[System Upgrade Successful.] [Ding! Unlocked: High-Grade Spirit Treasures, Top-Grade Spirit Treasures.] [Ding! Unlocked: Heaven-Rank Exotic Treasures, Heaven-Rank Techniques.] [Ding! Unlocked Currency: Top-Grade Spirit Stones.] [Ding! Critical Update: System Return Multiplier increased to 1,000x.] [Loading Module: “Daughter of Destiny Query”. Host can now view the current status and location of all bound Daughters of Destiny.] [Loading System Skill: “Unfettered”. System products are no longer restricted by the user’s cultivation realm.] [Loading System Skill: “Heart Linked”. Daughters of Destiny with Favorability > 90 share the “Unfettered” skill effects (No realm restrictions on items).]
Half a year later.
Central Continent.
The Guiyuan Mountain Range stretched for tens of thousands of miles, a landscape where Spiritual Qi roiled like invisible dragons.
This was not merely the foundation of the Guiyuan Sect; it was a holy land. Countless powerhouses from across the cultivation world flocked here, seeking secluded caves to break through their bottlenecks.
The terrain was majestic, a forest of strange, jagged peaks. Every steep cliff and deep gorge potentially concealed a hidden cave abode or a secret realm left behind by a fallen Senior expert. These legacies were both tests for the younger generation and the final imprints of lives that had once shaken the world.
At the foot of the mountains, relying on the colossal shade of the Guiyuan Sect, a massive market city had taken root.
The streets were a weaving river of bodies. Cultivators gathered like clouds.
The air was thick with the unique, medicinal scent of Spirit Grass and alchemical Pills, overlaid by the noisy clamor of haggling and boasting. It was a chaotic mix of dragons and fish—disciples from righteous sects rubbed shoulders with rough Rogue Cultivators, wandering knights, and shadowy figures with ulterior motives.
At the edge of the market, near the mountain entrance, a group stood in an open clearing. Dressed in matching black-and-white robes embroidered with the Guiyuan Sect’s signature cloud patterns, they were particularly eye-catching.
They were Inner Sect disciples of the Guiyuan Sect.
The leader was a handsome man with long hair parted perfectly down the middle. His name was Ouyang Chen, a late-stage Golden Core cultivator with a steady, restrained aura.
Beside him stood two female cultivators with nearly identical features—the famous twin sisters of the sect. The elder, Lu Shu, possessed a cold, aloof temperament and sharp eyes. The younger, Lu Yao, was her opposite: lively and charming, wearing twin ponytails, her shifting gaze flickering with a hint of cunning.
Rounding out the group was a tall, thin middle-aged man with high cheekbones named Ma Kun. His eyes darted around constantly, exuding the shrewd, oily air of a merchant rather than a Daoist.
Their status and cultivation levels drew envious, even awestruck glances from the passing rogue cultivators. In the Guiyuan Mountain Range, the uniform of an Inner Sect disciple was a symbol of untouchable status.
Just then, an honest-looking disciple named Zheng Tong approached, leading a young man toward the group.
The moment the newcomer appeared, he instantly magnetized their gazes.
He wore a robe of luxurious brocade with gold-thread embroidery. A radiant jade pendant hung at his waist, pulsing with light that clearly marked it as a treasure far above Mortal Grade.
His face was extraordinarily handsome, marred only by a playful, irreverent smirk that curled the corner of his mouth. In his hand, he waved a folding fan. The fan’s face was painted not with landscapes or poetry, but with a smiling portrait of himself, shimmering with faint spiritual light.
“Junior Brother Zheng, who is this?” The gaunt Ma Kun frowned almost imperceptibly, eyeing the newcomer’s flashy appearance with distaste.
Zheng Tong hurriedly introduced him. “Senior Brothers, Senior Sisters, this is Young Master Lin from Jinyuan City. Young Master Lin comes from a family with deep heritage. He’s heard of the fame of our Guiyuan Sect’s secret realm trials and specially came to observe. He wishes to travel with us to broaden his horizons.”
As he spoke, his eyes exchanged a rapid, meaningful signal with Ouyang Chen.
