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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 4: [Shuangsheng Dao Sect (Twin Rice Sect)]
Chapter 78 (333): [The Inheritor from Dragon Sect's Previous Sixty-Year Cycle]
(78th of Volume 4)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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Li Weiyi pondered whether to play the role of an eccentric old fogey and simply decline.
The girl's voice rang out again: "Madam said that the Heretical Sect's Spiritual Master has already perished in a self-immolation of their Spirit Fire."
Qi Xiao and Tuoba Butuo could no longer force a smile. Her words clearly revealed that they had already deduced the Twin Rice Sect's target was them.
Perhaps they had been noticed the moment they boarded the ship.
This sent a chill down their spines!
"The Taishi Clan has some exceptionally shrewd and highly cultivated individuals," Tuoba Butuo transmitted telepathically.
Qi Xiao suddenly realized something, his expression changing dramatically. He urgently transmitted to Li Weiyi, who had already opened the door: "I know who that Madam is! Her surname is Long, she's from Dragon Sect, and she married Tai Shi Qingcang, the Taishi Clan's top expert below the Transcendent realm. She was a formidable figure during the previous sixty-year cycle. Brother Weiyi, be cautious. We'll discuss this in detail later."
The moment Li Weiyi heard the surname "Long," his head already began to ache, and Qi Xiao hadn't even finished speaking.
The door was open, leaving him in a precarious position.
Refusing to meet her now or simply disembarking would only make them appear even more suspicious.
The maid, who looked to be sixteen or seventeen years old with bright eyes and jade-like teeth, was actually a Pure Immortal Physique.
Upon seeing Li Weiyi's appearance, she was momentarily stunned before quickly apologizing: "Forgive me, forgive me! I didn't realize you were so young, Master. I had assumed all Spiritual Masters were elderly seniors over sixty years old!"
Li Weiyi currently appeared to be only around thirty years old.
He sighed inwardly, thinking that if he had known he would be forced to reveal his true strength, he should have presented himself as older.
Li Weiyi clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and smiled, "Please, don't continue flattering me. Before the Taishi Clan, I feel like a firefly trying to gaze at the sun and moon. Lead the way, young lady. What should I call you?"
"I don't have a formal name. Just call me He'er."
The maid found the Spiritual Master's words quite amusing, unlike the stiff and formal Spiritual Masters she had met before. She covered her mouth with a hand, giggling, and gracefully led the way forward.
Li Weiyi followed behind her, ascending the stairs while pondering the purpose of the summons and the questions he might be asked.
Tai Shi Bai waited at the top of the stairs to show his respect for the guest.
Li Weiyi finally had a chance to properly observe the Taishi Clan's top-ranked member. With his Pure Immortal Physique, noble bearing, and eyes that radiated inner brilliance, he lacked any trace of the arrogance or decadence often associated with young masters from noble families.
He was undoubtedly the perfect dream lover for countless women.
In stark contrast, Li Weiyi had the skin of a Mortal, a slightly plump face, and though he was dressed neatly with a straight back, the comparison made him seem like a Mortal standing beside a Banished Immortal.
Tai Shi Bai was slightly surprised to see how young the other man was.
His Ancestor was a Holy Spiritual King, with countless disciples and descendants. He had seen many Spiritual Masters, but only a handful had reached the Four-Star Spiritual Master level by the age of thirty.
Even if one were to extend the age limit to forty due to delayed aging, it was still an astonishing feat.
He had clearly heard Li Weiyi's words from below and chuckled: "The Taishi Clan, which oversees the Imperial Court's sacrificial rites and music, is nothing like the Heretical Sect, which is cruel and bloodthirsty. Brother, there's no need to be intimidated. The situation was dire just now. If not for your timely intervention, countless innocent lives would have been lost. I deeply admire such a benevolent and righteous person."
