This person was Su Ye.
Just now, having nothing better to do, he had secretly tried to probe Xue Mingzhao's depth, only to end up with absolutely nothing—he couldn't detect even a shred of spiritual energy.
Su Ye's heart skipped a beat.
He had met many experts before, and the more formidable they were, the deeper they hid their presence.
This young girl looked about the same age as him, yet she was completely clean, without even a trace of spiritual energy.
She was either a pure mortal or her cultivation was so high that he couldn't see through it at all.
But this was the venue of the Great Sect Tournament! With such tight security, how could a mortal possibly sneak in?
Even thinking with his toes, he knew it had to be the second option.
Now that she had proactively approached him to strike up a conversation, cold sweat instantly broke out all over Su Ye's back.
It's over, it's all over. The hidden powerhouse found out he was secretly peeping, and now she's here to settle the score!
Run? Where could he run? She could crush him to death with a single finger.
Explain? Would a powerhouse even listen?
In a flash of inspiration, Su Ye made what he believed to be the most correct choice—admitting defeat.
He immediately stood up straight, cupped his hands, and bowed. His attitude was incredibly respectful. “This humble one is Su Ye. May I ask what Senior's commands are?”
Hearing the word “Senior,” Xue Mingzhao instantly realized he had mistaken her for a peerless powerhouse.
It seemed hitching a ride was going to work!
Holding back her laughter, she put on an enigmatic front. “My flying magic treasure is broken, and it can't be repaired anytime soon. I need to go to Sunset Valley. Could I trouble you to give me a lift, fellow Daoist? Rest assured, you will be handsomely rewarded once we arrive.”
Su Ye felt a bit puzzled.
A powerhouse's flying magic treasure could break?
Even if it did, with her cultivation, couldn't she just fly over directly?
But on second thought, how could he possibly guess the thoughts of an expert? Perhaps she just wanted to keep a low profile and avoid exposing her identity.
An absurd thought even popped into his head out of nowhere—perhaps this senior had taken a liking to his handsome face. But that didn't matter.
What mattered was that she promised a “handsome reward”!
Su Ye instinctively touched the few remaining spirit stones in his sleeve. If he couldn't find a place to stay soon, he would practically have to pawn his pants.
At this thought, he no longer hesitated and waved his hand to summon his spirit vessel.
Though it was called a spirit vessel, it was actually just a piece of old peach wood plank. It was carved with a crooked Spirit Gathering Formation, and the cabin was lined with a few patched-up beast skins. It could seat four people if they squeezed together.
A piece of tattered cloth hung from the stern to serve as a sail. It wobbled precariously when flying, but its sole advantage was its flexibility, making it easy to weave through forests.
It was the ultimate low-end model exclusive to poor rogue cultivators.
Outsiders didn't know, but this broken boat was something he had reluctantly traded his sword tassel for.
Xue Mingzhao stepped aboard and found a place to sit.
Su Ye jumped on after her and channeled spiritual energy into the formation. The broken wooden boat wobbled as it slowly ascended and flew toward the distance.
After flying for a while, Su Ye asked in hindsight, “Did you say earlier, fellow Daoist, that you are going to Sunset Valley?”
Xue Mingzhao looked up at him. “Why? Is it not on your way, Fellow Daoist Su?”
“It is, it is.” Su Ye paused, his tone slightly probing. “It's just... do you know what kind of place Sunset Valley is, fellow Daoist?”
Of course Xue Mingzhao knew.
It was written in the book that this place had a beautiful name. At sunset, the evening glow would blanket the valley like a layer of rouge.
But once the sun fully set and the glow faded, the valley became a perilous land of man-eating terrors, infested with poisonous vines and demon beasts. But she needed to cling to a powerful thigh, so she had to steel herself and go.
She remained perfectly calm. “I know. That is exactly where I am going.”
Su Ye fell silent, his fingers unconsciously picking at a patch on his cuff.
He had been in this world for a month. He had only heard the name Sunset Valley last time when listening to some rogue cultivators chatting in a rundown tea shack. They said it was a “man-eating hunting ground” where nine out of ten who entered never returned.
