A fine upbringing

"You want to start with Xing Mo?" Shan Yue asked.

Song Wen nodded. "Since Xing Mo is in charge of guarding the Treasury, besides the two Nascent Soul Cultivators from the Xing Family, he probably knows the whereabouts of the Holy Spirit Pill better than anyone else."

"Didn't Jing Feiyao say that the Holy Spirit Pill was sent to Cloud Ridge Mountain? Do you suspect that Jing Feiyao wasn't telling the truth?"

"It's not necessarily that Jing Feiyao is lying. Perhaps she was also deceived by Xing Mo."

What do you want to do?

"Can you lure Xing Shan out?"

Shan Yue looked grave, her brow furrowed with worry.

"Xing Shan has no leverage over me. If she reveals my whereabouts to the Xing Family, wouldn't I be walking into a trap?"

"Don't worry, I won't let you put yourself in danger."

Song Wen wrapped his arms around Shan Yue's slender waist, looked down at her with gentle, tender eyes.

"Let's go, let's leave Fangzhu City first, then you can contact Xing Shan. Just in case the Xing Family seals off the entire Fangzhu City after you contact Xing Shan."

The two left the inn and came to the wilderness on the edge of the city.

Shan Yue was reluctant to risk contacting Xing Shan, but after Song Wen's repeated persuasion, she finally relented.

"Okay, I'll give it a try. But you'd better protect me."

After Song Wen gave him instructions, Shan Yue took out Xing Shan's Message Jade Slip.

[Shanshan, how have you been lately?]

After sending the message, no reply was received for a long time, and Shan Yue couldn't help but feel uneasy.

She worried that Xing Shan hadn't replied immediately because she had reported the matter to the Xing Family's higher-ups.

Seeing Shan Yue of mind, Song Wen pulled her into his arms.

"Don't worry, she's probably cultivating and doesn't have time to check the Message Jade Slip."

Shan Yue nodded slightly, but she still felt extremely uncomfortable.

After agonizing for more than two quarters of an hour, Shan Yue finally received Xing Shan's reply.

[Sister Shan Yue, you're confused! You barely escaped the Xing Family's pursuit, why do you want to go back to Fangzhu City?]

There was nothing unusual in Xing Shan's messages.

On the contrary, he seemed extremely concerned about Shan Yue's safety.

[Jing Feiyao and Xing Wenyao, that adulterous couple, killed Xing Gaohan and my son. I will avenge them.]

[Sister Shan Yue, you are only at the Foundation Establishment stage. How can you possibly contend with Ancestor Wen Yao? Currently, the entire Xing Family is controlled by Ancestor Wen Yao. How can you, alone, possibly shake this behemoth of the Xing Family?]

[I am not alone. I joined the Anti-Xing Society to fight against the Xing Family.]

After the message was sent, Xing Shan finally replied after several dozen breaths.

[I've heard of the 'Anti-Xing Society.' To those in the Xing Family, the 'Anti-Xing Society' is nothing more than a minor ailment, not worth fearing.]

[You underestimate the 'Anti-Xing Society.' The 'Anti-Xing Society' has spies within the Xing Family; they can provide us with detailed intelligence on the Xing Family and launch targeted attacks on the Xing Family businesses. With the enemy in the open and us in the shadows, the Xing Family will eventually be weakened.]

[A spy! Who is it?]

[This is a secret of my "Anti-Xing Society," and I cannot disclose it.]

Xing Shan fell silent again. After a long while, Xing Shan replied.

[Did Sister Shan Yue contact me about something?]

[You are my only friend in the Xing Family, and my only concern now. I'm worried that the 'Anti-Xing Society's' next actions might endanger your safety. Therefore, I've come to inform you.]

[What operation?]

[Cloud Ridge Mountain. The 'Anti-Xing Society' plans to take action against Cloud Ridge Mountain.]

The possibility that the 'Anti-Xing Society' might take action against Cloud Ridge Mountain is merely Song Wen's speculation.

He has now severed ties with the 'Anti-Xing Society'.

On the night of the last full moon, Song Wen went to the Darkstar Ghost Market, hoping to learn some information about the Xing Family and the secrets of Cloud Ridge Mountain from Jing Lie.

