Madam, please ascend.

Chapter 45: The Yellow Trial
After returning to the Fuyao Sect, the group went to recuperate. Qingwei sent Master Wandu's finger to Qingluo Peak. As for whether Daocheng noticed the reason behind the unusual movement of the earth veins, no one knew.

In the disciple room of Youxi Peak, Yun Yi was still in a state of exhaustion due to overdrawing his spiritual power, and could only sit on the bed to regulate his breathing and rest.

Song Xinci said, "According to Qingwei, after we go to the Divine Wood Forest, the sect will summon all the elders to discuss matters. It really is a good time to do so."

Yun Yi agreed, "Furthermore, Master Qingwei said that no unusual movement was found in over a hundred earth veins. Cuiwei Mountain and Shenmu Forest might just be a coincidence."

"Humph, they are all masters of the Hedao realm. I don't believe that the Taoist will be kept in the dark and know nothing."

"The question is what the person behind the scenes wants to do. Moreover, if this person is really Piaomiaozi, even the Sect Leader cannot act rashly without substantial evidence."

"People from the Righteous Path always act slowly. If they were in the Demon Sect, they would have been killed right away."

Song Xinci rolled her eyes after she finished speaking. Yun Yi couldn't help but laugh and said, "You know, even though you're very successful in disguising yourself as a man, and everyone thinks Shi Yucheng is a handsome young man, your occasional demeanor still makes you look like a little girl."

"Do you think I'm willing to disguise myself as a man?" Song Xinci said dissatisfiedly, "If I hadn't been exposed last time when I pretended to be a ugly girl, I wouldn't have bothered to take such an unconventional approach. I could just grab a female disciple from the Fuyao Sect and pretend to be her."

"Does anyone know you're out this time?"

"Only my grandfather knows. The Shi family only knows that I borrowed Shi Yucheng's identity, but no one dares to ask what I did specifically."

"Then I wish you success in finding your enemy." Yun Yi and Song Xinci were in the same room, feeling more relaxed than ever before. In their previous lives, they rarely chatted like this. They were usually discussing how to plot against others and which sect to destroy.

Song Xinci suddenly changed the subject: "There's something I haven't asked you yet. Where is Zhuque?"

Yun Yi replied, "It should be in Crescent Moon City. After leaving the nameless town, I met someone who had inherited the immortal legacy, but was also asked to take care of a girl named Nangong Zhuozhuo. On the day we left the secret realm, a storm hit the desert, so I let her take Zhuozhuo away. Before we left, we agreed to meet in Crescent Moon City."

"And you yourself were blown to the Fuyao Sect?"

"That's pretty much it."

Song Xinci finally understood why Yun Yi came to Fuyao Sect, but she was still a little confused. "But I can't contact Zhuque. Is there something wrong with her?"

Yun Yi was equally puzzled: "A few days ago, I sent someone to Crescent Moon City to deliver a sound transmission talisman, but I haven't received a reply yet."

The two looked at each other, both a little confused, but considering that Zhuque was in the late stage of the Spirit Transformation Realm and Nangong Zhuozhuo's cultivation was not low either, the two should not be in danger of their lives.

Yun Yi also had a feeling that Nangong Zhuozhuo might have caused a major mess. The Peach Blossom Fairy was eccentric and had finally made it to the secular world. She was definitely impatient and would definitely cause a lot of trouble, even if she only cared about eating, drinking and having fun.

The two were chatting when Song Xinci's expression suddenly changed, returning to the reserved demeanor of a junior apprentice. Yun Yi could vaguely smell a familiar scent, clear, delicate, and slightly bitter.

Su Qing appeared outside the door shortly after, knocked twice gently, and asked with concern: "I heard you were injured?"

Song Xinci felt inexplicably irritated and did not take the initiative to greet him. Instead, he took out an old book and put it in front of him.

Yun Yi replied: "I'm fine, just a little weak."

"I brought you some pills." Su Qing took out a bunch of bottles and jars, then took out the appropriate amount of medicine and handed it to Yun Yi, motioning him to take it.

