Earlier.

In a Heavenly Palace within the Land of Gentleness, a man and a woman sat facing each other on opposite sides of a desk.

On the small table, there was a Green Jade Chessboard with black and white chess pieces arranged on it, resembling two opposing armies.

The two stared intently at the chessboard, sometimes lightly placing a chess piece on it with a pinch of their fingers, then pondering over their next move.

The man held a tea cup in his right hand, gently tapping on the rim of the cup and occasionally taking a sip, his gaze focused on the chessboard, waiting for his opponent's next move.

He wore a green robe, his facial features sharp and his face square, exuding a suave and elegant demeanor with every move he made.

The woman across from him appeared exquisitely beautiful, with bright, clear eyes and a delicate nose. She was dressed in a colorful feathered robe, both luxurious and playfully charming.

At this moment, she was kneeling on a cushion, with her hands stacked on her lower abdomen, leaning slightly forward, her eyes passionately fixed on the chessboard as she calculated her next move.

The two seemed like old friends who had known each other for a long time, with little need for pleasantries—an understanding sealed by tea and chess.

Gradually, the tea grew strong, and the chess game intensified.

After a long time, the battle on the chessboard approached its conclusion.

The woman set down her chess piece, speaking faintly, "You truly live up to your reputation as the chief strategist of the Demon Court. You've won this game."

"The Demon Court has fallen, and the title of Demon Saint is but a fleeting cloud, long meant to dissipate," the elegant man smiled and said, "In the future, just call me Mr. Bai."

"What is the matter that brings Mr. Bai to visit my Land of Gentleness today?" The woman frowned slightly, a trace of curiosity appearing on her face.

Mr. Bai picked up his tea and took a light sip, speaking out his intention just before the woman across him could lose her temper.

"I wish to ask you to help me retrieve an item."

"Oh?"

The woman was somewhat surprised, "What sort of treasure is it that even you covet it, and even need my help?"

Mr. Bai shook his head, "I'm only fulfilling someone's request and do not know what the item is. All I know is that the person carrying the treasure will be passing by here today. When the time comes, I'll devise a way to lead him into the Land of Gentleness.

That man has a Dual Cultivation Partner and should not be unfamiliar with the Yin Yang Union methods. If you, the lord of this Land of Gentleness, personally invite him in the name of Dual Cultivation, he should not decline such an opportunity."

At this point, he took out an ordinary-looking scroll and spoke softly, "At that time, you just need to use the Daluo Divine Needle to suppress his Primordial Spirit, then open this scroll I hold, and swap the treasure he has with it.

If you are careful enough, you can silently take his treasure without anyone noticing.

Moreover, this counterfeit will emit the same aura as the real treasure for a short period, confusing real with fake, so even if that person eventually realizes his treasure has been swapped, he won't suspect that it happened under your hand."

Seeing his serious expression, the woman curiously inquired, "Who exactly could make you go through such elaborate measures?"

Mr. Bai hesitated slightly, then truthfully replied, "That person is Yu Yuan, the renowned Primordial Chaos One Qi Immortal from Jie Sect, who has been prominent recently!"

"Him?!"

The woman's expression changed drastically, and she refused without hesitation, "I cannot help you with this! I wish to live a few more eons, and I don't want to offend a Saint for this."

"Qin Yuan, my friend!"

Mr. Bai said solemnly, "As the great calamity approaches and the Heavenly Mechanism is in chaos, even Saints cannot perceive everything in the world. This is a great opportunity for us to cleanse our karmic debts!

I would not harm you!

Don't forget, you were able to survive the previous calamity because I helped you deduce the method of Nirvana evolution, which allowed you to avoid the final battle…"

Hearing this, Qin Yuan's brows furrowed even deeper.

Indeed, her survival had been thanks to Mr. Bai's efforts in helping her deduce the incomplete parts of her Innate Divine Ability, and in the end she shed her original form, evolving a new life through the method of cocoon Nirvana!

Had Mr. Bai not helped her, she would have surely perished at the hands of the brutal Ancestor Witch during the battleline!

In a sense, she owed Mr. Bai her life!

Thus, over the years, although she had been reclusive in the Western Bu Continent, she had still maintained some contact with Mr. Bai.

Seeing Mr. Bai's intentions to unfold this plan now, Qin Yuan sighed deeply, but eventually nodded, "Just this once, and after this you and I will be even!"

"Ah, why must it be so…"

Mr. Bai sighed, clutching his wrist, but he did not withdraw his prior request.

…

Time returns to the present.

In the Palace of Flowers, silence filled a quiet room in the corner.

Yu Yuan, Xuan Du, Golden Spirit, and Yun Xiao, a total of four people, sat around a low table on cushions.

The four looked at each other, and the atmosphere in the room was extremely awkward.

If it were another occasion, the four would likely greet each other with formalities, but the current situation obviously wasn't suitable for greetings.

Yu Yuan has finally let go now.

When everyone perishes socially, no one really perishes.

He summoned a palace maid to serve tea, then personally handed the teacup to Xuan Du, smiling and saying, "Master Uncle, there's no need to feel embarrassed. Being single for so long and seeking solace in the land of tenderness is quite normal."

