The person in charge of the underground city was named Elder Tuo. Having committed a crime in his early years, he was banished to this godforsaken, sunless place to manage the medicine testers.
Most of the medicine testers were bred generation after generation, though occasionally, people worthy of research were also thrown in.
As usual, when Elder Tuo saw that the newcomer was a young woman, lust instantly surged within him.
She lay unconscious on the ground, but her figure was exceptionally graceful.
As he drew closer and saw her beautiful, lotus-like face, a flash of utter amazement crossed his eyes.
He wanted to enjoy her for himself first, but upon seeing the silver ring on her wrist, he had no choice but to drop the idea.
Wearing this silver ring meant she was a precious medicine tester that only high-level elders were permitted to touch. Although Elder Tuo was also an elder, his title was in name only. If he actually touched her and provoked the displeasure of the other elders, he would truly be ground into dust.
Elder Tuo casually pointed a finger. "You there, take her back and look after her."
A red-haired woman stepped forward. Without saying a word, she helped the unconscious young woman up and took her back to her own cave.
Mu Ran jolted awake from a nightmare. Sitting up abruptly on the cold, hard bed, her mind was still in a daze.
"Miss, you're awake."
Mu Ran looked up and instinctively shrank back into the corner of the wall. "Where is this? Who are you?"
The red-haired woman sat on the edge of the bed and offered her a bowl of water. "This is the underground city, the dwelling place for medicine testers. My name is Fanghua, and the person in charge here told me to look after you."
Mu Ran hesitantly took the water but did not drink it. She remained silent for a long time before suddenly asking, "Is there any chance to leave this place?"
Fanghua replied, "Unless the people above need you to test medicine, no one can leave here."
For the medicine testers, their fate was sealed from the very beginning. Even in death, they could only die within the underground city.
Most medicine testers died missing arms or legs; to die with an intact corpse was considered lucky.
Mu Ran lowered her head, wiping the corners of her eyes.
Fanghua asked softly, "What's wrong?"
Mu Ran choked back a sob. "I thought of my husband. I was suddenly taken away, and he must be searching for me frantically."
Seeing how young Mu Ran was, Fanghua couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.
"Don't be too sad, miss... If your husband truly cares for you, he will search the ends of the earth to find you. It's just that this place is full of dark secrets and heavily guarded. The more we fear and panic, the harder it will be to survive."
She paused, then added, "For people like us, every day we live to step outside is a day earned. Just protect yourself well and stay alive. Perhaps one day, you will see him again."
In truth, these words were nothing more than comfort for Mu Ran. Of all the medicine testers trapped in the underground city, how many ever met a good end?
Mu Ran shook her head. "I don't want him to come looking for me. He is just an ordinary man. If he goes against the cultivators, he might lose his life."
Fanghua froze for a moment, a trace of bitterness flashing through her eyes. She gently held Mu Ran's cold hands. "No matter what, for the sake of the people we hold in our hearts, we must grit our teeth and live on."
However, Mu Ran was the last person to accept fate. She told herself that she would definitely find a way to escape this place.
Cangshu Qihua led the people of Zhenyue Mountain City in a battle against Chiyan Peak. Although it ended in a stalemate for several days, they ultimately achieved victory. Now, Chiyan Peak had no choice but to submit to Zhenyue Mountain City, becoming its vassal. From now on, the territory and power of Zhenyue Mountain City would only continue to expand.
Due to his birth, Cangshu Taotian did not value his son, Cangshu Qihua. However, since Cangshu Qihua had returned victorious, he still gave him enough face by leading the entirety of Zhenyue Mountain City to welcome him at the mountain gates.
Mu Shuqing stood in the crowd, quite inconspicuous.
A little boy dressed in luxurious clothes stared at her curiously. "Are you my second brother's fiancée?"
Mu Shuqing looked down and recognized him as the Fourth Young Master, Cangshu Mingyue. She nodded and said coldly, "Yes."
Cangshu Mingyue, who was only eight or nine years old, looked Mu Shuqing up and down. He shook his head and muttered, "You're not a good match for my second brother."
A small commotion suddenly broke out at the edge of the crowd, and a casual yet highly oppressive aura permeated the air.
Dazzling red hair crashed into view like a blazing fire. Cangshu Qihua arrived, leading the grand army on flying swords. A flamboyant vermilion martial outfit draped loosely over his tall and straight figure, his collar slightly open, giving off a careless, roguish vibe.
