Chapter 206 Life and Death Without Blame (Part 3)

Yanyu Terrace.

"A-Zhuo was taken away by Jiang Gu right under your nose?" Xiao Dan looked at the person kneeling with his head bowed in the hall, his expression unreadable.

"Yes." Old Master Nie was sweating profusely. "Jiang Gu is a cunning man. I don't know how he persuaded the young master. Not only did the young master go with him, but he also took the divine artifact Mirror Flower Scroll that you left in Fuquan Palace. As you know, the young master has many magical artifacts. Although we issued an arrest warrant, we have lost track of them."

"So, it seems like it's Ah Zhuo's fault?" Xiao Dan said with a smile.

"Your subordinate wouldn't dare, your subordinate absolutely had no such intention." Old Master Nie kowtowed heavily to the ground. "Please forgive me, Master."

"Alright, get up." Xiao Dan's voice was gentle.

Old Master Nie rose cautiously and stepped aside.

“Since the Floating Spring Temple can no longer suppress the Jade Calamity, there’s no point in keeping the Mirror Flower Scroll. Take it.” Xiao Dan said, “Even Chu Guanshan died at the hands of that jade step, so you shouldn’t underestimate him. I’ve heard that this boy was born with exceptionally poor aptitude?”

"In response to the Master, Jiang Gu was born with all five spiritual roots," someone said. "His mother, Gu Qinghui, was a daughter of the Pingze Gu family, possessing a Heavenly Spiritual Root. His father, Jiang Yuan, was a collateral descendant of the Pingze Jiang family, also possessing a Heavenly Spiritual Root. Before his birth, Jiang Yuan had already perished in the Jiang family. Gu Qinghui was exiled by the Jiang family to the far south to give birth to him. His body was mostly devoured by evil spirits, but Gu Qinghui used Nether Stones to repair it. Later, to save him, she fed on her own flesh and blood, using her own elixir as a catalyst to sever one of his five spiritual roots so that he could barely cultivate. Gu Qinghui also perished after five years. Jiang Gu then set off alone from the far south, and after six years, returned to the Jiang family. Internal factional infighting within the Jiang family nearly cost him his life in the secret prison. He was later rescued by the Jiang family head, Jiang Yinzhong, and was thus able to stay in the Jiang family."

"He had no teacher or seniority and initially worked as a handyman in a collateral branch. However, he secretly studied at the Jiang family school. The handyman at the school, mindful of his hardship, made an exception for him. Within two years, he stood out in the Jiang family disciple competition, ranking among the top 100. He was then taken back by a collateral branch near Jiang Yuan and officially joined the ranks of Jiang family disciples. In the following twenty years, he cultivated to the Nascent Soul stage with the aptitude of four spiritual roots and took up the official position in the secret prison of the Jiang family headquarters... Later, he obtained the divine artifact, the Black Jade Bracelet, in the Pingze Creek Source Secret Realm Temple, which made him famous. His spiritual roots were gradually refined into a single spiritual root."

"After he came to Wangyue, he entered the first level of the Trial Realm and obtained the divine artifact Nether Bone, ranking 2,301st. When he entered the second level, he ranked 47th. In the second level, he joined forces with Jiang Xiangyun and others, and used traitors such as Wen Ziheng and Luo Xiaoyuan to plot and kill Chu Guanshan, the Pavilion Master of the Heaven and Earth Pavilion. He was then brought into the Heaven and Earth Pavilion by the young master. Then, he took the heart of the Tribulation Jade in the Floating Spring Ancient God Temple, and also used the cultivators of the Eight Pavilions to help him undergo a tribulation of lightning... Now he should have the aptitude of a single golden spiritual root and the cultivation of a Great Perfection True Immortal."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent.

Xiao Dan's voice rang out unhurriedly, "So do you all still think he's just a harmless brat?"

The expressions on everyone's faces were varied.

"In terms of talent alone, there are quite a few people from Yanyu Terrace who have already become True Immortals or Golden Immortals in their teens," Xiao Dan said. "If you were in his situation, could you have done the same?"

"Your subordinate knows his mistake," Elder Nie said first, and the others followed suit.

Xiao Dan said, "You've stayed in this peaceful place of Wangyue for too long, which is why you think you can rest easy just by suppressing others with your cultivation and numbers. If you act like this in Chenyao..."

