Zhang Zhensheng’s disappearance caused no stir whatsoever within the Hu family.
Whether a wandering cultivator at the Core Formation stage had died or simply changed his mind and decided not to take part in the Hu family’s mission was of no real concern to anyone.
When it was time to set out, the Hu family merely found another Core Formation cultivator from somewhere to fill his place.
Shu Xin boarded the Hu family’s flying vessel with her five servants. After what had happened to Zhang Zhensheng, her five servants had become considerably more mature and composed.
Nothing tempered a person like actual combat.
People might fail to learn from being taught, but one lesson from experience was usually enough.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, allow this old man to introduce you to the other Dao Lords.” On the flying vessel, the Hu family elder took the initiative to introduce several other Dao Lords to Shu Xin with a beaming smile.
Now that the escort mission had begun, becoming familiar with one another would certainly do more good than harm.
The Hu family elder first brought Shu Xin before Qu Yougu.
“This is Dao Lord Qu Yougu. His sword aura is exceptionally sharp. Even the Grotto-Heaven True Person we invited had nothing but praise for him.” The first person the Hu family elder introduced to Shu Xin was Qu Yougu.
The reason was simple. In the Hu family elder’s eyes, only Shu Xin and Qu Yougu might have come from major sects. They were also the youngest and had the greatest potential, so it was naturally worthwhile to cultivate a good relationship with them.
As for the unpleasantness during their first meeting, that was a minor matter. A smile was enough to let bygones be bygones.
“Fellow Daoist Qu, greetings.” Shu Xin smiled.
Qu Yougu glanced at Shu Xin—or rather, at the two swords hanging from her waist—and said, “Your swords are quite good.”
[This fellow has a good eye.] the Sword Spirit said happily.
“That’s assuming he doesn’t know your name,” Shu Xin said seriously.
[…Please, when you introduce me in the future, could you use a name that isn’t quite so terrible?] The Sword Spirit practically wanted to kneel before Shu Xin.
“Don’t worry. You’re my trump card. Any enemy who learns your name will definitely die by my hand.” Shu Xin was willing to stake her reputation on that.
That was not comforting in the slightest, thank you very much.
If possible, the Sword Spirit still wanted to change its name.
“Thank you for the compliment. Fellow Daoist Qu’s sword is quite good as well.” Shu Xin returned the courtesy politely.
After that, the two of them fell silent.
Well done. I’m only pretending to be aloof and arrogant, but you really are cold and distant. You’ve gone and stolen my persona!
Shu Xin was somewhat helpless. She disliked dealing with people as cold and aloof as this.
“Elder Hu, let’s not disturb Fellow Daoist Qu’s cultivation any further. Why don’t we go and meet the other fellow Daoists?” Shu Xin took the initiative to suggest.
“Yes, yes, of course.” Seeing that the two cultivators had no intention of befriending each other, Elder Hu did not feel disappointed.
It was normal for disciples of major sects to compete among themselves and have poor relationships.
Elder Hu then brought Shu Xin before a white-haired female cultivator.
“Fellow Daoist Lin, this is Fellow Daoist Tan Wanyan.” Elder Hu praised her to Shu Xin. “Fellow Daoist Tan has been famous for a long time. She has mastered the art of retaining her youth and is exceptionally skilled at appreciating beauties. If Fellow Daoist Lin is interested, you can exchange pointers with Fellow Daoist Tan.”
“I wonder what sort of person my little sister likes?” Tan Wanyan gently swept her gaze over Shu Xin’s entire body, her smile so warm and tender it nearly seemed capable of melting into water. “If there’s a particular type you favor, why not tell your elder sister? I can find them all for you.”
Female cultivators from prestigious clans really were unpleasant to deal with.
Tan Wanyan also understood that since the Hu family elder had personally brought this female Dao Lord over, it meant he valued her.
She was still hoping to cultivate a good relationship with the Hu family, so there was no need to antagonize her.
“The type I like is probably something Fellow Daoist Tan wouldn’t be able to find,” Shu Xin replied calmly.
She liked men who were handsome, wealthy, devoted, generous, and not miserly. They also couldn’t bully the weak and had to possess sound morals.
“If you don’t have one favorite, then ten you merely like will do as well.” Tan Wanyan was not angered. Instead, she began sharing her own philosophy. “Beautiful people each have their own charms, and it’s difficult to find the one you truly prefer. In that case, finding several whom you like well enough is no worse than finding the single best one.”
