Chapter 656 - 603: Paying Debts
From afar, Bai Jiuyou immediately concealed herself upon spotting Shen Mingjing for the first time, because in the Heavenly Spear Realm, Shen Mingjing knew Bai Jiuyou was at Late-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivation and knew she was allied with Jiang Yuebai.
However, when discovered by Jiang Yuebai, Shen Mingjing was on the Xiong Family’s tower ship, conversing with the Great Elder Xiong Yanqing, surrounded by a Sound Insulation Barrier.
Compared to sound transmission, the Sound Insulation Barrier is less effort-intensive, though it insulates sound without blocking sight, so Jiang Yuebai could see.
In this vast Upper Realm, many people wouldn’t meet for decades, even after an initial encounter, so Jiang Yuebai never expected to run into him here so soon.
This triggered alarm bells within Jiang Yuebai’s mind. Because during the Taixuan Mountain Range battle at the Heavenly Spear Realm, the Fire Qilin underwent Tribulation Crossing, leading to the complete annihilation of both the Righteous and Demon factions. Jiang Yuebai had always suspected that Shen Mingjing was not simple and had an extraordinary connection to the event.
However, it’s true that Shen Mingjing saved Bai Jiuyou, so Jiang Yuebai could only keep the suspicion to herself, without revealing it.
"What are you staring at, so engrossed? Oh, the guy across on the Xiong Family’s ship looks quite nice, even better than Zhuge Ziyin!"
Moh Baichun walked up beside Jiang Yuebai, squinting and leaning out to carefully stare at the Xiong Family’s ship across.
"But that guy seems deeply calculating and has a deep scheming mind. Sister, listen to a word of advice from me and don’t get attracted to such kinds of people."
Moh Baichun placed her hand on Jiang Yuebai’s shoulder, which Jiang Yuebai flicked away.
"How can you tell he’s deeply scheming?" Jiang Yuebai asked.
Moh Baichun raised her thumb and pointed at herself, "Sister, I’ve been fighting and crawling in the Jianghu since childhood, and I’ve seen plenty of people, so I naturally can discern at a glance."
"Take Zhuge Ziyin, for example. His face is grim, yet every emotion is displayed on his face, showing his simplistic thoughts untouched by the harshness of the Cultivation Realm. But he’s truly difficult to get along with."
"Now look at that guy, even if we don’t know what Xiong Yanqing is talking to him about, observe his expression—it hasn’t changed from start to finish. It’s always respectfully maintaining a fitting smile. Doesn’t it give you a comfortable feeling like rejuvenation?"
"Usually, those who can make others feel comfortable are intentionally making you have a favorable impression of them. Do you understand what I mean? Xiong Yanqing thinks he’s the senior and can manipulate him, but I believe it’s the opposite—he’s the one controlling Xiong Yanqing’s emotions."
Jiang Yuebai raised her eyebrows in surprise, turning to fix her gaze on Moh Baichun, "Just from glancing at him from afar, you can tell so much?"
Moh Baichun proudly raised her eyebrows, patting Jiang Yuebai’s shoulder, "That’s why, don’t underestimate my cultivation level compared to yours; the losses I’ve suffered are greater than the paths you’ve walked."
Jiang Yuebai glanced at the nearby Zhuge Ziqian, who was greeting the Youx Family’s disciple, and asked, "Zhuge Ziqian smiles with rosy cheeks every day; why don’t you say he’s deeply scheming?"
Moh Baichun suddenly bristled, "How can that be the same? My brother Ziqian’s manner is due to his cultivation and demeanor; his thoughts are open-minded, and sincerity is built into his bones, hence he treats others kindly. Alas, explaining any further would be futile!"
Moh Baichun dismissed it, in a manner suggesting it was unspeakable.
Jiang Yuebai decisively rolled her eyes, "I think you’re just sour about not getting any grapes."
Moh Baichun petulantly pulled out a storage bag from her sleeve and tossed it to Jiang Yuebai, "Here~ We’re even now."
Jiang Yuebai caught the storage bag, opened it, and her eyes lit up; inside were all Spider Mechanisms made by Moh Baichun and Zhuge Ziqian according to her design blueprint, totaling ten thousand pieces.
"Thanks, Senior Sister Wuchen! And also pass my thanks to Fellow Daoist Ziqian."
Both Jiang Yuebai and Zhuge Ziqian were at Early-Stage Nascent Soul, although Jiang Yuebai undoubtedly had higher cultivation than Zhuge Ziqian. However, since Zhuge Ziqian was older, they regarded each other as fellow Daoists, rather than addressing each other as senior or junior sister, or brother.
Moh Baichun crossed her arms, "If it weren’t for Brother Ziqian insisting on repaying your life-saving favor, I would’ve made only five thousand at most. Our possessions have almost been drained by these little things."
"Let me stress this ahead of time, though we’re both elders of the Zhuge Family, once inside the Secret Realm, I only recognize profit, not people. Don’t compete with me; I’m driven mad by poverty, rationality lost!"
