102 - Divine Mastering Dragon System

Chapter 102: Repayment On a night when tranquility blanketed much of Shenzhou, chaos erupted in Huaihai City. The city was rife with unrest, and its citizens, along with the three ruling families, were ensnared in panic. A month prior, Xiang Shi Yan had stirred the long-standing tensions among the city's rogue cultivators. In a bold move, these unaffiliated cultivators refused to reinforce the city walls with their spiritual energy until the three families agreed to a thorough investigation into their grievances. Seizing the opportunity this unrest provided, Xiang Shi Yan breached the millennium-old, unyielding city wall, blasting a massive hole through it, forcing the three families into compliance with the rogue cultivators' demands. Though the families eventually agreed to cede some power, the cultivators remained firm during negotiations. They reluctantly agreed to channel only half the needed spiritual power for the walls' defensive formations, without contributing to the wall's repair itself. They had, through necessity, learned the art of negotiation and realized their own value. Yet, that night brought a sudden change. Under moonlight as sparse as white mist, the streets of Huaihai City remained lit, presenting a façade of harmony, as if the upheaval of the past fortnight had never occurred. A sharp sound pierced the sky, akin to a beast's roar, long and fearsome. It was a dragon's cry, shaking the heavens. Despite the barrier of spiritual energy above, the lower-level cultivators in Huaihai City were still shaken, many clutching their ears in pain along the streets. Then, a figure descended rapidly from the sky towards Huaihai City. A slender, black shape that sliced through the moonlit night like a black lightning bolt, shattering the city's spiritual shield in an instant. Though Huaihai City’s defenses were not fully operational, it had taken numerous powerful talismans for Xiang Shi Yan to breach them in their weakened state. Now, with half the formations active, a mysterious "black lightning" effortlessly broke through—an event that could only inspire dread. The transparent spiritual wall above revealed its outline upon impact, emitting a soft hum. It was like a shattered glass, sprouting spider-web cracks before large pieces fell towards the city, only to dissipate into spiritual energy midair. Amidst the ensuing chaos, the ominous figure vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed. Bai Jing Yi, occupied until dawn with a string of profanities, returned home to the Bai estate. Though appearing middle-aged, he was in truth nearing six hundred years. He irritably dismissed the servants, muttering curses under his breath. The past month had been rough; not only had the Bai family’s control over Huaihai City been shaken, but these disrespectful rogue cultivators had also stirred trouble. The identity of whatever had shattered the spiritual shield remained unknown… Bai Jing Yi was worried, yet despite the city's uproar, no clues emerged, leaving him helpless. Sighing, years of agelessness finally betrayed fatigue on his face. Entering his study, he lit a dim lamp and prepared to brew some tea to unwind. Suddenly, the clear clink of a teacup against a saucer startled him, causing his heart to skip. Having reached the Great Ascension stage, he should have sensed the intruder. A danger unfelt for centuries enveloped him, freezing him in place. The oppressive aura was oddly familiar, yet eluded his memory. Stiffly, Bai Jing Yi turned, only to see a young girl perched on his lounge chair, sipping tea normally reserved for esteemed guests. Tealeaves from his treasured collection lay beside her. The young girl, with serene downcast eyes, sipped the tea casually, as if she were a welcomed guest. Noticing Bai Jing Yi's gaze, she smiled gracefully. "Delightful spirit tea. May I take some with me?" Her smile was indistinguishable from the ones Bai Jing Huan had seen on his juniors' faces, only lacking a touch of nervousness and replaced with cool indifference. It was only then that Bai Jing Huan, now recalling the shock of being disturbed at night, steeled himself and coldly inquired, "Are you the one who forced entry into Huaihai City and destroyed the defensive formations?" "Indeed," she replied, her soft voice chilling. "I'm seeking something. Could you assist me with that?" Bai Jing Yi reflexively glanced out the window. Realizing he was subconsciously seeking help, he felt a flush of embarrassment. He had already dismissed the guards; even if they were present, their use would be negligible. He, unlike that buffoon Zhu Cheng, was among the city's strongest. "What is it that you're looking for? Should you need help, the Bai family will fully cooperate," he offered, interpreting her request as a plea, though the oppressive atmosphere spoke otherwise. The air felt stiflingly humid, making it hard to breathe— His face turned pale at once. Desperately, he clutched his mouth and nose, intending to ward off the moisture with a burst of spiritual energy, but prudently refrained. In the presence of a stranger whose power remained concealed, using spiritual energy was not merely rude, it risked provoking her. Especially now, when she seemed to dominate the space, he dared not act rashly. Who was she, to shatter Huaihai City’s shield with one strike? Bai Jing Yi doubted he could replicate that feat. Her cultivation must surpass his, likely at the later stages of Great Ascension… or perhaps even higher. Such a menacing aura couldn't belong to a cultivator of the same level as him. Mastery over water arts brought to mind Xiang Shi Yan, who recently departed Huaihai with intent to dismantle the ties between the Zhu clan and their collaborators. Could this be her plan all along? A single water affinity root, wielding such power—could she be the former sect master, Lian Long Dao Jun from Yu Cang Mountain? Lian Long Dao Jun acted freely, vanished after passing leadership to