Chapter 46
Lou Yuqing froze.
One second. Two. Three.
Her first thought was ridiculous—maybe she’d just remembered wrong. Maybe it wasn’t this hand.
She lowered her gaze to her left hand.
Empty.
Still empty.
No mistake.
The storage ring hadn’t disappeared.
It had been stolen.
That realization struck with a dull, sinking weight. Storage rings automatically adjusted to fit the wearer’s finger—there was no chance it could have slipped off on its own. Which meant only one thing.
A thief.
Lou Yuqing’s chest tightened with indignation. This was a sect—a place meant to nurture cultivators. Since when did thieves roam freely here?
Everything her master had given her—aside from a few protective treasures—was inside that ring.
At her side, Si Nidie caught sight of her stiff, unmoving posture and turned. “Junior Sister?”
Lou Yuqing looked as though she might cry. “Senior Sister… I lost my storage ring. Can you report it to the Enforcement Hall and have them help me find it?”
Si Nidie blinked in shock. “What? It was stolen? The Enforcement Hall handles all internal sect matters—this definitely falls under their jurisdiction.”
She scratched her head, frowning in confusion. “But storage artifacts are usually bound to their owners. Even if someone stole your ring, they wouldn’t be able to use it. Unless… you didn’t bind it? Is that why you were targeted?”
Lou Yuqing shook her head. “I imprinted it with my divine sense. Unless the thief’s cultivation is far above mine, they shouldn’t be able to erase that imprint.
But then…” She hesitated, brows knitting together.
“Why would someone that powerful covet a storage ring from a Qi Refining cultivator like me?”
After a brief pause, she added, “I’m more inclined to think it was a low-level cultivator—someone in Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment.”
Whoever it was likely didn’t know she was the disciple of Zixiao Immortal Venerable. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be targeting the ring itself—they’d be after what was inside.
And that was the problem.
Sect-issued storage tools were nothing more than basic storage pouches, holding about one cubic meter, worth roughly a hundred spirit stones.
But storage rings?
At least a hundred cubic meters.
Entirely different value.
The one her master had given her held a full thousand cubic meters. Its worth far exceeded what this thief likely imagined. If resold, it could fetch tens of thousands of spirit stones.
“Did you feel your imprint being tampered with?” Si Nidie asked quickly.
Lou Yuqing sank into thought. “I’ve been watching the match with you this whole time, Senior Sister. I didn’t feel any disturbance in my divine sense. The ring was still on my hand before I left this morning… So when exactly was it taken?”
If she hadn’t clapped just now, she might not have realized until much later.
Si Nidie swept her gaze across the dense crowd encircling the arena, her expression turning serious. “Looking at it now… every single person here seems suspicious.”
Lou Yuqing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“If Junior Brother Gu were here, it would be great,” Si Nidie sighed, pulling her gently out of the crowd. “When he watched the matches with us the other day, he was so calm—he definitely would’ve noticed something. Speaking of which, why isn’t he here today?”
“This…” Lou Yuqing hesitated, a flicker of unease passing through her. Then she answered carefully, “Senior Brother Gu’s old ailment flared up. His face… cracked. He’s probably off looking for someone to fix it.”
Si Nidie nodded in understanding. “His face is damaged? I see. Junior Brother Gu cares a lot about appearances. I happen to know a few people who study facial features—you can ask him if he needs help.”
“…”
Lou Yuqing silently decided that Senior Brother Gu probably did not need that kind of help.
Because his face hadn’t just been “damaged.”
It had literally cracked.
Her thoughts drifted back to that morning.
Senior Brother Gu was always diligent—she usually saw him waiting outside his cave when she woke. But today, he hadn’t been there, so she went to wait for him instead.
Not long after, he came out.
At first, everything seemed normal. He even greeted her as usual.
Except…
Something about his face looked off. Subtly unnatural. Like someone who had undergone cosmetic surgery but hadn’t quite healed yet—faintly distorted, faintly wrong.
And then—it happened.
A black fissure split across his face.
A clean, jagged line, as if he might be cleaved in two at any moment.
The most horrifying part?
He didn’t even notice. He just kept talking to her.
Lou Yuqing had been utterly petrified.
