Chapter 188 – Midnight Mischief, Three Arrive at Blood River Sect

Yu Xian quickly bowed, the brilliance in his eyes suppressed as he respectfully said, “Junior thanks Senior greatly!”

“You, you’re too polite,” He Butong replied with a wave of his hand and a smile. “No need to thank me. Get up.”

“Faced with such kindness, even more etiquette is warranted,” Yu Xian replied earnestly, rising slowly.

He Butong chuckled and shook his head, “Alright, I know you’re respectful. Go now.”

With that, He Butong stepped forward, transforming into a stream of light and vanishing toward the back mountain.

Once He Butong disappeared, Yu Xian let out a breath of relief and turned to head toward the side room He Butong had mentioned.

The room clearly hadn’t been used in a long time—likely not even Qu’er had thought to clean it. Though not covered in cobwebs, it was thick with dust. Yu Xian didn’t mind; he simply cleared a space and sat down cross-legged, quietly beginning his breathing exercises as time passed.

Unknowingly, midnight arrived.

Inside the central hall, He Butong had taken the Pure Yang Pill and began stabilizing his realm, even attempting to break through further. A cultivator’s life was endless. Upon reaching one stage, they naturally desired the next. In the end, cultivators were still human—greedy by nature. So, was there truly such a thing as emotionless Dao?

Yu Xian remained in meditation, spiritual energy swirling around him—until suddenly, his exceptional hearing picked up the faint sound of breathing. His cultivation halted instantly.

Bang!

The door to his room was slammed open.

Standing there was Qu’er, her face cold, eyes brimming with anger.

Such a loud entrance and sudden intrusion—had Yu Xian been cultivating and failed to stop in time, his spiritual energy could have run rampant and injured him.

She had hidden her presence and flown quietly to the door before slamming it open, clearly trying to catch him off-guard. Most Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn’t have noticed her approach.

She had wanted to scare him—hoping he’d lose control and suffer.

Yu Xian raised an eyebrow and calmly opened his eyes. He didn’t react as she expected—no pale face, no chaotic energy, no fear.

“Fairy, is there something you need?”

Though annoyed, Yu Xian remained composed. Since she was He Butong’s disciple and he was to travel with He Butong to Blood River Sect, it wasn’t wise to provoke unnecessary trouble.

But still… what’s wrong with her? Why target me?

Qu’er glared at him and pointed. “Listen well! Tomorrow, you’re going to tell Master you’re not going to Blood River Sect!”

“Oh?” Yu Xian frowned. “Why does the fairy say this? What troubles you about me accompanying Senior He? Please, explain.”

“Hmph!” Qu’er scoffed. “Every time Master goes somewhere, he takes me! Now he’s leaving me behind to guard the mountain while taking you!? Who do you think you are?! Why you!?”

Now Yu Xian understood her hostility.

She was jealous?

He let out a slow breath and spoke calmly, “If you find the arrangement improper, you can tell Senior yourself. If he tells me not to go, I won’t. If you want to go instead, speak to him—it’s not up to me.”

“What did you say!?” Her eyes flashed with murderous light. “Are you courting death!? You think Master would harm me for your sake!?”

Yu Xian’s gaze turned cold but then softened again. He shook his head. “Why speak threats? I’m not easily frightened. It’s late. Go rest.”

“You—!”

Qu’er trembled in anger but then bit her lip and spat, “Fine! Just you wait! I’ll make you pay!”

She stomped off, clearly frustrated. It seemed she’d lost any chance to follow her master.

Yu Xian shook his head and shut the door with a wave.

That girl was all bark and no bite. He could see it clearly. Compared to him, she was far too inexperienced.

He resumed his meditation. There was no point fussing over someone like her. Tomorrow, he’d follow He Butong to Blood River Sect—and afterward, he had no plans of returning here.

The night passed uneventfully.

At dawn, birds chirped outside as Yu Xian opened his eyes and stepped outside. The sun had yet to rise, and the misty air was filled with the serene cries of birds—an ethereal paradise.

Just then, another door creaked open—Qu’er stepped out from across the courtyard, initially stretching with joy. But the moment she saw Yu Xian, her face turned sour. She scoffed and walked off.

Yu Xian ignored her, simply walking to the main hall to wait.

The morning sun began to break through, scattering mist and bathing the world in golden light.

Creak—

The main hall doors opened. He Butong stepped out, visibly refreshed—his Core Formation realm fully stabilized.

Seeing Yu Xian waiting, he smiled, “You’ve waited long, little friend.”

