The Price of Blood

“What kind of price?” Ancestor Mysterious Mystic’s narrow pupils narrowed as he looked at the silver-robed maiden before him.

The silver-robed maiden smiled calmly. “For example, three top-grade Immortal-ranked magic treasures, or treasures of equivalent value.”

Ancestor Mysterious Mystic’s eyes twitched.

“Top-grade Immortal-ranked? Three of them?” Ancestor Mysterious Mystic had long heard that the Bloodcloud Hall’s prices were steep, but he was still shocked. “Ji Ning has only been cultivating for around seventy years!” he growled in a low voice. “Less than a century! I estimate his strength is at most comparable to a five-hundred-thousand-year Loose Immortal. The possibility of him being able to match a ‘million-year Loose Immortal’ is extremely tiny. To kill such a little fellow requires three top-grade Immortal-ranked treasures?”

“Do not be angry. This is a business transaction, a matter mutually agreeable to both parties.” The silver-robed maiden smiled. “Indeed, the possibility of Ji Ning reaching the level of a million-year Loose Immortal is very small. But the importance of this mission does not lie with Ji Ning himself. My Bloodcloud Hall cares very little about that little fellow. The most important aspect of this mission is Ji Ning’s teacher behind him! He was the number one winner of the Immortal Fortunes Assembly and vanished for over thirty years… no one knows who his teacher is. It is possible that when my Bloodcloud Hall attempts the assassination, he might crush a certain communication talisman, and his teacher would suddenly appear! My Bloodcloud Hall estimates that his teacher is at least a True Immortal or Empyrean God. Once his teacher appears, the squad my Bloodcloud Hall sends will surely die! My Bloodcloud Hall must take a great risk, hence the high price.”

A Pure Yang True Immortal or an Empyrean God was considered a powerhouse throughout the entirety of the Three Realms!

Within the Grand Xia world, the Xia Emperor was the only Pure Yang True Immortal!

If an assassination squad sent by the Bloodcloud Hall encountered a True Immortal or Empyrean God, they would naturally be doomed.

“Hmph.” Ancestor Mysterious Mystic shook his head. “Don’t try to fool me. The experts and mighty figures of the Three Realms raise their disciples by allowing them to roam and temper themselves. If a disciple dies in battle, it only means they were outmatched! Those mighty figures and great powers of the Three Realms would not casually intervene. That would be bullying the weak with their superior strength!”

The silver-robed maiden continued to smile. “There are significant entanglements behind Ji Ning. Three top-grade Immortal-ranked treasures, or treasures of equivalent value. That is my Bloodcloud Hall’s condition.”

“You…” Ancestor Mysterious Mystic ground his teeth.

“If you are unwilling, Celestial Immortal Mysterious Mystic, you may also leave,” the silver-robed maiden said, still smiling.

“Fine!”

Ancestor Mysterious Mystic gritted his teeth. He then produced some Immortal pills, spirit materials, Immortal-ranked magic treasures, and a massive amount of Primordial Liquid. Although he had come prepared, top-grade Immortal-ranked treasures were very important even to a ‘Celestial Immortal.’ The Shaoyin clan was not willing to easily part with them, so he used other treasures as a substitute.

“Is that enough?” Ancestor Mysterious Mystic’s eyes flickered with a baleful light. It pained him.

“Enough.” The silver-robed maiden nodded. “Celestial Immortal Mysterious Mystic, you may rest assured. This mission will absolutely not be divulged by my Bloodcloud Hall. I can swear a Heavenly Dao oath on this. As for Ji Ning… my Bloodcloud Hall will carefully investigate, make thorough preparations, and ensure that the mission is accomplished in one go. Within one year, he will surely meet his end.”

“Good. I will await the good news from your Bloodcloud Hall.” Ancestor Mysterious Mystic nodded.

The price of three top-grade Immortal-ranked magic treasures was neither too high nor too low. For these Celestial Immortal patriarchs who had lived for eons, they generally had a few top-grade Immortal-ranked treasures to protect themselves. Some of the most顶尖 Celestial Immortal patriarchs might even have Pure Yang magic treasures to guard them! Thus, offering three was only somewhat painful for the entire Shaoyin clan. At this critical moment of turbulence in the Three Realms, they were willing to pay such a price to eliminate a ‘threat.’

