After reaching the mountain’s base, I glanced left and right to confirm the coast was clear before cupping my hands together.

A small virtual map materialized in my palms. Only the Phoenix Roost Hall, the Enforcement Hall, and the Grand Competition arena bore labels—the other peaks simply stood silent among the flowering vegetation.

I pressed my palms together, then opened them again. The map transformed into a mission panel displaying my current objectives in order of priority:

Find the Phoenix Codex (URGENT); Locate a cultivation partner for Seraphine (Must be strong);Investigate Wen ChunshengDiscover heartfelt emotions

In the corner of the panel, there is a small line:

[Learn to be human]

I closed my palms again, dismissing the panel, then lowered my hands and checked my surroundings once more. Relief washed over me.

Night descended across the mountain paths, and lanterns flickered to life, illuminating the lush, dew-dampened foliage. The sound of cicadas reached my ears, and I watched fireflies emerge from the grass, dancing among the fragrant herbs.

Should I catch a few for Seraphine? I wondered. But I don’t have a container…… Maybe my inventory? I’ve never stored living creatures before, but this is my first time being human—I should try new things courageously.

I was about to cup my hands again when footsteps echoed down the Phoenix Roost Peak’s mountain path.

Xue Mengtao appeared, looking freshly bathed and dressed in a pink gown with her hair styled in a simple bun.

Xue Mengtao smiled at Echo. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Senior Sister.”

I hadn’t been waiting long. “Hello. Thank you for helping me with directions. I’ll show my gratitude.”

Xue Mengtao waved her hand dismissively. “Senior Sister, you saved my life—that’s a debt I can never repay. Just helping you find your way is nothing compared to that.”

Before Echo could respond, Xue Mengtao hurried forward with a laugh. “Come on, let’s start with the nearest peak.”

“Alright!” I quickly followed.

Two figures, one in pink and one in blue, walked ahead in single file.

Back on Phoenix Roost Peak, Seraphine stood with her hands clasped behind her back, watching their retreating forms. She raised an eyebrow and muttered, “What is she planning?”

Why would she ask Xue Mengtao for help instead of me?

Behind Seraphine, a small dragon slowly swam through the air, attempting to burrow into the flower beds. Without turning around, Seraphine said, “Finally decided to come out?”

“Roar.” Error replied.

I’m out now.

Seraphine snorted. “Keep burrowing like that and you should change your name from Fire Rock Dragon to Earthworm. At least then you’d be useful for aerating the garden soil.”

“Hmph. I should have just left you sealed……”

Hearing Seraphine’s grumbling, Error called out twice before hastily swimming toward the side hall.

Dragons are busy! Dragons don’t slack off! Don’t underestimate this young dragon! Once I achieve human form, I’ll give you all a big surprise!

“This is Propriety Central Peak’s main summit.” Xue Mengtao explained as they walked. “The three surrounding peaks are Propriety Peak’s subsidiary summits: Embrace Propriety, Execute Propriety, and Question Propriety. Senior Sister Mu Rong is a disciple of Propriety Central Peak’s master and lives on the main peak.”

Xue Mengtao looked back at Echo with some embarrassment. “When I parted from the senior earlier in the garden, I sent Mu Rong a message. She replied that not everyone with wood spiritual roots can grow flowers—ordinary spiritual herbs and plants just die under her care. But poisonous plants and flowers? Those she can keep alive, so………”

I laughed. “Seraphine said someone would take care of the garden.”

“Good.” Xue Mengtao looked relieved.

Both of them continued forward. Today, Luanyang Palace seemed even quieter than yesterday.

The more mischievous disciples had all participated in the “Battle of Luanyang City” and been locked in the Enforcement Hall last night.

After seeing today’s arena matches and witnessing the envoys from the Insight Academy Palace, they were probably cramming for the upcoming Grand Competition.

“That’s Benevolence Central Peak ahead.” Xue Mengtao shared what she knew. “It’s the largest peak in Luanyang Palace, with one main peak and six subsidiary peaks. It has the most disciples. I heard from my master that before the Palace Lord came of age, Elder Yan from Benevolence Central Peak managed the entire palace.”

