Problems

"Well, I didn't expect it to be this hard to find." Jiao Heng said while panting.

After leaving the city, he went around in hopes of finding one of the ingredients Jasmine needs.

The Purple Veined Divine Crystal.

From what he remembers, there's a considerable amount of those just near the city. It just so happens that he was also practicing a technique related to detecting things.

He calls it Spiritual Sensing.

Cliche but it's easier to remember. 

Unlike what most people thought, The Nine Character Secrets are not just confined in their respective category but can even be used to create techniques with enough understanding.

After all, it was originally one cultivation art before it was split and sent to different times.

With enough knowledge and of course, profound energy, it wasn't hard to create his skill Spiritual Sensing.

With this skill, he can sense people or things that have profound energy in them inside the 10 meter range.

Although it's only a short distance, as his strength increases, his range will also increase.

Even with it however, he still had a hard time finding those crystals. He needed to be very meticulous and patient before finally spotting it.

Stomping the ground, Jiao Heng nodded in confirmation before using his profound energy to dig it.

It only took him a few minutes before he noticed a purple glow covered in dirt.

"That's it!" Jiao Heng exclaimed before uncovering the entire thing.

Looking at the bunch of Purple Veined Divine Crystals, he couldn't help but feel excited. 

He's going to absorb this immediately.

As for Jasmine's trade, he could always find other ones later on.

The most important thing to do now is to increase his strength.

Looking around, he surrounded the area with stealth formations in order to hide it.

This is one of the secrets he started cultivating.

Group.

The use of this secret is to create formations, whether it's for battles or other uses.

Although he has secrets related to combat, it would be good if he could use something auxiliary.

"Come to think of it, my memory has improved and my energy consumption is not that noticeable." After covering the area with formations, Jiao Heng muttered.

He didn't notice it before due to his focus on cultivation, but after fighting with Xia Qingyue and now, even remembering something like the Purple Veined Divine Crystals, he realized something.

There is also something wrong with his body.

Well, not wrong since it's helping him but something has definitely changed.

"I should look up to it later." Jiao Heng looked at the crystals before sitting in a lotus position.

He needs to focus on absorbing these crystals first.

—

Just like that, a day has passed.

"Where's Jiao Heng?" Xiao Lingxi asked one of their servants.

"I apologize, young miss. I didn't see him at all." The servant bowed in apology.

Xiao Lingxi didn't say anything and looked for him around the manor.

It's been an entire day since she last saw him. She remembers her nephew saying that he found her fighting with his wife and leaving after defeating her.

She could remember the jealous look of Xiao Che which made her giggle.

Alas, as his little aunt, she has an obligation to take care of him and that includes his wife now too.

After hearing the story from Xiao Che, she quickly tried to find Jiao Heng in order to reprimand him but to his surprise, she couldn't find him.

Did he leave the clan without saying goodbye? 

Thinking of this, she felt a little sad.

"No! That must not be it." Shaking her head, Xiao Lingxi continued roaming around the manor in hopes of finding him.

—

"The Xiao Sect is coming here?" Xiao Lie asked in surprise but quickly composed himself.

It seems that it's time for the Xiao Sect to pick some talented disciples from their clan.

Due to Xiao Che's wedding, he forgot about this matter.

"Yes Elder, the young master Xiao Kuangyun is coming." Xiao Yulong cupped his fist and nodded.

"Greet him and gather the disciples too. The Xiao Sect will be recruiting someone from our clan." Xiao Lie ordered him.

Xiao Yulong was excited after hearing it. He has the best talent among their clan so the chances of him being picked is high.

He bowed once again before leaving. He needs to give a good impression to their guests.

—

"What the fuck? Why isn't this working?" Jiao Heng muttered in impatience. 

He's been sitting here for an entire day trying to absorb the energy from a purple vein the size of a fingernail.

At first, it was going well but as the time went on, the process was going slower to the point it was barely noticeable.

Looking at the fingernail size purple crystal in his palm, Jiao Heng gritted his teeth in frustration.

Is there something missing?

"My profound veins…" His eyes widened in realization. How could he forget that crucial part? 

Due to the inmate speed of his cultivation and the secrets as a whole, he completely forgot about the matter relating the profound veins.

From what he remembers, having all 54 Profound Veins opened means no bottlenecks in cultivation.

He didn't know how many Profound Veins are opened on his body but judging by the absorption of the crystals, it wasn't a lot.

