Qing Xuanling's mind went blank. Her expression flickered with a whirlwind of emotions: confusion, shame, excitement…

  Madam Yechan laughed. "Why so slow to answer? You passed out like a log the moment you hit the bed! I even had to sleep on the sofa because you sprawled out like a starfish—arms and legs everywhere!"

  Madam Yechan's delicate hand gestured toward a comfortable-looking piece of furniture in the corner of the room.

  Qing Xuanling's face burned crimson this time.

  'What's wrong with me?! I made the room's owner sleep outside her own bed!'

  She lowered her head.

  "…Sorry."

  Madam Yechan's smile widened slightly. "I see you still have some decency~"

  Qing Xuanling lowered her head further, her ears glowing red.

  "Hehe—well, as long as you know what you did was wrong, it doesn't matter." Madam Yechan rose from the bed. "Go wash up and get rid of that alcohol stench. I'll make something light to eat—you must still have a hangover. After that… we'll discuss something important that concerns I quite a bit."

  Qing Xuanling watched Madam Yechan's retreating back as she left the room. Her translucent nightgown revealed the smooth expanse of her white back and the outline of black undergarments beneath…

  '…A demon! That woman is an absolute demon!'

  Qing Xuanling immediately averted her gaze, completely flustered. She entirely missed the mocking smirk playing on Madam Yechan's lips.

  She sighed, calming herself, and quickly headed to bathe. The alcohol odor clinging to her body was so strong she could barely stand it herself—surely unbearable for others. She used the bathroom attached to the room and emerged fifteen minutes later, dressed in fresh robes.

  She always carried a spare set in her spatial pouch since acquiring it.

  She left the third-floor room and descended to the second floor, where she found a spacious area combining dining room, kitchen, and living space. Madam Yechan waited at the dining table with two bowls of steaming soup.

  Qing Xuanling smiled and sat across from her. They ate in silence—no words exchanged, only the quiet consumption of soup.

  Ten minutes later, they finished. Qing Xuanling was about to ask what Madam Yechan wished to discuss—but the woman spoke first.

  "Ling'er—tell me truthfully: was the person you encountered in the Scarlet Forest who gave you a storage pouch truly Su Meiren?" Madam Yechan's face had shed all coquetry, leaving only a flat, emotionless expression. "Be honest, Ling'er. This concerns your safety as well."

  Qing Xuanling swallowed. She'd never seen Madam Yechan so serious.

  "I… I've always tried to be honest with you, Madam Yechan." Qing Xuanling recounted everything truthfully—she had no reason to conceal it anyway. "…The last thing that happened was running into her yesterday right outside your shop."

  "It was quite strange. She approached me and asked if I knew her. Since it seemed suspicious, I denied it. But she leaned close and whispered that it was good I wasn't your friend, Madam Yechan… I was going to mention it yesterday, but didn't want to ruin the mood."

  Madam Yechan's eyes narrowed with murderous intent—startling Qing Xuanling—but the chilling sensation vanished from her emerald eyes as quickly as it had appeared.

  'Was that my imagination?'

  Qing Xuanling regarded Madam Yechan with uncertainty.

  Madam Yechan noticed her gaze but dismissed it. "It's good you denied being my friend. Su Meiren… is an old acquaintance. But we don't get along. Who knows what she might have done had she known we share a close relationship."

  Qing Xuanling's eyes narrowed. "Is it that serious? From what I saw of Su Meiren—though she seemed suspicious—she shouldn't be someone who'd do drastic things… She even seemed calm and gentle."

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  "Hmph—demons always wear smiling, pleasant masks Ling'er. Remember that." Madam Yechan scoffed. "Calm and gentle? Her?Her act is convincing—but it's just a disguise. She's a brutal, merciless demoness who sacrifices others as casually as eating popcorn."

  Qing Xuanling's eyes trembled. It seemed the chill she'd felt upon encountering Su Meiren yesterday hadn't been without reason.

  But Madam Yechan's words sparked a new doubt in Qing Xuanling.

  "You… Who are you, Madam Yechan? You seem far too familiar with Su Meiren." Qing Xuanling's eyes brimmed with curiosity. "Your relationship with her doesn't sound like that of strangers who met by chance—it feels more like…"

  "Ling'er—don't ask more than you should." Madam Yechan cut off Qing Xuanling's speculation, her voice flat. "Believe me—there are things you don't want to know… and I don't want you to know. Perhaps someday I'll tell you everything—but for now… just avoid dwelling on it."

  Qing Xuanling opened her mouth to speak—but closed it again. Her expression was conflicted. She'd always sensed Madam Yechan wasn't an ordinary figure, and today's conversation confirmed it. Now, a new suspicion had taken root in her heart.

