Xi Minghuai’s memories had been tampered with. The Tianyan Pearls determined there was something unusual about the “Bone-Gazing Mirror’s” glass orb and didn’t directly convict.
But Sheng Jiao knew in his heart that this was definitely connected to Wen Gubai.
As soon as Fu Man arrived, perhaps they could know the truth.
Sheng Jiao, in his fluttering black Xiezhi Sect robes, left the sect cold as frost, bringing Juan Xunfang to Central State’s Director’s residence.
Juan Xunfang said quietly: “Sect Master, I heard Director Wen also invited Heng Qinglian, Feng Chongyang, and Rang Chen to come together. The Qu family didn’t send anyone, but now the only one in the Qu family who can hold up appearances is that wastrel playboy Qu Rao. It’s understandable that Director Wen didn’t invite him.”
Sheng Jiao frowned: “Heng Yudu?”
“Director Heng seems to have gone too, but he’s always been at odds with his little uncle. Who knows if they’ll start fighting on the spot.”
Sheng Jiao understood.
Indeed, as Juan Xunfang said, when the two arrived at Wen Gubai’s residence, Heng Yudu was almost at the point of falling out completely with Heng Qinglian.
Heng Yudu was such a gentle person—no matter how much the Zhuxing Zhai members caused trouble, he never lost his temper, earning the nickname “Mother Hen Heng.” Sheng Jiao had known him for years and had never seen him angry.
But now, Heng Yudu sat upright in his wheelchair, surrounded by glass birds all shrieking incessantly.
His eyes were ice-cold with a sharp edge as he said coldly: “I do not permit it!”
Heng Qinglian smiled ambiguously: “Yudu, although you’re now the director of Tianyan Academy, you’re still too young and too indecisive in your actions. You need more training. Director Wen hasn’t even spoken yet, and you’re already saying you don’t permit it—that’s quite improper.”
Heng Yudu sneered: “This year’s batch of students may have many heaven-grade xiangwen, but not a single spiritual-grade one. Having them train in a secret realm of unknown dangers—isn’t that sending them to their deaths?”
“You also know there are no spiritual-grade this year.” Heng Qinglian leisurely sipped his tea, saying lightly: “Without spiritual-grade, heaven-grade is equivalent to spiritual-grade. Instead of thinking how to force them to train and become capable, you want to let them be sheltered young masters and misses under your protection?”
Heng Yudu: “You!”
As the two argued, Wen Gubai kept nervously trying to mediate, but ultimately he was just a tool pushed forward by the aristocratic families. Heng Qinglian didn’t even acknowledge him.
Heng Yudu was angry but still respected his teacher, forcing a smile toward him while suppressing his temper.
Feng Chongyang watched coldly from the side, taking no one’s side.
Sheng Jiao entered expressionlessly with Juan Xunfang, and everyone hurriedly stood to greet him.
“Sect Master Sheng.”
Heng Yudu’s anger hadn’t subsided, sitting there with a dark expression, saying nothing.
Sheng Jiao glanced at Heng Yudu, then turned his gaze to Heng Qinglian, looking at him with the cold severity of passing judgment.
Heng Qinglian: “…”
If anyone ever said Sect Master Sheng was impartial and just again, he’d be the first to disagree.
“What’s the matter?” Sheng Jiao didn’t sit down, asking coldly.
Hidden beneath his wide sleeves, the already dim 107 Tianyan Pearls imperceptibly emitted threads of lightning patterns, quietly beginning to rotate.
Wen Gubai smiled and said: “Yesterday a new secret realm appeared at the northernmost part of Central State. It seems to be left behind in the void by some accomplished cultivator. It happens that Tianyan Academy students are about to begin their training, so…”
Sheng Jiao frowned: “What secret realm?”
“We don’t know yet.”
Sheng Jiao looked toward Heng Yudu.
Heng Yudu said coldly: “When Zhuxing Zhai first trained over ten years ago, even with four spiritual-grade xiangwen, they chose a completely safe secret realm. Do you all think this year’s students are more capable than spiritual-grade xiangwen?”
