After leaving the Paradise Celestial Maiden Palace’s Elixir Medicine Shop, Ling Qiyue didn’t browse any further and led the other two back to the inn.

Of course, before doing so, she used her own methods to repeatedly confirm they weren’t being followed before daring to return.

"...We can’t go back to that place again!"

In the bedroom, anger flared on Ling Qiyue’s cold, enchanting Yu Yan as she spoke through gritted teeth.

Tang Qiu Yao nodded slightly in agreement. "That’s right. Even if we desperately need certain materials, we can’t go back there, for Little Junior Brother’s safety."

The Paradise Celestial Maiden Palace was not a righteous Sect. Its reputation in the Cultivation Realm had always been poor. One could only imagine what would happen to Ling Changqing if he fell into their hands.

Ling Changqing mused, "Could she have seen something?"

’Logically, that should be impossible. Given the level of an Exotic Treasure like the Era Star Palace, not even a Nascent Soul Great Cultivator could detect anything unusual face-to-face.’

That Luo Ji was merely an Early stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. She shouldn’t have been able to notice anything.

Ling Qiyue’s dark brows furrowed slightly as she said in a low voice, "Perhaps she has some kind of secret treasure or a special technique that allowed her to see your Luck and Fortune far surpasses that of an ordinary Cultivator?"

The vastness of the Cultivation Realm was beyond the limits of a normal person’s imagination. Over countless years of evolution, all sorts of Divine Techniques, Secret Techniques, and Exotic Techniques had emerged endlessly. Who’s to say there wasn’t a method among them that could divine a Cultivator’s Luck and Fortune?

Ling Changqing said, "If that’s the case, the situation isn’t too terrible. The Paradise Celestial Maiden Palace is an outside power, after all. They can’t possibly stir up too much trouble on Hanyue Gate’s territory."

Even if they immediately dispatched High Rank Cultivators from their Sect’s headquarters, it would take more than three to five days for them to arrive. By then, my senior sisters and I would have already left the Hanyue Continent Marketplace.

Tang Qiu Yao smiled. "Perhaps. In any case, we must be more cautious from now on and not let our guard down again."

At that moment, the Communication Jade Talisman on her fair wrist vibrated slightly, indicating that someone was contacting her.

"It’s most likely that vixen,"

Ling Qiyue’s voice turned cold. "Don’t bother saying anything. Just delete and block her, right?"

"That’s not necessary,"

Tang Qiu Yao shook her head. "Why don’t we string her along for a bit? We can see if we can probe for some information. It won’t be too late to block her when we leave."

If they blocked her now, Luo Ji would realize she had no chance. Humiliated and enraged, she might just turn on them directly.

It was currently unclear just how many Foundation Establishment Cultivators were stationed at the Paradise Celestial Maiden Palace’s stronghold here in the Hanyue Continent Marketplace, so Tang Qiu Yao felt it was better to play it safe.

"That makes sense. Let’s do that, then!"

Ling Changqing said. He was indeed a little curious as to how the other party had seen that there was something unusual about him.

’Of course, perhaps she only noticed a few clues because my current Cultivation is still low, while she’s already a Foundation Establishment Cultivator?’

Seeing Ling Qiyue’s silent approval, Tang Qiu Yao activated the Communication Jade Talisman and found that it was, indeed, a message from Luo Ji.

"...Fellow Daoist Tang, our shop will be holding a rather high-profile internal auction in two days. Many high-value resources will be available. I wonder if you would be interested in taking a look?"

"We’ll have no shortage of various Elixirs like the Foundation Establishment Pill, the second rank Life extending Pill, and the Rank Breaking Pill. There will also be all kinds of Second Grade Talismans, Magical Artifacts, Spirit Companions, and the like. The prices are very fair, and I can even give you a significant discount..."

Luo Ji began making one grand promise after another.

"Is that so? Then it’s certainly worth our while to attend! Where will it be held?"

Tang Qiu Yao replied with a smile. As long as this woman didn’t fly off the handle right then and there, there was nothing to worry about.

"It’s on the first basement level of our shop. Anyone whose Cultivation has reached the Foundation Establishment Level can participate, and each Foundation Establishment Cultivator can bring two attendants..."

Luo Ji replied attentively.

"Alright, it’s a deal then. We will definitely be there!"

Tang Qiu Yao put her off perfunctorily for a while before ending the communication.

After talking with his senior sisters for a while longer, Ling Changqing left the bedroom and went to rest next door.

Ling Qiyue’s beautiful, glistening dark eyes sized up Tang Qiu Yao for a moment, and then her face broke into a smile.

"Junior Sister, I have a scroll here, the *Secret Essentials of Master Dongxuan*. It’s a Superior Cultivation Technique that expounds on the great dao of Dual Cultivation. Why don’t you take it now and comprehend it with Little Junior Brother?"

Tang Qiu Yao’s expression froze for a second. Immediately, her beautiful face flushed red, and she said with a mix of shyness and annoyance:

"Trying to trick me into a trap again, are you? Why don’t you go comprehend it with Little Junior Brother?"

