12dz Chapter 86 A Mysterious Death
Chapter 86 A Mysterious Death
When we arrived near the Zhao Family Mountain Range, it was already dark.
Looking up, you see the clan mountain range stretching for dozens of miles, like a sleeping dragon lying between heaven and earth, making you hold your breath in awe.
Countless pavilions and terraces are built against the mountainside, arranged in a harmonious and orderly fashion. At night, they are brightly lit, resembling a cascading river of stars, creating a magnificent and ever-changing spectacle.
Now you understand why the Zhao family chose to establish their ancestral home far from the imperial city—
Such a magnificent structure, if built near the imperial city, would likely have long been considered a major threat by the Li family of Xuan Kingdom, who would have eliminated it as soon as possible.
People come and go in front of the mountain gate, including many rogue cultivators at the first level of Qi Refining who want to catch a glimpse of the immortal aura.
The Zhao family, however, appeared quite magnanimous, welcoming all visitors and arranging numerous disciples to greet them at the gate, displaying the demeanor of a great clan.
As you stand quietly before the mountain gate, a disciple dressed in a blue robe immediately steps forward, treating you with exceptional enthusiasm, and leads you inside.
You keenly notice that the other party's attitude towards you is significantly more respectful than their attitude towards those rogue cultivators at the first level of Qi Refining.
Those independent cultivators could only sit on the outer perimeter, but you were led to the central area.
You shook your head inwardly, thinking to yourself that the cultivation world was indeed clearly hierarchical. Just as you were sighing, a cheeky voice rang out from behind you: "Old Qin! Is that you?!"
[No need to turn around, you'll know who's coming—who else could it be but Han Feiyu with that utterly despicable tune?]
However, you did not turn around, after all, you had changed your appearance and it was not easy to recognize you.
Seeing that you ignored him, Han Feiyu quickly stepped forward and grabbed your sleeve. After recognizing your face, he smiled awkwardly and apologized repeatedly, saying he had mistaken you for someone else.
Watching his retreating figure, you heard him mutter to himself, "Something's weird, that back view is exactly the same as Old Qin's ghostly appearance."
A chill ran through you, and you immediately adjusted your posture, slowly walking into the banquet area. Most of the guests in the central area were mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators; you roughly counted several hundred.
As for the cultivators in the early stages of Qi Refining in the outer regions, they are countless.
As you sit quietly waiting for the banquet to begin, you suddenly catch a glimpse of a familiar figure—Zhao Mengxi.
You were lamenting how you always seemed to run into this jinx when you saw her walking straight towards you. Your heart skipped a beat; had she seen through your disguise?
Tonight, she wore a stunning red dress, and under the lights, she was breathtakingly beautiful, like a blooming red spider lily.
Zhao Mengxi stopped in front of you, bowed respectfully, and gestured for you to enter: "Young master, my elders request your presence."
Your pupils contracted slightly, and you immediately realized that your identity had been seen through by the Zhao family patriarch. This 'fake human skin' might fool a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but it couldn't escape the discerning eyes of a Purple Mansion True Person.
So you decided...
1. Follow Zhao Mengxi.
Second, I will not go.
Li Qingyi really didn't expect that her identity would be exposed so soon after she joined the Zhao family.
'However, this also indirectly proves that my fabricated identity was indeed very effective. If I hadn't mentioned being a disciple of the Listening Rain Pavilion Master, I probably would have been killed on the spot.'
After hesitating for a moment, Li Qingyi made a decision.
"The Zhao family patriarch has invited me; I must go. I can't refuse the Purple Mansion True Person's request."
I choose one.
You follow Zhao Mengxi deeper into the Zhao family compound. To your surprise, she is nothing like the wild woman she was in Xuan Ce City tonight; instead, she exudes the poise and elegance of a well-bred lady.
This sudden change is making you feel a little uneasy.
[You hadn't gone far when you stepped onto a faintly glowing array. Zhao Mengxi lightly tapped her fingers, and the scenery before your eyes blurred instantly. The next moment, you were teleported to the core area of the Zhao family.]
You were secretly alarmed; the Zhao family indeed possessed profound resources, having even inscribed a teleportation array within their ancestral lands.
In the core area, you saw many familiar faces: Qin Xiyue, Han Feiyu, Jiang Yixi, Qin Ruoxi, Chu Feiyang and other old friends you had met in the Qin family.
There was also the Second Prince, Li Xuanwei, whom they had met briefly on the Daoist Path to Heaven, but neither of them recognized you in your 'false human skin'.
For some reason, you feel a sudden tightness in your chest, as if you've seen this scene somewhere before.
Realizing what was happening, you couldn't help but curse inwardly: Wasn't this how it was back in the Qin family?
Very few outside cultivators are able to enter this place; all of them are of noble status, and there are only thirty or forty of them in total.
The rest were the core disciples of the Zhao family's main branch. Surprisingly, there were quite a few core disciples; a rough count revealed over a hundred, not even including the Zhao family elders who hadn't yet entered.
Everyone cast inquiring glances, clearly puzzled as to why someone as obscure as you could be personally led into the inner layer by Zhao Mengxi.
About an hour later, the core members of the Zhao family arrived. Looking at the densely packed crowd, you secretly sighed that the Zhao family patriarch was truly blessed with good fortune.
Suddenly, the sound of gongs and drums filled the air, and the Zhao family patriarch finally appeared. He sat upright in the main seat, his gaze lingering on you for a moment, seemingly with a profound meaning.
You respectfully returned the greeting and stood silently with your head bowed. You then saw over a thousand members of the Zhao family's main branch chanting in unison to wish their ancestor a long life, their voices resounding through the heavens—a truly magnificent sight.
Disciples from various sects and representatives from different forces presented their congratulatory gifts, but you alone brought nothing.
