107,4 - Little Peasant Wife

## Web Novel Translation **Exclusively Pampered Farm Wife GL Chapter 88: Legacy (1)** As the oppressive aura of the cultivator overtook Zhang Qiao Er, Liu Fu Ren felt as if she were being tightly bound by iron chains, suffocating and unable to breathe. She was accustomed to a life of privilege and luxury, intolerant of any hardship. Unable to endure the pressure, she immediately began to scream. Zhang Qiao Er stepped forward, her demeanor cold as she grabbed Liu Fu Ren by the hair. "What did you just say? Say it again!" Crying from the pain, Liu Fu Ren responded, "A few years ago, your family was annihilated; it was Han Tao who told me. Out of pity, I even sighed a few times for your family. Otherwise, I would not have remembered it so well. But, I only heard about it; it has nothing to do with me!" She hadn't realized that Zhang Qiao Er was unaware of this ordeal. The fear in her heart compelled her to confess everything she knew. Han Tao, who had been feigning unconsciousness, dared not continue her charade upon hearing this, and quickly opened her eyes, speaking urgently. "Immortal Qiao Er, I am merely a servant and only heard about this. Approximately five years ago, you vanished without a trace. Liu Guan Shi also never returned to town. I dispatched people to investigate at Duo Bao Village. Only then did we learn that an unknown force annihilated Liu Guan Shi and the ten or so members of your Zhang family on the night of the incident." "When such a terrifying event came to light, I thought of reporting it to the authorities. However, the governmental officials, wary of General Qin in the village and discovering that Liu Guan Shi had offended him, dared not intervene. I am innocent of all this." Who could have imagined that Zhang Qiao Er not only survived but also became an immortal akin to the Guo Shi? Life was so unfair. Why could she only become a concubine to the third young master of the Liu household and a scapegoat for Liu Fu Ren, while Zhang Qiao Er could achieve immortality, accompanied by such a strikingly handsome youth? Her heart was full of resentment, but currently, survival was paramount. Seeing Zhang Qiao Er made her feel anxious. It was she who orchestrated the murder of the Zhang family, fearing Zhang Qiao Er would exact revenge and kill her. She scrambled to deflect the blame. Although she was responsible for their deaths, she wasn't so foolish as to admit it openly. Furthermore, those aware of the truth had been reassigned elsewhere as soon as she gained power. No one in the mansion knew anything, except for the one time she accidentally blurted it out while reporting to Liu Fu Ren, leading to this confrontation. Had Liu Fu Ren not suddenly shifted the blame onto her, with her pregnant body and feigned unconsciousness, she might have gone unnoticed. But now... it was all Liu Fu Ren's fault for failing and causing trouble! Quick thinking, she fabricated a lie, then looked nervously at Zhang Qiao Er. Zhang Qiao Er's expression was stormy, nearly oozing with malice. Fortunately, the Duan Mu family wasn’t present, or they might have taken precautions against her. With gritted teeth, barely restraining her rage, she calmed herself and said, "Are you saying this has nothing to do with the Liu estate, and the murderer is General Qin?" Han Tao quickly nodded, but upon reconsidering, she realized that a person like General Qin wouldn't bother involving himself with petty grievances or such a murderous act. She recalled two subordinates who used to accompany General Qin, surnamed Jing and Wu. Feigning deep thought, she hesitantly continued, "Someone of General Qin's stature wouldn't commit such an act with no personal vendetta against the Zhang family or Liu Guan Shi. However, I recall those two subordinates who once implored General Qin to visit the mansion. Perhaps it was them..." She motioned a slitting gesture across her neck, having honed her skill of adapting her speech to her audience over the years, even beginning to believe her own concoction. Zhang Qiao Er nodded slightly, inclined to believe it was those with deep enmity towards her family, rather than a servant with no grievances. After all, years ago, she had witnessed Jing Ao Xue and Shen Lu Man being slain by the Guo Shi. Even though Duan Mu Yi Ren provided Liu Er with medicine, injuries of that severity were fatal, even for cultivators. This assurance prompted her to follow Duan Mu Yi Ren to the world of cultivation. Years of hardship in the cultivation world taunted her, and thoughts of her parents back in the village