After landing, his steps were lazy and unhurried. Every stride carried the unbridled arrogance of a victorious return. His brows were slightly raised, his demeanor frivolous, yet concealing a sharp edge that could not be underestimated.
"Father, I did not disappoint. I've brought back quite a few spoils of war."
Chest after chest appeared, piling up like a mountain. These were all magical artifacts and miraculous elixirs surrendered by Chiyan Peak.
At the same time, there was a woman in red wearing a veil.
Someone recognized her. "It's Hongfu!"
As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar swept through the crowd.
Hongfu's hands, hanging by her sides, were tightly clenched. Her knuckles were white, and her fingernails dug almost into her palms.
Beneath the light veil, her lips were pressed into a cold, hard line.
She was once the unattainable bright moon, but now she was displayed here like a trophy, subjected to the pointing and staring of the masses.
With her pride trampled underfoot and hatred suppressed in her heart, she could only force herself to stand there without saying a word.
"Ah, look at you. Such a pair of beautiful hands, don't ruin them." Ignoring the gazes of the people around them, Cangshu Qihua's tone carried a hint of frivolous mockery as he grabbed Hongfu's hand. With a little force, he pried open her tightly clenched, pale fingers one by one.
Cangshu Taotian frowned. "Qihua."
Cangshu Qihua said, "Didn't you promise me before I went to war, Father? If I returned victorious, all the spoils of war would be mine to distribute and handle."
Although Cangshu Taotian was displeased, he figured that Hongfu was nothing more than a cultivation cauldron anyway, so he said no more.
Some people cast subtle glances at the girl in green within the crowd, anticipating how she would react. To their disappointment, she maintained her cold and indifferent demeanor, showing absolutely no sign of heartbreak or sorrow over the possibility of her fiancé having another woman.
Furthermore, there was not even a trace of anger.
Cangshu Taotian also glanced at Mu Shuqing, then looked back at Cangshu Qihua, reminding him, "Mind your boundaries."
With those words, he turned and left.
The others quickly congratulated Cangshu Qihua and hurriedly left one after another.
As Mu Shuqing moved along with the flow of the crowd, a fiery red figure blocked her path.
Cangshu Qihua leaned down, leaning close to her face. He stared at her for quite a while, stroked his chin, and muttered, "You're my fiancée? Too bland. I don't like it."
Mu Shuqing furrowed her brows slightly and turned her face away, avoiding his breath. "When it comes to judging people, the Second Young Master and I seem to share a mutual understanding."
Cangshu Qihua faintly sensed her disgust. With a soft chuckle, he said without looking back, "I remember that Fairy Hongfu's treasures are all in the second chest. Send this chest to Miss Mu's room as a meeting gift from me to my fiancee."
Hongfu gritted her teeth. "Cangshu Qihua, you are going too far!"
Cangshu Qihua stood up straight and smiled unhurriedly. "And what can you do about it?"
Hongfu trembled with anger, her red dress looking as if it were about to burst into flames. However, as a prisoner of war, she did not even have the right to raise her hand.
Suddenly, a figure flashed, and her jaw was seized.
Cangshu Qihua's tone was malicious as he said, "Yes, exactly that look. I just love the way you want to kill me, yet are completely powerless to do so."
During this exchange, Mu Shuqing had already turned and walked away.
On the roof of the towering main hall, Cangshu Linfeng stood holding his sword. His robes fluttered and snapped in the wind.
He looked down coldly at the scene below and said, "My second brother is certainly acting high and mighty these days."
Cangshu Fenming stood behind him, smiling faintly. "Is the Eldest Young Master feeling threatened?"
"Just a buffoon."
Cangshu Linfeng's fingertips casually brushed over the cold patterns on his scabbard. There was not a ripple of emotion in his eyes, but as he watched the retreating figure of the woman in green, his gaze flickered slightly.
Behind the young woman followed two disciples in black clothes carrying the chest.
One of the disciples glanced at the person opposite him and asked curiously, "Brother, you look very unfamiliar. Are you new here?"
The disciple nodded. "Yes."
"My name is Zhang San, and I just arrived not long ago either. What is your name? We can look out for each other from now on."
The black-clad disciple lowered his eyes and replied in a flat tone, "Mu Bai."
