Translator: CinderTL
Shangchu City.
In a private room of a restaurant, Song Wen and Ye Bing sat facing each other.
They had been in Shangchu City for several days.
For the past few days, they had split up to gather intelligence related to Jiang Yushan, preparing for his capture.
Today was their first reunion since then.
"Gou Jun, I've made extensive inquiries these past few days, but I haven't found any clues about Jiang Yushan's whereabouts. He hasn't shown his face in public for nearly a decade. What about your side?" Ye Bing asked.
Song Wen shook his head slightly. "I've come up empty-handed as well. I've also been secretly observing the Jiang Family's main gate for days, but Jiang Yushan hasn't appeared."
Ye Bing's eyes were filled with doubt.
"Jiang Yushan has always been flamboyant and impulsive. Given his temperament, how could he possibly remain hidden for so many years, not even showing his face?"
Song Wen replied hesitantly, "Perhaps Jiang Yushan is in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Divine Transformation Stage."
Song Wen recalled Qi Luo mentioning before they left Cloudveil City that Hong Zhe had taken a disciple in the Qianchang Wilderness and was currently helping him achieve Divine Transformation.
Additionally, Ye Guqiu had mentioned that someone from the Qicang Domain was in close contact with Jiang Lanruo.
Combining these two clues, Song Wen had ample reason to suspect that Hong Zhe's disciple was none other than Jiang Yushan.
Furthermore, Hong Zhe's intense focus on Jiang Yushan's Divine Transformation suggested that the moment Jiang Yushan successfully achieved it, the "shadow void" within his Sea of Consciousness would likely hatch.
"Immortal Maiden," Song Wen said, "it seems we must act swiftly. Otherwise, you may never have the chance to kill Jiang Yushan with your own hands, and I'll lose my opportunity to use him to draw Jiang Lanruo out."
Ye Bing asked, "What makes you say that?"
Song Wen immediately explained his theory about Jiang Yushan's Divine Transformation and the hatching of the "shadow void."
"If your theory is correct," Ye Bing countered, "how could we possibly capture Jiang Yushan now? Do you expect us to storm the Jiang Family directly?"
"Jiang Yushan's seclusion location is unlikely to be within the Jiang Family," Song Wen said. "Jiang Lanruo would never allow him to seclude himself there. If I'm not mistaken, the 'shadow void' will successfully hatch once Jiang Yushan advances to the Divine Transformation Stage. Wouldn't this expose the shadow void to everyone in the Jiang Family?"
"Your reasoning is sound," Ye Bing replied. "If that's the case, Jiang Yushan's seclusion location is almost certainly in Demon Subduing City."
"I also believe it's in Demon Subduing City, though I can't be entirely certain," Song Wen said. "Jiang Lanruo might have chosen another location. Right now, the most crucial task is to pinpoint Jiang Yushan's seclusion location."
"How do you plan to investigate?" Ye Bing asked.
"That's where you come in, Immortal Maiden," Song Wen said. "Contact Ye Guqiu and have her investigate Jiang Yushan's whereabouts."
Ye Bing nodded, flipped her hand, and retrieved a Communication Jade Slip, initiating a transmission.
Moments later, she put away the jade slip and turned to Song Wen.
"Ye Guqiu has agreed. She'll notify me as soon as she obtains any information about Jiang Yushan. What should we do next?"
"Immortal Maiden, you should remain here and await Ye Guqiu's message," Song Wen said. "I'll proceed to Demon Subduing City to scout ahead."
"Very well," Ye Bing replied.
Demon Subduing City.
As the first and most crucial line of defense against the beast and insect tides from Demon Subduing Ridge in the Qianchang Wilderness, Demon Subduing City's walls stood tall and imposing. Entry was strictly prohibited except through the four city gates.
Song Wen disguised himself as a late-stage nascent soul cultivator and entered through the western gate, traversing the mile-long tunnel into the city proper.
The city teemed with cultivators, both those stationed in Demon Subduing City and those who had come from afar.
