nyslfriends Chapter 234 For Jiang Mu, I'm willing!
Chapter 234 For Jiang Mu, I'm willing!
Chapter 235 For Jiang Mu, I'm Willing! (Two Chapters Combined)
In fact, when the commander-in-chief sent that message, it was already 90% certain.
It's just a final check.
Jiang Mu paused for a moment, then extended her right hand as instructed.
Zhou Yuanzhi gently placed the bead, the size of a soybean, in his palm.
The beads feel cool to the touch.
Immediately, she pointed at the bead from a distance, infusing it with a gentle spiritual energy.
"Buzz" 6
The pause was brief, and a ripple of emerald light appeared on the surface of the bead.
The color then begins to change.
It transitioned from emerald green to light pink, then from light pink to peach pink, and finally settled on an eerie pinkish-purple.
At the same time, a wisp of energy was drawn out from Jiang Mu, swirling around the bead and reflecting its pinkish-purple light.
The Qi of the Purple Palace!
Jiang Mu was surprised.
What the hell is this bead? It can forcibly draw out the spiritual energy in his body.
As Zhou Yuanzhi watched the pinkish-purple beads turn in Jiang Mu's palm, the smile on her face vanished completely, and she remained unresponsive for a long time.
The campfire crackled, the night wind blew through the treetops, and the atmosphere was eerily frozen.
Jiang Mu was completely bewildered, not understanding Zhou Yuanzhi's intentions.
It took Zhou Yuanzhi a long time to come to her senses.
She stared at Jiang Mu with a complicated expression.
Shock, confusion, realization, anger, disappointment—a mix of emotions swirled in her eyes.
The previous gentleness and appreciation were no longer present on her charming face.
"once----"
She asked coldly, enunciating each word clearly, "Did Ran Qingshan give you a cultivation technique called the 'Purple Extreme Technique'?"
Jiang Mu's heart skipped a beat, and she nodded, saying, "Yes, I did give you one. Why?"
"How's your training going?" Zhou Yuanzhi pressed.
Jiang Mu carefully chose his words: "It's alright, I practice occasionally." He had a premonition that something was wrong.
"In other words—"
Zhou Yuanzhi gave a strange smile. "You've mastered it, haven't you?"
Jiang Mu remained silent for a moment, then, remembering that the woman had already tested and confirmed it, he frankly admitted, "Yes, I've mastered it."
Zhou Yuanzhi closed her eyes.
It's ruined!
It's all ruined.
The meticulously planned trial, the various arrangements and expectations for Jiang Mu's future, all vanished in an instant with the arrival of the pinkish-purple Spirit Detection Pearl.
Who among the top officials of the General Headquarters is unaware of the side effects of the "Purple Mansion Cantong Qi"?
Once this method is mastered and one cultivates it together with another, the male cultivator who contributes his pure Yang essence will be considered the one who achieves this.
His foundation, his talent, his future—
They will be completely locked up the moment the dual cultivation is completed!
His cultivation will forever remain at this current level.
Even if he exhausts all the rare and precious materials in the world, he will never be able to take even half a step forward in his entire life!
In other words—
The person in front of me was once highly anticipated by the commander-in-chief.
He was hailed as the "Number One Pride of the Century" by the Daqing Demon Slayer Division, known as the "Supporting White Jade Pillar".
just now!
It has been completely turned into a piece of scrap material that has no value for further carving!
The flames of the campfire flickered in the night wind.
Zhou Yuanzhi's lips twitched slightly, forming a smile that was hard to tell whether it was regret or mockery.
I found it inexplicably funny.
She stood up and walked to the flying eagle.
He pulled a charcoal pencil and a roll of paper from his sleeve, wrote a line of text, and re-tied them to the eagle's leg.
With a wave of its arm, the eagle let out a clear cry and soared into the inky night sky.
After dealing with all of this, Zhou Yuanzhi walked back to the campfire.
She took the last piece of sizzling rabbit meat from the grill and handed it to Jiang Mu.
At this moment, her face once again wore that gentle and proper smile.
"Hall Master Jiang."
Zhou Yuanzhi spoke softly, "I just received the latest secret order from headquarters. After analysis, the higher-ups have decided to temporarily cancel your current secret realm trial."
