Yin Wanderer felt satisfied by his cleverness and obedience and didn't push further. "Don't worry. Just take care of them properly. With the magical items I've given you, you'll be able to handle most problems."
And if the problem isn't 'most'? Li Xun thought to himself. But he dared not say it aloud. He just bowed his head and agreed, then followed her out of the treasury.
This time, the path she took was different from the one they came in on. Li Xun dared not ask questions—he simply followed in silence.
After a short walk, without turning her head, Yin Wanderer tossed a small pouch back toward him. "Inside are a few minor magical items—not especially powerful, but easy to learn and use. If you use your brain, they'll be enough to deal with basic threats."
Li Xun caught the pouch and hurriedly offered his thanks, eager to peek inside. But before he could, Yin Wanderer's voice came again:
"I'll now pass on to you a bit of a technique. The essential points and the incantation will only be spoken once—if you don't catch it all, don't bother asking again."
Li Xun jumped in alarm, shoved the pouch away, and focused every shred of attention he had.
Yin Wanderer continued walking, speaking casually but clearly as she went. First came the core formula—a few thousand words—followed by detailed explanations that added up to nearly ten thousand more. Fortunately, Li Xun had a rare gift: a perfect memory. He soaked up every word without missing a beat.
As promised, she spoke it once and never repeated herself.
When she was done, she turned and asked, "How much did you remember?"
Li Xun wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a long breath. "Shame to say, but I think I got it all."
Then, from beginning to end, he recited the entire thing—the full twenty-thousand-characters, including the formula and explanation. Though his phrasing and pauses were a little stiff, he got every word right.
Yin Wanderer suddenly stopped. Li Xun, so focused on reciting, nearly crashed into her. He pulled back just in time, but his nose still brushed her perfumed shoulder. Cold sweat broke out all over him. He jumped back and began apologizing in terror.
Yin Wanderer turned her head and looked at him. The expression on his face was a smile that was not quite a smile—very subtle, yet extremely charming.
"Good," she said. "At least I didn't waste my efforts on an idiot." She paused, then added, "This was only the general outline. When we return, I'll give you the rest—the practical applications, all compiled into a manual. You must train with dedication."
With that, she resumed walking. Li Xun quickly thanked her, but in his heart, he couldn't tell whether he should be happy—or terrified.
Just then, another question came to him, and he called out, "Master-Aunt—what is this technique called?"
Yin Wanderer didn't stop. She just smiled. "'Changes birth the universe, six Qi govern all. Yin and Yang in harmony, gateway to all mysteries…' It's called Six Sovereign Yin-Yang Transformation."
The first part was taken directly from the technique's opening formula—, and bringing it up at that moment was quite effective in outlining the key ideas. Even though Li Xun had only memorized it without much understanding, upon hearing that part again now, he began to gain some insight. Without realizing it, he fell into quiet deduction and contemplation, beginning to unravel its layers.
As for that half-joking name at the end—cryptic and strange—he barely even registered it anymore.
A long silence followed.
It wasn't until they reached the end of the corridor that Li Xun snapped out of his thoughts. At the far end, the tunnel's lid had been lifted, revealing faint lamplight above. He was startled: This doesn't look like the place we came in from!
His suspicion was soon confirmed by what he saw.
The tunnel opened not into an empty hall, but into a brightly lit room, richly adorned in silks and fine fabrics. The tables and chairs were spotless, with intricately carved patterns—clearly the work of master artisans.
Every item on display was a rare and precious treasure, and their placement showed both taste and intent. It was obvious someone lived here, and not just anyone—likely someone of high rank, perhaps even one of the imperial consorts.
They had entered a small reception hall. Not far ahead stood a folding screen, separating this space from the rest of the room. On the screen was a vibrant floral painting, rendered in exquisite technique. At that moment, the shadows of Li Xun and Yin Wanderer fell upon the screen—leaning closely together.
Li Xun's heart dropped. This is bad.
No sooner had the thought passed than a figure appeared behind the screen. Clearly having noticed the silhouettes, someone was coming to investigate.
It was a young palace maid, perhaps fourteen or fifteen, her features delicate though still girlish. She rounded the screen and saw the two of them—her eyes widened in shock, and she gave a small gasp. "Assassins!"
Idiot Li Xun cursed inwardly. Even if you don't recognize me, how could you not recognize someone like Yin Wanderer? She's a favored figure in the Emperor's court! How could these palace maids and eunuchs not know her face?
