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Qi Yuan examined the items from Night Crow's storage bag. Among them, he found an ancient yellow flying knife treasure. It was only a few inches long, with a slightly curved blade.
An unexpected surprise.
Besides the flying knife, there were several thousand low-level spirit stones and a handful of mid-level ones. Some spiritual medicines and refining materials were present, though none were particularly valuable. Still, they could be exchanged for a decent number of spirit stones.
Overall, the real gain was the ancient treasure—a new weapon to add to his arsenal.
To be cautious, Qi Yuan immediately erased the spiritual marks on both the flying knife and the black nail, ensuring they couldn't be traced back to him.
This black nail… it reeks of death. It must have been forged through countless sacrifices.
Just as he finished, Qi Yuan sensed a figure approaching from behind. A quick glance revealed Master Mu Long accompanied by two young women.
Qi Yuan slowed, coming to a stop. He was curious—what was Mu Long planning now?
On the other side, Master Mu Long's expression carried a hint of unease. He was still pondering how to smooth over his earlier behavior in the cave.
He turned to the two women beside him and said solemnly, "When you meet him, don't speak carelessly. If he agrees to take you in, consider it a blessing from your past life."
The two young women nodded obediently, though a trace of confusion flickered in their eyes.
Master Mu Long stroked his beard, satisfied. He had never been interested in women and had always turned away female cultivators who sought to follow him. But in an effort to win Qi Yuan over, he had his subordinates search for suitable candidates—and they had found this pair of beautiful sisters.
The official reason given was that they were to be presented to a Jindan cultivator as concubines, avoiding any potential disputes.
Fortunately, the two women hadn't resisted much upon hearing the proposal.
Considering their age and cultivation level, following a Jindan cultivator would at least ensure they reached the Foundation Establishment stage. And Qi Yuan was no ordinary Jindan—his strength suggested a bright future, perhaps even fame throughout the Chaos Star Sea.
If that happened, these two would be respected female cultivators, enjoying status and wealth.
But would Qi Yuan accept his offer?
That was the question troubling Master Mu Long.
Suddenly, he sensed Qi Yuan waiting ahead. Mu Long's heart tightened—had Qi Yuan detected him in advance?
If so, his spiritual awareness must be on par with a mid-stage Jindan cultivator…
Damn it, which Nascent Soul elder nurtured this monster?
At that moment, Mu Long finally believed Qi Yuan's earlier claim about his origins.
Qi Yuan floated in the air, watching as the three figures approached. He greeted them with a calm smile. "Daoist Mu Long, we meet again."
Mu Long laughed. "Fellow Daoist Qi, I came to apologize. Judging by your expression, you already noticed me in advance?"
Qi Yuan smiled without answering.
His spiritual awareness, refined daily by the Great Evolution Art and the white mist from the Five Elements Golden Elixir, was only a step away from the late Jindan stage. It had allowed him to wield the Magic Sound Harp's soul attacks effortlessly, killing Night Crow in an instant.
His meridians absorbed spiritual energy with increasing efficiency, and his magic power flowed through his body with unparalleled smoothness. His physical resilience had also reached a point where he could withstand the impact of top-tier magical weapons.
Master Mu Long studied Qi Yuan's unreadable expression and felt a headache forming. Keeping his voice low, he finally said, "Fellow Daoist Qi, these two young women admire your strength and wish to serve and cultivate alongside you. What do you think?"
As he spoke, he subtly gestured for the two women to step forward.
They were stunning—graceful figures, skin as pale as snow lotus, and an allure that could captivate anyone.
Their clothing was simple, revealing slender arms and smooth calves. They wore no shoes, their delicate feet adding a touch of charm. On their wrists and foreheads, golden rings of varying sizes glowed faintly, giving them an exotic, enchanting air.
The two women bowed and spoke in unison, their voices soft and shy. "I am Yuan Yao." "I am Yan Li." "It is an honor to meet you, Senior."
Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly but remained silent. He had already guessed Mu Long's intentions.
Mu Long observed Qi Yuan's composed demeanor and did not push. He could afford to wait.
Meanwhile, Yuan Yao and Yan Li exchanged a glance, a trace of disappointment in their eyes.
They had been prepared for this. A Jindan cultivator as powerful as Qi Yuan would be an ideal master.
Having come from a small sect, they knew their limits. Without the backing of a strong cultivator, their path to immortality might end at Foundation Establishment.
After witnessing the vast world of cultivation, who would want to remain a low-level cultivator forever?
A quarter-hour passed.
Master Mu Long was growing restless. If this had been any other early-stage Jindan, he would have lost patience long ago.
But Qi Yuan…
Recalling how effortlessly Qi Yuan had crushed Night Crow, Mu Long didn't dare show the slightest irritation.
His expression shifted, and he retrieved a bulging storage bag. Holding it out, he said in a low voice, "Fellow Daoist Qi, I nearly forgot. Here's a small gift as an apology. The others in the cave reminded me to offer a token of goodwill."
Qi Yuan's gaze sharpened for a moment before he smiled. "Daoist Mu Long, I appreciate the gesture."
After a bit of polite refusal, he ultimately accepted the storage bag.
Mu Long took the opportunity to leave in a flash, disappearing into the distance.
Only Yuan Yao and Yan Li remained, standing there as the wind stirred their robes.
They hesitated. Going back to Mu Long was no longer an option, yet Qi Yuan had not explicitly accepted them.
Qi Yuan, meanwhile, was considering what to do with them. Taking them back to his companions would be unwise—Yan Ruyan and the others were unlikely to accept them, and he had no intention of creating unnecessary trouble for himself.
Instead of wasting time, why not put them to use?
The information he had obtained about the Five Elements Earth Fire required further investigation, specifically into the history of the Fire God Sect.
A perfect task for them.
Qi Yuan's voice was steady. "I have a task for you. Complete it, and you will be allowed to stay and serve me."
"Senior, we are willing!" Yuan Yao and Yan Li answered immediately.
For them, staying with a Jindan cultivator was a rare opportunity.
Qi Yuan continued, "Five hundred years ago, the Fire God Sect was destroyed overnight. I need all available information on them. Use these spirit stones to gather intelligence. Once you have everything, come to Tianxing City and find me. Here is a storage bag and an induction talisman. The moment you enter Tianxing City, I will know."
He handed them the bag of spirit stones and a glowing purple talisman.
Yuan Yao's eyes widened at the sight of so many spirit stones. She looked up quickly, only to realize—
The man before them had vanished.
She turned to Yan Li, voice anxious. "Senior Sister, where did he go?"
Yan Li stood still, dazed. "Junior Sister… he disappeared in an instant. I have no idea."
(End of Chapter)