Chapter Ninety-Five: The Maiden in Her Prime

Even if what Wei Tong said were true, and he truly agreed to it, would the cultivators of the Wei family agree? Just remembering the ferocious looks in those Wei cultivators’ eyes sent a chill through Wang Changsheng.

“Grand Elder, such a joke should not be made,” Wang Changsheng said in a low voice.

“Oh?” Wei Tong smiled, then said solemnly, “Does Deacon Wang think I am joking?”

Wang Changsheng nodded and said, “The Wei family is no small house. Even if you truly lack a family head, such a matter must be considered from every angle. At the very least, the choice should come from the direct line of the Wei family. Otherwise, appointing an outsider to rule the clan—wouldn’t that be revolting?”

He looked at Wei Tong as though the old man were a simpleton.

“That is reasonable enough,” Wei Tong said softly. “Though the position of family head is rather unrealistic, if Deacon Wang truly comes to my Wei family, a seat among the elders is certainly yours. As for cultivation resources, I can guarantee they will satisfy you—far more than the Corpse Refining Sect would ever give!”

“Ha…”

Wang Changsheng gave a cold laugh. “More than the Corpse Refining Sect would give? I am rather curious now. Is the Wei family really that generous?”

“In the Corpse Refining Sect, I may draw mid-grade spirit stones at will, as many as I want. Spirit herbs and medicinal plants are likewise countless, free for me to waste as I please. Is the Wei family truly that wealthy?”

A look of puzzled disbelief appeared on his face.

“Uh…” Wei Tong’s smile stiffened into something awkward.

He had truly not expected Wang Changsheng to enjoy such extraordinary treatment in the Corpse Refining Sect.

Wei Tong could tell that Wang Changsheng did not cultivate the methods of the Corpse Refining Sect. He had likely become a deacon there by some stroke of chance. From Wei Tong’s understanding of the sect, such deacons were usually not treated particularly well.

What Wei Tong did not know was that Wang Changsheng was a very special existence in the Corpse Refining Sect. He was bold enough to challenge even the elders, and his standing was unique as well. Aside from lacking the title, he was in every other respect no lesser than an elder.

“Could it be that what Senior Wei said—that Deacon Wang would be invited to the Wei family—was genuine?” the young woman asked then, staring at Wei Tong in disbelief.

What was even more astonishing was that Wei Tong actually nodded.

Wang Changsheng and the young woman were both stunned, finding it almost inconceivable.

“Brave and resourceful, daring and perceptive, and most of all, spirited,” Wei Tong murmured. “The Wei family is lacking exactly such a person to take charge. As for the younger generation of the Wei family now… alas…”

At that, Wang Changsheng felt somewhat awkward. He had not expected the spectacle awaiting him to turn out like this.

“All right, Elder Wei, let us stop with such jokes,” Wang Changsheng said seriously. “Let us speak plainly. You and I both know what is what.”

Wei Tong composed himself and looked at Wang Changsheng, saying gravely, “Speak. How do you propose we resolve this?”

After some thought, Wang Changsheng said, “Simple. Send me to the Shangyang Li family, and what happened today in Jinning City shall be wiped clean.”

“The Shangyang Li family?”

“You want to go to the Shangyang Li family?”

Wei Tong and the young woman both looked at him in confusion, clearly not having expected such a demand.

To be honest, Wei Tong had even prepared to bleed heavily to settle the matter. He had never imagined that Wang Changsheng would ask to be sent to the Shangyang Li family.

If that were really all he wanted, Wei Tong would almost rather be cut up by Wang Changsheng himself.

“The Shangyang Li family, under ordinary circumstances, would never show themselves. Even if the Shentian Realm were destroyed, they probably still would not step forward. What do you want with the Shangyang Li family?” Wei Tong asked.

“That, I cannot disclose,” Wang Changsheng said in a low voice.

“Whether it was the Corpse Refining Sect sealing the mountain or emerging into the world, the Shangyang Li family has never played any role in it. Why would the Corpse Refining Sect seek out the Shangyang Li family?” the young woman asked as well.

Wang Changsheng turned to her and said, “I must apologize, but I truly cannot say.”

“Very well. Since you refuse to say anything, then choose another condition. The Wei family will not send you to the Shangyang Li family,” the young woman said firmly.

Wang Changsheng looked again at Wei Tong.

Wei Tong was the strongest person in the Wei family. On a matter like this, even a young woman of high rank and status could not make the decision. In the end, it still depended on Wei Tong’s answer.

At that moment, Wei Tong also looked at Wang Changsheng and said, “Since this young friend has said as much, then I can tell you this: if you will explain your purpose, there may still be room to discuss it. If you will not, then Deacon Wang would do better to change his condition sooner rather than later.”

Hearing this, Wang Changsheng turned in surprise to the young woman.

Had he missed something?

Earlier, Wei Tong had not agreed, but he had at least been wavering. Yet after hearing the young woman’s words, he had outright rejected Wang Changsheng. Clearly, Wei Tong had been influenced by her.

“Could it be that she has some special identity?” Wang Changsheng guessed inwardly.

