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I walked step by step toward the tree where Seraphine had vanished, my footsteps echoing in the sparse mountain forest. Undergrowth sprawled beneath scattered trees, wild grass growing in chaotic patterns, their drooping tips brushing against the moss-covered ground.

It looked like no one had ever been here before. Thɪs chapter is updated by novelFɪre.net

Error’s eyes filled with tears, a vicious fury flashing across her features before she suddenly transformed into her massive true form. The crimson flood dragon’s entire body blazed with flames as she shot skyward, circling and soaring through the vast heavens—part summons, part roar of rage.

“Fellow Daoist……” Zhu Shiyu called softly to Echo, watching her retreating figure. This strange woman I’d never heard of before had silver hair cascading over her blue robes, her silhouette cold and distant. The sword in her hand hummed with power, spiritual energy flowing freely, leaving everything she passed covered in a thin layer of frost.

Zhu Shiyu pressed her lips together, watching this Fellow Daoist whose cultivation surpassed her own raise her sword without hesitation. She severed the tree with its countless hanging vines in a single stroke, storing it in her storage ring.

A clear, cold voice called out to Error.

The fire rock dragon circling above the Devouring Mountain Beast’s corpse—looking like she wanted to consume the entire carcass—suddenly dove down and landed heavily. Her massive form crushed trees as she fell, the dragon’s ferocious nature fully exposed. Yet despite her ruthless green eyes showing no warmth, she lowered her head, pressing her skull against Echo’s outstretched palm.

“Don’t be anxious.” I murmured, stroking Error’s head while my gaze fixed on the distant mountain forest. “I’ll bring Seraphine back.”

Error shed tears that scattered across the ground, then twisted her head to glare at Zhu Shiyu with a thunderous roar.

If it weren’t for saving you, Master wouldn’t have fallen into that trap and been teleported away! Who knows if she’s in danger now! I don’t thinks you’re a pretty girl anymore!

“Roar!”

Zhu Shiyu stepped back, cupping her hands and bowing low. “My apologies…… This situation arose because of me. I will help both Fellow Daoists search for Palace Lord Velka.”

The woman in front of her turned slightly, cool and calm eyes settling on her.

“I do need your help.” I said. “You were closest to Seraphine when she was teleported. Do you remember what the transmission talisman in her hand looked like?”

Zhu Shiyu pondered for a moment. It had been just a glimpse, so her memory wasn’t clear. She could only say that the lines carved on the token depicted a blooming flower. She raised her hand, releasing spiritual energy to draw the pattern in the air.

I stared at the lines she traced, my database flashing through countless flower varieties. Hibiscus, peony, rose, begonia……

I frowned.

Zhu Shiyu asked, “Fellow Daoist, are you thinking of using the flower pattern on the token as a clue to search within the secret realm? However, the Twin Dragon Secret Realm is currently in spring with flowers blooming everywhere. And this place is vast with blossoms scattered throughout—I’m afraid it would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.”

“Roar!” Error stomped her claws, glaring at Zhu Shiyu as she roared, apparently forgetting she could speak. After all this talk, do you have any good ideas? You woman who isn’t pretty at all!

I tapped Error on the head and said to Zhu Shiyu, “Sorry, she’s still a child.”

Just one who happened to be nearly a thousand years old.

Zhu Shiyu felt embarrassed internally. She’d seen Echo’s cold expression before, but didn’t expect her to speak so calmly with her.

Between gratitude, guilt, and the fact that Echo had saved her life, her favorable impression of her rose. She quickly said, “Fellow Daoist, do you know? To the north of here, near the snowy mountains, Young Master Zhao Hangyi of Sunset Glow City has established a rest stop where cultivators can exchange information and items.”

I raised my eyes to look at Zhu Shiyu.

“We might as well go to the rest stop and inquire whether other cultivators have seen this flower pattern. Perhaps we’ll find clues.”

“Good.” I nodded. “I’m Xi Lingren.”

Zhu Shiyu quickly replied, “I’m Zhu Shiyu, disciple of the Taiyan Sect.”

“Ah, the Ruthless Path.” I understood.

Zhu Shiyu paused, then nodded.

“Yes, the Great Path is ruthless, neither rejoicing in things nor grieving for oneself. I cultivate the Supreme Forgetfulness of Emotion.”

