Six-Yao Mountain?
Liu Meng silently repeated the name in her heart.Wasn't that precisely where Qin Yi would be heading three days from now, the very location of the secret realm?
Her mood instantly brightened—it almost felt like fate itself was at work.
Qin Yi's journey was already a certainty. With Zhou Hairui, the sect's emissary, personally declaring it, there was little room for change. Even a wayward soul cultivator like Feng Wuya hadn't dared to utter a word of protest.
Since that was the case, as long as Qin Yi could collect the two missing ingredients on his way to the secret realm, everything would be resolved with ease.
Thinking this, Liu Meng's heart grew lighter. She offered Su Meier a respectful farewell, then turned and departed from her master's cave dwelling.
Qin Yi, meanwhile, was following Zhou Hairui through a cluster of crude stone houses.
Unlike the gloomy, damp caves of Xuanpin Sect, this place, though saturated with the stench of blood, felt far more open—filled with a faint trace of liveliness.
Disciples of Blood Banquet Valley, clad in all manner of garments, passed by from time to time. Every single one of them, upon seeing Zhou Hairui, would stop, bow deeply, and respectfully call out, "Senior Brother Zhou."
Qin Yi walked behind him, quietly observing. Zhou Hairui's status here was indeed formidable.So this was what the black-and-white robe he wore truly represented.
As they walked, Zhou Hairui suddenly spoke, his tone faint but firm:"In three days' time, you will set out with me to Six-Yao Mountain. Until then, prepare yourself."
Qin Yi listened intently, though he had no idea what kind of preparation was expected. Zhou Hairui gave no further explanation, and so Qin Yi could only assume it meant mental preparation. After all, this was a secret realm that even Zhou Hairui regarded with such seriousness—it was bound to hold both great peril and… great reward.
The two walked on in silence until they reached a more secluded area. Zhou Hairui casually pointed toward a stone hut that still appeared relatively intact.
"You will stay here for the time being."
Qin Yi simply acknowledged with respect and stepped toward the stone hut.
By now, he had noticed—within the demonic sect, whether it was the abandoned caves of Xuanpin Sect or these deserted stone dwellings in Blood Banquet Valley—empty residences were everywhere. Their former owners had likely perished on some mission or in some treacherous scheme, leaving only resources for others to claim.
He had grown used to it. Without hesitation, he pushed open the dust-laden stone door and entered.
Inside, the furnishings were sparse: a stone bed, a stone table, and nothing more.
With a wave of his hand, Qin Yi conjured a vortex of spiritual power. A gust of wind swept through, driving away years of accumulated dust.
Only then did he sit cross-legged on the stone bed, preparing to regulate his breath and spirit for the coming journey.
But just as he was about to close his eyes, Zhou Hairui's gravelly voice suddenly rang out behind him.
"Extend your hand."
A spark of realization flickered in Qin Yi's mind. He rose at once, turned, and stretched out his right hand without hesitation.
From his storage pouch, Zhou Hairui drew out a palm-sized, deep violet wooden token. He pressed it lightly against the back of Qin Yi's hand.
"Your name?"
"Qin Yi."
The moment the words left his lips, an indescribable pain seared across the back of his hand—sharp and excruciating, yet fleeting. In an instant, it ebbed away like a receding tide.
Zhou Hairui withdrew the token, and Qin Yi glanced down. There, etched upon his skin, was a familiar mark. At its corner were two engraved characters: "Qin Yi."
From this moment forth, his bond with the Grand Dao Heavenly Demon Sect was absolute.
Though he understood perfectly well what had just happened, he kept his expression calm, feigning ignorance as he asked with curiosity,"Senior Brother Zhou, this is…?"
Zhou Hairui's gaze softened with faint approval at Qin Yi's composure.
"This is your disciple's token," he explained patiently."From today onward, you are an official disciple of the Grand Dao Heavenly Demon Sect. With this token, you may visit the Scripture Pavilion once a month to choose a secret art, and you will also receive a monthly stipend from the sect."
"Of course—privileges come with obligations. Each month you must also complete at least one sect mission. No exceptions."
Here his tone grew sharper, sterner.
"And there is one rule you must never forget. In our sect, it is forbidden to fight fellow disciples in private! No matter the reason—should you dare to raise a hand against a sect brother, the Enforcers of the Criminal Hall will hunt you down relentlessly, until one of you lies dead."
"But there is one exception—each year, during the twelfth month, we hold the Grand Sect Tournament. At that time, all rules are void. Only strength matters, and life or death is left to fate. Should you truly harbor bitter enmity, that is the time to settle it."
"However, you cannot attack me, nor I you. The only ones you may fight are disciples of the same generation. Otherwise, the punishment will be far harsher."
Qin Yi listened quietly, engraving every word into his memory.
He had already known these rules, but hearing them again now, in this setting, gave him a new perspective.
Why, he wondered, had Su Meier not told Liu Meng these crucial rules at the outset? Was it mere neglect? Or perhaps yet another subtle means of control?
Suppressing the thought, Qin Yi bowed respectfully."Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Zhou. This disciple understands."
Satisfied, Zhou Hairui nodded, then vanished in a blur, leaving behind only silence and the lingering weight of his oppressive presence.
Only after that suffocating pressure fully faded did Qin Yi straighten again, his eyes flashing with determination.
The journey to Six-Yao Mountain would not only be to explore the secret realm for the sect's sake—it would also be his chance to secure the two precious ingredients for Liu Meng.
If they could refine the Foundation Consolidation Pill, then whether it was for Liu Meng, for himself, or for every future clone that reached mid-stage Qi Refinement, they would all be able to rapidly advance with the aid of pills!
And with someone of Zhou Hairui's caliber accompanying them, their safety would be greatly assured.
Now, all that remained was to wait, to focus his spirit, and to prepare in full for the journey ahead.
At this moment, he could not afford to scatter too much of his mind elsewhere.
For now, most of his focus needed to remain upon Wenshan—still undergoing his trial within the secret realm.