Therefore, you should return to Huzhou City first. You will be notified of any new instructions later.
"Cancel?"
Jiang Mu paused as she was about to bite into the meat, then looked up with a strange expression.
He wasn't stupid; connecting the dots, he naturally guessed the reason: "Is it because I cultivated that so-called 'Purple Extreme Technique'? In fact, I don't think this technique has any negative impact on my foundation—"
"The specific reasons are a decision made by the higher-ups at headquarters, and Manager Ran will explain them to you later."
Zhou Yuanzhi interrupted him, "You should go back first. Don't worry, even if you don't go to the Fallen Soul Swamp, the imperial court will arrange other suitable trials and opportunities for you in the future."
Jiang Mu's future is completely ruined; that's an indisputable fact.
However, considering that this kid is currently at the fifth level of the Heavenly Gang Star position, his combat strength is still among the best of his level, so it's not really necessary to treat him as trash and kick him out.
Even if he stays in the Demon Slayer Division as a high-level henchman, he's still a useful weapon.
At that time, the commander-in-chief will naturally provide some standard compensation as if he were a high-ranking enforcer.
As for the massive resources allocated to him, the competition for opportunities, and the future development plans that were originally tailor-made for him—all of them are naturally gone.
It's pointless.
Investing more in someone who is destined to never break through the fifth realm is a waste.
Jiang Mu stared at Zhou Yuanzhi for a few seconds, and seeing that she had no intention of explaining, he stopped asking.
He finished the meat in a few bites, threw the bones into the fire, clapped his hands, and stood up: "Alright, I'm going back now."
Whether it's a strategic adjustment by the General Headquarters or simply a matter of not wanting to give it up, we'll see when we get back to Huzhou City.
If they really won't give it to us, then we might as well give up on this Demon Slayer Division.
Anyway, with a powerful backer, opportunities are something you can seize yourself.
Zhou Yuanzhi nodded slightly, remaining seated by the campfire. She simply pointed in a direction and said, "Follow this official road back. There's an official post station twelve miles away. You can reveal your identity and request a fast horse to return to Huzhou."
"understood."
Jiang Mu waved his hand, and his figure quickly disappeared into the night.
Watching Jiang Mu's figure disappear into the distance, Zhou Yuanzhi's gentle expression finally faded. She sighed softly, her red lips parted slightly, and she uttered two words through gritted teeth: "Fool."
After sitting quietly by the fire for a while to calm herself down, Zhou Yuanzhi got up and went into the carriage: "Let's go."
Inside the carriage, Xiang Xiuxiu, who was sitting cross-legged, and Yun Xiaocheng, who was practicing internal energy to heal his injuries, both opened their eyes at the same time.
Seeing that only Zhou Yuanzhi had entered, Yun Xiaocheng looked out of the carriage in surprise: "Lord Zhou, where is that boy?"
Zhou Yuanzhi said casually, "The headquarters has adjusted the quota at the last minute and canceled Jiang Mu's trial. Moreover—there probably won't be another one in the future."
Both of them were taken aback upon hearing this.
Xiang Xiuxiu narrowed her beautiful phoenix eyes, keenly catching the unspoken meaning in her words: "His cultivation has encountered a serious problem?"
Zhou Yuanzhi did not deny it.
She turned to look at Yun Xiaocheng, a gentle smile returning to her face: "Regarding the tree demon incident, it's my fault for not being able to protect you in time. As compensation, of the resources originally allocated to Jiang Mu by the General Headquarters, 60% will be yours. The remaining 40% will be allocated to the Princess."
Yun Xiaocheng's expression was strange.
He was stunned for a moment, then the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up, and finally he burst out laughing.
He laughed louder and louder until he finally clutched his stomach, bent over, and his shoulders were shaking.
"Hahaha—hahaha—what's this called? Instant karma? God, this retribution came way too fast!"
Yun Xiaocheng laughed until tears almost streamed down his face. He finally managed to stop and quickly waved his hands, "No, no, I can't gloat, or I'll be the next one to laugh—"
He forced a stern expression, adopting a somber one, and sighed deeply, "Alas, Brother Jiang's life is unfortunate; heaven is jealous of talent. To just take his resources like that, I feel truly uneasy. When I return this time, I will definitely go to Huzhou City and treat him to a good meal at the best brothel."