I stared directly at Zhu Shiyu, thinking: Seraphine had also said that—neither rejoicing in things nor grieving for oneself.

However, Zhu Shiyu appeared serious and unsmiling with a cool temperament, but spoke gently and politely. She said to Echo, “Thank you for saving my life, Fellow Daoist. Over these two months, I’ve collected fifty-two fragments in total. If you need them, please take them all. I also have many healing medicines.”

A person who knew how to repay kindness.

“We’ll see.” I said, having Zhu Shiyu and Error leave the Devouring Mountain Beast’s back while I stored its corpse in my storage ring.

Inside the ring, besides the spirit pearls and spirit stones Seraphine had given me, there was only food and a flower crown leaning against the box containing spirit pearls. The flowers on it looked quite wilted.

The previously spacious storage ring was suddenly half-occupied by the Devouring Mountain Beast.

I stroked the ring gently, then leaped up calmly to land on Error’s head.

“Error, can you really not sense where Seraphine is at all?”

Error let out a dejected roar.

This situation was extremely strange. Error and Seraphine had established a blood contract—if master and servant were separated by great distances, they should still sense each other’s presence. But since Error was still alive and well (if angry), Seraphine’s life was currently safe.

I invited Zhu Shiyu to ride the dragon, but Error angrily shot forward, clearly unwilling to carry her. Zhu Shiyu smiled slightly, drew her sword to fly alongside us, calling from a distance, “I’ll lead the way for you both.”

She flew ahead.

I sat down and comfortingly patted Error.

Seraphine’s sudden disappearance left both Error and me somewhat silent, focusing only on traveling. Whenever I sensed spiritual energy fluctuations from fragments along the way, I still collected them. Who knew where Seraphine had ended up or if she had fragments to collect? I’d promised to help her achieve first place in this examination.

Several days later, we left the vast mountain forests behind. An endless range of mountains appeared in our view—two people and one dragon traveling together. Looking down from great heights, the mountains seemed infinite, peaks layered upon peaks, covered in pristine white snow.

The mountains bore snow beneath a clear southern sky. In the valley where mountain forest met snowy peaks, birds sang and flowers bloomed. Behind a towering tree dropping countless purple blossoms stood a three-story golden jade building. Golden ingot-shaped lanterns hung around the structure, glowing with dazzling light.

The building’s owner had even placed several benches and chairs under the flowering tree. If you ignored the building’s expensive materials and the dragon-and-phoenix carvings on the furniture, this place resembled any common teahouse where people could rest.

However, those dragon-and-phoenix carved benches did indeed have people resting on them, and some were healing under the tree.

When the fire rock dragon descended from above, everyone’s surprised gazes turned our way. Those with leisure stood and bowed, while Zhu Shiyu returned their greetings without conversation.

But Zhu Shiyu only waited for a snorting dragon to swim over. She looked back puzzledly to see Xi Lingren walking under the flourishing flower tree, looking up.

Wind blew through the valley, making the purple wisteria dance like pearl curtains, scattered light falling between the flowers onto her silver-white hair and upturned face.

She was so beautiful, absolutely stunning—even this flourishing tree should pale before her radiance.

Among the amazed stares around her, Echo picked and chose, breaking off several of the best-blooming flower branches to carry.

Zhu Shiyu asked curiously, “Does Fellow Daoist Xi like flowers?”

“Seraphine likes wearing flowers.” I answered.

I handed two branches to Error, who had transformed back to human form. Error, who also enjoyed wearing flowers, kept a stern expression and pouted as she placed the flowers in her hair. Zhu Shiyu quickly said to Error, “Very beautiful.”

Error snorted coldly. “Ruthless Path—what do you know about beauty!”

Zhu Shiyu, who practiced Supreme Forgetfulness of Emotion but still possessed aesthetic sense, smiled faintly.

After Echo stored the flower branches, she led them toward the small building. “I came here once a month ago. Everyone rushed into the secret realm carrying different amounts of supplies prepared for the second round of competition, so we need a place like this for mutual exchange. Young Master Sunset Glow City hired medical cultivators from Thousand Beauty Valley to take turns here, treating illnesses and refining medicines for everyone.”

“Oh.” I said, thinking Sunset Glow City had a family tradition of business sense.

When they reached the building’s entrance, they saw the business-minded Sunset Glow City young master with his arm around another man’s shoulder, walking out with an extremely enthusiastic expression.

