Junior sister took first place again

Ji Tang's heart tightened. She knew very well that Xue Wuying's attitude was like a turbulent undercurrent lurking beneath the calm surface of a lake. It might mean more temptations, or even malicious pressure.

She had to be careful and never let Xue Wuying see through her vigilance and disgust.

She nodded slightly, skillfully avoiding Xue Wuying's hawk-like sharp gaze, and said softly, "Mr. Xue, thank you for your praise. Ji Tang is just an ordinary person, how dare I accept such praise. I came here today simply for the sake of family harmony. I hope Mr. Xue can understand Ji Tang's sincerity."

When Xue Wuying saw Ji Tang's reaction, a glimmer of interest flashed in his eyes. He seemed quite satisfied with Ji Tang's humility and prudence, or perhaps he had a strong interest in Ji Tang's beauty like a blooming spring flower and her temperament like an orchid.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a meaningful smile, and he said slowly: "Since Miss Tang is so sincere, then I naturally cannot be stingy. Tonight, the Wubian Fengyue Tower will host a grand banquet. Miss Tang may wish to stay for a while and indulge in this romantic feast together."

Ji Tang knew clearly that this was not just an ordinary banquet, but also a further temptation and test of her by Xue Wuying.

She had to stay calm, but also wait for an opportunity to find out Xue Wuying's secret.

"Mr. Xue's invitation is so cordial, how could Ji Tang refuse it?" Ji Tang nodded slightly and accepted Xue Wuying's invitation.

The night was as dark as ink, and the lights in the Wubian Fengyue Tower were brightly lit, like a dazzling pearl, shining brightly. The atmosphere of the banquet was as warm as a burning flame, and the luxury was astonishing.

Ji Tang, dressed in gorgeous clothes, looked like a fairy descending to earth, and appeared side by side with Xue Wuying at this extremely noisy banquet.

She chatted and laughed gracefully with the guests, but her peripheral vision kept an eye on Xue Wuying's every move. Halfway through the banquet, Xue Wuying seemed a little tipsy. He gently put his arm around Ji Tang's waist like a breeze and whispered, "Miss Tang, accompany me to the garden for a walk. It's too noisy here."

Although Ji Tang was alert in her heart, she still smiled brightly on the surface. She replied softly, "Since Master Xue is so interested, Ji Tang will accompany him."

Ji Tang stood up gracefully like a light butterfly, cleverly avoiding Xue Wuying's hand that followed him like a shadow, and floated into the quiet garden together.

The moonlight was like silver yarn, and the fragrance of flowers danced like fairies, but Ji Tang's heart was not at peace. She knew that this might be the perfect opportunity for Xue Wuying to test her.

Xue Wuying stopped walking, turned around abruptly, and faced Ji Tang. His eyes, reflected in the moonlight, were like a deep lake. "Miss Tang, have you really put the past grudges behind you? I heard that you have always harbored a grudge against me."

Ji Tang's heart tightened, realizing that this was Xue Wuying's direct probing. She took a deep breath and replied calmly, "Master Xue, I misunderstood you in the past. Now, I only hope that my family can be at peace, and that I can live in peace with you, Master Xue."

In the garden, Xue Wuying's eyes flickered hazily in the moonlight, as if searching for the answer.

He stared into Ji Tang's eyes for a long time, and finally revealed a satisfied smile. He gently placed his hand on Ji Tang's shoulder, and said with a hint of teasing: "Miss Tang, do you know that your beauty is even more moving under the moonlight?"

Ji Tang keenly felt Xue Wuying's slightly cool fingers gently rubbing her shoulders. The alarm bells deep in her heart suddenly rang, and she wished she could chop them off.

Despite the ups and downs in his heart, Ji Tang's face remained as calm as usual, without showing any abnormality.

She subtly turned slightly to avoid Xue Wuying's touch and smiled, "Mr. Xue, you are too kind. I am just an ordinary person in this world. How dare I compete with the moonlight for glory?"

Xue Wuying saw Ji Tang avoid his touch as if it were a snake or scorpion, and a hint of subtle anger flashed in his eyes, but in an instant he returned to his uninhibited appearance, with a slight smile on his lips, "Miss Tang, you are really walking on thin ice, but I do admire your cleverness."

Ji Tang nodded slightly, his voice tinged with an almost imperceptible coldness, like the sharp wind on a cold night. "Master Xue, I'm here today with a sincere heart for my family and a sense of relief for the past. If Master Xue has other intentions, I'm afraid I won't be able to comply."

