Feng Xuyang's Schemes, Jade

Feng Xuyang was very strict with her six disciples' behavior, speech, and attire.

She glanced at Feng Jinying in the moonlight. Feng Jinying was wearing a mauve long dress, a bright yellow gauze shirt, and a vermillion cape with blue and white scroll patterns. Her tall figure was displayed perfectly, and Feng Xuyang nodded in satisfaction.

She then turned to look at Feng Shayuan and Feng Bailian. Their chests were bare, and their bustiers were worn lower than hers. She shook her head in displeasure.

Seeing her master's gaze drift over, Feng Shayuan flinched and took a step back in fear.

Feng Xuyang sighed helplessly. This was not the time for a lecture; the main event was paramount. She said solemnly, "I will go to Ma Long Peak first to lure Liu Tianyang to the mountaintop. There lies the Summit Lake built by our ancestors of Nanzhao."

"Jinying, after you gather everyone at Chou Shi (1 AM-3 AM), begin your assault. First, use 'Like a Dream of a Century' to subdue the enemy. Do not show mercy to those who resist stubbornly."

Feng Jinying replied, "Your disciple obeys!"

As Feng Xuyang finished speaking, she used her Qinggong, her sleeves fluttering. She disappeared into the night like a red-clad immortal.

Time passed in the silent night. Within this same Yunling Mountains, the people of Ziqi Country arrived at the foot of Cang Lang Peak at Banzi Shi (11 PM-12 AM). They found the entire peak eerily silent.

Liu Changhu volunteered to scout ahead. When he reached the summit, he discovered that the plaque of Cang Lang Peak had been removed, tables were overturned, chairs were broken, windows were shattered, and flowerpots were smashed all over the ground. The entire inner courtyard had been ransacked.

Hundreds of disciples lay motionless on the floor of the main hall. He stepped forward and felt their pulses; they were still alive, but he couldn't wake them no matter how hard he tried. After searching for a long time, he couldn't find the inner disciples or Senior Uncle Tian Wei.

The Six Sons of Ling Kong had already taken the lead. Not daring to delay, Liu Changhu rushed down the mountain and said anxiously, "Princess Bingxue, the junior disciples on Cang Lang Peak seem to have been poisoned. Please go and take a look."

Bai Bingxue was taken aback.

Liu Changhu briefly explained the situation on the mountain.

A short while later, in the summit hall, Bai Bingxue examined the pulses, mouths, and eyes of the unconscious disciples. She also pricked their skin with a silver needle to test their blood. Chen Xi and Liu Changhu assisted her.

Ying Hu, along with others, had also searched the mountaintop. He returned to the hall.

Princess Hong Yun said, "Master, Cang Lang Peak is the second-largest peak of Dian Cang Mountain, and Liu Tianwei is also the second-highest expert of the Dian Cang Sect. How could they be so vulnerable?"

Ying Hu frowned. "Strange. Liu Tianwei was already half a step into the Grandmaster realm five years ago. There must be something fishy going on."

Bai Bingxue stood up and said, "These disciples have been drugged. They won't wake up even with water, don't feel pain from needles, and their life force is slowly draining away."

Ying Hu asked, "Your Highness, what kind of poison is this? It's so potent."

Bai Bingxue replied, "I read in a medical book that the royal family of Nanzhao used to administer a certain poison to execute guilty palace maids and eunuchs. Those who were poisoned would fall into an unending sleep, and their life force would gradually fade."

"Later, this poison leaked out of the palace and was bought by some high officials and nobles. They gave it to their elderly relatives who were nearing death to alleviate their pain, allowing them to pass away peacefully in their sleep."

Liu Changhu, upon hearing this, hurriedly asked, "Miss Bai, what is this poison called, and is there an antidote?"

"'Like a Dream of a Century!'"

"The main ingredient is a type of red-headed poisonous mushroom that can cause hallucinations and make one unwilling to wake up."

"Every poison in the world has its counter-agent, and there must be an antidote, unless the optimal treatment period has passed," Bai Bingxue replied.

Liu Changhu clasped his fists and bowed, "Miss Bai, you are as compassionate as a Bodhisattva. Please save them."

Bai Bingxue waved her hand and said, "Young hero Chang Hu, there's no need for such formality! There is a type of Photinia flower in the Southern Expedition Country. It is pure white and plump, but unfortunately, it smells foul."

"However, medical books say it has abundant life force and is known as the flower of life. For those poisoned by 'Like a Dream of a Century,' as long as they take the Photinia flower, they can awaken from their dreams. After some recuperation, they should be fine."

Liu Changhu's face lit up. "There are many such Photinia trees growing on the sunny slopes of the mountain. They bloom here day and night, all year round. I'll go gather some right away." With that, he went to pick the herbs.

