The Mountain Lord's Daughter

"Have any of you heard of the Son of the Evil Spirit?"

At dusk, most of the spirit cultivators were in low spirits, no longer filled with the anticipation and joy they had during the morning.

Senior Sister Duan wore a gloomy expression: "Why did it have to be a Sword Cultivator who was sent to track the evil spirit?"

After saying that, she cast a disdainful glance at the spirit cultivator outside and then curiously asked Zhan Yunwei: "Junior Sister Zhan, what kind of cultivator do you like?"

Cultivators in the Spirit Realm were generally divided into seven categories: Sword Cultivators, Knife Cultivators, Alchemy Cultivators, Talisman Cultivators, Formation Cultivators, Medical Cultivators, and Weapon Cultivators.

Strangely enough, every year, the Zhiqiu Pavilion would survey spirit cultivators to understand their preferences for their Dao partners, and it was found that over seventy percent of the spirit cultivators favored Sword Cultivators as their partners. This year, the survey results were even more outrageous, with eighty percent of the spirit cultivators wishing to marry a Sword Cultivator.

Zhan Yunwei shook her head and replied, "I haven't thought about it."

"That's true, you're still young," Senior Sister Duan smiled. "But make sure you don't like Knife Cultivators or Weapon Cultivators."

Zhan Yunwei asked, "Why?"

"Think about it," Senior Sister Duan explained, "Why does everyone like Sword Cultivators? It's because they are generally the most handsome. Sword Immortals are elegant and outstanding, and they are often very loyal to their Dao partners. Not to mention, their clothes are always the most pleasing to the eye."

Zhan Yunwei recalled the robes of the various sects and nodded in agreement.

Yue Zhiheng glanced at Zhan Yunwei for a moment.

Encouraged, Senior Sister Duan continued to educate her junior: "Other cultivators are fine too, each with their own strengths. But Knife Cultivators are rough; the blade is heavy, so the cultivators themselves don't look that good. Take the knife-wielding senior brother outside, his arms are so thick, they almost match… well, they almost match your waist."

Zhan Yunwei couldn't help but glance down.

Yue Zhiheng glanced over as well but fell silent for a moment.

"As for Weapon Cultivators, they are even more boring. They spend their time by the furnace, but an Alchemy Cultivator can refine a batch of pills in three to five days, whereas a Weapon Cultivator needs at least half a month, and sometimes up to three or four months. After marriage, if your Dao partner is a Weapon Cultivator who stays by the furnace all day, can you even stand it?"

Senior Sister Duan thought for a moment, then covered her lips and added, "Also, you know, most Weapon Cultivators do everything themselves, especially when forging magical tools. The process of tempering the artifacts is no different from blacksmithing. Their strength… Last time, I was stopped by a Weapon Cultivator who grabbed my arm, and I almost dislocated it. I'm a spirit cultivator, not a tough iron skin like those who can withstand endless forging!"

Zhan Yunwei pondered thoughtfully.

Yue Zhiheng leaned against the carriage wall, his expression indifferent as he stopped listening to the girls' chatter. He stared up at the darkening sky, his eyes deep in thought. The resentful spirit energy that formed the mirage seemed like a net, slowly stirring as night approached.

The mirage was most dangerous at night. If they could hold out until dawn, Zhan Yunwei's mirage would gradually collapse. The vengeful spirits would surely act tonight.

The world in his eyes, filled with malicious spirits, appeared to the girls as just an ordinary spring night.

A sudden cheer rang out: "The Sword Cultivator senior brothers are back!"

Everyone eagerly awaited the Sword Cultivators' arrival to greet them. Though they were all in the same academy, the study of spirit cultivation and the cultivation of spirit masters were vastly different, and they lived far apart.

Even Senior Sister Duan couldn't help but sigh in uncertainty: "They prefer to keep themselves clean and avoid trouble. It's their strength, but also their flaw."

Zhan Yunwei couldn't help but laugh softly.

That's true. To the Sword Cultivators, the delicate and precious spirit cultivators were indeed a bit of a hassle.

Rather than worrying about whether the senior brothers would come over to greet them, she looked at A Heng beside her and asked, "Where are we staying tonight?"

Both she and A Heng were in desperate need of a bath.

Senior Brother Penglai pondered for a moment before speaking: "The Master of Qiyang Mountain is still out investigating the source of the evil energy and has not returned. It would not be appropriate to visit him before he comes back. A few days ago, I received an invitation from the Lord of Qiyang County to stay at his mansion."

A junior brother scratched his head: "Who will inform them?"

Senior Brother Penglai raised an eyebrow and glanced at Pei Yujing, who was polishing his sword. He smiled and said, "Pei Junior Brother, why don't you go?"

Pei Yujing, focused on his sword, replied coldly, "I'm busy. Not going."

Senior Brother Penglai couldn't help but laugh. Pei Yujing was a natural swordsman, extraordinarily handsome, yet his cold temperament seemed to attract more attention from the girls.

