"Black Moon Flower?"
Qin Yang took out his mission slip, feeling a headache coming on as he read the herb's name.
The Black Moon Flower was a medicinal ingredient required for refining the second-grade pill, Breath Recovery Pill.
It grew in damp, dark forest areas, shaped like a crescent moon. The plant emitted a silvery glow in the darkness, resembling a small moon, hence its name.
What made Qin Yang's head ache was that this Black Moon Flower could be either incredibly easy or incredibly difficult to find, depending on the circumstances.
Looking up at the moon that hung like a silver plate in the sky, Qin Yang sighed.
"The Black Moon Flower only emits light in pitch-black darkness. The slightest bit of light makes the entire plant as dark as soil - you'd go blind trying to see it..."
"The rear mountains are so vast, and the moon is so full. Where am I supposed to find this flower? Oh, right - Zhou Shi's lackeys only said to meet them in the rear mountains. This damn..."
Qin Yang's forehead creased with frustration. Why couldn't anything go smoothly?
The rear mountains of the Thousand Hidden Sect didn't refer to a single peak, but rather the collective name for the mountain range beyond the three main peaks.
Cultivators from the sect often ventured into these mountains to hunt demonic beasts. Over time, the rear mountains had been stripped of all but the lowest-level demonic beasts, leaving only a few remaining specimens that were reserved as training grounds for outer disciples.
"There's still time left. Let's start by searching for herbs!"
Qin Yang, guided by his memory of the mountain's terrain and his knowledge of the Black Moon Flower, identified several likely locations where the flower might grow.
"Bi Yue Lake doesn't seem to be within the rear mountain area; it's already considered part of Dark Shadow Peak's territory..." After some hesitation, Qin Yang decided to head to Bi Yue Lake first.
The pristine moonlight made his task infinitely more challenging, yet it illuminated the mountain path, making it easier to navigate.
Whenever he spotted a darkened area, Qin Yang hurried over, searching intently. He cleared countless piles of weeds, but not a single Black Moon Flower appeared.
"Bi Yue Lake is just ahead. Let's hope it's there!"
The mere thought of the Black-faced Manager gave Qin Yang a headache. If he failed this task, who knew what the man would nag about next?
"Hmm? What's that fragrance? So sweet..."
As he approached a massive tree near Bi Yue Lake, Qin Yang was about to crouch down when an alluring scent suddenly filled his nostrils.
It carried floral notes that pierced his heart, stirring something primal within him.
Following the aroma around the tree's trunk, he found a pile of garments laid out on a nearby rock.
White silk robes, pink ones...
"A woman's clothes?" An odd light flickered in Qin Yang's eyes as he couldn't resist taking another sniff. The scent truly was intoxicating...
The faint sound of water flowed by Qin Yang's ears, his expression complex.
"Who's bathing this late at night?"
Qin Yang's heart churned with conflicting emotions. His legs moved of their own accord, slowly drawing him toward the water's edge.
"Just a peek," he reasoned. "One glance can't hurt. What if it's some old hag? I'd be missing out on a real treat!"
Another splash echoed through the night. Qin Yang followed the sound, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets at the sight before him.
A mermaid-like figure emerged from the water, her body gliding toward the shore with liquid grace.
Her curves were both voluptuous and refined, her skin so flawless it seemed to glow. Long hair cascaded over her snow-white shoulders as she moved with the delicate steps of a lotus blossom, each motion radiating allure.
Qin Yang's heart hammered against his ribs. He stood frozen, hands clutching the woman's discarded clothes - the very garments that had been wrapped around her exquisite form.
The intoxicating fragrance that filled his nostrils burned like poison, setting his blood aflame.
But the true spectacle came when the beauty turned to rinse her hair, completely oblivious to the stranger's eyes upon her.
Her flawless back was laid bare, the mysterious curves of her form on full display...