You, quite unperturbed, casually offered your congratulations and brazenly took your seat. Soon after, the servants brought out a feast of exquisite delicacies, filling the table.
Just as you were pondering Ling'er's whereabouts, the Zhao family patriarch suddenly announced in a loud voice:
"Today, I am deeply gratified by the triple joy of this occasion. First, it is my 600th birthday; second, my long-lost bloodline has been reunited with its ancestors; and third, I am happily married into the royal family."
As soon as the words were spoken, a familiar figure, surrounded by numerous maids, gracefully approached from afar.
It was indeed Ling'er. She was dressed in a magnificent gown, her makeup exquisite, and her demeanor dignified. Only her eyes remained empty and lifeless, devoid of their former sparkle.
A bad feeling suddenly creeps into your heart.
Just then, a handsome man stepped forward. Upon seeing him, Li Xuanwei immediately bowed respectfully, and you instantly recognized him—Li Xuance, the Crown Prince of Xuan Kingdom.
Seeing this, you frowned, thinking to yourself, 'Could it really be one of those cliché scenes?'
When Crown Prince Li Xuance passed by you, he gave you a meaningful glance, which left you feeling somewhat puzzled.
Just then, the Zhao family patriarch said softly, "Mengxi, why haven't you greeted the Crown Prince yet?"
Upon hearing this, you first breathed a sigh of relief—the melodramatic plot you had imagined hadn't unfolded. Then, filled with questions, you suddenly remembered that Zhao Mengxi had previously invited you to return to the Zhao family home.
You couldn't help but curse inwardly. So this vixen wanted to use you as a shield, and to shield the Crown Prince of Xuan Kingdom no less.
But you are even more puzzled. If it's not that, then what exactly is Ling'er's fatal calamity?
The Zhao family patriarch's birthday banquet proceeded smoothly without any unexpected incidents. This surprised you greatly, considering that wherever you go, trouble seems to follow. The current unexpected success is making you somewhat uneasy.
After the banquet, you were settled into an elegant guest room to rest.
So you decided...
First, stay obediently in the guest room.
Second, go find Ling'er.
The information obtained from this simulation far exceeded Li Qingyi's expectations. He suddenly realized that if he didn't court death, he wouldn't die.
He originally intended to choose an honest and docile option, but his curiosity about Ling'er's situation grew stronger and stronger.
After a great internal struggle, he made his choice.
I choose option two.
You quietly left your guest room and wandered through the courtyards of the Zhao family's main branch. This place was vast, several times larger than the Qin family's Qingxin Peak, and you darted around like a headless fly.
During your aimless search, you unexpectedly encounter Crown Prince Li Xuance.
He politely invited you to drink and admire the moon together, which you immediately declined. Unexpectedly, he persisted, and you suddenly became wary, finding the prince's behavior too unusual.
Seeing your resolute refusal, the Crown Prince sighed regretfully. In a flash, he suddenly attacked you! Fortunately, you were prepared and narrowly avoided the fierce blow.
[Having missed his first attack, Li Xuance unhesitatingly unleashed a talisman. Sensing the Foundation Establishment stage power contained within it, you were terrified and hastily drew out the Netherworld God-Slaying Talisman, intending to perish together with him.]
Unfortunately, it was too late. The talisman in Li Xuance's hand shone brightly, and under the full force of the Foundation Establishment cultivator's attack, you were annihilated, body and soul.
[You're dead. Rewards are being calculated...]
Li Qingyi: "???"
"Aren't we buddies? Did I do something to you? Are you going to go all out?"
Li Qingyi couldn't understand why Li Xuance wanted to kill her, no matter how hard she tried.
'I neither provoked your beloved nor had I ever wronged you, so why did you kill me? This time, my death is truly inexplicable…'
Li Qingyi rubbed her temples, feeling that the cultivation world was far too dangerous.
In the past, at least there was a reason for their deaths, but this time there really wasn't a reason at all.
Seeing the puzzled look on Li Qingyi's face, Qin Xiyue asked softly, "What's wrong?"
Coming to her senses, Li Qingyi realized that she was still in the place a month ago.
"It's nothing, let's go, to the north of the city."
Qin Xiyue's eyes flickered slightly, but she did not ask any further questions.
Before leaving, Li Qingyi returned to the fifth floor.
Qin Xiyue hid to the side and released Li Qingyi from the concealment technique.
Leng Qiuyi was startled by Li Qingyi's sudden appearance, but quickly composed herself and asked:
"Is there anything else you need, sir?"
Suddenly, Li Qingyi felt a bit like the mentally challenged boss she had encountered during her part-time job in her previous life.
If the work is not communicated clearly, employees will be ready to carry it out, and then the work orders will be modified.
Li Qingyi cleared her mind of all distractions and spoke:
"The plan has changed. Li Qingyi is going to escape from the north of the city and head to the capital."
"Yes, Master. Your subordinate obeys."
Leng Qiuyi once again marveled at the poster's extraordinary abilities, 'This method of tightly grasping the enemy's lifeline is truly terrifying.'
After you finished explaining, Qin Xiyue immediately cast the Concealing Breath Technique on you again.
Leng Qiu felt a chill run down her spine after you disappeared in front of her:
"Luckily, I didn't go against the original poster. That incredible hiding method is truly astonishing."
Under the moonlight, Li Qingyi and Qin Xiyue lightly stepped across the rooftops, their two figures tracing graceful arcs in the night sky.
Qingkui was already waiting outside the city.
Unbeknownst to Li Qingyi, a figure was secretly watching Qingkui intently.
Ling'er, hidden in the shadows, rested her chin on her right hand, gazing at Qingkui, who was standing blankly outside the city, and murmured:
"What is Brother Qingyi up to, leaving Xuan Ce City in the middle of the night?"