“Senior, I do indeed need materials to refine the Heaven-Mending Pill. Could you take me to your noble Sect’s treasure vault for a look?”

As he spoke, the corners of Qi Yuan’s mouth twitched upward uncontrollably, and he practically had to wipe drool from his chin.

Jackpot!

This is the accumulation of the Exquisite Sanctuary over countless generations. Just thinking about the mountains of loot inside makes me dizzy.

Now that the Exquisite Sanctuary’s number one Patriarch was completely obedient to him, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If he didn’t take this chance to embezzle a massive fortune, he would never forgive himself!

However.

Contrary to his expectations, Cheng Feihuang did not agree immediately. Instead, she hesitated, her brows knitting together in a struggle. Finally, she shook her head gently and spoke with a serious expression.

“Lanlan once instructed that aside from us Great Ascension Patriarchs and the incumbent Sect Leader, no one else is allowed to enter the Secret Vault.”

“I can use my own Merit Points to exchange for the materials you need, but I cannot take you inside…”

Rejected?

Qi Yuan was stunned. Didn’t the instructions say the Command Mantra gives me absolute authority over this Cheng Huang? Why is she refusing?

A thought struck him, and he quickly suppressed his doubts, asking in a deep voice, “Senior, who is this ‘Lanlan’ you speak of?”

Cheng Feihuang replied calmly, “Lanlan is the Founding Patriarch of our Exquisite Sanctuary, and also my closest elder sister. Whatever Lanlan says, I will obey!”

Qi Yuan was startled. “Senior Feihuang, if my request conflicts with your Elder Sister Lan’s command, who would you listen to?”

Cheng Feihuang answered instantly, without a millisecond of hesitation.

“Of course I would listen to Elder Sister Lan!”

So that’s how it is!

Qi Yuan sucked in a cold breath, instantly understanding the crux of the matter.

Fang Lan.

The Founding Patriarch of the Exquisite Sanctuary.

Over a hundred thousand years ago, she was already a Great Ascension Perfection existence—and not an ordinary one. If one were to list the supreme powerhouses who had dominated this realm throughout history, she would undoubtedly be near the top.

Although Fang Lan disappeared without a trace eighty or ninety thousand years ago—suspected to have ventured into the Endless Void in search of Immortal Fate—her legend remained. She was hailed as the “Number One Female Cultivator in a Million Years.”

Clearly, after escaping from Elder Shi’s cave abode, Cheng Feihuang encountered Fang Lan. With Fang Lan’s abilities, it was impossible for her not to have discovered the bloodline restriction on the beast. However, it seemed she couldn’t completely erase Elder Shi’s work, so she simply weakened it.

But Fang Lan was no ordinary mortal. She used some unknown method to imprint her own authority over the Cheng Huang, placing her orders above the original restriction.

As long as the Cheng Huang remained in the Exquisite Sanctuary, the restriction was effectively nullified by Fang Lan’s overriding commands. Even if the beast’s original master came knocking, they wouldn’t be able to take this Innate Divine Beast away.

This explains the lag in the Command Mantra…

Realizing this, Qi Yuan finally relaxed.

Fang Lan had been missing for nearly a hundred thousand years. She was either dead or had ascended to the Immortal Realm. For all intents and purposes, she didn’t exist anymore.

Since Fang Lan was out of the picture, Cheng Feihuang would listen to him—as long as his orders didn’t directly contradict Fang Lan’s standing instructions!

Thinking of this, he nodded slightly and probed further. “Senior, aside from banning outsiders from the treasure vault, what else did your Elder Sister Lan instruct?”

Cheng Feihuang’s expression grew hazy for a moment before she slowly recited:

“Before leaving, Lanlan told me to guard the Exquisite Sanctuary, never to leave without permission, and never to reveal my identity to outsiders.”

“At the same time, I am to help juniors at the Tribulation Crossing realm who show promise of reaching Great Ascension by extending their lifespans, ensuring they do not perish midway due to old age…”

Holy shit.

This Fang Lan really lives up to the title of ‘Number One Female Cultivator’. With just a few sentences, she squeezed every last drop of surplus value out of this Innate Divine Beast!

Innate Divine Beast? More like ‘Innate Labor Saint Physique’.

Cheng Feihuang had been working for the Exquisite Sanctuary for a hundred thousand years, giving everything and receiving nothing but the empty title of “First Patriarch.” She couldn’t even leave the premises!

This indefinite, unpaid sweatshop contract would make modern capitalists weep tears of joy…

No wonder the Exquisite Sanctuary rose to power so quickly. With an immortal battery pack granting free lifespan extensions, how could other Sanctuaries possibly compete?

Qi Yuan clicked his tongue in admiration, his face filled with envy.

Indeed, throughout history, those who achieve great things are all thick-skinned and black-hearted. I still have much to learn.

The bad news was that Fang Lan’s restrictions destroyed his plan to kidnap the Cheng Huang beast and use it as a personal thug.

The good news was that, aside from those specific restrictions, he could order the Exquisite Sanctuary’s First Patriarch to do almost anything else.

Given Cheng Feihuang’s unique and supreme status, the Exquisite Sanctuary was effectively Qi Yuan’s personal backyard now.

A superpower with four Great Ascension cultivators and over a hundred thousand disciples… In terms of value, owning the sect was far superior to owning a single beast.

Did I lose or did I win? It’s hard to say…

Thinking of this, Qi Yuan’s spirits lifted. He smiled and asked, “Senior Feihuang, what do you feel when you look at me now?”

“Feel?”

Cheng Feihuang was puzzled but answered honestly. “Aside from Elder Sister Lan, you are the person I feel closest to. I am willing to trust you unconditionally.”

Qi Yuan’s mind whirred, and his expression turned solemn.

“Senior, listen carefully. Aside from me and your Elder Sister Lan, if you ever encounter a third person who makes you feel this way… the moment that feeling appears, you must immediately kill them!”

Lin Zhen was weak and useless, but since Elder Shi could trick him into searching for the beast, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t send a second or third agent.

Although Cheng Feihuang was hidden deep within the sect, caution was the parent of safety. He had to nip this in the bud.

If someone else shows up with a Command Mantra later, wouldn’t all my hard work be for nothing?

When opportunity knocks, you don’t open the door for others. Cheng Feihuang’s maxed-out loyalty is just interest on the debt Elder Shi owes me!

“Kill them?”

Cheng Feihuang blinked, stunned for a moment, then nodded heavily. “Understood. If I encounter a third person who triggers this feeling, I will kill them immediately!”

“That’s a good girl.”

Qi Yuan grinned, his eyes sweeping up and down the pure, innocent maiden before him. His tone grew excited.

“Senior, I heard that riding a Cheng Huang just once can increase one’s lifespan by two thousand years. Quickly, transform back to your true form and let me have a ride…”