“Immortal Fairy, where is this place?”

“Didn’t I tell you? The Heavenly Dome Holy Land had two Transcendent Tribulation cultivators qualified to attend the Heaven Mandate Immortal’s lectures. Aside from sharing cultivation insights, the Heaven Mandate Immortal primarily taught how to be pretentious and maintain one’s prestige.”

“After the lectures, they had to complete assignments. The Heavenly Dome Holy Land and a few other holy lands formed a group and built this secret domain, restricting entry to cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage and below.

“Meanwhile, they would disguise themselves as Qi Training cultivators and enter the secret domain as well. However, once they were inside, they didn’t use their own power. Instead, they borrowed the secret domain’s power to pass the trials.”

“So what was this secret domain originally called?” Lu Yang asked.

“Assignment One.”

~~~

“As expected, I got separated from them.” Xinding found himself alone deep in the dense forest of the Crimson Heaven Ancient Domain, unable to even discern the directions.

“According to Junior Brother Xinchen, the entry points are random. With luck, a few acquaintances may be teleported to the same location. It seems I don’t have such luck.

“The Crimson Heaven Ancient Domain is divided into an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer only has ordinary fortuitous opportunities, while the inner layer offers better chances for encountering special fortuitous opportunities, but it’s also more dangerous.

“There are two ways to leave: automatically after three days or voluntarily after obtaining a fortuitous opportunity... Who’s there?!”

Sensing something, Xinding spun around and hollered. After cultivating Lion Roar, his voice carried an inherent intimidating power.

“Little monk, your perception is quite sharp. You’ve specially trained your spiritual consciousness, haven’t you?”

The shrubs rustled, and a girl in white robes appeared. She was like an orchid in a secluded valley, utterly incongruous with her surroundings.

Yu Youlan looked at Xinding with a knowing smile. What a coincidence.

“So it’s Benefactress Yu of the Heavenly Dome Holy Land.” Xinding pressed his palms together, relieved. I’ve heard that this holy maiden is idiosyncratic and mischievous but means no harm. She’s someone I can get along with.

Yu Youlan quietly observed Xinding’s reaction upon seeing her. His gaze is clear, without a trace of improper thoughts when he looks at me. This is truly rare.

“Alright, little monk, I have matters to attend to. Take care of yourself.”

Yu Youlan hadn’t forgotten her mission. She had come to the ancient domain fully prepared, with a thirty percent chance of entering the inner layer and finding the other half of her holy land’s legacy.

“Excellent.”

Yu Youlan smiled sweetly at Xinding and went on her way.

She ran through the forest for a while. She couldn’t help but feel that someone was following her. Halting in her tracks, she hid in a tree canopy and warily watched for whoever came.

Before long, Xinding passed by.

“Little monk, are you following me?” Yu Youlan was surprised. I thought this little monk was an upright gentleman. How could he be tailing me?

“Benefactress, you misunderstand. I am simply heading to the inner layer, and it happens that our paths coincide.”

“Our paths coincide?” Yu Youlan looked at Xinding skeptically, not believing him. Our holy land had only figured out the shortest and safest route from the outer layer to the inner layer during the last visit. Xitian Temple hasn’t put effort into this. How could they have also worked it out?

“You go first, then.”

Xinding didn’t stand on ceremony. He walked ahead on his own, with Yu Youlan following behind.

It’s really the same path I intended to take?!

After following along for a while, Yu Youlan believed Xinding.

“Little monk, how did you know to take this path?”

“Buddha says: it cannot be spoken.” Xinding dared not reveal anything about the Tofu Heavenly Sovereign. This involves great karma and the potential destruction of Xitian Temple.

“Come on, tell me.” Yu Youlan’s voice was like honey. Cultivators with weak willpower would easily become completely obedient to her.

“It cannot be spoken.”

“What an interesting little monk.” Yu Youlan’s interest was piqued. She was increasingly convinced that Xinding was no simple figure.

She had been born with a silver spoon and designated as the holy maiden by their old ancestor. No one could match her in talent and background. She had never failed to obtain anything she wanted.

I’d like to see what other abilities you have, little monk!

The route they took was the same, allowing them to chat and laugh as they walked.

Yu Youlan did most of the chatting and laughing; Xinding rarely responded.