After yesterday's experience of refining the elixir together, the two of them had become noticeably closer. Yun Yi didn't hesitate and took the elixir and swallowed it. He could clearly feel his dantian getting warmer, and his limbs gradually becoming fuller and stronger.

Yun Yi said, "Thank you."

"Compared to the dragon fruit you gave me, these are nothing."

"That thing is of little use to me." Yun Yi glanced at the little red snake coiled around Su Qing's wrist and felt that the little guy seemed to be more lively and cute.

Su Qing suddenly asked, "Do you know about the Chenghuang Trial?"

Yun Yi nodded. "Master briefly explained that it's held every four years, usually to test one's cultivation." "That's true, but this time the Chenghuang Trial has been moved up two years, and anyone of all levels can participate. Most importantly, the grand prize is the 'Fuyao Dao Fruit.'"

"Fuyao Dao Fruit?" Yun Yi didn't know what kind of treasure this was, but he felt that it sounded quite extraordinary.

After hearing the news, Song Xinci finally put down the book in her hand and asked curiously, "Is it the Fuyao Dao Fruit that bears fruit once every thousand years?"

Su Qing smiled at this unfamiliar junior fellow apprentice and said, "That's right."

Yun Yi asked: "What's the use?"

Su Qing replied: "There are many benefits, the most important of which is to help cultivators lay the foundation for the Hedao realm."

"Hiss, such a good thing, why don't the elders keep it for themselves?"

"The Sect Master wants to cultivate the younger generation. I believe Senior Brother Meng Fan must be determined to obtain the Dao Fruit."

Yun Yi smiled and said, "What about you? You are also a peerless genius of the Fuyao Sect."

"Don't joke around. I'm not even in the Return to Void Realm, how could I possibly compete with Senior Brother Meng? And actually, I'm not very interested in the Fuyao Dao Fruit. I'm more concerned about something else."

"what?"

"The Chenghuang Trial is usually held in the forbidden area at the back of the mountain. There are several special medicinal herbs there, so I always pick some up."

"Others are fighting for their lives in the trial, but I'm afraid you are the only one whose mind is full of collecting herbs." Yun Yi found that Su Qing was a person who was not interested in worldly affairs at heart and was devoted to practicing alchemy.

The two chatted for a while longer, and Yun Yi finally realized that Su Qing's master was actually the Grand Elder of Dan Pavilion, not the Preaching Elder of Youxi Peak. No wonder she was able to hold a place at Yunxia Peak, and the disciples within the sect held her in such high esteem.

Seeing that Yun Yi was not seriously injured, Su Qing asked him to have a good rest and reminded him not to forget to take time to come to Yunxia Peak to refine the elixir. Then he left gracefully, leaving a fragrance in the room.

Song Xinci complained, "You are quite popular with women."

Yun Yi shamelessly asked back, "You just realized it now?"

……

The next day, Qingwei summoned his disciples and explained in detail the Chenghuang Trial, and told them to prepare well.

However, they did not elaborate on the specific preparations, only asking everyone to adjust their mindset and not forget their original intentions.

Yun Yi didn't know what this trial was about. Although he was very envious of the Fuyao Dao Fruit, he thought that he was only in the middle stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Even if the trial was not just a competition of cultivation, his chances of winning were still slim.

After a bitter battle with Mu Fanzhi, Yun Yi finally advanced to the middle stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Unfortunately, the Green Lotus Sword Intent had lost its former vitality and now lay listless within the gourd. He wondered how to restore it to its former state.

The matter of the unusual movement of the earth veins was handled lightly and did not cause any waves.

Therefore, Yun Yi guessed that the traitor in the Fuyao Sect was in a very high position, most likely Piaomiaozi, who was second only to the emperor and above everyone else. Only he could cover up the news of the abnormal movement of the earth veins.

I also heard that it was his suggestion to advance the Chenghuang Trial by two years, most likely to divert the attention of the elders in the sect.

Song Xinci didn't care about any of this; she just wanted to watch the show unfold. The Fuyao Dao Fruit didn't hold much appeal to her; after all, it wasn't something she could use at the Hedao level.

She just felt that the water in Fuyao Sect was becoming more and more muddy, and things were becoming interesting.

(End of this chapter)