Realizing the stranger hadn’t recognized him, Qi Yuan relaxed his guard slightly and nodded.

“This is Falling Cloud Valley.”

He was curious. Why had this guy come here? Did a brothel open inside the valley without me knowing?

“Finally found it.”

The green-robed man let out a long sigh of relief. He glanced around before turning his gaze back to Qi Yuan. “I am Piao Gen… uh, Piao Zhengji. May I ask your name, brother?”

Piao Zhengji? (Note: A homophone for “Urgent to Whore”)

Qi Yuan’s expression froze.

Good lord. Even his alias is so… descriptive. It must be the real Piao Genshuo.

“I’m Big Qi, an Inner Sect Disciple of Falling Cloud Valley.”

Since the other guy was using a fake name, Qi Yuan saw no reason to be honest. They were birds of a feather, after all.

“So, it’s Brother Big Qi! What a fateful meeting!”

Piao Genshuo’s eyes lit up. He stepped forward with the confidence of a social butterfly, slinging an arm around Qi Yuan’s shoulder like they were lifelong buddies.

“I’ve long heard of your great reputation, Brother Qi! I’ve always wanted to visit Falling Cloud Valley to pay my respects. I never expected to run into you today. Truly, it’s a small world!”

A brilliant, dazzling smile spread across Piao Genshuo’s somewhat abstract face. He looked genuinely thrilled.

“Hold on. Do I know you?”

Qi Yuan felt a shiver of disgust and shook off Piao Genshuo’s arm. “Get to the point. We’re really not that close.”

Has this guy’s brain been fried by too many STD treatments?

“Haha, of course we haven’t met,” Piao Genshuo chuckled shamelessly. “But I, your humble servant, have a straightforward personality. I love befriending the world’s greatest heroes.”

“Meeting you today feels like reuniting with an old friend! If you don’t mind, we could go inside, find a nice spot for a drink, and discuss the ideals of life…”

You call yourself a friend of heroes? More like a friend of courtesans.

Qi Yuan gave a thin, insincere smile. “Fellow Daoist Piao, just say what you want. I’m busy. I don’t have time to listen to your nonsense.”

He turned to leave.

“Hey, wait!” Piao Genshuo panicked. He grabbed Qi Yuan’s sleeve. “Brother, to be honest, I lost something in your valley. I was hoping you could do me a solid and take me inside to look for it.”

He wants inside?

Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow. “What did you lose?”

“Uh…”

Piao Genshuo scratched his nose awkwardly. “Sorry, that’s classified. Don’t want to alert the enemy.”

He thumped his chest. “But don’t worry, Brother Qi! I’m a man of honor. I’m just looking for an item. I swear I won’t cause trouble for your sect.”

Seeing Qi Yuan unmoved, Piao Genshuo glanced around to ensure no one was watching. He quickly pulled a heavy pouch of spirit stones from his ring and slipped it into Qi Yuan’s hand.

“A small token of respect. Just help me out, brother. Once I find what I’m looking for, there’ll be a bigger reward.”

“Oh?”

Qi Yuan weighed the pouch in his hand. His expression turned strange.

After a moment of theatrical hesitation, he pocketed the bribe and sighed. “Fine. But let’s be clear: Falling Cloud Valley isn’t a playground. Don’t wander off. Stick to me like glue. If you want to go somewhere, ask me first.”

Given the guy’s skills, Piao Genshuo could sneak in regardless. Better to keep him close and see what game he was playing.

“Good, good! Thank you, big brother!” Piao Genshuo beamed, following Qi Yuan into the valley like an excited puppy.

“Look! It really is Junior Brother Qi!”

“Junior Brother Qi, you’re finally back! We’ve been waiting for ages!”

The moment they passed through the sect’s barrier, several disciples rushed over, their faces flushed with excitement.

A welcoming committee? Am I that popular now?

Qi Yuan blinked, bewildered. He grabbed one of the disciples. “What are you waiting for?”

“Junior Brother Qi, you don’t know? Something huge happened!”

The disciple looked at him with awe and panic. “The Ancestral Formation Spirit woke up! He specifically asked for you! Everyone is waiting at the Main Hall right now!”

“Formation Spirit?”

Qi Yuan was even more confused.

That old ghost is a mid-stage Soul Formation entity. What could possibly happen that he needs me for?

Puzzled, he dragged the gawking Piao Genshuo toward the Main Hall.

As they approached, they saw a massive crowd of disciples surrounding the building.

The atmosphere was heavy. Many disciples looked terrified, their faces pale and their auras unstable. Some looked like their Dao Hearts were about to crack.

What the hell is going on?

Qi Yuan’s heart skipped a beat. He remembered the System’s warning about a “Crisis.”

“Qi Da is here!”

The crowd parted instantly, creating a path for him. All eyes fixed on him with desperate hope.

“Junior Brother Qi!”

A beautiful woman in a light yellow dress rushed out of the hall. Seeing Qi Yuan, Bai Xirou’s anxious face lit up with relief.

“Eldest Senior Sister.” Qi Yuan nodded.

Before he could ask anything, Piao Genshuo popped up from behind him.

“Greetings, Fairy Maiden! Your humble servant offers his respects. May I ask your age and if you are currently betrothed?”

“Come quickly. The Formation Spirit is waiting.”

Bai Xirou completely ignored Piao Genshuo. She treated him like air, grabbed Qi Yuan’s hand, and dragged him inside.

“Hey! Hey! Brother Qi, wait for me!”

Piao Genshuo stood stunned for a moment. Feeling the hostile glares of the surrounding disciples, he yelped and scrambled after them.

Inside the Main Hall, the Formation Spirit stood up the moment Qi Yuan entered.

“Young friend Qi Da! Perfect timing. This old man is getting a headache.”

The Spirit pointed a finger at Shen Wuji, who was sitting on the main throne.

“That man claims to be Piao Genshuo, the Holy Scion of Celestial Zenith Sanctuary. He’s accusing your Sect Leader, Bai Qingwu, of colluding with the Demonic Path and practicing evil arts. This concerns the safety of the entire sect. You need to investigate this.”

“???”

Qi Yuan’s expression froze.

He is Piao Genshuo?

Qi Yuan slowly turned his head to look at the ugly man standing behind him.

Then who the hell is this guy?