Chapter 203: A Call to the Dangerous Lands, Reunion with an Old Friend

Yu Xian stood up calmly and casually dispersed the Eight Cloud Forbidden Flight Array with a wave of his hand.

He stepped to the doorway and opened it with a casual motion. “What is it?”

Qi Yu bowed hurriedly and said respectfully, “Reporting to Elder, the Sect Master has sent a message asking you to go to the main hall immediately.”

“Oh?”

Yu Xian’s expression shifted slightly.

So it was the Sect Master who summoned him. No wonder Qi Yu had dared disturb him.

But what did Zhou Qingyuan want? Was it to ask him to refine pills?

After all, Yu Xian’s identity as a disciple of Medicine King Valley naturally came with the expectation of alchemy skills. Not knowing alchemy would raise suspicions.

Or perhaps… Zhou Qingyuan had discovered something and was beginning to suspect him?

Summoning him now could be a ploy to test him further, to catch a flaw?

Forget it… whatever.

He’d take it one step at a time.

In the face of overwhelming power disparity, overthinking was pointless. Better to face things head-on. If he summoned, then he would go.

Yu Xian replied calmly, “Understood. You may leave.”

Qi Yu bowed again and retreated.

Yu Xian took a moment to calm himself, then strode out of the Punishment Hall toward the peak, heading straight for the Sect Master’s hall.

The Sect Master’s Hall was off-limits to ordinary disciples. Only Foundation Establishment elders, outstanding disciples, or those who had achieved great merit would be granted audience or teachings.

Yu Xian moved along the path neither quickly nor slowly and soon arrived before the hall. He bowed and said, “Disciple Yu Xian greets the Sect Master.”

“Come in.”

Zhou Qingyuan’s calm voice echoed from within.

Yu Xian entered the grand hall, where eight dragon pillars supported the ceiling. Zhou Qingyuan sat atop his throne.

There were eighteen cushions on both sides. Ten Foundation Establishment elders and the disciple Zhao Fengjuan were already seated.

“So this is the mighty Punishment Hall Elder—summoned by the Sect Master and yet arrives last,”

A mocking voice sounded just as Yu Xian entered. It was Qian Sheng, sneering at him.

Yu Xian ignored him completely, walked forward, and bowed once more. “Disciple Yu Xian greets the Sect Master.”

“Sit.”

Zhou Qingyuan paid no attention to the sarcasm and got straight to the point. “Now that you’re all here, I won’t waste words. I need four Foundation Establishment disciples to accompany me to a dangerous place in search of opportunity. The risks are unknown. I’ve summoned you here to see who among you is willing to come.”

So that’s the reason for this gathering—an expedition into danger…

Yu Xian immediately understood and took a seat, appearing calm, though thoughts raced in his mind.

The rest of the elders and disciples frowned slightly, each deep in thought.

If even a peak Golden Core expert like the Sect Master said this trip was risky, then it must truly be dangerous!

It could be a journey of no return.

Even the top five elders at peak Foundation Establishment hesitated, eyes flickering as they waited for someone else to speak up.

If no one volunteered, Zhou Qingyuan would surely pick from them directly.

Zhou Qingyuan scanned them all, expression calm. If no one spoke, he’d make the selection himself.

This wasn’t his preference. A Golden Core cultivator should act alone or with equals. Bringing four Foundation Establishment disciples would only slow him down.

Su Xiaocao…

Yu Xian’s eyes flashed.

Clearly, this was Su Xiaoduo under an alias.

Most likely, her name triggered something in Hong Shao’s heart—a string called “You Xiaocao.”

Thus, Hong Shao had taken her as a disciple.

As a first-stage rogue cultivator, being noticed by a female Golden Core cultivator was a blessing she naturally accepted.

“Oh? I see.”

Zhou Qingyuan nodded slightly, smiling faintly at Hong Shao. “If you’re heading out, you could at least inform me. I’d be concerned otherwise.”

Hong Shao replied blandly, “Don’t worry. I won’t leave without reason.”

“Uh—hahaha, that’s not what I meant,” Zhou Qingyuan laughed awkwardly, a trace of displeasure and caution flashing in his eyes.

Hong Shao had left her courtyard, ventured into the mountains, and he hadn’t noticed at all.

The restriction he placed on her—was it meaningless?

Had she known all along and simply chosen to ignore it?

Her strength, even at early Golden Core now, came from the deep roots of a great sect. She was no average cultivator.

This might have been a subtle warning from her.

“We’re all here now. Let’s not delay.”

Hong Shao didn’t argue, simply said, “He’s here too. Let him follow me.”

Zhou Qingyuan hesitated slightly but nodded. “Yu Xian, since your martial aunt is going, you will accompany her.”

So Yu Xian is her martial nephew? That makes sense.

Now Zhao Fengjuan, Yao Xianjun, and Kou Huai finally understood his identity.

