Journey to the head

"You bitch! How dare you play me like that!"

On the polar island, within the Mi family's grotto, outside the main council hall forged from dark, mysterious ice, there was a side hall where family cultivators waited for summons. At this moment, inside the side hall, even though Mi Mengcheng tried his best to lower his voice, his eyes, which seemed to devour people, and the spiritual pressure surging from his body could not be concealed at all.

Despite being overwhelmed by such anger, Mi Mengyin casually tossed her long hair, displaying her tall and voluptuous figure. She had already regained her beautiful appearance, showing no trace of the haggardness she had experienced during her imprisonment.

"Big brother, I had no choice," Mi Mengyin said in a sweet, cloying tone, carefully sculpting the ice flowers on her nails, without even glancing at Mi Mengcheng. "I was so scared, I had no other option. I'm sure you'll understand, right?"

Understanding?! Mi Mengcheng wished he could immediately unleash his magical domain and use his fists to teach this woman a lesson. But now, in this crucial situation, he dared not make a move under any circumstances.

Or rather, when Mi Mengyin delivered that message, she was already emboldened.

Mi Mengyin, my little sister is really something else!

That day, she told him that the Ascension Token was on Lu Qian. Overjoyed, he lowered his guard and agreed to her request to temporarily leave the prison and live in seclusion in the clan's territory. However, as soon as she stepped out of the imprisonment array, she immediately reported this news to the clan!
His wish to keep the Ascension Treasure Token for himself was immediately dashed!
Mi Mengyin glanced sideways at Mi Mengcheng, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

How ridiculous! I finally seized this opportunity, and if I only tell you this news, wouldn't my future be in your hands? Whether you get the treasure ticket and then turn your back on me, or you ultimately fail to obtain the treasure ticket, I will be doomed!
In contrast, it would be better to report this news to the family. As long as the Mi family can retrieve the treasure voucher, there is still hope.

Just as the atmosphere became tense, a member of the family came to summon the two of them into the council hall.

The Mi family elders' meeting is being held here, and three of the four Refinement Void True Monarchs are present, which shows how much importance they attach to the Ascension Treasure Token.

Mi Mengcheng and Mi Mengyin, whose expressions were exceptionally humble, knelt down in the main hall, where they heard the family elders above speak loudly.

"According to the investigation, as Mi Mengyin reported, Lu Qian, the sect leader of Yunshan Sect in Cangzhou, Yuheng Continent, is indeed very likely to possess the Ascension Token."

"Our investigation revealed that Lu Qian had left the Yunshan Sect some time ago, claiming that he was going on a trip, presumably for the Dragon Palace."

"Judging from the time and distance, it would be impossible to reach the Immortal Fall Islands before the second day of the second lunar month by normal travel. It would be necessary to use the spatial teleportation of the Refining Void True Monarch to arrive. This also confirms what Mi Mengyin said: the Yunshan Sect possesses a spirit artifact, which must be secretly supported by the Refining Void True Monarch."

"Furthermore, since Yuheng is under the jurisdiction of Taiyi Paradise, our Mi family cannot directly attack the Yunshan Sect, making it difficult to implement our plan to force Lu Qian to return the treasure certificate. Therefore, our only option is to intercept Lu Qian before he enters the Dragon Palace and retrieve the Ascension Treasure Certificate!"

"There are forty Ascension Treasure Certificates in total. The six Immortal Fallen Pillars and the Sea Clan each receive twenty. The Mi family and the Hai family will each receive only three."

"Since the Guimao Agreement ten thousand years ago, no treasure certificate has ever fallen into the hands of outsiders. This treasure certificate is so precious that no one would give it away easily. All indications suggest that even the Hai family did not expect that the Ascension Treasure Certificate might be in Lu Qian's hands."

His voice suddenly became louder.

"This arrest must be kept strictly confidential! Only core clan members are allowed to participate. No announcements will be made, no arrest warrants will be issued, and everyone else must remain completely silent!"

