Lady Chisu's face quickly lit up with a smile, her words sincere. "Fellow Daoist Qingwei, I am immensely honored that you can understand. My sect's disciples from earlier were incompetent and offended you. I apologize on their behalf first."
As she spoke, Lady Chisu stood up and performed a formal, respectful bow.
Seeing this, Mo Tiange revealed a smile and made a gesture to help her up. "Fellow Daoist, you are too polite. It was merely the arrogance of juniors. There's no need for this."
The two women exchanged smiles, both satisfied with the other's tactfulness.
The Tianyan Sect was the largest sect on Beiji Island. Mo Tiange naturally did not want to offend them. Since the other party was showing goodwill, she naturally took the opportunity to step down.
As for Lady Chisu, she thought to herself: this female cultivator was young yet had profound cultivation; she was very likely a disciple of a major sect. It was better to win her over. Those who had cultivated to the Core Formation stage, if not possessing great wisdom, at least had some intelligence. No one wanted to make enemies without reason.
With this unspoken understanding, the two sat down again to drink tea.
Mo Tiange smiled and spoke. "Regarding this matter, to be honest, I am completely in the dark. I did indeed go to the demon core market today and entered your Tianyan Sect's Yulin Pavilion. However, I only watched for a while before leaving. The maid outside can testify to this. I have just arrived at Beiji Island and wanted to go to the docks to see how the cultivators here hunt beasts. Who would have thought that halfway there, I was intercepted by several of your sect's Foundation Establishment cultivators. Considering the timing, I had only parted with the maid for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. There simply wouldn't have been time for me to steal your sect's items. Fellow Daoist Chisu, you can investigate this point yourself."
Lady Chisu nodded as she listened. By the time Mo Tiange finished speaking, she was already smiling. "Since Fellow Daoist Qingwei has explained so clearly, I naturally believe you. It was my sect's boys who were incompetent and disturbed you. I truly apologize."
Mo Tiange smiled faintly. The Tianyan Sect had tracked her down here so quickly; her movements must have been investigated long ago. However, she was, after all, a Core Formation cultivator. Only a cultivator of the same rank could meet with her to completely eliminate suspicion. Since this Lady Chisu believed her after hearing her explanation, this matter could be considered closed.
"Since it was a misunderstanding, clearing it up is enough. Fellow Daoist Chisu, please don't dwell on it." Mo Tiange paused, then carefully asked, "Fellow Daoist Chisu, in principle, this is your sect's internal affair. As an outsider, I shouldn't ask too much. However, since the matter involves me, I would like to ask: in what way did that thief resemble me, leading your sect's disciples to mistake me for the culprit? I wonder if Fellow Daoist could enlighten me?"
Lady Chisu pondered for a moment. "Fellow Daoist Qingwei, this matter involves my sect's internal affairs. I must ask your forgiveness for not being able to provide details. However, regarding your question, I can answer a little. According to my sect's disciples, the thief was a female Foundation Establishment cultivator. Her build and cultivation level both matched yours. Most importantly, your accent is identical to hers. Even if you are not the same person, you should be from the same hometown."
"I see." Mo Tiange's expression remained unchanged as she nodded calmly.
Seeing no change in her expression, Lady Chisu considered for a moment, then finally stood up with a smile. "Fellow Daoist Qingwei, my humble sect still has many miscellaneous matters. Since the misunderstanding has been cleared up, I should take my leave. I apologize for this abrupt disturbance. Once this matter is settled, if Fellow Daoist Qingwei is still on Beiji Island, I will invite you for a gathering."
"Fellow Daoist Chisu, you are too kind." Mo Tiange stood up as well. "Since you have matters to attend to, I won't keep you. I hope we have the chance to meet again in the future."
Lady Chisu smiled faintly and bowed slightly. "I hope so too."
After seeing Lady Chisu off, Mo Tiange returned to the small hall, her expression immediately darkening.