kept her going in her most vulnerable moments. It had never occurred to her... Zhang Qiao Er clenched her fists, while Duan Mu Rui yawned out of boredom, stating, “Mortal lives are fragile, annihilated so easily. You too are heartless; if you could leave everything behind to join my aunt in the cultivation world, you should have abandoned the earthly realm entirely. It’s no wonder you’re only in the tenth layer of Qi refinement after five years.” These words cut deep, yet reaching the tenth layer of Qi refinement in five years was considered prodigious in the cultivation realm. Ordinary cultivators often took twenty or thirty years to reach the Qi refinement stage, with many unable to advance to the foundation-building stage. Duan Mu Rui herself, with dual water-wood spiritual roots, was already considered highly gifted within the family. Were she not as proficient, as an illegitimate daughter, she would have been married off as a tool for family alliances. Despite this, it took her ten years to successfully build her foundation, her dissatisfaction with Zhang Qiao Er partly due to the latter outshining her, and partly driven by envy of Zhang’s superior roots. Zhang Qiao Er seethed inwardly at these remarks. Han Tao, fearing Zhang Qiao Er’s disbelief, reiterated earnestly, "What I'm saying is true. You can go to the village to investigate. That Jing family..." Surprised, Zhang Qiao Er interrupted her, "Jing Ao Xue is still alive?" Han Tao hesitated, realizing what Zhang Qiao Er meant, and hurriedly added, "Jing Ao Xue is very much alive. These years, she even comes to town during festivals, buying many things to take back." Seeing Zhang Qiao Er’s disbelief, Han Tao pressed on, "Her spouse is also alive, and they recently brought the child from back then shopping in town. It's strange; they haven't aged a bit over the years." Duan Mu Han, who had been silent, remarked, "It's only been five years. Perhaps her entire family is also comprised of cultivators?" He looked at Zhang Qiao Er, who, burdened with complicated emotions, managed a forced smile and said, "Senior Brother, Jing Ao Xue is Liu Er’s mother, whom the elders seek. I saw her being slain by the Guo Shi, but unexpectedly..." To think Shen Lu Man and Jing Ao Xue survived, bearing such deep-seated animosity. The night before she went to the Liu household, Shen Lu Man threatened her. Once she saw them appear dead, she ventured securely into the cultivation realm, never suspecting they could survive fatal wounds. Assuming their alleged guilt, eliminating her family could only be attributed to these two. Seething with anger inwardly, she maintained composure and said, "Senior Brother, if Liu Er isn't at the mansion, let’s seek her in the village." Duan Mu Han shook his head. He had been keeping an eye on the unusually dense spiritual energy in the vicinity, an anomaly in the mortal realm indicating a treasure had appeared. Original interests in talents aside, even if the brightest were taken into the Duan Mu family, they would still end up as mere resources or pawns. "You go settle this in the village yourself. Sisters, come with me," he directed. Duan Mu Rui was taken aback but quickly followed suit, watching him ride his sword in a specific direction. The two stewards of the Duan Mu family naturally followed. Suddenly, the courtyard was empty, save Zhang Qiao Er, now the only cultivator present. Liu Fu Ren, upon witnessing an actual figure ascend into the sky—despite knowing of the Guo Shi's immortals—was shocked upon seeing it firsthand. Scanning both Han Tao and Liu Fu Ren, Zhang Qiao Er had always planned not to spare the Liu clan, believing the death of Liu Fu Ren would provoke Liu Wen Yao and the Guo Shi, not necessarily due to Liu Fu Ren’s life but due to the affront to their dignity. Initially, she intended to leave behind a spirit pet upon departing the Liu mansion to silently kill Liu family members. The unexpected departure of Duan Mu Han and others of the Duan Mu family presented her with a timely opportunity. Zhang Qiao Er maintained unparalleled composure in dire situations. Even after the tragic annihilation of her family, she adeptly gathered herself to execute what needed doing. Eyes flashing with murderous intent, she drew her spirit sword from her storage ring and swiftly killed Liu Fu Ren, then decapitated Han Tao mid-sentence... She systematically eradicated the entire Liu estate, pouring her enmity into her treasured sword, leaving no one alive. Upon completing her grim task, she inscribed the characters "Duan Mu" in Liu family blood on the ground. Though