Some time later, Elder Liang indeed came to the Wind-Lotus Courtyard, explaining in detail the several trials they might encounter in the secret land, providing some materials, and giving each of them a puppet-like magical treasure before taking his leave.
After seeing Elder Liang off, Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang each fiddled with a puppet for a long while without speaking.
"They've prepared quite thoroughly," Nie Wushang finally said after a long pause, putting down the puppet in her hand.
The puppet was only palm-sized, yet exquisitely crafted. It carried a faint aura that was neither demonic nor spiritual Qi, making it difficult to identify for the moment. However, it was indeed a rather good magical treasure. Elder Liang had said that the secret land was located within the Starfall Mountains, surrounded by some poisonous creatures that produced miasma. Carrying this puppet would allow them to avoid the miasma and conserve their spiritual Qi.
"Indeed," Mo Tiange said, gazing at the puppet in her hand and frowning slightly. "Could it be that we're being overly sensitive?"
Both fell into contemplation. In truth, City Lord Mei's actions weren't particularly unreasonable. It was just that they were accustomed to thinking the worst, making such good fortune seem unlikely to fall upon them. An ancient secret land, an invitation from a Nascent Soul cultivator, and with little life-threatening danger. In the Tianji Region, where would such good fortune be casually revealed to outsiders?
Thinking this, Mo Tiange felt she was being too suspicious. This was Yunzhong, not the Tianji Region. How could she know if such things weren't commonplace here? Moreover, weren't those dozen or so Core Formation cultivators all without suspicion? Observing the words and actions of Yong Ruyu and Qiu Chengruo, the senior brother and junior sister, they seemed to find City Lord Mei's behavior perfectly normal...
After pondering for a while, Mo Tiange said, "We'll play it by ear. Didn't we agree with Yong Ruyu and the others? We'll act together with them when the time comes. If something seems off, we can use their behavior as a reference."
"Mm," Nie Wushang agreed. She couldn't make heads or tails of this matter anyway, so they might as well proceed this way.
Several days later, a maidservant came to the Wind-Lotus Courtyard to summon them. This time, it wasn't the small hall where they had met City Lord Mei, but the main hall of the city lord's residence. It was here that Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang finally saw the other cultivators.
At first glance, there were fifteen cultivators gathered here. Ten of them were demonic cultivators. Among the righteous cultivators, besides the two of them and Yong Ruyu and Qiu Chengruo, there was also a seemingly very solitary green-robed swordsman.
This person was at the middle stage of Core Formation, carrying a longsword on his back that faintly emitted a glow. He had a very thin face, sitting expressionlessly in a corner, not uttering a word.
Seeing Mo Tiange looking at this person, Qiu Chengruo leaned closer to her and whispered, "Fellow Daoist Qin, my senior brother and I tried to approach this person. He seems very wary of outsiders and refused our proposal."
"Is that so?" Mo Tiange raised an eyebrow. Among over a dozen cultivators, most of whom were demonic cultivators, this person was actually unwilling to travel with Yong Ruyu and the others. Was he truly solitary by nature, or was he extremely confident in himself?
Seeming to sense someone watching him, the man turned his head, glanced at them, gave a stiff nod, then turned back to continue staring expressionlessly ahead.
"..."
The four of them were somewhat speechless. Even Nie Wushang felt this person looked excessively cold and aloof. It seemed he truly disliked interacting with others.
"Forget it," Mo Tiange said. "Perhaps this Fellow Daoist truly has a solitary personality and dislikes socializing."
"Fellow Daoist Qin is right," Yong Ruyu said. "Since he is unwilling to join us, there's nothing we can do."
The other three nodded and withdrew their gazes.
"Fellow Daoist Qin," Qiu Chengruo said, looking at Mo Tiange with a smile. "It's been several days since we last parted. I wonder if the pill you wanted to refine has been completed?"
Mo Tiange smiled. "It is done. If Fellow Daoist Qiu has nothing else to do, perhaps you could help me evaluate it?"
Qiu Chengruo waved her hands repeatedly. "I only have a rough understanding of the Alchemy Technique. I dare not claim to evaluate, but I would certainly like to see it."
