In a refined residence within Guangling County City, the third companion, Jia Huairen, was staying temporarily. The county magistrate had arranged for guards, servants, and several beauties to attend to him.


    “Don’t run, my beauty, I’m going to catch you!”


    “Young master, I’m over here.”


    Several women were playing hide-and-seek in the courtyard, some crouching by the flower beds, others hiding behind the artificial rocks. Each one called out sweetly, “Young master, young master…”


    A pale-faced young man, blindfolded, stumbled around with outstretched hands, saying, “Here, here, I know it’s... here! Haha, I’ve got you!” He grabbed hold of a voluptuous woman, pulled off his blindfold, and looked at her with a grin. “Ah, Xiaoye, the moment I held you, I knew it was you. Hehe, you’ve lost! You know how to serve your young master now, don’t you?”


    “Young master, you’re always bullying me,” the woman said coyly.


    “That’s right, I love ‘bullying’ you.” The young man chuckled and planted a kiss on her.


    “Huairen.”


    A gentle voice called from outside, and a thin elderly man appeared at the entrance to the garden.


    “Uncle Qian.” The other women quickly bowed respectfully and didn’t dare to breathe too loudly.


    Still holding the beauty, the young man laughed, “Uncle Qian, what brings you here?”


    The thin elder smiled and said, “The county magistrate has summoned you. He says the other two companions have arrived, and he wants everyone to meet.”


    “The county magistrate?” The young man was startled. He released the woman in his arms and ordered, “All of you, leave now.”


    “Yes, young master.” The group of women answered in unison and left immediately.


    Watching the women retreat, Jia Huairen chuckled and said, “The county magistrate sure knows how to pick beauties to serve me. They’re as good as, if not better than, my concubines. Truly, power has its perks.”


    “Huairen, hurry up and prepare to leave,” urged the thin elder.


    “I know, I know,” Jia Huairen replied as he turned and walked into a nearby room.


    The room was dimly lit.


    On an altar stood a curved blade, placed inside a circular basin filled with murky blood. The blood slowly seeped into the blade, causing intricate, blood-red patterns to appear on its surface.


    “Come to me, my precious,” Jia Huairen said with a smile, forming a hand seal.


    The curved blade floated into the air, spinning before slotting itself into the sheath at his waist. He then took a lid from the side and covered the blood-filled basin.


    “Huairen, relying on the power of magical tools is not the righteous path,” the thin elder frowned and advised. “You should focus on cultivating Daoist techniques and studying talismans to strengthen your foundation. Only then will you have a chance at achieving the Innate Realm in the future.”


    “I know, I know, Uncle Qian,” Jia Huairen said with a grin. “Cultivation takes time. Many spend their whole lives failing to reach the Innate Realm. Some only manage it in their old age. I’m just thirty-six—still young. While my spells and talismans progress, having a powerful magical tool is a big help.”This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    “Let’s go. The county magistrate is waiting,” Jia Huairen said. “After we return from Cangya Mountain with the Hundred Poison Blood, my magical tool’s power will increase even more.”


    The thin elder shook his head silently and followed Jia Huairen as they left the residence and headed toward the county magistrate’s mansion.


    In a serene courtyard within the county magistrate’s mansion, Qin Yun and Yi Xiao were seated at a stone table, chatting about cultivation.


    “Brother Qin,” Yi Xiao said softly, changing the subject. “There’s something I need to remind you about.”


    “Please, go ahead,” Qin Yun replied.


    “This trip to Cangya Mountain, where we’re helping Lord Wen obtain the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit,” Yi Xiao said, “is for his own use. He’s running out of time and needs the fruit to extend his life.”


    Qin Yun nodded slightly.


    “You understand what I mean,” Yi Xiao continued. “Lord Wen’s life depends on this. If we fail to retrieve the fruit, even though he wouldn’t dare harm you out of fear of offending a sect disciple, he might still take it out on your family. Life in Guangling might become difficult for the Qin family.”


    Qin Yun considered her words.


    A sect disciple?


