Once everyone had left, Qi Yuan turned his gaze to Bai Xirou, who still seemed a bit dazed, and smiled.

“Senior Sister, would you like to come back to the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary with me?”

Bai Xirou snapped out of her reverie, slowly lifting her head. A flicker of confusion passed through her beautiful eyes, but it soon transformed into determination, as if she had finally made up her mind.

“Qi… Holy Scion, you really don’t have to be so kind to me. When you revealed your true identity, I realized just how vast the gap between us truly is.”

“Whether it’s cultivation strength, status, or even our future paths, it all feels utterly unreachable to me.”

“My willingness to join the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary isn’t because I look down on this place that raised me. It’s because only there might I have a chance to narrow the gap between us—to avoid becoming a burden to you.”

As she spoke, she stared directly at Qi Yuan, her eyes sparkling. A faint curve appeared at the corner of her mouth.

“Besides, for the past two months, even a dignified Holy Scion like you had to call me ‘Senior Sister.’ If I let you leave me in the dust, wouldn’t that make this ‘Senior Sister’ look utterly shameful?”

Qi Yuan was momentarily stunned, then let out a soft chuckle. “Senior Sister, catching up to me, the Holy Scion of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary, won’t be easy!”

With a calm expression, he retrieved a jade slip from his storage pouch and handed it to Bai Xirou.

“This cultivation manual is a closely guarded secret of our Supreme Mystery Sanctuary,” he said with a straight face. “Mastering it will allow your cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds. If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask me anytime.”

“What manual?” Bai Xirou’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. “But I haven’t officially become a disciple of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary yet. Isn’t it improper for you to pass on a technique in advance…?”

Qi Yuan’s eyes glimmered. “Don’t worry, this technique originally belongs to me. It doesn’t count as leaking a sect secret. Just take it.”

“I believe with your talent, Senior Sister, you’ll comprehend it very soon.”

“Alright then.” Curiosity flickered in Bai Xirou’s expression. She reached out, took the jade slip, and extended her spiritual sense into it.

Suddenly, her delicate body trembled. Her aura became disordered, and a deep flush spread across her flawless, jade-like cheeks…

Before long, Bai Xirou withdrew her spiritual sense as if she had been shocked by electricity. She shot Qi Yuan a sharp glare with her limpid eyes, her tone a mix of reproach and embarrassment.

“You’re awful! You used this kind of technique to tease me, yet you insisted it was a ‘closely guarded secret’ of your Supreme Mystery Sanctuary?”

She bit her lip. “Are you from the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary or the Joyous Union Sect?”

Her tone held three parts feigned anger and seven parts bashfulness, making her look uniquely captivating.

Qi Yuan had long anticipated this reaction. His expression unchanged, he said seriously, “Senior Sister, you misunderstand. As the saying goes, there are three thousand Great Daos, and each can lead to immortality.”

“This Scripture of Yin-Yang Metamorphosis is a genuine Heaven-grade technique. Practicing it can harmonize Yin and Yang, facilitating the transformation of Heaven and Humanity. If used properly, it can save you many detours on your future path.”

Bai Xirou, her cheeks burning, shot him a glance filled with resentment.

“You sound so convincing. Have you already practiced this with some other woman?”

“Of course not!”

Faced with this life-or-death question veiled in danger, Qi Yuan denied it without hesitation.

“I, Qi Yuan, swear to the Heavens that I have never practiced the Scripture of Yin-Yang Metamorphosis with any other woman. Senior Sister, you are the first person I’ve shared this technique with…”

Hearing this, Bai Xirou felt an unconscious wave of relief, though she still blushed and retorted, “Who wants to practice this with you? Practice it yourself if you want!”

With that, she turned and ran out of the hall in embarrassment.

Watching Bai Xirou’s flustered retreat, Qi Yuan let out a strange, soft sigh.

This brain-dead System… it really doesn’t act human!

But just now, although Senior Sister seemed a bit resistant, she still took the jade slip in the end.

Could it be… there’s a chance?

Thinking this, his spirits lifted slightly. He secretly resolved to put in even more effort from now on.

Not long after, in the Outer Sect of Falling Cloud Valley.

“Brother Qi! You’re actually the Holy Scion of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary?!”

The Child of Destiny, Lin Zhen, wore an exaggerated expression. His mouth was agape as he stared at Qi Yuan, looking as if he’d seen a ghost.

Remembering that he had once called the Holy Scion of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary ‘brother,’ he couldn’t help feeling like he was in a fever dream.

Qi Yuan gave a faint smile and nodded.

“You heard correctly. I am indeed the Holy Scion. I infiltrated Falling Cloud Valley this time to thwart the Demonic Sect’s plot. Now that the mission is accomplished, it’s time for me to leave.”

“Of course, no matter my identity, it doesn’t affect the relationship between us. Remember to come find me at the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary for a drink when you have time.”

“No problem.”

Lin Zhen nodded emphatically, then looked at Qi Yuan with eyes full of reverence.

“You, a dignified Holy Scion, were willing to conceal your name and serve as a mere laborer in this small place for the sake of the Righteous Cause. Such noble character and integrity are truly a model for our generation!”

“Let’s not talk about that,” Qi Yuan waved his hand with a pained expression. “Brother Lin, please invite that senior out. Last time, the old senior mentioned wanting to entrust me with a task.”

If it weren’t for his desire to learn about that Heaven-Mending Pill, he wouldn’t bother wasting time with this blockhead. Wouldn’t it be better to continue pursuing Senior Sister?

The next moment, a slightly surprised voice transmission echoed in his mind.

“Young friend, I didn’t expect you to have already formed a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul so quickly. Truly, the younger generation is to be feared. Excellent, excellent.”

“You flatter me, Senior!” A trace of humility appeared on Qi Yuan’s face. “If not for your timely guidance, this junior might have already strayed onto the wrong path, making it difficult to ever set foot on the Heavenly Dao.”

“Last time, Senior mentioned having a task for this junior. Now that I have achieved the Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul, I dare to trouble you, hoping to offer my humble assistance.”

“Hahahaha… To put it bluntly, you just want to learn the whereabouts of the Heaven-Mending Pill from this old man. No need to beat around the bush.”

“But you are clever. This old man enjoys dealing with clever people. Unlike that kid Lin Zhen… communicating with him is such a hassle…”

After a hearty laugh, the aged, resonant voice continued.

“This matter actually has a long story. Over a hundred thousand years ago, two terrifying Immortals battled in the depths of the endless void. That fight shattered space itself and caused stars to fall. Even some passing Great Ascension cultivators were caught in the aftermath, perishing and having their Dao extinguished without even knowing what happened.”

Hearing this, Qi Yuan’s expression grew even more respectful. He couldn’t help but interject, “The way you describe it so vividly, Senior, you must be one of those two Immortals, right?”

An Immortal… what an incredible existence to have encountered.

But after a moment of silence, the old man said gloomily:

“No. I was that passing Great Ascension cultivator.”

Qi Yuan: “……”