She had seen a figure resembling Nie Wushang's back in the Yulin Pavilion, appearing to be at the Foundation Establishment level. The Yulin Pavilion was robbed at that very time. The thief's cultivation level and build were similar to hers. The Tianyan Sect disciples indicated that her accent was also similar to that person's.
In the entire Beiji Island, even in all of Yunzhong, who besides someone also from Tianji would share her accent? With so many coincidences piling up, the answer was practically shouting itself.
Nie Wushang. She hadn't been mistaken. That was indeed Nie Wushang.
This led to another critical speculation. Did Nie Wushang come alone, or did she come with Venerable Songfeng?
Thinking of this possibility, Mo Tiange's face paled slightly.
Traveling alone to Yunzhong did not frighten her. After all, she was now a Core Formation cultivator and confident in her own abilities to stand on her own. But if she truly encountered Venerable Songfeng here, that would be a calamity.
Having lived for over a hundred years, she had seen many Nascent Soul cultivators. Only this Venerable Songfeng made her feel genuine fear from the depths of her heart. Because of him, she had almost experienced the most terrifying thing that could happen to a woman. This made her realize that her strength was still far from sufficient. Only by standing at the very pinnacle of cultivation could she ensure she would not be harmed.
If given the chance, she would love to grind his bones to dust and scatter his ashes. But now, her strength was insufficient. If she encountered Venerable Songfeng again, she might not be so lucky.
"Immortal."
The trembling voice of Ayin reached her ears. Mo Tiange snapped out of her thoughts, putting away her gloomy expression, and asked calmly, "What is it?"
Ayin hesitated for a long moment before cautiously asking, "Immortal, you haven't offended the Tianyan Sect, have you?"
Mo Tiange frowned. "Did your shopkeeper ask you to inquire?"
Ayin shook her head. "This lowly one just wanted to remind the Immortal. The Tianyan Sect has two Nascent Soul cultivators. They are the undisputed top sect on Beiji Island. If the Immortal has any conflict with them, it's best to endure it for now."
Seeing the worry in her eyes, Mo Tiange felt a warmth in her heart and showed a smile. "It's fine. I have no conflict with them."
Ayin breathed a sigh of relief, patting her chest. "That's good. The Immortal is so amiable. This lowly one doesn't want to see the Immortal suffer a loss here."
Hearing this, Mo Tiange smiled. "Thank you."
Not long after, Shopkeeper Dong from the inn hurried over, respectfully apologizing to Mo Tiange. It turned out that after Lady Chisu's visit, he had learned that Mo Tiange was actually a Core Formation cultivator. Feeling that his hospitality had been inadequate and unworthy of a Core Formation cultivator's status, he had specially come to ask if Mo Tiange needed anything.
Mo Tiange had deliberately lowered her cultivation level, so of course she had no other opinions. She indicated she needed nothing and that everything should remain as before, then dismissed Shopkeeper Dong.
After Shopkeeper Dong left, she instructed Ayin that she would not be going out for a period of time. If anyone else came to visit, she should simply decline and not disturb her.
Then, she returned to the cultivation chamber, activated the defensive formation, and entered the Void Heaven Realm.
Just moments ago, another possibility had occurred to her.
The demon core market was bustling with people coming and going. Countless cultivators left at every moment. Why had those five Foundation Establishment cultivators so coincidentally pursued her? Even if female Foundation Establishment cultivators were few, and those with a build similar to Nie Wushang's were even fewer, it was impossible for them to have targeted her immediately, was it?
Thinking about it this way, it was very likely that Nie Wushang had left in the same direction as her. Therefore, when these Foundation Establishment cultivators saw her, they naturally assumed she was the thief.
This led to another question. If Nie Wushang had indeed taken the same direction as her, was it possible she had discovered Mo Tiange? Thinking further, was it possible that Nie Wushang had discovered her and deliberately led the pursuers to her?
Mo Tiange broke out in a cold sweat, somewhat afraid to continue this line of thought.