I looked toward the distant mountain that pierced the clouds and nodded.

Xue Mengtao smiled. “Once we pass Benevolence Central Peak, we’ll reach Virtue Central Peak. Though Virtue Central Peak borders Benevolence Central Peak, it’s the most low-key peak in the palace with the fewest disciples. The two peaks have completely different recruitment philosophies.”

I thought about it. “Accept all comers versus selective admission?”

Xue Mengtao covered her mouth and laughed softly. “Anyone who can enter the inner sect is already excellent.”

“Got it!”

I’m remembering everything!

Luanyang Palace was vast. Despite our quick pace, after passing Benevolence Central Peak’s main summit and turning onto a side path, I suddenly stopped, staring suspiciously at something behind a tree.

I sense something here……

Xue Mengtao walked a few steps before noticing Echo hadn’t followed. She turned back in confusion to see her extending her index finger straight out, poking at seemingly empty air.

“Bang!”

An invisible barrier shattered, and a low shout came from behind the tree.

“Who’s there!”

⁂

One hour earlier.

Benevolence Central Peak.

Gu Yuqing knelt before Benevolence Central Peak’s main gate, head bowed, hands clenched tightly in her sleeves as she fought back tears. Passing disciples gave her a wide berth. Those who had once flattered her and followed her around like lackeys now treated her as if she were invisible.

Ever since Elder Yan Qingluan had banished her from the mountain, none of these people had visited her even once. GuYuqing herself had avoided Benevolence Central Peak out of shame—she would never have returned to endure their cold stares if Wen Chunsheng hadn’t convinced her to think of her future!

She was used to being the one who ignored others, not the other way around!

Gu Yuqing’s nails dug into her palms as she listened to the passing disciples’ conversations. Her face alternated between hot and cold, and she wanted nothing more than to jump up and run as far from Benevolence Central Peak as possible. But Senior Brother Wen wanted her to participate in the Eastern Continent Grand Competition…

“If Siyi hadn’t deliberately tattled on me, how would Master have punished me!” Gu Yuqing seethed internally. “She’s just relying on being older and more advanced in cultivation, plus cozying up to the Palace Lord. If she’s so capable, why didn’t she teach me a lesson directly instead of running to Master!”

Gu Yuqing was convinced Siyi was drunk on power, resenting that Yan Qingluan had bowed to Siyi instead of protecting her. Her heart filled with cold laughter and curses.

A passing disciple noticed her resentful figure, wrinkled their nose, and hurried past.

Gu Yuqing had been coming to Benevolence Central Peak for three days. The disciples avoided her like the plague, and those who had grudges against her had already gone to mock her at her punishment site after her banishment—though it wasn’t exactly kicking her while she was down. Everyone figured that with Yan Qingluan’s affection for Gu Yuqing, once the three-year punishment ended, she’d still be the Peak Master’s beloved disciple.

Three years was nothing but a blink of an eye for cultivators.

But no one had expected the Eastern Continent Grand Competition to arrive so soon. With her criminal status, Gu Yuqingcouldn’t participate, and this golden opportunity was slipping through her fingers.

The usually bustling mountain gate had been particularly quiet these past few days, until a group of Benevolence Central Peak disciples returned, all looking excited.

“That battle was incredible! Nascent Soul cultivators are truly powerful—they can overturn clouds and rain. It’s really something to aspire to.”

Gu Yuqing heard familiar voices and immediately perked up her ears.

Arena?

She had heard some commotion but hadn’t paid attention since it didn’t concern her. So they’d all gone to watch matches.

The disciples excitedly discussed the recent battle. One said, “Li Wuhe of the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect was quite the figure in the Eastern Continent. He was a late Nascent Soul cultivator—our palace only has one Master at that level. To die under that Senior Sister’s sword is truly remarkable!”

“He had it coming for being so arrogant and trying to kill our disciples on Luanyang Palace territory! If that Senior Sister hadn’t been stronger than him, it would have been Li Wuhe who survived!”

Everyone felt the same way, their hatred for the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect deepening.

In recent years, with the old Palace Lord’s death and the young Palace Lord not yet mature, the wealthy and powerful Luanyang Palace was like a child holding gold, attracting many covetous eyes. The Crimson Thunder Sword Sect was the biggest threat among them!

