"Um, let me ask again—how much for a standard room?" Xuan Yang inquired.
The shopkeeper’s expression soured, his attitude noticeably cooling as he recited the price with stiff formality. This young man was dressed so opulently and had initially carried himself like a person of means; was he intentionally making a fool of him?
"Well, Daoist? Have you made up your mind?"
"I’ll... I’ll decide later!" Xuan Yang wavered. After much deliberation, he decided to head back to the restaurant and search for the ring along the way. If he had dropped it after arriving in this town, there was still a chance he could find it.
Seeing him bolt out the door and vanish in a flash, the shopkeeper felt certain he had been toyed with. He grumbled a complaint about "people with too much time and full bellies" under his breath and silently sat back down.
A ring was so small that finding it with the naked eye was difficult. To make matters worse, Xuan Yang was currently tipsy, and his nose was somewhat stuffed from the cloying perfume of those two women earlier. He retraced his steps directly toward the restaurant, completely forgetting that he had taken a detour into a small alleyway earlier.
Meanwhile, in that very alley.
"You two, stay your steps."
"Who’s there?"
The two female demonic cultivators hadn't lingered in the alley for long and were just about to head back to the main road. After only a few steps, they heard a man's voice and jumped in surprise. In the dim mouth of the alley, a man stood leaning against the wall.
"Oh, it's you?" The older female cultivator recognized the face beneath the hood almost immediately. "Isn't this the little brother from the restaurant? Hmph, men really are hypocrites. You ignored me just now, but now you’ve secretly followed us. You’re quite the stalker."
Her tone held little anger; instead, it was filled with a sort of coquettish grievance.
Shen Yan said nothing, letting her misunderstand as he looked straight at the two of them.
The cultivator assumed he was entranced by her provocative figure and curled her lips in a smug smile. Although the boy from before was naive and fresh, he was ultimately too young to understand the charms of a woman. This male cultivator across from them was handsome enough. Though he looked a bit somber, the fact that he dared to follow them suggested he was likely the "still waters run deep" type. The self-esteem she had lost after being harshly rejected by the brat immediately came rushing back.
The two women exchanged a glance. This man had good looks, and his cultivation was at the Golden Core stage. While he wasn't "top-tier" material, he was still a very decent candidate for dual-cultivation harvesting. They quickly moved to either side of him, pressing their supple bodies against Shen Yan’s arms.
The younger woman felt a sudden chill as she drew near, and she couldn't help but shiver. She was more cautious than her companion and felt a flicker of doubt. In the Hehuan Valley, female cultivators like them who practiced "harvesting Yang to supplement Yin" should feel a surge of vibrant Yang energy whenever they approached a man. Why did this man seem to possess an even heavier Yin aura than they did?
Shen Yan’s hood was pulled back. In the dim alley, the moonlight fell upon his expressionless face. His complexion was naturally pale; in the restaurant, it might have made him look sickly, but now, the moonlight lent him a unique, ethereal quality.
The woman dithered for a moment, throwing her caution to the wind. Even if this man’s Yang energy was lacking, they might just suck him dry after they were through with him. It wasn't as if she hadn't done such a thing before. With that thought, any lingering pity vanished.
Seeing Shen Yan’s breathing grow more hurried—though he didn't urge them toward an inn, but instead retreated further into the shadows against the alley wall—the two women were utterly surprised. They thought to themselves that one truly couldn't judge a book by its cover; was he actually planning to do it right here?
They were in high spirits, feeling that this man was already within their grasp. Nothing was less rational than a man driven by lust.
The rustle of fabric echoed in the alley. The environment was too dark; seeing Shen Yan’s movements, the two women assumed he was disrobing. Little did they expect that in the next second, their vision would be plunged into total, absolute darkness.
"Not good! Let's retreat—argh! Ah...!"
"..."
Shen Yan stood to the side, watching coldly as the two fell into the Blindness Array he had cast. He had been observing them from the start; one was clearly smarter than the other, so he chose to end her with a single sword strike without hesitation.
