"This must be fake!"
Niu Er had been working as a menial disciple at the Divine Pill Peak and had studied pill scriptures and medicinal principles. He didn’t believe there was any potion that could force someone to tell the truth.
When Ye Chuan handed him the potion, he knew it was a bluff. But with so many eyes watching, he was certain it couldn’t be poison either.
"I’ll drink it!" Niu Er took the potion and downed it in one gulp.
It tasted sweet, with no discomfort whatsoever. He couldn’t even sense any medicinal effect!
His heart leaped with joy—it really was fake!
"How’s the taste?" Ye Chuan asked with a grin, genuinely curious about the flavor.
He wasn’t the type to drink truth serums for no reason.
"Meh, not great. Doesn’t compare to the nectar I stole from Xu San last time," Niu Er replied casually. The next moment, his eyes widened as he realized what he’d just said.
A menial disciple in the crowd shouted, "So it was you! I knew someone stole the nectar Elder rewarded me with!"
Niu Er shuddered and stammered, "Yeah, it was delicious. Loved it. I’ve stolen plenty of your stuff. You always hide your storage pouch under the flower pot in your room when you go on missions."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Niu Er froze. He had meant to say, No, I didn’t! But the truth spilled out instead.
"Did you see Jiu'er steal anything?" Ye Chuan asked.
Niu Er instinctively nodded. "No. I just wanted revenge because she refused to be my cultivation partner."
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
"You’re disgusting! Good thing I never agreed to anything back in the village," Jiu'er said angrily.
Niu Er’s face turned ashen. He couldn’t control his words—no matter what he intended to say, the truth forced its way out.
"Senior Sister," Ye Chuan glanced at Zi Ning'er beside him. There was no need for further explanation.
Zi Ning'er looked at Niu Er coldly. "Punish him according to sect rules."
"..." Niu Er took a deep breath.
Though resentful, he sneered inwardly.
So what if my cultivation is crippled? I never had much talent anyway. I’ve lived over a hundred years. Even without cultivation, I can still live decades more with the Qi Refining Pills and Nourishing Pills I’ve saved up.
"Falsely accusing a fellow disciple and stealing their belongings—your crimes are severe," Zi Ning'er declared. "By sect law, execution."
The truth serum’s effect hadn’t worn off. Niu Er blurted, "Cripple me then. I’ll still have decades of freedom."
A beat later, he paled. "Execution?"
Before he could finish, Zi Ning'er struck. A violet thunderous palm strike erupted, reducing Niu Er’s body to nothingness with a deafening boom.
The surrounding menial disciples gasped, trembling in fear.
"Let this be a warning. If I catch any of you stealing, you’ll face the Soul Lash—a fate worse than death," Zi Ning'er said icily.
"Yes, Senior Sister Zi!"
Once the crowd dispersed, Jiu'er bowed gratefully. "Thank you, Senior Brother and Senior Sister, for clearing my name."
"It’s nothing. You’re from the Flying Sword Peak, right?" Zi Ning'er had a good memory and recognized her.
Jiu'er was surprised. As a mere menial disciple, she hadn’t expected to be remembered.
"If something like this happens again, report it to the Law Enforcement Hall. They’ll handle it."
"Yes."
Before leaving, Jiu'er glanced at Ye Chuan, then turned away.
Ye Chuan watched her go, but Zi Ning'er’s voice interrupted his thoughts. "Junior Brother, do you know her?"
"Hm?" Ye Chuan hadn’t expected her sharp observation. "She’s my maidservant."
"Oh?" Zi Ning'er was taken aback.
A newly admitted disciple with a maidservant? Maybe Junior Brother Huang isn’t as upright as I thought.
Though he noticed her skepticism, Ye Chuan didn’t bother explaining. "Senior Sister, we have business to attend to."
"Right."
Zi Ning'er led him to a towering stone tablet covered in glowing runes formed by spiritual energy.
"This is the mission board. Place your hand on it to select a sect mission." She pressed her palm against the tablet, and moments later, a rune emerged—
"Nine hundred li west of Qingyun Sect, in the Demon Beast Mountains, a Foundation Establishment Great Perfection demon king lurks. Reward: twenty contribution points." Zi Ning'er said. "This mission suits you."
"Twenty points—what can I exchange for?" Ye Chuan asked.
"Already thinking about rewards before finishing the mission?" Zi Ning'er chuckled and guided him to another area. "This is the Treasure Exchange Pavilion. With twenty points, you can only get a low-grade treasure."
Ye Chuan’s eyes roamed over the displayed treasures, a smirk forming.
Marking this spot.
Exchanging points is too slow. I prefer borrowing directly.
His bag was stuffed with miscellaneous items and techniques. Originally, he planned to sell them at an auction house for spirit stones or treasures.
But he wasn’t sure where the nearest auction house was.
"Senior Sister, do you have a map of the area around Qingyun Sect?"
"If you want a map, you can exchange one here for one contribution point." Zi Ning'er rummaged in her storage pouch and pulled out a scroll. "But since you don’t have points yet, consider this a gift."
Ye Chuan unfolded the map, revealing the Donghua Divine Continent. Though not detailed, it was sufficient.
"Thank you, Senior Sister."
"It’s nothing. We’re both disciples under Elder Ziyun. We should help each other." She hesitated, looking slightly guilty. "Besides, I owe you..."
"Owe?"
"Never mind. Forget I said anything." She shoved a token into his hands. "I have matters to attend to. If you need anything, use this to contact me."
With that, she soared away on her sword.
Ye Chuan watched her vanish into the distance. This Senior Sister is interesting. Probably feels guilty because of that lousy ninth-grade Crystal Core Pill Ziyun gave me.
Zi Ning'er and Ziyun—their shared surname and her attitude made their connection obvious.
With this map, I can take a mission as an excuse to sell my goods. He glanced back at the Treasure Exchange Pavilion. Tempting, but too many eyes here. Better leave the sect for now.
He still hadn’t located the pill formulas. A trip outside would also let him trade for spirit stones.