Chapter 1486: Jian Family

Venerable Sanqian and Venerable Qionglou were also stunned. As collateral, how could she be living such a good life? She had protection the whole way, breaking through from the ninth level of Core Formation to a Four-Aperture Nascent Soul! She was practically groomed into the world's most astonishing female prodigy!

Fortunately, Venerable Qionglou remembered his mission. He regained his composure and cleared his throat.

"Hua Wuying," he said, "we're here to take you back to the Myriad Tribulations Sacred Temple."

"Pack your things. Once your master repays the debt, you can return to the embrace of the sect."

Hua Wuying snapped back to reality. Go back? Absolutely not!

She immediately pushed Song Lingyu away and asked, "Go back where?"

"I... I don't know you."

After speaking, she quickly made her escape, fearing that if she was a moment too late, she would be knocked out and taken away.

Song Lingyu and the two others were petrified. She didn't want to go home, even after being collateral?

Just as they were about to give chase, Liu Qingxian arrived, helping Jiang Fan.

Venerable Qionglou and Venerable Sanqian were filled with awe. Jiang Fan's deeds—battling Venerable Xin Nie, the Two-Star Giant King, and the Deification Venerable of Young Emperor Mountain—had made his reputation spread far and wide. No one dared to treat him as a junior anymore.

"Deputy Pavilion Master Jiang!" both saluted in unison.

Jiang Fan returned the salute, sizing up the three. "You've traveled a long way," he said, "is there something you need?"

Song Lingyu awkwardly produced four Sky-Soaring Pills and said, "Deputy Pavilion Master Jiang, I'm here to retrieve my disciple."

"I still owe you three Sky-Soaring Pills, so the extra one is for interest."

Jiang Fan immediately grew annoyed upon hearing this.

"You still remember your disciple is with me?" The first business deal he made after activating his Tyrant identity was a credit deal, and it turned out to be a huge loss! How many resources had Hua Wuying consumed from him? A few Sky-Soaring Pills couldn't possibly make up for it!

However, Shang Shiqiu and Leng Qingzhu happened to be lacking opportunities to break through to the Nascent Soul realm. These four pills came at just the right time.

He reluctantly accepted them, waving his hand. "Quickly, take that collateral away."

"She's an eyesore!"

He was usually the one scamming people, but unexpectedly, he had been scammed badly in return.

Song Lingyu forced a smile. "She doesn't want to leave."

"Deputy Pavilion Master Jiang, could you please try to persuade her?"

Jiang Fan felt a bit more at ease. Hua Wuying, after all, was now in the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm and capable of fighting ancient giants. If she stayed at the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, she would undoubtedly be a great asset. This collateral wasn't raised for nothing!

He spread his hands. "I can't control that. If she doesn't want to leave, should I force her out?"

Song Lingyu sighed helplessly. "Then please allow us to go inside, find her, and take her by force."

Jiang Fan replied, "Our Heavenly Mystery Pavilion has many restricted areas, and it's not suitable for outsiders to trespass. Please forgive us."

Song Lingyu understood his implication. Jiang Fan wanted the Sky-Soaring Pills but didn't want to return the person. He wanted to renege on the deal!

She clenched her fists, fuming with rage, but ultimately chose to remain calm. "Fine," she conceded, "since Wuying wants to stay at the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, let her be."

Song Lingyu sighed, graciously giving up. Life is short, with more suffering than joy; there's no need to get angry. Of course, the main reason was that she couldn't defeat Jiang Fan.

Venerable Qionglou thumped his chest, suppressing his humiliation, and bowed with cupped hands.

"Deputy Pavilion Master Jiang," he said, "our Venerable wanted to invite you to the Myriad Tribulations Sacred Temple a month ago."

"He has an important matter to discuss with you."

"Could Deputy Pavilion Master Jiang please grace the Myriad Tribulations Sacred Temple with your presence?"

Jiang Fan replied without hesitation, "I plan to visit the Myriad Tribulations Sacred Temple in the coming days."

"I'll arrive within three days."

