Chapter 24: A Journey of Suspicion and Trials

Yu Lingyue knew, of course, that their conversation was nothing more than casual banter.

Yet, an inexplicable pang led her thoughts down a different path.

‘He explicitly told me he liked me just recently… and now he’s here, laughing and chatting with another woman.’

With a simmering resentment, Yu Lingyue watched them, unconsciously tearing at the corner of her robe.

Beside her, Qian Xiaoyu regarded Yu Lingyue with a hint of surprise, seeing her transformed into a picture of vexed displeasure.

Having known Yu Lingyue for a considerable time, Qian Xiaoyu had always witnessed her maintain an unruffled demeanor, making this sudden display of emotion entirely unprecedented.

However, tracing Yu Lingyue’s line of sight, Qian Xiaoyu’s comprehension dawned instantly.

A knowing, profound smile graced her lips.

‘So, this little girl is finally stirring with romantic feelings. I honestly thought she was into women before…’

The subtle aura of resentment emanating from that direction did not escape Qin Yangjun’s notice.

He wondered if it was simply a protagonist’s innate ability to sense antagonists.

A sudden, unsettling thump resonated in Qin Yangjun’s chest.

‘What’s happening? Why is she looking at me like that? Have I inadvertently offended her?’

Qin Yangjun found himself utterly bewildered, unable to fathom the reason.

Thus, amidst this delicate tension, the group boarded the immortal vessel.

The ancient spirit ruins they sought lay a considerable distance from the Yuqian Sect, necessitating a journey of approximately one day and one night by flying boat.

Throughout the entire day, Hua Yaoyao remained diligently by Qin Yangjun’s side, her face practically overflowing with an almost childlike delight.

Her affections were so transparent, even the most oblivious would have understood her feelings, yet Qin Yangjun found himself genuinely uncomfortable.

While he was naturally pleased by Hua Yaoyao’s closeness, her enthusiasm bordered on overwhelming.

“Senior Brother, look! This is a new sword technique I’ve just comprehended. What do you think of it?”

“Senior Brother, do you see those clouds over there? Don’t they resemble a pair of mandarin ducks?”

“Wow, Senior Brother, today’s meal is truly delicious! Come, you must try some.”

“…………”

As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of the otaku lifestyle, he possessed an exceptionally clear understanding of himself.

He knew that scenarios involving beautiful women fawning over him were strictly confined to the realms of anime or the deepest recesses of dreams.

Now that such a surreal event was actually unfolding before him, he found himself utterly at a loss, his composure completely shattered.

Concurrently, he observed Yu Lingyue’s gaze, which seemed to grow ever more laden with a profound, almost mournful resentment.

A troubling thought began to coalesce in the depths of his mind.

‘Surely not. Could Yu Lingyue already harbor feelings for Hua Yaoyao?’

‘But this defies logic. In the novel, Yu Lingyue was only “turned” by Hua Yaoyao later on; at this point, she shouldn’t possess any romantic inclinations toward women.’

‘So why, then, does she fix me with such a deeply resentful stare?’

Throughout the entire day, Qin Yangjun remained enveloped by this swirling vortex of confusion.

Eventually, evening descended, and everyone retreated to their respective rooms to rest.

Though Hua Yaoyao was visibly reluctant to part, she possessed too much maidenly decorum to brazenly follow Qin Yangjun to his room for a chat.

In this rare reprieve, Qin Yangjun, too, found a fleeting moment of much-needed tranquility.

Having journeyed for a full day, Qin Yangjun finally arrived at their destination.

Even before the immortal vessel touched down, he observed a contingent of individuals, clad in flowing blue robes, awaiting their arrival.

Among them, two radiated the formidable aura of the Nascent Soul realm, while the remaining were all Golden Core cultivators.

The moment Qin Yangjun stepped off the immortal vessel, the waiting group surged forward.

The middle-aged man at their head clasped his fists respectfully in a formal salute.

“Qingluan Mountain’s Sect Master, Mo Feiyu, pays his respects to Chief Qin.”

The men and women surrounding him echoed in unison.

“Greetings, Chief Qin.”

“Greetings, Chief Qin.”

“Greetings, Chief Qin.”

“…….”

Qin Yangjun surveyed the individuals before him, a flicker of contemplation in his eyes.

Within the vast expanse of Dayu Continent, four distinct regions—East, West, North, and South—each fell under the dominion of a great sect.

These were the Wenxin Mountain Villa of the Eastern Region, the Beast King Valley of the Western Region, and the Yandao Gate of the Northern Region.

Their own Yuqian Sect, however, held sway over the Southern Region.

All sects, regardless of size, pledged allegiance to the Yuqian Sect, and the ascension of any sect master required their explicit endorsement.

