Dian Dian flicked its tail and said,
"Master, if your guess is right, then a lot of cultivators will head to the back of the valley. But wouldn't that just be handing themselves over to those evil cultivators?"
Yun Xi nodded.
"Maybe. We'll only know for sure once we're inside Xiafei Valley. Still, I think they probably have a clear target."
Dian Dian's beady black eyes spun slightly as it asked,
"Master, are they marking solitary female cultivators with that jade slip map? Just like you?"
Yun Xi thought about it. Dian Dian might be right. Back then, those evil cultivators had pursued Yu Qingcheng and Liu Haotian from Baihua Tower so relentlessly. It wasn't just for revenge. They had wanted to capture them alive and turn them into furnace vessels. That was, after all, one of the most common methods evil cultivators used to raise their cultivation.
"Master, what should we do next? Are we still going to Xiafei Valley?"
Dian Dian asked through voice transmission.
"Of course. Finishing the mission is part of it, but I also want to see what tricks the evil cultivators are playing this time."
Yun Xi had never claimed to be some kind of savior. But since she had stumbled upon the matter, she had no intention of ignoring it.
She was someone who held grudges. Last time, she had used a formation to bluff and scare the evil cultivators away. But they had still escaped with their tails between their legs. This time, things were different. She was now the direct disciple of a genuine Nascent Soul cultivator. She had solid backing, and her cultivation was just barely enough to hold her own in a fight. What she lacked was real combat experience. A rare opportunity like this—she wouldn't pass it up.
After finishing her spirit tea and taking a short rest, Yun Xi headed to the "General Goods Pavilion." She spent some spirit stones to purchase a detailed map of Xiafei Valley. The map covered both the front and back areas of the valley and even marked the known distribution of the Xiafei Butterflies.
The shopkeeper chuckled and explained,
"Fairy, I know the map is pricey, but there's a reason for it. Our General Goods Pavilion sent Golden Core cultivators to survey the terrain of the entire valley. Aside from the butterfly habitats, the rest of the terrain doesn't change much. It's definitely worth the price."
The reason Yun Xi had come here for the full map of Xiafei Valley was because it was the most comprehensive. She also wanted to ask about the rumored third-rank Flying Mist Butterfly. So she paid the spirit stones without hesitation and casually asked,
"When your Golden Core cultivators went to scout the valley, did they ever encounter that third-rank Flying Mist Butterfly?"
"They didn't, actually."
"Then does that mean the rumor of a third-rank Flying Mist Butterfly is false?"
Yun Xi pressed.
The shopkeeper quickly waved his hands.
"Daoyou, just because we didn't see it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Flying Mist Butterflies have very weak offensive capabilities. Against cultivators of the same rank, they hardly stand a chance. So they rarely show themselves.
But the third-rank Flying Mist Butterfly definitely exists. Otherwise, how would someone have brought its egg out of the valley? That part's not made up. I've seen the egg myself. It's different from first or second-rank eggs—orange-red in color, about the size of a baby's pinky fingernail. Very distinct."
Yun Xi finally nodded in understanding.
The shopkeeper promptly recommended,
"Since you're heading to the back of Xiafei Valley, which is extremely dangerous, it might be wise to purchase some defensive artifacts or pills from our shop, just in case."
Yun Xi smiled and politely declined. She stored the new map in her storage pouch and left the General Goods Pavilion.
After that, she followed the crowd into Xiafei Valley.
The spiritual energy inside the valley was noticeably denser than outside. What met the eye were trees and shrubs of varying heights, and even more eye-catching were the countless blossoms of every shape and color. Nourished by spiritual energy, the flowers were vivid and radiant, uplifting anyone who saw them.
Once inside, everyone headed off in different directions. Some cultivators moved alone, while others formed groups. Yun Xi, with a clear goal in mind, went straight toward the back of the valley.
Some cultivators noticed and whispered to each other,
"Look, another one going to risk it all in the back valley. Do they really think getting a third-rank butterfly egg is that easy?"
"Just because you're scared doesn't mean others are. What if she actually succeeds?"
"Tch. As far as I know, only two cultivators have ever managed to bring an egg out. Everyone else who tried never came back."
The scorned cultivator quickly retorted.
"Let's just go! Let's focus on finding some first or second-rank Flying Mist Butterflies instead!"
With that, the group left the area.
On her way to the back valley, Yun Xi also encountered some first and second-rank Flying Mist Butterflies. Even when she was alone, she didn't let the chance go to waste. She casually released a wind-element spell to trap a butterfly within a vortex, carefully scraped the powder from its wings, then let it go unharmed. These beautiful butterfly spirits didn't deserve needless harm.
As she drew closer to the entrance of the back valley, the number of butterflies increased. The Flying Mist Butterflies flapped their wings, creating waves of colorful mist that nearly surrounded her.
"Master, aren't these butterflies a bit too enthusiastic?"
Dian Dian commented through voice transmission.
Yun Xi noticed it too. According to the butterfly distribution map she had studied, the entrance to the back valley wasn't supposed to have such a large gathering. Something was clearly off. But since the task was practically being delivered to her doorstep, she wasn't going to turn it down.
She took out a formation plate and trapped the surrounding butterflies inside. Then she began carefully collecting the powder from their wings. The only regret was that she didn't find any butterfly eggs.
She divided the collected powder into two portions: one to complete her mission and the other for her personal use. Now that she was a second-rank high-grade alchemist, she needed such neutralizing agents for refining more potent pills.
Once everything was done, she put the formation plate away and released the butterflies, continuing on toward the back valley.
At that moment, a small pearlescent Flying Mist Butterfly separated from the group and followed behind her, cautiously approaching.
Yun Xi had released her spiritual sense from the moment she entered Xiafei Valley, always staying alert. She had also heard every word of the earlier conversation between those two cultivators. It only strengthened her belief that the rumors about the third-rank butterfly egg were nothing more than a trap.
The sneaky butterfly tailing her caught her attention, but since it hadn't made any sudden moves, she pretended not to notice. Just as she was about to step into the back valley, the butterfly fluttered its wings and landed on her shoulder.
Yun Xi instinctively activated her Mystic Frost Needle, aiming it at the butterfly's abdomen. Dian Dian immediately stopped her.
"Master, it says it has something to tell you."
The needle hovered right at the butterfly's belly. A single look from Yun Xi and it would pierce the tiny creature. But she could sense it held no hostility. If it had, she wouldn't have allowed it to land on her in the first place.
At that moment, Dian Dian crawled out from Yun Xi's robes and perched beside her on the same shoulder. The two vastly different species began communicating in a friendly exchange.
Yun Xi couldn't help but marvel at the wonders of the cultivation world. A lepidopteran insect and a rodent mammal conversing like old friends—it felt oddly smooth, like chickens and ducks understanding each other perfectly.
Before she could finish that thought, Dian Dian transmitted a message.
"Master, this is the third-rank Flying Mist Butterfly."
"Huh?"
Yun Xi made a startled sound, then asked,
"Isn't it supposed to be in the back valley? Why is it here in the front?"
"That's why it stopped you. Its nest was taken over by a bad person. That person also stole all the eggs it laid, and now uses those eggs to lure cultivators into the back valley."