Zhou Kai steadied his mind, his suspicions hardening into certainty.

This Eldest Miss Li, who postured with such icy distance… was she hiding some rather peculiar preferences beneath that frozen exterior?

Otherwise, why had that thunderous, world-ending strike suddenly lost all its bite at the very last second?

His thoughts raced. The Grand Miss possessed unfathomable power. His meager cultivation wasn’t even enough to serve as a toothpick for her.

The sudden drop in the Dark Cloud Soul Chasing Sedan’s aura? That was ninety-nine percent intentional. She had done it solely to… savor his “rebellious performance.”

If she actually wanted him dead, that single collision would have vaporized him and his Hundred Beast Banner into drifting ash.

Having figured this out, Zhou Kai immediately ceased his “act.”

He understood the concept of quitting while you’re ahead. The Grand Miss clearly had a strong “interest” in him now—or rather, his unintentional rudeness had scratched an itch she couldn’t reach herself.

But he couldn’t push his luck. If he broke this delicate balance and the joke went too far, he might actually annoy her. That wouldn’t be funny; it would be fatal.

Since he had her unique temperament mostly figured out, there would be plenty of opportunities for “spirited exchanges” later. Heh.

With that thought, Zhou Kai stowed the Hundred Beast Banner. He bowed slightly toward Li Youci, who hovered in mid-air. His tone was neither humble nor overbearing, containing just the right amount of respectful awe.

“Thank you for your guidance, Eldest Miss. This subordinate has learned his lesson.”

He showed no fear, nor did he offer sickening flattery. He simply projected the calm of someone who had survived a harsh “teaching.”

Seeing Zhou Kai’s submission, the excitement in Li Youci’s phoenix eyes seemed to flare brighter. The corner of her mouth twitched upward for a microsecond before she forcibly schooled her features, returning to her mask of glacial indifference.

She seemed quite satisfied with his ability to read the room.

“Hmph. As long as you know your mistake.”

She swept her cold gaze over the ground below. “We are done here. Follow me back to the sect.”

The Dark Cloud Soul Chasing Sedan above them swirled with black light once more. Though it still emitted a chilling, ghostly pressure, the aggressive killing intent had vanished.

Zhou Kai exhaled, his heart settling back into his chest.

He turned to Chen Ziyi, Chen Ziqing, Wang Qiaoqiao, and Lin Zhiwei, signaling for them to follow.

The four women were pale, their hearts still pounding from the terrifying display. They had been sweating bullets for Zhou Kai. Seeing the storm pass, they slumped in collective relief.

Zhou Kai led them toward his Spirit Boat, preparing to take the helm.

“What do you think you are doing?”

Li Youci’s voice cut through the air, dripping with impatience and disdain.

“You intend to use that pile of scrap metal? If we crawl back at that speed, we’ll be old before we arrive.”

Before her words even faded, the massive Dark Cloud Soul Chasing Sedan drifted directly over their heads. The heavy curtains parted silently, revealing the cavernous space within.

“My sedan isn’t a shelter for stray cats and dogs,” Li Youci said, her nose high in the air. “But considering your… passable performance earlier, I will temporarily allow you entrance. Do not dirty my floor.”

Her tone carried her habitual arrogance, but Zhou Kai keenly caught the microscopic thread of invitation lacing her words.

The interior of the sedan was enormous. It was less a vehicle and more a mobile palace.

Luxurious yet elegant, the center featured a small jade table surrounded by soft cushions made from the snow-white fur of some unknown beast. In the corner, a wisp of exotic incense burned—smelling of orchids and musk, yet neither. One breath of it calmed the spirit and cleared the mind.

It was spacious enough that even if you added ten more people to their group of five, it wouldn’t feel crowded.

Zhou Kai’s mind moved fast. “Thank you, Eldest Miss.”

He immediately ushered the four women inside.

The women were stiff with nervousness, glancing around curiously. They had never seen, let alone ridden in, a magic treasure of this tier.

Li Youci entered last. She floated down onto a soft cushion with practiced grace, her gaze locking onto Zhou Kai.

Zhou Kai paused. He knew this was a critical moment to establish boundaries.

“Eldest Miss,” he began, “these four are my Dao Companions. If I am fortunate enough to enter the sect, they…”

He left the sentence hanging, but the implication was clear. He wouldn’t abandon his women, and he worried about being separated from them.

Li Youci barely lifted her eyelids. “Your Dao Companions. What do they have to do with me?”

Zhou Kai’s heart tightened, though his face remained impassive.

“However…” Li Youci’s tone shifted. “From now on, you will live near my cave abode.”

She flipped her jade-white hand, and a token materialized in her palm. She tossed it carelessly to Zhou Kai.

