Chapter 95

“Good! With Xiao Jiang here, I’m at ease.”

Seeing Jiang Ye agree, Luo Song’s withered, bark-like face instantly bloomed into a grin, his wrinkles smoothing out.

He laughed heartily, the sound echoing across the peak and making the flames inside the black iron cauldron flicker.

Jiang Ye smiled faintly and bowed. “Master of the Peak, rest assured—I’ll do my best.”

To be honest, taking on this mission was like killing three birds with one stone.

First, he was deeply interested in the secret treasury of the former dynasty’s ruins.

Whatever the Seven Kill Sect went to such lengths to find couldn’t be ordinary.

Second, returning would earn him twenty thousand contribution points.

Combined with the ten thousand points left after exchanging for the True Fire Gazing Art, he could finally claim the long-coveted Green Wood Longevity Qi Cultivation Method from the Scripture Hall.

Third, this journey might let him encounter the Seven Kill Sect’s demons.

If he could pry loose the secret of “killing aura” from them…

His thoughts turned swiftly, but his expression remained unreadable.

“You may return to prepare. Depart as soon as possible.”

Luo Song’s drowsiness seemed to return; his eyelids began to droop.

He couldn’t help yawning, his words coming in fragments:

“By the way… you can pick a few capable disciples from the Inner Peak… to take with you…”

No sooner had he finished than his eyes snapped shut and he toppled backward with a heavy thud, snoring loudly as he fell into deep sleep.

Everyone seemed used to this; not a single eye blinked.

Without further delay, they turned and walked down the mountain.

“Big Brother Jiang, looks like you’re about to score another victory again! When you return, we’ll have a proper drinking session!”

Drunken Qin Lie staggered over to Jiang Ye, laughed boisterously a few times, then wobbled down the mountain.

“Elder Jiang, shall we go back and pack up? We’ll depart together shortly?”

Zheng Feng walked up to Jiang Ye, his clear, handsome face alight with eager anticipation.

Clearly, he was desperate to prove himself on this mission and wash away the stain from his failure in Anxi County.

“Hmm.”

Jiang Ye gave a slight nod.

As they spoke, they suddenly felt a resentful gaze from behind.

Jiang Ye turned—and there stood Wen Yueyao.

“Sigh, Elder Jiang, I was hoping this time I’d get to fight alongside you again.”

Wen Yueyao bit her plump red lips, sighed softly, her face brimming with regret.

Instantly, she recalled the memory of when she’d been cornered by Black Fifth, and Jiang Ye had saved her.

Back then, she’d even worried the old man might take advantage of her…

Thinking of it, a faint blush spread across her lovely oval face.

“Miss Wen, with your talent, you won’t take long to stand on your own.”

Jiang Ye smiled faintly, his tone carrying the gentle reassurance of an elder.

“Sister Wen, the Peak Master kept you back for your own good!”

Zheng Feng spoke seriously: “You defeated Black Fifth in Anxi County, but you scared everyone half to death. The Peak Master fears you might get hurt again.”

Wen Yueyao pouted; the blush hadn’t faded, but her usual bold demeanor returned.

She waved her hand and turned to walk down the mountain, leaving behind one remark:

“I’ll keep refining myself.”

Her figure was slender, her steps light, and she vanished quickly at the path’s end.

Jiang Ye watched her retreating back, shook his head slightly, then turned his gaze away and walked down the mountain with Zheng Feng.

Back at the herb garden, Jiang Ye sat cross-legged on a green stone, pondering which disciple to take.

He shook his head slightly, images of Lü Ming and Chen Lili flashing through his mind.

Aside from these two, he had no one else worth taking.

Besides, someone had to guard the garden’s herbs, so he could only take one.

He summoned them both to the Tiankui Herb Garden and asked bluntly:

“This trip to Tai’an Mountain requires one disciple to accompany me. Which of you two wants to go?”

“Me!”

Both spoke at once, almost in unison.

Lü Ming’s round face beamed with excitement; Chen Lili’s beautiful eyes sparkled brilliantly—both were eager as could be.

Going alone with Elder Jiang meant a chance to deepen their bond.

Both treasured this opportunity.

Jiang Ye glanced at them, shook his head slightly, then made his decision:

“Chen Girl, you’ll come with me. Your cultivation is slightly stronger.”

He paused, his tone growing more serious:

“This isn’t a sightseeing trip to Tai’an Mountain. Life-or-death danger could strike at any moment. Keep that in mind.”

With that, he said no more and turned toward the wooden hut.

The journey was long; it would take days. He needed to prepare his gear.

As Jiang Ye’s figure vanished behind the hut’s door, Chen Lili burst into a triumphant grin, her bright face glowing with victory.

She placed her hands on her hips and beamed at Lü Ming:

“Hahaha, Brother Lü, you’d better go back and refine yourself. What can I say? Sister’s just better than you.”

Lü Ming wasn’t discouraged; instead, a sly, knowing smirk spread across his round face.

He leaned closer, lowered his voice, and teased:

“Sister Chen, you and Elder Jiang are going off alone… man and woman…”

He paused, his grin growing even more infuriating:

“You’d better behave yourself…”

“Don’t come back pregnant.”

Chen Lili rolled her eyes dramatically.

Not only did she not blush—she thrust out her full chest and retorted with disdain:

“Who are you looking down on?”

She paused, a defiant smile curling her lips:

“With this body of mine…”

“At least twins!”

Lü Ming immediately surrendered, bowing repeatedly: “Amazing! Brother yields!”

Every time they bantered like this, he always gave in.

This time was no different.

About half an hour later.

Jiang Ye and Chen Lili arrived calmly at the foot of Tianyangfeng.

He wore a neat gray robe, a simple pack on his back, still as calm and detached as ever.

Chen Lili wore a fitted martial outfit that accentuated her curvaceous figure, her face alight with eager excitement.

As soon as they reached the mountain’s base, Jiang Ye saw someone waiting ahead.

Zheng Feng stood in a blue robe, arms crossed, posture upright, exuding the air of a noble young master.

Beside him stood a girl dressed as an inner sect disciple, glancing curiously around.

“Oh?”

Jiang Ye raised an eyebrow, scanning the girl.

She had delicate features, but still carried a trace of youthful innocence—clearly young.

She stood there, her qi visibly exposed. Jiang Ye sensed her slightly.

Roughly late Dark Force stage.

Is this level even qualified to be an inner sect disciple?

A flicker of surprise passed through Jiang Ye’s aged eyes.

Zheng Feng noticed Jiang Ye’s gaze and instantly understood his doubt.

He sighed helplessly and volunteered an explanation:

“Elder Jiang, this is my younger sister, Zheng Hui.”

He paused, his tone filled with indulgent exasperation:

“She insisted on coming to Tai’an Mountain with me. I couldn’t talk her out of it…”

Hearing this, Zheng Hui immediately poked her head out from behind Zheng Feng, beaming sweetly at Jiang Ye and bowing with a clear voice:

“Greetings, Elder Jiang! I’ve long admired your name!”