Naturally, Liu Rutai was not the kind of scoundrel who would abandon all responsibility after causing trouble. Disregarding the dignity of the peak master, he chased Mo Lanyi beyond the gates of the peak and earnestly advised, "Mo Lanyi, if there's been a misunderstanding, why not just clear it up?"
"A misunderstanding?" Mo Lanyi replied coldly. "Don't forget, Bai is a descendant of Bai Ze!"
Liu Rutai was well aware of the significance of Bai Ze's lineage, but that did not justify inciting other spirit beasts to engage in exclusionary behavior.
The world of spirit beasts had no need for such "human-like" schemes.
There was one thing Liu Rutai refrained from mentioning: the temperament of spirit beasts, especially newborns, was heavily influenced by their masters.
He wanted to warn Mo Lanyi that while her talent and fortune were undeniable, her temper needed improvement. Without change, her path might not extend far.
Seeing Liu Rutai hesitate, Mo Lanyi assumed she had grasped his weakness. With a frosty tone, she said, "Peak Master Liu, you'd better think carefully. My Bai is Bai Ze."
"Oh, is that so?"
A cold sneer came from behind, sharp and chilling. Liu Rutai turned, startled to find it was Yao Cang. Confused, he asked, "Grand Elder, why have you followed us here?"
Surely, the esteemed Grand Elder wouldn't be so petty?
Everyone believed Bai Ye and Feng Lian had acted out of offense at being called "ugly," but only Yao Cang and Ji Wushuang knew the truth—it was because Mo Lanyi's spirit beast had impersonated Bai Ze.
Ji Wushuang and Yao Cang couldn't reveal Bai Ye's identity, but they also couldn't let Mo Lanyi off lightly. She had to pay a steep price.
Ji Wushuang had secretly shared a "plan" with Yao Cang, forcing him to take the stage.
It was his first time playing the villain; he wasn't sure if he was convincing.
Yao Cang fixed Mo Lanyi with an eerie gaze. "I am here under the Ancestor's orders to warn certain individuals: Refining a treasure doesn't make one a treasure. What is false can never be true, and what is true cannot be falsified. Turn back before it's too late, or you'll only disgrace yourself in the end."
Mo Lanyi shivered under Yao Cang's piercing eyes.
Liu Rutai wasn't foolish. He could tell there was a deeper meaning behind Yao Cang's words. Shocked, he turned to Mo Lanyi. "What's real or fake? Have you been hiding something?"
Mo Lanyi struggled to maintain her composure. "Of… of course not!"
Yao Cang's indifferent gaze was as if he were staring at a lifeless object. "No? Are you certain?"
Mo Lanyi found herself paralyzed, desperately pleading inwardly.
Immortal Grandfather! What does Yao Cang mean by this? Could the Ancestor he mentioned have seen through Bai's identity? Immortal Grandfather, who is this Ancestor?
…
Immortal Grandfather, please say something.
I am not certain. Bai Ze has been absent from the world for countless ages. No one should recognize it. How could this Ancestor know? Besides, that pool of blood belongs to Bai Ze… unless…
Unless what?
Unless that Ancestor has also visited the blood pool.
Mo Lanyi suddenly recalled that the "pathway" to the blood pool was near Tianhen Peak. Could it be that Yao Cang's Ancestor had truly been there?
Then… what should we do?
If Liu Rutai discovered her deception, she would lose all standing in Yunlan Sect.
The Old Ghost Immortal remained unperturbed, her voice soft. What are you afraid of? Stay calm and don't let them see through you. They have no evidence. Bai is Bai Ze. Bai Ze has the innate ability to awaken myriad beasts. You can achieve the same with spatial spring water. When the time comes, slap them in the face with it!
The Old Ghost Immortal tolerated Mo Lanyi not only for her unique constitution but also for the treasure in her spatial storage—the Life Spirit Spring.
Ranked thirty-third on the Heavenly Spirit List, the Life Spirit Spring was a rare treasure of the Spirit Realm. Its properties were extraordinary: healing wounds, enhancing spiritual perception, clearing impurities, and significantly improving physical constitution.
