The sweet potato I casually dug up back in Star Moon Valley was tiny and unremarkable-looking, but who knew it would turn out so fragrant, sweet, and soft when roasted?
Even after finishing that little thing, the taste lingered endlessly.
Wen Shuangbai unconsciously smacked her lips, and the next moment, half a sweet potato appeared before her.
She blinked in surprise, turning her head to ask, "What are you doing?"
"Sharing half with you." The sweet potato was still steaming as Xie Ziyin raised a brow. "Problem?"
Wen Shuangbai instinctively glanced at the others, but seeing they weren’t paying attention to her and Xie Ziyin, she quickly snatched it and muttered, "Of course not. Don’t expect me to hold back."
"Fine by me." Xie Ziyin withdrew his hand, his expression neutral but his mood clearly good. "I don’t expect you to."
Yeah, no holding back was just perfect.
Li Zhuohua had just woken up and was still unaware of the events at the mass grave, so Lu Jiayao enthusiastically filled him in.
In his excitement, he fumbled, and a piece of sweet potato dropped to the ground.
"Aw, it’s dirty now!" Lu Jiayao wailed.
But before he could react, Shen Hefeng had already picked it up and swiftly shoved it into Lu Jiayao’s mouth. "It’s fine, still edible. Don’t waste food, junior—wasting invites lightning strikes. This old man’s just looking out for you."
"……" Lu Jiayao froze, unsure whether to chew or spit it out.
"Speaking of which—" Wen Shuangbai turned to their eldest senior brother, who had willingly taken over Xie Ziyin’s role as the sweet potato roaster, "Star Moon Valley was so much better."
Their team had scavenged plenty of good stuff while traveling through Star Moon Valley.
In contrast, the Ghostly Abyss was either a desert or a mass grave, with the only plant being the eerie Ghostly Grass. And that thing was downright sinister—after collecting the hundred stalks required by the city lord’s mansion, none of the six wanted to touch another.
"Better? This old man nearly got struck by lightning!" Shen Hefeng grumbled. "But I’ll admit, this godforsaken Ghostly Abyss is no prize either."
"Exactly!" Li Zhuohua agreed wholeheartedly. "We barely got anything here compared to our earlier hauls!"
At this, Lu Jiayao had something to add. "Even the cups I took from that little wooden hut turned out to be illusions! Honestly, the Qi Manor in Radiant City was way better—everything I took there was real!"
Wen Shuangbai had only been casually complaining, but as the conversation unfolded, inspiration suddenly struck. She slapped her thigh, leapt to her feet, and declared excitedly, "I’ve got it!"
"Eh??" As the others turned to her in anticipation, Shen Hefeng derailed the moment entirely. "You’ve got it? You and Xie Ziyin are having a kid? When did you two even—was it in your heart demon’s illusion?"
Wen Shuangbai: "……"
Xie Ziyin: "……"
Almost immediately, Yin Xuan—who had been minding his own business, wholly dedicated to roasting sweet potatoes—grabbed his half-cooked batch and bolted.
Moments later, he heard Shen Hefeng’s howling pleas from behind: "I was wrong, I was wrong! Agh—fine, beat me up, but don’t pull my hair! I messed up, I talked nonsense, I was born with my mouth and ass swapped, okay?! Stop yanking my hair, I don’t wanna go bald!!"
Yin Xuan: "……"
After thoroughly disciplining Shen Hefeng, the six huddled together, whispering animatedly.
Finally, Li Zhuohua gave a thumbs-up. "Shimei, this plan of yours is brilliant. I love it!"
"Truly brilliant, utterly ruthless—" Shen Hefeng, now bruised and battered, caught the icy glares from two particular individuals and hastily corrected himself, "I mean, utterly humane! So full of humanity! Truly befitting one of Qingling Mountain’s most promising disciples!"
Lu Jiayao and Li Zhuohua shot him identical looks of disdain.
"Alright then." Wen Shuangbai waved her hand with gusto. "Let’s move out!"
—
The group climbed upward, leaving the mass grave behind and returning to the desert.
After exchanging glances, Wen Shuangbai immediately crushed the jade token linking them to the city lord’s mansion.
The city lord’s airship arrived swiftly, descending toward the six half an hour later.
The closer it got, the more oppressive its aura became.
On the Xuantian Continent, airships were among the rarest and most expensive artifacts, their power rivaling that of a grand cultivator.
Even Qingling Mountain, one of the seven great sects, possessed only three—reserved for grand occasions like the Xuantian Grand Tournament.
When the airship hovered about ten stories above them, it halted midair.
Instantly, the surge of spiritual energy whipped up violent winds, churning the black sand into a swirling storm.
Under the towering shadow of the spirit vessel, the six figures appeared as small as ants, craning their necks upward as they waited for the rear hatch to open. When it did, a rope tumbled down.
Deep within the abyss of the Divine Mystic Valley, cultivators found themselves unable to fly—only formidable artifacts like the spirit vessel could move freely.
One by one, the six climbed aboard the city lord’s ship using the rope.
