Mo Tiange turned and left with a flick of her sleeve. The five Foundation Establishment cultivators ultimately did not pursue her.
"Senior Brother, what should we do?" the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had caused the trouble asked uneasily. Though he had been full of bluster earlier, now that Mo Tiange had stormed off, he was starting to worry.
The leader frowned, replying irritably, "How should I know? It's true that the Tianyan Sect is the largest sect on Beiji Island, but we are merely Foundation Establishment cultivators without any high-ranking elders. Even if we suffer a loss at the hands of a Core Formation cultivator, no one will stand up for us. Our sect elders might even think we handled the situation poorly, since we were the ones who offended her with our words first."
Thinking of this, the "Senior Brother" felt a headache coming on.
"Forget it, let's just go back first," he finally said. "The item that was stolen this time is very important. The uncles and senior uncles in the sect will definitely intervene. We'll just go back and report truthfully. At worst, we'll be punished."
"Yes." The others were all dejected. It was already unlucky enough to have something stolen under their watch. They had tried to chase down the culprit to make up for their mistake, only to cause another incident. Given the sect leader's strict governance, they didn't know how severe their punishment would be.
Leaving these few aside, Mo Tiange flew a distance away before stopping.
The anger had already faded from her face, leaving only confusion.
From the few words spoken by those Foundation Establishment cultivators, she deduced what had happened: someone must have just stolen some treasure from the Yulin Pavilion. They had chased after the thief, spotted her acting suspiciously, and thus mistaken her for the culprit.
This was interesting. Since they had mistaken her for the thief, it meant her figure and cultivation level were similar to the thief's, and the theft must have occurred right around the time she left the Yulin Pavilion. Furthermore, as soon as she spoke, those Foundation Establishment cultivators said her accent was very similar to the thief's...
She narrowed her eyes, recalling the figure resembling Nie Wushang she had seen at the Yulin Pavilion.
Although Nie Wushang didn't look like her, their figures were quite similar if one ignored their faces. Moreover, at that time, Nie Wushang's cultivation also appeared to be at the Foundation Establishment level. Most importantly, if that person really was Nie Wushang, they both came from Tianji, so their accents would indeed sound similar to Yunzhong ears.
Could it be that Nie Wushang had really come to Yunzhong? Considering this possibility, Mo Tiange felt the situation was taking a turn for the worse.
If Nie Wushang had come to Yunzhong, did she come alone, or did she come with her master, Venerable Songfeng? What exactly had she stolen from the Yulin Pavilion? Judging by the reactions of those five Foundation Establishment cultivators, it couldn't be an ordinary item. As Venerable Songfeng's disciple, she probably didn't lack spirit stones. If she could buy it, why resort to theft?
Mo Tiange rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. Why was she so unlucky? She was just minding her own business, not meddling in others' affairs, yet she kept getting dragged into trouble.
Whether her guess was right or not, whether that person was Nie Wushang or not, she was already unavoidably involved in this matter.
She had been harsh with those Foundation Establishment cultivators earlier because of their arrogant attitude. The rule in the cultivation world was that the strong were respected. As a Core Formation cultivator, it was perfectly acceptable for her to reprimand a few Foundation Establishment cultivators, even if they were disciples of the Tianyan Sect, the largest sect on Beiji Island.
However, that was as far as it went. She was currently on Beiji Island. As soon as those few reported the incident, her whereabouts would likely be discovered quickly. Given her status as a Core Formation cultivator, Core Formation cultivators from the Tianyan Sect would step in. Then, she couldn't afford to be as dismissive as she was now. After all, a powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake. Moreover, the Tianyan Sect had two Nascent Soul cultivators. She couldn't truly afford to fall out with them.
Originally, she had planned to go to the docks to see how Yunzhong cultivators hunted sea beasts, then chat with them to learn more about Yunzhong. Now, however, she had lost the mood for it. Making a detour, she simply returned to the inn.
Ayin was surprised to see her back so soon. She had just arrived herself, and this Immortal had already returned. Truly, a powerful cultivator.
Mo Tiange couldn't be bothered to explain. Before returning to the cultivation chamber, she told Ayin, "If I have any visitors in the next few days, just call for me in the courtyard."
Ayin was puzzled. This Immortal had stayed here for over half a month without even stepping out the door. She didn't seem like someone visiting friends. Yet, after this one trip out, she mentioned visitors. Ayin truly didn't understand what was going on. However, she was merely a maid hired by the inn to serve cultivators. She had no right to ask why. So she simply replied, "Yes."
Frowning, Mo Tiange stepped into the cultivation chamber, activated the defensive formation, and entered the Void Heaven Realm.
Everything was normal inside the Void Heaven Realm. Feifei and Xiaohuo were playing, while Xiaofan was cultivating in the stream.
Compared to those two, Xiaofan not only possessed intelligence equivalent to a human's, but its behavior was also closer to a human's. Although it was still a child among demon beasts, it was extremely fervent about cultivation. After arriving in the Void Heaven Realm, it was like a fish in water.
Thinking of this, Mo Tiange's mind wandered. Qin Xi wasn't very comfortable with the environment of the Void Heaven Realm, but her three spirit beasts had no such problem. Perhaps it was because demon beasts' cultivation methods were closer to instinct? It was a pity she couldn't learn from demon beasts' cultivation methods; otherwise, she and Qin Xi wouldn't have had to separate.
The people from the Tianyan Sect arrived faster than she had anticipated.
In less than half a day, while Mo Tiange was meditating and regulating her breath inside the Void Heaven Realm, she heard Ayin's voice from outside, informing her that she had a visitor.
Mo Tiange sighed, opened her eyes, and used her divine sense to summon Xiaofan and Xiaohuo.