When the old Palace Lord was still strong, Luanyang Palace had been more than just the Eastern Continent’s top sect! They had the achievement of slaying the Nine Heavens Sert’s demon leaders. In the cultivation world, any practitioner who’d lived long enough knew this history. Unfortunately, the Nine Heavens Sert battle had cost them dearly, creating a generational gap in the cultivation world. Younger cultivators had only heard tales of the old Palace Lord Velka’s prowess, but during her decline from severe illness, she’d lived like a hermit for a century while attention shifted to more active figures.

The title of “Eastern Continent’s Number One” had thus fallen to the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect. Though LuanyangPalace accepted this without claiming the title, they never relaxed their cultivation, hoping to reclaim that honor someday.

However, sect disciples had different perspectives. The Crimson Thunder Sword Sect claimed they’d stood firm in the Eastern Continent for over two thousand years with deep foundations, while Luanyang Palace wasn’t even a fraction of their age. The old Palace Lord was dead—why should a dead person inspire the living?

Luanyang Palace retorted: “Who do you think you are! Never mind the old Palace Lord—when we faced the Nine Heavens Sert, if even one of the Eastern Continent’s great powers had survived, would there be room for the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect to show off?”

The two sects’ disciples would bicker when they met, compete in secret realms, and their hatred grew until they wished each other would disappear entirely.

Now, with the young Palace Lord’s exceptional talent—achieving Great Perfection Golden Core at such a young age with potential matching her mother’s—plus Luanyang Palace’s wide recruitment of talented young disciples, the sect was thriving. Their disciples could hold their heads high and ask: who was truly the Eastern Continent’s number one?

“Crimson Thunder Sword Sect disciples are just stubborn.” one disciple mocked. “I saw that Xu Zehua looking down on everyone when he came to Luanyang Palace. He’s supposedly the sect leader’s son, but he lacks our Palace Lord’s magnanimity! I heard his sect spent money like water, feeding him all sorts of heavenly treasures and pills just to reach late Golden Core.”

Another disciple added, “Earlier in the plaza, I overheard Xu Zehua trying to recruit the Senior Sister from Lingshan Sect. He treated his doghouse like a golden palace—she didn’t even acknowledge him!”

Everyone laughed.

“You should have seen him on the arena being forced to say ‘I am trash’ by that Senior Sister! If I were him, I’d want to reincarnate immediately!”

“Hey! Would you really give up those heavenly treasures? After all that effort to reach Golden Core, reincarnation would be such a waste! You might not get to eat those again in your next life!”

“Haha!”

The disciple at the front turned around, frowning at the chattering group. “You’ve been talking nonstop all the way back. Don’t you think it’s time to stop?”

The disciples fell silent, looking at her. One of them rolled his eyes and smiled. “How can we stop talking about the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect getting what they deserved? That bastard Li Wuhe almost killed Junior Sisters Mengtao and Rongrong! Mengtao is Elder Siyi’s hard-won disciple, and we watched Rongrong grow up. If something happened to them, wouldn’t you be heartbroken, Senior Sister Cheng?”

Cheng Ping pressed her lips together.

Another disciple tugged at the speaker’s sleeve, grinning. “How are you talking to Senior Sister Cheng? Of course she’d be heartbroken for our junior sisters! She’s the best at caring for junior sisters, and Senior Brother Liu too, right?”

The named man startled and gave an awkward laugh.

He, Cheng Ping, and Gu Yuqing were all Yan Qingluan’s disciples. Over the years, many had gathered around them, but these two had the closest relationship with Gu Yuqing. Since Yan Qingluan doted on Gu Yuqing and privately supported her, they’d received the most benefits through her. But Gu Yuqing’s difficult personality had earned her poor relationships with others. Now that she was banished and no longer useful, the disciples who once flocked to her had scattered, leaving them struggling among their peers.

Cheng Ping’s face darkened. She turned to leave, but when she saw Gu Yuqing kneeling nearby, she hesitated, wanting to pretend she hadn’t seen her. Unfortunately, Gu Yuqing called out directly: “Senior Sister Cheng, will Master see me today?”

