Wasted Spiritual Root to Embark on Demonic Cultivation

Chapter 496

Miaoshan Hall.

This was Jin Miaoshan’s personal domain. Golden Toad City was divided into several rings according to the density of shops, and her location was undoubtedly in the core zone.

Yan Ling had been arranged by Wang Yu to stay temporarily at an inn in the outer ring. They would regroup once the Myriad Treasures Secret Realm opened. The two women meeting was not an issue.

The main concern was that certain private activities would be inappropriate with her around.

It was better to keep things separate.

Evening.

A private banquet proceeded as usual. Jin Miaoshan wore a flowing emerald gauze skirt patterned with drifting clouds. A jade belt cinched her swaying waist, and her fair, delicate hands rested lightly on her lower abdomen.

Her exquisite, alluring curves were displayed without restraint.

Her charming, makeup-free face carried a captivating smile. Two emerald bead hairpins swayed gently as she naturally took a seat beside Wang Yu.

“Eat while we talk. Jin Xuanxuan will be coming over shortly.”

“Oh?”

Her visit was most likely to settle the matter of Heavenly Ghost Old Demon’s offspring. It was both troublesome and simple. The real goal was to use this to persuade Jin Xuanxuan to join her side against Jin Chixuan.

She already had a clear plan in mind for how to handle it.

Wang Yu’s slight surprise was genuine. He had assumed tonight would be a private dinner for just the two of them, with some drinking and entertainment. Handling extra matters was fine too, as long as they could enjoy themselves.

Jin Miaoshan had dressed so carefully tonight. The mood was clearly heading toward “old storms turning to spring breeze” and “long drought meeting sweet rain.” Both of them knew exactly what would happen.

As the merchant city in the southern part of the Crimson Kite, Golden Toad City offered a wide variety of signature spiritual delicacies from all over the world—mountain treasures, seafood, yin beasts, and flying fowl. It truly had everything.

After three rounds of wine and five courses of dishes.

With his taste buds fully satisfied, Wang Yu finally saw Jin Xuanxuan arrive in a hurry. She and Jin Miaoshan belonged to different branches, but they were still close relatives within five generations.

She even had to address Jin Miaoshan as “elder cousin sister.”

Their faces bore some resemblance, yet upon closer comparison they were completely different in style. Jin Miaoshan gave off an air of nobility and merchant elegance at first glance. Once one got to know her, she seemed gentle and lovable, though a bit naive and sweet.

Jin Xuanxuan had refined features and carried a lofty, superior aura. Her brows and eyes exuded a strong older-sister vibe. Her long, slender legs were wrapped in black-gold silk stockings woven from threads spat by divine black-gold silkworms.

The thin layer looked as delicate as cicada wings, yet it provided tougher protection than heavy armor. Wang Yu’s eyes brightened. These black-gold silkworm silk pants were practically identical to the stockings from his previous life.

The Joyous Union Demon Sect really did all sorts of wicked things!

They had such treasures but never promoted them widely, keeping them hidden for their own use. That was simply too selfish. If they spread them around, their brothel business would surely rise to another level.

Demonic cultivators were a group that never restrained their desires.

They acted on every whim.

Jin Xuanxuan walked slowly into the hall from outside. Her round, lustrous eyes locked straight onto Wang Yu as she spoke.

“Elder cousin Miaoshan, your Dao companion is quite handsome. When do you plan to form a formal pair? When the time comes, little sister will definitely prepare a generous gift to congratulate you both.”

She struck first.

She made no mention whatsoever of Heavenly Ghost Old Demon’s offspring. Instead, she used the topic of Dao companions to steer the conversation. Her real intention was to test whether Wang Yu was the one smitten by Jin Miaoshan, or whether her elder cousin sister was the one smitten by him.

She knew Wang Yu’s past deeds in great detail.

The upper echelons of Golden Abundance Tower, including Jin Miaoshan’s parents, held almost no goodwill toward him. After all, he had once nearly destroyed the tower’s reputation in the Crimson Kite demonic domain.

Even though the situation had been salvaged in time, the losses had still been considerable.

Bringing it up now was an emotional wedge. If both parties truly wanted to claim each other, it would create a rift.

Jin Miaoshan secretly glanced at Wang Yu.

She spoke up.

“There’s no need for little sister to worry about that. Let’s talk business instead.”

Seeing her dodge the topic, Jin Xuanxuan immediately felt more confident.

She covered her mouth and laughed lightly.

“Uncle seems to have some objections toward Daoist Wang. Would you like little sister to give you some advice? I can definitely help clear up the trouble with the elders. In exchange…”

Before she could finish, Wang Yu gave a light cough and cut her off.

He nudged Jin Miaoshan’s calf with his leg. She snapped back to her senses. Hearing Jin Xuanxuan mention her father had unconsciously brought his face to mind.

If she really brought up forming a Dao companion pair, the outcome would most likely be bad.

Jin Miaoshan: You don’t understand him at all.

Her Father: I’ll end him right now.

