Journey to the head

After strolling through the increasingly bustling night market, the four returned to the inn close to midnight.

Jiang Baitao and Yu Jiao returned to their rooms, while a huge, calibrated nautical chart was hung in Lu Qian's room.

The Immortal Fall Islands are scattered across the vast ocean, with tens of thousands of islands possessing spiritual veins. This sea map obtained from Hai Shuangyao could not possibly mark all the islands; it only marked the spheres of influence of one palace, one sect, two families, and two factions, namely the "Six Pillars of Immortal Fall," highlighting the 437 islands under the Hai family's jurisdiction.

At this moment, Lu Qian's gaze fell on a small island called "Jiling," and he pondered for a long time.

A familiar, gentle, and intoxicating fragrance wafted over, and Jiang Qingfeng's soft arms embraced Lu Qian from behind. She gently leaned against Lu Qian's back, peering out at the nautical chart, wondering what problem had troubled her beloved for so long.

"Junior brother, when are we leaving for Jiling Island?"

Lu Qian grasped her hand and slowly shook his head.

"Although the ominous fortune slips I received today are not significant, they do remind me that I have now left Yuheng and must be careful at all times and cautious at every step. Upon closer examination, I feel that this is not a good idea, and I am afraid that we should not rush to Jiling Island."

“Senior sister, look, Jiling Island is on the edge of the Hai family’s territory, a remote place. Hai Shuangyao chose to meet us here, which seems to be a clever and secluded way of doing things, but Jiling is too small, so small that there isn’t even a market on it.”

"When a few of us from overseas arrived in Gilling, we would stand out too much and could be discovered and reported at any time. So how could we hide?"

Jiang Qingfeng was somewhat surprised, then suddenly realized something and his expression turned serious.

"You mean Hai Shuangyao is unreliable? This could very well be a trap to steal your Ascension Token?"

Lu Qian still shook his head: "Hai Shuangyao is innocent, carefree, and unrestrained. I trust her character. Besides, if she coveted this treasure certificate, why would she have given it to me so easily back then, and why would she have kept it a secret from me until now?"

Jiang Qingfeng pondered for a moment, recalling Hai Shuangyao's story, and suddenly said with a wry smile, "This Hanmu Lingjun is as simple-minded as a blank sheet of paper and acts like a child. Perhaps she just didn't think things through and only chose this place because Jiling is remote, without considering anything else?"

Lu Qian smiled: "That's quite possible. However, the matter is of great importance, and we are outnumbered and outmatched, so we must be extremely careful."

“I’m more worried about her clan than Hai Shuangyao. The Ascension Token is so precious, who in the Hai family wouldn’t want it? Although she won’t betray me, she could very well be used by someone with ulterior motives.”

"For example, if we secretly follow Hai Shuangyao, and Hai Shuangyao is carefree and unsuspecting, the possibility of us being exposed is very high."

"Therefore, we cannot go to Jiling Island to see Hai Shuangyao like this."

Jiang Qingfeng nodded first, then felt troubled: "But how can we go to the Dragon Palace if we don't see her? The location of the Dragon Palace is a closely guarded secret. Even Hai Shuangyao herself doesn't know it. We need to join the team of the Six Pillars of Immortal Fall."

Lu Qian looked at the sea chart for a while longer, then sighed slightly: "Yes. We haven't even entered the Dragon Palace yet, and it's already fraught with danger from the very beginning. Getting started will be difficult, and we need to devise a way to break through this predicament."

"Seeing him is not an option, and not seeing him is also not an option. There are still a few days left, let me think about it some more."

Jiang Qingfeng looked at Lu Qian's profile as he gazed at the sea chart, and suddenly noticed a silver hair among his strands. Thinking of his current lifespan, she felt a pang of tenderness and affection, and gently reached out to smooth his furrowed brows.

"Junior brother, if you are having trouble making a decision, then rest early today. It's just a pity that I lack the strength and wisdom to help you."

Lu Qian took his senior sister's hand, kissed it lightly on his lips, and then pulled her body closer, holding her in his arms.