Lu Yao’s beautiful eyes lit up. She looked over the imposing, wealthy young master with great interest. “Jinyuan City? That’s a famously wealthy area in the Heavenly Abyss Alliance territory. Young Master Lin, I’m Lu Yao. What’s your name?”
Her voice was crisp and clear, carrying a saccharine note of charming naivety.
Swish.
The noble young master snapped his fan closed with a dashing motion.
“This Young Master is Lin Xuanwei. My father is the richest man in Jinyuan City. I have long heard that the Guiyuan Sect is a giant of the Central Continent, possessing profound Dao techniques. I hope for your care during this cave expedition so this humble one can broaden his horizons.”
His tone was relaxed, dripping with the casual superiority unique to second-generation heirs who had never known hardship.
Ma Kun snorted coldly, looking him up and down with scrutiny and disdain. “Secret realm exploration isn’t sightseeing. One wrong step and you lose your life. With your delicate skin and tender flesh, are you sure you can handle it?”
“Lin Xuanwei” didn’t seem to mind the insult. Snap. The fan opened again, and he fanned himself leisurely.
“This ‘Brother Groom’ worries too much. This Young Master has plenty of treasures; my safety is not something you need to fret over. Don’t worry, the team fee is calculated per head. I won’t shortchange you.”
“You! Who are you calling a Groom?” Ma Kun exploded. “My name is Ma Kun! Ma Kun!”
“Oh? Brother Ma Kun? My apologies, my apologies. I heard ‘Ma’ and assumed…” Lin Xuanwei offered a perfunctory, lazy cup of his hands.
A flash of impatience crossed Ouyang Chen’s eyes, but he suppressed it smoothly. He stepped in to mediate.
“Alright, alright. Junior Brother Ma, don’t get angry. Young Master Lin is a guest from afar. As cultivators out in the wild, we should support each other. I am Ouyang Chen. Pleased to meet you.”
His tone was peaceful, but his eyes were dead pools, revealing nothing.
Lin Xuanwei turned and casually cupped his hands again. “Brother Center-Part, pleased to meet you. If the trip is satisfactory, Spirit Stones won’t be an issue.”
[Secret Sound Transmission]
Ouyang Chen: Junior Brother Zheng, where did you find this idiot? Is his brain working correctly?
Zheng Tong: Senior Brother, who cares? He’s a Fat Sheep. I’ve already collected the deposit—a full twenty thousand Middle-Grade Spirit Stones.
Lu Yao: Twenty thousand?!
Ma Kun: Twenty thousand? Is this fool some greenhorn who just popped out of his mother’s womb? Has his background been checked?
Zheng Tong: Don’t worry, his background is clean. I got the intel from Old Hei’s network; the file is complete. He’s the only son of the Lin family in Jinyuan City. The family is loaded, and he’s just a spoiled young master. His father wants him to join the Guiyuan Sect, and passing a Secret Realm trial is one of the Novice tests. I’ve verified all of this.
Lu Shu: Hmph. A country bumpkin nouveau riche. He acts like he owns the world. How can he compare to our status as Inner Sect disciples? Listening to him talk, you’d think we were his hired guards.
Lu Yao: Alright, sister, don’t mind the details. As long as there are extra Spirit Stones to be earned, I’m happy.
Zheng Tong: However, he has a puppet guard with him for close protection. That might be a bit tricky.
Ouyang Chen: Junior Brother, what are you saying? It’s always good for him to have extra help. Just keep an eye on that puppet.
Zheng Tong: Yes, Senior Brother.
The transmission ended.
Lu Yao’s eyes rolled playfully, and she bounced over to Lin Xuanwei, leaning in close.
“Xuanwei-Gege, you just said you have many treasures on you? What fun things do you have? Let Yao’er broaden her horizons too, okay?”
Lin Xuanwei laughed heartily. “Miss Lu, you jest. How can family heirlooms be shown so lightly? However…”
He deliberately drew out the word, his eyes taking on a lecherous, ambiguous glint.
“If Miss Lu really wants to see… this Young Master could show you in private.”
His gaze swept brazenly over Lu Yao’s charming face and the curves of her delicate figure.
“Oh, you’re so annoying!”
Lu Yao let out a coquettish cry and stamped her foot. She didn’t seem angry at all; instead, it looked more like a lover’s spat.
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