With a sharp snap, the hatch sealed shut, and the vessel soared into the sky, speeding toward the edge of the valley.
A representative from the city lord’s manor approached immediately. "Where are the Divine Mystic Herbs?"
Without wasting words, Xie Ziyin retrieved a neatly bundled set of a hundred herbs from his storage ring and handed them over.
The man inspected the meticulously prepared herbs and nodded in satisfaction. "Well done. Congratulations on completing your mission. You’ll depart the valley in half an hour. For now, find a spot in the hall to rest."
Wen Shuangbai’s smile brightened as fifty thousand sacred stones reflected in her Xuantian Mirror. "Thank you, elder brother!"
"Honestly, you’ve had remarkable luck," the steward remarked, passing the herbs to an attendant. His gaze lingered on the bright-eyed, cheerful young woman, and he found himself inclined to chat. "Usually, only half of the ten bounty teams sent here succeed, and those who return are either dead or gravely injured. Yet your group emerged unscathed."
The most battered among them was the diviner, sporting a bruised face.
Noticing the steward’s lingering stare, Wen Shuangbai discreetly glanced at the token hanging from his waist. After a moment’s consideration, she shot Xie Ziyin a meaningful look before adopting an innocent, girlish tone. "Really? Then we must be incredibly fortunate!"
"..." Xie Ziyin could only sigh and tactfully withdraw, joining the other four to rest at the side.
Shen Hefeng smirked. "You can actually sit still?"
That burly steward was clearly not Wen Shuangbai’s type—she could crush him with a finger.
Xie Ziyin shot him a glare. "Seems like our earlier beatings weren’t harsh enough."
"Please, your punches and kicks barely tickle." Knowing neither would act rashly now, Shen Hefeng couldn’t resist taunting them.
Wen Shuangbai watched her teammates retreat before turning back to the steward. "Elder brother, were we the first to complete the mission?"
"No," he shook his head. "A team of demonic cultivators had even better luck. We escorted them out much earlier."
"Oh, what a shame." Wen Shuangbai bit her lip, hesitating before clutching her skirt. "Elder brother, where is the grand commander we met earlier? I’d like to speak with him."
"The commander is resting in his quarters. For now, I oversee affairs aboard the ship. Whatever you need, you can discuss it with me."
"I see." Wen Shuangbai nodded eagerly. "Then… could we speak privately?"
The steward grinned knowingly and led her away.
In the dim corridor of the spirit vessel, Wen Shuangbai lowered her voice. "Elder brother, do you think my team and I have what it takes to join the city lord’s manor?"
The steward chuckled, leaning in with an oily smile. Wen Shuangbai immediately retreated, feigning alarm. "Elder brother, I—I didn’t mean anything improper! We truly wish to serve the city lord!"
"I know," the steward replied smoothly. Countless cultivators sought entry—hundreds, if not thousands. "But little girl, you must prove your worth before I can vouch for you. Don’t you agree?"
Wen Shuangbai, ever the picture of naivety, nodded eagerly. "Elder brother, I’m at the late-stage Spirit Awakening realm, nearing the Bright Aperture breakthrough! My senior brothers and sisters are even stronger—they’ve already reached Bright Aperture!"
"So, just a little Spirit Awakening girl?" The steward laughed heartily. "Fine. Come to my quarters and demonstrate your skills. How does that sound?"
After a brief pause, Wen Shuangbai agreed. "Alright."
As she followed the burly man away, the remaining five exchanged glances.
Shen Hefeng’s playful demeanor vanished. He lowered his head, fingers dancing in rapid calculations. After the time it took to hum a tune, he declared, "Now."
Seizing the moment, Lu Jiayao grabbed a prepared jug of wine and approached the nearest city lord’s guard on duty.
"Elder brother, you’ve been standing so long without a drink—how exhausting!" Lu Jiayao pressed the wine into the man’s hands with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Try this. It’s excellent..."
The soldiers from the city lord's manor were highly professional, immediately scowling and impatiently shoving Lu Jiayao away. "Not drinking, get lost!"
Wine splashed everywhere as Lu Jiayao was knocked to the ground. Without another word, his head lolled to the side, and he passed out.
"Lu Jiayao!" Shen Hefeng rushed over in an instant, cradling Lu Jiayao's face in his hands. Taking the opportunity to settle a personal grudge, he pinched his cheeks several times before wailing dramatically, "Jiayao, why aren’t you breathing? Jiayao, how could you die just like that? Jiayao, ah, your death is so tragic!"
The city lord’s soldiers: "??"
What the hell? He’d only pushed him once!
Before the soldiers could even process the absurdity of this staged scene, Li Zhuohua slammed the table, and her sword, Liumang, unsheathed with a metallic ring as she thrust it toward one of them. "In broad daylight, under the heavens, you dare kill my junior brother? A life for a life—prepare to die!"
"You—" The soldier barely managed two words before Li Zhuohua’s blade pierced his throat. Clutching his neck, he collapsed, choking out, "You… dare…"
"Zhang San!" The other soldiers shouted, finally realizing these intruders meant trouble. They immediately swarmed in to attack.
