Chapter 102: The Method to Break the Technique

Liang Yan let out a bitter laugh and said, "So it turns out I was merely a pawn used to break the formation."

"Not entirely," Ji Lai shook his head. "This is actually an opportunity for us. Brother Liang, think about it—if it weren’t for Yun Xuzi selecting you, would you have even come here? And with your Qi Refinement stage cultivation, how could you possibly have followed those Foundation Establishment elders to such a treasure trove?"

"In that case, I suppose it’s a stroke of luck for me," Liang Yan replied.

"Haha, fortune and misfortune go hand in hand—who can predict which is which? Take me, for example; I was also brought here against my will," Ji Lai said with a smile.

Liang Yan glanced at him, thinking, "You hardly look like someone being held captive!"

At that moment, the Crane Matron spoke up. "Actually, I invited Young Master Ji here today to propose an alliance. Since Young Friend Liang is also involved, why don’t the three of us form a pact?"

"I’m all ears," Ji Lai responded.

"Truth be told," the Crane Matron continued, "I know that neither of you have a good relationship with the Foundation Establishment cultivators who brought me here. I hope that once you enter the Mountain Palace, you can act as my covert agents, keeping an eye on Yun Xuzi and Zhao Wuming. And when necessary, you can assist me discreetly."

"In return," she added, "I will swear on my heart’s demon oath that during this Mountain Palace expedition, I will do everything in my power to protect your lives. Furthermore, whatever opportunities or rewards we attain, I will share ten percent of them with each of you. Even if it’s something that cannot be divided, I will convert it into equivalent spirit stones to compensate you."

"Oh?" Liang Yan’s interest was piqued, and he cautiously asked, "Can you help me remove the poison?"

"Haha, I don’t practice poison arts, but I can help you deal with Yun Xuzi! Once he’s dead, naturally, you’ll obtain the antidote he carries."

Liang Yan pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Since Elder Crane speaks with such sincerity, I shall agree."

The Crane Matron’s face lit up with delight, then she turned to Ji Lai. Ji Lai shrugged with a casual air and said, "I’m on the same side as Brother Liang. If he agrees, so do I!"

"Haha!" The Crane Matron laughed heartily, a look of satisfaction on her face. "Both of you are exceptionally clever; you have not disappointed me."

She then regarded Liang Yan again. "Though Yun Xuzi is a sly old Taoist, his strength is unfathomable. Among the seven exploring the Mountain Palace, he definitely ranks in the top three—no easy opponent."

"Yun Xuzi cultivates the Taoist ‘Innate One Qi Gong.’ This technique was created by Taoist cultivators sensing the universe, refining a pure innate qi unique to humans. No matter the myriad spells or transformations, his single breath of innate qi allows him to respond to countless changes with unwavering Taoist magic."

Liang Yan sensed there was more to her story and remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

Sure enough, the Crane Matron added, "However, this Innate One Qi Gong has a fatal flaw before mastery: it is susceptible to corruption by certain external substances."

"Is that so?" Liang Yan said skeptically.

"Rest assured, Young Friend Liang, I would not deceive you on such a matter. But this weakness isn’t easy to exploit. Remember, when Yun Xuzi duels peers of equal cultivation, his innate qi grants him near invincibility—no flaws to be found, and he would never give you an opportunity to taint his true qi."

"Then how does one break through it?"

"You must wait until he is emotionally agitated or severely wounded. Only then will a sliver of opportunity arise." Finishing her words, the Crane Matron withdrew a red orb from her storage ring and handed it to Liang Yan.

"This is a Blood Purification Orb, designed to corrupt others’ spirit tools—perfect for dealing with Yun Xuzi. It was originally my contingency plan in case I clashed with him inside the Mountain Palace. Since you need it more, I gift it to you as a token of our alliance."

Liang Yan took it, briefly inspecting the orb before placing it in his storage pouch. Bowing, he said, "Thank you, Elder, for this precious gift. I shall remember our pact."

Though he knew the old woman was using him as a pawn, he had no other choice. In this exchange, he gained a valuable life-saving asset.

The Crane Matron nodded with satisfaction, then warned anxiously, "The Blood Purification Orb can only be used once. Young Friend Liang, you must be extremely cautious, waiting for the right moment. Do not recklessly confront him at his peak strength."

"Rest assured, I am no fool," Liang Yan replied.

At that moment, Ji Lai cheerfully interjected, "Haha, our alliance today is great news indeed. Miss Xuewei, why not join us for a few drinks in the city to deepen our understanding of each other?"

Unexpectedly, the Crane Matron waved her sleeve dismissively and said coldly, "Hmph, do not underestimate Yun Xuzi and Zhao Wuming. You have disappeared in the city for so long; they surely have eyes watching you. Now that our business is settled, I suggest you two leave quickly."

Seeing the Crane Matron had already given the order to depart, Ji Lai, no matter how thick-skinned, was too embarrassed to linger.

The two bid farewell and left the back courtyard together. Guided by several maids, they walked toward the estate’s exterior.

Only after their figures vanished from sight did Murong Xuewei pout in displeasure and say, "Crane Granny! Those two Qi Refiners—why not just kill them? Turning them into my corpse puppets as inside agents would be just as effective. Why let them go?"

The Crane Matron snorted coldly, "Hmph, you little girl know nothing! Do you think Yun Xuzi and Zhao Wuming wouldn’t notice with their divine abilities? If they discovered their people had been turned into corpse puppets, I would be the first target. Your recklessness almost ruined everything!"

"Still, you didn’t have to be so polite, did you? With your divine powers, you could have set controls inside them—just like Yun Xuzi controls Liang Yan—making them obedient. Wouldn’t that be better?" Murong Xuewei pouted stubbornly.

"Sigh, you don’t understand. That scholar Ji Lai probably has tremendous backing," the Crane Matron sighed.

"Really?" Murong Xuewei asked curiously.

The Crane Matron nodded. "His cultivation method is extremely strange. I once had the fortune to witness it during my travels long ago. If he truly inherits that lineage, he is not someone we can provoke."

"Besides," she added, "that Liang Yan always gives me an unpredictable feeling. Though they are only two Qi Refiners, with such a serious matter at hand, we must strike at their hearts first and plan carefully before acting. If we act, it must be to secure victory!"

"Oh!" Murong Xuewei blinked, nodding with a half-understood expression.