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Qing Xuanling headed straight for the Immortal's Junkyard. It was already seven in the evening by then.
She'd stayed chatting with Elder Sister Yan and several others who'd never mocked her before finally leaving the clan grounds. Her robes were slightly soiled, but she didn't mind—she walked with light steps toward madam Yechan's shop. She arrived swiftly.
The Immortal's Junkyard was closed at this hour, so Qing Xuanling had no choice but to knock firmly on the door.
"Madam Yechan—it's me! Xuanling!"
She called out loudly and waited calmly. She knew madam Yechan wasn't the type to sleep early.
Just as expected, the door opened after a few minutes. Madam Yechan—dressed in a nightgown that accentuated her curves—smiled coquettishly.
"Hoho—a nighttime visit, little Ling'er~? Planning to have some fun tonight?"
Qing Xuanling's gaze unconsciously dipped toward madam Yechan's twin peaks before hastily snapping back to her face.
"How could I?! I just came to chat with a friend! To chat!" Qing Xuanling murmured, ears flushing crimson. "And why are you opening the door like that?! What if someone else saw you?!"
Madam Yechan smoothed her fiery red hair, exposing her milky-white neck as she smirked. "How could I waste the chance to tease you? Your reactions are the best!"
Qing Xuanling clenched her fists—but couldn't help being distracted by Madam Yechan's neck. So white, so smooth-looking—it made one want to touch it…
'No—don't fall for this demon's trap! You're stronger than this!'
Qing Xuanling sharply turned her head away. She wouldn't let a wicked woman play with her!
Madam Yechan smiled faintly and led Qing Xuanling upstairs to the second floor. She produced a wine gourd and several snacks.
"You know—I'm starting to think you only come here to drink. I doubt your clan allows it, right?" Madam Yechan giggled as she poured two cups.
"Hey—I came because I wanted to see you! Though… I suppose the wine is a nice bonus… The clan punishes minors who drink!" Qing Xuanling shivered, hugging her shoulders. "I heard they threw the last boy who drank secretly into a vat of low-grade beer! The poor soul never touched beer again in his life…"
Madam Yechan's eyelid twitched slightly. Even she hadn't heard of such harsh measures against underage drinkers…
"Your clan is… interesting." Madam Yechan smiled as she sipped her wine. "I've looked into it a bit—it's quite a special clan for being low-tier."
Qing Xuanling downed her cup in one gulp while frowning. "Hey—my clan isn't that bad! One day it'll be as powerful as the region's three great powers!"
Madam Yechan chuckled softly and changed the subject. "Why did you come today? Don't tell me you accomplished something big again?"
A smile appeared on Qing Xuanling's slightly flushed face. "Hehe—actually, yes! I went on a clan mission with some seniors recently and… uh? Why are you looking at me like that, madam Yechan?"
Qing Xuanling's excited expression froze. She stared blankly at madam Yechan's smile—which somehow seemed sinister.
"Qing Xuanling—didn't I tell you to focus on practicing alchemy?" Madam Yechan's slender fingers tapped the table. "I thought I'd been quite clear…"
Qing Xuanling's face tightened. "Err… well, I just couldn't stay still…! And stop pinching my cheeks! Besides—I managed to condense my sharp Qi during this mission!"
Madam Yechan's hand—which had been firmly stretching Qing Xuanling's cheek—froze. Her eyebrows rose. "You condensed your sharp Qi? Isn't that the first step toward forming sword Qi…?"
Interest sparked in Madam Yechan's emerald eyes. She released Qing Xuanling's reddened cheek and sat cross-legged. "Hoho—I see some interesting things happened. Alright—tell me everything. Maybe I'll forgive you~"
Qing Xuanling sighed in relief. At least there was room for negotiation. She smiled as sweetly as possible and recounted everything that had happened in the mortal village—the strange atmosphere, the nighttime attack, and especially Zi Moyan and his bizarre cultivation technique: the Art of Holy Praise.
