Chapter 33

Jiang Liuya took the cell key from another guard's waist. She came out of the cell and went to the man she had just been standing in.

They faced each other across an iron gate. Upon closer inspection, the man's appearance became even more terrifying.

Why did you help me?

The man slightly raised his head, a strange smile appearing on his odd face.

"Help you? You think I'm helping you?"

He shook his head and continued, "I'm a dying man, and I just want to see more excitement before I die."

Jiang Liuya frowned, seemingly puzzled.

The man continued, "By absorbing this Gu seedling, you can be considered a disciple of the Nine Netherworlds. Let me give you some guidance: Gengzi Peak, Jin Zhengxiao is Ning Yu's old nemesis. After you escape, go to Gengzi Peak to find him; perhaps there is still a glimmer of hope."

Jiang Liuya secretly made a mental note of it.

Then, he bulged out his eyes and looked the female cultivator in front of him up and down.

After a moment, he said meaningfully, "As long as you are willing to go all out, you will still have a chance to turn things around in the future."

"What do you mean?" Jiang Liuya asked, looking puzzled.

The man waved his bony hand and said, "If you're going to leave, leave quickly, don't dawdle."

Jiang Liuya clenched her fists inwardly. Although she had many questions in her mind, this was not the time to hesitate.

She turned around and walked towards the exit without looking back.

A strange, eerie laugh came from behind.

"Hahaha, let things get chaotic, the more chaotic the better..."

Laughter echoed through the empty dungeon, creating an indescribable eeriness and unease.

...

Jiang Liuya changed into the attire of a disciple of the Nine Nether Sect.

She wore a black robe that was somewhat oversized. She smeared mud on her face to conceal her originally striking appearance.

She now possesses her own natal Gu, and her aura is no different from that of an ordinary Qi Refining stage disciple. She moves around the sect without being detected as anything unusual.

After some effort, I made my way to Gengzi Peak.

Inside the dungeon, two disciples, arriving to relieve themselves, dragged their languid steps into their cells as usual. This dungeon was where traitors of the Nine Nether Sect were imprisoned. Those who could enter were all "specially treated," crippled individuals on the verge of death. Batch after batch of people had died here; no one had ever left alive.

However, the sight before them made their eyes widen instantly. The cells that had once held prisoners were now empty, and the two guards were mangled beyond recognition. They didn't dare delay for a moment and immediately reported to their superiors.

In the main hall of Wuwu Peak, Ning Yu had just finished dealing with matters related to the crystal mine. He had taken over the mine's resources; it was larger than he had imagined, and the crystals were of a higher grade. He and the elders of the Nine Nether Sect had set up a magic array near the mine and arranged for disciples to guard it. After three busy days, he finally returned to the Nine Nether Sect, intending to rest, but received news that Jiang Liuya had killed the guards and escaped from the dungeon.

“A bunch of useless trash, they can’t even keep an eye on someone who has lost all his cultivation.” Ning Yu’s face was gloomy.

A surge of black energy rose from his hand, and then a long-winged Gu worm slowly emerged from it. This Gu worm had a slender body and wings as thin as cicada wings.

"Go and find her."

The long-winged Gu flapped its wings, making a "buzzing" sound. It flew out of the main hall of Wuwu Peak, paused briefly in the air, and then drew a black arc, flying towards Gengzi Peak.

On Gengzi Peak, near the main hall, there is a tall tree with a dense canopy and intertwined branches and leaves.

The long-winged insect hovered in mid-air, silently remaining in place, as if confirming something. Its long antennae swayed slightly, as if conveying a message.

Jiang Liuya hid within the canopy of the tree. Her movements were lithe and graceful, concealed among the branches and leaves.

At this moment, she had already noticed the worm that had quietly arrived.

Jiang Liuya's eyes narrowed, and a burst of fire elemental energy shot out from her fingertips. These Gu worms used for locating people were very fragile and easily defeated. Under the attack of the fire elemental energy, they were instantly burned to ashes.

But she has already been discovered.

Jiang Liuya thought to herself, "Things have come to this point, I must sneak into the main hall of Gengzi Peak as soon as possible."

She had been observing the area for half a day. A protective barrier was set up outside the hall; only those holding a "Gengzi" jade token could enter. Moreover, the guarding disciples knew each other well, making it difficult to find an opportunity…

A disciple walked out of the hall, and suddenly something flew towards him. He immediately dodged.

When the object landed, he looked closely and realized it was a crystal, and a high-grade one at that! The crystal shimmered with an alluring light. He looked around and, seeing nothing unusual, greed gradually took over his mind, so he reached out and picked up the crystal.

At that moment, he saw many shiny, crystalline objects fall from a large tree not far away, quickly piling up on the ground and exuding an irresistible charm.

Are these all crystals? Crystals fell from this tree? The disciple's curiosity was completely piqued, and he quickly approached the tree.

However, just as he reached the foot of the tree, a surge of spiritual energy struck him swiftly and accurately. The disciple's vision went black, and he fainted.

Jiang Liuya leaped down from the tree, moved the disciple to a dark spot, and took the jade pendant from his waist.

Then, she swallowed a disguise pill. She repeatedly visualized the disciple's appearance in her mind, and instantly, her face changed, gradually transforming into the disciple's likeness.

She mimicked a disciple's demeanor, slowly walking to the barrier. The jade tablet in her hand emitted a soft light, resonating with the barrier. The barrier slowly opened a gap, and Jiang Liuya entered the Gengzi Hall.

Soon after, Ning Yu appeared at Gengzi Peak. Jin Zhengxiao also appeared immediately.