crude, it was the quickest way to frame others. Even if the Guo Shi suspected it wasn’t the handiwork of the Duan Mu, they would inevitably be implicated, providing an opportunity for her to escape the Duan Mu's control amid ensuing conflict. The reason she remained instead of fleeing when the Duan Mu weren't present was due to the constant spiritual bondage placed on her by the Duan Mu stewards. The opposing cultivator, in the late Foundation Establishment stage, possessed an immensely strong spiritual sense. Even from far away, they could discern her exact location. Once she turned to flee, the stewards of the Duan Mu family would quickly realize and spare no effort in pursuing and subduing her, doling out punishment too. However, if those pursuing her found themselves in peril, she could seize the opportunity to escape, vanishing without a trace! Yet now, she had no intention of running away! Where she aimed to go was precisely in the direction Duan Mu Han headed. Earlier, she had sensed that the spiritual energy emanated from the village. She sought revenge and coveted that supreme treasure. With a cold smile, she infused her fire talisman with spiritual energy, hurling them one by one toward the Liu estate. In an instant, the Liu estate turned into an inferno—indeed, her first-ever encounter with such a hellish place. In the future, she vowed to survive by any means, trampling those who had humiliated her beneath her feet. Turning away, she affixed a swift movement talisman onto herself, channeling spiritual energy into it to move quickly to Duo Bao Village. The village remained peaceful, seemingly unaware of the looming threat. Zhang Qiao Er walked steadily to her front doorstep, a site that Han Tao had ordered burned down all those years ago, leaving only ruins after so many years. Standing amongst the debris, she couldn't help but cry, overwhelmed by sorrow and anger. Only when she heard familiar voices nearby did she snap back to reality, coldly wiping the tears from her face. Heading in the direction of the voices, she encountered an aunt who had once been a close friend of her mother, who even mentioned introducing her to a worthy young man when she was older. She remembered her mother laughing heartily at the thought, later stroking her hair and musing, "My Little Qiao Er is so beautiful, even prettier than her mother was. Those rumors of poor destiny are nonsense. Women, if they're clever in using their strengths, can live enviable lives. Like me, who, by my face alone, stole the marriage with your father from my cousin.” “Though my cousin hates me, I have lived much better than her. She rushed into a marriage with a man much older, now looking like he's in his fifties, while your father has never let me do hard labor since entering the household. So remember, a woman must leverage her assets, and with your looks, Qiao Er, you will surely surpass your mother someday.” Back then, she both understood and didn't understand; sometimes, she would touch her own face in the mirror before bed. She had a vague notion her mother was wrong, but indeed, her beauty did make her the village's darling. Even Liu Er, yes, even Liu Er... wasn’t it because of her beauty that she was drawn closer? Such a naive thought it was. Yet after entering the cultivation world, she felt that her mother wasn't mistaken. It was precisely her beauty that captivated the young steward, enabling him to help her, saving her from suffering any harm from the Duan Mu family. In the cultivation world, as time went on, she recognized that beauty was not paramount. However, shrewdly leveraging one's strength remained incredibly beneficial! Mother, oh Mother! Wait for me! I will avenge you! Clenching her teeth, she stopped momentarily, but hearing the familiar aunt remark, "The Zhangs were such a wonderful family, and so was Qiao Er, the prettiest child in the village. I even imagined if I had a son, I’d certainly approach her mother for a marriage proposal. Who could have imagined…” Another person sighed, "Indeed, such a sweet child Qiao Er was. My own daughter still sheds tears over the pouch Qiao Er gifted her. And poor Zhang family auntie, such good people, killed by Jing Ao Xue’s misdeeds!" “Yes! It was her entering the Zhang household that day, and the next day came the news of their massacre and the house burning. If Jing Ao Xue wasn’t the culprit, I’d use my head for a ball." A softer voice interjected, “But didn’t the village chief say that it was unfounded? Jing Ao Xue also declared that should anyone slander her, they should report it to the