Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit
Chapter 257: Maiden Pavilion

Lu Ping said, “Since Young Lady Chu has such an impressive background, what help do you need from me?”

Chu Ting pondered for a moment, then said, “Brother Lu has been establishing a force in Fallen Rift for a while now, do you not want more?”

Lu Ping looked at her, and said, “Young Lady Chu is well-informed, I wonder what other secrets you know about me?”

Chu Ting didn’t mind Lu Ping’s questioning tone, and replied, “The spirit vein on Three Clans Alliance’s territory that was hollowed out by nearly a third, that’s you, right?”

Lu Ping remained silent, while Chu Ting continued, “Although you planted a life-controlling spell in Ye Bu-Qi, he was a peripheral member after we saved his life a long time ago before you arrived. Hence, in order to repay our kindness, he risked his life and informed us of some things about Brother Lu. Of course, the spirit vein is only my own guess based on the information out there.

“I’m opening up to Brother Lu, not because we are abandoning Ye Bu-Qi, but because I sincerely hope that Brother Lu can spare him and his brothers. Brother Lu is shrewd, it’s only time before you discover his actions. Therefore, rather than letting Brother Lu uncover it yourself, we are more inclined to be frank with you beforehand. That way, they can hopefully live, and we can also maintain our friendship with Brother Lu.”

Lu Ping ran his fingers along the tea cup in his hand, and suddenly said, “The Egocentric Spatial Battle Formation is too complex, it really doesn’t fit with their identities as rogue cultivators.”

Chu Ting smiled, “Brother Lu really is perceptive, how admirable.”

Lu Ping enjoyed the tea and didn’t reply. Chu Ting also remained quiet as she knew that Lu Ping was weighing up the situation.

After a moment, Lu Ping asked, “Enlightened Master Jin Li, is he also one of your people?”

Chu Ting was puzzled, and said, “No, he isn’t. To be frank, we are also confused. Enlightened Master Jin’s appearance remains a mystery to all. He came out of nowhere, as if he never existed in the East Ocean before the day he appeared in the Fallen Rift as a Second Layer Core Forging Realm Enlightened Master.

“He sure was powerful, able to deter even Mid Core Forging Realm Enlightened Masters and escape from death several times in a row. The latest news on him was about his escape from Enlightened Master Wang Hua and Enlightened Master Kun Shan. Then, just like his sudden appearance, he also disappeared all of a sudden and has not been seen ever since.

“Enlightened Master Jin’s appearance in the middle layer of Fallen Rift has really stirred the situation there. It’s natural that Brother Lu suspected that we are the ones behind his appearance, but I’m certain we have nothing to do with this.

“He was last seen on the nameless island. Shortly after, Crystal Palace discovered the medium-sized spirit stone mine on the island. We suspect that Enlightened Master Jin was on the island for the spirit stone mine to help recuperate from his injuries. I heard that the East Ocean’s monster race has also learned of Enlightened Master Jin’s appearance, and they are also investigating the matter as well.”

Seeing that Chu Ting didn’t seem to be pretending, Lu Ping nodded softly. He had the answer he needed – Ye Bu-Qi didn’t tell Chu Ting everything.

Then, Lu Ping said, “I don’t know what party you belong to, but I know that your organization does not seem to be happy with Crystal Palace. Are you not afraid that I’ll sell you out to them?”

Not only was Crystal Palace the number one giant in the East Ocean, it was also the strongest sect in all the other oceanic regions, making it on par with the giants from the Central Plains. After all, Crystal Palace was said to have inherited the heritage of Prime Jiao

Chu Ting and Li Xiu-Zhu exchanged glances and chuckled. Another person’s laughter was heard from the folding screen, “That’s because you also don’t like Crystal Palace. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have helped me kill Hong Shi-Kui. So naturally, they’re not afraid.”

