Chapter 828: A Show for the Occasion
Translator: CinderTL
"Even if my husband has a thousand faults, it’s not your place to insult him," Mu Yunxin said, the killing intent in her eyes intensifying.
"Elder Mu, you can’t kill me. The sect’s ironclad rules strictly forbid internal strife and violence within the Heavenly Spring Courtyard. You and He Lu already committed a grave offense by engaging in a violent clash here, resulting in the deaths of dozens of patrons. If you attack me again, the sect will not show you any mercy."
As she spoke, Yuan Niang trembled uncontrollably, her fear impossible to conceal. She knew her life hung by a thread, at Mu Yunxin’s whim. She could only hope the sect’s rules would give Mu Yunxin pause.
"If anyone can insult my husband to his face because of me, what meaning is there in my existence?" Mu Yunxin declared resolutely. With a flash of movement, she appeared before Yuan Niang, her palm gathering immense Spiritual Power. She was about to strike when she abruptly stopped.
Ancestor Lan Chen had suddenly appeared in the Heavenly Spring Courtyard, hovering in mid-air.
"Greetings, Ancestor Lan Chen!" Mu Yunxin was the first to notice her, immediately bowing deeply. The other He Huan Sect disciples followed suit.
Yuan Niang, seeing her savior, dropped to her knees, trembling.
"Ancestor, save me! Mu Yunxin has violated sect rules by engaging in violence within the Heavenly Spring Courtyard, resulting in the deaths of dozens of patrons. She now seeks to kill me. Please, Ancestor, uphold justice for your disciple."
After speaking, she began kowtowing repeatedly.
Bloodstains on the floor stained her clothes and face.
She looked utterly pitiful and helpless, as though she had suffered an immense injustice.
Mu Yunxin’s face was filled with anxiety and unease.
She had indeed violated the sect’s prohibitions.
Kneeling on the ground, Mu Yunxin said, "Ancestor Lan Chen, your disciple knows she has broken the sect’s laws. Whatever punishment you deem fit, your disciple will accept without complaint. However, I humbly beg you, Ancestor, to consider the many years I have served by your side and spare my husband. He came to the Heavenly Spring Courtyard only to find me."
Lan Chen spoke slowly. "Yunxin, rise. When did I ever say I would punish you? In my eyes, you are not only innocent but have actually performed a meritorious deed. You defied the sect’s prohibitions to protect your husband’s safety and honor, proving to the world that the disciples of the He Huan Sect are not as cold and heartless as rumors suggest."
"As for you, Yuan Niang..." Lan Chen’s voice suddenly turned icy. "By wantonly insulting your fellow disciple’s husband, you have actually denigrated all the disciples of the He Huan Sect. According to your logic, wouldn’t all the husbands of our sect’s disciples be ’green-shelled turtles’? Who would dare to truly care for a disciple of the He Huan Sect in the future?"
Yuan Niang was immediately terrified.
"Disciple knows her mistake. I beg Ancestor to forgive me this once. In the future, I..."
Lan Chen’s expression turned to one of disgust, and she ignored Yuan Niang’s desperate pleas.
She raised her hand and gestured lightly in the air. Instantly, a red shadow shot in from outside the door.
It was He Lu, bound tightly by Red Silk, trapped like a cornered beast, unable to move.
"Yunxin, Yuan Niang and He Lu are yours to deal with."
"Yes, Ancestor," Mu Yunxin said eagerly, her face lighting up.
Lan Chen shifted her gaze to Fang Xingyan.
"Fang Xingyan."
"This junior is here," Fang Xingyan replied, immediately kneeling.
"Since you chose to marry Yunxin, you should have been prepared for this. As a disciple of the He Huan Sect, she will inevitably have relations with others. But it’s all just for cultivation, a mere performance. Why let it bother you so much? If you can’t accept it, it’s best to divorce sooner rather than later," Lan Chen said.
"This junior... understands," Fang Xingyan said, his face bitter.
Lan Chen nodded slightly, and with a flash, she vanished from the Heavenly Spring Courtyard.
She ascended to the sky above Bliss City, gazing at the spot where Song Wen had been earlier.
But all she saw was the empty expanse of the Heavenly Extreme, Song Wen long gone.
"Sigh..."
A long, drawn-out sigh, like a wisp of smoke, lingered in the vast expanse of heaven and earth, refusing to dissipate.
Song Wen raced all the way to a location a hundred miles outside the Beastmaster Sect. He retrieved Mi He’s Communication Jade Slip.
Fellow Daoist Mi He, I have a matter to discuss and would like to meet with you in person.
After a long wait, Song Wen received Mi He’s reply.
Where shall we meet?
Outside East Huafang Market, by the small river three hundred miles to the southwest, Song Wen replied.
Very well.
Soon, the two met as agreed beside the small river.
"Ji Yin, why have you come here this time?" Mi He asked.
Song Wen replied, "I wish to consult you about the method for a Fourth-Tier Spirit Beast to advance."
A flicker of surprise crossed Mi He’s eyes, and her gaze fell on the Spirit Beast Pouch at Song Wen’s waist.
"Do you have a Third-Tier Peak Spirit Beast?"
Song Wen was startled by the question. He realized he did indeed possess a Third-Tier Peak Spirit Beast.
The Nether Fox!
The Nether Fox had been with him for nearly sixty years.
Yet, aside from consuming demon beast flesh and refining a few Spirit Stones, it had consumed almost no other spiritual treasures. This had only managed to prevent its cultivation from regressing, without any actual progress.
Song Wen nodded in agreement. "I do indeed have a Third-Tier Peak Spirit Beast. Do you know of any methods to help it advance?"
Mi He replied, "As a Nascent Soul cultivator of the Beastmaster Sect, it would be a lie to say I don’t know how to help a Fourth-Tier Spirit Beast advance. However, the methods vary for each demon beast. What kind of demon beast is your Spirit Beast?"
Song Wen pondered for a moment before answering. "To be honest, I have a Nether Fox and a Gu, both at Third-Tier Peak."
"A Nether Fox?" Mi He’s eyes widened again. "Are you referring to the Nether Fox unique to the Misty Ghost Realm?"
"Precisely," Song Wen confirmed.
"I’ve only read about Nether Foxes in ancient texts, never seen one in the flesh. Would you mind letting me see it?" Mi He asked.
"Certainly," Song Wen replied, patting his Spirit Beast Pouch and releasing the Nether Fox.
The moment the Nether Fox appeared, it noticed Mi He’s intense gaze and quickly hid behind Song Wen.
In its understanding, humans were inherently evil, often using the remains of its kind to craft Mystic Treasures.
The Human female cultivator before him stared intently, clearly with malicious intent.
Compared to her, his own despicable master seemed rather decent—at least he hadn’t used him to refine Mystic Treasures.
"Great and esteemed master, what matter calls me forth?" the Nether Fox’s voice dripped with flattery.
"Fellow Daoist Mi He is curious about you and wishes to meet you," Song Wen said calmly.
At these words, the Nether Fox’s heart clenched.
Damn Human female cultivator! Just as he suspected, she harbored ulterior motives.
Why else would Humans be interested in the Demon Race besides for cultivation resources?
And his master had actually fallen for her lies? Utterly foolish!
Fortunately, he was clever enough to see through her deception.
The Nether Fox hid behind Song Wen, slightly hunched, emitting low "wuff" sounds.
Seeing this, Song Wen said, "There’s no need to be afraid, Fellow Daoist Mi He might have a method to help you break through."
The Nether Fox’s eyes lit up. It darted forward, prostrating itself before Mi He like a docile puppy.
(End of the Chapter)
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