Chapter 14

This man was truly a bit abnormal.
His age was more than twice what she had been in her previous life, yet how could he be so restless?

"Then how about this..."
Su Zhen spoke hesitantly, "After the people from the Zhou family leave, if I still haven't come out, could you come find me?"

Xiao Yu replied, "I definitely will."

Su Zhen: "...Suit yourself."

She did not slow her pace again, and in the blink of an eye, she arrived at the southern hall.

Inside the grand hall stood a group of people, with occasional sobs mingling with murmured whispers, echoing eerily in the vast and ornate space.

Suddenly, everyone turned their heads.

A young girl dressed in flowing aqua robes was walking unhurriedly from the direction of the hall’s entrance.

Her skin was as pale as jade, her beauty extraordinary, with a cold and indifferent expression that showed no trace of sorrow.

Of course, everyone knew she had a strained relationship with Zhou Ziheng and were aware of her temperament, so her demeanor seemed only natural to them.

There were three visitors from the Zhou family: one woman and two men, all cultivators at the Seventh Realm.

All three were now staring at her.

One of them’s eyes gleamed sharply. "A second-level Transformation Spirit Realm, Daoist Su, you’re quite capable. My younger brother is nowhere near your level."

"May I ask what the Zhou Immortals want with me?"

Su Zhen sounded impatient, "What’s the matter?"

The Zhou visitors exchanged glances.

"It’s just that we heard you had a verbal dispute with my younger brother earlier..."

"Oh? The day he went to pay respects to Immortal Chao Hua? That was ages ago. Why don’t you trace it back to when your brother joined the Tianyuan Sect decades ago?"

That man was momentarily at a loss, then looked to the side. "That day, my brother concealed his spiritual pressure all the way until entering Blood Maple Mountain, so we couldn’t trace his whereabouts before that..."

Another chimed in, "But the Immortal went there quickly."

The Jade Dust Immortal looked up at her. "They each bear a talisman imprint, left by my own hand."

"Then why didn’t the Immortal rescue my brother before he died? A mere few thousand demonic beasts—given your skills, one move would have cleared the entire Blood Maple Mountain."

"I have never had the habit of constantly monitoring my disciples’ actions."

Jade Dust Immortal interrupted, "Your younger brother was controlled by the Demonic Sect’s Heart-Controlling Secret Art, harboring a death wish with no intention of escape."

The man’s expression changed, "If only the Immortal had arrived a bit earlier, intervening while he was severely injured—"

"Zhou Immortal, do you not know that your family’s talisman is powerful? Since he left Tianyuan Mountain, your brother has been suppressing his spiritual pressure with secret talismans."

Jade Dust Immortal continued, "I could track him, but since he did not want anyone to know his whereabouts, why should I interfere? Otherwise, you would accuse me of prying into your family’s secrets."

The Zhou visitors were left speechless, "You, you!"

If Zhou Ziheng had gone to meet the demonic cultivator, shouldn’t he have prepared properly?

If the master had kept a constant watch, perhaps Zhou Ziheng wouldn’t have died in Blood Maple Mountain, but then he would have been punished for secretly associating with the demonic cultivator upon his return.

As for what happened between him and the demonic cultivator, they really had no idea.

The Soul Devourers were fanatically fond of slaughter; most often they chose their preferred targets themselves, each with their own tastes.

Some were utterly insane, killing indiscriminately, and ordinary cultivators were powerless to do business with them.

But some were relatively sane and able to control themselves, willing both to kill and to profit.

Their dealings with cultivators were mutually beneficial.

After Zhou Ziheng died in Blood Maple Mountain, the demonic cultivator ceased all contact with the Zhou family.

The demonic sect was unlike the orthodox sects; disciples openly killing each other was common, especially among the Soul Devourers who delighted in killing. Most of them scattered far and wide rather than gathering at their main base.

It would take the Zhou family some time to find that person.

"...As for what you just mentioned about the wooden carving inside the ring, I have never seen it."

Jade Dust Immortal said calmly, "Apart from the jade slip, I have never touched the other items."

The Zhou visitors fell into silence.

They were unsure if the chief of Weiyun Peak would hide treasures; those items held little significance against a Sacred Realm expert.

But if it was for his disciple, then it was uncertain.

Especially—

Their gazes slid from Su Zhen to Liu Yun Yao, who was quietly sobbing.

The former was one thing, and the absent Jiang Wang today was similar—both were first-class talents.

As for this young apprentice, she still could not refine her spiritual root and had barely reached the Qi Refining Realm after over a decade of training, less capable than even the Zhou family’s servants.

"Liu Daoist is so heartbroken; if my younger brother knew from the underworld, he would surely rest in peace."

One of them sneered, "After all, some time ago, he confided in our father his intention to form a Daoist partnership with you, and all these things he did for you..."

