Chapter 132: Tracking

Having heard Jiang Jiyue's theory, the Guest Minister helplessly shook his head.

For the Song family, why bother keeping their word to the tiny Mu family? Their original promise was nothing more than saving face for the Jiang family.

Now the other side hasn't acted openly, only using some covert tricks, which already counts as a great show of face for the Jiang family.

But if Jiang Jiyue refuses to stop and insists that Jiang Canghai step forward, demanding the Song family give an explanation…

Then it's not that the Song family is withholding face from the Jiang family.

It's that the Jiang family is no longer giving the Song family face! At that point, the Song family might not only continue their actions but also become displeased with the Jiang family!

After all, the Jiang family's strength is far inferior to the Song family's.

The Song family ranks within the top three of the ten great families, whereas the Jiang family is a newly risen member of the ten great families, with the shallowest pedigree and foundation, ranking at the bottom.

Being able to give face once is already decent; if they truly fall out, the Jiang family will inevitably be the one to suffer.

Of course, if the Jiang family were strong enough, even the City Lord's residence could intervene, and the Song family would naturally comply.

Not only could they stop retaliating against the Mu family, but even making them apologize to the Mu family isn't impossible!

In the Cultivation World, strength reigns supreme.

Whoever has the bigger fist has the right.

But compared to the Jiang family, the side with the bigger fist is clearly the Song family.

Regarding the Guest Minister's theory, Jiang Jiyue does not agree, so she still went to find her father Jiang Canghai.

What she didn't expect was that last time her father Jiang Canghai barely gave it any thought, agreed to help the Mu family intervene, and make peace with the Song family.

But this time, just as the Guest Minister had surmised, he refused her, saying the Jiang family no longer has any reason to approach the Song family.

"Clearly it's the Song family being two‑faced—one thing in front, another behind. How can there be no reason? Perhaps the Song family head doesn't even know; it's Song Ping'er pulling strings behind the scenes. If the Song family head learns this, maybe everything will be fine," Jiang Jiyue urged anxiously.

Jiang Canghai's entire focus at this moment is on the upcoming major revenge affair, leaving him no mental bandwidth to waste on these trivial matters.

But Jiang Jiyue is his daughter, and he patiently said, "Even if, as Yue'er you claim, the behind‑the‑scenes meddling was done by Song Ping'er, so what? To the Song family head, if his own daughter's mind is unsettled and she wants to do something, it's one thing for a father not to help, but why block her? Just as if Yue'er wanted to avenge someone, I would fully support you. That's the principle."

Jiang Jiyue shook her head, rejecting, "I would never be like Song Ping'er, indiscriminately reckless. The cause of this matter is clearly her fiancé He Yuan's issue; why should we trouble the Mu family?"

Jiang Canghai sighed, "In the Cultivation World, there is no such thing as right or wrong. The higher your cultivation, the stronger your power, the greater your authority, whatever you do is automatically correct."

Jiang Jiyue did not agree with this view; she knows the Cultivation World is a law of the jungle, but one cannot invert black and white.

She still wanted to persuade further.

Jiang Canghai waved his hand directly, "That's where this ends. Our Jiang family's foundation is shallow; the Song family giving us face last time was already generous. If we aren't satisfied and keep pressing, the Song family might become hostile toward us, and you can guess the possible outcomes. Since the Song family isn't openly targeting the Mu family, you've already shown mercy to your friend. How they resolve the trouble—whether they apologize or devise other means—is their own business. We can't endanger the Jiang family for the sake of the Mu family."

"Alright, Yue'er, you may return. I, your father, still have many urgent matters. I'm about to set out on a trip and may be away from Liyang Immortal City for a long while. You're now a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, and Jiang family responsibilities will eventually fall on you. In the meantime, consult Uncle Hong more and learn to be more mature," he said.

Jiang Jiyue's words were cut off.

That's the logic; indeed she cannot, for the sake of helping a good sister, drag the Jiang family into trouble.

But that means Mu Chunfeng would truly have to leave Liyang Immortal City and wander elsewhere.

She could feel that, if there were a choice, her good sister would never willingly leave the bustling, wondrous Liyang Immortal City—she's forced into it.