"Isn't this Ning Yu? What a rare guest." Jin Zhengxiao's voice carried a hint of mockery as he looked at the newcomer with a provocative gaze.

"Jin Zhengxiao, didn't you notice that someone of unknown origin has infiltrated your Gengzi Palace?" Ning Yu asked, looking like he was about to interrogate him.

"Master Ning is so busy with the crystal mine, yet he still has time to care about me? I'm truly touched." Jin Zhengxiao deliberately emphasized the words "crystal mine," his dissatisfaction with him overflowing.

Ning Yu frowned. He had no intention of getting entangled in a verbal dispute today. He said coldly, "I don't want to argue with you today. Let me into the Gengzi Palace and find the person who infiltrated it."

Jin Zhengxiao, however, stood firm, arms crossed, and sneered, "This isn't your Wuwu Peak, where you can come and go as you please, searching as you please?"

Jin Zhengxiao and Ning Yu had a long-standing grudge, and Ning Yu's discovery of the crystal mine only fueled his jealousy. The two were of similar cultivation levels and experience, and frequently clashed over power and resources.

"You're determined to go against me today, aren't you?" Ning Yu approached, seemingly intending to make a move.

Jin Zhengxiao was not afraid and said sarcastically, "How dare I? Peak Master Ning is now stealing the limelight and doesn't even respect the Venerable One."

When the name of His Excellency was mentioned, Ning Yu hesitated for a moment, and asked in confusion, "What makes you say that?"

"You took advantage of His Excellency's seclusion to dispose of the crystal mine without authorization, acting first and reporting later, and reaping all the benefits. Do you still have His Excellency's respect, or the elders of the sect?" Jin Zhengxiao said sternly.

Ning Yu did indeed embezzle a significant amount of crystal resources during the mining process. But so what? He was the one who discovered the crystal mine, bringing immense wealth to the Nine Nether Sect and rendering a great service. His younger brother even lost his life because of it. Shouldn't he have taken more?

However, he also knew that there were rules within the sect, and resources should be allocated uniformly within the sect.

He was torn between his inner conflict and was momentarily speechless.

Seeing that the other party remained silent, Jin Zhengxiao said even more smugly, "Anyway, His Majesty will be out of seclusion in a few days, and this matter still needs to be decided by him personally."

Finally, Ning Yu left in a huff.

Half an incense stick's time had passed, and everything in the Gengzi Hall was as peaceful as ever. However, Jin Zhengxiao had already sensed an unfamiliar presence quietly approaching.

However, given the vast difference in cultivation level between the other party and himself, he did not stop them, but rather wanted to see the purpose of their visit.

Before long, a female cultivator dressed in ordinary disciple's robes appeared in the hall.

She bowed slightly and said respectfully, "Greetings, Peak Master Jin. I am Jiang Liuya from the Imperial Pill Sect."

Jin Zhengxiao looked at the female cultivator in front of him with great interest, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is it you who killed Ning Xuan?"

Jiang Liuya bowed her head in agreement, her expression respectful.

Jin Zhengxiao burst into laughter, seemingly filled with boundless joy: "Good riddance! That piece of trash should have died long ago."

He seemed to be in a good mood, which made Jiang Liuya relax a little.

But then suddenly they launched an attack.

Jin Zhengxiao's eyes suddenly turned sharp, and the pressure emanating from him was like a sword being drawn from its sheath, directly targeting Jiang Liuya.

"What brings you here? Do you want me to help you deal with Ning Yu? Why should I help you!"

Under the oppressive force, even the air seemed to freeze, making it suffocating.

Jiang Liuya clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms, forcing herself to calm down.

"Peak Master Jin, aren't you curious about the crystal mine? The size of the mine, the number of crystals, and the quality of the crystals are all directly in Ning Yu's hands. Can he tell the elders and peak masters of the Nine Nether Sect frankly about this?"

Between sentences, Jiang Liuya slightly raised her head, secretly observing his reaction.

Upon hearing this, Jin Zhengxiao's expression changed slightly, as if he were deep in thought.

She continued slowly, "I am the discoverer of the crystal mine. I know the entire crystal mine, and I can describe what it looked like before it was mined."

After a long silence, Jin Zhengxiao gave a meaningful smile.

"The natal Gu in your body is quite good. Since you have a natal Gu, you must be a disciple of the sect. Don't say the wrong thing in the future."

"This disciple understands." Jiang Liuya gritted her teeth inwardly, but bowed respectfully.

Jiang Liuya had no idea at this moment that the dark road ahead would lead to where?

She thought that she could start a new chapter with her talent in Gu Dao.

However, what awaited her was an even greater abyss.

...

Years later, she had advanced to the Nascent Soul stage.

Unintentionally, in a corner of the Qiankun bag, I discovered the broken jade ornament from long ago.

This jade ornament once held many of her memories, those years at the Imperial Pill Gate, which seemed like a lifetime ago.

Those people deep in her memory have all gone far away, and she can only meet them in the dead of night in her dreams.

And that sliver of blue clothing that I could never reach. For some reason, all memories of the person in blue have faded.

But that cold gaze transcended time and space, deeply etched into her mind.

Thinking back on those foolish and ridiculous experiences of the past, and those wishful and self-righteous thoughts.

It turned out that he knew nothing about the man's identity, background, or name.

He couldn't even remember what she looked like.

She couldn't help but chuckle.

"Brother in green, I wish you to lose your beloved forever."

A wisp of black smoke drifted by, and the broken jade ornament vanished instantly.