Two years ago, Pei Yujing had been ordered to entertain some spirit cultivator girls who came to visit Penglai. However, the young swordsman who single-handedly entered the evil spirit lair to slay demons ended up being overwhelmed by the girls' attention. His patience was tested to the breaking point, and eventually, he had to draw his sword against them.

Of course, Pei Yujing was later reprimanded by the Master of Penglai.

After the reprimand, the Master sighed helplessly: "Although you practice the Heartless Sword, don't be too heartless, Yujing. Even I can't stop other mountain masters from coming to seek justice for their daughters… Can't you at least pretend, huh?"

Senior Brother Penglai still vividly remembered that time when his young disciple stood under the Bodhi tree, furrowing his brows and saying, "I can't get along with spirit cultivators."

While everyone else coveted spirit cultivators, their eccentric junior disciple in Penglai was quite different. As the Ling Mountain fell into decline, everyone knew deep down that Penglai needed the young master to form a marriage alliance. To be safe, it would be best if he could father a successor with the Sword Bone inheritance.

No emotions allowed, yet the heir must be produced.

Whether for Pei Yujing or for his future Dao partner, it was an unfair matter. Hence, the elders of Penglai felt deeply guilty towards Pei Yujing.

The eldest senior brother sighed inwardly. He did not mean to tease, nor was he deliberately trying to make the younger brother smile. He simply hoped the disciple could be happy and let his joy shine.

"Xue Chao, you and your group go," the eldest senior brother said.

Xue Chao and the others hadn't expected such a good fortune to fall on them. Since Pei Yujing didn't want to go, they were more than happy to step in!

Xue Chao, rarely shy, adjusted the sword at his back, trying to appear dignified.

The senior brothers teased him: "What's this, Xue Chao? Do you have a girl you're eager to meet?"

Xue Chao replied, "My father told me that a few years ago, he and the Lord of Changya Mountain exorcised some evil spirits. The Lord's family has a lovely young daughter, a junior sister who is exceptionally talented. My father wants me to do well at the academy. If I'm fortunate enough to win her favor, in a few years, he'll go to propose for me. I heard that this junior sister is also here today."

The high praise of "the most outstanding he has ever seen" made the sword cultivators curious. After all, they were still young, filled with a longing for love, like any ordinary people, not the immortal sword cultivators of legend.

The eldest senior brother noticed that when Pei Yujing heard this, his hand stopped wiping the sword. He then looked up.

"Senior brother," Pei Yujing suddenly looked at him and said, "I'm done wiping it."

The eldest senior brother didn't immediately understand. "Oh, and so?"

"I'm ready to go, it's no rush," Pei Yujing replied.

"..." The eldest senior brother recalled how Pei Yujing usually avoided eye contact when leaving and how he didn't like sweets. Yet this time, he had lingered in front of a chestnut cake for a long time, finally taking out a spirit stone to buy a pack. The eldest senior brother's expression was complicated.

As the dusk descended on Qiyang City, the young girls couldn't help but gasp with excitement!

Who could have imagined that not only had several sword cultivators come, but the one they most wanted to see—Pei Yujing—was also here! It was definitely worth coming!

Senior Sister Duan excitedly grabbed Zhan Yunwei's hand: "Ah, what should I say to Senior Brother Pei later? Does he only like sword techniques? Would it be too forward if I ask him about swordsmanship?"

It's more than just forward, Zhan Yunwei thought. Senior Brother Pei might think you're crazy.

Why is it that spirit masters never discuss their techniques with other cultivators?

The so-called "the way has its order, and each craft its specialization." Zhan Yunwei didn't think spirit masters were weaker than sword cultivators. It's just that from the start, the world placed restrictions on spirit masters in terms of training. They were confined within gilded cages, forced to practice gentle, non-combative techniques.

But in reality, the most powerful art of spirit control existed. It was said that when mastered, it could not only dispel evil spirits, but also command all spiritual cultivators. Unfortunately, spirit control had already been classified as a forbidden technique.

Zhan Yunwei was also curious why Senior Brother Pei was here. Was he here to inform them of where they would stay tonight? She and Senior Sister Duan leaned by the carriage window, watching the scenery. The night had yet to fully fall in Qiyang County, but the moon had already risen.

Zhan Yunwei saw the young man under the cool moonlight, politely nodding in response to the questions from the senior sisters. Then, as if sensing something, he looked up and met her gaze through the window.

At this time, Zhan Yunwei was still young, with soft peach-colored cheeks and almond eyes. She wasn't as beautiful as she would later become, but there was an innocent charm about her.

She saw a faint smile appear in Pei Yujing's eyes. He lowered his head and whispered something to Senior Sister Duan, then walked towards her.

Sword immortals always seemed to be so open and upright.

The surrounding gazes fell on Zhan Yunwei, and even though she was still innocent when it came to matters of love, she vaguely sensed something and felt a warmth rise in her cheeks.

Finally, Pei Yujing stopped in front of her.