If Tan Wanyan had not practiced the evil art of harvesting yang to supplement yin, and if she were not a demon who had no idea how many innocent cultivators she had drained to death, Shu Xin might genuinely have wanted to sit down and discuss the subject with her.
What a pity.
I’ll make a note of it for now. If I get the chance, I’ll use her to cleanse your blade as well.
Shu Xin said nothing more.
Elder Hu assumed that Shu Xin simply had no interest in the topic. He therefore bade Tan Wanyan farewell and took Shu Xin to meet the remaining three cultivators.
One was a burly man named Zhuang Lu. Contrary to his rough appearance, he was exceptionally skilled in the use of poison—and for many of the poisons he used, he did not even possess the antidote himself.
Another was a cultivator dressed in Buddhist robes, an abandoned disciple of the Buddhist path who called himself Monk Jiezao.
Finally, Elder Hu brought Shu Xin to the door of a young scholar.
“Fellow Daoist Fan, are you there?” Elder Hu had not expected someone’s door to be tightly shut in broad daylight. He had no choice but to call out loudly from outside.
Only after quite some time did someone inside respond.
“I’m here.”
When the door opened, they saw the young scholar holding a female cultivator in revealing clothing in his arms.
“Haha, so it’s Elder Hu. My apologies, I was studying the arts of the bedchamber.” The young scholar waved a folding fan in his hand. “What brings you here, Elder Hu? And isn’t this Fellow Daoist Lin?”
“Ahem. This is Fan Jia’an, Fellow Daoist Fan.” Elder Hu was somewhat embarrassed as well. He had not expected to encounter a scene like this while introducing Shu Xin to the others.
Couldn’t they have waited until nighttime to do this sort of thing?
“Dao Lord Fan, this servant is feeling rather shy.” The female cultivator nestled further into Fan Jia’an’s arms, seemingly unwilling to meet anyone.
“Then we won’t disturb you.” Elder Hu also felt awkward and hurriedly led Shu Xin away.
“Ahem. Fellow Daoist Fan is young, after all. He only reached the Dao Nascent stage recently, so he can be somewhat reckless. However, he is quite renowned among wandering cultivators, and there is no doubt about his strength,” Elder Hu said earnestly.
Among the eight Dao Nascent cultivators recruited, if they were ranked according to their publicly known cultivation levels, Monk Jiezao and Tan Wanyan were the strongest, both at the late Dao Nascent stage. Shu Xin, Qu Yougu, and Zhuang Lu were at the middle Dao Nascent stage. Fan Jia’an, along with the two senior and junior brothers, Wang Zhou and Wang Quan, who had pledged themselves to the Hu family and officially become its guest elders, were at the early Dao Nascent stage.
In an actual fight, however, Elder Hu estimated that Shu Xin and Qu Yougu would probably be the strongest. After all, they were young and came from excellent backgrounds. They were far superior to Tan Wanyan, whose lifespan was nearing its end, and Monk Jiezao, whose cultivation method imposed certain limitations.
“Not at all. I should be thanking you, Elder Hu,” Shu Xin said with a smile. “Knowing the strength of our companions gives me much more confidence in this escort mission.”
“Haha, it’s best if I can be of help to Fellow Daoist Lin.” Elder Hu was delighted as well.
[It’s confirmed. That’s Fan Jia’an.] the Sword Spirit said decisively.
“Yes, it’s him.” Shu Xin was certain as well. “Earlier, he released his divine sense to ambush Cao Ru and the others, and I directly struck back at him. His divine sense must have been damaged. Since he was cultivating in his room during the day, he must have been trying to recover his divine sense as quickly as possible. That’s why he took so long to come out.”
Little did they know that Shu Xin was not at the Dao Infant stage at all, but in the Grotto Heaven Realm. Even though she had only made contact with Fan Jia'an's spiritual sense, she was still able to find traces of something amiss on him.
“It's good that we've identified our opponent.” Shu Xin smiled. “Come to think of it, I haven't cleansed your sword since leaving the Longevity Dao Sect. I suppose we'll start with this Fan Jia'an.”
When it came to enemies who dared to attack her, Shu Xin had always believed in eliminating them as soon as possible, lest they grow into a serious threat.
Meanwhile.
After seeing Shu Xin and Elder Hu off, Fan Jia'an shut the door heavily behind them.
“Young Master.” The female cultivator who had just been nestled in Fan Jia'an's arms knelt on the floor. “Did that Dao Lord Lin discover something?”
