Following everyone's gaze upward, Himeko saw a young man descending slowly from the sky, standing upon a flying sword.
Mystical immortal qi curled around him like drifting clouds.
It was completely different from the martial intent that surrounded warriors.
Every movement he made felt natural, harmonious—
as if he were an incarnation of heaven and earth themselves.
With a single glance, one could tell.
This was an entirely different path from martial arts.
The supreme road of the mystic side.
Jiang Yan, Draymond, and the many Grandmasters forced themselves to their feet and cupped their fists respectfully.
"Greetings, Grand Elder Yunqing."
"Grand Elder?"
Himeko froze for a moment, confused.
Yesterday, Alice hadn't mentioned Mount Shu having a Grand Elder.
She had heard of the Seven Sacred Elders—the foundation of Mount Shu.
Among them, only the foremost could be called Grand Elder, an existence equal to the Sect Master himself.
Even the other Sacred Elders were not much weaker.
In Mount Shu's prime, such figures were at least peak Void-Refining experts.
Then this person—
"This is Elder Yunqing, the Outer Sect Grand Elder of Mount Shu."
Seeing Himeko's confusion, Draymond whispered a reminder.
Himeko suddenly understood and quickly returned the salute.
"Greetings, Grand Elder Yunqing."
Yunqing waved his hand hastily.
With others, he could maintain some dignity—but Himeko was different.
She was someone Elder Alice favored.
He didn't dare put on airs.
"Miss Himeko, no need for such formality. Though I hold the position of Outer Sect Grand Elder, I am unworthy of being addressed as a true Grand Elder."
"Elder Alice has already informed me about you. Allowing you to fall into danger this time was my failure."
Himeko shook her head gently.
"Elder Yunqing is too kind."
Yunqing didn't linger on the matter. His gaze shifted to the Blackfeather Shadow Leopard, whose eyes were filled with desperate pleading.
He snorted coldly.
"Even if most of Mount Shu's people are in seclusion, you newly awakened beasts think you're worthy of coveting us?"
"You're nothing more than a scaly brute that gained intelligence thanks to the Sect Master's grace—and you dare offend those above you?"
There was no grand gesture.
No dramatic movement.
His words fell lightly—
And the Blackfeather Shadow Leopard faded like a pencil sketch erased by an unseen hand, dissolving into wisps of green smoke.
Just an early Essence-Refining demonic beast.
And not even a respectable one at that.
A creature like the Blackfeather Shadow Leopard was so worthless that even alchemists wouldn't bother using it as material.
Sold to the Merit Hall, it might fetch a few hundred contribution points at best.
Yunqing didn't care for it.
Killing it here, in front of Himeko, was better—leaving a favorable impression.
After all, having friends in the inner sect mattered.
And her backing… was Elder Alice.
Cultivation society was still society.
Human relationships mattered.
Watching a demonic beast far stronger than the Mangfang Elephant erased so casually, Himeko opened her mouth slightly, deeply shaken.
No wonder everyone said—
In the world of Mount Shu, cultivation was the only true path.
Only cultivators were qualified to face the dangers of the cultivation world as equals.
In this world, the weak had no rights.
After dealing with the Shadow Leopard, Yunqing casually pointed a finger.
The spiritual energy that had rejected Himeko earlier now obediently gathered around them.
In moments, everyone's stamina and inner strength were restored.
Even Himeko's Honkai energy was fully replenished.
"This ferocious beast incident resulted from negligence by the outer sect disciples responsible for guarding Mount Shu Village," Yunqing said calmly.
"I will convene an outer sect elders' meeting later to address accountability."
"However—slaying an Essence-Refining ferocious beast without cultivation is something I did not expect."
"In this battle, you displayed courage and resolve befitting warriors."
"With mortal bodies, you suppressed an Essence-Refining ferocious beast."
"This achievement will be reported to the inner sect elders and counted as merit for your participation in the next opening of Mount Shu."
The crowd erupted in excitement.
Draymond in particular was overjoyed.
Jiang Yan and Himeko were already inner sect candidates—but he had to wait honestly for the sect opening.
This merit alone could greatly increase his chances.
He bowed deeply.
"Many thanks, Elder Yunqing."
Then, exchanging a glance with Jiang Yan, he asked cautiously,
"Elder Yunqing… about the Mangfang Elephant…"
Yunqing laughed and shook his head.