Probably because Sheng Jiao was present, Heng Qinglian spoke less sarcastically than before: “I remember that secret realm wasn’t very safe either. The Twelve Young Immortals and Sect Master Sheng nearly perished in that creature’s belly. If Director Wen hadn’t arrived in time, perhaps…”
The glass birds around Heng Yudu were so angry they were about to explode. He coldly gave Sheng Jiao a look—quickly, beat him up for me.
Sheng Jiao: “…”
Sheng Jiao touched a glass bird with his finger, his cool fingertip touching the bird’s brow, signaling Heng Yudu to calm down.
Heng Yudu reluctantly closed his mouth, sitting there with a dark expression, gripping the armrests hard, probably wanting to crush the wooden armrests.
Sheng Jiao looked at Wen Gubai: “What does the Director plan?”
Wen Gubai made an “ah” sound, saying warmly: “Having those half-grown children go to the secret realm is indeed dangerous…”
Heng Qinglian gave him an ambiguous look.
Wen Gubai thought for a moment and added: “But I’ve explored the outer perimeter of the secret realm. I estimate it’s just some spirit beasts and formations—nothing too dangerous.”
Heng Yudu immediately flared up, pressing his ten fingers against the wheelchair armrests before Sheng Jiao pressed a palm on his shoulder.
Wen Gubai sighed and said: “With a new secret realm appearing in the Thirteen States, the aristocratic families of the three territories will definitely send people to search for treasures. When the secret realm fully opens, the first two days will have the most competition and conflict. If Tianyan Academy students want to go, they can enter on the third day accompanied by teachers. This way it’s both safe and lets the children see the world.”
It sounded nice, but in reality it was just using the other aristocratic families as pathfinding lanterns.
Heng Yudu’s brows furrowed.
Sheng Jiao said coldly: “You called me here for…?”
“Yudu mentioned that your Zhuxing Zhai will be gathering these few days.” Wen Gubai smiled. “If you seven…”
Heng Yudu: “Cough.”
Wen Gubai thought for a moment: “Oh, eight—if you eight are interested in going to the secret realm?”
Sheng Jiao: “Us?”
The eight members of Zhuxing Zhai from the eightieth year of Tianyan were the academy’s pride back then. Since then, Tianyan Academy never used the name Zhuxing Zhai for any study hall again, and even their former hall’s small world remained empty with no one moving in.
Wen Gubai was skilled at handling people, elevating Zhuxing Zhai as the unprecedented and unmatched unique existence in all of Tianyan Academy’s history, essentially selling the eight of them a favor.
After all these years, each of the eight had achieved success and fame—except for Xi Jianlan.
Heng Yudu instantly understood Wen Gubai’s meaning: “The Director wants us to take some students to train in the secret realm?”
Wen Gubai smiled: “Not really. Just take them around the perimeter for half a day. It won’t delay you much time.”
Heng Yudu’s frown deepened as he looked up to meet Sheng Jiao’s eyes.
Sheng Jiao looked coldly at Wen Gubai.
This person’s scheming was too deep—probably only someone like Xi Jianlan who used conspiracies and tricks could outplay him.
Regarding Tianyan Academy matters, Heng Yudu had originally refused to budge. Even if Heng Qinglian was forceful, he couldn’t compel him to take students there.
But Wen Gubai casually turned the situation around with just a few words, quietly changing “go or not go” into “students go alone, or you take them.”
Heng Yudu naturally noticed the manipulation, but being habitually gentle, respectful, and yielding by nature, he couldn’t bring himself to show disrespect to his teacher. He only said he needed to discuss with the others before having Sheng Jiao wheel him away.
Everyone parted unhappily.
Sheng Jiao pushed him out expressionlessly.
Only after avoiding people did Heng Yudu curse with a dark expression: “Damn thing! Son of a bitch!”
Sheng Jiao: “…”
Zhuxing Zhai’s special way of cursing—both dignified and elegant while venting anger.
“Secret realms often have opportunities,” Sheng Jiao said. “All the aristocratic families will go join the excitement.”
Heng Yudu supported himself on the wheelchair armrests and rubbed his temples, feeling he shouldn’t have come on this trip—angry enough to give him a headache: “I know. That secret realm is extremely strange, suddenly appearing from the void. I heard it even collapsed a street’s worth of buildings.”
