Chapter 344: A Smooth Journey on the Yellow Springs Road

Fang Chen knew that when Jue Wudi said that he’d have them ‘ask Xia Ji for an explanation,’ he meant that he’d have the Lin Family Head kill Xia Ji.

The fact that Jue Wudi could manipulate the Lin Family Head into doing what he wanted showed that the influence of the Jue Family in the outer city was deeper than how it seemed to be.

Fang Lingxing seemed concerned. "Big Brother Jue, what about the Lin Family Head...? Will he be willing to antagonize Master Chanyuan?"

"I'm already aware of what happened down at the Immortal Origin District. Fang Chen and Xia Ji crippled Lin Yu's legs. This is a thorn in the Lin Family Head’s heart. We might not be able to do anything to Fang Chen right now, but who says we can’t touch Xia Ji?" Jue Wudi sighed softly. "If we’re meticulous enough in how we approach this, Master Chanyuan won't know a thing."

Fang Lingxing was feeling guilty and said, "Big Brother Jue, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't have to go against your will to make such a decision."

She had initially planned to do something behind the scenes for Jue Wudi, so he wouldn't have to get his hands dirty. But now, it seemed Jue Wudi had to intervene to help her resolve the trouble.

"Lingxing, sometimes, we have to make choices and sacrifices," said Jue Wudi softly. "As long as we know that our choices and sacrifices are right, there will be no need for regrets!" Pausing for a moment, he continued, "In the Immortal Origin District, Fang Chen obtained a mid-grade spirit stone and received ten thousand low-grade spirit stones from your Fang Family ancestor. It’s a considerable number of spirit stones. If you give such an amount away, it might put a dent in the foundations of your family. You can inform your father and your family Head to find a way to keep the spirit stones."

Fang Lingxing nodded slightly. "My father and the family head have already discussed this matter over the last few days. Once the ancestor hands over the spirit stones to Fang Chen, they will find a way to make Fang Chen hand them back himself."

Fang Chen grew curious hearing that. He really wanted to know how Fang Mosheng and the family head planned on having him hand back the spirit stones willingly.

"My father said that if these spirit stones were used on me, I would be able to advance to the Foundation Building Realm quickly." Fang Lingxing's face showed a smile. "He has already contacted a Pill Master. Once we have the spirit stones, he will refine Foundation Building Pills for me."

Jue Wudi chuckled. "Foundation Building Pills are quite valuable. It would take seven or eight thousand low-grade spirit stones, right?"

Fang Lingxing giggled and said, "Yes. If I still have more spirit stones, I’ll give them to you!"

Jue Wudi sighed lightly. "You’re always thinking of me...."

Thinking that he had seen enough already, Fang Chen’s divine soul returned to his body. He really wasn’t interested in seeing this lovey-dovey couple’s flirting.

Apart from the third branch of the Fang Family, which had already held their Minor Competition, the various branches started to tighten their security.

𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Foundation Building Realm experts occasionally left the Fang Family. Obviously, Fang Lingxing's encounter with an assassination attempt has alarmed them all.

Once the third branch’s minor competition came to an end, Master Chanyuan was brought away by a Foundation Building Realm expert of the Jue Family.

It was as Jue Wudi had said: “Master Chanyuan wouldn’t be returning to the Profound Void Temple that night.”

"Young Master, Elder Fang Ao sent pills and spirit stones,” said Li Cang softly through the other side of the door. “He mentioned that they’re your reward for the competition.”

Fang Chen's voice sounded. "You keep them."

Li Cang was slightly stunned, and his expression turned incredulous.

There were ten low-grade spirit stones and two Qi Condensing Pills. These were immensely valuable!

Li Cang could feel his throat dry up a little, and he said, "Young... Young Master, I, I didn’t quite catch that just now. This reward..."

Fang Chen's voice rang again. "Keep it,"

Upon hearing what Fang Chen said this time, Li Cang immediately performed a deep bow outside the door, then turned around excitedly and left.

A trace of light seemed to flash in the shadows before it disappeared.

Fang Chen found that walking in the shadows was quite a peculiar feeling. It was as though he was in a completely different space. Despite the hustle and bustle on the streets, no one seemed to notice anything amiss.

