After Ran Mu'er finished speaking, the cave fell into a long silence.
She buried her head between her knees, feeling a profound sense of helplessness.
Jiang Qiaoqiao, the young girl, had spent some time with Ran Mu'er in Jiuzhou City.
She was a kind and somewhat naive girl, clearly someone who had been doted on by her parents since childhood.
However, if Ran Mu'er's suspicions and deductions were true, then Jiang Qiaoqiao's mutated wind spirit root had once belonged to her younger sister...
Her younger sister, placed in the tree array, with her tiny hands, feet, and slightly curly fetal hair growing in their mother's womb, only to gradually disappear, turning into a spirit root, and then growing into the current Jiang Qiaoqiao in another woman's womb.
All for the sake of this spirit root, her sister's life, and the lives of the entire Mu family were sacrificed.
Why? Is reaching the pinnacle of the Jiuzhou Continent so important to these family heads?
Ran Mu'er clutched her aching chest, hatred surging through her veins.
...
Nearby, Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi were whispering to each other, occasionally consulting the Xuantian Mirror.
It seemed they had reached a decision. After a while, they called Medicine Granny and Ran Mu'er over.
The four of them gathered around the stone table in the cave.
Shen Jizhi waved his hand, and the herbs and other miscellaneous items on the table were swept to a corner.
Jian Huan took out a large sheet of white paper from her Mustard Seed Pouch and spread it on the table.
She picked up a brush and wrote "Jiang Wei's Mother's Birthday" in the center of the paper, circling it heavily.
Shen Jizhi stood behind the table with his hands clasped behind his back. After a moment of contemplation, he also took out a brush from his Mustard Seed Pouch and wrote "2.2 million" in small letters in the corner next to "Jiang Wei's Mother's Birthday."
With this trip, they would have enough spirit stones to build the courtyard and still have some left over.
His eyelashes fluttered slightly as he calmly put the brush away.
Jian Huan watched Shen Jizhi's every move, while speaking to Ran Mu'er and Medicine Granny, "Madam Jiang Wei's birthday is in half a month, and it's said that many relatives and friends have been invited. Shen Jizhi and I have discussed it, and we think that with so many people around, it will be the perfect time for us to infiltrate the Jiang family. So, from now on, we need to start preparing for the next half month."
Jian Huan's dark eyes sparkled with excitement.
If this trip succeeded, they would pocket 2.2 million spirit stones.
2.2 million!
She was eager to get started, writing as she spoke, "We need to make four preparations..."
The first was to find a way to infiltrate the Jiang family.
Ran Mu'er's identity had already been exposed, so she couldn't use her real identity to enter the Jiang family. Neither she nor Shen Jizhi had any connection to the Jiang family, so it wouldn't be appropriate for them to enter directly either. They would need to use fake identities. But whose identities to use, and the disguises and tools needed, were all things that required careful consideration.
The second was to gather more information about the Bodhi Pagoda. The Demon Clan and the original male lead were so eager to obtain the Bodhi Pagoda; there must be a purpose behind it.
The third was to obtain a map of the Jiang family's layout and more information about the Jiang family.
"Lastly—" Jian Huan's gaze swept over the other three, asking, "The Jiang family is not to be underestimated. This trip will undoubtedly be dangerous, so having more allies would be ideal. Do any of you have someone you trust completely?"
After a pause, she emphasized, "They need to be at least at the Nascent Soul Stage."
She, Shen Jizhi, and Ran Mu'er were all at the Golden Core Stage, so if they were to find allies, they needed someone stronger.
Otherwise, they wouldn't be allies; they'd be deadweight.
Shen Jizhi frowned slightly and reluctantly said, "My master, perhaps."
Jian Huan wrote "Gu Shan" on the paper, and after some thought, added "Yu Qing."
Shen Jizhi saw this and chuckled lightly, "Are you sure Yu Qing is trustworthy?"
"Of course," Jian Huan glanced at him, then smirked, "Are you jealous?"
Shen Jizhi: "..."
Ran Mu'er let out a soft laugh, sitting weakly in her chair.
She blinked her misty eyes at Jian Huan, gently tugging at her sleeve, and whispered, "I don't have anyone. My past partners weren't very trustworthy. But you, Ah Huan, are someone I can trust..."
Jian Huan couldn't help but shiver, "..."
She pulled her sleeve back from Ran Mu'er's grasp and rolled her eyes, "You should go back to being sad."
This sister, as soon as she regained her normal emotions, became strangely flirtatious and lacked any sense of propriety.
Ran Mu'er covered her mouth and chuckled.
Medicine Granny shook her head, her eyelids drooping, "Granny doesn't have anyone either."
