Chapter 069: Murder

“What exactly is this ‘Snowy Domain Immortal’ title?” Bai Yu hesitated, then forced a sheepish smile. “I’m not entirely sure. I’ve barely heard that term in recent years—it feels quite foreign to me!”

“Foreign? More like unheard of!” Jian Rong sneered, the cold edge of her laughter lingering. “It must be an empty title, just something that sounds impressive. All because she holds a divine artifact, nothing more.”

“Senior Sister, do you mean that the Frost Lotus Ice Needle has brought Xue Ze to new heights?”

“Heh, how could it be considered new heights? That paltry needle is so lacking in discernment—I doubt it will last long. When it disappears, won’t she be left with nothing? No power, no status. For now, she just wears a fancy title. What does it matter? I’m still the acting Celestial Master, am I not?”

Bai Yu faltered, then whispered, “But—but, the Celestial Sovereign said this position is ranked just below the Celestial Masters themselves, with authority over the Four Palaces. On Tianshan, she holds a very high rank now!”

“What?” Jian Rong’s eyes widened in shock as she gripped Bai Yu’s arm. “What did you say?”

“Senior Sister, it’s the absolute truth!”

“She’s actually been promoted beyond her station!” Jian Rong yelled, tightening her grip on Bai Yu’s hand.

Terrified, Bai Yu staggered back and had no choice but to use a spell to dispel Jian Rong’s strength. “Senior Sister, calm yourself! Didn’t you say it yourself? She may enjoy her moment of glory, but soon enough she could lose her artifact, or fall out of favor with Tianshan.”

Jian Rong forced herself to regain composure, then sighed in despair, “Let’s hope so. I truly can’t stand her.”

“Don’t worry, Senior Sister. For the next few days, you won’t have to see her at all!”

Jian Rong’s smile was absent, her tone distant as she said, “Oh? Is she planning to devote herself to cultivation now?”

“No, Senior Sister—have you forgotten she wants to descend the mountain?”

“She’s leaving?” Jian Rong blinked, then sneered. “Good! Let her go—so eager to seek her own doom!”

“What did you say?”

Jian Rong’s expression softened suddenly, a faint smile on her lips. “It’s nothing. Junior Sister, thank you for bringing me back and taking care of me for so long.”

“There’s no need for thanks, Senior Sister! Didn’t you say before that we would share both honor and disgrace? I remember it well!”

Jian Rong nodded gently and, after a long silence, said to Bai Yu, “You should go out and spread news of my grave illness.”

“Senior Sister, are you truly unwell? The affairs of Tianshan await you—you must rest and recover!”

“Don’t worry. I just want to give you an opportunity.” Jian Rong’s smile was meaningful. “For the days that I am sick, I’ll leave the matters to you. You must handle them well and get along with everyone—your senior brother included.”

“Senior Sister, I...”

Jian Rong let out a cold laugh. “I told you, I’ll help you! Now is the perfect time for you to rise. I’m sure you understand the reasons, don’t you?”

Bai Yu blushed, a smile playing at her lips. “Then, Senior Sister, rest assured. I’ll manage everything in your stead and give you no cause for worry!”

Jian Rong nodded, closed her eyes, and said, “You may go now.”

“Yes, I take my leave.”

Tianshan had tightened its security, setting up many sentry posts. Jian Rong dared not send messages from within the Plum Treasure Palace, so she waited until the crowd had thinned and slipped into the Tianmin Quarter, where few recognized her. Thus, she made her way down the mountain and entered the Maze Valley.

Looking around at the deserted, silent surroundings, Jian Rong finally produced the plum blossom. She plucked the petals one by one, arranged them in a circle, and began her incantation. Soon, the blossom glowed faintly, and a subtle fragrance drifted forth.

“You’ve changed locations?”

“Tianshan has tightened the guard—I cannot send messages freely. I’ve come down the mountain, but can only stay a short while.”

“Fine, let’s be quick. Next time, I’ll find you a mirror so you won’t have to travel back and forth. What is it this time? You sought me out?”

“I beg you, Master, to help me eliminate Xue Ze.”

“Oh? She’s coming down the mountain?”

“Yes. She’s determined—no one can stop her.”

“Hahaha, then what are you worried about? Of course I won’t show mercy!”

“But she just broke open the Artifact Gate without permission—and became master of a divine artifact!”

“Oh? To open the Artifact Gate unbidden—that’s rare. Is there something behind it? What artifact did she take?”

“The Frost Lotus Ice Needle.”

“What?” For a whole minute, Shuo was stunned, unable to fathom how a newcomer could open the Artifact Gate alone and easily become the master of the needle.

“Master, is something wrong? Do you too fear this artifact?”

“Heh, hardly. As you surely know, the only thing I fear is the Celestial Maiden and her Ice Staff. The needle is but a part of the staff—not enough to threaten me. But right now, my powers are insufficient—it will be difficult. We’ll need a strategy.”

“What strategy?”

“That’s not for you to worry about. I’ll inform you when the time comes.”

Dismissing the plum blossom spell, Shuo stood motionless, startled.

“I intended to eliminate each threat one by one—yet now a mere girl appears? There’s something strange about her. Could she truly be chosen by destiny? What should I do? First, I must use the Celestial Maiden to open the formation and activate the Liguang Mirror, then eliminate this nemesis... The Celestial Maiden, if it’s Jian Rong, is easily manipulated. But if it’s someone else...”

For twenty years, Shuo had cultivated in secret. Only after absorbing the vital energy of many people could he move freely in human form. He had to remain ever watchful, always seeking hidden places to practice, relying on mysterious relics or unusual individuals as support.

“It seems that to get rid of her, I’ll need the Divine Pearl.”

Shuo smiled and activated another plum blossom formation.

“Did you want something from me?”

“Busy, are you?” Shuo smiled. “I need a favor.”

“What could I possibly do for you, Master?”

“Something most useful! Soon, a powerful figure will descend from Tianshan. To avoid unforeseen trouble, we plan to assassinate her within the palace. My powers are still lacking—I need the Divine Pearl. Can you help me find it?”

“Divine Pearl? Which one?”

“The Blood Moon Divine Pearl.”

The other paused. “Blood Moon Divine Pearl? Didn’t you already acquire the Red Sun Divine Pearl for protection? Why do you need the Blood Moon as well? It’s not as potent as the Red Sun. Besides, I don’t even know its hiding place—we’re just mortals, after all!”

“I’m not asking you to find it, just to fetch it for me! No need to worry—the rest I can handle.” Shuo chuckled, recalling a time shrouded in darkness:

Once, Shuo had been confined in the Azure Abyss Valley, tormented day and night. His power had attracted all manner of spirits, demons, and beasts, as well as many who lost or concealed treasures there.

Twenty years ago, Shuo finally seized a chance to escape his flesh, hiding within the Red Sun Divine Pearl, transforming himself into a pure fire demon. His essence became pure yang, heart of flame—all thanks to that divine mountain treasure.

The red pearl glowed so brilliantly that no eye could bear its light; its power was like the sun itself.

At the time, Shuo lacked the strength to seize the Blood Moon Divine Pearl. He could have taken both, but fate had other plans.

“No matter. Now that I have the power, I must claim the Blood Moon Divine Pearl! Once the twin pearls are united—pure yang in its truest form—I will be unbound and free, nothing will stand in my way. Tianshan’s days are numbered! Nor will peace last much longer in this land.”