The Grand Xia Imperial Capital.

Ji Ning stood on a cloud, flying over the broad streets of the Grand Xia Imperial Capital. He had spent a day at the Black-White College in Anchan City, and had also gone to visit his good brother ‘Beishan Baiwei,’ before heading to the Grand Xia Imperial Capital. After all, with the Three Realms now turbulent, purchasing the large quantities of precious materials needed for formations was all the more urgent.

“Yan Estate.” Ji Ning looked at a familiar prince’s estate in the distance. Coming to the Imperial Capital, it was only natural to first visit his cousin before going to the Heavenly Treasures Mountain headquarters.

Swoosh.

Ji Ning, along with the Whitewater Hound, flew to the front of the estate. Little Qing was coiled around Ji Ning’s arm.

“You are Young Master Ji Ning?” The estate guards recognized Ji Ning instantly. The group of guards at the entrance all revealed looks of astonishment. Thirty-plus years was still relatively short for cultivators. They had been serving at the estate thirty years ago, so they naturally recognized Ji Ning.

“I wish to see the Commandery Princess,” Ji Ning said.

“Young Master Ji Ning, please wait a moment. I will go and report this immediately.” Immediately, a guard sped off to deliver the report.

Soon.

A group of people came out from within the estate, led by his cousin, Commandery Princess Xiyue.

“Ji Ning.” Xiyue Commandery Princess saw Ji Ning and immediately revealed a look of excitement. “I just learned from Heavenly Treasures Mountain last night that you had returned. I was planning to go see you once I had finished my matters here.”

“It is only right that Ji Ning comes to see the Commandery Princess,” Ji Ning said. He noticed that beside Xiyue Commandery Princess stood a tall, fair-skinned, handsome man who seemed quite close to his cousin. He couldn’t help but smile and ask, “And this is?”

“Oh.” A slightly awkward expression appeared on Xiyue Commandery Princess’s face as she quickly said, “This is Young Master ‘Feng Yungu’ from the Windbinding Island of the Heavenly Realm.”

“I have long heard of Brother Ji Ning’s great name. Meeting you today, I can see that you are indeed extraordinary.” The tall, handsome Feng Yungu said humbly.

Ji Ning nodded to himself. This Feng Yungu was humble and had no airs at all.

“Quickly come in. Standing at the entrance is not proper,” Xiyue Commandery Princess said hurriedly. At the same time, she secretly sent a telepathic message to Ji Ning, “Cousin, if nothing unexpected happens, Young Master Yungu here should be my future husband.”

“Ah.” Ji Ning was shocked inwardly and quickly sent back, “Cousin, you and him?”

“He will be marrying into my Yan Estate,” Xiyue Commandery Princess sent back telepathically. “In the future, I must reestablish the Yuchi clan, so I cannot marry out. As for Young Master Yungu… actually, it’s because our Grand Xia Dynasty has formed an alliance with the Windbinding Island of the Heavenly Realm. As a result, many imperial clan members and Windbinding Island disciples are becoming Dao-companions. I found this Young Master Yungu to be acceptable enough. He listens to me and is willing to marry into my family, so I nodded in agreement to become Dao-companions with him.”

Ji Ning understood.

The Windbinding Island of the Heavenly Realm?

The Grand Xia Dynasty?

“He is willing to marry in, listens to you, and I can see he is a humble person as well,” Ji Ning silently agreed. His cousin was single-mindedly focused on revenge. Having a husband like this might be a good thing.

“Cousin, you don’t need to pay too much attention to this Young Master Yungu. His status on Windbinding Island is not high, his strength is average, and he’s a bit of a softy,” Xiyue Commandery Princess sent telepathically. “But there is another Windbinding Island disciple at my Yan Estate who is also pursuing me, hoping to marry me back to Windbinding Island. This Windbinding Island disciple is named ‘Feng Yunpeng.’ He has a very high status on the island! He is one of the two sons of the Island Lord of Windbinding Island. The Grand Xia Emperor has already sent down an order for us imperial clan members not to stir up trouble. You need to be careful as well.”

“Oh? Don’t worry.” Ji Ning acknowledged.

…

Entering the estate.

Yuchi Xiyue prepared a welcoming feast for Ji Ning. Ji Ning, Yuchi Xiyue, and Young Master Feng Yungu chatted pleasantly. Young Master Feng Yungu seemed to have some natural inferiority complex, at least feeling somewhat constrained and inferior in front of Ji Ning.

