Mei Qi flew through the air, having just left Wu Meiying’s summit. She normally would have been gritting her teeth in anger. That was how she used to react whenever she was in Wu Meiying’s presence. This time, however, she had a smile on her face. She even felt like humming a tune.

Every elder of the Heavenly Sword Sect had their own mountain summit. Mei Qi’s stood as a symbol of opulence and grandeur, a shining jewel among the peaks, a place of both awe and envy for disciples and visitors alike. Many young disciples and even some of the elders had longed to be invited onto her summit

It was nestled amidst a cluster of majestic peaks, strategically positioned at the highest point, and offering a panoramic view of the entire sect’s territory save the sect master’s summit. This vantage point was a constant reminder of her elevated status within the sect.

She set down among the architectural masterpieces that seamlessly blended traditional aesthetics with modern sophistication. Orange golden rooftops, intricate carvings, and vibrant red and gold color schemes dominated the buildings. The main hall where she accepted guests was known as the Hall of Beauty and featured towering pillars adorned with jade and precious gemstones. Its grand entrance was guarded by a life-sized golden dragon statue.

The area where Mei Qi set down was a lush garden. It surrounded the buildings, a meticulously manicured landscape bursting with color. Her personal gardeners were, even now, tending to the array of rare and exotic flowers. Everything from celestial peonies, phoenix orchids, and moonlit lotus blooms were gathered. A koi-filled pond with jeweled bridges added an enchanting allure to the picturesque scenery.

It’s not enough.

Mei Qi ignored the disciples, young men she had enthralled with her beauty, tending to her garde, and made her way into the Hall of Beauty. What spread out before her as she entered was a resplendent masterpiece of architecture and aesthetics. Sophisticated wooden panels featuring motifs of blooming lotus flowers, graceful cranes, and soaring phoenixes were bathed in radiant gold leaf. The entrance was framed by colossal vermillion pillars, each wrapped in elaborate golden dragon engravings. This hall was a dazzling display of Mei Qi’s vanity.

Mei Qi was devoted to the pursuit of beauty, and she had spent endless amounts of her wealth on creating an abode that accurately showcased her refined sense for aesthetics. And yet…

It’s still not enough.

Several disciples were cleaning the Hall of Beauty, but they all stopped and kowtowed when she entered. She ignored them and traveled up to her private sanctuary. This was the only place where she could retreat from the world’s gaze and indulge in her personal rituals. She occasionally brought men up here to play. However, rare were the times when someone aside from her was allowed entrance.

Her favorite fragrance wafted into her nose shortly after she entered. It was a blend carefully curated

The predominant color scheme was a rich combination of deep purples, regal golds, and hints of crimson. A magnificent vanity and dressing area dominated one side of the room. The vanity was a masterpiece of craftsmanship. The ornately framed mirror reflected her image in the most flattering light, and neatly arranged on the table were cosmetics, perfumes, and jewels. However, the focal point of the room was a grand, four-poster bed, draped in the finest silken fabrics in shades of purple and gold. That bed had cost more than all the other furnishings in her room.

The walls were adorned with priceless works of art and treasures. There were even portraits of Mei Qi in various stages of her life, from a young maiden who had just entered the Heavenly Sword Sect to an esteemed elder. Framing the art and portraits were precious gemstones and jewels displayed in glass cases. Everything about this room bespoke of the opulence and beauty she desired.

And yet…

It’s just not enough. I need more.

Mei Qi walked over to the desk. While most of the objects were all related to beauty, there was one that was not. It looked like a leather bound notebook. It was brown and ugly. She normally would have kept it hidden, but she had nowhere to store it.

Grabbing the book, she wandered over to a low-seating table surrounded by plush cushions. The lacquered finish showcased a beautiful woman wielding a sword. She set the notebook down, summoned a quill and some ink, then carefully jotted a note.

It worked just like you said it would. I went to see Wu Meiying and she did not notice a thing.

She paused, set the quill down, and leaned back. It would take a while before she received a reply. She let her thoughts wonder, thinking about how her world had been flipped upside down ever since she had been asked to visit Divine Moon Hall as an emissary. None of her compatriots knew about what happened there. Even the sect master was entirely unaware of what went on.

Mei Qi opened her eyes when she felt a slight disturbance of chi. She looked down at the notebook. A reply had appeared in thick, bold ink, though it only remained for a few moments before vanishing.

As I expected. Be sure to keep that talisman on at all times.

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

Mei Qi touched the talisman in question. It looked like a necklace, ornately adorned with sapphires and rubies. No one had said anything when she came back wearing this necklace because it didn’t look out of place on her. They probably hadn’t even noticed she was wearing the necklace.

She took up her quill and wrote some more.

I will.

Another response appeared.

And do not get cocky. Wu Meiying might not be able to accurately see your timeline anymore, but that will make her suspicious. Be careful.

Of course.

No more words appeared, and she shut the notebook, leaned back again, and sighed.

“There is so much work for me to do, but it’s okay. Soon. Soon, I will have everything I ever dreamed of,” Mei Qi said into the silent room.