His gaze swept over everyone present, and they all fell silent, not daring to speak.

“Master of the Pavilion.” Only Xiao Qingfan, the master of the Water Pavilion, stepped forward.

He was Xiao Dan's sixth son. Although his talent was mediocre, he was closer to the others. He said in a deep voice, "It was indeed our underestimation of the enemy that allowed Jiang Gu and Wei Feng to escape from the Floating Spring Temple. Please give us another chance. We will definitely deliver the jade steps to Chen Yao intact."

Xiao Dan glanced at him, "Qingfan, don't disappoint me again."

Distracted, he slightly closed his eyes, and the terrifying pressure in the hall suddenly lessened, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Elder Nie walked up to Xiao Qingfan, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for pleading for me, Sixth Young Master."

"Elder Nie, you're too kind. It's my duty." Xiao Qingfan smiled slightly. "After all, A Zhuo is also in their hands. If Father gets angry and lets those people from Yanyu Terrace come back, I'm afraid the Eight Pavilions and Ten Towers won't have a good time."

"Sixth Young Master, what you're saying is true. Those people at Misty Rain Terrace are all geniuses among geniuses, each one as shrewd as a shrewd person. If the Terrace Master just points out two of them, I'm afraid Jiang Gu will be in dire straits in no time." The Pavilion Master of Golden Pavilion laughed without any politeness. "Wouldn't our lives be much better then?"

"Jin Hendie, don't speak so lightly," Yan Huai'an said. "I still remember that you had a younger sister who rebelled and fled five years ago, and you still haven't caught her. Are you deliberately condoning her?"

"That's because Jin Yingxiu is capable." Jin Hendie sneered, "She's still better than Lord Yan's brother, who was killed by a True Immortal and died such a pathetic death."

“You—” Yan Huai’an’s face turned ashen instantly.

"Oh dear, I'm sorry for what I said." Jin Hendie leaned closer to him with her hands behind her back and smiled, "Lord Yan, when you capture Jiang Gu, please don't kill him out of personal resentment. The Lord of the Pavilion wants him to be alive on the Jade Steps."

Yan Huai'an said with a forced smile, "That's natural, but those traitors from the Burning Platform Hall won't be so lucky. Once they enter the Life and Death Tower, I will treat them well, especially those whose surnames start with Jin. Back when the Eight Pavilions rebelled, the Jin Pavilion had the most members. It would be strange if there wasn't something fishy going on."

Jin Hendie said lightly, "Then it depends on your abilities, Lord Yan."

Yan Huai'an watched her leave with a cold gaze. Behind him walked a pale-faced, handsome man who coughed twice, covering his mouth.

Yan Huai'an frowned. "What are you keeping this half-dead body for? If you really like using a human body, throw it away and I'll pick out a better one for you from Shunlou."

Wu Hezhi smiled weakly, "Don't bother, I'm used to it."

"As you requested, that Shen Yuxin has been killed. You're really something. You've been carrying out this mission for almost three hundred years, and you've managed to keep someone like him alive. Could it be that he's been influenced by Pingze's lazy habits?" Yan Huai'an was very dissatisfied with him.

"It's a long story," Wu Hezhi said with a smile, clearly unwilling to elaborate.

"I can't be bothered with your messy affairs," Yan Huai'an said. "But you killed that guy surnamed Song as soon as you came back, and jumped from deputy master to master of Qiankun Tower. Be careful, too much fame can attract trouble."

“This is what I deserve.” Wu Hezhi smiled slightly. “Some things are more convenient to do as the Lord of the Tower.”

Knowing the ruthless nature of this ghost cultivator, Yan Huai'an didn't try to persuade him further, but added, "I spared the life of your ex-lover and threw him into the auction house. I heard he was bought by a young man from the Song family. You'd better make a decision quickly. If he's taken into Shunni Tower by that Song guy, it'll be harder for us to deal with him. If you're really bothered by this, I can send someone to kill him or bring him back to you right now."

Wu Hezhi sneered, "Lord Yan is overthinking it. Her life or death is no longer my concern."

Yan Huai'an clicked his tongue: "Why didn't you say so earlier? I even specially ordered someone to—hey, don't go, I have something to discuss with you!"