Song family, Song Ping'er, Blood Crow True Immortal, He Yuan…

If the Jiang family can't help the Mu family, who else can? Jiang Jiyue felt helpless.

Throughout Liyang Immortal City, there are probably only a handful who could lend a hand.

Thus, the auction a month later would be Mu Chunfeng's final grand event in Liyang Immortal City.

……

……

In the past two months, Xiao Zhangqing has been busy cultivating and drawing talismans, trying to earn more Spirit Stones before the auction, and has hardly had time to wander.

He plans to, after the auction ends, purchase his coveted top‑grade gear, boost his strength a notch, and then leisurely enjoy the splendor of this Da Yu Cultivation World's premier Scattered Cultivator city.

All things considered, Xiao Zhangqing is quite capable of enduring solitude.

Just like back in Nanshan Fang, during the first few years after his transmigration, with low cultivation and weak strength, he could spend years shuttling between two points: working at Lingfu Pavilion by day and cultivating at home by night.

Beyond the market, he wouldn't take even a half step outward.

Even though he was curious about the outside world and wanted to experience it, survival was paramount.

During this period, the Lin sisters, aside from cultivating, have been happily strolling everywhere.

Each time they went out to procure materials for Xiao Zhangqing's second‑tier Talisman Script, they sampled delicious food and drink, and occasionally bought attractive and practical magical robes, along with decorative magical artifacts such as hairpins, bracelets, and necklaces.

"I didn't expect Baihua Valley to have opened a specialty shop in Liyang Immortal City," Lin Ziyu said with a hint of wonder.

Today, while she and her sister Lin Zixi were shopping, they saw a magical‑robe boutique; upon entering, they discovered it was a branch opened by Baihua Valley.

"As a Jie Dan Sect, Baihua Valley's robe‑crafting skill is unrivaled throughout the Da Yu Cultivation World and is their main source of income. So it's no surprise their shop reaches this side of the Cloud Mist Mountain Range and appears in Liyang Immortal City," Lin Zixi smiled, admiring her purple magical robe.

Today was the occasion they spent the most Spirit Stones together.

The two magical robes they wore were the newest styles released by Baihua Valley just two months ago; although they are first‑tier robes, each costs over three hundred Low‑grade Spirit Stones!

However, both robes also come with an 'inner layer'.

They look good, and their Lord will also find them attractive in the evening.

Thinking of the inner‑layer design, with its delicate yet perfectly placed openings, both felt a flutter of emotions.

When women buy clothes, besides looking good to themselves, the most important thing is that men also find them appealing.

"When we were in Nanshan Fang, located in the Da Yu Cultivation World's Southwest Region, Baihua Valley was relatively close. Yet the robes bought at Baibao Lou were old styles from years ago, never the newest. It was only in Liyang Immortal City that we found them," Lin Ziyu marveled.

Lin Zixi also sighed with admiration.

That's the advantage of a big city. Not only does it hold crucial cultivation resources, but it also offers overwhelming benefits over small towns. Even in food, drink, entertainment, and leisure, it far surpasses remote hamlets.

"Sister, since we arrived in Liyang Immortal City we haven't soaked in a hot spring, right? How about tonight we serve the Lord with a hot‑spring soak? We just bought new clothes…" Lin Zixi whispered, looping her arm through her sister's.

Lin Ziyu's face flushed instantly, she shot her sister a white‑eyed glance, and retorted irritably, "You go soak with the Lord yourself; I won't fool around with you two."

Lin Zixi hummed, "You say that, but weren't you the one who couldn't hold back that time and jumped in midway…"

Lin Ziyu's cheeks reddened further, and she couldn't help pinching her sister's arm.

"Ah, sis, what are you doing? We've been serving the lord for so long, why can't you let go yet?"

Lin Zixi teased.

Just as the sisters were chatting and laughing, preparing to visit another shop before heading back,

a pair of male and female cultivators happened to emerge from a shop.

The male cultivator had an average appearance, yet exuded a carefree, unrestrained aura; a smile lingered on his face, but it felt not friendly, rather a hint of devilish charm and lewdness.

The female cultivator's looks were decent—though not top‑tier, she could still score above eighty‑five points.

Moreover, she carried an aristocratic pride, her gaze disdainful.

