Translator: Cinder Translations
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Jing Feiyao felt a wave of frustration.
Jing Lie refused to assist her, leaving her stranded. anwhile, Shan Yue's incessant pressure left her with no solution or path forward.
In her growing despair, a fleeting thought of escape crossed her mind. She wanted to leave the Xing family, sever ties with the Jing family, and extricate herself from the entanglent between the two clans.
As her irritation deepened, another communication from Shan Yue arrived.
"Madam, why haven't you responded? Are you displeased with my verification thod, or do you simply not have the Saintly Spirit Pill?"
"Indeed, I haven't obtained it. The Saintly Spirit Pill is not in the Xing family's treasury—the vault is nearly empty," Jing Feiyao admitted bluntly.
"It seems the rumors of your secrets might soon spread across Fang City," Shan Yue retorted.
"You don't need to threaten . At worst, I'll abandon my position as the Xing family's First Madam and escape the clan entirely," she replied, her tone defiant.
"Are you really willing to give up the Xing family's vast cultivation resources and your influential status?"
"Compared to my life, those an nothing. But you've pushed to the brink!"
"Leaving the Xing family isn't as simple as you think. I happen to know you've secretly provided intelligence to the Anti-Xing Society. If this cos to light, not only will the Xing family hunt you down, but the Jing family will also sever all ties with you. At that point, neither clan will tolerate your existence," Shan Yue countered.
"Do you think I've stayed with the Xing family this long without securing a Soul Concealnt Jade for myself? I can ensure my escape without a trace."
In a modest inn on the outskirts of Fang City, Shan Yue turned to Song Wen, her eyes questioning.
Jing Feiyao's choice to go all-in seed to have neutralized the leverage they held against her.
After a mont, Song Wen murmured to Shan Yue, offering guidance. Shan Yue then resud the exchange.
"It may be easy for you to escape the Xing family with your early-stage Golden Core cultivation, but what about your mid-stage Qi Refining son? Does he also have a Soul Concealnt Jade? Can he evade the Xing family's pursuit?"
Reading this, Jing Feiyao fell into silence.
"I'll give you one more day. Deliver the Saintly Spirit Pill, and I will never bother you again," Shan Yue urged.
"I'll do my best," Jing Feiyao replied weakly.
"I have a few questions. Please answer truthfully. Who told you the Saintly Spirit Pill wasn't in the treasury?"
"Xing Mo, the vault's guardian."
"Where were the treasury's treasures taken?"
"According to Xing Mo, they were moved to Cloud Ridge Mountain."
After finishing her exchange with Shan Yue, Jing Feiyao contemplated for a long ti before picking up her ssaging jade slip and contacting Jing Lie.
Shan Yue's words had struck a nerve. If the Xing family discovered her ties to the Anti-Xing Society, the Jing family would sever all connections with her to avoid conflict with the Xing family.
In that scenario, the Jing family wouldn't just abandon her; they might even secretly hunt her down to eliminate a liability, preserving their ties with the Xing family.
Her earlier claim of escaping was rely a last resort—a path she would only take if she had no other choice.
Transitioning from a position of imnse influence to a wandering cultivator was a bitter pill to swallow.
For now, she saw only two paths before her:
Remain the Xing family's First Madam, which required obtaining the Saintly Spirit Pill and neutralizing Shan Yue's threat. Render the Jing family a service significant enough to justify severing ties with the Xing family, allowing her to return to the Jing family with honor.
"Shan Yue has realized I don't have the Saintly Spirit Pill. However, for now, she doesn't intend to expose my actions," Jing Feiyao inford.
"That's fortunate," Jing Lie replied.
"But she only gave one day to resolve this. When will Jing Wuming arrive at Fangzhudao?"
"There's no pressing matter to disturb the ancestor for," Jing Lie responded dismissively.
"Ha! My life is hanging by a thread, and you dare say it's not urgent?"
Faced with Jing Feiyao's outrage, Jing Lie remained silent.
Knowing she needed valuable information to compel Jing Lie to act, she transmitted another ssage.
"I've uncovered a secret about Cloud Ridge Mountain."
"What secret?" Jing Lie responded swiftly this ti.
Jing Feiyao felt annoyed at his inconsistent urgency but composed herself to reply.
"Most of the Xing family's treasures have been moved to Cloud Ridge Mountain."
"Why would they relocate their treasures there instead of keeping them in their stronghold?"
"I don't know, but I suspect the Xing family is planning sothing significant," she speculated.
"Can you infiltrate Cloud Ridge Mountain?"
"No. Cloud Ridge Mountain is guarded by Xing Xinyu personally. She won't let set foot inside. To uncover its secrets, you'll need Jing Wuming's help."
After a pause, Jing Lie finally relented.
"Fine. I'll use a secret technique to report this to the ancestor. If he's interested, he'll co to Fangzhudao."
"You've always claid to have a secret thod to contact Jing Wuming from thousands of miles away. What is it?"
"You don't need to know that. It's one of the Jing family's core secrets. If you reach peak Golden Core stage soday, you'll find out."
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In a secluded chamber behind a large pill store in the Dark Star Ghost Market, Jing Lie concluded his transmission and stepped outside.
He walked to another chamber and knocked on its stone door.
"Ancestor, Jing Lie seeks an audience."
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anwhile, in Fang City at the Immortal Guesthouse:
"Do you know Xing Mo?" Song Wen asked Shan Yue.
"I've t him twice. He's a late-stage Golden Core cultivator. His Dao companion has passed away, leaving him with a daughter nad Xing Shan, whom he dotes on deeply. When I was in the Xing family, I was on good terms with Xing Shan," Shan Yue replied.
"Where does Xing Mo reside?"
"In the Xing family estate in Fangzhudao's northern city."
Song Wen frowned, deep in thought.
"That complicates things," he muttered.
"What are you planning?" Shan Yue asked.
"It's clear that relying on Jing Feiyao won't get us the Saintly Spirit Pill. We'll need another plan," Song Wen concluded.
(End of the Chapter)
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