Chapter Forty-Six: You Two Daoists, Return My Daughter!

The young girl asked, “What’s wrong, are you unwilling?”
Her tone was calm, betraying no anger, yet it chilled Tiger Dragon to the core.
Tiger Dragon’s eyes filled with tears as he pleaded, “Mistress, I’m not shirking my duty, but I wish to remain by your side, serving faithfully.”
The girl gave a slight snort and tossed him a blood-red pill. “Take it!”
Tiger Dragon’s face brightened instantly. “The Black Abyss Pill!”
This pill greatly enhances the power of one’s bloodline, boosts strength, and accelerates healing for a short time.
Taken during battle, it allows one to easily fight opponents above their own level.
Without further hesitation, Tiger Dragon found a good grip, gritted his teeth, and lifted the entire bedrock from the ground, hoisting it onto his back.
Though the effort was considerable, he managed a few steps and could just barely move forward.
The girl sighed and pressed her hand to her forehead. “Let me help you a bit more...”
With a surge of spiritual energy, Tiger Dragon suddenly felt much lighter.
At the same time, within the bedrock chamber, Pei Aoyun was overcome by dizziness as the Five Venoms Powder beneath her feet scattered away in an instant.
The immobilization spell on Pei Aoyun had not yet faded; her emotions were tangled, and she could not even cry.
The hatred in her heart was beyond words.
Meanwhile, before Tiger Dragon and the girl had moved far, righteous cultivators from the Alliance caught up, their intent fierce.
“Fellow travelers, return my daughter!”
The girl sneered. “Isn’t this the Grand Elder of the Feather Deity Sect? You must be senile—your daughter isn’t here.”
Tiger Dragon couldn’t help but interject, “Mistress, the old villain is probably insulting you. This is a common tactic of the Righteous Alliance.”
There was only one woman present, so the implication was clear.
The girl’s expression darkened. “Silence.”
A flicker of barely discernible wariness passed through Pei Jitian’s eyes; he gritted his teeth. “If you know who I am, then be sensible and set down what you carry. My daughter is inside!”
He knew well the girl’s strength was formidable; even though his daughter had fallen victim to her, he chose to endure for now.
He’d come in haste and with little support.
All things considered, it was not the time for action.
The girl chuckled. “Your daughter isn’t here, but my fist certainly is.”

Before her words finished, she struck out with lightning speed toward his vital point.
Pei Jitian’s pupils contracted; he retreated at once, vanishing from her sight in a blink, leaving his disciples bewildered behind him.
Her attack missed, and she looked down on them with utter contempt.
“The Righteous Alliance—we’ve battled for centuries, but the real drama is only just beginning...”
With a casual wave, she slew Pei Jitian’s accompanying disciples.
Tiger Dragon considered for a moment, then suggested, “Mistress, if we linger here, we’ll waste too much time and delay matters of importance. Would it not be better for you to proceed ahead?”
The girl dismissed his concern. “A few days more won’t matter. Their movements are always within my grasp. I had you watch them only as a precaution.”
Even if unexpected changes arose, she could summon Tiger Dragon to act at once.
Tiger Dragon breathed a sigh of relief. “Mistress, you are wise.”
No wonder she hadn’t let him approach them earlier...
The girl pondered, then asked, “Have you noticed any clue as to the origins of their many tricks?”
Tiger Dragon recalled, “On the journey, they didn’t contact anyone. After reaching Ling Province, they went straight to the City Lord’s residence, and only Su Ji’an visited Moonview Tower and the Treasure Pavilion. After that, they never left the City Lord’s residence.”
He then told her about the incident at the lake beneath the City Lord’s residence; otherwise, he couldn’t explain how Su Ji’an and Zhao Qianxue escaped right under his nose.
The girl looked puzzled. “That’s odd... Could it be the Treasure Pavilion is meddling as well?”
...
After several days, Su Ji’an and Zhao Qianxue finally arrived at Yingdu.
Though still a mundane city, many cultivation families resided there.
The Tribunal of Punishments maintained order, making it a sanctuary for many itinerant cultivators.
Although the spiritual energy was far inferior to immortal peaks, safety was assured—no one dared commit violence openly, and compared to the frequent strife elsewhere, Yingdu was a haven of peace.
In fact, it rivaled any ordinary immortal city.
“Are you two here for the Tribunal’s recruitment?”
Turning, Su Ji’an saw a Nascent Soul cultivator with a weasel-like face and felt instantly annoyed, pulling Zhao Qianxue back a few steps.
If one is so ugly, one should cover their face instead of offending others.

The Nascent Soul cultivator’s smile froze; feeling insulted, his expression soured.
Su Ji’an laughed. “Forgive me, my partner is shy.”
Zhao Qianxue wanted to retort, but ultimately nodded in agreement, giving him face in public.
The cultivator’s mood improved. “It seems you’re unaware of the Tribunal’s recruitment.”
“Recruitment?”
Though Su Ji’an had no wish to engage, he suppressed his distaste to ask.
Ruan Chidao explained, “Since fate brings us together, I, Ruan Chidao, am kindly warning you. This Tribunal’s recruitment seems lucrative, but it’s fraught with peril. Cultivation is hard enough; don’t bring misfortune upon yourselves.”
Su Ji’an doubted his sincerity, but pressed further. “Please, enlighten us.”
A few more questions wouldn’t hurt, and at least he’d uncover Ruan Chidao’s true intentions.
Ruan Chidao shook his head. “Some things are better left unsaid. Take my words as you will.”
With that, he departed.
At the city gate, Su Ji’an noticed the recruitment notice.
The gist was that the royal house of Great Qi thirsted for talent, inviting cultivators to join the Tribunal of Punishments. Only those with formidable strength or unique abilities would be accepted.
The rewards were generous...
Su Ji’an felt no interest, glancing over it without enthusiasm.
Even if he needed to earn a living, he would not submit to others’ authority.
Putting it nicely, it was employment; plainly, it was cannon fodder.
“What do you think of Ruan Chidao’s words?” Su Ji’an asked Zhao Qianxue, eager for her perspective.
After reading the notice, he understood Ruan Chidao’s meaning.
Zhao Qianxue replied without hesitation, “He’s up to no good.”