Xiang Xiuxiu's expression remained indifferent.
She slightly raised her delicate chin, closed her eyes again, and continued meditating.
But upon closer inspection, one can discern a chilling murderous intent lurking beneath her curled eyelashes.
She sees things much more clearly than Yun Xiaocheng.
Daqing General Company will never easily give up investing in any genius who has the potential to create value.
The fact that Zhou Yuanzhi was so certain that Jiang Mu would not have any more trials only proved one thing: Jiang Mu was completely ruined.
Now that he has fallen from grace and become a useless person.
That means he has lost the imperial court, his biggest protector, and can be manipulated at will.
"Once the trial in the Fallen Soul Swamp is over, I will go to Huzhou City."
Xiang Xiuxiu made up her mind.
Killing a useless person abandoned by the court is just a favor to Madam He of the Divine Sword Sect, so as to avoid putting Senior Brother He in an awkward position.
Zhou Yuanzhi lifted the carriage curtain and took one last look in the direction Jiang Mu had left.
A cold wind blew in, extinguishing the campfire that was about to burn out.
"drive!"
Two demonic horses neighed and pulled the carriage, galloping towards the direction of the Fallen Soul Swamp.
The news that Jiang Mu had become a "crippled person" did not spread widely.
After all, this matter involves the secrets of the garrison commander Shangguan Luoxue, and only a few core figures within the headquarters know about it.
Inside the signing room of the Demon Slayer Division in Huzhou City.
Acting Director Ran Chun'er was chatting and drinking tea with Inspector Ling Ye at the table.
Ran Chun'er pulled a sealed letter from the documents on the table, handed it over, and said with a smile, "Here, this is a proposal from the General Headquarters regarding your Star Position certification."
You've already obtained the Lotus Relic in Black Soil Village, and you no longer need to worry about suppressing the Cold Cicada Poison within your body. Therefore, you can now freely pursue and seize the Venerable Star Position of [Bi Yue Wu].
Ling Ye took the letter and said calmly, "Was this prepared by Luo Xue at the General's request?"
Ran Chun'er did not deny it, and took a sip of tea: "After all, General Shangguan almost died for Huzhou City. This can be considered as some compensation from the Chief Commander to her and to you, his master."
Ling Ye gently stroked the edge of the letter with her jade fingers, and suddenly sighed softly: "I only learned yesterday that Shui Miaozheng of Fazhou City is actually a star official under the same star system as me."
Now she has also been ordered to go to the capital's headquarters.
This means that the commander will also use resources to help her prove her star position.
So, between her and me, who does Souji actually favor more?
Ran Chun'er put down her teacup, crossed her hands and rested them on her chin, her gaze direct and sharp: "If we have to compare who is better, the Chief Commander naturally favors you more."
Why?
"Because you once stepped into the threshold of the Twelfth Realm."
Ran Chun'er analyzed, "Moreover, before this, your Venerable Star Position was [Bi Yue Wu]. You have already successfully collected all the Star Officials' Star Pills under the same star position along that path."
As you know, once you've successfully collected the necessary materials, even if your cultivation level drops drastically due to unforeseen circumstances, you won't need to go through the collection process again when you advance. You can directly proceed to the next level.
Ran Chun'er paused, then continued, "But the Water Master is different. She's missing one last Star Pill, and this trip to the capital is to complete that puzzle."
But there are too many variables, and no one can say for sure whether it will succeed.
Therefore, your chances of success are naturally much higher than hers.
Ling Ye fell into a long silence.
The other party was telling the truth.
Her chances of winning are indeed much greater than Shui Miaozheng's, not to mention that Shangguan Luoxue is secretly pushing her forward.
Once she successfully attains the [Bi Yue Wu], then Shui Miaozheng's future cultivation path will basically be over.
Unless one day she falls in the dead of night.
Or it could be promoted to the next higher star level, freeing up the position.
Ling Ye felt a little uneasy.
She harbored no animosity towards Shui Miaozheng. They were all serving the court, and because of Shui Miaozheng's father, she even held a degree of respect for that woman.
