Longyan's Choice

In the side hall of the inn courtyard where Wang Shouzhe and the others were staying, Wang Zhong, who had swiftly changed clothes midway, placed the gathered spoils and the Qian Gold used as bait on the table. His voice trembled slightly as he said, "Family Head, I have not failed my mission."

Clearly, today's affair had been far too thrilling and perilous for the family retainer Wang Zhong.

"Wang Zhong, you did well." Wang Shouzhe praised him, then said solemnly, "But you must keep this matter secret. It was the accomplices of those Ghost Domain thieves who injured Ancestor Longyan back then. We are avenging her."

He was thoroughly satisfied with Wang Zhong's performance throughout the mission. Of the two family retainers who had accompanied him, Wang Yong possessed greater talent and strength, but for a mission of this difficulty, Wang Zhong was smarter and more composed.

Wang Zhong had also grown up listening to tales of Ancestor Longyan and her contributions to the family. He worshipped the ancestor immensely, and hatred immediately flashed in his eyes. "Those thieves deserve to die ten thousand deaths. Family Head, rest assured, even if I die, I will take this matter to my grave."

Then Wang Shouzhe waved a hand and rewarded him with twenty Qian Gold. Wang Zhong was overjoyed and overwhelmed, and after bowing in thanks, he departed.

Once only Wang Shouzhe and Ancestor Longyan remained, Wang Shouzhe placed the other batch of spoils on the table and began inspecting them carefully.

Speaking of it, this operation had been rather hasty and reckless for Wang Shouzhe. But reckless or not, it had to be done. After all, it concerned venting Ancestor Longyan's resentment. She had suffered under Yin Sha Poison for a full fifty years—who could imagine that pain?

As for capturing that "Rogue Cultivator" and forcing him to reveal the mastermind behind him, Wang Shouzhe had naturally considered it. But first, such an operation would have been exceedingly difficult and dangerously risky, easily bringing calamity upon the entire family. Second, even if they forced an answer from him, what then? This "Rogue Cultivator" was clearly only a minor pawn. The one behind him had to be in the Spirit Platform Realm.

If mishandled even slightly, such a matter could destroy the family and wipe out its people. It was not something they could afford to touch.

Ancestor Longyan understood this as well. Eliminating one of the enemy's claws had already dispersed much of her resentment, and she was satisfied. Her feelings for the family ran deep, and she did not wish for Wang Shouzhe to take excessive risks for her sake.

"Nothing but ordinary items: scattered Qian Gold, pearls, one Lesser Foundation-Cultivating Pill, and a collection of miscellaneous things. No letters, identity tokens, or anything of the sort." As Wang Shouzhe sorted through the spoils and set aside the valuable items, the most noteworthy things besides the sundries were an ancient thread-bound book and an object shaped like a jade gourd.

The thread-bound book had no title. Yet upon opening it, they discovered that it recorded a method for refining the Yin Sha power of heaven and earth, integrating it into one's body, and gradually converting one's Profound Qi into Yin Sha-attributed Profound Qi.

In addition, the book recorded a unique trick: how to conceal the Yin Sha aura within one's body and appear to others as an ordinary Profound Warrior.

This showed that Ancestor Longyan's sense for Yin Sha aura was indeed sharp—perhaps far beyond even that of ordinary Spirit Platform Realm ancestors.

But upon seeing the book, Wang Shouzhe froze for a moment, his heart beginning to pound. A thought arose within him, yet that thought ultimately...

"Shouzhe, your expression keeps shifting, and you seem hesitant. Did you discover something?" After regulating her breathing slightly, Ancestor Longyan opened her beautiful eyes and spoke.

Though she had merely killed two insignificant Qi Refining Realm cultivators, she had both ambushed them and gone all out to prevent any mishap. It still left her somewhat unwell.

"Ancestor, please take a look at this book." Wang Shouzhe respectfully handed the book to her.

Ancestor Longyan first read it calmly. Then her expression, too, became uncertain. After a long while, she closed the book and shut her eyes in thought. Clearly, this matter had shaken her deeply.

Wang Shouzhe did not disturb her. He simply stood at her side with his hands lowered, waiting patiently.

After another long while, Ancestor Longyan slowly opened her eyes and looked at Wang Shouzhe. "Shouzhe, what do you think of this matter?" Time and again, she had come to value him more highly. In such a crucial matter, she actually wished to hear his opinion.

After pondering briefly, Wang Shouzhe said, "Before making a decision, let us sort out the situation. My initial judgment is that this book is likely a method given by the Yin Sha Sect to temporarily recruited outer disciples, for tempering Yin Sha aura and converting it into Yin Sha Profound Qi. It was most likely a technique used to cultivate outer pawns, not a core cultivation method of the Yin Sha Sect."

