"Oh? So you're Qing Xuanling—that infamous atrophied pearl of the clan… Oh, my apologies—I believe I've said too much…"

  Qing Xuanling forced a smile. "Don't worry, Senior Brother Chu. I'm well aware of everything people say about me…"

  The atmosphere grew somewhat awkward.

  They were currently en route to the village where they'd carry out their mission. Introductions had already been made. The one who'd just made the tactless remark was Qing Chu—a cultivator at the seventh layer of Qi Refinement.

  The woman who'd taken initiative earlier was Qing Linxi—at the eighth layer.

  The other two team members were Qing Ziyi and Qing Wan, both at the seventh layer. Though they were more reserved.

  Most conversation during their journey came from Qing Chu and Qing Linxi.

  Both were insufferably talkative. Qing Xuanling barely restrained herself from telling them to be quiet—especially Qing Chu, who seemed utterly lacking in discretion.

  He constantly tossed out remarks like: "Oh, why are you still only at the third layer?" or "Are you sure you can keep up with us? I don't want our mission ruined by deadweight."

  Qing Xuanling was certain he did it deliberately. She could only imagine how things would have gone had Instructor Huan not spoken up for her initially.

  That was another thing she'd discovered—these four seemed to hold Instructor Huan in tremendous respect. He clearly carried significant reputation among his generation.

  As she gritted her teeth at Qing Chu, Qing Ziyi—who had remained silent until now—raised an important question.

  "Elder Brother Huan, how likely do you think it is that a demonic cultivator is behind the disappearances in that village?"

  Everyone's eyes narrowed. Demonic cultivator. That phrase sent chills through anyone who'd heard of them.

  Instructor Huan considered seriously before answering. "Forty percent probability. It could be a demonic beast—but it's rare for those brainless creatures to hunt a specific group of humans."

  "Could it be a strange preference of some beast?" Qing Chu smiled nervously. "I don't think we're that unlu8cky to encounter a demonic cultivator. None have appeared in Ziyu City for a decade!"

  No one responded. Unlike him, the others had come fully aware of that possibility.

  Qing Xuanling was even certain it was a demonic cultivator. Su Meiren's figure flashed in her mind—but she quickly shook her head. 'Impossible.'

  The remainder of the journey passed in silence to Qing Xuanling's relief. They ran at high speed for six hours before the village finally appeared in the distance.

  They halted at the entrance. Their gazes were sharp as they observed the village's appearance from outside.

  It was a typical village—mud-brick houses, dirt paths, mortals in linen clothing going about daily life. Though not as prosperous as a city with brick and wood buildings, it was still a decent place to live.

  However, the village was shrouded in a heavy atmosphere. Farmers' faces were dark, women appeared fearful, and no children were in sight.

  The sight made them frown.

  Qing Wan shook his head. "I passed through this village a few months ago on a mission—it didn't look this depressing then."

  Instructor Huan grimaced and immediately entered the village, the others following. He was clearly the group's leader.

  The village mortals stared in surprise at the group. Their luxurious, beautiful clothing left them dazzled. At first, they didn't know what to do—but suddenly, one villager reacted.

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  "Oh, immortals! The immortals have come to save our children!" The man approached Instructor Huan and knelt at his feet. "Please, great immortal—save my son! He's only four years old, and I haven't seen him in four months!"

  A crowd of mortals immediately surrounded the group, kneeling. A fourteen-year-old girl even grabbed the corner of Qing Xuanling's robe while sobbing.

  "M-my little brother… Save him! H-he's all I have left…!"

  Qing Xuanling's heart tightened. She couldn't help but take a step back—overwhelmed.

  Fortunately, the other four and Instructor Huan remained calm. Almost impassive.

  Qing Chu frowned and raised his voice, infusing it with a bit of Qi. "Step back! We can't do anything if you swarm around us like this, mortals! Call the village chief to explain the exact situation!"

  The mortals retreated, clutching their heads in slight pain. The Qi-infused voice had been too much for them. Though cruel, the action was highly effective. The villagers calmed down and quickly went to fetch the village chief.

  But Qing Xuanling's brow furrowed.

