Shi Feiyang had stayed at Zhu Zaiyu's house for over a month and, upon deciding to take his leave, wanted to gift Zhu Zaiyu some presents. However, he realized that anything he could offer might bring greater trouble to Zhu in the future, so he finally refined only a Jade Talisman for him, "Many of your past associates have dubious intentions, try to keep your distance from them. Nonetheless, you'll likely face some complications in the future. Keep this Jade Talisman close, it will ensure your safety."

After settling everything, Shi Feiyang left Huaiqing Prefecture and hurriedly headed west towards the Qinling Mountains.

This time, he was aiming to unearth treasures left by a Han Dynasty Immortal, Zhang Mian: a set of Flying Swords and a Magical Treasure, named San Yang Yi Qi and Qing Shen Bottle respectively, both Ancient Treasures left behind for those predestined, without an owner. Shi Feiyang had anticipated difficulties, but he was determined to succeed.

The treasures were hidden somewhere in a valley in the Qinling, and he needed to calculate their exact location.

The Qinling Mountains, in the middle section alone, stretch three thousand miles, filled with high peaks and continuous ridges, myriad ravines crisscrossing, and ancient trees reaching the sky. Locating a three-foot stone chest here was akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

Shi Feiyang prepared for a long search. He first flew high, observing the mountains' layout to deduce possible treasure locations proposed by Zhang Mian.

After searching continuously for seven or eight days, and progressively narrowing the search zone, he finally located a small valley at the bottom of a deep ravine. Calling it a valley was less accurate than calling it a pit, as it had no connective paths to the outer world; its two sides were shaded cliffs converging and covered with dense vegetation. Anyone flying over it would not notice the deep valley below without meticulous calculations.

Entry into the valley was possible only from above, heavily guarded by formidable Prohibitions and Arrays. Since the treasures were not yet due to emerge, the defenses were extremely formidable. Shi Feiyang tested by dropping a rock, which, after penetrating layers of leaves, flashed vibrantly a dozen feet above the valley floor and disintegrated into powder.

To retrieve the treasure, he first needed to break the Array, which would inevitably cause light and sound that could attract attention.

Shi Feiyang then deployed his Mica Tent, forming a large expanse of swirling mist over the valley. Although this made the site more noticeable, it blocked others from prying, dissuading any uninformed from tampering, effectively filtering out meddlers.

Within the mist, he began casting spells to break the Array. Resorting to brute force would have caused earth-shattering disturbances, possibly even inducing earthquakes or landslides, so he chose to follow the Circulation techniques to detect the Array's operational veins and to dismantle them accordingly.

Even so, when the Array reacted, it emitted multi-colored bright filaments that scattered through the mist.

In the middle of Qinling Mountains, there was a peach grove where two fairies resided: Bi Peach Fairy and Chun Peach Fairy; they lived on the east and west ends of the grove respectively, with their abodes about ten miles apart from each other.

Bi Peach Fairy, whose real name was Cui Suo, adorned herself daily like the Holy Mother, proclaiming herself as Bi Peach Holy Mother, considering the peach grove sacrosanct. Apart from Chun Peach Fairy, she forbade anyone else from picking the fruits and had set numerous Arrays and Prohibitions around. She had also taken seven young and beautiful disciples, each dressed in differently colored clothing. During festive occasions, she would invite fellow Daoists for a Feast of Immortal Peaches, replicating the legendary feasts of the Holy Mother.

That day, she brooded in her cave because her third disciple's boyfriend had taken a liking to someone else.

Each of her disciples had their own lovers from notable sects such as the Wutai Sect, the Huashan Sect, and the Kongtong Sect, all undergoing Dual Cultivation to bear children for their collective Ascension.

Her third son-in-law was Shen Tong from the Huashan Sect's Three-Eyed God, who had only recently become involved with her disciple but had already shifted his affection to Jiang San Gu from the Wutai Sect. Jiang was exceptionally beautiful and unlike other more promiscuous individuals; her restraint bore a particular allure that deeply moved him.

Jiang San Gu had admirers within the Wutai Sect too, and she disdainfully ignored them all, including Shen Tong. Desperate, Shen Tong was scratching his head, finding ways to pursue her.

As Cui Suo sat fretting in the cave, she suddenly felt a terrible premonition: her eyelids twitched erratically and a chilly breeze seemed to follow her. Frantically, she cast a divination and realized a significant and ominous event was about to unfold. As she racked her brain guessing what it might be, her fifth and seventh disciples burst into the cave, tear-streaked and sobbing, begging their master to help them.

