A light cyan mist enveloped an entire medicinal field on Jade Dragon Peak.
Outside the medicinal field, an elder dressed in cyan robes was casting a spell.
Bu Qinglan glanced at the two elders casting a spell to bring rain for the spirit herbs, then turned and whispered to Mu Qiuhan beside her, “Senior Sister, I heard the elder from the Scripture Pavilion was captured by the demon clan. Did you hear about it?”
Mu Qiuhan hummed in acknowledgment, but her attention remained fixed on the person standing with Perfected Yu Ji not far away.
She must have seen that person before; they looked somewhat familiar. Judging by their attire, they seemed to be an elder from Miaohua Ridge, likely invited over to make it rain for the spirit plants.
This medicinal field on Jade Dragon Peak was vast and contained many rare spirit plants. It was currently the peak growing season for them, but the weather was unusually dry, so Perfected Yu Ji had specially invited an elder with a water spiritual root.
Mu Qiuhan had come to Fragrant Herb Garden this time originally to retrieve some spirit plants she hadn’t managed to take when she left last time, but she had unintentionally stumbled upon this scene.
Not far away, that person was forming hand seals, and where their spiritual energy gathered, a water dragon gradually materialized.
The huge dragon gradually took shape before them.
A low dragon’s roar sounded. The water dragon leaped into the air, circled above the medicinal field, swallowing clouds and exhaling mist.
In an instant, fine streams of water fell from the sky, covering the entire spirit field.
Mu Qiuhan didn’t look at the majestic dragon in the sky, but carefully observed the person’s technique.
This technique of the Taiqing Immortal Sect bore some resemblance to the incantation she used to summon spirit birds back when she was in the demon realm.
She had previously used demonic techniques to summon spirit birds for sending messages. Now, using immortal techniques, she could actually conjure a combat-capable fire bird.
Mu Qiuhan quietly memorized the person’s technique, planning to try it out herself when she returned.
Bu Qinglan waited for a long time, but only received a hum from Mu Qiuhan.
Seeing Mu Qiuhan’s attention still fixed on the two elders, she couldn’t quite suppress the unease in her heart.
She thought for a moment, then suddenly said, “Elder Yu He’s rain-controlling technique is unparalleled on Miaohua Ridge. Apart from a few elders in the main hall, I’m afraid no one else in the sect can match it.”
“Oh?” So their name is Yu He. Another one with Yu in their name.
Seeing Mu Qiuhan finally turn her attention to her, Bu Qinglan seized the opportunity to say, “Senior Sister, you’ve also heard about Elder Xuan Kong? The demon clan managed to capture an elder even within the territory of Longxuan Mountain. Aren’t we ordinary disciples in even more danger?”
Mu Qiuhan thought to herself, Heard about it? Xuan Kong was taken back to the demon realm on my instruction.
Yesterday, after she and Shang Ningye returned from that mystic realm, Shang Ningye went straight to Violet Sun Hall, while she returned to her room to study the cultivation methods Xuan Kong had left her.
Unexpectedly, in less than a day, the news had spread. Even a newly initiated junior disciple on Jade Dragon Peak knew about it.
Mu Qiuhan felt very satisfied. It seemed Wu Ling’s decision had made a significant impact on the immortal sect.
The day before yesterday, she had suggested Shang Ningye return to the sect first, partly because the fire poison in her body was becoming difficult to suppress, and she needed to come back to get some white fur from Shang Ningye’s spirit pet. Secondly, she also hoped the news of Xuan Kong’s capture would cause some unrest within the immortal sect. If Leng Yi was willing to lead troops to attack Longxuan Mountain, such internal turmoil would definitely be advantageous for the demon realm.
However, the joy in her heart didn’t last long. Mu Qiuhan inexplicably felt a wave of irritation.
She had originally planned to put on an act and offer Bu Qinglan a few words of comfort, but now she didn’t feel like saying anything.
Her expression turned slightly cold. “When the nest is overturned, how can any egg remain intact? Instead of worrying here, you should think about how to increase your strength to protect yourself.”
Bu Qinglan was taken aback by her cold tone.
“Senior Sister is right.”
She could feel that Mu Qiuhan’s aura was very different from a few days ago. The current Mu Qiuhan seemed unfathomable to her.
What method could allow her spiritual energy to increase so quickly? Could it be that she took some forbidden medicine?
Recalling some rumors she had heard about Dongtian Peak, Bu Qinglan’s face turned pale, and she involuntarily took a step back.
Could the rumors that Perfected Yu Yang killed many disciples be true?
She shot Mu Qiuhan a terrified glance.
Mu Qiuhan, however, had no inclination to guess her thoughts.
She had already obtained all the spirit plants she could exchange for. Next, she should go find Shang Ningye.
That woman benefited from me yesterday. A little bit of spirit beast fur, she shouldn’t refuse, right?
Although it was a fair trade, Mu Qiuhan inexplicably felt a little sorry towards that person.
But it wasn’t like I wanted to use Shang Ningye to spread the news. Shang Ningye herself decided to discuss it with those immortal sect people.
Thinking this way, she suddenly felt a little more at ease.
With a trace of inexplicable guilt, Mu Qiuhan arrived somewhat distractedly at the rainbow bridge.
She did as Shang Ningye had done last time, using that rather unimpressive magic artifact she had gotten from Perfected Yu Yang to tap a certain spot on the rainbow bridge.
She waited for a long time, but there was no response.
Mu Qiuhan felt puzzled, so she tapped again.
