Leaving the corpse in the coffin to soak up the fluids, Fa Chuyou led the way deeper into the valley. Outside the cave Gu Tian had vanished into, she paused and drew a breath. “Gu Tian! Time!”

A pause. Hui stared into the cave, trying to pierce the darkness within. At last, a form appeared. Gu Tian stepped out of the shadows and blinked around, pushing his hair back from his face. He looked half-asleep, as if Fa Chuyou had woken him from a deep slumber. Half-closed eyes scanned over Hui and Fa Chuyou. “Taking that corpse to show Master Jing?”

“Er… good morning, Elder Brother. It’s me, Xie Hao,” Hui said, bowing.

Gu Tian blinked, then shook his head and rubbed his eyes. “Xie Hao? When did you get so… er, you look great today.”

Ah! Was my original ghoul skin really that hideous? Hui cried silently.

Fa Chuyou beamed. “Right? Look at his clear skin, his lovely hair! I even got it to grow an inch longer. If only he’ll let me refine him again…” She cast a longing look at Hui, sweeping his eyes over his body with a hunger similar to, and yet different from, Bai Xue’s. A longing sigh escaped her lips. “Ah… so much potential…”

Hui’s skin crawled. Elder Sister, please don’t look at me like that!

Gu Tian cleared his throat, suddenly awkward. “Er, well, I… I just remembered, I was summoned…” He dashed off, out of the valley.

Hui watched him go, then turned to Fa Chuyou. “Elder Sister, why was Gu Tian in that cave?”

She shook her head, a solemn expression on her face. “Many years ago, he was brought back suddenly one day by the Sect Master. From what I understand, he was taken in as one of the Sect Master’s disciples for something extraordinary about his cultivation base… probably the same quality that allows him to avoid aging, despite being at the second stage. However, he suffered a severe injury to his cultivation before the Sect Master could bring him back to the sect. Ever since then, he needs to rest periodically in places with strong death qi, or his injury worsens.”

A severe injury to his cultivation base… brought back suddenly by the Sect Master… The figure he’d seen with his third eye flashed before him again, then the ancient skeleton in white robes, lying in the secret realm. Gu Tian… what is your secret? That skeleton was suddenly killed, probably from a blow from an ally. Then a young disciple with odd cultivation and a soul that doesn’t match his body is brought back to the Black Asp Sect by the Sect Master… the Sect Master, who only took over a few hundred years ago… Hui rubbed his forehead. I’m so close. I feel as if I’m only missing one last clue.

They pressed deeper into the valley. The sky grew darker, the sun paling to silvery moonlight. Hui glanced up, and found stars sparkling overhead. They glittered with a cold indifference. Silver light chilled him to the core, piercing through his body to directly touch his cultivation. Hui paused mid-step, transfixed. His soul shuddered, flickering in place.

Fa Chuyou tugged his hand. Hui blinked, then looked at her, confused. She shook her head. “Don’t look up. This is Master Jing’s Silver Night Sky. It appears sometimes when he’s deep in contemplation. If you stare at it too long, you might lose your soul.”

Hui shook his head. Fear chilled his stomach much colder than the frozen light of the stars had. I almost died! If it hadn’t been for Fa Chuyou…! He bowed deeply. “Thank you, Elder Sister!”

She smiled and waved her hand. “Oh, it’s nothing, it’s nothing. But do be mindful. Elder corpses that wouldn’t hesitate to eat a small death cultivator like yourself wander this valley. Ruined Calamity isn’t the only dangerous ghoul.”

Hui bowed again. Don’t forget you’re in a demonic sect, Hui. Danger lurks behind every corner. If you let up your guard for a moment, you’ll be devoured!

The valley floor began to ascend, leading toward a low peak. As the floor grew taller, the valley walls, too, grew deeper, so that Hui wasn’t completely sure that they were ascending rather than descending.

Fa Chuyou took his hand. Hui looked at her, tipping his head.

“Hold on. The mountain’s defenses won’t activate if you’re holding my hand.” She chuckled. “I’ve always had to take corpses to greet Master Jing like this… I never imagined I’d bring a death cultivator to greet him, too, one day!”

Hui glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. Mmm… Elder Sister, why does this cultivator feel like you’re reminiscing about your past boyfriends with your husband-to-be right now? Please, this small cultivator doesn’t feel that way about you!

Even so, he held on. If Master Jing can create a sky that draws people’s souls out by meditating, I don’t want to find out how earthshaking his defenses are! As long as Fa Chuyou doesn’t ask me to complete the three kowtows, I won’t complain!

