Free Web NovelChapter 101: Chapter 101: Cannot Fight, Can Only Outwit
"Stop stalling. I’m telling you, don’t even think about trying any tricks! We’re inside the Marketplace, and there are a lot of Foundation Establishment Cultivators around. If you’re planning on causing trouble in here, you’ve really picked the wrong place!"
Hearing Leng Qingqiu’s words, Jiang Xu had no choice but to suppress his thoughts for the time being.
"Senior Sister Leng, can I go with the next group? Weren’t there another batch of Loose Cultivators supposed to go?"
"Cut the crap. What do you think I came here for? You’re coming with me!"
Jiang Xu fought the urge to curse her out, but he could only follow her out of the Marketplace.
...
’Can I even deal with her with my current abilities?’
As Jiang Xu walked out of the Marketplace with Leng Qingqiu, he thought to himself:
’I just entered the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, but she’s been at her level for years. Plus, she has all sorts of trump cards from her Golden Core great-grandfather. In a direct confrontation, I’m definitely no match for her. Even with a sneak attack, I might not be able to finish her off.
’And even if I got lucky and managed to kill her, I’d end up being hunted down by a Golden Core expert. It’s just not worth the risk.
’But I’m absolutely not going into that Secret Realm... So, if I want to escape, I’ll have to rely on my own wits, not brute force.’
Leng Qingqiu piloted a Flying Shuttle and had Jiang Xu get on as well. With one in the front and one in the back, they set off.
Jiang Xu was lost in thought along the way. Finally, he turned and asked Leng Qingqiu:
"Senior Sister Leng, what’s the situation in the Secret Realm now? I heard the Tier Three Independent Practitioner Array Master they hired is supposed to be very impressive."
Seeing that they were far from the Marketplace, Leng Qingqiu let out a sigh of relief, and her expression softened considerably.
She responded casually to Jiang Xu’s question:
"That’s right. The outer Restriction of the Secret Realm is a Tier Three Linked Array, with one layer connected to the next. You can’t make a single mistake, or the entire Tier Three Grand Array will activate and the whole Secret Realm will self-destruct. That’s why our Profound Origin Sect’s Array Masters haven’t dared to act rashly for the past few months.
"But I heard that the specialty of the hired Loose Cultivator is breaking these kinds of Chain Arrays. That’s why progress has suddenly become so fast."
"I heard the place we’re going to is the clan grounds of an Ancient Cultivation Clan. What’s inside?"
"In the outer area, I heard there are just some small Spirit Veins, some Spirit Fields, and places where branch family members and outsiders lived. The rewards are mostly things for the Qi Cultivation Realm, with a few for the Foundation Establishment Stage.
"Once you get to the Inner Area, there should be places like a Spirit Medicine Garden, a Spirit Beast Garden, an Alchemy Room, and a Scripture Pavilion.
"As for the core, that’s all just speculation. Not even that Array Master knows for sure what’s inside, but one thing is certain: there are definitely treasures."
Jiang Xu looked thoughtful, then asked abruptly:
"So, Senior Sister Leng, what’s your relationship with Senior Sister Yu?" ƒreewebɳovel.com
"Sigh, it’s just that I’ve always liked her..."
The words slipped out before Leng Qingqiu could stop them, and she froze.
"You... you... what are you talking about?! I have no relationship with Yu Wenfeng! We’re just fellow apprentices, senior and junior!!!"
"I never mentioned the name Yu Wenfeng."
Jiang Xu had finally confirmed his suspicions.
So that was it. The senior sister before him had... unconventional tastes.
If that was the case, then everything made sense.
Including the way Leng Qingqiu had mocked Yu Wenfeng when they first met; it was because she saw Yu Wenfeng exchange a few extra words with Jiang Xu, so she got jealous.
Then, Jiang Xu being transferred away from the Sect—that was Leng Qingqiu getting jealous again after seeing Yu Wenfeng talk to Jiang Xu a few more times. She had him transferred immediately so he could no longer have any contact with Yu Wenfeng.
The reason Yu Wenfeng came to the Marketplace later was that Leng Qingqiu had heard the news that Jiang Xu had been killed. Only then did she feel safe letting her come, because Leng Qingqiu herself was also heading to the Marketplace soon.