"I’d love to, but unfortunately, the gap in our Cultivation is too great right now. I’m afraid Little Junior Brother wouldn’t be able to handle it!"

Ling Qiyue said with a grin, reaching out to pinch Tang Qiu Yao’s smooth, slender waist.

"Why don’t you go first? It’ll help you break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm faster, and it will be quite beneficial for him as well."

Tang Qiu Yao huffed. "If someone’s going, we all go. Don’t even think about tricking me into taking the fall alone!"

She certainly had favorable feelings toward Ling Changqing and understood what his occasional glances meant.

However, choosing Dual Cultivation Companions was no small matter. As a woman, her natural reserve and modesty prevented Tang Qiu Yao from making a decision so quickly.

Although she also understood that, in every respect, this handsome youth in purple was the most suitable candidate.

...

A sweet fragrance filled a lavishly furnished room.

Dressed in a water-red, translucent light gauze, the bewitching and vibrant Luo Ji leaned against her daybed. She frowned as she examined the Communication Jade Talisman in her hand, remaining silent for a long while.

"Do you think they’ve already sensed something?"

Luo Ji asked coldly.

The trusted maidservant standing by her side bowed slightly and said in a low voice:

"It’s very possible. Perhaps they’re just trying to stall for time! But secretly, they’re already planning to run away?"

"Hmph! Run? Do they think they can get away?"

Luo Ji sneered. Previously, with the help of a special Secret Technique from her Sect, she had faintly sensed that there was something extraordinary about that Ling Changqing.

The Luck and Fortune of this handsome youth in purple seemed to far exceed that of an ordinary Qi Refining Stage Cultivator. Not even her own master, a Pseudo Core master, could compare. What did this mean?

’It’s a pity my own Cultivation is still a bit lacking, and my practice of that Secret Technique is not yet perfected. I can’t see any more information.’

’If I could find a way to lure that Ling Changqing over and bring him back to the Sect as my Furnace Cauldron Medicine Person, perhaps there would be unexpected benefits?’

’Of course, if his value is great enough, I could also consider making him my Lifebound Dao Companion.’

"Have our people keep an eye on the area around the Marketplace. If they find the three of them trying to run early, capture them decisively!"

Thinking of this, Luo Ji gave the order without hesitation.

The trusted maidservant acknowledged the order, then added worriedly, "But we at the Paradise Celestial Maiden Palace have limited manpower here. I’m afraid we won’t be able to stop that Late stage Foundation Establishment Female Cultivator!"

The Cultivation Ling Qiyue had publicly displayed was Late stage Foundation Establishment. As for whether she was hiding her true strength, others had no way of knowing.

In the Hanyue Continent Marketplace, the Paradise Celestial Maiden Palace only had a relatively unimportant stronghold, so the forces stationed there were naturally not numerous.

Luo Ji, who was only here temporarily for training, was the strongest combatant. The only other Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s strength was about the same as hers, and the rest were just a group of Middle and Late stage Qi Cultivation Cultivators.

So if they really were to turn hostile, even if the Paradise Celestial Maiden Palace committed all its forces here, they likely wouldn’t be able to keep Ling Qiyue’s group of three. The more probable outcome would be suffering heavy losses.

Luo Ji mused, "If we don’t have enough people, then the only option is to urgently transfer more forces from the Sect. Also, try to contact any fellow sect sisters who might happen to be traveling around Hanyue Continent."

The trusted maidservant shook her head. "If your sect sisters find out about Ling Changqing’s extraordinary nature, they might get ideas of their own. So for this matter... the safest choice is for you to ask your master for help."

"Mm, that’s true!"

Luo Ji’s expression changed slightly as she instantly realized the truth in those words. Competition within the Sect had always been fierce. She couldn’t do all the hard work just for someone else to reap the rewards from a fortuitous encounter she had worked so hard to find.

"Forget it. I’ll contact Master then. I hope she can make it in time!"

Luo Ji sighed. The Yuanqing Continent, where the Paradise Celestial Maiden Palace was located, was too far away. Even if her master set off immediately after receiving the message, she wouldn’t be able to reach the vicinity of Hanyue Continent in less than four or five days.

"Alternatively, you could have a frank discussion with that Fellow Daoist Ling. Offer her a great reward and see if you can trade for that Ling Changqing," the trusted maidservant suggested again.

Luo Ji thought for a moment. "The chances are slim, but I suppose it’s worth a try. What if it actually works?"

...

「The next morning.」

After breakfast, Ling Qiyue’s group of three changed their clothes and headed for a hidden residence in the western district of the Marketplace.

According to Tang Qiu Yao, a mysterious Loose Cultivator lived here. She had a good relationship with Ling Qiyue in her early years and later stayed in the Hanyue Continent Marketplace as a permanent resident, specializing in the business of gathering and trading information.

A few moments later, the three of them were standing before a secluded, low-key manor. The Restriction Array at the main entrance was of a rather high grade, likely equivalent to a Peak Second Rank Protective Array.

"...Yue’Er, it’s been so long!"

A charming and melodious voice, like that of an oriole emerging from a valley, drifted over, and a tall, graceful figure immediately appeared within the main gate.