Demon Sword Sect's Undercover-Chapter 523 - 522 Strange Friends

"What have you discovered in your communication with the Ancient Spirit Beast?" Hou Niao asked.

Hai Xixi thought for a moment, "It can’t express these things, it doesn’t dare; but what I can guess is that similar situations will probably occur in the future. Could this mean that the Ancient Spirit Space is undergoing changes and the seal is weakening? Isn’t this just a precursor?"

Hou Niao nodded. This was consistent with his own speculation, and he had to admit that a family’s heritage was a form of capital. Even if one rarely went out into the world, there was a sense that a cultivator could know about worldly affairs without stepping outside.

"Is it an isolated case, or a trend?"

Hai Xixi pondered, "I guess it’s a trend; it’s probably not just the Turing Cave Heaven undergoing such changes, the Eocene Cave Heaven, Sword Tomb Cave Heaven will have them, too; and it’s not just our Shan Sect Quanzhen, all the grotto heavens of the Jinxiu Continent probably are the same. Sooner or later, the cave heavens will reflect into reality. It’s the start of an era, and no one can escape it."

Hou Niao smiled, "Is this what Master Hai said?"

Hai Xixi, "..."

A moment later, the two were transmitted out of the Turing Space.

Facing their fellow disciples and several uncles who had come after hearing the news, the two showed their lucky survival after a disaster. In their flustered state, they couldn’t stop praising the brilliance of Brother Wu’s final sword stroke.

Here they were, speaking incessantly in praise of Brother Wu, presenting a united front of brotherly harmony. With everyone hefting palanquins, Brother Wu also greatly commended the two for having persevered to the end. With brotherly modesty and respect, the atmosphere was peaceful, yet only in the occasional exchange of looks between the three could the true nature of their relationship be detected, however subtle those moments were.

The feud was set, though somewhat inexplicably. With the opposition between the accommodating and demon-fused factions, the King Wucheng’s Manor and the Sikong Mansion weren’t on good terms, among the hidden disagreements of each old ancestor, and even over trivial personal grievances, it all felt so natural.

"When the paths you follow differ, you do not plan together."

The uncles busied themselves with speculating on the changes to the Turing Cave Heaven, trying to enter it once more to investigate thoroughly. Wu Weijiang and Hai Xixi were retained due to their special statuses to participate in the discussions, while the rest were asked to leave the Lingyun Pavilion, as their own status was not sufficient to be involved in a deeper understanding.

Everyone dispersed, and Hou Niao met with Rao Zongzhi, where they shared their observations of the cave heaven.

"I also felt that anomaly, but I didn’t go. I know my own limits, and I don’t want to drag my younger sister into danger," Rao Zongzhi said without any embarrassment. To him, this was the most natural choice.

But Rao Buiyi was very dissatisfied, "Big Brother is too cautious, I won’t follow you into the cave heaven ever again. From now on, I’ll go with Sister Xixi and Brother Hou..."

Hou Niao touched his nose, "I didn’t want to go either, actually. It was Xixi who decided, and I had to follow her lead."

Rao Buiyi scoffed, "The higher the realm, the smaller the courage. At the rate you’re cultivating, someday you’ll have no courage left for swordplay."

The two men shook their heads with bitter smiles. Speaking in a low voice, Rao Zongzhi asked, "You stayed until the very end; it must not have been so simple, right? Is our honorable True Disciple Wu up to his old scheming ways again?"

Hou Niao knew he couldn’t keep it from him, "It’s not Xixi’s fault. The two of us are just not in Brother Wu’s good graces, so there’s a bit of targeting. But no worries, there will be other days."

Rao Zongzhi snorted. He couldn’t speak for the Rao family, so he could only speak for himself, "If you need help, just give me a shout. King Wucheng’s Manor, after all, can’t cover the sky with one hand within the Shan Sect Quanzhen."

Hou Niao was about to reply, when he suddenly felt something, "I’m off to meet a friend..."

Rao Zongzhi, with his keen intuition, chuckled, "Exactly, he tries to trip you up, you put him in his place, fair and square, tit for tat—I support you. Do you need to borrow a mansion..."

Hou Niao, using the cover of buildings, shifted his body to dodge the streets, then turned down an alley where a quiet spot awaited, and a woman was standing there waiting,

He frowned slightly, "You were looking for me for a reason?"

Xiao Qiang turned around, "Sorry, you helped us, yet we only caused you trouble..."

Hou Niao was not one to be taken in by such talk, "If you want to change your life, you must stir the waters with an outsider’s help. Don’t say it was unintentional, insulting everyone’s intelligence. Just tell me, what do you need?"

Xiao Qiang smiled brightly, "This is what I like about you, you don’t play saint by hiding things. I’d like to invite you for a meal as an apology, but I don’t know where would be suitable?"

Hou Niao replied without any pretense, "How can eating out compare to the comfort of home? I have a mansion, why not let the little sister show off her culinary skills?"

The two of them made their way back to Hou Niao’s residence, now that they were halfway to falling out, he needed to understand the general situation in the King Wucheng’s Prince Manor; not only concerning Wu Weijiang but also about the composition of the manor staff, including those on paper and those operating in secret.

Wu Weijiang was adept at political maneuvering, liking to use Daoist Sect tactics to kill the spirit without getting his hands dirty with causality. To deal with such a person, one needed to learn more; otherwise, you might unknowingly fall into one of his traps one day.

A pot of fine wine and several small dishes, although they had known each other for decades, their relationship was merely formal and they had never been alone together before; this was the first time.

"Does your cousin know you came to see me?"

Xiao Qiang smiled faintly, "She does, and although she doesn’t approve, she would still cover for me because we’re essentially one; prosperity for one is prosperity for both, and loss for one is loss for both. So, brother, there’s no need to worry—I’ve never heard that being married means you can’t see other people in the Cultivation World."

What Hou Niao really wanted to know was, "I can understand your dissatisfaction with being confined to the Prince Manor, but what exactly do you want? I’m afraid I can’t offer you much right now. Why bother?"

Xiao Qiang looked up at him directly, "I want to continue on the path of cultivation, not to be used as a tool, receiving scraps when someone is pleased; I have already repaid the clan for nurturing me and no longer owe them anything.

For Wu Weijiang, there’s no need to discuss personal matters; but I know you, brother, are interested in the True Inheritor’s position. Maybe I could help you with that?"

Hou Niao chuckled, "Are you so sure? I’m a commoner by birth, and there’s no precedent in Quanzhen Sect for someone like me to shake the status of a True Disciple, right?"

Xiao Qiang was unperturbed, "Of course I’m sure, because I’ve watched you act, step by step for decades without a single failure. Why not gamble once? There were many concerns before at Miao Gao, but now, those concerns are gone."

Hou Niao nodded, "Sister is right, I am indeed interested in the True Inheritor’s position, but I don’t need your help, which would complicate things and might make it too obvious to others. freewebnσvel.cøm

How to attain the True Inheritor’s position is my own business, but why should I help you with yours?"

Xiao Qiang stood up, spun around, her light veil fluttering, "I would dance for you alone."

...The spring hues of Yuan and Xiang fill Jianghu, tipsy and radiant in the Jade Pot. Vermilion grass sprouts with luminous charm amidst the chaotic ornaments, while jade roses and dreams of pepper pictures glisten. Gripping incense, always hidden in Red Mountain Cave, where dewdrops are laden with Red Water Pearl. Always Ji Lun has more winning friends, no need to break the purple stem of coral-sea maiden.