Sheng Jiao pushed him toward Tianyan Academy: “Do you have a grudge with Heng Qinglian?”
Heng Yudu reached out to touch the glass bird beside him that was nearly exploding with anger, shaking his head: “He’s my little uncle. What grudge could there be?”
“Mm?”
“The glass birds don’t like him,” Heng Yudu said. “Before age twelve, my little uncle and I had a very good relationship. When I injured my legs as a child, he took care of me daily. But after my ‘Exchange for Bright Moon’ xiangwen manifested, the glass birds became extremely hostile toward him. Every time he approaches me, they shriek incessantly—I can’t control them.”
Whether it was the ‘Exchange for Bright Moon’ glass birds influencing Heng Yudu, or whether he gradually grew up and bit by bit discovered that his seemingly gentle and amiable little uncle wasn’t as good to him as he appeared on the surface.
Over time, the two grew distant.
Heng Yudu even figured out some things in adulthood that had puzzled him as a child, making him increasingly disgusted and repulsed by Heng Qinglian.
Heng Yudu was someone who understood the situation. Sheng Jiao didn’t say much more, only giving a light “mm.”
Halfway through their journey, the Tianyan Pearls that had been rotating in Sheng Jiao’s sleeve for a long time finally stopped silently.
Sheng Jiao slightly lowered his hand, letting the Tianyan Pearls slide from his forearm to his wrist. Looking down, his pupils suddenly contracted.
One hundred and seven Tianyan Pearls—truly not a single one showed “Execute.”
Heng Yudu looked back, keenly asking: “Were you just passing judgment? On whom?”
Sheng Jiao had expected this, indifferently putting away the Tianyan Pearls and saying coldly: “Wen Gubai.”
Heng Yudu froze, instantly understanding and quietly gasping: “In the ‘Bone-Gazing Mirror’ you found in the Southern Territory, the one who slaughtered the Xi family was the Director?”
“Mm.”
Heng Yudu murmured: “That’s troublesome.”
Xi Minghuai’s memories said Wen Gubai was the culprit, yet the Tianyan Pearls showed zero guilt.
Sheng Jiao saw his expression wasn’t as intense as Lezheng Jiu’s: “You had suspicions?”
“I don’t know either.” Heng Yudu touched the glass bird. “I don’t know from which day, but the glass birds also became wary and resentful of the Director. I even had the illusion he wanted to kill me.”
But this emotion wasn’t strong, so Heng Yudu hadn’t thought much about it.
Sheng Jiao looked thoughtful.
After sending Heng Yudu back to Tianyan Academy, he turned and silently returned to Xiezhi Sect with Juan Xunfang.
Tianyan Academy wasn’t far from Xiezhi Sect—they could arrive in moments by riding the wind.
Yet Sheng Jiao walked on foot. When passing a pastry stall, he hesitated for a long time before buying several osmanthus cakes to put in his robes, probably to take back for Xi Jianlan.
Juan Xunfang: “…”
His feelings were extremely complex.
The two traveled in silence. Just as they were about to return to Xiezhi Sect, a spiritual power silently approached Sheng Jiao’s back, carrying the overwhelming pressure of Void Return realm.
Juan Xunfang reacted first, instinctively blocking in front of Sheng Jiao and drawing his sword without hesitation.
“Clang—!”
Juan Xunfang’s sword was nearly broken by this spiritual force. His hands went numb from the shock, but he remained expressionless, his heels digging deep into the ground until it caved in, yet he didn’t retreat a single step.
Sheng Jiao coldly turned to look.
Countless Void Return realm spiritual consciousnesses came from the void, each faceless, silently forming a huge circle that completely surrounded the two.
Juan Xunfang was only at Spirit Transformation realm, and Sheng Jiao’s spiritual power was bound. If they fought, they’d likely be at a disadvantage.
Juan Xunfang’s face darkened as he gripped his still-humming sword hilt. Though he knew his cultivation couldn’t handle Void Return realm, he still stood like a pillar in front of Sheng Jiao.
Sheng Jiao’s brows and eyes were indifferent, looking calmly at the surrounding consciousnesses emanating killing intent.
