In the distance, at the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, Ying Qiyun, who had learned of the events at Cloud Sky Fort, fanned himself with a folding fan, exuding an air of effortless elegance. With a roguish grin, he addressed the man sitting across from him—dressed in black, sipping tea, his eyes narrowed with an enigmatic aura—and said, “Brother Yin, we’ve been idle for far too long. Why don’t we go out and have some fun?”
Yin Jiu rolled his eyes—though even that gesture carried a certain charm, befitting a handsome man like him. “Brother Ying, if you want to go see the excitement, don’t drag me into it.”
As leaders of two major intelligence networks, their speed in gathering information was equally matched, and they had been close friends for years. With their shared access to intelligence and deep understanding of each other’s personalities, it was impossible not to see through the other’s intentions. Honestly, it wasn’t even a challenge to guess.
Unfazed by having his “scheme” exposed, Ying Qiyun continued to smile with effortless grace. “So, Brother Yin, care to join me for some fun?”
Yin Jiu and Ying Qiyun locked eyes for a long moment before Yin Jiu finally nodded. “Let’s go.” Why not? It was better than staying behind and exhausting himself with tedious work. Escape was the only option—swift and decisive!
The two exchanged a glance, sharing a knowing smile as they packed their things, made arrangements, and slipped away. After all, if they were even a step too slow…
But just as they had planned their secret and speedy escape, they were intercepted midway. Soon, inside a carriage, three strikingly handsome men sat facing each other, with Ying Qiyun and Yin Jiu inwardly fuming: *They were still a step too late!*
Huangfu Yichen, who had anticipated their reaction the moment he learned of certain events and had prepared to ambush them, elegantly lifted his teacup and took a sip. “Brothers Ying and Yin, this behavior seems rather inappropriate.”
Huangfu Yichen: *Damn it! We agreed to share both fortune and hardship, yet at the first sign of trouble, you two flee? Leaving me alone to suffer the ‘torture’ while you go out and enjoy yourselves? Dream on!*
And so, what was meant to be a “duo outing” became a “trio excursion.”
Meanwhile, in a lavishly decorated room, a refined and strikingly handsome man with a hint of coolness in his demeanor reviewed a report, tapping the table lightly with his finger. “This person… has some skill.”
Beside him stood a man who, though less striking in appearance compared to his master, had an impeccable physique—likely a steward. He poured a cup of tea and handed it to the man reviewing the report. “Third Young Master, should we make contact with them?”
Fu Yuming, the Third Young Master of the Flowing Cloud Merchant Guild, tapped his forehead before making a decision. “I’ll go see for myself.”
The steward, Fu Yuanjing, who was slightly older and had practically raised Fu Yuming, showed a hint of disapproval. Given their brotherly bond, Fu Yuanjing had no reservations about expressing his concerns.
Noticing Fu Yuanjing’s hesitation, Fu Yuming took a sip of tea. “Don’t underestimate people, Yuanjing. I see great potential in this individual.”
Setting down the cup, a glint of shrewdness flashed in Fu Yuming’s eyes. “It’s just a trip, after all. I was already heading there for business—this is merely a detour. Extending goodwill and laying groundwork now could pay off later. If this person lives up to expectations, today’s effort will bear fruit. If not, I lose nothing. Isn’t that logical, Yuanjing?”
Fu Yuanjing sighed and bowed his head. “Third Young Master, as you wish.”
Seeing Fu Yuanjing’s deferential attitude, a surge of frustration and inexplicable hurt rose in Fu Yuming’s heart. But in the end, he said nothing, maintaining his usual calm facade.
In a canyon somewhere on the Xuantian Continent, a storm of energy erupted as two men clashed fiercely, their auras slicing through every inch of the ravine.
The man in a black robe with dark red patterns arched an eyebrow, his expression brimming with arrogance. “Yan Ruizhe, is that all you’ve got? If you don’t show me your true skills, I’ll be disappointed!”
The other man, clad in simple battle robes of cyan, exuded a stern and unyielding aura. His sharp gaze swept over his opponent as he sneered. “No need to worry, Jin Yu. I won’t disappoint you.” With that, a razor-sharp attack sliced through the air.
