Chapter 109: Su Rongrong

The Baihua Valley master's niece? Xiao Zhangqing's eyebrows twitched slightly at the words.

He didn't know much about the situation in Baihua Valley, only that it was one of the two major Core Formation sects in the Southwest Region of the Da Yu Cultivation World, though its history was not as long as Luoxia Sect's and its foundation not as deep.

But in the past hundred‑plus years, Baihua Valley's reputation, strength, and disciple numbers have all surpassed Luoxia Sect.

As for the valley master of Baihua Valley, Xiao Zhangqing knew even less.

Nanshan Fang, however, has some rumors about her, though it's unclear which are true.

The rumor goes that this woman did not come from an obscure cultivation family; she endured hardship, and after her Earth‑spirit root was detected, she received focused cultivation and rose rapidly.

At that time, it wasn't only Baihua Valley that coveted her; rumor had it that Xingyue Palace, one of the two major Nascent Soul forces in Da Yu, also extended an olive branch, with a Core Formation elder willing to take her as a direct disciple.

In the end, she chose the much weaker Baihua Valley.

She later proved her choice wasn't wrong; the previous valley master personally taught her, providing all resources, and her cultivation proceeded smoothly, reaching a Golden Core before turning a hundred.

Moreover, her Golden Core was of excellent quality; both strength and cultivation surpassed Luoxia Sect's master Lu Daoming, and rumors say she may already be at mid Core Formation.

Beyond talent, being able to become valley master of Baihua Valley—the most handsome sect in Da Yu—her appearance needs no further comment.

She is rumored in the community to be one of the most admired immortals in Da Yu, and even the junior master of Xingyue Palace, with a Tian‑spirit root, is said to have fallen for her and pursued her fiercely.

However, Baihua Valley has always opposed romantic relationships, especially for those seeking advancement, who must remain chaste.

Thus, once she became valley master, her suitors were doomed to regret, with no hope left.

Regarding the valley master's rumors, Xiao Zhangqing only knew these well‑known facts; he had never heard anything about her niece.

"The valley master's niece is named Su Rongrong. Not only is she prominent due to her uncle's status, but her own talent and cultivation are remarkable; she is now at mid Foundation Establishment. Moreover, a sect elite like her, even if also at mid Foundation Establishment, is far beyond what the Cao family head can compare to…" Ruan Qingzhu slowly relayed the information.

Xiao Zhangqing didn't really care about Su Rongrong's cultivation and strength.

Su Rongrong is an elite of the Core Formation Sect; was Gong Wansheng not an elite back then?

To him, there's no distinction among elites!

"But since her status and cultivation are unusual, why did she come to Nanshan Fang? Baibao Lou—or rather Nanshan Fang—must have something important that makes Baihua Valley value it so highly?"

That's the part Xiao Zhangqing couldn't figure out.

If Baihua Valley were dissatisfied with Ruan Qingzhu and wanted a replacement, they'd only need to send a Foundation Establishment Initial Stage elder with little potential.

Just as after Shopkeeper Hong left, Lingfu Pavilion assigned the Foundation Establishment Initial Stage elder Zhou Changkong to take over.

Ruan Qingzhu shook his head, indicating he didn't know.

After a pause, she added, "If Symbol Master Xiao wants specific details, perhaps you could ask the Cao family head."

Xiao Zhangqing was surprised and asked, "Why? Does the Cao family head know a lot about Baihua Valley?"

Ruan Qingzhu explained, "He didn't know before. But after Senior Su arrived at Nanshan Fang, besides managing Baibao Lou, the bulk of her activities involved dealing with the Cao family…"

Now Xiao Zhangqing became even more curious.

Not only the matter of handling Symbol Master Zhu's posthumous affairs, but also to find out what medicines the Baihua Valley gourd actually sells.

He still resides in Nanshan Fang and doesn't want any sudden events to catch him off guard.

Thus, after the memorial for Symbol Master Zhu, Xiao Zhangqing returned to Nanshan Fang and went straight to the Cao family.

What an unlucky coincidence.

When Xiao Zhangqing arrived at the Cao family, Su Rongrong happened to be visiting Cao Hao.

Upon Xiao Zhangqing's arrival, Cao Hao naturally didn't dare delay him or keep him waiting in a side hall. Yet Su Rongrong clung on, refusing to leave; hearing that Xiao had come, she showed noticeable interest, saying she'd also like to see him.

Cao Hao, helpless, could only make the introduction.

"Xiao… Symbol Master," Cao Hao began, seeing Xiao Zhangqing and instinctively trying to call him Senior Xiao, but Xiao stopped him with a glance, prompting him to quickly correct, "Let me introduce you: this is Su Rongrong, Dao Companion from Baihua Valley."

