Chapter Sixty-Five: Stirring Up Trouble

The one standing before Ye Feng was none other than Night Rain. Her figure was well-proportioned, full, and upright; her long hair draped over her shoulders, and a veil covered her face. Dressed head to toe in sleek black attire, her captivating beauty could not conceal the murderous aura that radiated from her entire being.

From a young age, Night Rain had delighted in killing, studying the arts of assassination, eliminating obstacles for her family. Now in the Foundation Establishment stage, the killing intent she exuded had grown so intense it sent chills down one’s spine.

Her eyes brimmed with disdain as she spoke, “My dear little brother, how naive and laughable your path is. In this cultivation world where the strong prey on the weak, you speak of mercy and justice—such foolishness will be your undoing. As the future head of the Ye family, your actions will only plunge our clan into disaster. That Ge Qian just now harbored murderous intent toward you. If not for your status as the young master of the Ye family, he would have killed you and taken your treasures long ago.”

Ye Feng, enraged, retorted, “Sister, our paths are different; we cannot walk together. I will prove my beliefs are right. I will lead our family to glory. Have you been following me this whole time? You’re spying on my privacy! Don’t forget, I am the young master—the heir of the Ye family. Who gave you the right to treat me like this? Remember, the headship of the Ye clan has always passed to the men, never the women!”

Night Rain’s aura surged, though she did not release it. She reached out and restrained Ye Feng, then leaped onto a top-grade spirit sword and soared into the sky.

With lightning speed, she sneered at Ye Feng, “Who gave me the right? Let me tell you—I am your sister, and I possess great power. When you reach the Foundation Establishment stage and defeat me, then we’ll talk!”

Ye Feng bristled inwardly, unable to resist, and asked bitterly, “Where are you taking me?”

“Back to the family, to heal your wounds. And you’d best listen to me from now on. Otherwise, I’ll tell Father about you losing the ‘Earth Spirit Pearl.’ You know the consequences yourself,” Night Rain replied.

Meanwhile, Ge Qian had already arrived in Five Peaks City. Familiar with the place, he found a secluded courtyard rich in spiritual energy. After tipping a servant and setting up an array, he entered his room. The décor was elegant and tidy: two chairs, a table, and a single bed by the wall.

Ge Qian paced a few times to stretch his muscles, then took out the beast skin inscribed with the “Fire Python Talisman” and began to study it closely.

Seven days passed in a flash. With Ge Qian’s current understanding of the Dao and mastery of talisman crafting, the process went smoothly.

To refine the “Fire Python Talisman,” one must first create “Fire Snake Talismans,” then use a combination array to seal them within. Upon activation, the fire snakes merge into a fire python—its power immense, its destructive force formidable.

Once he’d grasped the method, he set about the task. It took half a month, but he managed to craft two “Fire Python Talismans.” With his current abilities, he could only combine twenty “Fire Snake Talismans” into one “Fire Python Talisman.” Still, the resulting power could rival a full-force strike from a Foundation Establishment cultivator—enough to sweep aside any Qi Condensation practitioner.

Holding the two fiery-red talisman papers, Ge Qian was ecstatic and stowed them in his storage pouch before falling into a deep sleep.

The next day, feeling refreshed and energetic, he sat cross-legged and took out the “Earth Spirit Pearl.” He bit his tongue and spat a mouthful of blood essence onto it.

The “Earth Spirit Pearl” shone brilliantly as Ge Qian performed several incantations upon it. After two days of refinement, a faint spiritual connection formed between Ge Qian and the “Earth Spirit Pearl.” With a single inhalation, he drew the pearl into his dantian, encasing it in spiritual power for further cultivation.

Satisfied, Ge Qian nodded to himself. He estimated that the inner-sect competition would begin in three days. Though he wasn’t aiming for a top rank, the many duels between fellow disciples would provide valuable experience and greatly aid his mastery of spells.

No matter how profound one’s spiritual power, without spells, it was like a deaf man’s ears—useless. Spiritual power was one’s cultivation base; spells were the means to slay enemies.

After making some preparations, Ge Qian left the city and hurried back to Heavenly Star Sect to watch the inner-sect competition.

During his flight, Ge Qian suddenly halted midair, his pupils contracting. He clasped his fists and said, “May I ask why Senior has blocked my path? If there is anything you require, as long as it is within my power, I will not refuse.”

Blocking his way was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, her face veiled in black, her figure curvaceous, and her entire being exuding a chilling murderous intent.

The woman said coldly, “My name is Night Rain. You must be Ge Qian? Mediocre talent, but powerful. Ruthless in killing, decisive—one destined for greatness.”

Ge Qian was startled. Night Rain’s reputation was formidable; among the newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivators, she was outstanding, notorious for her bloodthirsty nature and volatile temper, often resorting to violence over trivial matters.

Could she be here on behalf of her brother, looking to reclaim the “Earth Spirit Pearl”? Ge Qian knew well that one must not lose composure when dealing with such people—the more submissive you were, the less they respected you. He replied calmly, neither humble nor arrogant, “Senior Ye, you flatter me. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way.”

“Of course there’s something. Do you think I have nothing better to do?” she said indifferently. “The inner-sect competition is about to begin. I want you to seriously injure Bai Ruyu. With your strength, even if you can’t beat him, you can easily make sure he’s wounded.”

“Forgive me, Senior Ye, but this competition is filled with talent. With my abilities, I can’t even make the top ten. Besides, I’ve already promised Senior Brother Ye Feng that I won’t oppose Bai Ruyu. You’d best ask someone else,” Ge Qian replied firmly. Night Rain must have her reasons for targeting Bai Ruyu, but Ge Qian knew he was already caught in one vortex and had no desire to step into another, lest he be ground to dust.

Night Rain’s fury flared. Never had a junior dared speak to her thus. In her eyes, refusal was an insult. Her gaze turned murderous as she said, “What did you say? For those words alone, I could tear you to pieces! I came to find you because I value your abilities—don’t fail to appreciate it. A mere Qi Condensation cultivator, strutting before me—if word got out, how could I show my face? But since you have talent, as long as you crawl over and kowtow a few times like a dog and become my servant, I’ll spare your life.”

With that, a crushing force descended upon Ge Qian—she meant to establish her dominance, to break him until he begged for mercy.

Ge Qian was prepared. He knew that the pressure from a Foundation Establishment cultivator was not something he could withstand directly. However, compared to Elder Cui’s might, Night Rain’s aura was nothing but a pale shadow—he could handle it.

He immediately formed a seal and cast “Stealing the Beams to Replace the Pillars,” transferring the pressure into the sky. After his battle with Ye Feng and the crafting of the “Fire Python Talisman,” Ge Qian’s understanding of this technique had deepened, allowing for ever more subtle and effective use.

And what is the sky? It encompasses the earth; unless one has cultivated to the level of shattering the void and ascending in broad daylight, all living things are but ants beneath it.

Thus, Ge Qian stood at ease atop his flying sword, hands clasped behind his back, his face radiating contempt, as if to say, “You wretched woman, what are you in front of me? All your bluster amounts to nothing. Stop embarrassing yourself and be on your way.”