Chapter 59
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Chapter 59: Title
Xia Shi opened her eyes to a face inches from hers, her heart stuttering. The stranger’s collar carried a faint herbal scent.
“What are you doing?”
Suiyin’s eyes crinkled. “You’re awake.”
A warm palm cradled Xia Shi’s cheek. She froze, memories flooding back—the Blood Demon’s clawed hand reaching, that flash of red robes, then blankness. Somehow she’d transported them both behind a courtyard wall.
Impossible. At Nascent Soul realm, such distance defied her capabilities. Yet during that desperate teleportation, foreign spiritual power had surged through her Dantian—a sealed orb cracking, leaking wisps of immense energy.
Her Master’s power. Vast as ocean depths.
"Great! It’s not cold anymore."
Suiyin’s cheerful voice snapped Xia Shi back to reality. She blinked and scanned the unfamiliar room.
"Where are we?" Her raspy voice still carried exhaustion, tinged with sickness.
Suiyin ducked her head, guilt coloring her tone. "The Floating Life Palace Master’s residence."
Xia Shi stared blankly. "…?"
Confusion flickered across her face before she turned sharply toward Suiyin, dark eyes demanding answers. When no explanation came, she sighed and looked away.
This courtyard had been her own choice of shelter.
Today truly cursed them – first encountering the Blood Demon’s awakening, then fleeing straight into their enemy’s den.
As Xia Shi threw off the blanket, Suiyin immediately offered support. Xia Shi allowed the assistance without comment. After two steps, she suddenly seized Suiyin’s wrist. "Did you give me the medicine?" Her obsidian gaze burned.
The poison shouldn’t have receded so quickly. She’d never intended to take Chen Ci’s dubious remedy – who knew what "side effects" the withered heart grass might trigger? Yet despite her irritation, she couldn’t rebuke Suiyin’s concern, only tightening her grip.
Suiyin smiled through the painful wristlock. "I took it too."
Xia Shi’s eyebrows shot up. Anger flushed her pale cheeks. "You’re not poisoned! What if-"
"-we suffer together?" Suiyin finished softly.
Their gazes locked until Xia Shi looked away first. Releasing her hold, she muttered "Fool."
Suiyin’s laughter sparkled. "Gladly."
Unaware of her own faint smile, Xia Shi headed for the door. Outside leaned a shadowed figure against a pillar, face obscured. The Blood-Draining Knife pulsed with killing intent at his side.
Jiang Fenghe lifted his head at their approach. "Dinner." His gruff command brooked no refusal.
When neither woman moved, he added through clenched teeth, "My sister’s orders." The knife trembled in its sheath as his threatening gaze swept over them.
Xia Shi studied him calmly. "We’ll go."
Jiang Fenghe turned with a huff. What should’ve been a private family meal now included these unwelcome guests.
Trailing behind the seething palace master, Xia Shi and Suiyin walked through waves of icy hostility radiating from his rigid shoulders.
As they approached the hall, Xia Shi noticed the Floating Life Palace Master’s footsteps became lighter, his murderous aura completely vanishing.
A bright, youthful voice called out: "Sister, I brought them!"
It held the lively energy of a young man—yet coming from the Floating Life Palace Master, it felt bizarrely out of place.
Xia Shi: "…?"
She turned to Suiyin, who showed no surprise.
Noticing her look, Suiyin remarked lazily, "He puts on this act when around his sister."
So this was the other side of the feared Floating Life Palace Master. Xia Shi stayed silent.
Wait…
Xia Shi paused. The palace master had taken the Canghai Sect leader’s elder sister. Why call her "sister" unless… this confirmed he belonged to the Jiang clan’s main lineage. No wonder he wielded Broken Mountain Sea so skillfully.
That explained why Sect Master Jiang Liu had abandoned the Sea Devouring Tower—he knew his sister wouldn’t be harmed. But why bring her here?
Entering the dining hall, Xia Shi got her answer.
A graceful woman was arranging bowls and chopsticks, her movements exuding mature elegance and scholarly refinement. Such gentleness stood out among Nine Realms cultivators, who usually carried sharpness—even medical cultivators lacked this unthreatening softness.
The last person Xia Shi had met with similar mildness was Wen Zhishu, whose heart condition left her spiritually weak. But this woman showed no spiritual power fluctuations—only stillness within.
She couldn’t cultivate.
