Linzhou City, the night was as dark as ink.
Yuyi walked alone on the street, his expression indifferent. His steps were light, as if he were strolling in his own backyard, paying no heed to everything around him.
On both sides of the street, brothels and pavilions were brightly lit, the sounds of string and wind instruments endless. Cultivators came and went, some chatting and laughing, others lost in drunken revelry, a scene of prosperity.
Yuyi looked straight ahead, walking directly through the street toward the city outskirts.
Just then, a familiar figure appeared before him.
"Yuyi, long time no see."
Yuyi stopped and looked up to see a woman dressed in moon-white dharma robes standing not far away. Her appearance was exquisitely beautiful, her temperament as cool and clear as the moon.
It was Yuehua Xianzi.
Yuyi said indifferently, "Yuehua Xianzi, I hope you have been well."
Yuehua Xianzi smiled slightly and said, "Yuyi, you seem to have lost weight."
Yuyi did not respond, only quietly watching her.
Yuehua Xianzi sighed and said, "Yuyi, I know you harbor resentment toward me in your heart. But I have come today not for old matters."
Yuyi raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh? Then for what matter?"
Yuehua Xianzi said in a deep voice, "Hanmei Xianzi wishes to see you."
A strange light flashed in Yuyi's eyes, and he said, "Hanmei Xianzi?"
Yuehua Xianzi nodded and said, "She is waiting for you at Bingmei Valley right now."
Yuyi was silent for a moment, then said, "Very well, I will go."
Yuehua Xianzi nodded with satisfaction and turned to leave. Her figure gradually disappeared into the night, leaving behind only a faint moon-white silhouette.
Yuyi stood in place, his gaze deep, as if pondering something.
Moments later, he continued walking toward the city outskirts, his steps still light, as if nothing had happened.
Three days later, at Bingmei Valley.
The cold wind was biting, and the fragrance of plum blossoms filled the air. Yuyi walked slowly into the valley, his expression indifferent.
In the valley, a woman dressed in white dharma robes stood beneath a plum tree. Her appearance was delicate and beautiful, her temperament like ice.
It was Hanmei Xianzi.
"Yuyi, you have come," Hanmei Xianzi said indifferently.
Yuyi nodded and said, "Hanmei Xianzi has summoned me. What is the important matter?"
Hanmei Xianzi turned and looked directly at Yuyi, saying, "I wish to cooperate with you."
Yuyi raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Cooperate?"
Hanmei Xianzi nodded and said, "The Nitian Alliance is now the largest power in the Nine Provinces, and Duan Changjian is ambitious. Sooner or later, he will make a move on other powers. Although my Bingmei Valley is content to stay in a corner, we cannot sit and wait for death."
Yuyi was silent for a moment, then said, "How does Hanmei Xianzi wish to cooperate?"
Hanmei Xianzi said, "My Bingmei Valley is willing to form an alliance with Youyue Valley to jointly oppose the Nitian Alliance."
Yuyi smiled faintly and said, "Hanmei Xianzi, you seem to have overestimated the strength of my Youyue Valley."
Hanmei Xianzi shook her head and said, "Yuyi, there is no need for false modesty. The strength you displayed in the battle at Leixiao Sect, I saw it all clearly. If you could take action, the Nitian Alliance would have one more thing to fear."
Yuyi pondered for a moment, then said, "Very well, I can form an alliance with Bingmei Valley. But I have one condition."
Hanmei Xianzi said, "What condition?"
Yuyi said slowly, "I want the Emerald Sea Pearl."
Hanmei Xianzi's expression changed slightly, and she said, "The Emerald Sea Pearl?"
Yuyi nodded and said, "Indeed. If Hanmei Xianzi can hand over the Emerald Sea Pearl to me, I will form an alliance with Bingmei Valley."
Hanmei Xianzi was silent for a moment, then said, "The Emerald Sea Pearl is the supreme treasure of my Bingmei Valley. How can it be easily given away?"
