Chapter 106: The Valley Beneath Li Yue, the Divine Thunder Bamboo Tube

“Are you here for the ancient immortal’s lost treasure?”

Those words struck like thunder, exploding in Qingyuan’s ears and causing his body to tremble with disbelief.

This voice was far fiercer, seemingly ten times stronger than the thunder magic he had mastered.

The arrangements made by the Venerable Guangyuan Ancient Master in this place were secret and concerned Qingyuan’s very life.

To Qingyuan, the treasure hidden beneath those arrangements was the most precious relic in the world, even though he did not know what it truly was.

Yet this alluring and mature woman before him already knew what lay within?

Instinctively, he tightened his grip on his iron rod and placed his other hand on the Yin Spirit Chariot of the Red River White Night.

“Don’t be nervous,” Hua Mei said lightly. “After all, I’ve cultivated here on Mount Fuzhong for many years and have grown up here since childhood. Of course, I’m still quite young now... but inevitably, I’ve noticed a thing or two about Mount Fuzhong. Even that old fellow outside the mountain has caught wind of some things.”

“The old fellow outside Mount Fuzhong?” Qingyuan was confused at first, then suddenly awakened. “The patriarch of the Sun family in Luoyue Commandery?”

“That’s the one,” Hua Mei said, raising her brows with a mix of charm and nobility. “But that guy is overly confident and overestimates himself.”

Qingyuan fell silent. The Sun family patriarch’s cultivation was at the fifth heaven, but even that was just arrogance—how about himself?

“I sensed you the moment you entered the mountain,” Hua Mei said, leaning closer. When Qingyuan instinctively stepped back, she hummed softly and continued, “After you fought with Yuling, I paid more attention. Every direction you traveled eventually led to Liyue Valley. Liyue Valley is the most mysterious place in Mount Fuzhong; even I dare not venture there lightly. There have long been secret legends surrounding it...”

She winked at Qingyuan, her expression curious. “Little one, tell me—what exactly is this ancient immortal’s lost treasure you speak of in the legends?”

Qingyuan was silent for a long moment before looking up to meet her gaze. After a pause, he said quietly, “I do not know.”

“I believe you,” Hua Mei replied.

Hearing this, Qingyuan was somewhat surprised.

“A young man who can meet my gaze calmly is indeed trustworthy,” Hua Mei said, folding her arms as her chest rose proudly. “But you should be careful. Liyue Valley has already drawn the attention of others.”

A shadow crossed Qingyuan’s heart, but he had anticipated this and was not shocked.

Although he had just learned the treasure’s location was called Liyue Valley, he had long speculated about that place from maps and was quite familiar with the surrounding area.

There were formations placed there, and without mastery of formation arts, no one could enter easily—not even an elder. Though Qingyuan only had a basic understanding of formations, he was skilled in runes, which gave him some confidence.

Qingyuan exhaled and bowed. “Thank you for the warning.”

“You need not thank me,” Hua Mei said with a slight smile. “But I have no chance to claim the ancient immortal’s treasure myself, nor will I let others get their hands on it.” She glanced at Qingyuan. “It’s just a pity your cultivation is too shallow. Even if you come prepared and have clues from elsewhere, it will still be difficult for you to succeed.”

Qingyuan remained silent. No matter how difficult, he would have to give it his all.

Having said her piece, Hua Mei then looked at Yuling and said, “Take your senior sister; it’s time to go.”

Qingyuan noticed that although Hua Mei spoke of the ancient immortal’s treasure so casually, she seemed to have already cast the matter aside without concern, which inspired a faint respect in his heart.

Hua Mei’s cultivation was remarkably high; she could sense Qingyuan’s changing emotions and turned her head with a light laugh. “Don’t admire me too much, or you might end up liking me...”

Qingyuan silently lowered his head to check on Gu Cang’s wounds.

Thanks to Hua Mei’s intervention, Gu Cang’s injuries had healed by more than half and were rapidly improving. Qingyuan thought to himself, no wonder she is a flower demon with profound cultivation—truly a spirit of the mountain.

