As Wei Mingyi sized up Feng Cangcang, Feng Cangcang was also scrutinizing her.
Fifteen years had passed since Feng Cangcang left Cangwu City. She had returned occasionally during that time, but always remained within the main city, never wandering around or interacting with sects of the Master-Disciple lineage. In Chongyuan Sect, she only knew of Su Xuanjing and the mysterious founding Ancestor, Yue Wuque.
Lu Chunqiu had always been arrogant, treating the words of the Heavenly Dao Alliance as sacred doctrine. His sole focus was on converting or dismantling all sects within Cangwu City’s sphere of influence into Aristocratic Families, thus imposing many resource restrictions on Master-Disciple lineages. But initially, he had been very courteous to Chongyuan Sect. The spirit vein leased to Chongyuan Sect was the best Profound Tier vein the Lu Family could provide, and even the price was discounted. All this was out of deference to that Nascent Soul Ancestor. It was only after news of her disappearance spread that the Lu Family became utterly indifferent towards Chongyuan Sect.
Feng Cangcang’s so-called “Dao discussion with Su Xuanjing” had occurred after Yue Wuque vanished, just when she herself had been selected by the Feng Clan and was about to depart. At that time, the entire Lu Family was exultant, as if a smooth, broad road lay ahead, believing her future and that of the Lu Family were now bright. No one ever asked her opinion. Though somewhat dissatisfied, since she was headed to a larger family and hadn’t yet experienced those dark aspects, she still harbored some anticipation deep down.
It was during this period that she encountered Su Xuanjing.
Su Xuanjing surpassed her in both age and cultivation. With Su Xuanjing’s talent, joining a third-rate family wouldn’t have been difficult.
Chongyuan Sect was called a sect, but its founding was so recent; it barely had any people inside. Feng Cangcang then asked Su Xuanjing, “Why not join an Aristocratic Family?” Su Xuanjing merely smiled faintly and countered, “Why not join a sect?” At the time, Feng Cangcang paid little mind to that inexplicable conversation. But later, within the Feng Clan, she recalled Su Xuanjing’s reply countless times.
Perhaps Su Xuanjing had just been brushing her off back then. But when one is sinking in darkness, it’s hard not to daydream about the untraveled path. Now, having gained the favor of a certain Feng Clan Elder, seemingly enjoying some prestige, the word “sect” had become branded upon her heart. Unbeknownst to her, her hatred for the Aristocratic Families—especially the Lu Family—had deepened to a degree that even startled herself.
Feng Cangcang knew one thing for certain: Su Xuanjing would never cooperate with an Aristocratic Family. However the spirit vein in the mountain had come—whether a gift from heaven or the return of that Ancestor—it was ultimately none of her business, and she wouldn’t pry. But she could certainly use this matter to her advantage. After exchanging formal greetings, she patiently awaited the other party’s reply.
Wei Mingyi had intended not to let anyone from the Lu clan into Chongyuan Sect, but those one hundred Achievement Points and the achievement description made her reconsider. The Lu Family was her enemy, yet Feng Cangcang was categorized as “friend.” How interesting. After a moment’s thought, she uttered an “Enter,” and invited Feng Cangcang through the mountain gate.
Even if, worst case scenario, Feng Cangcang suddenly caused trouble, the Mountain Protection Array could still eject her.
Feng Cangcang followed Wei Mingyi up the mountain stairs, silently observing Chongyuan Sect. There was indeed spiritual energy circulating in the air—roughly a Yellow Tier spirit vein. But it was all low-grade; compared even to other veins of the same tier, let alone a Profound Tier vein, the difference was quite significant. A mountain breeze blew against her face, and Feng Cangcang faintly sensed another mysterious power within Chongyuan Sect; her nerves involuntarily tightened, as if in a dangerous realm.
No wonder Lu Ba and his men had suffered a setback last time. Though Chongyuan Sect had few members, its founding Ancestor was, after all, a Perfected One at the Nascent Soul realm. One couldn’t underestimate the legacy left behind.
Chongyuan Hall was the sect’s main reception hall, perfectly suited for receiving guests. It was very spacious, with purple-red coral trees flanking the sides. To mortals, this might seem like a scene of wealth and prosperity, but to cultivators, it offered no real benefit—just ordinary decoration. The Second Senior Sister and Shizun hadn’t shown themselves; they probably didn’t want to come over. Wei Mingyi sighed inwardly, then personally invited Feng Cangcang to sit down, managing to find some spiritual tea for guests.
