Chapter 231
Chapter 231
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Translator: Ace
Chapter:
Chapter Title: Perfected Miaoyin's Bargain
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I had to admit it—as fellow dao companions to Saint Sect True Persons, Perfected Chongguang's wife far outclassed Madam Ruo Xiang. Her divine abilities and aura surpassed by a wide margin.
She wore plain white mourning garb, serene and unadorned. Yet it did nothing to hide her innate beauty. If anything, it only heightened her dignified poise.
Even more captivating than her looks, though, were the two streams of divine ability radiance shining from her body. They pulled at the gaze, impossible to resist sinking into.
Lu Yang's eyes sharpened at the sight.
‘Two innate divine abilities. Peak mid-Foundation Establishment?’
The next moment, she turned toward Ye Guyue, her tone icy.
"The Cave Yang Blessed Land hasn't opened yet. This commotion defies the True Lord's decree."
"Little sister, whatever grievances you hold, why not settle them after we enter the blessed land?"
Her words suggested compromise, but her aura yielded not an inch.
It was clear—if Ye Guyue pushed ahead regardless, she'd face a joint assault from both her and Lu Yang.
". . . Very well."
After a moment's silence, Ye Guyue turned to Lu Yang.
"Inside the blessed land, you and I will settle victory. And life or death!"
With that, she withdrew her sword light and landed steadily to the south.
A thread of sword intent lingered, locking onto Lu Yang from afar.
At the same time, the woman arrived before Lu Yang and Perfected Being Yin Shan on a beam of escaping light. She bowed slightly.
"This concubine is Miaoyin. Greetings, dao friends."
"No need for such courtesy, Madam."
Lu Yang cupped his hands at once without another word.
It wasn't just her status as Perfected Chongguang's dao companion—her cultivation alone merited the respect.
The next instant, another figure stepped out from behind her.
He carried an air of nobility, though now tinged with defeat. His eyes were faintly red as he spoke in a heavy voice.
"Uncle Yin Shan. . . my father—is he truly dead?"
Lu Yang glanced over and recognized him immediately.
Chongguang's son—Chongming!
Decades had passed. The sect's former top second-generation immortal had now built his foundation. Early stage, sure, but no longer just a mortal.
Perfected Being Yin Shan couldn't help a long sigh at Chongming's question. He replied helplessly.
"There may still be hope. Your father always planned for every contingency. Even brimming with confidence for this metal-seeking attempt, he left a backup for failure. That's why we're venturing into the blessed land to find out."
Chongming's eyes brightened at once.
"Uncle's right!"
He gritted his teeth, muttering under his breath.
"Calamities linger a millennium. That old codger's no ordinary man—he couldn't have just died like this!"
Lu Yang watched in some surprise.
This dynamic didn't match Peak Master Heaven Mending's family at all. Father-son affection? The more he saw, the stranger it felt!
With that thought, he shot Chongming another glance.
*Are you Chongguang's backup plan?*
"Dao Friend Yuantu."
Perfected Being Miaoyin suddenly turned to Lu Yang, her voice soft.
"Could we speak aside? There's something this concubine must discuss with you in detail."
"Mother?"
Chongming blinked in surprise—clearly caught off guard.
Perfected Being Miaoyin merely waved him off.
"Catch up with Dao Friend Yin Shan first."
"Dao Friend Yuantu, this way with this concubine."
She drifted off ahead. Lu Yang found it peculiar but could only cup his hands and follow.
In the next breath, she drew a cloud-whisker kerchief from her sleeve and tossed it skyward. Treasure light cascaded down, sealing them from the world outside.
A superior spirit treasure. Lu Yang probed lightly and found even the Heaven-Scrutinizing Instrument strained to divine through it.
*So secretive. What is she after?*
Lu Yang's brows knit.
Perfected Being Miaoyin turned back, her tone grave.
"Dao Friend Yuantu, this concubine knows you were the one my husband trusted most in life."
"Madam jests."
Lu Yang waved it off.
"Senior Brother Yin Shan was Uncle Chongguang's true confidant. I'm just a newcomer—how could I claim to be his most trusted?"
"Yin Shan won't do."
She shook her head.
"His cultivation falls short. His strength lags yours. And most crucially. . . your husband never entrusted him with the immortal spirit body."
Lu Yang's eyes narrowed.
*Immortal spirit body? The strand of metal-attuned qi from Perfected Shangxuan?*
Perfected Being Miaoyin pressed on.
"This concubine is fully certain—my husband may be at death's door, but he hasn't perished!"
Perfected Chongguang still lived?
Lu Yang stayed impassive, unsurprised. Perfected Being Miaoyin blinked in mild astonishment instead.
". . . You're not even curious, Yuantu?"
"Hardly unexpected."
He smiled.
"Seeking metal and failing unto death births karmic sin—only peak Foundation Establishment could stand against it. Yet the True Lord permitted only mid-stage entrants to the blessed land. And tasked me with uncovering your husband's failure. No sin has formed, so deducing he hasn't fully died is simple enough."
She pursed her lips.
". . . Well deserved reputation. So meticulous, Yuantu—no wonder he called you the Saint Sect's future pillar. This concubine rests easy entrusting it to you."
*Save the flattery. I haven't agreed!*
Lu Yang smiled wordlessly.
She shifted tack.
"Truth be told, this concubine's physique is unique. Ancient texts name it the Heavenly Melody Body."
"Dual cultivation with such a woman allows mastery of a dao art—the [Seven Emotions Heart-Refining Incantation]."
Her tone stayed even, poised.
"The art's motto: [The Dao holds feeling, yet feels none]. It refines the heart through seven emotions. Completion reaches [Better to forget in rivers and lakes than share scant moisture]."
"Chongguang took me as dao companion to cultivate it."
"By his account, success—paired with his innate immortal spirit roots—lets him become the blessed land's world spirit even in metal-seeking failure."
"Retrieve the old immortal spirit body then, and though metal-seeking's lost forever, his return secures at least peak Foundation Establishment. Thus, this concubine—and you, Yuantu—are his contingencies. A lifeline past failure."
Only now did surprise flicker across Lu Yang's face.
Inwardly, he marveled at Chongguang's foresight. Metal-seeking failure spelled doom—yet he'd carved a path to survival.
". . . I see."
He nodded.
"Madam wishes me to use the immortal spirit body I hold to guide Uncle Chongguang back. A chance, perhaps?"
"Precisely."
Hearing this, Lu Yang grew solemn.
"Rest assured, Madam. Uncle's grace runs deep—how could this disciple ignore it?"
"Yet. . . I face my own troubles."
"That metal-attuned qi strand is my most prized possession. Spend it summoning Uncle, gain nothing in return—it's a hard sell."
*Where's my cut, Madam? You don't want Uncle unable to return, do you?*
Her face stayed neutral. As a Saint Sect True Person, she knew the sect's creed: no hawk scatters sans hare.
". . . What do you want, Yuantu?"
She looked up. Her clear eyes held a touch of helplessness. Vulnerability softened her refined features.
The next instant, Lu Yang stepped back—widening the gap himself.
*As if! Think I'm some lecherous beast?*
He sneered coldly.
"I want a rank-one true art of the Saint Sect! The real secret transmission. Does Madam have one?"
". . ."
The fragile air vanished. Eyes narrowing, Perfected Being Miaoyin returned to form.