The night over Linzhou City was as dark as ink, with spirit stone lanterns casting mottled shadows across the streets. In an elegant room on the third floor of Tianxiang Pavilion, Yuyi sat cross-legged, spiritual power flowing through his body as he immersed himself in cultivating the Hunyuan Mental Method. Outside the window, the moon shone bright and stars were sparse, while the night breeze carried the fragrance of spirit tea. It should have been a peaceful evening.
Suddenly, a burst of noisy quarreling shattered the night's silence.
Yuyi opened his eyes, a cold light flashing in his pupils. He channeled his cultivation to investigate, his divine consciousness surging forth like a tide, enveloping the entire street. Outside Tianxiang Pavilion, over twenty Youyue Valley disciples were confronting more than sixty white-robed cultivators, the atmosphere tense as drawn swords.
"What exactly does Youyue Valley want in Linzhou?" a white-robed cultivator shouted sternly. "Deceiving young female cultivators who have just stepped onto the immortal path, running some so-called 'virgin auction,' even forcing low-ranking female disciples within the valley to substitute—do such despicable methods deserve to be called a cultivation sect?"
Yuyi's brow furrowed slightly. Virgin auction? Though he had recently taken over Youyue Valley, he had never heard of such things.
"Hmph, the brothel business in Linzhou has always been monopolized by your Silver Moon Alliance," a Youyue Valley disciple sneered. "We merely wanted a share. As for those female cultivators, they all came voluntarily—where is the deception?"
"Voluntarily?" The white-robed cultivator laughed in extreme anger. "You use flowery words to deceive them, claiming you're a legitimate sect. Only after they join the valley do they discover it's a brothel, and by then it's too late to leave! Is this what you call voluntary?"
Yuyi's heart sank. If this were true, Youyue Valley's actions were indeed despicable. Though he was the Valley Master, most valley affairs were managed by several protectors and hall masters. These evil deeds had been kept hidden from him.
Just then, a green figure streaked across the night sky like a meteor, landing in the middle of the street in the blink of an eye. It was a woman in green, her beauty extraordinary but her demeanor cold as ice, radiating the powerful aura of the Golden Core Realm. Behind her followed two white-robed female cultivators, their movement techniques equally swift, clearly possessing considerable cultivation bases.
"Who dares insult my Silver Moon Alliance?" The green-robed woman's voice was cold, like shattering ice.
"Alliance Master!" The Silver Moon Alliance members bowed in unison.
Yuyi's heart stirred. This must be Shuangtong, the Silver Moon Alliance Master? Indeed worthy of her reputation—a Golden Core middle stage cultivator was considered a powerful figure in Linzhou.
"Alliance Master Shuangtong," a Youyue Valley disciple said with forced composure, "this matter is our fault, but..."
"I don't listen to explanations." Shuangtong interrupted him, her gaze sharp as a blade. "Those who insulted me just now, step forward and take responsibility."
The street fell silent. The Youyue Valley disciples looked at each other, none daring to respond.
"What? Dare to speak but not to own it?" Shuangtong sneered. "Is this the extent of Youyue Valley's courage?"
"Alliance Master Shuangtong, please calm your anger." A gentle voice rang out as a middle-aged cultivator emerged from the Youyue Valley crowd, cupping his hands. "I am Pingchuan, the Fireworks Incense Master of Youyue Valley's Moon Hall. This matter is indeed our fault. I am willing to apologize to the Alliance Master on behalf of Youyue Valley."
Yuyi observed Pingchuan. Foundation Building early stage cultivation—not particularly high, but to step forward and take responsibility showed some measure of character.
"Apologize?" Shuangtong said coldly. "You think a single apology settles this?"
"What does the Alliance Master want?" Pingchuan said gravely. "If it's a fight you want, though I, Pingchuan, am not particularly skilled, I am willing to test myself against the Alliance Master."
"You're not worthy." Shuangtong said indifferently. "What I want is for Youyue Valley to give me an explanation. Such things must never happen again."
"This..." Pingchuan hesitated, "This matter requires reporting to the Valley Master for a decision."
"Then have your Valley Master come see me." Shuangtong said proudly.
"Alliance Master Shuangtong, what arrogance!" A rough voice rang out as a burly cultivator emerged from the Youyue Valley crowd, his spiritual power surging, revealing Foundation Building peak stage cultivation. "I am Canglang, a protector of Youyue Valley. I have already handled this matter properly. Why must the Alliance Master be so aggressive?"
Yuyi's brow furrowed deeply. Canglang? He remembered this name—one of Youyue Valley's protectors, responsible for the valley's external affairs. But his current performance made Yuyi quite dissatisfied.
"Handled properly?" Shuangtong sneered. "You deceive female cultivators, force low-ranking disciples—is this what you call handled properly?"
"Those were all voluntary." Canglang said impatiently. "Alliance Master Shuangtong, out of respect for you as a Golden Core cultivator, I speak to you politely. But do not push too far. Though I, Canglang, am only at Foundation Building stage, Youyue Valley is not easily provoked."