Truth be told, Qin Yangjun found the present situation to be excessively cautious.

For a ruin intended as a trial for Qi Refining cultivators, not only were two formidable Golden Core cultivators present, but an entire retinue of Golden Core cultivators, along with two Nascent Soul experts, had been deployed to guard the entrance.

This scarcely resembled a trial; it felt more akin to a leisurely tour.

Furthermore, this particular development was entirely absent from the original narrative.

“Ah, it’s Sect Master Mo. My apologies for the oversight. May I inquire what brings Sect Master Mo here?”

“Oh, it’s like this: recently, practitioners of the Myriad Dharma Heavenly Cult (TL Note: A demonic sect) have been increasingly active in the vicinity. Thus, the esteemed Sect Lord specifically dispatched us here to safeguard the Chief from any insidious attacks by these demonic scoundrels. Concurrently, we aim to apprehend several Myriad Dharma Heavenly Cult cultivators for interrogation.”

“Oh… I understand now.”

Evidently, some unforeseen shifts had occurred in the world’s timeline, leading to the discovery of the Myriad Dharma Heavenly Cult’s movements, a group previously overlooked.

With this realization, Qin Yangjun involuntarily cast a glance at Cheng Lieqing among the assembled company.

Cheng Lieqing’s face was a mask of sullen displeasure, his expression overtly grim.

Qin Yangjun couldn’t help but feel a surge of exasperation; these followers of the demonic path were truly untrustworthy.

He fervently hoped this unexpected turn of events would not derail his carefully laid plans.

Following a brief exchange of pleasantries, Mo Feiyu guided the entourage toward the entrance of the ancient ruins.

The ruins had already been activated the previous day, their colossal opening resembling the gaping maw of some colossal beast.

Faint, indistinct patterns could still be traced on the stone walls, yet the immense passage of time had rendered the type of runes entirely undecipherable.

Without further ado, the group stepped directly inside.

Upon their entry, a brilliant flash of white light enveloped them.

Then, as swiftly as they appeared, the entire group vanished from the cave’s mouth.

The cultivators from Qingluan Mountain immediately assumed positions of vigilant guard around the entrance.

When Qin Yangjun next opened his eyes, he discovered himself in a profoundly peculiar locale.

The sky above was a perpetual twilight, and his gaze met only a single, unswerving path stretching into the distance.

On either side of this path yawned abyssal cliffs, their depths unknown, from which a sinister, blood-red mist perpetually emanated.

The entire world exuded an unsettling, distinctly eerie sensation.

The sanguine mist swirling beneath the cliffs was, in fact, the residual blood poison left by Chitao (TL Note: A mythical beast).

Though its virulence had significantly waned with the relentless march of time, it remained potent enough to claim the life of any Foundation Establishment cultivator who inadvertently inhaled it.

This realization prompted Qin Yangjun to cast a subtle glance toward Hua Yaoyao.

Having foreseen the possibility of Hua Yaoyao accompanying him to the ancient spirit ruins, he had deliberately included the Breath-Holding Art among the cultivation techniques he selected for her.

While the blood poison wouldn’t prove fatal to Hua Yaoyao, it would undoubtedly inflict considerable discomfort.

Since his intention was to draw her into his faction, it was only logical to treat her with a certain degree of care.

Hua Yaoyao, oblivious to Qin Yangjun’s fleeting glance, remained focused.

Though her thoughts often drifted to romance, she had not forgotten the primary purpose of their presence here.

“Alright, junior brothers and sisters,” she began, her voice clear and resonant, “your first mission is to explore these ancient spirit ruins. The sect has granted us a special dispensation, allowing Senior Brother and me to accompany you. However, during this exploration, unless a life-or-death situation arises, neither Senior Brother nor I will intervene…”

Before Qin Yangjun even had a chance to speak, Hua Yaoyao had already taken the lead in outlining the rules of the trial.

It was undeniable that Hua Yaoyao, when serious, possessed a certain captivating, heroic aura.

She had likely anticipated his aversion to perfunctory speeches, which was precisely why she had stepped forward to address the disciples.

This thoughtful initiative caused Hua Yaoyao’s estimation in Qin Yangjun’s heart to ascend yet again.

Once Hua Yaoyao concluded her address, the disciples eagerly embarked on their exploration of the path ahead, while Hua Yaoyao gracefully returned to Qin Yangjun’s side.

The expedition unfolded with the seamless ease Qin Yangjun had envisioned.

Their journey brought them face-to-face with a scattering of low-level Qi Refining demonic beasts and spectral entities, all of which the new disciples adeptly managed.

And, entirely predictably, Li Xuanyang once again found himself locked in a subtle rivalry with Yu Lingyue.

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