As Song Wen walked through the streets, his brow furrowed slightly.
The Spiritual Qi within the city was unusually calm, with no noticeable fluctuations.
This contradicted his expectations.
If Jiang Yushan had truly advanced to the Divine Transformation Stage in Demon Subduing City, even with ample spirit stones or spiritual materials, there should have been at least some convergence of surrounding Spiritual Qi.
Reaching a high wall, Song Wen stopped.
Within the wall stood a cluster of palaces and pavilions.
This was the central district of Demon Subduing City, and the residence of Jiang Lanruo.
If Jiang Yushan was indeed in Demon Subduing City, he would undoubtedly be here.
After pausing for a moment, Song Wen retreated and entered a sizable Spirit Herb shop.
Guided by a shop attendant, he was led to a private chamber where he met the shop's steward, a female cultivator in the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm.
"Fellow Daoist specifically requested to see me. What brings you here?" the female cultivator asked.
Song Wen flipped his hand and produced fifty high-grade spirit stones, offering them to her.
"I wish to inquire about some matters from you, Fellow Daoist."
The female cultivator's face lit up as she watched the spirit stones float toward her.
"Please, ask away, Fellow Daoist."
"May I ask," Song Wen began, "has anyone in Demon Subduing City advanced to the Divine Transformation Stage in the past decade?"
"No," the female cultivator replied, shaking her head as she pocketed the spirit stones.
"Are you certain?" Song Wen pressed.
"Absolutely certain," she insisted. "The Spiritual Qi fluctuations caused by advancing to the Divine Transformation Stage would be immensely violent. I've resided in Demon Subduing City for years—how could I possibly miss such an event?"
Song Wen frowned and pondered for a moment before flipping his hand again to produce a jade slip.
As he channeled a wisp of spiritual power into it, the jade slip emitted a faint white glow, coalescing into a lifelike holographic image of a person.
"Fellow Daoist, do you recognize the person in this image?" Song Wen asked.
The female cultivator stared at the image, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
"Why are you searching for this person? Do you bear him a grudge?"
Song Wen replied, "It seems you know him. Could you perhaps tell me his identity?"
The female cultivator didn't answer. Instead, she gazed silently at Song Wen, a hint of coldness in her eyes.
Sensing her hostility, Song Wen frowned, and a chilling killing intent slowly emanated from his body, like a ferocious beast poised to strike.
In an instant, the atmosphere in the secret chamber became suffocatingly tense, as if the very air had been imprisoned by an invisible force, heavy and stifling.
Just as the tension reached its peak, the female cultivator's expression suddenly shifted. As if struck by a sudden realization, a smile bloomed on her face, shattering the oppressive silence.
"Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand. I've never seen this person before."
Song Wen's voice turned icy. "Do you think I'm so easily deceived?"
"Heh..." The female cultivator chuckled dismissively. "Surely you wouldn't dare attack me in my own shop, would you?"
"Hmph!"
Song Wen snorted, a hint of resentment in his tone.
"I refuse to believe that fellow daoist is the only one in Demon Subduing City who recognizes this man."
With that, Song Wen flicked his sleeve and turned to leave the secret chamber.
The female cultivator watched his retreating figure until he disappeared behind the stone door and into the shadows around the corner. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief, collapsing back into her seat.
Song Wen's oppressive presence had been overwhelming, like an invisible mountain pressing down on her, making her feel as if she were on the verge of death.
She quickly formed a seal with both hands and struck the stone door.
Boom...
A deep rumble echoed as the stone door slowly closed.
The restriction formation on the door was strong enough to withstand attacks from most nascent soul cultivators.
Finally feeling safe, the female cultivator retrieved a Communication Jade Slip and began transmitting a message.
The man Song Wen had been searching for was Young Master Jiang Yushan, and it was clear he intended to harm him.
By reporting this matter and assisting in the man's capture, she was certain to receive a substantial reward.
Before long, a middle-aged male cultivator in the early stage of the Divine Transformation Stage appeared before her.
(End of the Chapter)
Translator's Corner
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