Chapter 403: My Brother? Eloped?

In the villa's living room.

"Fei Yu and Bu Yu went into seclusion together?"

Wang Xiaomiao calmly nodded, then gave them a slightly teasing smile. "Yup. They did finally become official not too long ago. Senior Sister also recently suffered a bottleneck, which my brother blamed on her spending too much time on her phone. That's why they went off somewhere without internet to cultivate about a year and a half ago.

"I'm guessing they went to the Zhongnan Mountains. He told me that I can't go looking for them with Big Sister until Senior Sister breaks through to the Nascent Soul Realm, though. Why? Are you here on urgent business?"

By the wall, Xi Lian sipped on her jelly and smiled faintly at her three dumbfounded juniors. "If you've got something to say, then out with it. I'm here to help."

Huai Jing intoned Buddha's name. "Well, it's not really urgent. We just haven't been able to contact Fei Yu for a while, so we came to visit."

"On behalf of my brother, thank you for all your concern," Xiaomiao replied politely. "Please, sit down and rest for a bit. I'll brew some tea."

Liu Yunzhi smiled. "No need to trouble yourself, Xiaomiao. Since Fei Yu is in seclusion, we don't have to be worried anymore. He just didn't mention anything about it beforehand."

Shi Qianzhang muttered softly, "Then should we—"

"Let's take our leave." Huai Jing laughed. "What? Do you want Big Sister to cook and drink with you?"

"

Pft.

" Xi Lian rolled her eyes. "You're free to hang around, but if you want to eat, then order takeout yourselves. Don't forget to clean up after."

The three quickly replied that they wouldn't dare. After exchanging a few polite words with Xiaomiao, they hurriedly slipped away.

Huai Jing stepped onto a golden alms bowl, Shi Qianzhang conjured a white crane with talismans, while Liu Yunzhi flew on a treasured sword. In front of the villa, the three rose into the air and headed down toward the town.

Xiaomiao sighed deeply and slumped helplessly onto the sofa. "

Whew!

Finally got through that. I was worried I'd slip up the entire time."

Xi Lian raised her hand. With a gesture, the refrigerator in the kitchen opened. Two bottles of cola floated over.

"They're on good terms with Fei Yu, aren't they? Why not tell them the truth?"

"This matter can cause conflict in the cultivation world. The fewer people who know, the better."

Xiaomiao held the cola calmly, seemingly a little lost in thought. She then lowered her voice. "Buddhist Master Huai Jing is from a Buddhist sect. Buddhism and Daoism already have a competitive relationship. Since the Buddhist sects were also a major arm of the Heavenly Court, they'll definitely want a share of the Moon Palace."

"Most Buddhist cultivators do not have such selfish desires."

"Daoist cultivators also preach detachment from desires, but the moment a treasure appears, conflict becomes inevitable." Xiaomiao sipped on her cola. "Human nature is self-serving. That cannot be avoided."

Xi Lian slightly knitted her brow. "Why are you speaking like some old scholar? Don't forget you're still just a little brat."

"I may be young," Xiaomiao lowered her head to glance at her chest, then rolled her eyes up toward the ceiling, "but I've read plenty of books! Tell me, Big Sister, do you think the great sects, like the Longhu Mountains and Mount Mao, would have no interest in the Moon Palace?"

"Well..." Xi Lian nodded lightly. "Fair point."

"Those three may be my brother's sworn friends, but they are also the most valued disciples of their respective Daoist heritages. They have masters, sects, and maybe even childhood sweethearts. Compared to those ties, friendship is actually the least reliable.

"Besides, we all grew up in modern education. Few would cling to the principles of brotherly loyalty you find in ancient times. Men who live and die for righteousness are rare now."

After taking a large sip of cola, Xiaomiao sighed softly.

"Big Sister, when will Senior Sister return? I miss her."

"What about your brother? Don't you miss him too?"

"Why should I? He'll only make me do homework once he's back!" Xiaomiao winked mischievously at Xi Lian. "Are you free, Big Sister? Take me through the Ashen Forest."

"

Pft.

That low-level dungeon?"

"I'm still low level, you know, and I need transitional gear. I can't even enter high-level dungeons right now."

Xi Lian waved her small hand. "Alright, fine. Let's go! I'll help you clear that little dungeon until it's in ruins. Then I'll get you a few outfits to charm boys your age."

"Come on, Big Sister! I'm not even an adult yet!"

"Then save and use them later. It won't be long, will it?" Xi Lian lectured in a serious tone. "In the game, you'll soon be a charming adult fiend. You need to learn how to make male players spend money for you, fight for you, and give you outfits."

Xiaomiao stuck her tongue out. "Better to rely on myself than anyone else! I'm the younger sister of the fifth strongest cultivator on the Heavenly Rankings!"

"

Heh.

Is that so impressive?"

Amid their playful bickering, Xiaomiao ran barefoot into Xi Lian's private room—the entertainment room.

The villa quieted down again, inside and out. Ever since Xiaomiao had started living without the need for food, few people had come here.

***

Inside a well-kept restaurant in the town at the foot of the mountain, the trio sat at a table full of both vegetarian and meat dishes, their young faces exuding a subtle air of mischief. Three glasses before them were filled with wine.

Sitting across from Huai Jing and Liu Yunzhi, Shi Qianzhang chuckled. "Next time we see Brother Sheng and Fairy Bu Yu, will they already have children?"