"Senior sister, I hate hearing those words from you. Having you by my side is my greatest support. No matter what lies ahead, we are one, working together with one heart and one mind. What is there to fear?"

Jiang Qingfeng gently cupped Lu Qian's cheeks, their eyes met, and their affection flowed as the air gradually warmed.

A blush rose on her jade-like cheeks, and her beautiful eyes shimmered with spring-like light.

"Junior brother, since those ominous divination sticks all have the power to warn, could you help me interpret my first divination stick?"

How could he refuse his lover's invitation? Lu Qian was about to lower his head to kiss her when her slender fingers pressed against his lips.

The senior sister gently bit her lip, her eyes filled with a hint of shyness, as well as a rare boldness.

"Junior brother, please wait a moment."

She slipped away from his embrace like a wisp of smoke, turning and entering the inner room. But a rustling sound and the vibration of fabric against his skin made Lu Qian's heart itch.

Just as he was about to stand up, he heard the soft rustling of the beaded curtain in the inner room, and a slender figure gracefully walked out.

Lu Qian stared intently, his breath catching in his throat slightly.

The beautiful woman before him had changed into a set of extremely alluring clothes unique to female cultivators who had fallen from grace.

In that instant, only one word remained in Lu Qian's mind: "indecent."

It was a long dress woven from deep-sea silk, its color like a dreamy azure starry sky. The material was light and soft, clinging to the senior sister's exquisite and curvaceous body, outlining her slender waist and full, pert hips in a breathtaking way.

The skirt had a very high slit on one side, revealing glimpses of a pair of straight, long, and smooth legs, inviting allure. The top was even bolder, consisting of only a dark blue silk ribbon wrapped around the neck and tied around the chest, revealing a large expanse of snow-white, full, delicate collarbones and smooth, rounded shoulders.

However, her senior sister's makeup was still so dignified and elegant. Her hair was tied up in a bun, and she wore light makeup. On her fair forehead, there were dragon scale patterns that looked like flower ornaments, sparkling and slightly bright.

The allure of this stark contrast made Lu Qian's heart race and his mouth go dry.

Jiang Qingfeng's cheeks flushed, and she lowered her eyes to say, "I secretly bought it in the market just now. I think Junior Brother will like it."

Her voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible, but the tender affection and expectation in her eyes spoke louder than a thousand words.

All hardships and uncertainties, all seemed to crumble in that instant by the gentle tenderness of the stunning beauty before him. A surge of affection welled up within Lu Qian, and he reached out to embrace his senior sister's trembling body, flushed with shyness.

"Senior sister," he called softly, his voice hoarse.

Jiang Qingfeng hummed in agreement, nestled softly in his arms, and with a slight movement of her fingers, the jar of gleaming "Dragon Turtle Harmony Wine" on the table floated up. The seal was broken, and two cups of the golden wine, which looked like flowing, molten gold, were poured out.

The wine is rich and mellow, with a unique and enchanting aroma that fills the air with a delightful fragrance.

"Junior brother, this wine nourishes yin and yang, harmonizes the dragon and tiger, and is especially effective in increasing offspring."

The two exchanged a smile, crossed their arms, and drank the wine in their glasses in one gulp. The aroma of the wine mingled with the fragrance of the beautiful woman, filling the entire room.

Jiang Qingfeng's eyes shimmered with tears, and her exquisitely beautiful face was breathtakingly beautiful in the moonlight and the hazy glow filtering in from the window.

She poured another cup, but only held it in her mouth. When Lu Qian lowered his head to kiss those two soft, fragrant lips, Jiang Qingfeng let out a soft moan and responded obediently, wrapping her arms around his neck like seaweed, and then slowly passed the wine to him.

Outside the window, the starry sky intertwines with the island lights, like sparkling jewels embedded in the night. Inside, spring is in full bloom, and the sweetness of love is growing stronger. Light silk curtains quietly slip down, concealing the enchanting scenery within. The waves lap against the shore, sometimes gently, sometimes with a powerful surge.