Yuyi said indifferently, "If Hanmei Xianzi is unwilling, then let it be."
He turned to leave, and Hanmei Xianzi suddenly spoke, "Wait."
Yuyi stopped and looked back at her.
Hanmei Xianzi took a deep breath and said, "Very well, I can hand over the Emerald Sea Pearl to you. But you must guarantee that if Bingmei Valley faces trouble in the future, Youyue Valley must come to our aid."
Yuyi nodded and said, "Agreed."
Hanmei Xianzi took out an emerald-blue pearl from her storage ring and handed it to Yuyi. The pearl was crystal clear, emitting a faint spiritual light, clearly a supreme treasure.
Yuyi took the Emerald Sea Pearl and placed it in his storage ring, saying, "Thank you, Hanmei Xianzi."
Hanmei Xianzi nodded and said, "Yuyi, if you need anything in the future, Bingmei Valley will certainly help."
Yuyi cupped his hands and said, "Thank you."
He turned and left, his figure gradually disappearing into the depths of the plum forest.
Hanmei Xianzi stood in place, gazing in the direction Yuyi had left, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.
"This person is unfathomable," she murmured to herself.
Meanwhile, at Linzhou City.
Qingcheng Xianzi stood on the city tower, gazing into the distance, her eyes filled with worry.
"Yuyi, what exactly are you planning?" she murmured to herself.
She had known Yuyi for a long time and understood his character well. Yuyi was cautious and never easily revealed himself. But every time he took action, it was earth-shattering.
"Qingcheng Xianzi, what are you thinking about?" a voice came from behind.
Qingcheng Xianzi turned around to see a man dressed in green dharma robes standing not far away. His appearance was handsome, his temperament refined.
It was Bixiao.
Qingcheng Xianzi said indifferently, "Nothing."
Bixiao walked to her side and said, "Qingcheng Xianzi, Yuyi must be guarded against."
Qingcheng Xianzi nodded and said, "I know."
Bixiao said in a deep voice, "He has now formed an alliance with Bingmei Valley, and his power has greatly increased. If we do not eliminate him soon, he will surely become a great threat in the future."
Qingcheng Xianzi was silent for a moment, then said, "Bixiao, what do you intend to do?"
A gleam of light flashed in Bixiao's eyes as he said, "Unite with other powers to jointly deal with Youyue Valley."
Qingcheng Xianzi frowned and said, "Are you certain?"
Bixiao nodded and said, "Yuyi is ambitious. If we do not eliminate him soon, the Nine Provinces will have no peace."
Qingcheng Xianzi sighed and said, "Very well, I support you."
Bixiao nodded with satisfaction and said, "Thank you, Qingcheng Xianzi."
The two stood side by side, gazing into the distance, complex expressions flashing in their eyes.
The night wind brushed past, bringing a hint of coolness.
And Yuyi had already returned to Youyue Valley.
Shaying stood at the valley entrance, watching Yuyi return, her eyes filled with joy.
"Yuyi, you're back!"
Yuyi nodded and said, "I have returned."
Shaying walked to his side and said softly, "Did everything go smoothly?"
Yuyi smiled faintly and said, "Smoothly."
He took out the Emerald Sea Pearl from his storage ring and handed it to Shaying, saying, "This is for you."
Shaying took the Emerald Sea Pearl and said in surprise, "This is... the Emerald Sea Pearl?"
Yuyi nodded and said, "Indeed. This pearl can enhance spiritual power and will be of great benefit to your cultivation."
Shaying was moved and said, "Yuyi, this is too precious..."
Yuyi said indifferently, "Keep it."
Shaying nodded and placed the Emerald Sea Pearl in her storage ring.
The two walked side by side toward the valley, the setting sun casting its afterglow upon them, stretching their shadows long.
Behind them was the coming storm.
And Yuyi was prepared.