Just like that, they continued on their way. For the next three days, they hardly delayed. They were either flying or teleporting. Perhaps it was their good luck, or perhaps because the number of people in their group was now different from the assassination target, and the three of them had changed their appearances again, all transforming into three middle-aged cultivators, their journey became smoother and smoother.
Along the way, Zhuo Lingfeng remained taciturn. Li Yan could only detect a trace of gentleness when he looked at Huchen Wuding. And from his occasional dazed gaze at the sky in front, a look of reminiscence would be revealed. Zhuo Lingfeng had only briefly asked about Li Yan's sect at the beginning, and then he never mentioned it again.
And although Li Yan and Huchen Wuding talked, most of their conversations were about poison making and pill refining. Apart from the beginning when Huchen Wuding briefly told Li Yan about his background, he never mentioned it again. Whenever it came to family privacy, he would change the subject. His experience was even more tortuous than Li Yan's. When it came to worldly wisdom, he was even more seasoned than Li Yan.
At the same time, through more than three days of conversation, the two of them had actually developed a sense of admiration for each other. Huchen Wuding's family had inherited the poison-making lineage for generations. Although he hadn't stayed in the family for long, the Ghostly Poison Scroll was extremely profound, which made Li Yan marvel. Whether it was the preparation of some poison pill formulas or some refining techniques, they were all unique and had their own style, which gave Li Yan a lot of inspiration. He even had the idea of borrowing it to have a look, but he also knew that it was impossible. After all, it was a family's inheritance secret.
Of course, Li Yan was able to hear these things because Huchen Wuding had deliberately tried to curry favor with him and had revealed some of the simple refining methods in the Ghostly Poison Scroll. And Li Yan, as the inheritor of the Fragmented Poison Body, with the help of the vast resources of the Malevolent Spirit Sect over the years, had read a great number of poison-making classics, and his knowledge was extensive among his peers. He also often combined it with the Fragmented Poison Body to extend many of his own views and opinions. These were areas that traditional poison cultivators could not touch. This also made Huchen Wuding's eyes light up from time to time, as if he had gained some insight. At the same time, he no longer believed Li Yan's claim of being a Bloodleaf Sect cultivator at all. He had long since learned from Uncle Sang that the Bloodleaf Sect was just a second-rate small sect in a remote corner. If a talent like Li Yan appeared in such a sect, he would have probably become famous long ago. On the contrary, only in some large sects would such prodigies be common, and thus not stand out.
Just as the three of them were traveling, in a continuous mountain range in the northern part of the Malevolent Spirit Sect's jurisdiction, named "Marshgaze Ridge," this mountain range was rarely visited by people all year round. Even the top old hunters would not set foot in it. Because at the foot of the mountain range was an endless stretch of swamp. The swamp was filled with miasma all year round. A mortal would faint and die in an instant after taking just a few breaths. And it was said that there were all kinds of terrifying demonic beasts in these swamps, from tiny, dense mud mosquitoes in the billions, to hundreds of zhang long water lizards, flame lizards, and carrion-eating crocodiles, etc. The thought of it was enough to make one's hair stand on end. So this mountain range was already isolated from the world.
In the center of this mountain range was a small mountain only about two hundred zhang high. At the foot of the mountain, three swamp rivers, about a hundred zhang wide, crossed each other. On the surface of the river was a large area of black sludge, like blocks of black magma slowly flowing, flowing slowly towards the endless horizon in the distance. The three swamp rivers surrounded this small mountain, and there was no way up. On the not-so-high mountain, there were only small clusters of short shrubs, their branches and leaves swaying gently in the wind. In the world, it seemed that only the "rustling" sound of the black sludge at the foot of the mountain flowing day and night could be heard.
And on this day, a long rainbow streaked across the sky from the distant horizon. The air whistled as it flew at high speed, immediately stirring up many demonic beasts in the swamp below to drill out of the black sludge. Pairs of eyes shining with ferocious light stared at the long rainbow in the sky, letting out angry roars from time to time. But the long rainbow in the sky seemed to turn a blind eye to the demonic beasts below. After a circle, the light converged and landed on the top of the mountain.
After the light dissipated, a middle-aged man with a long, narrow face and gloomy eyes was revealed. This man was dressed in a long green robe and wore a scholar's scarf. After he landed on the top of the mountain, he scanned the area with his Divine Sense. Then he took out a small black cauldron from the storage bag on his waist and shook it at a cluster of shrubs at his feet. Instantly, a gate of light appeared out of thin air in front of him. He flashed and stepped in, then disappeared within the gate of light. The gate of light once again rippled and flickered, turning into nothingness and disappearing. The top of the mountain returned to normal in a moment. Only some demonic beasts at the foot of the mountain with undeveloped intelligence were searching everywhere for the figure from just now, letting out unwilling roars from time to time, echoing in this empty mountain valley.
The vision of the green-robed middle-aged scholar blurred, and he appeared in a different world. This was a huge valley. Nearby were pavilions and clear streams. In the distance were towers and green cypresses. The valley was full of all kinds of flowers and plants, with birds and butterflies dancing. And the spiritual energy in the air was not weak. It was a scene of a paradise on earth.
Such a beautiful scene, but the green-robed middle-aged scholar had no intention of appreciating it at all. He flew directly towards the depths of the valley. Along the way, he met some people, old and young, in groups of two or three. Seeing the green-robed middle-aged scholar, they immediately stopped and bowed, showing him great respect. But he didn't even grunt. He just swept his eyes over them and continued to fly forward with a gloomy face.
After he had flown far away, some people began to whisper carefully. "Steward Yu hasn't appeared in the valley for nearly half a year. I wonder where he came from. He looks a little angry. The people working for the First Branch need to be careful now, otherwise..."