But this is the cruelty of the cultivation world.
The Great Way leads to the heavens, and there is only one space to stand.
There's something I've always been confused about.
Ling Ye raised his icy eyes and looked at Ran Chun'er, "Back then, I failed in my attempt to break through to a higher realm, my cultivation level plummeted, and I was on the verge of despair."
It was only by accepting a low-ranking star position bestowed by the imperial court that he barely managed to save his life and avoid becoming a complete cripple.
At the time, I didn't know that Shui Miaozheng was actually a star official in the same system as me. Why has the chief commander kept this from me all these years?
Is it possible that—between her and me, we were merely resources being kept by the high-ranking officials of the court?
"If one person has the chance to advance to the next level, another must be sacrificed?"
Upon hearing this, Ran Chun'er gave a bitter smile.
She looked at the icy beauty before her and sighed, "Envoy Ling, such a naive question really shouldn't have come out of your mouth."
You understand the cruelty of the path of spiritual practice better than any of us. After all, you've climbed that high mountain and witnessed the breathtaking scenery from its summit.
You should know better than anyone how many corpses lie beneath the surface of this glamour, shouldn't you?
Ling Ye fell silent again.
Immediately, a self-deprecating smile appeared on his face: "That's true. Too much time has passed—so much so that I've almost forgotten that when I stood on that high place and looked down, all I could smell was the stench of blood."
Just then, the sound of flapping wings came from outside the window.
A jet-black demonic eagle landed on the window frame, its beak gleaming with a cold gray light. It was the eagle used by the Demon Slayer Division to deliver secret messages.
Ran Chun'er raised an eyebrow and got up to walk over.
She removed the small bamboo tube tied to the eagle's leg and poured out a secret letter rolled into a thin strip.
Upon unfolding the document, Zai Chun'er's pupils suddenly contracted, and she froze on the spot.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing her like this, Ling Ye asked curiously.
Ran Chun'er didn't speak.
She returned to the table, clutching the note, and slowly sat down.
After staring at those few lines of text for a long time, as if finally digesting the information, he exhaled and said, "The commander-in-chief has canceled Jiang Mu's trial in the Fallen Soul Swamp."
"What?"
Ling Ye was taken aback. "Why? Is it because this trial isn't suitable for him to claim the fortune?"
Ran Chun'er raised her head, her spirited eyes filled with regret and complex emotions: "It's not just this time. The Chief Commander has already canceled all of Jiang Mu's subsequent secret realm trial slots."
His original resource allocation was downgraded, and he was officially removed from the list of key talents for development.
He will be treated as a regular meritorious hall master and given standard compensation.
Clang!
The white porcelain teacup slipped from Ling Ye's hand and fell onto the desk.
The tea spilled out, soaking the official documents.
Ling Ye stared blankly at Zai Chun'er, as if a thunderbolt had exploded in his mind.
After a long pause, she spoke in a hoarse voice, "Are you kidding me?"
"I wish I was joking with you."
Ran Chun'er gave a wry smile and rubbed her temples hard. "That kid is someone my brother protects like a precious treasure."
Ling Ye suddenly stood up, his face filled with disbelief and anxiety: "What happened? Did Jiang Mu cause trouble?"
He has a bit of a temper, but did he kill some powerful figure he can't afford to offend on the way? The Commander-in-Chief wouldn't ruin his career over something so trivial!
Ran Chun'er stared at her and slowly said, "Envoy Ling, don't you understand? Jiang Mu is crippled."
Hong Lingye felt as if something had exploded in his mind, leaving him completely blank.
"If you insist on asking me for the specific reason, I don't know either."
Ran Chun'er sighed, "But I can only tell you that the Chief Commander would never easily make such a judgment on someone who possesses a legitimate Heavenly Star position."
Since they've already issued the decree, it means that during their inspection, Jiang Mu's path of cultivation has been completely severed.
He's no longer worth nurturing. Do you understand?
Is it ruined?
No longer worth nurturing?!
Ling Ye found it all absurd.
She knew better than anyone else about Jiang Mu's terrifyingly prodigious talent.
Looking at the whole of Daqing, and the whole world, who dares to say that he has no value in training?
