"These pills are useless to me; you two can have them."

Ling Xiao suddenly said.

Rather than saying they are useless, it’s more accurate to say he doesn’t care for them.

The pills he refined himself are far superior to these worthless things.

But what is worthless to him is a treasure for Lin Ruoxian and Yue Shang.

Both women knew Ling Xiao could perform alchemy, so they didn’t refuse and accepted them directly.

"Let’s go; there’s no need to rendezvous with Chen Canglan; we’ll head straight to the Chen Dynasty Capital."

After the previous incident, Ling Xiao realized that following Chen Canglan is not only unsafe but also quite dangerous.

There’s a chance they might be ambushed again.

It’s better to head to the capital alone, more discreet and less susceptible to attacks.

Lin Ruoxian and Yue Shang had no reason to object.

So the three traveled stealthily without flying, making their way through the forest.

They got a map from Chen Canglan, so they wouldn’t get lost.

The three traveled continuously, and as night approached, Ling Xiao instructed them to camp by the roadside.

Traveling at night is very dangerous; even martial artists are greatly affected in terms of visibility.

Moreover, the journey to Chen Dynasty Capital is fraught with dangers, including the terrifying Western Region Mountain Range.

Some parts of this mountain range are so formidable that even martial artists with Yin-Yang Realm Eighteen Layers of Hell Cultivation fear to tread lightly.

Ling Xiao naturally dared not take risks.

The three sat in a roadside tent to cultivate, and about midnight, a jade ring in Ling Xiao’s Storage Ring suddenly began to vibrate intensely.

This jade ring was given to him by Ling Yan, said to be a token of their brotherly affection.

Ling Xiao always believed it to be so.

But tonight, the sudden intense vibration of the jade ring made Ling Xiao feel things might not be so simple.

He didn’t disturb Lin Ruoxian and Yue Shang, leaving a note in the tent before releasing the jade ring.

The jade ring soared into the air, darting rapidly in one direction.

Ling Xiao trusted Ling Yan wouldn’t harm him, so he believed the jade ring wouldn’t lead him to danger either.

Thus, he chased after it.

About half an hour later, he discovered a cave behind a waterfall.

The cave was extremely hidden, with obvious signs of human construction inside.

Upon entering, the jade ring continued forward, leading Ling Xiao to a stone room built of rock.

Inside the stone room lay a skeleton, dried to nothing but bones.

On the skeleton’s finger was also a jade ring, almost identical to Ling Xiao’s.

Both rings bore the character "Ling," but the colors differed.

Ling Xiao’s was carved from mutton fat jade.

This jade ring was crafted from superior jadeite.

The moment the two jade rings touched, the environment inside the stone room transformed dramatically.

A place previously empty, with only cobwebs, dust, and a skeleton, suddenly revealed piles of neatly stacked Spirit Stones, various Magical Treasures, pills, and Martial Arts Secret Books.

"Yan! You’ve finally returned!"

As the treasures appeared, a phantom figure emerged simultaneously.

However, this seemed to be recorded imagery, not recognizing Ling Xiao, but narrating an event.

"When the two jade rings unite, it means you’ve achieved your cultivation and returned to the Chen Dynasty Capital.

We mustn’t forget the Ling Family’s deep-seated hatred!

But don’t act recklessly; otherwise, I won’t be at peace in death!

The things here are enough for you to have the same start as those royal aristocrats. With your talent, you’ll soon surpass them.

When the time is right, I have only one request: punish those who framed the Ling Family and clear our unjust grievances!"

The message ended here.

Ling Xiao watched this scene, suddenly understanding.

It must be the Ling Family clan leader unjustly killed by the Chen Royal Family.

With the entire Ling Family exterminated, only Ling Yan survived secretly.

Before dying, the Ling Family clan leader left this stone room for his son Ling Yan to inherit, so Ling Yan wouldn’t worry about cultivation resources.

Thinking it over, Ling Xiao put away the two rings and all the items, storing them in a Storage Ring.

These belonged to his good brother; even if he envied them, he couldn’t touch them.

Of course, if Ling Yan gives them to him in the future, he won’t be polite.

After all, Spirit Stones contain pure nature’s spiritual energy, which martial artists can absorb to enhance cultivation speed and efficiency.

And low-grade Spirit Stones are the primary currency in the Mysterious World.

One can never have too many of these.

After securing the items, Ling Xiao didn’t retrace his steps but continued forward out of curiosity.

He found another passage on the other side of the stone room.

Perhaps it was an escape route for the Ling Family.

He sincerely hoped the Ling Family members hadn’t all perished, so Ling Yan might still have relatives.

"Who’s there?"

About an hour of walking later, a white figure flashed in front of him.

Ling Xiao’s mood was intensely tense but also excited.

He gritted his teeth, accelerating his pursuit.

Perhaps some Ling Family members did survive.

After more than three hours of chasing, he finally traversed the long tunnel.

Suddenly, a whole new world unfolded before him.

The bright moonlight bathed the earth.

The forest was silent and cool.

Everything seemed so quiet, so beautiful, so calming.

Under the moonlight, a beautiful silhouette stood atop the treetop, real yet dreamy, seeming unreal.

Seeing that peerless face, Ling Xiao’s heart completely gave way.

As a man, his tears flowed like a flood.

Not because of beauty, but because of that face.

Isn’t she the one he’s longed for day and night?

Isn’t she Sister Moon?

The figure was clad in soft white gauze, perfectly merging with the cool moonlight, yet imbued with a sense of sorrowful solitude.

It makes one irresistibly want to embrace her delicate form, to cherish and protect.

But never a impure thought arises.

"Is she Moon Lady? Isn’t she?"

Ling Xiao felt his mind was confused and couldn’t think clearly.

According to the previous clues, Moon Lady should be in the Eternal Palace.

Yet before him stands a woman with Moon Lady’s appearance, Moon Lady’s aura; Ling Xiao is confident he couldn’t mistake her.

But now Moon Lady seems much younger.

Originally appearing to be in her twenties, she now seems merely sixteen or seventeen years old, lacking maturity but gaining sweetness.

"Who are you, wandering here at night?"

The peerless beauty spoke.

Her voice, like heavenly music, intoxicating.