Qin Yang gasped, nearly choking. He'd seen every angle - a perfect 360-degree view of heaven itself!
"Damn! This girl is so beautiful—she can't possibly be from the Outer Sect. If she catches me staring, she'll kill me for sure..."
Qin Yang wanted to flee immediately, but his traitorous legs seemed rooted in place. His eyes refused to blink, glued to the scene...
Perfect profile. She looks about my age...
Qin Yang shook his head vigorously, cursing his own weakness. What nonsense am I thinking?! He pinched his thigh hard, finally regaining control of his body.
Just as he was about to slip away, a wolf's howl pierced the air.
"A demonic beast!" Qin Yang ducked down, scanning the area.
By the Bi Yue Lake, a greenwood wolf demon had materialized out of nowhere!
"Only a low-level beast, equivalent to the Qi Refining Realm for humans." Qin Yang exhaled in relief, then tensed again.
The peerless beauty had already noticed the wolf demon and charged toward it in a blur.
Her snow-white, graceful form clashed with the demonic wolf. After a few swift exchanges, she delivered a killing blow to the creature.
"Who dares spy on me bathing? I'll skin you alive first, then rip off your hide!"
Lou Mengyu wrinkled her jade-like nose, leaping back into the lake with a splash.
Qin Yang's jaw dropped. To witness such a sight was truly a blessing from three lifetimes!
But this girl was a bit too fierce...
Not wanting to die or get skinned alive, Qin Yang naturally had to make a hasty retreat.
He turned around just to put the clothes back in their place, but then heard that crisp voice again, like silver bells.
"Done looking?"
Lou Mengyu had appeared behind Qin Yang at some point. What she never dreamed of was that, besides that demonic wolf, there was another living person secretly watching her!
"No." Qin Yang blurted out, then immediately slapped himself and corrected, "I haven't seen anything. I don't understand what you're talking about."
"Don't understand?" A murderous glint flashed in Lou Mengyu's eyes, especially when she saw her clothes in his arms!
Copy opponent's technique: Ice Heart Art. Opponent's current realm: Qi Gathering Realm. Higher than host's level. Technique automatically copied, but does not upgrade host's realm.
Copy opponent's martial art: Clear Wind Willow Palm. Exceeds host's level. Martial art automatically copied. Proficiency upgraded to peak mastery. Does not upgrade host's realm.
"Cross-level replication!" Qin Yang's eyes lit up. In an instant, he felt his body become incredibly light and agile, and he also mastered a new palm technique.
Unfortunately, being only at the Qi Refining Realm, he couldn't experience more profound sensations.
"Wait! She's attacking me!" Qin Yang's heart skipped a beat. Instinctively, he turned around and struck back with a palm.
Their palms collided. The peerless beauty didn't retreat a single step, but Qin Yang's entire body was shoved backward three feet!
Lou Mengyu's expression froze. How could he block my sneak attack?
Qin Yang was equally stunned. Her clothes - including her intimate undergarments - were still in his arms. At that moment, she was completely...
For a moment, Qin Yang forgot about his numb hands and throbbing arm...
"Ah!" Lou Mengyu clearly realized something too. With a scream, she executed the Pursuit Wind Step and struck again.
Copy opponent's movement technique: Pursuit Wind Step. Automatically upgraded to peak mastery.
Direct confrontation meant certain death. She was at least in the Qi Gathering Realm. Her first strike had been a surprise, not using full strength, but this one...
Qin Yang growled, "Pursuit Wind Step!"
He immediately turned and fled!
While running, he kept glancing back.
In Qin Yang's view, he was merely monitoring her movements, afraid she might catch up.
Yes, that's it. Nothing more than that!
But to Lou Mengyu, this thief was actually stealing glances at her? She hurriedly tried to cover herself, but blocking above exposed below, and covering below left above...
Though she was in the late Qi Gathering Realm with true qi circulating in her body, these awkward movements left her momentarily unable to pursue.