Chapter 157: Chapter 123: Secretly Crossing the Magpie Bridge to Kill the Young Master-in-law

In the rustic courtyard, the petals of several flowering crabapple trees rustled down. Wisps of steam rose from a celadon teacup on the stone table, and the hem of a light blue skirt, spread over a stone stool, swayed gently in the breeze.

Meng Qiewei raised an eyebrow slightly, glancing at the entrance without much concern.

As she lifted the teacup, her wide sleeve slid down to reveal a wrist as white as frost, her fingertips appearing almost transparent in the daylight.

The moment she lowered her gaze to take a gentle sip, Qing Dai was already standing behind her, waiting respectfully.

Meng Qiewei drank her tea, unconcerned, as if nothing in the outside world could affect her movements.

After a long moment, she slowly set down the teacup, her gaze falling to the tabletop.

"My lady, isn’t it hot?" Qing Dai asked.

At that moment, frost melted on the teacup, and Qing Dai fell silent.

Meng Qiewei remained silent. She was waiting for the Secret Realm to open.

The trap had been set, and she wanted to know the outcome.

’Perhaps they’ll actually find it. It’s not impossible.’

’Then I’ll get to see what tricks they pull.’

"What has that prodigy been up to lately?" Meng Qiewei asked.

"He’s still at the Wuyun Sect. It’s said that a part of the Secret Realm has already opened, but it will be several months before it opens completely. Many people will enter then, and they might be able to discover something entirely new." Qing Dai poured Meng Qiewei a cup of tea and continued, "My lady, you’ve been inside that Secret Realm before. Is there really a hidden area?"

"There is," Meng Qiewei said.

Hearing this, Qing Dai was astonished. "Then why not let them go in and obtain the opportunity?"

Meng Qiewei did not answer.

Afterward, she asked about the Magpie Bridge matter.

"It seems they haven’t found much. The Immortal Sect is verifying everyone’s whereabouts, and you are on their list, my lady. It won’t be long before they come to confirm if you are at your residence," Qing Dai said.

She paused for a moment before continuing, "They started by checking on the imprisoned heretics, but they didn’t find anyone missing, nor did they discover any whose true bodies were absent.

"They also didn’t detect anyone whose power had been weakened.

"So, they have no choice but to investigate people again.

"However, the Fairy who was knocked unconscious has already sent people away from the Immortal Sect to search for the original location of the Magpie Bridge.

"They most likely won’t find it."

After another pause, Qing Dai asked, "The young prodigy from the clan traced the Fate Chart to the Wuyun Sect... Does that mean the Young Master was buried there?

"Was the Young Master killed at the Wuyun Sect?

"If so, does that mean the person who knocked out the Fairy was you, my lady?

"Did you go there specifically to kill the Young Master?"

After speaking, Qing Dai stared at her lady.

However, she couldn’t read anything on her lady’s face.

There was only a cold gaze.

’Too bad. I guessed wrong.’

Meng Qiewei shot Qing Dai a glance and said, "Where is the information I wanted on the Evil Gods?"

Qing Dai immediately took out a document. "There aren’t actually that many who have been officially named as Evil Gods by the Immortal Sect, but each one possesses terrifying power.

"The other Evil Gods are much weaker.

"During the Immortal Sect’s recent checks, I took the opportunity to record a list of names.

"But I find it a bit strange. The Immortal Sect doesn’t seem to have checked on the Evil Gods in the deepest levels.

"I don’t know if they’ll venture into the depths after they finish checking everyone on the list.

"I’ve heard that three of the ten great Evil Gods are imprisoned in there."

Meng Qiewei picked up her teacup, tried another sip, and said, "It’s too bitter."

"Wait a little longer. It has a sweet aftertaste," Qing Dai said as she poured another cup.

Meng Qiewei set the cup down without drinking any more. "Are there any new rumors about them lately?"

Qing Dai shook her head.

The person hasn’t been found yet. Once they are, there will probably be new rumors.

It all depends on the situation with the new generation of prodigies.

————

It took Jiang Man two days to complete a single cycle of his Cultivation.

The Seven Star Condensing Yuan Technique was indeed difficult to practice. Fortunately, it was a Nascent Condensation Skill for Magic Cultivators.

If it had been a Nascent Condensation Skill for a Sword Cultivator or a Body Cultivator, it would have been troublesome.

He had no intention of switching to a different path.

He didn’t have nearly enough Spiritual Source for that.

After circulating it once, Jiang Man could feel a change in his body, but since it was only the first time, he hadn’t yet reached the Entry Level.

’One more cycle should do it.’

There were thirteen layers in total.

’I wonder how long it will take to cultivate to the peak.’

After that, Jiang Man did nothing else and resumed his Cultivation.

After one cycle.

He reached the Entry Level of the Seven Star Condensing Yuan Technique.

After four cycles.

Second Layer.

After eight cycles.

Third Layer.

Jiang Man cultivated continuously. Because he had just learned the technique, he couldn’t practice many cycles in a single day, but fortunately, his speed was increasing.

The next day.

He reached the Sixth Layer of the Nascent Condensation Skill.

The third day.

Seventh Layer of the Nascent Condensation Skill.

The fifth day.

Eighth Layer.

The eighth day.

Ninth Layer.

Jiang Man did a quick calculation. It would still take a considerable amount of time.

Even though his speed kept increasing, there was a limit to that improvement.

To master all thirteen layers of a Top-grade Yuan Condensation Technique, even with his Talent, would require about a month.

’If it were an even stronger one...’

’I can’t even imagine.’

However, he could look for some Divine Objects to touch.

Perhaps he could awaken a higher Talent.

After eating something, Jiang Man planned to continue his Cultivation.

However, someone delivered a letter to him.

Jiang Man was curious. There shouldn’t be any major competitions at this time that concerned him.

When he opened the envelope, Jiang Man froze.

It said he owed 6,300 in rent and hadn’t paid yet.

It urged him to pay as soon as possible and to disregard the notice if he had already paid. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Jiang Man fell silent.

’Forty thousand minus six thousand three hundred.’

’That leaves thirty-three thousand seven hundred.’

’I’ll still have to find time to add to my Spirit Medicine identifications and exchange them for Spiritual Source with Master.’

’At least it’s some form of income.’

——

「Yunqian Bureau.」

Gao Rong had brought his group back to the Yunqian Bureau.

"You have about four days. After four days, you’ll gather here, and I’ll take you back. If you don’t make it, you’ll have to find your own way," Gao Rong said, looking at Xiaopang and the others.

Only four people had returned this time.

Gao Rong had used Sword Control to carry Xiaopang, Luo Xuan, and Cheng Yu.

Everyone nodded.

Xiaopang said he would head back first, and Luo Xuan also took her leave.

As for Cheng Yu, he bowed respectfully before heading deeper into the Yunqian Bureau.