Madam Yechan's brow furrowed deeper the more she listened. Her eyes glinted with coldness upon hearing the technique's name.
"Art of Holy Praise… Tsk—I thought that art had been destroyed millennia ago." Madam Yechan covered her face in frustration.
Qing Xuanling was slightly startled. "You know that cultivation technique, madam Yechan? Is it famous or something?"
Madam Yechan took a drink while considering her words. The information was extremely sensitive.
"Best I don't tell you much—sometimes knowledge can harm you… But I suppose I can share a little." She narrowed her eyes. "You know the continent is divided into several regions, right?"
Qing Xuanling nodded. The continent they lived on was called Jing Yan, divided into five specific regions—though only three were habitable: the Yin Tian Region, the Yong Guang Region, and the Han Xiao Region.
The other two regions were uninhabitable—filled with extreme climates or unimaginable dangers. Thus, madam Yechan's next words deeply shocked Qing Xuanling.
"Well—the Art of Holy Praise originated from a great power in one of the forbidden regions that was destroyed twenty thousand years ago." Madam Yechan pinched the bridge of her nose. "According to records, it was a sect that transcended the concepts of righteous or demonic paths—simply a group of people who didn't deserve to be called human."
"In the end, the great powers of that era united and annihilated them, erasing all traces of their vile arts… But it seems some weren't entirely honest back then."
Madam Yechan smiled disdainfully. Personally, she viewed such a wicked art as low-class. It was laughable that great powers would desire such a technique.
Qing Xuanling took a deep breath. "Setting aside how impossible it sounds for humans to live in the forbidden regions—who do you think released such a vile technique? I don't believe it was merely an inheritance Zi Moyan unearthed himself…"
It wasn't entirely impossible—but the probability of a minor cultivator obtaining such a profound technique was abyssally low.
"I'd like to believe otherwise—but most likely, someone is distributing these techniques among low-level cultivators…" Madam Yechan sighed. "From what I've heard, the Art of Holy Praise allows rapid power growth with few consequences. Now imagine what our region would be like if such a technique became easily accessible…"
Qing Xuanling's face lost all color. She wasn't naive. She knew the darkness hidden in every cultivator's heart. She felt at least half would be capable of killing their own parents if it granted them higher realms, longer life.
And the price demanded by the Art of Holy Praise was merely the lives of a few mortals… It didn't matter if they were children or might awaken spiritual roots. In the end—they were still mortal children.
The scene formed vividly in Qing Xuanling's mind: mortal villages and towns massacred, human breeding farms, wars fought over large populations of mortals…
She covered her mouth as her heart pounded violently. It was so probable it made her nauseous.
Madam Yechan drained an drink of wine in one gulp. "I see you grasped what could happen… I thought you might not take the matter seriously enough, given how well your clan treats mortals."
Qing Xuanling smiled bitterly as she poured two more cups. "I'm not that foolish… Sigh—I truly hope nothing like this happens. It's not just mortals who'll suffer. If I'm not mistaken, cultivators practicing this technique would develop a preference for children born of powerful cultivators."
"Heh—sharp mind." Madam Yechan's smile turned icy. "That was the true reason that forbidden-region sect was annihilated. In true, cultivators don't care much about mortals—but things changed when their children were touched. That sect couldn't withstand the hatred of hundreds of parents who lost their precious offspring…"
Qing Xuanling sighed heavily. She could easily imagine that course of events. One path cultivators often chose to follow the Dao was emotional detachment—but few could achieve it when their own children were directly involved…
The room fell silent as both sank into deep thought. The implications of the Art of Holy Praise's sudden reappearance were profound and dark.
Simultaneously, it underscored the importance of the secret realm potentially containing a fourth-tier legacy. Qing Xuanling didn't believe it was coincidence that such events were unfolding precisely now.
