Chapter 43

Chapter 43

That intense longing, which seemed to well up from the deepest part of her heart and flow through her entire being, lasted only an instant before Wen Hean forcibly suppressed it with an innocent blink and a calm demeanor.

For a moment, her heart was in turmoil. She sat for a while, then rose to take her leave. Before leaving, she smiled at Shang Huai and nodded, telling them they had worked hard for several days and should rest well tonight.

Only after crossing the threshold without changing her expression, walking across the bridge corridor, and stopping at the wicker gate of her courtyard did Wen Hean stand still, facing the night wind and taking a deep breath. She looked at her hands wrapped in white silk, her brows furrowed deeply.

It had snowed in Luozhou just a few days ago, and the early spring chill was still biting. Yet, on the tips of the two layers of withered gray vines entwined around the wicker gate, two trembling buds had emerged, signaling the approach of the first spring breeze.

Wen Hean gazed at the twinkling stars in the sky for a while before pushing open the courtyard gate and returning to her room.

Silently lighting a candle, she held up a delicate mirror adorned with gemstones, lifting her hair to reveal the skin beneath. There was nothing unusual about it, but when she touched it with her fingers, she could feel a slight warmth, as if it had been dried by prolonged exposure to a campfire.

Her mood plummeted because of that inexplicable impulse she had felt earlier.

Always walking on the edge, she could not tolerate any uncontrollable impulses or actions; it was too dangerous and too easy to expose herself.

Wen Hean had known for several days that Lu Yuran's blood could detoxify her. During this time, she had remained calm and focused on her own affairs. The worst-case scenario she had envisioned was truly succumbing to the poison and then trading certain conditions for his blood.

Therefore, the urge to look directly at his clearly visible veins and feel the urge to bite was not her own thought.

What was happening... She touched her left cheek, lost in thought, wondering if this thing was developing its own consciousness or if there were other changes.

Whatever it was, it was not good news.

Wen Hean stayed awake all night, sitting by the window, gazing into the distance.

She had just fought Wen Liuguang and was quite drained, so logically, she needed rest. However, due to this matter, both her body and mind were tense, unable to relax. It felt like a thin fish line had been embedded in her flesh and bones, causing her organs to be constantly entangled, always a potential threat.

Not until the sky began to lighten did she rub her eyes, pour out the cold tea, and return the teacup to its original place, her mind filled with one thought.

—Since the first poisoning, she had spent too much time on this matter, being extremely cautious, treading on thin ice, and seeking medical help under an assumed name countless times. But the fact remained that even finding Luo Qingshan would not help if she did not know the name or the mechanism of the poison.

—Unless she wanted to reveal her demonic symptoms to everyone on Mountain Wu.

She and Lu Yuran were currently entangled together, but ultimately, they were not on the same side.

Today friends, tomorrow enemies.

Given the current situation, the likelihood of them becoming enemies in the future was extremely high, at least on the surface.

Wen Hean had carefully considered this: Wen Liuguang might not really know the whole story. If she truly knew about Wen Hean's demonic transformation, she could easily spread the news, making Wen Hean an enemy of the entire JiuZhou, without needing to conspire with Jiang Zhao to set a trap.

But she understood Wen Liuguang.

For so many years, not only had Wen Hean been unable to let go of the poisoning incident, but Wen Liuguang also harbored the same resentment.

She considered herself a prodigy, admitting to her actions openly. She admitted to kidnapping Wen Hean but, after a few physical altercations, would always fly into a rage when the poisoning was mentioned, accusing Wen Hean of slander and false accusations.

To falsely accuse Wen Liuguang was not just defamation but also an insult.

This was the first time.

Wen Liuguang had spoken about it herself.

If she hadn't been driven mad by the provocation, it could only mean she had received some new information.

Wen Hean had originally planned to act during Wen Liuguang's second bout of sensing, but given her current special status, she didn't want to engage in petty conflicts; she wanted a decisive strike. However, waiting two or three months was too long; she couldn't wait—she needed to meet Wen Liuguang again before then.