Huai Jing glared at him. "Don't talk nonsense, you rascal! You're still so impure even after the Celestial Master locked you up for so long!"

"How am I impure?" Shi Qianzhang straightened his back and puffed out his chest, his lecherous air vanishing for a moment. With solemn righteousness, he declared, "As cultivators, we have to follow the ancient rites. How could we engage in such indecencies?"

Liu Yunzhi nearly choked on his drink. He coughed and glared at Shi Qianzhang in exasperation.

Shi Qianzhang shrugged. He then slumped and sighed, looking dejected. "Now I'm forced to live under disguise... Our forefather master was right. No matter how filthy my heart may be, for the sake of Longhu Mountains' reputation, I have to act the part of a righteous young cultivator who's brimming with vitality and hatred for evil. Otherwise..."

𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Otherwise, what?"

Shi Qianzhang burst into tears as he clutched the wine bottle. "Otherwise, my forefather master will pull out the root of my pure yang and place a seal on me. From then on, I'd have to live as a celibate Daoist, cultivating slowly toward immortality."

Liu Yunzhi and Huai Jing exchanged a glance, then both burst out laughing. One shouted how satisfying this was, while the other praised the Celestial Master's might, drawing curious looks from nearby diners.

The onlookers could only see them move, though. Shi Qianzhang had used a soundproofing talisman that was as effective as a soundproofing formation, preventing others from hearing a word of their conversation.

After joking around for a while, the three turned to serious matters.

Since they could not find the backbone of their little group, the three had no choice but to discuss what they could do to help the Special Investigation Unit. More precisely, they tried to come up with a plan to help the management members they were familiar with, such as Mou Yue and Bulldozer, resolve their current troubles.

"The problem is, we're cultivators. Our sects have strict orders not to interfere with the three special departments." Shi Qianzhang frowned in thought. "What can we do? If Brother Sheng were here, he'd definitely know what to do. There's only so much we can do without him."

"Unlike us, Fei Yu holds considerable influence over the authorities," Huai Jing said. "Didn't you say he's been given a powerful medal? That thing might prove useful."

Liu Yunzhi tapped the table. "Fei Yu was probably the first cultivator to openly stand with the authorities. He even discovered the Fire Sage's revolution early. Back when the authorities were still wary of the cultivation world and had yet to establish clear policies, he proved that righteous cultivators and the government could stand on the same front. That was a pivotal moment for us all. If things go south, we'll have to find him."

Shi Qianzhang asked softly, "Do you think Brother Sheng might have been plotted against?"

Huai Jing and Liu Yunzhi exchanged glances. "Who would even do that?"

"The grand elders." Shi Qianzhang swallowed nervously. "Think about it. Fei Yu is now a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator. Those criminals from a thousand years ago are Tribulation Realm or even Rebirth Realm masters. If they think Brother Sheng is an obstacle to their domination over the cultivation world—

agh

! Why did you kick me? You hit my thigh! You almost hit my—

aaagh!

"

"Stop spouting nonsense!" Huai Jing scolded. "I can't believe I thought you had some real insight. I should've known you were about to say something stupid. What can those criminals even do? The Celestial Master has sealed them. The keys to their release are in the authorities' hands. They can't even step out of their mountain gates!"

Liu Yunzhi nodded slowly. "Calling them criminals isn't even entirely accurate. Back when the flow of primal qi was cut off, they fought the Hidden Earth Sect and broke into the Small Nether Realm out of desperation.

"The immortals of the Small Nether Realm had already destroyed the ones who committed grave sins and stained their hands with the blood of the Hidden Earth Sect's disciples. The grand elders were brought back through the passage beside the Eighteen Levels of Hell. Instead of falling into devilry, they admitted to their wrongdoings. We should still respect them as seniors of the cultivation world."

Shi Qianzhang and Huai Jing tilted their heads in unison.

Liu Yunzhi calmly picked up a stalk of celery with his chopsticks. "That's just my personal opinion."

"By the way, Little Liu, has your sect's grand elder done anything unusual?" Shi Qianzhang asked casually.

"No, our forefather master has simply remained in the mountains cultivating. He may have even broken through another realm. It's hard to explain." Liu Yunzhi sighed. "Enough about that. Let's think about how we can help the investigation unit."

The other two nodded and fell back into thought.

Liu Yunzhi stared at the dishes before him. A faint silver gleam flickered in his eyes, and his lips twitched in the slightest hint of a smile.

***

The Palace of Heavenly Punishment was built as an open structure with no walls. On each of the four sides were sixteen enormous stone pillars. Above stretched a mass of tribulation clouds that never dispersed.

Right under the clouds, at the center of the hall, lay a pool of lightning. Wang Sheng stood inside wearing only a pair of long pants. Bolts of cyan lightning crashed down on him again and again. Each strike made him tremble, yet he never retreated or fell.

On a nearby immortal platform, Yaoyun stood on the hilt of Spiritless, gazing at the sea of clouds outside the palace.

"Yaoyun, use a little more strength. I'm already used to this level of intensity," Wang Sheng lazily instructed, making Yaoyun's lips twitch.

Such awful phrasing...

She swiftly formed hand signs and struck the platform with a flash of immortal light.

Dozens of lightning bolts, each as thick as water buckets, crashed down from the tribulation clouds above Wang Sheng. The palace was filled with brilliance that could be seen across the Small Immortal Realm.