Xie Linlang walked through the pitch-black tunnel.
The color of the Purple Fish Scale Tree bark around him grew increasingly deep. After turning a certain bend, the view before him suddenly opened up into a massive hollow space.
Xie Linlang stood at the cave exit. From there, he could not see how deep it went below or how high it reached above.
The only thing he could confirm was that this Purple Fish Scale Tree was some kind of ancient divine object.
The enormous Fish Scale Divine Tree rooted deeply into the darkness below. Countless slender branches clung to the surrounding cave walls like snakes, extending into innumerable holes.
In the central hollow space, the branches intertwined into a labyrinth-like space resembling a bird’s nest. From outside, many entry and exit holes were visible, with twisting branches extending from them, covered in tiny barbs that gleamed with purple cold light.
Yet Xie Linlang had a strange feeling that this massive divine tree harbored no hostility or harm toward him.
And that summoning sensation from the void originated from within this Fish Scale Divine Tree.
Since he had come this far, Xie Linlang pondered briefly and was about to approach for a closer look when his eyes flickered. He quickly retreated a step and hid on the inner side of the cave mouth.
Directly across the hollow space, at the edge of a rock wall cave opening, two people appeared.
One wore a pink long skirt and held an Embroidered Fan—it was Le Qingping. The other was the red-lipped, white-toothed youth.
At that moment, the youth leaned out most of his body, seemingly scrutinizing the Fish Scale Divine Tree carefully.
“This doesn’t seem like an ordinary object…”
“Aren’t you stating the obvious?”
Le Qingping shed her delicate demeanor, revealing the brisk sharpness she had shown in the Pill Room when grabbing Hong Kui by the neck to force-feed him medicine.
She toyed with the Embroidered Fan in her hand and scanned the surroundings. “Where did that Golden Beast Shadow go?”
The youth pointed at the Fish Scale Divine Tree. “It was probably absorbed inside.”
Le Qingping’s beautiful eyes flashed as she probed, “The divine object Senior Ying seeks is inside this giant tree?”
The youth, addressed as Senior Ying, shrugged casually. “Maybe. Do you still plan to follow me?”
Le Qingping smiled sweetly. “Of course. Though you weren’t my original target, since we’ve met, you’re a Soul Transformation senior. Even if you’re using a custom puppet, sticking with you is surely safer.”
“I’m the one who’s curious. Why did you come to the Purple Radiance Mountain Secret Realm for no reason?”
The youth known as Senior Ying eyed Le Qingping curiously. “You can follow me inside if you want, but you have to tell me exactly what you’re here for.”
Le Qingping weighed the pros and cons before slowly saying, “A few days ago, a disciple in the sect produced an excellent formula for rearing Spirit Beasts. After our sect seniors studied it, they found that the finished product resembled the pills used by the Nine Spirits Sect, which was wiped out by the Palace Lord.”
Senior Ying said in surprise, “You’re tracking that disciple to investigate? But the Nine Spirits Sect was completely destroyed by Jiye back then. He was even hunted by the righteous immortal sects for years because of it.”
Le Qingping snapped open her pink Embroidered Fan, blocking half her face and revealing only a pair of eyes devoid of emotion.
“Yes. According to Shizun, the Palace Lord went berserk and slaughtered every living being present, then shattered the Nine Spirits Sect’s mountain gate and foundations into chaotic void. It’s absolutely impossible for any inheritance to remain.”
“As a Demonic Cultivator, it’s normal to be targeted by enemies. If that disciple just got the formula by chance, it’s no big deal. But what if there’s some conspiracy behind it? After all, the immortal sect cultivators have grown increasingly hostile toward Demonic Cultivators these years.”
Le Qingping spoke with disdain. “We’re all cultivators, just on different paths. Their own chances of surviving Heavenly Tribulation grow slimmer, yet they claim other cultivators are seizing heaven and earth’s resources. Why don’t they just kill all the mortals and say they’re stealing the air we breathe?”
Senior Ying said lightly, “It doesn’t matter. Heavenly Tribulation will handle it.”
Le Qingping smiled faintly. “That disciple joined Uncle Master Lin’s sect.”
Senior Ying immediately grew anxious. “What? Under A Yu? Wait, I silently allowed A Yu to join Silent Night Palace—I didn’t mean for him to be a target!”
Le Qingping said with a grin, “If you’re unhappy, you can discuss it directly with the Palace Lord.”
Senior Ying hurriedly asked, “What’s that disciple’s name? How’s your investigation going?”
Le Qingping said resentfully, “After entering the secret realm, I was targeted by you, Senior. I didn’t even lure in a few fat sheep.”
Senior Ying chuckled. “You can go find that disciple now.”
Le Qingping snapped her Embroidered Fan shut and smiled with pursed lips. “Sect matters can wait. An opportunity to broaden my horizons with you is too rare. Improving my cultivation and gaining experience comes before sect tasks, of course.”
Senior Ying laughed in exasperation. “Le Girl is truly mischievous.” The youth shook his head. “Fine. This is just a Foundation Establishment Puppet of mine. I didn’t come personally, so losing it wouldn’t matter. Don’t stray too far, stay alert, and run if things go south.”