“……Cough.” Cheng Ping said awkwardly, “Junior Sister, you should go back. Master won’t see you—she’s very busy lately.”

Gu Yuqing immediately pressed, “Busy with what? The Eastern Continent Grand Competition?”

You already know, so why ask? Cheng Ping licked her lips and tried again. “Junior Sister, go back first. If Master wants to see you, I’ll definitely tell you!”

Gu Yuqing narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Senior Sister, you didn’t take my benefits and then fail to help me, did you?”

Cheng Ping hadn’t expected Gu Yuqing to question her so directly in front of everyone. Her face grew even darker. Behind her, the Benevolence Central Peak disciples whistled, looked at the sky, and pretended to be busy as they walked past.

The same sarcastic disciple from before drawled, “Benefits, eh? Tsk, tsk.”

“Enough, Junior Sister! I already asked Master, and she clearly said she won’t see you. She told you to accept your punishment obediently. Don’t even think about the Eastern Continent Grand Competition—after your disrespect toward the Palace Lord, how could Master possibly let you participate!” With that, Cheng Ping turned and left, afraid Gu Yuqingwould stop her with more embarrassing questions.

Gu Yuqing glared at her retreating figure with resentment. She suddenly stood up and said to the nearby Senior Brother Liu, “Liu Qingshan, stop pretending you don’t see me. I was blind to treat you and Cheng Ping as my dear senior siblings! Either you properly plead my case to Master and help me join the Competition, or I’ll reveal everything we’ve discussed before!”

“The suffering I’m enduring now should be shared by both of you!”

She laughed coldly and started to leave, but after three days of working and then climbing to Benevolence Central Peak to kneel, she was exhausted and could only limp down the mountain.

Liu Qingshan didn’t dare laugh. He deeply regretted getting involved with Gu Yuqing. Initially, he’d truly believed her words about Master having thoughts of leaving Luanyang Palace. He’d imagined that when Yan Qingluan established her own sect, he could at least become an elder or peak master, but…… Liu Qingshan’s face went pale as he looked toward Benevolence Central Peak’s summit and slowly clenched his fists.

“Shameful, shameful, shameful! I knew it would be useless!” Gu Yuqing cursed all the way back, blaming everyone in her heart. From Benevolence Central Peak to the Beast Tending Hall, she felt like the entire world was against her.

Grievance filled her heart. She cried as she walked, but on the mountain path, she once again saw that familiar white figure—the only person she didn’t blame.

“Senior Brother!” Gu Yuqing called out tearfully.

Wen Chunsheng turned to look at her with a gentle smile. “Junior Sister, you’ve worked hard.”

“Senior Brother Wen……” Gu Yuqing burst into tears, approaching him and repeating everything about Yan Qingluan’srejection. “What should I do? Master truly doesn’t want to see me.”

Wen Chunsheng patted her head.

“I didn’t expect Peak Master Yan to be so heartless. I thought that after raising you all these years, if you could meet face-to-face, she’d show some mercy for old times’ sake. But unexpectedly…” Wen Chunsheng sighed softly.

Gu Yuqing kept wiping her tears, hating Yan Qingluan even more. That’s right! After raising me for so many years, why won’t she forgive me at such a crucial moment? She claims to treat me like her own daughter, but she’s ruining my future!

“Senior Brother, please think of a way to help me!” Gu Yuqing grabbed Wen Chunsheng’s hand pleadingly.

“Well……” Wen Chunsheng’s face showed hesitation. Seeing this, Gu Yuqing knew he had an idea and held on tighter. “Please, Senior Brother! You’re the kindest person in the world to me. If you don’t help me, I really don’t know who else to turn to!”

“I’ve always listened to everything you say. I’ve been kneeling on the mountain for three days, but Master ignores me. I really have no other choice, Senior Brother……” Gu Yuqing sobbed.

Wen Chunsheng seemed moved by her words. He helplessly patted her shoulder and said in a low voice, “It’s not that I don’t want to help you. It’s just that this method…… Sigh. Yuqing, would you be willing to leave Luanyang Palace?”

