The relentless rain had been pouring for two full days with no sign of stopping.
It felt like the heart of a tropical rainforest during monsoon season.
The lush greenery concealed all manner of demonic beasts and venomous insects.
According to Shen Hefeng’s divination, the nearest suitable cave for rest was still quite far away.
After weighing their options, Wen Shuangbai decided it would be better to settle where they were.
To prepare a space for Huaiming Buddha Son to perform the ritual to dispel the puppet curse from Lu Jiayao, Wen Shuangbai led her companions in setting up a makeshift camp on a relatively flat stretch of the cliff. Using tree branches, leftover snake skins, broad leaves, and scraps of fabric, they fashioned a simple shelter.
Huaiming Buddha Son’s sole remaining thin-framed junior brother bustled about, his fair-skinned face flushed with exertion as he asked in astonishment, "Little Benefactor Wen, how are you so skilled at this?"
Wen Shuangbai, who had mastered construction skills after her house collapsed in her previous life, sighed wistfully. "My courtyard collapsed once. To save money, I had to repair it myself."
Nearby, Xie Ziyin dropped a bundle of firewood with a cold chuckle, his gaze lingering meaningfully on Wen Shuangbai. "Do you remember? My courtyard also collapsed."
And it remained in ruins to this day, unrepaired.
"...I know, I already promised I’d fix it when we get back!" Wen Shuangbai huffed. "I’m not going to back out of it."
"Allow me to remind you—you’re already on my list of broken promises," the man retorted, unimpressed. He cast a sweeping glance at the young monk, then shook his head slightly before walking away.
The young monk froze like a startled rabbit, only daring to speak once Xie Ziyin was out of earshot. "Little Benefactor Wen, did I... do something to upset Benefactor Xie?"
"Don’t overthink it. He’s just like that—naturally grumpy with everyone," Wen Shuangbai said, her expression screaming Ignore him, he’s just a big idiot.
The monk, ever understanding, clasped his hands and nodded. "Amitabha, I see."
Meanwhile, a certain Taoist crouched nearby, chiseling holes into the ground while eavesdropping with great amusement. He scurried off to find Xie Ziyin, gleefully taunting him, "Poison Physician, your spot’s being stolen! Hahaha, karma’s a bitch!"
"That monk?" Xie Ziyin remained unfazed. He couldn’t imagine Wen Shuangbai being interested in such a frail, delicate-looking weakling. He shot Shen Hefeng a dismissive look. "Mind your own business. Go dig your holes."
......
On the other side of the Star Moon Rainforest, the little spirits of Jade Rhinoceros Valley were also sheltering from the rain.
Inside a cave fragrant with refined incense, luxurious golden silk carpets covered the floor, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Their turtle junior brother had already been sent out of the Sacred Tower, and without their diviner, they had no idea where to go next.
The path ahead was uncertain. The other little spirits dozed peacefully.
The gloomy weather outside, with rain pattering against leaves in a soothing rhythm, was perfect for napping.
The little spirits adored sleeping during such weather.
Only two of them had slept enough. They sat side by side at the cave entrance, chins propped on their hands, staring at the rain curtain as they pondered the philosophical questions of Where am I? Who am I? Where am I going?
Yu Qianli asked, "Junior Sister, when will this rain stop?"
Yu Xiaoli answered, "Senior Brother, I don’t know either."
Yu Qianli pressed, "After the rain stops, should we go look for the Star Moon Divine Tree?"
Yu Xiaoli thought carefully. "Everyone else will be searching for it. We can’t possibly compete with Violet Flame Realm or Qingling Mountain. Maybe we shouldn’t bother?"
"True," Yu Qianli conceded. "Then where should we go after the rain stops?"
"Hmm... let’s decide after the rain stops. Anyway, we’re definitely getting eliminated this round, so it doesn’t matter where we go." The little fox girl had a carefree attitude. She rubbed her fluffy ears and drowsy eyes, yawning. "Senior Brother, I’m sleepy. I want to nap again."
She curled up in a corner, her long fox tail swishing before tucking neatly around her.
[Ahhhh so cute so cute! I want a fluffy little fox too!]
[Wake up, you can’t afford one. You’d need to be as rich as Jade Rhinoceros Valley to raise one.]
[What, can’t a girl dream in broad daylight? How cruel, fellow cultivator!]
Yu Qianli also yawned, about to say he’d nap too, when the Mystic Heaven Mirror suddenly buzzed repeatedly.
He opened it and immediately leapt to his feet, shouting, "Great news! Fantastic news! We’re not getting eliminated this round! The entire Heavenly Net Witch Sect has been wiped out!!"
The little spirits jolted awake, crowding around the mirror, chattering excitedly.
"What? Really?!"
"It’s true! Divine Evolution Temple also lost four members. They must’ve clashed with the Heavenly Net Witch Sect and won!"