He seemed to be sending off a brother from different parents, saying things like “please, please, please,” “Brother Xue, please,” and “Brother Zhao insists you go first.”

Error came to an abrupt stop, instantly transforming into a small dragon and shooting into Echo’s sleeve with a “whoosh.”

The dramatic transformation caught the attention of the two men opposite us. I looked expressionlessly at Xue Bufan.

Protagonist alert.

I glanced at Zhao Hangyi, then at the heavenly beautiful Zhu Shiyu beside me.

Processing……

I blinked once.

Zhao Hangyi had met Echo once before entering the secret realm. Being well-connected, he already knew Echo’s name. After laughing heartily, he said, “Fellow Daoist Xi, Fellow Daoist Zhu, welcome to the Immortal Ascension Commerce Association’s Twin Dragon Secret Realm branch.”

He opened his folding fan and pointed to the plaque above—Golden Jade Tower.

“Greetings to both Fellow Daoists.” Zhu Shiyu said evenly.

Xue Bufan spoke warmly, “I’ve long heard both your distinguished names. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputations. I’m Xue Bufan, a cultivator from the Eastern Continent.” He bowed respectfully.

“Hahaha, Brother Xue is good in every way, just a bit too polite. We’re only slightly older, but we’re still peers. Don’t be so formal!” Zhao Hangyi patted Xue Bufan’s shoulder, laughing.

Xue Bufan also smiled, his gaze falling on Echo’s sleeve, eyes filled with confusion.

I ignored the puzzlement in his eyes and stepped forward. The two men blocking the entrance quickly moved aside, watching as I walked through the Golden Jade Tower’s entrance without looking back.

“Business.” I announced.

Zhao Hangyi’s eyes lit up instantly. He patted Xue Bufan’s shoulder urgently, “Brother Xue, take your time! I won’t see you off!” He hurried to catch up, while Zhu Shiyu nodded to Xue Bufan and entered the building.

Xue Bufan turned to glance into the main hall, then walked outside. Once he reached a deserted area, he released a barrier and called out, “Master.”

A black shadow emerged from the black plain ring on his right thumb, more solid than before but still indiscernible in features—a pitch-black mass. The hoarse voice sounded impatient, “What is it?”

“That Fellow Daoist—I’ve seen her before at Senior Sister’s side. She’s Xi Lingren from Lingshan Sect.” Xue Bufan said hesitantly, “I saw a fire rock dragon following her.”

“Fire rock dragon……” The black shadow exclaimed joyfully, “Seraphine is nearby too?”

“I didn’t see Senior Sister.”

The black shadow excitedly floated around, its twisted soul showing eagerness. “Good, very good! Just wait here. When that person comes out, ask her properly. When you see Seraphine, give her the meeting gift I prepared!”

“There were too many people last time for just a brief encounter. This time, definitely get it into her hands.”

Xue Bufan nodded, “Yes, Master.”

The black shadow smiled with satisfaction, looking at Xue Bufan who had become increasingly respectful and obedient since receiving the inheritance. Feeling the future was bright, it excitedly returned to the ring to rest its soul.

Xue Bufan glanced at the ring, then stood quietly under the tree after removing the barrier.

Though the Immortal Ascension Commerce Association’s Twin Dragon Secret Realm branch had been established for a short time, it had some liveliness. People constantly descended from the sky, clearly treating this as a rest stop.

While Xue Bufan waited, a man landed on the ground. He appeared injured, blood continuously dripping from his robe’s hem. Xue Bufan quickly stepped forward to support him. Seeing the embroidery on his chest, Xue Bufan said in surprise, “You’re a disciple of Luanyang Palace?”

The injured man showed a gentle smile, enduring his wounds to bow respectfully, “Wen Chunsheng of Luanyang Palace. Thank you for your assistance, Fellow Daoist.”

“Just a small gesture, nothing worth mentioning.” Xue Bufan quickly returned the bow, smiling. Perhaps because of Seraphine, he now felt particularly close to this Luanyang Palace disciple.

Wen Chunsheng smiled and bid farewell to Xue Bufan. After walking some distance, he suddenly turned back to look at the white-robed man standing under the tree.

Wen Chunsheng raised his hand to cover his lips, coughing continuously. He appeared seriously injured, even spitting up blood, but his eyes hidden behind his hair curved in a smile, his lips carrying a trace of cold amusement.