After speaking, he didn't wait for Xuan Du to explain and instead turned his gaze towards the masters opposite, curiously asking, "What brings you two to this place? I've never heard of any seafood merchants selling geoduck here."

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

Golden Spirit Saint Mother, not understanding his "slang," frowned and scolded, and through the Primordial Spirit Transmission Method she secretly communicated, "The idea to exchange the Investiture of the Gods during the Life Fruit Conference was proposed by the Chan Sect.

Your grandmaster suspects there might be some conspiracy in this move.

We infiltrated the Western Cow He Zhou beforehand to investigate if there were any traps near the Longevity Mountain."

Yu Yuan responded directly in his mind: So you suspect something is wrong with this land of tenderness?

Golden Spirit Saint Mother glanced at him and transmitted, "This land of tenderness is located in the eastern part of Western Cow He Zhou, it's on your must-pass route to Longevity Mountain from the Southern Continent… If someone really intended to set a trap for you, this place should be a consideration."

I see, I thought…

"What did you think?" Golden Spirit Saint Mother's eyes turned cold, and her voice suddenly chilled as she softly demanded, "Go on, then tell, why have you appeared here? Just now at Peach Blossom Pond, what did you intend to do to those little demons?"

Not using Primordial Spirit Transmission this time, Yu Yuan immediately replied, "I really didn't intend to do anything, just talking to them about demon life, discussing ideals, that's all..."

Before he finished speaking, he stopped abruptly.

Because Xuan Du and Yun Xiao both turned to look at him, their eyes full of amazement, as if saying "You can really spout such lies?"

"Cough, cough!"

Yu Yuan coughed forcefully twice, looking at Xuan Du, "Master Uncle, you must be here for similar reasons as I, don't we both like to talk about life and ideals?"

Xuan Du staggered a bit and then shook his head, "I am merely tracking an old friend and ended up here. However, after entering this land of tenderness, I couldn't sense his presence anymore and had to search among these many Treasure Halls only to unexpectedly encounter two junior sisters and nephew Yu Yuan."

Hearing this, Yu Yuan's face involuntarily darkened.

So everyone came to this land of tenderness for serious business, and it's just me whose purpose is more straightforward?

He glanced around the three of them, pondering, "If I say now that I came to the land of tenderness chasing an old friend, would you believe me?"

"What do you think?"

Golden Spirit Saint Mother narrowed her eyes, her gaze cold as if it could freeze someone.

Yu Yuan felt helpless.

It's the truth, yet why won't they believe it?

At this moment, a clear ringing sound came, attracting the attention of many guests and maidens in the Wanhua Palace, and naturally, including Yu Yuan and the others.

A beautiful Flower Immortal with great Dao Xing appeared in the center of the hall, looking around at everyone and said, "My master, tranquil yet dynamic in thoughts, has achieved enlightenment in the Dao and wishes to seek an Immortal to participate in Dual Cultivation to break through his shackles."

Hearing this, many guests including the maidens displayed shocked expressions.

"Legend has it that the master of the land of tenderness has profound cultivation, unfathomable, to think he also needs Yin Yang Dual Cultivation?"

"As the saying goes, lonely Yin does not grow, lonely Yang does not engender! I heard that the method of Yin Yang Dual Cultivation indeed requires the mutual nourishing of Yin and Yang, blending like water and milk, otherwise, it could result in major issues!"

"Yes, that makes sense. It seems like the master of the land of tenderness has encountered some complications in his Cultivation, hence reluctantly seeking candidates among the guests..."

"Having heard that the master of the land of tenderness is extremely beautiful, who would have thought we would have a chance to experience her charm… I am willing to help out with this!"

"Hey, are you not afraid she will completely drain you?"

…

Amidst the murmuring of the crowd, the Flower Immortal solemnly continued, "Upon successful completion, my master is willing to reward a medium-grade Spiritual Treasure and a thousand pieces of heavenly gold!

In addition, to eliminate any doubts some Immortals may have, I hereby swear that my master has never practiced those inferior gathering and replenishing skills. If there is any falsehood, may heavenly thunder strike and kill me!"

After speaking, she paused briefly before continuing, "If any Immortals present are interested, they can attach their Qi to an object and I will present it to my master.

Once my master makes a selection, they may proceed to my master's Dao ground."

Hearing the advantages described by the Flower Immortal, and with her oath to the Heavenly Dao, many guests were moved and stepped forward to sign up.

Yun Xiao's expression shifted slightly and she pondered, "It's rumored that the master of the land of tenderness possesses considerable Dao Xing, at least that of a Daluo Golden Immortal, unlikely to have encountered a snag in his cultivation that would require Yin Yang Dual Cultivation for treatment..."

As she said this, she looked towards Yu Yuan, "I suspect there might be some trickery in this matter, nephew might as well go sign up too, in case you get selected, we can take the opportunity to investigate this clearly."

"Ah?"

Yu Yuan pondered for a moment and hesitantly said, "Would that be appropriate?"

Golden Spirit Saint Mother looked at him with a cold expression, "Of course it's not appropriate, and you're still hesitating?"

Yu Yuan: ∑(O_O;)

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