Boss He was born into the Miao Shou Kong Kong Thief Sect, and even though the sect had declined, he knew the importance of lineage and inheritance.

A mere ordinary sect could compare to a noble family with a profound heritage, sparing no effort to cultivate genius disciples.

Not to mention the First-tier Sect, Three-Life Valley; Hong Mingyue, at the tender age of thirteen, had already mastered the Reincarnation Three-Life Song, which spoke volumes of her talent and the attention she commands.

Should she complete this clan mission, the rewards awaiting her upon her return will surely be significant; and in another year, who knows what heights she will have reached.

If Hong Mingyue really secures a victory at the Imperial Examination, henceforth, no one in Daxia will be able to shake the foundation of Hong Residence.

"Boss He, do you think I'm overestimating myself?"

Facing Boss He's kind advice, Ye Lingyue cast down her eyes in contemplation, knowing that Boss He meant well.

"Thirteenth Young Master, my words may be unpleasant to hear, but they are sincere. Three-Life Valley is too powerful, and Hong Mingyue is a rare prodigy seen once in a century," Boss He earnestly advised.

"No one is forever invincible. What happens in a year is beyond our predictions."

A year ago, Ye Lingyue was but a despised and bullied outcast of the Ye Family; a year later, she can now stand toe-to-toe with Hong Mingyue in battle.

Yet, these are not things Ye Lingyue would easily disclose to anyone.

Three-Life Valley might be strong, but if it stands behind Hong Mingyue, blocking Ye Lingyue's path of vengeance, she would not hesitate to crush Three-Life Valley beneath her feet.

Boss He shook his head, having already done his best to reason with the stubborn Thirteenth Young Master.

Perhaps after arriving at Xia Capital, Tenth Young Master should try persuading the obstinate Thirteenth Young Master.

"Boss He, Taiyi Secret Realm has already closed, and I have other matters to attend to. If you need to contact me, send word to Ghost Sect," said Ye Lingyue, whose injuries were largely healed thanks to the effects of Phoenix Tears.

She wanted to hurry and upgrade Hong Meng Heaven using the Sky Bright Crystal, which meant it would be inconvenient for her to return to Xia Capital with Boss He and the others.

Boss He and Third Brother He hesitated.

Ghost Sect, unexpectedly—the elusive and enigmatic Thirteenth Young Master turned out to be associated with Ghost Sect.

The He brothers had also heard about Ghost Sect.

It was the fastest rising underworld power in Xia Capital, succeeding the Killing Hall and Sha Sect.

"Are you wanting to inquire about Nirvana Iron? Rest assured, once I refine the Nirvana Iron from the Nirvana Cauldron, I'll send a portion to Second Brother He. Not much is needed to forge a prosthetic limb with Nirvana Iron," Ye Lingyue had discerned the He brothers' thoughts.

Considering that the two brothers had taken great care of her on the road and had protected her at critical moments, Ye Lingyue decided to help them out.

"Much appreciated, Thirteenth Young Master. Although the Crown Prince and the people from Hong Residence have left, we cannot dismiss the possibility that they might return. If Thirteenth Young Master is safe, it's best to return to Xia Capital as soon as possible," Boss He said. After a hurried goodbye with Ye Lingyue, he and Third Brother He split up and rushed back to Xia Capital.

As soon as they left, Ye Lingyue immediately entered Hong Meng Heaven.

Using the Star Saliva, she split the Sky Bright Crystal Coffin into multiple pieces and began to control Cauldron Breath to refine the Bright Crystal.

Chunks of Sky Bright Crystal, with their spatial energies continuously filling Hong Meng Heaven.

The refining process was slow, consuming two-thirds of the Sky Bright Crystal and almost two to three days before Ye Lingyue heard a sound like the earth splitting open.

She saw that once more, Hong Meng Heaven had undergone a change.

The mist surrounding Hong Meng Heaven suddenly dispersed, expanding nearly twice over.

Days earlier, the trees within Hong Meng Heaven, which had become listless due to its degradation, swiftly regained their vigor.

What was originally just a stream, Rainbow Creek, expanded several folds in an instant, transforming from a mere stream into a lake as beautiful as a mirror.

Ye Lingyue took a deep breath, disbelief in her eyes as she stared ahead. The medicinal grasses and poison grasses within Hong Meng Heaven seemed to have been fast-tracked in their growth spurt, each shooting up considerably in height and improving in quality by a notch.

Breathing in the fresh air, Ye Lingyue immediately felt a sense of ease in body and mind, sweeping away the resentment from previously being bullied by Hong Mingyue.

This crisis in Hong Meng Heaven had, at last, passed.

Only, the remaining Sky Bright Crystals were now merely one-third of what they once were, not enough to support a fourth upgrade of Hong Meng Heaven.

Nevertheless, as long as it was confirmed that Sky Bright Crystals can indeed evolve Hong Meng Heaven, she would definitely find more if given the opportunity in the future.

"Zhiyo~"

"Are you saying that after Hong Meng Heaven's breakthrough to third-level, the acceleration of time applies to people as well, and compared to before, time here is now doubly faster?" Ye Lingyue discerned the underlying message in Little Zhiyo's words.

Time, for Ye Lingyue at present, was of utmost importance.

Hong Meng Heaven in its early days was just an ordinary Spirit Plant Space; spirit grasses and spiritual beasts could grow faster here.

But for Ye Lingyue, it had not much benefit. However, the third-level time acceleration was universally applicable.

For Ye Lingyue, who had just set a one-year agreement with Hong Mingyue, this was undeniably a blessing.

From Innate Realm to Reincarnation Realm, all she had left was one year.

After upgrading Hong Meng Heaven's level, Ye Lingyue immediately tried to cultivate within for a few days.

Several days later, Ye Lingyue left Hong Meng Heaven.

"The pace of cultivation has indeed increased by a lot. Before entering the Taiyi Secret Realm, I had just broken through to the Innate Realm, and in these few days, I have already reached Innate Minor Success. With this speed and supplemented by elixir pills, I believe it will take at most half a year for me to step into the Elixir Realm." Even so, Ye Lingyue had no absolute certainty that she could reach the Reincarnation Realm within a year.

While Ye Lingyue was pondering, there was a flapping of wings from above.

She looked up and saw a Fanghe Crane flying over, settling onto her hand.

Seeing the Fanghe Crane, Ye Lingyue remembered.

When she left Xia Capital, just in case, she left behind three Fanghe Cranes for Lai Gu, Yan Che, and Lan Cai'er.

This Fanghe Crane was the one she had left for Lai Gu.

After Lai Gu transformed into Wulei of the Green Moon Building, with her beauty and the ability to read people, she quickly won over Yang Qing's favor.

These days, Yang Qing trusted her greatly, even letting Lai Gu wait on them during several of Hong Fang's visits.

This time, Lai Gu happened to hear a piece of useful information.

"The Crown Prince and Hong Fang are conspiring to frame the Treasure Cave, planning to take action against it soon."

During tough times, Lai Gu had received shelter from the He brothers, who let her sell medicinal materials in the Treasure Cave. Knowing that Ye Lingyue had some relations with the He brothers, as soon as she heard the news, she immediately informed Ye Lingyue, waiting for her further instructions.