Thirsty for arsenic-now that's the real flavor!

The two walked one after the other, turning through many courtyards and heading deeper into the small garden.

During the journey, Xu Yuanshuang, the girl in the purple dress, whispered:

"My mother wants to ask him about something!"

Ji Xuan smiled and said, "As expected, over the years, the clansmen have been harsh with my aunt, saying all sorts of unpleasant things. But I think what my aunt did back then was only human nature; what mother wouldn't love her own child?"

Xu Yuanshuang glanced at him. "Seventh Brother, are you implying that my father is worse than a beast?"

Ji Xuan's smile remained unchanged, "The Imperial Advisor merely made a choice. What is Cousin Yuan Shuang's attitude towards that person?"

Xu Yuanshuang sighed, "My father and uncle want him dead, and I can't change that, but to me, he is still my brother from the same mother. All I can do is try not to pay attention to him, and pretend he doesn't exist."

Ji Xuan narrowed his eyes. "But I heard from Yuan Huai that you often take the initiative to inquire about him."

"."

Xu Yuanshuang's beautiful face flushed slightly.

The two ended their conversation and walked away in silence for a moment.

Whoosh, whoosh!

A whooshing sound, like the wind, came from behind a gate. Turning into a large courtyard, one found a young man practicing with a spear, wielding a nine-foot-long spear with impressive skill.

The spear had a jet-black shaft, and the spearhead was a golden dragon's head with its mouth wide open, from which the spear tip was protruding.

His face was stern as he brandished his spear, which whistled through the courtyard, stirring up dust.

"Yuan Huai."

Ji Xuan greeted him with a smile.

The boy practicing his spear paused, glanced sideways, and a faint smile appeared on his usually stern face. He said, "Sister, Seventh Brother."

"Yuan Huai's spear technique has improved again. Has he grasped the essence of spear fighting?" Ji Xuan asked with a smile.

"Almost."

Xu Yuanhuai nodded and said, "Within half a year, you can reach the fourth rank."

His expression was stern, and his tone was indifferent, as if being promoted to the fourth rank was a trivial matter.

Ji Xuan exclaimed, "Yuan Huai's talent is truly terrifying."

Xu Yuanhuai, seventeen years old, possesses an extremely terrifying talent for cultivation. He reached the Refinement of Essence at fifteen, the Copper Skin and Iron Bones at sixteen, and by seventeen he had already touched the threshold of the fourth-grade "Intent".

Of course, this is also inseparable from the abundant resources. The status of the Xu Household siblings in Qianlong City is no less than that of Ji Xuan and his brothers and sisters.

From a young age, he received guidance from renowned teachers, had no shortage of elixirs, and was trained by masters.

For young geniuses of such distinguished backgrounds, the Essence Refining Realm requires the body to fully develop before cultivation can begin, but the Spirit Refining Realm can be cultivated ahead of time.

From a young age, one should contemplate and refine Primordial Spirit. Once one has passed the realms of refining essence and Qi Refinement, entering the Spirit Refining Realm will be a natural progression. Afterward, with top-grade elixirs to temper one's physique, reaching the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones Realm will be effortless.

However, Xu Yuanhuai still advanced smoothly to the fifth rank of Transformation Realm after the sixth rank in just one year, which shows his strong talent.

Although Xu Yuanhuai was only a fifth-grade Transformation Realm cultivator, the Flood Dragon Spear in his hand was a top-tier Law Artifact. The spear body was forged from the spine of a fourth-grade Flood Dragon, and the spearhead was forged from the sharpest and hardest dragon tooth of the Flood Dragon.

Furthermore, the spear contains the Primordial Spirit of a fourth-rank dragon.

With this spear, along with his other magical Law Artifact, even ordinary fourth-rank cultivators are no match for him.

Compared to his eldest son, whom he treated as a vessel, Xu Pingfeng was quite good to his second son.

What brings Seventh Brother here?

Xu Yuanhuai asked.

Ji Xuan replied, "My aunt needs to speak with me."

Xu Yuanhuai glanced at his sister, planted his spear firmly in his hand, and nodded, saying:

"Mother is in the inner hall; I'll lead you there."

Ji Xuan smiled and shook his head. This cousin seemed quite interested in his older brother, whom he had never met before.

The three cousins walked through the courtyard and entered the inner hall. Sitting on a high chair was a beautiful woman in gorgeous clothes, with a dignified oval face, snow-white skin, cherry lips, and extremely beautiful features.