Today, his senior sister was exceptionally proactive and enthusiastic, pouring all her love, comfort, and expectations into her. Lu Qian also wholeheartedly reciprocated her affection, temporarily putting all his burdens and worries behind him.

Spring breezes swept through Yumen Pass several times, until the moon's shadow slanted westward and the waves gradually subsided. Jiang Qingfeng, exhausted, curled up in Lu Qian's arms and fell into a deep sleep, a happy and peaceful smile on her lips.

Lu Qian gently stroked her, gazing at the boundless sea of ​​stars outside the window, his gaze becoming profound once more.

On Jiling Island, a thin layer of frost and snow covered the area. Suddenly, the air twisted, and countless ice-blue runes surged and then disappeared in a flash.

A flash of light, and a Nascent Soul Spirit Lord had already landed in front of Hai Mocheng.

"My lord, everything is ready, we're just waiting for the prey to fall into the net."

Hai Mo Cheng's primordial spirit shone brightly, and his divine sense expanded, but he still could not sense any fluctuations from the talismans he had laid out. He nodded in satisfaction.

"As expected of a true talisman, with such power to refine the void, who can stop it? As long as Lu Qian falls into the trap, he will surely be captured easily."

Another Nascent Soul cultivator beside him couldn't help but say, "Master, is it really necessary to pay such a high price? That Lu Qian is just a country bumpkin Nascent Soul cultivator, a simpleton. You don't even need to lift a finger, Master. I can capture him myself."

"Even if Lu Qian has a Void Refinement force behind him, there's still an agreement that his Void Refinement family can't enter the archipelago—"

"Fool!" Hai Mocheng roared. "If it's truly a life-or-death situation, who cares about agreements? We must ensure that any calls for help from Lu Qian are cut off here!"

Seeing his colleague being reprimanded, the Nascent Soul cultivator who had laid down the true talisman laughed smugly, "What you say is absolutely right, my lord. I've heard that Lu Qian is quite famous in the Jade Balance Continent, having been generously rewarded and bestowed a title by the Taiyi Paradise. Perhaps he has quite a few trump cards up his sleeve. In any case, even a lion will go all out to hunt a rabbit. This time, my lord has used every means at his disposal. As long as Lu Qian doesn't advance to the Void Refinement stage on the spot, he definitely won't be able to escape!"

Hai Mocheng nodded: "This time, I scraped together money from all sides and even owed a huge favor to my family to finally obtain these three true talismans. I also emptied my entire fortune, but it was all worth it. As long as I can get the Ascension Token, I will have a chance to reach the Void Refinement stage. What can't I have then?"

He paused for a moment: "Both of you are my trusted confidants, my right and left arms. Only you two are worthy of my absolute trust to assist me in ambushing Lu Qian."

Both Nascent Soul cultivators wore expressions of joy, puffing out their chests and raising their heads.

In fact, Hai Mocheng did want to bring more helpers, but everyone coveted the Ascension Treasure Token, so he had to be extremely careful and only selected these two clansmen who were under his absolute control, without mobilizing anyone else.

No problem. Although there are only three of us, as a Nascent Soul cultivator, capturing a Nascent Soul cultivator is already a piece of cake. Add to that the three true talismans imbued with the power of Void Refinement, and numerous treasures, and we'll surely capture Lu Qian in a single exchange!
Those who enter the Dragon Palace will attain immortality and ascend to heaven. Even using a sledgehammer to crack a nut is necessary to obtain the Ascension Token. Everything is for the sake of 100% success!

Hai Mocheng's tone turned cold: "Therefore you must be very careful, anyone who ruins this important matter..."

The two Nascent Soul cultivators immediately knelt down and agreed.

One of them flattered, "Our lord has planned ahead meticulously, and all preparations are in place to ensure that Lu Qian will not return alive! Once he obtains the treasure certificate and enters the Dragon Palace, his advancement to the Void Refinement Realm will be just around the corner."

Another person quickly added, "When the time comes, our lord will become the fifth True Monarch of the clan, wielding great power, and will be able to roam freely across the Star Sea!"

