Chapter 61: Du Xian Sect 19 Part 2

Now, Xun Ji naturally hadn’t received such a letter. Without the Protagonist’s involvement, Wei Qianqian and the others likely hadn’t suspected Jiyang Zhenren yet. Xun Ji had deduced two traits about this admirer: first, a high-rank disciple with a golden Falling Star Disk who knew the progress of Wei Qianqian’s investigation must be someone extremely trusted by her side; second, her first reaction in shock and doubt was to write to her beloved for confirmation—she had to be a top-tier lovebrain.

She was simply a heaven-sent inside agent!

To avoid seeming too eager, Xun Ji did not step into the pavilion. He stood tall, adopted a poised stance, and modulated his tone to that of the usually aloof Immortal Venerable softening slightly upon seeing the one he wished to meet:

“Jiyang has devoted himself wholly to cultivation and had no intention of romantic matters. Yet Miss A Luo’s deep affections are too sincere to ignore outright.”

The person in the pavilion seemed stunned for a moment. Then, a note fluttered out from within.

Xun Ji caught it. It was blank white paper. As he puzzled over it, a line of ink appeared:

[Just call me A Luo.]

【Host, even face-to-face she’s communicating by writing? The inside agent you picked—is she mute or something?!】

“I’ve heard that some Tian Yan Sect disciples, to maintain pure clarity of mind while practicing Divination and Deduction Arts, deliberately seal their own mouths,” Xun Ji recalled. “I think the book mentioned that Tian Yan Sect’s Young Sect Master, Wei Qianqian’s brother, was someone who didn’t speak.”

Another line of ink emerged on the paper:

[I always knew that with unwavering persistence, even water could wear through stone. The Immortal Lord must have been moved by my sincerity. To be honest, I have some looks to speak of. Would the Immortal Lord care to enter the pavilion for a chat?]

Xun Ji: “…”

“No need.” He smiled faintly. “I already know A Luo’s true heart. Matters of romance require gradual progression, accumulated over time. Why don’t we start by exchanging gifts?”

He took a Thin Gauze Feather Cloak from his Storage Pouch and sent it into the Lake Heart Pavilion.

“This is a protective magic artifact refined from Dry Bird Feathers. It can block one strike of a Soul Transformation Stage Thunder Tribulation.”

The person inside was evidently very surprised, and the ink grew a bit messy:

[Such a precious artifact is hard to obtain even with thousands of Spirit Stones. The Immortal Lord gives it to me so easily?]

It was indeed a rare top-grade treasure, but only usable by female cultivators. Jiyang Zhenren hadn’t used it during his tribulation, and there would be no later chances, so Xun Ji simply used it as a bargaining chip.

“How is it easy?” he said warmly. “A Luo’s sentiments are worth a fortune. Naturally, I respond with sincerity.”

Ink appeared: [The Immortal Lord’s bearing is peerless—pure as drifting snow, clear as bright moon and gentle breeze, noble as jade trees in a qionglin grove. Your heart is upright and honest too. A Luo is most delighted.]

Good grief, as expected of a looks fanatic!

[The Immortal Lord’s gift is extraordinary, so A Luo should reciprocate in kind. Does the Immortal Lord desire anything?]

Here it came! Xun Ji was inwardly thrilled but kept his expression neutral. “I have no particular wants, only that I’ve heard Tian Yan Sect possesses a certain item that piques my curiosity.”

Ink appeared: [Oh? Pray tell, Immortal Lord. A Luo will exert every effort to offer it to you.]

“It’s said that Tian Yan Sect’s Latent Spirit Jade nourishes the Divine Soul. Might I borrow it for a look?”

The Latent Spirit Jade was a key prop at the Immortal Alliance Conference. Tian Yan Sect members expended mental energy on divinations and deductions, and the Latent Spirit Jade nourished the Divine Soul—a treasure usable only by successive Sect Leaders. Beyond that, it had a side effect: it could reveal the last person someone saw before death.

At the Immortal Alliance Conference, Wei Qianqian used it to prove that the last person Wei Yuan saw before dying was Jiyang Zhenren, solidifying his crime of murdering the Sect Leader. This caused his image to collapse and dragged out all the evil deeds of his Merit Dao.

Now, if he could get A Luo to somehow obtain this item, Tian Yan Sect would lack this ironclad proof. Even if they investigated his past misdeeds, it would all be hearsay without evidence—they couldn’t convict him.

The paper stayed blank for a while before ink finally reappeared.

[The Latent Spirit Jade is Tian Yan Sect’s foundational treasure. Why does the Immortal Lord want it?]

As expected, even for a high-rank disciple, it was tricky. Xun Ji’s mind raced, and he decided to go all in.

“It’s not that I’m deliberately making things difficult for you. I care little for such mundane objects, it’s just…” Xun Ji sighed heavily. “After all, I am Du Xian Sect’s First Generation Elder. If we’re talking marriage, without some substantial betrothal gifts, it would shame Du Xian Sect. I’ve heard a bit about Tian Yan Sect’s treasures. The others all relate to your Divination and Deduction Arts or formation inheritances—I certainly wouldn’t demand those excessively. Only this Latent Spirit Jade is inconsequential, so I thought perhaps A Luo could include it as a betrothal gift.”

Sorry, Miss A Luo. For my little life, I must have this Latent Spirit Jade. Once it’s done, I’ll compensate you with a chest of Great Tonic Pills to help you soar!

[Betrothal gift?]

The ink grew more hurried.

[Does the Immortal Lord mean to… with me…]

“Exactly.” Xun Ji stood with hands clasped formally and declared loudly, “I wish to form a Dao companion bond with A Luo. Are you willing?”

“I am not willing!”

A furious shout came from above, and an ice-blue arc of light struck toward the Lake Heart Pavilion like lightning. The calm lake surface erupted in a hundred-zhang spray of water, countless ice shards like a school of razor-sharp fish surging toward the person in the pavilion amid roiling waves.

How did this kid get here? He can’t ruin my chance at survival!

Xun Ji shouted sternly, “Lu Yun Ting, don’t mess around!”

Before he could act to stop it, the Falling Star Disk in the pavilion rose from the ground, spinning and weaving into a golden formation net that blocked the overwhelming strike. The ice shards shattered into smoke and dust; the surging airwaves dispersed the lake’s white mist, revealing the true appearance within the pavilion.

A purple hairband fluttered in the wind, but the purple-robed figure stood unmoving like a mountain, exuding natural elegance. His face, framed by soft fur trim, was refined and handsome, fresh as spring moonlight on willows.

Indeed, as he had said, he had considerable looks. Only… he was a man.

Xun Ji: “…Who might you be?”

The purple-robed man smiled. “The Immortal Lord was just calling me A Luo and proposing marriage. How forgetful.”

Lu Yun Ting’s face was ashen as he shielded Xun Ji behind him. His Zhenliu Sword pointed straight at the purple-robed man. “Wei Luoheng, you— the Young Sect Master of Tian Yan Sect—dare to be so brazen and frivolous, toying with my Shizun’s emotions!”

He flipped his hand into a sword stance, killing intent blazing in his eyes. “You must die!”