While Chen Yi was gathering information about the situation in Shantong City, Lu Ying and her group were already halfway there.

The purpose of this trip to Shantong City was the news of a Secret Realm emerging.

The Sect Leader of Yin Sword Mountain had consulted a prophecy and decreed that this Secret Realm should belong to Lu Ying, whose Dao heart was as lofty as a crane's.

However, calling it a decree was not quite accurate. The Secret Realm, being a place without an owner—similar to the Tushan Underground Palace—was open to anyone with the ability to explore it. The so-called "decree" merely indicated that the prophecy suggested Lu Ying had the highest chance of obtaining spiritual destiny from within.

In order to ensure Lu Ying seizes this opportunity, not only had numerous rituals been conducted on the journey, but fasting had been observed in multiple rounds, and even her entourage was strictly selected.

Among the many disciples accompanying her, Zhou Yitang—or more accurately, Qing Yuan—could only be escorted to a small county near Shantong City. After that, someone else would take over to ensure Lu Ying's safety.

Ordinary people might call such protectors bodyguards, but within the sects, they were referred to as guardians.

Drawing closer to Shantong City, they had traversed countless steep paths, walking and resting intermittently. Unknowingly, they were already nearing Shantong City. The proximity brought an inexplicable unease to Lu Ying's heart.

People praised her for having a Dao heart as tranquil as a crane's, yet Lu Ying sometimes wondered whether she was truly worthy of such expectations.

To expect something from someone was simple—you only needed to expect.

But bearing the weight of others' expectations was a rare and terrifying burden.

This might explain why Lu Ying was reluctant to leave her secluded Cangwu Peak and join another mountain sect.

Qing Yuan had silently observed all of this. During their journey, every time they stayed at an inn, she shared a room with Lu Ying.

For some reason, among the many disciples and senior members traveling with them, Lu Ying found Qing Yuan to be the easiest to get along with.

Perhaps it was Qing Yuan's silent and reserved persona, which reminded her somewhat of their master, or maybe it was because Qing Yuan always listened quietly to Lu Ying's words.

Lu Ying liked this junior sister from another peak a lot—so much so that she had invited her to come to Cangwu Peak.

"No, my aptitude is mediocre. I haven't even reached Foundation Establishment to this day."

Daoists do not speak false words, to which Lu Ying replied, "Then I suppose it's not meant to be. With such qualifications, I fear even my master would reject you."

"…" Qing Yuan went silent for a moment and said, "Indeed."

Leaning against a not-so-spacious window frame propped up by a wooden stick, Lu Ying gazed ahead. The sky above the small county near Shantong City was murky, shrouded in wisps of mist. It lacked the crystal clarity she had seen atop Yin Sword Mountain. It was said that the farther west one traveled, the more sands one would encounter; and now, hints of this phenomenon were already apparent. The sight tugged at her feelings, leaving her restless and disquieted.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew by, loosening the wooden stick supporting the window frame, causing it to fall down.

"Ah!"

Lu Ying froze for a moment and hurriedly looked down. She saw a Daoist wearing a bamboo hat sitting by the inn, running a fortune-telling stall, who had just been struck by the wooden stick. He touched his head while looking around for someone responsible.

Lu Ying closed the window frame immediately, hesitated not even a bit, and went downstairs to the Daoist's stall.

She focused her gaze on him, stunned for a moment. Despite the Daoist's attire being fitting for his role, his face bore an incongruous pig-face mask.

The pig-face mask was adorned with a smiling expression.

While apologizing, Lu Ying picked up the wooden stick, and the Daoist asked if she wanted her fortune told.

The Daoist's large bamboo hat concealed much of his face. Lu Ying glanced at his fortune-telling stall. It had an Eight Diagrams Mirror, divination sticks, and even a copy of Zhou Yi on display—it appeared quite professional.

Since she was feeling unsettled and had just accidentally injured him, compensating him seemed appropriate. Lu Ying replied, "Well then… I'd like a divination."

The Daoist handed over the divination sticks.

Lu Ying took the sticks and shook them several times.

A single wooden stick dropped out, landing in her hands.

Lu Ying picked it up and froze momentarily,

"…An auspicious one?"

Lu Ying, highly skilled in Taoist techniques, immediately understood the significance of the stick at a glance.

Though her heart had been unsettled regarding the journey ahead, drawing such an auspicious lot reassured her somewhat.

"Even hidden, brightness awaits; concealed dragons hold strength untapped; transformation leads to discovery… Nine-Five, Flying Dragon in the Sky, the noble one is beneficial to meet."

Turning the divination stick over in her fingers, Lu Ying began interpreting its meaning herself.

But—Nine-Five, Flying Dragon in the Sky—the noble one… who exactly was this noble one?

"Ah, congratulations,"

At this moment, the Daoist removed his pig-face mask and said,

"An auspicious lot. You are destined to meet me."

Lu Ying's eyes widened.

It was none other than Chen Yi's familiar face grinning back at her.

Lu Ying instinctively took a step back and exclaimed, "Why is it you?!"

Chen Yi shook the divination sticks and said, "Why couldn't it be me? Truth be told, I'm your guardian for this journey."

"You—you shouldn't be…" Lu Ying had intended to chastise him but stopped when Chen Yi pulled out a letter from inside his robes.

"See for yourself. This is a letter from your master to me."

Lu Ying took it and examined it carefully. She couldn't possibly mistake it—it bore her master's handwriting, explicitly assigning Chen Yi as the guardian for this trip.

"But you… Why must it be you…"

Lu Ying's face flushed crimson. She glanced around to ensure no one else was nearby, then lowered her voice and angrily rebuked:

"You flirted with me before!"

Chen Yi had a notorious reputation for being a womanizer in the capital. Lu Ying had always avoided him, trying to forget the incident in Liu Feng County. But to discover today that he would be her guardian on this journey—just the thought of it made her cheeks even redder, her tone tinged with grievance.

Surely, this shameless man had volunteered himself for the role.

Before Lu Ying could continue berating him, Chen Yi retorted:

"You think I wanted to protect you? An immature little brat who might not even have grown up yet."

"I *have* grown up!"

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