"Because if the other five families, especially the Hai family, discover that we are capturing Lu Qian, they will inevitably make connections, and it will be very difficult to take back the Ascension Treasure Token to my family."

"Mi Mengyin!"

When her name was suddenly called, Mi Mengyin quickly kowtowed.

"You do have some quick wit, so the family is giving you a chance to redeem yourself. You are allowed to participate in the subsequent captures, and if you can retrieve the treasure voucher, it might lessen your punishment."

Mi Mengyin was filled with gratitude and delivered a speech about being willing to go through fire and water or die for the family's interests, which annoyed Mi Mengcheng, who was sitting next to her.

“Mi Mengcheng,” the elder suddenly said. Mi Mengcheng immediately responded loudly, “During this process, Mi Mengyin will be under your supervision. I’m sure you won’t bend the law for personal gain.”

A fierce glint flashed in Mi Mengcheng's eyes: "Elder is wise, I will certainly do my duty."

Upon hearing this, Mi Mengyin's face paled slightly, and she lowered her gaze.

……

Before the enemies hidden in the Hai family could be dealt with, the Mi family began a secret roundup. In an instant, dark clouds loomed over the city, and a storm was brewing. Even Yu Jiao became listless and stopped clamoring to go out and play.

"On the positive side, just like the Hai family who set up the trap on Jiling Island, the Mi family will try their best to conceal the capture operation in order to keep the treasure voucher for themselves and not let the other five families know about it. In this way, at least it's not like all six pillars of the Immortal Fall will be involved at once, and there is still room for maneuver."

Lu Qian carefully analyzed the situation, while Yu Jiao rolled her eyes.

"It's not that secret. Even Haiyuan Pavilion knows about it, and soon the whole island will know. At that point, we'll be trapped with nowhere to turn. I think we should just break up and go back to our hometowns as soon as possible."

Lu Qian shook his head: "Haiyuan Pavilion... is different."

The deeper one gets involved, the more one understands how terrifying the Sea Abyss Pavilion is.

Although it cannot be confirmed, considering the legends and anecdotes, as well as the name "Haiyuan," it is likely that Haiyuan Pavilion originated from the ocean, with the Immortal Fall Islands being its earliest base.

Otherwise, there would never have been rumors that the Sea Abyss Pavilion was a dragon clan force.

In that case, the Immortal Fall Islands should have been thoroughly infiltrated, with each faction having deeply hidden and powerful agents within their ranks.

It's normal for them to be aware of the arrest operation.

Hearing Lu Qian's deduction, the others were all speechless. Jiang Qingfeng had also participated in intelligence work when Yunshan was first re-established, and now, having witnessed the intelligence network of Haiyuan Pavilion, he couldn't help but feel heavy-hearted.

“Junior brother, Haiyuan Pavilion is truly terrifying. We must be careful and vigilant in the future. The more we deal with them, the more likely we are to be dealing with a tiger for its skin.”

Lu Qian nodded: "I understand. However, given the current situation, we must rely on the power of the Sea Abyss Pavilion. Without the intelligence support provided by this Class C Gold Medal, we probably wouldn't last three days in the Immortal Fall Islands."

Jiang Qingfeng then brought the topic back: "Regardless of the circumstances, with the Mi family's secret arrest, we can no longer wander around the market."

Lu Qian looked at the sea chart: "I have inquired and found that for the past ten thousand years, every time the Dragon Palace opens, the core cultivators of the Six Pillars of Immortal Fall will gather on Jade Pot Island. It seems that Jade Pot Island is where they set off for the Dragon Palace. So we need to go to Jade Pot Island first."

"Jade Pot Island is under the jurisdiction of 'Heavenly Market Palace,' the strongest Dao-Merging force among the Six Pillars of Immortal Fall. It has a large market called 'Mirage Market,' and there is also a branch of the Sea Abyss Pavilion in the Mirage Market. I plan to borrow the power of the Sea Abyss Pavilion to infiltrate the Mirage Market branch first."