Her mind went blank. She couldn’t even remember what happened next. All she recalled was Senior Brother Gu suddenly covering his face, his voice strained as he said, “My old ailment has flared up. Let’s go out another day.”
Old ailment…
Lou Yuqing’s teeth chattered at the memory.
Fine. Whatever he said.
At the time, she’d been far too terrified to question it—terrified he might transform into some monstrous creature and devour her whole. Thankfully… that hadn’t happened.
Later, once she calmed down, she tried to reason it out. Senior Brother Gu was a distant relative of her master. If he were truly some kind of monster, her master would’ve noticed long ago.
Even so…
That image still lingered.
It was the kind of thing that burrowed deep into your mind and refused to leave.
Just thinking about it made her scalp prickle.
Back then, she hadn’t even dared to breathe.
—
Meanwhile, atop Cangtian Peak, Zixiao Immortal Venerable was inspecting his avatar with a helpless sigh.
When he had first created it, there had been minor flaws—but he’d thought, a blank face isn’t a big issue, and simply let it be.
That casual decision had come back to haunt him.
A few months later, the avatar’s face had actually begun to disintegrate.
Even now, he remembered how stunned he’d been at the time—so stunned he hadn’t even known what excuse to give.
Zixiao Immortal Venerable sighed again.
Hopefully, his little disciple would recover from the shock soon.
As for him… he would take this opportunity to properly refine the avatar.
—
Back at the arena, Si Nidie stared at Lou Yuqing, utterly dumbfounded. “Really?”
Lou Yuqing nodded vigorously. “It couldn’t be more real. I can’t even look at Senior Brother Gu’s face now—otherwise I’ll keep thinking it’s going to crack open again…”
She paused, then sighed miserably. “I thought watching the competition would help distract me from the trauma. But instead, my storage ring got stolen.”
Her voice was filled with both grievance and helplessness.
Si Nidie shuddered.
She realized she probably wouldn’t be able to look Gu Buqi in the eye ever again either.
Patting her junior sister on the shoulder, she let out a long sigh. “Life is unpredictable.”
With their interest in the competition completely gone, the two of them hurried straight to the Enforcement Hall.
Wei Houming looked up from a stack of jade slips, brows knitting slightly. “Xiao Lou? You’ve lost something too?”
He glanced behind them—no sign of Zixiao Immortal Venerable.
That explained it.
If the Immortal Venerable had been present, the thief would’ve been caught on the spot.
“Too?” Lou Yuqing caught the word immediately. “Someone else lost something as well?”
“Yes. Not just you.” Wei Houming’s expression turned serious. “Since the first day of the competition, the Enforcement Hall has received continuous reports. Hairpins, necklaces… and like your storage ring, they were all high-grade magical artifacts.”
He paused before adding, “All of the victims were disciples watching the competition. This person is skilled—seven thefts committed in broad daylight, right under everyone’s noses.”
A master thief.
The phrase surfaced instinctively in Lou Yuqing’s mind.
Her jaw tightened.
Master thief or not—if they stole her things, they had to return them.
“Captain Wei,” she said, thinking quickly, “the divine sense imprint on my storage ring hasn’t been disturbed. I think… they simply couldn’t tamper with it, so they left it as is.”
“You mean their cultivation isn’t high?” Wei Houming mused.
Since taking his position, he had never dealt with a theft case like this.
Making such a commotion brought no benefit to the culprit—and yet this person kept striking again and again.
Did they really think they could get away with fishing in troubled waters?
Wei Houming let out a quiet scoff.
He had already increased patrols, deploying enforcement disciples to closely monitor the area around the arena. Sooner or later, the culprit would slip.
And he had another plan.
Bait.
Some disciples had already been planted within the crowd, carrying valuable items.
Now it was simply a matter of seeing how bold this thief truly was.
The moment they took the bait—he would make sure they paid dearly.
There was also the sect’s Ruyi Eight Treasures Mirror. He hadn’t planned to use it… but Xiao Lou had lost something.
Which meant—Zixiao Immortal Venerable’s disciple had lost something.
That changed everything.
If necessary, he could request permission from Hall Master Meng to borrow the sect’s most prized treasure. As for the staggering cost in spirit stones… he would shoulder it for now.
