After My Rebirth, I Ended Up Happily Ever After with the Saintess - Chapter 71

Although the inquiry at Lingxiao Hall temporarily settled the direct conflict within the sect, Ye Li keenly sensed an invisible undercurrent swirling within the Profound Cloud Sect. Situ Kuang’s sinister look as he left, and the occasional, undisguised hostility from the Battle Maniac Peak disciples, all foreshadowed that retaliation would not cease. As for the Scarlet Flame Sect, even though the Sect Leader had forcefully pushed back against them, given their vindictive nature, they would never let the matter rest. Covert and overt schemes would likely follow quickly.

The tree desires stillness, but the wind will not cease. Remaining in the sect would mean constantly being in the eye of the storm. She would not only have to deal with potential assassinations and harassment, but even her daily cultivation would be disrupted. More importantly, the existence of the Star Core was like a tempting treasure mountain, constantly testing human greed. The sect could protect her for a time, but if the pressure continued to increase, or if a greater exchange of interests arose, it was hard to guarantee that someone wouldn’t harbour ill intentions.

“I must leave for a while.” Ye Li quickly made up her mind. It was not out of fear, but a strategic transfer. Avoiding the sharp edge, lying low, and improving her strength was the best strategy to deal with the current predicament.

She needed a long-term, reasonable justification that would take her far away from the sect’s sphere of influence. The Sect Mission Hall became her target.

Over the next few days, Ye Li spent most of her time in the Mission Hall, carefully reviewing the backlog of highly difficult, time-consuming, and long-distance missions. These missions were typically set in remote, harsh, and highly dangerous locations, where the rewards often did not match the risks. Consequently, few disciples would inquire about them, which perfectly suited her needs.

Eventually, a Class-A long-term mission titled “Investigation of the Black Fiend Anomaly in the Northern Icefield” caught her attention.

Mission Description: The Northern Extreme Cold Icefield, a buffer zone bordering the Demon Race territory, has recently seen patrol disciples report unusually frequent activity of low-level demonic creatures (Black Fiend Demons). This suggests the possible emergence of a demon lair or a spatial rift. Elite disciples are required to investigate, ascertain the source of the anomaly, assess the threat level, and eliminate it as necessary. Mission Duration: Tentatively one to three years. Mission Level: Class A- (Due to high uncertainty, the danger could be extremely high or extremely low).

Mission Location: Demon Suppression City in the North (One of the most remote strongholds of the Profound Cloud Sect, perpetually garrisoned by disciples and cultivators to resist Demon Race infiltration).

Mission Requirements: Recommended for disciples at or above the Meridian Condensation Late Stage, requires extremely strong survival skills and the ability to fight independently.

Mission Reward: 100,000 basic contribution points, with additional rewards based on the investigation results and the degree of threat elimination, with no upper limit.

This mission perfectly met all of Ye Li’s requirements: Far from the sect’s core area (the Northern Icefield was nearly at the edge of the Spirit Realm), long-term (at least one year), dangerous (related to the Demon Race, with great uncertainty), and provided a legitimate excuse (investigating an anomaly, rather than merely seeking refuge).

Accepting a Class-A mission, especially such a long-term remote one, required approval from the Elder of the Enforcement Hall. When Ye Li presented the mission jade slip, the elder in charge of the review was visibly stunned and scrutinized her carefully.

“Junior Niece Ye, are you sure you want to take this mission? The Northern Icefield environment is extremely harsh. Although Black Fiend Demons are mostly low-level, they are vast in number, and unknown mutations may occur. The danger level is difficult to estimate. Although you possess extraordinary talent, your cultivation is still shallow…” the elder kindly reminded her.

Ye Li’s expression was calm, and her tone firm: “Thank you for the reminder, Elder. This disciple understands the difficulty of the mission, and I wish to use this opportunity to temper myself. Furthermore, my cultivation technique is cold-attributed, which may help me adapt to the icefield environment. Please grant me permission, Elder.”

Seeing her resolute intent, and recalling the recent troubles she had stirred up, the Enforcement Elder vaguely guessed her intention to leave the sect. He sighed and stamped the approval seal on the mission jade slip: “In that case, take care of yourself. This is the map and contact information for the Demon Suppression City in the North. When you arrive, report to General Zhao Qian, the garrison commander.”

“Thank you, Elder.”

After accepting the mission, Ye Li did not publicize it. She first visited the cave dwelling of Hermit Muyun to inform her master of her decision.