What could possibly be the reason that could completely destroy the cultivation future of such a peerless prodigy, leading Souji to make such a decision?
unless----
In a flash, a terrifying thought entered Ling Ye's mind.
The Purple Mansion Covenant!
The foundation is locked, and there will be no further progress!
Within the city of Huzhou, there are those who have access to this cultivation technique and urgently need pure Yang energy to heal their injuries—
Ling Ye trembled all over.
Her already fair and delicate face suddenly turned completely bloodless, like a sheet of transparent white paper.
"impossible!"
"That's absolutely impossible!"
Ling Ye suddenly turned around and rushed out of the signing room like a madman.
The moon-white figure streaked through the corridor like a blurry beam of light, heading straight for the underground palace.
After Ling Ye left, the signing room returned to silence.
Ran Chun'er leaned back in her chair, arms crossed over her chest, her index finger unconsciously tapping her elbow, her brows furrowed: "What exactly did the Chief Commander discover? How could he be so willing to send such a prodigy, a once-in-a-century talent, crashing into hell all at once?"
Could it be that the strange object on this kid has disappeared?
During her time at the Capital Command, Ran Chun'er and others studied Jiang Mu's files extensively.
A spoiled brat with an advanced bone age and mediocre talent broke through five realms in a year and possessed such terrifying cross-realm combat power.
It's definitely not due to physical constitution.
Jiang Mu definitely possesses some kind of extraordinary treasure.
However, rare items are different from a cultivator's own innate talent and physique.
Your constitution is something that grows within your own flesh, but magical artifacts—you never know when they might become ineffective or be destroyed for some reason.
"A prodigy? Ha, what a joke."
Ran Chun'er shook her head and sighed helplessly, "Brother, you've been protecting this precious darling of yours like the apple of your eye, but in the end, he's just a piece of trash with no potential. It seems your judgment in people isn't all that great after all."
Back then, the leaders of other regions were green with envy when they saw that Zai Qingshan had such a talented young man.
it's good now.
Once Jiang Mu's reputation as a good-for-nothing spreads, who knows how much his older brother will be ridiculed and how gloating he'll look.
"No!"
Ran Chun'er suddenly sat up straight, her eyes flashing with a sharp light. "I absolutely cannot let my brother become a laughingstock!"
While the news is still being blocked by the headquarters, and apart from himself and Ling Ye, the other prefectural officials haven't heard a word yet, they must quickly "sell" Jiang Mu, this hot potato!
There's no point in leaving it here anyway.
Why not take advantage of this kid's "genius halo" while it's still around and quickly sell him off in exchange for some real, good stuff?
Maximize his residual value.
The local head of the Daqing Demon Slaying Division has the power to use his subordinates as bargaining chips to "transfer and replace" them with those of other prefectures.
She is currently acting as the head of the department, so naturally she has this authority.
As long as the terms are agreed upon with the other party, the joint transfer application can be submitted to the headquarters, and the headquarters will definitely approve it directly.
But—would it be better to sell it to some sucker?
Ran Chun'er tapped her slender fingers lightly on the table, her mind rapidly sifting through the lists of various prefectures and cities.
After a long while, a bright and beautiful figure jumped out.
Shui Miao Zheng!
Ran Chun'er's eyes lit up.
For Jiang Mu's sake, this woman sent no less than a dozen letters to the head of the headquarters, proposing increasingly generous exchange conditions.
He was almost driven to madness.
Shui Miaozheng is currently busy seeking opportunities and is probably unaware that Jiang Mu has already been deemed "trash" by the higher-ups at headquarters.
As long as we take advantage of this information gap, we can quickly cut through the mess and sell Jiang Mu to her at a "low price".
Once the General Manager's transfer document is stamped, the deed is done.
Shui Miaozheng wanted to return the goods, but it was too late.
To be honest, Ran Chun'er had always disliked Shui Miaozheng.
For no other reason than that his older brother was completely infatuated with that woman, to the point of being infatuated.
Ran Chun'er was already unhappy.
After all, she also had some special feelings that she couldn't share with outsiders.
Ran Chun'er was quite happy to be able to trick that woman now.
