Tightening his hold on Yue Jingying's waist, he slowly descended, his sharp gaze scanning the scene.
Two young cultivators stood at the checkpoint. The man wore expensive robes and a jade dragon belt, exuding elegance and confidence. His companion was a breathtaking beauty, with an ethereal presence that made her seem like a fairy descended from the heavens. Though conservatively dressed, her figure left little to the imagination.
More importantly, the aura of their cultivation techniques matched the Hehuan Sect's—and at a notably high level.
A black-robed disciple hurriedly presented the token to Shen Yuli. "Master Shen, this is theirs."
Shen Yuli examined it carefully. The material was correct—crafted from purple iron. The front bore the character *Tian*, while the back was engraved with the name *Wang Yu*.
Since when did the Hehuan Sect have someone named Wang Yu?
Then again, considering how many wives and concubines the sect's old monsters had over the centuries, it wasn't surprising. Some illegitimate descendants were bound to slip under the radar.
Still, he couldn't let them pass without question.
Smiling, Shen Yuli asked, "Master Wang, I am Shen Yuli, tasked with investigating a suspect. May I ask who your ancestor is?"
Qi Yuan remained calm, a faint smile playing on his lips. He noticed Shen Yuli's scrutinizing gaze, so he casually pulled Nie Ying closer, running his hand along her waist. Then, he spoke loudly—
"Master Yunlu, our ancestor. Do you think that's sufficient?"
Nie Ying, sensing Qi Yuan's silent cue, took the initiative. She leaned into him, pressing soft kisses along his neck, leaving faint red marks. Then, with a seductive gaze, she traced circles on his chest with her fingertip.
Her heart pounded. This was the first time she had taken the initiative with a man. Would Senior Brother Qi find her shameless?
Qi Yuan's eyes flickered with amusement as he observed her boldness. Nie Ying had always been regarded as the purest beauty of Huangfeng Valley, but now, with the added charm techniques of the Hehuan Sect, she truly had the allure of a fallen fairy.
Shen Yuli's expression stiffened.
Ancestor Yunlu?
That name sent a shiver down his spine. Watching the pair's intimate behavior, he hesitated before asking, "Master Wang, how can you prove your connection to Ancestor Yunlu?"
Qi Yuan sighed as if inconvenienced. Releasing Nie Ying from his arms, he gestured for Shen Yuli to step aside. They exchanged a few whispered words.
Shen Yuli's face shifted rapidly from confusion to shock, and finally, acceptance.
Yue Jingying and Nie Ying watched curiously. What could they have possibly discussed to cause such a drastic reaction?
"Sir, remember to keep this secret," Qi Yuan said with a calm smile, patting Shen Yuli's shoulder. "If this gets out, you'll be the one in danger, not me."
Shen Yuli's face paled slightly. If certain… *personal* details about Ancestor Yunlu's preferences were exposed, it would indeed be disastrous.
"Understood, Master Wang. I understand completely," Shen Yuli replied hurriedly, nodding with extra caution.
There were always a few people in the sect who *knew* certain things but wisely kept silent. Shen Yuli was now one of them.
Qi Yuan, satisfied, casually plucked a green token from Shen Yuli's waist. Then, without hesitation, he walked over to Yue Jingying, inhaled her fragrance, met her watery gaze, and took her green token as well.
These were tokens that could bypass the no-fly restriction. Even if a fight broke out later, having them would make things much easier.
"I left in a hurry and forgot my Sky-Breaking Token. Do you mind if I borrow yours?" Qi Yuan asked with a charming smile.
Yue Jingying giggled, giving him a flirtatious glance. "They're just tokens. Why would I mind?"
Without another word, Qi Yuan wrapped an arm around Nie Ying's waist, kissed her cheek, and in a flash of rainbow light, they vanished into the sky.
Shen Yuli turned to a nearby disciple. "Was there any problem with the Invisible Treasure Mirror just now?"
The disciple hesitated before shaking his head. "No, Master Shen. Everything was normal."
Shen Yuli exhaled, feeling reassured. He no longer had any doubts.
With the checkpoint behind them, Qi Yuan and Nie Ying passed through several more levels undetected, finally returning to the Yue State's territory.
Qi Yuan released Nie Ying from his embrace. "Junior Sister Nie, the frontline base is two hours east. You can head there on your own. I have other matters to attend to."
Now that they were safe, it was time to part ways.
He needed to cultivate the Five Elements True Spirit Tree and prepare for his breakthrough to the Core Formation stage.
Nie Ying's expression faltered slightly. Over the past day, she had been constantly in Qi Yuan's arms. Though it had been an act, a strange emptiness filled her as she watched him leave.
Qi Yuan, on the other hand, rushed back to Yue State. He found a hidden mountain near Yanyue Sect, set up an Inverted Five Elements Formation to conceal his presence, and planted the young Five Elements True Spirit Tree to accelerate its growth.
Then, he cut open the Five Elements Spiritual Fruit—only to find there were no seeds inside.
Two years passed.
Qi Yuan's cultivation reached the peak of Foundation Establishment. During this time, he studied formations, alchemy, and puppetry while waiting for the Five Elements True Spirit Tree to mature.
Finally, after extensive nurturing, the tree reached six thousand years of age.
Without hesitation, Qi Yuan cut it down, storing its precious materials for refining his own magic weapon. With everything in place, he was ready for his Core Formation breakthrough.
(End of Chapter)