authorities.” The familiar voice retorted with a bitter laugh, “Would the village chief dare speak up? Jing Ao Xue has close ties with that prominent figure, General Qin. Favoritism is no big deal, but General Qin, undeserving to be called a war deity, actually shields Jing Ao Xue for her murders!” “And her daughter, Jing Liu Er, is no better. At just over ten, already learning to ensnare hearts. Recently, I saw her and Wu family’s girl whispering by the river. To bind life so young, taught well by her mother indeed. Pregnant by the scoundrel Jing Ao Xue clung to all those years—a revolting thought!" Other women murmured their agreement, as Zhang Qiao Er pursed her lips, turning toward the Wu family. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of Jing Liu Er and Wu Meng Qiu’s whispers by the river. Ha! Given Liu Fu Ren and her aunt’s conclusions, she was convinced Jing Ao Xue had indeed killed her family. An eye for an eye; they wiped out her family, and she would do the same. Though the Wu family were Jing Ao Xue’s friends, and Wu Meng Qiu was Jing Liu Er’s beloved, their grief over losing her would inflict gut-wrenching sorrow on Jing Ao Xue. That was the right course, and merely the beginning—for blood debts required repayment, not just empty words. However, upon storming to the Wu household, she found Wu Zhi Yong’s family long gone. Angry but forcing calm with deep breaths, her gaze settled on the mountains across the river, shrouded in ominous dark clouds. The apparent treasure was immense, even sparking heavenly anomalies. In the cultivation world, the initiation of a lightning tribulation marks both cultivator advancement and the emergence of a celestial treasure. She hadn’t considered demonic energy or the demon race, only felt the discomfort of mounting pressure. But for such a treasure, discomfort was a small price. She immediately affixed a swift talisman to herself, heading into the mountain depths. ... Meanwhile, Duan Mu Han's group had already entered a formation. Within, more than a hundred cultivators were present, mostly disciples of Lan Yi Niang. Primarily in the Qi refining stage, they mirrored her own bold and greedy nature. Though trapped for long without gaining real treasures, their dark desires drove them to attack others inside. To truly navigate the formation now, only Jing Ao Xue and family managed. Shen Lu Man remained ensnared by beasts in the forest, she and Liu Er plucking rare herbs while battling powerful, eerie creatures. Within the celestial cauldron, who knew how much time had passed for Jing Ao Xue? Having identified all the spirit herbs within the alchemy chamber, she committed them to memory, aided by her Foundation Establishment stage abilities and strong mental faculty. Her modern mind might have struggled for years to memorize them all. Once assured she knew them, she turned to the true alchemy furnace, using the recorded recipes on the ground to start crafting. The celestial cauldron’s challenge allowed only chosen ones, a trial set intricately tough based on their cultivation level. At the furnace side, she began refining pills using her inner Li Mu Fire. Starting with basic Qi Gathering Pills, her previous pill-making experience swiftly made her adept. Once she could refine with her eyes shut, she moved onto more complex creations. Though a Foundation Establishment cultivator, her spiritual energy was not infinite. After a few batches, she had to intermittently rest to continue refining subsequent furnaces. In the mountain, time became irrelevant, and the pursuit of cultivation made it so. At times, thoughts shifted to Shen Lu Man, initially an arduous yearning, turned eventually into single-minded alchemical pursuit. Through relentless crafting—from first-tier pills to second, then third—finally, she succeeded in concocting a fourth-tier pill, deemed impossible for her stage. This gained her the cauldron’s recognition, the alchemy chamber vanishing to reveal the elder once more. This time, he appeared shrouded faintly in mist, obscuring his features, speaking rapidly: “Several millennia ago, Qing Mu Ding first chose its master; Qing Mu Zhen Jun, enticed by the demon clan, ignited conflict between the cultivation and monster realms. Thankfully, Qing Mu Zhen Jun’s eventual awakening staved off greater turmoil.” “Currently, signs suggest other six celestial artifacts gradually awaken, seeking new bearers. Here on Hongze Continent, another artifact, the Samsara Stone, exists. Its artifact spirit possibly eroded over ages, now rendered a pawn to demon clan’s thirteen leaders. If she