Du Man'er had already gone on an errand for him. After all, saving three hundred spirit stones was a bargain no one could resist. But a short while after she departed, Fang Jinyu suddenly remembered something. In that ancient book he'd studied, there was mention of a scandal involving the Tianling Sect—one that had been suppressed due to its wide-reaching implications. The scandal had come to light when a Tianling disciple, who had barely managed to break through to Foundation Establishment, met a strange and untimely demise.
"That scandal… it seems it involved the eight Lingyao Peaks…" The thought stirred something within Fang Jinyu.
He mused, "Du Man'er is ambitious yet cautious. She isn't reckless enough to jeopardize herself entirely—unless she were to vanish without a trace…" Before he had gifted her the talisman, Du Man'er had always spoken carefully. Although she was never particularly enthusiastic about following him, she maintained a reserved, respectful attitude toward him. Only after receiving his gift did her address shift—from "Master Uncle Fang" to simply "Uncle" before she began discussing that underground market for spirit herbs. It was only among those with close ties that she would confide secrets meant to help him save spirit stones.
"If this underground market is connected to that scandal—and if Du Man'er once tried in that same cautious way to help that Tianling disciple who barely reached Foundation Establishment…" With that thought, Fang Jinyu immediately rose and strode out of the alchemy chamber. He was convinced that his hunch was correct with a high degree of probability.
In that ancient book was a description of a particularly hapless Foundation Establishment disciple. It noted that he was a "nice guy" with a gentle temperament who never lost his temper—earning him an excellent reputation among the lower-level Tianling disciples. Such a person would likely garner Du Man'er's favor.
At that moment, Fang Jinyu did not yet possess a suitable spirit instrument. However, upon advancing to Foundation Establishment, the Tianling Sect had conferred upon him a spirit instrument—a low-grade spirit instrument known as the "Flowing Flame Ring." When cast, this ring could summon a vast cascade of flowing flames and notably bolster fire-elemental spells. It wasn't exceptional—but Fang Jinyu had little to complain about. Better low-grade spirit instruments cost at least two thousand spirit stones, and mid-grade ones were even more expensive—prices that he could only admire from afar. Even a slightly inferior low-grade instrument would scarcely compare to the value of his Flowing Flame Ring. In short, this instrument was neither the best of the best nor the worst; it was a balanced tool well suited to his needs.
Even though the Tianling Sect provided means for lower-level Qi Refinement disciples to travel (via various convenient devices), nothing could compare to the ease and prestige of a Foundation Establishment cultivator's flying spirit instrument. After only a short while outside the alchemy chamber, Fang Jinyu soon spotted Du Man'er's silhouette in the distance.
The young girl moved with a graceful, almost ethereal poise – so delicate that her shoe tips could scarcely be seen as she walked, and her figure, with round hips and long, slender legs, was unmistakable even from her back. But contrary to what Fang Jinyu had imagined, Du Man'er did not appear to be in any danger at that moment. Under the guidance of a Qi Refinement Seventh-Level Lingyao Peak disciple, she had just met with a Qi Refinement Ninth-Level disciple. Soon after Du Man'er spoke, another Qi Refinement Ninth-Level Lingyao Peak disciple appeared and handed her a cyan wooden box.
Du Man'er first opened the box to inspect it. Confirming that it contained the medicinal herbs she desired, she then handed over the prearranged seven hundred spirit stones in exchange. Naturally, the transaction was conducted with the wooden box—the only storage vessel available here was a "Hundred Treasure Box," a type of talisman instrument whose capacity differed depending on its material. Typically, spirit stones were stored in boxes made of rosewood, while medicinal herbs were best kept in wooden boxes such as this one, which ensured their medicinal potency remained intact.
"Did I guess wrongly?" Watching Du Man'er retrace her steps on the original path, Fang Jinyu was momentarily taken aback. But soon enough, he was sure his deductions had been correct. For as Du Man'er passed through a narrow valley, she was suddenly stopped by a group.
"Senior Brothers, what are you doing?" Even then, Du Man'er maintained remarkable composure. She fixed the three Qi Refinement Ninth-Level Lingyao Peak disciples before her with a wary gaze. They smirked playfully as they sized her up. One of them sneered, "Hand over the medicinal herbs! Once we're done having our fun, we might even let you live. Of course, you won't be allowed to remain in the sect—we'll see to it that you're ejected. Some dignitaries in the mortal realm fancy girls like you, after all."
"Isn't this medicinal herb the personal property of a Senior Uncle? Aren't you afraid he'll come after you?" Du Man'er's face paled just a little—after all, she was only sixteen. Even a naturally cautious person could not help but feel fear at such a time.
One of the Qi Refinement Ninth-Level disciples laughed, "Once you vanish without a trace—because you took the herbs—who will suspect a thing? After all, you're merely a Qi Refinement Level-One cultivator with a five-attribute spiritual root! We've heard all about you, Little Beauty Du. Heh heh, we really hit the jackpot inviting you last time; you practically handed yourself over to us."
As they spoke, the three disciples flung a spirit instrument toward her. It was a rare formation-type spirit instrument. The moment it was activated by their incantations, it transformed into an array formation, instantly sealing off the area and concealing all traces of energy.
Du Man'er's face went deathly pale. She realized in an instant that she was truly in trouble—she had never suspected that the so-called "gathering of sect mates" would in fact be a trap!
Then, unexpectedly, a voice rang out: "This spirit instrument is quite nice—a mid-grade instrument, and one of the formation types, no less."
Before anyone could react further, the newly established formation was smashed from within by brute force. Although the spirit instrument was fine, its power was ultimately determined by the cultivator who had activated it. These three Qi Refinement Ninth-Level Lingyao Peak disciples, though their total magical energy might barely rival that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, could never match the quality of his training. They had not even managed to tap into one-tenth of the instrument's potential. As a result, a single, casual strike from Fang Jinyu shattered the array.
Only then did the three disciples notice Fang Jinyu standing nearby. He made no secret of his cultivation level, and immediately, their expressions turned to shock. How could it be that a Foundation Establishment cultivator happened to be present here?
At that moment, Fang Jinyu raised his hand. Invisible wind forces coalesced and transformed into three razor-sharp wind blades that struck out, leaving the three Qi Refinement Ninth-Level disciples gravely injured. He deliberately held back, for he intended to deliver them instead to the sect authorities rather than outright kill them.
Just as Fang Jinyu began to retract the formation spirit instrument and prepare to use his wind-controlling technique to subdue and haul the three away, a thunderous shout suddenly rang out:
"Who dares make a move here?"
At that instant, a Foundation Establishment cultivator descended from midair. On sighting Fang Jinyu, he immediately demanded, "Junior Brother, why did you attack these little ones?"
"Senior Brother," Fang Jinyu explained with measured courtesy while clasping his fists, "these three were about to kill our junior nephew. I happened to be here and intervened so that I could take them to see the Sect Master."
The Foundation Establishment cultivator's face turned resolute as he said, "I see. Then hand them over to me—I'm from Lingyao Peak as well. Matters like these should be handled by someone like me."
"Then, I entrust them to you," replied Fang Jinyu.
"Thank you, Junior Brother." The Foundation Establishment cultivator advanced two steps, clearly intending to take custody of the three. However, as he neared Fang Jinyu, he suddenly turned and launched an attack against him.
Yet much to the cultivator's surprise, his blow fell harmlessly short.