During their last casual chat, Qiu Chengruo had inadvertently learned that Mo Tiange was also proficient in alchemy and was overjoyed, saying she also loved alchemy very much and wished to seek more guidance from her, and so on. Although Mo Tiange wasn't particularly fond of getting close to people, she wouldn't refuse when others treated her kindly, so she had agreed.
Yong Ruyu watched the two of them with a smile and said, "Junior Sister, you stay here with Fellow Daoist Qin. Fellow Daoist Tian Can and I will go over there to chat and return when City Lord Mei arrives."
"Alright, Senior Brother, you go ahead," Qiu Chengruo said with a smile to him, then took Mo Tiange's hand and affectionately sat down beside her.
Yong Ruyu turned to Nie Wushang and said, "Fellow Daoist Tian Can, let them talk. We can also go over there to chat."
Nie Wushang saw Mo Tiange give her a slight nod and said, "Very well." Her current identity was that of a man, so she couldn't justifiably stay behind. Besides, talking alone with Yong Ruyu might yield other gains.
Since learning that Mo Tiange already had a Dao Companion, Qiu Chengruo's attitude had become much more natural. Not only was she no longer guarded as before, but she also treated Mo Tiange with great familiarity.
Mo Tiange felt that although Qiu Chengruo wasn't the same type of person as herself, her current behavior wasn't unpleasant. If she maintained this attitude, there would be no problem in associating with her. After all, there were countless people in this world. How could one refuse to associate with others simply because their thoughts differed? Even among friends, one sought common ground while reserving differences, tolerated inconsistencies, adjusted one's own pace, and sought aspects to appreciate in each other.
Realizing she was thinking about this, Mo Tiange was momentarily stunned. She found herself recently pondering the word "friend" more often. Was it because she was getting along better and better with Nie Wushang, making her feel she could have a few more friends? This wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Over the past hundred years, she had always been rather solitary. Apart from people like Luo Fengxue and Ye Jingwen who took the initiative with her, she had never thought of making friends with others. In the past, she was busy with cultivation and her own cultivation level was insufficient, so she didn't dare to easily make friends. Now that she was a Core Formation cultivator, there was no need for that...
"...Fellow Daoist Qin?"
Hearing Qiu Chengruo's voice, Mo Tiange snapped back to reality and apologized, "Sorry, I was thinking about a problem, so..."
Qiu Chengruo showed an understanding expression and leaned closer to ask, "Fellow Daoist Qin... were you thinking about your husband?"
Mo Tiange paused but did not deny it. Although she hadn't been thinking about Qin Xi just now, every few days, she couldn't help but think of him. In the Tianmo Mountains, she and Qin Xi had made a blood oath to each other. Since their separation, she could sense that Qin Xi's condition was very stable, so she wasn't overly worried. He was probably still in seclusion, she thought.
Seeing her expression, Qiu Chengruo covered her mouth with a light laugh and asked curiously, "Judging by your actions, Fellow Daoist Qin, you are very free-spirited and forthright, truly not like someone trapped by matters of the heart. I wonder what kind of person your husband is, to have won your devotion?"
This question made Mo Tiange pause for a moment. What kind of person was Qin Xi? How could that be summed up in a few words? The more time she spent with him, the more she realized his goodness—goodness that wasn't convenient to discuss with outsiders.
"He... is a very considerate person. Although he doesn't speak much, he keeps people in his heart. Being with him gives a feeling of being treasured and valued..."
Seeing the smile that appeared on Mo Tiange's face, Qiu Chengruo seemed thoughtful. "It seems you love your husband very much."
Mo Tiange looked at her, puzzled. "Fellow Daoist Qiu, how can you tell?"
Qiu Chengruo said, "Your expression doesn't lie. Thinking of him makes you feel very happy and content."
Recalling her feelings just moments ago, Mo Tiange couldn't help but smile slightly. Indeed, even just thinking about him made her feel very happy.
"Moreover, when mentioning him, you don't first speak of his cultivation level or status, but of his personality... The two of you probably became Dao Companions out of mutual love, right? Not because of an elder's order or for cultivation purposes among fellow disciples..." At this point, a trace of melancholy appeared in Qiu Chengruo's gaze.
