’Why did Lan Hou detain this guy just because of his relationship to Huo Lingxiao?’ Wu Menglan couldn’t figure out the reason at all. However, as she frequented the capital city quite often, she did notice that there seemed to be a mysterious connection between Zhang Tianxiao and Lan Hou. That said, she didn’t fully know the details. She asked Miao Yi, "If that’s true, then why did you guys have to run all the way here, specifically?"
"To be honest with you, things were simply too hectic at the time. We didn’t have any other choice. We happened to find out that Granny Tao, the Traversing Water Palace Lord, was capable of offering us protection. That’s why we told the Overlord we wished to come here. But even then, right as we were walking out of the golden pavilion of Jade Capital Peak, Lan Hou immediately passed down a decree to capture us. He had no intentions of letting us go. Fortunately, Granny Tao stepped in, forcing Lan Hou to back off, thereby ensuring that we made it out in one piece! You can go ask around if you don’t believe me. All the Palace Lords saw what happened with their own eyes. Sister Meng, do you really think you can offer us protection when even Zhang Tianxiao couldn’t?" Miao Yi asked.
Miao Yi was just trying to patronize Wu Menglan with lies and half-truths.
"So that’s what happened! I can’t believe so much has happened during your short trip to the capital city. I have to hand it to you. It looks like interesting things tend to happen to you no matter where you go." Wu Menglan clicked her tongue and scrutinized Miao Yi. She suddenly curled her lips into a smile, saying, "Granny Tao is the oldest cultivator in the entire Fifth Earthly Branch, and indeed possesses the ability to shelter you three. Even the Overlord has to give her some face. That said, given your restless disposition, I doubt you’ll be able to get used to life here in the laid-back Traversing Water Palace."
"..." Miao Yi was a little surprised. His eyes brightened a little as he thought, ’It looks like this woman knows something.’ Cupping his fists, he said, "No one knows me better than you, Sister Meng. I just so happen to have something I’d like to ask you."
"..."
Wu Menglan immediately put up an annoyed look, but in the end, she couldn’t help her curiosity, and asked, "What is it?"
"I’m not trying to brag or anything, but I was able to grow accustomed to a place as dangerous as the Sea of Constellations. Yet, the moment I came here, I couldn’t help but notice the situation is a little bit peculiar. It feels like I’m in another world, and I’m a little lost about what to make of this..." Miao Yi didn’t hide anything and explained to Wu Menglan the entire situation here. This time, he was earnestly seeking answers, and not just trying to patronize the other party.
’And I thought it would be something major!’ Wu Menglan couldn’t help laughing when she heard Miao Yi’s story, and said, "The situation in Traversing Water Palace is indeed a little different. I’ve heard about it as well. Normal cultivators tend to find it difficult to grow accustomed to the culture here, especially those who clawed their way up through bloodshed and carnage like you. Simply put, it’s because... Are you aware of Granny Tao’s cultivation level?"
"I heard that it’s at the Purple Lotus Fourth Grade," Miao Yi answered.
This was what he learned from Luo Ping. When he heard this, Miao Yi even wondered if Luo Ping had made a mistake somewhere, or if Granny Tao had the same habit he did of hiding her own cultivation. Otherwise, there was no way someone who came out of the same era as the Celestial Sage could have such a low cultivation.
Wu Menglan laughed and said, "That’s where the problem lies. Granny Tao is someone who can be considered an elder in the entire Celestial Nation. When the Celestial Sage was fighting for dominance over the realm, Granny Tao was already by her side, and I heard that she had a pretty close relationship with the Celestial Sage as well. After the realm was split into the six nations you see today, all those trusted subordinates of the Celestial Sage were granted their own domains according to their merits in the war. Originally, given Granny Tao’s cultivation at the time, she couldn’t have sat on the Palace Lord’s seat. Back then, her cultivation was only at the Red Lotus Sixth Grade. However, because of her relationship with the Celestial Sage, no one dared to refute that order. Thus, ever since the birth of the Six Nations, Granny Tao has been a Palace Lord. And over the years that passed, many new powerhouses emerged and replaced the older generation. Yet, only Granny Tao’s position remains unchallenged. Perhaps it is because of her relationship to the Celestial Sage. Some also say that it is because her cultivation progress is slow and doesn’t pose a threat, which is why a certain someone has allowed her to live peacefully until now, as an act of honoring an old subordinate—"
Something stirred deep down inside of Miao Yi as he listened to Wu Menglan’s story, and he cut her off, asking, "Is that ’certain someone’ the Celestial Sage?"
