Zhang Yiyi was completely unaware that her entire beast-hunting process had been closely observed by a powerful figure.

She was utterly exhausted. What seemed like a simple task of thirty breaths had drained 90% of her spiritual energy. The final two strikes had especially taken a toll on her energy reserves, so much so that after storing all the demon beast corpses, she didn't even bother to move to a new location before sitting down to quickly restore her energy using spirit stones.

When Zhang Yiyi had almost fully recovered and opened her eyes, she was startled by a large face that had appeared at some point. She nearly scrambled backward in panic.

Only after realizing it was Qiao Chu, the outer Ninth Peak's master whom she had met four years ago, and not some demon beast, did Zhang Yiyi breathe a heavy sigh of relief.

No wonder she hadn't noticed anything—his cultivation level was far too superior for her to detect.

But why had this mighty senior, practically a grandmaster in terms of status, suddenly appeared so close to her? Didn't he know that scaring people could be deadly?

Zhang Yiyi grumbled internally, feeling slightly aggrieved.

Although Qiao Chu appeared to be a handsome man in his twenties, he was, in fact, nearly a thousand years old. It was frustrating that he didn't even bother to maintain an image befitting his age!

Qiao Chu, on the other hand, was equally startled by Zhang Yiyi's sudden reaction when she opened her eyes.

Seeing the girl, clearly frightened but pretending to be calm as she clumsily scrambled away, he found her actions amusing despite their awkwardness.

In fact, he hadn't expected Zhang Yiyi to recover her spiritual energy so quickly—another advantage, perhaps, of her body tempering?

"Have we met before?" Qiao Chu asked, though his tone suggested he was sure of it. "Disciple Zhang Yiyi from the Outer Ninth Peak greets Grandmaster Qiao," she quickly composed herself, stood up, and respectfully bowed.

It was no surprise that he didn't remember her. Important people often forget minor encounters. "Zhang Yiyi?"

Qiao Chu paused for a moment before recalling, "Oh, you're the little girl who was almost eaten by the guardian beast four years ago."

With his cultivation level, he had a photographic memory. But four years ago, Zhang Yiyi had been a small, skinny child. Now, she had grown into a tall, striking young woman, making it understandable that he didn't recognize her immediately.

Zhang Yiyi felt a bit embarrassed. Being remembered as the girl who was almost eaten by a demon beast wasn't exactly a flattering first impression.

"Your combat prowess isn't bad, comparable to the early Foundation Establishment stage." Qiao Chu soon praised her, although he thought the girl still occasionally acted a little silly.

Receiving a compliment from such a powerful figure, Zhang Yiyi felt better. However, before she could bask in the praise, Qiao Chu continued, "Perfect, you can help me fetch something in a bit. Saves me the trouble of finding someone else."

And just like that, Zhang Yiyi was roped into helping without even having the chance to ask about payment. She was soon whisked away on Qiao Chu's flying sword, heading deeper into the depths of Mount Wanze.

As a rookie in the cultivation world who hadn't even reached Foundation Establishment, this was Zhang Yiyi's first time experiencing the thrill of flying on a sword. For a moment, she nearly forgot that she had been dragged into the dangerous depths of Mount Wanze.

"Grandmaster Qiao, if we encounter any powerful demon beasts, please make sure to protect my life."

Once the excitement wore off, Zhang Yiyi's thoughts returned to her own safety. This wasn't the outskirts of the mountain—high-level demon beasts roamed the inner areas, and even a random one could easily turn her into a snack.

She had no idea why Qiao Chu would bring a low-level disciple like her along. She certainly didn't think her meager skills could be of much help.

"Back then, someone likely applied a substance on you that provoked the Jiao Beast which is why you were attacked."

Qiao Chu, hearing her plea for safety, was reminded of the incident four years ago and casually mentioned it, offering this as a form of compensation.

Zhang Yiyi's heart skipped a beat. She immediately realized the significance of Qiao Chu's words. She had initially been puzzled as to why a high-level guardian beast had targeted her. Later, after learning from an elder of the Ancient God Clan that she possessed a rare Innate Divine Spirit Body, she suspected it was her unique constitution that attracted high-level beasts.

But now it seemed that might not have been the case!

However, back then, Zhang Yiyi had been a nobody—a young girl from a small, unremarkable family with a triple spiritual root constitution. Who would go to such lengths to set up a scheme to have her killed by a beast?

What she once thought was a solved mystery now seemed even more perplexing. The realization that someone had been plotting against her from the shadows filled her with a growing sense of unease.

"Focus or you won't even make it to the future—you might lose your life today."

As they dismounted from the flying sword, Qiao Chu coldly warned her.

She was, after all, just a young girl who valued her life. In hindsight, he thought perhaps this wasn't the best time to bring up such a reminder.

Luckily, after his warning, Zhang Yiyi managed to clear her mind and refocus, earning a slight nod of approval from Qiao Chu.

"Grandmaster Qiao, is this our destination?"

Zhang Yiyi cautiously asked, eyeing the seemingly unremarkable cold pool in front of them. The area was unnervingly quiet, with not even the sound of insects. The hidden danger seemed all the more menacing.

"Do you recognize Cold Dragon Grass?" Qiao Chu asked in response.

"Yes," Zhang Yiyi nodded.

She was very familiar with it. In fact, it was the most crucial and valuable ingredient she needed to break through to the fourth stage of body tempering.

"There are three Cold Dragon Grass plants at the bottom of this pool. Dive down and retrieve them for me," Qiao Chu instructed.

Upon hearing that there were three Cold Dragon Grass plants in the pool, Zhang Yiyi's excitement flared up.

This herb was so rare that even high-end auction houses seldom had it, and yet, there were three plants right in front of her!

"Grandmaster, could you give me one of the plants in exchange for retrieving them?" Without thinking, Zhang Yiyi asked eagerly.

Qiao Chu wasn't surprised by her request. Given the value of the Cold Dragon Grass, only a fool wouldn't be tempted.

"Alright, I was planning to give you one as a reward anyway."

He had been addressed as "Grandmaster" several times, and Qiao Chu wasn't one to be stingy. He wouldn't let her labor go unrewarded.

Receiving his confirmation, Zhang Yiyi was overjoyed. The earlier reluctance she felt when she was dragged onto the flying sword was now entirely forgotten.

However, she remained cautious and didn't let the treasure cloud her judgment. Before diving in, she thickened her skin and asked Qiao Chu if he was aware of the situation at the bottom of the pool and why he had brought along a low-level disciple like her instead of fetching the plants himself.

After all, a single Cold Dragon Grass was an invaluable reward. No one would easily give up such a prize to someone else.