184 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

### Chapter 184: The Revelation of the Three Spiritual Roots Han Yan is a cultivator with three spiritual roots! Jiu Ying paused in her steps, a fleeting trace of surprise crossing her brow. This secret was something she had never heard of in her past life. Shocked, a realization suddenly dawned on her, and her expression changed. She recalled that when they visited the Jiang family, Fu Ling had accidentally lured the Spirit-Sensing Insect out of the stone tablet. If she remembered correctly, before Fu Ling touched the tablet, there was already blood on its surface. The Spirit-Sensing Insect is naturally drawn to spiritual energy; for it to willingly reveal itself from the stone tablet would require at least a cultivator with three spiritual roots. In hindsight, Han Yan had indeed shown her flaw early on—it was just that none of them had noticed. "Senior Sister, I believe we must investigate Han Yan's identity further," Fu Ling suggested. Although she didn’t know what had previously transpired between Jiu Ying and Qing Tong, she had her suspicions about Han Yan's true identity from Jiu Ying’s recent comments. After celestial cultivators were hunted to extinction by common cultivators, those with three or four spiritual roots also gradually vanished. Eventually, even cultivators with dual spiritual roots became a rare sight and were considered geniuses. If Han Yan indeed possesses three spiritual roots, the four sects and eight families would never miss the chance to recruit her. Having her join would promise another powerful celestial in their ranks. Yet, it seemed that even the Si family—or Si Yi Guang, who spent so much time with her—was unaware of her true abilities, which was truly baffling. "Qing Tong was right; Han Yan is certainly not as simple as she seems," Jiu Ying nodded, still puzzled by many aspects of this unraveling mystery. By logic, the offspring born of a human-dragon union, albeit with impure bloodline, should not be as talentless as Si Qi, who could not even awaken a spiritual root. Ping Tian, the lord of the demon tribe, was the most formidable presence on this continent for centuries. Meanwhile, although Han Yan's talent was not celestial, her three spiritual roots were extraordinarily rare. Yet, how could these two formidable beings have a descendant unable to cultivate? It was hard to believe. If she hadn't personally witnessed Si Qi transform into a dragon, she might have doubted whether he was indeed of Ping Tian's lineage. "Truly strange—" Pondering the matter, she found no logical explanation. As daylight faded, the two women continued talking while heading indoors. To Fu Ling, Jiu Ying was always omniscient and omnipotent. Hearing the perplexity in her sister's murmur sparked her own curiosity—was there another matter in the world besides removing the love curse that could bewilder her Senior Sister? Turning slightly, she observed the woman's face in the dim light seeping through the window. "What is on your mind, Senior Sister?" Jiu Ying snapped back to reality, slight movements in her fingers hidden within her sleeves. Memories of past and present overlapped, causing her mind to wander obscurely. "Ping Tian and Han Yan both possess exceptional cultivation talent. Si Qi, as their son, has not awakened a spiritual root and was nearly stillborn. Isn't that strange to you?" Fu Ling hadn’t considered this before, but after hearing Jiu Ying’s words, she found it incredible. She furrowed her brows, perplexed, and after pondering for a bit, couldn’t arrive at an explanation. After a moment's silence, she shrugged lightly and joked, "Perhaps he was never meant to exist. If someone isn’t even fated to be born alive, how could heaven endow him with the cultivation potential of Ping Tian and Han Yan?" This unintended remark caused Jiu Ying's brow to knit immediately. It was time, she thought, to return to the Jiang family and unravel the heavenly prediction Jiang made sixty years ago for the sake of the earthly beings. Si Ding Yun's death indeed stirred great waves within the four sects and eight families. Yet before the waves could spread, a rumor circulated amongst the righteous sects, claiming it was his desperation to save his son that drove him to the Abyssal Sea. As for who this "son" was, it was naturally Si Qi, the unloved and frail eldest son of the Si family. It seemed the events of over twenty years ago were reoccurring; the Si family was once again engulfed in scandal. However, this time, Han Yan’s supposed paramour was clearly identified as—Si Ding Yun. Si Yi Guang, by nature suspicious, never doubted his brother could conspire with his wife. But as rumors spread, he found himself forced to confront the possibility. Reflecting on past interactions, he even uncovered evidence that Si Ding Yun harbored feelings for Han Yan. For several days, the Si household was steeped in a chilling, oppressive atmosphere. As Jiu Ying once mentioned, Si Yi Guang now had little interest in probing the truth behind Si Ding Yun’s death. All he wanted to know was one thing—whether there was a secret affair between Si Ding Yun and Han Yan. This, by its nature, was the Si family’s scandal. Though Si Yi Guang forbade further discussions within the family, he couldn't stop the outside world from gossiping. Particularly Fang Si Mian, the head of Xuanming Sect, who seized the opportunity during a gathering of the four sects and eight families to directly ask him whether the rumors were true. "As outsiders, we shouldn't meddle in family affairs. However, the four sects and eight families have been intertwined for years; one's glory is shared, as is the disgrace," Fang Si Mian remarked. "If the matter leaks out, it doesn't only taint the Si family’s reputation but also impacts the reputation of other great families and