  "Was there a need to be so harsh with them?" Her gaze fell on the girl who'd lost her brother—tears streaming from her eyes in grief. "They've lost their children and family. It's normal to be somewhat hasty."

  Qing Chu's lips curled in disgust. "And therefore I should accept them swarming us like animals? Girl, don't confuse things. We are immortals and they are mortals. The only reason we're here is because the clan often selects strong, healthy youths from this village to marry the mortals in our clan."

  "There's no need to be kind to beings who are practically another race compared to us."

  Qing Xuanling stared at Qing Chu in disbelief. She was aware of all this. She knew the mortals of this village served merely as breeders or incubators so the clan could continuously produce strong offspring.

  She herself had been born of such a mortal family. Her mother was from a distant village while her father was from the Qing clan.

  Perhaps because of that, she felt deeply disturbed by Qing Chu's words.

  Fortunately, she didn't seem to be the only one who felt that way.

  "Qing Chu—watch what you say to a young lady!" Instructor Huan shouted at him. "I've always known you're somewhat twisted, but this isn't how a Qing Clan member should think! We're not justice warriors or saints—but at minimum, we can treat those of our own species, even if they're mortals, as equals!"

  "Elder Brother Huan is right, Qing Chu." Qing Wan frowned. "I accepted this mission because I passed through here before and grew fond of some mortals. I'd appreciate it if you didn't treat the mortals here like animals."

  Qing Linxi and Qing Ziyi nodded, both regarding Qing Chu with displeasure.

  Qing Chu grew furious at the looks directed his way—but fell silent upon receiving a stern glare from Instructor Huan. In the end, he merely snorted in rage.

  Qing Linxi placed a hand on Qing Xuanling's shoulder. "Don't pay attention to his idiotic remarks. We don't need another fool like him in the clan."

  Qing Xuanling nodded, somewhat relieved. At least her clan wasn't filled entirely with idiots.

  The village chief arrived shortly after. Surprisingly, he was a young man with clear eyes. He carried a good presence despite his youth.

  Instructor Huan immediately approached him, and they began discussing the details of the recent disappearances.

  Qing Xuanling and the others listened silently to the side.

  The explanation lasted ten minutes.

  In summary, the situation was this: Five months ago, a child disappeared from the village. At first, they didn't pay it much mind. This was a relatively large village of five to six hundred people—it wasn't uncommon for a child to get lost.

  However, three days later, another child vanished. The village had begun noticing the abnormality—but before they could react, another child disappeared three days after that.

  The following months were similar, with one child vanishing every three days. The situation was so strange that they had no idea what to do.

  It was only when a cultivator from the Qing clan passed through the village while returning from a mission that they were able to ask for help.

  Fortunately, the Qing Clan was one that paid attention to mortal affairs—so they'd effectively sent people to resolve the problem.

  And today was the day another child would disappear.

  However, the village chief's story only made everyone frown.

  Instructor Huan dismissed the chief after requesting a house to use as their meeting place. They currently stood in the house cleared out for them.

  "The situation isn't good." Qing Ziyi was the first to speak. Her brown eyes were somewhat disheartened. "Demonic beasts don't usually have feeding schedules—they hunt whenever hungry. This seems more like a demonic cultivator collecting materials for a technique."

  Qing Linxi smiled disdainfully. "And one who's had five months to practice whatever demonic technique requires children to improve it."

  "At least it's not the worst situation. The demonic cultivator only must have reached Greater Accomplishment—judging by how he's still hiding like a rat." Qing Wan still held some confidence. "We shouldn't have much trouble with the four of us plus Elder Brother Huan."

  But Instructor Huan shook his head. "Don't be overconfident. Demonic cultivators are treacherous and sinister—one can never lower their guard against them…"

  Instructor Huan and the other four began planning countermeasures against the demonic cultivator for tonight—the time he was most likely to act.

  Qing Xuanling didn't bother to embarrass herself by trying to participate in the conversation. She was a novice in terms of strength and experience. She only needed to follow her seniors orders.

  Still, she felt a bad premonition about the entire situation.

  'Sigh… I just hope it's my mind playing tricks on me.'

  Qing Xuanling prayed inwardly.