This support naturally came from within the Medicine Valley. To gain others' backing, she had to make them recognize her abilities. That's why, even though she accepted the position of Valley Master, everything in the valley was managed by Yun Di.
"Having parasites is inevitable. I'm afraid you've only cleared the surface ones, while Sikong Cheng's true confidants are still hidden deep within the Medicine Valley. You must not slack off from now on. The reason we're at peace now is that Sikong Cheng underestimates us, so he sent a useless pawn. He never expected that pawn's blunder would actually help us instead."
"Of course. I'll proceed cautiously from now on and won't give Sikong Cheng any chance to exploit."
Yun Di also knew that the spread of these rumors wasn't Sikong Cheng's doing. When that man struck, he always prepared thoroughly and never acted rashly. These rumors clearly weren't his style.
"Useless?" Far away in the Sikong residence, Sikong Cheng heard everything about the Medicine Valley and hurled a teacup right next to Sikong Feiyu, making him flinch. Fear flickered in his eyes, but he still carefully weighed his words:
"Patriarch, I don't think this is entirely without benefit to us. Consider this: if they purge those parasites and spies, they'll believe everyone left in the valley is clean and stop watching so closely."
"But they'll never realize that our planted agents haven't actually been removed. By then, won't we know every move they make loud and clear?"
"Enough, enough. Handle this as you see fit. Consider these few people your practice. If you can successfully reclaim the Medicine Valley and bring back Sikong Kuang, I'll overlook your failure this time. But if you fail again, come see me with your head."
When Sikong Cheng said this, his voice sounded aged and hoarse, sending chills down Sikong Feiyu's spine and filling him with dread.
"Yes, I will reclaim the Medicine Valley for you." He said this and then scurried away as if being chased by ghosts.
"Shan Luo? I've underestimated you. I wonder if you can truly become my opponent." Sikong Cheng laughed darkly, a trace of loneliness in his eyes—the bitter taste of standing at the top.
These past few days, Liu Chunsheng and Lan Yexin had been inseparable, clinging to each other like conjoined twins. Ye Lanshan didn't even know what to say.
"Shan Luo, let's fight. I need to spar with you to calm down." Sikong Feihe had been coming and going unpredictably lately; no one knew where he went. But every time he returned, he carried a chilling aura.
Ye Lanshan saw the suppressed anger in his eyes and, without a word, struck first.
This time, they didn't use mystical energy but fought fist-to-fist. Ye Lanshan swept her leg across, knocking him to the ground and pinning him down.
Sikong Feihe had come seeking comfort, but instead found himself being beaten down, which left him feeling somewhat wronged.
"What happened to make you so furious?" Ye Lanshan grew bored of the fight and asked once Sikong Feihe had fully calmed down.
"Do you really only see Liu Chunsheng as a sister?" Sikong Feihe answered irrelevantly, a complex light in his eyes—part surprise, part gloom, deeply contradictory.
"Of course. Why would it be otherwise?" Ye Lanshan had thought he was about to ask something serious, but it turned out to be this.
"Oh, I see." Sikong Feihe's eyes brightened briefly, then dimmed again. Even if he didn't like Liu Chunsheng, he would eventually fall for another girl. How could he accept such feelings? If he confessed now, she might despise him.
"Did something happen to you? If so, just tell me. We're brothers, aren't we? Wouldn't I help you?" Ye Lanshan noticed his strange expression—he kept opening his mouth only to close it again, as if holding back something he dared not say.
When Sikong Feihe heard the word "brothers," a warmth flowed through his heart. He stared blankly for a long moment before composing himself.
"What could happen to me? You're the ones who should be worried. My father loves to strike when least expected. You'd better stay alert."
"I know that. There's something I want to discuss with you." Ye Lanshan smiled, elegant and detached like an immortal, as if nothing mattered to her—yet here she was, wading into these schemes and intrigues.
"What is it?" Sikong Feihe turned away slightly, asking softly.
"I know you hate Sikong Cheng. How about we join forces?" Ye Lanshan stared unblinkingly at Sikong Feihe, afraid he might refuse.
"Mm, sure. Actually, I thought we were already allies. Even if you hadn't asked, I would have helped you." Sikong Feihe smiled gently and agreed readily, without hesitation or reluctance. To Ye Lanshan, it was clear he truly loathed Sikong Cheng.
The next few days were eerily quiet—like the calm before a storm. The silence was so strange that even the assassins of the Dark Soul didn't come to harass her. Yet she still felt uneasy, though she couldn't pinpoint the source of her anxiety.
That night, everyone fell into a deep sleep, Ye Lanshan included. But she slept restlessly. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead and trickled down into her hair. Suddenly, she jolted awake and sat up.
Was it just a dream? Ye Lanshan got up for a drink of water and took a while to suppress the panic in her heart.
Why did I dream of Grandpa? She recalled the dream where Ye Luotian was covered in blood, still being chased by assassins, while Sikong Kuang hacked at them desperately but couldn't kill them. A wave of fear washed over her—this was the family bond she had fought so hard to obtain.
Fortunately, Mu Xinlian was still in the imperial capital. As long as she was there, Ye Lanshan could get news. She directly summoned Mu Xinlian telepathically to ask about everything in the capital.
Sure enough, Grandpa had been ambushed by assassins. But luckily, with Yue Shu in the capital and Sikong Kuang as such a formidable alchemist, they were safe for now.
So they couldn't kill her and had turned to targeting her family? Ye Lanshan's eyes grew more anxious. After thinking it over, she took out the Divine Cauldron from her space and began refining pills with a solemn expression.
Guarding against them was useless. Even if she killed one wave of assassins, another would come. She had to cut off the root. Once Ye Yutian woke up, the Dark Soul assassins wouldn't dare make a move.