Li Weiyi waved his hand, "With Young Master Taishi's cultivation, killing that Heretical Sect Spiritual Master would have been as easy as a flick of the wrist."
"Killing is easy, but breaking the spell and clearing the demonic influence is difficult. Please, my mother has been waiting for some time. What should I call you, Brother?"
Tai Shi Bai gestured for Li Weiyi to go first.
"Zuo Ning!"
Li Weiyi didn't dare claim to be Si Kong Jingyuan anymore, adopting a fabricated name.
So far, Tai Shi Bai had left a very favorable impression. Despite being one of the top elites of a prominent clan, he displayed not a trace of arrogance.
Clearly, true strength commanded respect regardless of one's background.
As Li Weiyi reached the golden-lit main hall's entrance, a magnetic female voice called out from within: "Is Mr. Zuo from the Eastern Territory?"
If the speaker was from Dragon Sect, she would undoubtedly be intimately familiar with the Eastern Territory.
Li Weiyi immediately bowed respectfully at the entrance: "This junior hails from Shu Prefecture in the Southern Territory."
Shu Prefecture was remote and vast, bordering the Western Territory, with much of its land covered in desert.
The Earth Wolf King's Army had made their lair there, and the region had been embroiled in years of warfare, its power structures chaotic.
As expected, silence fell within the hall after Li Weiyi's reply, and no further questions were asked.
Li Weiyi subtly raised his gaze. Behind the curtains, he could vaguely make out a stately woman seated in the central position. Her hair was elaborately styled, her long gown trailing to the floor, obscuring her age and features.
To the left sat a slender, graceful figure with legs crossed at an extreme angle. A tail-like appendage swayed rhythmically beneath the chair.
In the center of the hall lay a charred corpse.
Madam Long's voice echoed again: "Mr. Zuo, at such a young age, your Psychic Power is already so remarkable. In Lingxiao City, no more than five people in the past sixty years have possessed such talent. May I ask where you received your teachings?"
Li Weiyi had long prepared for this question.
"When I was young, I practiced with an old man who sold paintings for two months. But after that, I could never find him again. Also, Madam, please stop calling me 'Mr. Zuo.' Just call me Zuo Ning. It makes me feel like I have a thorn in my side."
From behind the curtains, the graceful figure with a tail let out a soft, melodious giggle.
A flicker of surprise crossed Madam Long's face.
"There are countless reclusive masters in the world. Some of the most powerful can spend decades in closed-door cultivation. Perhaps that eccentric old man was one of them. Zuo Ning, you boarded the ship in Jin County, didn't you? Why were you being pursued by members of the Heretical Sect?"
"Mother, weren't we supposed to express our gratitude?"
Tai Shi Bai, sensing the situation was turning sour, interjected with a reminder. He knew his mother's domineering personality. If she kept pressing, she was likely to offend their guest.
Madam Long chuckled: "Zuo Ning, don't take offense. It's just curiosity. I had no intention of prying into your secrets. At home, I'm the one who manages the entire household. I'm used to knowing every detail about everyone under my roof. I need to keep them clear and transparent to prevent spies from infiltrating. Before I realized it, I'd asked too many questions!"
Li Weiyi still couldn't understand why Madam Taishi had summoned him.
But he knew that if he didn't answer her clearly now, there might be consequences later.
He forced a bitter smile: "Madam is truly remarkable. Your insight and wisdom leave Zuo Ning utterly humbled. I thought we three had boarded the ship in Jin County without anyone noticing. Even more astonishing, you instantly deduced that the Heretical Sect was after us three."
The figure with the tail chimed in, her voice sweet and delicate: "You three were the most eager to board the ship. And there were two others, wrapped up tightly, with Pure Immortal Physiques. It was obvious they had a special background. Soon after you boarded, the Heretical Sect demons arrived. Who else would they have been looking for?"
"Besides, if the others hadn't fallen under a demonic spell and turned on each other, you probably would have stayed hidden forever. So, if you want to blame someone, blame your own softheartedness and kindness."