Xiao Zhangqing hadn't expected such a coincidence; he had come to query Cao Hao about Su Rongrong, only to meet her directly.

A thought flashed, and Xiao Zhangqing decided not to beat around the bush; after nodding in greeting, he said, "I just finished the memorial for Symbol Master Zhu and was just hearing Su's name, and suddenly I see you."

"Symbol Master Zhu? You mean the first‑rank alchemist Zhu Youlong whose lifespan ran out? A Qi Refining Realm cultivator. After his death, you, Dao Companion Xiao, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, still go to worship him? I suppose Zhu must feel great honor after death." Su Rongrong's bright eyes scanned Xiao Zhangqing as she said cheerfully.

Su Rongrong wore a green outfit, her features like a painting, figure slender, appearance and temperament top‑notch, yet she exuded a heroic aura.

Moreover, because of her noble status, she carried a slightly aloof attitude, giving an impression of sharpness.

"I first met Symbol Master Zhu back when I was still in the Qi Refining Realm and became friends. After his passing, it's natural for me to mourn him." After a brief explanation, Xiao Zhangqing asked, "I heard Dao Companion Su collected all of Zhu's inheritance under Baibao Lou's name. But you might not know that Zhu wasn't a Baibao Lou member; he only had a partnership. His inheritance was already allocated before his death. Could a portion be assigned to his servants?"

Su Rongrong's demeanor toward Xiao Zhangqing was initially amicable; upon hearing this, her two long, arched eyebrows lifted, making her look even more spirited, and she coldly said, "Dao Companion Xiao, do you think I acted wrongly? Are you questioning me?"

"That's not really a question, is it? I'm just explaining the background to Dao Companion Su." Xiao Zhangqing replied calmly.

"This is a matter of Baihua Valley; why should you explain it?" Su Rongrong said, displeased.

"I just said Symbol Master Zhu wasn't from Baihua Valley; his inheritance has nothing to do with it." Xiao Zhangqing retorted without wavering.

"How dare you!" Su Rongrong slammed the table, shouting, "That Zhu Youlong, having that filthy affair with our unworthy disciple Ruan Qingzhu, still dares to say it has nothing to do with Baihua Valley? It's just that he was lucky to die early; had he lived longer, I would have made sure his death was even more unsettling!"

Xiao Zhangqing was momentarily stunned, not frightened but finding it absurd, and laughed helplessly, "Symbol Master Zhu and Shopkeeper Ruan have a clean relationship, just friends, with nothing crossing any line. Dao Companion Su, perhaps you've misunderstood?"

It's not that Zhu Youlong and Ruan Qingzhu's relationship is pure; nothing actually happened, it was just Zhu's one‑sided pursuit.

Even if something did occur, there's no need for such a furious outburst, right?

"Misunderstanding? Even if everything I've heard is false, what about the fact that after Zhu Youlong died, most of his inheritance went to Ruan Qingzhu—how do you explain that? And you still claim those two are innocent? I don't even want to bring it up; just mentioning it makes me sick!" Su Rongrong said with hatred and disgust.

"Misunderstanding? Even if what I heard is false, how do you explain that after Zhu Youlong's death, most of his inheritance went to Ruan Qingzhu? Yet you claim they're pure? I'm too disgusted to even mention it!" Su Rongrong said with hatred and contempt.

Xiao Zhangqing felt speechless; what was this woman's odd vibe? He'd heard Baihua Valley's rules discourage disciples from romantic talk, but not to this level of hostility. It seemed less a sect rule and more personal aversion.

"Symbol Master Zhu had no disciples or heirs; most of his inheritance went to his best friend. So what? Must it be the relationship you claim? Dao Companion Su, have you ever heard the saying that a person's own nature influences how they subconsciously judge others?" Xiao Zhangqing said pointedly.

"Scoundrel! How dare you insult me! Looking for death? No one from Luoxia Sect dares to speak like that about me!" Su Rongrong fumed, ready to strike.

Su Rongrong, seeing this, suppressed part of her fury and sneered, "I've heard of your deeds—back then you teamed up with Gong Wansheng to slay the half‑evil Mu Renjie, your Soul Transformation was strong, and you even mastered the secret art of divine perception... That's the confidence that lets you face me without fear, right? Let me give you a piece of advice: the Cultivation World realms are the foundation of everything; don't think a powerful Soul Transformation makes you that impressive! If it weren't for the fact that you resisted the Evil Cultivator back then and earned some merit, you'd already be dead! Today I'll give you a lesson so you learn some rules and know how to speak properly!"

Seeing this, Su Rongrong suppressed some of her fury and sneered, "I've heard of your deeds; you once teamed with Gong Wansheng to slay the half‑evil Mu Renjie, your Soul Transformation was powerful, and you even mastered spiritual insight techniques… Is that why you dare face me without fear? Let me give you a piece of advice: cultivation realms are the foundation of everything; don't think a strong Soul Transformation makes you that great! If it weren't for your contributions in repelling the evil cultivator back then, you'd already be dead. Today I'll give you a lesson so you learn some manners and how to speak properly!"