“Hold this token. It permits you to walk freely within most of Calamity Abyss Valley. But remember—core areas like the Inheritance Grounds, Cultivation Secret Realms, and the Scripture Depository are strictly for sect disciples. Do not trespass.”

She added calmly, “As for the clan members of the Song and Yang families who haven’t formally entered the sect… without a corresponding token, they are trapped just like the Li family outsiders. They cannot enter or leave the sect at will.”

Song and Yang. The other two giants of Calamity Abyss Valley.

Her words confirmed that this token granted Zhou Kai an immense privilege that even rival family members didn’t possess.

Zhou Kai bowed deeply. “Thank you, Eldest Miss. This subordinate understands.”

Boom!

The Dark Cloud Soul Chasing Sedan accelerated instantly, transforming into a streak of black lightning that tore through the sky.

After an unknown amount of time, the sedan shuddered slightly. The speed dropped.

“We have arrived,” Li Youci said.

Zhou Kai and the others followed her out. The view that greeted them was breathtaking.

Massive mountain ranges undulated like slumbering dragons, stretching as far as the eye could see. Countless immortal peaks pierced the clouds, adorned with layers of palaces and pavilions. Immortal mist swirled, and thousands of rays of auspicious light illuminated the valleys.

Cranes danced in the sky; spirit deer leaped across mountain streams. The density of the Spirit Qi was so thick it felt like a physical caress against the skin, instantly refreshing the mind.

Rays of colored light streaked across the sky continuously—cultivators rushing about their business.

So this is Calamity Abyss Valley?

It truly lived up to its reputation as a top-tier sect in the Eastern Region. The atmosphere was majestic, a world apart from a backwater like Crouching Tiger Mountain.

Li Youci summoned a few passing disciples.

“Take these four female cultivators to the Outer Sect,” she commanded. “Find them residences with decent Spirit Qi and settle them properly.”

Zhou Kai felt a surge of genuine pleasure. This Grand Miss really knew how to treat her own people. Not only did she give him a VIP token, but she also personally arranged housing for his harem. This was far beyond the treatment of a normal subordinate.

“Yes, Eldest Miss!”

The disciples bowed respectfully and guided Chen Ziyi and the others toward a different path.

The four women were reluctant to part, but they knew this wasn’t the time for clingy romance. They shot Zhou Kai reassuring glances before following the disciples.

Once they were gone, Li Youci turned to Zhou Kai.

“Follow me.”

She tapped her toes against the air, her figure drifting upward toward a particularly steep and perilous peak.

Zhou Kai activated his movement technique and followed close behind.

This was Taiji Peak.

Buildings here were sparse, mostly elegant courtyards hidden among the dense forests. The atmosphere was cold, quiet, and secluded.

They encountered very few cultivators along the way. Those they did see wore expressions of deep reverence, bowing from a distance when they spotted Li Youci, daring not to approach.

“Taiji Peak is one of the Li family’s key strongholds within the sect,” Li Youci explained as she glided forward.

“I am temporarily managing it. Aside from Li family disciples, only descendants of our vassal families cultivate here. I spend most of my time on this peak. Everyone here… is one of us.”

Zhou Kai nodded, understanding dawning on him. Taiji Peak was essentially Li Youci’s private kingdom within the valley.

However, his senses picked up something strange. A faint, almost imperceptible Yin coldness permeated the air here. It wasn’t harmful to cultivators, but staying in it for too long would likely feel uncomfortable.

As he pondered this, a petite figure came bouncing out of a nearby courtyard.

She had almond eyes, peach-blossom cheeks, and skin like cream. Dressed in a pale red maid’s outfit with a cute rabbit sachet tied to her waist, she looked like a spirit of the forest. Jade ornaments chimed softly as she moved.

She was vibrant, quirky, and undeniably cute.

Seeing Li Youci, her face lit up with a sweet smile. She curtsied energetically.

“Miss! You’re back!”

Then, her large, curious eyes shifted to Zhou Kai, blinking rapidly.

Li Youci nodded at her, then pointed to Zhou Kai.

“Fish Baibai, this is Zhou Kai. Take him to the guest courtyard for now. Tomorrow, you will help him select a suitable cave abode.”

“Yes, Miss!”

Fish Baibai answered with a crisp, bell-like voice. Her eyes curved into happy crescents.

“Young Master Zhou, please follow me!”

Zhou Kai cupped his hands to Li Youci, then turned to follow the bouncing maid toward a secluded courtyard.

Fish Baibai was clearly a chatterbox. As she led the way, she leaned in, whispering conspiratorially.

“Hey, hey… Young Master Zhou? You were actually brought back personally by the Miss?”