As for whether her brother will scold her when he comes back?
It doesn't matter anymore.
As long as I use this piece of junk to extract enough good bargaining chips from Shui Miaozheng, I believe my brother will eventually understand her.
In particular, the Demon Slayer Division of Fazhou City is facing a severe shortage of personnel.
Two more hall masters were lost in Yancheng recently. In order to appease them, the General Headquarters made an exception and specially transferred a young cultivator with exceptional talent to assist Shui Miaozheng.
This person can be considered a rare genius.
When negotiating with Shui Miaozheng, we can propose "genius for genius".
We'll take that genius and send over Jiang Mu, this secondhand piece of trash.
Not only did they get rid of a burden, but they also gained a true genius for free, plus a large amount of resources from the city of Fazhou.
This deal couldn't be more perfect!
With that thought in mind, she no longer hesitated, grabbed a specially made communication paper, dipped her pen in ink, and quickly wrote a few lines.
Then, she rolled the letter into a thin tube and stuffed it into the bamboo tube on the demon eagle's leg.
"Go."
Ran Chun'er patted the demon eagle's head.
With a flap of its wings, the demonic eagle soared into the sky.
Watching the demonic eagle shrink into a tiny black dot in her sight, Chun'er picked up her teacup again, leaned back comfortably in her chair, and smiled: "I'm sure my brother will praise me when he comes back."
Inside the underground palace.
Purple snowflakes fluttered down, and a delicate fragrance wafted in the air.
Shangguan Luoxue, dressed in a purple dress, sat cross-legged on the cold jade platform, meditating with her eyes closed.
The woman's skin was like jade, radiating a soft, luminous glow.
Her exquisite face, set against the backdrop of purple snow, appeared breathtakingly beautiful and aloof, cold and otherworldly.
"Jiang Mu's trial qualification was revoked by the commander-in-chief. Not only that, he also lost all his future resource allocations."
Ling Ye stared at the woman on the jade platform, his gaze complex.
Shangguan Luoxue slowly opened her eyes.
His eyes were clear as a cold pool, reflecting specks of purple light, but they showed no emotion.
"Jiang Mu's situation is different from ordinary people. Presumably, the Demon Slayer Division will make a more suitable arrangement for him."
In fact, Shangguan Luoxue had expected this result.
From the moment she decided to cultivate the "Purple Mansion Cantong Qi" with Jiang Mu, she understood. Jiang Mu had completely reached the end of his cultivation path.
"A better arrangement?"
Ling Ye laughed in anger and said sternly, "I ask you, how exactly did you recover your cultivation level?"
"Was it because Jiang Mu successfully cultivated the 'Purple Mansion Covenant,' so in order to protect your own star position, you forced him to cultivate with you, thus destroying him?!"
Shangguan Luoxue looked at the furious Ling Ye, somewhat dazed.
It had been a very long time since she had seen her usually aloof and cold master show such anger.
Now, she's so angry over a man.
Shangguan Luoxue suddenly asked, "Master, do you like Jiang Mu?"
Ling Ye's heart skipped a beat.
"No!"
She blurted it out almost immediately, then turned her face away and said coldly, "I'm just—very disappointed."
Shangguan Luoxue said with a somber expression, "So, when it comes to the future of an outsider, you would rather watch your disciple's foundation crumble, fall into the dust, and become a complete cripple, right?"
I thought—you would unconditionally side with me.
Ling Ye trembled.
The anger in his heart was like a bucket of ice water being poured over his head, and it was extinguished with a hiss.
All that remained was damp cigarette ash, stuck in my chest, making me feel suffocated.
Her lips moved, and her tone softened: "That's not what I meant. I just felt that you shouldn't have used this—this kind of coercive method."
After all, he has rendered meritorious service to Huzhou City, and, moreover, using this method might have an irreversible impact on your Dao heart.
Shangguan Luoxue's lips twitched slightly.
force?
That kid wanted to put the fried egg in there.
Shangguan Luoxue resumed her icy demeanor and retorted, "Master, didn't you once tell me that no man in the world could successfully cultivate the 'Purple Mansion Cantong Qi' technique? Why are you now so certain that Jiang Mu can?"
Or perhaps you were lying to me from the very beginning?