“She was here to test me.” Fan Jia'an's expression was grim. He coughed twice, a trace of blood still staining the corner of his mouth.
He had never expected that a mere probing attempt would bring him such trouble.
Moreover, that female cultivator surnamed Lin possessed an astonishingly powerful spiritual sense. She had injured him with nothing more than a single exchange.
She was at least in the late Dao Infant stage—she was definitely not at the mid Dao Infant stage she had displayed.
“Go back and tell Father to investigate this female cultivator's background thoroughly. If nothing can be found, then find a way to eliminate her before we make our move.” Fan Jia'an replied solemnly, “I have a feeling that this female cultivator may become our greatest rival in obtaining the Blood Bodhi Little Purple Sandalwood.”
“Yes.”
Shu Xin returned to her room. The five disciples and servants were still seriously arranging formations and checking for hidden mechanisms.
It seemed their previous practical experience had worked a little too well.
“Relax, relax. If you keep looking so tense, people will be frightened the moment they see you.” Shu Xin hurriedly advised them. “If you really don't know how to put on an act, just keep a straight face. Don't let anyone figure out what you're thinking.”
Wouldn't it be even more troublesome if they wore such mournful, vengeful expressions that their enemies were scared off at first sight?
“If you don't stop this, won't the entire journey be utterly boring?”
She had been hoping for some foolhardy opponent to come along and help her cleanse her sword.
“How about this? Let's have a competition.” Shu Xin's eyes shifted as she immediately came up with an excellent idea.
“Other than me, there are seven Dao Infant cultivators aboard this flying vessel.” Shu Xin smiled. “The five of you can join forces, choose any one of those Dao Infant cultivators, and find a way to stay by their side for an entire day without being discovered. As for me, I promise not to use cultivation beyond the Core Formation stage. I'll also infiltrate their group at random.”
“Think about it. There are five of you, and any one of you succeeding counts as a victory. There's only one of me. Without using cultivation or magical artifacts, do you dare play against me?”
Cao Ru and the others' eyes lit up when they heard of this novel game.
They managed to maintain a semblance of composure, however, and deliberately asked, “Are there any restrictions on this game? And what do we get if we win?”
“The time limit is until the flying vessel docks on land.” Shu Xin answered with a smile. “Whoever wins, I'll reward you with a thousand spirit stones. You can divide them however you like.”
A thousand spirit stones?
The grand senior sister would only earn a thousand spirit stones for this entire mission!
Such an enormous sum made Cao Ru and the others fidget with anticipation.
“Then... what if we lose?” They were still somewhat afraid of their grand senior sister.
“If you lose...” Shu Xin pondered. “Hmm, I haven't thought of anything yet. When the time comes, you can just agree to one request from me.”
After thinking it over, they accepted.
In any case, whenever they were away from home, they had to listen to their grand senior sister.
It was obvious that she was going easy on them.
“Then the game can begin now.” Shu Xin pointed toward the door. “Don't worry, I keep my word. You can go back and discuss your strategy.”
The five of them were successfully distracted. They immediately put aside what they were doing and hurried out.
【You really don't feel embarrassed bullying them?】the Sword Spirit asked, utterly shocked.
“Half and half. On the one hand, I'm trying to add some fun to this boring trip. On the other, I need to get them out of the way. If they keep following me around, how am I supposed to help you cleanse your sword?” Shu Xin rolled her eyes. “Give them something to do, and they'll shift their attention.”
【Oh, oh! Are we finally going to make a big move? Who do we start with? Fan Jia'an, right?】The Sword Spirit rubbed its hands together eagerly.
“If we attack him directly on the flying vessel, are you trying to make sure I get discovered?” Shu Xin tapped the sword. “A rabbit doesn't eat the grass beside its burrow. It's not the right time to deal with that Fan fellow. Let's do something else first and stir up the situation. The Hu family hired so many bodyguards. Unless they have money to burn, why would they do that without sensing some kind of danger? We don't know where the real enemy is hiding, but that doesn't stop us from going out and catching a few fish first.”
A cunning smile familiar to the Sword Spirit spread across Shu Xin's face.
That scheming Shu Xin was back!
Lately, she had spent every day looking after children and had nearly forgotten that she was not a respectable person at all.
The Hu family's flying vessel had been specially purchased from a major sect. Not only was it engraved with all kinds of formations, it was also equipped with various talismans. Even a cultivator in the Immaculate Realm would not be able to break through the vessel's defenses within a few days.