But then Jiang Xu unexpectedly showed up in the Marketplace unharmed, and Leng Qingqiu happened to walk in on the two of them together. That was the last straw. She immediately used her authority to transfer Jiang Xu away from Yu Wenfeng’s location again.
And just to be safe, she’d "tethered" Jiang Xu to herself to prevent him from secretly running off to see Yu Wenfeng.
’Did Leng Qingqiu fall for the tall and very hot Yu Wenfeng because the Youthful Appearance Pill stunted her growth, leaving her small-bodied? I’ve heard people always desire what they don’t have.’ Of course, Jiang Xu didn’t say this out loud; he was just mocking her in his head.
"Just say it. What do you want? What will it take for you to forget this?"
Leng Qingqiu was trying her best to appear calm.
In the Cultivation Realm, while such matters weren’t taken extremely seriously, they could still cause a lot of gossip.
Most importantly, it would reflect very poorly on her great-grandfather.
"Forget this? No, no, no! I deeply admire and support your courage to defy the mundane views of the world and pursue true love. I think it would be a real shame to forget something like this!"
Jiang Xu answered with a completely straight face, his tone even sounding passionate and righteous.
This actually left Leng Qingqiu completely stunned.
She had never seen anyone express support for something like this before.
"Are you telling the truth? If you dare lie to me..."
"Senior Sister Leng, how can you say that? It’s clear you don’t know me. When have I, Jiang Xu, ever lied to anyone? Every word I say comes straight from the heart!
"The world’s opinions are meaningless. I think you, Senior Sister, have no need to care about what others think. Whose life are you living? Are they living it for you?
"I think you and Senior Sister Yu are a perfect match, like how a fish cannot live without water, or a plant without soil!"
Leng Qingqiu was shocked.
Her small face was filled with emotion, her eyes sparkling.
"Well said! Junior Brother, you’ve said it well! When I, Leng Qingqiu, do things, why should I ever have to explain myself to others! Who the hell does the world think it is to interfere with me?!"
After saying this, Leng Qingqiu laughed, jumped up, and clapped Jiang Xu on the shoulder.
"Good lad! I originally thought you were just some toad trying to eat a swan, but I didn’t expect you to be so sensible!"
Jiang Xu smiled and then asked:
"By the way, Senior Sister Leng, did you say goodbye to Senior Sister Yu when you left the Marketplace?"
"I said goodbye, but I just used a Sound Transmission Talisman. What’s wrong? Is there a problem?" she asked, a little confused.
Jiang Xu sighed in exasperation, looking at her with a sense of profound disappointment.
"Senior Sister, oh, Senior Sister. We don’t know how long we’ll be gone. How could you just send a Sound Transmission Talisman? For something this important, you should have said goodbye in person.
"Let me tell you, if you want a harmonious relationship with your Dao companion, you have to make her feel that you truly value her. You have to treat her as someone special! That’s how your feelings for each other will deepen!
"Think about it. Do you rarely make her feel the warmth of being loved through the small details?"
Jiang Xu’s words struck her like a clap of thunder, freezing her Magical Power fluctuations on the spot.
She asked eagerly:
"Yes, yes, you’re right! So what should I do to make up for it?"
"You don’t even get that? You have to start right now! Hurry back, give Senior Sister Yu a proper goodbye, and make sure she feels thoroughly loved before you return! I’ll wait for you here!"
Leng Qingqiu’s eyes lit up. She immediately abandoned Jiang Xu and flew back toward the Marketplace.
Left behind, Jiang Xu watched Leng Qingqiu’s receding figure, the corners of his mouth twitching uncontrollably upwards into a grin.
’Little girl! Even if you’re over forty, you’re still just a little girl! I haven’t even brought out the big guns yet, and you’re already tricked. Sigh, life is so lonely. It’s cold at the top.
’No good, I have to get out of here. She’ll be back soon. What’s so great about some stupid Secret Realm, anyway? It’s dangerous, too. I really don’t get what goes through the minds of people who are dying to get in.’
Jiang Xu shook his head, picked a direction leading far away from the Profound Origin Sect, and headed off into the distance.
