Chapter 172 Conspiracy Returns to the Valley
"Sword Master, in a couple of days, I will be returning to Tianxiang Valley. Could I use these materials to exchange for a ready-made treasured sword and inner armor?"
Yu Qingtan's beautiful large eyes looked at the real person Sword Master, pleadingly.
"You, girl, really do suit this old man's taste. How about this, I'll help you refine the Canglong's claw into a flying sword and its scales into inner armor. The remaining materials can be considered the processing fee. Go stroll around the Fire Vein for a while; it will be ready in an hour."
At this moment, Refiner True Lord interjected.
"Thank you, True Lord!" Yu Qingtan said excitedly, hastily thanking Refiner True Lord.
An hour later, Yu Qingtan returned to the Earth Vein, satisfied with a set of upper Third Stage flying sword and upper Third Stage inner armor.
She named them Canglong Flying Sword and Dragon Scale Soft Armor, respectively.
Two days later, Yu Qingtan and Yan Xi, following Real Person Rou Jia, left Mount Wendao under the reluctant gazes of Real Person Yong Li and Yin Cen, and returned to Tianxiang Valley.
On the flying boat, Yu Qingtan took out a large pot of Five-Colored Soil that Yin Cen had given her, thinking of the seed she got from the Phantom Mist Desolate Butterfly's lair within Trial Demon Tower, and buried it within the Five-Colored Soil.
"Once home, I'll water it to see if it will sprout!"
Yu Qingtan pondered, vaguely feeling that the mysterious seed was a live one, but having consulted many books, she couldn't identify it, and her attempts to grow it had so far been fruitless.
As for Yin Cen, he ultimately still fell for her, yielding his Affection Value.
The higher the realm of a cultivator, generally the older they are, and such individuals either already have a Dao companion, or their Dao heart is steadfast, making it difficult for Yu Qingtan to win their affection, thus making these young geniuses easier targets.
It's a pity that Feng Buji likes his master, no matter the age difference. Anyway, these last few days, Yu Qingtan engraved the story of "The Condor Heroes" onto a Jade Slip and gave it to Feng Buji.
Of course, she changed a little bit, omitting the Knight Yin Zhiping's part, which had upset her stomach in her previous life. Even though Feng Buji was wearing a green hat, Yu Qingtan didn't wish for it to be real.
Yu Qingtan wouldn't forcefully pursue affection from high-ranking cultivators either. It's good to have it, but it's not a big deal without. The Charm Points of the vast majority of lower-level cultivators were what she cherished most.
Time quietly passed during the journey, and soon, the trio returned to Tianxiang Valley.
"Miss, Real Person Rou Jia, I would like to go visit my mother, maternal grandmother, and maternal grandfather," Yan Xi requested to Yu Qingtan and her master after returning to Tianxiang Valley, to which Yu Qingtan naturally had no objections.
These days, her anger towards Yan Xi had mostly subsided. She would not have said anything even if Yan Xi did not return to serve as her maid.
Back at the Xiangfei Elegant Courtyard, Li Xingruo, Gao Yue, Ni Shuyu, and Wen Jin were all very happy.
Especially Li Xingruo, who had been saved by Real Person Rou Jia from the battlefield when she was ten. To her, Real Person Rou Jia was both a master and a motherly figure.
After a long separation, the master and disciple reunited. Yu Qingtan took the time to switch out her true self and then prepared a seafood hot pot with the meat of the mantis shrimp and steamed bun crab, as well as some meat from Second Stage Sea Clan members.
The six of them ate while chatting, mostly about Yu Qingtan's recent experiences. After all, Yu Qingtan had dazzled on her journey, and her four elder martial sisters kept singing her praises.
The praises extended equally to the seafood. Yu Qingtan also made a spicy dipping sauce, relishing the meal as her first truly satisfying feast since her transmigration.
While the master and disciple were gathered and enjoying their meal, back at the Yan home.
Yan Xi had intended to first visit the grandparents who doted on her the most, but as soon as she entered the Yan home, she was summoned by her mother, Real Person Qiuyue Yan Qiuyue.