In addition, the Hu family had invited two Grotto Heaven Realms to personally guard the Blood Bodhi Little Purple Sandalwood. It could be said that they had taken their security measures to the utmost extreme.
Even so, there were still plenty of people who wanted to come and snatch the spirit herb.
To the Myriad Dao Sect, the herb was precious, but not absolutely unique. That was merely from the Myriad Dao Sect's point of view.
To other, slightly weaker sects and factions, however, this spirit herb was enough to elevate them to an entirely higher level.
If the Myriad Dao Sect was willing to give the Hu family an opportunity because of this herb, why couldn't it give other forces the same opportunity?
Who didn't have someone with connections to the Myriad Dao Sect?
As long as the final outcome was satisfactory, the Myriad Dao Sect would not care whether the spirit herb was delivered by the Hu family or someone else.
Ultimately, the symbolic significance of the Blood Bodhi Little Purple Sandalwood went far beyond that of a mere spirit herb. It represented an opportunity to do business with a top-tier sect.
Therefore, even though the Hu family's flying vessel was equipped to such an extent, the Hu family members remained extremely vigilant, not daring to relax for even an instant.
“Elder, look! Someone is blocking the way ahead!”
Several Core Formation cultivators patrolling the deck of the flying vessel noticed the anomaly and immediately reported it to the Hu family elder.
Ahead of the flying ship’s route stood a cultivator in a cloak and mask, dressed entirely in black robes, making it impossible to tell whether they were male or female.
Countless streams of baleful energy coiled around the figure, accompanied by billowing black smoke. Even from this distance, the thick stench of blood was unmistakable.
And there was no doubt that this person’s cultivation had reached the Grotto-Heaven Realm!
A Grotto-Heaven True Person?
Elder Hu’s expression changed. “Raise the formation at once and notify the two True Persons.”
The few Core Formation cultivators on patrol did not dare take the matter lightly after hearing Elder Hu’s order.
What difference was there between Core Formation cultivators like them facing a Grotto-Heaven True Person and throwing themselves into a dish for someone to eat?
For a payment of only a few hundred spirit stones, there was no need to risk their lives fighting a Grotto-Heaven True Person.
“This senior, I am Hu De, an elder of the Hu Clan.” Elder Hu cupped his hands, and with a wave of his hand, several storage bags appeared before him.
“I will not ask your name, nor where you come from. I only hope that you will not make an enemy of my Hu Clan and will simply step aside. These storage bags contain a token of our goodwill, and we are willing to offer them to you with both hands.” Elder Hu understood the principle of courtesy before force. If a few small gifts could avert a battle, that would naturally be for the best.
But if a fight was truly unavoidable, the Hu Clan would not back down either!
“I’ve heard that your Hu Clan possesses a method for secretly cultivating spirit herbs.” The black-robed cultivator’s voice was extraordinarily neutral, making it impossible to distinguish their gender. “I have no need for your Blood Pupil Little Purple Sandalwood. I merely wish to borrow a look at the method you use to cultivate spirit herbs.”
“Senior, please do not listen to the rumors spread by petty villains!” Elder Hu immediately retorted. “If our Hu Clan possessed such an earth-shaking method, we would have presented it to the Myriad Dao Sect long ago in exchange for their protection. We understand perfectly well that excess invites disaster. Our Hu Clan merely raises some treasure-seeking rats, which gives us a bit of luck when searching for spirit herbs. Even so, finding this Blood Pupil Little Purple Sandalwood took our clan several hundred years. This method is absolutely not something that can be mastered overnight, nor by the efforts of a single person. If Senior does not believe me, I can swear an oath to Heaven. There is not a word of falsehood in what I have said.”
“Is that so? But those people did not say the same thing.” The black-robed person let out a sinister cackle. “Whether it is true or false, I will know after taking a look myself.”
With that, the black-robed person flew forward and struck the flying ship’s defensive formation with a single punch.
The defensive formation abruptly flashed with thousands of rays of light, forming an invisible protective net that completely dispersed the fierce attack.
Even so, the flying ship itself trembled slightly.
“There is a Grotto-Heaven cultivator outside. All of you are to remain in your rooms and refrain from moving about. Anyone who violates this order will be treated as a traitor.” A booming voice rang out across the flying ship, clearly coming from one of the two Grotto-Heaven True Persons.
Before long, a female cultivator slowly stepped out from within the flying ship.