    Many assumed he was a disciple of a great sect due to his mastery of sword techniques. True Sword Immortal legacies were among the rarest and most prestigious, typically found only in top-tier sects like the ancient Daoist holy land Lingbao Mountain or the Sword Pavilion of Shu Prefecture, known as the premier sword sect.


    As a self-taught Sword Immortal, Qin Yun was a rare anomaly. Others’ speculation about his origins as a sect disciple worked in his favor, granting him certain protections and benefits—such as deterring the county magistrate this time.


    “When I first met Lord Wen, I noticed his dwindling lifespan,” Qin Yun said. “I guessed that he wanted the fruit for life extension. It’s not an easy task to refuse, especially without offending him.”


    Yi Xiao nodded in agreement.


    “So, I made sure to ask for appropriate compensation before setting out for Cangya Mountain,” Qin Yun said. “Having agreed, I’ll do my best to see it through.”


    “Lord Wen once saved my father’s life,” Yi Xiao said, shaking her head. “I’m doing this to repay that debt. It’s a risky endeavor—success is good, but failure could sour the relationship.”


    “I’ll need your help at that time,” Qin Yun said.


    “This mission will rely on you and me,” Yi Xiao said. “The third companion isn’t very strong. Only his demon servant might be of some use.”


    Qin Yun nodded, already aware of this.


    “Haha…” Laughter rang out as Young Master Wen Chong walked in, accompanied by a pale-faced youth and the thin elder.


    “Our third companion for the Cangya Mountain expedition is here,” Wen Chong said, laughing.


    Jia Huairen entered and immediately spotted Yi Xiao, his eyes lighting up.


    What a stunning beauty!


    For Qin Yun, Yi Xiao was one of the three most beautiful women he had ever seen. With her ethereal aura as a cultivator, she was undoubtedly extraordinary. To Jia Huairen, who had little exposure to truly refined women, Yi Xiao’s beauty was overwhelming—especially given his lascivious nature.


    “A beauty, a rare beauty!” Jia Huairen’s heart raced, though he wore an even brighter smile.


    “I’ll leave you cultivators to discuss,” Wen Chong said, laughing as he excused himself.


    “Fellow Daoists,” Jia Huairen said, stepping forward with a grin. “I’m Jia Huairen. I look forward to working together on this expedition to Cangya Mountain.”


    “Please have a seat, Daoist Jia,” Qin Yun said. “And this is…?”


    The thin elder bowed. “I’m just a minor demon named Qian Bao, serving my young master.”


    “Qian Bao?” Yi Xiao’s lips curved into a faint smile.


    Even Qin Yun couldn’t help but chuckle. Qian Bao sounded almost identical to “wallet.”


    “This name was given by my father,” Jia Huairen said with a smile.


    “Please have a seat, Mr. Qian,” Yi Xiao said. “Your assistance will be valuable.”


    “Such a pleasant voice,” Jia Huairen thought, captivated.


    “It’s my honor to be of service,” the thin elder replied humbly, taking a low-profile seat.


    Jia Huairen quickly spoke up. “Everyone, this mission to Cangya Mountain is fraught with danger. The mountain is filled with demons, and we’ll need to work closely together to retrieve the spirit fruit. It’s important for us to understand each other’s strengths to cooperate effectively. May I ask the name and specialty of this fair Daoist lady?”


    Yi Xiao frowned slightly but answered, “My surname is Yi. I specialize in Thunder Techniques, specifically the Five Elements Thunder Technique.”


    “The Five Elements Thunder Technique?” Qin Yun was taken aback.


    This was a top-tier thunder method. The interwoven powers of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth made it exceptionally powerful. It was also the foundation of the world-renowned Divine Firmament Thunder Technique.


    Jia Huairen trembled internally, exclaiming silently, “The Five Elements Thunder Technique? A disciple of a top-tier sect, perhaps even from a Daoist holy land! If I could make her my Daoist partner, reaching the Innate Realm might actually be within my grasp!”


    Between her beauty and her distinguished background, Jia Huairen’s desires only burned brighter.