Baixiang Pill descends upon Baili Xiang.

Baili Qingyan bade farewell to Xie Wuji and made his way to the edge of the bamboo grove. Hugging his knees, he squatted beside a small stream, muttering, "Why should I tell him? Ximen hasn't left Danxia Sect; if Xie Wuji finds him, wouldn't I ruin Master's grand plan?"

Baili Qingyan understood that his master was dealing with Xie Wuji in this manner in order to seize as much power as possible. Dongmen Yong was now advancing step by step; they had hoped the Alchemy Hall would topple Dongmen Yong's influence, but unexpectedly, Xie Wuji mastered the art of alchemy through Ximen and completed the forging of three thousand pills.

The Alchemy Hall was a fat piece of meat for Danxia Sect, yet its pills had been taken by Dongmen Yong's faction, causing Ding Desheng to lose a vital source of income.

Thus, Ding Desheng’s scheme could be said to be a disastrous loss, a blow without precedent.

The clues Baili Qingyan possessed were a lifeline for Xie Wuji; since Ximen had not left Danxia Sect, as long as he was found, the truth would reveal itself.

Although Ximen and Xie Wuji were not kin or close friends, during Ximen’s imprisonment, Xie Wuji often brought him wine and meat—their bond was not insignificant. If Ximen could be rescued, perhaps the truth would come to light.

Xie Wuji was not in a hurry to search for Ximen. Danxia Sect was vast; finding one person was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Instead of searching blindly, he decided it wiser to deal with immediate matters first.

Returning to his own quarters—the privilege of an inner disciple—Xie Wuji found a small house of roughly fifty square meters. Inside, everything was in order: bed, desk, bookshelf, and a water jar serving as a bath.

Just as Xie Wuji prepared to bathe, his eyes fell upon a book on the desk, pinned beneath an inkstone, its cover stained with ink.

Xie Wuji thought it strange; he did not recall leaving a book here before. What could this be?

He opened the book and found several bold characters:

"Ximen-style Alchemy Techniques."

Was this the Ximen family’s alchemy manual? Xie Wuji immediately began leafing through the pages. Outside his room, a figure stood in the shadows—none other than Baili Qingyan, leaning against the wall. It was she who had placed the book in Xie Wuji’s room.

Watching Xie Wuji pick up the book, Baili Qingyan sighed, “Wuji, this is as far as I can help you. As for the location where Ximen is hidden, whether you can deduce it will depend on your own abilities.”

With a complex look at Xie Wuji’s window, she flicked her long hair and quietly departed.

Xie Wuji, unaware that it was Baili Qingyan who had aided him, carefully reviewed the contents. Soon, he noticed a clue: mention of the Hundred Fragrance Pill.

This so-called Hundred Fragrance Pill was something Ximen family scions often wore, much like a scented sachet. Its aroma was intoxicating and served to refresh the mind—a rare and wonderful item.

Yet it had one flaw: it easily attracted bees and butterflies. Because the pill was forged from the nectar of a hundred flowers, it possessed an irresistible allure for such creatures.

Xie Wuji's eyes gleamed. "As a seasoned flower thief, Ximen surely carries this item. If I follow its scent, wouldn't that lead me straight to him?"

Elsewhere, Ding Desheng and his followers gathered in a grand hall, a brocade box at their center.

Ding Desheng said, "Ximen, though a notorious flower thief, is indeed a talent in alchemy. What a pity... If not for his many prior offenses, he could have been one of us."

"Big brother, I heard this pill is called the Hundred Fragrance Pill. Worn on the body, its scent is marvelous—far superior to Xie Wuji’s so-called Fragrant Fart Pill," Ding Xuanming remarked.

At the mention of Xie Wuji, Ding Desheng grew furious. He said bitterly, "That brat has ruined my plans time and again. This time, I’ll make sure he can’t rise again! As long as Ximen remains under our control, there’s no fear of him finding anything!"

"Big brother, I’ve been thinking—can you give me this pill?" Ding Xuanming asked.

"What?"

"You know, after you sprayed me last time, the smell still hasn’t fully dissipated. If I wear this pill, wouldn’t it dispel my odor?"

Ding Desheng nodded, "And how do you plan to do that?"

"Well, if wearing it only releases a faint scent, then if I swallow it directly, wouldn’t it emit fragrance from the inside out?"

Ding Desheng laughed, "Truly my brother—you have a clever mind! Very well, take the pill. Recently, Ximen’s mouth has been sealed tight, refusing to reveal his family’s secrets. The Ximen family’s alchemy is famous. Use it for now. Once I dig out Ximen’s secrets, I’ll claim both the Hundred Fragrance Pill and their legendary Spring Breeze Eighteen Degrees recipe!"

"Brother, are you planning..." Ding Xuanming grinned wickedly, "Brother, you’re quite the schemer. Which young lady have you set your eyes on?"

"Out with you, you rascal. I’m considering that Dongmen Qianyun, Dongmen Yong’s daughter. Since we can’t force Dongmen Yong to step down, we can focus our efforts on his daughter. My disciple Baili Qingyan is a dragon among men—save for his appearance, he’s outstanding among the disciples, a third-grade Golden Core, with unmatched skills!"

Ding Xuanming clapped his hands, "Brilliant, brother! If Qingyan and Qianyun become a pair, we can naturally have Qingyan named as the heir. Then, we could easily push Dongmen Jianhao aside. Even if you can’t become Sect Leader in this generation, Qingyan is obedient; once he becomes Sect Leader, you’ll be the Supreme Patriarch, and power will return to your hands!"

"Hahaha, none knows me better than you, brother!" Ding Desheng laughed heartily.

Ding Xuanming, after a moment’s hesitation, swallowed the Hundred Fragrance Pill whole.

The moment he did, a potent scent wafted from his body—so intoxicating that everyone nearby nearly swooned.

The previous stench vanished without a trace. Ding Xuanming rejoiced, "Indeed, nothing compares to the Ximen family’s pills! This scent is invigorating—refreshes the mind!"

"Congratulations, brother! You’re now the most fragrant man in Danxia Sect!" Ding Desheng declared.

Ding Xuanming clasped his hands behind his back and strode from the hall. As disciples caught the scent, they turned their attention to him, and Ding Xuanming, delighted, straightened his posture as he walked.

Just then, Baili Qingyan returned, dressed in women's attire. Ding Desheng spotted Baili Qingyan and asked, "Qingyan, what’s this?"

"Master, I..." Baili Qingyan’s heart sank; he hadn’t expected to be caught returning in women's clothes through the back door.

But Ding Xuanming’s eyes lit up. Every time he saw Baili Qingyan, he was stunned anew.

It was unavoidable, for Baili Qingyan possessed the face of a peerless beauty—even men dared not look too long, lest they lose themselves.

At this moment, dressed in white robes, Baili Qingyan seemed more like a celestial being.

Not only did the Ding brothers notice, but the other elders were equally impressed.

Ding Xuanming said, "Qingyan, your clothes are even more beautiful than before."

"Uncle, I only wanted to probe Xie Wuji for information," Baili Qingyan replied, forced to fabricate a reason. If Ding Desheng learned he had tipped off Xie Wuji, it would be disastrous.

Ding Desheng asked, "Well, did you learn anything?"

"Xie Wuji is in utter chaos, flustered and distraught. I overheard him saying Ximen has already escaped, but he himself cannot flee, so he is anxious, desperate to leave yet afraid to go," Baili answered.

Ding Desheng burst out laughing, "Ha! Let him stew in his anxiety!"