Hermit Muyun listened, remained silent for a long time, and a flicker of complexity crossed his eyes, finally turning into a soft sigh: “Leaving the sect to avoid calamity, temporarily retreating from the fray, is a wise move. Although the North is cold and dangerous, it is also free of the petty struggles within the sect, and may be more suitable for your focused cultivation. Just… be careful in all matters. The Demon Race is cunning, unlike internal sect conflicts.”

He took out a storage pouch and handed it to Ye Li: “Inside are some high-grade elixirs, talismans, and life-saving items, which is a small token from your master. Furthermore, General Zhao Qian of the Demon Suppression City in the North once owed your master a favor in his early years. If you take my token with you, he may offer some protection.” With that, he produced a warm, smooth jade pendant.

A warm current surged in Ye Li’s heart, and she solemnly accepted it: “This disciple will certainly not fail Master’s expectations and will return safely.”

Leaving her master’s cave dwelling, Ye Li then secretly summoned Lin Feng using the Gloom Chamber Token.

In the quiet room of the small courtyard, the array was activated.

“Chamber Master, are you truly leaving?” Lin Feng looked worried upon hearing the news. Ye Li was the backbone of the Gloom Chamber, and her departure would inevitably affect its development.

“Yes, I must leave.” Ye Li nodded. “After I leave, the Gloom Chamber will be entirely your responsibility. Zhihe will be in charge of elixirs and resource allocation, Little Monkey will handle intelligence, and Little Yi will assist you. Your primary task is to develop discreetly, accumulate power, and focus on the movements of Battle Maniac Peak and the Scarlet Flame Sect, but absolutely do not provoke them. Everything must prioritize self-preservation.”

She handed a storage ring filled with spirit stones and resources to Lin Feng: “These resources are enough for the Gloom Chamber to operate for several years. If you face a crisis of life and death, you can send a message to me in the Demon Suppression City through special channels.”

Lin Feng understood the gravity of his responsibility, knelt on one knee, and said solemnly: “Your subordinate will do his utmost to protect the Gloom Chamber and await your return!”

After arranging the Gloom Chamber’s affairs, Ye Li made some necessary preparations: she took most of the Star Essence Gold and precious materials with her, leaving only a small amount for Xia Zhihe to refine elixirs and talismans; she cultivated the Spirit Condensation Art to a deeper level, further strengthening her divine sense; and she drew dozens of various talismans in case of emergency.

Three days later, in the dead of night. A faint blue light of escape silently left Cloud Elixir Peak, without alarming anyone. It was as if it melted into the night, rushing towards the northern sky. Ye Li did not choose the sect’s flying magical artifacts but relied on her own escape speed and occasional use of swiftness talismans to travel inconspicuously.

Not long after Ye Li left, in Situ Kuang’s cave dwelling on Battle Maniac Peak.

“Master, that little bitch Ye Li took the mission to investigate the Black Fiend Demon in the North and has already left the sect overnight!” Gao Sheng reported with an excited look.

A cold light flashed in Situ Kuang’s eyes: “The North? She knows how to pick a place! It’s far from the Emperor’s reach, a perfect opportunity to strike!”

“Master, should we…” Gao Sheng made a gesture of slitting a throat.

Situ Kuang pondered for a moment and said sinisterly: “We don’t need to act personally; it’s easy to leave evidence. Immediately send someone to ‘accidentally’ leak Ye Li’s route and destination to the Scarlet Flame Sect. Additionally, we have a few ‘old friends’ in the Demon Suppression City in the North. Pass a message to them to create more ‘trouble’ for that girl.”

“This disciple understands!” A cruel smile appeared on Gao Sheng’s face.

Almost simultaneously, the Scarlet Flame Sect also received news of Ye Li’s departure.

“She went to the North? Hmph, does she think she’s safe hiding in that savage land?” Yan Sha sneered. “Pass down the order for the operatives in the North to keep an eye on her whereabouts. If the opportunity arises… let her stay in that icy wilderness forever! The Star Core must be recovered!”

A pursuit network targeting Ye Li was quietly cast the moment she left the sect.

And at this moment, Ye Li was flying over mountains and rivers, facing the biting north wind. The land beneath her gradually changed from verdant to desolate, and the temperature dropped lower and lower. She knew the road ahead was fraught with peril, not only the harsh natural environment and ferocious demonic creatures but also the wickedness of human hearts and endless pursuit.

But there was no fear in her heart, only an icy calm and an increasingly firm Dao Heart.

“Northern Icefield… let me see to what extent you can temper me.”

Her figure turned into a small black dot, disappearing into the vast northern skyline. Her next legend was about to begin in that snow-covered, crisis-ridden, desolate land.