["Alchemist Wang."]
[The person who came to invite you was Jiang Rong'er, a high-ranking member of the Jiang Family and Jiang Jixue's trusted confidante.]
[Jiang Rong'er knew exactly what the Jiang Family's current situation entailed.]
[The consecutive deaths of two Great True Persons—the supreme elder and the Jiang Family Patriarch—had dealt a devastating blow to Jiang Jixue's faction.]
[With Venerable Xuan's protection, the Jiang Family remained externally secure despite losing two Great True Persons. Internally, however, they had once again plunged into fierce factional struggles.]
[If you hadn't repeatedly voiced your support for Jiang Jixue over the past few years, her position as the Jiang Family Matriarch would likely be quite precarious right now.]
[Today, you held a pivotal position among the many chambers of commerce on Profound King Island. This was not just because of your role as vice alliance leader, but because you had led them to amass a tremendous amount of wealth during the years of war between the two domains.]
[The recent large-scale auction, in particular, had allowed everyone across Profound King Island to rake in massive wealth.]
[Coupled with your personal influence as the head of the Qingyuan Chamber of Commerce, a Tier 3 Middle-Grade Alchemist, and more...]
[Offending you too deeply and forcing you to side with the Wan Family would be a tremendous loss for the Jiang Family as a whole.]
[Over the years, the Wan Family had been incredibly eager to win you over.]
["Let's go."]
[You made some brief preparations and left your cave dwelling.]
[Jiang Rong'er knew nothing about your impending review of the Nascent Soul formation insights.]
[This matter violated the Jiang Family's rules; naturally, the fewer people who knew, the better.]
[You only knew because Jiang Rong'er had mentioned the secret code agreed upon between you and Jiang Jixue.]
[A normal invitation to drink tea at the Jiang Family estate wouldn't include any extra words.]
[This time, however, Jiang Jixue had specifically asked Jiang Rong'er to pass on a message: the spirit tea you wanted was ready.]
[The "spirit tea you wanted" referred precisely to the Nascent Soul formation insights you coveted.]
[Before long, Jiang Rong'er led you to the Jiang Family estate.]
[At the entrance, a middle-aged man in gray robes had already been waiting for some time.]
["True Person Peige?"]
[Jiang Rong'er's expression shifted slightly.]
[True Person Peige was one of the Jiang Family's three current late-stage Golden Core Great True Persons, and he coveted Jiang Jixue's position as matriarch.]
[If True Person Peige wanted to become the Jiang Family Patriarch, he first needed the approval of over two-thirds of the family elders.]
[Thus far, thanks to your strong backing, replacing the family head would inevitably cause turmoil and a cascade of repercussions. Therefore, the elders continued to support Jiang Jixue as the Jiang Family Matriarch.]
["Alchemist Wang..."]
[True Person Peige's gaze was sharp, but a friendly smile surfaced on his face when he saw you. "Could I borrow you for a quick word?"]
["You can just speak your mind, True Person Peige..." you said casually, your tone calm.]
[You naturally knew his purpose: to win you over and secure your support, or at the very least, convince you to drop your support for Jiang Jixue.]
[But... withdrawing support from Jiang Jixue, who firmly held the title of matriarch, to back True Person Peige instead?]
[Wouldn't that be discarding the root to chase the branches?]
[Whatever True Person Peige could offer you, Jiang Jixue could match.]
[Even things True Person Peige couldn't offer, Jiang Jixue could still provide.]
[Coupled with the fact that you and Jiang Jixue had built a decent rapport over the years, you understood her quite well.]
[Under equal conditions, you would undoubtedly prioritize supporting her.]
["Then... we can discuss this... later."]
[True Person Peige frowned. In terms of strength, he was a late-stage Golden Core Great True Person and firmly believed he could crush you.]
[However, raw power wasn't everything on Profound King Island. If he actually attacked you, the island's chambers of commerce would fiercely oppose it, and Jiang Jixue would undoubtedly fan the flames from the shadows...]
[It would absolutely be a self-defeating action, killing one hundred enemies while losing one thousand of his own.]
[Since he harbored ambitions to break through to the Nascent Soul realm, he naturally wouldn't gamble his future just to vent a moment's frustration.]
[True Person Peige turned and left, allowing Jiang Rong'er beside you to breathe a sigh of relief.]
[If you had actually been swayed by True Person Peige, it would have been another severe blow to Jiang Jixue.]
[In a nearby corner, a handsome Jiang Family cultivator at the Early Foundation Establishment Stage witnessed this scene and nodded to himself.]
['This Alchemist Wang truly has good character!']
[This Jiang Family member was named Jiang Wang.]
[Of course, the current Jiang Wang was no longer the original one; his body had been taken over through soul possession by the Jiang Family Patriarch over half a year ago.]
[Several years ago, during the battle in the savage lands, the Jiang Family Patriarch had exhausted nearly every method at his disposal while being hunted by True Person Chishe.]