Bai Bingxue took Chen Xi to the pharmacy behind the main hall to find some dried herbs, jars, and pots to prepare the antidote.

Suddenly, Su Dingfeng, who had gone out to scout, returned hurriedly and said, "Fifth Senior Brother, disciples ahead reported that the Six Sons of Ling Kong's tracks were heading towards Ma Long Peak."

Su Jiangcheng heard this and looked at Ying Hu, clasping his fists. "Senior, how should we proceed?"

Ying Hu looked at everyone and pondered. "The Nine Peaks of Dian Cang are related to the martial arts destiny of the Southern Expedition Country. Today, they were ambushed by petty criminals. How can we stand idly by?"

"Although I am involved in court affairs, I also understand the principles of the martial world: when you see injustice, you must draw your sword to help."

Everyone else was also eager to act.

Seeing this, Ying Hu immediately said, "We will split into three groups."

"Fifth Master Su, you will lead fifty disciples and Princess Hong Yun to scout the direction of Ma Long Peak."

"I will lead fifty of my personal guards to provide support from behind."

"Sixth Master Su, you will lead fifty disciples and Princess Hong Lian and Princess Bingxue to rescue the injured disciples of the Dian Cang Sect. After Liu Changhu returns, you will proceed from the Jade Belt Mountain Road, passing through Cang Lang Peak, Wutai Peak, Lotus Peak, White Cloud Peak, Crane Cloud Peak, and San Yang Peak. We will rendezvous at Ma Long Peak."

"Remember, do not engage with any Dian Cang Sect disciples along the way. Report any changes immediately."

Bai Bingxue and the others clasped their fists and agreed.

As Su Jiangcheng and Hong Yun led their men towards Ma Long Peak, they noticed movement in the dense forest ahead. The two of them quickly led their men to surround the area.

After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, more than a dozen disciples from the Divine Dragon Snow Mountain Sect were tied up and kneeling by the roadside. Ten wooden chests were also dug out of a pit and placed in front of them.

Hong Yun opened the lids of the chests and was greatly shocked. She immediately ordered someone to report to her master.

When Ying Hu arrived, Hong Yun happily said, "Master, these are disciples from the Divine Dragon Snow Mountain Sect. They were preparing to bury the treasures they plundered from the Dian Cang Sect, and we happened to stumble upon them."

Ying Hu examined them one by one, overjoyed. He said in a deep voice, "The Dian Cang Sect is truly wealthy. This can be exchanged for tens of thousands of taels of gold. Fifth Master Su, how do you think we should handle this?"

Su Jiangcheng thought to himself, Although these ten chests of treasure are tempting, they are still within the Southern Expedition Country. He smiled and said, "Senior Ying, this is a windfall from heaven. It's ownerless. We should take it without hesitation."

Hong Yun quickly chimed in, "Master, why don't we send a trusted person to escort it back to Ziqi Country? Delay could lead to unforeseen complications. As for these disciples of the Divine Dragon Snow Mountain Sect, perhaps we should kill them to prevent them from leaking secrets."

Ying Hu thought to himself, With these ten chests of treasure, this trip is truly worthwhile. The King of Ziqi will surely reward me handsomely.

He replied, "We'll do as you say, but the disciples of the Divine Dragon Snow Mountain Sect will be escorted back together to prevent any leaks."

Meanwhile, on the other side, within the Twin Fish Jade Pendant's Small World, in the Siheyuan Courtyard.

Chen Qing had recently broken through to the Body Integration Stage, but he wasn't cultivating diligently. Instead, he spent his days tinkering with things for fun and entertainment, causing his cultivation to advance a bit slower. Bai Xue had already broken through to the Great Ascension Stage.

From the Golden Core Stage to the Nascent Soul, Chen Qing's breakthrough was one year slower than Bai Xue's. From Nascent Soul to Spirit Transmutation, he was two years slower. From Spirit Transmutation to Refining Emptiness, he was three years slower, and from Refining Emptiness to Body Integration, he was four years slower.

However, there was one point: Chen Qing's Golden Core was larger, and his Nascent Soul was also grander.

The two of them only knew about cultivation realms and had no idea what their magic power was truly useful for. They hadn't used divine sense attacks, controlling clones, traversing the void, or regenerating severed limbs, focusing solely on cultivation.

Bai Xue had initially urged him on, but later she got tired of managing him. Recently, Chen Qing had tinkered with a bicycle, and he would take Bai Xue for a ride around the lake every day. With only the two of them in the Small World, Bai Xue was happy to accompany him.

In the Jade Pendant's Small World, cultivation was so effortless. What was truly hidden within?