  'Could she be…? Sigh—well, it doesn't matter. That doesn't change the fact that she's been incredibly kind to me and is one of my closest friends. For now… let's stay out of this.'

  Madam Yechan sighed in relief seeing Qing Xuanling's expression relax. She'd feared that the little girl would feel a lot of rejection because of the things she had revealed about her true identity.

  With that settled, she moved to the matter she'd originally wanted to discuss.

  "Ling'er—I hadn't planned to tell you this so soon, especially given your low cultivation level. But judging by the turbulent waters stirred by the secret realm and the attention Su Meiren has placed on you, it wouldn't hurt to prepare you in advance…" Madam Yechan seemed slightly regretful.

  "You know about the secret realm too, Madam Yechan?" Qing Xuanling's eyes widened slightly. "It seems more significant than I imagined…"

  "Quite so—far more than you think." Madam Yechan sighed. "Actually, that secret realm was discovered a decade ago by the Celestial Orchid Sect. However, a year ago, a group of rogue cultivators accidentally made contact with it."

  "Somehow, that group escaped the Celestial Orchid Sect's pursuit and did what the sect feared most—spread the news."

  "Incredible—those people truly are brave…" Qing Xuanling's mouth fell open slightly. "I've heard that major sects employ mysterious, ruthless methods to silence people—especially regarding important secret realms. It's astonishing they accomplished so much."

  "Stunning my ass." Madam Yechan smirked dismissively. "The Celestial Orchid Sect is a hegemon in these lands—their methods remain precise and merciless. Those people escaped solely thanks to internal sabotage."

  Qing Xuanling's eyes widened in disbelief. "You mean…?!"

  "Yes—this entire situation must be the work of a highly capable spy." Madam Yechan nodded. "Thanks to that person, the Celestial Orchid Sect, the Crimson Mist Sect, and the Lan Clan now know of the secret realm—which, by estimates, may contain a fourth-tier legacy."

  This time, Qing Xuanling was truly stunned. She was speechless. *Fourth-tier legacy! Nascent Soul Realm!*

  "No wonder you say the waters were stirred! No one could remain calm with the possibility of obtaining a fourth-tier legacy!" Qing Xuanling shot up from her chair.

  Madam Yechan nodded—but her expression darkened. "You still don't grasp what a fourth-tier legacy means for these lands. For now, only the three hegemonic powers are moving—but when the time comes, hidden and formidable forces will emerge into the light…"

  "I'm telling you all this not to frighten you, but so you understand things are about to change. The world we live in won't remain the same much longer… Perhaps in a decade, maybe two—but change is inevitable."

  Qing Xuanling's brows furrowed deeply. Everything she was hearing was overwhelming for a mere sixteen-year-old cultivator barely at the third layer of Qi Refinement.

  She remained silent for a long while—too absorbed in thought to speak.

  Madam Yechan left her be. She hadn't planned to reveal such things to Qing Xuanling so early—in fact, she'd never intended to tell her at all. Qing Xuanling was merely a lowly Qi Refiner—a nobody in the grand scheme of things.

  Knowing this wouldn't benefit her.

  'Yet… I've drawn her into my affairs. I don't know if she'll be directly—or even indirectly—implicated. But at least, awareness of the situation might serve as motivation.'

  "Hah…" Qing Xuanling exhaled heavily. She offered a weak smile. "Madam Yechan—why tell me all this? Do you want me to grow stronger?"

  "Juju—don't overthink it, Ling'er. With your talent, you won't grow strong enough to impact the situation." Madam Yechan chuckled. "I'm only telling you to walk your current path with greater determination. Judging by the pill bottle you gave me, you possess remarkable alchemical talent."

  "If you continue like this, when things change, you might become a Foundation Establishment alchemist protected by several Golden Core cultivators. That is the path you should aspire to."

  Qing Xuanling nodded outwardly—but inwardly, she disagreed with Madam Yechan's assessment.

  'I may only be a low-stage Qi Refiner now—but that will begin to change from this moment forward!'* Qing Xuanling's eyes burned with resolve. 'In two years—at minimum—I must reach late-stage Qi Refinement!'

  Qing Xuanling made her decision. She would maximize every opportunity presented by this secret realm that so many powers were fighting over.

  Madam Yechan sensed Qing Xuanling's thoughts but said nothing. Perhaps it was good she was motivated.

  'Though in the cultivation world, nothing is ever fixed. Perhaps… this little one will surprise me~'

  Qing Xuanling and Madam Yechan chatted a while longer before parting ways. Qing Xuanling could no longer stay still—her body yearned to seek ways to strengthen herself!