At that moment, Hua Mei casually took something out and handed it to Yuling.

Yuling took it—a bamboo tube—and exclaimed, “What is this?”

Hua Mei explained, “It was originally a green bamboo. I once saw a divine thunder bolt fuse with it, turning it into a superior thunder dao artifact. But since I don’t use weapons, I casually cut it down and refined it into eighteen bamboo tubes. Their purpose is simple: just infuse them with your true qi and magical power, and you can communicate with each other.”

“Why do we need this?” Yuling’s eyes widened. “Mother... no, sister... all the flowers and plants in Mount Fuzhong are your eyes and ears. I can talk to you anytime.”

“But you’ll be leaving Mount Fuzhong,” Hua Mei said, patting her little head with a sigh. “The world is vast, far beyond Mount Fuzhong. I’m no immortal; I don’t have the power to instantly perceive everything. These bamboo tubes, infused with divine thunder and refined by me, allow communication over thousands of miles in an instant, as fast as lightning.”

Yuling looked reluctant but nodded softly.

Then Hua Mei casually tossed a bamboo tube into Qingyuan’s arms.

Qingyuan looked surprised. “This is...?”

“Today I spared your life; consider it your good fortune,” Hua Mei said with a teasing glint in her eyes. “But you also owe me a favor. And you injured Miss Lu from the Huanhua Pavilion, then took advantage of her just now...” She winked mischievously.

Qingyuan said nothing, so Hua Mei chuckled twice, her tone captivating. “Since you owe a debt, you must repay it. Keep this bamboo tube with you. If there’s ever a time you need to repay your debt, I’ll let you know through it.”

Qingyuan lowered his head to look at the bamboo tube calmly. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll throw it away?”

“Trying to shirk your debt won’t be so easy...” Hua Mei blew lightly. “If you dare throw it away, no matter where you run, I’ll find you and kill you. Don’t think I’m bluffing. I’ve lived on Mount Fuzhong many years and want to travel outside now and then—killing along the way. And besides... you won’t throw it away.”

Qingyuan tossed the bamboo tube in his hand. “Why not?”

“Because... I can notify you of many things through this bamboo tube,” Hua Mei said, covering her mouth, her eyes narrowing seductively. “Don’t get the wrong idea... it’s just to inform you of many matters that cultivators care about.”

Qingyuan had a vague understanding and asked, “About the mundane world’s battlefield?”

“That’s right,” Hua Mei said. “Besides that, I can inform you of any stirrings among cultivators, like the current situation in Luoyue Commandery. Even if you’re elsewhere, I can tell you through the bamboo tube.”

“Why?” Qingyuan asked.

He knew Hua Mei was a flower demon with unfathomable cultivation, born on Mount Fuzhong.

Mount Fuzhong was where the Venerable Guangyuan Ancient Master had placed his arrangements long ago. Growing up there, Hua Mei likely had extraordinary gifts. From what she said, she could learn news from the plants and flowers—a notion Qingyuan found plausible after some thought.

What truly surprised him was why Hua Mei would help him.

In that instant, he couldn’t help but recall similar actions by Bai Jiye.

“I told you just now... you owe a debt, so I’m giving you a way to keep in touch, to repay it later,” Hua Mei said, covering her lips and laughing softly. “Little one, this is the first time I’ve given a gift to a man—you can’t refuse.”

Her voice was full of laughter, alluring and charming, but for some reason, Qingyuan felt a sudden chill upon hearing her last words.

What would happen if he refused?

Qingyuan didn’t continue pondering but knew the outcome wouldn’t be good. He sighed, pocketed the bamboo tube, and said, “I understand.”

ps: June 1st, Children’s Day. Last year I asked for presents from everyone, but this year I seem to hear a silent voice urging me to take a break: “June, just one update.” Hmm... but as a diligent author, how could I slack off without reason...