"Those are your words, not mine," said Wu Menglan as she rolled her eyes at him.
Miao Yi asked curiously, "How can she only be at the Purple Lotus Fourth Grade after so many years of cultivation? Could it be a problem with her cultivation arts?"
Wu Menglan shook her head and said, "I don’t know. Some rumors say that Granny Tao’s cultivation art is something quite extraordinary and that it’s a lost art taken from the Boundless Secular World. However, it seems that the art she obtained was incomplete, thus allowing for a speedy cultivation progress in the early stages, but becoming dreadfully slow during the advanced phases."
Miao Yi continued to ask, "Given her status and relationship to the Celestial Sage, couldn’t she have gotten a better cultivation art then?"
Wu Menglan raised an eyebrow and said, "There’s also another rumor that says that the lost art Granny Tao obtained wasn’t incomplete at all. She simply destroyed the other half right in front of a certain someone when she obtained it."
A ’certain someone’ again. Growing a little anxious to know the truth, Miao Yi asked, "If the rumors are true, why did she destroy it then?"
Wu Menglan rolled her eyes again. Seeing how he was so oblivious to it, she decided to change the topic and said, "It seems that Granny Tao knows her limits, and willingly stays in her place upon the Palace Lord’s seat. If no one comes and offends her, then she wouldn’t go around picking fights either. Otherwise, all she needs to do is complain to the Realm Beyond Heaven. This is also the reason why Granny Tao is able to shelter the three of you."
"I see!" Miao Yi nodded, but he was still confused, and asked, "What does this have to do with what I just asked you?"
Wu Menglan asked in response, "Are you aware that Granny Tao adopted a granddaughter in her later years?"
Miao Yi had read about this from Luo Ping’s report. That granddaughter was now one of the Advisors of Traversing Water Palace. Nodding his head, he said, "Yes, I heard about her. I think her name was Tao Qingli, and her cultivation seems to be at the Red Lotus Sixth Grade."
"Wow! It seems you’re quite well-informed. Are you sure you don’t already know all the answers then?" Wu Menglan smiled and said.
"It’s not like I don’t have anything better to do. Why would I ask you if I already know the answer? All I’m aware of is the structure of the people here in Traversing Water Palace." He shrugged and continued, "I’m clueless about the rest!"
Wu Menglan figured he had a point, and said, "It was only after Granny Tao adopted this Tao Qingli that things started to change in Traversing Water Palace. This air of laxness that you see around Traversing Water Palace today is precisely the handiwork of Tao Qingli. And because she holds this granddaughter of hers very dearly, Granny Tao simply turns a blind eye to all this and allows her to do as she pleases!"
Miao Yi laughed coldly and said, "So that’s why. And here I was wondering why the rules of the system are so different here than it is outside. In the end, it seems like the root of the problem lies with Granny Tao herself. It’s no wonder why the subordinates can’t enforce any change. She’s someone who fought alongside the Celestial Sage all those years ago. Doesn’t she know it’s dangerous to destroy her own cultivation arts like that? If someone wishes to seize her territory, how will she defend it? This isn’t an act of love for her granddaughter. It’s pushing her to her death! If someday, someone else decides to launch an attack, subordinates like us will end up suffering as well!"
Wu Menglan narrowed her eyes at him and said, "With the Celestial Sage behind her, who in the Celestial Nation would dare touch her territory?"
Miao Yi laughed coldly and said, "No one will be bold enough to do so while Granny Tao is alive, yes, but given her cultivation speed, I believe the day of her passing shouldn’t be too far away."