entices cultivators, disaster will befall the cultivation realm…” "I don't have much time left," the elder began, "You are about to be recognized by the Qing Mu Celestial Cauldron, becoming its master. The Qing Mu Cauldron is among the foremost of the seven celestial artifacts. It’s not the most powerful because of its physical might, but because I, the spirit of this artifact, once ranked among the most esteemed immortals of the celestial realm, naturally making me one of the strongest artifact spirits." "Hence, the seven celestial artifacts are led by me. Remember what I say: collect all seven celestial artifacts, and reforge them into a prison to confine the thirteen demon leaders, and only then will lasting peace come to the cultivation realm." Jing Ao Xue was momentarily dazed and replied, "That's a bit difficult, but I'll try my best. What exactly are these seven celestial artifacts? How am I supposed to find them?" The elder’s form flickered as he replied, "The seven celestial artifacts are the Qing Mu Cauldron, the Immortal Spirit Mirror, the Heavenly Abyss Array, the Samsara Stone, the Scarlet Practice Sword, the Heaven-Opening Seal, and the Zhenlong Pagoda. Qing Mu Cauldron leads them all. Once you refine the Qing Mu Cauldron into your natal artifact, it will allow you to sense other celestial artifacts within the realm. But your cultivation must at least be in the late-stage Golden Core." Jing Ao Xue pressed her lips together, realizing she was only in the early Foundation Establishment stage, meaning her journey was far from completion. She recalled that when the elder spoke of a realm, he referred to the fragments of the celestial world forming numerous cultivation realms. However, in her predecessor's knowledge, she only knew of the cultivation world on Hongze Continent. Did this mean she needed to search other realms for these artifacts? The very thought seemed impossible. As she pondered this, she frowned and asked, to which the elder replied, "There are teleportation arrays in Hongze Continent that allow travel to other cultivation realms. Once your cultivation reaches the out-of-body stage, you can venture to the most perilous places in the cultivation world to seek them. Then, you can utilize the teleportation arrays to journey to other realms." Jing Ao Xue sensed the spirit was nearing its limit, but her mind was still brimming with unanswered questions. The elder perceived her inner turmoil and urged, "I can hold on a little longer. If you have questions, ask quickly." Thinking rapidly, Jing Ao Xue blurted, "Is there a possibility of people being reborn in this world?" Afraid the elder wouldn’t understand, she quickly explained, but the elder chuckled, "Impossible. Only a deity could reverse time. Even I cannot do that, much less an ordinary cultivator." Jing Ao Xue furrowed her brow and recounted Duan Mu Yi Ren's situation. The elder paused briefly, then declared, "It's the Samsara Stone; it must be in her possession. What you call prophecy is merely astral prediction, often imprecise. As for so-called rebirth, it’s undoubtedly a plot by those with ulterior motives, and only the Samsara Stone can predict the heavenly path!" Delighted, the elder added, "You must be blessed by the heavenly path to have located the whereabouts of the Samsara Stone so effortlessly." Jing Ao Xue managed a strained smile, keenly aware of Duan Mu Yi Ren's mid-stage Golden Core cultivation. Moreover, it wasn’t certain if the Samsara Stone was with Duan Mu Yi Ren; it could just as easily be stored within the Duan Mu family. She remembered from the predecessor’s memories that the Duan Mu family ranked among the top three cultivation families, mighty enough to rival the leading sects—and far surpassing her own Jing family. Such a colossal power... Ha... Jing Ao Xue rubbed her forehead, feeling suddenly overwhelmed. She couldn’t fathom why the elder had so much faith in her. Given his impending disappearance, perhaps he’d just picked the tallest among shorties, selecting her for her dual wood-fire spiritual roots. Perhaps she was lucky… whether it was good luck or sheer misfortune remained to be seen. The elder sighed, his figure growing faint, with half his body fading away, leaving only his upper torso. Jing Ao Xue quickly racked her brain for remaining questions, finding herself overwhelmed after having only just learned alchemy. Seeing her anxiously scratch her head, the elder kindly chuckled, "The heavenly path has its rhythm. Unless manipulated by demons, it generally favors human cultivators. Rest assured, no matter how difficult