“Perfect!” Jin Yu’s eyes gleamed with excitement as he faced Yan Ruizhe’s assault. *This* was the man he regarded as both a rival and a kindred spirit!
Their battle escalated, growing fiercer by the moment.
Nearby, a pristine and ethereally beautiful man in white robes and a tall, unkempt but carefree man observed the fight with differing expressions.
The man in white frowned delicately, his voice laced with concern. “Those two are fighting so intensely… I hope they don’t damage the herbs deeper in the canyon.” Those herbs were rare specimens he had waited so long to cultivate—losing them now would be devastating.
The disheveled man took a swig from his wine gourd. “Their battlefield is still a fair distance from where your herbs grow. If the herbs are destroyed, it simply means they weren’t meant for you. If fate wills it, they’ll be there when you go to harvest them.” He grinned. “But honestly, I’m more interested in those two fighters.”
The white-robed man sighed. “Shixiong…”
The man waved a hand. “Ah, Xiaoyu, I’ve told you—no need for formalities. You’re the Valley Master of the Divine Physician Valley now. Carry yourself with authority.”
Gu Yu, the Valley Master of the Divine Physician Valley, smiled wryly. “Shixiong, you know exactly what I’m like. And if you hadn’t insisted back then… Master would never have passed the position to me. *You* were always his chosen successor.”
Gu Wei, his senior brother, was unparalleled in martial arts, mystic energy, medicine, and every other conceivable skill—the pride of their master and the rightful heir to the valley. Yet years ago, during the succession, he had left in a drunken rage after a fierce argument with their master, vanishing under an assumed name. The title of Valley Master had thus fallen to Gu Yu.
But Gu Yu had always known—both he and their master still saw Gu Wei as the true Valley Master. Yet no matter what, Gu Wei refused to return, leaving Gu Yu trapped in a role he never wanted. All he desired was to quietly study medicine and heal the sick—why had he been forced into leadership for so many years?
Faced with his junior brother’s aggrieved look, Gu Wei waved a hand magnanimously. “Ah, Xiaoyu, you’ve been doing such a fine job as Valley Master—why would I compete with you? Besides, that position is far too troublesome for my taste.”
Gu Yu: *”…” You don’t want it, and neither do I! Senior Brother, I’m begging you—have some mercy and fight me for the title! Please!*
Gu Wei pretended not to notice, feigning ignorance.
Gu Yu: *…Trash senior brother!*
In the canyon, Jin Yu and Yan Ruizhe gradually eased their attacks. As figureheads of the righteous and demonic paths respectively, they couldn’t afford to continue their battle with outsiders present—lest rumors spiral out of control again.
Just thinking about the gossip made Jin Yu grit his teeth. What had started as a friendly spar between him and “Little Cutie” Yan Ruizhe had been twisted into a life-or-death struggle. Despite being close friends, the world insisted on painting them as mortal enemies. It was infuriating.
*Hm? Did I say something wrong? Yan Ruizhe* is *a little cutie!*
For all his stern and unyielding exterior, the man had moments of shyness that were downright adorable. Wasn’t that the definition of a little cutie? Jin Yu would stand by this belief till the end!
*Ahem.* Of course, Jin Yu would never let Yan Ruizhe know this—unless he wanted to be chased down with a forty-meter blade. Not that he minded a fight (they’d had countless over the years—skipping a day felt wrong), but he *did* mind the ensuing rumors about them being irreconcilable foes.
As Jin Yu’s mind wandered, Yan Ruizhe nodded politely at Gu Wei and Gu Yu.
As the leader of the righteous path, Yan Ruizhe naturally knew Gu Yu, the Valley Master of the Divine Physician Valley. But at his level, he was also aware of Gu Wei—the valley’s hidden prodigy and original heir, a man whose depths were impossible to gauge. *That* was someone to be wary of.
Shaking off his musings, Jin Yu grinned at the two. “Brothers Gu, what brings you here today?”
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