Though his swordsmanship wasn't particularly outstanding, he was currently in the shadows, and the trajectory of his strike was completely invisible to his opponent. Using a sword at close range was much easier than deploying the Soul-Summoning Banner.
Hearing her companion fall silent, followed by the heavy *thud* of a body hitting the ground along with the sound of metal being withdrawn, the other woman finally began to scream. She groped around like a headless fly, trying to flee while summoning a spiritual treasure to attack indiscriminately around her. She shrieked, "You—how dare you? A mere Golden Core cultivator dares to strike at two of us! You have some nerve!"
Shen Yan didn't respond at all. He wasn't foolish enough to expose his position.
Fighting multiple opponents or killing those of a higher level was his old trade. Shen Yan dropped a Sound-Isolating Array. Formations engraved on portable array flags were more convenient than those created on the spot, though their effectiveness was slightly diminished. He calmly increased the distance between them and took out his Soul-Summoning Banner, calculating how much time he should take to finish this.
Soon, the cultivator who had been arrogantly cursing Shen Yan found herself entangled by several vengeful spirits she couldn't shake off. Feeling as though her own Yin energy and soul were being siphoned away, she cried out in panic, "Fine! You're from the Soul-Summoning Valley? An Elder of the Hehuan Valley dotes on me! If you touch me, your sect will pay the price!"
Shen Yan thought to himself that it would be for the best. Let the dogs bite each other.
The cultivator stumbled about blindly, but no matter what she did, she couldn't get close to Shen Yan, nor could she find her way back to the main road. Her vision remained pitch black, as if she were trapped by a "ghost wall." Before long, her defensive artifact was shattered. Under the silent but vicious assault of several vengeful spirits, she finally lost the strength to scream. She begged for mercy a few times with lingering resentment, but received no answer.
In less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, both cultivators were dead, their bodies rapidly shriveling up. Shen Yan quickly retrieved his now-useless array flags and then collected all the storage rings and bracelets left at the scene, leaving two desiccated corpses behind.
He swiftly left the scene and headed to a deserted spot outside the town. After some hesitation, Shen Yan contacted Nie Shiyun. He didn't know if Xuan Yang and the others were staying in the town or had already left. No one had entered the alley during the struggle, so it seemed the loss of the ring hadn't been discovered yet.
After sending a message asking, "Is Senior Nie still near Lingxuan Town?" he quickly received an unexpected response.
"I've been at Yunqing Pavilion the whole time!"
Shen Yan was stunned. Although he hadn't seen Xuan Yang in a long time, the fellow grew slowly and looked no different from their last encounter. He shouldn't have misidentified him.
He informed Nie Shiyun of what had transpired.
Nie Shiyun replied immediately: "It's like this. Xuan Yang left a note and ran away from home. I didn't expect it to be such a coincidence that you'd run into him. Sigh, the kid's hit puberty; he's being rebellious."
Shen Yan: "..."
Shen Yan knew that Nie Shiyun and Xuan Yang shared a spirit beast contract. If Nie Shiyun wanted to catch up, it wouldn't be difficult.
After a moment, Nie Shiyun didn't send any more messages. But Shen Yan suddenly had a bad premonition.
Sure enough, just as Shen Yan was about to leave, another message arrived.
"Xuan Yang has never traveled far on his own before. Look at him, making a fool of himself the moment he steps out. But it's not convenient for Bairong and me to show our faces. How about this: you look after him for us."
What a massive headache... Shen Yan felt a throb in his temples. However, given that Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong were among the few people he had any connection with, and they had done him favors in the past, it was hard for Shen Yan to refuse.
Moreover, thinking of Xuan Yang’s earlier appearance—nearly being "eaten" by those women in his muddled state—Shen Yan couldn't bring himself to say "no." For better or worse, he had watched this child grow up since he was three or four years old.
Ultimately, Shen Yan agreed.