It seemed the two had a quarrel; the woman was angry, the man was trying to coax her.

Most importantly, both radiated an aura that would intimidate ordinary Qi‑refining cultivators; they must both be Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators!

"Ping'er, you're not angry anymore, are you? I treat other women as fleeting games; only with you am I sincere. Our marriage contract was sealed long ago—can't you grasp my feelings?"

The male cultivator wrapped his arm around the woman's waist, apologetically saying,

These two aren't strangers.

They are He Yuan, a junior disciple of the Blood Crow Immortal, and Song Ping'er, the Song family's young lady!

The Lin sisters naturally didn't know them.

They had only been in Liyang Immortal City for a few months, and although they'd gathered much information and learned some basics,

but Liyang Immortal City is vast; while these two held respectable positions, they weren't truly major figures—just fodder for cultivators' idle chatter.

Nevertheless, the two sisters could sense the pair's extraordinary aura; they were Foundation Establishment cultivators.

So upon meeting them, they promptly stepped aside politely, bowing their heads slightly to show respect to the Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Song Ping'er was still sulking, not noticing the sisters.

But the flirtatious young master He Yuan possessed eyes keen at spotting beauties.

Either of the Lin sisters alone could score above ninety points in beauty, enough to make He Yuan's heart flutter.

Now standing together, their looks share similarities, yet their temperaments differ completely—spring orchids versus autumn chrysanthemums—each excelling in its own way.

Combined, they're even more captivating than a perfect score!

How could He Yuan possibly ignore that? He, who had been coaxing Song Ping'er, was instantly stunned.

His words halted, his steps froze; the hand that had been around Song Ping'er's waist loosened, and he couldn't help saying, "What beautiful young ladies."

His mind went hazy, and instinctively he moved forward to strike up conversation.

In the next instant, a piercing pain shot from his waist; he hurriedly gathered his spirit, channeling his power to push Song Ping'er's palm back, chuckling, "Ping'er, what are you doing?"

Song Ping'er certainly knew her fiancé's character.

She said nothing more to He Yuan, merely glancing at the Lin sisters and coldly declaring, "Two fox seductresses!"

The Lin sisters were bewildered by her words.

How could they be fox seductresses?

They hadn't done anything.

They hadn't even bumped into those Foundation Establishment cultivators; they were very courteous.

Even the short‑tempered Lin Zixi only muttered to herself, without erupting or retorting.

Although they had a lord backing them, giving them confidence, they still knew their limits, wouldn't indulge in pampered arrogance, and tried not to trouble their lord.

Moreover, this is Liyang Immortal City, not Nanshan Fang.

Even if their lord's power were unfathomable—once having a technique that could instantly slay two major false‑pill cultivators—such recklessness is not permitted in Liyang Immortal City.

They should keep a low profile.

"Ahem…" He Yuan cast an apologetic glance at the Lin sisters, then spoke earnestly, "Ping'er, I just recalled something urgent I must attend to immediately; I can't stay with you. Why don't you go back first?"

Song Ping'er sneered, "Fine. Do whatever you need; I don't care. But these two fox seductresses are quite unsightly; they deserve a good lesson…"

He Yuan's complexion changed at her words; he dared not linger with any more tricks.

He quickly re‑embraced Song Ping'er's waist, leading her out while saying, "I'm here to accompany you on a shopping trip today; no matter how important anything else is, you're more important! Alright, let's go to the next shop…"

Soon,

the two vanished at the shop's entrance.

The Lin sisters pursed their lips, thinking, "What kind of people are these! They're all Foundation Establishment cultivators, yet with such personalities—how did they reach that level?"

People like that, if they were born in small families in remote places, probably wouldn't even know how they died. Nevertheless, He Yuan and Song Ping'er ultimately didn't entangle the sisters much, so it didn't affect their mood; they laughed it off and continued shopping.

About half an hour later, the sisters, having shopped happily yet bought nothing, returned to Jin Xiu Fang in high spirits, preparing to serve their lord with a hot‑spring soak that evening.

But the sisters didn't notice that, as they headed back to Jin Xiu Fang, a figure lingered at a distance, watching them enter a cave dwelling, taking a long look, memorizing the dwelling's number, then quietly departing.

(End of Chapter)