Translator: CinderTL
"The six of us will split up and head to Phoenix Feather City and the surrounding towns and markets to gather any information about the Blood-Eyed Divine Ape."
With that, Chi Pei tossed out five jade slips, distributing them to Song Wen and the others.
"This is a rough map of Rotting Miasma Ridge. If you find any information about the Blood-Eyed Divine Ape's whereabouts, mark its location on the map."
Chi Pei turned to Song Wen and continued, "Ye Hua, the Divine Transformation Stage cultivator you mentioned who encountered the Blood-Eyed Divine Ape could be of great help to us. Go investigate and see if you can find him. You said you met him at an exchange meeting, so you could visit the organizer of the meeting. They might know his current whereabouts."
After finishing, Chi Pei addressed Shi Man.
"Shi Man, you cultivated in Phoenix Feather City for many years and must know many Divine Transformation Stage cultivators, even Void Refinement Stage cultivators. Visit them one by one and inquire about any leads on the Blood-Eyed Divine Ape."
"Remember, regardless of how the investigation progresses, we must reconvene here in half a month. Rest assured, if we successfully locate and slay the Blood-Eyed Divine Ape, this young master will reward you handsomely."
Song Wen and the other four men clasped their fists and bowed respectfully.
"We will obey your orders, Young Master!"
Chi Pei nodded, then suddenly moved, transforming into a streak of light as he vanished toward Phoenix Feather City.
Tang Gui and Sang Bu followed without hesitation, activating their escape techniques and speeding away in opposite directions, each heading toward one of the two markets located near Phoenix Feather City.
As the three figures disappeared into the distance, Shi Man's face gradually twisted into a ferocious grimace, her eyes glaring furiously at Qi Luo.
"Qi Luo, you vile woman! You used me! You pretended to help me, but your heart was full of treachery. You used me to gather information about Young Master Chi Pei's preferences so you could flatter him, seduce him, and climb into his bed!" Shi Man spat through clenched teeth, as if she wanted to tear Qi Luo apart alive.
Her already weathered face contorted with rage, deepening its wrinkles and revealing its ugliness.
Qi Luo remained unmoved by Shi Man's curses, instead letting out a scornful laugh, her eyes gleaming with undisguised triumph.
Her current attire was a stark contrast to her usual flamboyant style.
The revealing clothes had been replaced by a simple, floor-length gown that completely covered her body. Though the gown was slightly too small, it accentuated her graceful figure.
The heavy makeup had been removed, replaced by a subtle and elegant look.
Her entire demeanor had undergone a complete transformation.
The seductive aura that once stirred men's hearts had vanished, replaced by a gentle and refined air. Combined with her appearance, which suggested a woman in her early thirties, she now exuded the aura of a virtuous wife and devoted mother.
"Elder Shi Man, why are you so angry? If you failed to seduce Young Master Chi Pei, you can't blame anyone but yourself. Perhaps you're simply too ugly. Heh heh heh..."
Qi Luo laughed, her flower-adorned hair shaking wildly as she pointed a finger at Shi Man.
"Why don't you look in a mirror? With that face, how could any man find you attractive? If you don't believe me, ask Ye Hua. See if he'd be willing to share a night of passion with you!"
Song Wen was stunned.
He had been quietly observing the scene from the sidelines, so how had he suddenly been dragged into it?
Even more baffling was Shi Man's reaction. He had expected her to erupt in fury, either retorting sharply or storming off in anger. Instead, she turned to him, as if awaiting his response.
After a moment's hesitation, Song Wen met her gaze. His voice soft yet sincere, he said,
"Senior Shi Man, Senior Qi Luo's words are quite misleading and should not be taken seriously. Your temperament is as refined as an orchid, and your beauty is pure and elegant. You are the ideal dao companion in the hearts of us male cultivators."
"Ye Hua, do you truly mean that?" Shi Man, clearly aware of her own limitations, remained skeptical of Song Wen's words, her tone questioning.
Song Wen smiled faintly. "Absolutely true, Senior. This junior would never dare deceive you. When men choose dao companions, they value far more than mere physical appearance."
"Hahahaha..." Qi Luo suddenly burst into laughter, interrupting Song Wen and Shi Man's conversation.
"Ye Hua, you're quite the cunning one. We were talking about a 'one-night stand,' not a 'dao companion.' Shi Man, as for you, stop deluding yourself. Young Master Chi Pei would never even glance your way."
Shi Man gritted her teeth. "Qi Luo, don't get too cocky. I will repay this humiliation tenfold."
With this venomous declaration, she leaped into the air and flew toward Phoenix Feather City.
Though Shi Man's cultivation was inferior to Qi Luo's, her heart burned with resentment. Powerless to retaliate, she could only swallow her anger and endure the humiliation.
Qi Luo stared at Shi Man's retreating figure, her gaze gradually darkening.
"Senior Qi Luo, I'll take my leave as well," Song Wen said, bowing slightly before turning to depart.
"Wait a moment," Qi Luo called out, stopping him.
Song Wen halted and turned back, looking at Qi Luo. "Does Senior have any further instructions?"
"Come with me," Qi Luo said, taking to the air and flying toward the distant horizon.
After a moment's hesitation, Song Wen followed behind.
Soon, they arrived at the foot of a towering mountain, thousands of miles away.
Dense, verdant forests completely concealed their figures.
"Senior Qi Luo, may I ask why you summoned this junior here?" Song Wen inquired.
Qi Luo regarded him with a faint, enigmatic smile.
"What's this? After just a year apart, I've become 'Senior'? You never used to address me so formally."
Song Wen chuckled awkwardly. "Senior jests. Young Master Chi Pei has ordered us to immediately search nearby cities and markets for news of the Blood-Eyed Divine Ape. His orders are paramount; we should depart at once, don't you think?"
Qi Luo studied Song Wen without speaking, then communicated telepathically.
"Ye Hua, you helped me capture Young Master Chi Pei, and I should be properly grateful. However, Chi Pei has become hopelessly addicted to the pleasure and illusions of Red Dust Fragrance. I can't gradually reduce the dosage as you suggested; he's actually using more and more." Qi Luo's voice, completely devoid of the arrogance she displayed before Shi Man, carried a deep undercurrent of anxiety.
"How could this be?" Song Wen replied telepathically, his tone astonished. "I thought Young Master Chi Pei possessed exceptional willpower. How could he become addicted to mere Red Dust Fragrance?"
"It's pointless to dwell on the reasons now," Qi Luo said. "We must resolve this quickly. Chi Pei has grown increasingly irritable lately. The Red Dust Fragrance has clearly corrupted his Sea of Consciousness, affecting his sanity. He simply hasn't realized it yet. If he ever discovers this himself, or if someone else notices and informs him, I'll surely face death, and you'll likely share my fate."
Hearing this, Song Wen seemed to recognize the gravity of the situation. His brow furrowed deeply, and his expression darkened.
"This matter requires careful consideration. I can't think of a good solution on short notice. Do you have any strategies in mind?"
"If I had a strategy, I wouldn't be consulting you," Qi Luo retorted.
Song Wen feigned contemplation for a moment before replying, "Qi Luo, don't panic! No one should notice anything before we return to Cloudveil City. We still have time to devise a solution."
(End of the Chapter)
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