As they spoke, Bai Xirou pointed toward a bamboo grove in the distance and said with a smile, “I’ll take you to meet Junior Sister Zhen. She is an Inner Sect Disciple guarding the herb garden here. If you encounter any difficulties in the garden, you can seek her help.”

Seeing Bai Xirou’s thoughtful and considerate manner, Qi Yuan was instead somewhat puzzled.

A female cultivator like Bai Xirou, with exceptional talent and outstanding beauty, could be considered the perfect template for a Dao Companion. In the cultivation world, she would undoubtedly attract countless admirers.

Right now, he was merely a lowly Servant Disciple at the very bottom, and the aptitude he displayed outwardly was only a mediocre Four Spiritual Roots. Coupled with his disguised, utterly ordinary appearance, it seemed highly unlikely that he would attract such favorable attention from this beautiful Senior Sister.

Unable to figure it out after much thought, he could only attribute it to her having particularly unique taste.

It seemed that when boys were out and about, they really had to protect themselves…

Naturally, Bai Xirou was unaware of Qi Yuan’s wandering thoughts. She led him through the herb garden to a lush, verdant bamboo grove.

“Junior Sister Zhen’s primary duty is to prevent demonic beasts from the back mountain from invading the herb garden. Therefore, her residence is located on the periphery of the garden, bordering the back mountain—quite a distance away from the spirit fields.”

“Precisely because of this, Wen Tao had the opportunity to secretly pick the Jade Leaf Grass two nights ago.”

“Additionally, Junior Sister Yuyan prefers peace and quiet. She usually doesn’t enjoy socializing much. However, she and I are as close as sisters. Since I’m taking you to meet her this once, she definitely won’t refuse your requests for help in the future.”

Deep within the bamboo grove stood a serene and elegant two-story wooden pavilion. Surrounded by spiritual flowers and lush green grass, the environment was comfortable and pleasant.

Upon reaching the small pavilion, Bai Xirou stopped and called out, “Junior Sister Yuyan, I’ve come to see you.”

A moment later, the door opened, and a young woman in a purple dress walked out. Her figure was ordinary, and her appearance could only be described as delicate and pretty, without any particularly striking features. Only her clear, lively eyes made her hard to forget.

Upon seeing Bai Xirou, the woman smiled slightly and said warmly, “Senior Sister, what brings you here to find me today?”

Bai Xirou stepped forward, took her hand, and said with a smile, “I’ve brought a new disciple to meet you. He’ll be working in the herb garden from now on. I hope you can look after him.”

The woman calmly looked at Qi Yuan and nodded to him. “Since he’s someone Senior Sister brought, I will naturally offer some assistance.”

Feeling her gaze upon him, Qi Yuan quickly stepped forward. “Greetings, Senior Sister Zhen.”

Qi Yuan knew that this female cultivator was named Zhen Yuyan. She possessed mid-Foundation Building cultivation and had been stationed here for three years. She had always lived in seclusion, rarely showing herself. This was his first time seeing her in person.

Although this Zhen Yuyan seemed utterly ordinary, without any special characteristics, for some reason, Qi Yuan always felt there was something off about her. Yet, he couldn’t quite put his finger on what exactly it was.

“Let’s go inside to talk.” Zhen Yuyan smiled and nodded, preparing to lead them into the house.

“No need,” Bai Xirou shook her head with a serious expression. “Besides introducing this newly entered Junior Brother to you, my main purpose in coming this time was actually to see how you are.”

“Junior Sister Zhen has secluded herself in this remote place for three years to guard the herb garden. You’ve worked hard and contributed greatly. In a couple of days, I plan to request Elder Xu to transfer you back to the Inner Sect. What do you think?”

“No!”

Hearing Bai Xirou mention this matter, Zhen Yuyan seemed somewhat tense and refused without hesitation.

“Senior Sister, please don’t mention this to Elder Xu at all. You should know I dislike being in the public eye. This place is perfect for me to stay away from the noise and cultivate in peace. I am willing to stay here even longer.”

