384: Chapter 385 Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range

Ten days later, Longmai Mountain.

The autumn chill deepened, and the maple leaves in the mountains were like fire, layered and overlapping to cover both sides of the mountain path.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, veiling the peaks like a thin layer of gauze, making the entire Longmai Mountain appear like a fairyland.

On this morning, a woman dressed in plain white robes walked slowly along the mountain path.

Her features were peerlessly elegant, her brows and eyes were like a painting, her skin was as fair as snow, and her aura was cold and otherworldly, as if she were a Fairy who did not consume the worldly fare of mortals.

However, she kept her head slightly lowered at this moment, her aura perfectly restrained, making her appear like an ordinary Foundation Establishment female cultivator, not at all eye-catching.

Upon seeing the token in her hand engraved with the character "Ye", the guarding Disciple hurriedly bowed and led her through layers of courtyards, bypassing several corridors, until they reached a towering palace deep within Longmai Mountain.

A plaque hung above the palace gate, inscribed with three ancient seal script characters—Changge Hall.

The woman in plain clothes stood still in front of the hall, raised her eyes to look at the plaque, and a trace of imperceptible softness flashed in her eyes.

She nodded slightly and pushed the door open to enter.

The interior of the hall was extremely spacious, though the furnishings were not luxurious. In the main hall sat a few pear wood chairs, several landscape paintings hung on the walls, and a few emerald-green spiritual plants were placed in the corners, adding a touch of Life Qi to the empty hall.

Ye Changge was sitting on a chair in the main hall, holding a cup of hot tea, with Xiao Caiyue sitting beside him; the two were whispering and discussing something.

Seeing Xia Qingyue enter, Ye Changge stood up and smiled: "Qingyue, you have had a hard journey."

Xia Qingyue looked at him, the coldness in her eyes slightly melting, and a very faint smile appeared on her lips: "Fellow Daoist Ye, I am troubling you."

Ye Changge smiled and shook his head: "Between you and me, why be so polite."

He led her towards the back of the hall, "This Changge Hall was specially renovated by my orders; the space is quite spacious, and the quiet rooms on the left and right are all equipped with Gathering Spirit Formations, so you may stay here. Few people come here on ordinary days, only Caiyue occasionally comes to discuss matters with me, so no one will disturb you."

Xia Qingyue followed him through the corridor to a quiet courtyard. Several green bamboos were planted in the courtyard, and as the wind passed, the bamboo leaves rustled, appearing quiet and elegant.

"This place is indeed quiet." Xia Qingyue looked around and nodded slightly.

Xiao Caiyue had also followed, and she looked at the woman before her, who was as cold as the moon and possessed an extraordinary temperament, unable to help but secretly admire her in her heart.

She had long learned of Xia Qingyue's identity from Ye Changge—a True Disciple of the Lingxiao Sect, possessing a Grade Four Ice Spiritual Root and a Taiyin Spiritual Body. Such outstanding talent and appearance were truly rare in the Cultivation World.

She stepped forward gracefully, bowed slightly, and said softly: "Fairy Xia, you have come from afar, you have had a hard journey. I am Xiao Caiyue, and I can be considered a part of the Ye family now. If you have any needs, just give your orders."

Xia Qingyue looked at Xiao Caiyue, her gaze lingering on her for a moment.

This woman in blue had a gentle and dignified temperament, and her manners were appropriate and generous. Although she had the appearance of having a hidden ailment, she possessed a steady and restrained bearing. She nodded slightly, her voice carrying a touch of softness amidst the coldness: "Sister Xiao, you are too polite."

Seeing this, Ye Changge secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The two women were meeting for the first time, yet the atmosphere was quite harmonious, without the awkwardness or undercurrents he had worried about.

He led the two to sit by the stone table in the courtyard, and Xia Qingyue did not engage in much small talk, directly taking out a fist-sized, completely crimson furnace from her Storage Pouch.

The furnace was small and exquisite, its surface covered in dense runes, with faint firelight circulating within, emitting a warm aura.

"This is a Second-Rank Earth Fire Furnace, named the 'Crimson Flame Furnace'. You previously said you wanted to refine that batch of Medicinal Pills, but it was put on hold due to the lack of a suitable Earth Fire Furnace. Although this furnace is not top-tier, it is more than sufficient for Second-Rank Medicinal Pills." Xia Qingyue handed the Crimson Flame Furnace to him, "Once your Earth Vein is properly nurtured, you can begin refining."

Ye Changge reached out and took it; it felt warm and smooth, with spiritual light circulating, and he could not help but feel happy.

He had indeed put his plan to refine those few special Medicinal Pills on hold due to the lack of a good furnace. With this Crimson Flame Furnace, he could begin in the future.

"Qingyue, you are very thoughtful." He carefully put the furnace away, his gaze toward her carrying a touch of solemnity.

Xia Qingyue took out another Storage Pouch and handed it over: "Here are some Puppet Materials—Third-Rank Yao Beast bones, Puppet cores, and Profound Iron Essence Gold are all inside. There are also the spiritual fruits and medicinal ingredients needed for several jars of spiritual wine, all purchased according to what you described in your letter."

Ye Changge took the Storage Pouch, probed with his Divine Sense, and indeed, various Materials were neatly arranged inside. They were of superior quality, clearly showing that a lot of effort had been put into it.

He pondered for a moment and said: "Neither of these is urgent. Regarding the spiritual wine, for First-Rank spiritual wine, only a regular brewing room is needed. In a few days, I will have the clan's Disciples clear one out, and we will try brewing some First-Rank wine first. But Second-Rank spiritual wine is much more troublesome—different stages require different conditions in the brewing room; temperature control, humidity, and the concentration of Spiritual Qi must all be precisely controlled. The process is complicated and cannot be rushed for the time being."

Xia Qingyue nodded slightly, indicating her understanding.

Ye Changge continued: "As for the Puppets..." He sighed, "Shiqing has a Puppet that was damaged by a Corpse Puppet; I originally wanted to repair it, but I haven't been able to find the time. The Materials you brought can make about three new ones. However, the production process for Puppets is complicated; each one requires grinding the core, inscribing Formation patterns, and adjusting the joints from scratch. To make three will likely take several months. This matter also cannot be rushed; it must be done slowly."

Xia Qingyue said: "No rush. I intend to stay for a while this time."

Ye Changge nodded and chatted with her for a few more sentences, telling her that if she had any needs, she could go directly to the main hall to find him, but he was busy with matters on ordinary days and sometimes wouldn't return to Changge Hall for an entire day, so she shouldn't feel constrained.

Xia Qingyue just listened quietly, occasionally responding, not saying much.

In the afternoon, sunlight spilled into the hall through the window lattice, and Ye Changge stood up and said: "Qingyue, you rest first; I am going to handle some clan matters. I will come to see you later."

Xia Qingyue gave a soft "Mn" and watched him leave. Xiao Caiyue also stood up to take her leave, saying softly: "Fairy Xia, please rest well; I will take my leave now."

Once the palace gate closed, Xia Qingyue stood alone in the courtyard where the bamboo shadows swayed, looking at the two figures leaving side by side, her gaze flickering slightly.

A moment later, she withdrew her gaze, turned, and walked into the quiet room, sat cross-legged on the prayer mat, and closed her eyes to regulate her breathing.

Although Changge Hall was empty, the Gathering Spirit Formation was operating well, and the Spiritual Qi was rich. After her long journey, she did indeed need to rest and recover properly.

Meanwhile, deep in the Wanshou Mountain Range, in a hidden valley basin, it was a completely different scene.

Black mist swirled in the valley, so thick it could not be dispersed, shrouding everything around like a physical substance.