"Turns out both these girls have taken a fancy to Jin Shenzi from the Huashan Sect. That guy is as handsome as a picture, with a masculine charm that's quite irresistible, and both maidens have pitted themselves against each other, nearly turning into sworn enemies."

Cui Suo was really annoyed, "You two useless lumps, all you do is fight amongst yourselves! He's just a man, not some virgin cultivated over several lifetimes, and you're drooling over him!"

The fifth sister said aggrievedly, "It's clear that Master arranged for Jin to be with me first. We took a liking to each other beforehand, so he should be mine. The seventh sister snatching him away is truly despicable!"

Cui Suo then said to the seventh sister, "Your sister is right, I arranged Jin Shenzi for her first. I arranged Yue Qinyin from the Wutai Sect for you."

The seventh sister also felt wronged, "But how can that Yue compare to Jin? Besides, Jin clearly has eyes only for me. He doesn't love the fifth sister, he loves me, and even gave me a Magical Treasure. It's the fifth sister who's actually stealing him away, which is despicable."

The fifth sister said furiously, "You slut, you hooked up with Ni Lanxin, the Soul Chaser, recently and learned how to entice men from her, using those techniques on Jin, completely bewitching him. Hmph, using such vile methods is truly despicable!"

The seventh sister had tears in her eyes and cried pitifully to Cui Suo, "Master, no matter what methods I used, Jin truly loves me deep down. I've persuaded him to come propose to you in a few days. Whether you agree to unite us depends on your feelings!"

Cui Suo then advised the fifth sister, "Every man in the Huashan Sect has some skills in bed. Though the Soul Chaser's mana is formidable, don't underestimate the Huashan Sect. Since he's chosen the seventh sister, it's clearly not because of any spells she's used. You should step aside for now, and later, Master will find you someone better. I've already spotted He Yongliang from the Kongtong Sect for you. He's of high rank, strong mana, newly mastered the Great Technique of Nine Heavens Seal, and is positioning himself for the sect leader's place. Marrying him would far outweigh being with Jin Shenzi."

The fifth sister shook her head in anger, "Jin is handsome and elegant. Compared to him, every other man seems like beasts..."

Cui Suo was certain that the ominous sign divined in their gua indicated that it'd start from their rivalry. Each had several admirers outside; if they truly fought, it would surely lead to a catastrophic outcome for both.

As she was about to continue persuading, a flash of red light appeared outside the cave, and a woman in a red dress entered—it was her eldest disciple.

As soon as the eldest sister entered, she said, "All you do is fight amongst yourselves here. If you're capable, leave this spot and seek out others outside."

The fifth sister discontentedly said, "The Wutai Sect's He Zhang that Master arranged for you is someone who doesn't fancy you. He's infatuated with someone else, and yet you have the nerve to boast here."

The eldest sister laughed heartily, proudly saying, "I've recently befriended a male Immortal. Guess who he is? He's a disciple of Bai Guyi from Song Mountain, completely virtuous and untouched, radiant with Pure Yang Essence Energy from the inside out, a sight that makes one drool."

Hearing this, Cui Suo perked up. She encouraged her disciples to associate with disciples from major sects as external connections that could help her avert disaster and nourish her life. Yet their hook-ups had always been with libertines; they never managed to woo anyone from an Orthodox Sect.

Being one of the venerable elders of Song Mountain, Bai Guyi possessed strong mana. During the last huge swordfight at Emei Mountain organized by Wutai, Huashan and other sects, they suffered a great defeat. Even the Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor was injured, losing an arm. He is still at Maoshan, living under a thatched shelter refining his sword for a second duel.

Everyone then recognized Bai Guyi's formidable power. His two disciples were outstanding as well, endowed with excellent foundations and looks. Hooking up with his disciple would indeed be an unexpected delight!

Cui Suo quickly asked the eldest sister, "Who did you mention? Where is he now? Have you got him? When can you bring him over for a meeting?"

The eldest sister replied, "Why the rush, Master? His name is Bi Xiu. He has already reached Qinling and was supposed to bring him over to meet you. But just now on his way here, he saw a valley shrouded in mists to the south, with a faint glint of Treasure Light emerging. Guessing that someone might be retrieving ancient treasures there, he's hoping to secure the treasure as a gift to present to you when we meet. He's there watching; he sent me to invite you to join him."

"Is that so?" Cui Suo was immensely delighted, "Not only can I secure a handsome, powerful son-in-law from the Mysterious Sect, but also obtain a treasure left by an ancient Immortal. This is truly a double blessing. Let's go now!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.