"Since it was your trophy, the decision is yours. Mount Shu has no interest in a mere Mangfang Elephant."
Then he glanced kindly at Himeko before continuing,
"Since the matter is resolved, I'll take my leave."
"You did well, but you were also reckless. Had that been an Essence-Refining demonic beast, none of you would have survived."
"Most of Mount Shu is in seclusion right now, so the clearing of beasts has been less frequent than before."
"If something like this happens again, activating the grand array and notifying the outer sect would be wiser."
Draymond and the others answered in unison.
"Yes, Elder."
Yunqing said no more.
Stepping onto his flying sword, he vanished in an instant.
Himeko watched him go, filled with longing.
One day…
She wanted to be just as powerful and free.
"Outer Sect Grand Elder…"
She murmured, then asked curiously,
"Mr. Draymond, how strong is Elder Yunqing?"
"Uh… that's hard to say."
Draymond scratched his head awkwardly.
"Maybe mid-stage Essence Refinement… maybe late-stage. But certainly no lower than mid-stage."
"He's one of Mount Shu's stronger figures—just tied down by outer sect affairs."
Himeko blinked.
"Then… compared to Elder Alice?"
"..."
Draymond fell silent, looking at her with complicated eyes.
Why ask that kind of question?!
He was just a Grandmaster martial artist!
Besides—wasn't the answer obvious?
Alice was the second-strongest in Mount Shu after Jiang Yan.
Late-stage Essence Refinement at perfection, Heavenly Spiritual Root, countless treasures—even spirit artifacts.
Her mastery of spells was unimaginable.
If asked directly, even Yunqing would admit he couldn't withstand a single slap from her.
But—
He couldn't say that!
Yunqing was still the Sect Master's appointed Outer Sect Grand Elder, a true Essence-Refining expert.
No matter how you looked at it, Draymond wasn't qualified to gossip about him.
Only Himeko, backed by Alice, could ask so casually.
Realizing she'd overstepped, Himeko smiled apologetically.
"Sorry—forget I asked."
Draymond sighed in relief and quickly changed the subject.
"Anyway, with Elder Yunqing present, this area should be safe for now. But we still can't relax."
"Our strength's recovered—we should bring the Mangfang Elephant back."
"After all that effort, it's time to enjoy the spoils."
"Harvest?"
Himeko tilted her head, puzzled.
Draymond chuckled.
"Didn't Elder Alice explain this?"
Himeko shook her head blankly.
Draymond wasn't surprised.
The mysteries of the cultivation world were endless—especially those tied closely to martial arts and ferocious beasts.
Himeko was an inner sect candidate. Martial resources weren't her focus.
So he said,
"Every hunt is dangerous—but also an opportunity."
"But the details can wait. This place still isn't entirely safe."
Himeko nodded and followed the group as they began dragging the massive beast back.
Perhaps because Yunqing had appeared, the surrounding area was eerily quiet.
Not even a Foundation Establishment beast appeared.
Watching hundreds of people struggling to haul the corpse, Himeko sighed.
If they were cultivators, they could've just stored it in a spatial artifact.
The destroyed outskirts of Mount Shu Village were already being repaired by Innate experts.
What would be a wave of the hand for cultivators still required effort for them.
But compared to ordinary people, this was already miraculous.
Materials could be moved with ease.
Ying'er stood at the edge, gazing into the distance, worry flickering in her eyes.
If the battle had stayed within the village, the grand array could have suppressed the beast.
Even if it cost spirit stones—
That was better than risking lives.
But Jiang Yan and the others valued spirit stones more than their own lives.
Unless the village faced extinction, they'd never activate the array.
She wasn't worried about Jiang Yan.
If things went wrong, he could always retreat.
But Himeko…
Her strength was still uncertain.
Soon, Ying'er spotted the massive silhouette approaching.
The Mangfang Elephant.
It was really dead.
She hurried forward, checking on Himeko.
Aside from exhaustion and mental fatigue, she was unharmed.
Ying'er finally relaxed.
"Miss Himeko, thank goodness you're alright. And you even slew a ferocious beast—this is an unparalleled feat."
Himeko smiled bitterly and shook her head.
"Jiang Yan was the main force. I only assisted."
"It was terrifying… we almost didn't make it back."
"And right after the beast, a demonic beast appeared."
"If not for Elder Yunqing, we'd all be dead."
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