"Looks like I'll have to trouble Senior Brother for a while longer. I'll thank you properly when I come out of seclusion."

Qiao Chu didn't bother with formality with his senior brother.

After successfully establishing his divine path, he seemed much the same as before, but his demeanor was more carefree and unrestrained, which was in line with his path.

Jiang Heng, smiling broadly, nodded in agreement. "That's good. The commotion caused by your divine path establishment was indeed massive. It's best to let things settle for a few decades and let the outside world cool down a bit."

This wasn't just empty talk. Since Qiao Chu had set a precedent by establishing his divine path, he would inevitably become the focus of attention for the coming years, regardless of the reasons.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, it was better to retreat into seclusion and avoid any public appearance for a while. Over time, the attention would gradually subside.

Qiao Chu understood his senior brother's considerations but smiled and said, "That's secondary. The main reason is that I've gained a lot of insights this time. Perhaps I might even come up with a few self-created divine techniques."

This was indeed the most important reason for his prolonged seclusion.

"Alright, alright. Just focus on your seclusion and be at ease!"

Jiang Heng, hearing this, was even more pleased. He was more elated than when he himself created divine techniques or advanced to the Great Ascension stage.

Qiao Chu didn't delay any further. He took out a small vial of the lightning tribulation liquid he had saved during his tribulation and handed it to his senior brother. He also didn't forget the benefits for his two junior disciples beside him, each receiving three drops.

This lightning tribulation liquid was a rare treasure, something that ordinary tribulations could not produce. Only after exceptionally powerful tribulations could such liquid be obtained, and collecting a few extra drops was nearly impossible.

Seeing Qiao Chu's generosity, Jiang Heng was immensely satisfied. This vial of lightning tribulation liquid was far more precious than the bag of tribulation treasures he had given to his junior brother before. It was a significant gain.

"Alright, you all go back now."

As Qiao Chu turned to leave, he looked at Zhang Yiyi and added, "Little girl, continue your cultivation diligently. When I come out of seclusion, I'll personally take you down the mountain for some practical experience. Consider it a reward for you."

Having said that, he didn't care whether Zhang Yiyi understood or not and returned to his cave residence to continue his seclusion.

"Master, what does Martial Uncle Qiao mean by 'reward'?"

Zhang Yiyi was puzzled, not understanding why Qiao Chu had made such a promise. Not only had he referred to himself as "Martial Uncle," signaling that she need not hold any grudges about her initial choice, but he had also actively offered a reward.

This was no small matter for Qiao Chu, so it was no wonder she couldn't understand it. Zhang Yiyi didn't get it, but Jiang Heng did.

"Your Martial Uncle's successful establishment of the divine path was actually triggered by your choice of Master. This was an opportunity that happened to complete his final step."

He smiled and said, "This is the causal relationship between you and him. It's only natural for him to offer thanks. Just accept it with ease."

He didn't go into too much detail, but his meaning was clear enough.

After returning to her residence from Liuchong Peak, Zhang Yiyi sat in deep thought. She linked her Master's final words with other events and couldn't help but shiver with a mix of relief and apprehension.

According to her Master, she was the key to Qiao Chu's successful establishment of the divine path. Without this opportunity, Qiao Chu might have been unable to advance before his lifespan ended.

No, it wasn't just a possibility; it was a certainty!

Because in the original book "The Supreme Immortal Beauty," Qiao Chu wasn't even mentioned, and there was no record of today's extraordinary establishment of the divine path.

In the book, Zhang Yiyi died the day she joined the sect, which meant that the opportunity for Qiao Chu to succeed was naturally absent. Without this opportunity, it was likely that the obsessed Qiao Chu would have remained stuck at the Nascent Soul stage, ultimately meeting his end.

By replacing Zhang Yiyi and altering the original character's fate, she also changed the destinies of others, including Qiao Chu!

Thus, her Master's instruction to accept Qiao Chu's thanks was indeed perfectly reasonable. Alright, she felt much more at ease now.

Time flew by, and three years had passed in the blink of an eye.

Zhang Yiyi had grown into a graceful young woman. The three years had left no marks on her face, and she had grown quite a bit taller, now nearly ten centimeters above her previous height of one meter sixty, which pleased her greatly.

Though she hadn't yet established her foundation, her cultivation was at the peak of Qi Refining, and her progress in body refinement and swordsmanship was astonishing. With her current combat ability, she could easily handle mid-stage foundation establishment cultivators.

Meanwhile, Martial Uncle Qiao was still in seclusion, and it seemed he wouldn't be emerging for some time.

Her Master had also begun a small seclusion a month ago, expected to last at least three to five months.

The second senior brother was still out in the world, and since she was still a low-ranking disciple with limited abilities, all major decisions for their lineage were now up to the eldest senior brother, Wujie.

"Eldest Senior Brother, I want to visit Wanze Mountain."

Having not left the mountain for nearly a year, Zhang Yiyi intended to test her sword at Wanze Mountain and came to inform her eldest senior brother.

Though she couldn't yet venture deep into Wanze Mountain, she was far bolder than in the past three years, thanks to her increased strength and the ample protective talismans provided by her Master and senior brothers.

"We'll talk about Wanze Mountain another time. I have something else to discuss with you." Wujie was about to find someone when he saw his junior sister approaching on her own. "Junior Sister, have you heard of the Fallen Immortal River (Luoxian River)?"

The Fallen Immortal River wasn't a real river but a very special secret realm that opened automatically every 900 years. The exact timing was uncertain, but each opening lasted half a month.

This secret realm didn't offer any spiritual herbs or medicines. On the contrary, it was extremely dangerous. Most people who entered perished, and only a few managed to return safely.

After joining the inner peak, Zhang Yiyi, with the status of a direct disciple of a Great Ascension master, had the opportunity to browse many secrets in the sect's library and learned about many things previously unknown, including the Luoxian River.

"I've heard of it. It's said that every 900 years the Luoxian River opens, it would reveal a divine artifact. However, only those at the Foundation Establishment stage or below can enter, and only those with fortune can obtain and bring out the divine artifact."

She briefly explained her understanding of Luoxian River and asked, "Eldest Senior Brother, has anyone really brought out a divine artifact from there?"