No matter the thief’s cultivation—once caught in his net, escape would be impossible.
The more Wei Houming thought about it, the more resolute his expression became.
At that moment, Lou Yuqing suddenly had an idea. “Captain Wei! My disciple token is inside the storage ring—can it be tracked?”
“Disciple tokens are indeed linked to the sect’s grand array,” Wei Houming replied thoughtfully. “But activating the array consumes a tremendous amount of spirit stones. Outside of key areas like the mountain gate and forbidden zones, it’s usually kept inactive.”
In other words—no easy solution.
Lou Yuqing’s shoulders slumped slightly.
Si Nidie’s eyes flickered as she said, “Junior Sister, think of it this way—if that thief wanted to leave the sect with your storage ring, they wouldn’t be able to bypass the protective array. That means the item is still somewhere within the sect.”
Lou Yuqing considered it… and slowly nodded. “That… actually makes sense.”
Her mood lifted a little. Turning back to Wei Houming, she said, “Captain Wei, please inform me as soon as there’s any news.”
“Of course,” he replied solemnly.
After watching the two leave, he wasted no time in seeking out Meng Zonghan.
“Hall Master, I request permission to use the Ruyi Eight Treasures Mirror.”
Meng Zonghan, who had been chatting leisurely with the Medical Sage, nearly jumped in surprise. “What major incident warrants the use of such a supreme treasure?”
The Ruyi Eight Treasures Mirror possessed the extraordinary ability to track and lock onto targets.
The last time it had been used was over fifty years ago, during the demonic calamity—when it exposed a powerful enemy hidden within the sect, averting disaster.
Wei Houming coughed lightly. “Hall Master… it’s like this.
A master thief has appeared in the sect.
With the competition drawing crowds, they’ve been stealing everywhere.
Today, they even targeted Xiao Lou—the storage ring given to her by Master Zixiao.
I believe this person must not be tolerated, or their arrogance will only grow… ”
“So,” Meng Zonghan cut in, exasperated, “you want to use the Ruyi Eight Treasures Mirror to locate this so-called ‘master thief’ and suppress their arrogance?”
“…Yes.”
Meng Zonghan snorted. “Absolutely not. Handle the case properly and stop fixating on treasures. This artifact is not to be used lightly. That thief does not warrant it.”
“Even Master Zixiao—”
“Even Master Zixiao—” Meng Zonghan paused, then corrected himself, “—Uncle-Master Zixiao would warrant it.”
Wei Houming fell silent.
Double standards.
Meng Zonghan narrowed his eyes. “Did Uncle-Master intervene?”
“No.”
“Then that settles it. You young people are clever enough—work together and solve this properly. Don’t take shortcuts. Understood?”
“…Understood.”
What else could he say?
He endured a full hour of lecturing before finally being released—like a prisoner stepping out of confinement.
At least he hadn’t mentioned the mirror to Xiao Lou.
Otherwise, she would’ve been even more disappointed.
She had helped him plenty before—he had long intended to repay the favor. If he couldn’t use the Ruyi Eight Treasures Mirror… then he would make do with other methods.
Recording stones.
He would have enforcement disciples carry them—any reported incidents could be traced afterward.
And the spirit beast garden—the double-tailed falcons and sky-piercing eagles had exceptionally sharp vision. He could dispatch a dozen to keep watch over the arena.
Wei Houming methodically considered every angle, waiting for the moment the thief would be caught—so he could personally drag them before Xiao Lou and claim the credit.
He nodded to himself.
Perfect.
—
Spirit Beast Garden
Noticing her junior sister’s gloom, Si Nidie deliberately steered Lou Yuqing toward the spirit pig enclosure. She pointed at the plump pigs waddling about and said with exaggerated cheer,
“Junior Sister, didn’t you always say there’s nothing a good meal can’t fix? And if one meal isn’t enough—then two! How about some braised pork?”
Lou Yuqing’s eyes lit up instantly. “Senior Sister is absolutely right.”
Her mood lifted so quickly it was almost suspicious. “I also want garlic pork belly, braised pork with preserved vegetables, stir-fried intestines, garlic-fried pork chops…”
“Mm, that does sound good.”
