News of the Ancient Ruins

The two of them chatted for a while.

Qin Ximo’s phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly, as if she had discovered something interesting.

Her tone carried a trace of amusement as she said,

“I thought you’d been so busy teaching that newly accepted disciple of yours that you’d neglected your own cultivation.
I didn’t expect that after only a few days apart, your cultivation has already made a breakthrough.
Truly worthy of congratulations.”

Xiao Menglan was taken aback.

She hadn’t even had the chance to tell Qin Ximo herself, yet her senior sister had noticed at a glance.

“So even that couldn’t escape your notice, Senior Sister,” Xiao Menglan said.
“But I wouldn’t call it a true breakthrough.
I just had some insights.
If I can settle my foundation for another three to five years, perhaps I can attempt to condense a seventh Dan Mark.”

A warm smile lit up Qin Ximo’s face.

Even at the Golden Core stage, there were thresholds — one at every three turns.

It was best to cross them, but if one couldn’t, there was no telling how many years might be wasted.

Golden Core cultivators lived for nearly a thousand years.

It sounded like a long time, but in truth, a few centuries could slip by in the blink of an eye.

Xiao Menglan was still considered young among Golden Core cultivators, and to be on the verge of condensing a seventh Dan Mark at her age meant she might one day reach a Seven-Turn Golden Core.

Perhaps, in the future, she could even achieve Golden Core Perfection like Qin Ximo herself.

“If that’s the case, then it’s truly excellent,” Qin Ximo said.
She thought for a moment, then added,
“But the tribulations for the last three turns are no joke.
I’ll be away from the sect for a while.
If you plan to face your tribulation during this time, send word to me.
No matter the difficulties, I will rush back to the sect at once to protect you.”

“With your promise, Senior Sister, I feel as though even the might of the heavens seems far less daunting,” Xiao Menglan replied with a gentle smile.

“Hahaha, don’t exaggerate.
Even cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage, those we call Dao Lords, wouldn’t dare claim they have no fear of the heavenly Dao.
Best not tease me so.”

“That aside, Senior Sister,” Xiao Menglan continued,
“last time you appeared so suddenly and left just as quickly.
Do you have any thoughts about the demonic cultivators currently wreaking havoc everywhere in the cultivation world?”

“Those devil spawn clearly have some scheme in mind!” Qin Ximo’s expression darkened immediately.
“Whoever is behind it must be utterly depraved.
All those demonic cultivators running amok out there have had a vicious restriction planted in their seas of consciousness.
The moment it’s triggered, their own consciousness is destroyed.
It’s impossible to extract any information from them!”

Seeing her senior sister’s willow-like brows draw together and her expression darken as if she might erupt at any moment, Xiao Menglan quickly took Qin Ximo’s hand and soothed her in a gentle voice,

“Senior Sister, don’t let anger cloud your judgment.
That’s exactly what those demonic cultivators want.
Aside from covering their tracks, they hope to unsettle us.
The more anxious we become, the harder it will be to discern their true intentions.”

“I understand the logic,” Qin Ximo said, gradually regaining her composure.

She was a sword cultivator, known for her righteous fury against evil.

Not long ago, she had personally descended the mountain and slaughtered over a hundred of those devil spawn along with several demonic leaders.

With a single sword strike, she destroyed bone-built altars, blood-filled pools, and banners refined from souls.

Yet despite her efforts, she had been unable to save the countless innocents who had already fallen victim to the demonic cultivators.

Utterly despicable!

“When I was out there, I noticed that those demonic cultivators seem to have their sights set on our Qingyun Sword Sect.
I didn’t encounter many of their senior Golden Core experts — most of them were just disposable underlings.”

“If that’s the case…” Xiao Menglan’s eyes filled with concern.

“Yes,” Qin Ximo said with a cold snort,
“you’ve guessed it.
Those underlings were scouting the terrain, clearly searching for something.”

“But outside the sect there’s nothing but spiritual fields, a few mines, and the marketplace.
What could those demonic cultivators be after?”

“Most likely an ancient cultivator’s relic,” Qin Ximo speculated.
“The methods of the ancients were profound.
If they intended to hide something, even if it lay before our eyes, we wouldn’t see or sense it — it would only reveal itself when it was ready.
But some of the old demonic leaders who have recently resurfaced may have information about such relics.
That’s probably why their minions have been acting so restlessly.”

“That would explain their behavior.
But Senior Sister, your trip this time… could it be…”

“If they want to find that relic, I’ll make sure they fail!” Qin Ximo’s voice was resolute.
“The Qingyun Mountains have been our sect’s domain since the founding ancestor established our sect.
Who are they to run wild here?”

“Ancient relics are fraught with danger,” Xiao Menglan sighed.
“The records about them in the old texts are incomplete.
Not even Nascent Soul cultivators would dare to enter them lightly.
Senior Sister, perhaps you should hold off for now.
Once our sect joins forces with the other righteous sects and pushes back the demonic threat, we can decide what to do next.”

“By then, it may already be too late!” Qin Ximo’s tone left no room for debate.
“And besides, you know as well as I do the state of those other sects.
Each has its own little schemes, waiting for others to weaken the demonic cultivators so they can swoop in and reap the rewards.
In such a situation, how can we place our hopes in others?
Some things are better done by our own hands.
I have to get to the bottom of this before the righteous and demonic paths fully come to blows!”

Seeing that her senior sister’s resolve was unshakable, Xiao Menglan did not press the matter further.

Qin Ximo was, after all, the sect leader.

Once she made a decision, few could intervene.

Their close relationship was the only reason Xiao Menglan could voice her concerns at all.

Qin Ximo’s presence at the ceremony site was merely a brief inspection.

After checking the progress of the preparations, she departed to attend to other urgent matters.

She had been in seclusion for a time and had a backlog of administrative duties to handle.

Moreover, the sect’s once-in-a-decade disciple competition was approaching, and as sect leader, she would have to preside over it personally.

Naturally, she needed to prepare in advance.

As the streak of light in the sky disappeared from view, Xiao Menglan gazed down at the efficiently arranged ceremony site.

The worry in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by an expectant smile.

“It won’t be long now.
Yaner and I will stand together on that platform, offering sacrifices to Heaven and to our sect’s founder.
She will bow to me three times and kowtow nine times before all the elders and disciples, and then she’ll offer the ceremonial wine to her master…”

At that thought, Xiao Menglan couldn’t help but smile dreamily.

“The ceremonial wine at past initiations was always brewed by Senior Sister herself — hardly something ordinary people can handle.
Fortunately, only I have to drink it.
Otherwise, if she had to drink it too and collapsed in front of everyone, snoring on the floor, it would become a joke remembered for decades.”

The hardworking disciples below had no idea that one of the future protagonists of this grand occasion was at that very moment lost in daydreams above them.

The usual cool composure on her face was gone, replaced by a blush that was both alluring and tender, like the first peach blossom of early spring — irresistibly captivating.

After a while, Xiao Menglan shook off her reverie.

Looking down at the busy workers, she pondered briefly, then waved her sleeve to summon a gentle golden rain.

The rain, like a divine blessing, fell from the heavens.

Everyone bathed in it felt their exhaustion vanish, as if endless vitality had been restored.

They looked up, searching for the figure who had bestowed this miracle, but saw no one.

They could only set down their tools, kneel on the ground, and offer their praises in unison, their voices echoing without end.