A Cunning Pervert in the Cultivation World

At the same time.

Within the Azure Moon Sect, atop the highest point of a remote and cloud-shrouded peak, a graceful figure stepped out from the drifting mist.

She was an elegant woman with long dark hair that flowed freely behind her in the mountain wind.

Ornate hairpins adorned her carefully arranged locks, trailing soft blue ribbons that fluttered like strands of flowing water.

Her robes were a refined blend of pale lavender and white, layered with ethereal grace, and cinched at the waist by a deep purple sash.

In one hand, she lightly held a black folding fan, the edge of it resting near her chin as she walked with calm, measured steps.

The air around her carried a quiet pressure unique to those who stood near the peak of the sect’s hierarchy.

Before long, she arrived in front of a solitary pavilion nestled among the clouds.

Without hesitation, she lowered herself into a respectful bow.

”Sect Leader, we have compiled some information regarding the incident within the secret realm... and you might want to hear about it.”

A soft sigh drifted out from within the pavilion.

The voice that followed was calm and distant.

”There is no need, Grand Elder Qiao Qian.”

There was a brief pause, as if the speaker’s gaze was still fixed on something far beyond the clouds.

”I already knew everything the moment the secret realm ended.”

At that words, Grand Elder Qiao looked mildly surprised at this.

Her fingers tightened slightly around the black folding fan as a soft murmur escaped her lips.

”...As expected of the Sect Leader. So you even know about one of the outer sect disciples possessing a treasure that contains an entire world within it... and that he even managed to fight against your former traitor disciple, and might have killed him.”

”...”

After those words, a short silence lingered between them.

The mountain wind brushed past the pavilion, carrying thin strands of cloud across the peak.

”Hmm?”

Grand Elder Qiao tilted her head slightly, resting the edge of her fan against her cheek, wondering if she had said anything wrong.

After a moment, the Sect Leader’s voice flowed out once more, still calm.

”...Give me the report.”

There was a brief pause before the voice continued.

”I want to personally read about it.”

Grand Elder Qiao blinked once at the sudden change, yet she didn’t seem to think too much into it.

Then she took out a sealed scroll from her sleeve.

With a light motion of her fingers, she sent it floating toward the pavilion.

Then a stretch of silence followed.

Only the mountain wind continued to brush past the peak, carrying thin strands of cloud around the quiet pavilion.

After a while, the Sect Leader’s voice came out once more.

The tone remained calm, yet carried a clear awareness.

”Speak your mind, Grand Elder Qiao. I know you must have questions.”

At this, Grand Elder Qiao let out a soft chuckle.

She gracefully folded her black fan with a light click and gave a small nod.

”Indeed... I do have some doubts.”

Her gaze lifted slightly toward the pavilion as she continued,

”I heard that you dispatched Grand Elder Leng somewhere. And after looking into it, I managed to confirm that she has headed toward the Fen Dynasty.”

At those words, the crafty light in her eyes sharpened.

Her brows lowered slightly as her expression grew more focused.

”As the Grand Elder who was previously responsible for the Fen Dynasty, I am quite curious...”

”...Why did you send that barbaric woman... there, when thirty years ago you clearly ordered me to withdraw all of our forces from that place?”

A brief silence followed her question.

Within Grand Elder Qiao’s heart, however, the thoughts continued to turn.

The Azure Moon Sect had always assigned one Grand Elder to oversee each of the four dynasties under its influence.

As the Grand Elder previously in charge of the Fen Dynasty, she had managed that territory for many years.

The resources ”kindly donated” by the dynasty had continuously flowed toward her peak, strengthening both her foundation and her influence within the sect.

Yet thirty years ago, for some strange and unexplained reason, the Sect Leader had ordered her to withdraw all of their forces from the Fen Dynasty.

That single decision had cost her a great deal.

When she had asked for the reason at the time, the Sect Leader had given no clear answer.

Even so, she had chosen to trust that judgment and carried out the order without open protest.

But now...

Learning that Leng Qianxue... that barbaric and brute woman had been sent there instead made it difficult for her to remain completely calm.

If it were anyone else, she would have simply frowned... but that woman was one she would not allow.

So a faint, unpleasant thought surfaced in her mind because of this.

’Is the Sect Leader playing favorites... simply because she and Leng Qianxue once shared the same master?’

Just as that thought settled in her mind, the Sect Leader’s voice came out once more, calm and unhurried.

”No need to worry.”

The tone remained steady, carrying neither favoritism nor impatience.

”Grand Elder Leng only went there to hunt down a villain. She will not take over your territory.”

There was a brief pause before the voice continued.

”In fact, you will resume your duty of overseeing the Fen Dynasty soon.”

Grand Elder Qiao’s eyes brightened slightly at those words.

The tension in her posture eased by a fraction, until the next sentence followed.

”But not now.”

Her expression froze for a moment.

A faint frown formed between her brows as she looked toward the quiet pavilion.

”...May I know why?”

Then a soft sigh drifted out from within the pavilion.

The Sect Leader’s voice followed, still calm, yet carrying a heavier weight than before.

”I wasn’t sure back then. I only knew that if you remained there... you would die. And every member of our sect who stayed with you would be killed as well.”

There was a brief pause.

”So I chose to have you return.”

Grand Elder Qiao’s expression turned confused.

She stared at the quiet pavilion, the folded fan still resting lightly against her fingers, as if she could not immediately process the meaning behind those words.

Then the Sect Leader’s voice continued... this time lower, and far more solemn.

”...And lastly.”

The mountain wind seemed to grow colder for a moment.

”That land... is already cursed.”

The moment those words finished—

Then, almost at the same time, both figures turned their heads toward the same direction... toward the Fen Dynasty.

As they felt something ominous.