Moh Baichun’s fierce demeanor elicited a smile from Jiang Yuebai, who actually knew that Moh Baichun wasn’t bad at heart. Though she preached profit above all, when it came down to choice, she had at least a sixty percent chance of choosing righteousness over profit.
Compared to those who preach morality and righteousness and flaunt their Righteous Qi, Jiang Yuebai would rather trust Moh Baichun.
"Alright, Senior Sister Wuchen, let’s rely on our capabilities; let’s see who’s faster!"
Moh Baichun rolled her eyes, sensing someone approaching from behind and glancing sideways, stepping back in fright.
"What the heck is that!"
They saw a small figure clad in bizarre Armor slowly approaching, that Armor was in bronze color, with a bear head, dragon claws, large feet, wielding two Golden Melon Hammers, even dragging a Bronze Crocodile Tail.
Moh Baichun frowned, unable to penetrate the Armor shell with Divine Sense, unable to ascertain the individual inside.
Jiang Yuebai chuckled, sent sound transmission to Moh Baichun, "It’s Bai Jiuyou; she found an enemy from another clan and doesn’t want to cause trouble for the Zhuge Family, so she made herself appear like this. Please help me in keeping this secret, Senior Sister Wuchen."
Moh Baichun suddenly understood, "Being sneaky is Moh Xinhei, and after repaying debts, she’s Senior Sister Wuchen. You’re just ’honest’ enough!"
Moh Baichun went to find Zhuge Ziqian, while Bai Jiuyou stood beside the Armor on the ship, pretending to be a silent Armor statue.
Back in the Heavenly Spear Realm, Shen Mingjing hadn’t known Bai Jiuyou’s name, so as long as she didn’t expose her appearance, she wouldn’t be recognized.
Jiang Yuebai raised her head to look once more towards the distant tower ship of Xiong Family, just as Shen Mingjing also glanced over.
Their gazes met, and Shen Mingjing smiled and nodded before turning to leave.
Jiang Yuebai sighed, hoping there would be no unexpected changes this time. Her intentions were only to catch an Innate Water Spirit; if anything seemed amiss, she was ready to abandon the thought of winning first place and withdraw decisively.
After all, there were also Uncle Fuyi and Uncle Mo Ping over there; life was more important!
Even if Uncle Fuyi and others failed, Heavenly Interence Sect had enough strength to face Heavenly Star Sect, Xiong Family, and Fang Family.
If any untoward incident occurred, she would assume the identity of Chenzhou Wanderer and infiltrate Heavenly Star Sect and Xiong Family, making them restless, until Heavenly Interence Sect fully established itself and stabilized.
Thinking this way, Jiang Yuebai’s desire to win first place weakened significantly, her heart feeling lighter.
Indeed, contentment brings happiness.
The ship had reached upstream of Sishi River; the river narrowed as the tower ships lined up long queues alongside one another.
Jiang Yuebai ascended into the air, standing at the mast on top of the sails, gazing afar.
Despite the snowy winter, the river’s end showed clear skies with a blue lake like a mirror, amidst vast misty water, at the center of the wide river lay a large and serene ripple.
Ripple waves continually spread around, displaying a majestic, imposing shadow of the Immortal Palace within.
Jiang Yuebai looked up; the sky was cloudless, nothing at all. Why was there an Immortal Palace reflection in the river?
As the first tower ship entered the ripple zone, a great wave surged, swallowing the tower ship; still, the river left no splash, remaining tranquil as before.
But that ship appeared in the Immortal Palace reflection, floating mid-air, proceeding toward the Immortal Palace.
Many came to participate in the Dragon Group Gathering; among families, Eight Immortals River Basin’s Zhuge Family, Xiong Family, Youx Family, and five smaller families came.
Additionally, the Lou Family recently submitted to the Zhuge Family, along with many unknown small families sending key disciples to compete here.
Seven Stars River Basin’s Heavenly Star Sect, Yuquan Sect naturally attended, and many people from other sects and forces appear.
There were also Loose Cultivators from Jiuxiao River Basin, including those disguised as Evil Cultivators and Demon Cultivators.
The sound of howling winds approached; Jiang Yuebai glanced back as numerous Tunneling Light approached Sishi River, reducing height and speed.
All were from other realms rushing here; within Immortal Palace scope, flight was forbidden, and No-Fly Great Array covered Sishi River range.
Then, a short sword-like light flew to Jiang Yuebai’s side, circling her; she raised her hand to grab it, rejoicing upon checking it.
"Senior Sister Wuchen, I’m heading to the Sishi River entrance to meet two friends, then proceeding directly to the Immortal Palace, please inform Uncle Fuyi and Family Head for me."
Finished speaking, Jiang Yuebai jumped off the tower ship, traversing above water.
Lu Nanzhi and Xie Jingshan arrived together!