Chapter 1: Four Figures in the Dead of Night

It was already March, and more than twenty days had passed since the Beginning of Spring, one of the twenty-four solar terms of Huaxia, yet the days remained bitterly cold, with not a trace of vibrant spring in the air. In Changnan City, where the weather swung unpredictably between chill and warmth, it was hard to tell whether it was winter or spring. Under such "seasons," outsiders found it nearly impossible to say what time of year it was. Locals, having prematurely shed their down coats, found themselves digging them out again, donning and doffing them repeatedly, caught in an endless cycle. The fickle climate, combined with the change of seasons, made it easy to catch a cold, and with flu season in full swing, the hospitals enjoyed a brisk business.

After the Spring Festival, it rained for over a month without pause, as though the heavens cared nothing for the old saying, "Spring rain is as precious as oil." Sunshine became a rare luxury for the people of Changnan. The local climate, being damp by nature, meant the sun was absent for days on end, and freshly washed clothes refused to dry. Even those with ample wardrobes found themselves running out of things to wear; only the wealthier families, who could afford to buy clothes dryers, were spared the expense of buying extra garments. The locals had long grown used to this peculiarity, but for newcomers, unless they had endured three or five years in the city, the adjustment was a real trial.

Changnan City's Economic Development Zone lay not far away. Over sixty miles to the west, in the middle range of the western mountains, stood Plum Ridge. The entire ridge teemed with scenic wonders—rock caves, bizarre stones, springs and waterfalls, secluded valleys, seas of clouds and Buddha's light, ancient trees, and renowned woods—each a spectacle in its own right. In modern times, as people no longer worried about food and clothing, travel had become a common pastime, and Plum Ridge was the favored destination for most locals. With countless tourists from other regions, the area was always packed during holidays. Plum Ridge was famous not only in Changnan, but throughout the province of Xijiang.

But now, it was deep into the night. The whole of Plum Ridge, indeed most of Changnan City, lay shrouded in darkness, moonlight nowhere to be found. There is a saying: "Few stars, steady rain; a sky full of stars, the sun will scorch." Tonight, not a single star could be seen, foretelling another day of ceaseless rain.

In the dead of night, except for the scattered points of light from houses near the ridge, the vast expanse of the Plum Ridge Scenic Area was enveloped in utter silence and pitch-blackness. On a not-so-high slope of the ridge, the air suddenly warped, as though reality itself had rippled. A disturbance in the space appeared—a black, yawning fissure—out of which four black-robed, humanlike figures materialized, floating side by side in midair. Strangely, though they were human, none were suspended by wires; they simply hovered. It was late; with no tourists in the park, no one witnessed their arrival.

Had anyone seen, a commotion would have been inevitable, for recently, not just in Changnan, but across the globe, many bizarre incidents had occurred. The authorities, keen to avoid public panic, always found ways to explain them away.

At this time of year, the nighttime temperature barely reached ten degrees. All four figures were clad in long robes, making it impossible to discern whether they felt cold. The wide robes enveloped their entire bodies, and their hoods concealed their faces completely. As they appeared, the ripples in the air behind them vanished, restoring the night to its previous stillness. The four floated above the ground, a chill wind stirring the grass at their feet—but their robes did not so much as flutter.

"Master, this is the mortal realm. According to our intelligence, the Peony Fairy of the Valley of Myriad Flowers is currently secluded in this so-called Plum Ridge, specifically at a spring and waterfall forty miles beneath our feet." The second figure from the left turned to the black-robed figure on his right and spoke.

From his words, it was clear that the four had just arrived from elsewhere, and that they were not of the mundane world.

The black-robed figure was wreathed in tendrils of black mist, like smoke rising from burning wood, making him all the more sinister in the night. His robe shrouded him completely, lending an air of mystery.

The other three were much the same, their bodies encased in flowing threads, as if wrapped tightly from head to toe.

A hoarse voice issued from the black-robed man: "Elder Jin, is your information reliable? You know we cultivators are restricted in the mortal realm—we cannot remain here long."

"Understood, Master," replied Elder Jin. "Since I became an elder of our sect a century ago, I've placed agents in every major city of this country called Huaguo. Recently, reports have indicated that the spiritual energy in this area has grown much denser over the past month. At first, I thought some rare treasure was about to emerge. But since this place is under the jurisdiction of the Valley of Myriad Flowers, I dared not act rashly. Lately, perhaps in coincidence with spring, all life here has revived, especially the peonies, which are blooming more brilliantly than in decades past. Moreover, the Peony Fairy has been absent from the cultivation world for some time. Master, the Peony Fairy has been at the early Nascent Soul stage for more than two hundred years; I suspect she has come here to take advantage of the spring’s abundant energy to attempt a breakthrough to mid-Nascent Soul. Of course, at first this was mere speculation. But after combining several reports, I am now certain—the Peony Fairy is here in the mortal realm, without a doubt." Elder Jin, garbed in golden robes that looked black in the darkness, spoke in detail.

"Good, the heavens truly favor our Hundred Poisons Sect. Elder Jin, your efforts in this matter are invaluable. The Supreme Elder is currently in seclusion, striving for late Nascent Soul, so he could not join us. If he were here, our success would be assured. As it is, the four of us are all late Golden Core cultivators—enough to match the Peony Fairy’s early Nascent Soul power. But she has dwelled at that stage for over two centuries; her strength should not be underestimated. To avoid complications, once we reach our destination, the North and South Envoys will first deploy the Disorienting Petal Mist, while you, Elder Jin, shall assist with the Enchantment Bell. In this way, capturing the Peony Fairy should not be difficult." The black-robed figure quickly outlined the plan, his tone brimming with excitement at the prospect. He was lavish in his praise of Elder Jin’s capability, making it clear he held him in high esteem.