At the same time.

Deep within the bamboo forest.

Inside an exquisitely laid-out small building, Ji Chan’er sat cross-legged, suspended motionless in the air. Around her, eerie winds swirled and shadows rippled, emitting waves of strange and ominous fluctuations that made her figure blur and indistinct, like a ghost.

Because she was cultivating, Ji Chan’er had shed her disguise, revealing a stunningly beautiful and enchanting face.

At this moment, she wore a light purple long dress, her graceful and slender figure faintly visible through the fabric. With light makeup enhancing her charm, jade-like bones, and icy skin, she looked like a blooming purple datura flower—full of deadly allure.

Compared to the ordinary-looking “Zhen Yuyan” from daily life, it was like comparing clouds to mud—utterly different.

Suddenly, she opened her eyes. A terrifying dark glint flashed within her pitch-black, profound pupils, like a boundless, gloomy night sky.

Someone was coming!

She frowned first, then with a flick of her sleeve, the space before her rippled like water, reflecting the scene outside the small building.

Seeing the visitor, Ji Chan’er’s expression relaxed slightly. She waved her hand to withdraw the array restrictions outside and said indifferently, “Come in.”

Creak—

The door was gently pushed open. From the darkness outside entered a figure completely shrouded in a black cloak.

“This subordinate pays respects to True Disciple Ji.”

Upon seeing Ji Chan’er inside the room, this figure hurriedly lowered its hood and knelt respectfully in greeting.

The visitor was tall and thin, with dignified features—it was none other than Yin Qingyuan, an elder of the Rudao Pavilion in Falling Cloud Valley.

“Why have you come? Weren’t you told to lie low properly and not come find me unless necessary?”

Ji Chan’er’s expression was cold, her tone carrying traces of disdain.

Although the woman before him was exquisitely beautiful and enchantingly alluring, Yin Qingyuan dared not show the slightest disrespect. He didn’t even dare raise his head, speaking cautiously.

“Reporting to True Disciple Ji, this subordinate has been following your instructions to cultivate influence and gather intelligence within Falling Cloud Valley. Some results have already been achieved.”

“However, recently this subordinate has been constantly marginalized and targeted by some rivals within the sect, causing everything to go awry and my prestige to plummet greatly.”

“This subordinate suffering some hidden losses is nothing much. But if it ends up sabotaging the Saint Sect’s grand plan because of this… then even ten thousand deaths would not atone for such a crime…”

Hearing this, Ji Chan’er immediately saw through his intentions and couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.

Sabotage the Saint Sect’s grand plan?

As if you’re worthy?

If we truly reached a point where we had to rely on an old traitor like you, then the mighty Nether Fiend Sect might as well disband on the spot!

“So you mean you want me to stand up for you?”

Ji Chan’er raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Yin Qingyuan with a half-smile.

Yin Qingyuan trembled and hurriedly said, “Originally, I dared not trouble True Disciple Ji to take action. It’s just that this subordinate is currently isolated and weak within Falling Cloud Valley. I hope you can lend assistance.”

“Fine.” A trace of barely perceptible contempt flashed in Ji Chan’er’s eyes. After a moment of silence, she slowly said, “I can help you resolve those troubles. However, I am currently cultivating a Saint Sect technique that has reached a critical juncture. I still need three months to complete it successfully.”

“During this period, you must keep a low profile and not cause trouble for me. Three months later, I will personally take action to clear your obstacles. I can even seize an opportunity to eliminate Bai Qingwu and push you into the position of Falling Cloud Valley’s Sect Master.”

Upon hearing this, ecstasy instantly appeared on Yin Qingyuan’s face. Previously, he had chosen to defect to the Nether Fiend Sect precisely to scheme for the position of Sect Master. Now he finally had a chance to achieve his wish—how could he not be excited and thrilled!

Emotions surging, Yin Qingyuan repeatedly kowtowed in gratitude. “Understood! True Disciple Ji can rest assured! This subordinate will definitely devote myself entirely to the Saint Sect until my dying breath!”

