Chapter 64
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Chapter 64: Title
Lu Ciyou rummaged through her storage ring and pulled out the *Record of Spirit Beasts in the Nine Realms*. She flipped through the poultry section for ages but found no matches, then leafed through the bird pages.
Xia Shi watched the two heads bent over the book and asked, “Didn’t you study this for your sect exams?”
Disciples preparing for mountain missions usually underwent rigorous testing—not just on cultivation and combat, but also sect uniforms, emblems, etiquette, regional geography, and identifying Spiritual Plants and beasts. Most knowledge came from this very book, which every disciple supposedly memorized after reading it eight times.
“We passed those exams,” Lu Ciyou retorted. “But who memorizes the whole thing? We just skimmed the basics!”
As she spoke, she noticed Xia Shi’s faint smirk.
“No way…” Lu Ciyou narrowed her eyes. “You memorized it?”
Xia Shi gave a small “Mm,” her eyebrows lifting with quiet pride.
Suiyin clapped excitedly. “Amazing!”
The young lady stomped on Suiyin’s foot under the table, shooting her a glare.
*Why praise her? She’s obviously calling us idiots!*
Lu Ciyou jabbed the table and pointed at the featherless lump snoozing on Suiyin’s shoulder. “If you’re so smart, tell us what *this* is!”
“No idea.” Xia Shi added quickly as Lu Ciyou’s face reddened, “How could anyone recognize it? That book only shows feathered creatures. When’s the last time you saw a bald chicken?”
Lu Ciyou grudgingly shoved the book aside. “So what now? We’re hiding here? Wait—” She froze. “Whose house *is* this?”
The lavish estate clearly exceeded Xia Shi and Suiyin’s means. Both answered in unison: “The Floating Life Palace Master.”
“*What?!*” Lu Ciyou shot up, pacing wildly. “We’re doomed… doomed…” Abruptly, she whirled around. “I’ll fetch A Li. We’re leaving *now*.”
With only Suiyin remotely combat-ready, fighting was impossible. Escape was their only option.
Suiyin lunged to stop her, dislodging the sleeping creature from her shoulder. Xia Shi flicked her fingers, a wisp of spiritual power cushioning the fall as she deposited the thing onto the table.
The newly awakened hatchling blinked teary eyes at its “Bai Bai Mama,” then wobbled over to nuzzle Xia Shi’s hand.
Thank you, Bai Bai Mama~
She silently thanked her in her heart, not daring to speak aloud.
Xia Shi lowered her gaze, staring at the three feathers on the bird’s head. Upon closer look, the feathers seemed to flicker with flames, revealing hints of crimson-gold brilliance.
Such plumage was truly uncommon…
She slid the cooled teacup forward and tapped its rim. "It’s gone cold."
The bird’s eyes instantly sparkled. Puffing its chest, it confidently opened its beak – time to prove its worth! It’d definitely please Bai Bai Mama!
Flames erupted from its tiny mouth. Xia Shi reacted swiftly, yanking the two by the doorway and darting into the courtyard while dragging Yan Li from the neighboring room.
The backyard exploded in roaring flames towering dozens of meters, summoning Jiang Fenghe and Chen Ci. When they arrived, only ashes remained where the courtyard once stood, four figures untouched amidst the destruction.
"Marvelous entertainment," Jiang Fenghe growled, face darkening. The courtyard he’d meticulously prepared for his sister now lay obliterated. "Shall I burn the front yard too for added amusement?"
Chen Ci lounged against the corridor, visibly entertained since his property remained intact.
Xia Shi’s guilty fingers twitched behind her back, stealthily tucking the fiery culprit into her sleeve. "This wasn’t intentional."
Jiang Fenghe snorted. Material possessions meant little – this was merely temporary housing. Tilting his chin, he declared, "Now that we’re all present, let’s address our prior discussion."
Xia Shi blinked, having mentally calculated compensation costs already. She accepted the offered escape. "Agreed."
In the main hall, Jiang Yun set teacups before Lu Ciyou and Suiyin. "Your friend rests in the right chamber. Her injuries require stillness."
"Gratitude, Miss Jiang." Lu Ciyou inclined her head.
Jiang Yun’s smile warmed. "I recall you – that duel with Xi Nian years past. Young Master of Liujin Pavilion. Since Canghai and Liujin Pavilion share bonds, and you’re Xi Nian’s contemporary, call me Aunt Yun."
"Aunt Yun." Lu Ciyou complied.
Jiang Yun produced delicate pastries. "A He’s favorites." She nibbled one first, demonstrating their safety.
Meanwhile, tension crackled in the side chamber. Weapons lay within reach, silence thick as smoke.
"Enough staring," Chen Ci barked, more impatient than the rest. "Out with it."
Jiang Fenghe finally voiced the crucial question: "How do we deceive heaven itself?"
Xia Shi raised her hand, tapping the table with her fingertips. A palm-sized formation glowed golden and slowly activated.
"If formations alone could achieve this, Canghai wouldn’t have relied solely on the Sea Devouring Tower all these years," Jiang Fenghe said, his patience wearing thin, anger sharpening his features.
If he didn’t get answers today, this person wouldn’t leave alive.
"Patience."
Xia Shi’s cool voice cut through the tension. The spiritual energy at her fingertips deepened from pale gold to amber, transforming the formation in a heartbeat.