sects. I advise you, the leader of the Si family, to handle this matter promptly." Though Fang Ke Yuan’s past scandal should have subsided, with the Si family’s push, it became known across the three realms, marred along with the Xuanming Sect's reputation to this day. Fang Si Mian naturally wouldn’t miss this chance to fight back. Publicly questioning Si Yi Guang today was merely his opening move. Seeing Si Yi Guang not respond, he chuckled and continued with a more biting remark, "If you need help unraveling the truth behind these rumors, our Xuanming Sect stands ready to assist." Repeatedly provoked by someone much younger, Si Yi Guang’s face couldn’t have looked more unpleasant. He knew Fang Si Mian wasn’t as tactful as his father, Fang Ke Yuan, but didn’t expect him to brazenly embarrass him before so many people. Seething with anger, the many eyes observing him left him with no choice but to endure. He pursed his lips, maintaining an unchanging expression, and finally responded coolly once silence fell around him again. "The matters of the Si family do not need to trouble Sect Master Fang." Fang Si Mian smirked, his face full of smug satisfaction. The other leaders felt the tense atmosphere between the two acutely, their expressions subtly shifting. Jiang Huai De, in particular, bore a hint of unease. Despite existing for centuries, rifts between the major sects and families remained. Now it seemed this ancient alliance was on the brink of fracturing. With the demon and devil races still lurking and internal discord brewing among humans, one wonders whether there would be a place for his Jiang family when the righteous path falters. Recalling his daughter, recognized by Tian Gua Sect as the next leader, eased his mind somewhat. The two opponents continued their standoff, and no one dared to interfere, lest they be dragged into the feud between Xuanming Sect and the Si family. After all, this was the conflict between the biggest sect and the foremost family among the righteous. Ultimately, each major sect and family would split into factions, pursuing divergent paths. Among the eight families, the Jiang family’s strength was the weakest, having allied more closely with the four sects rather than the dominant Si family. When feuds erupt, they might find themselves like the Yuan family before them—unprotected and annihilated. Jiang Huai De sighed repeatedly, his concerns woven into his breaths. Without uttering a word, Heng Lian, the sect leader beside him, sensed his worries and patted his arm soothingly. "Brother Jiang, has Bei Qing returned to the human realm?" Since her trip to the human realm to subdue ancient demons, Jiang Bei Qing continued to find excuses to visit. As for her true motives, only Jiu Ying’s group truly understood. When Heng Lian inquired softly, Jiang Huai De’s eyes showed helplessness, clearly unable to manage his daughter. "She left the day before yesterday. Who knows how long she’ll stay this time," he replied with resignation. As daughters grow, they become increasingly hard to control. Heng Lian chuckled, stroking his white beard, his voice filled with cheerfully teasing delight. "From my old man’s experience, there must be someone she cares for deeply in the human realm." "The world is in turmoil, and ultimately, it will be entrusted into the hands of our younger generation. Xuanming Sect has a new leader; it's time for Tian Gua Sect to change as well. Next time Bei Qing returns, Brother Jiang should encourage her to spend more time acquainting herself with sect affairs. Once everything stabilizes, she’ll be more at ease bringing that person from the human realm to meet us." Though spoken playfully, each word from Heng Lian bore genuine intent. Jiang Huai De exhaled softly, agreeing with the elder beside him. "I’ve asked her about it, but she refuses to disclose anything, only saying she has a mortal friend in the human realm. If that’s truly the case, why would they need to meet so frequently? This child doesn’t even tell her father the truth anymore." "Rest assured, Heng Lian. When she returns, I’ll ensure she stays at the sect a little longer." Both elders were quite curious about Jiang Bei Qing's so-called "friend" from the human realm, never imagining that this friend was not merely a mortal, but in fact the long-missing widow of Si Xiao, the Qin family's eldest daughter, Qin Shu Yu. Engrossed in their quiet conversation, the meeting ended almost unnoticed. Still fuming from Fang Si Mian's remarks at the assembly, Si Yi Guang returned to the Si family home with a grim expression. As he recalled Fang Si Mian's cutting words, his anger flared. The moment he stepped through the front door, the household staff fell silent, holding their breaths under his intense presence. Days had passed since Si Ding Yun's death, during which he had not visited Han Yan at the separate residence, nor had she sought him out. Her image remained unchanged in his memory—breathtakingly beautiful, yet so cold and proud. Despite all that had transpired, she refused to lower her head and offer any explanation. The more he thought of it, the more his anger smoldered. Just as his wrath was reaching its peak, the Second Madam tearfully approached, leading the Third Young Master Si Qian. Her words were filled with longing for Si Xiao, subtly sending a message to Si Yi Guang. "Qian-er, you must cultivate diligently. Your mother is powerless to protect you. In this household, you must rely on yourself. Your brother is gone—I cannot bear to lose you too..." Her woeful whispers clung to the air like a gust of wind, fueling Si Yi Guang's inner fire. He raised his head, his sharp, hawk-like gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall before finally settling on the silent young man, Si Qian. "Qian-er, come with me to visit your eldest brother at the separate residence."