Xia Shi suddenly realized icy eyes were glaring at her.
"…"
The Floating Life Palace Master shot her a dagger-like look while carrying steaming dishes. "Eat," he gritted out.
They sat down. Jiang Yun reintroduced herself and her brother.
"Miss Xia looks better." Jiang Yun handed her a bowl of clear chicken broth. "Most cultivators don’t eat, but this will warm you."
"Thank you."
"Sister, I want some too!" Jiang Fenghe demanded, shooting Xia Shi a look that could devour her whole.
"There’s more here."
Yet Jiang Yun still served him, cautioning, "Careful, it’s hot."
Ignoring others, Jiang Fenghe crooned, "Sister’s the best." Jiang Yun sighed but obliged.
The meal proceeded quietly except for Jiang Fenghe’s constant requests—items within reach, yet insisting Jiang Yun serve him.
On the way, Suiyin imitated her by begging Xia Shi for treats, but stopped after receiving a stern glare.
After dinner, Jiang Fenghe coaxed Jiang Yun to rest, leaving the three exchanging uneasy looks.
The Floating Life Palace Master’s demeanor shifted again, dark tendrils of malevolent energy coiling around him.
His face hardened as the Blood-Draining Knife materialized beside him.
Suiyin tightened her grip on the Wugui sword, maintaining defensive posture.
"Clever enough to hide here," Jiang Fenghe sneered, eyes glinting with cruel amusement. "Yet foolish – Yunze’s safer than this wretched place now."
"For my sister’s sake, I’ll let you pick your deaths."
"Don’t be overconfident," Xia Shi countered calmly. "Let’s negotiate."
"What could we possibly discuss?"
"Your sister."
At Jiang Yun’s mention, the palace master’s composure cracked. Murderous intent radiated as he glared at the daring woman.
Xia Shi remained unfazed, having anticipated this reaction. "She can’t cultivate. Her mortality torments you. You want her immortal, bound to you in the Nine Realms."
"Insolent!" Jiang Fenghe slammed the table. The Blood-Draining Knife flashed upward, halting a hair’s breadth from Xia Shi’s brow.
A pale hand blocked the blade’s path, jade bead glinting at the wrist.
Jiang Fenghe’s eyes flicked to Suiyin. The blade withdrew.
Suiyin exhaled shakily, pulse roaring in her ears.
Xia Shi gently lowered her protector’s arm. "I can help you."
"You?" Contempt dripped from his voice.
Then he remembered Lingyang Secret Realm – how she’d countered Song Chen’s suicide strike with Broken Mountain Sea, despite the strain.
Could she truly…?
If possible, he could show Jiang Yun Kunlun’s snowscapes…
"Trapping her here changes nothing," Xia Shi pressed. "This courtyard differs little from Sea Devouring Tower."
Jiang Fenghe stayed silent. Both locations relied on formations blocking spiritual energy – the only way his sister survived.
Without these constraints, Nine Realms’ energy would destroy her.
"I can make her withstand spiritual energy like any cultivator," Xia Shi declared.
"Truth?" Jiang Fenghe’s mask slipped.
A nod.
"Done." The knife vanished. "Your price?"
No deal existed without mutual gain.
"I only want to ask a few questions."
"What questions?"
Xia Shi lowered her brows, barely hesitating as her lips parted.
"First, is Lu Qingyu of Liujin Pavilion in the Thirteen Ghost Domains?"
"Second, what’s your goal here?"
"Third, does someone named Pei Jiu exist in the Thirteen Ghost Domains?"
Jiang Fenghe remained silent after her three questions. He rose, his frosty gaze pinning her.
"Fix my sister’s problem. Then I’ll answer."
"Deal." Xia Shi agreed without pause.
He turned away, tossing a final warning: "Fail, and I’ll kill you."
After he left, Suiyin’s mind reeled. Wasn’t Lu Qingyu Lu Ciyou’s sister? Hadn’t she perished four hundred years ago?
Why would Xia Shi ask if she’s in the Ghost Domains? Could she still be alive?
"Gone." Xia Shi’s voice drifted faintly.
Suiyin blinked, realizing Xia Shi now stood beneath the opposite corridor’s moonlight, looking back.
The tall figure stood noble under the moonbeams, wind-tossed hair gleaming faintly – a vision holding Suiyin’s breath.
This was Xia Shi as she should be.
Suiyin smiled, waving as she shouted: "Wait up!"