Qing Xuanling's expression soured. She'd only come to boast about her achievements. Madam Yechan hadn't even mentioned her condensed sharp Qi again. She hadn't even gotten the chance to ask about…
'Oh right…'
Qing Xuanling suddenly remembered the unease she'd wanted to inquire about.
"Madam Yechan—our clan has a spy, doesn't it?"
A trace of confusion flickered across Madam Yechan's face—she'd been lost in thought.
She nodded. "Yes—obviously. Zi Moyan basically confirmed it. All his actions were too carefully planned—as if he knew exactly who was coming. Though unsurprising—every power has one or two spies in its ranks… Though you should be careful."
"It seems the Mo Clan and Ink Sword Sect might be preparing for the secret realm's opening… You could become a target if it's revealed you condensed your sharp Qi. Sword cultivators are known as the kings among those of their own realm. I doubt anyone wants to see you in that secret realm two years from now."
Qing Xuanling's expression froze—but she quickly calmed herself. "Don't worry. The mission details this time are classified secrets within the clan. And Instructor Huan already told me to claim a different technique if anyone asks about my sharp Qi's uniqueness."
In that sense, most matters were resolved. At least for now—she shouldn't face any problems.
Madam Yechan imperceptibly furrowed her brow. There was another possibility Qing Xuanling hadn't yet considered. She nearly opened her mouth—but closed it immediately.
'She's still young… I don't want her becoming too distrustful of the world over a mere suspicion. She deserves to enjoy her youth a little longer.'
A trace of warmth emerged in her eyes as she watched Qing Xuanling—who'd grown accustomed to wine's taste and was now even asking for more. She smiled and began teasing Qing Xuanling, forgetting their worrisome matters for a moment.
The drinking session stretched until ten at night.
Now, Qing Xuanling and madam Yechan stood at the Immortal's Junkyard's doorway.
Madam Yechan regarded Qing Xuanling with concern. "Why not stay the night? It's quite late… Could be dangerous."
Qing Xuanling smiled faintly. "I'm not a child anymore. I can't keep troubling you every time I come to drink. And I have several things to do tomorrow—I really can't stay…"
But inwardly, Qing Xuanling thought differently. She simply didn't want to endure the embarrassing situation of sleeping beside madam Yechan again! Her heart couldn't take it!
Madam Yechan frowned—but ultimately sighed in acceptance. "Fine—but be careful on your way. I have a bad feeling tonight… And my instincts have never failed me in these matters. So walk with sharp eyes and ears."
Qing Xuanling frowned slightly—but nodded. "Alright—I'll heed your warning. See you another time!"
They embraced in farewell and parted ways.
Ziyun City's streets were solitary and dark at night—only a few oil lamps illuminated the paths. Some cities had formations or artifacts for nighttime illumination, but Ziyun City hadn't reached that level yet.
Thus, the streets saw little nighttime traffic. No one liked darkness in such a dangerous world.
Qing Xuanling's heart began beating faster. For some reason, the shadows cast by the oil lamps seemed increasingly terrifying—forming sinister shapes.
Qing Xuanling smiled wryly. "Now I'm seeing things because of madam Yechan…"
She laughed at herself and turned into an alley she needed to take to reach Qing Clan territory. It was somewhat dark—but a convenient shortcut saving several minutes. She steeled herself upon seeing the desolate alley and stepped inside.
Shadows ran deeper here—taking on more realistic, terrifying forms. Qing Xuanling's heart hammered several times—but she breathed in relief when nothing happened.
But at that moment—she frowned.
'That doesn't look like a person…?'
Zassssss!
Qing Xuanling's heart lurched as she heard the sound of air being sliced!
Her body reacted instinctively—she threw herself to the ground! A cold current grazed her neck, sending chills down her spine!
She sprang back to her feet and stared at the black-clad figure hidden within the shadows. Simultaneously, two more black-clad figures emerged behind her—blocking her escape route.
Qing Xuanling's face darkened.
It seemed her night was about to become very long…