Wu Menglan nodded, saying, "I heard that Granny Tao is indeed reaching the end of her lifespan, but I don’t know approximately how long that will take. To sum things up, if she’s unable to break through the Purple Lotus Fifth Grade in time, the outcome would be disastrous! However, your concern is a little unnecessary. Granny Tao brings her granddaughter, Tao Qingli, to visit the Celestial Sage in the Realm Beyond Heaven every year. Supposedly, the Celestial Sage is quite fond of the girl as well. Word goes that once Granny Tao passes away, the Celestial Sage will allow her granddaughter to take her place as the Traversing Water Palace Lord. When that happens, you can be sure that everything will remain the same here in Traversing Water Palace. Basically, as long as you guys don’t go around causing any trouble, no one will dare pick a fight with Traversing Water Palace, not with the Celestial Sage behind the Palace Lord’s back. And you three can continue enjoying your privileges without a need to worry about anything else. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?"
"Something like this can be passed down as well? If that happens, then the others will..." As he helplessly groaned about the situation, Miao Yi suddenly stopped, as though he’d caught on to something from Wu Menglan’s words. His eyes darted about anxiously for a second, and he asked cautiously, "Are you saying..."
"I didn’t say anything. I just spouted out a little more than necessary on account of you calling me your sister. Well then, you take care now. And don’t you dare pin your imaginations on my head!" Wu Menglan scoffed. She flicked her sleeve and turned that alluring body of hers away, then left immediately.
"Wait, Sister Meng! I still have something to ask!" Miao Yi chased after her all the way out of his quarters, startling Qian’Er and Xue’Er.
"It’s not like I have all the answers. Stop asking me for every single thing." Within the courtyard, Wu Menglan curtly told him off, then flew away in a streak of light.
Her trip here ended up being a fruitless one. Not only was she unable to get any information out of Miao Yi, she even ended up telling him a lot more than needed.
"Master!" Qian’Er and Xue’Er called out.
Miao Yi waved his hand at them as a gesture that he wished to be left alone for a while. He then placed his hands behind his back and stared up at the starry sky.
He continued standing in the courtyard all the way until morning. Throughout the night, Qian’Er and Xue’Er had come to check on him a few times but didn’t wish to interrupt his thoughts.
The island in the middle of the lake was very humid. After standing outside for the entire night, Miao Yi’s clothes were soaking wet. Finally, as the sun rose over the horizon, he snapped back from his thoughts and quickly paced around the courtyard.
After what Wu Menglan told him, if his conjecture on Granny Tao’s intentions were correct, then he must make haste in attacking Tranquil Sun Manor. If he did it now, he could still make up an excuse saying that he was still unaware of the rules around these parts, and nothing would happen to him. After all, he had just been recently appointed after receiving the decree from Granny Tao back in the capital city. Not to mention, this position was offered to him as a reward from the Six Sages for surviving the Sea of Constellations Subjugation Crusade. Granny Tao wouldn’t be so brash as to slap the Celestial Sage’s face so soon.
If he waited to act until he made clear of the whole situation, it was likely that Granny Tao wouldn’t forgive him for wrecking the long-standing rules in her Traversing Water Palace. If that happened, then he would really be in trouble.
As his legs came to a halt, Miao Yi quickly took out two jade archives, writing to Zhao Fei and Sikong Wuwei and telling them to wait no more. They must immediately plan a time to attack and launch a collective assault on Tranquil Sun Manor with the forces of their three Manors. All the cultivators in Tranquil Sun Manor must be eliminated for Qi Xiuhong’s revenge!
If Miao Yi hadn’t come here, then he would’ve wanted to kill the Tranquil Sun Manor Head alone. However, after coming here, his heart was filled with nothing but the word ’hate’!
These people could even treat a retiring Manor Head like Sun Lianping so coldly. Miao Yi couldn’t imagine how the entire Tranquil Sun Manor must have treated Qi Xiuhong after she offended the Manor Head. How many people must have humiliated her?!
His heart felt pain every time he thought about the time they were trapped in the Demon Refining Gourd. The feeling of helplessness when she was just right in front of him, the two drops of tears that fell on his face. He couldn’t forget this for even a second!
Within the courtyard, Miao Yi’s heart was soon filled with the word ’kill’. Like an agitated beast, he shouted up to the sky, "Bai Ziliang!!!"
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