Ye Xiru blinked innocently and said, "Master, you know, my mother died young, and I can't remember anything. My father also committed suicide for love, but he didn't leave me a single word! Besides, they were just mortals, how could they have any connection with the high and mighty Holy Maiden?"

“What you said makes some sense, but since records of the Heavenly Soul Master can be found in your father’s study, perhaps he was also a remarkable figure living in seclusion in Liujia Village?”

Ye Xiruo could only chuckle at this. It wasn't her cheap father's doing at all; it was given to her by the system. She never expected her own father to take the blame. She hoped her father would be more understanding.

"That's unlikely! Maybe Father found it somewhere. Forget it, instead of guessing, we should ask him directly."

Jingli rested her smooth chin on her hand: "So you're planning to make a trip."

"I don't think the Holy Maiden meant any harm, nor did she force me to do anything. She even gave me a miraculous medicine like the Ten-Leaf Sacred Lotus. I should thank the Holy Maiden for her kindness and courtesy."

“Junior Sister is right. Nothing should happen. The eyes of the mainland are watching so closely. If something were to happen to Junior Sister on Saintess Peak, how would the Saintess explain it to the world?”

"Then you should go into seclusion for the next two days to form your core as soon as possible and then make a trip! The Hundred-Year Lotus Pond has accumulated the energy of at least three mature Ten-Leaf Sacred Lotuses, which is much better than the medicinal spring in Medicine King Valley."

"Such a precious lotus pond for me to soak in," Ye Xiruo said softly, rubbing the hem of her clothes. "I feel a little embarrassed."

"As far as I know, the Lotus Pond is for the Holy Maiden's cultivation. Even the elders with outstanding achievements at the foot of Holy Maiden Peak are not qualified to use it. There are several reasons why the Holy Maiden suddenly opened the Lotus Pond this time. One is that she has broken through and no longer needs the Lotus Pond for cultivation. Another is that she wants her disciples to achieve good results in the Heavenly Ranking Competition. The last one is you, Third Brother."

Ye Xiruo pointed to the tip of her nose, looking terrified: "Why me? How could it be me? My face doesn't seem that big."

"The opening of the lotus pond is just a prelude; the real purpose is to invite you to Mount Saintess."

“Master, this joke is not funny at all.”

“Master is right.” Zishu nodded, agreeing with Jingli’s statement.

"Alright, let's stop speculating about this. I believe the truth will come out eventually."

"Yes, Master."

Suddenly, a glass of wine appeared in Jingli's hand, and her jade-like fingers gently swirled the crystal glass.

"I heard that you two managed to shut down the bounty post yesterday, and the third brother even broke the record."

"Master, you flatter me. I really didn't want to be so high-profile, really." Ye Xiruo looked at Jingli with a sincere expression.

"It's alright, just consider it a learning experience. How did you learn from it?"

"About a thousand high-grade spirit stones."

"Three thousand high-grade spirit stones."

Jing Li sighed, "How could I have such two stupid disciples? Who asked them about spirit stones? And they answered so seriously!"

"Are you short of spirit stones?"

Ye Xiruo looked up, gave Jing Li a "how did you know?" look, and a ring flew over: "Take it."

Another spirit stone ring appeared, and Ye Xiruo quickly thanked her master.

"With the competition just around the corner, you all need to improve your strength as soon as possible. Resources are secondary."

"Yes, Master, I will definitely practice diligently."

The two were dismissed by Jing Li.

"Hey, Senior Brother, eight thousand high-grade spirit stones."

"Indeed, Master may have guessed what we're going to do?"

"Hmm, I forgot to invite Master?"

"Master is very busy as the temple master."

“With our grandmaster overseeing the Pill King Hall, and the elders and managers of the sea region, there shouldn’t be any problems. No, I need to go ask my master.” Ye Xiruo turned and ran.

"Junior Sister, wait a minute." But she couldn't stop her.

"Master—" Huh, where is everyone? Ye Xiruo wondered, could they have left? She should go to the inner hall to look for them first.

"Master, I have something to report."

She hadn't been to the main hall of the Dan King many times, and this inner hall was so spacious with so many rooms. It wouldn't be good to just wander around like this!

"master--"

"master--"

The Hall of Nourishing Health, judging from the name, this should be the place! Nourishing health, nourishing health.

I knocked on the door, but there was no response.

"Master, are you there?"

"Not here."

Ye Xiruo chuckled. "So he really isn't here?" She pushed the door open forcefully, but ouch! She used too much force and fell straight to the ground.

They brought this on themselves.

She got up, surrounded by steaming heat. A bad feeling crept into Ye Xiruo's heart. Had she accidentally wandered into a bathhouse?

She decided to continue talking while lying down, so Ye Xiruo settled into her position and lay back down.

"Why such a grand gesture?" Who else could this enchanting voice be but my master?

Ye Xiruo wanted to cry but had no tears: "Master, I was wrong, I didn't mean to. I didn't see anything."

"It's alright, stand up and talk!" This foolish apprentice is adorably foolish.

"Master, I'd better lie down and talk. I'll leave as soon as I'm done. I absolutely, absolutely won't disturb you," Ye Xiruo quickly assured him.

"You're already bothering me."

"I was wrong, really wrong, there won't be a next time."

"What is it?"

"Master, you're going to compete on the Heavenly Ranking, aren't you?"

"No, I'm an alchemist. Why should I fight with martial artists?"

"However, this is a rare opportunity, and there are many benefits to being on the list."

"I'm not going."

"Really not going?" Could it be that she guessed wrong? Her master had no interest in the Heavenly Ranking at all? Then why did she stupidly barge in here?

"Since the boss and Xiu Qiyu are going, there's no harm in me going along to see what's going on."

"Master, are you teasing me again?" Ye Xiruo said angrily.

"In a couple of days, we're going to a secret realm for secluded cultivation. Time there flows at a rate that one day outside is equivalent to one year inside, making it an excellent place for cultivation."

"Who else knows about this?"

"Just the three of us, plus our master, that's it."

"That's why you've been working so hard to earn spirit stones these past two days."

"Yes, you can't cultivate without spirit stones."

"Remember, don't mention this to anyone, or you'll be killed."

"Yes, Master."

"Silly girl, how long are you going to lie here?" The teasing tone and the faint fragrance on the tip of her nose... Could it be that her master has come out?

Ye Xiruo covered her face and peeked through her fingers. Her master came out and stood in front of her.

He wore a loose, bright red robe, woven from the feathers of some unknown bird, exceptionally beautiful. A black belt cinched his waist, and his long, ink-black hair cascaded down his back. A wicked smile played on his breathtaking face.