“Have we arrived already?” Yueyin asked, her voice carrying a mixture of disbelief and anticipation. “Yes, Yueyin! Look ahead!” Wu Tian replied, his tone brimming with excitement as he pointed toward the village that unfolded like a painting before them. Perched lightly on Wu Tian’s shoulders, Yueyin’s eyes widened in awe. The sight before her was breathtaking—rolling fields kissed by the golden glow of dusk, rooftops shimmering with the last rays of sunlight, and a gentle breeze carrying the fragrance of wild blossoms. “It’s still the same village, Wu Tian!” she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with joy. Her cheeks, once pale from illness, now flushed with renewed vitality. The journey had been arduous, but the sight of this familiar place seemed to restore her strength. She felt ready to explore, even if only to rest for a night before continuing toward the Sky Fairy Forest. “Thank heavens,” Wu Tian sighed, relief softening his features. “I feared this place might have turned

“Please, honored warrior, have some food. May I know your name?” Tian Ling’s voice was soft yet commanding, her silver hair shimmering under the lantern glow like threads of moonlight. Wu Tian hesitated. Revealing his true identity here could be dangerous. The Darkness Cultivator was hunting him, and every careless word might expose him. He forced a calm smile. “Wang Jun,” he replied, borrowing the name he had once used during the Wind Cloud Sect selection. “Hmm… Wang Jun,” Tian Ling repeated, her lips curving into a faint smile. “Then eat, Wang Jun.” She leaned forward, her palm steady as she placed food into his bowl, the aroma of spiced meats and fragrant herbs rising between them. Wu Tian recalled Yueyin’s warning, channeling his qi to shield himself. He tried to wrap the food in a thin barrier of energy, but his cultivation was still shallow. Doubt gnawed at him—was the barrier strong enough? He prayed the dishes were free of poison, that they would not render him unconscio

“Have you decided not to help Mao Xiang’s maidens?” Yueyin’s voice carried a quiet edge as she hovered beside him, her fairy glow faint against the darkened sky. Wu Tian exhaled slowly, his gaze lingering on the silent village behind them. “I’ll leave them to Immortal Zhang Yin. She knows what’s best for them far more than I do.” Yueyin’s wings flickered, catching the moonlight. “Then we cannot stay here another night. We must continue our journey now.” Wu Tian frowned, glancing at the shadows stretching across the abandoned streets. “At this hour? In the middle of the night?” Her eyes narrowed, sharp as blades. “Would you rather remain trapped in Lu Zin’s endless loop of time? Zhang Yin may be able to withstand it, but can you?” Wu Tian hesitated. “Isn’t it dangerous to travel at night?” “Unless you wish to summon the dragon,” Yueyin countered. Wu Tian’s lips curved into a faint smile. “That’s a good idea. It’s late—no one will notice a dragon soaring through the skies.

“Wake up, Wu Tian!” Liu Xiu’s voice cut through the lingering silence of dawn, sharp and commanding. Wu Tian stirred, his body heavy with sleep, eyes blinking against the dim light. “It’s still so early… you’re already preparing to leave?” he asked, bewildered. The sky was still cloaked in darkness, yet the hunters were already dismantling their tents with swift precision, their movements practiced and efficient. “We cannot linger in Hui Lin’s mountains,” Liu Xiu replied, his tone grave though he offered no explanation of the danger. Wu Tian watched in awe as the mystic hunters packed their belongings with remarkable speed, their hands moving as though guided by instinct. “So we leave now?” Wu Tian asked, rubbing his palms together against the chill. “Unless you wish to meet the mythical creature that dwells here,” Liu Xiu said with a laugh, his eyes glinting. Wu Tian’s curiosity flared. “What creature?” “It appears only at sunrise,” Liu Xiu explained, lowering his voice

The White Lotus Auction House in Lin’an shimmered like a jewel at the heart of the city, its towering facade gleaming beneath the lantern light. By the time Liu Xiu arrived with Wu Tian and Yueyin, the place was already overflowing with guests. The air was thick with the mingled scents of roasted meats and sweet rice wine, for the auction house offered free food and drink to every visitor who stepped through its gates. Crowds pressed against the carved wooden doors, their voices rising in a chorus of excitement. The sheer number of attendees forced Zhang Fei to guide Liu Xiu and his companions through a discreet entrance at the back. The White Lotus Auction House was impossible to miss—its grand architecture dominated the city center, a multi-storied palace of commerce adorned with banners of silk and carved stone guardians. At the rear gate, a guard recognized Zhang Fei instantly, bowing with respect. “General Zhang Fei, it is an honor to see you here. The auction began this morn