After dawn, Wen Hean washed up, put on a veil, and went to the Rare Treasure Pavilion.

Upon entering the private room, she noticed that Lin Shiyuan's gaze toward her had changed. She pushed a teacup toward Wen Hean, perhaps feeling a sense of camaraderie now that they were working together. Her frown had eased, and the frustration over Lin Huai's "unscrupulous extortion" had dissipated somewhat.

"Here. Take a look." She handed Wen Hean a crystal stone, her lips curved upward. "I had someone make it overnight."

Wen Hean guessed what it was and reached out to take it, activating it.

A spirit energy scroll projected from the crystal stone, approximately four inches long and three inches wide. The scroll displayed the scene of her battle with Wen Liuguang last night, showing the ripple barrier and the abduction scene at Yipinchun in great detail. It was clear that someone had closely followed and recorded it onto the crystal stone.

Wen Hean glanced at it, holding the crystal stone, momentarily silent.

Lin Shiyuan knew what she was thinking. She had prepared her arguments all night, knowing how to persuade people when it came to money and business.

"The crystal stones are expensive, and we have limited stock. We managed to produce only a hundred overnight," Lin Shiyuan said, brushing aside a strand of hair. "The content in these crystal stones will embarrass Wen Liuguang. You'll get your revenge, and I'll get mine. The profits from selling them, after covering the cost of the crystal stones, will be split seventy percent to you and thirty percent to me. How does that sound?"

Wen Hean had never made money this way before. After thinking for a moment, she realized it was typical of the Lin family's style and asked, "How do you plan to price them?"

Lin Shiyuan held up two fingers and said, "Twenty thousand spirit stones each."

"Are you serious?"

Wen Hean's eyelid twitched. Seeing Lin Shiyuan's serious expression, she said, "Those who can afford to spend twenty thousand won't be unaware of the price of crystal stones. This is too high."

It was exorbitant, almost outrageous.

No one would spend money so recklessly.

Even selling ten would be difficult, let alone a hundred.

"Second Young Master, my cultivation may not match yours, but don't doubt my pricing skills," Lin Shiyuan said with a slight smile, confident in her business acumen. "You, Wen Liuguang, Jiang Wushuang, and the Imperial heir have never battled before, and your few engagements have never been full force. Everyone is naturally curious. This is the first time in a century. Since last night, countless messages have been sent outside of Luozhou via the Four Directions Mirror. People have heard about it but haven't seen it, making their curiosity even stronger."

"Have you forgotten that those affected by the Heavenly Mandate aren't just your three families? So many people have come to Luozhou city in recent days. The casual cultivators watching the spectacle are just a small part of it. The Twelve Sects, Three Treasures, and even five reclusive families have shown up... Seeing you in action, twenty thousand spirit stones is nothing to them; they certainly won't lack funds."

Lin Shiyuan added softly, "Lin Huai has been supporting Wen Liuguang like a bottomless pit, and Lingzhuang's daily income is still being spent like water. Any chance to earn back money from Wen Liuguang, I'm more than willing. As for you, Second Young Master, you're currently supporting a dozen injured people, renting a mansion, hiring physicians, and using expensive medicines. Even if you can bear the cost... this money goes into your pocket, not the family's, and no one can take it away."

Wen Hean was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly, though the smile barely reached her eyes. "You're right."

"Then let's sell them."

"Why not, if it can cause trouble for the opponent and make money at the same time?"

She just happened to need something to provoke Wen Liuguang. Her current state couldn't withstand much provocation.

As soon as Wen Hean appeared, she would definitely try to regain the upper hand in some other way. With Wen Baiyu advising her, a life-or-death battle wouldn't happen, but she would find ways to embarrass her in other aspects.

For example, the matter of poison that she mentioned that day.

That was precisely what Wen Hean cared about the most.