Li Zhuohua flicked the slender yet razor-sharp blade of Liumang with her finger and sighed in satisfaction. "After so long… I can finally swing my sword without restraint!"
With that, like a fish returning to the ocean, the red-clad swordswoman didn’t retreat—she charged forward, meeting the soldiers head-on, her strikes swift and merciless.
Her swordplay radiated killing intent. She feared no injury, no pain, no blood—in fact, the sight of it only fueled her frenzy.
To make matters worse, she had a junior brother who specialized in attacking below the belt, watching eagerly from the sidelines, and another who had miraculously "revived" from his fake death, picking off any stragglers.
The trio worked seamlessly, leaving the hundreds of soldiers aboard the city lord’s ship utterly defenseless.
"Quick, quick! These people are dangerous—call the steward and the captain!"
Meanwhile, in the steward’s quarters.
The steward had already removed his armor, advancing step by step toward Wen Shuangbai. "Little girl, show me what you’ve got. Let this big brother see your skills."
Wen Shuangbai dodged around the room, sighing. "Brother, this isn’t appropriate."
"What’s inappropriate about it?" The steward had initially enjoyed this game of cat and mouse, but when he repeatedly failed to catch her, his patience wore thin. With the imposing aura of a mid-stage Void Refinement cultivator, he barked, "You lowly wench, stop playing hard to get! Being chosen to dual cultivate with me is a blessing you wouldn’t get in ten lifetimes. If I weren’t constantly traveling through the Divine Ghost Valley lately, do you think a nobody like you would even get the chance to share my bed?"
At this, Wen Shuangbai shrank into a corner, lowering her head and going still.
"Fine, you want to do this the hard way? You’re only obedient when I yell at you—how pathetic!" Assuming she had been cowed by his power, the steward strode forward, reaching out to grab her chest. "Serve me well, and I might even promote you to a maid in the city lord’s manor—"
But suddenly, just as his hand was inches away, it froze midair, as if blocked by an invisible barrier he couldn’t break through no matter how hard he tried.
The green-robed woman, who had been hanging her head, suddenly curled her lips into a smirk. She lifted her face—still the same features, yet her entire demeanor had transformed.
Wen Shuangbai leaned lazily against the wall, crossing her arms with a mocking glint in her eyes. "Are all the stewards in your city lord’s manor as useless as you?"
Originally, their group of six had anticipated this mission would be difficult.
They had drafted multiple plans, preparing for every possible contingency.
Yet who could’ve guessed the city lord’s ship would turn out to be a glorified clown show?
The steward’s instincts screamed danger, and he faintly registered the commotion outside.
Shit!
Without hesitation, he spun around and bolted.
"Did I say you could leave?" Wen Shuangbai slid forward in a flash, her hand snapping through the air. The steward’s movements slowed just enough for her to close the distance. With one palm strike, she shattered his spiritual bones, while her other hand snatched the token from his waist. A sharp kick sent him flying into the wall.
The steward coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Wen Shuangbai strode over, looking down at him with cold disdain. "Well? Do I meet your city lord’s standards now?"
"...Tribulation Passage." These people had concealed their cultivation levels! And she was at the Tribulation Passage stage—how could a brat like her possibly be this strong?! Gritting his teeth, the steward subtly reached toward something beside him. "Who are you people? What do you want?"
Wen Shuangbai smirked, her hands moving like lightning as she tore off both his arms.
"Ah—!" The steward howled in agony. "You bitch, you whor—"
Expressionless, Wen Shuangbai flicked out a talisman, sealing his mouth before obliterating the family jewels with a single strike. "If there’s a next life, I suggest you learn to speak properly. Understood?"
The steward's face twisted with fury, his eyes burning with murderous intent as he glared at Wen Shuangbai. "Do you have any idea who I am? I—"
"Not interested." Wen Shuangbai raised her hand and ended his life without hesitation.
After dealing with the steward and securing the token, she carefully pushed open the door.
Leaning against the wall outside, a coldly elegant man in white robes stood with his arms crossed, waiting for her.
Wen Shuangbai slipped out and whispered, "How's it going?"
"Everything's going according to plan," Xie Ziyin replied. "Did you get it?"
"Of course!" She opened her palm, waving the token at him with a triumphant grin.
"Then let's go. The spirit chamber is just ahead." Xie Ziyin waited for her to move forward before his gaze turned icy. Without a trace of emotion, he cast a frigid glance through the door crack at the corpse inside, then kicked the door shut and followed her.
The soldiers aboard the city lord's airship had been stalled by the trio of senior sisters, while Yin Xuan was off capturing the vessel's commander.
Now, with the pass token in hand, Wen Shuangbai and Xie Ziyin moved unimpeded through layers of traps and formations until they reached the spirit chamber.
At the entrance, the two exchanged a knowing smile. Wen Shuangbai lifted her foot and kicked the door open, greeting the dozen or so cultivators inside with a polite smile.
"Hello. This is a robbery."
