But knowing these things...
New doubts surged in Jiang Yuechu's eyes. "So, why are you telling me all this? What's your angle?"
The other party knew so much... How could she not guess their identity?
In all likelihood, she was The Main Seat of the Xirang Lineage.
But as one of the Twenty-Five Lineages' Main Seats, this old Woman should theoretically be hoping for someone to tear open the painting so she could take the chance to escape to Yunmeng Township.
Why would she be so kind as to tell her all this?
Hearing this, the old Woman's white-haired head shook gently, and her shriveled lips parted slightly. "You girl, you have a heavy killing intent, but your mind is clear... However, you should also know that among the Twenty-Five Lineages of the Eastern Region, my Xirang Lineage is the most unconventional."
"From top to bottom in Xirang, from the Elders to the Dao Lineage Disciples, eighty to ninety percent are demons. There are rumors that the current Main Seat of the Xirang Lineage is also of a demonic body... Have you heard this?"
Jiang Yuechu nodded.
Nonsense.
She was currently playing the role of a Demon Emperor.
Even if she hadn't heard it...
...she had experienced it firsthand.
The old Woman looked directly at Jiang Yuechu. "It's actually nothing strange, but since you asked, I will say a few more words... Even in Yunmeng Township, where there are Nine Great Human Race Dao Sects, in the end, demons are still supreme, with Yunmeng Palace at the head."
"To be honest, I am from Yunmeng Palace... It's just that in my early years of training outside, by some strange twist of fate, I accidentally entered this place. Since then, I have been trapped in this fragmented painting, unable to escape."
"That old dog Profound Sun is extremely arrogant, thinking he can control you with a Cultivation Technique... But I have seen your actions with my own eyes and know you are not someone who would willingly work for others' benefit. If you are pushed too hard, you might defect at the last moment and take everyone down with you. Wouldn't I be buried along with you then?"
"Secondly, the Xirang Lineage is the foundation I have managed for many years, accompanying me through countless ages. Unless necessary, I really do not want to see the Disciples and descendants of this great lineage all perish..."
There was a sense of aged weariness in the old Woman's words.
Clearly.
This old Woman, who had left her homeland in her youth and been trapped in this world, had come to see the demons of the lineage as things she cherished.
"So, I have come today only to make a deal with you."
"I will give you a true Chess Condensation Method and can even provide you with a object of dao integration to help you step into the Chess Master Realm."
The stakes were laid out.
Jiang Yuechu asked, "What do you want me to do?"
There is no such thing as a free lunch.
Yujing Tower had its schemes.
Did this old thing in front of her have no ulterior motives?
Hearing the young Woman's question...
The old Woman replied, "I can send you out of this painting to Yunmeng Township. You must help me deliver a message to Yunmeng Palace."
"Yunmeng Palace's foundation is unfathomable, with many great experts... It's just that they cannot find the specific location of this fragmented world, which is why they are helpless. You only need to bring the location here and inform the Elders in the palace. To them, repairing a mere fragmented painting is as easy as lifting a hand. At that time, I will regain my freedom, and the creatures of this world will be spared from destruction. Isn't that a win-win situation?"
Having said that...
Jiang Yuechu narrowed her eyes.
She fell into consideration.
Soon...
...she discovered a loophole.
She looked at the old Woman and asked bluntly, "Since you can send me away, why don't you go yourself?"
...
Hearing this inquiry, the old Woman's shriveled skin twitched twice. She gave a sheepish smile and spoke the truth: "I have endured in this world for far too long. Back then in Yunmeng Palace, I was considered exceptionally talented. But trapped in this world without superior resources to nourish me, my foundation has long been worn away by time."
"My Lifespan is nearing its end, and my vitality is withered... Moreover, this method of going to Yunmeng Township is something I only accidentally deduced in recent years. Even if I could really send myself out, Yunmeng Township is vast, and the journey to Yunmeng Palace is long. With my current broken body, I would die halfway before even reaching the mountain gate."
These words were spoken quite candidly.
Jiang Yuechu listened and nodded.
"Oh."
Simply put, she was afraid of dying.
She didn't dare take the risk herself, so she found someone young, strong, and with a deep foundation to do the legwork.
However, this deal wasn't a loss for her.
Another Chess Condensation Method, plus a object of dao integration.
These were exactly what she needed most right now.
As for whether she would actually go to Yunmeng Township or deliver the message to Yunmeng Palace, that would be up to her.
"Where are the things?"
Seeing Jiang Yuechu agree, a look of joy appeared on the old Woman's face.
She pulled a Jade Slip from her sleeve and flicked it with her finger.
"This is the Chess Condensation Method of the Xirang Lineage, called the 'Great Dream Spring and Autumn Chess Condensation Art'... As for the object of dao integration..."
The old Woman paused for a moment, her gaze passing over Jiang Yuechu to look outside the hall.
"The object of dao integration is not on my person. Settle down here for now, and within three days, I will naturally deliver it."
After saying this...
...she was about to leave when her shriveled lips moved slightly, and she added another sentence.
"By the way, I forgot to tell you."
"If no one repairs the painting, this world will not last more than a few thousand years and will eventually collapse completely."
Jiang Yuechu reached out and caught the Jade Slip, casually twirling it between her fingers.
Hearing this, she just curled her lip.
"Got it."
Fine.
This old thing... seems to be afraid I'll run away.
Am I really that kind of untrustworthy person?!
Seeing the young Woman's indifferent manner, a flash of helplessness crossed the old Woman's face.
"And..."
"Before the object of dao integration is delivered, be a bit more behaved during these days."
The old Woman's tone held a hint of negotiation mixed with a bit of a headache. "Stop attacking the demons below."
"If you lack any Heaven And Earth Treasures or Cultivation resources, just let me know. The foundation of the Xirang Lineage is more than enough to support your cultivation alone."
The movement of Jiang Yuechu's hand paused slightly.
She looked up at the hunched old Woman.
Taking from others makes one's hand short; eating from others makes one's mouth soft.
She had just accepted their Chess Condensation Method and would be taking their object of dao integration in a few days.
If she were to give them an attitude now, it would indeed be unreasonable.
She put the Jade Slip into her Storage Pouch and waved her hand sheepishly.
"Look at what you're saying... Why would I kill them for no reason?"
Hearing this...
...the old Woman's wrinkled face twitched uncontrollably twice.
She melancholyly stared at Jiang Yuechu.
You even know you're killing them for no reason...
Forget about Heavenly Bamboo's side.
A perfectly good Qingwu Mountain with fourteen Demon Emperors.
Was brutally slaughtered until only two or three scraggly ones remained.
I really don't know what kind of hobby this girl has.
Could it be that killing demons can grant tens of thousands of years of Dao Cultivation out of thin air?
The old Woman shook her head and said no more.
She turned and walked toward the outside of the hall, her hunched figure moving away.
Then...
...she turned into a puff of blue smoke and dissipated in the cold wind outside the hall doors.
Silence returned to the hall.
Jiang Yuechu silently looked at the Jade Slip in her hand.
She was in no hurry to add points.
The one from Yujing Tower couldn't be practiced, but could the one given by this old Woman really be practiced?
Who knows how much of what she said was true.
Anyway, with [Celestial Demon Martial Practice] in hand, at worst she could spend some Dao Cultivation to break down these two Cultivation Techniques and deduce them anew.
Merging the strengths of both and eliminating all hidden dangers to create a Cultivation Technique suitable for herself.
But as for the object of dao integration...
...there seemed to be no other way.
If what she said was true... she could only hold her nose and use it for now.
Anyway, before she delivered the message, the other party probably wouldn't do anything out of line.