Seeing Ji Tang's firm attitude, Xue Wuying knew that this was not an object that could be easily teased, and that Ji Tang had a powerful family to support him. He was also unwilling to break the delicate balance with the Ji family because of his momentary selfish desires.

So, he put away his frivolous expression, straightened his face, and said in a deep voice: "Since Miss Tang is so frank, there is no need for us to beat around the bush. Let's talk about business."

Ji Tang felt relieved when she saw Xue Wuying change the subject. She nodded slightly and said, "Master Xue, please speak."

Xue Wuying's gaze was as deep as a pool, as if he could see into people's hearts. He recalled the time when they were both drawn into the Emperor Sword illusion, and slowly said, "That day in the Emperor Sword illusion, you and I were both helpless. I want to know, did Miss Tang notice anything unusual in that illusion?"

Ji Tang's heart trembled. She knew that Xue Wuying had ulterior motives for mentioning this. She pondered for a moment, then replied in a formal manner, "In this illusion, everything is like a mirage, illusory and unreal. What Ji Tang saw and felt was a fusion of past memories and deep-seated fears. As for any anomalies, I didn't notice any."

A gleam flashed in Xue Wuying's eyes. He seemed dissatisfied with Ji Tang's answer and pressed on, "Miss Tang, are you really unaware of anything? Let me tell you something. You set up a tight net in the imperial mausoleum, but how did Ning Zhao escape like a cunning rabbit?"

When Ji Tang mentioned this, he immediately became furious. "It was because I was not allowed to touch the fragment. I was stunned by it as soon as I entered the tomb."

Xue Wuying narrowed his eyes, sharp as a hawk's. "So, the one who took the fragment must have been Ning Zhao. You've been in this illusion for quite some time. Do you think that Ning Zhao is actually Princess Zhaohua of Ning Kingdom?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Tang looked at Xue Wuying in astonishment. After she woke up, she naturally knew what kind of illusion she had been involved in. She had also privately ridiculed Xue Wuying for failing to obtain the fragment.

However, judging by his tone at the moment, he seemed to suspect that there was someone else involved in the illusion at that time, and when the illusion was formed, the person closest to him was only that person - the Sword Immortal's disciple, Ning Jiasheng.

"You mean, could it be that the Sword Immortal's disciples have also been drawn into the vortex of this illusion?" Ji Tang pondered in his heart, and asked directly without any concealment on his face.

A sharp glint flashed in Xue Wuying's eyes. "Yes, I do suspect that. In a fantasy world, anything is possible. Ning Jiasheng, as the Sword Immortal's disciple, is exceptionally gifted in swordsmanship. If she truly entered the fantasy world and obtained the fragments of the Emperor's Sword, then things would become even more complicated."

Ji Tang was shocked. She knew that the information revealed in Xue Wuying's words was crucial. If Ning Jiasheng had truly entered the illusion, then she might have already understood the secret of the Emperor's Sword, or even mastered its power.

This is undoubtedly a huge threat to the aristocratic families, like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, causing thousands of waves.

Ji Tang pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "So, Master Xue is in Xizhou right now to clear up this mystery and get to the bottom of this matter? Do you suspect that Ning Jiasheng has already mastered the power of the Emperor's Sword?"

Xue Wuying nodded lightly, his voice heavy and stagnant, as if he was suffocated by a heavy burden. "It's not doubt, but certainty. Otherwise, how could her cultivation level have reached the Nascent Soul stage so quickly?"

When Ji Tang heard the news, he was struck by lightning and was shocked beyond words.

Ning Jiasheng had nothing to do with her, and no one told her about these things after Ji Tang woke up.

Her voice trembled a little: "Nascent Soul Stage? How is that possible? How old is she?"

Xue Wuying sighed, a trace of worry in his eyes, like a sky covered with dark clouds. "It's indeed unbelievable, but the ironclad facts are before us. With Ning Jiasheng's talent and background, if she truly possesses the power of the Emperor's Sword, she will undoubtedly become an extremely dangerous opponent."

Ji Tang's mind was racing with thoughts. She knew that if Ning Jiasheng was truly that powerful, the alliance of the aristocratic families would face an unprecedented threat.

She had to reassess the situation and find a new strategy. Ji Tang took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Master Xue, the importance of this news to us is self-evident. We must think carefully and rethink our strategy."

Xue Wuying nodded in agreement, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes: "Miss Tang is absolutely right. We must take a long-term view."

Ji Tang's heart moved, and she suddenly realized that this was both an opportunity and a severe challenge. She had to deal with it cautiously, but also wait for the opportunity to act and seek the greatest benefits for herself and her family.