“Right? I think so too—” Lou Yuqing cut herself off mid-sentence.
Her senior sister hadn’t opened her mouth.
She turned, startled—and saw a young man standing behind her, smiling gently, as if he had stepped straight out of a painting.
A sudden quack broke the moment.
Lou Yuqing’s gaze dropped—and landed on the duck in Ling Yunxiao’s hand. For some reason, an odd sense of warmth and familiarity rose in her chest.
As pretty as a painting? she thought, inexplicably.
Ling Yunxiao held the duck by the scruff of its neck, his smile soft and easy. “Junior Sister Yuqing,” he said, “I tried the spirit chicken you recommended at the dining hall. It really was delicious. They also mentioned the spirit duck here is quite good.”
Lou Yuqing couldn’t help but smile, a quiet sense of accomplishment blooming inside her. Discovering hidden gems in the dining hall clearly had its rewards.
Ling Yunxiao continued, “I picked one with strong hind legs—it’s incredibly fast. Took me ten breaths to catch it.”
“Really?” Lou Yuqing looked surprised. His Shadow Escape Technique was already absurdly fast—yet even he had to put in effort to catch this duck?
This was no ordinary bird.
Ling Yunxiao caught her meaning and chuckled. “This isn’t one of those dull ducks from the breeding pens. I caught it from the mountains—a low-level spirit beast called a Treasure-Winged Duck. I’m planning to have it made into medicinal soup and bring it to Hao Tianping to help him recover.”
The rat had been locked in solitary confinement for quite some time now, and he seemed a bit… dull. If the medicinal soup could restore his wits, Ling Yunxiao wouldn’t mind visiting him more often.
Hao Tianping: “…” Slander.
Lou Yuqing, completely unaware of his thoughts, muttered, “Treasure-Winged Duck…” Her gaze drifted to its wings, studying them carefully. “What’s so ‘treasure’ about it? Does it fly especially fast? Or high?”
Ling Yunxiao’s smile deepened. “Neither. It’s called that because its wings taste especially good.”
Lou Yuqing: “…”
Straightforward. Brutally so.
At that moment, Si Nidie suddenly spoke. “Look over there.”
A group of Enforcement Hall disciples approached from the opposite direction, dressed in uniform robes. Above them circled two types of flying spirit beasts—the Twin-tailed Falcon and the Sky-Soaring Eagle.
The falcons were small and nimble, darting through the air with swift precision, while the eagles were massive, their wingspans stretching over ten feet—large enough to overshadow a person.
The combination was striking.
But before Lou Yuqing could get a proper look, the disciples swiftly recalled the beasts into their spirit pouches.
Ling Yunxiao said thoughtfully, “I heard there’s been a thief in the sect recently. They’re probably requisitioning these spirit beasts to track him down. Be careful—protect your belongings.”
Lou Yuqing sniffed. “Too late. My storage ring was already stolen.”
Ling Yunxiao: “…”
That… was not what he’d meant to say.
Si Nidie scratched her cheek. “Has this spread across the sect already?”
“No. I just overheard it,” Ling Yunxiao replied. He was accustomed to using shadow escape techniques, and many disciples’ shadows had been… quietly “borrowed” by him. Even without trying, rumors tended to drift his way.
Seeing Lou Yuqing’s aggrieved expression, something in his chest stirred. “If you want, I can help catch the thief. If I hide in the shadows, they won’t be able to detect me.”
Lou Yuqing blinked, her bright eyes locking onto his.
The more she thought about it, the more reasonable it sounded.
“Alright! Then… you’ll hide in my shadow?”
Ling Yunxiao nearly agreed on the spot.
But after a brief pause, he steadied himself. “Not necessarily. I’ll act according to the situation. This thief is cunning—being too rigid might play right into their hands.”
Lou Yuqing nodded solemnly.
The next day.
The martial arena roared once more with the clash of battle.
But beneath the surface, unseen currents churned.
Lou Yuqing stood alone in a quiet corner, lightly touching the “storage ring” on her right hand.
It was a decoy—a simple silver-white ring Ling Yunxiao had given her. No patterns, no embellishments. Understated, but elegant.