Nie Shiyun knew well that Shen Yan gave him and Zhai Bairong a lot of face. For someone who usually walked alone to suddenly have to care for another would surely be awkward. He said politely, "Don't bother returning that ring to Xuan Yang. The contents should just be some food and spirit stones. Keep them for yourself. Also, please don't tell Xuan Yang that we asked for your help."
Shen Yan checked the storage ring; there were indeed quite a few spirit stones. Although he had already decided to help, no one would turn down extra benefits.
It seemed Xuan Yang was just throwing a tantrum and running away to prove his independence. If he found out that Shen Yan was in league with Nie Shiyun and had even been paid, he would surely run away again.
***
"We really don't have it in our shop."
"Are you sure?" Xuan Yang looked at the restaurant waiter, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"Really, why would I lie to you? I've checked everywhere—the private room, the stairs, the whole way!" the waiter replied earnestly. Hearing this, Xuan Yang’s spirit wilted. Was he really going to have to fly all the way back the way he came to look for it? That would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.
"But, I have very sharp eyes! I remember clearly that you still had a storage ring on your hand when you were in our building!" the waiter said with conviction. He had been in and out of the private room and had secretly sized up this young master for a long time. He had noticed the extraordinary storage ring on the guest's hand long ago, so it had naturally left an impression.
"Really?" Xuan Yang felt a glimmer of hope return.
"Yes. Why don't you try to remember where you went after leaving the restaurant? Did you have contact with anyone?"
As the waiter spoke, Xuan Yang finally remembered those two women. A shiver ran down his spine. Could it have been them?
Leaving the restaurant, Xuan Yang hurried back toward the small alley. So much time had passed; he wondered if those two had already vanished. The more Xuan Yang thought about it, the angrier he became. They actually dared to steal from a Senior at the Great Circle of the Golden Core stage! They must have looked down on him because of his youthful appearance! If he caught them, he would definitely teach them a lesson!
When he reached the mouth of the alley, it was dead silent. The hope in Xuan Yang’s heart died once more. They were gone, as expected. At the thought of the food and the mountain of spirit stones in the ring, Xuan Yang’s heart ached with regret.
After running back and forth twice in the cold wind, his tipsy feeling had mostly faded. Standing at the alley entrance, Xuan Yang thought to himself that he could only save money by staying in a standard room now. If he ran out of spirit stones later... at worst, he’d just turn into his beast form and sleep in a tree.
"You finally showed up."
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps came from within the alley. It took Xuan Yang a moment to realize the person was speaking to him.
Shen Yan, having finished his communication with Nie Shiyun, had returned to the vicinity of the alley. He had been wondering if he should go look around the town when Xuan Yang came running over. It seemed he had finally realized he’d been robbed.
"Shen Yan? Why are you here!"
"I usually wander about. I just happened to be passing through today."
Hearing this explanation, Xuan Yang felt a bit suspicious. Such a coincidence? Could it be that Nie Shiyun and the others had hired an outsider to observe his performance?
"You said 'finally showed up.' Didn't you know I would come?"
Shen Yan glanced at him, thinking to himself that at least the boy wasn't completely brainless. He led Xuan Yang a few steps into the alley and opened his palm to show him the storage ring. "When I passed the alley, I heard these two cultivators saying they’d stolen something good. I had no intention of meddling, but when I heard it was Senior Nie’s item, I stepped in."
Seeing Xuan Yang’s eyes light up at the sight of the ring, Shen Yan continued, "But I figured it wasn't Senior Nie himself. I was wondering how a Nascent Soul senior could be so easily bested by petty thieves. So it was you."
Xuan Yang was annoyed, but he had no way to refute it. It was true—he had lost his things the moment he stepped out the door!
He turned his head toward the ground. It had been too dark for him to see clearly just now, but looking closely, he realized the two cultivators on the ground no longer looked human. Their corpses were nothing but withered skin clinging to bone!
How... how ruthless...
Xuan Yang glanced at Shen Yan, whose expression was as calm as if he were merely taking a casual stroll. He said tentatively, "You... went to a lot of trouble."
