Chapter 131

Chapter 131: Rosy Cloud Valley Butterfly

If raised from birth and bonded to a cultivator, Rosy Cloud Butterfly could serve as their master’s eyes. They would slip into places unseen, gathering secrets their master could not safely seek out. Small as ordinary mortal butterflies, they were easily overlooked by even the most cautious of eyes.

This time, Yun Xi’s mission was to gather powder from the wings of Rosy Cloud Butterfly, along with some butterfly eggs.

Upon arriving at Rosy Cloud Valley, Yun Xi stepped off the flying ship along with other cultivators bound for the same place.

She had barely walked two steps when two youths approached her, their manners eager yet respectful, asking warmly, “Respected Senior, is this your first visit to Rosy Cloud Valley? If you plan to hunt Rosy Cloud Butterfly, we advise you to buy our latest butterfly distribution map. Our family elder personally updated it just yesterday. Only five low-grade spirit stones.”

Yun Xi glanced at them. Clearly, these two were rogue cultivators, though likely guided by a Foundation Establishment elder in their family. Despite only being mid-stage Qi Refining themselves, they spoke confidently and calmly, having obviously stayed long enough here to know Rosy Cloud Valley very well.

“All right, give me one.”

She tossed five low-grade spirit stones toward them and received a jade slip in return.

The two youths immediately cupped their fists in gratitude. “May Senior return from Rosy Cloud Valley with a bountiful harvest.” Without lingering further, they quickly moved to the next unfamiliar face, eager to sell their map once more.

Yun Xi had already used her spiritual sense to glance through the jade slip. She found the five spirit stones spent very worthwhile—the slip contained not only the butterflies’ latest known resting places but also their potential flight paths.

She knew that when Rosy Cloud Butterfly laid eggs, they scattered them widely, aware of cultivators’ greed. This way, even if some eggs were discovered, others would still survive.

Yun Xi didn’t need to guess; she knew that the valley’s outskirts had already been scoured by cultivators, leaving very few eggs overlooked. Her eyes turned toward the valley’s deeper reaches, yet this map lacked any markings of the back valley.

At this moment, a little maiden slipped beside her, smiling sweetly before speaking, “Respected Senior, I have here a map of the deeper reaches of Rosy Cloud Valley. My mother risked her life to scout it, even suffering injuries. Might Senior be interested?”

“How much?”

“Ten low-grade spirit stones.”

It was twice as expensive as the first. Seeing Yun Xi hesitate, the little maiden hurried to explain, “Senior, another cultivator bought my map before and discovered two third-order Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly eggs. I promise it’s worth far more than the price.”

Third-order butterflies equaled Golden Core stage, making their offspring incredibly valuable. Yun Xi’s interest was stirred. She casually threw the maiden ten low-grade spirit stones and was about to accept the jade slip when Dian Dian’s voice suddenly echoed in her mind:

“Master, be careful! There’s something dirty on that jade slip.”

Yun Xi’s movements never faltered. Instead, she covered her right hand in spiritual energy and calmly took the slip. Seeing her accept it, the little maiden visibly relaxed, quickly taking the spirit stones and turning to leave.

“Dian Dian, did you smell something?” Yun Xi asked silently, transmitting her voice to Dian Dian nestled in her robes.

“Master, can you let me sniff it closely? This smell seems familiar.”

“Fine, let’s find a place to rest before entering the valley.”

Yun Xi glanced around and spotted a small town bustling at the valley’s entrance. Small as it was, it had all a traveler might need. She went straight for a tea house, knowing such places were always filled with information and gossip—places where unexpected rewards could often be found.

The shop assistant was mortal, respectfully leading Yun Xi upstairs to a private room before withdrawing to prepare tea.

As soon as he left, Yun Xi tossed the suspicious jade slip onto the table and pulled Dian Dian from her robes, setting it down.

Dian Dian shook its fur gently, cautiously sniffing around the jade slip. After making a careful circle, it transmitted back urgently:

“Master, Dian Dian has definitely smelled this scent before! When we encountered those demonic cultivators in Wanruo Forest, they marked the bottom of your boot. The smell here is identical, only much stronger.”

Yun Xi’s eyes narrowed slightly—trouble had found her again.

“Are you sure, Dian Dian?”

“Master, Dian Dian is certain! My nose could never mistake it!” Dian Dian stood up on its hind legs, puffing out its chest proudly.

Knowing the jade slip was dangerous, Yun Xi abandoned any idea of using it, flicking her sleeve to sweep it into a corner of the room.

Just then, the waiter knocked and entered, bearing a tray of fragrant spirit tea. After arranging everything neatly, he was about to withdraw when Yun Xi stopped him, tossing him a low-grade spirit stone.

“I’d like some information.”

The waiter pocketed the stone swiftly, bowing respectfully. “Immortal Sir, please tell this humble one what you wish to know.”

“Has anything unusual happened lately in Rosy Cloud Valley?”

The waiter hesitated, unsure what Yun Xi truly wanted to hear. After a moment, he chose his words carefully:

“Rosy Cloud Valley is always lively, filled with cultivators coming and going. Most people only explore the outer valley; few venture into the back valley, where it’s said a third-order Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly lives. Recently, a cultivator ventured into the back valley and returned with two eggs he claimed belonged to that very butterfly, saying he was only successful because she was weak after laying eggs.”

“Later, some brave cultivators bought his map and also went to the back valley. Soon after, a Golden Core Daoist Master purchased those two third-order butterfly eggs at a high price and spread word he would buy more eggs. Naturally, this attracted another wave of cultivators into the valley’s depths.”

Yun Xi thoughtfully stroked Dian Dian’s fur as she listened. Then she asked, “Have other cultivators successfully returned with eggs since?”

“Yes, yesterday a cultivator emerged badly wounded, but he managed to bring back eggs and sell them to that Golden Core Daoist Master before secluding himself for healing. As for others, this humble one does not know.”

“Good, you may leave now.”

After sending the waiter away, Yun Xi turned to Dian Dian. “Did you notice anything from his story?”

Dian Dian twitched its little black ears, its bright eyes thoughtful as it replied, “Those demonic cultivators must be luring others into the back valley. What I can’t tell is if that Golden Core cultivator is their ally.”

A faint smile crossed Yun Xi’s lips. “Your guess is right, Dian Dian, though it’s based on your scenting out the demonic cultivators. The others have no idea. They only hope to earn spirit stones and willingly face danger for the chance of reward.”

“But if every cultivator who entered the back valley vanished without a trace, people would quickly grow wary. These demonic cultivators are clever—they let a few succeed and return safely, though injured, proving that fortune comes with risk. It’s easier for cultivators to believe this way. Any sensible cultivator knows that free spirit stones never simply fall from the sky.”