Translator: CinderTL
"Oh? Who is it?" Ye Bing's eyes suddenly lit up, and she pressed for more information.
"Chi Qi!" Song Wen replied.
"Chi Qi?" Ye Bing's face filled with doubt. "He knows about the shadow void, but Jiang Yushan's advancement to the Divine Transformation stage is crucial for its successful hatching. And the shadow void is inextricably linked to the Heavenly Astral Body Integration Pill. How could Jiang Lanruo trust Chi Qi enough to reveal the location of Jiang Yushan's secluded breakthrough?"
"Immortal Maiden, you're overlooking someone," Song Wen said. "That Void Refinement Stage cultivator from the Qicang Domain. He can freely travel between the Qicang Domain and the Qianchang Wilderness using the Teleportation Arrays of the Dry Zen Temple and the Chi Family, which strongly suggests he's affiliated with the Divine Blood Gate. This explains his close relationship with Jiang Lanruo—it's all about the shadow void. Since he frequently visits the Chi Family, how could Chi Qi pass up such a golden opportunity to curry favor? Moreover, knowing about the shadow void, it wouldn't be surprising if Chi Qi extracted the location of Jiang Yushan's secluded breakthrough from this cultivator."
Having never mentioned Hong Zhe to Ye Bing beforehand, Song Wen could only offer this contrived analysis of Hong Zhe's identity.
"Even if everything is as you suspect, how can we make Chi Qi talk?" Ye Bing asked.
A murderous glint flashed in Song Wen's eyes.
"When facing death, a person will say anything."
A hint of alarm flickered in Ye Bing's eyes. "You want to deal with Chi Qi?"
Song Wen replied, "Years ago, in the Rotting Miasma Ridge, he chased me into a desperate retreat, nearly costing me my life. How could I not seek revenge?"
Ye Bing countered, "But... Chi Qi has been confined to the Chi Family for years. Even when he occasionally ventures out, his movements are shrouded in secrecy. Killing him won't be easy."
Song Wen fixed his gaze on Ye Bing and slowly said, "This matter isn't as difficult as the Immortal Maiden imagines. With the assistance of the Ye Family's two Void Refinement Stage cultivators, eliminating Chi Qi would be a simple task."
"You want me to persuade the two Ancestors to join forces against Chi Qi?" Ye Bing asked.
Song Wen replied, "They likely desire Chi Qi's elimination even more than I do. Persuading them won't be difficult. Moreover, their direct involvement isn't necessary. If they can simply uncover Chi Qi's whereabouts or lure him out, I'm confident I can eliminate him myself."
Five hundred li outside Shangchu City, nestled at the foot of a small mountain, Song Wen and Ye Bing found refuge in a cave.
Ye Bing set down the jade slip she had been reading and turned to Song Wen.
"Ancestor Ye Yangshu has approved your plan. Within three days, he will find a way to lure Chi Qi out."
The Ye Family's two Void Refinement Stage Ancestors were named Ye Gaozhuo and Ye Yangshu. Though Ye Gaozhuo was younger in both age and seniority, his cultivation was slightly superior, having reached the late-stage of Void Refinement, while Ye Yangshu remained at the early stage.
To allow Ye Gaozhuo to focus on his cultivation, Ye Yangshu primarily managed the Ye Family's affairs.
"Within three days?" Song Wen murmured. "Then we'll just have to wait."
Time flowed by, and two days passed in the blink of an eye.
Late that night, Ye Bing suddenly received a communication. After reviewing it, she turned to Song Wen.
"Ye Yangshu has invited me to meet him in Hundred Abundance City."
As she spoke, her gaze was filled with inquiry, clearly seeking Song Wen's opinion on whether she should accept the invitation.
"Did he say why he wants to meet you? And why in Hundred Abundance City?" Song Wen asked.
Hundred Abundance City was located approximately 50,000 kilometers east of Shangchu City, a mortal city.
Song Wen had previously traded Jiang Chao's soul to Ye Bing in this city for personal information about Jiang Yushan.
"Ye Yangshu said he had successfully lured Chi Qi out of seclusion. He wants me there to discuss ambushing Chi Qi," Ye Bing replied.
"How did he manage to lure Chi Qi out?" Song Wen pressed.
"He didn't specify," Ye Bing said.
Song Wen frowned in thought, pausing before responding.
"Gou Jun, what do you think? Should I meet him?" Ye Bing asked.
Instead of answering, Song Wen countered with a question: "Do you believe Ye Yangshu intends to harm you?"
"I don't think so," Ye Bing replied.
"Then go ahead and meet him," Song Wen said. "I'll follow you discreetly. If anything goes wrong, I'll intervene immediately."
Ye Bing nodded, then activated the concealment formation she had set up in the cave.
The two left the cave, Song Wen trailing behind Ye Bing, and headed east. They soon arrived near Hundred Abundance City.
At Song Wen's instruction, Ye Bing stopped atop a mountain peak two thousand miles outside Hundred Abundance City.
Although both suspected Ye Yangshu harbored no ill intentions, speculation was just that—speculation. They couldn't afford to let their guard down.
Ye Bing deliberately released her aura. Within moments, a figure emerged from Hundred Abundance City and approached.
The newcomer had graying hair, a weathered face, and an aura of impending mortality.
As the elder drew closer, Ye Bing frowned slightly and asked, "Ancestor Ye Yangshu?"
The man landed a short distance away, his cloudy eyes fixed on Ye Bing, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Ye Bing, it is indeed me. Have I aged so much you barely recognize me? It must have been centuries since we last met, hasn't it?"
Ye Bing nodded. "When my late son was born, the Jiang Family held a grand ceremony. You attended, and we met there. After centuries apart, I never imagined you would have aged so much, Ancestor."
Ye Yangshu said, "Although cultivators at the Void Refinement Stage possess long lifespans, they are not immortal. The path of cultivation is fraught with peril, and it is a miracle I have survived to this day. Moreover, now that you have reached the Void Refinement Stage, you may address me by name. There is no need to call me 'Ancestor.'"
A flicker of emotion crossed Ye Bing's eyes before she turned to the matter at hand.
"What method did you use to lure out Chi Qi? And where did you lead him?"
Ye Yangshu replied, "Chi Qi has long sought to enhance the power of his natal magic treasure, the Soaring Sky Bow, but for years he has been unable to find a spiritual material called Jade Marrow Stone. I happen to possess such a stone. To draw him out, I deliberately ventured into the Burning Heaven Abyss yesterday, instructing my spirit beast, the Yellow Earth Giant Rhinoceros, to carry the Jade Marrow Stone in its mouth as it swam through the lava. This spectacle was witnessed by numerous rogue cultivators searching for treasures. According to intelligence from our spies within the Chi Family, Chi Qi has already learned of this and will likely set out soon."
(End of the Chapter)
🚨 You are reading 30-50 Chapters BEHIND! Go to the Site and Catch up for FREE.
🎉 BIGGEST Site Discount 𝔼ℕ𝔻𝕀ℕ𝔾 𝕊𝕆𝕆ℕ. [1 Week Left] - Ends on 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟏𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.
🔓 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦 — 14 Series (7 Ongoing) | 14+ New Chapters Daily | 7,200+ FREE