"Junior Sister Zhan," he walked closer, then slightly averted his gaze and said, "I have something for you."

She looked at him, feeling a bit awkward, and instinctively asked, "What is it?"

Pei Yujing handed her a package, his eyes full of smiles. "It's a token of gratitude for saving my life."

"Oh." Zhan Yunwei's face grew even warmer. She knew that if she didn't accept it, it would make him uncomfortable, so she reluctantly reached out and took it.

Pei Yujing couldn't stay too long and left with his juniors.

Zhan Yunwei noticed that the package in her hand was soft, with a faint sweet fragrance. The warmth of spirit energy still lingered on it. She opened it to find a packet of chestnut cakes.

She couldn't help but recall when Pei Yujing had asked her, when she first arrived at the academy, if there was anything she lacked. Feeling tired, she had sleepily and truthfully replied, "There's nothing I lack, but I really want to eat the chestnut cakes made by Elder Xia from Changya Mountain."

The chestnut cakes in her hand were still protected by spirit energy, maintaining the freshly made shape.

A sense of surprise and delight filled her heart as she picked up a piece, only to sense a gaze on her.

Zhan Yunwei suddenly remembered that Ah Heng was in the corner, staring at her with dark eyes, silent.

Zhan Yunwei: "Do you want to eat too?"

Yue Zhiheng withdrew his gaze from her soft pink cheek, his tone colder than before. "I don't want any."

The Mirage Realm doesn't lie.

He lowered his gaze, gripping his right wrist with his left hand, calmly and coldly pressing on the lotus seal.

The memory, as it was, the Mirage Realm presents it exactly as it happened. Except for him, the outsider, she and Pei Yujing had been like this once upon a time.

Before the night fell completely, the group arrived at the Lord's Mansion.

The Lord of the city was a slightly overweight middle-aged man, with a simple and honest appearance. He was very warm and friendly towards the spirit masters and cultivators.

As soon as Zhan Yunwei stepped into the mansion, she felt that something was off. She used her senses and realized that the spiritual energy in the Lord's mansion was tens of times denser than that outside!

Yue Zhiheng raised his eyes and glanced towards the back mountain of the mansion, his expression cold and gloomy, with a sneer in his heart.

Senior Sister Duan couldn't keep her curiosity and asked in confusion, "Lord, why is the spiritual energy in your mansion so pure and dense?"

The Lord smiled and said, "This young lady is truly perceptive. There is indeed something special in my mansion. I have arranged a Spirit Gathering Formation on the back mountain. If you ladies are interested, why not come and take a look?"

A Spirit Gathering Formation?

Everyone was quite curious. Even a Heavenly-grade Spirit Gathering Formation could at most gather the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, making it a little denser than other places. How could it have such a significant effect?

"Because there's a rare treasure, sealed in the formation."

The Lord did not hide it and had his servants light the way, leading everyone to the back mountain.

Pei Yujing frowned and said, "Lord, if this is a secret technique passed down through generations in your family, would it be troubling for us to take a look?"

The Lord laughed heartily, "What secret technique? It's just a coincidental discovery of an interesting object. Someone told me that if I press this object in the formation, it not only absorbs the evil energy from heaven and earth but also converts spiritual power. At first, I didn't believe it, but later I found that it really works."

He had his own thoughts: "However, that thing is dying. I don't know when the next chance to obtain it will come. You are all young heroes, so if you happen to find this object in the future, could you please not rush to deal with it and sell it to me?"

Zhan Yunwei didn't expect so many contradictory words to appear in reference to the same object.

It was clearly called a "thing," but why was it said to be "dying"?

It wasn't until the light of a Night Pearl illuminated the back mountain and the moonlight turned cold as water that Zhan Yunwei looked over, her heart sinking.

It was an object whose form she couldn't quite make out.

"It," or perhaps "he," only had a head that barely kept a human shape. With a fish tail, beastly horns, giant wings, tusks, and a cow's abdomen, it was like a patchwork monster curled up in the formation, with a mountain-sealing stamp pressing down on it.

It gasped for air, its eyes dull and unfocused, making it appear even more terrifying.

Yue Zhiheng's brows were dark and harsh, the lotus pattern on his wrist almost unable to suppress his emotions.

The hand holding the child was cold, and Zhan Yunwei realized she was still carrying a small child. However, along the way, Ah Heng had remained silent, mature, and didn't seem to be scared.

She covered Ah Heng's eyes. "It's fine, don't be afraid."

Yue Zhiheng's eyes were covered by her hand, and under the cold moonlight, only the hand on his eyes still carried a soft warmth.

He remained silent, slowly calming the lotus pattern on his wrist.

A young spirit master covered his mouth, unsure whether out of fear or disgust, and couldn't help but step back: "W-What is this?"

The Lord's tone was meaningful: "Have you all ever heard of the 'Child of Evil Spirits'?"

This was the bloodline most tainted, the most hideous in appearance, but paradoxically, it was also the most useful kind of existence.