Chapter 1175: Liuli's Background (Second Update)

Understanding everything, Jiang Fan immediately ended his seclusion and swiftly flew above the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets.

With a glance, he saw Liuli and Lingshu in a courtyard, bathing Xiaohu and Fan Guzi. The two women were adjusting their moods, preparing for their tribulation. However, whenever these two girls were together, how could there ever be harmony? They had been competing with each other since childhood. Now, facing the tribulation together, it was inevitable they would start competing again.

"Lingshu, during this tribulation, Young Master Jiang will definitely look after me more. After all, I carried his child. You can't compare to me on that."

Lingshu chuckled softly, "Of course I can't compare to you." From her spatial storage device, she pulled out a washboard. She pressed Fan Guzi onto it and scrubbed vigorously.

Liuli was puzzled. Had Lingshu surrendered so quickly? That wasn't like her at all! Then, as she got a clear look at the washboard, she stood up in shock. "You... how did you bring such an inauspicious thing here?"

It wasn't a washboard at all. It was clearly the tombstone Jiang Fan had erected for Lingshu back then!

Lingshu slapped Fan Guzi away, stood the tombstone upright, pointed at the inscription, and said triumphantly, "What tombstone? Take a closer look!"

Liuli said, "If it's not a tombstone, what is it? It even has Young Master Jiang's inscription! 'Tomb of Beloved Wife Lingshu, erected by Husband Jiang Fan'!"

As she read, she suddenly noticed something was off: the characters for "tomb of" and "erected by" had been erased.

Lingshu picked up the stone, cradled it protectively in her arms, and smiled, "See clearly now? This was written for me by Brother Jiang Fan: 'Beloved Wife Lingshu, Husband Jiang Fan'. What, Brother didn't write one for you? But you carried his child!"

Furious, Liuli threw down Xiaohu, who was in her hands, and stomped her feet in jealousy. "You despicable woman! You cheated!"

Lingshu covered her mouth and giggled non-stop. Today's battle was a complete victory.

A whoosh cut through the air; it was Jiang Fan. He looked with surprise at the two pets, Xiaohu and Fan Guzi, who had rolled to the side, looking utterly wronged. Then he looked at the two young women: one fuming with a flushed face, the other giggling. He immediately understood what had happened. Most likely, Liuli, who was eager to compete despite her inexperience, had been driven mad by Lingshu.

"Quickly, take back that tombstone! Or you can erect one for me too!" Liuli's eyes were red with indignation.

Jiang Fan flicked her forehead. "What nonsense are you talking about? A living person wanting a tombstone? Are you mad?" He looked at Liuli, his expression serious. "I have something to show you."

He handed the Yang Fish to Liuli. Liuli rubbed her forehead, then resentfully peered into the Yang Fish. But as she looked, she froze. Then, an inexplicable sadness welled up in her heart, and tears fell uncontrollably.

Wiping her tears, she asked, "Young Master Jiang, what's wrong with me? Why do I cry when I see this snake?"

Jiang Fan thought to himself, "As expected." He said softly, "I think you've found your family."

Liuli was startled, then covered her mouth, pointing at the Yang Fish, then at herself.

Jiang Fan nodded. "Only when you see someone connected by blood would such deep sadness well up from your heart."

Liuli stood rooted to the spot, tears rolling down her face even more uncontrollably. For a moment, she didn't know what to say. She had no memories of her mother, so there was no emotional connection to speak of. Yet, a sorrow stemming from her bloodline overwhelmed her.

Jiang Fan patted her shoulder and then took out the black jade box. "This should belong to your mother. See if you can open it."

Liuli wiped away her tears. She took it with both hands. She didn't make any specific movements; merely by touching it, the black jade box emitted a faint glow. Several white lines appeared from the top of the jade box. With a soft click, the jade box, which had remained unopened for fifty years on Mount Sanqing, easily opened!

Jiang Fan was secretly surprised. It seemed the jade box was indeed meant for Liuli. He looked inside. Inside the jade box were a jade slip and three thumb-sized golden snake shadows. Their appearance was identical to Liuli's mother: elegant and graceful, beautiful and gentle.

Liuli picked up the jade slip, and a soft, compassionate voice emanated from it.

"My child, I'm so glad you're able to see this. This means you survived."

Liuli's tears, which she had stopped, now flowed uncontrollably again. Although they had never met, she felt a familiarity that stemmed from her bloodline.

"How have you been all these years? How did you grow up? You must have suffered a lot, haven't you? My child, I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I trusted others too easily in Tianzhou and suffered severe injuries, and you were implicated because of it. You should have been the most cherished little princess on Spirit Snake Mountain, but instead, you ended up an orphan. And your father must have been sad about our disappearance. This is all my fault. I could only leave behind three domains before I died, to make amends. Choose two trustworthy friends, give each of them a protective wisp, and let them protect you on your journey to the Myriad Demon Grand State, to Spirit Snake Mountain. This domain can only be used three times. When you encounter an enemy, activate it to control them for your own use. It should be enough for you to safely reach Spirit Snake Mountain. Your father will definitely be overjoyed to have you back. You will inherit Spirit Snake Mountain, and you might even become a Demon Monarch, or even a great figure like your father. Unfortunately, your mother won't be able to see that day. Your mother can only wish from beneath the earth that you and your father will always be safe. Tell your father not to grieve for me, and there's no need for revenge. Your safety is all that matters. Also, warn him to be wary of that Great Sage; he shouldn't get too close to him. He's not right. Your mother is fading fast, my child. Take care..."

The message abruptly ended. Liuli's tears streamed ceaselessly. She buried her face in Jiang Fan's embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.

Though Jiang Fan was an outsider, he was deeply moved by the farewell message. Every word expressed unyielding regret, endless apologies, and boundless worry—just like his own father.

"Everything is in the past. Look forward. You still have family waiting for you to return."

Liuli cried for a long time before her emotions finally settled. Noticing Lingshu nearby, whose expression was complicated, she couldn't help but scoff, "Are you jealous? My mother was at the Soul Transformation stage, and my father is even more powerful. My home is Spirit Snake Mountain!"

Jiang Fan's mouth twitched. Seriously, these two were just naturally at odds. One moment Liuli was sad, the next she saw Lingshu and immediately started competing! Had it become a conditioned reflex?

Lingshu was unconcerned. She came to Jiang Fan's side and said with a grin, "I'm not jealous of you. I'm just aware that you'll be leaving, and I'll have one less idiot to bully. It's good you're leaving, too. There'll be one less person trying to snatch Brother from me. Isn't that right, Brother?" She smiled, linked her arm with Jiang Fan's, and gave Liuli a triumphant look.

Liuli thought about herself leaving for distant lands while Lingshu could remain by Jiang Fan's side. Her heart immediately felt uneasy. Gritting her teeth, she said, "I won't let you get your way!" With a glint in her eye, she reached out, grabbed one of the domains, and threw it into Lingshu's body. The domain immediately transformed into a snake pattern, appearing on Lingshu's forehead.

"Alright, you've received my mother's domain, so you should follow her last wishes and come back with me to Spirit Snake Mountain!"

Lingshu hastily rubbed her forehead. "I'm not going! Take your wretched domain back!"

Liuli tilted her head back and said, "If you dare not go, I'll go back to Spirit Snake Mountain alone and tell my father that you took my mother's bequest but didn't honor your promise. I'll have my father separate you and Young Master Jiang, so you can never see each other again for the rest of your lives."

Lingshu panicked. "Brother, control her!"

Jiang Fan was also speechless. Could one really force someone like this?