bookbashuk Chapter 482 and this
Chapter 482 and this
Meanwhile, in Tianjing, on the third floor of Tongtian Pavilion, lies Su Changning's residence.
The room was simply furnished with a small table, a couch, a few books, and a dim lamp. Outside the window lay the city of Tianjing in the night, its myriad lights twinkling like stars.
Su Changning sat cross-legged on the couch, holding a jade slip in his hand, his brows slightly furrowed.
The jade slip contained all the information about "Master Chen" and his group over the past two months. From their arrival in Tianjing to their departure this morning, every detail was listed.
The conflict with Yunjiu at the Peony Pavilion.
The change in the attitude of the Feng family and the royal family.
Those three iron boxes that don't need horses.
Those two months of "shopping".
And that glance we exchanged when she personally saw me off this morning.
Su Changning put down the jade slip and rubbed his temples.
The man's gaze felt somewhat familiar to her.
It wasn't that kind of "déjà vu" familiarity, but something deeper, something indescribable.
"Master."
He Qing's voice came from outside the door.
Su Changning concealed her thoughts and resumed her aloof demeanor: "Come in."
The door was pushed open, and He Qing strode in, bowing respectfully: "Master, someone from headquarters has arrived."
Su Changning was slightly taken aback, then stood up: "Where?"
"They're already in the pavilion. It's..." He Qing paused, then lowered his voice, "It's Elder Zhou from the Tian Shu Hall."
Tian Shu Hall.
Su Changning's pupils contracted slightly.
As a true disciple of the Heavenly Pivot Palace, she naturally knew the Heavenly Pivot Palace's status within the Immortal Alliance. It was the true core of the Immortal Alliance, and every elder within it was a powerful figure at the Nascent Soul stage or above.
And Elder Zhou...
"Zhou Jin?" she asked.
He Qing nodded: "Exactly."
Su Changning didn't ask any more questions. He straightened his robes and went out.
The ninth floor of the Tongtian Pavilion. Seated in the main seat was a woman.
She looked to be in her early thirties, dressed in a white Taoist robe, her long hair casually tied up with a wooden hairpin, and her face was cool and beautiful.
Yun Jiu stood to the side, his arrogance long gone, replaced by cautious respect. Fine beads of sweat glistened on his forehead, but he dared not wipe them away.
Su Changning pushed open the door and entered. His gaze fell on the woman. He paused slightly, then quickly stepped forward and bowed.
"Su Changning, a true disciple of the Tian Shu Hall, greets Elder Zhou."
Zhou Jin withdrew her gaze and looked at her.
The gaze was indifferent, without any pressure or scrutiny, just a casual look. Yet Su Changning felt as if she had nowhere to hide under that gaze, as if everything about her had been seen through.
"Get up," Zhou Jin said, her voice calm and unreadable.
Su Changning straightened up and stood with his hands at his sides.
Zhou Jin pointed to the seat next to her: "Sit."
Su Changning sat down as instructed.
Zhou Jin then looked at Yun Jiu: "You sit down too."
Yun Jiu felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly sat down at the lower seat, but only dared to sit on half of his buttocks, his body tense.
Zhou Jin picked up her teacup, took a sip, and then spoke: "Tell me, what has happened in Tianjing these past two months?"
Yun Jiu opened her mouth, wanting to speak, but Su Changning spoke first.
"Reporting to Elder," Su Changning's voice was steady, "two months ago, several cultivators claiming to be from the 'Cloud Hidden Sect' arrived in Tianjing. The leader was known as 'True Man Chen,' whose cultivation was unfathomable. He was accompanied by five people, one of whom was named Lu Kong, whose strength was also unfathomable. As for the others, the strongest among them was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, presumably ordinary disciples serving as attendants."
Zhou Jin nodded, signaling her to continue.
Su Changning recounted the events of the past two months in detail. From Chen Anran and her group moving into the Wei residence, to the conflict at the Peony Pavilion, to Yun Jiu being forced to submit, to the change in the attitude of the Feng family and the royal family, to those three iron boxes, and those two months of "shopping".
She spoke in great detail, without concealing anything or embellishing anything; she simply stated the facts.
After listening, Zhou Jin remained silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "How old is that Master Chen?"
Su Changning shook his head, "This disciple cannot discern his strength. His power is unfathomable, and it is impossible to fathom his divine sea. Judging from his appearance, he is no more than twenty years old."
Zhou Jin naturally didn't believe it.
At the age of twenty, even a genius, even with the aid of elixirs, can only reach the Foundation Establishment stage at most.
However, Zhou Jin laughed and said, "An early twenties who can make Yun Jiu dance, interesting."
Yun Jiu's face turned bright red, but she dared not utter a sound.
Zhou Jin then looked at Su Changning: "You just said that you couldn't see through him?"
Su Changning nodded: "Yes. This disciple tried to probe with divine sense, but as soon as I touched three feet around his body, I was blocked by an invisible force. This disciple dared not try again."
Zhou Jin tapped her fingers lightly on the table.
"What about the land and air forces?"
"I can't see through it either."
Zhou Jin's fingers stopped.
She looked at Su Changning, and a light suddenly flashed in her weary eyes.
"Your intuition is always very accurate."
Su Changning was slightly taken aback.
Zhou Jin didn't continue the topic, but instead changed the subject: "What's been happening at Tianxuan Palace lately?"
Su Changning felt a chill run down her spine.
Tianxuan Palace.
The Immortal Alliance's Hall is specifically for managing demon affairs. Its Lord is a powerful demon at the Nascent Soul stage, and he has always been at odds with the human cultivators of the Heavenly Pivot Hall. While they maintain a polite facade, it's an open secret within the Immortal Alliance that they secretly sabotage each other.
"Reporting to Elder," Su Changning carefully chose his words, "as far as I know, the Tianxuan Palace has been making frequent moves within the Great Qian territory recently. They are capturing lesser demons in various places, claiming it's for 'registration,' but in reality, they are sending them to refine pills and weapons. This matter has already caused dissatisfaction among many rogue cultivators, but due to the power of the Immortal Alliance, no one dares to speak out."
Zhou Jin sneered: "Register them. They certainly know how to make excuses."
She paused, then looked at Yun Jiu: "And you? Do you have any dealings with the Tianxuan Palace?"
Yun Jiu trembled and hurriedly waved his hands, "No, no, no! Elder, please understand, although... although my actions were somewhat inappropriate, I have absolutely no connection with the Tianxuan Palace!"
Zhou Jin looked at him with a calm gaze, but it sent a chill down Yun Jiu's spine.
"There is no best," she said. "The affairs of the Tian Shu Palace and the Tian Xuan Palace are not something a mere Nascent Soul cultivator like you can meddle in."
Yun Jiu nodded repeatedly, cold sweat streaming down his face.
Zhou Jin withdrew her gaze, picked up her teacup, and took a sip.
"After dealing with the matters at Tianxuan Palace, I will personally lead a team to investigate Yunyin Sect."
Su Changning was silent for a moment. "The elder went; is he going to eliminate him?"
A hint of amusement flashed in Zhou Jin's eyes.
"If the Cloud Hidden Sect does indeed have some strength, then we should incorporate it into the Immortal Alliance. The Immortal Alliance is so large; having a few more capable people wouldn't be a bad thing. It's better than them causing trouble on their own outside."
"If they're not strong enough, then just wipe them out. The Immortal Alliance's prestige cannot be compromised in any way. Yun Jiu's matter has already caused the Immortal Alliance to lose face. Now that I'm here, I have to get my revenge."