"It was no trouble at all. Besides, I gained something from it."
"Anyway, thanks!" Xuan Yang had always been a bit awkward toward Shen Yan, but he offered his thanks sincerely this time.
Shen Yan put on a confused expression. "What are you reaching out for? I killed these two; their belongings are naturally mine."
"Huh?"
Xuan Yang was stunned. No matter how he thought about it, the conversation shouldn't have gone this way!
"You—you were clearly waiting here to return it to Nie Shiyun! Otherwise, you would have just left."
Shen Yan nodded. "Indeed. If I help Senior Nie, he will surely reward me or help me refine an artifact. But since it's just you, what benefit is there for me to give it to you?"
"Do you only care about getting benefits from Nie Shiyun?"
"What else?" Shen Yan replied calmly, not caring if Xuan Yang reported this.
If Nie Shiyun were present, he would likely just smile and say, "That's just like you."
Xuan Yang opened his mouth, wanting to say, "Then give it to me, and I'll have Nie Shiyun refine an artifact for you," but the words died in his throat. He had run away from home specifically to prove his own ability; he absolutely could not use Nie Shiyun’s name.
Seeing Xuan Yang stuck, Shen Yan didn't hesitate. He held out his hand. "Five thousand spirit stones. I'll return the storage ring to you."
Xuan Yang was unwilling, but he felt that Shen Yan’s words weren't entirely without merit. He just felt a bit bitter. He thought they were at least acquaintances, yet the other party was drawing such a clear line...
"Fine." Xuan Yang finally relented. After all, the food and spirit stones in the ring were worth more than that. Being away from home with limited funds, he had to minimize his losses.
Seeing Xuan Yang obediently hand over five thousand spirit stones, Shen Yan thought to himself that although Xuan Yang was physically in his twenties, he was as naive as ever. Being alone in the world like this wouldn't do.
"Here."
Shen Yan stepped closer. When those slightly cold fingertips brushed his palm, Xuan Yang felt a sudden shiver for some reason. He quickly clutched the storage ring and withdrew his hand.
As Shen Yan turned to leave, Xuan Yang looked at him, thinking that if it weren't for the other man, those two cultivators would have escaped long ago. He’d just consider this paying to avert a disaster.
Lowering his head to check the ring, Xuan Yang froze.
"Shen Yan!"
"Hmm?"
"The—the ring is empty!" Xuan Yang shouted, unable to control his fury.
Shen Yan looked back. "I said five thousand spirit stones to return the storage ring to you. Was I wrong?"
"Liar!" Xuan Yang was so angry that the Phoenix True Fire of his original form almost erupted from his body. Five thousand spirit stones for an empty ring!
Seeing Shen Yan continue walking as if it were the most natural thing in the world, Xuan Yang decisively chased after him. He absolutely wouldn't let the man get away without an explanation.
Shen Yan looked at Xuan Yang, who had proactively latched onto him and stopped doubting his motives, and sighed. This child was too easy to trick.
Having taken the payment, Shen Yan felt he should still do his job properly.
Since the boy wanted to be independent sooner or later, he should get a taste of the cruelty of the cultivation world as early as possible.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 灵玄镇 | Lingxuan Town | The town where the events take place. |
| 合欢谷 | Hehuan Valley | Lit. "Acacia Valley" or "Joyful Union Valley," a sect typically associated with dual cultivation. |
| 招魂谷 | Soul-Summoning Valley | A sect associated with necromancy or demonic cultivation. |
| 招魂幡 | Soul-Summoning Banner | A spiritual tool used to control or summon spirits. |
| 失明阵 | Blindness Array | A formation that deprives those inside of their sight. |
| 隔音阵 | Sound-Isolating Array | A formation that prevents sound from traveling in or out. |
| 鬼打墙 | Ghost Wall | A folk term for being led in circles by spirits; used here to describe the effect of the array. |
| 凤凰真火 | Phoenix True Fire | The innate, powerful flames of a phoenix. |
