Chapter 21: For the Huan Li, I’m Going All Out

“Alright, alright, fine.”

She knew it. Jiang Ji was determined to twist her words, trying to use “covering for him” to dismiss Xue Chen’s contribution.

“This princess does indeed like Xue Chen, so what? Do I need to lie and cover for him here? With a single word from me, even if Xue Chen wasn’t a member of my team, it wouldn’t be a problem for him to enter the Frigid Spirit Pool. Why would I need to make up all these lies?”

“On the contrary, your Jiang family is acting very strangely!”

“Could it be that Jiang Feng’s death has caused your Jiang family to harbor resentment towards the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, and towards His Majesty?”

“Furthermore, Jiang Erlang was always a bully. Perhaps he provoked some powerful figure himself and led the murderer to the courtyard. Fortunately, this princess and Ning Jin, as well as the other students, are all fine. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be your Jiang family demanding a thorough investigation, but His Majesty demanding an explanation from your Jiang family.”

Ning Shengsheng was incredibly grateful for her status. It allowed her to speak these words with such confidence and to have everyone present completely convinced. Everyone knew that Princess Ning An was doted on beyond measure. If, because of Jiang Feng, Princess Ning An had met with any misfortune, His Majesty would probably have annihilated the entire Jiang family.

“You—”

Jiang Ji’s eyes darted to the emperor’s darkening face, and he immediately knelt down.

“Your Majesty, the Jiang family harbors absolutely no resentment! It is just that my second brother died so inexplicably. When my father heard the news, his hair turned white at the temples overnight. I hope Your Majesty will see clearly.”

Pei Yuan looked at Jiang Ji with a cold expression. After hearing Ning Shengsheng’s words, he realized that old Jiang Pingqie would definitely cause trouble for the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. He had originally intended to properly investigate the murderer, but now he felt a sense of weariness. In this cruel world where the strong prey on the weak, if Jiang Feng’s skills were inferior, what could be done?

In the great hall, Jiang Ji knelt trembling in the center. Ning Shengsheng glared at him angrily. Pei Yuan’s face was indifferent. The others were all庆幸that the murderer had only sought revenge on Jiang Feng and had not vented their anger on them.

After a few moments of silence, as cold sweat beaded on Jiang Ji’s forehead, the young emperor on the dragon throne finally spoke.

“I will have Master Pei investigate Jiang Feng’s death.”

“As for whether Xue Chen can enter the Frigid Spirit Pool, just as my dear sister said, our Great Ning is powerful and prosperous. We have won, so we have won. How can we take back our words?”

“So it is decided.”

“You two, come with me.” Ning Xuan strode down from the platform and pointed at Ning Shengsheng and Xue Chen. He was going to take the two of them to the Frigid Spirit Pool.

The people in the hall all showed expressions of envy.

Jiang Ji collapsed to the ground. He had failed the task his father had given him. He would probably have to face his father’s wrath when he returned. His hands went numb, and he trembled violently.

…

The Frigid Spirit Pool was located in the Taiji Palace, in the northernmost part of the imperial palace. It was a spiritual spring left by the ancestors. Many had only heard of it but had never entered. When Ning Xuan had just ascended the throne, he was at the early stage of the Profound Aperture realm. After ascending the throne, he cultivated daily in the Frigid Spirit Pool and was now close to the late stage.

The three of them mounted Ning Xuan’s flying steed, a magnificent Thunder and Lightning Lion, pure white with runes containing lightning on its back. The cold wind howled past their ears.

Ning Shengsheng’s eyes widened in surprise. Only now did she truly feel that she had transmigrated into a xuanhuan novel. All her previous travels had been by carriage, and subduing the bone demon had only filled her with fear, unlike now. She wasn’t on a plane; she was riding on the back of a lion, and flying so fast! If she were to see someone riding a sword one day, wouldn’t that be the coolest thing ever?!

