“Holy Scion, welcome back.”

By the time Qi Yuan returned to the Resting Mist Courtyard, the night was deep and silence reigned. He looked at the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary disciple greeting him and felt a sudden, jarring sense of dislocation—as if he had just returned from another world entirely.

Reflecting on his recent stunts, calling them ‘dancing on the edge of a cliff’ would be an understatement. No, it was more like bungee jumping off a precipice without a rope.

That he was still alive came down to sheer, unadulterated luck—and a life harder than coffin nails.

Qi Yuan secretly patted his chest, rejoicing. The outcome was fantastic, though he felt a bit… stuffed.

Only now did he realize that riding Cheng Huang didn’t actually extend one’s lifespan directly. Instead, it rapidly overcharged the body with vitality and Qi-blood.

He had only sat on the beast’s back for a short while, yet he felt like a balloon inflated to its limit. It was a miracle he hadn’t spurted a fountain of nosebleed right there and then.

The Qi-blood coursing through his limbs and bones was so vigorous it was practically screaming for release. He half-wished he could drag Ji Tianpeng out of bed for another brawl just to burn it off.

Sure, the effect was god-tier, but Qi Yuan wasn’t eager to try it again.

Cheng Huang’s true form might look elegant and delicate—a creature of myth—but its back was studded with rows of hard horns. Sitting on that thing was hell on the backside.

As for the legends about Cheng Huang granting immortality? They were true, but with a catch. It required the beast to activate a specific Innate Divine Ability.

Every time this ability was used, Cheng Huang had to burn a portion of its Origin Essence Blood, requiring a long slumber to recover.

The Heavenly Dao is fair. Lifespan is a defiance of heaven; to extend it for another, a price must be paid. Even an Innate Divine Beast like Cheng Huang was not exempt from this rule of equivalent exchange.

If it were free, everyone in the Exquisite Sanctuary would be immortal by now.

To borrow Cheng Huang’s power for longevity, one had to make the beast willingly sacrifice itself. Otherwise, it was impossible.

Even with the founder Fang Lan’s ancient instructions, the Exquisite Sanctuary had only managed to secure this blessing for less than ten people over the last hundred thousand years. However, three of those lucky few went on to reach the Great Ascension Realm. The return on investment was staggering.

Since Cheng Feihuang had recently used this ability to grant a thousand years of life to the sect’s fourth Great Ascension cultivator, the skill was currently on cooldown.

Qi Yuan could only express mild regret.

But he wasn’t heartbroken. He was in his early twenties and already in the mid-Nascent Soul stage. The late stage was just around the corner.

Even if he decided to slack off and lie flat for the rest of his life, he still had thousands of years left on his clock. By the time he actually needed a top-up, Cheng Feihuang would have long since recovered.

Besides, his harvest tonight was already insane.

Not only had he secured the materials and formula for the Heaven-Mending Pill, but he had also farmed the Exquisite Sanctuary’s First Founding Ancestor to max affinity.

From now on, he could practically walk sideways through their sect like a crab.

Even if that terrifying woman, Sect Master Qiu Xuanji, showed up in person, she would have to bow politely and call him… Your Majes—no, wait. Guest Elder Qi.

Thinking of this, Qi Yuan couldn’t hold back a grin.

That’s right. By the personal appointment of the First Ancestor, he was now the Supreme Guest Elder of the Exquisite Sanctuary!

It was a purely honorary title, which was the best kind. No responsibilities, no tedious duties, yet he had the authority to mobilize the sect’s resources at will. It was a position tailor-made for a freeloader like him.

And since it was a ‘Guest’ role, it didn’t conflict with his status as the Holy Scion of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary. No one could accuse him of treason.

On the contrary, the higher-ups at the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary would be popping champagne.

Their Holy Scion becoming a Supreme Elder at a rival powerhouse? It meant the diplomatic ties were stronger than ever, and subtly, it implied that the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary had dominated the Exquisite Sanctuary in terms of status.

In fact, the reaction was exactly that.

When he reported the news to his Master, Daoist Hengzhen, the old man’s shock and joy were palpable even through the transmission talisman. He was probably grinning so hard his jaw unhinged.

As the saying goes: If you have the guts, you can even conquer the Ancestor!

Suddenly, a furtive figure appeared on the path ahead.

The shadow was skulking around, looking terrified. But the moment it spotted Qi Yuan, its eyes lit up like high beams.

“Junior Brother Qi! You’re finally back!” The figure rushed over.

Qi Yuan squinted, then frowned.

Crap.

It was his Eldest Senior Brother, Lu Changfeng.