Fang Chen successfully left the inner city and made his way to the Profound Void Temple, creeping along the shadows.

Sitting in the shade of a large rock, he waited patiently.

"Senior Sister, it seems like Master won't be coming back today," said Xia Ji to Wu Ruochou, who was beside him, as he noticed that the sky was darkening, and Master Chanyuan hadn’t yet returned back to the temple.

"The cultivators in the capital all hope to glean the essence of the scriptures from master. Whenever they have the chance, they keep him here for discussions." Wu Ruochou smiled. "Do you know about the incident at the Fang Family today?"

Xia Ji nodded with a smile. "Fang Lingxing was attacked. Fang Da and I went to see the excitement."

Wu Ruochou sighed. "I wonder which enemy of hers dared to attack her in front of the Fang Family."

Xia Ji chuckled, "With Fang Lingxing's temperament, she must have countless enemies."

Wu Ruochou suddenly asked, "I remember you mentioned that you had a way to find Senior Liu's whereabouts?"

Xia Ji nodded lightly. "I've already asked someone to look into it. Fang Da gave me some spirit stones to make things easier. I believe it won't be long before we get some news.”

Wu Ruochou sighed softly. Xia Ji had bought her a low-grade, yellow-rank flying sword with twelve Soul Imprints just a while ago.

"You have to repay Young Master Fang for this favor if you ever have the chance," whispered Wu Ruochou gently.

Xia Ji nodded. "Rest assured, Senior Sister. I know."

Just as Wu Ruochou was about to speak, she turned her head toward the foot of the mountain, her brows slightly furrowed. "Someone is scaling the mountain."

"There shouldn’t be any pilgrims at this time, right?" remarked Xia Ji.

Before long, more than ten figures slowly appeared in front of the Profound Void Temple. When the two saw the newcomers, their expressions immediately became solemn and alert.

The leader of the group was none other than the Lin Family Head from the Eighteenth District, who crossed paths with Xia Ji and Fang Chen back in the Immortal Origin District that day.

The people he had with him were at the Qi Refining Realm, with cultivations in the seventh stage and above.

"Senior Lin,” called Xia Ji with clasped hands, “are you here today to offer incense?"

Xia Ji then said, "Let me go and invite my master. Senior Lin, please wait a moment."

"No need, Master Chanyuan is in the inner city right now." The Lin Family Head waved his hand with a smile. "You can't possibly run to the inner city now, can you? Unless absolutely necessary, the gates between the inner and outer cities will not be openned at night."

Xia Ji's expression changed slightly. The Lin Family Head knew that his master wasn't in the Profound Void Temple and yet chose to visit at night. He clearly had an ulterior motive.

Wu Ruochou suddenly spoke up. "Senior Lin, what brings you here?"

The Lin Family Head smiled. "Nothing much, recently your junior brother has been tarnishing Jue Wudi's reputation all over town. I was entrusted by someone to come and discuss this matter with him.”

Wu Ruochou's expression changed. "What does this matter have to do with you?"

"Our clans in the Grand Qian Empire either sides with the Jue Family, the imperial family, or the Fang Family. There aren't many other choices. If possible, I wouldn't want to make a trip over such a trivial matter. Unfortunately, a certain someone crippled my son’s legs. This incident has opened my eyes,” said the Lin Family Head lightly. “If we never stand up for ourselves, we’ll be beaten right outside our doorstep one day.”

Xia Ji suddenly grabbed Wu Ruochou’s shoulder and said, "Senior Sister, this has nothing to do with you. Wait for me in the backyard, I'll have a good chat with Senior Lin.”

Wu Ruochou was perplexed. Did the Lin Family Head really dare to kill them? Wasn’t he afraid of Master Chanyuan acting?

"No need, she can stay here and watch." The Lin Family Head waved his hand, then looked at Xia Ji and smiled, "Master Jue asked me to pass on a message to you: 'A smooth journey on the Yellow Springs Road.' He won't personally see you off."

Wu Ruochou was secretly shocked. Was it really Jue Wudi who sent the Lin Family Head after them? If that was the case, then what Xia Ji had said about Jue Wudi might actually be true.

Jue Wudi was not as magnanimous and selfless as he made himself out to be!