Wang Yu’s fame was great, but much of it was negative. His reckless, rule-breaking personality made it hard for a merchant power like Golden Abundance Tower to favor him.

They disliked people who ignored the rules yet still knew how to exploit them.

If a marriage alliance were truly needed, a righteous-path Nascent Soul from the Taihu side would clearly be a much better match.

She shook off the wild thoughts in her mind.

Jin Miaoshan said, “Cousin, matters of romantic love may be the pursuit of a lifetime for mortals, but for us cultivators they are merely a small embellishment on the path to immortality.

“There is no need to care whether one has a Dao companion. Even spending an entire lifetime alone is a trivial matter. Let’s talk business.”

The attempt to sow discord had failed, but Jin Xuanxuan had still gathered useful intelligence.

The relationship between Wang Yu and Jin Miaoshan was not the inseparable bond she had imagined. To put it bluntly, they were merely “bed friends.” There was still room to maneuver.

However.

She still had no idea how to actually steal him away. The current situation had already thrown her preparations into disarray.

She could only frown and respond, “Sister, state your conditions. What must I do for you to release Young Master You?”

Heavenly Ghost Old Demon was her protector. Their fates were bound together. He had gained this son in his old age; it was his only heir. There was no way he would not save him.

Unfortunately, the boy had fallen into Wang Yu’s hands.

After Wang Yu had publicly killed Black Pupil Elder in the street, internal assessments within Golden Abundance Tower had concluded that he most likely already possessed combat strength comparable to a great perfection Nascent Soul.

Such power was among the very top across the entire Ice Prison Realm. Meanwhile, the strongest forces protecting the remaining three heir candidates were only late-stage Nascent Souls.

After all, great perfection cultivators from Golden Abundance Tower could not follow them at all times. They still needed to maintain basic dignity and the freedom of experts. The relationship between the merchant organization and them was merely one of patronage.

In a tailwind situation the board was ironclad and unity could be guaranteed. In a headwind situation, however, it was no longer certain. Everything depended on how close their private connections truly were. Golden Abundance Tower had operated for many years; many powerhouses were linked by shared interests. Some had become completely their own people, while others still lingered outside the core circle.

To the younger generation, Wang Yu’s weight brought simply overwhelming pressure. This was also why Jin Chixuan had been so eager to expel him from Golden Toad City. Since he could not win in direct competition, he could only resort to petty tricks.

“The condition is simple,” Jin Miaoshan said. “I release Heavenly Ghost Old Demon’s only son, and you join my side to jointly suppress and squeeze out Chixuan’s forces within the tower. There is no need for any underhanded methods. You only need to maintain this until the competition ends. What does little sister think?”

Jin Xuanxuan furrowed her brows tightly.

In that case, Jin Chixuan would undoubtedly lose, but she would also become a loser. The position of Golden Abundance Tower Master would be inherited by Jin Miaoshan. In a few decades she would naturally become the family head of the Heavenly Pool Jin Clan and hold complete power.

However, whether it was the Jin Clan or Golden Abundance Tower, the power structure was different from that of the demonic sects. It was difficult to form a situation where one person’s word was law; there would always be elders to check and balance. Many decisions had to be made by vote.

Therefore, once she agreed, she would have to remain in the same camp as Jin Miaoshan at all times to ensure her voice remained in control. If they split only after the results were out, these younger generation members would find it hard to contend with the older generation’s influence. In that case, what meaning would there be in sitting in the Tower Master position?

Thus, Jin Miaoshan’s condition, which seemed to last only for a period of time, was in reality a way to establish a closer relationship with her branch.

While thinking, Jin Xuanxuan suddenly said, “If elder sister can promise to promote me to the position of General Tower Master over in Taihu, then this matter can be agreed to.”

She wanted to divide power! It was impossible to gain nothing in return and hand over so many rights just for a profligate son. This was what she deserved.

Jin Miaoshan thought for a moment and replied,

“Possible, but you must cede five Elder Seat positions to my branch.”

“Five? That’s impossible!”

The other party fiercely refuted her. Jin Miaoshan, however, smiled.

“Don’t forget that behind Jin Lin and Jin Chixuan there are also quite a few Elder Seats. If you and I, as sisters, work together with one heart, we can naturally divide them cleanly—one half each… how about it?”

This was actually similar in principle to equity in a modern company. Jin Miaoshan needed to ensure that the number of Elder Seats she controlled could firmly suppress the total of everyone else combined. Asking for five seats first was to gain a greater advantage in the starting phase. Even if she had to give out more seats afterward, it would not be a big issue. As long as she ensured that the people sitting in those Elder Seats were her own and would not be poached by clansmen from other branches, she could firmly hold the Tower Master position.

This time Jin Xuanxuan did not think for long.

Since she had no way to win against Jin Miaoshan, becoming the number one person under her was not a bad outcome either.

“A word spoken?”

“Cannot be taken back even by four horses!”

With the cooperation reached, the atmosphere instantly became harmonious. After exchanging a few complimentary words, Jin Xuanxuan followed the attendant to Jin Xiyuan’s side to collect the person.

