The next day.

After retrieving the compass from Lin Zhen, Qi Yuan made a trip to the back mountain and plucked the still-drowsy little white fox straight out of its cave.

Soon after, amidst the tearful farewells of the Falling Cloud Valley disciples, he boarded the flying boat with Bai Xirou.

This high-grade magical artifact was originally the exclusive transport of the Sect Leader. However, Bai Qingwu, the doting father, had waved his hand grandly and donated it to serve as a mere transport tool for the two on their journey to the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary.

Whoosh—

As the flying boat transformed into a streak of light and pierced through the sky, Bai Qingwu watched it disappear. He sighed, his expression complicated. Just as he turned to head back, the Elder of the Scripture Pavilion grabbed his sleeve.

“Sect Leader, the Supreme Mystery Holy Scion specifically instructed us not to publicize the fact that he worked as a handyman here. Should I still record that detail in the sect archives?”

“Are you stupid? Do you even need to ask?”

Bai Qingwu looked at him with a face full of disdain. “Of course we have to record such a once-in-a-millennium event!”

“Not only must we record it, but we must also publicize it with great fanfare! Let every sect in the surrounding area know that the Supreme Mystery Holy Scion visited us as a guest.”

“Of course, the main focus is to spread the word that the Holy Scion had nothing but praise for my daughter’s talent, specifically inviting her to the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary to become a Legacy Disciple. Do you understand?”

The Scripture Pavilion Elder nodded, seemingly understanding but still confused. “Then… when we publicize it, do we mention the Holy Scion working in the outer sect herb garden as a handyman?”

“You fool!”

Seeing that his subordinates were still not getting the picture, Bai Qingwu wore an expression of ‘hating iron for not becoming steel’.

“What handyman? What herb garden?”

“The Supreme Mystery Holy Scion clearly took time out of his busy schedule to inspect our Falling Cloud Valley! He provided important directives regarding the issue of Demon Sect spies and kindly offered personal guidance on the cultivation of spiritual herbs.”

“Oh, right—find a skilled artist later. Have them paint a large portrait of Holy Scion Qi. The theme shall be: [The Supreme Mystery Holy Scion Inspecting Work at Falling Cloud Valley].”

“Once it’s done, remember to hang it in the most conspicuous place possible. I want every guest who enters the valley to see it immediately.”

“Ah?”

Hearing this, the surrounding higher-ups of Falling Cloud Valley suddenly had an epiphany. They showered him with praise.

“As expected of the Sect Leader! You had a perfect strategy all along. A few words from you have cleared our cloudy minds!”

“The Sect Leader is wise and martial, possessing both brains and brawn. We are in awe…”

Aboard the flying boat.

At this moment, the Four-Eyed Spirit Fox had shrunk down to the size of a ruler. It lay obediently in Bai Xirou’s arms, tail tucked in, occasionally glancing at the man lounging on the soft couch with a look of reverence and terror.

This damn master is so strong!

If the fox demon had previously harbored any fantasies about breaking free from the Beast Taming Contract, facing a Nascent Soul realm cultivator now completely extinguished those thoughts.

During this time, relying on its superb illusion techniques, the fox had lived like a king among the beasts in the back mountain of Falling Cloud Valley. Life had been incredibly comfortable.

Who knew that after only two days of the good life, it would be captured and brought back by this damn master?

If it hadn’t used its skills in acting cute to win the favor of this human beauty, it probably would have been thrown into a cramped, suffocating spirit beast bag to serve prison time by now…

Thinking of the tragic fate awaiting it, the fox felt that its life was hopeless. It was utterly despondent.

Bai Xirou reached out and rubbed the soft fur on the fox’s head, saying with a smile, “Little Bai, I didn’t expect you to come with me to the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary. Since you came from Falling Cloud Valley, you must not cause trouble when we get there. Be obedient, okay?”

The fox could only suppress its heartbreak and respond listlessly, “Mmm, don’t worry, Big Sister. This little demon will be obedient.”

Having grown up in the back mountain of Falling Cloud Valley, it had no idea what the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary was. It just wanted to be a slacker—surviving one day at a time was good enough.

