Chapter 51

"That calligraphy from the Duan Family Ancestral Hall?"

Su Muqing, as the eldest daughter of the Su Family, had naturally seen it.

"Rumored to be a Duan Family heirloom, when the Duan Family still had a False Core Real Person, that Real Person used an ordinary brush to copy it and left behind the Sword Formula."

"But the Sword Formula has long been lost; now only the elders remember this matter—I heard it from Uncle Ziheng."

The debt of protection remains unpaid, yet the person is gone; Su Muqing sighed softly.

Chen Zhao stroked his chin, pondering inwardly.

Merely by copying, he could create his own Sword Formula—this man truly possessed extraordinary talent.

But.

This place has only a Second-tier Spiritual Vein; the Spiritual Vein's energy is limited—how could it accommodate a False Core Real Person?

Su Muqing shook her head, unaware.

"Then what do you know about this Bamboo Pen?"

Chen Zhao pulled out the Bamboo Pen.

She still shook her head.

He took a deep breath,

"Then what do you know about your family's Spirit Spring? You must understand at least that."

Su Muqing nodded quickly, but her account matched the "Chronicles of Shanlian's Storms" almost exactly—likely hearsay.

"However, I heard the spring wasn't originally this abundant; I don't know what caused the change."

"Aren't you the Su Family's eldest daughter? How can you not know this, or that?"

Chen Zhao smirked and handed her a Huanglong Pill to send her away.

Su Muqing wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, silently crying foul.

This city had existed for tens of thousands of years—how could she know so many secrets?

She feared Chen Zhao would ask too much, and once her information ran out, he'd stop offering opportunities; yet she also feared she couldn't answer and would anger him.

Fortunately, Chen Zhao didn't mind.

"Zhao… Xiao Bai has nothing to eat."

Xin Tong, sensing the mood had turned awkward, got off the bed holding the Shadow-Treading Cat.

The kitten was in its juvenile stage, with a large "appetite"; Qi Gathering Powder had negligible effect on it, and feeding it Huanglong Pills was far too extravagant.

Even Chen Zhao's resources weren't enough to sustain such consumption.

"Young Master, I have connections with the Spirit Beast Hall—I can brew Spirit Beast Pills; let me make them for you from now on."

Chen Zhao's eyes narrowed slightly.

Is this girl being unusually proactive today?

And deliberately withholding the Spirit Pill Prescription—is she trying to keep demonstrating her value?

Such petty schemes won't help maintain control over her later.

"Your pills won't do—hand over the Spirit Pill Prescription. I'll brew them myself."

Chen Zhao gave a light warning, then rewarded her with another Huanglong Pill.

Su Muqing hummed in response, unsure whether to be happy or worried.

After handing over the Spirit Pill Prescription, she took a soft couch from her Storage Bag, placed it on the ground, and sat cross-legged in a pouting, forlorn posture.

Another three months passed.

Fang Zijing had returned from Si Guo Ya, and less than two months remained until the betrothal date.

The Su Family.

The weather grew warmer; summer winds lifted the gauze window, and a small spirit insect flew onto the brush tip—instantly frozen into an ice sculpture by the brush's spiritual energy.

"The Kuai Xue Shi Qing Sword… finally mastered."

Chen Zhao finished the final stroke, held up the paper, and felt a touch of pride.

"Zhao… your writing is just scribbles."

Xin Tong glanced over and muttered under her breath.

Then she pretended to play with the cat, masking her small mischief.

But Chen Zhao's spiritual sense was immensely strong—he couldn't help but twitch an eyelid.

In his past life, he didn't know calligraphy; since his reincarnation, he'd rarely used a brush. The Yue Prince Mansion valued martial prowess—none understood stroke structure or composition.

Just resembling the form was already good enough.

He studied it closely, then looked at Xin Tong's expression.

Fine—even resemblance was lacking.

Yet he'd somehow grasped a sliver of true meaning—was this the Bamboo Pen's doing?

Chen Zhao took a deep breath and lied to himself: it was surely due to his relentless diligence!

But.

