Chapter 132

Chapter 132: First Steps into Rosy Cloud Valley

Dian Dian swung its tail gently and said, “Master, if your guess is right, then surely many cultivators will rush to the rear valley. Won’t that just be giving their lives to the demonic cultivators?”

Yun Xi nodded thoughtfully and replied, “Perhaps. We’ll only know for sure once we enter Rosy Cloud Valley, but I believe they have a very specific goal.”

Dian Dian rolled its tiny black eyes and asked again, “Master, could they be using those jade-map distributions to target lone female cultivators like yourself?”

After considering it for a moment, Yun Xi thought Dian Dian might indeed be right. Previously, those demonic cultivators had relentlessly pursued Yu Qing Cheng and Liu Hao Tian from the Hundred Flowers Pavilion precisely because they wanted to capture them alive, intending to use them as furnace cauldrons—a method favored by demonic cultivators to increase their cultivation.

“Master, what shall we do next? Are we still going into Rosy Cloud Valley?” Dian Dian’s voice transmitted anxiously.

“Of course, we must go,” Yun Xi replied firmly. “Completing our mission is one thing, but I also want to see what these demonic cultivators are scheming.”

Yun Xi never claimed to be a savior, but since trouble had appeared before her, she would naturally investigate. She was a person who held grudges; last time, they had bluffed their way out with a formation to scare off the demonic cultivators, who fled with their tails between their legs. But this time, she was a genuine Nascent Soul True Lord’s personal disciple, with a solid backing. Her cultivation had reached a level where she could put up a decent fight—the only thing she lacked was practical experience, so she certainly wouldn’t pass up such a rare opportunity.

After finishing her spirit tea and resting briefly, Yun Xi headed directly to the Hundred Goods Pavilion. She bought a map of Rosy Cloud Valley, covering both the front and rear valleys, with clear markers indicating the distribution of Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly.

The shopkeeper smiled and explained, “Immortal maiden, my maps might be expensive, but the price is justified. Our Hundred Goods Pavilion has sent Golden Core Cultivators into the valley to thoroughly survey the terrain. Apart from the Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly’ habitats shifting occasionally, everything else is quite stable. This map is absolutely worth its price.”

Yun Xi chose to purchase the map from here precisely because it was more comprehensive. Additionally, she wanted to inquire about the rumored third-rank Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly. After handing over spirit stones readily, she casually asked, “When your Golden Core Daoist Masters explored the valley, did they encounter the third-rank Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly?”

“Actually, they didn’t,” the shopkeeper replied truthfully.

“Then, does that rumored third-rank Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly even exist?” Yun Xi pressed.

The shopkeeper waved his hands hastily, saying, “Fellow daoist, just because our cultivators haven’t seen it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly are weak and timid creatures. When faced with cultivators of equal strength, they’re bound to hide. However, that third-rank butterfly surely exists. Cultivators have successfully retrieved its eggs from the valley before, and this cannot be faked. I’ve seen such eggs myself—they’re orangish-red, only as big as an infant’s pinky fingernail, and very distinctive.”

Yun Xi nodded with understanding.

The shopkeeper enthusiastically suggested, “Seeing as you’re headed for the rear valley, fellow daoist, it’s filled with dangers. You might want to buy some defensive treasures or medicinal pills from our store as a precaution.”

Yun Xi politely declined, putting away the map and quickly leaving the Hundred Goods Pavilion.

Soon after, she joined the stream of cultivators entering Rosy Cloud Valley.

Inside, the spiritual energy was noticeably richer than outside. Tall trees intermingled with shrubs, and colorful flowers bloomed brilliantly under the nourishing spiritual qi, lifting the spirits of all who saw them.

After entering the valley, the cultivators began to disperse, some choosing to travel alone, others in groups. Yun Xi headed straight toward the rear valley, her intentions clear.

Nearby cultivators, noticing her direction, began whispering among themselves, “Look, another reckless cultivator trying their luck in the rear valley. Is a third-rank Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly egg that easy to get?”

“Just because you lack courage doesn’t mean others do. Who knows, maybe she’ll succeed,” another retorted.

“Humph, only two cultivators have ever brought those eggs out. Everyone else who went in never returned,” the first cultivator argued defensively.

“Enough! Let’s just look for first- or second-rank Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly,” someone else urged, and the group moved on.

As Yun Xi approached the rear valley entrance, she encountered several first- and second-rank Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly. Even though she was alone, she swiftly caught them using a wind-binding spell. Carefully, she collected the powder from their wings before gently releasing these beautiful butterfly demons unharmed.

However, as she drew closer to the rear valley, more and more Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly appeared, fluttering their wings and creating a stunning, colorful mist that encircled Yun Xi.

“Master, these butterflies seem overly enthusiastic,” Dian Dian transmitted with concern.

Yun Xi also sensed something was off. According to the map, the entrance area to the rear valley wasn’t supposed to be a gathering spot for Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly. Yet, she couldn’t resist completing her mission, so she swiftly activated a formation disk, trapping the butterflies temporarily, and carefully harvested wing powder, regretting only that no eggs were among them.

She divided the powder into two portions—one for the mission and the other to keep for herself, as she had reached the second-rank high-tier alchemist and needed neutralizing agents for potent pills.

Once finished, she released the butterflies from the formation and continued towards the rear valley.

Just then, a small pearl-colored Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly detached itself from the group, quietly trailing Yun Xi.

From the moment she entered the valley, Yun Xi had spread out her spiritual sense to remain alert. She’d clearly heard the earlier cultivators’ conversation, further confirming her suspicion that the so-called third-rank butterfly eggs were merely bait.

The sneaky Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly behind her drew her attention, but since it made no immediate move, Yun Xi pretended not to notice. Just as she was about to step into the rear valley, the butterfly swiftly landed on her shoulder.

Reacting instinctively, Yun Xi summoned a Cold Frost Mystic Ice Needle, pointing it at the butterfly. But Dian Dian quickly intervened, exclaiming, “Master, it says it has something to tell us!”

The needle hovered dangerously close to the butterfly’s abdomen, ready to pierce at Yun Xi’s slightest command. Yet, sensing no malice from the creature, she allowed it to remain perched on her shoulder.

Dian Dian scrambled from Yun Xi’s embrace to her shoulder, and the two creatures began a friendly exchange.

Yun Xi marveled silently at the wonders of the cultivation world. A butterfly demon communicating effortlessly with a rodent-like spiritual beast created a peculiar yet harmonious scene.

Before Yun Xi could finish admiring the strangeness, Dian Dian transmitted urgently, “Master, this butterfly is exactly that third-rank Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly!”

“Hmm?” Yun Xi made a sound of surprise, blurting out, “Wasn’t it supposed to be deep in the rear valley? Why is it here in the front valley?”

“That’s why it stopped you,” Dian Dian explained swiftly. “Its lair was seized by a villain who stole all its eggs. Now, this villain uses those eggs to lure cultivators into the rear valley.”