At Yipinchun, Wen Baiyu resignedly cleaned up the mess with magic and then called in the servants to redecorate the room according to Wen Liuguang's preferences. The porcelain vases and antiques had to be spotless, the flowers in the long-necked vases needed to be freshly picked at night, and incense had to be lit so that Wen Liuguang wouldn't be displeased, thus avoiding another disaster in the house.

After finishing these tasks, Wen Baiyu asked, "Where is the Young Master?"

The steward who answered him seemed relieved and looked at him with admiration, glad that things were back on track: "Elder Ten, the Young Master went to check on the progress of the Drowning Sea Observation Platform."

Wen Baiyu rubbed his temples and asked, "How has the Young Master been lately? What has she been doing?"

The steward reported everything in detail. After finishing, he tactfully closed the door and left, seeing Wen Baiyu deep in thought.

Wen Baiyu stood there for a while, leaning on the table, his brows furrowed deeply.

Ever since Wen Liuguang showed signs of opening the second of the Eight Senses half a year ago, the clan took it very seriously. After several personal tests by the matriarch, they ultimately decided to discard Wen Hean silently.

Simultaneously, the clan issued an order to tolerate Wen Liuguang's increasingly eccentric behavior.

Wen Baiyu knew that the clan wanted to eliminate all distractions and see how strong her killing intent could become, or rather, how powerful her second sense could be.

But he still felt uneasy. Wen Liuguang had been raised too self-centered and arrogant. In his opinion, she should focus more on tempering her character as she grew older. But time passed quickly, and she always had things to do—balancing the family, enhancing her strength, chasing after the Heavenly Mandate, and being on high alert.

Compared to these important matters, a flaw in her character seemed insignificant.

Originally, a defeat might have served as a lesson for Wen Liuguang, but this particular lesson came from Wen Hean, and at such a crucial time.

Wen Baiyu took out the Four-Direction Mirror and sent a message, which went unanswered like a stone sinking into the sea.

The clan's intentions were hard to fathom.

Building the observation platform by the Drowning Sea posed a common challenge for the three families—they couldn't drive the piles into the ground no matter what methods they tried.

Lu Yuran encountered this problem first. Without hesitation, he used the power of a Saint that night, sacrificing a major protective artifact, and managed to drive the first pile down. After that, everything went smoothly, and on the fourth morning after the Rare Treasure Pavilion delivered the Flowing String Sand, Mountain Wu's observation platform was completed first.

Tian Du and the Imperial Court were a few days behind.

During those few days, crystal stones started circulating in Luozhou. Almost every powerful family had one, and the news quickly reached Wen Liuguang's ears.

She had become increasingly restless over the past half year, but she wasn't completely consumed by thoughts of killing. Faced with the Heavenly Mandate and the second sense, she was suppressing her humiliation, but the emotions remained. Staring at the crystal stone on the table, she coldly asked, "Where did this come from?"

The steward bowed lower: "This one came from the black market—crystal stones are flowing out from various places in Luozhou. We compared a few and found that the angles and durations within the crystals are inconsistent, suggesting they aren't from the same source."

Wen Liuguang closed her eyes and took a deep breath: "They want to make money without openly offending me, fearing to be traced. Naturally, they made it flawless."

Once these items were out, they were out. She couldn't afford to make enemies everywhere when dealing with the Heavenly Mandate.

Investigating further was useless. Wen Liuguang gritted her teeth and dismissed the steward, her brow darkening.

Wen Baiyu knocked and entered, saying to Wen Liuguang, "Using the power of a Saint to suppress the attack allowed the piles to be driven down. I estimate the other two families used the same method."

There were only a few Saints in Jiu Zhou, and artifacts containing their power were even rarer, reserved only for core family members. Because they were so precious, they weren't used unless absolutely necessary. This time, they must have consulted the clan before making the decision.

"As long as they got driven down."

"I really want to see what kind of mystery the first clue from the Ruins Exploration Mirror holds."

Wen Liuguang then asked, "Have you prepared everything we need? What about the Double Calamity Fruit?"