It was no wonder Mo Lanyi grew increasingly beautiful, her spiritual roots ever more stable.
Mo Lanyi, reassured, straightened her posture. "I have never lied! My Bai is Bai Ze!"
Yao Cang's eagle-like eyes narrowed. "Do you have proof?"
"Proof?"
"Indeed. Bai Ze is a divine beast of fortune, born with auspicious signs. You claim that horse is Bai Ze—where is your evidence?"
Mo Lanyi stiffened. "I… of course I have…"
"Show us, then."
"…"
"What's the matter? Can't produce it?"
"Of course not!"
Even Liu Rutai was curious, eager to see what Mo Lanyi could present. Unexpectedly, Yao Cang abruptly dismissed him. "Peak Master Liu, you may leave. I have orders from the Ancestor to speak with Mo Lanyi alone."
Liu Rutai: "???"
Was being favored by the Ancestor really so impressive?
He grumbled inwardly but smiled outwardly. "Haha, of course, the Ancestor's matters take precedence. I shall take my leave."
After Liu Rutai departed, Yao Cang waved his hand, setting a restrictive barrier around them. "Hand it over."
Gritting her teeth, Mo Lanyi reluctantly handed over a jade bottle of Life Spirit Spring to Yao Cang. Though distressed, she saw no other way to secure Bai's and her own positions.
Yao Cang opened the bottle, revealing a faint golden liquid.
He frowned. "Is this all?"
Mo Lanyi seethed. What did he mean, "Is this all"? This was the Life Spirit Spring!
Yao Cang calmly sealed the bottle. "I'm no expert on spiritual liquids. I'll need to send a portion to each of the Ancestors for appraisal."
Mo Lanyi: "???"
Each of the Ancestors?!
She felt a growing sense of foreboding. "How many portions do the Ancestors require?"
"Nineteen."
"What?!"
If not for the man's composed demeanor, she would have thought he was robbing her!
Nineteen portions! Unbelievable!
Yao Cang replied evenly, "What's the issue? One for the Grand Ascension Ancestor, and one for each of the Yunlan Eighteen. That makes nineteen."
Mo Lanyi wanted to protest, but the Old Ghost Immortal's voice interjected. You fool! Agree at once. This is a rare opportunity to forge connections with the Grand Ascension cultivators and the Yunlan Eighteen. High-level cultivators will surely recognize the Life Spirit Spring's value. Once they've used it, they'll seek you out again. This is a blessing in disguise!
After some thought, Mo Lanyi realized the truth in these words.
Despite her reluctance, she handed over twenty bottles of the Life Spirit Spring to Yao Cang.
Without a second glance, Yao Cang stored them all, leaving behind only the words, "The Ancestors will contact you after their appraisal," before departing.
Mo Lanyi harbored no suspicion. Surely a cultivator at his level wouldn't deceive her.
In truth…
Yao Cang found Ji Wushuang and handed over all twenty bottles, his expression weary. "Little Wushuang, your plan to use the Ancestors' names to extort Mo Lanyi worked, but how did you know she had the Life Spirit Spring?"
Ji Wushuang accepted the bottles with confidence. "Don't worry. The Ancestors won't punish you. If they do, come find me—I'll take full responsibility."
Yao Cang failed to catch the subtext, finding Ji Wushuang's naivety endearing.
The Ancestors were fearsome; even a glance from them would likely terrify Ji Wushuang.
Sighing, he decided to shoulder the consequences alone.
With the inheritance and manuals in hand, he would submit a portion to the sect before retreating into seclusion.
After all…
Heh, as long as no one compares notes, no one can trouble me.
Sword cultivators were peculiar this way—unable to provoke the Ancestors, but quite adept at avoiding them.
Calling his young disciple, Yao Cang entrusted him to Ji Wushuang. "Little Wushuang, I'm going into seclusion. Teach this kid for me in the meantime. Farewell."
With that, Yao Cang tore open the sky with a spatial scroll and vanished.
Though his exit was graceful, his flustered retreat was plain to see.
Ji Wushuang: "…"
Lu Xingzhou: "…"