A smile appeared on Hai Mocheng's face: "Don't worry, you'll be rewarded handsomely. You'll naturally get a share of the treasures from the Dragon Palace, and advancing to the Nascent Soul stage will be a piece of cake."

The remote polar island, the ancestral home of the Mi family, is also the anchor point of the grotto heaven.

In a secluded courtyard on the island, the layers of magical arrays that had been shrouding the area emitted a crisp sound, transforming into ice beads that fell to the ground. The door opened, and a young man walked in.

His spiritual pressure surged, and the radiance of his primordial spirit floated uncertainly above his head; he was indeed a Primordial Spirit Mystic Lord.

Upon seeing the man, the haggard-looking Mi Mengyin said in a sorrowful voice, "Brother, even though your father died young, and you are the eldest brother who is like a father to me, are you going to force your little sister too?"

She sat slumped alone in the middle of the yard, her legs curled up, her hair disheveled, her eyes red and her voice mournful. She looked utterly pitiful.

But the man sneered, "Little sister, why not me? Don't you think about it? You even went so far as to seduce the elder in charge of the investigation, trying to escape an arranged marriage. Who else would dare to come and see you besides me?"

Looking at Mi Mengyin's pitiful appearance, he merely sneered: "In front of me, stop with your tricks. What are you pretending to be pitiful for? Losing the Ascension Token, you're already lucky to be alive. Marrying you off is the best outcome; why resist here?"

Mi Mengyin's sorrowful expression vanished instantly, and she glared fiercely at the man: "I am a Nascent Soul Spirit Lord, and I am just kicked out like this, and then my whole life is controlled by my family, used as a tool to control some small, backwater family? Mi Mengcheng, if you weren't the one being treated like this, of course you can say such sarcastic things!"

Mi Mengcheng flew into a rage: "Shut up! Because of you, you worthless woman, we've all been severely punished for losing the Ascension Token! I just can't understand how our ancestor could have misjudged you and entrusted the Ascension Token to you!"

"If I had the treasure certificate, none of this trouble would have happened!"

"I'm just here to inform you that your wedding date is set. Behave yourself and don't resist when you get married, or don't blame me for being rude to you."

Mi Mengyin scrambled to Mi Mengcheng's feet, hugged his leg tightly, and pleaded, "Big brother, no matter what, I'm still your own sister. Please, have some consideration for our blood ties and save your little sister!"

Mi Mengcheng snorted coldly and threw her out: "Unless the Ascension Treasure Token is retrieved. Even if the Hai family obtains the token, my family can pay a price to get it back, and you will still have a sliver of hope."

"Has Hai Shuangyao still not handed over the treasure voucher?!" Mi Mengyin screamed. "I've already made it so clear, and the treasure voucher is still missing?"

"Who knows what happened?" Mi Mengcheng said impatiently. "The informant said that Hai Shuangyao is protected by her grandfather and father, so they can't use force against her. She's only been put in solitary confinement, and they haven't gotten the treasure voucher from her."

In an instant, a flash of inspiration struck Mi Mengyin.

Under the pressure of a bleak future, her consciousness had never been working so fast.

She's been fighting with Hai Shuangyao for so many years, she knows Hai Shuangyao too well! She knows Hai Shuangyao better than anyone in the Hai family, even better than Hai Yiwei!

She had Hai Shuangyao completely figured out; she knew exactly what kind of shit that stupid girl was going to poop the moment she bent over!

At this critical juncture, to stubbornly resist the family's interrogation is something Hai Shuangyao should never do, given her personality.

Then there's only one possibility: the Ascension Token really isn't in Hai Shuangyao's hands, and she didn't hide it either, but gave it to someone else—someone who not only can't get it back, but also has to bear the burden of concealing it for him!

They were all wrong before!

Who is this guy?
Who would make that silly girl so generously give away the treasure voucher?

All her experiences and memories on the Jade Balance Continent suddenly came together, and Mi Mengyin jumped up, her eyes shining brightly.

"Brother, I know who has the treasure voucher!" (End of Chapter)