The more Yu Youlan interacted with Xinding, the more she felt his disposition was extraordinary. No matter how she probed, he remained silent about how he was aware of the correct route.

“Youlan, I didn’t expect you to be here too.”

While the two were conversing, they saw a group emerge from the woods. The leader was handsome, with an imposing aura. The only flaw was the slightly tattered hem of his clothing, which suggested he had just experienced a tough battle.

The outer layer was not entirely peaceful. There were demon beasts and ghosts causing trouble. Xinding and Yu Youlan hadn’t come across any because they were taking the safest route.

Xinding recognized the leader. It’s Gao Tianxiu, the Holy Son of the Tuoluo Holy Land. Those behind him should be his followers.

“Greetings, Benefactor Gao.”

Gao Tianxiu frowned slightly. He hadn’t expected Yu Youlan to travel with a companion. Although she appeared amiable to others, anyone who actually interacted with her would realize that she maintained an aloof attitude, keeping everyone at a distance. No one could truly get close to her.

This unfamiliar little monk has ordinary looks and unremarkable cultivation. Why is he so close to Yu Youlan?

“Does anyone know this little monk?” he asked one of his followers.

“Holy Son, this monk is likely Xinding from Xitian Temple. I heard he was a menial monk who managed to get into the Martial Vihara by luck.”

“So he’s just a menial monk.” Gao Tianxiu sneered. I thought he had some impressive background.

“Gao Tianxiu, I’ve told you many times. We’re not that close. Stop calling me by my name!” Yu Youlan was annoyed. Gao Tianxiu is like a piece of dogskin plaster, impossible to shake off.

“Youlan, I’m just worried about you. This ancient domain is dangerous. We’ve run into several groups of demon beasts and ghosts. You’re all alone; it would be terrible if you get tricked by someone and encounter danger.”

As he spoke, Gao Tianxiu’s gaze drifted meaningfully toward Xinding. The implication in his words was obvious.

“I appreciate your concern, Holy Son Gao, but my affairs are none of your business!”

“It seems Benefactor Gao has some misunderstanding about me.”

“Little monk, quickly get lost. There’s no place for you here!”

“Benefactor Gao, I’m afraid that would be an unreasonable request.”

“It seems you plan to refuse a toast and drink a forfeit, insisting on doing things the hard way.”

Gao Tianxiu grinned nastily, unleashing the aura of the Great Perfection Qi Training Stage. His followers followed suit, all at the Level Eight or Level Nine Qi Training stages. Every one of them had higher cultivation than Xinding.

“What are you trying to do?!” Yu Youlan shouted in anger, stepping protectively in front of Xinding. Even I can’t handle this many people if they all charge at once.

“Youlan, this is a battle between men. Don’t interfere!”

Gao Tianxiu was confident of victory. He closed in on Xinding step by step. With at least a dozen Qi Training cultivators here, no matter what great abilities Xinding possesses, he can forget about escaping!

“Benefactor Gao, I can neither accept the toast nor drink the forfeit.”

“Good lad, you’ve got spine. Attack together!”

Seeing no way to avoid the siege, Xinding pressed his palms together and sighed. Spirit qi surged, distorting the surrounding space. The trees seemed to come alive. Roots burst forth, and branches grew wildly like dancing devils, tangling up Gao Tianxiu and his followers.

“What sorcery is this?!” The group was shocked. How could trees change like this? Since the discovery of the Crimson Heaven Ancient Domain, no one has ever heard of such a thing!

Their cultivation levels and numbers were insignificant before the awakened ancient trees.

Xinding held one hand before his chest and gently pressed the other downward. Space obeyed his command, and an invisible hand descended. Gao Tianxiu and his followers, who were bound by the trees, dropped to the ground with a thud.

Xinding walked toward Gao Tianxiu with the same calm, unhurried demeanor.

Gao Tianxiu struggled to lift his head, his eyes full of overwhelming fear. The light fell upon Xinding’s head, obscuring his features, making him look like a god and a devil.

“Benefactor Gao, I am a monk. I cannot drink alcohol.

“Benefactress Yu, let us continue walking.”

“Ah, oh.” Yu Youlan snapped back to reality. She, too, had never expected such a turn of events.

Xinding’s display just now—he looked just like the master of the ancient domain!

~~~

Inside the Qingfeng Sword’s small world, the Tofu Heavenly Sovereign was both pleased and troubled.

What pleased him was Xinding’s performance.

“The problem is, why didn’t I encounter such opportunities when I went to ancient domains before?”