Chapter 289

He Pingsheng's face turned green.

This woman is my wife—you say I'm not good enough for her, so I'm not?

But He Pingsheng was at least somewhat sensible; he did not speak in rebuttal.

Nor did he say anything.

That's a Great Nascent Soul across from us—we can't afford to provoke them, can we?

"Girl!" the woman said to Qiao Hui Zhu, "I am a Nascent Soul cultivator—I saw your spell just now; it was an ice-based technique!"

"You must be a single Ice Spirit Root, correct?"

The woman stared at Qiao Hui Zhu.

Qiao Hui Zhu nodded and said, "In reply to your senior's inquiry, I am indeed a single Ice Spirit Root!"

"Good, good, good…"

The woman said three "good"s in succession, then added, "How fortuitous—I too am a single Ice Spirit Root. Come with me; from today, you are my disciple!"

"Ignore all these cats and dogs!"

"He is not worthy of you!"

As she spoke, the female Nascent Soul's gaze turned to He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng was furious at this woman.

He was truly enraged.

"Forgive me—" Qiao Hui Zhu bowed to the female Nascent Soul, about to apologize.

But the moment she spoke, the old man in the void said, "You cannot bear this fate—step aside!"

The old man glanced at the female Nascent Soul and said, "Though I am not a single Ice Spirit Root, all arts share the same origin—I can still teach you!"

"Girl, I am Murong Tianyuan, the Lord of this Red Stone City's mansion!"

"You may become my disciple!"

"Train under me henceforth; your entry into the Great Dao is within reach!"

The old man's eyes gleamed with anticipation.

"Oh… by the way, I am Nascent Soul Seventh Layer!"

"Hehehe…"

"Greetings, Lord Murong!"

Whoosh!

Many in the city knelt before Murong Tianyuan.

Some did not kneel, but all bowed respectfully.

Qiao Hui Zhu was far too astute—she understood the significance of her Eight-Nine Tribulation and the power of a Nascent Soul Seventh Layer; refusing would be futile.

Even if she named her sect, they might still not let her go.

What to do?

She had just intended to tell them she already had a master—but now her thoughts changed. She bowed demurely to Murong Tianyuan and said, "Senior, please allow me to bid farewell to my husband first."

As she spoke, she pointed to He Pingsheng.

"Hahaha!" Murong Tianyuan burst into delighted laughter. "Excellent! Excellent! A worthy disciple!"

"But boy," Murong Tianyuan fixed his gaze on He Pingsheng, "even if you two are cultivation partners, do not harbor delusions!"

"You two are not of the same kind!"

"Go—cherish your final moments together!"

Murong Tianyuan waved his hand.

On this side, He Pingsheng took Qiao Hui Zhu's hand and led her from the mansion to his alchemy shop.

Naturally, Murong Tianyuan and the other two Great Nascent Souls followed.

Seeing them enter the alchemy shop, Murong Tianyuan frowned slightly; the female Nascent Soul snorted coldly.

She remembered clearly—this was the very place where she had been humiliated by Mi Cangyuan.

Here, she, a Nascent Soul, had been defeated by a Golden Core Twelfth Layer.

"Could this boy have some connection to Mi Cangyuan?"

The woman looked down.

Murong Tianyuan shook his head. "I've already investigated—Mi Cangyuan merely had him refine pills."

"Hmph…" The woman snorted again.

Boom…

Her vast spiritual sense surged forth, aiming to pierce through the alchemy shop's array and scan what He Pingsheng and Qiao Hui Zhu were doing.

Result!

Ding-ding-ding…

Before her spiritual sense could enter, the alert array blocked it.

The alert array shrieked wildly.

Murong Tianyuan and the other Nascent Soul turned to look at her.

The woman's face flushed crimson—she was utterly humiliated.

Peeping and coveting were inherently covert acts; now exposed, it was disgraceful.

Murong Tianyuan said coolly, "This is the first time. If you spy on my disciple again, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Yes." The woman bowed and fell silent.

Inside the small house!

Once the alert array's warning ended, He Pingsheng looked at Qiao Hui Zhu and said, "Your tribulation was too loud—what now?"

Qiao Hui Zhu said, "I will never become his disciple. I came here only to avoid his gaze and send my master a Twin-Soul Talisman."

"To beg my master to rescue me quickly!"

After all, the Free Immortal Sect is a major sect.

What is your city mansion?

A mere city lord—if not for the backing of the Liang Kingdom, the Free Immortal Sect could send any Great Nascent Soul to crush you.

You managing Red Stone City? Fine.

Previously locking up my Free Immortal Sect disciple? That was our fault—also fine.

But if you dare steal my disciple, that's unacceptable.

"That's good," He Pingsheng nodded. "But even if you return to the Free Immortal Sect, your Eight-Nine Tribulation identity will shock the sect—perhaps we truly won't see each other again."

Qiao Hui Zhu said, "No… what then?"

"It's fine," He Pingsheng smiled. "I have something to give you."

"Here…"

He waved his hand and produced a black stone.

Grinding Dao Stone!

Of course, this Grinding Dao Stone lacks the ability to grow automatically.

"This is the Grinding Dao Stone," He Pingsheng said. "Master Mi Cangyuan gave it to me—it can only refine and stabilize the Dao roots and Dao methods of Golden Core cultivators."

"Now that you've reached Golden Core passage, it's perfect for you!"

"I'm unlikely to ever reach Golden Core passage."

"So take it—it's wasted on me."

Qiao Hui Zhu thought a moment, then said, "Alright—if one day you reach Golden Core passage, we'll use it together."

He Pingsheng smiled but said nothing.

Qiao Hui Zhu took off her Brocade Treasure Robe and gave it to He Pingsheng: "You must wear this."

As she spoke, she pulled out a Twin-Soul Talisman.

This Twin-Soul Talisman was her communication device with her master, Biyun Immortal.

"Wait…" He Pingsheng reached out and stopped her. "You must tell your master you just passed the Eight-Nine Tribulation—and that Lord Murong wants to take you as his disciple!"

"Bring senior disciples from the Free Immortal Sect—if she comes alone, it won't matter."

Qiao Hui Zhu said, "Understood."

Even if her master came, she couldn't defeat Murong Tianyuan.

But if she revealed the truth, her master would surely seek out the Free Immortal Sect's Ancestors.

When the Ancestors arrive, what will you do against a Nascent Soul Seventh Layer?

Qiao Hui Zhu activated the Twin-Soul Talisman and said, "Master, this disciple Qiao Hui Zhu just passed the Golden Core Tribulation in the mansion—it was the Eight-Nine Tribulation!"

"Lord Murong of the mansion wishes to take me as his disciple!"

"I dare not refuse, nor dare to accept—I beg you to come to Red Stone City and rescue me quickly!"