Calling out like that—summoning guards was the lesser problem. If she made Yin Wanderer angry, then forget this little maid—even her mistress would likely pay the price.
Li Xun turned to glance at Yin Wanderer—only to find, to his surprise, that she didn't seem angry at all. In fact, she was smiling slightly at the girl. "Assassins? Where?"
Li Xun suddenly had a very strange thought: Could Yin Wanderer be fond of young girls? Given her temperament, it didn't seem entirely impossible. So he kept his thoughts guarded.
Still, he knew he had to say something appropriate for the situation.
He stepped forward, and shouted in a deep voice:"Silence! The National Preceptor is present!"
The maid wasn't completely witless. Her eyes widened even more, locking onto Yin Wanderer, and she immediately clapped a hand over her mouth. Her knees buckled and she collapsed to the floor beside the screen.
Yin Wanderer smiled faintly, giving her no further attention. She stepped past the screen and looked around, seemingly interested in her surroundings.
"This place… should be the Lanxue Pavilion," she said. "Could it be Consort Qin's residence?"
No sooner had the words left her lips than a soft, almost whisper-like voice replied:
"The National Preceptor only visited once before, yet remembers still—your humble servant is deeply honored."
The voice was smooth and gentle, like silk over jade. Just hearing it conjured the image of a delicate, obedient beauty. Yet the tone, while serene and refined, carried a quiet strength—this was no frail, timid woman.
Curious, Li Xun followed the voice with his gaze. When he saw the woman emerging from the flickering shadows, he reacted just like that inexperienced palace maid—his eyes went wide in astonishment.
Who says the mortal realm lacks true beauty?
Before him stood a woman whose radiance rivaled any beauties fairy maiden of the cultivation world.
Just watching her approach was like seeing the misty rain of Jiangnan in spring—fragrant with the scent of earth and blossoms, softly enveloping the senses, clearing the mind.
In Li Xun's mind, she and Mingji, the immortal master from the sect, were two extremes of beauty.
Mingji was sharp and brilliant, like the glint of a jade sword—beautiful, yes, but dangerous. Her presence was invigorating, crisp like mountain air.
And this woman, from head to foot, was soft and gentle through and through.
Her eyebrows and eyes were so delicately and gracefully shaped that it seemed almost unbelievable. In the candlelight, the subtle flicker in her eyes was like the shimmer of spring water—tender, warm, full of emotion. Though her figure was slender and well-proportioned, she seemed so delicate and alluring that Li Xun instinctively wanted to shield and embrace her, to hold her close and bask in her warmth.
A beauty like this, in the mortal realm?
Li Xun almost clapped in admiration. But then, he noticed something strange—this gentle, docile beauty was staring at Yin Wanderer with unmistakable hostility.
Then again, coming from her, even that gaze lacked real bite. At least, Yin Wanderer didn't seem to mind. Her eyes swept across Consort Qin's face with no real emotion—certainly not anger—but her gaze was hundred times sharper than the consort's.
"It's so late," she said calmly, "why hasn't Your Grace gone to rest yet?"
That line, clearly, was asked with full knowledge of the answer. Just one look at Consort Qin's outfit and you'd know exactly why she was out here.
Maybe it was the chill of the late night, but she was wrapped in a snowy-white mink cloak—pure, elegant, and perfectly flattering to her figure.
Underneath, though, she wore only a thin peach-pink gauze gown—clearly, she'd already been in bed. She must've heard something outside and got up to check.
Li Xun wasn't one to get distracted by beauty, but even he couldn't help glancing twice beneath that cloak—opportunities like this didn't come often.
Consort Qin must've sensed his gaze, because she tugged her cloak tighter with a hint of unease. In the flickering candlelight, he couldn't tell whether her face had flushed—but her voice was still perfectly composed:
"Since the National Preceptor can patrol the palace at this hour, then this concubine can afford to stay up a little later too. Since you've come at night—would you care for some tea?"
Li Xun heard it loud and clear this time—Consort Qin's words were clearly aimed against Yin Wanderer! Even if she didn't know who Yin Wanderer really was, the fact that she had the nerve to talk back to someone held in such high regard by the Emperor… it made Li Xun think more highly of her.
Yin Wanderer's attitude toward her was so gracious that even Li Xun felt a twinge of jealousy. Yet even now, she didn't seem the least bit angry. Instead, she smiled. "It's late. I shouldn't trouble you further. I'll pass this time. Another day, if there's time, I'll come and have a cup."