Ancestor Longyan nodded repeatedly in agreement. Indeed, if it had been a core cultivation method of the Yin Sha Sect, how could it have been leaked so easily?

After a pause, Wang Shouzhe added, "But with such a rudimentary tempering method, how confident are you, Ancestor?"

Ancestor Longyan steadied herself slightly before replying, "Though this Yin Sha Tempering Method is elementary and intended for cultivating outer Rogue Cultivators, it is still an unorthodox inheritance of the Yin Sha Sect, not some trifling creation. Ordinary Rogue Cultivators do not understand Yin Sha power deeply enough, so converting their cultivation would not be quick. But I... should be very fast."

Wang Shouzhe understood.

Ancestor Longyan had endured the torment of Yin Sha Poison for fifty whole years, fighting against it day and night. By now, the poison had spread throughout her organs and entrails, even every part of her body.

Her understanding of Yin Sha Poison surpassed not only those outer disciples of the Yin Sha Sect, but likely even its inner disciples and core disciples.

"If you hesitate, Ancestor, then there must be drawbacks." Wang Shouzhe considered as he spoke. "If you convert to Yin Sha power, I fear it will be difficult for your cultivation realm to advance further."

"Indeed." Ancestor Longyan said, "This secret method is not, after all, a core cultivation method of the Yin Sha Sect. It cannot support me on the path to becoming Celestial. If that were all, it would be bearable. I would be satisfied merely to recover to the middle stage of the Spirit Platform Realm. But doing so would mean utterly betraying my master's sect and failing my master's kindness. And when I act, I must keep it hidden, lest I be mistaken for a Yin Sha Sect spy."

These were all drawbacks. In particular, Ancestor Longyan actually felt a strong sense of belonging toward the Purple Mansion Academy. She had entered the Academy at eighteen, reached the middle stage of the Spirit Platform Realm by sixty, and had even been granted the Spirit Artifact Turtle Scale Treasure Shield by her master, Master Canglan. This showed the Purple Mansion Academy's investment in and expectations for her.

Had that incident fifty years ago not occurred, with Ancestor Longyan's talent and gifts, she might well have become an important figure within the Purple Mansion Academy by now.

"If that is the case, then do not cultivate this method." After considering for a moment, Wang Shouzhe said, "We have a solution anyway. So long as your injuries can fully heal, then after accumulating strength and bursting forth, it may not be impossible for you to advance another step."

"No, I still wish to cultivate Yin Sha power." Ancestor Longyan hesitated for a moment, but ultimately made up her mind. "The previous solution is too drawn-out and consumes too much. If I can turn the Yin Sha power within my body to my own use, we can save an ocean of resources."

There was another consideration she did not voice. She did not want Wang Shouzhe to bear such immense pressure. Even if he could accomplish it, it would be better to use those resources for the family.

"Master, Master, Longyan is being willful once again. Your kindness... Longyan can only repay it in the next life." A trace of unforgettable guilt passed through Ancestor Longyan's eyes.

Sigh!

Wang Shouzhe sighed faintly in his heart as well. From what he knew of Ancestor Longyan, once she set her mind on something, even if Ancestor Zhouxuan were reborn, he probably would not be able to dissuade her.

Still, from Wang Shouzhe's perspective as one who had crossed over, whether Yin Sha Profound Qi or Purple Mansion Profound Qi, both were merely forms of power. Power itself had neither righteousness nor evil; it ultimately depended on the heart of the one wielding it.

"This jade gourd bottle." Ancestor Longyan picked up the object and examined it briefly. "It should be a container for storing Yin Sha aura. There is still some Yin Sha power stored inside, which happens to be useful to me. Shouzhe, I will go study the Yin Sha Conversion Method and the method for concealing Yin Sha aura. You should return and rest well."

With that, she simply left Wang Shouzhe behind and returned to her room.

Wang Shouzhe was slightly stunned. Speaking of which, his Ancestor Longyan truly was a heroine among women. Once she decided to do something, she got straight to work without another word.

He silently put away the gold notes and the other miscellaneous spoils, his thoughts drifting. Though Ancestor Longyan's choice carried many drawbacks, its advantages were also extremely obvious.

First, it could save enormous amounts of resources. Second, her recovery would certainly be much faster than under the original plan. Once her long-standing illness was fully gone, it would likely spell doom for the Zhao Clan and Liu Clan.

This was likely one of the important reasons Ancestor Longyan had made this choice. She could no longer wait to avenge herself.