Upon hearing this, Cang Yue's expression turned serious for a moment.

"Please give me some pointers, Master."

Qingzhi opened her palm, and the gathered spiritual realm of a hundred herbs reflected Qilin's appearance.

The immortal herbs in the spiritual realm shook their branches and leaves violently, and in an instant, they all pointed southwest.

"The news is a mix of truth and falsehood. If we keep waiting, won't we just let others get the first chance?"

"Qilin recognizes its master. If you can't form a bond with it before others, even if you get Qilin in the end, it will return to its master's side."

As one of the ancient divine artifacts, her Hundred Herbs Spirit Realm is naturally able to sense the location of its kind.

This is also why she wasn't in a hurry to go to the imperial tombs.

Junior Sister Fu Yu has no interest in cultivation and spends her days traveling and enjoying the scenery. How can she compare to her, an outstanding student who excels in every subject?

It seems they only have the desire to compete, but lack the ability to succeed.

Fine, let's just consider this as her senior giving her junior a vivid and realistic experiential lesson.

"As expected of the legendary invincible Qingzhi Immortal Lord."

"This in your hand must be the Spirit Realm of Herbs, which can heal all things and grant immortality."

Cang Yue's father could not hide his excitement. He had been cultivating immortality for more than forty years, and this was the first time he had ever seen an ancient artifact. His gaze seemed to be glued to the spiritual realm, and he was reluctant to leave it for even a moment.

Cang Yue raised his eyes and glanced at his father without showing any emotion.

His brows furrowed, and he bowed to Qingzhi, saying, "Master is right. I was just thinking that Master has always been considerate of me and helped me with my cultivation. So I took this opportunity to go down to the mortal world to repay Master's kindness."

"You're thoughtful."

Qingzhi nodded in satisfaction.

It turns out that having a comfortable apprentice is such a wonderful experience!

Cang Yue respectfully withdrew from the room according to the etiquette of the Heavenly Palace.

"Master, please rest well. Your disciple will immediately send people to patrol the southwest direction."

He closed the door, and the gentle smile in his eyes gradually disappeared.

The moment he turned around, several cultivators surrounded him.

"Young Master, Immortal Lord Fu Yu and Ming Teng have arrived near the Imperial Mausoleum. Shall we make our move now?"

Cang Yue slowly stroked the end of his eyebrow.

"Wait a little longer."

"You have to eat one bite at a time, and you have to take care of people one by one."

"Have you prepared everything I asked you to?"

"It's all ready, it's in the warehouse at the back."

That evening, the Cang family hosted a banquet for Qingzhi.

Humanity was plagued by constant wars, with people suffering and cries of despair everywhere. Yet, Cangyue Ridge was like a paradise, a place of peace and prosperity, abundant resources, and a scene of tranquility.

After several rounds of drinks, Cangfu revealed the secret behind it.

To become a cultivator and join the Azure Moon Ridge, one must surrender all possessions in order to sever all emotions and desires and escape the mortal world.

If you have no money, you can work in the back mountain of the Cang family for 10 years in exchange for the opportunity to enter.

In times of chaos, life is as worthless as grass, and people can only place their hopes on cultivating immortality, seeking divine intervention, and consulting oracles.

Every year, the Cang family sends disciples to the secular world to answer questions, comfort people, raise funds, and provide relief to the people.

However, most of the donations ultimately did not reach the disaster victims...

Among the major cultivation families, only the Cang family has an increasingly solid foundation, with believers all over the world and the greatest prestige.

Qingzhi shook her head, the words of her father Cang in her ears sometimes near, sometimes far, becoming increasingly indistinct.

She staggered to her feet. "I... I'll go back first."

"Immortal Lord, please wait. Cangyue, quickly help your master back to his room to rest."

Father Cang squinted and took a swig of wine.

"yes."

Cang Yue got up from the next table and gently helped Qing Zhi up. "Master, this way."