The Tianyan Pearls at his wrist silently manifested threads of lightning patterns, his dark eyes flashing with cold malice.
Swords were drawn and bows bent, as if battle would erupt at any moment.
Just then, another completely different spiritual power came from the air, like golden fireflies scattering and falling on the surrounding consciousnesses.
Those consciousnesses had apparently come to test whether Sheng Jiao’s spiritual power remained, having no intelligence at all. When suddenly encircled by golden spiritual power, they showed no reaction.
Someone said cheerfully: “Bang.”
As soon as the words fell, dozens of Void Return realm consciousnesses exploded like fireworks in the sky, crumbling into spiritual power debris mixed with golden firefly-like light in the air—a gorgeous spectacle.
Juan Xunfang was stunned.
Sheng Jiao looked up indifferently.
Not far away, Yu Tuishan sat cross-legged on a moss-covered boulder in white robes, propping his chin and grinning at Sheng Jiao: “Sect Master Sheng, don’t be so wary. I saved you, you know. I’ve also forgiven you for that time you misunderstood me and nearly killed me. No need for thanks.”
Sheng Jiao: “…”
Juan Xunfang frowned tightly.
The skull-masked Yu Tuishan from Evil Qi Road had connections with the Sect Master?
Sheng Jiao had nothing to say to him and left with a flick of his sleeves.
“Hey, hey!” Yu Tuishan blocked his path, tilting his mask slightly to reveal a pair of curved peach blossom eyes. “Why is Sect Master Sheng in such a hurry to leave? Stay and reminisce about old times.”
Sheng Jiao really couldn’t understand where Yu Tuishan learned such thick skin.
They’d only met once—where were these “old times” to reminisce about?
But having dealt with the shameless Xi Jianlan before, Sheng Jiao no longer knew what anger or speechlessness felt like when handling such people. Since he said reminisce, then they’d reminisce.
“Kan Tianyan.” Sheng Jiao said coldly: “What’s your relationship with Xi Jue?”
Yu Tuishan froze upon hearing “Kan Tianyan,” saying incredulously: “That little swindler actually betrayed me?!”
Sheng Jiao remained impassive.
Xi Jianlan had actually told the truth for once.
This person was indeed the twelfth xiangwen, Kan Tianyan.
“I’m so angry.” Yu Tuishan ground his teeth, thinking: “I might as well expose your xiangwen too and see which of us dies first.”
But after thinking, he didn’t say it.
Yu Tuishan changed expressions quickly. Just moments ago he was angrily pounding rocks, but now he smiled amiably: “My relationship with him… well, how to put it—we nearly became Sect Master Sheng’s fellow students together.”
Sheng Jiao had expected he wouldn’t answer and asked again: “What is the thirteenth xiangwen?”
“Oh.” Yu Tuishan said dryly: “Sect Master Sheng, I wanted to reminisce about old times, not be interrogated.”
With Sheng Jiao’s relentless questioning, Yu Tuishan almost thought he’d been captured by Xiezhi Sect for torture and interrogation.
Then there was nothing left to discuss.
Sheng Jiao turned to leave.
“Hey, hey.” Yu Tuishan quickly jumped down from the rock, leaping in front of Sheng Jiao to block his path, hands behind his back as he said shamelessly: “Sect Master Sheng just used the Tianyan Pearls to judge Wen Gubai. Since I’ve delivered myself to your door, why don’t you judge me too?”
Sheng Jiao: “?”
Juan Xunfang was dumbfounded, feeling this person’s thick skin rivaled Xi Jianlan’s.
Everyone in the Thirteen States feared Sect Master Sheng’s Tianyan Pearls, terrified of being targeted by those 108 pearls. How could this person actively request judgment?
Sheng Jiao felt no impatience. Looking at those golden pupils, he was silent for a while before slightly raising his hand.
One hundred and seven Tianyan Pearls suddenly began rotating, making crisp clicking sounds as they collided.
Tianyan lightning patterns surrounded Yu Tuishan. From Sheng Jiao’s angle, the rotating Tianyan Pearls almost completely encircled Yu Tuishan, that skull mask looking ominously as if grinning wickedly.
