Chapter 51

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Chapter 51: Title

“Seclusion?”

Shen Huaiwen had come to discuss her trip to Divine Doctor Valley, but Ye Xiao spoke first.

“Only by reaching the Great Ascension stage can I protect her.” Ye Xiao massaged his temples, worry creasing his brow. “Her leaving the mountain… I fear chaos will follow.”

“She claims Lu Qingyu lives.”

“Alive?” Shen Huaiwen’s eyes widened. “Then why vanish for four hundred years? Why reappear now?”

“Does Liujin Pavilion know?”

Ye Xiao shook his head. “Unlikely.”

Else Liujin Pavilion and Qingyun City wouldn’t remain silent.

“You anticipated her restlessness in Sanqing Realm,” Shen Huaiwen said, placing elixirs on the table with a sigh. “Hence keeping Yan Li from leading. Don’t dwell on matters during seclusion—these will steady your mind. I came to bid farewell.”

“Bound for Divine Doctor Valley?” Ye Xiao produced a letter from nearby documents.

“This petition should spare you humiliation. The valley owes our sect courtesy.”

Shen Huaiwen’s fingertip brushed his hand as she took it, feeling his muscles tense. “Prepared in advance, junior sister? How thoughtful.”

Ye Xiao averted his eyes. “With us both secluded, who’ll tend the herb gardens? Can your junior disciples manage?”

“Zhi Shu remains.” Shen Huaiwen’s tone turned brisk. “The girl’s thorough. She’ll oversee things.”

“Good.” Ye Xiao’s gaze drifted to distant emerald peaks. “The Nine Realms… grow unstable.”

—

Ping City.

“Can the rumors be true?” Lu Ciyou frowned. “Canghai falling? The Thirteen Ghost Domains couldn’t strike so silently.”

“With inside help, news might’ve been smothered.” Xia Shi recalled whispers from the Immortal Sect Conference.

Though Realm of Canghai seemed tranquil, its inner disciples had split into rival factions—their leaders locked in shadow warfare.

The Immortal Sect Conference was extremely important. Not only had Sect Master Jiang Liu of Jiang Liumen failed to attend, but even the disciples brought by the Second Leader were disappointing. Now in Ping City, they encountered Jiang Xinian with his legs crippled and the Seven-Day Drunkenness poison in his system.

As the only son of Jiang Liumen’s Leader reduced to such a state, the rumors spreading through Canghai might actually be true.

"We can only wait for him to wake up," Lu Ciyou said, picking up the teapot only to find it empty after shaking it.

Yan Li quietly stood up and went downstairs to find the innkeeper.

As soon as she opened the door, noisy voices floated up from below.

One of the voices sounded familiar.

"We received a report that someone here is sheltering people from the Thirteen Ghost Domains. We’re ordered to search the premises," Feng Tao announced, showing his wooden token to the innkeeper.

At the mention of Thirteen Ghost Domains, the crowd downstairs scattered. The innkeeper forced a smile while stepping aside, "Fairy Lord, please proceed."

These cultivators were invited by the City Lord – no ordinary person dared offend them. Causing trouble might get them expelled from Ping City.

Feng Tao marched upstairs with cold determination, heading straight for the southernmost room.

Yan Li slightly narrowed her eyes and closed the door. "They’re here."

It was obviously no coincidence. They’d just taken Jiang Xinian from the old beggar when this search party arrived.

Lu Ciyou scoffed. "So Jiang Jin has joined the Second Leader. The Silver Token Lord of Canghai, second only to the highest authority, actually colluding with such scum."

Footsteps reached the doorway. Suiyin pointed at the screen and whispered, "Shouldn’t we hide him?"

"Ah…" Lu Ciyou acted like she just remembered, "Right, we should hide him."

After all, avoiding trouble was better than inviting it.

Suiyin stared blankly.

BANG!

The door was kicked open violently. At the same moment, a faint golden light shot into the foreheads of those outside.

Unaware of this, Feng Tao smiled obsequiously at the room’s occupants. "So it’s Young Master Lu."

His eyes swept every corner of the room except the space behind the screen.

Lu Ciyou slammed her palm on the table. "What are you looking at?"

The heir of Liujin Pavilion truly lived up to her reputation for having a fiery temper.

Feng Tao kept his flattering smile. "My apologies, Young Master. We’re just searching for Thirteen Ghost Domains fugitives…"

"Searching?" Lu Ciyou stood up angrily. "You didn’t check other rooms first. Kicking down my door specifically – are you accusing me of hiding criminals?"

"Never!" Feng Tao quickly lowered his head. Accusing a Pavilion heir without evidence was unthinkable, yet letting Jiang Xinian escape alive would ruin everything.

"Perhaps the fugitive hid here without your knowledge," he fawned. "We just need to confirm…"

"Then search."

The unexpected agreement came from behind Lu Ciyou.

She turned her head. "?"

Check?

Is the person properly hidden?

The young lady exchanged meaningful glances with the trio. Noticing A Li and Suiyin looking toward Xia Shi, she followed their gaze.

Clearly, Xia Shi had been the one who ordered the search earlier.

Xia Shi gave her a slight nod.

Permission granted.

"Proceed."

"Thank you, young master." Feng Tao gestured to his subordinates. Four men pushed into the room, ransacking everything in sight – even inspecting jars and bottles for hidden persons.

Lu Ciyou’s cheek twitched at the sight.

Thoroughness bordering on absurdity.

Feng Tao strode behind the screen and glared at the empty bed.

Impossible. They’d definitely taken the prisoner.