"Xi'er pays respects to mother!"
"Slap–"
Just as she raised her head, Yan Xi's face was struck by a slap, immediately swelling and a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of her mouth.
"You still know to come back? You've nearly lost all of my face! Look at you, the young lady of the Yan family, yet you've become a maid for our enemies and you dress so indecently. Do you realize that Yu Qingtan is your father's killer!"
After delivering a slap, True Person Qiuyue began to scold furiously.
Yan Xi was terrified in her heart, her mother had always been strict with her, as for her father, she looked down on him and he barely interfered in her life, so she felt little father-daughter affection.
"Mother, didn't you go to Tianxiang Immortal City last time to investigate? It wasn't her who did something to father, was it?"
Yan Xi weakly retorted.
"Slap–"
Another slap landed on the other side of her face.
"You fool, that Yu Qingtan in Wendao Immortal City can even kill a Third Stage, who knows how deeply she's hiding her power. You know well the kind of man your father is. He must have gone after her for sure. I had dropped my suspicions, but now it seems clear, it must have been that little wench's doing."
True Person Qiuyue shouted, while Yan Xi's eyes brimmed with tears, not daring to argue anymore. However, she disagreed in her heart. Everyone had made a Heavenly Oath, and with her father's character offending so many, who knew who had secretly finished him off.
Besides, Yu Qingtan saved Brother Shu. Even if it really was her doing, so what? That cheapskate father ogled her more than once with lecherous eyes; she was thoroughly disgusted. In her heart, Ruan Fan was nowhere near as important as a single fingernail of Yan Shu.
"Slap–"
Thinking of Yan Shu, another slap struck her face.
"Also, how dare you act lovey-dovey with your own brother, making it known to all in Tianxiang Valley. I can't even hold my head up when I go out now. I should never have let your maternal grandparents spoil you, leading to the broken engagement with the Luo's boy."
Yan Xi's face was burning with pain, but she didn't dare use Spiritual Power to alleviate it, simply bowing her head to endure the scolding.
Yan Shu was the son of True Person Qiuyue's mother and Yan Xi's maternal grandmother, True Person Yan Qiulight, and some unknown man from outside the family. True Person Qiuyue had always disliked him.
However, since Yan Shu had decent talent and was nurtured by the family, she could not interfere.
"Alright, she's just a child. What is accomplished by hitting and scolding her like this? Xi'er, come to your grandmother."
Speaking of Cao Cao, Cao Cao arrived, as an elderly woman with grey-streaked hair and a middle-aged, bearded, and handsome uncle entered.
Yan Xi's maternal grandmother, True Person Qiulight, and grandfather, True Person Zhang Yizhi.
True Person Zhang Yizhi was also married into the Yan family.
"Maternal grandmother, maternal grandfather!"
Seeing her saviors arrive, Yan Xi threw herself into True Person Qiulight's arms, and her tears could no longer be held back, streaming down.
"My dear granddaughter, you've suffered on this trip. Qiuyue, it's just a small matter, yet you hit and scold her."
While speaking, she used a Rejuvenation Spell to heal the wounds on Yan Xi's face.
"It's just that, my child, that Yu Qingtan is indeed our adversary."
Upon hearing this, Yan Xi lifted her head to look at her maternal grandmother's face.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
"However, I also heard she saved you all. Given that, we should simply turn her into one of our own. Here is a Third Stage Deep Affection Gu, a fine item from the Southern Region.
This little creature is extremely subtle, Xi'er, find an opportunity to have that Yu Qingtan swallow it, and she'll be completely devoted to the Luo boy. When she marries into the Luo family, won't she become one of our own then?
The Luo boy has been diligently cultivating lately, having reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. It's a pity you don't think highly of him, Xi'er."
Yan Xi felt that her always kind and amiable grandmother seemed unfamiliar, and she did not reach out to take the small bottle her grandmother was holding.
Seeing Yan Xi staring blankly at her, True Person Qiulight caressed Yan Xi's cheek with her other hand.
"Xi'er, you don't want to never see your Brother Shu again, do you?"