The two sentences Wen Baiyu said to her that day clearly had an effect; Wen Liuguang was much calmer than that night. She stared intently at him and emphasized each word: "I can overlook it now, pretending to be blind and deaf, but my period of sensing is within six months. There's no more time to delay. If I can't wash away this humiliation soon and open the second sense, how can I compete with others in front of the Heavenly Mandate?"

Wen Baiyu sighed heavily, his expression grave: "This is the most important thing for the clan, personally overseen by the matriarch. Common precious items, the clan has in double, and Lin Huai has gathered a few rare ones. But the Double Calamity Fruit... you know it's not something that can be obtained with money and power."

Wen Liuguang gestured for him to stop and said, "The Double Calamity Fruit is essential for sensing. Without it, my chances of surviving seclusion are less than thirty percent."

"I know, and the clan knows," Wen Baiyu, responsible for preparing these items, pressed his brow and continued calmly: "We originally planned to use this opportunity involving the Drowning Sea to formally invite a Yin Official with profound concealment skills to descend into the Drowning Sea. This would allow us to observe the situation and obtain the Double Calamity Fruit for you."

He shook his head, his frown deepening: "But the main family of the Yin Officials is unyielding. They've always acted this way for a thousand years, and they're too special, connected to that thing. Even the matriarch is unsure."

Yin Officials were the only ones who could traverse the Drowning Sea and interact with the creatures beneath, rivaling the mysteriousness of the divine temple left by the Emperor.

Forcing them to act.

Who knew if the Drowning Sea would react negatively?

Even a powerful place like Tian Du didn't have the courage to do this, leading to a deadlock.

Wen Baiyu composed himself and added, "Currently, the head of the main family isn't involved in affairs, and her senior brother manages everything. You met him once, and you helped him by chance. I'm negotiating with him now. If we can convince him to help, things will be easier."

Wen Liuguang's expression softened slightly.

Both of them were lost in thought when suddenly, an incredibly terrifying aura descended upon the room, shaking their hearts in an instant, surpassing the Ninth Realm.

Wen Liuguang reacted swiftly, rising and looking at the family token hanging from Wen Baiyu's waist.

A powerful will of a Saint had arrived through some medium.

Wen Baiyu removed the token, realizing something, his mood and expression complex but hidden. He placed the token on the table with both hands, respectfully saying, "Ancestor."

Wen Liuguang also bowed slightly, her eyes, usually looking at the sky, now fixed on her feet, calling out softly, "Grandmother."

The kind face appeared through the life tablet, hovering in mid-air.

The old man's silver hair was neatly tied up with a wooden pin, and wrinkles crept across his cheeks. His eyes were cloudy and yellow, but he was energetic and stood straight. Every gesture exuded a unique warmth, except for the occasional sharp glint in his eyes, revealing his complex identity.

"Hmm." The old man's projection nodded at Wen Liuguang and looked at Wen Baiyu beside him: "Baiyu, you go out first."

Wen Baiyu bowed again and left, closing the door behind him.

The Sage's barrier immediately closed around the room, silently enclosing it.

This was a top-secret conversation.

Wen Baiyu stood quietly by the door, and for some reason, he thought of Wen Hean.

In his memory, this Second Young Mistress had a good temper, unlike the rumors that she was cruel and ruthless. Many elders and officials in the Wen family expressed dissatisfaction with her, yet when they met, she remained calm, not overly clingy but maintaining basic courtesy towards her elders.

It was merely politeness.

In the vast Tian Du, with tens of thousands in the clan, she was close only to the Patriarch.

This closeness could be seen from childhood.

When she was escorted back by the Patriarch, she had already become quite sensible.

As a Sage, the Patriarch personally mentored only Wen Hean and Wen Liuguang.

At that time, they were both young. Children usually wanted candy or to play, but the young mistress of Tian Du didn't care for such things. After completing their lessons, Wen Liuguang would ask the Patriarch for spirit artifacts, fruits, and essences, while Wen Hean preferred resting on the table beside the Patriarch, like a kitten depending on someone.