Jian Huan looked at the lonely names "Gu Shan" and "Yu Qing" on the paper, her mind racing as she filtered through everyone she had met since transmigrating into this world.
Suddenly, she paused and instinctively turned to look at Shen Jizhi.
Shen Jizhi also looked at her.
Almost simultaneously, they both uttered a name.
"Gong Qi."
The ancestor of the Gong family, whom they had met in the Lotus Square Secret Realm.
The only great cultivator who had survived the great battle against the Demon Emperor Hua Dihai a thousand years ago.
The Gong and Jiang families were both part of the four great cultivation families of Jiuzhou, and they were mortal enemies, always looking down on each other.
Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi had both met Gong Qi once in Fang Quan's inheritance secret realm and had learned about the events of a thousand years ago.
If they could get Gong Qi's help, this matter with the Jiang family would be as good as settled.
After all, Gong Qi was widely recognized as the strongest in Jiuzhou.
Jian Huan: "!"
After leaving Ran Mu'er, Jian Huan contacted Gong Feihong.
Unfortunately, Gong Feihong said that his ancestor had sealed his cultivation at the beginning of the year and had left the sect to go on a journey of self-cultivation.
Like Shen Jizhi's master before him, he was living an ordinary life.
Gong Feihong and the others had no idea where Gong Qi had gone.
This matter had to be put aside.
The next evening, at the Jade Clarity Sect.
The evening sky was ablaze with red clouds, looking from afar like a mountain fire.
The road to the training grounds was crowded with people. Two disciples of different peak masters had gotten into a conflict and had agreed to settle it with a duel.
Everyone loved a good spectacle, so Jian Huan and Jiang Mian mingled with the crowd.
Jian Huan, pulled along by Jiang Mian, listened to the conversation of two senior sisters ahead while replying to messages on the Xuantian Mirror.
[Pixiu Has a Sword: The sect leader has returned. I'm on my way to see him now.]
[Qian Duo Duo Has Talismans: Alright.]
Streams of people surged from all directions, pushing Jian Huan further away from the two senior sisters.
She looked up, frowned, and tugged at Jiang Mian, trying to squeeze through the crowd to get closer to the senior sisters.
Those two senior sisters were the ones who, back in Jiuzhou City, hadn't been too pleased about Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi joining them to split the profits from the Bodhi Pagoda.
One of them was very close to Jiang Qiaoqiao. Both of them would be attending the birthday celebration of Jiang Qiaoqiao's mother in half a month.
Amidst the noisy crowd, after chatting about various topics, they finally brought up the matter of the Jiang family.
"...By the way, what are you planning to give for Qiaoqiao's mother's birthday?"
"I haven't decided yet. Have you?"
"Not yet. It's really a headache. I mentioned it to my family, and they're eager to build a good relationship with the Jiang family. They said they'd gather some rare items from different places and have me deliver them."
"I'm so envious. My family is just a bit better off than ordinary households. I have to figure out the gift myself. My parents don't even understand these social customs as well as I do."
"Qiaoqiao's father loves her mother dearly. If you give something Madam Jiang likes, it definitely won't go wrong."
"Madam Jiang likes... I heard she's quite fond of gourmet food. For this birthday, the Jiang family head has specially invited the Golden Three Chefs from the Gathering Spirit Pavilion to prepare the feast..."
The Golden Three Chefs?
Jian Huan twirled the Xuantian Mirror in her hand, deep in thought.
The Golden Three Chefs from the Gathering Spirit Pavilion referred to the three siblings from the Jin family.
Each dish was prepared by the three of them together, not only delicious but also infused with medical cultivation techniques, making each spiritual meal highly beneficial to one's cultivation.
"Junior Sister, Junior Sister Jian..." Someone was calling Jian Huan from behind.
Jian Huan was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't notice until Jiang Mian nudged her, "Ah Huan, what's wrong? Senior Sister Lin is calling you!"
Jian Huan snapped out of her thoughts and quickly turned around, seeing Senior Sister Lin, she coughed lightly.
Senior Sister Lin winked at her, gesturing toward the edge of the crowd with her mouth, "Let's talk outside."
Jian Huan nodded, told Jiang Mian, and prepared to follow Senior Sister Lin.
Jiang Mian was puzzled, "What does Senior Sister Lin want with you?"
Jian Huan lowered her eyes, fiddling with her skirt, and stammered, "I... don't know. Maybe it's something about the Talisman Hall. I'll go check."
Jiang Mian's gaze was fixed on the dueling platform, and she waved her hand without much thought, "Then go quickly. The duel is about to start. Come back soon!"
Jian Huan softly acknowledged, her face slightly flushed as she squeezed out of the crowd and secretly followed Senior Sister Lin to a small grove nearby, where they exchanged money and goods.
