Chapter 291: The Scapegoat Transformed Blood Demon Emperor

Shen Yi walked forward.

Beside that slender black sword lay a jade slip.

He reached out, took it into his palm, closed his eyes, and infused his divine sense into it.

Moments later, a line of text appeared on the panel.

【Soul Transformation (Precious). Divine Thunder Sword Art of the True Realm: Not Yet Entered】

Shen Yi opened his eyes and handed the jade slip to A Qing.

"..."

A Qing curiously infused her divine sense, then her expression shifted repeatedly; as if holding a scorching iron, she instinctively tossed the jade slip into the air.

Xu Wanyun had already felt inclined to retreat upon hearing that the sword originated from Mount Wutong.

Now catching the jade slip, her expression darkened slightly: "What does this mean?"

A Qing's small face turned bitter, and she trembled as she spoke: "Lord Nie..."

She had inadvertently viewed a supreme treasure technique of Mount Wutong; she didn't know if it was still possible to gouge out her eyes now.

"Did True Person Master Master Xuanjian die at the Zheng family?"

Xu Wanyun widened her eyes, looking at that black sword: "That doesn't fit; this sword is thin and narrow, unlike the descriptions in the books. It looks more like something prepared for a Miss."

"A Miss... perhaps his disciple?"

A Qing responded haltingly. Typically, Mount Wutong accepted no disciples, but there were exceptions; for instance, if one of the twelve True Persons admired a junior, they could personally register them as a named disciple.

A named disciple did not belong to Mount Wutong; they could only claim to be a student of a certain True Person, and it was impossible for them to carry Mount Wutong's techniques around.

Only Lord Nie would hand such a precious technique directly to a disciple; after all, unless one had lost their mind, who would dare to steal from his disciple?

"Is the Zheng family so full they have nothing better to do?"

Xu Wanyun swallowed; for cultivators, killing was not a major matter.

But there had to be a reason, right?

Killing to seize treasure? If this technique is given to you, whether you can cultivate it is one thing; even if you succeed, who dares to use it?

Once it spread, even the Xuan Guang Cave would be implicated.

"..."

Shen Yi glanced at the black sword and suppressed the urge to store it in his storage bag.

Golden Body had not returned yet; there was no need to stir up the snake.

He recalled the Spirit-Gathering Furnace he had picked up from Zheng Zisheng.

He also recalled that back in Great Qian, Lord Nie had pursued the Transformed Blood Demon Emperor relentlessly because his disciple had died.

So that Demon Emperor had been framed?

Lord Nie probably hadn't considered this possibility either; the one who dared to harm his disciple was not a famous existence, but the insignificant Zheng family under the Xuan Guang Cave.

That disciple died here.

Then the blame was shifted onto the Transformed Blood Demon Emperor, giving that old ox no time to attend to his wife and children at home, thus granting himself a chance to breathe.

Yet it also led to his downfall.

Consequently, the Thousand Demon Cave was enraged and was about to launch retaliation.

Shen Yi still had one question.

Someone admired by Lord Nie, to the extent that a Soul Transformation Realm technique was passed down, must have possessed strength that at least touched the threshold of Soul Transformation.

Judging by the foundation the Zheng family currently revealed, how did they silently kill such a person?

Being able to shift the blame onto the Thousand Demon Cave indicated that the disciple could not even send out a message.

Shen Yi looked around.

He discovered that only these two items were stored in the room.

He withdrew his gaze: "Let's return first."

"Good." Even the somewhat confused A Qing knew how serious this matter had become.

She hurriedly formed a hand seal and activated the formation again.

Under Shen Yi's lead, the three of them returned the items to their original places, quickly withdrew from the bamboo building, and returned to the courtyard.

"The situation is untenable; let's go!"

Xu Wanyun had not yet had time to breathe a sigh of relief before she decisively made her judgment.

The Zheng family was far from as simple as others appeared.

A Qing said nothing, merely staying quietly nearby.

She had seen that Spirit-Gathering Furnace, which meant Zheng Zisheng knew of this matter and chose to cover it up and share the spoils.

Furthermore, given the other party's strength, being merely a young generation member of the Xuan Guang Cave, it was impossible for them to transplant the Age Tree.

This matter likely involved other Soul Transformation True Persons from the Xuan Guang Cave.

"Copy the formation diagram and give it to me."

Shen Yi nodded toward A Qing.

"You aren't leaving?"

Before A Qing could speak, Xu Wanyun's face was already full of surprise.

So-called shallow acquaintance need not speak deeply.

But considering the other party had cared for A Qing for some time, Xu Wanyun hesitated for a moment before continuing: "Although I also hope someone can make the Xuan Guang Cave suffer, this time is simply too dangerous. Cultivation is not a matter of a single day or night; missing this opportunity, if fate arrives, one might not fail to encounter the next opportunity."

Cultivation relies on fate.

Matters of heavenly treasures and earthly gems, who can explain them clearly? Perhaps stepping out of the Zheng family's door and turning around, one could receive news of something else.

"..."

Shen Yi glanced at her.

To become one of the top Soul Transformation cultivators, plus the time is tight.

Placing hope on something as ethereal as fate is merely self-deception.

Seize every opportunity.

Only then is there a chance to hold onto your base.

"After you."

He rose, bowed, then turned and walked into the room.

A Qing realized no one cared about her opinion: "I'm not leaving."

"Hmph."

Xu Wanyun gave her a cool glance—she could tolerate her frivolity in normal times, but at a moment like this, she ought to rein in this capricious temper.

"Go copy your array diagrams."

Saying this, she walked to Shen Yi's door: "I won't go far. If you want to leave… or if anything happens, I'll be outside to meet you."

The Xu family never acts recklessly, but they know how to repay kindness.

"Thank you."

A young man's reply came from within.

……

They lingered for six or seven days.

She felt the time was about right.

"I didn't come out with you to be locked up here!"

"Stay here by yourself!"

Xu Wanyun's face darkened with anger; she grabbed A Qing and stepped onto the wooden boat, soaring across the sky.

This commotion drew the attention of many.

Soon, an elder of the Zheng family landed in the courtyard and asked curiously: "Shen Daoist, what's going on?"

"…"

Shen Yi did not answer, only smiled.

"Understood, understood."

The man returned the smile: "Your Lady doesn't realize how dangerous the outside world is—this reaction is perfectly natural. Shen Daoist, rest assured, we'll persuade her."

As the two spoke.

Three streaks of light shot into the sky and blocked the wooden boat ahead.

"Lady, please calm down. Let's talk."

"What if I don't want to talk nicely?"

Xu Wanyun displayed her anger perfectly—clang! —she drew her long sword from her waist: "This is my husband and my affair. None of your business. Step aside!"

The three exchanged glances, their expressions calm: "We mean no interference. We merely wish to prevent any rift between you two caused by our Zheng family. If you insist on leaving, we won't stop you—only hope you'll calm down."

As the words ended.

Xu Wanyun immediately steered the boat straight ahead.

At the instant she formed the spell hand seals, A Qing suddenly turned her head, puzzled.

She saw her aunt's movement hesitate.

As if suddenly realizing something, she sighed: "Hmph!"

She retracted the wooden boat and descended with A Qing to the ground.

The few people smiled slightly: "Good, the Lady has come to her senses."

Only A Qing felt a sudden chill sweep over her entire body.

Her aunt's demeanor showed no irregularity, her reactions were flawless.

If she and Brother Shen were truly husband and wife, she'd look exactly like a petulant young wife in a moment of temper.

But the problem is… this marriage is fake.

(End of Chapter)