Chapter 108

Chi Xiao stood atop Luoxian Mountain, taking in its breathtaking beauty. Divine beasts and celestial birds soared through the skies, and the sight alone lifted the heavy gloom that had been clouding her mind.

“Woof woof woof—!”

A big yellow dog came bounding over, tongue out, tail wagging. This dumb mutt, Jiu Tong, clearly wasn’t shy around strangers. It rubbed its massive head against Chi Xiao’s leg with goofy affection. That dopey grin on its face actually made her smile for once.

She crouched to stroke Jiu Tong’s head, but her eyes suddenly widened. Her spiritual sense told her this was no ordinary dog—this mutt had undergone seven rounds of spiritual tempering.

Impossible.

For spirit beasts, each round of tempering was more difficult than for humans. And yet this scruffy dog had managed seven? That meant someone incredibly powerful lived here.

Chi Xiao’s confidence surged. Anyone who resided in such a mystical place had to be a hidden expert. Then she remembered—hadn’t she once stood outside, shouting for someone named "Woshi Zhu" to come out and fight?

Could that disciple have belonged to this mysterious expert?

If that’s the case… would the expert hold a grudge? Would she be punished?

Normally, Chi Xiao was the act-now-think-later type. But today, she found herself carefully planning what to say in case she was questioned or “taught a lesson.”

As her thoughts churned, a familiar voice cut through her musings.

“Chi Xiao! You’re here!” Shen Xian’er came skipping out from a small house and threw her arms around Chi Xiao. “Did you miss me? You must’ve come to see me!”

Chi Xiao was startled. “Xian’er? Why are you here? Isn’t your place up on Sanxian Mountain?”

Xian’er’s eyes darted in panic. She covered her mouth, clearly flustered.

Oh no, I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone I live here now! If senior brother finds out, he’ll cut my food rations!

Trying to steer the conversation away, Chi Xiao asked casually, “Do you know a disciple named Woshi Zhu?”

Xian’er frowned, then shook her head. “Nope. Is that a type of pork? If it is, senior brother’s braised pork with noodles is amazing!”

Chi Xiao narrowed her eyes. “Senior brother?”

She caught that slip instantly.

Panicking again, Xian’er covered her mouth. “Oh no! I said too much again! Lying is really hard!”

Before the awkwardness could escalate, another voice chimed in.

“Chi Xiao, long time no see,” came Han Luo’s voice, calm and timely.

Hearing him, Xian’er instantly relaxed, her eyes sparkling. Her hero had arrived at just the right moment, as always.

Chi Xiao scanned him. Somehow, she didn’t sense the same energy as the mysterious “Woshi Zhu.” Had her master misled her?

“Who are you?” she asked bluntly.

“Han Luo, disciple of Wudao under Wudao Peak. I’m Xian’er’s senior brother.”

“You’re her senior brother? Why have I never heard of you?”

Han Luo shrugged. “There’s a lot you don’t know.”

He didn’t bother engaging her provocations and got straight to the point. “Red Matchmaker already told me everything. Are you sure about this? Do you still want to attempt your eighth spiritual tempering?”

“I’ve made up my mind,” she said without hesitation.

“Then let me remind you—there’s a risk. Failure might just turn you into a normal person. At worst, it could kill you.”

Han Luo had a 99% chance of helping her succeed—but that 1% still made him uneasy. Normally, he wouldn't take such risks. But perhaps he owed her this much… for stealing her ancient jade technique.

“If I succeed, I’ll owe you anything. If I fail, I won’t blame you. The path to immortality is dangerous. If we don’t fight for it, how will we ever reach the peak?”

Seeing her resolve, Han Luo nodded. “Alright. Take some time to adjust. I’ll do the same. We’ll begin the tempering later tonight.”

While he went to prepare, Chi Xiao began calming herself.

Nearby, Xian’er munched on a tomato, watching curiously. “Chi Xiao, want one? My senior brother grew it himself.”

“I’m good—wait…” Chi Xiao took the tomato, sniffed it—and flames practically erupted from her eyes.

“This was grown by your senior brother? The one from earlier?”

“Yep!” Xian’er chirped. “He’s amazing! You should try his pork stew sometime—best food ever!”

“Ah. So it’s you,” Chi Xiao muttered darkly, realization dawning.

She had finally connected the dots.

When Han Luo returned, he was greeted not with thanks—but with an explosion of fury.

Chi Xiao’s blazing red flames erupted.

Before he could even dodge, she pounced and gave him a beating so fierce it left him bruised and staggering, face swollen beyond recognition.

Once the storm had passed and she stood panting, still drenched in sweat and radiating fighting spirit, his calm voice came from the mountaintop.

“If you’re done, can we start? I’m on a schedule.”

She turned. There he was—sitting calmly under a parasol tree, sipping tea, looking utterly unharmed.

“You tricked me!” she shouted.

“I’d never,” he replied dryly. “You were too tense. That anger in you needed to be released, or it would’ve ruined the tempering. Consider that little tantrum your warm-up.”

Chi Xiao was fuming, still glaring daggers at him.

Ignoring her, Han Luo turned to Xian’er. “Tonight, go stay with your godmother on Piaomiao Peak. Chi Xiao and I have something important to do—you’ll only get in the way.”

Xian’er giggled knowingly. “Hehe, I get it! You’re going to ‘cultivate’ together, right?”

“You really know too much,” Han Luo muttered.

“I learned from Sister Lan,” she whispered. “One time I followed her and Du Ming secretly, and they—”

“Tell me later,” he said quickly. “Now go.”

With a wave of his hand, he teleported Xian’er away before she could spill more awkward truths.

“Hmph! What do you even teach that girl?” Chi Xiao scowled, crossing her arms.

Han Luo rolled his eyes.

Oh please. Since the day she started visiting Piaomiao Peak, her ‘innocence’ has been long gone.

Still, he didn’t argue. The sooner he helped Chi Xiao temper her body, the sooner he could return to peace.

“Come with me,” he said, leading her through a winding underground passage.

Once she was good and lost, he guided her into a sealed chamber. The preparations were complete.

It was time to begin.