[Though both were late-stage Golden Core Great True Persons, True Person Chishe excelled at pursuit. Aided by that crimson snake—which could lock onto an enemy's soul aura—and several other demonic path Great True Persons...]
[...the Jiang Family Patriarch found himself completely cornered with no way out.]
[In a final act of desperation, he completely sealed his own soul aura to evade the crimson snake's tracking. He then utilized a heavenly secret wondrous item to obscure his fate, preventing any divination from tracking him.]
[Ultimately, he abandoned his physical body and his Golden Core, escaping with only a sliver of a remnant soul.]
[Paying such a tragic price finally convinced True Person Chishe that he was entirely dead, allowing that sliver of a remnant soul to secretly return to the vicinity of Profound King Island.]
[Initially, the Jiang Family Patriarch hadn't known how to enter the island. Reduced to a mere wisp of a soul, he couldn't possibly bypass the defensive arrays.]
[But shortly after, he spotted Jiang Wang, an Early Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator, leaving Profound King Island...]
[The Jiang Family Patriarch seized the opportunity to perform soul possession on him.]
[As someone merely at the Early Foundation Establishment Stage, Jiang Wang naturally couldn't resist a former Late-Stage Great True Person.]
[Assuming Jiang Wang's identity, the Jiang Family Patriarch smoothly returned to the family.]
[He chose not to expose his true identity.]
[He knew very well that without him, Jiang Jixue's position in the family was far less stable than before.]
[Rashly revealing himself wouldn't be a good thing.]
[It would make it far too easy for the family's other Great True Person to silently assassinate him.]
[After all, the current Jiang Family Patriarch was no longer at the Late Golden Core Stage. He wasn't even at the Core Formation Stage; he was merely at the Early Foundation Establishment Stage.]
[True Person Peige and the other Great True Person only needed to use a few underhanded tricks to doom him eternally.]
[The Jiang Family Patriarch understood clearly that the detriments of exposing his identity now far outweighed any benefits.]
[Therefore, he decided to remain hidden.]
[His true realm was that of a late-stage Golden Core Great True Person. Cultivating back to that level wouldn't be difficult, and he wouldn't face any bottlenecks.]
[The biggest flaw of soul possession was that his maximum cultivation boundary was permanently locked; he could never advance further.]
[However, recovering his peak cultivation from before the possession would still be quite easy.]
[Over the years, he had also secretly stashed away some private funds, which were more than enough to support his cultivation back to the Core Formation Stage.]
[So for now, the Jiang Family Patriarch wasn't in a rush.]
['Jixue, wait for me. Once I recover my strength, I will definitely seek justice for all the grievances and unfairness you've suffered these past years!']
[The Jiang Family Patriarch's heart surged with emotion. 'Surviving a great disaster guarantees future fortunes. Everything I lost, I will take back one by one!']
[Even if the Nascent Soul realm was hopeless, a Late Golden Core Stage cultivation was still top-tier combat power within the Jiang Family.]
[He had never planned to attempt the Nascent Soul breakthrough anyway. He possessed neither a heavenly spiritual root nor a Flawless Gold Core, so the drawback of soul possession didn't bother him.]
[Under Jiang Rong'er's guidance, you arrived at the Jiang Family's guest hall.]
[Jiang Jixue sat high in the seat of honor. She had a slender figure, her cloudy hair cascading down both sides. With elegant, sweeping brows, a graceful neck, and fair, luminous skin on display, her slightly exhausted demeanor evoked an irresistible urge to pull her into an embrace.]
[After entering the hall, you took your usual seat on the lower right side out of habit.]
["Alchemist Wang, you can taste the spirit tea you requested today..."]
[Jiang Jixue spoke with a double meaning, showing no sign of reluctance.]
[Trading her grandfather's Nascent Soul formation insights for your steadfast support felt entirely worthwhile to her.]
[After all, the insights weren't direct tangible resources; letting you read them resulted in no direct loss for her.]
["Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Xue."]
[You replied immediately, in high spirits.]
["However, the Nascent Soul formation insights involve our family laws, so Alchemist Wang certainly cannot take them back..." Jiang Jixue gazed at you. "Later, while you review them, I will seal the hall to block any prying eyes or divine sense probes... to prevent discovery by my clan members."]
["Naturally."]
[You nodded slightly, voicing no objections.]
[She had most likely sneaked the Nascent Soul formation insights out, so they absolutely couldn't be discovered by outsiders.]
["If Fellow Daoist Wang has any requests in the future, you may speak to me directly..."]
[Jiang Jixue looked at you. Her tone was gentle, no longer carrying the unapproachable loftiness of the esteemed Jiang Family Matriarch. She had already learned of how you rejected True Person Peige outside the gates, and her attitude toward you had naturally grown much warmer.]
[Outside the hall, Jiang Wang—the possessed body of the Jiang Family Patriarch—was carefully watching the beautiful silhouette seated high within, the woman who constantly occupied his thoughts.]