Qingzhi closed her eyes trustingly and followed Cangyue's steps.

Until... I smelled a familiar scent.

This is!

Qingzhi opened her eyes and saw that the entire room was covered with black vines. The vines seemed to have come to life and quickly flew towards Qingzhi.

Soul-Devouring Vine!

Wherever the Soul-Devouring Vine goes, it will plunder all the surrounding spiritual energy and vitality.

But it was born in the dark southwest, how could it be in Cangyue Ridge...?

Without time to think, Qingzhi raised her hand to block the attack of the Soul-Devouring Vine.

Perhaps because she had been drinking, her reaction speed was a bit slow. Although she managed to withstand the frontal attack of the Soul-Devouring Vine, she failed to notice that the cunning Soul-Devouring Vine had already surrounded her from behind.

Seizing the opportunity, the Soul-Devouring Vine viciously pierced through Qingzhi's shoulder.

Sizzle—

A gush of blood gushed out.

"Disciple, what are you standing there for? Save me!"

Her urgent roar was met with Cang Yue's indifferent clapping of his hands.

Upon hearing the command, the Soul-Devouring Vine stretched out its tendrils, covered Cang Yue's palm, and obediently rubbed against the hem of his clothes.

"you!"

Qingzhi clutched her shoulder in disbelief, looking at Cangyue, "How dare you! You dare to keep forbidden creatures and harm your master! This is outrageous! You deserve to die!"

"Master, I don't want to make things difficult for you either."

Cang Yue shook his head regretfully, but his calm eyes showed no sign of remorse.

"As long as Master is willing to lend the Hundred Herbs Spirit Realm to the Cang family, the Cang family will treat Master well, regard Master as an honored guest, and entertain him properly."

Cang Yue waved his finger, and four roots of the Soul-Devouring Vine immediately flew out and bound Qing Zhi's limbs.

All things in the universe have their counterparts, and the Qingzhi, which is transformed from a spiritual herb, is most afraid of the Spirit-Devouring Vine.

This is a secret that Cang Yue discovered after lurking around Qing Zhi for many days.

The skin bound by the Soul-Devouring Vine aged and stiffened rapidly. With a gentle touch from Cang Yue, it crumbled like lime and scattered in the wind.

Qingzhi glared at Cangyue with resentment.

She never expected that the disciple she had carefully selected and diligently trained would dare to covet her magical artifact.

"Borrow? You're trying to steal my divine artifact! Cang Yue, I'm so disappointed in you."

"As long as you find Qilin, I will definitely speak well of you to Master and wish you a speedy ascension to become an immortal lord."

"You have betrayed your teacher's painstaking efforts. I misjudged you, choosing a greedy, stubborn, and treacherous scoundrel like you! I will definitely..."

Before Qingzhi could finish speaking, Cangyue drew his sharp blade and stabbed at her.

"Let down?"

"Master, are you lying so much that you've even fooled yourself?"

"When have you ever nurtured me? You only suppress me and use me. My excellence is nothing more than capital for you to show off to other immortal lords."

Cang Yue thrust the blade even deeper, his palms stained with Qing Zhi's blood. The Soul-Devouring Vine, as if smelling a delicious delicacy, relentlessly wrapped itself around Cang Yue's palms, licking the blood clean.

The remaining Soul-Devouring Vines pierced Qingzhi's wounds, sucking up the blood full of spiritual energy.

Qingzhi opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

"What's wrong, Master? Can't you speak?"

"At this time, you should warn me to guard against arrogance and impatience, and not to let myself be overwhelmed by that vile serpent Ming Teng, just like in the entrance exam!"

Cang Yue grabbed Qing Zhi's hair, a disdainful smile appearing on his lips.

"That vile thing is no match for me!"

"He was just lucky, but good luck doesn't last forever."

"With the Hundred Herbs Spirit Realm, I will possess boundless magical power. I will be the supreme king of this mortal realm, no, of the six realms."