Mo Tiange brewed tea while leaning against the table, lost in thought.
The meaning behind her second uncle's words that day had been crystal clear. These past few days, her mind had been unsettled, constantly turning the matter over and over.
Her second uncle had said she still had a hundred years to squander... The same second uncle who had always pushed her to cultivate had actually said such words to her. It showed just how dire the situation was—her second uncle had already essentially considered himself a dead man.
She no longer asked herself what she would do when her second uncle died. Seeing the calm expression on his face, she had already resolved to let the uncle who had worried over her for ten years depart in peace. It was just... thinking of this outcome still made her sad.
The tea leaves in the pot unfurled, the water gradually turning a pale green. Mo Tiange collected her emotions, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to her second uncle. "Second Uncle, have some tea." She had added calming and spirit-soothing spiritual herbs to this tea, hoping it would make him feel a bit better.
Ye Jiang looked even more aged now. In truth, even when a cultivator's lifespan was nearing its end, they could maintain a youthful, crane-haired and child-faced appearance, not withering away like mortals. His current state was entirely due to his injuries. After drinking the tea, he seemed to perk up slightly and asked, "Xiao Tian, you mentioned last time that the spiritual energy within your body has changed?"
Mo Tiange nodded. "Yes, it's become very strange. A thread of very cool, yin-type spiritual qi has gradually appeared in my dantian. It even devours other spiritual qi and transforms it into this type. I'm not sure of the reason and haven't dared to continue cultivating."
Ye Jiang thought for a moment before slowly saying, "It's fine. Continue cultivating. In the past, I also heard that when female cultivators practice specific techniques, their spiritual energy can undergo changes. It's likely due to the yin-leaning nature of your technique. Your situation is probably a special characteristic of the cultivation method you practice. Previously, your cultivation level wasn't high enough to transform into pure yin spiritual energy. Now that you've reached Qi Refining perfection and your cultivation is gradually increasing, the spiritual energy within your body has changed—this change must be your dantian preparing for Foundation Establishment. Since that's the case, continue cultivating. Wait until all your spiritual energy has transformed, then attempt Foundation Establishment."
This answer delighted Mo Tiange. "Does that mean my chances of successful Foundation Establishment will be greater?"
Ye Jiang nodded. "It should be so." After a moment's thought, he added, "However, you should still return to the sect. Of course, don't ask anyone. Just go to the place where the sect stores its classics and investigate."
"Mm, I understand."
"Maybe... you should go now. I'm not feeling particularly unwell at the moment."
"But..."
"Go. Otherwise, you might not be able to get away later."
Mo Tiange understood the meaning behind his words. Her second uncle was worried his injuries might worsen again. Not daring to refuse, she said, "Alright. Second Uncle, take care of yourself."
Half an hour later, Mo Tiange returned to the Yunwu Sect.
She first went to the Duty Hall to report her return, then went back to her residence.
Everything was exactly as she had left it. Jiang Shanghang was shut in his room cultivating. Qin Xi and Liu Yidao—one was still in seclusion, and the other was said to have also entered a secluded cultivation cave. Oh, there was one piece of news—Senior Brother Zhou had successfully reached Foundation Establishment and was now Uncle-Master Zhou!
Hearing this news, Mo Tiange was very happy for him. Although Uncle-Master Zhou had been aloof at first, he was actually a good person. If any of the fellow disciples living in this courtyard had questions, he would answer them diligently. Moreover, she owed much of her smooth experience here to Uncle-Master Zhou's care. During those two years she was in seclusion, not doing any tasks, it was Uncle-Master Zhou who had specifically put in a good word for her at the Duty Hall.
Because of this, Mo Tiange considered whether she should go congratulate Uncle-Master Zhou. In the end, she decided to send a verbal message through someone else, planning to visit after her current matters were settled.
After all, Uncle-Master Zhou now lived on the North Peak, which wasn't convenient for her to visit.
Just as she was about to head to the Ten Thousand Methods Pavilion, a voice came from outside. "Junior Brother Ye, is Junior Brother Ye Xiaotian here?"
