When her vision cleared, Xie Zhaolin was already standing in the secluded valley she'd chosen earlier. Sunlight poured down in golden streams, a soft breeze brushing against her face.
Looking back, she could barely make out the entrance to You Ji's cave dwelling. It was still hidden deep in the mist, impossible to find unless you knew exactly where to look.
She nodded, satisfied.
Leaving like this, silently and without a trace, meant that even if Jiu Jiu or anyone else was still waiting near the entrance, none of them would have any idea she'd already taken everything worth having and disappeared.
She drew in a deep breath, savoring the crisp air of the outside world. Her body brimmed with spiritual power, strengthened by the pure energy and abundant resources inside the cave. On her wrist, the You Ming Bracelet felt heavier than before, filled with new treasures. A rare sense of comfort washed over her, the lingering exhaustion and tension of her earlier trials swept away by the wind.
Still, she could tell she was just a breath away from breaking through to the Golden Core stage.
It wasn't a matter of energy anymore, but of insight—or perhaps, the right push.
She wasn't planning to return to the Sect just yet. The Endless Beast Plains stretched on endlessly, full of danger, adventure, and opportunities for breakthroughs.
"Let's contact Mo Yan first, see how long it's been," she thought, preparing to use her soul contract to reach out to her companion back at the Sect.
But before she could act—
"Well, well! Look what we've got here, brothers! A pretty little lady all by herself!"
The coarse, grating voice came from the mouth of the valley.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she looked over.
Five or six cultivators were swaggering toward her, their robes a chaotic mix of colors, their spiritual auras messy and unstable. Just one glance told her they were nothing more than loose cultivators or plain old bandits.
The one leading them was a big man with a jagged scar running across his face, his cultivation hovering at late Foundation Establishment. He was also the one who'd just spoken.
Their eyes gleamed with greed as they took her in, and when they noticed the You Ming Bracelet on her wrist, their stares practically burned holes through it.
The bracelet might've looked plain, but its material and craftsmanship were far from ordinary. Someone with sharp enough eyes could tell it was worth a fortune. They'd already marked her as easy prey.
"Heh, little lady, it's dangerous wandering these mountains all alone! How about we escort you somewhere safe?" the scar-faced man chuckled, motioning for his men to surround her.
Xie Zhaolin's expression didn't change. She didn't even bother releasing her aura.
These were just insects. Late Foundation Establishment at best. Crushing them would be effortless.
But she decided against killing them right away. Maybe they could answer one question first.
"What year is it now? I've been in seclusion here for too long and lost track of time." Her tone was calm and distant, completely free of fear.
The man blinked, caught off guard, before snickering. "What, you meditate yourself stupid, sweetheart? It's the tenth month of Cultivation Era year 8762."
Year 8762, tenth month?
Her mind ran through the calculation. She'd entered You Ji's cave in the first month.
That meant almost an entire year had passed outside!
Time in the inheritance realm clearly flowed differently. What felt like months of trials for her had consumed nearly a year in the real world.
"I see." She nodded slightly, having gotten what she wanted.
"Thanks for the information," she said, her tone still level, though her eyes turned cold. "As for your reward…"
"Reward?" The scar-faced man grinned, his tone dripping with mockery. "Heh, and how's this little beauty planning to repay us?"
But before he could even finish his laugh, his smile froze in place.
A flash of killing intent flickered in her eyes.
Without lifting a finger, several razor-sharp streaks of baleful light exploded from her body.
Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!
The men didn't even get the chance to scream. Holes bloomed in the centers of their foreheads, their eyes dimming as they collapsed one after another.
Their expressions remained twisted in greed and disbelief.
Instant kill.
She didn't spare the bodies a glance. Her voice, cold and detached, finished the sentence she'd started earlier.
"...your reward is a trip to the next life."
Xie Zhaolin never showed mercy to those who tried to harm her. Giving them the time of day was already more kindness than they deserved.
She waved her hand, pulling their storage pouches and a flickering communication jade slip into her grasp. A quick sweep of her divine sense told her their bags were pitifully empty, holding only a few low-grade spirit stones and scraps of materials.
But when she probed the jade slip, her brows furrowed slightly.
Inside were fragmented messages—bits and pieces of recent rumors circulating around the Endless Beast Plains.
And one name appeared over and over again.
The "Bewitching Beast Yam."
According to the messages, that bizarre demonic plant hadn't gone dormant at all over the past year. On the contrary, it had grown even more active. Its range had expanded deeper into the Plains, and countless rumors claimed it had swallowed more than a few unfortunate cultivators whole.
Some sects were even preparing to subdue it.
"That thing's still out there?" she muttered, surprised and vaguely annoyed.
Normally, once a spiritual or demonic entity of that caliber caused a stir, it'd either be captured by some powerful cultivator or retreat into hiding until the heat died down. But this one... it was still moving, still restless, almost as if it was looking for something.
She didn't want to admit it, but reason told her there was only one explanation.
That thing had taken an unusual interest in her the last time they crossed paths. Its reaction back then had been far too focused, far too deliberate. She could still remember the sensation of its gaze locking onto her like a predator scenting blood.
And now, a year later, it hadn't disappeared—it was expanding its territory, growing bolder.
That wasn't normal behavior at all.
Unless... the thing it was searching for still hadn't been found. And that target might very well be her.
Her expression darkened. Being hunted by a mysterious, powerful demon plant with a bizarre tracking ability wasn't exactly pleasant.
"Persistent bastard," she muttered coldly.
At that moment, a small phantom figure floated quietly into the air—it was You You.
"Master, the outside world seems a lot livelier than before," the little girl said, eyes wide with curiosity. Having been sealed in the inheritance space for so long, everything outside fascinated her.
Xie Zhaolin was in no mood to talk, but after a moment's thought, she passed the jade slip to her. Maybe You You's insight would reveal something useful.
The girl studied the messages carefully, her tiny face serious. After a while, she lifted her head, her expression a mix of confusion and unease. "Master… this thing… don't tell me it's after you?"
Xie Zhaolin didn't answer, but the cold snort that escaped her lips said enough.
Seeing her silence, You You's brows furrowed too. She floated closer, her tone turning more serious.
"Master, think carefully. Was that the only plant that ever acted that strange toward you? Or have the other demonic plants you've met shown similar reactions?"