She steadied her mind and carefully thought it through again. Although this was just her conjecture, this possibility did exist. Her spiritual sense was powerful, but Nie Wushang was, after all, Venerable Songfeng's disciple. Who knew if she had some strange method to conceal her aura and avoid detection?
After thinking for a long time, Mo Tiange let out a sigh.
Since she already had this suspicion, she needed to devise a countermeasure.
She held no hatred for Nie Wushang. Back at the Heavenly Demon Mountain, although Nie Wushang had led the way for Venerable Songfeng, she was, after all, his disciple. Doing so was understandable. As for later, when Nie Wushang had saved her, Mo Tiange felt some gratitude. Regardless, Nie Wushang had helped her avoid a terrifying experience. However, Venerable Songfeng had ultimately been brought by her, and her identity was so sensitive. Although Mo Tiange felt a sliver of gratitude, she hadn't thought about repaying her or anything like that. She merely thought that if she could avoid her in the future, she would not make an enemy of her, which would count as repayment.
Now that Nie Wushang might be here and might have schemed against her, Mo Tiange became even more cautious. Although she thought this way, she didn't believe Nie Wushang felt the same. After all, Nie Wushang's identity was clear. With Venerable Songfeng present, they were enemies.
Thinking this, Mo Tiange had already made a decision.
Regardless of whether Venerable Songfeng was here or not, she did not want to get involved in this matter. Since she had already explained things to the Tianyan Sect, she would pretend not to know and stay out of it. She had the Void Heaven Realm. As long as she hid inside and didn't come out, neither the Tianyan Sect nor Venerable Songfeng would be able to find her.
Mo Tiange curled her lips into a smile, opened the spirit beast pouch, and released Xiaohuo and Xiaofan.
"It's fine now. You can go play."
Xiaohuo let out a happy cry and immediately scampered off, probably to find Feifei to continue playing. Xiaofan, however, didn't move, floating in mid-air, its voice tinged with worry. "Master, are you troubled?"
Mo Tiange was taken aback.
Xiaofan said, "Your brow is furrowed. Is there some trouble?"
Mo Tiange was stunned for a moment, then smiled. "It's nothing. Although there is a bit of trouble, as long as we don't go out, nothing will happen."
"Oh." Xiaofan nodded its head, seeming to understand but not fully. "Then are we going to stay here for a long time?"
"Hmm..." Mo Tiange pondered. "Only by not going out can we stay out of it. Let's stay here for a month or so first. You just focus on your cultivation. If anything happens, I will call you."
"Alright." Having received her instruction, Xiaofan asked no further questions. "Then I'll go back to cultivate."
"Go ahead."
Xiaofan returned to the stream to continue cultivating. Xiaohuo and Feifei were still tumbling about playing.
Mo Tiange thought for a moment, then took out the two stone puppet dolls and directed them to tend to the herb fields. Taking advantage of this time, she retrieved the treasures obtained from Mo Yaoqing's cave abode.
The Spirit-Attracting Pearl, the Taiji Bagua Diagram, the Lotus Parasol, the Lingxiao Ruyi Scepter, and the Shrinking Earth Ruler. Among these five items, the Spirit-Attracting Pearl, Taiji Bagua Diagram, and Lotus Parasol were all auxiliary items that did not require deliberate refinement. The other two, however, needed to be refined to unleash their greater power.
The Lingxiao Ruyi Scepter went without saying. This item was Mo Yaoqing's combat treasure. Since Mo Yaoqing was originally a cultivator from Yunzhong, properly refining this treasure would be very helpful for her time in Yunzhong. Additionally, the Shrinking Earth Ruler also deserved serious attention. After advancing to Core Formation, she could no longer rely solely on the Void Heaven Realm as a life-saving method. The few moments it took to enter the Void Heaven Realm could determine life or death for high-level cultivators. She needed another means of preserving her life.
She might as well take advantage of this period to properly refine these two treasures. If anything happened, they would come in handy.