Chapter 501: The Dull Blade's Pain, an Illusory Future, and a Visit (Part 2)

Jiang Lan returned to the hall, his expression once again calm.

He silently felt the fortune emerging in his Mud Ball Palace. The Age Dao Fruit would soon mature to its third stage. Jiang Ruxian was truly worthy of her status as a Banished Immortal, having provided him with a massive amount of fortune in such a short time.

In comparison, the fortune gained from damaging Helian Wen’s state of mind was pitifully small.

As for the words he had just spoken, some of them were actually the truth. According to the original plot, Jiang Ruxian, who had unjustly tried to kill him, should have been his greatest enemy.

Now, he was just siphoning off her fortune and messing with her state of mind. It wasn’t going too far.

A dull knife makes for a slow and painful cut.

As for whether Jiang Ruxian’s feelings were born of guilt, a desire to make amends, or genuine affection, Jiang Lan didn’t actually care.

No one is perfect, just as no gold is pure. To expect Jiang Ruxian’s feelings for him to be entirely genuine, with no trace of wanting to make up for what she owed him?

To be honest, that was asking a bit too much.

Jiang Lan didn’t think even he was capable of that.

The next day, a piece of news quickly caused a sensation in all the major cities of Immortal Ascension Island, sparking intense debate and discussion.

Upon receiving the news, the Four Great Dukes immediately came to find Jiang Lan and report.

Within the Helian and Gongsun Families, the news stirred up a tempestuous storm.

In the courtyard, Jiang Lan sipped his tea as the Four Great Dukes stood before him, relaying the information they had gathered.

Behind Jiang Lan, Kong Xuan, Yuan Kong, and the others were also filled with shock and astonishment.

The legend of Immortal Ascension Island’s younger generation, the transcendent and ethereal Goddess in the hearts of countless young prodigies, Tantai Qing, had actually been injured in an attack last night and was escorted back to her family’s lands by numerous members of the Tantai Family.

The scene reminded them of the day Jiang Lan had been ambushed by members of the Barbarian Race.

‘Could it be that the people of the Barbarian Race have now targeted the younger generation of the three great Guardian Noble Families?’

‘How could they be so brazen?’

“According to the reports, Tantai Qing’s injuries seem quite severe. But when she encountered the enemy, she was completely alone and unguarded.”

“This matter is truly full of suspicious points. However, the Tantai Family has sealed off all specific details, refusing to disclose anything,” Prince Zhong said, his expression grave.

Jiang Lan set down his tea. “Miss Tantai Qing has visited me often these past few days. Now that she has been attacked and injured, it is only right and proper that I go and visit her personally.”

“Prepare the carriage.”

“Yes, Saint Monarch.” The Four Great Dukes hurried to give the order, also intending to go along.

Meanwhile, in the Little World where the Tantai Family resided.

In the residential compound where Tantai Qing usually lived in secluded cultivation, a place where even maids were rarely seen, flickering shadows now filled the grounds as many family members arrived.

However, they only waited outside. Only a few high-ranking members and Elders were permitted to enter.

Inside the room, Tantai Qing was half-reclined on a rosewood bed, covered by a thin silk quilt. Her face was pale, tinged with a faint black aura, making her appear even weaker.

The patriarch of the Tantai Family and several Elders were in the room, brows furrowed as they discussed something.

One of them held an unfurled letter. Although it showed signs of being crumpled, the writing within was still clearly visible.

“I can’t believe it. After so many years, that Helian Wen has actually reappeared. Everyone clearly saw him jump into the Demon Abyss back then. Who would have thought he was still alive?”

“How foolish…”

“So foolish! Qing’Er, how could you believe that letter and go to meet him in person?”

“Sigh, you can’t blame Qing’Er. She values relationships deeply. Even now, she refuses to believe that Helian Wen has fallen to the Demon Dao. She deludedly hoped to persuade him to turn back from his errant path, which is why she fell for his sneak attack.”

“To be afflicted with Demonic Qi… this won’t be easy to resolve. The slightest misstep, and her entire cultivation base will wash away like flowing water. That Helian Wen is truly vicious.”

“Qing’Er treated him with the utmost benevolence, yet he wanted to destroy her…”

The Elders’ faces were filled with indignation and anger. They had already learned the full story from Tantai Qing.

A few days ago, she had suddenly received a letter from her former fiancé, Helian Wen—the same man who had once stolen the Elder Pavilion’s Holy Object, the Three Saints Heart Refining Pill, before leaping into the Demon Abyss. The letter expressed deep longing and invited her to meet him at Wangfu Cliff.

Tantai Qing was overjoyed that Helian Wen was not dead. So, she secretly hid the matter from her family members and the Elders, and without letting any of her subordinates follow, she decided to go meet him alone.

Who could have known that once there, she would be ambushed by Helian Wen and suffer grave injuries? Fortunately, her own cultivation was formidable, and she managed to force Helian Wen to retreat. She then hastily crushed a Communication Jade Talisman to summon her family members…

After learning all of this, the Elders of the Tantai Family were filled with both hatred and fury.

But what was done was done, and they couldn’t bring themselves to blame Tantai Qing.

“I have already reported this matter to the Elder Pavilion. I knew it! No wonder the Helian Family has been opposing us all these years. It turns out they were deliberately hiding the fact that Helian Wen was still alive…”

“Helian Wen’s Life Lamp has always been with the Helian Family. They would definitely know whether he is alive or dead.”

“That man’s heart is venomous. He has fallen to the Demon Dao and must be colluding with the Demon Race now. The injuries on Qing’Er are the best proof of that.”

The attack on Tantai Qing had major repercussions. After several Elders of the Tantai Family reported the matter to the Elder Pavilion, an Elder Level figure personally rushed over to investigate the matter thoroughly. It was none other than Tantai Qing’s grandfather, Tantai Xu.

An Elder of the Elder Pavilion was different from a family Elder. They were the decision-makers responsible for all affairs, large and small, on Immortal Ascension Island. They held high positions of great authority, and one had to be at least at the Eighth Realm Tribulation Bridge Realm to be eligible for selection.