42: After Chapter 42, you should inform your master beforehand.

As for the storage pouches of the three Bandit Cultivators,

he didn't even bother looking closely, stuffing them directly into his robes.

Only then did he turn around to look at the purple-robed woman, who was still in a state of shock.

A smile appeared on his face as he cupped his hands in greeting.

"The manager of Hundred Herbs Pavilion? It was just a chance encounter and a minor effort, not worth mentioning."

"There might be a time when I need your help in the future, so there's no need for a reward."

After saying that, his figure blurred,

transforming into a streak of light as he leaped onto the eagle's back, giving a low shout:

"Xiao Jin, let's go."

"Screee!!!"

Xiao Jin let out a long cry and flapped its wings, turning into a golden line that pierced through the sky,

disappearing into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

The purple-robed woman stared blankly in the direction he had gone,

only letting out a soft sigh after a long while. She performed a formal bow,

and though he was already far away, she still whispered:

"This humble one is Xiao Yurou. I thank you, Fellow Daoist, for saving my life..."

After saying this, she didn't linger and flew towards the direction of the Immortal City.

...

Ye Changge sat cross-legged on Xiao Jin's back, his face somewhat pale.

"The techniques of this 'Yin Yang Creation Art' cause quite a stir..."

That move he just used, the 'Yin Yang One Qi Heavenly Stellar Grand Grabbing Hand',

appeared to suppress three Foundation Establishment Cultivators with ease, looking quite formidable,

but in reality, it had almost drained all the spiritual energy he had recently gained from reaching Foundation Establishment!

At this moment, his Qi Sea was completely empty,

and even maintaining flight was a struggle; he was relying entirely on Xiao Jin to carry him.

"Fortunately, I forged a perfect Dao Foundation with deep reserves,

otherwise, if it were an ordinary Foundation Establishment, I might have been sucked dry by that one move..."

Ye Changge felt a lingering fear. He quickly took out several Medicinal Pills to restore spiritual energy and swallowed them,

circulating the basic cycle of the Yin Yang Creation Art to slowly recover.

"I must use this move sparingly in the future... the commotion is too great, and it's easy to attract unwanted attention."

He focused his mind, adjusting his breathing while

signaling Xiao Jin to fly faster, moving away from the site of the battle.

Meanwhile, at the Lu Family of Qingmao Mountain.

At the place where the mountain Peak's Spiritual Veins converged, a water-blue figure sat quietly.

The woman was about twenty years old and extremely beautiful,

with a hint of natural charm in her eyes and a slender, graceful figure with moving curves.

Yet her temperament was gentle and dignified,

like a lady from a prestigious Family, making anyone who saw her feel a sense of goodwill.

With her clothes fluttering in the light mountain breeze, she looked like a Fairy from a painting.

She was none other than the top talent of this generation in the Lu Family, Lu Shiyin.

Her eyes were lightly closed, and the Spiritual Qi around her body flowed like a trickling stream.

Her aura was harmonious and peaceful, clearly having been adjusted to its Peak state,

as she was about to charge towards Foundation Establishment!

Not far away, Ancestor Lu, Lu Yun, watched with a nervous expression.

This old man, who had spent his whole life working for the Family,

was now placing all his hopes on this most outstanding junior.

Just then, the Lu Family head, Lu Yunshan, walked over quickly and reported in a low voice.

"Old Ancestor, a letter came from Shiqing... she says Changge is away and hasn't returned; it will probably take another month or two before he's back."

Hearing this, Lu Yun's brow furrowed even tighter as he sighed.

"Sigh... so he really won't make it in time."

Lu Yunshan couldn't help but say:

"Old Ancestor, should we... wait for Changge to return before letting Shiyin attempt Foundation Establishment? With him here, it would be safer..."

Lu Yun shook his head.

"How could I not want that? But while Shiyin was adjusting her state this time, she happened to trigger the 'Clear Dao Heart' state by chance.

This state is something that can be sought but not guaranteed. Attempting Foundation Establishment in this state increases the success rate by at least thirty percent!

If we miss it, who knows when such an Opportunity will come again..."

He paused, a look of decisiveness flashing in his eyes.