Wu Hezhi had already disappeared from the spot.

——

Duyuan City.

There were seven or eight people sitting in the room, including Jiang Xiangyun, Lin Feibai, Jin Yingxiu, Lu Liyu, Wu Ren, and Wu Yi. Jiang Xiangyun sat in the main seat, while Jiang Gu sat in the secondary seat.

"The Tower of Life and Death is divided into two parts: the Tower of Life and the Tower of Death. The Tower of Life mainly imprisons three types of cultivators: human cultivators, demon cultivators, and evil cultivators. Those with excellent aptitude are used for refining artifacts or as puppet substitutes, while those with special physiques and exceptional beauty are used as furnaces. Most of them are used to assist cultivators in their cultivation." Xiao Qingyan said, frowning as he spoke. "The Tower of Death collects spirit beasts and artifact spirits to supply cultivators. Some people with special tastes also come here to select their own concubines... The rest, those of inferior quality or those whose value has been squeezed dry, are sent to the auction house. Most of them, which cannot be sold for a high price, are all made into paper dolls."

"It is worth mentioning that searching for jade steps from Pingze Continent is only one of the tasks of Qiankun Tower. Their more important task is to search for temples and resources. Their footprints are all over the three continents of Pingze, Wangyue, and Chenyao. Therefore, among the ten towers, Qiankun Tower and Life and Death Tower are particularly closely connected. If you want to make a move against Life and Death Tower, you must pay special attention to the movements of Qiankun Tower."

Xiao Qingyan recalled carefully: "As for the Yin-Yang Tower, after Wen Ziheng died, Yan Huai'an kept eyeing it, wanting a share of the pie. Without the tenth level, the Yin-Yang Tower's functions were almost useless. The remaining Shun Ni Tower and Xu Shi Tower are of average strength. The leader of Shun Ni Tower, Song Shijun, has been in seclusion, and the leader of Xu Shi Tower, Xie Chengyin, is focused on researching formations and magic weapons... If a fight really breaks out, only Qiankun Tower among the ten towers will take action. Their current leader is a newly appointed ghost cultivator, and I don't know much about him."

Everyone else in the room remained silent.

Although Jiang Xiangyun kept saying he wanted to lead them in a rebellion, everyone knew the chances were slim.

"We must take down the Tower of Life and Death." Jiang Xiangyun sat in the main seat and slowly spoke: "Xiao Dan's Misty Rain Pavilion is focused entirely on the Chenyao Continent. The Eight Pavilions have just experienced turmoil. This is a golden opportunity for us. Do you all know what is hidden in the Tower of Life and Death?"

Lu Liyu raised an eyebrow, "What are you hiding?"

Xiao Qingyan stepped forward, flipped his hand, and a scroll appeared in his palm. The scroll unfolded to reveal two mirrors, one facing forward and one facing backward, entwined with endless enchanting flowers.

“Back then, Xiao Dan built the Boundary Village, blocking spiritual energy and cutting off the path to immortality for many cultivators outside the Boundary Village. Everyone knows that to cross the Boundary Village, one needs the Misty Rain Token from the Misty Rain Platform, but in reality, the Misty Rain Token is only a temporary key.” Xiao Qingyan’s voice was slightly excited. “The real key has long been divided into three. The first is the double-sided mirror hidden under the Floating Spring Temple, the second is the eighteen cages hidden underground in the Tower of Life and Death, and the third is the Golden Spirit Pagoda hidden in the Tower of Obedience and Reversal. When these three divine artifacts are combined, the Boundary Village can be opened.”

Upon hearing this, Jin Yingxiu and the others immediately became serious. "Is this really true?"

“I’ve been by my father’s side for many years, so I’ve always had access to some secrets.” Xiao Qingyan looked at Jiang Xiangyun. “Moreover, these messages have already been confirmed by the eldest young master’s people.”

“That’s right.” Jiang Xiangyun said, “We already have one of the keys, the Mirror Flower Scroll. Our goal is to open the Boundary Village, destroy this barrier, and let all the cultivators outside the Boundary Village flood in. There are far more people outside the Boundary Village than inside.”

"Excellent!" Lei Jiusan slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed excitedly, "In this way, the tenth floor and eight pavilions will be in complete chaos."