the journey gets, there will be moments of clarity and hope." Jing Ao Xue: "..." She felt like the elder had just set a monumental hurdle for her! With a mix of amusement and exasperation, she asked, "What if I can’t gather all the celestial artifacts, or if they've already bonded with other masters?" The elder calmly replied, “No matter. What is destined to be yours will remain yours; no one can take it from you.” With that, he sighed a few times and vanished completely. After his departure, a sense of loss swept over Jing Ao Xue. However, before she could compose herself, the ground began to tremble violently as if there were an earthquake, compressing and shrinking the space until only about ten square meters remained. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes, feeling a sudden warmth in her chest. She lifted her shirt collar to see a verdant cauldron insignia had appeared over her left chest. This must be the recognition marking her as the artifact's master, and the shrinking space was due to her weak cultivation level as the new master. Jing Ao Xue: "..." She awkwardly chuckled, arranging her clothing before attempting to leave the Qing Mu Cauldron's space. While the cauldron acknowledged her as its master, it still could be taken by others if she weren’t careful. She couldn’t afford for that point to be exposed. Only when her cultivation reached the peak of the Golden Core stage and she completely refined the cauldron into her natal artifact, would it truly belong to her. Unsure of how to exit, she tried directing her spiritual sense outward, and suddenly, her surroundings shifted swiftly. She found herself back at the plaque of the grand hall. Yet danger loomed. Ahead of her, she noticed a much-aged Lan Yi Niang, the Guo Shi, and several unfamiliar cultivators all possessing higher cultivation than hers, surveying the hall’s perimeters. Her abrupt appearance in such an audacious manner would surely arouse suspicion. Especially as her cultivation ranked lowest among them—despite inheriting the celestial artifact, all she had learned was alchemy, with no means for self-preservation. She was filled with anxiety, her back damp with sweat in mere moments. Gradually, it seemed none of them noticed her, nor even one another. She finally realized that they might not share the same time-space as her. Despite Lan Yi Niang and the Guo Shi being steps apart, they were blind to each other's presence. Curious, she approached to test touching Lan Yi Niang, her hand simply passing through, as if they were mere holographic projections. Though intrigued, frustration bubbled within upon seeing her foe, the Guo Shi, so close yet unreachable. Thinking it over, she recognized that she was within the true abode of Qing Mu Zhen Jun, while these others, lacking guidance from the White Horse Priestess and the Phoenix, meandered through an illusion crafted by Qing Mu Zhen Jun. Like separate time-spaces, even entering the illusion at diverse times, they could not interact within. She marveled at Qing Mu Zhen Jun's cunning. Surveying her surroundings, she realized that Shen Lu Man and Liu Er hadn’t been seen from the start. With the area now deemed safe, she wasted no further time with these "phantoms" and started searching for her wife and daughter. She first tried sensing with her wood abilities but failed to detect any vibrant green lights. Assuming this might be another of Qing Mu Zhen Jun’s eccentric setups, she decided to search herself. After circling the grand hall without discovering them, unease lingered, though the spectacle of rare treasures within tempted her to fill the Qing Mu Cauldron. Reluctant to risk storing them in a pouch, wary they bore powder from Qing Mu Zhen Jun, she opted for the cauldron’s ten-square-meter space. Gathering the finest finds, she departed the hall, deliberately passing through the Guo Shi’s “projection”, kicking it with unbridled spite. Though imperceptible to him, it lifted her spirits. Avoiding others, she ventured into the forest. Once her figure vanished into the woods, a formidable demon aura burst forth from the hall, obliterating Qing Mu Zhen Jun’s array, violently dismantling the veils separating those within the illusion. Lan Yi Niang, pondering how to resolve the illusion, suddenly turned to spot the Guo Shi equally deep in thought. Lan Yi Niang: "..." Guo Shi: "..." A sudden, awkward silence! Lan Yi Niang grinned, "Well, it's been a while. Guo Shi, still as youthful and radiant as ever." Guo Shi retorted with a bitter smile, "Naturally. Unlike you—once famed as a bewitching temptress—now