Mo Tiange opened her door to see an unfamiliar male disciple standing outside the small hall.
"Senior Brother, is there something you need?"
Seeing her, the man smiled. "So you're Junior Brother Ye?"
Mo Tiange nodded. "That's right."
The man looked her up and down, his gaze making her uncomfortable, then said, "Uncle-Master Zhou sent me. Hearing you've returned, Uncle-Master Zhou would like to see you."
"Oh?" Mo Tiange said. "I just asked a senior brother from the North Peak to pass on a message. Has it already reached him?"
The man was momentarily taken aback. "I... I don't know. I was just... sent by Uncle-Master Zhou to deliver the message."
"I see... Thank you, Senior Brother. I'll go right away."
The man, however, said, "I'll take you. You probably don't know where Uncle-Master Zhou is."
The man seemed well-intentioned, so Mo Tiange said, "Thank you very much then, Senior Brother."
"No need for thanks. Let's go."
As they left the residence, Mo Tiange asked, "May I ask your surname, Senior Brother?"
The man walked briskly, not even turning his head. "My surname is Wu."
"Oh, so it's Senior Brother Wu. Are you an elite disciple of the North Peak?"
This question made Senior Brother Wu preen a little, and his steps slowed slightly. "That's right. My master is Perfected One Qingyu. You should know of him."
"Ah, so you're the esteemed disciple of Perfected One Qingyu. I've long heard of you." Mo Tiange offered a polite compliment, which immediately caused the Senior Brother Wu before her to puff out his chest with immense pride, making her secretly chuckle. In truth, when she said "long heard of you," it was because this Senior Brother Wu, being the disciple of a Foundation Establishment uncle-master, should be an elite disciple with profound cultivation. Yet judging by his appearance, he seemed to be around thirty years old but was only at the seventh layer of Qi Refining—though this wasn't too strange. This Senior Brother Wu, with only seventh-layer cultivation, still called her "junior brother," clearly indicating he had backing.
Of course, she wouldn't voice these thoughts. Judging by this Senior Brother Wu's earlier reaction, he was very concerned with face. If she said anything about him and it reached his ears, he would definitely turn hostile immediately.
After walking for a while, Mo Tiange asked curiously, "Senior Brother Wu, which path is this? Does it lead to the North Peak?"
This Senior Brother Wu walked very fast, not looking back. "Uncle-Master Zhou just came to the South Peak on business. Hurry up and follow me!"
Mo Tiange frowned and followed for another stretch. Seeing the surroundings grow increasingly desolate and clearly sparsely populated, she immediately stopped. "Senior Brother Wu!"
Senior Brother Wu didn't even respond, walking several steps ahead before realizing she hadn't followed. He turned back, displeased. "What is it?"
Mo Tiange scanned the surrounding environment, eyeing him warily. "Where exactly is Senior Brother Wu taking me?"
At this question, Senior Brother Wu's eyes immediately shifted evasively, and he stammered, "N-nowhere..."
Seeing him like this, Mo Tiange would be a fool to believe him. She no longer cared whether he was an elite disciple, taking out a spirit tool and adopting a defensive stance, saying coldly, "Does Senior Brother Wu take me for an idiot? This path leads to a cliff in the end. Would Uncle-Master Zhou meet me at a cliff?"
Seeing his purpose exposed, the man glanced to the side, gritted his teeth, and said loudly, "It's too late for Junior Brother to leave now!"
Mo Tiange gave a disdainful smile. "Senior Brother Wu, do you think you can stop me?"
The man clearly hadn't expected her to turn hostile and show not the slightest regard for him. He stammered again, "Junior Brother Ye, let's talk this over..."
Seeing his reaction, Mo Tiange was puzzled. How could an elite disciple be such a coward?
But knowing there was a problem, how could she continue? Moreover, since he was an elite disciple, it wasn't wise to start a fight. Without another word, she turned and left.
"Junior Brother Ye!"
She didn't even respond.