After a moment’s thought, Wang Changsheng looked at the two of them and said, “I am going to the Shangyang Li family for no reason connected to the Corpse Refining Sect whatsoever. It is entirely my own private matter.”

“Private matter?”

Wei Tong immediately asked, “Could it be that Deacon Wang has some entanglement with the Shangyang Li family?”

“Impossible,” the young woman said at once. “The Shangyang Li family rarely has cultivators moving about outside, and with Deacon Wang’s cultivation… there can be no entanglement between you and the Shangyang Li family!”

“You need not keep guessing,” Wang Changsheng said, looking at Wei Tong. “Elder Wei, give me a straightforward answer. Can you send me to the Shangyang Li family or not?”

“No.”

Before Wei Tong could speak, the young woman refused him outright.

“And who are you?” Wang Changsheng asked with a dark expression.

For him, this matter was of grave importance. It was not only tied to his own breakthrough, but also to the search for his second uncle. Zhang Mingyuan, the pavilion master of the Free Cultivators’ Pavilion, had left Wang Changsheng with too many doubts. If he did not uncover the truth, Wang Changsheng would not be able to sleep or eat in peace.

Wei Tong had originally only been hesitating, not issuing a definite refusal. It was this young woman’s attitude that had made him reject Wang Changsheng outright.

Wei Tong looked at Wang Changsheng with a wry smile. “Since you insist on going to the Shangyang Li family, then I shall tell you. This young friend here comes from Fire Phoenix Pool.”

“Fire Phoenix Pool?”

Wang Changsheng stared at the young woman in surprise. “You are a member of the Shangyang Li family?”

The young woman said nothing, only returned his gaze with a strange expression. Wang Changsheng could only look back to Wei Tong, hoping to have his suspicion confirmed.

After some consideration, Wei Tong gently nodded.

From the clues Wang Changsheng had obtained in the tavern, the place where the Shangyang Li family resided was precisely Fire Phoenix Pool. Since this young woman came from Fire Phoenix Pool, she was indeed of the Shangyang Li family.

“Now can you say it? What exactly are you going to the Shangyang Li family for?” the young woman asked sternly. “I suspect you have some ill intentions toward the Li family. If you do not make yourself clear today, I am afraid it will be difficult for you to leave Jinning City.”

“Others may fear your Corpse Refining Sect, but my Shangyang Li family does not,” she said coldly.

In terms of strength alone, the Shangyang Li family truly had nothing to fear from the Corpse Refining Sect. The Corpse Refining Sect had been sealed away from the world for so many years that its strength and foundation had indeed grown, but the Shangyang Li family had remained in seclusion ever since its establishment.

The strength of the Shangyang Li family had always been a mystery. In any case, it certainly would not be weaker than the Corpse Refining Sect. Of course, to say it was much stronger would also be impossible.

Wang Changsheng had not expected that while he was searching for the Shangyang Li family, one of its own people would be sitting right before him.

“So the rumors that the Wei family and the Shangyang Li family share a close relationship were true after all,” Wang Changsheng said gravely.

Then he looked at the young woman and said, “I seek the Shangyang Li family only for personal reasons. I am going there to find one person.”

“Who?” the young woman asked immediately.

At the same time, true essence surged about her, giving clear warning that she was prepared to strike if the answer displeased her. Wang Changsheng felt that if his reply failed to satisfy her, what awaited him might very well be a thunderous blow.

“Li Yunqing,” Wang Changsheng said. “I am going to the Shangyang Li family to find someone named Li Yunqing.”

“You are lying!”

The instant Wang Changsheng finished, the young woman declared, “You are absolutely lying. Speak—what exactly are you seeking from the Shangyang Li family?”

Her expression grew darker and darker.

“I truly am going to find someone named Li Yunqing,” Wang Changsheng said.

Seeing that he continued to insist, the young woman instead calmed down and said in a low voice, “Impossible. Even within the Shangyang Li family, not many people know that name. How could an outsider like you know of Ancestor Yunqing?”

“You are definitely lying,” she repeated.

“Ancestor? Li Yunqing is your ancestor?” Wang Changsheng said in astonishment. “Then this means that Li Yunqing, within the Shangyang Li family, must hold a…”

“Hmph. Ancestor Yunqing is the sole surviving forebear of the Shangyang Li family. Ordinary disciples of the family would not even know that name,” the young woman said sternly. “So how could an outsider like you know of Ancestor Yunqing?”

“But I truly am going to the Shangyang Li family to find this Li Yunqing,” Wang Changsheng said with both hands spread helplessly. “Besides, as you just said, very few people in the Shangyang Li family know that name. If I were not truly looking for this person, how could I know it?”

Wang Changsheng was also at a loss.

Chen Shangyi had said before that anyone who bore the name Li Yunqing in the Shangyang Li family must possess an extraordinary status. Now that he had received confirmation from a member of the Li family, Wang Changsheng suddenly felt that something must be wrong.

Could his second uncle really know such a formidable person? The sole surviving forebear of the Shangyang Li family? Was that not a little too formidable?