About a quarter of an hour earlier.
Yin Xuan, who had been sleeping beside the alchemy furnace, suddenly opened his eyes.
The man, his disheveled long hair streaked with pale yellow chick-like strands, flashed to Li Zhuohua’s side in an instant, gazing toward the small ginkgo house halfway up the mountain.
The forces of the Violet Flame Realm and the Heavenly Net Witch were closing in.
Li Zhuohua’s Flowing Rainbow Sword slipped from her hand and shot away like a blur, its scabbard clattering against the ground and sending the chicks and piglets into a frenzy of noise.
Lu Jiayao sensed something amiss and darted over, asking nervously, "What’s happening? Are the three of them in trouble?"
Yin Xuan remained fixated on the ginkgo house, tilting his head slightly before murmuring, "Hmm…………"
After an extended pause with no follow-up from Yin Xuan, Lu Jiayao pressed, "Senior Brother Yin, what’s really going on?"
Li Zhuohua snapped, "Third Earth Junior Brother, quiet!"
Lu Jiayao hastily covered his mouth.
The woman in red stood poised, her blazing eyes locked onto the ginkgo house, waiting intently for a signal from Junior Sister Shuangbai.
The moment the signal came, she would charge in and slaughter those disciples!
But as she waited, no signal came from Wen Shuangbai. Instead, the elusive village chief appeared.
The ghostly chief, clad in dark blue cloth shoes, seemed to sense intruders in his home and swiftly floated back inside.
The Violet Flame Realm and Heavenly Net Witch disciples had no choice but to step aside.
One disciple couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, "Damn it, the chief shouldn’t be back at this hour!"
"There’s someone upstairs."
"Did someone touch what they shouldn’t have? Those bald monks from the Divine Evolution Temple?"
Di Qi remained silent, but his gaze flickered toward the spot where the pigs and chickens had been making an unusual racket.
Yes—it was the people from Qingling Mountain.
……
A gust of wind swept past, lifting the fallen ginkgo leaves from the stone path and carrying away a single strand of pig hair.
The wind traveled far, drifting toward the chicken coop.
Then, it stilled.
Yin Xuan spotted his junior sister and her husband materializing and smiled gently. "You’re back?"
Wen Shuangbai tucked the pig hair into the belt of her Fire Plume Whip and gave a quiet hum.
Yin Xuan nodded slightly.
He didn’t bother asking about the dangers they’d faced inside, how they’d escaped, how they’d hidden, or where the piglet had gone.
None of that mattered. As long as his junior sister returned safely, everything else was trivial.
Yin Xuan yawned and went back to finding a cozy spot to nap.
Li Zhuohua, however, felt conflicted.
Of course, she was relieved to see her junior sister return unharmed—but she couldn’t help feeling a twinge of regret that her Flowing Rainbow Sword hadn’t left its scabbard.
Unable to contain herself, she turned to Yin Xuan and pointed her sword at his perpetually drowsy, chick-nest hair. "You. Spar with me?"
Yin Xuan: "?"
What a terrifying sword fanatic, always itching for a fight.
Wouldn’t sleeping be better?
He quickly shut his eyes, turning his back to her and pretending not to hear.
Only Lu Jiayao, holding the Profound Heaven Mirror, rushed up to Wen Shuangbai and Xie Ziyin with starry-eyed admiration. "Shuangbai! Ziyin! You two are amazing! Did you see—"
"Shh." Wen Shuangbai cut him off, warning, "Secrets stay secret."
The Sacred Tower never disclosed each sect’s Sacred Stone count—it was their hidden trump card.
Lu Jiayao swallowed his words but still danced with excitement.
After these past few days together, the chicks had clearly adopted him as their mother hen, chirping and pecking at his feet for worms.
So, humming a tune, he went off to dig for insects.
Wen Shuangbai pulled out the Profound Heaven Mirror again.
She had already checked it once under the bed, but now, she wanted another look.
[Congratulations to you and your team for discovering a crucial clue: [Hidden Characters]. Reward: 300 Sacred Stones.]
Three hundred—that meant three hundred thousand spirit stones!
[Wait, are the Qingling Mountain folks celebrating too soon?]
[Yeah, with the piglet dead, they’ll lose 150 Sacred Stones. If their count hits zero, they’ll be wiped out too, right?]
As if on cue, shortly after Wen Shuangbai and Xie Ziyin returned, the village chief finally sensed something wrong and came knocking.
[The ghost chief is here!]
[Heavens, that was fast!]
The chief pressed his spectral face close to Wen Shuangbai, his voice dripping with menace. "One of your piglets is missing."