Jiang Baitao interjected, "Since we have Haiyuan Pavilion as cover, entering Yuhu Island shouldn't be a problem. But how can we infiltrate the group of the Six Pillars of Immortal Fall if we can't contact Shuangyao now?"

Lu Qian pondered for a long time, then looked around at the group: "I've thought it over and over, but I still don't have a foolproof plan. For now, we can only take a risk."

"The Ascension Treasure Token is far too precious, and everyone wants to obtain it. Originally, apart from Hai Shuangyao, no one else in the Hai family could be trusted. But now that the situation has deteriorated, we have no choice but to take the risk and try to see if this person can turn to our side because of Shuangyao."

"I will set the meeting place at Haiyuan Pavilion, so that even if we are surrounded and captured, we can escape from the tiger's mouth."

Ice Island is covered in snow, with towering cliffs of solid ice stretching to the horizon, accessible only to snow eagles with enormous wingspans. Here, the ice has formed a majestic city, where countless runes have coalesced into crystalline chains as thick as an adult's hand, spinning back and forth in mid-air. Cultivators' escape lights rise and fall, almost obscuring the sky.

The sounds of drills, shouts, and the roar of machinery mingled together, creating massive waves that shook the sea, causing the countless warships of various colors anchored in the waves to rise and fall, their banners fluttering in the wind.

This is the base of the Hai family's strongest cultivator army, the "Ninghai Army." Inside the city, within the fortress, an extremely tall and robust man, as strong as a bear, sat at the head of the table, listening to reports from his subordinates.

It was Hai Shuangyao's father, Ninghai Commander-in-Chief Hai Yiwei.

After listening for a moment, he raised his hand to interrupt: "So, Lu Qian hasn't entered Jade Pot Island yet?"

The subordinate reported: "Commander Wei, that's right. Several brothers have been keeping a close eye on the Jade Pot Gate. They'll find him as soon as he enters the island. We've also arranged for surveillance of the Giant Whale Tower. It's bound to be a success."

Hai Yiwei grunted and tapped the armrest.

That shouldn't be the case. Yao Yao said she had invited him in the letter to meet her at the Mirage Ruins on Jade Pot Island at least ten days in advance. Now that the date is approaching, why is he still nowhere to be seen?
Judging from the intelligence gathered, Lu Qian is a calm and steady person who plans ahead. He rose from humble beginnings to become a true young hero. Even among his peers who are among the six immortals who have fallen, he is outstanding and far superior to those good-for-nothings who rely on their fathers and brothers to bully others.

He was fully prepared and shouldn't have made such a basic mistake as missing the deadline.

Something must have happened.

Hai Yiwei narrowed his eyes, and a terrifying spiritual pressure emanated from his body, as if a giant beast had let out a thunderous roar in the void.

Lu Qian deserves to die, but no one can make my Yao Yao sad!

That kind of imposing presence made his subordinates tremble involuntarily, yet their eyes were filled with fervor.

This is one of the pillars of our Hai family, universally recognized as invincible among his peers, and on the verge of reaching the Void Refinement stage!
Just then, another subordinate hurried in and knocked to report.

“Commander Wei, a Nascent Soul deacon from the Sea Abyss Pavilion requests an audience, saying he has a letter to deliver in person.”

Haiyuan Pavilion?
Hai Yiwei nodded. As a high-ranking official, he naturally received a lot of letters through various channels, so it wasn't anything unusual.

"Please come in."

A moment later, Hai Yiwei opened the letter, read only the first sentence, and then closed it, his aura becoming as deep and unfathomable as the ocean.

"All of you, step back."

Within the Haijia Cave Heaven, the frozen lake is vast, the ancient castle stands tall, and the tundra is desolate. In the boundless frozen earth, there is a lonely little courtyard with a few lights burning.