He wasn’t the Sect Master’s illegitimate child, but the martial nephew of his companion—a fellow Golden Core cultivator.

No wonder he was instantly made the Eleventh Elder upon joining.

Yu Xian bowed, “As you command, Sect Master.”

Zhou Qingyuan’s expression eased a little.

Yu Xian walked to Hong Shao and bowed again, “Disciple greets Martial Aunt.”

“Stand behind me with your junior sister Su Xiaocao.”

Yu Xian obeyed, moving to stand beside Su Xiaoduo.

She smiled softly, bowing in greeting. “Junior Sister Xiaocao greets Senior Brother Yu.”

Yu Xian replied calmly, “Greetings, Junior Sister Su.”

“Senior Brother Yu…”

Su Xiaoduo looked at him, her gaze distant.

He hadn’t changed at all—still so indifferent, so… emotionless.

Zhou Qingyuan glanced at Yu Xian with a faint smile. “Yu Xian, come with me.”

Yu Xian didn’t react, only bowed. “As you command.”

He had hoped this was his chance.

If the Sect Master took others to the secret realm, Yu Xian planned to leave immediately, disappearing before his return.

But now he was taken along personally.

He could guess the motive—perhaps he was to be the vanguard, the cannon fodder.

If he died, well, that was fate. The Sect Master could still look good in front of Hong Shao.

But even if he saw through it, he had no choice but to accept.

“Very well.”

Zhou Qingyuan laughed. “The rest of you are dismissed. While I’m gone, the Left Deputy Sect Master will handle all matters.”

“Understood.”

The other disciples responded, some feeling relief, others regret.

Elder Luo Fan was pale and full of remorse, but deep down slightly relieved.

He rose, bowed, and exited.

Only Zhou Qingyuan, Yu Xian, and the selected three remained.

Zhou Qingyuan nodded at them. “Let’s go.”

The four maintained calm appearances, though their eyes gleamed with mixed thoughts.

They followed Zhou Qingyuan out of the hall, flying down toward a small mountain.

Yu Xian recognized the place—Hong Shao’s residence.

They landed midway up the mountain.

Zhou Qingyuan called out, “Fairy, the time has come. Are you ready?”

“Of course.”

Hong Shao’s voice came from within.

A moment later, she stepped out, still in her crimson robe, flawless as ever.

But this time, a young woman followed behind.

Yu Xian frowned slightly the moment he saw her.

And she saw him too—her eyes flashing with shock, disbelief, and joy.

It was Su Xiaoduo.

Two years had passed since they last met.

She was still in early Foundation Establishment, but her aura was steady, likely nearing mid-stage.

Her Nine Silkworm Molting Technique clearly wasn’t ordinary.

But she didn’t make a fuss. She just looked at Yu Xian with joy, silently greeting him.

Yu Xian remained expressionless, quickly hiding his surprise, treating her as if she didn’t exist.

Hong Shao arrived at the gate with Su Xiaoduo.

She looked over the four with a nod. “Seems like you’re determined to claim this opportunity, Brother Zhou.”

“Of course. If I wasn’t, why waste time?”

Zhou Qingyuan laughed, then turned his gaze to Su Xiaoduo, his eyes flickering.

“It’s been over a month, and I see you’ve gained a new companion?”

“She is my new disciple, Su Xiaocao. I met her in the mountains while seeking herbs. She was being chased by a beast, so I saved her. Later, seeing her good bone structure and talent for alchemy, I took her as a disciple.”

The journey ahead was not simple.

Of all the secret realms he had encountered, this was the only one requiring Foundation Establishment disciples to assist.

Otherwise, it would be too dangerous.

The hall had been silent as everyone hesitated, but at last—

“Sect Master!”

All eyes turned toward the voice.

It was Zhao Fengjuan, full of determination. “Disciple volunteers!”

“Good,” Zhou Qingyuan smiled. “You’ve not wasted the Sect’s nurturing.”

Encouraged, Yao Xianjun followed. “Disciple also volunteers!”

Zhou Qingyuan laughed, “You’re eighty-three now. After ten years at peak Foundation Establishment, it’s time to form your core.”

Yao Xianjun was overjoyed. “Thank you, Sect Master!”

A Golden Core expert’s help meant his odds of success just tripled.

Seizing the moment, Kou Huai declared, “Disciple volunteers!”

“Good,” Zhou nodded. “Though you still need five years more before trying to condense your core.”

Kou Huai accepted this truth with a smile. The Sect Master’s word was law.

“Disciple—”

Luo Fan finally tried to speak.

But Zhou Qingyuan waved him off. “No need.”

Luo Fan froze, face paling.

He had hesitated, and now the Sect Master had lost faith in him. The path ahead would be much harder.

Several others quickly called out, hoping for that final spot.

But Zhou Qingyuan raised his hand.

“No need for the rest of you.”