Thinking this, Jiao Heng played with the crystal in his palms. How can he solve this problem?

Unless he has Yun Che's medical knowledge, opening those profound veins would be hard.

It's also ignoring the fact that he doesn't have the Sky Poison Pearl to completely purify his veins.

"How troublesome?" Jiao Heng frowned. He really didn't have a way to do it.

"... Unless I can steal the knowledge from Yun Che, it's impossible to open my veins." He thought unwillingly. He could feel himself entering the 6th Stage of Nascent Profound Realm, how could he give up this opportunity?

Standing up, he grabbed a few crystals before burying the entire thing again. After that, he placed a lot of concealing formations in order to hide this entire place.

There aren't many strong cultivators around this place and the Phoenix Empire shouldn't have found it yet.

"I have no choice, I need to take a gamble." Hiding a few crystals in his pocket, he walked back to the direction of the Floating Cloud City.

As he was getting closer, he noticed the lack of people around the gate which made him frown.

Entering the city, the few people made him alert.

"Wait… if I remember correctly, Xiao Sect will be coming today." As he thought, he immediately rushed towards the direction of Xiao Clan.

If this is true, then it's going to happen.

Maybe this is his chance to curry some favors.

—

"What the…?" Seeing the entire event happened in person, he still couldn't help but be dumbfounded.

Just on time, he saw how the young master of Xiao Sect framed Xiao Lingxi and was planning on punishing her for the sake of justice.

He didn't intervene of course, something better is going to happen soon.

As expected, after a fierce discussion and Xiao Che's rebellious attitude towards the Xiao Clan, they tried to put Xiao Che down, which was blocked by his grandfather.

The truth was revealed by Xiao Yulong, Xiao Che isn't someone from the Xiao Clan and now the entire clan is furious and demand an explanation.

This didn't faze Xiao Che however and instead chose to leave the clan and only pay respect to his grandfather.

After doing so, the clan demanded that he hand over the marriage papers on his marriage as it was only an agreement between their Xiao Clan and Xia Clan which he is now not part of.

Xiao Che sneered at them and instead handed over the papers to his wife, Xia Qingyue.

"Although we didn't spend that much time together, you are still my wife. Whatever you do with that contract is up to you."

Xia Qingyue looked at him for a few moments, not saying anything.

Xiao Che didn't bother her and proceeded to walk away.

Xiao Kuangyun, the young master of the Xiao Sect demanded to hand over the marriage contract.

Xia Qingyue refuses, which made Xiao Kuangyun angry.

"Hmph, you have no right to refuse. Xiao Ba, destroy those papers!" 

"Yes, young master." The bodyguard named Xiao Ba rushed forward to Xia Qingyue.

"So you'll use force if you don't get what you want?" Xia Qingyue said coldly. She wasn't fazed despite seeing the incoming Xiao Ba.

"Got you!" Xiao Ba smiled in glee. He was at the 1st level of Spirit Profound Realm, this girl who seems to be only 16 years old can't stop him!

As he was about to touch her, he was suddenly envelope by a cold energy before being encased in ice.

*Crack*

"Hmph, interfering with my disciple's marriage? The Xiao Sect has become bold." A sweet but angry voice resounded.

Looking up, Jiao Heng saw a woman wearing a white robe. She has an exceptionally snow white complexion, vermilion lips and black hair. She has peerless elegance and a pure holiness like a fairy who descended from the palace to the moon.

Jiao Heng nodded in appreciation. The Frozen Cloud Arts is really good at beautifying someone.

"S-Seven Fairies!" Xiao Ba, who was in the ice earlier, broke free and saw the woman floating above.

Xiao Kuangyun couldn't read the atmosphere and made his lust get the better of him which caused Xiao Mongsho to beat him thoroughly.

After another discussion, the woman who was known to be Chu Yueli, wanted to intervene for the sake of her disciple.

Seeing this, Xiao Yulong persuaded her by using the clan's rules and the Frozen Cloud Asgard's glory which made Chu Yueli hesitate.

Chu Yueli thought for a moment before urging her disciple to talk to her alone.

Xiao Che who saw this was helpless, he didn't think that they are a match for her but compared to the sect's interest, the matter about his little aunt is nothing.

"You want to leave? Fine! But give me Xiao Lingxi, she still committed a crime and therefore, she must be punished." Xiao Yulong shouted to Xiao Che and gritted his teeth before demanding. Now that Xia Qingyue is out of their reach, the only way to curry a favor from Xiao Kuangyun is through Xiao Lingxi.