Only Wang Yu and Jin Miaoshan remained in the hall.

The hall doors and window lattices were tightly shut. In the private enclosed space the two quickly fell into an amorous atmosphere. The temperature inside the hall gradually rose.

At some point a restriction light screen enveloped the palace. Jin Miaoshan said with tender affection, “Wang Yu, thank you so much for today.”

“They were the ones who came looking for trouble. Besides… what’s the point of verbal thanks? Why not make it more practical?”

Seeing his raised-eyebrow mischievous smile, Miaoshan pretended to be angry and gave him a light slap. At some point her perky rear had left the octagonal stool and slid extremely smoothly onto Wang Yu’s thigh.

Her slender jade hands hooked around his neck as she breathed out like orchid, saying, “Tonight, you can do whatever you want~”

“Really?”

“Mhm.”

Upon hearing this, a certain someone named little Wang grew eager. He brought his lips close to Miaoshan’s ear and whispered something. Instantly her cheeks flushed with red clouds and a watery intent almost overflowed from her eyes.

A voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz sounded. If one didn’t listen carefully, it would be almost inaudible. “If you want… then let’s try it.”

Outside the hall. The round, bright moon had at some point revealed half its figure from the layered clouds. Nightingales spread their wings and soared. Their clear, pleasant cries were like the hands of musicians.

A tune of “High Mountain Flowing Water” fully expressed the true essence of deep valleys and serene pools through music—sometimes gentle and melodious, sometimes surging with passion, leading the listeners into an endless artistic mood.

The moonlight was hazy and incomparably beautiful. All people in the world yearned for such beauty.

Several attendants sat on the steps outside the hall, together admiring the beautiful scene of the bright moon. Someone couldn’t help muttering,

“Look at this moon. Doesn’t it look like a longan fruit?”

“You fool, who describes it like that? It’s called a white jade plate, fine as mutton-fat jade, moist as crystal grapes. If only we could take it down and play with it.”

“Are you a pig? And you call me stupid. How do you take down the moon? Do you expect it to be like a steamed bun that you can knead however you want~”

“You’re stupid!”

“You’re dumb!”

“You’re a pig.”

“Pig is you.”

The attendants’ quiet whispers did not affect the figures gradually overlapping inside the hall in the slightest. Emotions that had not been seen for many years all erupted at this moment.

Tonight—was sleepless!

…

…

One month later.

In the center of Golden Toad City, in front of a resplendent golden pavilion, a large number of Nascent Soul powerhouses had gathered at the bottom of the hundred-layer jade steps. A vortex formed like fine fragmented gilded gold was quietly spinning in the spacious hall on the first floor of the pavilion.

This was the entrance to the Myriad Treasures Secret Realm. Spatial power had formed a stable anchor point here, and it was also the central point established when Golden Toad City was built back then.

Because the time spent entangled with Jin Miaoshan had far exceeded expectations, Wang Yu had unavoidably missed several Nascent Soul-level treasure exchange meetings. He had come straight to the secret realm entrance now.

There were quite a few familiar figures around, especially experts from the Nether Mountain Sect. Many he recognized had come—High Priest Youpeng, Flood Dragon Yin Demon Lord… several Nascent Soul priests.

All had participated in the Ice River Pass battle. When old acquaintances met, they naturally greeted one another. High Priest Youpeng’s attitude toward Wang Yu was especially warm; he was practically ready to put an arm around his shoulder and call him “worthy little brother.”

“Fellow Daoist Wang, it’s been many years. Your bearing is still as outstanding as ever.”

“Where, where. It is still the elegant bearing Fellow Daoist Youpeng displayed back then that serves as a model for us all!”

“Hahahaha, you flatter me.”

“How could that be? It is absolutely well-deserved!”

The two of them praised each other without restraint, completely ignoring everyone around them. This caused the surrounding Nascent Souls to look over one after another. They were both sighing at how thick their faces were and observing whether the closeness between these competitors was genuine or just an act…

Yan Ling’s thin face clearly reddened a few shades. She quietly increased the distance between herself and Wang Yu. Her gaze involuntarily fell on Jin Miaoshan atop the jade steps. This opening of the Myriad Treasures Secret Realm was being presided over by her.

When the two sides had met in front of the building earlier, the intimate contact and the ambiguous looks had given Yan Ling eighty percent certainty that Wang Yu and Jin Miaoshan had an unclear relationship. This guy had disappeared for a whole month and was living so wantonly. It was simply unreasonable.

Yan Ling habitually kept a cold face, showing no expression. Jin Miaoshan atop the jade steps was also secretly observing her. While her mouth continued conversing with the Golden Abundance Tower elders, her attention was entirely focused below. She felt that this was not merely Wang Yu’s fellow sect Dao companion, but perhaps also a hidden admirer.

“Not bad-looking at all…”

“Miss Miaoshan, what’s wrong?”

The elder beside her asked in confusion, causing Jin Miaoshan to snap out of it. She immediately replied seriously, “It’s about time. Let’s prepare to enter the secret realm.”

“…Yes!”