Though spiritual power permeated the Nine Realms, none flowed within Xia Shi’s creation.
It blocked spiritual energy entirely!
The shift startled both observers. Chen Ci, who’d kept his distance moments before, now leaned close, eyes locked on the glowing pattern.
Jiang Fenghe’s breath hitched, fingers twitching toward the formation before he clenched them. "This… truly lets my sister go wherever she wishes?"
Xia Shi withdrew her hand, dissolving the formation. "You’ve witnessed it."
"One formation does all?" Chen Ci frowned.
Countless cultivation clans had exiled children with flawed spiritual roots to the mortal world. Only Jiang Fenghe’s sister remained – and even Canghai’s solution meant lifelong confinement in the Sea Devouring Tower.
He’d seen ordinary patterns shift into something extraordinary when Xia Wuwei altered her spiritual output.
"Hardly." Xia Shi offered no further explanation.
She’d infused the formation with Taiji Golden Seal’s power – an accidental discovery revealing how the Immortal Capital’s artifact could warp formations beyond recognition.
"Your turn. Three questions."
True to his word, Jiang Fenghe answered freely now that his sister’s freedom seemed possible.
"First: Lu Qingyu’s presence in Thirteen Ghost Domains remains unconfirmed. There’s a spearmaster titled Lord of Shura City who arrived before me. Ghost Lord calls him Qing Yu."
Xia Shi’s knuckles cracked softly.
"Second: The siege on Canghai isn’t my doing. I came only for my sister."
"What of Ghost Lord?" Xia Shi’s piercing gaze lifted. "Is he in Canghai City?"
"Not among your three questions." Jiang Fenghe shrugged. "They seek something from the forbidden area. I’ve neither entered nor know details."
"Third: Never heard of Pei Jiu."
"Pei Jiu…" Chen Ci murmured, brow furrowed.
Xia Shi turned to him, hope flickering in her gaze. "You recognize the name?"
Chen Ci’s eyelids lowered briefly before he shook his head.
"Questions answered." Jiang Fenghe stood, gesturing toward the exit.
They returned to find the main hall buzzing with laughter. Jiang Yun’s relaxed smile froze Jiang Fenghe mid-step – for a heartbeat, he saw his sister before her wedding, equally carefree under his teasing.
But as she regained her senses, an uncomfortable feeling grew in her heart, slightly bitter.
"Sister!"
Jiang Yun turned at the call. Seeing Jiang Fenghe, the smile at her eyes deepened with unique tenderness.
"I’m here."
Suiyin rushed to Xia Shi the moment she appeared, anxiously checking her over before relaxing.
Lu Ciyou felt sudden longing for A Li. Noticing movement, she spotted a healer standing alone under the corridor too.
"Remember your promise." Jiang Fenghe led Jiang Yun to Xia Shi.
Xia Shi nodded. "Miss Jiang," she said softly, "your hand please."
Jiang Yun extended her pale wrist.
Xia Shi placed the prepared formation on Jiang Yun’s skin, voice-transmitting to Jiang Fenghe: "After completion, take her from Yunze. Avoid Thirteen Ghost Domains. Never use demonic energy near her again."
The reply came swiftly: "If I leave, those creatures outside will invade. You…"
The unspoken words hung between them.
"Take her."
"Fine."
Jiang Fenghe never cared about their survival anyway. He’d take his sister to Kunlun’s snowfields as planned.
As transmissions ceased, golden seal energy surged. Jiang Yun vanished within golden light.
"Sister," Jiang Fenghe’s voice bubbled with excitement, "shall we go see snow now?"
Understanding dawned on Jiang Yun. She bowed gratefully to Xia Shi. "My thanks."
Xia Shi returned the nod. Their eyes met – Jiang Fenghe dipped his chin once.
Both figures disappeared from the hall.
Xia Shi swayed. An arm caught her waist.
"Why’s your spiritual power draining so fast?" Suiyin asked, sharing her own energy.
"Fetch A Li. Now." Xia Shi told Lu Ciyou.
Lu Ciyou hurried to the east wing.
Returning, they found the courtyard breached. Puppets crowded every wall – motionless disciples from Canghai exploration teams, now empty shells in varied sect uniforms.
Qing Gui slithered through shattered gates, smiling. She blew on painted nails before pointing delicately.
"Take them alive."
Puppets swarmed the hall instantly.
"Cover ears."
Xia Shi spoke cryptically. A white-clad child materialized in her arms. She patted the little girl’s round stomach.
"Now. Scream."
In an instant, mountains seemed to collapse and the earth split apart. The gloomy clouds over Yunze gradually dispersed, revealing faint light.
The long-pent-up shout finally exploded with earth-shattering force.
Though Xia Shi had been holding someone defensively, the voices still rattled her spirit.
Gritting her teeth against the discomfort, she suddenly felt warm hands cover hers.
Turning slightly, she met smiling eyes. The little girl’s radiant expression snapped Xia Shi back to awareness.
After finishing her shout, the child blinked up expectantly.
Xia Shi rewarded her with two words: "Good job."
Puppets twitched convulsively across the ground. Even Qing Gui couldn’t withstand the onslaught and had fled.
Lu Ciyou staggered upright, still clutching the long-limbed A Li.
Shaking her head, she remarked, "That kid’s something else."
Xia Shi lowered her gaze, lips curving upward. "Zhuque the divine beast isn’t ordinary."