"You…!" Xiao Che was furious hearing this.

"Yulong! Don't be too much!" Xiao Lie wasn't any better. 

"Hehehe, too much? She's a thief. You're the one who's being too much." Xiao Yulong refuted. After the revelation about his grandson, no one is willing to back Xiao Lie which gave him some confidence.

Xiao Lie couldn't refute it. Seeing this, Xiao Kuangyun who was beaten down earlier by his servant ordered him to catch Xiao Lingxi.

Xia Qingyue was about to step in but was blocked by her master. 

"Master…" 

"Stand back Qingyue." Although she was displeased by the Xiao Sect's action. She really couldn't do anything unless she wanted to affect their sect.

Xia Qingyue looked at her master for a moment, but if someone looked closely, they could find a trace of helplessness in her eyes.

Seeing that there was no opposition, Xiao Ba reached out to Xiao Lingxi with the intent of pulling her away.

Xiao Lie and Xiao Che braced themselves. It's mostly Xiao Lie since Xiao Che is useless in this fight.

Seeing her father, Xiao Lingxi planned on handing herself over. If this continues, then her grandfather might not have a place in their clan anymore.

"You? Steal?" Hearing that familiar voice, Xiao Lingxi exclaimed in surprise.

"Jiao Heng?!"

"Yo." He gave a peace sign to her.

"B-But, I thought you left?" She asks with her mouth wide open.

"Why would I do that without saying goodbye? I was just practicing." Jiao Heng replied with a fake hurt expression.

Seeing their interaction, the others have a strange expression.

"Y-You..! You are that person who was leeching off to Xiao Clan!" Xiao Yulong pointed at him.

"Huh? When did I do that? Whatever, come on. Show me what you got." Jiao Heng shook his head and showed a middle finger.

The others were surprised to see this. This guy is really courageous.

"... What was that?" Chu Yueli muttered under her breath. Although she saw what happened, she was still impressed by the speed of the young man in front of her.

"... Did he get stronger again?" Seeing his bold appearance, Xia Qingyue's eyes twinkle in curiosity. She was familiar with his speed and the one he showed him now is much faster compared to back then.

"Hmph, just a mere Nascent Profound Realm. I'll handle this." Xiao Ba put his hand down and approached Jiao Heng instead. Anyway, he can't really beat up Xiao Lingxi so the humiliation just now, he'll vent it to this young man right here.

Seeing him still smiling, Xiao Ba was angry and threw a punch at his handsome face. 

*Bang*

Before he realized it, he was quickly slammed to the ground. The impact made him cough up blood and pass out.

Silence.

Jiao Heng didn't wait for them to speak and said, "This matter is over. He attacked me first so I retaliated. If the Xiao Sect continues to pursue this, that will just be bullying juniors. Surely you don't want that?" 

He threw back their own words at them.

Hearing this, Xiao Kuangyun clenched his fist. "You're an outsider! How dare you—!"

"Enough. A True Profound Realm losing against a Nascent Profound Realm? I didn't expect the Xiao Sect to be so petty that they would have the guts to still demand from the other party." Chu Yueli's voice resounded to his ears which made him pale.

She saw a way to intervene without putting her sect in danger. Even though she was cold outside, she still cares for Xia Qingyue greatly and therefore, she didn't want her to suffer any sort of mental setback due to not fulfilling her promise.

"The item has been found and there's no need to pursue this matter. This junior is right, if you continue, it would just be the Xiao Sect bullying others." The clan elders muttered in agreement.

Most of them don't really care and now that Xiao Che has been kicked out, they don't see any reason to continue this matter.

Anyway, they won't really get the reward so why bother? It'll be unnecessary and might offend the Fairy from Frozen Cloud Asgard which is not someone like them can do.

Xiao Kuangyun was helpless. He didn't get what he wanted but seeing Chu Yueli's glare, he backs out in fright before excusing himself.

"The ceremony is postponed. Xiao Clan disciples, leave." Xiao Mongsho, Xiao Kuangyun's guardian shouted. He also wants to get away from here as soon as possible.

After saying it, he grabbed the passed out Xiao Ba and dragged him towards their carriage.

Hearing that, no disciple disagreed and left, followed by the elders.

Seeing this, Jiao Heng sighed in relief before looking at Xiao Lingxi with a smile.