Stepping out the door, it was already late at night. The shops in the market had long since closed. Only scattered points of lamplight dotted the street.
Mo Tiange made her way slowly back to the inn by the faint glow of these lights.
Over the course of the evening, she and Tian Qiao had talked about many things that had happened since their separation. Neither of them was the little girl from back then anymore, and each had changed considerably from the image in the other's memory, so many matters required careful recounting.
Just as she was unaccustomed to Tian Qiao becoming so gentle, virtuous, and demure, Tian Qiao hadn't expected her to be living like a man now. Recalling the past, Tian Qiao had been passionate and lively, while she herself had been quiet and reserved. Who could have predicted that upon meeting again, their roles would be so completely reversed? It truly made one sigh at the impermanence of worldly affairs.
Additionally, Mo Tiange had deliberately observed Tian Qiao's husband. That Meng Sigui was very polite to her, but not overly familiar. Towards Tian Qiao, while not particularly attentive, he wasn't bad either. She had secretly asked Tian Qiao whether Meng Sigui truly treated her well. Tian Qiao had only sighed and said, "That's just how marriage is. Passionate at first, but gradually worn down by the routines of life. Meng Sigui doesn't treat me poorly. It's just that he is, after all, a cultivator, while I am a mortal. It's inevitable that he looks down on me a little."
Hearing this, Mo Tiange knew she shouldn't interfere in their marital affairs and said nothing more. In truth, she roughly understood Meng Sigui's state of mind. Having given up worldly wealth and glory to come to Kunwu, he naturally wanted to advance further on the path of cultivation. But with his mediocre aptitude and the hardships of life, it was natural for him to feel depressed and thus show less care for those around him.
Still, thinking about it left her somewhat disheartened. Tian Qiao had been married for only four or five years, yet the passion had already faded. If they were both cultivators, each would devote most of their time to cultivation. Over hundreds of years, how much affection could remain? If they eventually reached a dead end, wouldn't that be tragic?
At this thought, she smiled bitterly in her heart. Matters of the heart were indeed best left untouched. If, like Tian Qiao, one's heart became wholly tied to another yet received unequal treatment in return, she would rather remain alone for life.
Not far from the inn. She looked up and suddenly stopped.
Two figures emerged from the inn, sneaking furtively into the darkness.
If they were strangers, she would absolutely not meddle. But she happened to recognize these two. One was that Jiang Chengxian, the other his follower, a short young man. Standing there, she thought for a moment, then decisively restrained her aura and followed them.
This Jiang Chengxian was at the critical juncture of Foundation Establishment. Instead of staying at Yunwu Mountain, he appeared here. There must be some reason. Furthermore, she had heard that this person, relying on having a Core Formation elder in his family, possessed cultivation and treasures, but his actual skills and methods were not necessarily impressive. She was confident she wouldn't be discovered.
The two also restrained their auras, running wildly along the way. Mo Tiange had to expend some effort to tail them, neither too close nor too far. She didn't know their destination; they ran for a full hour without stopping. Several times, she almost lost them.
An hour later, entering a mountain hollow, the two finally slowed down. Seeing they were completely unaware of her, Mo Tiange cautiously moved a bit closer.
The two seemed to be searching for something. After circling around, Jiang Chengxian asked impatiently, "Are you sure it's here?"
Hearing this, the short man replied in an ingratiating tone, "Senior Brother Jiang, I definitely saw that kid run here. His Cave Abode should be nearby."
"Then hurry up and find it."
"Ah? I..." Seemingly not expecting Jiang Chengxian to dump the hard work on him like this, the short man's voice carried a hint of reluctance.
"What?"
"N-nothing, Senior Brother Jiang. Please wait here a moment. I'll go scout the surroundings."
"Hmph, hurry up!"
Subsequently, the short man left somewhat unwillingly, leaving Jiang Chengxian alone on the spot.
Mo Tiange thought for a moment and stayed where she was without moving. No matter what happened, this person would have to come back to find Jiang Chengxian. Might as well wait here.
From the brief exchange just now, it could be roughly understood that they seemed to be looking for trouble with someone. However, this probably wasn't the purpose of their journey from Yunwu Mountain to this place. Because the Spiritual Qi in this mountain hollow was thin. Anyone who would establish a Cave Abode here was likely a Loose Cultivator. She didn't believe they would come all the way from Yunwu Mountain just to deal with a Loose Cultivator. There must be another reason.
The situation before her eyes wasn't hard to deduce. They must have been passing through, gotten into a conflict with someone in the market, and on a whim decided to teach that person a lesson.
A long time passed. The short man sent by Jiang Chengxian to scout still hadn't returned. Jiang Chengxian seemed to be growing impatient. He stood up, looked around for a while, and muttered, "What's taking that guy so long!"
At this moment, Jiang Chengxian was completely unguarded. If she wanted to kill him, it would be a heaven-sent opportunity. However, Mo Tiange was not Xu Jingzhi. In the upheaval of the Yunwu Sect's destruction, she hadn't suffered any personal losses, so she bore no hatred towards the Jiang Family either. Besides, although this wasn't Yunwu Mountain, the Jiang Family did have two Core Formation seniors. If she were found out, she'd be in big trouble. She wouldn't do such a foolish thing.
After another while, just as Jiang Chengxian was about to lose his patience, there was finally movement.
"Senior Brother Jiang, found it!" The short man hurried over, gesturing towards a certain direction. "Right there. But the formation is quite formidable."
"Hmph!" Jiang Chengxian said arrogantly. "With the Heaven-Breaking Mirror in hand, what formation can't I break?"
The short man nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, Senior Brother Jiang. Shall we go now?"