Venerable Qionglou's spirits lifted. "Then our Myriad Tribulations Sacred Temple awaits your arrival, Deputy Pavilion Master Jiang."

The three bowed with cupped hands and departed, still feeling indignant.

Liu Qingxian sighed softly. "You just got back, and you're leaving again?"

Jiang Fan gently held her soft hand. "I'm sorry, I haven't spent enough time with you."

Liu Qingxian, however, shook her head. "I'm not like Yue Mingzhu; I'm not that delicate."

"Since we met, when haven't you been busy?"

"I'm already used to it."

She reciprocated, holding Jiang Fan's hand, her eyes filled with concern. "I just feel you're too tired."

Jiang Fan was touched deep down, feeling a sense of being understood. What can move a man in this world can be an empire and beautiful women, or it can be a single remark that penetrates the depths of his soul. At that moment, Jiang Fan seemed to see the senior sister who had always looked after him back in the Azure Cloud Sect.

Jiang Fan lowered his head and lightly kissed Liu Qingxian's forehead, whispering, "Thank you."

"Senior Sister Liu."

The long-unheard address touched Liu Qingxian, bringing forth a flood of past memories. She released Jiang Fan's hand, her gaze firm. "Go."

"Fight for the fate of humanity, just like you did in the Battle of Realm Mountain."

"But this time, I'll be with you!"

Jiang Fan nodded heavily. "Alright, we'll fight side by side."

After giving some instructions and leaving three more Sky-Soaring Pills, he summoned a cloud and headed towards the teleportation array in the underground palace.

The Jian family.

"What's this?" Jian Weishuang asked, pointing at an apple on the blackboard.

Jian Linyuan knelt on the ground, his face bruised and swollen. He averted his gaze. "It's... it's an apple."

Jian Weishuang pulled a small, spiked mace from her waist and struck Jian Linyuan on the forehead, yelling, "You never learn!"

"This is a large, slightly reddish, juicy, tender apple with a stem!"

Then, pointing at a drawing of a pear, she asked, "What's this?"

Jian Linyuan gave a smile uglier than a cry. "This is a small, crystal-clear, yellow-spotted, juicy, tender snow pear."

Jian Weishuang picked up the mace again and hit him, making him see stars. "This is a crystal pear!"

Jian Linyuan got up, clutching his forehead, and roared, "If you want to murder your own brother, just say so directly!"

Jian Weishuang folded her arms across her chest and chuckled. "You have to beat your brother early!"

"What if you get lucky and break through to the Nascent Soul realm? Then it'll be hard to beat you."

Ever since Jian Linyuan tricked her into the spatial mirror, a deep-seated grudge had formed between the siblings. Jian Weishuang kept finding new ways to torment Jian Linyuan. Now, having broken through to the Four-Aperture Nascent Soul realm and becoming one of the Jian family's top female prodigies, she was in charge of instructing Jian Linyuan in martial arts. Wasn't this the perfect opportunity?

"You violent woman, I curse you to never get married!" Jian Linyuan's nose was practically twisted from anger.

Jian Weishuang shrugged. "Even better! I'll beat you for a lifetime."

Jian Linyuan gritted his teeth. "Who on earth helped you break through to the Four-Aperture Nascent Soul realm?" Ever since Jian Weishuang reached this realm, she, like Jian Linyu, had become a leader among the family's younger generation. Her family status had soared. Meanwhile, he, stuck at the peak of the ninth level of Core Formation, could only be a punching bag.

"Senior Brother Jian, how is it that I just arrived and already hear you cursing me?"

Suddenly, a teasing voice echoed. Jian Linyuan turned his head and couldn't help but reveal a look of surprise. "Jiang... Deputy Pavilion Master Jiang!"

His heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions. He had inquired about the recent situation at the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. Except for Leng Qingzhu and two others, everyone else had broken through to the Nascent Soul realm. Even Liang Feiyan, who was far inferior to him back then, had reached the Three-Aperture Nascent Soul realm. Leaving the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion to return to the Jian family—he had to admit, that had been a very poor choice.