"Master, is something wrong?"
Mo Tiange patted Xiaohuo, who had pounced into her arms, and said to the two beasts, "There might be some trouble. You two go into the Spirit Beast Bags first and come out with me."
"Okay." Xiaofan asked nothing. Seeing Mo Tiange open the Spirit Beast Bag, it willingly crawled in. Xiaohuo, however, rolled around unhappily several times before reluctantly entering the bag.
After putting away the two Spirit Beast Bags and ensuring all her magical treasures were in the most suitable positions for immediate combat, Mo Tiange didn't linger any longer. She exited the Void Heaven Realm, deactivated the restrictions, and walked out.
"Immortal." Seeing her, Ayin stepped forward and curtsied. "The guest is already waiting in the hall."
Mo Tiange nodded with a smile and walked toward the small reception hall.
Ayin was well-trained. She had already shown the visitor to the hall and served good tea.
Sitting in the hall at that moment was a female cultivator at the early Core Formation stage. She was adorned with pearls and jade, her robes layered and decorated, extremely luxurious. Just from her back, one could sense an imposing air of nobility.
Mo Tiange couldn't help but think of her own master, Dao Lord Jinghe. This style was so similar to her master's. If Dao Lord Jinghe had the demeanor of a decadent ruler, then this female cultivator had the bearing of an empress.
The female cultivator was leisurely sipping her tea. Sensing someone's arrival, she unhurriedly set down her teacup and looked up, meeting Mo Tiange's gaze.
Mo Tiange couldn't help but be taken aback for a moment. This female cultivator was beautiful, possessing both an ethereal, immortal aura and an elegant nobility. She was the kind of beauty Mo Tiange had never seen in the cultivation world. Compared to those so-called "immortals" who appeared transcendent but were actually vulgar, she, despite her worldly opulence, had a aura that felt even more detached from the mortal realm.
Seeing her, the female cultivator stood up and curtsied in greeting. "This humble one is a cultivator of the Tianyan Sect, with the Dao title Chisu. Outsiders flatter me by calling me Lady Chisu. Greetings, Fellow Daoist."
Mo Tiange bowed in return. "You are too polite, Fellow Daoist Chisu. My surname is Mo, and my Dao title is Qingwei."
"So it's Fellow Daoist Qingwei." Lady Chisu smiled, praising unhurriedly, "Fellow Daoist Qingwei looks so young yet has already reached mid Core Formation cultivation. It's truly astonishing."
"Isn't Fellow Daoist Chisu also young and beautiful? There's no need to tease me." Mo Tiange replied lightly, then gestured for Lady Chisu to sit. "Please, Fellow Daoist, have a seat."
Lady Chisu sat down with a smile and picked up her teacup again.
Both women took the opportunity while drinking tea to secretly size each other up.
Mo Tiange could tell that although this Lady Chisu was only at the early Core Formation stage, her status within the Tianyan Sect was likely not low. Her aura was dignified and composed, her every movement calm and steady. There was a faint aura of authority around her, something ordinary Core Formation cultivators didn't possess. Presumably, she held some authority within her sect, which explained this presence.
While she was observing the other party, Lady Chisu was also observing her. When she first saw Mo Tiange, a flicker of surprise passed through her eyes. Although many high-ranking female cultivators in the cultivation world retained their youthful beauty, experienced eyes could still detect subtle differences. However, looking at this Core Formation female cultivator she had never seen on Beiji Island before, she seemed genuinely very young. Lady Chisu grew suspicious. Could she be a disciple from some major inland sect who had come here?
Thinking this, Lady Chisu's eyes sparkled as she asked with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Qingwei, may I ask where your immortal homeland is, and what brings you to Beiji Island?"
For cultivators, such a direct question was almost impolite. However, when spoken by Lady Chisu with such a tone and expression, it somehow felt perfectly natural.
Mo Tiange set down her teacup and smiled. "Please forgive me, Fellow Daoist. My origins are not something I can discuss in detail. However, my purpose here is ordinary. I am merely traveling and happened to arrive here."
"Oh?" Lady Chisu raised an eyebrow slightly. "Fellow Daoist is only traveling, not here to purchase demon cores?"
Mo Tiange replied calmly, "If I see suitable demon cores, I will naturally buy them. However, if I don't find any, it doesn't matter."
Hearing her answer, Lady Chisu smiled. Such an attitude was indeed typical of cultivators from major sects. Only they would look upon a huge demon core market like Beiji Island with such indifference.
Thinking this, Lady Chisu slowly said, "Fellow Daoist Qingwei, this humble one just heard from the innkeeper that when you checked in, you claimed to be a rogue cultivator and even suppressed your cultivation, pretending to be a Foundation Establishment cultivator. I wonder if there is some reason you cannot speak of reason for this?"
Mo Tiange smiled faintly, looking at Lady Chisu without speaking.
Under her gaze, Lady Chisu gradually felt her own question was somewhat inappropriate. If it was not to be discussed in detail, why would she tell an outsider?
"Fellow Daoist Chisu," Mo Tiange spoke up. "I have a nature that dislikes ostentation and do not like to flaunt my master's name or origins. I don't need to explain these to you, do I?"
Although her expression was smiling at that moment, someone as clever as Lady Chisu couldn't fail to sense the warning in her words. This woman was not to be trifled with—such a thought immediately surfaced in her mind.
Just as Lady Chisu was about to speak, Mo Tiange raised a hand to stop her. She brushed her sleeve and said composedly, "I understand the purpose of your visit, Fellow Daoist. Since you have treated me with courtesy, I am not one to be ungrateful. I will explain the situation clearly to your esteemed sect."