377: Confessed

Upon hearing this, Fang Yusheng's gentle smile did not diminish.

She herself was actually filled with confusion. Why would the Sect Master disregard old allies like the Ten Thousand Formations Sect and Qingxiao Sword Sect, and specifically designate the emerging Dao Seeking Sect for an alliance?

But since the Sect Master had given the order, as the head of the Medicine Hut, she could only comply. As for the deeper meaning behind it, she truly could not fathom.

"Peak Master Chen is not wrong!"

Fang Yusheng raised her eyes to meet Chen Xuan's gaze and said solemnly:

"Having such suspicions is only human nature. However, Peak Revered Master is being too modest."

"Just based on Peak Master Chen's ability to break through Great Love Immortal Venerable's Formation and arrive at this Ancient Platform for the meeting, plus that extraordinary and Miraculous Divine Beast, it is enough to see the foundation and potential of Dao Seeking Sect."

"To be frank, before coming to attend this meeting, I had not yet grasped the Sect Master's insight. But now, thinking about it, perhaps the Sect Master had long seen the extraordinary nature of your Sect, which is why she specifically sent me to propose the alliance."

"Providing help in times of need is always better than adding flowers to brocade."

"Although the Dao Seeking Sect where Peak Master Chen resides has not yet stirred earth-shattering waves on the Nine Provinces Continent, I firmly believe that, given time, when your Sect truly reveals its edge, Dao Seeking Sect will certainly have a place on the future landscape of the Nine Provinces Continent, and may even rise to become a top-tier power."

Fang Yusheng picked up the Spiritual Tea in front of her, her fingertips rubbing the rim of the cup: "If Peak Master Chen has reservations and is unwilling to form an alliance, my Medicine Hut will absolutely not force it. Even if the deal falls through, goodwill remains. At the very least, hitting it off with Peak Revered Master this time means we can be considered friends, and we can look out for each other in the future if needed."

After saying this, she took a small sip of the Spiritual Tea and said no more, quietly awaiting Chen Xuan's reply.

For a moment, the interior of the boat fell into silence, with only the faint sound of airflow brushing past the flying boat outside the window and the subtle fragrance of the Spiritual Tea wafting in the air.

Chen Xuan looked at the woman's composed demeanor before him, his heart growing increasingly puzzled.

"Miss Fang's sincerity, I am already aware of. However, forming an alliance to jointly explore the Secret Realm is a matter of great importance. I will report this truthfully to the Sect Master upon returning to the Sect, and after discussing it with the Sect's Elders and reaching a decision, I will give you a reply."

"That is only proper."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yusheng smiled radiantly, "Peak Master Chen need not rush. You can give me your final answer within a month."

"By the way, Peak Master Chen, there is a secret matter you should perhaps know about."

Chen Xuan raised an eyebrow, signaling her to continue.

"Regarding the matter of the Rain God Continent, when Peak Master Chen set up Formations that day on the Rain God Continent to resist the Yao Race, you inadvertently disrupted a major affair of the Yuling Valley."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan nodded slightly, his gaze scrutinizing the woman before him.

If he had refused the alliance invitation earlier, would the other party not have mentioned this matter?

"Thank you for the reminder, Miss Fang."

Chen Xuan clasped his hands in gratitude, "This favor, my Dao Seeking Sect will remember."

The flying boat continued to move steadily forward. Outside the window, the mountains gradually grew more majestic, and the mist became denser. Faintly visible deep within the mist ahead were rows of magnificent pavilions and jade towers, clearly indicating they had entered the core area of the Wansheng Dao Court.

Fang Yusheng stepped off the flying boat first and said to Chen Xuan and Qi Yue behind her, "Peak Master Chen, Miss Qi Yue, this way, please."

...Inside Dao Seeking Sect!

A slender figure stopped in front of Danyun Hall's door; it was Yun Xuanxuan.

She wore a snow-white ruqun dress, her hair tied up in a high bun. She raised her hand and gently knocked on the carved wooden door.

A moment later, the door creaked open a crack. Shu Shichan poked her head out, and upon seeing the person outside, a flicker of surprise first flashed in her eyes, followed instantly by a brilliant smile.

"Senior Sister? What a rare guest! I wonder what instructions Senior Sister has for me today? Have you encountered a Bottleneck in your cultivation and need me to refine some Medicinal Pills to assist with a Breakthrough?"

The young girl rubbed her hands together, opening the door with a fawning expression.

Yun Xuanxuan was gradually getting used to this Senior Sister of hers who insisted on calling herself 'Junior Sister.'

"This visit indeed requires troubling you, Senior... Junior Sister."

Seeing the other's expression shift from serious back to fawning, Yun Xuanxuan had no choice but to change her address.

"No trouble at all. Since we are fellow disciples, Senior Sister saying such things is a bit too formal."

"Come in and talk. The freshly brewed Mind-Calming Tea is still warm, perfect to moisten Senior Sister's throat."

Yun Xuanxuan nodded slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and stepped into the room.

But as soon as her foot crossed the threshold, before she could even see the room's furnishings clearly, a series of shrill screams and muffled sobs suddenly pierced her ears, forming a stark contrast to the elegant atmosphere outside.

"Please... let me go..." A weak, familiar voice choked with tears, intermittent and filled with despair.

"I... I've already confessed everything! I haven't hidden anything, what should be said and what shouldn't! How can you go back on your word..."

"Yue——"

"Water... I want water... Please, give me a sip of water..."

"Junior Sister, what is this?"

Yun Xuanxuan asked in confusion.

The smile on Shu Shichan's face remained unchanged, as if she were already accustomed to these sounds. She waved her hand, "Senior Sister need not bother with such trivial matters. Let's discuss the main business first."

Yun Xuanxuan hesitated for a moment but ultimately could not suppress her curiosity. Without stopping her steps, she walked straight toward the direction of the sounds. Seeing this, Shu Shichan did not stop her, only shook her head helplessly and followed closely behind.

The wooden door to the side room was not locked. Yun Xuanxuan pushed it gently, and with a creak, it opened.

The scene before her made her pause slightly. The room was not as gloomy and terrifying as imagined; instead, it was clean and tidy. However, the air was filled with an intensely pungent, bitter medicinal smell that made one want to retch.

Leng Yimei was slumped on a soft couch, her face as pale as paper, her brows tightly knitted together, with traces of brown medicinal liquid still at the corner of her mouth. Her eyes were red, looking thoroughly tormented.

Xie Xingyao was holding a bowl of bubbling medicinal soup, a small silver spoon in her hand. Seeing Leng Yimei struggling to avoid it, she patiently coaxed softly:

"Just one more sip and it'll be done. This is only the third bowl; there are still two more after this."

But Leng Yimei shook her head desperately as if seeing a flood or wild beast, tears welling in her eyes.

"When my Revered Master, Yu Chen Celestial Venerable, arrives, he won't let you off."

"Yue~"

As soon as she finished speaking, she couldn't hold back and vomited.

Xie Xingyao turned her head and saw Yun Xuanxuan and Shu Shichan entering through the door. She was momentarily stunned, then quickly put down the medicine bowl in her hands, stood up, and bowed in greeting: "Greetings to both Senior Sisters."

Leng Yimei caught a glimpse of Yun Xuanxuan from the corner of her eye, as if grabbing onto a lifeline.

"That person... I've already confessed. I've told you everything I know. Don't force me to drink... yue... drink that stuff anymore."

"What is this, Junior Sister?" Yun Xuanxuan asked.

Shu Shichan explained: "Senior Sister need not worry about the Medicinal Pills. They're just some fourth-grade elixirs, not a waste at all."