Chapter 724

Medicinal gu?

Yu Nian asked, "What is medicinal gu? Xiao Jiu, you mean someone in the Nine Abyssal Depths is using those spiritual medicines to refine gu?"

"Yes." Xiao Jiu said with some difficulty, "And… I have also confirmed the identity of the person refining the gu, and it turns out to be an acquaintance…"

Xiao Jiu was somewhat choked up.

I and Yu Nian instinctively glanced at each other.

Someone who could make Xiao Jiu care so much and also knows gu arts…

Yu Nian blurted out a name before I did: "Wuling?"

Before Xiao Jiu went to the Zàng Qū, we later heard about all her experiences with the Feng Clan.

After the battle in the Zàng Qū, Xiao Jiu also searched there for a long time.

Even after she returned, she still urged Xingchen and the others to keep looking.

Xiao Jiu had always thought that Wuling was taken to the Zàng Qū by Dìshì and them.

Even A Cheng thought the same.

Afterward, we never found her, and we all tacitly assumed Wuling had sacrificed herself in that battle.

After all, we could never determine exactly how many people that great battle had affected.

No one had imagined that Wuling was no longer in the Zàng Qū at all.

Xiao Jiu did not deny it, and Yu Nian muttered softly, "How could that be possible! Wuling is such a clear-headed person—how could she aid a tyrant? Unless… she… is no longer in control of herself, she is no longer the original her!"

"Even when I first saw Wuling's face, I couldn't be sure," Xiao Jiu said. "So I hovered in the sky for a while before finally confirming it was her, though her gaze as she looked up at me was indeed strange—she must have already become a puppet."

While speaking, Yu Nian had already rowed the ferryboat back to the edge of the Wangchuan River.

The three of us sat in the cabin, feeling an indescribable blockage in our hearts.

Yu Nian asked, "Xiao Jiu, if we really end up fighting, when we face Wuling… should we show mercy?"

This is a question that is both extremely cruel and very realistic.

Xiao Jiu remained silent for a long time, then said, "Wuling might use a self-sacrificing stratagem, but she would never really strike a killing blow against our people."

Understood.

Despite Xiao Jiu's insistence, I still returned to the Soul-guiding Lamp.

Fact has proven that the present Nine Abyssal Depths can no longer be spoken of in the same breath as before.

At this point, returning to my true form will likely not end well.

I am unwilling, and I cannot simply walk into a trap and hand over the Nine Abyssal Depths to someone else.

I must properly nurture my soul body within the Soul-guiding Lamp and diligently cultivate.

Only by ensuring my own strength can I remain calm when I truly have to face all of that.

On the way back, I heard Yu Nian ask, "Xiao Jiu, isn't Shan Shan coming back with you? Aren't you afraid that little guy will impulsively go alone again to seek justice for those people?"

"She won't," Xiao Jiu said. "Shan Shan has only just been born not long ago; she hasn't yet grown to the point of being able to stand on her own, and she knows her limits."

Yu Nian sighed, "I never expected things to become so complicated; Wang Fuchen should have already received the news over there—I don't know what he'll think. I'll go ask him in a moment."

Xiao Jiu asked, "Sister, what's the situation between you and the Chenghuang Lord now? Many people in both the yin and yang realms are saying that the Chenghuang Temple will soon have a Chenghuang Grandmother—is that true?"

"They're just talking nonsense," Yu Nian said, her cheeks flushing red. "Wang Fuchen indeed had that idea, but I rejected him; my ferryman identity hasn't even warmed up yet—what would I do as a Chenghuang Grandmother?"

"Oh, so the rumor is true," Xiao Jiu said, unimpressed. "It's not that the Chenghuang Lord doesn't want to; it's that you, senior sister, refuse to nod in agreement. No wonder all those little love stories of yours are flying around—the Chenghuang Lord is being forced by you into a corner."

Yu Nian shot Xiao Jiu a withering glare and snapped, "Everything's burning up, and you still have the mood to gossip here?"

"Sister, is this something you can rush into?"

Yu Nian drove, Xiao Jiu reached out and tapped the Soul-guiding Lamp, signaling me to listen as well, and I immediately pricked up my ears.

Xiao Jiu then said, "The Nine Abyssal Depths' location is too special; for the Nether Realm to swallow the Feng Clan, it must first take the Nine Abyssal Depths, so this contest involves three sides, and any stir from any side could cause a great upheaval."

"Shan Shan has only just been born not long ago; the Feng Clan is currently at its most fragile stage of development, and the sacrifice of those twenty-something Feng Clan members today is the best example."

"Therefore, we must not rush."

"If we don't rush, naturally someone will be even more anxious than we are."

I carefully pondered the meaning behind Xiao Jiu's words.

Yu Nian praised Xiao Jiu for having a broad perspective, and indeed she does.

With my limited vision, I can only see this small patch of heaven and earth before me, making it easy to make mistakes.

Whereas Xiao Jiu's vision can take in the whole situation, allowing her to have a clear grasp.

Yu Nian hissed, "We're not in a hurry; those who are anxious are the ones who want the Nether Realm to annex the Feng Clan… and… Zhan Jiaoe?"

Xiao Jiu hummed, "It's been over a hundred years; if Zhan Jiaoe's ninth incarnation doesn't break through, she will truly just rot in the soil of the Nine Abyssal Depths, so no matter how many forces secretly aid her, she will be the one most anxious."

"'Wanwan temporarily has the protection of the Soul-guiding Lamp, so it's not easy for Zhan Jiaoe to move that wisp of Wanwan's soul.'"

"'The harder it is to move, the more anxious Zhan Jiaoe becomes.'"

"'Once a person is driven to desperation, they will seek quick gains; no one can predict what she will do then—perhaps it will be a fight to the death, or perhaps she will ally with factions; let's wait and see.'"

Yu Nian furrowed her brows and said, "Xiao Jiu, you're playing a game of chess, right?"

Xiao Jiu curled the corner of her mouth and said nothing.

I felt as uncomfortable as if scratched by a cat's claws, really wanting to know what kind of game Xiao Jiu is playing.

In the end, Xiao Jiu didn't speak, and Yu Nian didn't ask either.

It's quite obvious that they share a tacit understanding—one hint and they understand.

Only I remain in a fog, still not understanding.

I can only sit in meditation while trying to straighten out the context.

Soon I also came to understand what kind of game Xiao Jiu is playing.

She is waiting for Zhan Jiaoe to cooperate with the Nether Realm.

To the Nether Realm, what is Zhan Jiao'e?

That is a dagger that can be plunged straight into the heart of the Feng Clan!

Zhan Jiao'e has been secretly absorbing the yin sha qi from the Wangchuan River to strengthen herself for over a hundred years already; so many years have passed, has the Nether Realm really not noticed?

No, it isn't.

They discovered it long ago, but Zhan Jiao'e's ability hasn't yet reached their expectations.

And now, the opportunity is about to mature.

I secretly observed Xiao Jiu for a moment and found her very composed.

This composure comes from the support of her own abilities.

Her composure tells me: she not only wants the Feng Clan, but also wants the Nether Realm to return the Feng Clan territory that was annexed!

I'm also thinking: if this territorial dispute ends with Xiao Jiu winning, then that means I win too, right?

Otherwise, in the Nether Realm's eyes, what is the Nine Nether even supposed to be?

I, still immature and having lost my own territory, am the heir of the Nine Nether Lord; in its eyes, I am nothing but a joke...