Chapter 237: Choice

The immortal mansion was vast and boundless. Silence reigned everywhere, with no one in sight.

On a black stone stele, a swirling vortex appeared, growing ever deeper. From it emerged a woman in palace attire – it was Sikong Muyue. She stepped out of the vortex, turned to gaze at the stele, then surveyed the various scenes from near to far, taking everything within her view. Besides herself, there was no one else. She appeared to be the first to enter the ancient cultivator's legacy site.

Sikong Muyue withdrew her gaze, her expression thoughtful. Then, a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. She extended her right hand forward, palm open, and a ball of light gathered in her palm, finally transforming into a colorful butterfly. The butterfly danced gracefully, circling her once, then flew towards the towering mountains to the west of the stele. The butterfly's speed increased rapidly, and in a blink, it had flown hundreds of zhang away. Sikong Muyue's eyes flickered, and then her figure vanished on the spot, effortlessly following the butterfly.

After flying over several mountain ridges, the butterfly finally hovered over an unassuming mountaintop. Rows of ancient stone halls stood clustered on the mountain, appearing incredibly mysterious. Unfortunately, these halls were severely dilapidated, with only crumbling walls and scattered debris remaining, seemingly long since plundered. The butterfly flew into one of the stone halls and vanished.

Sikong Muyue followed closely, her figure lightly descending in front of the stone hall. Immediately, hurried footsteps echoed from within, and Yun Youzi rushed out of the hall, bowing respectfully to Sikong Muyue.

“Disciple Yun Youzi pays respects to Martial Aunt Sikong!”

The white-haired old man, bowing so deeply to a woman who appeared to be only in her twenties or thirties, might seem strange to mortals. However, in the world of cultivation, such a sight was commonplace.

“To pass the trial of the ancient abode so quickly, you've truly exceeded my expectations!” Sikong Muyue's gaze held a hint of scrutiny as she looked deeply at Yun Youzi and spoke indifferently, “Rumors widely circulated within the sect claim that you alone were regarded as a true disciple by Senior Martial Brother Piaoya, and that he passed his legacy to you before his immortal demise. It seems there's no smoke without fire.”

Yun Youzi didn't offer any excuses, simply replying respectfully, “Reporting to Martial Aunt, this disciple feared making you wait too long and delaying your important matters.”

“What great use could there be in abandoned ruins that have been plundered countless times?” Sikong Muyue's gaze swept over the ruins, and she chuckled disdainfully. Then, looking at Yun Youzi, she mused, “Before Senior Martial Brother Piaoya ascended, he exchanged a promise with me, asking me to fully assist you once in the future. When you were breaking through to Foundation Establishment, you preferred to participate in sect trials rather than seek a Foundation Establishment Pill from me, which earned my respect. I didn't expect you would now use that promise in such an inexplicable place... This opportunity is one-time only. Have you considered it carefully?”

Pausing, Sikong Muyue softened, remembering Senior Martial Brother Piaoya's care for her during his lifetime. She added, “If you save this promise, when you reach Core Formation in the future, simply seek me out. I can help you find two of the most precious spirit herbs, the Snow Spirit Lotus and the Iris Flower. I will not go back on my word.”

Yun Youzi took a deep breath and said firmly, “Thank you for your care, Martial Aunt. This disciple has made up his mind. Please help this disciple this once.”

Sikong Muyue's gaze turned cold, and she nodded slightly. “Follow me.” With that, Sikong Muyue flew deeper into the ancient cultivator's legacy site. Yun Youzi quickly followed.

***

“So, the Golden Armored Divine Generals in the passage adjust their strength according to the intruder's power?” Qin Sang heard Yun Qiong Sanren recount her experience and thought to himself, 'No wonder.' Yun Qiong Sanren's cultivation was somewhat more profound than his. For Qin Sang, the Golden Armored Divine Generals might be troublesome, but Yun Qiong Sanren could surely handle them with ease. It turned out the Golden Armored Divine Generals' strength was not fixed.

“I fared poorly in the passage and was injured, unable to defeat the Golden Armored Divine Generals. After reaching the stone platform, I wasn't careful enough and alarmed those strange birds, leaving me no chance to heal. I could only flee for my life. The journey here has been chaotic, and Yun Qiong is truly ashamed to have made Fellow Daoist Qin laugh...” Yun Qiong Sanren's face flushed crimson with deep shame. Given her cultivation, she shouldn't have been in such a sorry state. It could only be said she was too incautious, failed to handle the critical situation promptly, and subsequently triggered a chain reaction that almost cost her life.

Qin Sang shook his head indifferently, his eyes flickering. Changing his tone, he asked, “Fellow Daoist Yun Qiong has decided not to continue and will leave the ancient cultivator's legacy site?” When he saved Yun Qiong Sanren, he originally intended for her to be a helper. Unexpectedly, after Yun Qiong Sanren healed her injuries and pondered for a long time, she told him she wouldn't proceed, deciding to return the way she came and exit through the stone stele. The stone platform they were currently on had no stele. To leave the ancient cultivator's legacy site, they either had to continue forward or return the way they came. This greatly displeased Qin Sang, though he didn't show it on his face.

Yun Qiong Sanren hummed softly, giving a wry smile. “The series of dangers just now have unsettled Yun Qiong's mind, and my mental state cannot be calm now. If I go forward, I will surely become like a startled bird. In such a perilous place, that's not good; it would not only put myself in danger but also drag Fellow Daoist Qin down. I truly dare not continue. Fortunately, Yun Qiong also gained much from this trip, and carefully reflecting on it back home will make this journey worthwhile.” That Yun Qiong Sanren could resist the temptation of treasures within the ancient cultivator's legacy site and make such a choice was unexpected for Qin Sang, yet it was also understandable.

Qin Sang nodded, saying little. A forced melon isn't sweet; Yun Qiong Sanren had made up her mind, and he couldn't force her to stay.

At this moment, Yun Qiong Sanren's expression grew serious. “Fellow Daoist Qin, Yun Qiong will never forget your life-saving grace. As Yun Qiong is retreating this time, I cannot repay your kindness. Feeling uneasy, I can only offer some small assistance by using the Five-Colored Glaze to help Fellow Daoist Qin. I wish Fellow Daoist Qin a fruitful return...” After hearing Yun Qiong Sanren's explanation, Qin Sang realized that her Five-Colored Glaze could actually split off a portion of its power, transforming into a cloud of colorful light, which could then be wielded by others. Furthermore, this detached power could exist independently for a period of time. At that time, Qin Sang would only need to think of it to easily activate this cloud of colorful light for protection, without consuming his own spiritual energy. However, the detached power originated from the artifact's fundamental essence. After it was separated, Yun Qiong Sanren would need two years of nurturing to restore it.

“Damaging the Five-Colored Glaze, Fellow Daoist, how will you deal with those firebirds when you return?” Qin Sang knew that the Five-Colored Glaze was Yun Qiong Sanren's most powerful artifact, and its damage would significantly affect her strength.

“Fellow Daoist Qin, rest assured!” Yun Qiong Sanren said confidently, “Now that I know the strange birds' habits, Yun Qiong will not be as helpless as before. Escaping will be no problem, otherwise Yun Qiong would have lived this life in vain.”