Liu Yun Yao was stunned, feeling as if a heavy accusation had fallen from the sky. She hurriedly explained, "I... I have always been cared for by Senior Brother and respected him deeply. Immortal, why say such things?"

Su Zhen stood aside, amused by the spectacle.

She had long guessed she was no longer a suspect; the Zhou family insisted on meeting her because Zhou Ziheng had wanted someone to kill her, so she was a bit implicated.

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Now, having seen her, they confirmed she was just an "ordinary" second-level Transformation Spirit Realm.

They believed she could not have instantly defeated Zhou Ziheng and silently controlled him to his death.

They thought that given her strength, if she truly fought Zhou Ziheng, he would have had a chance to escape or call for help.

Thus, for now, she was cleared of suspicion.

Jade Dust Immortal, however, frowned slightly, "Be careful with your words, Zhou Immortal."

"What wrong did I say?"

The man snapped, "Immortal, don’t you understand what he wanted with that person? It was all for your precious disciple!"

"My younger brother has no plant spiritual root, so he naturally doesn’t need that Cold Fragrance!"

He pointed at Liu Yun Yao, "It’s all that wretched woman who tricked my brother into meeting that demonic cultivator, just to snatch that from him—"

His voice was abruptly cut off.

A brilliant arc of sword light suddenly flashed in the air, releasing a chilling cold that swept through the hall.

A bloom of blood mist exploded like a flower, splattering onto the smooth jade floor tiles with eerie crimson stains.

The Zhou cultivator clutched his chest and staggered backward before his body violently burst apart, scattering flesh and blood everywhere.

From the remains emerged a dim golden spirit core, evidently severely damaged; without timely healing, his soul would soon scatter.

Jade Dust Immortal remained expressionless.

He stood with arms folded, a flicker of cold light passing his fingertips before vanishing.

The white-clad youth’s gaze was indifferent. "Zhou Immortal, your mind must be muddled. I’m just helping you destroy this body; go home and cultivate a new one."

Two Zhou family members looked up in shock.

The one left with only a spirit core could no longer speak; his siblings hurried to stabilize his soul.

"Xu Ling!"

Another Zhou cultivator ground his teeth, "Your behavior—do you really think your sect leader can protect you?! Our family is already at—"

Blood suddenly erupted from his mouth; he covered it with his hand.

Though not severely injured and quickly recoverable for a terrestrial cultivator, this was clearly a warning.

If he spoke further, more than just his tongue would be destroyed.

"I have no interest in who stands behind your family."

Jade Dust Immortal didn’t even glance at them. "Either have that person come to Weiyun Peak to speak, or leave quickly."

As he gathered his spiritual pressure, the temperature in the hall plummeted, chilling the air bone-deep.

The Zhou visitors dared not utter another word.

If the chief of Weiyun Peak lost control, the three of them would surely die first, and whatever happened afterward was no concern of theirs.

They quickly left.

Su Zhen watched everything expressionlessly, only speaking slowly after they had gone far, "So, Fifth Junior Brother wanted Cold Fragrance? Or was it for someone else?"

As she spoke, she met Liu Yun Yao’s panicked gaze.

"Senior Sister!"

Liu Yun Yao’s eyes brimmed with tears, "I never tricked Fifth Senior Brother! I didn’t know what he would do!"

"Yun Yao."

Jade Dust Immortal spoke softly, "This matter has nothing to do with you. You should return."

Liu Yun Yao opened her mouth, "I really didn’t make him—"

Before she finished, Jade Dust Immortal suddenly waved his hand. A surge of spiritual power swept, and Liu Yun Yao’s figure vanished on the spot.

Su Zhen watched coldly, "Chief’s quite imposing, I’m actually a bit scared."

The white-clad man frowned slightly, "Do you still have dissatisfaction?"

Su Zhen didn’t want to ponder his implication or how much he understood.

"How dare I be dissatisfied? The Immortal cares deeply for your young apprentice, protects her in every way, gets angry and strikes for her, curses for her..."

He closed his eyes for a moment, "Is that really cursing?"

"Isn’t it? To you, it is!"

Su Zhen said without hesitation, "When have you ever said ‘get lost’ before?"

"You..."

He sighed helplessly, "You say I do it for her, why don’t you—"

Su Zhen found it quite amusing, "No? The master was even worried I’d make things difficult for her, so he hurriedly sent her away."

The side chamber was quiet, with bright lamps hanging from pillars, a copper incense burner emitting wisps of smoke, and the glossy jade floor reflecting their distant confrontation.

Jade Dust Immortal sighed again, "You know well why your Junior Brother did what he did."

"Yes, he has always disliked me, even hated me. Ever since I advanced realms, he has been constantly provoked."

Su Zhen crossed her arms, "He harmed me; it has nothing to do with others, especially not with someone named Liu. Are you satisfied now?"

Jade Dust Immortal frowned deeply, "Why are you so angry?"