In a few breaths, the Thunder and Lightning Lion stopped above the Frigid Spirit Pool. She looked down and saw a cluster of blue spiritual spring nestled in the middle of a lush green mountain peak. Wisps of mist rose from the spring. If she wasn’t mistaken, it was formed by the condensation of the overly dense spiritual energy.

“Three days.”

Ning Xuan looked at Xue Chen, his expression indifferent. “In three days, the Thunder and Lightning Lion will come to pick you up.”

He turned to instruct Ning Shengsheng, his eyes softening. “An’an, although you have no talent for cultivation, soaking in here will be good for your body.”

“Older Brother, I know!”

Ning Shengsheng waved both her hands. “You should go back now.”

Ning Xuan mounted his steed, and as if remembering something, he turned to Xue Chen and ordered, “Boy, don’t provoke An’an. If I find out you’ve been bullying her, I will definitely raze the Heavenly Phoenix Nation to the ground.”

“…”

Xue Chen was speechless. Did he not know how arrogant and domineering his own sister was? It would be a blessing if she didn’t bully him.

Ning Xuan glared at Xue Chen. Ning Shengsheng rubbed her nose in embarrassment and reached out to gently tug at the Thunder and Lightning Lion’s whiskers. “Quick, take your master and go. Don’t be so embarrassing.”

“Roar—”

The Thunder and Lightning Lion roared, its head held high, and in a flash, it disappeared over the horizon.

“Ning An, you’re taking his side!!”

Ning Xuan’s voice grew fainter as the Thunder and Lightning Lion flew away, until it was completely gone.

“Ahem, that’s just how Older Brother is. After all, he knows what a good-for-nothing I am… you know?”

She finished with a goofy grin.

Xue Chen nodded, his eyes looking to the side. He said nothing and walked to the edge of the spiritual pool.

“Your Highness, you take the left, I’ll take the right?”

Ning Shengsheng clearly sensed that his attitude was colder than usual. She didn’t know what was wrong with him. She followed him over, glanced at the left side where the spiritual energy was richer, and without giving him a chance to refuse, said, “You go to the left.”

The young man was stunned for a moment but said nothing. Knowing he couldn’t argue with her, he had no choice but to go to the left side of the pool to cultivate. A strange feeling rose in his heart.

She had always been so enthusiastic, always smiling. Just now, she seemed a little unhappy.

Xue Chen frowned, cast aside the messy thoughts, and closed his eyes to cultivate.

Ning Shengsheng snorted, plopped down with a “plop,” and secretly vowed not to speak to him today.

The Beast Transformation Art could not be exposed. As for the path of spiritual cultivation, she really had no talent. To other cultivators, the Frigid Spirit Pool was a great treasure. To her, it was just a hot spring.

After soaking for half an hour, she grew restless. Ning Shengsheng got up, intending to find some wild fruit to eat and take a walk on Taiji Mountain. She hadn’t walked more than a few steps when the system’s mechanical voice sounded in her mind.

【Host, you have triggered a side quest.】

?

What mission?

The system didn’t speak. She had a bad feeling. “Don’t tell me you’re going to make me interrupt Xue Chen’s advancement to the Earth Aperture realm again?” The last time had almost killed her!

【No, cough…】

But this mission wasn’t much better.

【I have sensed a spirit beast, a Huan Li, within Taiji Mountain. If the Host captures it successfully, the mission will be complete.】

“Can I choose not to do it?” The system was stuttering, so it definitely wasn’t that simple. There might even be a trap.

【Of course you can. Side quests do not involve a death penalty. It’s just… that’s a spirit beast…】

【Host, are you not tempted?】

Ning Shengsheng was torn.

The system continued to tempt her: 【The highest form of a Huan Li is called a Star Deluder. It can tear space and create illusions.】

That’s… awesome? She was really tempted!

“Alright, I’ll take it.”

Ning Shengsheng pinched her thigh, fearing she would regret it. In the world of cultivation, without the ability to protect herself, she would die anyway. Encountering such an opportunity meant the heavens were looking out for her. Besides, she had already transmigrated into a xuanhuan novel. What was wrong with risking it all just once?!