Chapter 31: The Emergence of the Treasure

Qin Yue had long understood what was on Hu Jiuyan’s mind—she had wanted him to join her sect from the very beginning.

Back when they first met, he hadn’t really considered it. Making friends was one thing—whether someone belonged to an immortal sect or a demonic clan, as long as they weren’t evil, he was happy to befriend them. But joining one? That was another matter entirely, and he had always been wary.

Now, however, his perspective had changed considerably.

He didn’t know what the internal affairs of the Heavenly Net Sect were really like, but those so-called righteous sects were not necessarily as upright as their reputations suggested. In the end, it all depended on the hearts of the people. The very sect that the world deemed number one had enslaved the people of the Ice Abyss for generations, keeping them in chains; the destruction of Green Bamboo Garden years ago might well have been their doing too.

He didn’t know if these things were true, but from what he’d learned from his master about the Zhaoyang Sect, it wasn’t out of the question.

As for the so-called demonic Heavenly Net Sect, while he couldn’t speak for everyone there, he was certain that Hu Jiuyan was no villainess.

After months of acquaintance, he’d come to understand this “senior sister” of his quite well.

—A heroic swordswoman, a constable who punished evil and upheld justice.

Even Feng Qianning, that notorious enchantress who had toyed with countless people, hadn’t tried to take his life when given the chance.

“Maybe... I should choose the Heavenly Net Sect?” Qin Yue muttered to himself, drowsy with comfort in the hot spring pool.

This sect, which had been at odds with the Zhaoyang Sect for countless years and yet had produced someone like Feng Qianning, might truly be the key to breaking the deadlock.

The Saintess steals a great beast’s treasure from the Monster Valley, unmatched in her arrogance; the “Demon Heir” ravages the great beast’s medicinal garden but is treated as an honored guest... Hm, the two were, in a way, a perfect match.

“Still, I should wait and see...” he murmured.

...

Elsewhere in the inn, in another large guest hall, the Huo brothers were also meditating to dispel their drunkenness while chatting with Tian Ying and Chen Xuan.

Huo Qing admonished his younger brother, “From now on, watch your mouth. Don’t just say whatever comes to mind.”

Huo Tong protested, “Come on, big brother, stop always blaming me. I treat Qin Yue like a brother—what’s the worst that could happen if I tell him a few things?”

Huo Qing sighed, “There are some matters we may consider trivial, but to the outside world, they’re top secrets. I regard Qin Yue as a friend too, but that doesn’t mean we can tell him everything.”

Huo Tong found this hard to grasp. Most of these were just rumors, and though he was a cultivator, he never put much stock in those wild tales. Why did his brother have to be so cautious?

Weren’t the ways of the martial world all about making friends with like-minded people?

Brother Qin was handsome and refined—could he possibly be the so-called Demon Heir? Ridiculous!

Tian Ying tried to smooth things over. “Do you think there’s any chance we could persuade Qin Yue to join our sect?”

Huo Qing shook his head slightly. “I think it’s unlikely. Qin Yue is a man of his own mind. If he truly is the heir of Green Bamboo Garden, every great sect would be clamoring to recruit him. We’re not bad ourselves, but compared to others, apart from some friendship, we have no clear advantage.”

Chen Xuan spoke up suddenly, “Why does he need to join a sect at all? Couldn’t we just pay him for his help?”

This suggestion gave everyone pause. Tian Ying’s eyes lit up. “That’s right! We need someone to cultivate more medicinal herbs, and he needs resources for his cultivation. We could definitely work together!”

Huo Qing pondered for a moment. “Let’s set this aside for now. No rush. The sect has just gone through a crisis—we must strengthen ourselves rather than place our hopes in others. Tomorrow at dawn, we’ll head for Yandang Mountain.”

...

The next morning.

Qin Yue “woke” from his spiritual world. As he opened his eyes, a faint flash of purple glimmered in his pupils.

He stood, stretched a bit, and could clearly sense the tremendous and abundant energy surging within him.

With his cultivation level now higher, his training progressed much faster. Even without spirit stones or absorbing the essence of powerful medicines, he was advancing faster than before.

Since the giant rat was “injured,” the great fish in the chaotic space had become noticeably more active.

No longer content to stay in one place, it began to swim around.

While practicing the “Northern Sea Swallowing Breath,” the fish even swam to where the giant rat lay with closed eyes, swishing its tail as if provoking it.

But the moment the giant rat slowly opened its eyes and glanced its way, the fish seemed startled and fled instantly.

Back in its original spot, it stayed motionless, continuing its job as a “wooden fish,” diligently serving Qin Yue.

The sword technique’s humanoid manifestation remained obedient, unaffected by the giant rat’s ordeal.

Though Qin Yue felt sorry for the rat, he was also curious—what mysterious connection existed between them?

The chaotic space where the giant rat resided was actually the world inside the bronze wheel; its very presence seemed tied to the bronze beast head he’d seen before crossing over. In retrospect, that was likely just the catalyst.

Time and space, under the influence of some mysterious power, had inexplicably overlapped at that place, at that moment.

And he was the “lucky one” chosen.

He wondered if, when he reached the “Dao Realm,” he might finally uncover this secret.

The sky was just beginning to lighten. He soaked once more in the hot spring, washed up, and applied the juice of Linhuang Grass all over his body as a kind of lotion.

He checked his reflection—handsome and spirited, brimming with vitality.

Qin Yue was quite satisfied. After changing into fresh clothes, he prepared to go have breakfast.

Just then, there was a gentle knock at the door. He opened it to find Hu Jiuyan, also dressed in a loose, light-gray training outfit. Though the clothes were wide, they couldn’t hide her graceful figure.