Wen Shuangbai feigned confusion. "Huh? How could that be? It was just here!"
Xie Ziyin stood silently beside her, watching her performance.
With acting skills like that, was she an actress in the modern world?
But given how frugal she was, she probably wasn’t famous—more like a D-list celebrity.
The chief insisted, "Losing a piglet is as good as killing it!"
"Chief, maybe the little one wandered off to eat somewhere. Or—" Wen Shuangbai hinted meaningfully, "perhaps someone snatched it for a secret feast."
The chief had lost something important.
Though it couldn’t quite remember what, it was certain—something vital was gone.
It suspected these thieves were responsible, especially since that piglet had been inside its house!
But it had no proof. The only possible evidence—the pig—had been torn to shreds by its own hands.
It couldn’t admit to breaking the rules by destroying the pig, just as Wen Shuangbai couldn’t admit to seeing it happen. By the rules, neither she nor Xie Ziyin should have been in the chief’s house, stealing his belongings.
Both sides knew exactly what had happened—yet both had to play dumb.
The chief’s home had been robbed. It knew the culprits but couldn’t punish them, couldn’t devour them!
So it snarled, "Losing a piglet is as good as killing it. If you don’t find it within half an hour, as chief, I will punish you!"
With a sigh, Wen Shuangbai had no choice but to drag Xie Ziyin out to "search" for the piglet.
Half an hour later, they called Shen Hefeng back from his lookout post at the pavilion.
The cultivators watching through the Profound Heaven Mirror had plenty to say, their focus scattered.
[Is Shen Hefeng the pig?]
[They’re about to lose Sacred Stones, right?]
[But they seem so calm—I feel like there’s something we don’t know.]
[Probably just the peace of the doomed.]
[What a joke! After all that effort, they’re still getting eliminated?!]
[At least they got the Spirit Veil Talisman paper. Not a total loss.]
[No, no—Qingling Mountain, my source of joy! I want to keep watching them!]
[Hahaha, deduct their Sacred Stones already! I’m sick of seeing these rule-exploiting pests!!]
[Seriously, what kind of standards does the Profound Heaven Competition have these days? Kick out Qingling Mountain and bring back the Dry Origin Sect!]
The moment the half-hour mark passed, the chief eagerly delivered judgment.
Qingling Mountain’s Sacred Stones were instantly docked by 150.
It lashed out with its elongated tongue, ready to devour them—only to be violently repelled by a surge of rule-based power.
The chief’s tongue snapped into pieces with a bloodcurdling shriek: "Aaaah—!"
Wen Shuangbai smiled faintly.
The second she’d seen the 300 Sacred Stones appear in their account under the bed, she’d already done the math.
Income: Three hundred Sacred Stones + writing materials + medicinal herbs + key clues;
Cost: One piece of dead pigskin + a fine of one hundred fifty;
Profit margin exceeds fifty percent! A guaranteed win!
Without hesitation, she sacrificed the four-hundred-piece pigskin mask—delaying even a second would have been disrespectful to the spirit stones.
[? Why are they still here?]
[What fools. Clearly, they found the key clues, and the Sacred Tower rewarded them with Sacred Stones.]
[Hehe, I held back earlier just to see how many Qian Yuan Sect members were secretly watching. Give up! You’re definitely getting eliminated this round! Mark my words—our Qingling Mountain will make it to the top three!]
—
After nightfall,
The Jade Rhinoceros Valley disciples came over for a visit.
Yin Xuan was already asleep.
Li Zhuohua, ever the quiet one, didn’t know the first thing about hospitality and sat to the side, meticulously polishing her Rainbow Sword.
Xie Ziyin wasn’t fond of socializing either.
Shen Hefeng sat absentmindedly, rubbing his bald head.
Since Jade Rhinoceros Valley had generously provided the Golden Silk Carpet, Lu Jiayao took the lead—with Wen Shuangbai assisting—to warmly receive their esteemed guests.
Yu Xiaoli: "Sister Wen, Brother Lu, did you climb the little bamboo mountain behind the village during the day? The view from the top is breathtaking—you can see the entire Tian Family Village!"
[I’ve got six Mystic Mirrors running simultaneously, watching six sects. I can confirm—while the others were sweating over tasks and hunting for clues, only Jade Rhinoceros Valley was out having fun, wandering around with their big black dog!]
[Yin Xuan from Qingling Mountain should just move in with Jade Rhinoceros Valley.]
[No way. They’d never last. Yin Xuan refuses to move, and Jade Rhinoceros Valley disciples have chronic wanderlust—they’re all over the mountains!]
