Next door, Pi Fangzhi still hadn't returned, presumably because the Water Dragon Sect had discovered something, and he was detained.

Whether he can come back is another matter.

After waiting for a moment, Ji Yuan once again piloted the Scarlet Skies Skiff to Dong Qian's courtyard.

Compared with before, Dong Qian had slightly concealed her appearance and figure. She knew her looks were too alluring, which wasn't a problem within the Water Dragon Sect, but outside, that might not be the case.

Seeing this, it seemed Dong Qian was quite cautious in her actions... Ji Yuan felt a bit more at ease.

"Let's go."

Dong Qian looked Ji Yuan up and down.

Ji Yuan had also disguised himself slightly, at least no longer wearing the standard magic robe of the Water Dragon Sect.

But when he instinctively took out the Scarlet Skies Skiff, he realized... piloting this flying boat there was practically announcing where he came from, wasn't it?

"Use mine; Junior Brother, your flying boat is too conspicuous."

Dong Qian naturally thought that Ji Yuan had no other flying boat.

Which, in her view, was typical for an average Qi Cultivation Cultivator, as a top-grade flying boat wasn't cheap. Since the sect had issued one and the quality was good, they'd naturally use it without spending extra Spirit Stones on another.

"Then I'll trouble you, Senior Sister."

Ji Yuan's Scarlet Skies Skiff was conspicuous, and his top-tier Thunder Falcon Boat was even more noticeable, especially after being hammered a few times by Isle Master Tie Chui; its unusual nature was apparent from its appearance alone.

So it was better to ride with Dong Qian.

Her flying boat's tail was slightly damaged, making it inconspicuous when piloted outside.

Thus, the two shared one flying boat, leaving the Water Dragon Sect and heading westward.

After spending more than a day leaving the Water Dragon Sect, Ji Yuan took the opportunity to ask, "Senior Sister, do you know what's the situation in the west of Shang Mountain?"

"West of Shang Mountain? Isn't that the territory of the Demon Cultivators? Why are you asking about it, Junior Brother?"

Dong Qian, sitting in front, turned her head back with a look of confusion.

Seems I guessed right... Ji Yuan pursued, "Oh, it's just that I've heard a lot about Demon Cultivators recently, but don't quite understand their situation. So, I thought of asking you, Senior Sister, for some insights."

"We mainly operate east of Shang Mountain, and with Shang Mountain as a barrier, and the Sword Ruins further blocking access, low-level disciples like us don't know much about the Demon Sects. I've only read about them in some ancient texts."

"We have six Immortal Sects in the east of Shang Mountain, but in the west, there are only three Demon Sects: Demon Flame Palace, White Bone Sect, and Blood Luo Mountain."

"But the strength of these three Demon Sects is enough to counterbalance our six Immortal Sects, so you can imagine."

"So that's how it is..."

This was the first time Ji Yuan heard about the three Demon Sects.

"But Junior Brother, you don't have to worry. Our Water Dragon Sect is located at the rear. It's the Sword Ruins at the front that bears the brunt of the pressure."

Dong Qian consoled him with a smile.

No, Senior Sister, you don't know—our Water Dragon Sect has a demon sect spy living right next door to me... Ji Yuan nodded, "What you said is very true, Senior Sister."

The two then chatted about Du Wanyi joining the Water Hall and about Dong Qian not wanting to join the Four Directions Hall. The conversation eventually veered to Dong Qian's family.

She fell silent, and Ji Yuan wisely kept his mouth shut.

"Actually, my husband has been dead for a long time. He died within a year after I married into the family, but they've kept it a secret."

Dong Qian spoke with an unchanged expression, as if she were recounting someone else's story.

"My condolences, Senior Sister."

Ji Yuan didn't know what else to say, so he said this instead.

"There's nothing to be sorry about. You're familiar with the matters of Cloud Rain Marsh. I had no feelings for him or the Zhu family. They initially took a liking to my talent, so they dared not offend me. Once I reached the later stages of Qi Cultivation, they had to listen to me."

"You're incredible, Senior Sister."

Ji Yuan said earnestly.

"Now that I've joined the Water Dragon Sect, they wouldn't dare disturb me. The relationships have essentially cooled down."

After saying this, Dong Qian turned and smiled at Ji Yuan, "But Junior Brother Ji, with your good looks, I'm sure many Senior and Junior Sisters are secretly sending amorous glances your way."

"You don't know, our Water Dragon Sect's female cultivators mainly practice Water Techniques..."

"Cough, cough."

Ji Yuan blushed slightly and said solemnly, "This Junior Brother's heart is set on the Great Dao and dares not desire any romantic entanglements."

Upon hearing this, Dong Qian suddenly fell silent.