Seeing Zhen Yuyan’s resolute attitude, Bai Xirou sighed softly and didn’t press further. “Alright then. I promise you. However, if you ever wish to be transferred in the future, you can come find me anytime…”

Witnessing this scene deepened Qi Yuan’s suspicions.

Unlike for them servants, guarding an herb garden was clearly not a good assignment for an Inner Sect Disciple. It required day and night vigilance while constantly facing potential attacks from demonic beasts from the back mountain.

Faced with an opportunity for transfer, this Zhen Yuyan actually showed such resistance; it was truly strange.

Considering a certain possibility, Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly. The corner of his eye swept over Zhen Yuyan, who was chatting amiably with Bai Xirou, and his expression grew much more solemn.

This woman is absolutely not simple!

At the same time.

The Inner Sect.

Within a cave abode blessed with beautiful scenery and abundant spiritual energy.

“Cousin! You must help me this time! Those bastards Lin Zhen and Big Qi not only repeatedly bullied me before, but this time they even turned things around on me! They made me lose face completely; I couldn’t even keep my woman by my side!”

“They clearly know you’re my cousin, yet they still act so brazenly! They simply don’t have any regard for you at all!”

“And that old fogey Mo Zhengyang! Because of Uncle’s relationship, he always looks down on me! He shows nothing but favoritism toward those two bastards! If I don’t take revenge, how can I be satisfied?”

Wang Luchuan stood beside a table, filled with hatred, pouring out his grievances nonstop to a young man seated calmly on a wooden chair.

The man was dressed in brocade robes and wore a jade crown, his features rather handsome. He was Yin Hong, one of the top three Inner Sect Disciples of Falling Cloud Valley.

“You can’t even manage such simple framing? Your plan was full of holes, making a fool of yourself! Truly useless!”

Yin Hong glanced disdainfully at Wang Luchuan, speaking coldly. “If my father hadn’t personally stepped in to protect you this time, you would have already had your cultivation crippled and been expelled from the sect. How could you be here spouting nonsense?”

Wang Luchuan hung his head, his face full of shame. “Cousin is right. I was momentarily foolish. Who could have thought that Big Qi would be so cunning…”

Before he could finish, Yin Hong cut him off. “Shut up! You’re stupid yourself; don’t think others are as stupid as you!”

Wang Luchuan trembled all over, frightened. He quickly shut his mouth, not daring to continue defending himself.

As if thinking of something, Yin Hong’s eyes flashed with gloom. He asked coldly, “I heard people say Bai Xirou pays quite some attention to that Big Qi. She even specifically went looking for him several times in the Outer Sect. What exactly is going on?”

Hearing this, Wang Luchuan’s face lit up with joy. He hurriedly added, “I heard about that too. Senior Sister went looking for that Big Qi on the second day after his entry. The two left the Outer Sect together and returned only after a long time. No one knows what they did.”

“Not two days later, Big Qi was personally assigned by Elder Mo to work in the herb garden. He even received a heavy reward. Without thinking, it’s obvious this matter definitely has something to do with Senior Sister.”

He knew his cousin Yin Hong had long coveted Bai Xirou, already viewing her as his future Dao Companion. He would never tolerate anyone else getting close. Hearing these things, it would be strange if he could hold back.

Sure enough, upon hearing these words, Yin Hong’s face instantly turned livid, killing intent overflowing from his gaze.

Before Wang Luchuan could continue adding fuel to the fire, Yin Hong suddenly stood up.

He said sinisterly, “Our Falling Cloud Valley isn’t some evil demonic path. Killing fellow disciples is a taboo among taboos. Even I can’t directly take action against that kid.”

“But you’re different. You’re responsible for feeding spirit beasts at Spirit Beast Peak. Those spirit beasts are all wild and untamed. It wouldn’t be impossible for one to suddenly go berserk and injure someone someday.”

Then, he took out a jade vial from a storage pouch at his waist, handing it to Wang Luchuan.

“When you take the spirit beasts out for exercise, take that Foundation Building realm Crimson Flame Tiger onto Big Qi’s necessary route back to his residence. Then take this pill…”

His voice grew lower and lower, eventually turning into murmurs. Wang Luchuan’s eyes, however, shone brightly as he nodded repeatedly.