Chapter 115: Lurking in the Shadows, Settling Scores Step by Step

"My master is wise," Shen Qing'er continued. "He was indeed unaware of the other contingency plans left behind by the demonic sect. He only ever communicated via transmission jade talismans."

Su Ji'an let out a soft breath. It seemed he had previously underestimated the value of the Diamond Ring. There was no telling how many people were watching it, both in the open and in the shadows. No wonder the demonic sect had stood by and watched coldly; the root of the matter lay here.

Yet, Su Ji'an felt little anxiety. The greatest value in destroying Eagle Sorrow Ridge this time was, in fact, the timely discovery of potential enemies.

"The jammer is truly a great invention."

As long as he remained hidden in the shadows, he could settle scores one by one. Any scoundrel plotting against him would not be able to escape.

"Heh heh heh..." Su Ji'an suddenly let out a cold laugh. Hearing his laughter, Shen Qing'er felt a chill run down her spine.

Su Ji'an returned to his calm demeanor and asked again, "Have you discovered where he hid the loot he plundered over the years?"

The location of the treasure might be secret, but it had to be close to Eagle Sorrow Ridge. Otherwise, it would have been highly inconvenient for Qiu Wanli to commute back and forth.

Shen Qing'er replied truthfully, "A portion of it was returned to the Falling Immortal Sect, but the rest was kept for himself. This treasure vault is located beneath a courtyard in Cold Mountain City. Bai Jing, Qiu Wanli's dao companion, resides in that very courtyard."

Su Ji'an frowned upon hearing this. "What is Bai Jing's cultivation level? Does she know the secret beneath the courtyard?"

Qiu Wanli's companion was likely responsible for guarding the treasure. He feared his efforts might be in vain this time. The commotion at Eagle Sorrow Ridge had been so massive that Bai Jing must have received the news by now, and she would certainly be the first to flee. If that were the case, even if he set off immediately, it would already be too late.

"Bai Jing is at the early stage of the Soul Formation realm. She does not know of Qiu Wanli's identity as a demon practitioner, and she likely knows nothing of the secret beneath the courtyard. However, Qiu Wanli had his suspicions that Bai Jing might have already become aware of something."

Shen Qing'er's words immediately dispelled Su Ji'an's concerns.

"Come with me to Cold Mountain City."

There was no time to lose; Su Ji'an decided to head to Cold Mountain City at once. Qiu Wanli's primordial spirit had lost its value, so Su Ji'an acted immediately, causing him to perish body and soul.

Su Ji'an briefly considered whether he should arrange for a waiter from the Immortal Guest Tower to go outside Bai Jing's courtyard and secretly monitor her movements, just to be absolutely certain. However, he dismissed the idea as quickly as it came. With Shen Qing'er's late-stage Soul Formation cultivation, she could cover the mere hundred miles in an instant, likely arriving well before any waiter from the tower.

Before departing, Su Ji'an specifically took out a Shape-Shifting Pill and had Shen Qing'er consume it. There was a suspicion that she was the daughter of Shen Lianxiang; if she were recognized, it would inevitably lead to unnecessary trouble.

Bolstered by a God-Speed Talisman, Shen Qing'er moved with incredible speed. In just a short moment, they arrived before Qiu Wanli's courtyard. Su Ji'an thought about it and decided against charging in directly. Bai Jing's cultivation could not be underestimated. Although he was protected by six sets of spiritual energy armor, even the best can stumble, and he might one day be countered by some unknown technique. After all, these were products of technology, and they carried a great deal of uncertainty.

As for having Shen Qing'er do the work, Su Ji'an wasn't optimistic. She possessed the cultivation of a late-stage Soul Formation expert, but she had lost all the mystical abilities and spells of her original self and lacked any combat experience. She probably wouldn't even be able to defeat an ordinary early-stage Soul Formation practitioner.

It was better to stick to the most reliable method. Su Ji'an knocked on the courtyard gate. "Fellow Daoist Bai, are you home?"

The gate opened a moment later, but Bai Jing stood several yards away, looking at him with a grave expression. "Who are you? Do not come in. If you dare take another step, I will strike."

Su Ji'an glanced at her; he hadn't expected Qiu Wanli to be a man of practical taste. Bai Jing was decent-looking, though not particularly striking. From her demeanor, Su Ji'an judged that she already knew about the destruction of Eagle Sorrow Ridge.

"Bai Jing, do you know that Qiu Wanli is dead?" Su Ji'an asked, taking the initiative.

Bai Jing's guard increased. "Are you here to wipe us all out?" This left her feeling panicked. The explosion at Eagle Sorrow Ridge had been massive, and she hadn't been able to contact Qiu Wanli via her transmission talisman since. She had realized then that something had happened to him. Now that Su Ji'an had confirmed it, she felt a sense of utter despair.

Su Ji'an chuckled. "If I were here to kill you, I wouldn't be talking to you so calmly."

Bai Jing hesitated. "Then who are you?" She couldn't see him as anything but someone with ill intent.

"Qiu Wanli owes me five thousand spirit stones. A man may die, but his debts do not. You are his dao companion; it is only right that you repay them for him." Su Ji'an couldn't be bothered with more nonsense. He just needed to get her to lower her guard, then resolve it with an Immobilization Talisman.

Bai Jing scoffed. She looked at Shen Qing'er and said with self-deprecating humor, "I have no money, and I don't think you have any use for my body either. I suggest you go back the way you came."

Su Ji'an sighed. "Then it seems I have no choice but to take your life. Do you really think your early-stage Soul Formation cultivation makes you untouchable?" Since she wasn't backing down, he decided to press harder.

Bai Jing became annoyed. "He owes you money, but our relationship had long since soured. Otherwise, I wouldn't be living here in Cold Mountain City alone; I would have followed him to Eagle Sorrow Ridge."

Listening to her pale and weak excuse, Su Ji'an sneered, "You don't look like you could afford to pay me back, but I'm not a man who kills without reason. Give me whatever you have, and this courtyard as well..."

Before he could finish, Bai Jing interrupted, "And then we are even?"

"I didn't think you were someone so ignorant of the world, yet you speak with such audacity." As he spoke, Su Ji'an began walking toward her, with Shen Qing'er following closely behind.

This time, Bai Jing did not stop him. Though she had cursed Qiu Wanli for leaving her in such a predicament even in death, she had no other choice. She had seen through Su Ji'an's intentions: he wasn't sparing her out of mercy, but because he expected her to pay the debt. Thinking this, she felt a strange sense of security.

Su Ji'an walked right up to Bai Jing and said with a friendly face, "Fellow Daoist Bai, it's time to hand over your storage ring, isn't it?"

Bai Jing was reluctant, but eventually, she handed it over. However, she never expected that while Su Ji'an took the ring with one hand, his other hand was not idle. With her completely off-guard, he activated the Immobilization Talisman in his palm, which landed precisely on her.