Ji Chan’er waved her hand. “You may go back. I will contact you again once I am prepared.”

“Yes, yes! This subordinate takes his leave.”

After another round of profuse thanks, Yin Qingyuan finally stood up and quietly retreated from the room.

After Yin Qingyuan left, Ji Chan’er narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly. The corner of her infinitely lovely mouth curved into a cold arc as she murmured.

“It seems Master was right. The false path is full of greedy fools; they are so convenient to use.”

“You don’t even stop to think—how could the Saint Sect possibly take a liking to such an insignificant force as Falling Cloud Valley? Why would they bother supporting you as some worthless Valley Master?”

As she spoke, Ji Chan’er let out a derisive snort. Her gaze then shifted toward the window of the small building.

“In three months, that Phantom Star Herb will fully mature and reach ten thousand years of age. At that time, it can be used as the main ingredient to refine a batch of Nine Refinements Illusion God Pills.”

“After consuming them, my Thousand Illusions Heavenly Demon Body will be completely perfected. The position of Holy Maiden will be within easy reach—not in vain after these three years of hardship.”

“When that time comes, I’ll show some mercy and eliminate both you and your foolish son together. Consider it doing Falling Cloud Valley a favor by removing pests.”

Thinking this far, Ji Chan’er couldn’t help but reveal a faintly charming smile. She then closed her eyes again and resumed her cultivation.

Time passed. In the blink of an eye, another half-month went by.

Dawn had just broken when the Outer Sect became bustling with noise and excitement.

Today was the annual Outer Sect Grand Competition. Not only were many Outer Sect Disciples rolling up their sleeves, eager to achieve good rankings, but many Senior Brothers and Sisters from the Inner Sect also came specifically to watch the excitement while assessing promising newcomers.

Although Falling Cloud Valley was no longer glorious and had declined into a mid-to-small sect, there were still two thousand disciples within the valley. Besides over three hundred Servant Disciples, there were more than a thousand Outer Sect Disciples gathered in a vast open area—a sea of people packed shoulder-to-shoulder.

In the very center of the crowd were the disciples who had registered for this Grand Competition—a full two or three hundred people.

The vast majority among them were Outer Sect Disciples; even those with the lowest cultivation had reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining. On such an occasion, individuals wearing Servant Disciple attire stood out conspicuously.

“Look! That guy is the new disciple who received the ‘Perfect Temperament’ evaluation in this year’s entrance assessment! His name is Qi something…”

“Hmph! No matter what else is said, he’s still just trash with Four Spiritual Roots! What use is having a good temperament? As a Servant Disciple who doesn’t focus on doing his work properly but instead presumes to participate in the Outer Sect Grand Competition… Has he lost his mind?”

“Look! There’s another Servant Disciple beside him! Later, these two kids probably won’t even pass the first round of screening—they’re going to be utterly humiliated… Haha…”

“Probably just filling numbers! They should take a piss and look at their reflection—see how much they’re really worth!”

Facing all kinds of ridicule and mockery around him, Qi Yuan’s expression remained unperturbed throughout; he wasn’t affected in the slightest.

In contrast, Lin Zhen beside him flushed red-faced, his fists clenching until they creaked audibly.

“Let me handle these pieces of trash.”

Suddenly, Qi Yuan turned his head toward Lin Zhen with a slight smile, then stepped forward, walking toward the group making loud jeers.

“You brat! Who exactly were you calling trash just now?”

Before he could get close, a male cultivator with a fierce-looking face jumped out from within that group, full of anger as he questioned Qi Yuan.

Qi Yuan glanced at him lightly, shook his head, and said, “Don’t misunderstand. I’m not singling out just you alone. I mean… everyone present here is trash.”

As soon as these words left his mouth, the atmosphere suddenly became stagnant. The entire group uniformly stopped their clamor, looking toward Qi Yuan, their gazes filled with intense fury.