Remnants of the Yuxu Sect

As for Bai Qianshuang—

She had finally arrived at Dongyou City, where rumors of the Jade Void Sect remnants had surfaced.

The dusk was thick at this moment.

Guards at the city gates paced back and forth with spirit stone lanterns in hand, their swaying light casting flickering shadows on the bluestone pavement. The air carried the fragrance of spirit herbs and the aroma of wine drifting from nearby taverns, yet none of it could dispel the anxiety in her heart.

Having killed those two Qingyun Sect disciples, Bai Qianshuang was naturally being hunted. However, she had left promptly, so her aura hadn’t been locked onto. Still, as time passed, the Qingyun Sect elders might eventually track her here.

"I should have used more force to crush them outright," Bai Qianshuang murmured, regretting her lack of decisiveness.

She couldn’t act as ruthlessly as Ye Chuan.

With her cultivation at the Spirit Transformation Realm, she could practically roam the Tianxuan Continent unopposed—encountering someone stronger than her was already exceedingly rare.

Yet despite possessing such power, Bai Qianshuang still chose to move discreetly.

She couldn’t afford to die.

Whether it was for the sake of avenging her master, her mother, and her fellow sect sisters… or for Ye Chuan.

She adjusted the veil of her bamboo hat, obscuring her face further, and slowly merged into the crowd entering the city.

Though Dongyou City wasn’t as bustling as Zichen City, it was still a well-known trade hub on the Donghua Divine Continent. Most shops along the streets were still lit, vendors packing up their stalls, while the occasional late-returning cultivator swept past, stirring a light breeze in their wake.

Bai Qianshuang didn’t linger. After a moment’s hesitation, she headed toward the liveliest tavern in the city—such places were often where cultivators exchanged information. Perhaps she could uncover clues about the Jade Void Sect remnants there.

The moment she stepped inside, the clamor of voices washed over her.

Laughter and chatter spilled from the private rooms on the second floor, while the main hall below was filled with groups of cultivators drinking and talking, their conversations mostly revolving around the recent attack on the Qingyun Sect’s merchant convoy.

Bai Qianshuang took a seat in a corner. A waiter quickly approached, "Esteemed fairy, what would you like to drink?"

"A pot of tea and a plate of fennel beans," she replied softly.

Hearing her modest order, the waiter blinked in surprise. "Fairy, our Gathering Immortals Tavern has many fine wines and delicacies—"

"Then bring some of those delicacies as well," Bai Qianshuang said.

"Right away!"

"And five bowls of rice."

"Uh… certainly?"

Once her order was placed, Bai Qianshuang narrowed her eyes slightly, eavesdropping on the surrounding discussions.

"Have you heard? The Qingyun Sect’s merchant convoy was ambushed thirty miles outside the city in Blackwind Valley! Rumor has it even three Golden Core cultivators escorting them were killed!"

A burly cultivator with a thick beard took a swig of wine, his booming voice drawing glances from nearby patrons.

"That’s not all! My cousin who works for the Qingyun Sect said the attackers used the techniques of the Jade Void Demon Sect! They slaughtered the entire convoy and looted everything!"

Another cultivator chimed in, his tone filled with awe.

Bai Qianshuang’s fingers tightened slightly around her teacup. Hearing them refer to the Jade Void Sect as a demonic sect still stirred turmoil in her heart.

But from the rumors, it seemed the attackers truly had ties to her former sect.

How could there have been survivors back then?

Impossible…

The Jade Void Sect had been besieged by numerous sects—escaping had been nearly unthinkable.

Even Bai Qianshuang had only survived because her master and others had sacrificed themselves to get her out.

She hesitated over whether to approach and ask for details when a green-robed cultivator nearby lowered his voice and warned,

"Fellow daoists, you’d best not spread such talk carelessly. The Qingyun Sect is hunting down anyone connected to the Jade Void Sect. If they hear you, you’ll be in trouble!"

"What’s there to fear? This is Dongyou City, not Qingyun Sect territory!"

The bearded cultivator waved dismissively.

"Besides, the Jade Void Sect’s Holy Maiden is no pushover—beautiful but ruthless, they say. Who knows? Maybe she masterminded this attack!"

Bai Qianshuang listened in silence, taking a slow breath to steady herself before rising and approaching their table, her voice cool and composed.

"Fellow daoists, I overheard your talk of the Jade Void Sect remnants ambushing the Qingyun Sect in Blackwind Valley. Might you have more details? Such as their appearances, cultivation levels, or the direction they fled?"

The bearded cultivator looked up at her, eyeing the veil obscuring her face—only a pale sliver of her chin visible—and grew wary.

"Why do you ask? You got a grudge against those demonic sect folks too?"

"I… have a score to settle with that… sect," Bai Qianshuang said after a pause, retrieving two high-grade spirit stones from her storage ring and placing them on the table.

"If you can provide more information, these stones are yours."

The glow of the high-grade spirit stones instantly captivated everyone’s attention.

The bearded man’s eyes lit up, and he swiftly pocketed them with a grin.

"Generous of you! I didn’t witness it myself, but folks near Blackwind Valley said there were about seventeen or eighteen attackers, all clad in black cloaks—faces hidden. The weakest were at least late-stage Foundation Establishment, and their leader was at the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm!"

"After the attack, they fled deep into Blackwind Valley. There’s an abandoned mine there—used to belong to some major sect, but it was deserted after the ore veins dried up."

"But the tunnels branch out everywhere—perfect for hiding," another cultivator added, clearly hoping for a share of the reward.

Bai Qianshuang pondered. An abandoned mine?

If the Jade Void Sect remnants were hiding there, it made sense.

She pressed further, "Where exactly in Blackwind Valley is this mine? Are there dangers?"

"Not sure of the exact spot, but it’s deep in the valley. They say it’s crawling with demonic beasts—ordinary cultivators wouldn’t dare venture in."

The bearded man scratched his head. "If you’re planning to go, be careful. The Qingyun Sect might be searching nearby too. Best not get tangled with them."

Bai Qianshuang nodded. "Thank you for the information."

With that, she prepared to leave the tavern—though not before packing up the untouched dishes from her table.

Night deepened, and the streets of Dongyou City grew quieter.

Bai Qianshuang stepped beyond the city gates, gazing toward the dark silhouette of distant mountains—likely the direction of Blackwind Valley.

Taking a deep breath, she transformed into a streak of white light, racing toward the valley.

"If they truly are survivors from the Jade Void Sect, I will find them," she vowed silently, a wisp of frost gathering at her fingertips.

"And if anyone dares impersonate the sect’s name for evil deeds, I won’t let them escape either!"

The night wind whipped at her robes, her veil fluttering wildly as her figure vanished into the inky darkness.

Yet not long after Bai Qianshuang departed, another figure appeared within Dongyou City.

"Hmm, where’s my Qianshuang?"