After a while, she spoke, "I think the same way. I want to live, live long and not die early."

"Not to laugh at myself, Junior Brother, since joining the sect in recent years, many family disciples have expressed thoughts to me, but I've rejected them all. I don't want to be restrained again."

"Yes, before cultivating, we were already bound in many ways. Now having cultivated and joined a sect, if we're still bound, wasn't our cultivation all in vain?"

Ji Yuan spread out his hands.

Dong Qian laughed so hard her body shook like the swaying flower branches.

The two walked and chatted leisurely, picking bright and spacious roads, so they didn't attract any attention.

It wasn't until after nearly ten days had passed that Dong Qian said they were nearing Old Locust Valley.

Ji Yuan had been keeping track of the path they took, occasionally consulting the Geomancy Map, so he knew they were at the intersection of Water Dragon Sect and Medicine King Valley.

"There's a small market outside Old Locust Valley. I happen to have a friend there, so we'll find her as soon as we arrive. She'll help us with the arrangements... Currently, Illusion Heart Flowers on the outside sell for about 5 Mid-grade Spirit Stones each, but inside Old Locust Valley, just 2 Mid-grade Spirit Stones will suffice. We'll still need to give my friend 1 Mid-grade Spirit Stone, as she'll be taking some risks."

"That's only natural."

Ji Yuan nodded slightly.

Thus, after another two days, the terrain transitioned from plains to mountain forest.

Dong Qian said they were almost there, so they disguised themselves once again before descending the Flying Boat and arriving at the market nestled in the mountains.

Though called a market, it was essentially like a small town.

Most of the inhabitants were cultivators.

Ji Yuan glanced around; it looked similar to Zengtou City, except one relied on water and the other on the mountains.

Medicine King Valley is famed for alchemy, so the markets here are mostly situated close to the mountains, with lower-level loose cultivators relying on entering the mountains to hunt demon beasts or gather spiritual medicine for cultivation.

Dong Qian didn't land the Flying Boat inside the market but instead at the mountain entrance leading to the market, and the two walked in.

This move satisfied Ji Yuan greatly.

Dong Qian led the way, twisting and turning through the market until they arrived at a seemingly ordinary house, where she knocked on the door.

Soon, the door opened, and a middle-aged woman with sunken eyes, looking like a late-night cultivator, poked her head out.

Seeing Dong Qian outside, her eyes flickered with unease.

"Why are you here now?!"

"Hmm? What's the matter?"

Dong Qian immediately sensed something was off.

"Come in and let's talk first."

The middle-aged woman glanced again at Ji Yuan behind Dong Qian.

"This is my Junior Brother Qiu, someone you can trust, feel at ease, Sister Zhu."

Dong Qian introduced, though Ji Yuan had told her along the way, his name was Qiu Qianhai.

"Hmm."

Once the two were inside, the female cultivator named Zhu Yue felt relieved enough to speak: "It's not really a major issue, it's just that recently the Foundation Establishment cultivator in Old Locust Valley went out on some business, so the market here is in rest mode these days. If you want to buy Illusion Heart Flowers, you might need to wait here a few days."

"Hmm?"

Dong Qian frowned and said, "With that Foundation Establishment senior not around, isn't this the perfect time for trading?"

"Oh, you don't know this, huh."

Zhu Yue brought them tea and explained with a smile: "When that Foundation Establishment senior is around, dealing with these matters is turning a blind eye, but if he's not here and we still conduct business, it's like provoking Medicine King Valley."

"But it's not too bad."

Zhu Yue sighed after saying this, "We here at Old Locust Valley understand the rules well, and Medicine King Valley isn't too ruthless."

"I heard there was a market behind the mountain that produced Black Mountain Bamboo; they were too brazen in smuggling, angered the Medicine King Valley, and overnight, dozens of people disappeared from the market."

Clearly, as Zhu Yue said this, she was thinking of her own situation.

She's doing this work, which is also smuggling, and the risk is extremely high.

Now that they've come all this way, waiting a few days won't change much.

Ji Yuan and Dong Qian naturally settled in there.

It was only after settling in that Ji Yuan learned that this Zhu Yue before him was also from Cloud Rain Marsh, but not from Zengtou City, rather from Jing'an Market.

It's the next day.

Dong Qian and Zhu Yue went out to stroll the market streets, while Ji Yuan stayed in to cultivate.

At noon, the two returned from their outing.

As Ji Yuan got up, he noticed that Dong Qian was looking at him... suggesting she had something to say?

Acknowledging it was one thing, but Ji Yuan showed no outward reaction, waiting until Zhu Yue headed to the backyard before Dong Qian took the opportunity to pass him a note silently.

Ji Yuan returned to his room to open it.

"I saw Feng Yichen here."

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