This was a gamble.
If the thief saw she had a storage ring again, greed might draw them out.
The Enforcement Hall had already set their trap.
One team operated openly, holding recording stones and scanning the crowd. Another moved in secret, blending in while deliberately flaunting valuable items.
Above the arena, falcons and eagles circled endlessly, sharp eyes scanning for the slightest anomaly.
And hidden within the countless shadows cast by the crowd—Ling Yunxiao vanished completely, like an assassin dissolved into darkness.
Day four. The finals.
Even more disciples flooded the arena.
On the platform, two cultivators faced off.
The female disciple rolled up her sleeves, confidence radiating from her posture. Across from her, the male disciple looked noticeably tense.
Lou Yuqing recognized her.
Ruan Qingzhu.
The very first match Lou Yuqing had watched had been hers.
Fire-attribute spells… and something more—perhaps a grasp of psychological tactics.
After several days of watching, Lou Yuqing had realized something.
That pre-battle exchange of aura?
It mattered.
Right now, the male disciple’s hesitation in the face of Ruan Qingzhu’s confidence was already a bad sign.
A sharp clang rang out—
Red flames and blue water spheres collided midair.
Lou Yuqing’s eyes widened.
Water against fire.
Opposing elements.
If one side faltered, they would be completely suppressed.
Several exchanges passed.
Then—Ruan Qingzhu began to lose ground.
Her flames were steadily extinguished by the incoming water spheres, and Lou Yuqing felt a flicker of concern.
Just then—a flash of light burst from Ruan Qingzhu’s hand.
With a flick of her fingers, a yellow glow expanded into a towering barrier.
Earth Wall Technique.
The water spheres slammed into it like cannon fire, sending droplets exploding outward—but the wall held firm.
In the next instant, Ruan Qingzhu moved.
Sword in hand, she leapt lightly into the air, her blade flashing.
Dozens of strikes burst forth like silver serpents, weaving a deadly net around her opponent.
A sword cultivator?
Lou Yuqing dismissed the thought immediately.
No—this was the effect of a magical artifact.
And she was right.
Ruan Qingzhu’s sword was a low-grade spiritual weapon capable of storing sword light and releasing it all at once.
The male disciple’s expression shifted. With a flash, two clones split from his body, darting in opposite directions.
A powerful escape technique.
He could instantly swap positions with either clone.
He had used it earlier to force Ruan Qingzhu back.
Was her attack about to fail?
Lou Yuqing held her breath.
Ruan Qingzhu didn’t hesitate. The instant she landed, fire sparked at her fingertips.
Five thin flames shot forward—then fused midair into a single, searing streak that tore toward one of the clones.
At the same time, she moved.
Fast—
No, faster than the eye could follow.
In the blink of an eye, she closed the distance to the other clone.
The male disciple stiffened.
Both paths… cut off.
Whichever clone he committed to—he would walk straight into her attack.
When did she get this fast?
That single flicker of hesitation—was enough.
Her blade fell.
Cold. Clean. Final.
The match ended in one stroke.
A heartbeat later, the arena erupted into cheers.
The referee smiled. “First match of the finals—Ruan Qingzhu wins! She earns qualification for the Seven Sects Alliance exhibition match!”
For a brief moment, a smile appeared on Ruan Qingzhu’s face.
Then it vanished.
As if it had never been there.
“Wait!” the male disciple called after her. “Why were you suddenly so fast? Were you holding back all along?”
Ruan Qingzhu glanced at him, calm and unreadable. “Why should I tell you?”
He froze.
…Fair enough.
Silently, he stepped off the platform.
Ruan Qingzhu followed.
The crowd parted instinctively as she approached.
Lou Yuqing stepped aside as well.
Respect for the strong required no words.
As Ruan Qingzhu passed her, her gaze flickered—just briefly—before she walked on.
Lou Yuqing watched her leave, her thoughts still trailing after the match—
Then she stilled.
…Wait.
Wasn’t she here to watch?
No.
She was here to catch a thief.
A faint thud landed on her forehead as she smacked it, the realization finally catching up.
Her hand slid down slowly—and her gaze followed.
She froze.
On her left hand, the storage ring sat quietly in place.