But there are others who are calmer than him.

Wu Ren said, "This battle requires a swift resolution, but we are not familiar with the Life and Death Tower. How can we obtain the eighteen cages?"

“One of our fellow Daoists can help.” Jiang Xiangyun’s gaze fell on Jiang Gu.

A cloud of black mist billowed, revealing the tall and slender figure of a young man. Wei Feng stood behind Jiang Gu and said coldly, "I spent a few years in the Life and Death Tower and am very familiar with the eighteenth level of the secret dungeon."

The expressions on everyone's faces were varied, and their gazes toward him were quite direct, as if to say, "How did you manage to survive after all these years?"

Wei Fengjun's face became even more expressionless. "I will help you get to the eighteenth floor. As for whether you can get the eighteen cages, that's up to you."

Jiang Xiangyun smiled and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Nephew Wei."

Wei Feng ignored him and was about to return to Jiang Gu when the smiling tiger said again, "Time is of the essence. In addition to the group from the Life and Death Tower, we need three more people to go to the Shun Ni Tower to obtain the divine artifact, the Golden Spirit Tower. One of them has already been decided to be my seventh brother. I wonder if there are two other fellow Daoists who are willing to go?"

Wei Feng suddenly raised his head, looked at Jiang Gu, and transmitted his voice, "You're going to Shunni Tower? When did you decide to go?"

His voice was urgent, suppressing his hidden anger.

"I made the decision a long time ago, I'm just waiting for news," Jiang Gu said calmly.

“Alright, then Fellow Daoist Wu Yi and Brother Fei Bai will accompany Seventh Brother.” Jiang Xiangyun’s voice came.

“I’ll go with you!” Wei Feng said to Jiang Gu from inside the barrier.

"If you go, who will lead them to the Eighteen Cages?" Jiang Gu's voice was calm. "Besides, Jiang Xiangyun's spies have information that Qu Fengyu is very likely in Shunni Tower. It will be easier for us to rescue him if we split up."

“But—” Wei Feng gripped the back of the chair tightly.

“Jiang Xiangyun has no one else available, so I must go,” Jiang Gu said. “Or are you willing to give up saving Xuan Zhiyan?”

Veins bulged on Wei Feng's forehead as he gritted his teeth and said, "I can be distracted."

Jiang Gu's expression was indifferent. "What's the point of you doing this?"

Wei Feng's eyes flashed with a fierce light, "I want to be by your side!"

“You don’t need it. You know the state of your primordial spirit yourself,” Jiang Gu said. “Go and help Jiang Xiangyun get the eighteen cages. That’s the condition you owe me.”

Wei Feng's eyes instantly turned bloodshot. "No!"

“Wei Linming, you’re not a three-year-old child,” Jiang Gu said coldly. “I never taught you to go back on your word.”

Wei Feng's jawline tightened. He hadn't expected Jiang Gu to use the conditions he owed him to blackmail him, but deep down he was extremely unwilling to separate from Jiang Gu. Unfortunately, Jiang Gu didn't give him a chance to cheat.

It seems that Jiang Gu had anticipated this outcome when he first made the offer. In the end, Wei Feng still succumbed to defeat, and a sense of frustration swept over him. He felt as if he had been completely manipulated by Jiang Gu.

Even after everyone had left to prepare, Wei Feng still refused to move.

Jiang Gu stood up and looked at him across the chair. "Since you're not willing to accept this, then learn to use your brain. Your brute strength and impulsive, irritable nature will only make you lose faster, and will do you no good at all."

He had thought that having Wei Feng by his side for so long, he should have learned something from him through constant exposure. But when Wei Feng said he would wipe out the entire Life and Death Tower, he knew that this fool had made no progress in scheming.

He even dared to say such absurd things as "Master, help me use my brain."

He was happy to protect people, but that didn't mean Wei Feng could take his protection for granted.

"After you get the eighteen cages, bring Xuan Zhiyan to Shunni Tower to see me within three days," Jiang Gu said coldly. "Otherwise, I will kill both Qu Fengyu and Xuan Zhiyan."

Wei Feng moved his lips, staring at him, "Why?"

"Because you can't protect them," Jiang Gu said.

Wei Feng gritted his teeth, not daring to refute again.

He knew that Jiang Gu always kept his word.