This puzzled Mo Tiange. "Fellow Daoist Qiu, what you said... could it be..."
Qiu Chengruo forced a smile. After a moment, as if unwilling to accept it, she said, "My senior brother and I became Dao Companions originally because of our master's words."
Mo Tiange raised an eyebrow. "But judging by your demeanor..."
Qiu Chengruo sighed softly. "Of course, since we became Dao Companions, we naturally have feelings for each other." She looked at Mo Tiange, her gaze complex. "Actually, I truly envy people like you, who aren't senior brother and junior sister, with no interests involved..."
Mo Tiange was silent for a while, looking at Qiu Chengruo's sorrowful expression, and finally said, "My husband... is also my senior brother."
Qiu Chengruo was taken aback, surprised. "Then you two..."
"Since we've already become Dao Companions, what does it matter if we're senior brother and junior sister?" Mo Tiange said with a smile. "Among fellow disciples, there are naturally more opportunities to interact, and more chances for feelings to develop. Isn't that very normal?"
"...Mm," Qiu Chengruo responded softly, the melancholy between her brows slightly lessening as she looked at Mo Tiange with a smile. Perhaps because of those words just now, she felt even closer to Mo Tiange, unlike before where, although affectionate, there was still a hint of formality.
"By the way, what about the pill you mentioned, Fellow Daoist? I almost forgot the main matter."
Mo Tiange smiled slightly, taking out a jade bottle from her Qiankun Bag. "The ingredients for this pill are too complex. I failed several times before finally refining this one bottle."
Qiu Chengruo took it, pulled out the stopper, and poured out a pill. The pill was a clear, azure-green color, carrying a refreshing, subtle fragrance. A single whiff made one feel invigorated.
Qiu Chengruo first observed the pill's quality, then sniffed its aroma, and finally tasted a bit of the powder. Finally, she revealed a look of pleasant surprise. "Fellow Daoist Qin, I never imagined your Alchemy Technique was so outstanding. The fire control for this pill is just right, with almost no impurities. It's truly a top-grade product!"
Mo Tiange smiled modestly. "I'm just quite interested in alchemy. When it comes to the Alchemy Technique, my senior brother is actually more skilled."
"Is that so?" Qiu Chengruo was astonished. "An Alchemy Technique like yours is already comparable to the most outstanding alchemists of our Danxia Sect!"
"You flatter me too much, Fellow Daoist Qiu."
Qiu Chengruo tasted the pill powder again, reluctantly poured the pill back into the bottle, and asked, "Fellow Daoist Qin, this pill of yours should be an antidote, right? I wonder what it's called?"
"It's called the Clear Wind Jade Dew Pill," Mo Tiange said. "It is indeed for detoxification and can also be taken in advance to guard against things like mist."
"Is that so?" Qiu Chengruo looked at the jade bottle in her hand, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Fellow Daoist Qin, I'd like to exchange something else or spirit stones for your Clear Wind Jade Dew Pill. I wonder what you think?"
Mo Tiange pondered. "This..."
Qiu Chengruo hurriedly added, "Don't worry, Fellow Daoist Qin. I absolutely won't take advantage of you. You can name any price."
"That's not what I meant," Mo Tiange said. "To be honest, the success rate for this pill isn't high, and the ingredients are very complex. I've only managed to refine this one bottle."
"..." Qiu Chengruo looked at the jade bottle in her hand, finally sighed, and handed it back to her. "In that case, I shouldn't force the issue. However, Fellow Daoist Qin, if you refine more in the future, please do consider me."
"Naturally," Mo Tiange replied with a smile and a nod.
The two of them discussed the Alchemy Technique for a while longer. Although Qiu Chengruo's alchemy skills weren't as good as Mo Tiange's, they were still not weak. Some of the alchemy methods were unique to Yunzhong, which benefited Mo Tiange greatly.
Just as they were speaking happily, they suddenly sensed a powerful aura approaching from afar. Immediately, all the cultivators in the room fell silent. Such presence... it must be City Lord Mei arriving.