At the time, he had thought: I wouldn't go to such a ghostly place even if it killed me.
Yet here he was, flying straight toward it.
He couldn't help but steal another glance at Xue Mingzhao. If he hadn't been kicked out and left with nowhere else to go, he wouldn't dare step into this man-eating hunting ground even if he were given ten times the courage.
Xue Mingzhao had no time to worry about his wild imagination; she was busy making her own calculations.
After rescuing Huang Siqi, the worst-case scenario would be that he wouldn't accept her as a disciple.
But surely the Sect Master of a major sect wouldn't take a life-saving favor for granted, right?
Even if he just casually gave her some spirit stones or basic cultivation methods, it would be enough for her to make a living in this world.
Su Ye's broken boat was indeed incredibly slow. After wobbling for a long time, by the time they landed, the sky was completely dark.
Su Ye put away his spirit vessel, and the two walked up to a broken stone tablet carved with the words “Sunset Valley.”
Xue Mingzhao took one look and went completely numb on the spot.
The ground was covered in dried black blood, and bone fragments and torn pieces of clothing were scattered in the crevices of the rocks.
A miserable shriek echoed from the darkness in the distance, followed immediately by the sound of flesh tearing, and then silence returned, leaving only the rustling of leaves in the wind.
A chill ran down Xue Mingzhao's spine, and goosebumps broke out from her arms all the way to the back of her neck.
Su Ye also instinctively gripped the sword at his waist, taking half a step back, his entire body tensing up.
Looking at the gloomy valley before her, Xue Mingzhao's earlier thoughts of picking up a cheap opportunity instantly cooled by half.
A few brief strokes on paper were one thing, but seeing it with her own eyes made her realize just how terrifying it was.
In a place like this, she would probably lose her life before she could even walk inside.
She couldn't even begin to imagine how Shen Chaoyue, injured as she was, managed to survive in this ghostly place and even rescue someone.
She turned to look at Su Ye and suddenly asked, “What is your cultivation level?”
Su Ye was taken aback, then answered honestly, “Third layer of Foundation Establishment.”
Xue Mingzhao sighed in her heart.
She was a pure mortal herself, without even a shred of cultivation.
Su Ye's strength at the third layer of Foundation Establishment was fine for wandering around the valley's entrance, but if they really went inside, he wouldn't even be enough to fill the gaps between a high-tier demon beast's teeth.
Risking her life for an uncertain opportunity was simply not worth it.
Moreover, as she carefully recalled the plot of the book, Shen Chaoyue's rescue of Huang Siqi took place in the deepest part of Sunset Valley.
With her and Su Ye's current level, they couldn't possibly make it there.
Xue Mingzhao made a prompt decision: retreat.
She could find another way to secure a place to stay, but once her life was gone, everything was gone.
Seeing her turn to leave, Su Ye was stunned. He quickly followed and asked in a lowered voice, “Senior, we've already arrived. Why aren't we going in?”
Xue Mingzhao's footsteps paused.
Oh, right. In Su Ye's eyes, she was still a hidden powerhouse.
For a powerhouse to turn around and leave right at the entrance of a dangerous place would completely ruin her persona.
Her mind spun rapidly as she tried to conjure up a good excuse. She couldn't very well say, “I suddenly got scared, let's come back another day,” right?
Before she could come up with anything, a weak, hoarse cry for help suddenly drifted over from nearby inside the valley.
“Help... Help... Someone save me... You will be handsomely rewarded...”
“I am... Sect Master... Save...”
As the wind blew, the voice came in intermittent gasps. Most of it was unintelligible, but the words “Sect Master” were exceptionally clear.
Xue Mingzhao's footsteps immediately froze.
She didn't dare go into the depths of the valley, but this voice was close—at most, it was only several dozen feet away, right by the edge.
Her eyes instantly lit up.
Sunset Valley, heavily injured, claiming to be a Sect Master—everything matched!
Su Ye frowned and listened for a moment, his expression tightening slightly as he rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. “Senior, this person's breath is as thin as gossamer, and their vital energy is completely dissipated. I'm afraid they are on the verge of death.”
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