Su Zhen sneered, "It’s not you who almost got me killed, so of course it doesn’t matter to you."

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Before he could speak, she interrupted, "No need for these pointless words."

There was never much camaraderie among disciples; ultimately, everyone acted for their own benefit, relying on strength and ability rather than heartfelt bonds.

Having spent years in the demonic realm, Su Zhen was well accustomed to such rules.

She guessed her junior sect sister from home, also from the demonic realm, was likely similar.

Though the junior sister had little ability now and had to proceed cautiously, fearing trouble, Cold Fragrance was very important to her but not urgent.

"Zhen’er, it really wasn’t her idea that night..."

"Did you overhear their conversation that night?"

Su Zhen immediately interrupted, "Usually you don’t care how your disciples behave, but when Liu Yun Yao left your side, you suddenly watched her closely?"

Jade Dust Immortal shook his head slightly, "That night someone challenged her to a duel. At one moment, she recklessly used spiritual power, aggravating an old injury. That’s when I sensed something, paid attention, and overheard the subsequent words."

Su Zhen looked up at the sky, "Alright, alright, let’s say that’s true. You’re right. But really, master, there’s no need to say anything more. You think I care, but I really don’t."

Mainly because she had seen too much.

If she were truly a hundred years old, she might have been furious, but having witnessed so many atrocities in the demonic realm, she only thought about how to make her own exit clean from someone like Zhou Ziheng.

There was no room for resentment.

But perhaps her tone was too dismissive, and the listener reacted poorly.

Jade Dust Immortal’s expression darkened, "He brought about his own downfall by doing such things, but..."

He suddenly stopped.

Su Zhen followed his gaze and turned around to see someone entering through the hall’s door.

The newcomer moved with casual ease, dressed in dark black flowing robes, a jade belt accentuating a perfect, strong physique. His gait was imposing, exuding pressure.

He only stopped once fully inside the hall.

He emitted no spiritual pressure fluctuations; if not for seeing him, one might not sense his presence even at close range.

Jade Dust Immortal apparently felt the same, his expression faltering at the sight of this elder. "…Uncle Master Xiao."

Xiao Yu nodded perfunctorily, his gaze not once settling on Jade Dust Immortal but instead on Su Zhen, "Am I interrupting? Should I wait a bit longer?"

Su Zhen shook her head.

Had she said it was an interruption, he might have actually withdrawn.

She thought this but did not feel disturbed in the least, since she planned to leave anyway.

They spoke as if no one else were present. Another person’s expression darkened, "Uncle Master Xiao, my master and I still have some things to discuss."

Xiao Yu was about to speak when Su Zhen cut in, "There’s nothing more to say. Master, I’ll take my leave first."

Jade Dust Immortal frowned at her, "You should come back with me to Weiyun Peak first."

Since their first quarrel last life, Su Zhen had often gone against him. Now, she had no intention of showing him any respect. "No need."

She said firmly, "I have things to attend to outside, and as for that sword, it’s mine now—I’ll handle it as I please."

Jade Dust Immortal felt a headache coming on, "You’re going to see that person again?"

Su Zhen: "?"

Ignoring Immortal Chao Hua standing nearby, he spoke sharply, "I don’t know which of my Uncle Masters you mean, but you should know one thing."

Perhaps because Xiao Yu stood beside them, and Su Zhen insisted she was going out, coupled with the assumption that this elder was from Weiyun Peak—

Jade Dust Immortal never suspected this Uncle Master Xiao.

He shook his head, "Cold Fragrance truly belongs to you, no different from the Jade Crystal Grass you personally gathered. You gave it to him; I have no right to say otherwise. But if he approached you for the sake of an Immortal weapon..."

His Uncle Masters were all Seventh Realm, but their cultivation levels varied; some only had inferior Immortal weapons of incompatible zodiac signs, some didn’t even have Immortal weapons and still used spiritual instruments.

Jade Dust Immortal lowered his eyes, "You are no child; be aware."

Su Zhen: "???"

She was dumbfounded.

She truly didn’t expect her master to bring up this matter here.

Su Zhen instinctively turned to look at Xiao Yu.

The handsome man dressed in black stood motionless, his face seemingly unchanged, but his eyes revealed shock and confusion.

He seemed stunned ever since hearing about the Jade Crystal Grass.

After a moment, Xiao Yu regained his composure.

He raised an eyebrow and glanced over, a smile flickering in his gray-blue eyes, his gaze becoming intriguingly meaningful.

"Is that so? Junior Disciple Xu."

Xiao Yu appeared to be speaking to the chief of Weiyun Peak beside him.

But his gaze rested on someone else.

Xiao Yu looked at her and teased with a smile, "Someone took your apprentice’s Jade Crystal Grass, approached her for an Immortal weapon, and tricked her out of her sword?"

Su Zhen: "..."