Chapter 75: The Thoughtful Phantom

What was that?

Spiritual energy surged, the pill glowed with a purple hue, and possessed a harmful effect.

Ji Jiuxuan recalled several similar pills in her mind, finally settling on the Purple Temptation Pill. Not only could this pill bewilder the mind, it would slowly erode the victim’s foundation, exhaust their cultivation, and ultimately lead them to death as their lifespan ran out.

Was this what Uncle-Master had instructed Qu Liang to do?

“No! You can’t do this to me!” Yu Heng cried out sharply, “When the patriarch stepped down, those old men swore an oath never to harm me. If I die, they’ll break their vow and suffer punishment from the heavenly laws!”

Qu Liang ignored him completely. The more one talked, the more likely dreams would be disrupted. Once the pill’s energy was ready, he struck Yu Heng with it.

Yu Heng wanted to escape, but after suffering the Soul-Devouring Whip, he was utterly immobilized.

The Purple Temptation Pill entered Yu Heng’s body completely, its aura vanished, not a trace left.

Ji Jiuxuan watched as Qu Liang departed, leaving Yu Heng unconscious on the ground.

“System, could Yu Heng’s current state expose Little Uncle-Master?” From their conversation, she had learned this was connected to Nie Xingyuan.

But how had Little Uncle-Master persuaded Qu Liang to deal with Yu Heng? That was harder to fathom.

“How can you be sure Nie Xingyuan is involved?” Even the system was surprised at her certainty.

Nie Xingyuan had not appeared throughout the incident; even though Qu Liang mentioned his name, nothing confirmed his involvement.

“Because Qu Liang is acting with absolute assurance. I’ve met him, and learned about him after the last affair. He’s always prudent—unless he’s completely certain, he wouldn’t act this way. My impression is that he’s utterly confident in dealing with Yu Heng.”

“So that settles it. If it’s foolproof, why worry?” The system was puzzled by her insistence, though the situation seemed as she described.

“I trust you more. Even the most foolproof plans can stumble. When it concerns my family, I have to be cautious.”

“The Purple Temptation Pill was handled perfectly, but there’s one point—the effects on Yu Heng are too swift, especially within the sect. Your Little Uncle-Master is truly fearless!”

The system couldn’t help but praise; he was ruthlessly bold and upright.

Ji Jiuxuan’s gaze shifted to Yu Heng lying on the ground. “System, do you think spatial arrays would help?”

This was a recent insight from her studies—integrating and complementing techniques.

“That depends on the kind of spatial array. Besides, it could easily expose you.” Using a spatial array required cultivation; Ji Jiuxuan had not begun learning, and was only at the Qi Refinement stage. A misstep could easily reveal her.

“Your Little Uncle-Master’s exposure is minor. If you reveal yourself while helping, that would be a major problem.”

Ji Jiuxuan glanced at her ring, considering whether to ask Sui Yi.

“What if I use a Concealment Array with spatial transfer?”

She explained her rough idea to the system.

“It’s possible, but your spiritual power is insufficient—you can’t cast it.” The system was shocked by Ji Jiuxuan’s progress; it seemed Zhou Guangsheng had truly chosen the right heir. With her insight, she might grasp the concepts without even finishing the books.

Unable to cast it…

Ji Jiuxuan understood this well. If she failed mid-casting, it would increase the risk of exposure.

Not only could she be discovered, but so could Little Uncle-Master, and even Yue Bai, who brought her.

Looking at Yu Heng on the ground, Ji Jiuxuan gritted her teeth and called out in her heart, “Sui Yi, are you there?”

Yu Heng was vicious and cunning, making her uneasy; only by eradicating him could she rest.

Moreover, the Yu Family patriarch had only stepped down, not passed away. That was Yu Heng’s source of arrogance.

“Ah Jiu, you called?”

The unique voice of the shadow echoed in her mind. Ji Jiuxuan felt drawn every time she heard Sui Yi’s voice, her heart rejoicing uncontrollably.

But she didn’t dwell on it, only thinking that Sui Yi’s voice suited her tastes.

“Sui Yi, could you help me set up an array to send that man away? The farther, the better.” Ji Jiuxuan then explained her plan and her grievances with Yu Heng.

When the shadow learned everything in the Ancient Fallen Forest was caused by Yu Heng, the space he occupied froze instantly, then flames surged everywhere.

In this world, the shadow’s emotions dictated the environment, and he was furious.

“Should I let him live or finish him?”

Though angered, the shadow unconsciously softened his tone with Ji Jiuxuan, afraid to frighten her.

“Let him live.” Since Little Uncle-Master had arranged everything, she would follow his plan and let Yu Heng suffer the pain of the Purple Temptation Pill. “Will it be troublesome?”

If she killed him outright, she feared disturbances with the life tablets, which would surely provoke the Yu Family’s forces. Better to avoid trouble; the longer it lasted, the lower their risk.

“It won’t be. Do you have auxiliary array stones?” The shadow surveyed the surroundings through the void. A stream of spiritual energy flew out, sending Yue Bai Rabbit to sleep on a tree.

At that moment, the shadow appeared before Ji Jiuxuan.

“I do.” Seeing the shadow, Ji Jiuxuan took out a large tray filled with array stones.

The quantity was astonishing, considering the rarity of such high-quality stones—her tray was full.

“Wait here.” The shadow gathered a few array stones from the tray and flew to Yu Heng’s position.

Before casting, he erased any traces on the stones that might connect to Ji Jiuxuan.

A large concealment array was completed in an instant. His cold eyes glanced at the unconscious Yu Heng; he formed a seal and struck Yu Heng’s head, deepening his stupor.

The array stones floated again, and the spatial array appeared.

Ji Jiuxuan had expected a storm of dust and wind, but everything was calm; Yu Heng vanished without a trace.

Peace returned. With a flick of his sleeve, the shadow erased all signs of the earlier battle between Qu Liang and Yu Heng.

She looked up at the shadow standing beside her—he was even more thorough than she imagined, flawless in execution.

“With this distance, where will Yu Heng be sent?”

“The Outlands.” The shadow, now gentle and free of malice, stood before Ji Jiuxuan.

The Outlands!

Ji Jiuxuan was shocked; that was a place as far as heaven and earth, dominated by the Demon Clan. With the Purple Temptation Pill inside him, returning would be nearly impossible.

Thinking of the Demon Clan, Ji Jiuxuan asked, “Being so close to the demon territory, is there a chance he could succumb to demonic influence and return with renewed vengeance?”

(End of chapter)