“Not at all, Senior,” Yu Xian replied respectfully with a bow.

He Butong smiled and gestured, “Let’s go.”

Yu Xian followed behind him.

“Master!” Qu’er returned, beaming.

“Oh? Out feeding the birds again?” He Butong sighed. “I’ve told you not to overfeed them. It makes them lazy and messy, not to mention noisy…”

“I know, Master… I only gave them a little,” she replied sweetly, clinging to his arm. “Please take me too? It’s been three years since I left Mount Zijin…”

He Butong frowned slightly. “This trip is important. You might be a burden.”

“Then why can he go and not me?” Qu’er pouted. “Why him?”

“Enough nonsense,” He Butong scolded. “He’s going with me for a reason.”

“I don’t care! If you won’t take me, I’ll sneak off to Mo City after you leave!”

“You—” He Butong sighed. “You’re spoiled.”

“Because Master loves me,” she grinned, holding his hand and swaying. “You’re already taking one person, what’s the harm in one more?”

He Butong looked conflicted.

“Senior,” Yu Xian suddenly said, “If this troubles you, let me stay behind and let the fairy accompany you.”

“Ha! At least you know your place!” Qu’er smirked. “Master, leave him behind!”

He Butong waved a hand. “Enough. We’ll all go. But Qu’er, no mischief. This is Blood River Sect—if you offend someone powerful, even I can’t protect you.”

“I understand,” Qu’er nodded solemnly. “I’ll behave.”

He Butong nodded slightly. He knew her well—she only acted mischievous. In truth, she had seen much suffering as a child.

Yu Xian bowed again, “Junior will follow Senior’s lead.”

Qu’er glared at him. “Acting all noble… you think Master can’t see through it?”

“Stop speaking nonsense,” He Butong barked. Then turned to Yu Xian and smiled, “Don’t mind her.”

“Not at all. The fairy feeding birds shows her kind heart. She’s just playful,” Yu Xian replied with a smile and nod.

Qu’er blinked, stunned for a moment. Then she scoffed again and looked away—but the corners of her mouth trembled, struggling to hide a smile.

He Butong smiled and waved his sleeve.

A whisk shot out, growing to ten zhang long.

He stepped onto the front of the whisk and said, “Come on.”

Qu’er hopped on first. Yu Xian followed and sat cross-legged at the back, closing his eyes in meditation. Seeing this, Qu’er did the same.

With everyone settled, the whisk rose—soaring to three thousand zhang above the ground.

The vast landscape below shrank rapidly. The grandeur of this view was unmatched.

Yu Xian had only seen this four times before:

Once with Quan Dao to Baiyun Sect.
Once with Song Xingtian to Ascension Island.
Once with Li Shuxian to the Ten Thousand Mountains of Northman.
And now with He Butong.

He opened his eyes, gazing at the sprawling land below.

The higher the realm, the greater the view—and the faster the flight.

Only Golden Core cultivators could fly above a thousand zhang without suffering from the fierce winds. Even then, only Nascent Soul and beyond could withstand the legendary upper air currents like the Nine Heavens Wind.

Soon, after half a day’s journey, a towering mountain appeared—one Yu Xian knew well.

The former Baiyun Sect!

Now the Blood River Sect!

Despite past battles, the mountain stood tall, its spiritual energy rich.

Even He Butong sighed, “This place’s energy surpasses my Mount Zijin by far. If I didn’t love freedom, I might have joined and cultivated here long ago.”

“Master, we’re here?” Qu’er asked, amazed.

He Butong chuckled, “Yes. This is a true sacred land.”

He slowed their descent.

Once on the ground, He Butong retrieved his whisk, shrinking it to normal size and placing it on his arm.

“Qu’er,” he said, “Though Blood River Sect is new, it is powerful. Behave yourself once we’re inside.”

“Yes.”

Qu’er nodded, now serious.

Yu Xian, puzzled, asked, “Senior, can we really enter so casually?”

“Of course,” He Butong replied. “I lent them a hand in the war. I was granted an honorary elder title.”

“I see.”

Yu Xian nodded.

After all, all sects operated similarly: gather resources for the top. Outer disciples mined and scouted; inner disciples were rewarded to seek even greater gains, and ultimately, all flowed upward to Nascent Soul and Divine Transformation elders.

Hence, every high-level cultivator either built a sect or seized a mountain.

With numbers came discovery—hidden treasures, sacred grounds, spirit herbs—far beyond what a lone cultivator could find.

The trio walked toward the grand mountain gate.

The Blood River Sect loomed ahead.