"Mm. Lead the way."
Heaven-Breaking Mirror? Mo Tiange unconsciously frowned. Second Uncle had once told her about a category of unorthodox magical treasures and spiritual artifacts specifically designed to break formations. Could this Heaven-Breaking Mirror be one of them?
Still following behind them, she didn't have to go far before she detected traces of a formation among a cluster of rocky cliffs.
This formation was called the Azure Sky White Sun Formation. It was a rare, extremely yang formation, not some common variety. In terms of power, it was comparable to her Five Elements Killing Formation, though slightly inferior in concealing its traces.
Of course, this was from her perspective. Without a foundation in formations, discovering it would require considerable effort.
It seemed the owner of this formation was also a talent. The formation wasn't simple, and the location chosen to set it up was excellent.
The two stopped outside the formation, no longer concealing their auras. At Jiang Chengxian's signal, the short man shouted loudly, "Kid, your granddaddy is here! Come out and accept your death!"
He shouted once, waited a moment, but there was no response.
The short man continued shouting, "Wei! Don't think hiding like a turtle will save you! My Senior Brother Jiang has a spiritual artifact specifically for breaking formations! If you don't want to die, come out obediently, hand over the Foundation-Solidifying Pill, and we'll spare your life!"
Mo Tiange was startled. Foundation-Solidifying Pill? Could it be these two coveted someone else's pill and were here to rob them by force?
Regarding pills, although she couldn't refine them herself, she knew about many. But she had never heard of this Foundation-Solidifying Pill. Judging by the actions of Jiang Chengxian and this short man, it probably wasn't a simple pill.
At this moment, an angry voice finally came from within the formation. "So it's you two!"
The short man laughed shrilly. "Who else but your granddaddy? Well? Hand over the pill, and we'll let you go!"
"Dream on!" The voice grew even more furious, sneering coldly. "You just want to forcibly seize my Foundation-Solidifying Pill! In your dreams! If you have the ability, come and get it yourselves!"
"Hmph! Refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! Think carefully!"
Faced with this threat, the person inside snorted coldly and said no more.
The short man turned to Jiang Chengxian, seeking instruction. "Senior Brother Jiang?"
Jiang Chengxian hesitated for a moment, a fierce expression appearing on his face. He said in a low voice, "Kill him! He's just a Loose Cultivator. We must get the Foundation-Solidifying Pill in his possession. Kill the man, that's all."
Mo Tiange was somewhat far away and heard this sentence indistinctly, but she caught the word "kill" and was slightly surprised. Cultivators valued their lives; they rarely fought to the death unless there was prior enmity or sufficient benefit. Otherwise, they wouldn't easily kill. This cultivator said they coveted the Foundation-Solidifying Pill in his possession, which was why they came to kill him. What exactly was this Foundation-Solidifying Pill?
If this cultivator truly was a Loose Cultivator, he was in great danger today. Jiang Chengxian had already cultivated to Qi Refining Level 10. His short follower was also at Qi Refining Level 8. Plus, Jiang Chengxian undoubtedly possessed treasures... If this person confronted them, the odds were heavily against him.
At this moment, Jiang Chengxian had already summoned his spiritual artifact. It was indeed a mirror, presumably the Heaven-Breaking Mirror they mentioned. The mirror shone upon the formation. Despite the lack of light or moon, a beam of azure light shot from the mirror, landing among the rocky cliffs. Immediately, several spots erupted with explosive sounds as formation disks flew out.
Mo Tiange was startled, not expecting this spiritual artifact to possess such power. She calculated secretly; even her own Five Elements Killing Formation probably couldn't hold against this mirror for long.
With the formation broken, a Cave Abode immediately appeared among the rocky cliffs. Jiang Chengxian and the other exchanged a glance and cautiously stepped inside.
Mo Tiange remained motionless in her hiding place. She hesitated for a moment internally but ultimately decided not to meddle. This was not a matter she could interfere in. She couldn't afford to provoke Jiang Chengxian either.
The sounds of Dharma Combat came from within the Cave Abode. They didn't last long before a miserable scream was heard inside. She didn't know if the Loose Cultivator had already been killed.
But the sounds of Dharma Combat continued. After quite a while, the noises finally ceased. A figure covered in blood staggered out. She focused her eyes and saw it was Jiang Chengxian.
The moment Jiang Chengxian exited the Cave Abode, he immediately employed a lightness technique and fled at full speed. This scene puzzled Mo Tiange. Had he suffered a major setback?
She waited patiently a while longer, but the Cave Abode remained completely still.
After some thought, she cautiously extended her spiritual sense, then was startled again. There were no living people inside the Cave Abode.
Confirming there was no one else around, she emerged from her hiding place, summoned her Greenwood Sword, and walked towards the Cave Abode.
Inside, it was a scene of utter chaos. Their Dharma Combat had clearly been quite intense. The Cave Abode was unrecognizable from its original state, littered with fragments of rock and cliff walls. Two corpses lay on the ground. One was the short man who had been with Jiang Chengxian. The other was an unfamiliar cultivator, presumably the one surnamed Wei they had mentioned.
She approached and examined them carefully. Neither body had a Qiankun Bag. It seemed Jiang Chengxian had taken them. She still didn't know what this Foundation-Solidifying Pill they spoke of actually was, that it could cause these two to fight to the death in an instant.
After observing the surroundings, Mo Tiange spotted a toppled bookshelf among the rock fragments. From it, she picked up a jade slip that was still intact. Worried that Jiang Chengxian might return, she didn't even dare to deal with the corpses. She retreated from the Cave Abode, circled out of the mountain hollow, and found a random place to hide.