"You actually don't want your apprentice to recover from his injuries and retain his position as the garrison commander?"
"I----"
Ling Ye was speechless for a moment.
This was also what puzzled her the most.
She clearly remembered that her master had told her personally that she had modified the practice method.
In this world, only that great demon Jiang Chaoxi can master it.
Jiang Chaoxi had long since died without leaving a trace, so theoretically, it was absolutely impossible for a second man to master it.
Could it be that her master was really lying to her?
But why would her master lie to her?
Ling Ye's mind was a jumbled mess.
She shook her head vigorously, deciding to let go of these incomprehensible knots, and stared at Shangguan Luoxue, getting straight to the point: "Okay, I won't ask anything else. I'll only ask you one question—"
Did you actually cultivate with Jiang Mu?
Shangguan Luoxue did not answer.
She simply looked at Ling Ye quietly, and then, to his astonishment, she raised her hand and untied her sash.
Her purple undershirt slipped off and piled up at her feet.
Her radiant skin, exposed to the cool air, undulated with curves, gleamed with a porcelain-white sheen under the glow of the surrounding luminous pearls.
Then, she slightly parted her legs—
"If I say yes, you won't believe me. If I say no, you'll still have doubts."
Shangguan Luoxue's voice was calm, "In that case, why don't you come up and check it yourself, Master?"
Ling Ye hadn't expected the other person to do this. Her pretty face flushed, and she turned around, saying, "Quickly put your clothes on. You—you don't have to do this."
"You are my master."
Shangguan Luoxue's tone softened, "I don't want to hurt you, and I don't want you to hold a grudge against me. In this world—only you can make me set aside my pride."
.
Ling Ye felt a pang of pain in his heart.
She walked over, picked up the clothes from the ground, and wrapped them around the other person, her voice filled with exhaustion: "Okay, okay. Put them on quickly. I acted impulsively; I misunderstood you."
I'm angry simply because—you know, I've always hated those kinds of men. So I'm so disappointed—"
Ling Ye was rambling incoherently.
Even she herself didn't know what she was saying.
"Anyway, I don't understand why things turned out this way. What exactly happened to that kid Jiang Mu?"
She ultimately did not go to check it herself.
Perhaps it was her unwavering trust in her apprentice that made her reluctant to confront the truth, or perhaps subconsciously she simply dared not face the possible reality.
Sometimes, the truth is like a knife.
Holding it in your hand might hurt more than just the two parties involved.
Moreover, Ling Ye's anger might not be solely due to Jiang Mu's destroyed cultivation or the loss of a genius by Daqing.
Instead—
What he cared about was secretly taken away by his apprentice.
This is what she finds most unacceptable deep down.
We arrived earliest, so we can't be the last ones to drink soup.
Shangguan Luoxue slowly and methodically put on her clothes, regaining her noble and aloof demeanor.
She said calmly, "The path of cultivation is inherently full of uncertainties. Just like back then, you never imagined that you would fail and perish."
And I never imagined I would almost become a useless person, with the commander-in-chief even preparing to promote someone else to replace me.
"This is different; I just feel something's off."
Ling Ye calmed down a bit. "How could someone as talented as Jiang Mu suddenly lose his future in cultivation? Something must be wrong."
Shangguan Luoxue's eyes flickered slightly, and she said calmly, "Even if his Dao foundation is damaged, he still has great potential within the Fifth Realm. The imperial court needs these mid-level officials, so it will naturally provide him with corresponding resources and financial compensation, ensuring his livelihood for the rest of his life."
Ling Ye shook his head vigorously, his eyes filled with resentment: "With his talent, his path of cultivation should never have stopped here so early. He could have gone higher and seen even better scenery."
No, I have to find a way to get him to continue participating in the trials.
That trial ground, the Soul-Sinking Swamp, was carefully selected by the Commander-in-Chief; it definitely holds a great opportunity suitable for him.
If he misses this opportunity, he'll truly have a hard time turning his life around!
"The commander has decided not to let him go."
Shangguan Luoxue closed her eyes. "Even if I plead for her, it will be useless."
Ling Ye suddenly thought of something, his eyes lighting up: "Is that blind fortune teller still in Huzhou City? Help me find him! Maybe he has a way."
