Chapter 123: Chapter 121: Crane, Snake, Fire

No matter how the outside world raged and changed, Purple Cliff Cave remained a realm of peace and tranquility.

On this day, the couple received invitations and went their separate ways to visit friends.

Fang Cheng was invited by Wang Daqian to Carefree Cave to discuss matters. Ye Yan, meanwhile, was invited by Ning Suyun to Suyun Cave.

Ning Suyun was raising a pair of Immortal Cranes, and it was said they had recently hatched a clutch of Little Immortal Cranes. Ye Yan had asked for two, intending to take them back to raise herself.

Upon arriving at Suyun Cave, but before she could see the Immortal Cranes, Ye Yan ran into an acquaintance.

A delicate and charming young wife, her skin as fair as snow and her beauty captivating.

—Wen Qianqian.

Wen Qianqian, however, did not recognize her.

Ning Suyun smiled and made the introductions, and only then did Ye Yan learn that Wen Qianqian and Ning Suyun were martial sisters!

Ning Suyun had been the disciple of Wen Qianqian’s father, Wen Zhiyan. After completing her training, she left Abyssal Marsh to make her own way in the world, eventually settling down in Netherworld Valley.

Ye Yan noticed that Wen Qianqian seemed rather melancholic. A thread of sorrow was woven into the charming young wife’s brow, a sight that would stir pity in anyone’s heart. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

No wonder she had come to Netherworld Valley to clear her head.

’Perhaps her husband’s departure without a word had broken her heart?’

The three women sat together, sipping tea and chatting idly, each lost in her own private thoughts.

Wen Qianqian and Ning Suyun were both Tier One High-grade Array Masters, so their conversation naturally drifted to matters of arrays. Ye Yan listened with a smile, occasionally chiming in with a remark.

After a short while.

Ning Suyun led the other two to see the Immortal Cranes.

Beside Suyun Cave was another grotto. Inside, it was clean and tidy. Two magnificent Immortal Cranes stood atop a massive boulder, while below them were six fluffy, adorable little cranes.

The two Immortal Cranes had bright red crests and snow-white bodies. With golden eyes, iron-like beaks, and talons like bronze hooks, they stood preening each other’s feathers.

Below the boulder, the little cranes waddled about, letting out soft, fledgling cries.

Ning Suyun took a green snake from her storage pouch and tossed it over. One of the Immortal Cranes immediately darted forward to peck at it.

Terrified, the green snake tried to flee toward the cave entrance.

The Immortal Crane’s iron beak struck the ground, sending stone fragments and sparks flying. The little cranes below cried out and scrambled to get out of the way.

In the blink of an eye, the Immortal Crane snatched the green snake in its beak. The snake coiled its body in response, its seven-foot-long frame instantly wrapping tightly around the crane’s legs.

Unperturbed, the Immortal Crane first pecked off the snake’s head. Then, with a gentle flick of its long beak between its legs, it tore the snake’s body into a dozen pieces.

It cried out, and the flock of Little Immortal Cranes immediately hopped onto the boulder, stretching out their beaks to peck at the snake meat.

The three women watched the little cranes eat for a while before Ning Suyun picked up two of them and handed them to Ye Yan.

As Ye Yan departed, she gave Wen Qianqian a few more glances before leaving, lost in thought.

...

After Ye Yan left, Wen Qianqian and Ning Suyun returned to the Cave Mansion and entered a secret chamber.

In the secret chamber stood an ancient Stone Stele. Its base was shaped like a divine turtle, looking as if it were slowly carrying the stele forward.

The front of the Stone Stele was inscribed with a miniature array, its Array Patterns so dense and complex they were dizzying to behold.

The back of the Stone Stele was covered with hundreds of sprawling, ancient characters.

Before Ye Yan’s arrival, the two martial sisters had already spent several days studying it.

Ning Suyun had picked up the Stone Stele at the Netherworld Grand Assembly. Initially, it was covered in an outer layer of rock. Sensing something was amiss, she had shattered the shell, revealing the stele within.

Wen Qianqian frowned, staring at the array on the Stone Stele. "Senior Sister," she said, "we’ve studied this for days and still can’t decipher this array. It seems we’re not fated to receive the inheritance from the Myriad Phenomena Immortal Sect."

According to the text on the back of the Stone Stele, completing the fragmented array on the front would unlock the inheritance left inside by a Cultivator of the Myriad Phenomena Immortal Sect.

Although both women were quite talented with arrays, they were helpless in the face of this ancient, fragmented one.

Ning Suyun smiled. "Junior Sister, you seem rather absent-minded. Is something troubling you?"

Wen Qianqian shook her head, a bitter smile on her lips. "It’s a personal matter. I wouldn’t want to trouble you, Senior Sister."

Ning Suyun’s dark brows furrowed. She sighed. "By the looks of it, you must be troubled by love. Did you meet a heartless man?"

Wen Qianqian said nothing.

Ning Suyun tried to persuade her, "This is an opportunity that comes once in a thousand years. We’ve only been studying it for a few days, how can we give up so easily? Most men in this world fall for every new person they see. If you focus your entire heart on him, you will ruin your life."

"Only if you are stronger than him, or become irreplaceable to him, will he truly treasure and cherish you!"

She spoke with the authority of experience, her words carrying a convincing weight.

A glimmer appeared in Wen Qianqian’s eyes; she was starting to be swayed.

Ning Suyun added, "Just because we can’t decipher this fragmented array now doesn’t mean we never will. As long as we persevere, we will eventually get results."

"If you miss him, just go back and visit every few months. He’s a Disciple of the Yinluo Sect, isn’t he? It’s not like he’s going to just disappear, right?"

Wen Qianqian said faintly, "I’m just a little worried about him."

As she spoke, her mind couldn’t help but conjure an image of the man’s domineering and forceful nature, along with his unforgettable, powerful physique, like that of a fierce beast.

...

「In Carefree Cave.」

Wang Daqian dismissed his wives and concubines, led Fang Cheng and He Yujing into a secret chamber, and activated the privacy wards. His expression was grave as he said, "The deal with the Jiujiang Alliance has been exposed."

He Yujing’s expression was calm. "Explain."

Wang Daqian said, "I’m afraid the Zhao Family leaked the news. A Life Talisman Elder from the Zheng Family came, forced his way into the Cultivation Association, killed several people, and captured the Monk. He’s threatening to torture him to find the other perpetrators."

If the Zheng Family’s Life Talisman Elder were to learn what they had done, he would certainly not let the matter rest.