As she spoke, Su Rongrong's aura surged, her mid Foundation Establishment foundation as a sect elite outshining even Cao Hao, who is also mid Foundation Establishment, and far stronger than the evil cultivator who once tried to assassinate Xiao Zhangqing.

Moreover, Su Rongrong's eyes flashed with brilliance, a dazzling burst like a hundred flowers blooming, freezing one's spirit and irresistibly drawing them into her world.

Cao Hao, standing nearby, was startled.

【61】 A spiritual insight attack as well? Fortunately Su Rongrong didn't target him; otherwise he might not have been able to resist.

But he is also a veteran; that night when the Evil Cultivator infiltrated Nanshan Fang to assassinate Xiao Zhangqing, he was dragged by Xiao Zhangqing into an illusion as if he had undergone a reincarnation.

Therefore he could roughly tell that Su Rongrong's spiritual attack was decent, even quite strong; at least for a mid‑Foundation Establishment cultivator, it could be called a killer move.

But compared with Xiao Zhangqing's spiritual secret art, it seemed far inferior?

Cao Hao's perception was not wrong.

He saw Su Rongrong confidently employ her spiritual attack, expecting Xiao Zhangqing to fall for it, but found Xiao Zhangqing immovable as a mountain, his Soul Transformation could not be pulled at all.

"Truly extraordinary! Only Foundation Establishment Initial Stage cultivation, and only five short years of foundation? Yet it can match the spiritual strength of many late‑Foundation Establishment practitioners?"

A strange hue appeared on Su Rongrong's face, followed by a cold snort.

Originally she only wanted to display her great power, give Xiao Zhangqing a brief lesson, and let him know her might. But now Xiao Zhangqing's Soul Transformation is stronger than she imagined, so she won't hold back! "Slash!"

Her complexion grew a few shades paler, yet the brilliance in her eyes intensified; a powerful mental pressure shaped into an invisible blade! The 'piercing' edge made even the onlooker Cao Hao feel a mental sting, and his figure hurriedly leapt backward to avoid the center of their mental clash.

Su Rongrong was now using a killing move; once unleashed she could not control it herself, making it hard to show mercy.

She hadn't intended to wound Xiao Zhangqing severely today, but since he still possessed some real skill, she could only leave him gravely injured for a year or two of recuperation!

Su Rongrong was fully confident in this move! She had previously used it to grievously wound a late‑Foundation Establishment enemy, who fled in panic.

The strength of Xiao Zhangqing's Soul Transformation just now was indeed extraordinary, comparable to late‑Foundation Establishment. Yet under her move, even if he didn't die, he would lose a good half of his life! And then…

"Sss, ah!"

Su Rongrong did not see the expected scene of Xiao Zhangqing's grievous wail; instead, her spiritual slash seemed to land on a sea dragon coiled in the water, barely moving it.

At most it could cut off one or two scales—like an ant trying to shake a tree! Her action angered the creature, and the massive sea dragon instinctively swept its tail, slashing toward her.

Su Rongrong let out a harrowing scream, as if her body were pierced, her Soul Transformation crushed and torn! Pain! Too much pain! Blood‑filled tears streamed from her eyes.

"Why so weak?"

Xiao Zhangqing stared at the scene in astonishment; Su Rongrong's spiritual slash had an impressive aura, yet he had not used Dragon Roar Technique or Nightmare Technique, only a reflexive defensive counter.

Then Su Rongrong could no longer hold on.

Fortunately, she shouldn't die; otherwise it would truly be troublesome.

"You… how is this possible? What exactly is your background?" Su Rongrong's spirit wavered, her body shook with it, nearly losing her balance; Xiao Zhangqing's mental counterattack had almost left a scar on her mind, causing her terror.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator could never be this powerful!

Could it be a Golden Core Real Person?!

"Can Zhu Dan Shi's inheritance be redistributed?" Xiao Zhangqing did not answer, but repeated his own earlier question.

Su Rongrong's spiritual perception seared with pain; hearing that, she nearly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

"But… yes!" Su Rongrong gritted her teeth, responding with difficulty.

Although her worldview was twisted and she was accustomed to being arrogant, she was still clever enough to know that recognizing the times makes one a hero.

Facing such an unfathomable opponent, she dared not be defiant.

At the same time, a conspiratorial thought surfaced in her mind: "Luoxia Sect placed such an unfathomable figure in Nanshan Fang, yet handed Nanshan Fang over to our Baihua Valley commander—what purpose? Is this to plant a nail within our Baihua Valley's sphere of influence?"

(End of Chapter)