her disciple over two centuries ago. Consequently, despite Yu Cang's post-Marriage affiliation deepening with noble families, Bai Jing Yi, head of the Seven Great Families, surprisingly had no knowledge of her. Few remembered her now, particularly as her travels kept her absent from the cultivation world. If Xiang Shi Yan's turmoil hadn’t occurred, Bai Jing Yi might never have thought of her. The girl wore a contemplative expression, casting an icy smile incongruously on her young face. "I'm looking for something called the 'Heart Devourer Gu.' Have you heard of it, Master Bai?" Bai Jing Yi froze, his entire being chilled from fingertips to core. The mention of the "Heart Devourer Gu" brought terrifying clarity: Xiang Shi Yan's extracted scales, and the awe-inspiring presence... The image of a beast, stealing treasure from the Zhu estate, a dragon's song under the white moon, a lightning-like silhouette piercing the spiritual barrier. Bai Jing Yi, despite enduring many trials since birth, never faced such fear. Under his family's shield and later as its protector, he had scarcely encountered threat or disdain. Yet here, in the cold smile of the girl, he felt pure, unadulterated dread, the looming shadow of death. Trembling, Bai Jing Yi finally spoke, "I've heard of it from Zhu Cheng, the previous head of the Zhu family, but I know only the name. I never inquired further." Though he sensed the malice behind her gentle appearance, hope flickered within—redirecting her wrath. The Heart Devourer Gu belonged to the Zhu family; any search for vengeance ought not implicate the Bai family! The girl appeared pensive, her fingers tracing her teacup's rim. "The current acting head of the Zhu family is Zhu Feng, I believe. He seems clueless. This Gu makes its victims rigid as the undead, requiring immense spiritual energy to animate them. I hear Zhu Feng barely reaches the Nascent Soul stage; he might deceive visiting kin briefly, but for over a decade? I doubt it." She eyed Bai Jing Yi. "Do you?" The robust facade of the man crumbled instantaneously. Cold sweat drenched him, stripping away his semblance of a Great Ascension stage cultivator. “Even servants attending closely can sense Lady Zhu’s oddity. It's unreasonable that the Zhu clan’s patriarch, Lord Zhu’s uncle thrice removed, often gracing the ancestral house, and as a Great Ascension stage cultivator, could overlook this. That’s what I believe. He, however, seems less convinced.” The girl propped an arm on the table, exposing a slender white limb beneath her billowing black sleeve. Though seemingly fragile and easily breakable by a grown man, its owner instilled in Bai Jing Yi a haunting illusion of his own demise within mere moments. The moisture in the air grew heavy, making it nearly impossible for him to breathe, yet he dared not use his spiritual energy to oxygenate the space. Grasping his neck in fear, his instinct to survive was overwhelmed by terror, and he dared not harness a single strand of spiritual energy. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, clutching his collar and gasping for breath. "Xu Yi also claimed ignorance of this matter... You truly know nothing about the terrifying things your allies possess? That's quite bold." The girl gracefully rose, reminiscing on events from half an hour prior. She carefully smoothed the hem of her robe and crouched in front of Bai Jing Yi. "How old is your youngest son this year?" His face had turned a shade of purplish-red, yet he still managed to offer a humble and ingratiating smile to the petite girl before him. Never in his life had he been so subservient, yet the act seemed intuitive, as if his entire existence until now was merely a preamble to this moment's groveling. With great effort and agony, Bai Jing Yi replied, "My youngest... in three years, he will be a century old. Please, if there is any grievance, spare the youth from harm. If my son has offended, then I, his father, am here to atone." The girl expressed surprise, "Wow, a hundred-year-old child, that's new to me." "Upon entering the Xu estate, I overheard the elder discussing with his eldest son plans to marry his granddaughter to your youngest. Xu You Qing, have you heard of that name? Have they discussed this with you?" Seeing tears seep from Bai Jing Yi’s eyes as he nodded painfully, she flashed a cold smile, "An eight-year-old girl can be wed, but a hundred-year-old boy is 'a mere unruly child.'" She tilted her head inquisitively, "Are you not human? In all my years, having seen much, I've never heard of a creature with such vastly different growth between genders." "P-Please... my lady... I know nothing—" She slapped him to the floor, her voice shedding its feigned warmth to turn icy cold, "And you claim ignorance of the immoral trade of female cultivators with the Zhu family? Do you claim ignorance of your son's perverse indulgences with much younger girls, and the despicable deeds of your noble household?" "Ugh—ugh—" "At my younger sister disciple's request, I sought out your son during my business trip. Would you believe, I caught him in the act of assaulting a young girl." Her smile turned soft again, "So—I brought you a little gift." "Why not eat? Isn't this the very thing you dogs relish—male heirs? Your son seemed to enjoy forcing others to partake. Why don't you give it a try? Didn't you say a father's debt should be paid by him?" Her face bore a dark, cruel smile. With a wave, she dispelled the mist, smiling brightly, "Why weep? You haven't told me where to find what I'm looking for; we still have much to play through." "Speaking of which, Bai Jing Huan, Elder of the Tai Xu Sect, has a name quite like yours. Is he your brother? That’s just splendid. A friend of mine has business with Elder Bai, and we'll ensure you receive special treatment." "So, will you obediently disclose everything you know?" **Author’s Note:** Some scenes may be a bit graphic; please take care. 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