"Hehe, Grand Steward Yu is very powerful in the First Branch. I heard that sometimes he even ignores people with status from the other two branches."
"The other two branches naturally can't compare to the First Branch. This is the strong bullying the weak. I heard that he played a big part in the departure of the original Third Branch's lineage..."
"Shh, be careful not to be heard by the people from the First Branch. Don't think that just because you're from the Second Branch, if they find out you're gossiping behind their backs, do you think they'll offend them for a mere Qi Condensation disciple like you..."
"..."
The green-robed middle-aged scholar flew all the way and soon came to a magnificent courtyard in the depths of the valley. He glanced at the two cultivators guarding the main gate, without any intention of stopping. Instead, he flew directly in. The two cultivators, seeing the green-robed middle-aged scholar's appearance, quickly bowed respectfully.
Passing through layer after layer of courtyards, the green-robed middle-aged scholar soon arrived at a pavilion in the rear courtyard. At this time, he had already slowed down his pace. A look of respect appeared on his originally expressionless face. He first bowed respectfully to the pavilion, and then said in a low voice, "Yu Jiangshi requests an audience with the Matriarch."
Just as his voice fell, a pleasant female voice came from the pavilion above. "Oh? So Steward Yu is finally back. You may come up."
Hearing the woman's words, Yu Jiangshi's face tightened, and his heart felt a little bitter. He knew the temperament of this matriarch. He had botched the matter this time. But things had come to this, and there was nothing he could do. He already hated that boy to the bone.
'I should have secretly killed him back when he was still in the family. That would have saved all this trouble later,' he thought hatefully. He didn't know what kind of punishment he would receive this time because of that boy.
He gritted his teeth and braced himself to walk into the pavilion.
On the third floor of the pavilion, when Yu Jiangshi stepped on the last step of the third floor, he saw a woman in a pale green palace dress sitting by the window. Her black hair was piled high. At this time, the woman was staring blankly at the scenery outside the window, completely ignoring the footsteps behind her.
"This subordinate pays his respects to the Matriarch," Yu Jiangshi said, standing still and bowing again.
"Oh, looking at you, it seems you didn't succeed, did you?" the woman in the palace dress still did not turn her head, her tone faint.
Hearing this calm voice, Yu Jiangshi's heart turned cold. The calmer the matriarch was, the more it meant she was suppressing her anger. He had served her for so many years and knew her temper very well. His heart grew colder, and he dropped to one knee on the ground.
"It is this subordinate's incompetence. This matter has been investigated for more than ten years. Their last whereabouts was the 'Farewell Snow Sect.' Because their departure was personally arranged by the family head, we had no news at all. When we learned of it and chased after them, they had already left the sect, along with Zhuo Lingfeng of the 'Farewell Snow Sect.' But since then, they have disappeared as if they had evaporated from the face of the earth. There has been no news at all. I imagine they have fled to a remote and uninhabited place. It wasn't until last year that we found a clue of them. But our people arrived several times, and that Zhuo Lingfeng was long gone. But from this, we could roughly outline a range of their activities."
"A few months ago, after the old ancestor announced the start of the competition for the successor, I came up with a plan. That was to set up an ambush on the few necessary roads to return to the family and kill the boy. But several groups of people lay in ambush until seven days ago and still hadn't seen him. So I sent a voice transmission to the Matriarch, and then put out a bounty with 'Thorn-Shadow.' It's just that this boy is cunning, and until today, there has been no news. Because the day after tomorrow is the start of the competition for the successor, I rushed back to report to the Matriarch. This is all due to this subordinate's incompetence. Please punish me, Matriarch." After speaking, Yu Jiangshi directly lowered his head.
"Hehe, from what you're saying, you've been tirelessly searching everywhere for more than ten years. You must be tired," the woman in the palace dress said, slowly turning around, revealing a beautiful jade face. It was just that at this moment, the jade face was filled with killing intent. Her appearance was extremely outstanding. She was about thirty years old, with a full and well-proportioned figure. With a single movement, a mature woman's charm exuded, making one's heart flutter. It was just that her pair of eyes were long, narrow, and slanted, with a sense of great power.
"This subordinate dares not, this subordinate dares not, this subordinate..." Hearing this, Yu Jiangshi's face turned pale. He, who had been kneeling on one knee, immediately dropped to both knees and prostrated himself on the ground.
"The moment that old ghost comes out of seclusion, as long as that boy enters within a few thousand li, we can no longer make a move. Otherwise, with that old ghost's cultivation, he would know in an instant. That boy is also cunning. The order for the successor has long been issued, but he has not made a move, making us not know when he will appear. Now it seems he is going to rush back at the last minute," the woman in the palace dress withdrew her gaze from Yu Jiangshi and said, as if talking to herself.
"Matriarch, in that case, that boy must be coming back in these two days. Then I will go back now and block the few necessary roads five thousand li away. Even the old ancestor's Divine Sense cannot detect it. Anyone suspicious will be immediately intercepted and killed," Yu Jiangshi raised his head and said grimly.
"It's too late. With the old ghost's emergence from seclusion, the family head is no longer the same as before. He has finally shown his true heart. He should have already taken precautions. Although he also doesn't know when that boy will be back, he has also sent people out on the necessary roads nearby. Hmph! He is truly devoted to that bitch," the woman in the palace dress snorted heavily, then looked at Yu Jiangshi who was kneeling on the ground again.
"Go to the punishment hall yourself and receive fifty lashes of the Water Torture Whip! Then, no matter what means you use, you must obtain the content of the successor competition for the day after tomorrow. The old ghost should have made some arrangements. Otherwise, it will be too late tomorrow," she said in a cold tone.
Hearing the fifty lashes of the Water Torture Whip, Yu Jiangshi couldn't help but shiver.