Wei Mingyi had no idea what etiquette existed between cultivators in the Nine Provinces, so she just followed the habits of her previous life: add hot water and steep. If there was a problem, then simply don’t drink it.
Feng Cangcang’s face showed no displeasure. She accepted the tea Wei Mingyi offered and took a gentle sip. The young cultivator before her had only Meridian Opening First Layer cultivation; she was likely a newly recruited disciple of Chongyuan Sect.
“The Sect Leader is in closed-door cultivation, and the Assistant Master is away,” Wei Mingyi was quite pleased with Feng Cangcang’s reaction. If she had shown the slightest hint of contempt, she’d have been blacklisted immediately. Her demeanor was very casual as she briefly explained the situation to Feng Cangcang. It wasn’t that Chongyuan Sect was slighting her—they were simply out of people.
Feng Cangcang nodded slightly, sighing: “I have arrived at an inopportune time.”
Wei Mingyi blinked but didn’t pick up the thread. She began guessing Feng Cangcang’s purpose. Was she here to probe about the spirit vein for the Lu Family? Or to declare that Chongyuan Sect’s territory would be seized? Very quickly, Wei Mingyi realized all her guesses were wrong. Feng Cangcang’s topics revolved entirely around the Sect Leader. But although Wei Mingyi had joined Chongyuan Sect, her time with Su Xuanjing was limited, and so was her understanding—what could she possibly say? Yet, seeing that Feng Cangcang also seemed clueless, Wei Mingyi felt free to fabricate wildly.
Rather than being interested in Su Xuanjing herself, Feng Cangcang seemed more interested in learning about Master-Disciple lineage traditions. During their conversation, Wei Mingyi once again discovered the cruelty and darkness of the clans. Though the families recruited people everywhere, changing their surnames, these individuals were just expendable outer members. The inherited legacy of “One Family, One Surname” still revolved around blood ties as the core. As long as you were from the Direct Line Branch, even if you were a fool, your innate constitution could be remade through various divine abilities. Need a Golden Core? Take it from a disposable resource. Need a Nascent Soul? Take it from a disposable resource—again validating what her Senior Sister had said earlier: in the eyes of those people, except for the “high nobility,” everyone else was just a dish on the table.
The fourth-rate Lu Family in Cangwu City hadn’t done such things, not because they were kinder, but because they lacked the strength. And now Feng Cangcang’s accounts of the third-rate families showed it was already like this. How much crueler would it be further up? Just imagining it made Wei Mingyi’s skin crawl.
“When happiness is sufficient here, why seek it elsewhere?” Feng Cangcang gazed deeply at Wei Mingyi and spoke again. She made absolutely no mention of the conflict between Chongyuan Sect and the Lu Clan. As she took her leave, she gifted Wei Mingyi a pouch of “Thunderfire Golden Pills.” These were single-use explosive artifacts requiring a special method to refine, a type of “tribute” the Lu Family regularly sent to the Feng Clan.
Wei Mingyi felt a stir in her heart. She completed the courtesies fully, seeing Feng Cangcang off down the mountain. She repeatedly turned Feng Cangcang’s subsequent words over in her mind. With the Lu Clan around, Chongyuan Sect could never be “happy enough.” Yet Feng Cangcang had spoken as if that could change. Was she planning to move against the Lu Family?
As soon as Feng Cangcang left, Mo Xuanxiao and Wu Chongyun appeared.
Taking out a Thunderfire Golden Pill from the pouch and weighing it in her hand, Mo Xuanxiao said, “These can be used for self-defense. Anyone below Golden Core can be blown to death.” Pausing, she added with puzzlement, “Would someone from the Lu Family really be this kind? Coming here to deliver gifts? Could it be a trap?”
“Should be fine,” Wei Mingyi shook her head. “She claimed to know the Sect Leader, and besides—she loathes the Aristocratic Families.”
Mo Xuanxiao raised an eyebrow. “Oh? That’s unexpected.”
“With these Thunderfire Golden Pills exclusive to the Lu Family, could we use them to blast the ‘Azure Dye Sand’?” Wei Mingyi spoke again, still not having given up on the idea of inciting a conflict between the two families. After a moment’s thought, she handed a pill to Wu Chongyun. “Shizun, is there anything wrong with this?”
Wu Chongyun gave Wei Mingyi a lazy glance: “No.”