She is no longer young, but time has not left its mark on her beautiful face. Instead, it has enriched her temperament, giving her a mature charm that young girls lack.

There was a faint sadness between her brows, like a lilac flower laden with sorrow.

"Aunt!"

Ji Xuan greeted him with a smile.

"Mother!"

Xu Yuanhuai and Xu Yuanshuang, the siblings, also called out.

The beautiful woman held a teacup, her slender, jade-like fingers gently tapping the rim of the cup with the lid, her voice magnetic and melodious:

"He's back?"

As she asked the question, the beautiful woman stared intently at Ji Xuan, her fingers tightening slightly on the teacup lid.

"The Imperial Advisor has returned and just now, together with my father, summoned me."

Ji Xuan's eyes narrowed when he smiled, giving him an approachable and easy-going appearance.

The beautiful woman held her breath for a moment, then slowly asked, "Did it go smoothly?"

Xu Yuanhuai and Xu Yuanshuang, siblings, immediately looked over and waited for the answer.

Ji Xuan pondered for a moment, then said, "What Aunt wants to ask is whether the Qi Luck within Xu Qi'an has been extracted?"

The beautiful woman's breathing suddenly became heavy.

Ji Xuan shook his head and sighed, "The Imperial Advisor has failed."

The beautiful woman's high, firm breasts heaved slightly, as if she had breathed a sigh of relief.

The girl in the purple dress, Xu Yuanshuang, had a complicated expression.

Xu Yuanhuai maintained his cold and stern expression, unchanged.

The beautiful woman could not hide her smile. Her decision back then was correct. Within the Nine Provinces, if anyone could protect her eldest son, it would be none other than the Supervisor.

Whether it was the Lineage business or her husband's ambitions, in her eyes, nothing was more important than the child she had carried for nine months.

Despite being placed under house arrest there as a result, and despite being neglected for more than a decade after giving birth to a son and a daughter.

The clansmen all said that the child was mediocre and incompetent, a good-for-nothing compared to his younger siblings. Using such a useless person as a vessel for destiny was a good use of him.

However, her womanly kindness caused her to delay important matters.

She scoffed, "Why should my child have to sacrifice the Lineage's business?"

For over a decade, the term "useless" was often used by her clansmen to tease and criticize her. However, during the year of the Capital Evaluation, such remarks gradually decreased, and now, no one dares to call that child "useless."

If her child is useless, then who in the world is capable?

Ji Xuan added, "Not only did he fail, but he was also seriously injured. He may need to go into seclusion for a period of time to recover."

"The Supervisor is indeed powerful; Father's attempt to scheme against him is far too far-fetched."

Xu Yuanshuang's voice was pleasant to the ear, and she shook her head slightly.

Xu Yuanhuai commented casually:

"A first-rank Warlock is naturally difficult to deal with. Father, we should use intrigue as a supplement and open strategy as the main approach. We must conquer cities and territories honorably, seize the lands of the Great Feng, and only in this way can we take its place."

Ji Xuan pondered:

"Judging from the Imperial Advisor's words, it seems that it wasn't the Supervisor who injured him, but rather a backlash from his own fate."

"Backlash from fate? How is Xu Qi'an now? Explain yourself."

The beautiful woman frowned, pressing for answers in rapid succession.

Seeing that his aunt, cousins, and younger siblings were all looking over, Ji Xuan shrugged and said:

"Anyway, neither Father nor the Imperial Advisor said it was a secret. Hmm, it seems that the Imperial Advisor's failure this time was because Xu Qi'an had guessed his identity in advance, as well as the behind-the-scenes truth related to destiny, and therefore had made arrangements in advance."

"As for the backlash of fortune, the Imperial Advisor didn't elaborate, but it's clearly related to Xu Qi'an."

Having already guessed his identity, the beautiful woman was both surprised and saddened. She was surprised that her eldest son was so powerful that even a second-rank Warlock could no longer easily control life and death, which made her proud.

The truth of this tragedy—how devastating would it be for him?

Xu Yuanshuang's eyes widened slightly, the beautiful young woman unable to hide her shock. She followed the Warlock System and knew all too well how powerful and terrifying her father was.

That elder brother, far away in the capital, actually ruined our father's twenty-year plan in one fell swoop, and even seriously injured our father in the counterattack. What amazing talent he was!

Xu Yuanhuai remained expressionless.

The beautiful woman took a breath and asked again, "Did he mention Xu Qi'an's current situation?"

