9. Spirit-Ring Stronghold

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Sheng Ningyu’s nerves instantly tightened. Almost at the very moment the sound rang out, she spun around sharply, drawing her left hand to attempt a sword block.

In theory, the move was exquisitely executed—there was no awkwardness at all. With only a single branch, amidst the swirling light, a faint sword glow reminiscent of moonlight shimmered faintly!

Unfortunately, it was just a withered branch in her hand.

Upon encountering that tremendous force suddenly, the branch, as thick as an adult’s wrist, shattered into splinters in an instant, vanishing into smoke and dust.

And this was after imbuing the branch with a hint of spiritual power.

Sheng Ningyu flexed her numb wrist.

Fortunately, the thing was forced back by her overwhelming sword momentum and fled in another direction.

A large group approached with great momentum. Sheng Ningyu focused her gaze and recognized them as the same people from the inn earlier.

They were the steward and retainers of the Chu family, along with sword cultivators they had chosen.

The leader was still Chu Le.

He swung his arm heavily, his face full of resentment: “Damn it! That puppet barrier actually got away!”

“The young master is a prodigy. I suppose even the puppet barrier knows its limits and had no choice but to flee from him.”

“Exactly! Usually, the puppet barrier chases people, who ever heard of people chasing after a puppet barrier?”

Puppet barrier? What on earth was this strange thing?

While Sheng Ningyu listened to their mindless praises of Chu Le, she thoughtfully positioned herself in front of Xie Qianjing without drawing attention.

Drawing closer, she realized these people were not entirely of one faction. Among them were five or six cultivators dressed in green robes, their eyes wide open, faces full of hesitation.

They looked familiar, but for a moment, she couldn’t quite place them—

“Linghuan Wu, medical cultivators of Yunwang Palace.”

That’s it!

The medical cultivators of Yunwang Palace were known for their affection for green attire!

Sheng Ningyu suddenly turned her head, then narrowed her eyes, lowering her voice: “You know them?”

“No,” Xie Qianjing remained silent for a moment, then lowered his eyelids. “It’s just that the reputation of the Yunwang Palace’s medical cultivators—‘Green Robes of Yunwang, Fragrance like Blossoms, White Bones Regenerate by the King of Death’—is so widespread. It’s said that the current head of Yunwang Palace, Yuan Buru, can revive flesh and bone, and his wife Xiang Bieyun is a master of perfumery and medicine. I’ve heard of them and have long been fascinated.”

Sheng Ningyu listened, somewhat enlightened.

Vaguely, she seemed to recall knowing a master perfumer once, but...

Time had passed, and her memories had faded.

Just like Yunwang Palace, now ruled by Yuan Buru.

She wondered whether the old Yuan had retired or...

Sheng Ningyu dared not think too deeply, turning her gaze to the few people before her again. She finally focused past the young girl on the side, centering on the man in the middle.

He seemed somewhat familiar.

Hmm, she wondered which young master of the Yuan family this was?

A sharp sting and itch came from the wound on her right wrist. As her thoughts spun, her gaze toward those green-robed disciples grew clearer.

No matter what, this was a good sign.

Encountering people from Yunwang Palace here meant she wouldn’t need to head to Linghuan Wu herself, nor worry about evading that old man Yuan Daojun!

Seeing this, though Xie Qianjing’s eyes still curved with a faint smile, his expression had completely hardened.

The voice of the heart demon echoed around him, a surge of hostility rising.

“Yes, my preferences have never changed. I have always liked this kind—”

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“—this clean, sincere, pure young lad.”

“Back then, the reason I liked you so much was because you were as pure and clear as snow atop a mountain, a lotus in water, untouched by any dust. You know it, I have always liked you. Don’t you know, Xie Qianjing?”

“...Don’t you, Young Master Yuan?”

Young Master Yuan was not very old. Suddenly being named by the Chu family retainers, and under so many eyes, his face flushed red but he still spoke politely: “Young Master Chu’s swordsmanship is outstanding.”

Receiving praise from Young Master Yuan, the Chu family’s pride grew even greater. Some, seeing Yuan’s youth, teased: “Our young master’s swordsmanship is naturally exceptional. Even Young Master Yuan was dumbfounded. So, Young Master Yuan, have you considered abandoning medicine and learning swordsmanship with our Chu family?”

Such words were extremely inappropriate.

Though the Yuan family of Linghuan might not be as powerful as the various clans of the East Sea, it was still a colossal entity with a 500-year legacy. How could anyone casually joke about their family heirlooms?

Sheng Ningyu frowned unconsciously, then suddenly smiled as if recalling something. Xie Qianjing noticed her expression, his brow furrowing deeper, his face growing colder.

Even knowing the opposition’s ill intent, Young Master Yuan stopped his accompanying medical cultivators and shook his head seriously: “No.”

The Chu family retainers insisted: “Why not? Afraid your elder brother will punish you?”

“No,” Young Master Yuan shook his head, explaining earnestly, “Someone once told me that no sword cultivator is a good person.”

“You—!”

Chu Le, who had been silent, could no longer hold back. He kicked a useless retainer aside and strode forward through the crowd to the front: “Young Master Yuan, those words are a bit much. I also want to know who dares to speak so recklessly. Could it be the head of Yunwang Palace? If so, I would like to pay a visit!”