Lu Ping looked at Chilian Ying, who walked out from behind the folding screen, and smiled helplessly, “Maybe I’m a righteous and just man who couldn’t stand to see a man bullying a lady?”

Chilian Ying was overjoyed and laughed even louder this time, “Saving the beauty? I knew it, you like me! Why else would you risk offending Crystal Palace to save me? Fine, fine, I’ll give you a chance if you want.”

Lu Ping would never be able to handle Chilian Ying’s unrestrained nature. She was such a mature and charming lady, but she just had to be so unladylike.

Chu Ting quickly introduced, “Elder Sister Ying is our close friend. We didn’t expect Brother Lu and Sister Ying to know each other. It’s because of Sister Ying that we decided to tell Brother Lu the truth and hoped to deepen our links with Brother Lu.”

Lu Ping furtively glanced over the folding screen again, and said, “I didn’t think Island Master Chilian was also a member. It must have been you that spread the news and exposed Crystal Palace’s plan about the spirit stone mine.”

Chilian Ying laughed with pride, “That Wang Clan disciple was a fool. He had his mind filled with me ever since the first time he came to my island for the monthly offerings. I used a little trick, and he returned it with such a big gift. Although, it is a shame that the force I had established and worked for in the Fallen Rift was destroyed by Crystal Palace.”

Chu Ting was silent hearing the bitterness in Chilian Ying’s words.

Elder Sister Ying had always been competitive, and had always hoped to establish a powerful force to prove her ability. For that, she had been working alone for seven years without asking for any help in the Fallen Rift. She worked hard and occupied five out of the 27 mini islands in the area, and led nearly a hundred Blood Condensation Realm cultivators under her command.

However, all of that was gone now, she gave them up willingly in order to help Chu Ting’s plan.

Chu Ting was overwhelmed with guilt and said, “Elder Sister Ying, come back to the pavilion. You have mastered the secret technique; your cultivation is now half a step away from the Core Forging Realm. The others won’t dare to have an opinion on you anymore, and if that person comes back to pester you, I will help you deal with him!”

Chilian Ying giggled, “Don’t worry about me, little sister. I’ve done it before, and I can do it once again. This time, it will be even bigger and stronger!”

Lu Ping cleared his throat, and said, “Let’s talk about the Alchemy Conference, shall we? I don’t know much about your pavilion, but I’m sure it’s not an issue to train a few more successful alchemists like yourself. So, why me?”

After all the discussions and exchanges, Lu Ping and Chu Ting were finally getting to the real business now.

Chu Ting smiled, “Brother Lu, we are Maiden Palace. Please don’t laugh at our name, it’s named as such because most of us are ladies. Also, I plead with Brother Lu to not mention anything about Maiden Pavilion in front of others, for our safety and yours too.”

Lu Ping laughed, he was indeed a little surprised, but nodded his head to show his understanding.

Chu Ting continued, “Although there are two others whose alchemy are not inferior to mine, they aren’t suitable. One has other heavier responsibilities, and the other is an Enlightened Master like myself, who is also disqualified from participating in the Alchemy Conference.

“Furthermore, the Li Clan is not a powerful clan. It won’t be natural for the clan to have many alchemy experts, more so, all female alchemists. It will arouse suspicions, so we can only ask for Brother Lu’s help.”

Lu Ping frowned, and asked, “Is the Alchemy Conference that important to you?”

Chu Ting organized her thoughts, and said, “The Alchemy Conference will decide the Li Clan’s share of interests in the Northern League, so yes, it is very important. For example, the medium-sized spirit stone mine is in the Three Clans Alliance’s territory, so the three clans are given a total of 10-percent share of the production. The performance of alchemists in the conference will decide how the three clans will share the 10-percent production.”

The Li Clan’s position in the Northern League was obviously very important to Maiden Pavilion. Chu Ting had mentioned the Li Clan more than once, so it seemed that Maiden Pavilion had more arrangements for the Li Clan’s expansion.

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