Shangguan Luoxue hesitated for a moment, then formed a hand seal and released her divine sense.
After a moment, he spoke: "South of the city, at the intersection of Huaihua Street."
"good!"
Ling Ye turned and left without hesitation.
Just as she was about to step out of the underground palace's stone gate, Shangguan Luoxue's voice suddenly rang out behind her again: "Master, you really don't like that boy?"
Ling Ye paused.
She didn't turn around, and said coldly, "What you should be asking is whether I, Ling Ye, will ever fall in love with a man in this lifetime."
Having said that, she stepped out of the underground palace.
Emerging from the dark passage and returning to the surface, a cold wind brushed against my face, carrying a chill.
Ling Ye glanced back, her silver teeth leaving a deep white mark on her lower lip, and she suddenly felt annoyed.
"I should have broken it open myself to check it carefully!"
Inside the underground palace, Shangguan Luoxue breathed a sigh of relief.
That was close.
I almost got examined by my master on the spot.
She calmed herself down and raised her right hand.
Her slender, jade-like fingers quickly traced lines in the air, and a paper crane formed from spiritual energy appeared out of thin air.
Shangguan Luoxue formed a hand seal over the origami crane, her red lips parted slightly: "If anyone dares to utter another word in the future, I will personally kill the chief commander and rip out his tongue!"
The paper cranes transformed into a streak of purple light and vanished into the void.
South of the city, at the intersection of Huaihua Street.
The old blind fortune teller was still wearing his tattered Taoist robe, playing a tune on his worn-out erhu.
Ling Ye listened quietly as he finished playing, then tossed a copper coin into the basin.
Then he went straight to the point and asked, "Do you have a way to enter the Trial Realm of the Fallen Soul Swamp?"
-
The blind fortune teller chuckled, "Who does Inspector Ling intend to let in?"
"Jiang Mu".
Ling Ye made no attempt to hide it.
The blind fortune teller reached into the basin and picked up the copper coin that Ling Ye had just thrown in, saying, "The Fallen Soul Swamp is indeed dangerous, but it's not entirely under the control of the imperial court."
There is indeed a faction that can enter the secret realm's passage without the court's permission. The problem is—"
The old blind man grinned. "Old blind man, I can help you make this connection, but Inspector Ling, what reward can you offer that will entice me, or that other power?"
"A magical artifact? A cultivation technique? Or just asking for favors?"
Ling Ye stared at him coldly.
The old blind man smiled and shook his head: "I've long since let go of those mundane things."
Envoy Ling, let's speak frankly. The Venerable Star Position of [Bi Yuewu] is about to become vacant. As someone who has once reached that realm, you have the best chance to reclaim this position.
So, old blind man, the reward I want is—
Those star pills belonging to the [Bi Yue Wu] star system that you collected during your promotion.
Are you willing to give it?
Ling Ye's delicate body trembled violently.
Star Dan!
If she were to hand over these Star Pills, wouldn't that mean Ling Ye's path of cultivation would be permanently blocked?!
She would spend her entire life as a mediocre inspector.
There is no hope of ever turning things around.
For Jiang Mu.
For a man who has lost his future, he abandoned his own path.
does it worth?
Time seemed to stand still at that moment.
Without much hesitation, Ling Ye said, "Okay."
The blind fortune teller paused in his erhu playing.
He seemed surprised by the answer, gave Ling Ye a deep look, and then flicked his finger.
He threw the copper coin back to Ling Ye.
"Take this. It will guide you to the person who can enter the secret realm."
The old blind man sighed, picked up the erhu strings again, and said, "Also, by following the thread on the copper coin, you can quickly find Jiang Mu. Go as soon as possible. Once Jiang Mu enters the secret realm, it will be time for you to exchange your conditions."
Ling Ye caught the copper coin and turned to leave.
"Inspector Ling"
Behind him, the old blind man sighed softly, "Is it really worth it to sever one's own path for a man who has already lost his future?"
Ling Ye did not stop walking.
A cold wind ruffled her black robes, her dark hair brushed against her shoulders, and her voice drifted out: "It's not worth it."
"But I'm willing."
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