"Divine Evolution Temple is too kind! They just handed us a free pass to the next round!"
[Actually, it was our Qingling Mountain!]
[Old Qian must be overjoyed—Jade Rhinoceros Valley is about to make him rich again.]
"Our luck is insane. We did nothing but sleep for days, and now we’ve advanced?"
"Guess the Valley Master’s donations to temples and charity porridge really paid off."
"Hehe, let’s ask him to donate more when we get back."
[Can you donate some to me? I’m broke.]
[Please, have mercy! This poor soul hasn’t eaten a full meal in a month. Any Jade Rhinoceros Valley seniors watching, send money! My address: West Bluefin City, Vermilion Bird Street, twelfth row, house with the osmanthus tree out front. Thanks! [Dog head]]
The turtle elder of Jade Rhinoceros Valley wasn’t watching his disciples’ performance—he didn’t want to die of frustration.
Instead, he sipped wine cheerfully, thoroughly enjoying the sight of Qingling Mountain’s disciples building their cliffside camp.
Other sects’ disciples were just so much more competent.
But his recovered turtle son was watching. Delighted that Jade Rhinoceros Valley had advanced, the little turtle decided to spread some joy. Using a fraction of its allowance, it asked a senior to deliver money to the osmanthus-tree-house viewer.
Days later, the cultivator who had jokingly begged for money in the Mystic Heaven Mirror stared in disbelief at the 10,000 spirit stones gifted by Jade Rhinoceros Valley’s Little Turtle, stammering in excitement: [Everyone! Jade Rhinoceros Valley ACTUALLY SENDS MONEY!!]
......
Meanwhile, in the Violet Flame Realm.
Di Yanran held up an elegant oil-paper umbrella, stepping beside Di Qi to shield him from the rain. Gazing at the scene before them, her eyes filled with concern as she murmured, "Brother, how did it come to this?"
Di Qi's usually smiling face was now devoid of any trace of amusement, his brows furrowed in a solemn expression. "Perhaps we've all been mistaken..."
"Young Master," a disciple stepped forward and whispered, "The Heavenly Net Witch Sect has been eliminated by the Divine Evolution Temple."
Di Yanran turned in surprise. "What? The Heavenly Net Witch Sect should logically be stronger than the Divine Evolution Temple..."
A short, dry laugh came from Di Qi. "It seems Qingling Mountain intervened."
At the entrance of the Star Moon Valley's secret realm earlier, the Heavenly Net Witch Sect had cast puppet curses on their group—the Purple Flame Realm, Qingling Mountain, and the Jade Rhinoceros Valley.
The Jade Rhinoceros Valley had expelled the turtle spirit, while Qingling Mountain had yet to lose anyone.
If they wanted to save Lu Jiayao, they would inevitably seek out the Divine Evolution Temple.
So, the Heavenly Net Witch Sect was nothing but a bunch of useless fools.
Di Qi chuckled, then cast one last deep glance at the scene before leading his group away. "Let's go. We'll look elsewhere."
---
Inside the secret realm, the last sliver of light vanished from the gloomy sky, plunging the rainforest into darkness.
Night fell, and the downpour continued relentlessly, hammering against the makeshift snake-skin canopy above the shelter. The sound was deafening, like standing beside a roaring river.
Xie Ziyin had taken all the furniture from the Zhuang family in Zhaoguang City, originally intending it for his own future home. He rarely used it, but out of a sliver of camaraderie, he now brought out a bed, a table, and chairs.
Lu Jiayao lay on the bed while Huaiming Buddha Son sat beside him, working to dispel the puppet curse, with the thin monk assisting.
The five from Qingling Mountain huddled nearby, watching intently.
Shen Hefeng stroked his nonexistent beard. "Why does Lu Jiayao have so many bruises?"
Xie Ziyin didn’t even need to look. "Impact injuries."
Wen Shuangbai frowned. "That can’t be. I placed so many cushioning vines around him—how could he still get hurt?"
"Rough handling during transport can also cause injuries," Xie Ziyin stated matter-of-factly.
Yin Xuan nodded sagely.
All eyes turned to Senior Sister Li Zhuohua.
Li Zhuohua slammed her sword onto the table. "Impossible! I was very careful!"
Xie Ziyin instinctively glanced at the table—thankfully, it hadn’t cracked.
"It must be the puppet curse," Wen Shuangbai declared, brushing aside any other explanations. "The curse forced Lu Jiayao to attack us, so of course he got bruised in the process."
"Exactly!" Li Zhuohua grinned, high-fiving Wen Shuangbai. "My junior sister understands me."
The two eavesdropping monks: "......"
Bruises really weren’t the puppet curse’s fault.
But since the Heavenly Net Witch Sect was despicable, the monks saw no reason to defend them.
Outside the sacred tower, the Heavenly Net Witch Sect members seethed with rage and resentment. Though the results were irreversible, they stubbornly clung to Qingling Mountain’s Mystic Heaven Mirror feed, waiting for them to fail.
