Ning Hui said that the catastrophe a hundred years later was mainly caused by Nie Zheng's battle with someone, which broke the seal on Tian Sheng Mountain, leading to the invasion of the demon race and the devastation of life. He was reborn several times, trying to prevent this from happening, but each time he failed.

As for who fought Nie Zheng back then, why they fought, how the seal was broken, and where he went after the catastrophe, Ning Hui couldn't answer these questions either.

Even the name Nie Zheng was something he had heard in his previous life. During their battle, a mortal from the vicinity of the Western Border had been saved by him and remembered his name. Later, after the story spread, he learned that the calamity was related to him.

To verify this, Youyou specifically asked Yuanqi to make a trip to Tian Sheng Mountain in the Western Region, where they discovered traces of a powerful seal. Moreover, the seal was extremely profound; even Yuanqi couldn't discern what kind of seal it was.

In other words, what Ning Hui was worried about might actually happen in the future. And the person who fought with Nie Zheng might be the traitor he mentioned who stole the divine artifact. Nie Zheng probably didn't know there was a demon seal there at that time.

Having understood this, the problem was much easier to solve. Youyou immediately gave Nie Zheng a complete map of the Tianze Continent, marking the locations of various immortal sects and dangerous seals, especially highlighting Tian Sheng Mountain in bold red, indicating it was a demonic seal site. While Nie Zheng was recovering, Youyou instructed him to memorize the map thoroughly and never to engage in fights in dangerous places.

Nie Zheng, upon receiving the map: "..."

No, while I'm grateful someone gave me the map—familiarity with the terrain makes completing the task much easier—what's with making me memorize it three times a day? He's injured, but his divine sense is intact. He could memorize this map with just a glance, right? Why do I have to memorize it? Is this how you treat a sick person? He's supposed to be an immortal; please show him some respect!

Ling Qi, however, expressionlessly took out the ledger. "Three times a day, five spirit stones will be deducted from the debt each month!"

"Alright!" Nie Zheng immediately picked up his pen happily. "How about ten times a day?"

Ling Qi: "..."

Ning Hui, who had never expected such a solution, was speechless.

(???????????)

Immortal, haha!

Nie Zheng's injuries were indeed severe. It took You You's Rejuvenation Technique five times to restore his body to about 70-80%. He immediately used his magical artifact to search for the traitor from the Immortal Realm named Jing Chen, but unexpectedly, he couldn't find him at all.

Staring at the unresponsive magical artifact, Nie Zheng was completely dumbfounded, and even began to doubt Xian Sheng. How could a magical artifact bestowed by the Emperor not be able to track its owner?

Youyou, however, wasn't surprised at all. Since the person he mentioned dared to steal the divine artifact and descend to the mortal realm, it proved that he had anticipated being pursued. How could he not have made preparations in advance? It's normal that he can't find the person now.

Nie Zheng was completely distraught. If he couldn't find the person, he couldn't know what they had done. If he didn't know what they had done, he couldn't stop them. If he couldn't stop them, he couldn't complete the mission. If he couldn't complete the mission, he wouldn't have time to repay his debt. And if he couldn't repay the debt, then his interest…

Aaaaaaahh ...

┌┤′?Д?`├┐

The more he thought about it, the more anxious and distraught he became, as if he could see mountains of spirit stones pressing down on him mercilessly. He immediately abandoned his efforts to heal his injuries and proposed to set off to find someone.

Youyou didn't stop them. In any case, the spirit contract had already been signed. The so-called spirit contract is equivalent to a contract of the Heavenly Dao. Failure to complete it will hinder one's Dao heart. As long as the other party still exists in the Three Realms, this contract will remain valid. It cannot be dissolved unless they voluntarily give up.

So, not worried that he would run away, she readily released him, letting him go about his business. Ning Hui, however, was filled with worry, fearing that once he left, he would go to Tian Sheng Mountain to break the seal and cause a cataclysmic disaster. She not only escorted him all the way to the mountain gate but also repeatedly instructed him, "Remember to memorize the map every day! Every single day! Don't forget... When you're out and about, be careful, and don't go to places you shouldn't!"

Unaware of the truth, Nie Zheng was deeply moved by the other person's worried expression.

What a wonderful fellow Daoist!

Although I usually find him disrespectful and even want to draw my sword to kill him, I never expected him to be so worried about him before leaving. He not only escorted me all the way here but also kept worrying about his debts, reminding me to bring back the money to pay them off.

Is this what they call having a cold exterior but a warm heart? My dear fellow Daoist!

"Don't worry, Brother Ning!" Nie Zheng was so moved that he was determined to be friends with him and become sworn brothers with him when he returned. "I already know the map by heart and I will definitely come back safely. Take care, Brother Ning!" He then solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute to him, sniffed, and flew away.

Ning Hui: "..."

What the hell?! Who the hell is your brother?!

Whether you come back or not, just don't you dare go to Tiansheng Mountain!

(╬￣?俣?╬)

——————

Nie Zheng didn't return for seven or eight years after leaving, and the Zhenyan Sect returned to its previous busy cultivation routine.

Since attending Qiu Zhang's basic lesson, You You felt she had indeed made progress, and her control over spiritual energy was much better than before. The most obvious difference was that she would no longer lose control of her sword. Although she was still very fast and could fly far away in the blink of an eye, she finally had a manageable speed.

Therefore, she felt it was essential for her to study diligently, especially to master practical everyday techniques as soon as possible. Thus, to Qiu Zhang's delighted surprise, she reappeared in his classroom.

Compared to her previous observational audit, this time she genuinely wanted to learn. So she listened very attentively, but the educational methods and standards of the two worlds were indeed different, and Youyou inevitably encountered some parts she didn't understand. So she took the opportunity to ask the classmate next to her.

Classmate Ning Hui: "...Sect Leader."

"Um?"

"If I tell you, will you... still consider me to have cheated this time?"

Youyou: "..."

No, it's just that I was forced to copy textbooks. Is the trauma really that big?

She glanced at him speechlessly and retorted, "If that counts as cheating, could you just not tell me?"

Ning Hui: "..." You really can't! Otherwise, those senior brothers and sisters outside who come to peek at the sect leader every day will beat him to death!

(?_?)

So, Sect Master, did you come here to teach on purpose to find fault with me?

Qiu Zhang was most pleased with You You's occasional unannounced attendance at his classes, as this was an affirmation from the sect leader. His enthusiasm for the lessons noticeably increased, and he lectured with boundless passion, even during the spell cultivation class…

Youyou used a dust-removing spell to strip the entire floating peak bare of grass; he used a small water-summoning spell to turn the grassland below into a lake; and he used a wind-controlling technique to create a sky full of gales that smashed the mountain-protecting formation with a clanging sound for a whole day.

Qiu Zhang: "..."

Ning Hui: "..."

The disciples: "..."

Not only the disciples, but even Qiu Zhang himself seriously doubted whether they had really taken the same class.