She whispered, "Master Xue, the Ji family is willing to help. We have spies all over the place, and perhaps we can find clues about Ning Jiasheng more quickly."

Xue Wuying's gaze lingered on Ji Tang's face for a moment, as if assessing her true intentions.

After a moment, he slowly spoke: "Miss Tang's suggestion is very valuable. If we combine our forces, we can indeed track Ning Jiasheng's whereabouts more effectively."

"I wonder how many people you brought with you this time?"

Ji Tang smiled slightly, her eyes revealing a hint of shrewdness: "Master Xue, I didn't bring too many people with me this time. After all, Xizhou is not the sphere of influence of my Ji family. Too many people will easily reveal our whereabouts."

"Furthermore, Tianqian is mobilizing elite young disciples from all the major families. Since I wasn't there, they'd have to fill in with more disciples, so I shouldn't come with a big fanfare. I've only brought a few trustworthy family elites, all of whom are experts in concealment and reconnaissance."

Xue Wuying nodded, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "Miss Tang is very thoughtful. This is indeed a safer approach. However, the opponent we are facing is not to be underestimated. This time, we should not go in like we did last time. We should just follow the normal procedures."

"At worst, the secret realm will close in a few months. I can just wait and see."

Ji Tang lowered his eyes. "I understand. The Patriarch has also told me about the current situation. Regarding the Xuanling Sect and Cheng Yan, what is the current situation? Is there anything I can do?"

Xue Wuying pondered for a moment, then said: "The Xuanling Sect is a behemoth, it is not easy to take action. Now we can only start with Cheng Yan."

"The news from Jizhou tells us not to act rashly. When we can penetrate the floating world, that will be the time for Ku Gu to act."

"After all, there are so many powerful beings here, it would be extremely difficult to kill her."

Ji Tang nodded slightly, indicating that he understood. After a moment's thought, Xue Wuying continued, "That's great. Since you're already here, I can't show up in person, so you should apply to garrison the Tianque Realm. That way, you and I can work together, one in the open and one in the dark. I'm sure we can achieve twice the result with half the effort!"

Hearing this, Ji Tang's heart couldn't help but be moved.

This is not only an excellent opportunity to gain Xue Wuying's trust, but also a good opportunity to test his true attitude towards the Ji family.

So, she gently opened her red lips and responded softly, "Mr. Xue is absolutely right. This arrangement is the most appropriate. Our manpower can complement each other, so we can work together to deal with various situations that may arise in the future."

The two reached a consensus on this, and Ji Tang no longer delayed. He immediately relied on his identity as a cultivator in the Spirit Transformation Stage and followed the special procedures of the aristocratic family to ask for orders directly from True Lord Zhao Yu.

At the same time, Ye Qingge was discussing important matters with his deputy Wen Xingzhou and several guard generals in the big tent.

Suddenly, a piece of news came.

Several people around also noticed the unusual movement in the air. After recognizing that it was a petition from a top disciple of an aristocratic family, they all fell silent and looked intently.

Ye Qingge unfolded the scroll, was startled at first, then the corners of his mouth slightly raised, raised his eyebrows with interest, and chuckled.

Seeing Ye Qingge's reaction, Wen Xingzhou couldn't help but ask curiously, "What news is this that makes the True Lord laugh so much?"

Ye Qingge gently put the scroll down, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes: "It's someone from the Ji family, Ji Tang, she requested to be stationed in Tianque Realm."

Everyone in the tent looked at each other in bewilderment. One general said, "Didn't her grandfather just bring her back from Youzhou not long ago? I'm afraid her injuries haven't healed yet. What's going on?"

They all knew that Ji Tang's identity and temperament made it impossible for him to be stationed in Tianque Realm. It was a blessing for this arrogant and extravagant son of a noble family not to cause trouble.

The man continued, "Besides, shouldn't she be on the other side of the chasm? If we want to go to war, the chasm is the place that is most short of manpower right now."

Ye Qingge smiled slightly, her eyes revealing a hint of depth: "The reason behind this is probably only known to Ji Tang himself. In short, I have no reason to refuse the request of a cultivator in the Spiritualization Stage."

A guard commander who knew some of the secrets said in a deep voice, "True Lord, should we be wary of her? The Ji family's movements are always unpredictable."

Ye Qingge nodded, a solemn look in her eyes: "Indeed, it should be so. The people of the Ji family deserve special attention."

Wen Xingzhou suddenly said from the side: "Why not stay with me? I'm afraid she'll go in and follow Junior Sister again."