Her real one.
The delicate leaf patterns were unmistakable.
For a moment, she just stared at it, her breath hitching before she even realized it.
Carefully, she sent a thread of spiritual sense inside.
It opened without resistance.
Everything was there. Untouched. Neatly arranged, as if nothing had ever happened.
A strange pause settled over her.
Then, almost instinctively, she turned her wrist. Her right hand came into view.
The decoy ring was still there too, perfectly intact.
“…?”
Her mind went blank.
So… the fake wasn’t taken.
And the real one… had been returned?
The noise of the arena seemed to drift farther and farther away.
She stood there a moment longer, unmoving, before quietly slipping out of the crowd.
Ling Yunxiao noticed.
He hesitated only briefly before following, falling into step beside her.
“What’s wrong?”
His gaze shifted—then landed on the ring.
Understanding dawned without another word.
Si Nidie rushed over. “What happened? Did the thief… give up?”
Lou Yuqing hesitated. “Maybe… they grew a conscience?”
“What conscience does a thief have?” Si Nidie scoffed. “If you ask me, they got scared. The Enforcement Hall was closing in, so they panicked and returned it.”
Ling Yunxiao added, “We should check if the others got their items back too. This person is elusive—we can’t let our guard down.”
Even he felt a rare flicker of frustration.
He had been certain he could catch the thief. And yet—he hadn’t even glimpsed a trace.
If this wasn’t ordinary skill… then it might be something far stranger.
As they entered the Enforcement Hall, Lou Yuqing suddenly had an idea.
She activated the Gossip System.
“System… can I actively search for gossip?”
The panel flickered.
One word appeared:
A search bar materialized in the corner, blinking invitingly.
Lou Yuqing: “…”
That was fast.
“System, don’t you need to upgrade or something?”
A very sincere question.
She had clearly been forced through processes before—now it just… appeared?
[…]
The system responded with silence.
Lou Yuqing’s expression darkened. “Fine. Then what else are you hiding? Add everything at once.”
She typed:
Who stole my storage ring?
Lou Yuqing: “…”
Of course.
Now it wanted payment.
Grinding her teeth, she clicked yes.
The next second—the result appeared.
Lou Yuqing froze.
“…A monkey?”
Her expression cracked.
Si Nidie and Ling Yunxiao both looked over. “Junior Sister, are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
[The one who isn’t fine… is that monkey.]
The two exchanged glances.
Lou Yuqing tapped into the details, ignoring the additional 300 gossip points deducted.
The ape’s entire life history unfolded before her.
Her eyes widened.
[It’s actually a descendant of the sect’s guardian spirit beast?!]
Wei Houming, hearing her thoughts, stiffened.
The sect had three guardian spirit beasts.
The Spirit-Communicating Ape was one of them.
As for offspring… he had never heard of any.
Si Nidie spoke aloud, “Captain Wei, Junior Sister’s storage ring has been returned.”
Wei Houming looked up. “And the thief?”
She shook her head—but transmitted privately, It’s that monkey.
“A descendant of the Spirit-Communicating Ape?” Wei Houming was momentarily stunned.
So the guardian spirit beast had offspring…
Rare.
Extremely rare.
But then—why would it steal from disciples?
He glanced at Lou Yuqing, then spoke calmly, “You came at the right time. A disciple just reported—the thief has been found. A descendant of the guardian spirit beast.”
Si Nidie’s lips twitched.
Would her junior sister doubt it?
Not at all.
Lou Yuqing looked at him with pure admiration.
[As expected of Captain Wei—so efficient!]
Wei Houming: …I don’t deserve this.
[This little monkey is a repeat offender. Years ago, it stole spiritual herbs from the Spirit Plant Garden—especially a thousand-year cocktail flower. Vanished overnight. Case unsolved.]
Wei Houming’s expression sharpened.
That case… had been sitting unresolved for years.
[And the Weapon Refining Pavilion… the Alchemy Pavilion…]
One offense after another.
Lou Yuqing listed them silently.
Wei Houming, face expressionless, wrote everything down.
Debts were debts.
And sooner or later—they would all be repaid.
“I have urgent matters to attend to here. Why don’t you take a few people and bring it to the Enforcement Hall first?”