But Yu Tuishan remained lazy, seemingly not fearing the Tianyan Pearls at all.
Juan Xunfang thought he had a clear conscience from never doing wrong.
Yet when the Tianyan Pearls finally stopped, a full sixty pearls displayed “Execute.”
Juan Xunfang: “???”
Sheng Jiao’s pupils contracted sharply. Almost the instant the Tianyan Pearls stopped, merciless killing intent transformed into thunder, crashing down toward Yu Tuishan.
Yu Tuishan leaped backward, flying like a bird to land on the boulder, laughing heartlessly.
“Sect Master Sheng, Sect Master Sheng, calm down, haha!” He laughed until he coughed, nearly coughing off his mask. “How come when Xi Jianlan had sixty pearls, you could still restrain the killing intent Heaven granted you, but with me you want to slaughter me? Sheng Jiao, as Xiezhi Sect’s master, you should treat everyone equally.”
Sheng Jiao had naturally been judging “the Xi family slaughter matter.”
He said coldly: “The Xi family matter is connected to you.”
***
In Xiezhi Sect.
Shang Yuan followed Xi Jianlan every step, completely believing whatever nonsense he said, her watery eyes wide with admiration as she looked at him.
“You’re really called Yan Lin? Those Xi family people were all bad?!”
Xi Jianlan was heartbroken: “Yes! My good friend witnessed the Xi family killing people. I brought witness and evidence to Xiezhi Sect begging for justice, but was beaten severely. My friend was also brutally murdered. How tragic, I’m so tragic.”
Shang Yuan was moved to tears: “So tragic.”
“Today is my friend’s death anniversary.” Xi Jianlan wiped tears from the corners of his eyes, choking up: “Can I go pay respects to him?”
“Yes, yes!” Shang Yuan said tearfully: “Where will you pay respects?”
“Uh…” Xi Jianlan hesitated, testing: “Outside… Xiezhi Sect?”
Shang Yuan sniffled while wiping tears: “Oh, that won’t work.”
Xi Jianlan: “…”
Xi Jianlan looked at her incredulously: “Aren’t you moved by the deep friendship between me and my close friend?”
“I am moved,” Shang Yuan said blankly. “But the Sect Master said you can’t go out. I have to listen to the Sect Master.”
Xi Jianlan: “…”
Xi Jianlan leaned back, his face showing utter despair, wishing he could just die.
He’d been talking his throat dry for so long, and this little girl had just treated him like a storyteller?!
So infuriating.
Shang Yuan followed the Sect Master’s orders and stuck close to Xi Jianlan.
Thinking this interesting person would rest a bit and then tell her more stories, Shang Yuan waited eagerly.
But after waiting a long time, she saw that Xi Jianlan, who had been so anxious and restless earlier, seemed to have completely given up and actually began sleeping.
Shang Yuan remembered the Sect Master’s warning.
“If he’s quietly behaving, he’s definitely plotting something.”
Shang Yuan immediately became alert.
But after being vigilant all morning, Xi Jianlan had taken two naps and she still hadn’t seen any “plotting.”
He’d truly given up on leaving Xiezhi Sect.
Only then did Shang Yuan relax.
At lunch, Shang Yuan prepared a pile of pastries for Xi Jianlan, choking him until his eyes rolled back and he pounded his chest, saying fiercely: “Little girl, your Sect Master only said I like eating pastries—he didn’t tell you to prepare only pastries for me. Could you get me some water to drink? Please, I’m begging you.”
Shang Yuan: “…Oh.”
Xi Jianlan, who had eight hundred cunning schemes, was nearly killed by this single-minded silly girl.
Not long after lunch, a Xiezhi Sect enforcer came to report to Shang Yuan that an honored guest had come seeking the Young Immortal, asking if she wanted to open the water path to welcome them.
Xi Jianlan was comfortably sunbathing and said lazily: “Who is it?”
“Sword Sect’s eldest disciple Liu Changxing,” the enforcer said. “I heard he had someone deliver Sword Sect’s Spring Rain sword to Central State a few days ago. It just arrived today, and he’s come specifically to return it to you.”
Xi Jianlan was so shocked he leaped up instantly.
Spring Rain?!
**
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152