Half a year earlier, Qi Yuan would’ve had some use for these items.

Chen Xiyu appeared puzzled.

"Why do you wish to walk the path of immortality?" he asked.

Chen Xiyu answered honestly, "To become stronger, decide my own fate, and find the culprit behind the skin-flaying incident!"

Qi Yuan glanced toward the direction of Wind Thunder Valley. "The culprit, huh? You could cultivate for a lifetime and still not defeat them."

He knew the gruesome incident was connected to the valley. The woman was a mere mortal. Even if she discovered the truth, what could she do?

"Even if you step on the immortal path, it’s still useless. Investigate too deeply, and you might get yourself killed. Despite this, do you still want to seek the truth?" he asked casually.

His words made her recall a line from ancient strange tales.

She answered solemnly, "Death is the end of all things. If I fear death and avert my eyes from the truth, then what road to immortality is left for me?"

With a smile, Qi Yuan took a short sword from the wooden chest, tossing it into her hands. "The true culprit behind the skin-flaying lies within this chessboard. Strike it once and I will grant you immortal fate.”

Perhaps because she lacked strength, her hand trembled as she gripped the sword. Still, Chen Xiyu gazed at the chessboard with determination.

"Hyaaaa!"

She threw her full weight into the strike, swinging with all her might.

Bang!

The rebound force made her see stars, and her wrist ached. A crack had opened across the chessboard. With that, a gate appeared in the distance, floating in the sky.

Qi Yuan burst out laughing. "The Yin Spirits dare not strike it, yet a mortal does. How interesting."

Facing the Dark Sun, all the Yin Spirits of the vast Secluded Heaven chose silence and even aided them.

Then, with a tap of his finger, a stream of light entered Chen Xiyu's mind. Cultivation techniques and some experience flooded into her thoughts.

Overjoyed, Chen Xiyu quickly kneeled. "Thank you, Master, for granting the method!"

Qi Yuan waved his hand. "I don't take disciples, nor do I care to. I’m merely repaying you for the gold, silver, and the broken chessboard. Our accounts are settled."

Chen Xiyu appeared dejected. She had hoped to become his disciple. With a master, she would have some support in the cultivation world.

"Alright. I'm going to kill someone now. Farewell."

Thus, Qi Yuan turned into a streak of light and entered the floating gate.

Chen Xiyu was shocked. "The immortal lord can fly... Could he be a legendary Foundation Establishment ancestor?!"

Her heart leaped with joy. If a powerful ancestor had indeed bestowed her with immortal fate, she had truly come upon great fortune! According to ancient records, when such immortals descended, even kings bowed to welcome them. Such was a true great immortal.

Beside her, Xiao Xi was excited and secretly pleased. She decided that once she returned home, she would write down the events of these past few days and turn them into a book. At the end, she would record how her young lady entered the cultivation world, and how the Foundation Establishment ancestor battled the skin-flaying monster.

***

Meanwhile, Qi Yuan appeared in Wind Thunder Valley. He stood within the void, a crimson sword in hand. The sky behind him turned as red as blood. Any cultivator arriving here would think he was a terrifying demonic overlord.

"White moonlights of Dark Sun, the one who will send you off has arrived!"

His voice rolled like thunder, echoing throughout the entire secret realm. The earth cracked, while the crust churned. Wind, thunder, and fire spread everywhere.

In an instant, the Wind Thunder Valley transformed into hell. Flames burned, thunder roared, and the ground trembled. Towering giants moved across the earth. Massive like mountains, each stood thousands of meters tall, exuding terrifying auras. Placed outside, such power could sweep across entire domains.

Facing more than thirty such puppets, Qi Yuan remained unfazed. "Not bad. The numbers are acceptable."

Seeing that they also possessed decent strength, it meant the valley likely contained many valuable things.

Qi Yuan’s eyes shone with excitement. "So many high-quality white moonlights appeared all at once... I'm almost embarrassed."

Just then, an elderly projection appeared, staring at him with amusement. "Heh, Blood-Clothed Sword God, you've finally arrived."

Qi Yuan suddenly appeared furious. "Ah, you're that dog admin! So it was you who muted me!"

That was the first time in his life he had ever been muted. No words could describe the anger he felt at that moment.

The president of the Divine Flower Society narrowed his eyes. With all the pig-slave puppets under his control, he didn’t fear the mighty Blood-Clothed Sword God in slightest!

He said righteously, "I wasn't muting you, I was protecting the members of the Divine Flower Society! You aren’t too bright, are you? Canglan is vast and filled with countless talents. Do you think you’re the only one who sees the problems in that cultivation method? Others discovered it as well, but they chose to lie low. Yet you spread it everywhere, causing turmoil and inevitably provoking Dark Sun.

"If other members believed you, they could get eliminated as well. I was doing this for their sake! Only by shutting your mouth could this disaster be averted. You should have remained a confused fool, then you wouldn’t have suffered the consequences! Even when the Great Calamity arrives, you might still have had a chance to live. Yes, the calamity is terrifying, but it’s not like all hope is gone. Why go seek death?

"It’d be one thing if you alone seek death. You would’ve become a hero admired by thousands. Instead, you stirred up the calamity and implicated the Yin Spirits who wished to stay out of it! Your thirst for fame became the deaths of others! You’re truly a selfish hypocrite! Fortunately, you acted so high-profile that you didn't even need to wait for the calamity. You will die here."

Such was the president’s belief. The calamity was absolute, so why resist, especially when it meant certain death? If they kept a low profile, some could survive by luck. In his eyes, those Yin Spirits who dared to fight back were merely fame-seeking hypocrites who didn’t care about others’ lives. If no one knew of their deeds, would they still challenge the calamity?

"You old bastard. You sound just like the people from Earth's End." Qi Yuan waved his hand in disgust. "In that case, I'll send you to reunite with the Bright Palace." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

He saw the shadow of the old man from Earth's End in the president. Always claiming to act for the greater good when he was just self-serving. There was nothing wrong with seeking personal gain. He just had to be honest about it. If anything, his feigned righteousness made him all the more repugnant. As the saying went, “To lead the life of a whore but still want a monument put up to one's chastity.”

The president stared at him as if he were already a corpse. "Blood-Clothed Sword God, you are strong. You easily destroyed the Bright Palace and even killed the Four Generals of the Lei Clan. However, this is Wind Thunder Valley. Even Mythic beings from the Central Heaven wouldn’t survive here. I will use your blood to achieve my supreme merit!"

He was completely confident of victory.