Moonlight slipped in through the western window, then slowly faded away.
Warm rays of the morning sun poured through the eastern window, scattering mottled light across the floor like ancient and mysterious inscriptions.
After a whole night, Yao Ranran looked at the porcelain bottle in her hand and curved her lips into a smile.
"Da Huang, refining pills really isn't difficult!"
Da Huang glanced past her, its eyes landing on the mountain of ruined pill furnaces behind her. Forcing a smile, it replied,
"Master is right, refining pills is not difficult!"
As long as there are enough pill furnaces and enough materials, even a chicken…
Oh no, even it could manage to produce a few pills. Of course, these were thoughts it dared not speak out loud. It could only grin foolishly at Yao Ranran.
"That's right. These pills will trouble you to deliver to Meng Xiangxiang. I've already fulfilled my promise to him. The rest of the time, we only need to wait for Li Luoqi and the others to arrive."
Yao Ranran handed several porcelain bottles to the phoenix. The phoenix swallowed them and stored them in the qiankun pouch within its belly.
"Master, then I will set out now!"
"Go on, Da Huang."
Yao Ranran smiled and patted its head.
Da Huang tilted its head. Somehow this felt familiar—like the way Village Chief Jiang used to pat the head of anohter Da Huang at the village entrance.
"Master, we've received word of Demon Sovereign and his companion's whereabouts!"
Lu Ziqian entered from outside the hall. The phoenix spread its wings, stirred up a gentle breeze, and flew away.
"Where are they? Did they go to the Demon Abyss?"
Yao Ranran ignored the phoenix's departure and immediately stepped forward, eager to know Li Luoqi's location.
Lu Ziqian said, "A demon soldier reported they are currently hiding in a concealed cave, most likely treating Demon Sovereign's injuries."
"So that means they won't be heading to the Demon Abyss anytime soon?"
Yao Ranran stared at the view outside the hall, momentarily dazed.
"Master, if Demon Sovereign wishes to return to his peak, only the Demon Abyss forbidden grounds can help him. If they do not come tonight, we will certainly see them appear tomorrow night!"
Lu Ziqian had already investigated the Demon Abyss thoroughly through Western Sea's demon soldiers. He knew clearly that this was the only path left for Li Luoqi.
"Tomorrow night? Then I shall wait one more night."
Yao Ranran sat upon the luxurious black-ice chair encrusted with countless gems, gradually falling into reverie.
"Master, are you worried about tomorrow night?" Lu Ziqian asked softly, approaching with concern at her lonely figure.
But as he drew nearer, he suddenly heard her murmuring.
"So this is the joy of sudden wealth? No wonder Li Luoqi could reign over the Western Sea, living so blissfully!"
Lu Ziqian fell silent and quietly withdrew.
He had worried too much—Master had never known fear.
…
The phoenix delivered several porcelain bottles into Meng Xiangxiang's hands.
"These are the pills that can counteract the Red Tea poison?"
Meng Xiangxiang gripped the bottles tightly, excitement written on his face.
The phoenix answered, "Yes. Master instructed that if you wish to head to the Central Domain, you can have Xiao Rong use the teleportation staff and flying boat to take you there."
Xiao Rong chewed the fruit in his mouth a few times. "Can I go too?"
"Xiao Rong-yé, I need you. Please take me to the Central Domain!" Meng Xiangxiang knew well how fast the teleportation staff was—it would allow him to reach the Central Domain in no time.
He wanted to save the villagers of Qingshui County. That was his mother's wish, and also the expectation of his unborn little brother.
Xiao Rong swallowed the fruit pulp. "Alright then. I also want to go play in the Central Domain!"
A flying boat hovered above Youyan Gate. Countless people looked up at the magnificent vessel, cries of astonishment ringing out one after another.
"Even the Fairy's attendants carry a flying boat in their hands?"
"More than that. Do you know the second-rate sect Biliu Sect, the one that offended Mingxia Sect? Even they had a massive flying boat!"
"What? Since when did flying boats become so common in the Eastern Wilderness?!"
"It's not that flying boats are common. It's that the Fairy is simply too remarkable!"
The guards of Youyan Gate sighed in envy as they watched the flying boat sail further away.
…
Central Domain.
Wuxiang Sect.
"Report to the sect master! The Peak Master of Dan Peak has sent several jade bottles, claiming these are pills that can dissolve the miasma!"
"Hurry, hurry, bring them here at once!"
Han Huijun snatched the bottles impatiently. He opened one and tipped out a round pill into his palm.
At that moment, Yue Qingsu and Shen Yuefu entered the main hall together, spotting the jade bottle in his hand.
"Sect master, are those antidote pills refined by the Dan Peak Master?"
Yue Qingsu's pace quickened instinctively, passing Shen Yuefu to fix his gaze firmly on the pill in Han Huijun's hand.
"Yes. They were just delivered. I was about to send someone… no, perhaps Elder Shen should go to Qingshui County personally?"
Han Huijun turned to Shen Yuefu. "These pills concern the lives of everyone in the Central Domain. Only by entrusting this task to you can I be at ease."
Shen Yuefu remained silent.
Yue Qingsu glanced at him and said calmly, "Sect master, Elder Shen has shed much of his blood recently to save others. His cultivation has greatly declined. It would be better if I fly to Qingshui County overnight. Few know of this matter yet. Once the villagers consume the pills and the miasma is dispelled, I can return immediately."
Han Huijun's expression revealed hesitation.
Shen Yuefu cast a cool look at Yue Qingsu.
"Let Elder Yue go. Pei Xianqiao is his disciple. He knows better than I the effects these pills may have."
Han Huijun faintly sensed discord between the two elders.
"Then I must trouble Elder Yue!"
He did not wish to see strife between his elders at such a crucial time.
Besides, Yue Qingsu's strength was considerable. Sending him would still leave the sect secure.
Yue Qingsu accepted the jade bottle with a smile. "Tomorrow, sect master and Elder Shen will hear the good news from Qingshui County."
"Yes, Elder Yue. We await your success!"
Han Huijun clapped him on the shoulder, smiling.
Shen Yuefu spoke faintly, "Until the results are clear, nothing about Pei Xianqiao must be spread."
"Of course I know. But once the people of Qingshui County are restored, it will be difficult to keep Qiao Qiao's identity hidden. When that time comes, Elder Shen, you will need to take care to protect her."
Yue Qingsu leaned closer and whispered lightly in Shen Yuefu's ear.
Han Huijun coughed into his hand. "The hour grows late. Elder Yue, you should set off."
"Farewell."
With just those two words, Yue Qingsu transformed into a streak of light and departed.
Han Huijun turned, a trace of puzzlement on his face.
"Junior Brother, you don't believe these pills can resolve the miasma?"
Shen Yuefu's expression was unreadable. "Sect master, besides Pei Xianqiao, Yao Ranran also saved me in Qingshui County."
"You said that before. Pei Xianqiao also said it was your illusion. At that time, you were unconscious!"
Han Huijun frowned, not understanding why he was still fixated on this.
"That was no illusion. And I believe the white spiritual power that dispelled the miasma was not from Pei Xianqiao, but from Yao Ranran."
Shen Yuefu's voice was quiet, yet steady.
Han Huijun hesitated, sinking back into his seat. "I too have wondered about that. Yao Ranran is no longer ordinary. She may even have the celestial herb Che Lingzhi in her hands. If so, it would not be impossible.
After all, Che Lingzhi possesses extraordinary effects."