a wrinkled hag. Your admirers would surely flee." Lan Yi Niang shrugged nonchalantly, "My looks are nothing but a shell, unlike the Guo Shi, concerned with appearance, alas, ruthless to her own child. Surely your heart is blacker than mine." Raising her hand coldly, the Guo Shi said, “Enough talk! Prepare to die!” Lan Yi Niang squinted her eyes. Despite all the words exchanged, both she and the Guo Shi were gathering spiritual energy. At the moment of attack, Lan Yi Niang unsheathed her treasured sword, and the two clashed fiercely. Apart from them, the other cultivators were momentarily stunned. However, upon realizing the true nature of the dwelling, they hesitantly ran towards the grand hall. Only Lan Yi Niang and the Guo Shi continued their deadly duel, driven by past grudges. While part of them believed the hall to be another illusion, their deep-seated animosity fueled the fight. Seeing the other cultivators obtaining the heavenly treasures within, they paused their fight simultaneously. With a sneer, Lan Yi Niang said, "We have searched for years, and yet others come to take our spoils? Let's call a truce for now; the celestial artifact will go to whoever is most capable!" The Guo Shi returned the sneer, agreeing, "Indeed! Revenge can wait; these artifacts won’t wait for anyone!" Though yearning to tear each other apart, circumstances forced them to agree to the truce. Both transformed into streaks of sword light, flying towards the hall. The Duan Mu clan members were a step behind. Duan Mu Han glanced at the two stewards beside him, saying, "This place is no simple mansion; it's the dwelling of a powerful cultivator, with ample opportunities within. Let's not report to the clan leader just yet—whatever opportunities we find, we claim for ourselves. Agreed?" Having never carried the Duan Mu surname, the two stewards, once struggling rogue cultivators, were eager to agree, quickly following him into the hall. Seeing this, Duan Mu Rui stomped her foot, protesting, "Brother, why let them in too? Whatever opportunities lie inside should belong to the Duan Mu family!" Duan Mu Han looked down at his spoiled sister, chuckling coldly, "Silence! Cause trouble out here and no one will cover for you. Xin'er, follow me to seize the opportunities—leave Miss High-and-Mighty outside to wait for others to serve them to her on a platter." Duan Mu Xin obediently nodded, her eyes twinkling with mischief. Furious, Duan Mu Rui ground her teeth but hastened to follow as her brother strode off. The scene was chaotic, and the situation inside the valley’s forest was no better. The creatures there suddenly acted as if mad; even though they were formidable, Shen Lu Man had managed to handle them before. Now, each beast charged at her crazily, leaving her struggling even as a Golden Core cultivator, protecting Liu Er as she sustained more and more injuries. A grotesque sword-toothed tiger lunged at her while a rhino-beast charged from the side. Unable to fend them all off, she turned to shield Liu Er. Amid the chaos, she vaguely heard Jing Ao Xue's voice. The next moment, the scenery around her blurred and transformed. Once adjusted, she found Jing Ao Xue anxiously examining her wounds. Though they had been apart only a few days, it felt like an eternity had passed. With tears welling, she fell into Jing Ao Xue's arms, murmuring, "You're okay, thank goodness." Jing Ao Xue paused, then grinned, "Of course I am, love. Don't worry. Not only am I fine, but I've also inherited the Qing Mu Cauldron! If the Guo Shi finds out, he'll be furious!" Shen Lu Man: "..." Using her celestial inheritance to annoy the Guo Shi—that thought alone might make the artifact rethink its chosen master. However, considering the Guo Shi’s fruitless two-decade search among mortals, only to have the treasure land in Jing Ao Xue’s lap, he might truly be enraged. She couldn't help but chuckle, her eyes scanning the misty surroundings and noting an array of treasures on the ground, prompting her curiosity, "Where are we?" She remembered fending off beasts, nearly gravely injured, when suddenly this place appeared—surely Jing Ao Xue’s doing. Jing Ao Xue explained, "This is the inner space of the Qing Mu Cauldron. I managed to reach you just in time. Unable to battle those frenzied beasts, I brought you in here instead. Fortunately, it worked; I was worried you might not make it." 沈绿漫听着解释，忍不住笑了笑："我相信你。即使事情有些不顺利，你总能找到办法。" Jing Ao Xue returned her smile, grateful for Shen Lu Man's unwavering trust, as they pondered their next move within the mystic realm of the Qing Mu Cauldron.