When Liu Meng returned to Su Mei'er's cavern, it felt as though nothing had changed.The same sweet, cloying fragrance still lingered in the damp air. The flickering candlelight stretched her shadow long and twisted against the cold stone walls.
Her path was unobstructed. The white-masked attendants who had once seemed so powerful now bowed with solemn respect, stepping aside to clear her way.
Without sparing them a glance, Liu Meng walked straight into the vast and empty hall.
Atop the high dais reclined Su Mei'er, just as she had the first time they met. Draped languidly across a couch of warm jade, she wore nothing but a veil of crimson gauze thin as cicada wings. Snow-pale skin glimmered faintly beneath, her flawless face curved with a half-smile—an expression that seemed to wait for Liu Meng long before she had arrived.
"You've returned?" Su Mei'er's eyes did not even open. Her voice, sultry enough to stir the marrow, drifted lazily into the hall.
It carried no obvious joy or anger, yet Liu Meng's heart trembled at once.
"Disciple Liu Meng, pays respects to Master." She knelt on one knee, head lowered with reverence.
Only then did Su Mei'er part her enchanting phoenix eyes, gaze falling upon Liu Meng—though it felt as if she were staring past her, into some distant horizon.
"I thought you had forgotten you still had a master," Su Mei'er murmured, tone soft yet touched with hidden frost. "So long gone… what was it? Was the world outside too delightful, so you lost yourself in it?"
Her voice chilled."Or perhaps… your so-called talent is nothing special. After all this time, and you've barely clawed your way to the peak of Qi Refining's third layer?"
Liu Meng's heart jolted.This was a test—not only of her loyalty, but of her very worth!
In a flash, she lifted her head. No fear showed in her eyes. Instead, she revealed a trace of defiant indignation, timed with perfect precision.
"Master! This disciple did not delay by choice. On my return, three strange wraiths infiltrated my cave, seeking my life. Only after a bitter struggle did I subdue them."
With that, she drew forth the soul-banner, presenting it openly before Su Mei'er.
"Oh?"
For the first time, the lazy mask on Su Mei'er's face fell away. In the blink of an eye she descended from the dais, standing before Liu Meng.
She studied the banner with narrowed eyes. A glint of surprise flickered. "Interesting… truly interesting. Within lies a flawless soul of rare purity, refined as the banner's main spirit. So it was by relying on this that you managed to bind three ghosts?"
She chuckled. "I recall little Qin Shuang also stumbling upon a soul-banner once. Such treasures aren't rare… but for you to obtain a flawless soul so quickly, that is beyond ordinary chance."
"This disciple dares not claim credit. It is all by Master's blessing," Liu Meng said quickly, lowering herself further.
"Hmph. Yet such a soul carries hidden flaws. I'll cleanse it for you." With a flick of her finger, power surged into the banner. It trembled violently. "As for Qin Shuang, that girl clutches hers like a treasure and hides it away. Since she refuses, I cannot be bothered to help her."
Liu Meng did not understand what Su Mei'er had done—until a cold system-like whisper echoed within her mind:
[Your incarnation, Liu Wu, has perished.][Liu Wu has sacrificed himself, refining into a flawless soul. The soul-banner's power greatly increases.][You have gained the talent Noble Sacrifice: when cultivating suicidal arts, your cultivation speed is doubled.]
What?Why did Liu Wu's death register only now? Hadn't he already lost consciousness, reduced to nothing but a wisp of soul?
Confusion whirled, but Liu Meng dared not dwell on it. Su Mei'er's languid tone carried subtle meaning—dangerous meaning.
If she had not cleansed Qin Shuang's banner… what fate awaited that girl?
Thoughts surged, yet Liu Meng bowed even lower.
"That's enough." Su Mei'er waved her hand, drifting back to her jade couch. The suffocating pressure in the air slowly receded. "I will investigate those who dared strike at you. But do not expect too much. I already have my suspicions, but he leaves no trace. At best, I can only hand you a few of his pawns for you to vent your anger upon."
"Thank you, Master!" Relief flooded Liu Meng's heart. She had passed this trial. Seizing the moment, she pressed her doubts forward:
"Master, this disciple has reached the peak of Qi Refining's third layer, yet cannot break through. How may I ascend further? And… I possess nothing of worth, no way to earn spirit stones. I beg Master's guidance."
Su Mei'er's lips curved, as though she had anticipated the question all along. "These two matters are one and the same. Only upon reaching mid-stage Qi Refining do you truly have the capital to earn spirit stones."
"To break through, there is but one path." Her voice grew solemn. "The arts of our sect are domineering, yet bound by harsh restrictions. For those who cultivate the Mystic Yin Sutra, the step from early to mid-stage Qi Refining requires a condition—control over three cultivators of your own realm."
Her gaze sharpened. "Mark this well. They cannot be servants raised from the start under your imprint. They must already stand as equals—cultivators of your own stage—before you brand them. Only then may you shatter the bottleneck."
Liu Meng's heart sank.Such a condition was no less than cruel.
To control three peers of equal strength… against whom the Mystic Yin Sutra was innately weaker in direct combat… and within the sect, any such attempt would violate its iron laws.
No, to achieve this she would have to leave the safety of the sect, to hunt her equals beyond its walls.
"And as for earning spirit stones," Su Mei'er continued, "that lies in sect tasks. Our Grand Heavenly Demon Sect holds four mountain branches, each with its own focus."
"In the San-cai Hall, the work is refining tools and talismans. In Luofeng City, their trade lies in souls and spirits. The lunatics of Blood Banquet Valley—they are the simplest. Bounties, assassinations, heads for stones."
Her eyes glimmered. "And as for us, the Mystic Yin Branch… can you guess what our missions entail?"
Liu Meng stiffened. Blood Banquet Valley? So it was true—there were four divisions. But her thoughts snapped back to the question at hand.
What tasks did the Mystic Yin Branch require? It couldn't possibly be… dual cultivation tasks, could it?
Just then, a black-masked servant entered the hall, followed by two others. Between them they dragged a young woman bound in chains.
The prisoner wore plain white robes, her hair disheveled yet unable to conceal her striking, noble beauty. Righteous qi radiated from her presence, leaving no doubt she hailed from some upright immortal sect.
Despite her bonds, she held her head high, gazing at Su Mei'er with undisguised contempt and loathing.
Su Mei'er merely smiled, eyes sliding sidelong toward Liu Meng.
"What fortune. Since you are here, you shall witness for yourself what kind of task the Mystic Yin Branch entrusts its disciples with…"
Her laughter was like silk, both alluring and chilling.