Chapter 85: The Early-Death White Moonlight in a Cultivation Novel (Part 16)

She was finally out.

That one month inside the mystic realm had left Zhou Yanxi more exhausted than the past half-year combined. The worst part wasn't just fending off spirit beasts—she had to stay constantly alert against fellow cultivators trying to kill and steal from each other.

Fortunately, the exit of the Shuangzi Mystic Realm was random. Otherwise, anyone who managed to escape would've been ambushed and "gift-wrapped" the moment they stepped out.

In that sense, the Shuangzi Mystic Realm was… surprisingly humane. Zhou Yanxi couldn't help but wonder which senior cultivator had been so considerate when setting it up.

Far away in the Spirit Realm, a certain powerful ascended cultivator was holding a Shuangzi Pearl, frowning. Something didn't feel right about this one.

What was wrong?

Well, it turned out some greedy little brat had dug up half the spirit plants in her backyard, leaving a faint grayish-brown speck in the otherwise flawless pearl.

Oh well. She had plenty more pearls like this one anyway. The next one in line should be the Langhuan Pearl, right?

But that could wait. First, she needed to catch up on some sleep.

Meanwhile, back in the lower realm, Zhou Yanxi had no idea someone up there was thinking about her. She'd actually gotten lucky this time—the mystic realm had spat her out right outside Liyuan City, just over a thousand li from Vast Sky Sect.

That distance was manageable. All she had to do was enter the city and use a teleportation array, and she'd be back at the sect within a day.

One thing was clear: Zhou Yanxi had come out of the Shuangzi Realm loaded with treasures. But she didn't sell her rare, aged spirit herbs to the black-hearted system store.

Why? She realized that selling raw spirit herbs was absurdly low-profit. Far better to refine them into pills first, which sold for far more.

So she decided to wait until she had time to improve her alchemy, and then the value of her items would skyrocket.

System (grumbling): My host is getting more calculating by the day... At this rate, I'm going to lose my year-end bonus!

What Zhou Yanxi didn't know was that other unlucky cultivators had been teleported straight into the mouths of spirit beasts, or even worse—into the middle of deadly sea zones or in between two dueling cultivators…

Had she not been lucky this time, she might've ended up just like them.

Before entering Liyuan City, Zhou Yanxi used her Thousand-Illusion Mask to transform her face into that of a young man. She also changed into a green bamboo-patterned male mid-grade robe.

She believed in caution—better safe than sorry. Who knew if someone had memorized her face inside the mystic realm?

After all, cultivators were known for photographic memory, able to recall even the tiniest details.

This time, her outfit was much more presentable. She'd be going to the City Lord's manor to use their teleportation array, and if she looked too shabby, the guards might not even let her in.

In fact, the cultivation world was full of snobbery. People judged others by their appearance even more than in the mortal world.

So to avoid trouble, Zhou Yanxi chose to appear as a male rogue cultivator and paid a five-spirit-stone entry fee at the city gates like an ordinary person.

After all, with her being both a prestigious sect disciple and a beautiful woman, she would've been a walking target if she appeared as herself.

Once she returned to the sect's market square, Zhou Yanxi first checked into the Yunxiang Inn, booking a private room where she restored her original appearance and outfit.

She didn't mind spending the extra money. First, the sect forbade the use of private arrays or barriers within the market. Second, she'd gotten an insider tip from her dad that Dao Lord Daoyun loved the fruit wine served here.

So before leaving the inn, Zhou Yanxi specially bought three jars of fruit wine—one for her master, one for her father, and one for her senior brother. She wasn't about to play favorites; everyone got a share.

Only when she stepped past the sect's guardian array did Zhou Yanxi finally feel her nerves relax a little.

Wasting no time, she prepared to fly straight to the library pavilion to find Dao Lord Daoyun—she had to submit the spirit beasts she had hunted for her test.

In fact, the moment Zhou Yanxi stepped into the sect, Dao Lord Daoyun had already sensed her presence with his divine sense. At his cultivation level, detecting such things without alerting anyone was laughably easy.

Seeing that the girl's first stop was him, Dao Lord Daoyun couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips.

A nearby steward disciple happened to glimpse this rare expression and almost thought he was hallucinating.

The stone-faced Dao Lord Daoyun actually smiled? This could top this year's gossip rankings in the Library Pavilion!

After carefully verifying the submitted beasts and the image crystal, Dao Lord Daoyun finally gave a tsundere-sounding nod and said, "Not bad this time. But don't grow arrogant. You've now passed my trial and are qualified to be my second disciple. Once I've discussed it with the sect leader and others, we'll hold the formal ceremony."

Then he added, "Here, this is my "Demon-Slaying Blade Technique". Do not pass it on without permission. Go home and study it tonight. Be here at the first quarter of the Yin hour tomorrow for special training."

Zhou Yanxi felt a warmth in her heart hearing her master's awkward praise and instructions. Right—she still had something for him!

She pulled out one of the jars of fruit wine she had prepared in advance.

The moment Dao Lord Daoyun smelled the fragrance of the wine, he could hardly contain himself.

He'd taken on the library duty recently and hadn't had good wine in ages. Sure, that brat Chongyuan had given him a small jar a while back—but one sip, and it was gone.

Now, the wine demon in his heart was itching madly. If not for his pride as a stern master, he would've snatched the wine from her hand on the spot.

But Zhou Yanxi was clever. She caught the glimmer in his eyes and silently placed the wine beside his usual recliner. After bowing politely, she slipped away quickly.

Had she not had strong self-control, she might've burst out laughing right then and there—her new master looked exactly like a grumpy little kitten trying to act aloof.

When Zhou Yanxi flew toward Zhenyuan Peak, she finally couldn't hold back and laughed out loud. Her master's expression had just been too much—arrogant, sulky, and adorably greedy.

But when she arrived at the peak, she found that her father was nowhere to be seen.

Just then, her messaging jade at her waist lit up.

"Xier, hurry to your senior brother's courtyard—he was ambushed outside!"