Young Master Yuan shook his head: “Not my brother, but another relative.”

Chu Le sneered disdainfully: “Another cousin of Young Master Yuan?”

The Chu retainers nearby laughed scornfully, almost wearing ‘You’re imagining things’ on their faces, provoking glaring anger from the medical cultivators.

Despite the ridicule, Young Master Yuan’s sincere expression did not change. He shook his head at Chu Le: “Not a cousin, my father.”

Chu Le: “...”

Chu family retainers: “...”

Quite the ‘relative.’

You didn’t say this ‘relative’ was so ‘close’!

How to put it? If these words were from Yuan Buru, even though he’s the head of Yunwang Palace, as long as Chu Le went back and complained to Chu Chang’an, perhaps Chu Chang’an would really go question Yunwang Palace.

But if these words came from the old palace lord Yuan Daojun, that would be a different matter!

Everyone in the cultivation world knew Yuan Daojun, head of Yunwang Palace, was hot-tempered and straightforward. Anyone who annoyed him, even with millions of gold, wouldn’t earn so much as a glance.

Sheng Ningyu, having witnessed the whole scene, laughed heartily, unable to help but lean on Xie Qianjing.

The increasingly frenzied voice of the heart demon abruptly ceased with her proximity.

Xie Qianjing’s eyelids trembled. Looking down at her, the coldness in his eyes suddenly vanished.

He had always liked her like this.

Just like a hundred years ago, whenever she discovered something interesting or fun, she would run to him, cling to him, and share.

“Yes, but after the Xie family’s ruin, I have a new fiancé.”

“Xie Qianjing, guess if I would cling to his shoulder and joke with him, hold his arm coquettishly, and accompany him to see all those worldly wonders I once told you about?”

“You know, though I love beautiful things, I am easily enamored by the new and weary of the old.”

Xie Qianjing paid no heed.

He turned his head, and when he spoke, his lips nearly brushed Sheng Ningyu’s ear.

“Is that so amusing?”

Sheng Ningyu nodded, stifling a laugh, about to reply when someone called out.

“The one wearing the veil.”

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Perhaps because the entire hall was quiet, Sheng Ningyu’s movement was conspicuous. Chu Le’s gaze swept the crowd and finally spotted the two of them.

He jerked his chin toward their direction, arrogantly asking, “What are you two doing on this path? Are you also going to Ghost Cang Tower?”

His words were utterly unreasonable, and even with Chu Le’s face, they sounded foolish.

Sheng Ningyu lazily glanced at him: “How many spirit stones do you want?”

Chu Le crossed his arms, frowning: “What do you mean?”

“This path was opened by you, this tree you planted. If you want to pass, leave a toll.”

Sheng Ningyu tilted her head, having somehow positioned herself in front of Xie Qianjing, and asked lazily, “How much do you want, Young Master Chu? I’m just a poor exile from my sect. If the price is too high, it’d be simpler for you to take my life directly.”

Her words were merciless.

A faint sneer spread from the corner of Xie Qianjing’s mouth, unsurprised.

She had always been like this—quick to find novelty, and just as quick to lose interest.

Now, with all her attention on the medical cultivators of Linghuan Wu, she was utterly indifferent to Chu Le.

The Chu family was hardly short on money. Talking about ‘asking’ was just an insult!

Chu Le was infuriated, his face flushing red as he strode forward: “What nonsense is this madwoman spouting!”

The Chu retainers drew their swords in unison.

Before Sheng Ningyu could react, the medical cultivators of Yunwang Palace could no longer sit still. A blue flash streaked forth, and someone stepped in front of Sheng Ningyu.

It was the young master leading Yunwang Palace’s disciples.

He wore a green robe like a bamboo in the mountains or a blue cloud in a painting. The breeze that swept past carried a faint scent of herbs, exuding a refined elegance.

Chu Le’s advance was blocked. Unable to see Sheng Ningyu clearly, he frowned in impatience: “Young Master Yuan, what are you doing? Are you meddling again?”

Young Master Yuan gave Chu Le a proper peer’s salute, serious and precise, yet stood his ground firmly.

“Young Master Chu, when traveling, one must not bully others with power.”

Such straightforward words drew a sharp intake of breath from the crowd, all eyes fixed on the two facing off.

A bird’s clear cry stirred the stillness, rippling through the tension, as if about to tear through the pervasive chaos. Yet at the same time, a chill crept in, casting a ghostly gloom.

The wind howled like war drums, and rain threatened to fall.

Both the Chu retainers and the sword cultivators taken away, even the young girls of Yunwang Palace, instantly sharpened their senses, watching the two intently, alert.

The sword cultivators following Chu secretly grimaced.

Both parties were young and proud, with high status. If a fight broke out, should they draw their swords or not?

Less than a hundred people gathered, yet countless lives and thoughts were revealed.

Simply put.

Xie Qianjing watched with little interest, but as he turned his gaze away, it settled on the unblinking eyes before him, unmoving for a long while.

That’s it.

He suddenly remembered.

Of all his affections, she liked best such a refined, upright young immortal lord.