After waiting for a long while more, there was still no response.
Perhaps Shang Ningye isn’t here, and her spirit beast went out with her?
Mu Qiuhan stood on the bridge for a while longer. Seeing that no one was coming, she decided to head back first.
Last night, while studying those cultivation methods, the fire poison in her body had flared up again due to the circulation of spiritual energy. Mu Qiuhan had endured the sensation of being burned alive.
Now that she hadn’t obtained the antidote, she didn’t want to experience that tormenting feeling again, so she didn’t touch those cultivation methods.
Remembering what she had promised Shang Ningye before, she decided to go find Qin Ziyan.
As dusk approached, Mu Qiuhan, carrying the Snow Artemisia she had gotten from Qin Ziyan, went to the rainbow bridge again.
This time, Shang Ningye’s spirit beast finally appeared, but uncharacteristically, it didn’t attack her.
The beast lifted its eyelids, glanced at her, then asked in a low voice, “Are you looking for Little Ye? Follow me.”
Mu Qiuhan obediently followed behind it. For some reason, she felt that the beast looked a bit listless today.
Mu Qiuhan followed the ice spirit beast and leaped off the rainbow bridge.
The moment she hit the water, she felt countless cold, sinister things rapidly spreading towards her from all directions.
When they got closer, she could see clearly that they were vine-like aquatic plants.
The spirit beast let out a soft roar, and the vines that had already begun to entangle them all retracted.
“Stay close. There’s a formation ahead.”
Mu Qiuhan followed silently.
She saw the water current ahead seemingly controlled by an invisible giant hand, forming a huge whirlpool. But the spirit beast led her deftly through it, and the whirlpool, as if it didn’t exist, brushed lightly past her feet.
Is this an illusion?
It doesn’t seem like it.
Before Mu Qiuhan could delve into the mysteries of the formation, the scene before her eyes had already changed.
The water surrounding them vanished in an instant, and in the blink of an eye, the human and beast had arrived before a cave dwelling.
The spirit beast extended a paw, slapped it against the stone door in front of them, and the door slowly opened.
Entering the cave dwelling, the spirit beast’s voice became very solemn. “Follow my footsteps exactly. Don’t take a single wrong step.”
It deliberately slowed its pace so Mu Qiuhan could keep up. Mu Qiuhan guessed that there must be an even more powerful formation inside.
After walking forward for a short while, they arrived at a hidden chamber.
The spirit beast led Mu Qiuhan to a wooden cabin and knocked on the door with its paw.
“Little Ye, I’ve brought the person to you.”
A soft voice from inside said, “Come in.”
Immediately after, there was a bout of suppressed coughing.
Mu Qiuhan followed the ice spirit beast into the room. Shang Ningye was leaning against a wooden couch inside.
Perhaps it was due to the lighting, but Mu Qiuhan felt that Shang Ningye’s complexion was even paler than the last few times she had seen her.
Another suppressed cough was heard, and Shang Ningye raised a hand to cover her lips.
Mu Qiuhan keenly sensed a faint scent of blood in the air.
“You’re injured?” she asked, somewhat puzzled.
Shang Ningye shook her head, apparently not wanting to answer.
Seeing she couldn’t get an answer, Mu Qiuhan decided to talk about something else.
“I got the Snow Artemisia for you. Do you want it now?”
As she spoke, she prepared to take the bottle out from her storage ring.
Suddenly, a gust of wind attacked from behind. Mu Qiuhan instinctively dodged to the side. When she straightened up, she was in a fully defensive stance.
The ice crystal beast, seeing its pounce miss, let out an angry low roar, and in the blink of an eye, it lunged fiercely again.
Mu Qiuhan was already prepared and easily dodged the sweeping giant claw.
Seeing that the human and beast were about to fight, Shang Ningye seemed a bit anxious. “Chuxue!”
She had barely spoken when another violent coughing fit struck her.
The ice crystal beast, seeing it still couldn’t defeat Mu Qiuhan, also seemed to grow anxious.
It roared loudly, “Hand over the Snow Artemisia!”
Mu Qiuhan finally understood why it had suddenly attacked.
She glared at the spirit beast, her tone slightly cold. “I was going to give it to her anyway. What are you so anxious about?”
As she spoke, she moved to retrieve the item.
Seeing this, the ice crystal beast roared anxiously again, “Don’t move! Bringing that medicine now will kill her!”
Mu Qiuhan froze instantly.
She slowly raised her hands above her head, but her gaze remained fixed on Shang Ningye.
Shang Ningye was half-reclining on the wooden couch, her posture seemingly unchanged.
Mu Qiuhan looked her up and down carefully, then said, “You are injured.”
This time, there was no question in her tone.
Seeing Shang Ningye remain silent, she turned to Chuxue and asked, “What happened? Wasn’t she fine yesterday?”
Before the beast could answer, she added, “Don’t worry. This poison was specifically refined for her; I’m not that foolish. I’ve already placed it inside the Floating Dream.”
Chuxue obviously knew of this magic artifact as well. Hearing this, it finally let out a sigh of relief.
It snorted coldly. “You finally didn’t misjudge this time.”
But its words weren’t directed at Mu Qiuhan.
Mu Qiuhan, seeing she still couldn’t get to the bottom of it, had no choice but to take a few steps forward.
“Let me see. Where are you hurt? Have you used any medicine?”
Just as she was about to examine Shang Ningye’s injuries, her gaze suddenly froze.