Seeing this, Wu Shao exploded in fury, refuting the claims: "Those bruises and injuries have nothing to do with our puppet curses! Qingling Mountain, stop spreading lies!"
"Deny all you want—it’s totally your fault, teehee."
"Why so mad? Are you Wu Shao? Hahaha!"
"Oh? Heavenly Net Witch Sect lurking in our Mystic Heaven Mirror feed? Come here, let this big sister teach you a lesson..."
A one-sided online bashing of Wu Shao ensued.
Back in the Mystic Heaven Mirror, golden Buddhist light soon surged from Huaiming Buddha Son’s body, flowing into Lu Jiayao’s and forcing out a shadowy, human-like figure. The light swiftly wrapped around it, obliterating the dark presence.
"It’s done," Huaiming said weakly as the others approached.
"Thank you," Wen Shuangbai said, checking on Lu Jiayao. The pink-robed youth still looked half-dead.
Shen Hefeng poked at the bruises on Lu Jiayao’s face. "Monk, why isn’t my junior brother awake yet? Are you even competent?"
Seeing that no one paid him any attention—not even his own junior brother—the fat monk, already injured and now exhausted from the exorcism, sighed and resignedly took off his shoes. He climbed onto the bed, squeezed into the inner side, and lay down.
"...He was injured by the puppet curse. I’m a Buddhist cultivator, not a healer."
"Also, I’m injured too. Xie, if you wouldn’t mind treating me as well, many thanks. Amitabha."
Xie Ziyin: "......"
Expressionless, he walked over to treat both patients, thinking to himself: This bed is ruined. I’m getting a new one.
---
By midnight, the rain had lightened. Lu Jiayao woke up halfway through the night.
After learning what had happened in the past few days, he clutched his head and described his symptoms to Xie Ziyin: "Senior Brother Xie, my head still hurts... I feel dizzy, and nauseous..."
Before Xie Ziyin could respond, Shen Hefeng popped up from his makeshift bed on the floor and quipped, "Oh no, Lu Jiayao—are you pregnant?"
Xie Ziyin and Wen Shuangbai both facepalmed.
Yin Xuan took the opportunity to shove the restless Junior Brother Shen out of the sleeping area.
Lu Jiayao was so incensed his brain buzzed, rendering him speechless. "I—I—You—You—"
Li Zhuohua, unable to sleep, had gone out for a stroll. She now burst back inside, lifting the tent flap excitedly, only to freeze at Shen Hefeng’s words. Staring at Lu Jiayao, she gasped dramatically: "What?! Junior Brother Lu is pregnant with the puppet curse’s child?!"
Wen Shuangbai, who had been crafting a fishing rod, was rendered speechless. After a pause, she blinked and looked up, adopting a sorrowful expression. "Yes..."
Xie Ziyin glanced at her. She’s really selling it. Was she actually a third-rate actress in her past life?
Lu Jiayao clutched his head in agony. "I really have a headache!!!" Can you all stop tormenting me?!
Xie Ziyin couldn’t stand them bullying his patient—but he waited until they were done before intervening. "Enough nonsense. Lu Jiayao just has a mild concussion. He’ll be fine after some rest."
"Thank goodness." Lu Jiayao sighed in relief, deeply moved. "Senior Brother Xie, you’re the only one who treats me well!"
Yin Xuan, feigning sleep: "?"
I distinctly remember him saying I was the best before.
Li Zhuohua, now reassured, proudly pulled out a dead wild pheasant from her storage ring. "Look! I caught a chicken!"
In a realm teeming with demonic beasts, spirit cores were abundant—but edible game was scarce.
At the word "chicken," the eyes of the group—long deprived of anything but fasting pills—lit up instantly.
Wen Shuangbai gasped in genuine admiration. "That’s huge!"
"I caught it!" Li Zhuohua boasted. "Perfect for making soup to nourish Junior Brother Lu!"
Lu Jiayao’s dizziness and nausea vanished in an instant. He scrambled over, deeply moved. "Senior Sister Li, you’re the best!"
Yin Xuan sat up, about to mention that he was quite skilled at making chicken soup...
But someone moved faster than him.
The plump monk lying on the bed immediately slipped on his shoes and landed on the floor, appearing before Li Zhuohua in an instant. He grinned cheerfully and said, "What a fine thing, what a fine thing! Let this humble monk... no, let this humble monk liberate this wild pheasant. Amitabha."
The Qingling Mountain disciples: "?"
Wen Shuangbai: "You’re a monk—you eat meat?"
"A monk’s duty cannot be called 'eating,'" the plump monk replied smoothly, pulling out an array of oils, spices, and seasonings from his storage ring with a solemn expression. "Amitabha. Young Benefactor Wen, this is liberation. Liberation."