The response was so polite and considerate that Li Xun nearly dropped his jaw. Since when had Yin Wanderer ever spoken to anyone this courteously? Was there something special about this Consort Qin?
Puzzled, he followed Yin Wanderer out of the Lanxue Courtyard. Just like earlier in the treasury, none of the palace guards showed the slightest surprise at her presence. It was as if this female National Preceptor strolling through the inner palace at midnight was the most natural thing in the world.
That, too, was likely a part of her strange powers. Li Xun wasn't shocked anymore. In fact, his thoughts kept drifting back toward the fading Lanxue Courtyard—or more accurately, the woman within it.
He couldn't resist glancing back. And just then, Yin Wanderer said ahead of him, "What, interested?"
Li Xun shook his head fast. But even as he did, he couldn't help but picture that snow-white cloak… the graceful silhouette beneath it… the soft warmth barely concealed by that flimsy gauze.
His throat bobbed. His jaw ached a little.
Afraid she'd keep asking, he quickly changed the subject. With a light cough, he asked, "That Consort Qin seemed rather disrespectful to you, Master-Aunt. Why didn't you…"
He meant it to sound concerned, maybe even a little flattering—but the truth? He probably didn't even know why he asked.
"A peerless beauty like her… has the right to be proud." Yin Wanderer's voice suddenly turned low and husky, carrying a strange tone under the heavy night air. "There may be three thousand beauties in this palace, but ones like her? Rare."
Li Xun was still turning over the meaning in those words when Yin Wanderer suddenly stopped walking. She turned around and gave him a smile. "You really not interested in her?"
Li Xun was just about to shake his head again—when he caught a glint in her eye, something sharp and fleeting. His heart gave a jolt. His head froze, and before he knew it, he blurted out, "Master-Aunt, you see clearly—such beauty… even back on the sect, we rarely saw anyone like her…"
"Exactly." Yin Wanderer's gaze softened. Her voice gentled, with a trace of emotion.
"The Mingxin Sword Sect hasn't taken many female disciples in the past few generations—but they've all been outstanding… Qingyin, of course. Then there's Mingji, with skin like ice and bone like jade, wielding her sword with elegance… and Mingru, graceful as clouds, radiant as dawn… Judging from your expression, you're quite close with them, hmm?"
Yin Wanderer's reputation was well-known. Even though her words were full of praise, anyone who knew her—even someone like Li Xun—would understand the undercurrent beneath them. Still, he had no choice but to respond. Thinking of how Qingyin and Mingji had treated him, he couldn't help but feel awkward and mumbled something vague.
But her words had planted a seed. He couldn't help but start imagining the elegance of those senior sisters from another angle… And it was a strangely intimate, unsettling feeling.
Then, recalling Consort Qin's beauty again—it brought about a whole new flavor of thought.
That was when Yin Wanderer dropped a thunderbolt with perfect calm: "If you really are interested, then stay over there tonight."
It was like lightning striking him on the head. Li Xun's whole body jolted. "How could I?!" he cried out.
"What's wrong with it?" Yin Wanderer's tone was as casual as if she were offering him tea. She smiled. "I spent a night there, too—and nothing happened."
A shock went off in his head. Suddenly, everything about Consort Qin's earlier appearance made sense. He stared blankly at Yin Wanderer's graceful face—and couldn't help but imagine the two of them, alone in the dark, with only dim candlelight between them…
A surge of heat rushed up from his core and blasted through his skull.
Smack!
The pain snapped him right back to reality. He shivered and looked up just in time to see Yin Wanderer's serene, smiling face—and that delicate, deadly hand retreating.
Her expression was strange, a little amused. "What were you just thinking?"
"N-no…" Li Xun stammered, but the fabric against his skin was already damp with sweat, and his legs had begun to tremble. In that moment, he had no idea whether to kneel down in apology or keep playing dumb.
Fortunately for him, Yin Wanderer hadn't slapped him out of anger. Her mood was playful more than anything, and she clearly didn't care to pursue it further.
Looking at his pale, terrified face, she smiled again. "This is up to you. I'm not going to bother interfering. Just remember… while your master and I are away—those two things…"
Li Xun, thankful to be spared, nodded over and over.
"That's enough. As long as you know your priorities." Yin Wanderer raised her hand again, this time patting his cheek—almost affectionately.
Li Xun's robe, by now, was soaked clean through.