The Black Profound Snake’s body writhed for a full hour, its massive, twisting form carving deep hollows into the ground before it finally died from blood loss.

Wen Qingye sliced off the Black Profound Snake’s four fangs with his sword, then got to his feet and hurried down the mountain.

Along the way, Wen Qingye carefully observed his surroundings. Seeing no signs of a fight, he breathed a small sigh of relief.

He had been wary on his way up the mountain but was naturally less cautious on the way down, so he quickly reached the foot of the mountain.

Wen Qingye stopped in his tracks. ’Where am I supposed to find Zhou Yue?’ he wondered.

’To Celestial Profound Mountain!’

Wen Qingye and Zhou Yue had met in the Sacrificial Hall on Celestial Profound Mountain, so it was the first place that came to his mind.

The distance from his current location to Celestial Profound Mountain wasn’t far, but it wasn’t close either; the journey would still take a considerable amount of time. However, not only had Wen Qingye’s Five Elements Body Refining Technique improved, but his cultivation had also advanced to the Yin Yang Realm Third Layer. Because of this, he naturally no longer feared Wenn Xing.

He sped all the way towards Celestial Profound Mountain, only slowing down when night fell. The border of the Celestial Profound Mountain Domain was still extremely dangerous, so Wen Qingye had to be cautious.

Darkness enveloped the land, and all was quiet. The gentle moonlight cascaded down like a waterfall, illuminating the countless deep mountains.

"Who’s there?"

Suddenly, Wen Qingye’s brows shot up. He whipped his head around and looked behind him.

"Wen Qingye, it really is you! It’s me, Zhou Yue!" Two lovely figures slowly came into Wen Qingye’s view.

Wen Qingye relaxed upon seeing that it was Zhou Yue. He said happily, "I was just on my way to find you. I didn’t expect you’d be here."

As he spoke, Wen Qingye’s gaze fell upon the young girl beside her. She had a sweet and adorable face—it was none other than Yum Baobao, the girl he had saved from Qiann Rong.

Zhou Yue sighed in admiration. "You really are something else, to have actually escaped from Wenn Xing."

Yum Baobao blinked her big eyes as she looked at Wen Qingye, her long eyelashes fluttering. Her gaze was filled with curiosity.

Zhou Yue pointed to Yum Baobao and said, "This is Yum Baobao, the daughter of Yum Tianyang, the Master of Forget-Life Peak."

Before Wen Qingye could say a word, Yum Baobao tilted her head up, put her hands behind her back, and circled him once. With a wide grin, she said, "Thank you for saving Baobao. Baobao will repay you. Just tell me whatever you want, don’t be shy!"

Zhou Yue shot him a helpless smile.

"That’s not necessary," Wen Qingye said with a small smile.

Yum Baobao shook her head stubbornly and pouted. "No way. Baobao said she’ll repay you, so she definitely will!"

"Suit yourself," Wen Qingye said, waving his hand dismissively. He then turned to Zhou Yue. "It’s getting late. We should hurry and find a place to rest for the night."

"Right, right, right! Let’s find a place quickly, Baobao is exhausted." Yum Baobao rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Even though Baobao just woke up, I want to go back to sleep."

Zhou Yue nodded. Her energy was also completely drained. She had been on high alert the entire time while also keeping an eye out for any sign of Wen Qingye, so she was naturally exhausted.

The three of them found an open area. Wen Qingye gathered some firewood and started a campfire. Yum Baobao leaned against a tree and was fast asleep in less than three breaths.

The fire crackled, its light flickering across Zhou Yue’s delicate face, adding a touch of tranquility and peace to the night.

Zhou Yue sighed. "I really didn’t expect you to escape from Wenn Xing."

"But you must have believed I could get away. Otherwise, why would you be waiting for me here?" Wen Qingye’s eyes bore into Zhou Yue, as if trying to see through her.

Zhou Yue’s eyes were clear as she shook her head. "If you hadn’t shown up by tomorrow, I was planning to take Yum Baobao back to Celestial Profound Mountain."

Wen Qingye smiled. Then, as if a thought occurred to him, he said, "Regarding this whole affair, I think it’s best we keep it quiet. We’ll just get Yum Baobao safely back to Celestial Profound Mountain, and as for everything else, we should keep it to ourselves for now."

’Wenn Xing is from the Dayan Dynasty, yet he knows the Cultivation Techniques of an Evil Sect. What’s more, Guo Gao told me that the Dayan Dynasty might have ties to the Taiyi Pavilion. This whole situation is a powder keg. I don’t believe two insignificant Registered Disciples like us could survive the ensuing storm unscathed.’

Zhou Yue pondered for a long moment before nodding. "Whatever you say. I’ll follow your lead."

Wen Qingye said seriously, "Good. Get some rest. In six days, I have to go to the West Garden to take care of the Spirit Field."

With a slight smile, Zhou Yue sat down cross-legged and entered a state of cultivation. Wen Qingye watched her, his brow furrowed slightly.

Lost in thought, Wen Qingye replayed every moment since he had met Zhou Yue. ’Although she shows no ill intent, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to her than meets the eye.’

’First, why did she choose me in the Sacrificial Hall? Was it really a coincidence?’

’Second, the Cultivation Technique she practices isn’t the Celestial Profound Technique. It’s a Magic Technique that’s even more profound. Others might not notice, but how could I fail to see it?’

’Everything about her seems to raise questions.’

After a moment, Wen Qingye shook his head with a wry smile. ’Maybe I’m just being paranoid. Her choosing me was probably a coincidence. And as for her practicing a different Magic Technique... who doesn’t have their own lucky breaks?’

With that thought, Wen Qingye also began to enter a state of cultivation.

.......

「Five days later, on Celestial Profound Mountain.」

Yum Baobao looked earnestly at Wen Qingye and Zhou Yue, blinking her big eyes. "Baobao will thank you, Brother Qingye, Sister Yue. Don’t you worry, I’ll tell my dad all about it."

Without waiting for a reply, Yum Baobao skipped cheerfully toward the Sacrificial Hall up ahead.

They both knew that if Yum Baobao appeared in the Sacrificial Hall, Steward Bai would ensure she was safely sent to Forget-Life Peak, so they weren’t worried.

Zhou Yue smiled at Wen Qingye. "Let’s go too. I really owe you for this one. But all I need is the Rain Dew Leaf."

A moment later, Wen Qingye and Zhou Yue also entered the Sacrificial Hall. Wen Qingye took out the Black Profound Snake’s fangs and handed them to Steward Bai.

Steward Bai took the Black Profound Snake’s fangs, nodded, and said, "Not bad. You’ve done a good job."

After speaking, Steward Bai distributed the reward to Wen Qingye.

Wen Qingye passed the Rain Dew Leaf to Zhou Yue. Upon seeing it, the joy in her eyes was plain to see.

"I need this Rain Dew Leaf urgently, thank you so much. I’ll remember this favor. I must be going now." As soon as Zhou Yue received the leaf, she departed.

Only after Zhou Yue’s figure had vanished did Wen Qingye look down at his Jade Token. It now held one thousand Sect Contribution Points. Because he had already used the Ink Jade Stone to absorb the Earth Attribute Essence, he no longer needed the Qianyuan Soil. However, he still needed the Sanxi Water.

But a single drop of Sanxi Water cost three thousand Sect Contribution Points to redeem, and Wen Qingye needed far more than just one or two drops. With his current balance, he could only sigh in dismay.

Wen Qingye ambled out of the Sacrificial Hall. ’Looks like I need to raise my ranking as a Registered Disciple as soon as possible,’ he thought.