Upon learning from several trusted elders that the visitors were disciples of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary, Bai Qingwu reined in his emotions and responded, “Quickly, invite both of them in.”

Soon, two boisterous voices could be heard approaching rapidly from the distance:

“Comrade! We’re here to help! Quick, tell us who the opponent is this time. The brothers will beat the crap out of him together!”

“That’s right. Best to make this quick. The girls at the Drunken Joy Brothel are still waiting for us…”

BANG!

Before the sentence even finished, the hall doors were kicked open. Two male cultivators, one fat and one thin, hopped inside.

They were none other than Lucky Li and Richie Zhang, who had rushed over the moment they heard the news.

“Hey! Who was it that bullied my brother? Have the guts to step forward yourself! I’m in a hurry!”

“Senior Brother Zhang, no need to waste words on them. Someone like this, I alone can take… take… take my leave. I’m just here looking for someone.”

The moment he entered, Lucky Li saw a group of cultivators staring back at him. The weakest among them was at the late Golden Core stage, and there was even one at the late Nascent Soul stage…

He was instantly frightened out of his wits, forcibly swallowing the tough talk on the tip of his tongue. His imposing aura deflated like a popped balloon.

Beside him, Richie Zhang shrank his neck into his shoulders. Putting on a serious face, he looked around deliberately. Even when his eyes fell on a familiar back, he pretended not to see it, muttering to himself:

“Seems the person we’re looking for isn’t here. Must’ve gotten lost earlier. You all carry on, carry on…”

As he spoke, the two exchanged a glance. They wanted to slip away but didn’t quite dare, leaving them awkwardly stuck in the doorway.

Witnessing this scene, Qi Yuan, who had his back to them, twitched slightly. He turned around and waved them off.

“You two, if you’re leaving, then leave quickly. This has nothing to do with you.”

Hearing this, the pair felt as if they had been granted a pardon from death row. They began backing away hastily while babbling:

“Brother, you’re truly righteous! If you kick the bucket, we’ll definitely… definitely erect a memorial tablet for you someday… Holy shit!!!”

However, upon seeing the current appearance of the person before them, they were struck by lightning. Their legs froze, and their bodies stiffened uncontrollably.

“Holy… Holy Scion, you… you’re here?!”

Lucky Li’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. He stammered, “So… so it was you who issued the mission? This subordinate thought… thought you were some elder’s illegitimate son left outside…”

The mere thought that he had previously addressed the Holy Scion as ‘brother’—and even invited him to visit a brothel—made him want to die on the spot.

Richie Zhang’s heart was pounding wildly, sweat beading on his forehead.

“Holy Scion, you must listen to this subordinate’s excuse… I mean, listen to this subordinate’s explanation! We absolutely did not intend to abandon you! We were planning to go out and gather reinforcements! You have to believe me!”

“Silence!”

Qi Yuan’s expression instantly darkened as he rebuked them angrily. “What nonsense are you spouting? Falling Cloud Valley belongs to the Righteous Path; they are not enemies. What need is there for you to gather reinforcements?”

The two immediately fell silent, quiet as cicadas in winter, nodding their heads like chickens pecking at rice. “Yes, yes, yes. The Holy Scion’s reprimand is correct.”

Looking at their utterly useless demeanor, Qi Yuan waved his hand in irritation.

“What are you still standing there for? Get lost!”

“Understood, Holy Scion. You all chat slowly. We’ll get lost right away.”

Li and Zhang scrambled and stumbled out of the main hall, thoughtfully closing the large doors behind them.

Only after fleeing Falling Cloud Valley did Lucky Li suddenly slump, panting heavily as he turned to Richie Zhang.

“Damn, it really was the Holy Scion himself! I was almost scared pissless just now. We’re done for. Do you think the Holy Scion will remember us?”

Richie Zhang wiped the cold sweat from his brow, speaking somewhat guiltily.

“How should I know? But judging by the Holy Scion’s attitude, it seems he’s not planning to hold it against us for now. Still, I think we should try to make amends. Otherwise, if this gets brought up in the future, we’ll be in trouble.”

Hearing this, Lucky Li nodded deeply. Then, his face fell.

“But for a big shot like the Holy Scion, even if we wanted to suck up, we wouldn’t know where to start.”

Richie Zhang stood still for a moment, thinking hard.

“It seems we still have to start with that mission. Didn’t the Holy Scion once encourage us to dig deep? Then let’s buck up and handle the case flawlessly! Make the Holy Scion see us in a new light.”

“Senior Brother Zhang is truly both wise and brave, clever and sharp.”

At this, Lucky Li’s eyes lit up, looking at Richie Zhang with admiration.

“In that case, tomorrow we’ll go apply to be servants at the City Lord’s mansion in Reed River City. I heard the City Lord’s wife is a stunning beauty. Perfect chance to get a look.”

They looked at each other and smiled, reaching a tacit understanding. Dumb and Dumber rode again.

Meanwhile.

Falling Cloud Valley Main Hall.

After the two left, the atmosphere in the hall turned peculiar. The Falling Cloud Valley members looked at Qi Yuan with complex expressions—a mix of astonishment and awe.

Although those two seemed to be lacking in intelligence, they were genuine Supreme Mystery Sanctuary disciples. Their submissive attitude alone was enough to prove the identity of the person before them!

In mere moments, Bai Qingwu, as the Valley Master, grasped the gravity of the situation. His expression turned solemn as he respectfully bowed to Qi Yuan.

“This subordinate sect’s Valley Master, Bai Qingwu, pays his respects to the Supreme Mystery Holy Scion. May the Holy Scion attain boundless longevity and prosperous immortal fortune!”

Behind him, everyone followed suit, stepping forward to bow deeply.

“We pay our respects to the Supreme Mystery Holy Scion!”

“May the Holy Scion attain boundless longevity and prosperous immortal fortune!”

The voices were deafening, reverberating through the hall.

Amidst the cries, Qi Yuan gave a slight nod, his expression calm.

“Fellow Daoists, there is no need for such formalities. Falling Cloud Valley now faces the task of rebuilding from ruins. There is no need to waste energy on ceremonial greetings and social niceties. You should conserve your strength to deal with the aftermath.”

“Also, try not to spread the fact that I once worked as a menial laborer in your valley. But there is no need for strict secrecy either. If anyone asks, simply deny it.”

Hearing this, the cultivators present all looked solemn, earnestly assenting.

“This subordinate sect respectfully obeys the Holy Scion’s decree.”

Qi Yuan continued:

“All of you may leave now. Junior Sister Bai, stay behind.”

Everyone was slightly taken aback, then bowed one after another and took their leave.

Only Bai Qingwu hesitated. His expression was conflicted as he opened his mouth, about to say something, before being half-dragged out of the main hall by several trusted elders…