Wei Houming spoke smoothly, without the slightest hint of embarrassment over not knowing the address.
Si Nidie watched him and quietly thought to herself—she still had a long way to go in her cultivation. That kind of composure, that effortless way of speaking… when she reached that level one day, perhaps she too could sit comfortably as an elder.
Lou Yuqing nodded. “Alright.”
[The little monkey lives by the waterfall on Qishan. It’s about a cup of tea’s journey from here.]
A faint smile touched Wei Houming’s lips.
Now he had the location.
The enforcement disciples immediately burst into praise for their captain’s “quick thinking,” then set off at once, escorting Lou Yuqing and the others toward Qishan with the address they had so skillfully “obtained.”
—
Qishan was one of the peaks within the Yuelin Mountains, not far from the sect’s grounds.
A waterfall, several dozen meters high, cascaded down its side—its mist catching the light like drifting silk. It was a favorite spot for disciples to wander… especially those entangled in matters of the heart.
The moment Lou Yuqing arrived, her gaze lifted—and froze.
A flying sword hovered in midair above the waterfall.
A man and a woman stood upon it, their shoulders pressed close.
The female disciple tilted her head, resting it lightly against the man’s shoulder.
The man turned, drawn in, closing the distance—their lips nearly met.
“Ahem.”
A dry cough cut cleanly through the moment.
The two “wild mandarin ducks” jolted as if struck by lightning. Catching sight of the Enforcement Hall robes, they scrambled—then fled at top speed, vanishing into the distance.
Si Nidie reluctantly tore her gaze away.
If not for the interruption, she could have watched for quite a while longer…
But—right. Business.
Serious business.
She straightened at once and began scanning the area. “Where’s the monkey?”
Nearby, Ling Yunxiao had already moved ahead.
He stood before a small house nestled beside the waterfall, studying the ground with quiet interest. Then he called back, “There’s someone here.”
The house was tucked among the trees, half-hidden by dense foliage—easy to miss unless you knew where to look.
Lou Yuqing followed his voice, stepping closer—and her eyes lit up.
Footprints.
Clear, scattered around the house.
[Yes. This is it.]
Si Nidie and the others arrived moments later.
Just then—the door creaked open.
A young girl stepped out.
She was delicate, almost fragile-looking, her face pale. A sky-blue robe draped over her slender frame, making her seem even thinner.
Lou Yuqing recognized her instantly.
Ruan Qingzhu.
But compared to the arena… she looked noticeably weaker.
On her right shoulder perched a monkey—about two feet tall.
Its fur was a striking golden hue, gleaming faintly in the light. Its eyes…
Lou Yuqing’s breath hitched.
Those eyes seemed to pull at her consciousness itself—deep, unfathomable. The longer she looked, the heavier her thoughts became, as if something were quietly dragging her under.
Her vision blurred.
Her mind went blank.
When she came to—
Ruan Qingzhu was frowning slightly, her tone mild but reproachful as she tapped the monkey lightly.
“You’re being naughty again.”
The monkey huffed softly.
Then Ruan Qingzhu lifted her gaze to the group, expression apologetic. “I’m sorry. This little one couldn’t control its ability—it wasn’t intentional. Please don’t take offense.”
Lou Yuqing stood there, utterly dazed.
…Had she just been bewitched?
“The Spirit Ape can weave illusions,” Ling Yunxiao said calmly, his voice cutting through the lingering haze, “but this goes beyond that. To make us lose awareness so easily… it likely possesses an innate divine ability.”
Ruan Qingzhu’s pupils contracted slightly.
On her shoulder, the little monkey bared its teeth at Ling Yunxiao, as if offended. Its tail flicked up, brushing gently against Ruan Qingzhu’s cheek—the soft fur pressing lightly into her skin, almost as if offering comfort.
The air grew faintly tense.
Lou Yuqing stepped forward, breaking it.
She pointed straight at the monkey.
“You little rascal,” she said, half-indignant, half-exasperated, “you stole my storage ring—do you think returning it means you’re off the hook?”
The monkey stiffened.
Then, with remarkable speed, it lifted its tail and—hid behind Ruan Qingzhu.