“Hahaha, I heard that the peerless genius Ji Ning, the number one of the Grand Xia’s Immortal Fortunes Assembly, has arrived at the Yan Estate. Xiyue, you didn’t tell me. That’s not right of you.” Following a loud laugh, a youth dressed in an ornate cyan-gold Daoist robe walked in. The youth’s eyes were as bright as brilliant stars, his aura extraordinarily distinguished. Behind him followed two powerful attendants.

One attendant gave off the aura of a Fiendgod, likely a Fiendgod at the Void level!

The other attendant was a powerful Loose Immortal.

“Brother Yunpeng, I was afraid of disturbing you,” Xiyue Commandery Princess said with a smile. “Please, have a seat.”

Feng Yungu quickly stood up, giving up his seat to move to a lower position.

Brother Yunpeng unceremoniously took the seat next to Xiyue Commandery Princess, directly across from Ji Ning.

“Ji Ning, this is Brother Yunpeng. He is a genius from Windbinding Island of the Heavenly Realm and a powerful Earth Immortal at the Return to Void level,” Xiyue Commandery Princess quickly said.

“Greetings, Brother Yunpeng.” Ji Ning gave a slight bow.

Feng Yunpeng glanced at Ji Ning with a somewhat indifferent expression, then his face changed slightly as he smiled, “Oh, so Ji Ning, you have also stepped into the Earth Immortal (Return to Void) level.”

“Just early Return to Void stage, still inferior to Brother Yunpeng,” Ji Ning said modestly.

“Hahaha…” Feng Yunpeng laughed smugly. “I heard that you and Xiyue have a close relationship. You should help me persuade her. She is determined to marry this waste. Isn’t that just casting pearls before swine?” As he spoke, he cast a glance at Feng Yungu off to the side.

Even Feng Yungu, patient as he was, could not help but change expression slightly. He immediately lowered his head.

Feng Yunpeng laughed even more arrogantly. “Xiyue and I are a natural match, a perfect pair!” As he spoke, he even reached out a hand to try and touch Xiyue Commandery Princess’s hand. Xiyue Commandery Princess dodged slightly, her expression darkening. “Brother Yunpeng.”

“Fine, fine, fine. I won’t rush things.” Feng Yunpeng smiled immediately.

After all, Xiyue Commandery Princess had the Celestial Immortal ‘King Yan’ backing her, and now the Windbinding Island of the Heavenly Realm and the Grand Xia Dynasty were allies. He did not wish to cause any trouble.

“Brother Yunpeng.” Ji Ning had taken a dislike to this man, but he still changed the subject. “I heard you are from the Windbinding Island of the Heavenly Realm. I have never been to the Heavenly Realm. Brother Yunpeng, why don’t you tell me a little about it and broaden our horizons?”

Feng Yunpeng frowned.

Introduce it?

What status was I? Why should I introduce things to you?

But glancing at Xiyue Commandery Princess, he still snorted indifferently, “The Heavenly Realm is vast. The eastern part of the Heavenly Realm is dominated by the Heavenly Court, while the western part is mainly ruled by the Buddhist Spiritual Mountain. Of course, there are also countless Asuras and Heavenly Beings living throughout the Heavenly Realm, naturally forming all sorts of powers. My Windbinding Island is one of them.”

“I heard that after you won first place in the Immortal Fortunes Assembly, you did not become a disciple of Evergreen Sword Immortal, nor did you take any of the Daofather Crimsonbright lineage’s Immortals or Fiends as your master. Instead, you vanished without a trace. I wonder where Brother Ji Ning went?” Feng Yunpeng’s eyes lit up as he asked. He was very curious about this.

“Naturally, I went to take a teacher and learn the arts,” Ji Ning said calmly.

“Who did you study under?” Feng Yunpeng asked. “Where did you study?”

“My teacher ordered me not to tell outsiders,” Ji Ning said, shaking his head.

Feng Yunpeng couldn’t help but frown.

Ji Ning, however, had taken a strong dislike to this Feng Yunpeng. He immediately said, “Xiyue Commandery Princess, I still need to go to Heavenly Treasures Mountain to purchase some items. I will take my leave now.”