If the Flying Mist Butterfly is raised from a young age and forms a bond with a cultivator, it can act as the cultivator's second pair of eyes, exploring places they cannot easily reach. Since Flying Mist Butterflies resemble ordinary butterflies in size, they are easily overlooked.
This time, Yun Xi's task was to collect the powder from Flying Mist Butterfly wings, as well as a few of their eggs.
After arriving at Xiafei Valley, Yun Xi disembarked from the flying ship along with other cultivators heading in the same direction.
She had just taken a few steps when two young boys approached. They were enthusiastic but polite as they asked:
"Senior, is this your first time at Xiafei Valley? If you're here to catch Flying Mist Butterflies, we recommend purchasing a distribution map of where they were last seen. An elder in our family explored the valley just yesterday. The map is the most up-to-date, and it only costs five low-grade spirit stones."
Yun Xi gave the two a brief glance. It was clear they were Loose Cultivators, though likely with a Foundation Establishment elder guiding them. Despite only being at mid-stage Qi Refining, they spoke with confidence and respect, and their familiarity with Xiafei Valley suggested they had spent considerable time here.
"Alright, I'll take one."
She tossed them five low-grade spirit stones and received a jade slip in return.
The two boys accepted the stones, cupped their hands in thanks, and said:
"May Senior gain a bountiful harvest in Xiafei Valley."
With that, they didn't linger and quickly moved on to the next unfamiliar face, clearly intent on continuing their sales.
Yun Xi had already scanned the contents of the jade slip with her divine sense. She felt the spirit stones were well spent. The map not only marked the resting areas of the Flying Mist Butterflies from the previous day, but also outlined their likely migration paths.
Flying Mist Butterflies tend to lay eggs in different areas each time. They seem to understand that their eggs are prized by cultivators, so the mother butterflies scatter them across the valley to avoid being completely harvested. Even if cultivators find a few, a portion of the next generation remains protected.
Yun Xi didn't need to guess to know that the outer parts of Xiafei Valley had already been combed thoroughly. There likely wouldn't be much left to find. She was interested in the back portion of the valley, but unfortunately, this map had no markings for that area.
Just then, a young girl approached her, smiling even before she spoke.
"Senior, I have a distribution map for the deeper areas of Xiafei Valley. My mother risked her life to explore there and even got injured doing so. Would Senior be interested?"
"How many spirit stones?"
"Ten low-grade spirit stones."
It was double the previous price. Before Yun Xi could respond, the girl quickly added:
"Senior, someone bought my map before and found two third-rank Flying Mist Butterfly eggs. It's absolutely worth the price."
A third-rank Flying Mist Butterfly was equivalent to a Golden Core stage, and their offspring were indeed valuable. That piqued Yun Xi's interest. She tossed over ten spirit stones and was about to take the jade slip when Dian Dian sent her a voice transmission.
"Master, be careful! There's something dirty on that jade slip."
Yun Xi's movements didn't falter. She simply coated her right hand with a layer of spiritual power and accepted the jade slip without changing expression. The girl visibly relaxed, then turned and left with the spirit stones.
"Dian Dian, what did you smell?"
Yun Xi sent a voice transmission to the little creature in her arms.
"Master, can you let me sniff it more closely? I feel like the scent is familiar."
"Alright. Let's find somewhere to rest before heading into the valley."
Yun Xi swept her gaze around and noticed a small town had already formed at the valley entrance. Though compact, it had everything one could need. She walked with purpose into a teahouse. These places were often information hubs—crowded and noisy, but sometimes offered unexpected news.
The server was a mortal and welcomed Yun Xi with deference, guiding her to a private room on the second floor before leaving to prepare tea.
Once alone, Yun Xi tossed the jade slip onto the table, then pulled Dian Dian out from her robes and let it sniff more carefully.
Dian Dian shook out its fur, then cautiously twitched its nose as it circled the jade slip. After completing the round, it sent a voice transmission:
"Master, I really did smell this before. Back in Wanruo Forest, when we encountered those evil cultivators, they left a mark on the sole of your boot. This jade slip has the same scent, only much stronger."
Yun Xi's eyes flashed. It seemed trouble had found her again.
"Dian Dian, are you sure?"
"Master, I'm sure. Dian Dian's nose never makes mistakes."
Dian Dian stood upright and made the promise with pride.
Since the jade slip had clearly been tampered with, Yun Xi no longer planned to examine the map. With a wave of her sleeve, she swept the jade slip into the corner of the room.
Just then, the server returned with spirit tea and knocked on the door. With Yun Xi's permission, he entered, placed the tea set carefully, and prepared to leave. However, Yun Xi stopped him, tossing over a low-grade spirit stone.
"I want to ask about some news."
The server swiftly pocketed the spirit stone and respectfully asked:
"Immortal, what would you like to know?"
"Anything new going on in Xiafei Valley?"
Not knowing exactly what Yun Xi was after, the server considered his words before replying:
"Xiafei Valley has always been lively. Cultivators come and go constantly, but most stay in the front section. Few venture into the back. There's a rumor about a third-rank Flying Mist Butterfly residing there.
Some time ago, a cultivator ventured into the back valley and returned with two butterfly eggs, claiming they came from that very butterfly. He said it was weakened due to laying eggs, which allowed him to succeed.
After that, some brave cultivators bought a map from him and headed to the back valley as well.
Later, a Golden Core Zhēnrén paid a high price for those two eggs and even spread word that he wanted more. So another wave of cultivators went into the back valley."
Yun Xi gently kneaded Dian Dian in her hands, her expression thoughtful.
"Did any cultivators return with eggs after that?"
"Yes. Just yesterday, a badly injured cultivator came out of the valley and sold his butterfly eggs to that same Jīndān Zhēnrén. He then entered seclusion to heal. As for whether others made it back, I really couldn't say."
"Alright, you may go."
After dismissing the server, Yun Xi turned to Dian Dian.
"Dian Dian, did you hear anything useful?"
Dian Dian twitched its black ears, blinked its beady eyes, and said:
"The one luring cultivators to the back valley is a evil cultivator. I'm just not sure whether that Golden Core cultivator is working with them."
Yun Xi smiled faintly.
"Dian Dian, you're not wrong. But your reasoning is based on being able to detect the evil cultivator's scent. The others can't. They're just trying to earn spirit stones, so they take the risk of facing a third-rank Flying Mist Butterfly.
If none of the cultivators who enter the back valley return, people will grow suspicious. But these folks know how to play the long game. They let a few succeed and come back safely.
Even though the ones who return are heavily injured, they gain something in return. It reinforces the idea that great rewards come with great risk. Any cultivator with a brain knows spirit stones don't just fall from the sky."