Since copying the model, his spiritual sense had indeed been strengthened—he estimated it had reached Qi Refining late-stage levels.

And after consuming the Quenching Essence Pill, his physical strength had reached Qi Refining Fifth Layer; combined with the residual medicinal power of the Muling Pill, his cultivation broke through to Qi Refining Seventh Layer.

"Congratulations, Young Master, on your breakthrough—you can now take the Heqi Pill. Xiao Qing specially saved one for you."

Chen Zhao's eyelid twitched.

This couldn't even be called proactive—it was more like groveling.

Is she so afraid of losing her usefulness to him?

Her circumstances have greatly declined, but she still holds the title of Alchemist; the Su Family still treats her well—if she shows remorse, her status could still rise.

And since her betrayal has been exposed, returning to the sect will bring punishment—but she is not the ringleader; if she gains more merit, she likely won't be sentenced to death.

"In your view, can the Su Family not hold out?"

Su Muqing's face darkened; she slowly shook her head.

"Fang Zijing sent a letter yesterday."

"He anticipated you'd seek aid, knew you couldn't resist the Elders' joint action, so he'd send Elder Zhang away and have you appeal to Elder Fang, diverting the sect's attention."

"I suspect that once the dust settles and they divide the resources, the Fang Clan will only then turn on us and force the sect to intervene."

In that case, the Su Family may well become a complete vassal clan.

In the future, the Su Family must pay tribute to the sect, and our resources will shrink further.

It seems.

The Fang Clan didn't anticipate Su Muqing's early defection—they're already losing.

But what of the Evil Cultivators?

Do the Evil Cultivators intend to stage a farce with the Su Family to weaken the Fang Clan?

It makes no sense...

Chen Zhao lowered his head in thought, then decided to pull out the Jade Tablet and contact Elder Zhang.

After describing the prior intelligence.

"Young Master Chen, you truly turned Su Muqing?"

On the other side, Elder Zhang's greasy face wore a peculiar expression.

After seeing Su Muqing's blushing cheeks, his expression grew even more amused.

This kid's got guts.

The Fang family boy hasn't even married yet, and you've stolen his fiancée?"

Chen Zhao inwardly cried foul—he hadn't done a thing.

Never mind; it's better than the truth coming out.

"Keep monitoring. I'll personally investigate. If this is true, we'll enforce sect law."

"If the worst happens, I'll send someone trustworthy to ensure your safety."

Matters involving an Elder's life or death— the sect won't believe just one side.

Chen Zhao didn't expect them to decide immediately; at least they'd be alert when Su Muqing sought aid.

Also, have Elder Zhang prepare contingencies.

Of course.

If no one comes to aid him, he still has the Flying Boat.

The boat's Defense Array can withstand Foundation Establishment attacks, but requires massive Spirit Stones to power.

Even if he drains his family's entire reserves and squeezes the Su Family for more, escaping danger won't be a problem.

Chen Zhao felt it still wasn't enough—he planned to first seek out the Su Ancestor and claim his reward for curing Su Can.

And just then.

A servant outside reported.

"Miss Su, Master Fang wishes to advance the wedding date. The family head orders you and Elder Chen and others to hurry to the Deliberation Hall."

The servant was puzzled.

The Miss hasn't married, yet shares a room with Elder Chen—and now the wedding negotiations require both of them present.

But he was lowly and dared not speak of it.

Seeing this, Chen Zhao sighed inwardly.

He'd need to gradually adjust his relationship with Su Muqing.

At critical moments, one must cut decisively.

The three arrived at the Deliberation Hall and found the Su Family's high-ups gathered.

Su Wanyao's father, Su Boyi, had disguised himself as her elder brother and sat beside the Su Ancestor.

The Su Family's décor had changed—festive lanterns hung, drums and gongs blared in celebration.

Outside, summer rain had arrived, and strong winds made the red candles sway violently.

"The Fang Clan wants to advance the betrothal to half a month from now—perhaps they've heard rumors."

Su Zhiyuan spoke slowly; he decided to play along, waiting for the other side to make the first move.

Since Tiankui Sect has yet to take a stance, the Su Family cannot strike first.