"Pass down the order to immediately activate the Mountain-Protecting Array! I will personally guard the formation core to act as a Protector for Shiyin!"

"Yes! Old Ancestor!"

Lu Yunshan solemnly took the command and hurried down to make arrangements.

...

Qingxuan Immortal City.

Xiao Yurou composed herself and steered her light towards the Immortal City.

Soon, the outline of the city walls came into view, and her heart finally truly relaxed.

Stepping through the city gates, she heard the discussions of many Cultivators.

"Did you hear that commotion outside the city just now? It only lasted a few breaths, but the power was terrifying!"

"More than just heard it, I heard a giant black and white hand descended from the heavens.

It was likely a Late Foundation Establishment Stage... no, a False Core Immortal Master fighting!"

"A False Core Immortal Master?! No wonder the Spiritual Qi fluctuations were so frightening..."

"Yeah, the pressure from that Grand Hand Print made my legs go weak even from that far away..."

Awe was written all over everyone's faces.

For these Loose Cultivators struggling at the bottom,

Foundation Establishment was already a lifelong pursuit, and a False Core Immortal Master was someone they could only look up to.

Beneath her veil, the corners of Xiao Yurou's lips pursed slightly.

She still felt a dreamlike sense of relief in her heart.

Not only had she escaped death,

but she had also encountered a male Cultivator with such unfathomable strength who didn't take advantage of her situation.

Female Cultivators in the Cultivation World were often influenced by what they saw and heard, and most had some admiration for the strong.

To have such methods, yet leave so nonchalantly...

How could it not cause a stir in one's heart?

She shook her head gently to suppress these stray thoughts,

and walked quickly back to her own shop, "Hundred Herbs Pavilion."

In the backyard of the shop, a young girl was resting her bare, fair little feet.

The soles of her feet were slightly tinged with a cute pink, curling up somewhat playfully.

She was leaning over a small wooden table, writing something.

She was deeply focused, with a sweet smile on her face,

not even noticing that someone had entered.

Xiao Yurou's expression softened as she called out softly:

"Xiao Zhi? What are you writing?"

"Ah!"

Xiao Zhi was startled and hurriedly covered the jade slip on the table with her hand.

Turning to see it was her Revered Master, her eyes immediately lit up, and she jumped up to throw herself into her arms:

"Revered Master! You're back! Xiao Zhi missed you so much!"

Xiao Yurou's heart softened, and she quickly sat down on her knees,

pulling this disciple, whom she had picked up when she was little

and treated like her own daughter, into her ample bosom,

gently stroking her hair.

"There, there, hasn't Revered Master returned now?"

After a moment of tenderness, Xiao Yurou asked again with a smile:

"You were writing so seriously just now, what was it?"

Xiao Zhi's face turned slightly red.

But facing her own Revered Master, she couldn't tell any lies.

She stammered it out.

Hearing this, Xiao Yurou was slightly stunned.

"Master Ye? He looks to be only in his twenties?"

Her first reaction was that her silly disciple had been tricked.

A twenty-something-year-old Second-Rank Alchemist?

How was that possible?

As an Alchemist herself, she knew how difficult this path was;

without decades of immersion,

one would struggle to even Revered Master first-rank pills, let alone second-rank ones.

But listening to Xiao Zhi's description of the young man's appearance, temperament, and the time of departure...

Xiao Yurou's heart suddenly stirred.

"Xiao Zhi, what is the cultivation level of this Master Ye you mentioned?"

"Um... he just reached Foundation Establishment!"

Xiao Zhi blinked.

"Just reached Foundation Establishment..."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Xiao Yurou's eyes.

The person who saved her possessed great divine abilities

and a calm, profound aura that was definitely not something a Cultivator who just reached Foundation Establishment could have.

It seemed it was just a coincidence.

She gently rubbed Xiao Zhi's head and said warmly.

"Alright, Revered Master won't stop you in this matter.

However, if there are any transactions in the future, remember to let Revered Master take a look for you first, so you don't get cheated."

Xiao Zhi nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling:

"Mhm! Revered Master is the best!"

Xiao Yurou smiled,

but in her heart, the green-robed figure who rode the golden eagle and suppressed three villains with a single palm still lingered.