Chapter 822: Old Tree Blossoms in Spring

The purpose of an initial show of force isn't to scare someone. Instead, it's to intimidate the other party and gain the upper hand in subsequent negotiations.

Jiang Fan remained calm, unfazed by this tactic. The East Sea Demon Empress, who had experienced countless situations, smiled naturally and said:

"Why are you so upset, Venerable Xuanyang? I've just been in the sea for too long and merely went to explore the continent. I haven't helped the Azure Sky Demon Emperor. I can swear upon the Sea Spring."

She had helped the Pavilion Master of Heavenly Secrets. As for that rat, the Azure Sky Demon Emperor, he hadn't even shown up. It wasn't considered helping him at all.

Venerable Xuanyang snorted, "There's no need to quibble! This Azure Sky Demon Emperor insulted my Sanqing Mountain and even laid hands on me; he is my enemy. What do you mean by helping my enemy? Are you perhaps trying to make an enemy of my Sanqing Mountain?"

The East Sea Demon Empress sighed inwardly. This person was determined to get the better of her, and nothing she said would work. Since that was the case, it was best to be direct. She still wore a smile on her face and said, "What are you talking about, Venerable?

"Our East Sea demon tribe still relies on your kind words at Sanqing Mountain to allocate more Cold Cicada Annihilation Pills to us. I have a box of mermaid tears from the depths of the East Sea here. They can prolong life and are a favorite among venerable Nascent Soul cultivators. Since it's rare for you to visit our East Sea, please accept this small welcoming gift."

With that, the cold expression on Venerable Xuanyang's old face eased slightly. Without any hesitation, and with Jiang Fan and Qingde present, he accepted the gift directly. Clearly, he was quite accustomed to this, having done it many times before.

"It's not that I want to make things difficult for you; it's just that the Azure Sky Demon Emperor is truly detestable," Venerable Xuanyang said slowly as he sat down.

The East Sea Demon Empress felt a sense of relief and gracefully sat down as well, saying, "If I encounter that Azure Sky Demon Emperor, I will certainly teach him a lesson and vent your anger, Venerable."

Only then did Venerable Xuanyang finally relax. What he wanted was for the sea demon tribe to be respectful and submissive in his presence. In Taicang Great State, where divine sects abounded, a single Nascent Soul cultivator like him couldn't enjoy the pleasure of controlling the destiny of an entire tribe. Only the sea demon tribe could offer him such an exquisitely delightful sensation.

Gazing at the submissive East Sea Demon Empress, then at her ageless, captivating beauty, his eyes couldn't help but drift downwards. Beneath her pink dress, mature and graceful lines subtly outlined her perfect figure.

The Demon Empresses of the East and South Seas were always among the most frequently mentioned beauties in the Nascent Soul realm of Taicang Great State. Now, this renowned beauty of a demon empress was gentle and respectful before him, like a blooming flower waiting for him to pluck it. This ignited a wicked desire within Venerable Xuanyang to conquer her.

A smile appeared on his wrinkled face. "East Sea Demon Empress," he said, "I won't report this matter to Sanqing Mountain. Heaven and earth know, you and I know, and those two young men know as well."

The East Sea Demon Empress's face lit up with joy, and she immediately bowed her hands, saying, "Many thanks, Venerable Xuanyang! I am incredibly grateful."

Venerable Xuanyang stroked his beard and said, "You'd better thank me properly, otherwise your East Sea demon tribe will be in trouble." Then he addressed Qingde and the human boy, "You two, go outside. I have some matters to discuss privately with the East Sea Demon Empress."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Fan's brows furrowed. *Is this old geezer getting a second spring?*

The East Sea Demon Empress naturally understood the implied meaning and, feeling disgusted, immediately chuckled, "Venerable Xuanyang, what could you possibly have to say that can't be said in front of my son-in-law?"