"Oh?" A murderous glint flashed in Shuangtong's eyes. "Then let me see just how not easily provoked Youyue Valley is."
She raised her hand and struck, a stream of silver spiritual power pouring forth like moonlight, heading straight for Canglang. Canglang's expression changed drastically as he hurriedly channeled his cultivation to resist, but the gap between Foundation Building and Golden Core was simply too great—he could not withstand it at all.
At this critical moment, a figure suddenly appeared before Canglang, raising a hand to dissolve the spiritual power attack.
"Valley Master!" Canglang exclaimed in shock, quickly retreating.
Yuyi stood with hands behind his back, looking calmly at Shuangtong. His Golden Core late stage cultivation was now fully revealed.
"Alliance Master Shuangtong," Yuyi said indifferently, "this matter is Youyue Valley's fault. I apologize to the Alliance Master on behalf of the valley's disciples."
A flash of surprise crossed Shuangtong's eyes. She hadn't expected Youyue Valley's master to be in Linzhou, and with cultivation even higher than hers.
"You are Youyue Valley's master?" Shuangtong examined Yuyi. "Yuyi?"
"Correct." Yuyi nodded. "Alliance Master Shuangtong, my valley's protector Canglang's words were offensive earlier, and I am aware of this. I will thoroughly investigate this matter and give the Alliance Master an explanation."
"Explanation?" Shuangtong snorted coldly. "I've heard all about Youyue Valley's deeds in Linzhou. Deceiving female cultivators, virgin auctions, forcing low-ranking disciples—do you, as Valley Master, truly not know about these things?"
"Truly I do not." Yuyi said frankly. "I took over Youyue Valley not long ago, and most valley affairs are managed by several protectors and hall masters. Today's events have shown me the problems within the valley. I assure the Alliance Master that such things will never happen again."
"Assure?" Shuangtong sneered. "I've seen many assurances from you men."
"I, Yuyi, keep my word." Yuyi said seriously. "If the Alliance Master doesn't believe me, I can make a Heart Demon Vow."
A strange light flickered in Shuangtong's eyes. A Heart Demon Vow was an extremely solemn commitment in the cultivation world—once violated, one would suffer backlash from heart demons, making further progress in cultivation nearly impossible.
"No need." Shuangtong said indifferently. "I believe you."
She turned to leave, but then stopped and looked back at Yuyi. "Your name is Yuyi?"
"Yes."
"I'll remember." Shuangtong finished speaking, then flew away with the two white-robed female cultivators, disappearing into the night in the blink of an eye.
Yuyi watched her leave, lost in thought. This Shuangtong was quite an interesting character.
"Valley Master," Canglang said cautiously, "this matter..."
"You stay." Yuyi interrupted him. "Everyone else, disperse."
"Yes!" The Youyue Valley disciples felt as if they had been granted amnesty and quickly scattered. Pingchuan glanced at Canglang, wanting to speak but ultimately following the others away.
Only Yuyi and Canglang remained on the street. The night breeze blew past, bringing waves of chill.
"Canglang," Yuyi said indifferently, "do you know your mistake?"
"Subordinate..." Canglang's forehead broke out in sweat, "Subordinate knows the mistake."
"What mistake do you know?" Yuyi turned to look at him. "The mistake of verbally offending Alliance Master Shuangtong, or the mistake of conducting these despicable schemes in Linzhou?"
Canglang's face turned pale. "Valley Master, those were all..."
"All what?" Yuyi interrupted him. "All for the valley's benefit? To expand power?"
Canglang lowered his head, not daring to speak.
"I took over Youyue Valley to make it a true cultivation sect, not..." Yuyi paused, "not this kind of corrupt and foul place."
"Valley Master's lesson is correct." Canglang said tremblingly, "Subordinate knows the mistake."
"Go back first." Yuyi waved his hand. "I will thoroughly investigate this matter. You had better give me a reasonable explanation."
"Yes!" Canglang felt relieved and hurriedly left.
Yuyi stood alone on the street, looking toward Tianxiang Pavilion, his thoughts churning. Youyue Valley's problems were more serious than he had imagined. If not rectified soon, it might lead to great disaster.
Just then, a sound transmission jade talisman flew over and hovered before him. Yuyi reached out to take it, his divine consciousness entering it. A cold voice sounded: "Valley Master Yuyi, I was quite offensive earlier. Would you care to join me for a cup of spirit tea?"
It was Shuangtong.
Yuyi's lips curved slightly upward, a smile appearing. This Shuangtong was quite straightforward.
"It would be my honor." He replied via sound transmission.
The night deepened, and the lights of Linzhou City grew sparse. Yuyi turned and flew toward the direction Shuangtong had indicated in her transmission. Tonight's episode might become a turning point in his cultivation journey. And Shuangtong, this character, had also sparked his intense interest.
Moonlight like water spilled onto the blue stone road of Linzhou City. Yuyi's figure was like a ghost, disappearing into the night.