She was dressed in extremely magnificent robes, yet even they could not conceal her beauty. Instead, they set off her face, lovely as peach blossoms, making her seem even more like a celestial goddess. Every step and gesture she made seemed to carry a strange, captivating rhythm.
“Yuan Xinmei of the Myriad Dao Sect greets Fellow Daoist.” Yuan Xinmei’s voice was clear and sweet, like an oriole’s song.
“So the Hu Clan really did invite an impressive figure.” The black-robed cultivator laughed loudly. “But do you think I am the only one coveting your secret method? Let me tell you, there are plenty of others. Among this group of yours, there are also quite a few inside agents. Be that as it may, this old man will withdraw for now. Once your internal troubles and external enemies have thrown everything into chaos, I will return. Hahahaha!”
Having said that, the black-robed cultivator burst into loud laughter and flew away without confronting Yuan Xinmei.
“Revered Patron Yuan, are we really going to let that person leave?” Elder Hu asked, clearly unwilling to accept the outcome.
“My senior brother is guarding the Blood Pupil Little Purple Sandalwood.” Yuan Xinmei did not even spare Elder Hu a glance. “If we can avoid fighting, then we should. That person is a demonic cultivator, and their methods are bizarre and unpredictable. If I fought them, it would be difficult for me to retreat unscathed. Should I be injured, my senior brother would be the only one left to guard the spirit herb. Are you certain you wish to face that situation?”
“...Revered Patron Yuan has considered the matter thoroughly.” Elder Hu knew that this Grotto-Heaven True Person had come only because of the reputation of the Myriad Dao Sect. It was impossible to expect her to obey the Hu Clan’s every command.
Unless they faced a life-or-death crisis, why would she act?
Still, the words spoken by the black-robed person before leaving stirred waves in Elder Hu’s heart.
Were there really so many spies aboard the flying ship?
It seemed necessary to conduct a thorough purge from top to bottom.
Inside the flying ship, Fan Jia’an’s room was littered with shattered objects.
“What idiot went and pulled a stunt like that, alerting everyone?” Fan Jia’an’s expression was as ugly as it could be.
He had originally been able to communicate secretly with his family through the maidservant. But the Hu Clan had immediately increased the defensive formation’s level, preventing him from sending any messages at all.
“Could it be one of my family’s rivals?” The timing was far too coincidental. Clearly, someone had shown up specifically to ruin the Fan Clan’s plans.
Grotto-Heaven True Persons were not cabbages growing in a field. What ordinary faction could dispatch one so easily?
It seemed he would have to speed things up as well and join forces with his family as soon as possible, acting from both within and without.
At the same time, in Shu Xin’s room—
She had already destroyed all traces of her clothing. With the Sword Spirit’s help in concealing her aura, she had quietly returned to her room.
Even in the Longevity Dao Sect, she had repeatedly relied on the Sword Spirit’s abilities to escape back to the prison in the lake without being discovered. A mere flying ship belonging to the Hu Clan was naturally nothing to her.
“Hahaha! After you provoked them like that, all those people lurking beneath the surface will have to find a way to reveal themselves.”
The Sword Spirit simply adored Shu Xin’s habit of making trouble even at her own expense.
With Shu Xin stirring things up, the Hu Clan would inevitably tighten its surveillance of everyone aboard the flying ship. That would place severe restrictions on anything Fan Jia’an wanted to do.
The factions eyeing the Hu Clan covetously would also be left wondering which family had sent a Grotto-Heaven cultivator to make such a foolish move—deliberately alerting the enemy and even exposing the existence of inside agents.
Who could have guessed that this was merely a certain Grotto-Heaven cultivator with nothing better to do, intentionally muddying the waters?
As for whether there really were any inside agents, Shu Xin did not care. She had merely said it casually. How others chose to believe her, and what they chose to do about it, had nothing to do with her.
All she needed to do was watch the spectacle and enjoy the chaos.
“It was nothing. I simply couldn’t stand how slowly they were handling things. They were wasting my time. If they want to make their move, they should hurry up—I’m too lazy to wait.” Shu Xin felt that she was becoming more and more convincing in her role as a villain. “Do you think my appearance and acting just now have improved again?”
“That goes without saying. Even if a genuine demonic cultivator had shown up, after seeing your entrance and performance, they would have wondered whether you were one of their own,” the Sword Spirit replied.
“Flattery will get you everywhere. You deserve some of the credit too.”
“I wouldn’t dare. Your acting was the real achievement.”
“Hahahahahaha!”
One person and one sword continued praising each other, having a wonderful time.