Venerable Xuanyang's face darkened. He said menacingly, "East Sea Demon Empress, think carefully whether you want to talk to me alone! While I may not be able to help your East Sea demon tribe acquire many Cold Cicada Annihilation Pills at Sanqing Mountain, it would be quite easy for me to ensure you don't get a single one!"

With such a blatant threat, the East Sea Demon Empress abruptly stood up, her smile vanishing. Some things simply couldn't be allowed to start. If she allowed it once, there would be countless more times.

At this moment, her only leverage to deter Venerable Xuanyang was the pill formula that Jiang Fan had deciphered. She hoped Venerable Xuanyang would back down once he knew the difficulty.

"Venerable Xuanyang, during my recent travels on the continent, I met a distinguished master," she said. "He helped me decipher the formula for the Cold Cicada Annihilation Pill. I ask that you and Sanqing Mountain no longer use the pill formula as a constant threat." She flicked her sleeve and threw the formula over.

*This isn't good,* Jiang Fan thought to himself. *Now isn't the time.* He needed to deliver a sudden reversal when Venerable Xuanyang was at his most triumphant. Only then would the Venerable's mind be unsettled, allowing the Ancient Heart-Illuminating Mirror to peer into his secrets.

But he couldn't blame the East Sea Demon Empress. Who could have imagined this old man, practically with one foot in the grave, would still be lusting after the East Sea Demon Empress?

Left with no other choice, Jiang Fan decided to try. He quietly took out the Ancient Heart-Illuminating Mirror and secretly directed it at Venerable Xuanyang. There was no sound from the mirror, just as he expected. A great cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage possessed an incredibly powerful mind, making it very difficult to probe under normal circumstances. He just had to see if the Venerable's mind would waver when he discovered the pill formula.

Venerable Xuanyang's expression initially stiffened. Then he relaxed, chuckling, "If the Cold Cicada Annihilation Pill was so easy to decipher, it would have been analyzed countless times over the past few centuries."

He casually grabbed the formula, saying playfully, "Come, let this old man see just how 'distinguished' the master you spoke of is. If I'm in a good mood, I might even help you review it." "Zen Heart Fetal Mud, Seven-Colored Profound Ice, Pure Dust Purple Fruit..."

As he read on, Venerable Xuanyang abruptly stood up, his face filled with shock. Clearly, the perfectly matching ingredients on the formula had startled him. It was at this very moment that, with his mind momentarily unsettled, the Ancient Heart-Illuminating Mirror finally managed to peer into his thoughts.

"Where did this distinguished master come from? He actually deciphered it perfectly! No, wait, the ingredient amounts are wrong. Zen Heart Fetal Mud isn't three liang; it's two liang and three qian. Seven-Colored Profound Ice is also wrong; it's not one whole liang, but nine qian. Pure Dust Purple Fruit is still wrong; it's not..."

Jiang Fan was excitedly trying to memorize it when suddenly, Venerable Xuanyang calmed down. "The formula is completely wrong; this woman is trying to trick me," he thought. He tossed the formula onto the table and chuckled, "Then go ahead and have someone refine it according to this formula."

The East Sea Demon Empress felt a slight tremor in her heart and cast an inquiring glance at Jiang Fan. Jiang Fan's heart, however, sank. The Venerable had become vigilant, making further probing impossible. What a pity. It was so close. The impact on his mind wasn't quite strong enough, which allowed him to recover quickly. What should he do now?

Suddenly, he noticed Qingde in the corner, head bowed, lips moving as if reciting something. A thought struck Jiang Fan, and he aimed the Ancient Heart-Illuminating Mirror at him.

"The Cold Cicada Annihilation Pill formula is as follows: Zen Heart Fetal Mud, two liang and three qian. Seven-Colored Profound Ice, nine qian. Pure Dust Purple Fruit, six liang. Sea Amber Essence Crystal, one qian. Oblivion Spirit Nectar, seven liang. I've finished reciting it. I hope I didn't get anything wrong."