Chapter 52: A Visit from an Old Friend (Please Add to Favorites)

Upon hearing that the long-absent, peak Foundation Establishment cultivator had appeared in Silver Maple City, Li Guanzhen no longer felt the same worry and fear as before.

He had gradually come to understand many of the secrets surrounding the Velvet Blossom Spirit Tree. As long as the Spirit Tree hid within the dark space, no one could sense its presence.

Not even the former master of Joyous Mountain.

Even if they stood face to face, the Joyous Mountain master would remain oblivious to the Spirit Tree.

Therefore, whether or not the master returned to Qing’an City to kill, it no longer mattered to Li Guanzhen.

After all, the most important thing was now hidden within his body.

Seeing the worried look on Qin Jiyue’s face, Li Guanzhen immediately understood her concerns and smiled reassuringly, “Don’t worry. Think about it carefully—though that thing is within you, it’s also not within you. As long as you don’t display it directly, no one can detect it.”

Hearing this, Qin Jiyue’s eyes brightened.

She had been anxious that the peak Foundation Establishment master of Joyous Mountain might notice something, but after hearing his words, her worries slowly subsided.

Still, she voiced her concern: “Husband, do you think that, if he returns, he’ll uncover any clues?”

Li Guanzhen paused.

The only way to uncover any trace would be through time reversal...

The Joyous Mountain master must never reach Nascent Soul!

Li Guanzhen felt the weight in his heart. If Joyous Mountain’s master reached the Nascent Soul stage and mastered a time-reversal technique, he might actually discover something.

“He can’t find out. Unless he reaches Nascent Soul and employs time reversal,” Li Guanzhen said, eyes narrowing.

“If he reaches Nascent Soul, I’ll probably have too—at worst, we’ll deal with him while we’re at the Golden Core stage,” Qin Jiyue replied, a glimmer of cold intent flashing in her beautiful eyes.

The Velvet Blossom was her secret to immortality.

Only Li Guanzhen and Wen Rongxin knew this secret, but they were family, so it didn’t matter.

If the Joyous Mountain master ever learned of it, not only would it endanger her life, but if he failed to seize the treasure, he might even spread the word.

Thus, the Joyous Mountain master must die!

Li Guanzhen’s thoughts aligned with Qin Jiyue’s; under no circumstances could that man be allowed to reach Nascent Soul.

Wen Rongxin listened silently from the side, also committing the name of the Joyous Mountain master to memory.

No matter how gentle a woman, if she sensed an outsider threatening or potentially destroying her family, she would become a furious lioness.

...

In the days that followed, Qin Jiyue focused on healing her wounds, with Wen Rongxin caring for her.

Li Guanzhen, meanwhile, organized the Foundation Establishment Pill ingredients Qin Jiyue had brought back. He selected some second-tier herbs and began refining pills, hoping to become a second-tier alchemist as soon as possible.

But many attempts ended in failure, costing him quite a few spirit stones.

Such was the life of an alchemist—quick to earn, but quick to burn through wealth as well.

One day, an old acquaintance paid a visit.

When Wen Rongxin opened the door to see Song Zhiqiao in a verdant gown, she was momentarily taken aback.

Still, out of courtesy, she invited her in for a cup of hot tea.

“Where is Brother Li?” Song Zhiqiao asked softly after exchanging a few pleasantries.

“My husband is in seclusion. Is there something you wish to convey? I can pass on the message,” Wen Rongxin replied.

Qin Jiyue had also noticed this cultivator from a scholarly family and, worried that Wen Rongxin might not be her match, immediately approached, her gaze sharp as she glared at Song Zhiqiao.

“Sister Qin, you—you don’t still hold a grudge against me, do you? I truly didn’t mean what happened back then,” Song Zhiqiao said nervously, her aggrieved eyes darting toward Wen Rongxin from time to time.

Wen Rongxin pretended not to notice.

Though she managed their household, she relied on Qin Jiyue’s social finesse when dealing with outsiders.

“Of course not. Why would I blame you, Song Daoist? After all, it was my doing in the first place,” Qin Jiyue replied with a smile.

“You—” Song Zhiqiao was instantly furious.

Back at Zheng Huangjin’s farewell banquet, she hadn't grasped the subtleties of what had happened until she returned home and reflected.

Qin Jiyue had been closest to her, and her strength surpassed Song’s, making her the most likely culprit.

Moreover, Qin Jiyue was no frail woman; on the contrary, she was tough and assertive.

The only explanation was that Qin Jiyue had feigned weakness on purpose, to embarrass her.

“Well, the mask comes off now?” Qin Jiyue smiled, her eyes narrowing. “Song Daoist, we’re all women here; there’s no need for pretense. Besides, my husband is no ordinary man; your tricks won’t work on him—in fact, they’ll only backfire.”

She laid everything bare, sparing Song Zhiqiao the trouble of playing the frail maiden.

Song Zhiqiao, of course, knew full well how formidable Li Guanzhen was.

Otherwise, she would have been ordering him about long ago.

Song Zhiqiao snorted lightly, “I’m working under Manager Zheng now. I came to handle some business and, incidentally, to deliver a message to Brother Li.”

Since everything was out in the open, she brazened her way into using a more intimate form of address.

At that, Qin Jiyue’s foxlike eyes narrowed even further, her tone icy: “Do you believe I won’t tear your mouth apart?”

Song Zhiqiao, emboldened, replied, “If I’m hurt here, Myriad Phenomena Pavilion won’t stand by. Surely, Sister Qin, you don’t wish to see relations between Brother Li and the Pavilion turn sour?”

Qin Jiyue was about to explode when Wen Rongxin placed a calming hand on hers, signaling her not to act rashly.

Then, Wen Rongxin personally poured tea for Song Zhiqiao, speaking gently, “We will pass your message to my husband, Song Daoist. Thank you for making the trip.”

“It’s nothing, Sister Wen. You’re the best!” Song Zhiqiao replied, taking Wen Rongxin’s hand with a smile.

Wen Rongxin maintained her warm, friendly smile, betraying no impatience or displeasure.

Seeing that neither woman was willing to talk further, Song Zhiqiao realized she couldn’t stay any longer.

Leaving a letter behind, she took her leave.

After Song Zhiqiao left, Qin Jiyue fumed, “I’ve never seen anyone so shameless!”

To call her husband “brother” right in front of his wives—what woman could tolerate that?

Song Zhiqiao was clearly provoking them!

But Wen Rongxin remained calm, soothing her, “The Li family of Grand Heng and the Song family have been friends for a thousand years; in a sense, Song Daoist is like a little sister to my husband as well.”

“Why are you taking her side, Sister?” Qin Jiyue asked, puzzled.

“Anger solves nothing—my husband taught me this,” Wen Rongxin replied softly, smiling. “Sometimes, the calmer you remain, the more flustered and angry the other party will become.”

Qin Jiyue reflected on this and found the logic sound; her mood gradually eased, the gloom dissipating.

Wen Rongxin then placed the letter in the hands of the little bomb carrier, refraining from disturbing Li Guanzhen in his cultivation chamber.

A few days later, Li Guanzhen emerged from seclusion, holding a small bottle, a broad smile on his face.

He also noticed the letter in the hands of the little bomb carrier, took it, and opened it. As he read, a look of surprise slowly appeared on his face.

...

PS: Something came up this evening and I had to stay up late to finish this chapter—sorry for the delay.