***

The first step toward tracking the Azure Sovereign Serpent was gathering local knowledge. Someone must have spotted the magical beast during their excursion into the Yuan Mountain Range and come back to deliver the news. That being the case, Wu Jian and Mei Ling asked around first thing in the morning and discovered that the people who had sent the report was a gang of mercenaries called Breaking Dawn. Their headquarters was on the outskirts of the city.

What they found upon reaching the city limits was a modest and functional encampment, a collection of tents and basic buildings nestled against the backdrop of a tropical jungle. They walked through a gate after speaking with the guards. Several sturdy canvas tents of varying sights were set up in a semi-organized manner. They seemed to serve multiple purposes, functioning as dining areas, makeshift barracks, and workshops. Most were unadorned and focused on practicality over aesthetics.

Wu Jian glanced over and saw several men surrounding a vampire. The scent of food and burning wood filled his nose as the cultivators sat on logs, laughing as they shared meal and stories.

At the center of the camp was a tattered and weathered banner displaying the Breaking Dawn emblem, fluttering in the wind. It symbolized the unity and identity of this mercenary company.

A pair of guards stood before the tent. Wu Jian and Mei Ling showed off their badges, which they received for this mission. It let everyone know they belonged to the Heavenly Sword Sect. The pair stepped aside and one of them opened the flap.

The scent of tobacco lingered inside the tent, causing Wu Jian’s nose to twitch. He wasn’t used to the smell. Unexpectedly, the floor was made of carpet. It was a thick rug made from some kind of magical beast hide, though he didn’t know what kind.

Standing before a table were two people. One of them was a weathered and grizzled man with a ruggled appearance that reflected years of life in the wild. He was of average height. However, his presence was commanding. His face, lined with scars and etched with experience, told tales of countless life and death struggles.

His hair was mostly black but had streaks of silver; he was at the Human Limit Realm, though only the first subrealm. He must have reached this realm much later in life or he wouldn’t look so old. Despite his age, his eyes were sharp and piercing, radiating the wisdom of someone who had seen much and done much. His outfit was simple yet practical, consisting of durable leather armor adorned with trophies from slain beasts and a dark hooded cloak that was currently let down.

It was the other person in the tent who surprised him.

“Yu Qian?!”

“Jian Wu?!”

The person standing next to who Wu Jian took to be the mercenary leader was none other than Yu Qian, Yu Cheuchen’s nephew.

Wu Jian had first met Yu Qian after joining the Imperial Shang Academy. They hadn’t known each other for very long, but they had gotten along well enough that he considered this man a friend. Yu Qian had left the Shang Kingdom after the Three Geat Sects Tournament in order to get stronger.

He had changed a lot since the last time Wu Jian had seen him. His hair was longer than Wu Jian remembered and now tied behind his head in a messy ponytail. It retained its dark hue, but it looked a little lighter than before, a testament to the amount of time he had spent outside. His gray eyes were the same. His face also retained its handsome features, but he now had several scars.

His outfit was similarly scratched; he wore a breastplate that looked like it had once gleamed in the sunlight but was now dull. The tremulous hum of chi emanating from it let Wu Jian know this was profound spirit armor. Judging from the amount of chi he sensed, it was middle-grade. His outfit was finished with black pants, boots, and vambraces that were also profound spirit armor.

“It’s been a long time,” Wu Jian said.

“Too long,” Yu Qian agreed.

They reached out and clasped hands.

“You did say you were traveling to the Yuan Peninsula last time we spoke,” Wu Jian mused. “I suppose it’s not unusual for me to see you here.”

“But it is unusual for me to see you here,” Yu Qian smiled. “What are you doing here anyway?”

“Mei Ling and I are on sect business.”

“Sect business?” Yu Qian blinked, then noticed the robes they were wearing. He raised an eyebrow. “You joined the Heavenly Sword Sect?”

Wu Jian shrugged. “The offer came up after I won the International Power Ranking Tournament.”

“Wow. So you won that tournament too. Impressive. And you’ve gotten much stronger.”

“As have you.”

Yu Qian’s smile was shallow. “Maybe, but I’m not nearly as strong as you. I can’t even sense your cultivation.”

Yu Qian was now at the peak of the Human Limit Realm, which was impressive in its own right. Most cultivators who did not belong to a sect or large nation with plenty of resources rarely reached this realm. The fact that he had reached this realm while in the Yuan Peninsula stood as testament to his trials. As someone who had also experienced a lot while traveling, Wu Jian respected this man for his feat.

Wu Jian smiled behind his mask. “While I’m glad to see you’re doing well, I actually came here to speak with the leader of the Breaking Dawn Mercenaries about something.”

He was about to turn and look at the grizzled veteran, but then, grinning like he had some important secret to tell them, Yu Qian went back to the table. The other man in the room took several steps back. Wu Jian raised an eyebrow when he stood at a respectful distance from Yu Qian. The way he acted. It was as if…

“Then you’re in luck, for you are looking at the leader of the Breaking Dawn Mercenaries.”