Kunlun Mountain Range, stretching for miles, Qin Liuxi and a few others followed the compass soul pointer over several mountain peaks, finally standing on a hilltop, looking down to see a Bixi River formed by melted snow and ice. Not far from the river lies a mountainous grassland, and on the shady slopes, a small patch of lush spruce trees.

"Is this the Qingping Sect ruins?" Little Ginseng said: "Impossible, such a grand sect doesn’t even have a few mountain peaks?"

Fei Chai sniffed and said, "What do you know? Back when our ancestors founded the sect, there were seven or eight mountain peaks, each with a Great Elder living on it, whether they were involved in Artifact Refining, Alchemy, or talismanic practices, we had someone. But later on, the spiritual energy became scarce, cultivation regressed, and although disciples were recruited, none had particularly good aptitude, leading to the decline."

"Just like you?" Little Ginseng showed a look of having seen through things.

Fei Chai was annoyed and was just about to speak when Qin Liuxi said: "Little Shen, no rudeness, keep your mouth shut, or maybe you should quietly cultivate here, the spiritual energy seems good."

Little Ginseng immediately folded his hands in apology to Fei Chai: "It’s Little Shen’s fault for being rude, please forgive me, elder."

Fei Chai felt a pang of discomfort in his chest that refused to rise or fall.

Qin Liuxi also bowed to him and said: "Little Shen is naturally wild and hard to tame, please don’t take offense."

Fei Chai hastily said: "It’s better for you to be arrogant."

Suddenly being so courteous made him nervous.

Qin Liuxi looked at the valley below and said: "In this continent, spiritual energy is scarce, making it difficult to attain Dao and ascend like in the cultivation era. Even if spiritual energy is abundant, flowers cannot bloom for a hundred days, just as there is no kingdom that remains undefeated forever, and sects are the same."

Fei Chai saw her suddenly become an understanding person and felt a little startled, thinking there might be some trick.

Sure enough, Qin Liuxi shifted the topic, asking: "Every wise leader would secretly leave a backup plan for themselves, like some emperors hiding treasures secretly. Qingping Sect was once one of the three major sects, didn’t our ancestors leave some inheritance hidden somewhere, waiting for the revitalization of the sect?"

Fei Chai: "..."

He knew all along that honesty was suspicious; she was trying to trick him to inquire about treasures!

Too cunning!

He asked with frustration, "If such good things exist, wouldn’t I have revitalized the sect first?"

"Maybe the ancestors foresaw that I might be a bit stronger than you!"

Fei Chai: "!"

How is your face not thick enough to be peeled off and made into armor?

Qin Liuxi saw his constipated look and decided not to push further, and went down to the valley.

The three humans and one ghost walked through the valley; wildflowers still bloomed brightly, along with some rare spirit plants, which Qin Liuxi instructed Little Ginseng to collect so as not to waste them.

So, Fei Chai watched as the boy pulled out a sack from who knows where and began digging out plants, not even sparing a single herb.

He suddenly understood.

He finally understood what the two were up to by following him.

Fei Chai looked deeply at Qin Liuxi; if only he had such foresight back in the day, the sect might not have fallen under his care.

Oh, another day hit with realization!

They traversed the valley and arrived at a new peak, where vegetation was growing wildly, the trees towering so high that the path was invisible.

But Fei Chai suddenly cried out: "Found it."

He darted forward, and Qin Liuxi led Teng Zhao and the others to follow. Soon, they saw Fei Chai hugging two stone pillars, wailing like a ghost.

"Uhu, these stone pillars of our sect gate used to be so majestic, topped with a divine beast. Now both the divine beast and the sect gate are gone."

"If it lasted a thousand years, it really would be the immortal cultivation era; it hasn’t collapsed yet, which is pretty impressive. Wanting it to stay intact, wishing for fantasy," Qin Liuxi almost rolled her eyes and proceeded up the stone steps.

This place had long been deserted, with vegetation already covering the stone steps leading up to the hall.

Though Qin Liuxi could quickly ascend, she chose not to; instead, she walked up step by step, somehow managing to pull out a sword to cut away the vegetation on both sides, clearing the path.

Teng Zhao also took out his sword to clear the path, while Little Ginseng collected useful things into his sack.

Fei Chai cried for a good while, and seeing no movement around him, he looked around before raising his head.

He saw Qin Liuxi and Teng Zhao clearing the step path on either side, and his eyes welled up as his mood grew emotional.

They only came once, did they have to do this?

Yet they cleared the path.

The ancestors would feel truly gratified, wouldn’t they?

Qin Liuxi stood before a small square covered in moss, looked at the desolate ruins ahead, and found it hard to comment.

This place has been looted, right? Otherwise, how could it be so dilapidated with no roof remaining? The once grand hall only has bare pillars left, low and mottled walls, with every corner revealing decay and ruin.

"This doesn’t look like a place with treasures," Little Ginseng muttered quietly.

Teng Zhao raised a finger and shushed.

Fei Chai floated back up, starting another round of ghostly wails, crying while repenting and making self-blame.

How could he let the sect fall to such a state? He was greatly unfilial, ashamed before his master and ancestors!

Qin Liuxi’s forehead throbbed from his crying.

"Stop crying; crying can’t create a new sect," she snapped.

Fei Chai’s cries halted; he floated before her and said: "You are the descendants of our sect, and revitalizing the sect lies with you."

Qin Liuxi forced a smile: "Now Qingping Sect isn’t necessarily gone; it’s merely a transformation."

"Then let’s start with transforming the sect; once you gather a thousand disciples and teach them diligently, eventually, Qingping will be recognized as the number one sect, burning coarse incense and sculpting the most expensive golden statues," Fei Chai gazed at her optimistically.

Qin Liuxi chuckled: "With my humble skills, I can’t handle such a responsibility, unless the sect has a true inheritance of the Taoist Sect Secret Skill passed to me."

Fei Chai was startled; she suddenly used Inner Strength, which echoed throughout the valley. Was she trying to yell loud enough for the ancestors to hear and deliver the inheritance?

Wishful thinking; when I almost flipped the earth, I didn’t see any gold for me to pick up.

Qin Liuxi had bypassed him and walked inside, Fei Chai followed beside her, reminiscing about the sect’s prosperous past. It seemed the ruins were just an illusion to him, the real truth lay in his words; as he got more excited, he gestured wildly, ghost energy swirling around.

Qin Liuxi did not interrupt; listening to him speak of the past brought vivid images to her mind, noises echoed in her ears, and the solemn and protracted sound of bells, as if yesterday were being replayed.

Teng Zhao and Little Ginseng also listened quietly, following Fei Chai’s guide as if seeing the precious stove placed there.

"Three Pure Ancestors, your unworthy disciple has returned to see you!" The high-pitched cry and a heavy thud of kneeling shattered the illusions.