Gu Yuqing was stunned. She looked up at Wen Chunsheng in confusion. “Leave Luanyang Palace? But Master won’t come with me. Senior Brother, you once said Master might have other plans. I thought she wanted to establish her own sect, but it seems she can’t bear to leave!”

“No, I’m not talking about Peak Master Yan—just you.” Wen Chunsheng smiled, gently lowering his head to speak to GuYuqing. “You’re very talented, and the Eastern Continent Grand Competition is a great opportunity. I can’t bear to see you miss it. While you’d be punished staying in Luanyang Palace, if you left and registered as a rogue cultivator, you’d have a chance to participate in the Competition, wouldn’t you?”

Gu Yuqing’s eyes lit up as she realized the logic. She quickly wiped her tears and broke into a smile.

Seeing her stop crying, Wen Chunsheng murmured, “Silly girl.” Gu Yuqing’s face flushed as she said shyly, “Why are you calling me silly? I listen to everything you say. But Senior Brother, you had this plan all along and didn’t tell me earlier—I suffered three days of humiliation for nothing.”

“I spoke too late.” Wen Chunsheng smiled down at her, retrieving a jade token from his storage ring and handing it to her. “If you leave Luanyang Palace, don’t participate in the Eastern Continent Competition. I have a friend in the Northern Border’s Mysterious Yin Sects. Take this jade token to find her and have her help you enter the Northern Border Competition.”

Gu Yuqing took the jade token, feeling a bit jealous. “Friend? Male or female—”

Before she could finish, Wen Chunsheng’s expression suddenly changed as he looked outward.

“Who’s there?”

“Bang!”

The shattered barrier left four people facing each other—two in front of the tree, one surprised and one expressionless, and two behind the tree, one shocked and one terrified.

The terrified woman angrily demanded, “Xue Mengtao?”

Xue Mengtao hid her surprise and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Senior Sister Gu and…… this Senior Brother.” She didn’t recognize Wen Chunsheng, though he looked familiar.

I didn’t recognize Gu Yuqing—my database had her image labeled as Luanyang Palace disciple #65—but I definitely recognized the man.

There he is—my investigation target!

Under the bright moon with few stars, alone in the wilderness, a man and woman together behind a barrier…… XueMengtao didn’t know where to look and finally stared at her feet.

Gu Yuqing wanted to question them but was stopped by Wen Chunsheng’s gentle pat on her arm.

Wen Chunsheng stepped forward and bowed properly to both of them. “Greetings, Senior Sister. Hello, Junior Sister Xue.” He smiled warmly at Xue Mengtao. “I attended Elder Siyi’s apprenticeship ceremony representing my master to deliver gifts. I saw Junior Sister there.”

“Greetings, Senior Brother.” Xue Mengtao replied quickly.

Wen Chunsheng looked at Echo with obvious excitement. “I had the honor of witnessing today’s arena Competition—truly eye-opening!”

“Good.”

I studied Wen Chunsheng, then Gu Yuqing, curiously eyeing the jade token in her hand.

Gu Yuqing watched suspiciously. She’d never seen a silver-haired woman this beautiful. Moonlight seemed to dim in her presence.

And Senior Brother Wen was calling her “Senior Sister”…… Where did this senior sister come from?

Gu Yuqing frowned, noticing Wen Chunsheng’s entranced stare. Her amazement quickly turned to fury.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

Gu Yuqing snapped, “Are you blind? Can’t you see what we’re doing?”

Wen Chunsheng frowned. “Junior Sister!”

Gu Yuqing closed her mouth with a light snort and turned away.

Xue Mengtao cleared her throat. “Senior Sister, shall we go?”

I didn’t move. I was thinking.

Under the moon, among the willows, people meeting at dusk. A man and woman standing so close, with her accepting something from him—what could they be doing?

“Snap.” I snapped my fingers, eyes crinkling with understanding.

“You’re having a secret rendezvous!”

[Author’s Note]:

“Secret rendezvous, huh?” Echo’s grin widened.

Wonder what happens next? Echo’s little mischief is just getting started...… catch the next 20 chapters early at Pxtreon➡️LoveisLove520! 😉