Her hair was tied carelessly in a ponytail. Bare-faced, her eyes still held a trace of lazy drowsiness.

“Morning. I was just about to come get you,” he greeted her.

“Morning. Where are the clothes you changed out of last night?” Hu Jiuyan greeted him as she passed by, her scent lingering in the air.

“Oh, they’re over there. I’ll—” Qin Yue began, but then saw Hu Jiuyan naturally pick up the pile of discarded clothes. She covered her mouth with one hand, stifling a yawn.

“I’ll wash these for you and bring them back later,” she said, slipping out the door as naturally as she’d entered, heading back to her own room.

Qin Yue was left speechless.

Behind her closed door, Hu Jiuyan hugged the clothes, still faintly scented with wine, her face flushed and slightly hot.

“He might look tall and grown-up, but he’s still just a child at heart. As his big sister, it’s perfectly reasonable for me to take care of him!”

...

At breakfast, the Huo siblings, Tian Ying, and Chen Xuan greeted Qin Yue and Hu Jiuyan warmly, all sitting together at one table.

Tian Ying asked, “Sister, are you two heading out on official business today?”

Hu Jiuyan glanced at Qin Yue and replied, “We’re thinking of heading to Yandang Mountain as well.”

Huo Tong immediately brightened. “That’s great—we can travel together!”

Chen Xuan’s gaze lingered on Qin Yue, her lips curling into a smile.

Tian Ying said, “The woman from the Heavenly Net Sect should be there too—will it be dangerous?”

Chen Xuan replied, “She probably won’t have time to bother with Brother Qin, will she?”

Tian Ying considered, then nodded. That made sense. All the great sects were coveting the treasures on that enchantress, so even if they met, she might not have time to trouble Qin Yue.

Huo Qing said, “It’s good to go have a look. Opportunity is a mysterious thing—you never know who it might favor.”

Qin Yue replied, “I don’t expect any such luck. I mainly want to ask Feng Qianning why she targeted me when we had no quarrel or grudge.”

Hu Jiuyan quietly sipped her porridge. Her junior brother was a master at playing dumb—no one else may have understood that sword, but surely he did. Wasn’t it meant as a warning to keep away from hypocrites?

Huo Qing laughed. “Enchantresses do as they please. She saw your talent, didn’t want to let us benefit from it, so she figured she’d destroy it.”

Qin Yue asked, “Brother Huo, Sister Tian, I haven’t been out in the world long and don’t know much—why is the Heavenly Net Sect called a demonic sect? Have they committed any notable evil deeds?”

Huo Qing considered. “To be fair, not everyone in the Heavenly Net Sect is bad—just as not everyone in the so-called righteous sects is good. The difference is their style. Like Feng Qianning, they act without restraint.”

Tian Ying added softly, “To be precise, some of the sect’s legacies are truly wicked. Many say there’s no distinction between good and evil in magic, only in how it’s used—but that’s not really true.”

She looked at Qin Yue. “Some arts are inherently evil—like curses, blood rituals, puppetry, corpse refinement... Their very foundation is harm.”

Huo Qing nodded. “Exactly. The Heavenly Net Sect doesn’t forbid disciples from practicing these arts, so harmful incidents are common. In contrast, if a righteous sect disciple is caught dabbling in them, they’re immediately expelled.”

“So, one offers total freedom, while the other imposes restrictions?” Qin Yue asked.

“That sums it up,” Huo Qing agreed.

...

Yandang Mountain.

Qin Yue and Hu Jiuyan had parted ways with the Lingyun Sect friends.

Feng Qianning had not lied—there truly was an ancient ruin opening here.

Deep in the mountains, an ancient underground palace had been revealed. Many people had already entered.

But many others, wary of Feng Qianning’s reputation, lingered outside, waiting for an opportunity.

As Huo Qing had said, fate was fickle—being the first to enter didn’t guarantee success.

Qin Yue and Hu Jiuyan did not rush in, especially after the assassination attempt yesterday. If they just strolled in so openly after having supposedly been “scared silly,” it would raise suspicion.

The very fact that he had the courage to come at all surprised many—this young man was braver than he seemed.

When they saw him, everyone greeted him warmly, addressing him as “Master Qin.”

Qin Yue could only respond awkwardly. Since he had no intention of “helping out” any sect, he just let people think whatever they liked.

Hu Jiuyan was still brooding over Huo Qing and Tian Ying’s negative assessment of her sect.

She whispered to Qin Yue, “They really don’t understand. The sect is already being reformed from within. The Saintess is the leading voice against those evil arts!”

“Don’t listen to their nonsense—make your own decisions. As for what happened to that other sect, it’s all because of old feuds. You don’t know how many of our people they’ve secretly killed...”

“I’m not trying to sway you, but those so-called righteous sects have plenty who practice forbidden arts. The Gold Kingdom’s anti-theft bureau has plenty of records on them. You can check for yourself later.”

“These days, the old guard in the Heavenly Net Sect has been suppressed. If you...”

She hesitated, then fell silent.

Qin Yue smiled. “Senior Sister, I only asked them because I wanted to know how the world sees the Heavenly Net Sect. When I meet your Saintess, I’ll think it over carefully.”

“Really?” Hu Jiuyan’s face lit up.

Just then, a sudden change occurred. From a nearby valley erupted a terrifying aura—vast, murderous, and soaring into the heavens.

Everyone outside was stunned for a moment, then, as if mad, they rushed toward the source.

Someone couldn’t help but shout, “A treasure has appeared!”