Tai Shi Bai laughed heartily: "Cousin, is kindness also a mistake?"
"Kindness is a life-saving medicine for most people," she replied, "For him, it's a poison that strikes like a venomous snake."
Li Weiyi said, "Madam, you've spoken perfectly! But this poison must be swallowed, whether we like it or not. After all, they were injured and killed because of me."
Tai Shi Bai was moved.
Li Weiyi sighed: "To be honest, the three of us have incurred a deep blood feud with the Heretical Sect in Fu Prefecture. We've killed many of their followers and are now cornered, with no choice but to flee to Lingxiao City. Only there will the Heretical Sect dare not act so brazenly."
"Well done! Fu Prefecture has indeed been turbulent these past two years. Rumor has it that the Heretical Sect's main base is located there, and the Imperial Court will eventually eradicate them," Tai Shi Bai declared with righteous indignation.
Madam Long's voice, always calm and serene, echoed through the hall, "Since you're heading to Lingxiao City, why not travel with us? We can watch out for each other."
Li Weiyi distinctly felt that at this moment, Madam Long's gaze, for the first time, was fixed intently on him. Though her eyes remained as calm as ever, Li Weiyi felt as if he were exposed to the scorching sun, every minute detail laid bare before her piercing gaze.
Without the slightest hesitation, Li Weiyi feigned surprise and joy, "If we travel with Brother Bai and Madam, even if the Heretical Sect had ten times the courage, they wouldn't dare come near us."
After He'er saw Li Weiyi off, Tai Shi Bai entered the hall and approached the curtain behind which Madam Long sa, "Mother, are you planning to recruit him? Did you discern his true nature?"
Madam Long appeared to be no older than thirty. Her elegant eyebrows slanted into her temples, and her deep, dark eyes resembled unfathomable pools. Her dignified bearing was complemented by an exquisite, otherworldly charm.
Her gaze was sharp, "He was evasive and concealed certain truths. But in these chaotic times, ability comes first. Everything else takes a backseat."
Tai Shi Bai pondered this, then asked, "Mother, what exactly do you mean by 'evasive and concealing certain truths'?"
Madam Long glanced at him dismissively, "Did he reveal the identities of his two Pure Immortal Physique companions? Did he explain why he killed so many Heretical Sect members? We'll investigate further at South Yan Pass. That Evil-Shattering Heart-Cleansing Psychic Technique of his is something I've never even heard of, even with my experience. It's quite profound and could prove invaluable. Spend the next few days probing him further."
Tai Shi Bai finally understood her intentions, his eyes widening in shock, "Mother, are you referring to the Grand Temple of Eternal Harmony (Taichang Temple) or the Lingxiao Palace?"
....
Back in his cabin, Qi Xiao immediately closed the door and sent a mental message: "Do you know that Tai Shi Bai's mother was the Dragon Sect Inheritor from the previous sixty-year cycle? She was once a woman of great beauty and renown before marrying Tai Shi Qingcang, the Great Immortal Patriarch. And Tai Shi Qingcang has a profound connection to our destination."
"South Yan Pass?" Li Weiyi asked.
Qi Xiao replied, "He's the commander of South Yan Pass!"
Li Weiyi suddenly understood.
This man was a figure of such high authority, his cultivation must be terrifyingly profound.
No wonder they hadn't even offered him a cup of tea, instead keeping him standing outside for questioning.
In that case, even if he hadn't intervened earlier, Madam Long could have easily resolved the situation herself.
Why hadn't she immediately killed the Twin Rice Sect Spiritual Master in that critical moment, allowing the evil technique to continue?
Was it cold-heartedness?
Or was there some hidden reason that prevented her from acting swiftly?
After all, people of such noble status as Madam Long and Tai Shi Bai shouldn't have been on a merchant transport ship in the first place.
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END OF CHAPTER
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