Mi Ling stood still, her gaze fixed on the jade stone in her hand as impatience crept into her expression. Two full days had passed without any response from Liang Yifei, and her patience was beginning to wear thin.
Just as her frustration reached its peak, the jade stone suddenly shimmered with a brilliant light. A blurry figure slowly materialized before her, its outline gradually becoming clearer.
The moment she recognized him, Mi Ling's eyes flashed with anger. "I'd like to shake the hand of whoever gave you the name 'Viper'!" she spat coldly. "You truly live up to your name."
The figure revealed itself to be Liang Yifei, his lips curling into a faint smirk as he met her gaze. "I'm afraid you won't have the chance, my dear," he said. "He is already dead, and it wasn't a pleasant death."
Mi Ling's expression remained composed, though the chill in her eyes deepened. "I can assure you, Liang Yifei, that if you don't bring back the peacock, your ending won't be any better."
Her grip tightened slightly as she spoke, her thoughts lingering on the precious peacock he had taken. The anger within her surged, yet she held it firmly in check.
Liang Yifei let out a low laugh, the sound carrying a cold edge. "You're in no position to make threats, Mi Ling," he said. "If you want the peacock back, you'll have to exchange it with something of the same value."
Mi Ling's gaze sharpened instantly. "What else do you want? I have already told you to forget about the key."
Liang Yifei leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing with intent. "You don't need to worry about that, I only want to know the location of the Heavenly Will Palace."
A subtle shift passed through Mi Ling's expression as she absorbed his words. "What made you think that I know the location?" she asked.
Liang Yifei's smile deepened. "You may not know, but I am sure that your Starry Sky Dao Alliance know."
A cold fury flickered within her eyes at that statement. "So you really killed the two elders and even dared to search their souls?" she said, her voice low and dangerous.
Liang Yifei showed no sign of concern, his smirk remaining unchanged. "I have heard about the underground city for quite some time now," he replied. "But I was not aware that it was divided among three factions, with the Starry Sky Dao Alliance being one of them—the faction to which you belong."
Mi Ling's expression turned icy as she met his gaze. "You already know about our faction, yet you speak to me with such confidence? Even the Heavenly Conqueror was forced to Ascend when he offended us."
A trace of surprise flashed across Liang Yifei's face at the mention of the Heavenly Conqueror. Though he had gained fragments of memory from the elders, this piece of information was new to him.
For a brief moment, his thoughts shifted, recalling the chaos surrounding that figure's rise and fall. The ambition, the conflict, and the consequences that followed all painted a clearer picture.
Mi Ling noticed the subtle change in his expression, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. Some truths remained hidden from most cultivators, known only to those who operated from the shadows.
To many, even figures as powerful as the Heavenly Conqueror were nothing more than pieces on a larger board.
Breaking the brief silence, Liang Yifei spoke again. "It doesn't concern you. All you need to do is give me the location, and I'll return the bird to you."
Mi Ling inhaled slowly, her thoughts racing as she weighed the decision before her. The Heavenly Will Palace was not something that could be exposed lightly, yet the peacock held equal importance to her.
After a moment, she lifted her gaze once more. "Fine, but if I do give you the location, I am expecting the return of my peacock unharmed and without delay."
Liang Yifei nodded without hesitation, a faint, calculating smile resting on his lips. "You have my word. I will return your peacock as soon as I have confirmed the location of the Heavenly Will Palace."
After further discussion, they settled on a meeting point—the Purple Heaven House. Mi Ling made it clear that both of them would arrive alone, and that any attempt at deception would not be tolerated.
With that, the jade stone dimmed, and Liang Yifei's figure slowly faded away, leaving Mi Ling standing alone.
Silence settled around her as she lowered the jade stone, her thoughts lingering on the exchange.
After a moment, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Perhaps it's time to finally remove this thorn from my side," she muttered softly. "But I must remain patient and wait for the right moment. As they say, revenge is a dish best-served cold."
---
The Purple Heaven House stood tall among the surrounding structures, a magnificent ten-layered pagoda that dominated the skyline.
From the outside, it appeared to be carved entirely from purple crystal, its surface shimmering beneath the starlight. A lush garden surrounded it, filled with rare and exotic flowers that radiated a faint, otherworldly beauty.
Its structure was adorned with intricate carvings of celestial beasts and ancient symbols, each detail exuding an air of grandeur. Layers of golden tiles crowned the roof, reflecting light in a dazzling display that enhanced its majestic presence.
Inside, the first floor was vast and tranquil, bathed in a soft purple glow that created a calm atmosphere. Shelves lined the walls, filled with ancient scrolls and tomes, while the floor was covered in thick, velvet carpets.
At the center of the room stood a large platform, upon which rested a glowing purple orb—the Spirit Platform. It served as a place where cultivators gathered to exchange knowledge and discuss their Dao.
Soft cushions were arranged around it, offering a place for meditation and quiet conversation. At the back of the room stood a grand altar, adorned with offerings and faintly burning incense, with small statues watching over the space.
Though it was usually filled with cultivators, tonight it was completely empty.
Only Liang Yifei remained.
He sat calmly on one of the cushions, dressed in a black robe embroidered with golden patterns that gave him an air of quiet authority. The fabric flowed naturally around him, its design both elegant and imposing.
Holding a cup of tea, he sipped slowly, his eyes closed as a faint smile rested on his lips.
In the stillness of the empty hall, he appeared completely at ease, as if the coming storm held no weight over him at all.