This Is What a Villain Is Like

’But... could there have been some kind of unexpected change with her?’

"I know that Young Master Jiang once obtained the Immortal Embryo Creation Dew. In my possession, I have a peculiar Star Meteorite that contains Immortal Phoenix True Blood within it."

Fairy Miaoyin spoke again. She had dropped the demure way she’d referred to herself before, and her expression, now shed of its earlier seductive air, had grown much more serious.

"Immortal Phoenix True Blood?" Jiang Lan tapped his fingers lightly on the table, a little surprised.

’However, that had just been an excuse he’d used to get one over on Ye Shiyin. It wasn’t that he truly needed Immortal Phoenix True Blood.’

’Still, having it was better than not. It would be perfect for refining his second Lifebound Divine Technique, one related to the Phoenix Void Primordial Scripture.’

"I don’t know how rich or pure the drop of Immortal Phoenix True Blood that Xie Jianjia once obtained was, but the Immortal Phoenix True Blood inside the Star Meteorite in my hand is the size of a fist. Its aura is immense and contains an astonishing life force, as if it could transform into an Immortal Phoenix and be reborn through Nirvana at any moment..." Fairy Miaoyin said.

Naturally, she wouldn’t carry such a precious item with her.

As she spoke, she raised a hand. A hazy starlight coalesced, forming a mirror. Reflected within it was a fist-sized stone, grayish on the outside with vein-like patterns resembling those on a leaf. A brilliant golden radiance could be seen erupting from its cracks.

Jiang Lan glanced at it and could indeed discern the pure aura of the Immortal Phoenix Race.

"So, what do you want?" he asked.

"I want you, Young Master Jiang, to help me capture Xiao Teng," Fairy Miaoyin said bluntly.

Jiang Lan laughed. "You’ve got some nerve," he said with great interest. "Xiao Teng holds a government post. As an Immortal Sect Disciple, you want to attack a Court official? Aren’t you afraid the Divine Maiden Palace will be held to account by the Immortal Suppression Bureau?"

"That is why I wish to entrust this matter to you, Young Master Jiang. Upon its completion, I have another gift prepared," Fairy Miaoyin said earnestly.

"Instead of coming to me, wouldn’t it be simpler to approach Xiao Teng directly, use some minor trick to knock him out, and abduct him?" Jiang Lan didn’t rush to agree.

’From the moment Fairy Miaoyin offered the Immortal Phoenix True Blood, he’d guessed she must have come upon some kind of legacy or fortuitous opportunity.’

’Otherwise, she wouldn’t just let so much Immortal Phoenix True Blood sit there without undergoing Refinement. The only explanation was that it was incompatible with the Cultivation Technique she practiced and the legacy she’d received.’

’Her attention on Xiao Teng now was surely because she had sensed something unusual about him.’

’After all, back in Qianyuan Prefecture, the scene of Xiao Teng nearly taking control of the myriad stars in the sky had been a massive shock to everyone present. Many were still discussing and speculating about it.’

A look of resignation crossed Fairy Miaoyin’s face. "Xiao Teng is, after all, the third son of Prince Zhenbei. How could I dare make a move against him so rashly? Not only would I face retaliation afterward, but there’s no guarantee of success."

"I can help you capture Xiao Teng, but this isn’t enough. You know as well as I do that Xiao Teng’s status is special. I have no desire to stir up trouble for no reason," Jiang Lan said, shaking his head slightly.

Fairy Miaoyin’s expression showed she wasn’t surprised in the least. "It won’t be a problem for you, Young Master Jiang. In a while, the Star Remains Ruins will open. Xiao Teng possesses the Star Body. To temper his physique and stimulate his Bloodline Power, he will definitely go there..."

Hearing this, Jiang Lan’s interest was piqued. ’So Fairy Miaoyin even knows about the Star Remains Ruins.’

’She must be hiding some secrets.’

’The implication was that he wouldn’t have to act now; he could wait until Xiao Teng left the Imperial Capital.’

"I have to admit, you’ve piqued my interest." Jiang Lan concealed the strange glint in his eyes and suddenly smiled.

’He was already planning to use Xiao Teng to plot against the National Master, Ge Qixing. He’d had his eye on the Shaking Light Immortal Jade on Xiao Teng’s person for a long time. This Fairy Miaoyin was trying to use a tiger to swallow a wolf, hoping to reap all the rewards for herself.’

’Well, Jiang Lan could teach her a lesson about the consequences of asking a tiger for its hide.’

"Does this mean Young Master Jiang has agreed?" A hint of delight appeared on Fairy Miaoyin’s face.

Jiang Lan was noncommittal. "That will depend on your sincerity, Fairy Miaoyin."

"Rest assured, Young Master Jiang. To show my sincerity, I will have someone deliver the Star Meteorite to the Prime Minister’s Mansion tomorrow." Fairy Miaoyin rose, gave a graceful bow, and prepared to take her leave.

Jiang Lan had no intention of asking her to stay.

The moment Fairy Miaoyin left, he seemed to sigh in resignation. He rose and walked to the window of the Xiaoque.

"Weren’t you and the Divine Maiden Palace’s Fairy Miaoyin having such a pleasant chat, Young Master Jiang? I wouldn’t want to interrupt such a fine moment between you two." A cold snort echoed from within the private room.

A figure, as faint as a wisp of blue smoke, slowly solidified into a tall, slender form wearing a black coronet.

Her face was as fair as jade, her features as delicate as if they were painted. She was dressed in moon-white robes, over which was draped a crimson-black cloak that revealed a graceful, slender neck and clearly visible collarbones. A few strands of black hair cascaded from beside her crystalline ears. Her very gaze held a transcendent majesty and a stunning beauty.

Emperor Xia stood with her hands behind her back, looking down at Jiang Lan with an air of displeasure.

Jiang Lan, for his part, stared at her face, as if he didn’t recognize her for a moment, or perhaps as if he were simply dazed by her magnificent, breathtaking beauty.

Being stared at like that, Emperor Xia, for some reason, was the first to break. Unable to withstand his almost blatant appraisal, she averted her gaze and snorted coldly. "What? Can it be that you don’t recognize me, Young Master Jiang?"

"This is indeed the first time I have seen Your Majesty looking and dressed like this."