When I woke up, the entire cultivation world was talking about my master.

As the group stepped into the crevice, the first thing they felt was the damp chill in the air, and the air was filled with the fishy smell of grass and soil. The light in front of them dimmed instantly. Ali walked straight to the front, carrying a swaying glass lantern in her hand.

The entrance passage was so narrow and cramped that it could only be passed by one person at a time, and the rock walls were covered with dark moss, making them wet and slippery.

Chu Xianlan was slightly absent-minded, her gaze constantly drifting forward—her master was walking ahead, at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

He always felt that the atmosphere between him and his master was a little strange, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong.

Chu Xianlan stared intently at Yi Chen's robes, lost in thought, when suddenly she tripped over something and slipped forward.

One hand steadily supported him.

Looking back, it was Xie Qingying.

"Be careful." Xie Qingying was slender, but despite being a medical cultivator, she was not as frail as she appeared; she was surprisingly strong.

Chu Xianlan straightened up somewhat awkwardly. "Excuse me, thank you, senior."

"It's alright," the voice behind you said gently. "Go ahead and watch the road for you."

These words were very comforting and warmed the heart of the listener.

After spending a few days together, Chu Xianlan had to admit that this Senior Xie was indeed very likable. He was polite and courteous in his dealings with people, always spoke in a gentle voice, and with his handsome and refined face, no one could dislike him.

In addition, Xie Qingying has neither gone near her master nor done anything shocking in the past few days.

Chu Xianlan relaxed her vigilance slightly.

...Could it be that I was just worrying unnecessarily?

Chu Xianlan failed to notice that Yi Chen, who was walking ahead, had stopped at some point.

Yi Chen turned slightly to the side, his gaze sweeping over the two people behind him. The hand that had been trying to help the disciple was quietly withdrawn into his sleeve.

"Senior Xie, you seem quite familiar with the environment of Youxin Valley. Is this your first time here?" Chu Xianlan asked curiously.

"I've been here a few times during my travels in my younger days, so I know this place quite well. Various rare and exotic herbs grow here, precious ingredients for refining high-grade elixirs," Xie Qingying nodded, twirling her finger, "Look, this herb is called…"

The two spoke quietly in the silent passage, one sentence after another. Xie Qingying spoke in detail, and Chu Xianlan listened attentively, occasionally asking a few questions. The atmosphere was quite harmonious.

Yi Chen walked on expressionlessly, surrounded by the sounds of his disciples humbly seeking his guidance.

"Thank you, Senior. What, then, is the purpose of this Night-Shining Moss?"

They are very eager to learn.

As soon as her mindset changed, her "Thank you, senior" sounded much better than before.

If this continues, in a few days, anyone who comes will be able to call him "Master".

"Night-blooming moss is cool in nature and has a fishy-sweet smell. It can also be used to make sleeping potions," Xie Qingying explained patiently. She gathered some herbs, looked up, smiled, and extended an invitation, "If you are interested, why don't you come with me to Medicine King Valley later? The valley has a rich collection of pharmacopoeias, and many prescriptions that are hard to find outside are also included."

Chu Xianlan was taken aback. Oh, this invitation came so suddenly?

He hesitated before speaking, "Um...? You mean you want me to go to Medicine King Valley...?"

A slightly irritated feeling arose in Yi Chen's heart. He raised his hand and pulled out the Unbound Boat from his hair. With a gentle toss, the flowing light transformed into a long sword. Without any command, it flew to Chu Xianlan like a magnet.

Chu Xianlan was immediately lured by the ancient sword, her eyes lighting up instantly. She no longer cared about herbs and quickly stepped forward to get close to Yi Chen.

"Master, why did Bu Xizhou come out?"

Yi Chen: "Mm."

"Did it run away on its own?" Chu Xianlan asked again, her gaze fixed on the unmoored boat.

Yi Chen: "Mm."

Untied Boat: ...You think you're so high and mighty? You think you're so great?

Chu Xianlan could never keep a secret from Yi Chen. After holding it in for a while, she couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Master, are you in a bad mood? Did I do something wrong?"

Yi Chen was stunned upon hearing this.

Faced with the boy's blunt question, his subtle emotions appeared both despicable and childish.

Chu Xianlan did nothing wrong.

But he...

The unease I've been feeling all along is inexplicable, an indescribable feeling that even I find... strange and odd, almost unlike myself.

At this moment, his disciple's bright eyes were fixed on him, and Yi Chen's emotions quietly calmed down.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, we reached the end of the passage.

The interior of Youxin Valley is a huge natural cave, divided into upper and lower levels.

The lower level was bottomless, with pools of varying sizes scattered across the bottom. There was almost no light source, and one could only vaguely see some shadowy currents flowing beneath the surface, giving it an indescribable eeriness.

The upper levels are completely different.

Countless naturally formed pathways crisscrossed the cave, and all sorts of unnamed spiritual plants seemed to burst forth from every crack in the rocks, layer upon layer, extremely lush. Some of these plants emitted a faint purple light, illuminating the entire cave in a hazy, pale purple hue, creating a bizarre and wondrous scene.

Chu Xianlan had never seen such a sight before, and she even held her breath.

Ali shook the glass lamp in her hand, her tone much more serious than before, "The edge of the chaotic mist is just ahead. We need to cross it. Stay close to me."

As soon as she entered the fog, Chu Xianlan felt as if a thick veil had been suddenly placed over her mind, and her head was buzzing.

The next second, all the sounds disappeared.

Neither footsteps nor breathing could be heard; one could only follow the faint light in a blurred vision.

Cultivators have always relied on their divine sense and five senses to perceive their surroundings. This feeling of ignorance and numbness inexplicably raises a sense of panic in people's hearts, as if they have been forcibly thrown into a dark and cramped box.

Chu Xianlan never liked cramped spaces.

This is his only weakness.

Perhaps some childhood memories surged into his mind without warning, and his thoughts were firmly gripped by the recollections. His breathing became rapid involuntarily, and his steps slowed down.

Just then, a hand touched the back of his hand.

Without the slightest hesitation, that hand pierced through the hazy mist and grasped his from the left.

The temperature of the fingertips is very low, like jade, but it doesn't make you feel that jade is fragile; instead, you feel a sense of security as if you are being firmly enveloped.

In this fog where almost all five senses are lost, the sense of touch is amplified infinitely.

The scarred areas felt rougher to the touch, and the fingertips bore thin calluses from years of wielding a sword… The familiar touch made it obvious who it belonged to.

Chu Xianlan called out silently, "Master."

His words received no response, and he didn't know if the other person had heard him. The hand holding his tightened its grip, guiding him forward with clear direction.

Immediately afterwards, his right arm was gently bumped by something. Looking down, he saw the ancient sword, gleaming with light, waving it triumphantly at him.

Chu Xianlan smiled slightly.

On the left is the Master, and on the right is the ever-present Untethered Boat.

It felt like finding the other shore in a vast ocean; the oppressive feeling in my chest dissipated, and the panic gradually subsided.

Just then, the glass lamp at the very front stopped.

The crowd came to an abrupt halt.

A strange aura suddenly emerged from the deathly still fog.

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind swept over without warning!

The glow of the glass lamp went out completely, and we lost all sight of it, followed by an even colder wind.

Chu Xianlan's eyes flashed, sensing from the wind that something was rapidly approaching them. Instantly, she conjured a spirit sword to block it in front of her!