Immediately after, spiritual energy fluctuations came from behind her. Mo Tiange reacted with extreme speed, dodging to the side, a cold sweat breaking out on her back. What had been launched at her was actually a high-grade "Azure Sea Freezing Ice" talisman! If she had been hit just now, she would likely have been frozen on the spot, completely at the other's mercy. What exactly was this Senior Brother Wu trying to do?
Seeing her glare fiercely at him, Senior Brother Wu's face first showed fear, then annoyance. Finally, he pulled out another handful of talismans.
High-grade talismans weren't cheap and were extremely powerful. Even ordinary talismans were troublesome in large numbers. In all her previous battles, Mo Tiange had always tried to avoid directly facing an opponent's talismans, often deciding the outcome before the other could even use them. But in this situation, because she hadn't wanted to fight, Senior Brother Wu had seized the initiative.
"Senior Brother Wu," she questioned coldly, "what exactly is your purpose? I don't think I've offended you, have I?"
At that moment, another, rather slick voice answered. "You haven't offended him. You've offended me!"
Mo Tiange turned her head and was greatly shocked.
Walking down a small path leading to a valley not far away was a person—it was Jiang Chengxian!
Her expression changed, her mind racing. Her first thought was that he had discovered she had picked up the Foundation-Solidifying Pill Recipe he had carelessly missed. But she was puzzled as to how he could have found out. Then she thought, Jiang Chengxian had been hiding here, and she hadn't sensed him at all until he approached, meaning he had used a concealment technique. Therefore, he must have been prepared to deal with her for some time. But if she killed Jiang Chengxian, could she still remain in Yunwu Mountain? The Jiang Clan's master of the Yunwu Mountain Range would probably have her boiled alive—wait, no. If it were that Core Formation cultivator of the Jiang Clan, would he need to deal with her like this? She was just a minor Qi Refining cultivator. To a Core Formation cultivator, she was just a little ant that could be crushed with a pinch.
However, the current situation didn't allow for further contemplation. Her hand reached into her Qiankun Bag, and several formation disks and formation flags flew out.
Jiang Chengxian, however, snorted contemptuously and said angrily to Senior Brother Wu, "Utterly useless! Can't even handle a simple task! Go keep watch!"
In front of Jiang Chengxian, Senior Brother Wu immediately shrank half a head, bowing and scraping. "Yes, Senior Brother Jiang."
Mo Tiange couldn't help but snort. So this Senior Brother Wu was Jiang Chengxian's lackey. No wonder he was such a coward!
After Senior Brother Wu had gone some distance away, Jiang Chengxian turned to examine the Five Elements Life-Death Formation she had hastily set up, a mocking expression appearing on his face. "Using a formation against me? Hmph!"
Mo Tiange suddenly remembered that Jiang Chengxian possessed a Heaven-Shattering Mirror, a treasure specifically designed to counter formations!
Sure enough, Jiang Chengxian now pulled out that mirror. A beam of azure light shot from the mirror onto her formation disk. With a "boom," the formation disk instantly shattered!
This formation set had been modified for quick deployment, so its power was somewhat lacking.
Mo Tiange's expression changed, but she quickly calmed down and sneered, "So what if I don't use formations? What do I have to fear?"
"You—!" Jiang Chengxian naturally knew she was mocking his lack of skill in the Dao, and he angrily shouted.
Mo Tiange, however, looked at him and asked in a grave tone, "I wonder where I have offended Senior Brother Jiang, that you would set such a trap to deal with me?"
Hearing her question, Jiang Chengxian burst into laughter. He laughed for a good while before mockingly saying, "Even if I didn't originally believe it was you who followed behind me and took the Foundation-Solidifying Pill Recipe, seeing your reaction now makes me believe it. Did you really think I wouldn't know?"
Mo Tiange hadn't held out much hope to begin with. She had only asked in case Jiang Chengxian's motive was something else, to avoid confessing unnecessarily. Now that she knew it was indeed because of this matter, she wasn't disappointed.
Knowing full well that her current situation was a brush with death, she instead grew calmer. Setting aside other thoughts, she asked again, "Then, how did Senior Brother Jiang find out?"