[Are Jade Rhinoceros Valley disciples even taking the competition seriously?]
[Our Valley Master’s goal is simply not to come in last. Since Qian Yuan Sect is already eliminated, we’ve technically already won! /scratches head]
[...Your sect really knows how to take it easy.]
[I’m from Qingzhou, but I’d love to join Jade Rhinoceros Valley someday. I heard life there is relaxed—no cutthroat cultivation grind, and the sect hands out plenty of spirit stones every month!]
[!! Don’t say that out loud! If everyone applies, how will I get in next year?!]
[No no no, life in Jade Rhinoceros Valley is brutal—exhausting, really. Trust me, stay away! Let me suffer alone!]
[Hey, buddy? I could hear your scheming all the way from Youzhou.]
Over the past few days, Qingling Mountain’s kind-hearted trio had scouted all the safe zones in Tian Family Village.
Wen Shuangbai hadn’t visited the bamboo mountain, but Xie Ziyin had.
She remembered his report upon returning—not a word about the scenery, just: "Nothing valuable there."
Recalling this, Wen Shuangbai turned to the man behind her, who was deep in thought about the hidden character clue, and said, "You have no eye for beauty."
Xie Ziyin shot her a cool glance. "And you do?"
They were two of a kind—how dare she criticize him?
Wen Shuangbai declared shamelessly, "I’ll develop one once I’m rich."
"Is that so?" Xie Ziyin replied indifferently. "In five hundred years?"
Wen Shuangbai: "??"
Was he cursing her to stay poor for five centuries?
Lu Jiayao, mid-conversation with the Jade Rhinoceros Valley group, suddenly paused. "Shuangbai, the Purple Flame Realm disciples are heading this way!"
Wen Shuangbai turned.
It wasn’t Di Qi approaching—but his cousin, Di Yanran.
The Di family’s roots traced back to royalty.
Long ago, the Xuantian Continent was ruled by imperial authority.
After the Great Calamity, kingdoms dissolved, and the Seven Sages divided the land into seven regions, each led by a major sect.
Yet the Di family still carried themselves with innate regal grace.
The woman outside the barrier stood with the poised elegance of a peony, waiting patiently.
When Wen Shuangbai met her gaze, Di Yanran smiled warmly.
[Oh! It’s Princess Yanran!]
[Yanran’s so kind—she treats even junior disciples with respect. Despite her status, she’s never arrogant.]
Her charm was undeniable, her manners flawless. At first glance, Wen Shuangbai found it hard to dislike her—even knowing the girl was the novel’s scheming antagonist, a viper hidden beneath a lovely facade.
Yes, in the original story, Di Yanran shared a role with Wen Shuangbai: villainess.
Where Wen Shuangbai was the female lead’s obstacle in Qingling Mountain, Di Yanran played the same part in the Xuantian Competition.
Wen Shuangbai stepped forward. "Can I help you?"
"Miss Wen," Di Yanran curtsied gracefully. "Time is short, so I’ll be direct. I apologize if this seems forward."
She studied the woman in green and said plainly, "We know you obtained crucial clues today."
Wen Shuangbai’s expression remained neutral. She’d expected this.
"My elder brother proposes we share our findings," Di Yanran continued smoothly. "Both Purple Flame Realm and Sky Net Shaman have uncovered some leads. Wouldn’t it benefit us all to collaborate?"
Her words carried an unspoken warning: With Qian Yuan eliminated, the remaining six sects would advance. The priority now was ensuring everyone left Tian Family Village unharmed—spirit and bones intact.
Wen Shuangbai understood. Temporary alliances made sense, and she was curious about the other sects’ discoveries.
But any cooperation had to be on Qingling Mountain’s terms.
Since Di Yanran was courteous, Wen Shuangbai reciprocated. "Agreed. If you’d like, your sects may join us here to discuss."
Di Yanran’s smile didn’t waver. "Excellent. I’ll consult my brother."
"One more thing," Wen Shuangbai added, glancing toward Divine Evolution Temple’s camp. "Would you object if I invited Divine Evolution Temple and Jade Rhinoceros Valley as well?"
Di Yanran blinked.
The question was polite, but the subtext was clear: Wen Shuangbai wasn’t asking permission—she was extending a courtesy.
"Of course," Di Yanran replied. "I’ll relay your invitation."
As Di Yanran departed, Wen Shuangbai sent Lu Jiayao to summon the monks.
Having both Purple Flame Realm and Divine Evolution Temple present would keep each other in check—a strategic balance.