This guy was hopelessly infatuated with the Exquisite Holy Maiden. If he found out what Qi Yuan had just done to her—bullying, scamming, and effectively domesticating her ancestor—would he draw his sword and fight to the death?

“Ahem… Eldest Senior Brother?” Qi Yuan cleared his throat, putting on his best poker face. “What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you to stay put in the backyard?”

“There are Exquisite Sanctuary patrols everywhere. You don’t have an invitation. If you get caught again, I’m not bailing you out.”

Lu Changfeng scratched his head awkwardly, his voice dripping with guilt. “Sorry… I don’t know why, but the security suddenly tightened. They even activated the Grand Sect Formation.”

“I barely touched the outer perimeter before they bagged me. Just my luck.”

He gave a sheepish, ingratiating smile. “Holy Scion Junior Brother, please, I’m begging you. Don’t tell Master about this. The old man warned me a few days ago—one more strike and I’m expelled from the sect.”

Qi Yuan rolled his eyes. “I’m too lazy to snitch on you. But if you don’t want to be exposed, go talk to Hall Master Song.”

“The disciples on this trip are all from his External Affairs Hall. As long as he gives the order to keep their mouths shut, you’re safe. Otherwise… good luck.”

Lu Changfeng’s face crumpled.

He knew exactly how difficult that would be. Song Cheng looked like a friendly, round-faced uncle, but he was a stickler for rules. He was loyal to the sect above all else and hated favoritism.

Sigh.

I can only hope Master values our years of mentorship and won’t actually kick me out…

Suddenly, Lu Changfeng perked up, grabbing Qi Yuan’s arm with desperate intensity.

“Right! Junior Brother, I heard you went out with Fairy Xiao tonight. Did you… did you tell her I’m innocent regarding the peeping incident? Did she have a message for me?”

Qi Yuan curled his lip in disgust. “No. But she did mention that while you look honest on the outside, you’re hiding a cesspool of vulgarity on the inside. Her approval rating of you is currently in the negatives.”

Qi Yuan paused internally.

Though, after my performance tonight, my reputation with her is probably even lower than his.

Then again, Lu Changfeng is just a lowly simp with zero attack power. I, on the other hand, went for the jugular.

“What?!”

Lu Changfeng’s expression shattered. The light died in his eyes, replaced by the gray despair of a man whose world had ended.

“Sigh… it seems Fairy Xiao is determined not to forgive me. If I lose her trust… what meaning is there left in this life?”

Qi Yuan shook his head, patting the man’s shoulder with mock sympathy. “Not to rain on your parade, Brother, but even without the Recording Talisman scandal, you never had a shot. Just let it go.”

Qi Yuan’s ‘kind’ advice seemed to strike a nerve. Lu Changfeng’s eyes turned red, brimming with tears.

“Ask the world, what is love?” he recited, his voice trembling with tragic flair. “I know she feels nothing for me. I know it! Yet, like a moth to a flame, I cannot help but draw near. Perhaps… the naive love of youth is destined to be unforgettable…”

Naive love of youth?

Qi Yuan’s mouth twitched. He almost retched.

Bro, you’re nearly a hundred years old. Where do you get off acting like a puberty-stricken teen in a romance drama?

Ignoring Qi Yuan’s internal cringe, Lu Changfeng wiped a tear, his expression turning resolute and desolate.

“Junior Brother, you’re right. I cannot disappoint Master any longer. From today on, I, Lu Changfeng, will bury my heart and become a true Eldest Brother of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary. I will dedicate my life to the Dao!”

With a trembling hand, he produced a jade bottle from his storage bracelet and gripped it tightly.

“I know I cannot forget Fairy Xiao on my own. So… I prepared this in advance. A Top-grade Emotion Severing Pill. Once I swallow this, I will sever all love and desire. My heart will be as still as dead water.”

That hardcore?

Qi Yuan blinked, genuinely stunned. He hadn’t expected Lu Changfeng to have this kind of resolve.

As expected of a direct disciple once favored by the Sect Leader. When he went crazy, he really committed.

But the Emotion Severing Pill wasn’t candy. It worked directly on the soul. While effective, the side effects were massive. One slip up and the user could lose their essential humanity, or worse, suffer a mental breakdown and fall into the Demonic Path. There was no ‘Ctrl-Z’ for this.

“Eldest Brother, think twice!”

Realizing the danger, Qi Yuan stepped forward to grab the bottle.

But Lu Changfeng was faster. He snorted coldly, popping the cap with grim determination.

“Junior Brother Qi, I know you have a good heart, but don’t try to stop me. If I don’t take this pill… my heart will never know peace!”