Before leaving, Senior Sister Lin said with a lingering sense of satisfaction, "This one was really good. When I arrived, I took a few glances, and it was quite captivating... Many people rushed to buy it, and it sold out in no time. Luckily, I got there early. Anyway, a few of your senior brothers and sisters also asked me to get some for them, so I’ll go deliver it now."
At the same time, in a side hall of the Jade Clarity Sect’s main peak.
A man in green robes pushed open the door, bowed respectfully, and said, "Master, Junior Brother Shen Jizhi requests an audience."
Sect Leader Dao Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out the window at the fiery clouds burning brightly on the horizon. His usually calm and ethereal expression was now clouded with worry, a rare sight.
Hearing his disciple’s voice, Dao Xuan let out a long sigh, turned around, and walked back to his seat. "Let him in."
The man in green robes replied, "Yes."
Shen Jizhi arrived at the door, first cupping his hands in greeting to the man in green robes, then stepping into the side hall.
The man in green robes waved his horsetail whisk, and the door closed behind Shen Jizhi.
Shen Jizhi stood in the center of the hall and bowed. "Disciple greets the Sect Leader."
"No need for formalities," Dao Xuan said, his expression returning to its usual calm. "What brings you here?"
"Disciple has some matters I wish to consult my master about, but I haven’t been able to reach him," Shen Jizhi stated directly. "May I ask, Sect Leader, where is my master currently?"
After a pause, he added, "And Elder Yu Qing as well. I’m asking on behalf of Jian Huan."
Dao Xuan’s hand, holding a teacup, paused mid-air. His eyes flickered briefly, and after a moment of thought, he took a sip of tea before replying, "I cannot tell you that."
Shen Jizhi frowned slightly. "Why not?"
"What your master and Elder Yu Qing are currently doing is a matter of sect confidentiality," Dao Xuan said amiably, setting down his teacup. "If you and Jian Huan have any questions, you can ask me directly. It’s the same."
Shen Jizhi raised his gaze, his glass-like eyes reflecting a deep, unspoken meaning as they settled on the Sect Leader’s face.
Sect Leader Dao Xuan had a good relationship with Jiang Wei and had even taken Jiang Qiaoqiao as his personal disciple.
Yesterday, after returning from Ran Mu'er’s place, Jian Huan had asked him whether the Sect Leader could be trusted. Shen Jizhi couldn’t answer. He wasn’t sure himself.
His master was Dao Xuan’s junior brother, and while he respected and trusted the Sect Leader, there were some things even his master wouldn’t share with Dao Xuan.
For example, the Five-Colored Stone within his body.
The person who could ascend to the position of Jade Clarity Sect’s leader was no ordinary individual.
Judging them could no longer be done with simple standards of good and evil, right and wrong.
Those who schemed and plotted were entangled in a web of interests, making choices based on necessity.
Shen Jizhi averted his gaze, weighing his thoughts carefully before speaking. "Jian Huan and I are considering searching for the Bodhi Pagoda. Therefore, I wanted to ask if there are any secrets or mysteries surrounding it."
"The Bodhi Pagoda..." Dao Xuan drew out his words thoughtfully. He looked at Shen Jizhi and suddenly asked, "Didn’t you and Jian Huan receive the legacy of Senior Fang Quan?"
Shen Jizhi lowered his eyes. "We did."
"Then you should know about the battle at Hua Dihai a thousand years ago, where Senior Fang Quan, Senior Sister Lotus Heart, the Buddhist monk Wu Yin, and countless other great cultivators perished..."
Dao Xuan rose from his seat and slowly walked toward Shen Jizhi. "But what you might not know is how everyone discovered Hua Dihai’s traces a thousand years ago."
Hearing this, Shen Jizhi’s expression shifted slightly, and his gaze met the Sect Leader’s as he stood before him.
He lowered his head, his dark lashes casting shadows over his eyes. "Please enlighten me, Sect Leader."
"Hua Dihai sought to steal the Bodhi from the Buddhist sect," Dao Xuan continued, raising his hand to lightly pat the young man’s shoulder, who stood as straight as bamboo. His voice was soft, but the words struck like a tidal wave, stirring turmoil within Shen Jizhi’s heart. "It was during that time that the Bodhi Tree was mostly destroyed, leaving only its trunk. The trunk withered year after year, and fearing the Bodhi would be lost forever, the Buddhist sect collaborated with Elder Yu of the Hundred Artifacts Sect to forge the Bodhi Pagoda, preserving what remained of the Bodhi Tree."
Shen Jizhi listened intently, then calmly asked, "Why did Hua Dihai want to steal the Bodhi?"
Dao Xuan shook his head, his hand brushing his forehead as he uttered three words: "No one knows."