Soon, disciples from Purple Flame Realm, Sky Net Shaman, and Divine Evolution Temple converged on Qingling Mountain’s camp.
Unexpectedly, the Ten Thousand Saints Palace contingent trailed behind Purple Flame Realm.
Yu Xiaoxiao walked beside Di Qi, whispering something with a radiant, fairy-like smile.
[Xiaoxiao is so gorgeous! Ahhh, she’s stunning!]
【But I find her so annoying, always hovering around men.】
【Are you just jealous of her beauty?】
【Because all the other girls envy her. She even tried befriending that fox spirit from Jade Fox Valley, but the sly, jealous vixen completely ignored her.】
【What did our Jade Fox Valley ever do to you? Does our junior sister Xiaoli need to be jealous? She’s wealthy, gorgeous, and kind—do you even know how many people in Yunzhou adore her?】
【?? Every other female disciple is stunning in their own way, with their own strengths. It’s fine if you all favor your junior sister Yu, but how dare you talk about the others like that?】
Di Yanran stood on the other side of Di Qi, her smile unchanged, but her gaze toward the people of Ten Thousand Saints Palace turned icy for a fleeting moment—though no one noticed.
Lu Ying and Bai Lijue followed Yu Xiaoxiao, their faces cold and expressions grim. It was unclear whether they were displeased by Yu Xiaoxiao’s closeness to Di Qi, their aversion to the Qingling Mountain faction, or both.
The hammer-wielding cultivator muttered, “Why do we have to go to Qingling Mountain’s territory? Who do they think they are? I say we should gather at our Purple Flame Realm brothers’ place instead.”
Wen Shuangbai: “?”
Amused by these shameless individuals, Wen Shuangbai arched a brow and smirked.
Shen Hefeng was so furious he didn’t even bother fixing his disheveled hair. “I say we peel off their faces and use them as masks for pig bristles—they’re so thick, they’d make indestructible divine artifacts!”
Xie Ziyin remarked dryly, “Even pig bristles have standards.”
The four hundred strands of pig bristles hidden in Wen Shuangbai’s fiery whip, Flaming Lash, nodded vigorously in agreement.
Four Hundred: Exactly! Its physician father understood it well—it would never want these people’s faces as its skin!
The three exchanged glances and stepped forward, blocking the approaching crowd.
Di Qi, slightly puzzled, glanced at Di Yanran before asking politely, “Miss Wen, what’s the meaning of this?”
They had already arrived—why weren’t they allowed in? Weren’t things agreed upon beforehand?
“I said we could discuss cooperation with you,” Wen Shuangbai replied, her gaze settling on the Ten Thousand Saints Palace group. “But ‘you’ doesn’t include Ten Thousand Saints Palace.”
Yu Xiaoxiao froze at these words, instinctively looking between Di Qi, Lu Ying, and Bai Lijue. She hurried forward, lifting her skirt, assuming Wen Shuangbai was still holding a grudge over her past closeness with Xie Ziyin. “Senior Sister Wen, is this because of me? Was it because I got too close to Senior Brother Xie before? But—”
“Shh.” Wen Shuangbai pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her. “This isn’t about you. It’s about every single one of you from Ten Thousand Saints Palace.”
Pausing, she slowly pointed at the hammer-wielder, Bai Lijue, and Lu Ying, her smile sharpening as she emphasized, “Especially you three.”
“So, esteemed guests—” Wen Shuangbai addressed the other four major sects with a firm declaration, “Qingling Mountain’s territory is forever barred to Ten Thousand Saints Palace! And Qingling Mountain will not cooperate with any faction that allies with them. Whether you choose to join us tonight… is entirely up to you.”
The representatives of the four sects understood—Wen Shuangbai was forcing them to choose between Qingling Mountain and Ten Thousand Saints Palace.
The Jade Fox Valley disciples didn’t hesitate, immediately stepping onto Qingling Mountain’s grounds.
The monks of Divine Evolution Temple, originally invited by Lu Jiayao and having no prior ties to Ten Thousand Saints Palace, followed cheerfully behind.
The black-robed cultivators of Heavenly Net Sect watched Purple Flame Realm and Ten Thousand Saints Palace with amusement before striding into Qingling Mountain’s domain.
Di Yanran and the other five Purple Flame Realm disciples turned to Di Qi. He lowered his head, lost in thought, before finally sighing and offering Ten Thousand Saints Palace an apologetic smile. Without another word, he led his sect toward Qingling Mountain.
And so, the five great sects gathered as one.
Only the six members of Ten Thousand Saints Palace remained, left isolated beyond the barrier.