"Finished?" Lu Ciyou rounded the screen to find the man scrutinizing Jiang Xinian’s motionless form on the bed. Though her heart pounded, she maintained composure. "Shall we dismantle the bed next? Check between the wood grains for stowaways?"

"Bold words from a mere Ping City guard-cultivator."

The threat hung unspoken but clear.

Feng Tao bowed stiffly. "Wouldn’t dare."

His hands betrayed him – a pulse of spiritual energy shot out, swirling around the bed before returning. Finding nothing, he clenched his jaw.

"Our apologies for the intrusion."

Lu Ciyou pointed at the door. "Out."

Feng Tao’s face darkened but he complied. "Move!"

Their retreat echoed through the inn as they stormed downstairs, berating staff with street-shaking volume – performance anger for unseen audiences.

When silence finally reigned, Lu Ciyou smirked at Xia Shi. "Quick hands. Those blind fools searched right over the bed."

Suiyin chuckled. "Naturally."

"Wasn’t complimenting you," Lu Ciyou retorted.

"They’ll return," Xia Shi warned. "The Silver Token Lord comes tonight."

Yan Li worried, "Should we depart?"

"Fear not, A Li." Lu Ciyou patted her hand. "I’ll shield you from danger."

"Jiang Xinian remains unconscious," Xia Shi stated. "Tonight’s our best chance to learn Canghai’s truth."

The night was heavy with rain in Ping City, droplets pattering on the roof and muffling faint movements outside.

Xia Shi sat by the table with closed eyes, her ears twitching slightly.

"They’re here."

A massive enchanted net suddenly descended, enveloping the inn and surrounding five-mile area, nearly trapping half of Ping City within its web.

Shadows shifted beyond the window as a cold voice came through the door: "It’s late. Why aren’t you asleep?"

Lu Ciyou wiped her spear’s tip with a cloth, the weapon’s gleam reflecting in her clear eyes.

She retorted, "The Silver Token Lord stays awake too, coming to my doorstep. Here to invite this young master for tea?"

Jiang Jin stood at the threshold, chuckling. "Indeed. Suddenly thought to offer tea."

Without warning, the door shattered under a palm strike. A blade flashed through the air.

Pivoting on her toes, Lu Ciyou leaned sideways in a half-spin to evade the strike, thrusting her spear in retaliation.

Steel clashed against steel. Two opposing forces of spiritual power collided, snapping roof beams around them.

Jiang Jin remarked, "Your cultivation has improved since last we met."

"Yours remains stagnant," Lu Ciyou shot back.

Jiang Jin’s face darkened as she barked, "Attack!"

Shadows materialized instantly – inner disciples of Canghai clad in sect uniforms.

Their ink-black eyes betrayed mindless obedience. At Jiang Jin’s command, they lunged at the trio.

Suiyin had barely gripped her sword hilt to reach Xia Shi when an abrupt yank at her arm shoved her forward.

"?!"

"You assist them. I’ll guard Xia Shi." Yan Li drew Broken Stream, planting herself beside Xia Shi like a sentinel.

Suiyin blinked.

Wasn’t this backward?

No time to argue – she whirled to join Lu Ciyou’s combat against Jiang Jin.

Sword met spear, their wielders shoulder-to-shoulder.

Lu Ciyou exclaimed, "Why you?"

Surprise tinged her voice, edged with disappointment.

Suiyin: "…"

She’d become the third wheel.

Jiang Jin’s blade crashed down like a landslide, separating them. The brutal impact left both women’s hands vibrating.

Shaking numbness from her fingers, Suiyin called out, "Since when’s she this strong?!"

"Former body cultivator," Lu Ciyou answered through gritted teeth, spear trembling under Suiyin’s footing. "Off my weapon! This isn’t an acrobatics show!"

Suiyin dropped down. From her periphery, she noted swelling ranks of Canghai disciples – and Yan Li gradually being overwhelmed.

In the next moment, her eyes widened slightly.

"These people can’t die!"

Yan Li’s sword strikes were precise, each piercing through hearts flawlessly, yet every fallen disciple twitched twice before rising again. Though blood poured from their chests, their movements remained unaffected.

Endless slaughter.

Lu Ciyou stared at Jiang Jin in disbelief, shouting, "You dare use forbidden dark arts on your own disciples!"

Creating puppets from living humans was strictly prohibited by all sects. The Second Leader of Canghai had blatantly ignored these laws.

No wonder Jiang Feng brought only low-talent disciples to the Immortal Sect Conference – Canghai’s elite had become unfeeling monsters!

"Serving our master honors them." Jiang Jin smirked, her pupils darkening completely.

Suiyin muttered a curse: "This is madness!"

A hauntingly familiar whistle pierced the air. Jiang Jin and the Canghai disciples suddenly convulsed, their spiritual power exploding violently.

"Qing Gui – City Lord of Wanfu City!" Yan Li recognized their attacker immediately.

They’d clashed before in Lingyang Secret Realm, where Yan Li had severed one of the woman’s arms.

Shrill laughter rained from above, needling their skulls with pain.

Golden spiritual energy flashed between their brows, weakening the laughter’s effect.

"To the roof!"

At Xia Shi’s order, three figures leapt upward. Jiang Jin’s puppets scrambled after them.

Rain curtained the night as four warriors stood back-to-back, encircled by unkillable foes.

Water droplets clung to Xia Shi’s lashes. Through the mist, she glimpsed a scantily-clad woman.

Qing Gui lazily painted her lips with blood-stained fingers, the crimson stark against her pale skin. "Well? My control skills have improved, haven’t they?"

Her venomous gaze locked on Yan Li. "Since you survived last time, I’ll make you my newest puppet."