"So boring, so boring, so boring." Hai Shuangyao rested her chin on her hand, lightly waving her fingers to control two tiny figures made of ice to fight. One of the figures looked exactly like herself, while the other was the tall and long-legged Mi Mengyin.

As the miniature figure representing himself pinned "Mi Mengyin" to the ground, performing various maneuvers, the game came to an end. Then, a lifelike miniature version of "Jiang Baitao" popped out, cheering and shouting for her victory.

"This is so boring!" Hai Shuangyao exclaimed after eliminating several little figures. "Even beating up Mi Mengyin a thousand times would still be boring."

"With the deadline fast approaching and me still locked up in solitary confinement, Tao Tao and Lu Qian must be searching for me all over Jade Pot Island!"

"Why hasn't Father come to save me yet? Will Father be able to find them?"

At this point, she jumped up: "Little Orchid! Let's escape together!"

The burly, strong woman, Xiao Lanhua, vigorously pounded her pectoral muscles, letting out an excited shout: "Yes, Miss! Yes, Miss!"

Then she stopped, puzzled: "How do we escape, miss?"

Hai Shuangyao immediately deflated, having been sentenced to confinement, with no chance of escape.

Seeing her dejected expression, Xiao Lanhua knelt on one knee and choked out, "Miss, I am incompetent and unable to save you from this predicament."

Hai Shuangyao's eyes welled up with tears: "Little Orchid"

"Miss... Waaaaah!"

The master and servant embraced each other tenderly, but then they heard the array roar and the door burst open. Hai Yiwei, like a divine warrior descending from the sky, strode into the courtyard.

"Father!" Hai Shuangyao cried out in surprise, clinging to Hai Yiwei. "You've finally come to take me out!"

"Let's put the matter of going out aside for now." Hai Yiwei's spiritual pressure was like the sea, and his eyes were like lightning. He swept his gaze around, and many servants in the courtyard knelt down, not daring to raise their heads.

Then Hai Yiwei asked in a deep voice, "Who delivered your letter?"

Hai Shuangyao was stunned for a moment, and was about to answer when she heard Hai Yiwei shout angrily, like a thunderclap.

Before Hai Shuangyao could react, Hai Yiwei was already behind her. In front of him, Xiao Lanhua was frozen into an ice sculpture with a terrified expression!
"To think you could commit suicide in front of me is simply too naive."

"Father?" Hai Shuangyao was stunned. Hai Yiwei's eyes were filled with murderous intent as he pointed a finger at Xiao Lanhua's forehead.

With his profound cultivation and mysterious ice techniques, he instantly solidified Xiaolanhua's spiritual power and mental power, leaving no room for the curse restrictions buried deep within her soul to be activated.

Someone actually dared to mess with me and set their sights on my daughter!

"You wretched wench!"

The distorted and stagnant spiritual pressure surged up like a tsunami!

Everyone present instantly fainted. Hai Yiwei, who had figured out everything, whispered, "Yaoyao, you've been deceived, and so have I. This little orchid is under a spell; she's someone else's pawn. She altered your letter, which is why Lu Qian couldn't keep his appointment."

Hai Shuangyao looked at Xiao Lanhua in bewilderment and exclaimed, "But, but Xiao Lanhua was saved by me three hundred years ago, and I have been raising her ever since!"

Hai Yiwei sneered: "That's right, so even I was fooled. Three hundred years of foreshadowing, what a deep scheme."

"Who is it?" Hai Shuangyao felt dizzy and couldn't believe it.

Hai Yiwei examined the ice sculpture in front of him.

“I don’t know either. This wretched woman should be torn to pieces, but her death would alert the culprit, making it even harder to find the real killer.”

"What should we do?" Hai Shuangyao was caught off guard by the sudden betrayal, her mind a jumble of confusion. She gripped her father's hand tightly, then suddenly remembered something and cried out, "Are Lu Qian and the others alright?"

Hearing his beloved daughter's nervousness, Hai Yiwei snorted, "It's a pity nothing's wrong, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to send the letter so I could see him!" (End of Chapter)