Ning Wan’s red lips parted slightly as she elegantly sipped her tea and asked, “May I ask what brings Madam to Purple Cloud Sect this time?”
Qu Qirong replied calmly, “Regarding the matter of Bloodfall Mountain Range.”
“Madam, let’s take a walk outside!” At that point, Qing’er and Ling’er, knowing some matters weren’t for their ears, excused themselves and voluntarily left the courtyard.
“Shizun, they’re new to Purple Cloud Sect and unfamiliar. I’ll show them around,” Li Shishi also didn’t want to stay. When Shizun got serious, an invisible pressure always made her uncomfortable.
As for the little fox Yingying, she had long taken Hongxue, Moxue, and Bai Zhi to her own herb field to show off her spirit treasures. Of course, Deng Tianyu usually tended the field, but in her view, it belonged to her!
Thus, only three remained in the courtyard: Deng Tianyu, Ning Wan, and Qu Qirong.
Ning Wan’s red lips moved. “What has happened at Bloodfall Mountain Range?”
These days she had been in seclusion. After emerging, she’d used the free time to celebrate her Tianyu’s birthday, then plunged into the piled-up sect affairs. Naturally, she hadn’t kept up with news of the mountain range.
“An ancient cave dwelling has appeared in Bloodfall Mountain Range. Its rules affect the entire range. Powerhouses above the King-Sealing Realm cannot enter at all. Beyond that, it has drawn many powers large and small, all waiting for it to open. If Sect Master Ning wishes to obtain Blood Soul Crystal, it might be somewhat troublesome now.” Qu Qirong considered briefly before recounting the events.
She had only recently learned of this as well.
Ning Wan’s brow furrowed. “If what Madam says is true, then this Seat cannot set foot inside the mountain range?”
She had no interest in the ancient powerful figure’s abode. All she needed was the Blood Soul Crystal to refine the Extreme Yang Creation Pill.
At that, Deng Tianyu turned to the mature, beautiful noblewoman. “Aunt Rong, when will the cave dwelling in Bloodfall Mountain Range open?”
Qu Qirong said, “Within a month.”
Deng Tianyu thought a moment, then spoke. “If that’s the case, let me go instead, Shizun.”
The Profound Cold Curse in Shizun required Extreme Yang Creation Pill to be purged, and Blood Soul Crystal was a necessary ingredient. Since Shizun couldn’t go herself, it was only right that he go. Besides, the timing didn’t conflict—the Six Sect Martial Tournament lasted ten days, after which he could still reach the cave dwelling before it opened.
A warm current flowed through Ning Wan’s heart, and the doting in her eyes deepened. “Then I’ll trouble Tianyu.”
She was well aware that Deng Tianyu was deeply worried about the Curse Mark within her. Even if she forbade it, he wouldn’t listen. And naturally, Ning Wan believed in her Precious Disciple’s strength. After sixteen years of her devoted teaching and his monstrous talent, his combat power was no less than any top-tier heaven’s pride of the current era.
“Though we know Blood Soul Crystal is in Bloodfall Mountain Range, we don’t know its exact location. When the dwelling opens, if someone else gets there first, that’d be troublesome.” Qu Qirong had witnessed Deng Tianyu’s terrifying strength and felt reassured, but this point still worried her.
“No matter. I’ll bring Yingying with me. Her nose is special; she can sniff out the location of heaven and earth spirit treasures.” Deng Tianyu smiled and shared his plan.
This expedition couldn’t afford failure. Bringing the little fox would pinpoint the Blood Soul Crystal’s location, plus serve as an extra safeguard. After all, the little fox’s physical body alone rivaled the King-Sealing Realm—having her along meant another trump card.
“Then it’s decided. If any mishap occurs, Tianyu must not linger in Bloodfall Mountain Range. Above all, value your own life,” Ning Wan held his hand and urged.
“I understand, Shizun,” Deng Tianyu nodded.
Seeing her Tianyu’s hand being held, Qu Qirong’s brow unconsciously creased, but she said nothing, only changing the subject. “Sect Master Ning, my first matter is concluded. The second concerns the profit distribution of our two sects’ cooperation.”
Ning Wan lifted her gaze. “Is Madam looking to renegotiate the split?”
“Yes.” Qu Qirong nodded, then continued. “Currently, the split is Spirit Treasure Pavilion seventy percent, Purple Cloud Sect thirty percent. This I find somewhat unsuitable. If possible, change it to Spirit Treasure Pavilion fifty percent, Purple Cloud Sect fifty percent.”
With the legal clothing business, the partnership between Spirit Treasure Pavilion and Purple Cloud Sect had developed into a highly lucrative supply chain. In Youzhou, whenever anyone mentioned legal clothing, they thought of Spirit Treasure Pavilion and Purple Cloud Sect. Previously, due to the trade route struggle between Tongbao Merchant Guild and Mysterious Spirit Sect, she had needed more Spirit Stone profits to win that duel. Now that trade strife had ended, she could yield some profit, which would not only gradually strengthen Purple Cloud Sect but also ensure her Tianyu received more and better cultivation resources.
Ning Wan thought briefly and answered, “This Seat has no objections.”
This was entirely beneficial to Purple Cloud Sect; there was no reason to refuse.
“Since Sect Master Ning agrees, my second matter is also done.” Qu Qirong produced a Storage Ring and set it before Ning Wan. “As for the third matter, I have prepared some small gifts to thank Sect Master Ning for taking care of Tianyu all these years.”
Hearing this, Ning Wan’s beautiful eyes narrowed with interest. “Tianyu is this Seat’s disciple; caring for him is only natural. Why should Madam offer thanks?”
“Tianyu must have told Sect Master Ning of my connection to the Zhenbei Princess Consort. Though there’s no blood relation, Tianyu is still my junior in any case—he also calls me ‘Aunt Rong.’ I should have cared for Tianyu on behalf of the Princess Consort, but unfortunately that was not to be. Now that Tianyu and I have recognized each other, it is right and proper for me to thank Sect Master Ning for these years of care.” Qu Qirong slowly took Deng Tianyu’s other hand and spoke.
Her words clarified her relationship with Deng Tianyu: she was his elder, his aunt.
Ning Wan naturally grasped the meaning behind the woman’s words. She glanced at her Precious Disciple, and her enchanting smile deepened. Her slender hand pushed the Storage Ring back while holding Deng Tianyu’s hand even tighter.
“Madam’s goodwill is appreciated, but this Seat cannot accept. This Seat treats Tianyu as my own; as master and also mother. Since I am akin to a mother, caring for a son is only right and natural. What does Madam think?”
Her implication was clear: Qu Qirong might be an aunt, but she, Ning Wan—both master and mother—was unquestionably closer!
