Junior sister, keep forbear for a while, I almost become invincible as soon!

Chen Pingping had interacted with the elder for several days. They had conversed well, and Chen Pingping thought highly of his character, so he was preparing to test the waters. If feasible, he would lead him to the Wuji Sect.

This was the first test. If the elder frowned or showed anger, Chen Pingping would abandon the idea. But... considering the elder’s expression and tone of voice, Chen Pingping was certain of one thing: his attachment to Fairy Valley wasn’t deep. His loyalty to Fairy Valley was lacking.

Chen Pingping smiled. "I’m not boasting. Yu Changfeng is indeed my Grandmaster. This time, I’ve come on his orders, and my mission concerns Fairy Valley."

The elder was astonished. "So, you are planning to help Fairy Valley through this calamity?"

"No..." Chen Pingping shook his head. "My Grandmaster’s meaning is that Fairy Valley is done for, and he wants me to lead some of Fairy Valley’s promising talents into the Wuji Sect."

Hearing this, the Great Elder laughed. "Oh? So you’ve come to poach from us, eh?"

Chen Pingping rolled his eyes. "What poaching? I call it ’guiding.’ No, I am here on my Grandmaster’s orders. Fairy Valley might be done for, but the Wuji Sect still stands."

"That’s still poaching," the elder said, looking at him.

"It’s not!"

"You won’t succeed," the elder sneered. "True, there’s a split within Fairy Valley at the moment, but it’s far from falling apart. As long as the Sword Saint of the Fifth Academy is alive, they wouldn’t dare to act recklessly. So, you are bound to fail."

He finally understood Chen Pingping’s purpose. The Wuji Sect needed to grow, and the first problem they had to solve was its lack of people. Therefore, Chen Pingping came to poach from Fairy Valley. One must understand, Fairy Valley is a superpower with countless young talents. Just snatching one or two would play a crucial role in the Wuji Sect’s development. Yes, it all makes sense.

He patted Chen Pingping’s shoulder and said with a smile, "Well then, good luck with that."

"You don’t believe me?" Chen Pingping asked, his face darkening.

"I believe you!" the elder said, barely suppressing a chuckle.

"But you’re laughing."

"Not at all. I am merely expressing my heartfelt, brilliant smile for your grand plan," the elder said, grinning widely.

So fake. Chen Pingping looked utterly exasperated. He huffed and turned to leave. There’s no point in continuing this conversation. This old man doesn’t believe me at all. And rightly so! Essentially, I am indeed here to poach from Fairy Valley. But so what? The Wuji Sect can definitely keep them.

「In the courtyard...」

After Chen Pingping had left, the Fairy arrived and said softly, "Greetings, Great Elder."

"That blasted kid," the Great Elder said, his eyelids twitching, "he came here looking all smug, saying you’d already agreed with him."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I wanted to figure out his real intentions."

"No need," said the Great Elder. "He just admitted it himself. He’s here to poach, planning to pick some young prospects from Fairy Valley and bring them into the Wuji Sect."

The Fairy’s lips twitched. Fairy Valley on one hand, the Wuji Sect on the other. Anyone who isn’t blind or a complete fool knows which one to choose. Who would join the Wuji Sect? Isn’t that a joke?

The Great Elder sighed. "Your name is probably on his list."

The Fairy lowered her gaze and remained silent.

"That blasted kid, he really dares to try," the Great Elder cursed. "Tonight, just humor him a bit and then send him packing."

If Chen Pingping were targeting ordinary disciples, the Great Elder wouldn’t necessarily feel the need to drive him away. But the blasted kid’s target was the Fairy!

「Night fell.」

The waning moon hung high, casting strands of silvery glow. Though not bright, it still illuminated some mountaintops. A figure in white approached, treading through the sky. Her long dress swayed in the cold wind; viewed from afar, she appeared ethereal, like a celestial being. The Fairy had arrived.

When she learned of Chen Pingping’s true intent, the curiosity in her heart, far from dissipating, grew even more intense. Coming to Fairy Valley to poach people? Tsk tsk! How foolish would someone have to be to attempt such a thing? No one in the entire Southern Diaspora land would even dare to think of it. She was very curious: how did Chen Pingping plan to persuade her?

Before long, Chen Pingping arrived, grinning. "Good evening, Fairy!"

"You’ve invited me several times now. What is it you want?" the Fairy asked directly. Come on! Try to convince me. I want to see what you’ll say, she thought, amused.

"To appreciate the moon, of course!" Chen Pingping walked to her side, standing shoulder to shoulder with her. He gazed at the crescent moon above, then took a deep breath and smiled. "Am I handsome?"

"..."

"Silence means you agree," Chen Pingping chuckled. "Oh, by the way, do you know there’s a unique kind of cultivation in this world?"

"What kind of cultivation?"

"Qi..."

"Qi?"

"Yes. This type of cultivation is peculiar. It has no spiritual energy fluctuations, so it’s usually undetectable, even if someone practicing it approaches you silently, without a trace..." Chen Pingping explained.

"What do you mean?" the Fairy frowned.

THUMP!

Behind her, Zi Ji sprang into action, bringing a cudgel down hard. The Fairy fainted.

She said cheerfully, "Senior Brother, how did I do? Was I good?"

Qi Refiners are unique. They’re almost unheard of among Human Clan cultivators. Once they conceal their energy fluctuations, not even a Lord can detect them. Moreover, this Qi can easily breach a powerful expert’s defenses. It truly is an excellent skill for murder, arson, and robbery...

Chen Pingping smiled faintly. "Junior Sister, remember that cultivation has no end. You must never be arrogant; always strive tirelessly."

"Yes, Senior Brother, I will work hard!" Zi Ji affirmed, nodding like a chick pecking at grain.

Chen Pingping took the Heavenly Book from the Fairy, then placed eighteen layers of seals on her before tossing her into Mao Qiu’s internal space. Of course, not for Mao Qiu to devour her, but merely to use its inner world as a temporary place to store the Fairy’s body.

After doing all this, he turned, his gaze sweeping over Fairy Valley below, a wide smile on his face. "Junior Sister, are you ready?"

"Yes, Senior Brother, I’m ready!" Zi Ji responded.

"Let’s move!"

Having stayed in Fairy Valley for so many days, his time had not been entirely without gain. He had already identified the young geniuses among the five major academies. The First Academy had the scholar to deal with it, so that shouldn’t be an issue. The Fifth Academy had Bai Yisheng and Liu Kuangyi. That left the Second, Third, and Fourth Academies. So, his targets for tonight were these three.

With his cultivation level, Zi Ji’s Qi Refinement, and Mao Qiu’s devouring dimension, even abducting the entire younger generation of Fairy Valley wouldn’t be difficult. But he didn’t want to do that. Firstly, it might alert the Fairy Valley higher-ups. Secondly, he didn’t need that many people. Selecting a few young geniuses would suffice.

Chen Pingping’s eyes glinted. He led Zi Ji and Mao Qiu into the residential area of the younger generation, beginning his hunt...

The night was tranquil.

The only one not at peace was the Great Elder. He sat on the Taoist Platform, his eyelids twitching intermittently, betraying his restlessness. Could it be that those fellows are making their move ahead of schedule?