The Patriarch personally brought her back, gave her a revered status, and guided her on her cultivation path.

After growing up, the two young mistresses each had their own thoughts, with many hidden conflicts. They no longer showed their emotions openly, and no one wanted to handle the thorny and unpopular tasks. Whenever the Patriarch mentioned something to Wen Hean, she would silently take it over with just a few words.

People said that in noble families, interests were more reliable than kinship. In this family, clan honor came first, but Wen Hean wasn't raised in the Wen family from childhood and didn't deeply understand this principle.

A hundred years of loneliness, without parents, on an endless sea, there was only one piece of driftwood. She clung to it without hesitation, training relentlessly, risking her life for the Wen family countless times, harboring an unrealistic fantasy about kinship.

Though small, it was extremely fatal.

Today's conversation.

Was a reassurance for Wen Liuguang, and a deadly poison for Wen Hean.

In the room, Wen Liuguang stood on the carpet, her head lowered, as the Wen family's Patriarch spoke the first words, accompanied by a faint sigh: "What happened in Luozhou, I already know. You were too careless."

Wen Liuguang clenched her jaw and after a moment, said: "Grandmother, I didn't expect—"

"Didn't expect her to find help right after coming out of Guixu, or didn't expect her to have a seal?" The Patriarch's voice was calm: "On the battlefield, only victory and defeat matter, not methods. True strength lies in learning from mistakes, not making excuses."

Wen Liuguang straightened up: "Yes."

Her talent was so high that even her parents didn't interfere much in her education, only indulging her unconditionally. Almost all her lessons, punishments, and strict rules came from the Wen family's Patriarch, whom she dared not contradict.

Just as Wen Liuguang thought she would face a scolding, the Patriarch merely gazed at her, her cloudy yellow eyes dark and indecisive, giving an ominous sense of impending storm.

The Sage's will spanned Jiu Zhou, and the time available was limited.

The Wen family's Patriarch paused briefly before revealing the secret hidden for a hundred years in Tian Du: "Wen Hean is indeed not your uncle's daughter. Her mother was a traitor expelled from the clan."

Wen Liuguang lifted her eyes in disbelief.

"A hundred years ago, someone in the clan found her, and the news reached me." The Sage's face was stern, and she narrowed her eyes: "I never intended to bring her back until I saw her in person in her city."

"A Thousand-Cavity Body."

Hearing this, Wen Liuguang felt a thunderous shock in her mind. She was stunned, dizzy, and speechless, caught between her recent failure and this revelation.

A hundred years of obsession.

In the most unbelievable moment, a dream-like explanation emerged.

The Sage raised her hand, and surging spiritual energy supported Wen Liuguang's back, making her stand straight, facing the floating image, her voice stern and commanding: "If she had followed the path, she would have become your unparalleled dual sense."

Unfortunately.

Wen Hean was still not obedient enough, deviating from the norm when choosing her eighth sense, causing a mishap.

"..."

Time was running out, and the Sage said her final words, her gaze sharp and admonishing: "The pawn is now useless, expelled from the family. You are not young anymore, and you must prioritize what matters. If you still let emotions control you when facing Lu Yuran and Jiang Wushuang, how can you qualify to be recognized by the Heavenly Mandate?"

"Stay in Luozhou and don't cause any more trouble."

Wen Liuguang watched as the Sage's will dissipated before her eyes: "Yes, Grandmother."

The room fell into complete silence.

Wen Liuguang stood by the table for a long time, her eyes growing brighter with each passing moment. She placed her palms on the table, seemingly confronting her mortal enemy, feeling a malicious satisfaction and mockery.

She originally planned to unlock her second Eighth Sense soon and crush Wen Hean underfoot to vent her anger from the past few days. Now, however, she felt it might not be necessary to wait.

She couldn't wait to see Wen Hean.

She now held many secrets, which she could reveal word by word, sentence by sentence.