Chapter 130: Cheng Siyu

Thud…

Two days later, He Pingsheng unfurled a paper crane atop Xiuzhu Peak.

He leapt onto its back, stirred his spiritual sense, and sent the crane soaring upward into the high sky.

Heading to the cultivation family: Hou family.

But after traveling barely a quarter incense stick's time, He Pingsheng landed on a certain mountaintop.

He waited about half an incense stick's time, when another paper crane flew in from the horizon and landed beside him.

A beautiful woman with a dignified appearance leapt off the crane—He Pingsheng's third senior sister: Cheng Siyu.

Cheng Siyu's eyes were red, with slight swelling around them.

Clearly, she had just been crying.

"Third senior sister, did Master notice?" He Pingsheng asked.

Somehow, the news that He Pingsheng was representing their sect to visit Hou Muxian's home had reached Cheng Siyu's ears.

She had secretly sought him out, hoping to use his status to accompany him to the Hou family.

He Pingsheng did not ask for the specific reason.

But he could guess.

Judging by Cheng Siyu's expression and her red, swollen eyes, this was likely another story of seduction and abandonment.

"Don't worry!" Cheng Siyu said. "Master didn't notice—and even if she had, she wouldn't let me go!"

"Let's go!" He Pingsheng summoned the paper crane again.

This time, the crane was an ordinary one, not reinforced.

The two sat together on the same crane and flew toward the Hou family.

"Younger brother… do you know why?" Cheng Siyu asked.

He Pingsheng had originally been uninterested, but since she was willing to speak, listening to her story wouldn't hurt.

"I don't know!" He Pingsheng shook his head. "I entered the sect too late—I'm not familiar with the affairs between senior brothers and sisters!"

Cheng Siyu said: "He and I were a pair—we both reported it to Master. He promised me he'd marry me, and we'd return together to manage the Hou family."

"I…"

"I…"

"Over these years… I gave myself to him—completely, utterly!"

"But I never imagined he'd do something like this!"

He Pingsheng was taken aback.

He really… had guessed right.

Seduction and abandonment.

Poor Senior Sister Cheng—a fine young woman, used and then discarded.

Hmph…

This story was actually quite interesting.

But such matters, He Pingsheng dared not pry further.

So he focused on piloting the paper crane, while keeping guard against this unfamiliar senior sister launching a surprise attack.

After all, He Pingsheng had already been ambushed by a senior sister before.

He asked not a single question—whatever Cheng Siyu said, he listened.

Yet the story grew more shocking with each word.

Hou Muxian had taken a new bride—a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Beast Taming Sect.

Yes, the Beast Taming Sect.

Meaning the cultivation family Hou had formed an alliance with the Beast Taming Sect.

He Pingsheng's pupils narrowed slightly; his earlier confusion lifted.

That explained why the Grand Void Sect had remained silent over Hou Muxian's wedding.

Even Master Yu Ning hadn't gone.

So that was it.

The Hou family had once been under the Grand Void Sect's influence, but now they had defected and pledged allegiance to the Beast Taming Sect.

Naturally, the Grand Void Sect was displeased.

Master Yu Ning allowing He Pingsheng to go was already giving the Hou family face.

Of course, the Beast Taming Sect was also part of the Daoxuan Alliance—on the surface, all sects were brothers, so the Grand Void Sect had no grounds to protest.

If you have the strength, go seize someone else's territory?

The key is having the strength.

Two hours later, He Pingsheng's paper crane landed at the Hou family's mountain gate.

It was a modest-sized peak.

Among ten thousand mountains, only one stood.

At the gate stood a massive plaque inscribed with the words: 【Hou Family Manor】.

Cheng Siyu stared at the Hou Family Manor, lost in thought.

A disciple guarding the gate stepped forward, bowing: "May I ask, honored guests, from where do you come?"

He Pingsheng said: "Grand Void Sect."

Upon hearing those three words, the guard's face flushed with embarrassment. He stammered: "Th-this… thank you, Grand Void Sect senior brother, for coming!"

"Um… do you have an invitation?"

He did have one—he produced it.

"Please enter!"

Seeing the invitation, the guard said no more.

They entered the Hou family.

Cheng Siyu said: "I came here a few days ago, but they wouldn't let me in without an invitation—they're deliberately keeping me out!"

He Pingsheng said nothing.

Cheng Siyu added: "The Hou family's ancestor was originally a disciple of Grand Void Patriarch. After his death, his descendants settled here. Beneath this peak lies a small spiritual vein, barely enough to support a few dozen cultivators."

"The spiritual energy and vein here are far worse than those on Xiuzhu Peak!"

He Pingsheng said: "Indeed."

He didn't need Cheng Siyu to tell him—he could feel it.

Long ago, He Pingsheng had read in 【Miscellaneous Records of Cultivation】 about the ranks of spirit stones.

A single supreme spirit stone buried underground could sustain an entire sect like the Grand Void Sect.

In other words, one supreme spirit stone was equivalent to a medium-sized spiritual vein.

Thus, the spiritual vein beneath the Hou family was merely the tiniest of small veins.

Meaning, it was equivalent to only one upper-grade spirit stone.

I wonder when my Treasure Basin will be able to strengthen ordinary spirit stones into upper-grade ones?

Then, I could create such small veins at will.

Of course, upper-grade spirit stones can be depleted, while small veins cannot.

That is the only difference.

…

"Gentlemen, this way, please!"

A Hou family disciple respectfully led He Pingsheng and Cheng Siyu into a building.

Soon after, Hou Muxian entered.

His face was flushed, tinged with shame.

Cheng Siyu said nothing, just stared at him.

"This is from Master," He Pingsheng handed Hou Muxian the jade box. "Congratulations on your wedding."

"Thank you, Master!" Hou Muxian asked: "Old Nine, did Master say anything else?"

"No," He Pingsheng shook his head.

"Sigh…" Hou Muxian sighed deeply. "Old Nine, honestly, I'm powerless to resist!"

"Our Hou family is weak and isolated, and far from the Grand Void Sect," Hou Muxian lowered his head and explained. "But we're dangerously close to the Beast Taming Sect's territory—they've always found excuses to drive us out."

"My uncle has entered a life-or-death cultivation bottleneck; if he fails to break through to the Golden Core stage, it's as good as dead."

"Before he closed his door, he instructed me to lead the family and form an alliance with the Beast Taming Sect."

"Though I personally did not wish it, the family's duty leaves me no choice."

"I'm sorry."

Thud…

Hou Muxian suddenly knelt and bowed his head hard toward the direction of the Grand Void Sect. "I, Hou, owe you a debt—you may come and claim it whenever you wish!"

"Even if you take my life, I have no words to say!"

"But I beg you, Younger Brother, spare me today!"

After speaking, Hou Muxian left immediately.

Though spoken to He Pingsheng, these words were meant for Cheng Siyu.