A figure appeared at last, sitting atop the peak of the tall, yet deep peak. The same old man who sat inside the hut in the dark plains outside the snake skeleton sat there, long white hair flowing in the wind. This figure’s aura weighed heavily on Hui’s shoulders, unlike the one in the plains. A strange sensation passed through him as he looked at Master Jing, as though he looked at eternity. He shivered. The Master Jing in the dark plains is only a clone, isn’t he? This Master Jing… if I compare him to Master, who would win?

Hui hesitated, then shook his head. No, no, I’m thinking all wrong! Even if Master Jing would win today, Weiheng Wu would win tomorrow! My Master’s true power is his comprehension and cultivation speed! If he claims to be second when it comes to cultivation speed, who would dare claim to be first?

Master Jing’s eyes cracked open. Silvery light poured out of them, beaming across Hui and Fa Chuyou. Hui closed his eyes on instinct, knowing he couldn’t bear the force of that silver light.

“Fa Chuyou… my disciple. What brings you to this peak?”

“We have a small request for you, Master,” Fa Chuyou said. Her hand moved as she bowed, and Hui bowed with her, eyes still shut.

“Speak,” Master Jing intoned.

She stood again. Hui stood with her.

A moment passed. Fa Chuyou squeezed his hand. “You can open your eyes now, Xie Hao.”

Hui cleared his throat awkwardly. Uncertain, he peeked open one eye.

Master Jing looked down on him. His aura rescinded, the silver light dissipated, he looked like a kindly old man rather than an overbearing expert.

Hui opened his eyes and gave Master Jing a polite smile. He bowed again. “Master Jing, I have long admired your illustrious path. A grandmaster such as yourself truly stands alone even in the Black Asp Sect, a dragon among pythons. When you speak, the world falls silent, and even the wind neglects to blow. The sky itself obeys your—”

Master Jing cleared his throat. He cocked an eyebrow at Hui.

Getting the message, Hui quickly wrapped up. “—obeys your every command. Master Jing, this small cultivator, who is truly not worthy to look upon you, desperately comes before you now, prostrating for a chance to—”

Fa Chuyou interrupted him. “Master, Xie Hao saw a pill cultivator being taken hostage by some of our cultivators and thought they would be useful to aid his… and my comprehension. Is there anything you could do to intervene? We’re afraid the pill cultivator will languish, unutilized, in someone else’s hands.”

Master Jing closed his eyes, crossing his arms. After a moment, he nodded. “I’ve spoken with their master. They’re willing to meet to negotiate in the plains, just outside Vertebra 108.”

“Thank you, Master.” Fa Chuyou bowed.

He turned his gaze on Hui. Hui shivered, feeling as if the man’s eyes pierced through him, revealing all. He wanted to move away, but his body froze in place.

Master Jing’s brow froze. He frowned, then met Hui’s eyes. “You… are looking for a Master.”

Hui bowed silently, acknowledging his statement.

“But you already have one.”

Hui froze. His heart thudded. On instinct, he began to kill his qi, but barely held back. Hold on, Hui, hold on! He probably won’t fall for it if you just keel over! Pretend to take at least one attack…!

Fa Chuyou stared at Hui, eyes wide. “Xie Hao…”

Master Jing narrowed his eyes at Hui. “Many disciples come to this sect with secrets. Tell me, young disciple. What is your objective?”

Hui swallowed. He licked his lips, then finally drew a breath. “I… I came here… to gather death qi!”

It’s true, it’s true, please believe me, elder! Even though I’m a righteous cultivator, I didn’t come here with any ulterior motives except to cultivate death qi!

Master Jing stared at him for another few moments, then laughed. “How fitting, for a… death cultivator. You… I will sponsor you in the trial realms, as you wish. My Fa Chuyou has no interest in them, after all. But I will not recognize you as a true disciple.”

Hui bowed again, lower. “Thank you, Master Jing. This is truly more than I could ever wish for.”

Master Jing harrumphed. “Don’t lay your hands on Fa Chuyou, and I’ll ask no more of you.”

“Master Jing!” Fa Chuyou protested. A fierce blush crawled over her cheeks, and she glanced aside at Hui.

Hui shook his head firmly. “You can have faith in this small cultivator, Master Jing!”

“It’s okay, Xie Hao, he’s only teasing you,” Fa Chuyou murmured.

Master Jing’s eyes glittered with vicious light. Hui gave him a solemn look, silently sharing a promise between men.

Master Jing closed his eyes again, satisfied.

Fa Chuyou waited another few moments, then nodded and offered her hand to Hui. “Let’s go.”

“Er, Elder Sister…” Hui said, eyeing her hand. Sweat dripped down his back. If I take it… if I take it, will this small cultivator leave the mountain alive?

“I’ve allowed you to step upon the mountain. There is no need to worry about the defenses,” Master Jing intoned, eyes still shut.

He sighed, relieved. “Ah, see? Thank you, Elder Sister, but this small cultivator will be fine.”

Fa Chuyou pouted, but lowered her hand.