But he discovered that the Message Jade Slip with the Anti-Xing Society was no longer usable.

It must have been Gan Hong's death that aroused Jing Lie's suspicion, leading him to replace the 'Anti-Xing Society's' Message Jade Slip.

Why is the 'Anti-Xing Society' targeting Cloud Ridge Mountain? Isn't there only a small spirit ore vein there? It's not some significant Xing Family property.

[You are unaware of this, Cloud Ridge Mountain is of paramount importance to the Xing Family.] Shan Yue transmitted the message in a deliberately mysterious manner.

"Really? What secrets does Cloud Ridge Mountain hold?" Xing Shan asked curiously.

[I can't tell you this, just stay away from Cloud Ridge Mountain.] Shan Yue sent a message.

[Okay, thanks for the reminder, Sister Shan Yue. I'll stay away from Cloud Ridge Mountain. Sister Shan Yue, how are you doing these days?]

[It's certainly not good.] A deep sense of desolation permeates the words.

[Why?]

[The Spirit Stone, pills, and other resources I took from the Xing Family have long been exhausted. On Fangzhu Island, I cannot openly go out to earn Spirit Stone. Therefore, I am severely lacking in various Cultivation Resources, as well as healing pills, Spirit Artifact, and other life-saving items.]

[I still have some Spirit Stone saved up. Where is Sister Shan Yue? I'll send them to you to help you out of your immediate predicament.]

[This...]

After hesitating for a long time, Shan Yue finally declined the other party's offer.

[Let's forget it, Shanshan. It's best if you don't get involved with me.]

[Sister Shan Yue, you came specifically to warn me to stay away from Cloud Ridge Mountain, thinking of my life. You're in trouble now, how can I stand idly by? These are just some Spirit Stone; consider it my way of repaying Shan Yue kindness.]

Okay! Thanks a lot, Shanshan.

[We're sisters, no need for thanks. Sister Shan Yue, how can I give you the Spirit Stone?]

[Tomorrow at noon, come to the Underground Cavern four hundred li south of Fangzhu City. I will be waiting for you there.]

[Good!]

"Extreme Yin, are we really going to the cave tomorrow? I have a feeling something's off about Xing Shan."

After putting away the Message Jade Slip, Shan Yue said with a solemn expression.

"The meeting place is in such a remote place as Underground Cavern, and Xing Shan agreed to go. There must be something wrong with her. However, we still have to go, but it doesn't necessarily have to be tomorrow at noon," Song Wen said.

"What if the Golden Core cultivators, or even Nascent Soul Cultivator, from the Xing Family follow Xing Shan here? Wouldn't we be doomed?" Shan Yue said worriedly.

"Don't worry, I won't put you and me in danger for the sake of the Holy Spirit Pill. If things become unbearable, I will give up the Holy Spirit Pill."

Song Wen pondered for a moment, then continued.

"You will spend the night in this wilderness. If there is no movement from Fangzhu City tomorrow morning, then return to the 'Immortal Arrival Inn'."

"Where are you going?" Shan Yue asked.

"I'm going to the Ghost Market to gather some information."

Song Wen left behind two Shadow Gu and disappeared into the dense forest.

Xing Xingxiu of the Xing Family, said with a smile on his face.

"Brother Mo, you have truly done a great job teaching her. Shanshan is a very clever child. She reported to me immediately after receiving Shan Yue's message. I never expected that Shan Yue would join the 'Anti-Xing Society.' This time, we might be able to follow the clues and wipe out the entire 'Anti-Xing Society.'"

Xing Mo, also smiling, spoke humbly.

"You flatter me, Patriarch. Shanshan is a member of the Xing Family, and it is only right that she contributes to the suppression of the 'Anti-Xing Society.' Please send more manpower tomorrow to ensure Shanshan's safety."

"Rest assured, Brother Mo, I will ensure my niece faces no danger whatsoever. Farewell!"

Xing Xingxiu turned and left Xing Mo's residence.

Xing Mo watched Xing Xingxiu's departing figure, the smile on his face faded, and his expression gradually turned cold.

He looked sternly at Xing Shan.