Ji Xuan nodded. "Yes, Xu Qi'an was sealed by the Buddhist School Demon-Sealing Nails, and his cultivation was completely destroyed. It would be extremely difficult to break the seal, and there is probably no hope."

The beautiful woman let out a soft "ah," her eyes reddening with worry and heartache.

Xu Yuanhuai frowned.

"It's ruined, sister," Xu Yuanshuang said with a regretful expression. She looked at Ji Xuan and said:

"Seventh Brother, Father and Uncle didn't just come to see you about these things, did they?"

Ji Xuan smiled as he examined his cousin, and said frankly, "In a few days, I will be traveling to help Father and Uncle."

"What is it?" Xu Yuanshuang asked.

"To gather the scattered spirits of the dragon veins, enhance our fortune, and contribute to the great cause of replacing the Great Feng royal family."

Xu Yuanhuai's eyes lit up. "Seventh Brother, I'll go with you."

Xu Yuanshuang frowned.

Ji Xuan's smile slowly spread, "Alright, but you'll have to greet Father and the Imperial Advisor first."

Yongzhou City.

A young man dressed in blue robes led a horse along the official road.

A woman of average appearance sat on the horse's back, bobbing up and down with its movements. Every now and then, she would step into the stirrups and stick her buttocks out to relieve the soreness in her buttocks.

In this era, long-distance travel is extremely tiring for ordinary people, and those with weak constitutions may even die on the way.

Fortunately, the two traveled by boat and horseback at a slow pace, occasionally staying at inns for a day or two to relieve their fatigue from the journey.

This ordinary couple blended into the crowd and were inconspicuous, not even as eye-catching as the magnificent mare beneath the woman.

At least this horse is tall, strong, and has a beautiful physique; it's clearly top-notch.

"I've been to Yongzhou City once. To save a friend, I'll tell you a secret: dozens of miles south of the city, in the mountains, there's an ancient underground palace where a thousands-year-old corpse sleeps. It's incredibly eerie."

Mu Nanzhi looked frightened. "You're lying."

Xu Qi'an winked and said, "Why would I lie to you? Remember to lock the doors and windows when you go to sleep tonight, and don't open the door if anyone knocks."

Mu Nanzhi looked at him suspiciously. "You were the one who knocked on my door, weren't you?"

"Nonsense."

Xu Qi'an asked seriously, "We've been traveling for so many days, have I ever knocked on your door?"

"That's true!"

Mu Nanzhi then stuck out her buttocks and half-lay on the mare to relieve the soreness in her buttocks.

The two entered the city, where the streets were bustling with people, and the banners and flags on the archways fluttered in the wind, creating a lively and prosperous scene.

Xu Qi'an asked the locals where the best inn in Yongzhou City was. After getting the address, he led his horse in the direction indicated by the kind person.

A smile appeared on Mu Nanzhi's lips.

This scoundrel is actually trustworthy; he did indeed take her to the best inn and to eat the best food. Now that they've arrived in Yongzhou City, she plans to browse the cosmetics shops.

Passing by a pharmacy, Xu Qi'an tied the mare to the post outside and said with a smile, "Wait a moment, I'm going to buy something."

Mu Nanzhi was too lazy to dismount, and gave a reserved "hmm".

Upon entering the pharmacy and approaching the counter, Xu Qi'an said, "Shopkeeper, give me two catties of arsenic."

"Two, two jin?"

The shopkeeper, dressed in a blue jacket, scrutinized the customer who had spoken without thinking.

Xu Qi'an placed two pieces of silver on the table.

The innkeeper immediately noticed that this customer was both handsome and refined, and said with a smile, "Please wait a moment, sir."

He immediately ordered the waiter to weigh out two catties of arsenic.

The waiter quickly brought over the arsenic and a weight, weighed it in front of Xu Qi'an, packed it up for him, and said:

"Please accept this, sir."

Xu Qi'an took it, reopened the paper package, removed the water pouch, poured some arsenic into it, shook it gently a few times, and then gulped it down in front of the shopkeeper and the waiter.

"As expected of a pharmacy in Yongzhou City."

Xu Qi'an gave a thumbs up. "The taste is just right!"

The shopkeeper plopped down on the ground, looking at him with a terrified expression.

The waiter's jaw nearly dropped to the floor.

"Excuse me, goodbye!"

Xu Qi'an left satisfied, carrying the remaining arsenic.