Seeing the fox agree so readily, Bai Xirou nodded in satisfaction. She lifted her eyes to look at Qi Yuan, who was leaning diagonally on the soft couch.

“Senior Brother Qi… Holy Scion, are we going directly back to the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary?”

“Rou’er, you don’t need to call me Holy Scion. There are no outsiders here; just call me by my name.”

Qi Yuan waved his hand, speaking casually. “Of course, you can continue calling me Junior Brother Qi. Maybe I’m just used to hearing it, but suddenly not being called that feels a bit strange.”

Seemingly stirred by the intimacy in the man’s words, Bai Xirou’s pretty face flushed slightly. “Alright then. When no one is around, I’ll still treat you as Junior Brother Qi. But if others are present, I’ll call you Holy Scion.”

“That’s the way.”

Qi Yuan smiled, though his eyes held a hint of a guilty conscience. “We need to make a trip to Reed River City first. There’s a matter there I need to handle.”

Last night, he had suddenly received a transmission from Ji Chan’er, asking to meet him at a specific location within Reed River City.

At the time, he wanted to refuse. But after some struggle, he agreed. As a responsible man, he couldn’t do something as scummy as sleeping with her and then ghosting her.

If he dared to stand Ji Chan’er up, Qi Yuan genuinely suspected that the demoness would disregard everything and charge back to Falling Cloud Valley to fight him to the death.

“Mmm, that works perfectly. I can take Little Bai for a stroll on the streets. Although Reed River City is close to Falling Cloud Valley, I’ve never actually been there despite growing up so close.”

Bai Xirou suspected nothing, her face full of excitement. “I heard Reed River City has millions of people. The streets must be very lively.”

As they spoke, the silhouette of a majestic, colossal city appeared on the horizon.

Meanwhile.

Reed River City. The City Lord’s Manor.

In a sprawling courtyard, a group of servants dressed in brand-new uniforms stood in two disciplined rows, listening to the steward’s lecture.

“Listen clearly to this steward! Since you have entered the City Lord’s Manor, you must abide by the manor’s rules.”

“The City Lord’s Manor does not raise idlers. If you dare to be lazy, play tricks, or break the rules… light punishment involves the cane. Heavy punishment means expulsion from the manor, never to be hired again. Do you understand?”

Hearing this, the new servants felt a chill in their hearts and hurriedly responded in unison.

“Understood!”

The steward snorted coldly, his gaze icy as he stared down at the group.

“Furthermore, unless you have permission, anyone who approaches the Madam’s courtyard without authorization will be beaten to death, no questions asked!”

“If you want to keep your jobs for the long haul, then do your work honestly. Do not listen to what shouldn’t be heard, do not look at what shouldn’t be seen, and do not ask about what shouldn’t be asked. Otherwise, don’t blame this steward for showing no mercy…”

“Your duties were assigned before you entered the manor. Now, go to your posts and get to work…”

With that, the steward flicked his sleeves and left. The servants scattered, each heading to their assigned tasks.

“Junior Brother Li.”

At this moment, Zhang Caiqiang, who was mixed in with the crowd, stepped forward and pulled aside Li Mingwang. Both were wearing the small caps of servants. He whispered, “What job were you assigned?”

Li Mingwang scratched his hat nonchalantly. “I was assigned to be the Young Master’s study attendant. What about you, Senior Brother Zhang?”

Hearing this, Zhang Caiqiang’s expression instantly collapsed, his face full of indignation. “Dammit, why do you get to be a study attendant while I have to go clean the latrines?”

Li Mingwang was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

“Who told you to look so strong and burly? You’re perfectly built for carrying night soil.”

Seeing Zhang Caiqiang’s face turning iron-green, he quickly changed his tone, offering earnest advice.

“Senior Brother Zhang, don’t be anxious. Think about it—with this job, can’t you walk freely around the City Lord’s Manor under the banner of cleaning toilets?”

“Aside from being convenient for investigating the case, there’s actually another benefit. The City Lord’s Madam, no matter how mysterious she is, still has to take a dump… You get what I mean?”

Zhang Caiqiang froze. Then, a look of realization dawned on his face, and he spoke with delight.

“You’re right. So it was my own narrow-mindedness.”