402: Chapter 42 Setting up the Formation

Fairy Zhiyun immediately stepped forward, her expression serious and her tone firm: 'Reporting to Senior Liu, it is indeed this person!'

'Although this Junior lacks conclusive proof, all clues point to him—the last outsider Immortal Master Jade Dragon contacted before his disappearance was him.'

'I suspect... the death of the Ji Family Old Ancestor is also related to him!'

You listened quietly, your face showing not the slightest ripple, even appropriately revealing a hint of confusion.

Moreover, this was your first time meeting the three of them, so appearing completely bewildered and at a loss was the most authentic reaction.

Only after Fairy Zhiyun finished speaking did you calmly clasp your hands, your tone neither servile nor overbearing, even carrying a hint of righteous indignation at being stopped without cause:

'Fellow Daoists, what is the meaning of making such a grand display to stop my merchant spirit boat?'

'Could it be... that within Liu Clan Territory, you all intend to commit murder for treasure?'

'If word gets out, tarnishing the Liu Clan's reputation...' you sighed lightly and shook your head slightly, 'who would dare engage in trade with the Liu Clan in the future?'

'How dare you!' Vast Emptiness Master's eyes shone with blade-like cold light, 'Cease your glib tongue and attempts to confuse the issue!'

'We ask you—where is Zhong Linger?! Has she also fallen victim to your foul play?!'

You nodded as if suddenly understanding, your expression open and honest: 'So Fellow Daoist is looking for Zhong Linger.'

'She is doing very well at the moment, dispatched by me to oversee another branch store. She won't be back for a while.'

You paused, then added: 'When she returns to Tianshu City next year, I will naturally have her pay you a visit.'

The words were spoken flawlessly, and your expression showed no cracks.

Liu Xuanyin's brow twitched slightly as he stared at you for several breaths.

For a Golden Core Cultivator to be so composed before him, it was either due to an exceptional Heart-Nature, or—genuine ignorance.

He didn't believe a mere Golden Core Cultivator could kill a Nascent Soul Stage Ji Family Old Ancestor and then dare swagger about within Liu Clan Territory.

He even less believed you could perfectly disguise your cultivation level right under his nose.

He began to suspect—was he perhaps being used as a weapon by Fairy Zhiyun and the other?

A cold, dark anger quietly sprouted in the depths of his heart.

But after all, the Ji Family Old Ancestor was his man. If this matter were dropped without resolution, where would he put his face?

Better to kill by mistake than to let go.

And in his eyes, you were nothing but an insignificant ant.

Especially what you just said had greatly displeased him.

A flash of cold light passed through his eyes; he hesitated no longer.

The next second,

He slowly raised his hand—the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi within a radius of ten thousand *zhang* suddenly solidified!

An invisible killing intent surged like a tide, pressing in on you from all directions. The air became thick as slurry, making even breathing a luxury.

Fairy Zhiyun and Vast Emptiness Master exchanged a glance, their eyes holding barely suppressed joy, identical faint smiles rising at the corners of their mouths.

And you—your expression changed drastically!

That composure, that calmness, instantly crumbled.

You were no longer calm.

You deliberately let your body tremble violently, the blood draining from your face, your voice carrying obvious panic:

'Stop! Senior! St—op—!'

You practically roared it out, turning your palm over to reveal a black gold twin fish jade pendant, appearing abruptly!

You raised the jade pendant high, your voice trembling, deliberately laced with unconcealable fear of death:

'I am a Liu Clan sleeper agent! You dare kill me?!'

Liu Xuanyin's hand stopped in mid-air.

His gaze fell upon that jade pendant, his pupils abruptly contracting.

The black gold twin fish pendant.

This object contained a trace of pure Liu Clan Bloodline aura, impossible to forge.

The bearer of this pendant must be someone trusted by the Liu Clan's core leadership.

They might even be someone bound by a Slave Contract placed by the Liu Clan's higher-ups.

He slowly withdrew his hand, his tone deep and heavy as water: 'This pendant... where did it come from?'

You gasped for breath, your chest heaving violently, your voice carrying lingering fear: 'I just said... I am a Liu Clan sleeper agent.'

You swallowed, 'This pendant was personally gifted to me by my master, Young Miss Liu Ruyan.'

'Impossible! You... you...' Vast Emptiness Master's face turned ashen, his finger pointing at you, but he could only stammer 'you' repeatedly, unable to form a complete sentence.

Fairy Zhiyun shuddered all over, her lips moving slightly as if to say something, but she forcibly swallowed her words the instant Liu Xuanyin's icy gaze swept over her.

'Hmph.'

The look Liu Xuanyin swept over Fairy Zhiyun and the other was now filled with bone-chilling killing intent.

'Today, I spare your lives.'

His voice was flat, yet carried an indisputable pressure: 'If you dare use me again... don't blame me for showing no mercy.'

Before the words had fully faded, he lightly tapped his foot. The spirit boat suddenly accelerated, transforming into a dazzling streak of light that pierced the cloud layer, speeding away towards the distant direction of Tianshu City.

Above the cloud layer, only your merchant spirit boat remained, hanging alone.

You watched the direction the flying vessel had vanished, a faint smile slowly curling at the corner of your mouth.

That was close.

But this risky move had to be taken.

If you had acted sneakily, hiding your head and tail, it would have aroused suspicion instead.

Even if Liu Xuanyin had insisted on acting just now... you wouldn't have feared it in the slightest.

The you of today was no longer the small Cultivator of years past.

With your current strength, the number of people within the Liu Clan Immortal Family who could reliably kill you—did not exceed three.

First, the Liu Clan Chief, Liu Qingtian.

Second, the Liu Clan Old Ancestor, Liu Tianxing.

As for the third person... you had asked Liu Ruyan, but even she didn't know if there was one.

Even if there was, you had no fear. Sooner or later, you would test out all of the Liu Clan's hidden depths and strength.

As for those Void Refining Cultivators of the Liu Clan, they all shared a fatal flaw: unless their true bodies arrived in person, unleashing their full ten-tenths strength without reservation, relying solely on a Clone with thirty to fifty percent of their power would, in front of you... instead expose their weaknesses.

Of course, this weakness was only applicable to you!

Moreover—you still had Qin Han!

You took a deep breath, stood with your hands behind your back, and looked down upon the vast sea of clouds before you.

The wind was strong, whipping your robes and sleeves, making them flap loudly.

'Liu... Clan...'

You enunciated each word in your heart.

'The offense and defense have reversed.'

A faint, icy arc curled at the corner of your mouth.

'Wait until I Breakthrough to Void Refining. I'll let your Liu Clan taste what true despair feels like.'

After a pause, your gaze lowered slightly as you thought of Fairy Zhiyun and Vast Emptiness Master.

'As for you two small fry...'

'Sigh... pitiable people inevitably have hateful aspects.'

With this thought, you lightly tapped your foot. The flying vessel gave a slight tremor, then parted the cloud waves, continuing to fly towards the direction of Qingliu City.

Three months later,

You arrived at Qingliu City, bought a villa in the suburbs, and used the energy from the demon seed within your body to set up the 'Distance-less Teleportation Array'.

Afterwards, you continued west to Kaiyang City, also bought a villa, and laid down the Formation.

Finally, you went north to Yuheng City, and also to the central Yaoguang City, doing the same old routine—buy a villa, set up the 'Distance-less Teleportation Array'.