[Even though he had decided to hide his identity, the Jiang Family Patriarch was prepared to remain in the shadows and silently protect his beloved dao companion.]
['Jixue is truly brilliant. To think she managed to win over a figure like Alchemist Wang with just some spirit tea...']
[The Jiang Family Patriarch gazed from afar, thinking to himself.]
[Right at that moment—]
[The great doors of the hall began to close.]
[At the same time, the hall's formations activated, blocking any divine sense probes.]
['What is the meaning of this? Why close the hall doors?']
[The Jiang Family Patriarch vaguely sensed something was wrong.]
[Whenever you had come to the Jiang Family for tea in the past, this step was never included.]
[That was exactly why he had praised your character earlier.]
[But now?]
[A chill ran through the Jiang Family Patriarch's heart, and he didn't dare think any further.]
[A lone man and a lone woman, locked together in a sealed hall.]
[What were they planning to do!]
[Burning with anxiety, the Jiang Family Patriarch wanted nothing more than to storm into the hall right then and reveal his identity to Jiang Jixue.]
['Your husband isn't dead yet.']
['He's still alive!']
[But ultimately, the Jiang Family Patriarch held himself back.]
[As a Core Formation True Person, he naturally knew such an act would be far too impulsive.]
[Even if he managed to stop whatever scandalous act was happening inside, he would plunge himself into grave danger.]
[Moreover, the Jiang Family Patriarch had immense faith in his dao companion.]
[Did sealing the hall absolutely mean something scandalous was about to happen?]
[Not necessarily, right?]
[The Jiang Family Patriarch's thoughts were a tangled mess, but in the end, his rationality suppressed them.]
['Jixue definitely has her reasons for doing this. As her husband, I must choose to believe in her unconditionally at a time like this...']
[The Jiang Family Patriarch continuously comforted himself, not daring to show any trace of anger or resentment.]
[He had to prevent the other clan members from noticing any clues and consequently exposing his identity.]
[Inside the hall.]
[After sealing the interior from the outside, Jiang Jixue gracefully descended from the raised dais.]
[Only at this moment did you notice that Jiang Jixue was dressed much lighter than usual.]
[She wore a simple, unadorned white gauze dress. Through the sheer fabric, you could faintly see her porcelain-white skin and her alluring curves...]
[Your gaze swept briefly over her, not lingering for too long.]
[Since the Nascent Soul formation insights were not yet in your hands, you naturally wouldn't make any unnecessary moves that might ruin her impression of you.]
[Soon.]
[Jiang Jixue stopped right in front of you.]
["These are the Nascent Soul formation insights you requested..."]
[Raising a slender, jade-like hand, Jiang Jixue brought out a jade slip engraved with complex patterns.]
["Nascent Soul formation insights!"]
[Your mind shook as your gaze instantly locked onto the jade slip.]
[Out of four simulations, this was the first time you had ever come into contact with Nascent Soul formation insights.]
[In truth, the Taiyuan Region's Taiyuan Palace, the five major Core Formation tier sects, and others all possessed Nascent Soul formation insights.]
[But it was extremely difficult for outsiders to view them. Even with an opportunity, one would have to pay a massive price.]
[If it weren't for the major upheaval in the Jiang Family, where the successive deaths of two Great True Persons left Jiang Jixue's position faltering...]
[...the Jiang Family Matriarch would never have taken such a massive risk to secretly bring you the Nascent Soul formation insights to read.]
[Under normal circumstances, even if you could earn a chance to view them, it would be decades later, after making immense contributions to the Jiang Family.]
["I have temporarily unlocked the jade slip's restrictions using a secret family technique. Alchemist Wang, you can view it directly by sending in your divine sense..."]
[Jiang Jixue's beautiful eyes were like vast lakes. She extended her right hand, offering the jade slip to you.]
["Alright..."]
[You reached out to take the jade slip, inadvertently brushing against her fair, smooth skin.]
[A faint blush tinted Jiang Jixue's stunning face, carrying a hint of shyness. For so many years, not even the Jiang Family Patriarch, her dao companion in name, had ever engaged in physical contact with her.]
[As a female Golden Core True Person, Jiang Jixue hadn't reached the late-stage realm merely by relying on the family's resources; she had poured an immense amount of time and energy into her cultivation.]
[To some extent, she was much like her grandfather. Both were ascetic cultivators capable of suppressing the vast majority of their emotional desires.]
[Gripping the jade slip, you could faintly smell the elegant fragrance of Jiang Jixue lingering on it.]
["These patterns..."]
[You noticed the complex patterns carved into the jade slip, recognizing them as a form of restriction.]
[Thanks to these sealing patterns, even if this jade slip fell into the hands of another cultivator, they wouldn't be able to pry into its contents without the specific secret technique.]
[Without overthinking it, you immediately sent your divine sense into the jade slip, browsing through the Nascent Soul formation insights inside.]
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