Chapter 127: The Catastrophe That Destroyed the Sect (Part Three)

"Let's hear it." Ji Shengrui looked utterly intrigued. Initially, he had paid little mind to Ji Mo, but after Emperor Ji mentioned that the White Jade Flood Dragon Whip she wielded was a supreme treasure of the Ji Imperial Clan, and that the cultivation technique she practiced was the Heavenly Demon Body Tempering Art—coveted by all in the Six Realms—his interest in her was truly piqued.

"You have gone to such great lengths to come here, and the person you seek is me, not the others. If I agree to go with you, will you let everyone else here go?" Ji Mo swept her gaze across the crowd and asked.

"Ninth Sister, I don't like to leave loose ends. Look at the eyes of these people; they seem to view me with irreconcilable hatred. If I spare them, who knows when one of them might suddenly come after me, screaming for blood? While they pose no real threat, why not save myself the trouble?" Ji Shengrui’s eyes drifted lightly over the faces of those present as he smiled and replied.

"We are not from the Moon-Gazing Sect, nor are we related to this young girl in any way. We will never be your enemies in the future. Could you please let us leave?" As soon as Ji Shengrui finished speaking, True Person Zhou of the Lanhui Sect and True Person Wang of the Guyi Gate spoke almost simultaneously.

Thud! They were answered by two massive fists. With no room to resist, the two were pulverized into mist. Even as their voices faded, Ji Shengrui had already reached them, throwing out his fists with nonchalant ease. Both Zhou and Wang were Nascent Soul cultivators, yet before Ji Shengrui—also a Nascent Soul cultivator—they were as helpless as infants.

The members of the Moon-Gazing Sect felt their pupils contract, their hair standing on end. Ji Shengrui, acting as if nothing had happened, brushed off his hands and returned to Ji Mo’s side, smiling, "Ninth Sister, you see? Your sect's so-called allies are so cowardly and disloyal. What use are they? Let me, your brother, handle this and dispose of them for you."

"Crown Prince Ji, you keep calling me 'Ninth Sister,' but I would very much like to know what our relationship actually is." Ji Mo’s heart tightened. Ji Shengrui was even more ruthless than she had imagined. Beyond his cruelty, his strength and talent were despairingly high. She clearly remembered that back in the Flame Realm, he had only been at the Pill Condensation stage.

In the mere few years since then, he had already ascended to the Nascent Soul stage. A newly ascended Nascent Soul cultivator had obliterated two mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators in the midst of casual conversation, treating them as if they were as fragile as babes. If they were so vulnerable, her own masters and elders likely fared no better.

"Ninth Sister, it seems you still refuse to believe me. Very well, I shall tell you. Your original identity is Princess Moyue of the Ji Imperial Clan. Your parents—my uncle and aunt—were said to have caused strange celestial phenomena the moment my aunt became pregnant with you. That is why you were titled Princess Moyue by the Emperor before you were even born," Ji Shengrui said.

"Hmph, that sounds lovely. If I were a princess from birth, why did my parents take me from Wood Star to the Green Profound Cultivation Realm? And how did they end up as mere mortals? Furthermore, is your grand display of force to destroy my sect simply because you want to bring this so-called Princess Moyue home?" Ji Mo sneered, her expression full of mockery.

"Alas, that is a long story. As they say, one does not air dirty laundry in public. It is not convenient for me to detail these old matters here. If you wish to know the reason, someone will naturally tell you once you return to Wood Star with me," Ji Shengrui sighed.

"Ji Shengrui, you are determined not to spare my sect, aren't you?" Ji Mo’s expression darkened. She stared coldly at him, speaking word by word.

"Ninth Sister, you are a smart person. At this point, do you think asking such a question is of any use?" Ji Shengrui looked at her with a pitying expression and shook his head.

Ji Mo was incensed. As her emotions stirred, her aura became chaotic, and the vitality within her seemed to slip away faster. Su Ye, who was supporting her, felt a jolt of alarm and instinctively tightened his grip on her arm. Ji Mo, startled, slowly suppressed her agitation.

After finishing his sentence, Ji Shengrui looked away from Ji Mo and turned his gaze to Jiang Ping, who was cowering behind Chi Mu. He looked her up and down, and with a half-smile, said, "Taoist Thousand Scorpions, are you well?"

"Cr-Crown Prince, this subordinate has failed to perform the task well. Please punish me," the Thousand Scorpions Taoist, who was currently occupying Jiang Ping’s body, said tremblingly.

"Punishment? No, no, you have rendered service and deserve a reward. If you had killed my Ninth Sister over a decade ago, that would have been a crime. I see you are quite severely injured; rest for now and return this vessel to its original owner," Ji Shengrui shook his head.

The Thousand Scorpions Taoist was stunned, then overjoyed. Having failed to complete the mission after all these years, he had expected severe punishment upon the Crown Prince’s arrival. He had never imagined such a response.

Surprised and delighted, he thanked him profusely before retreating into Jiang Ping’s consciousness, returning control of the body to her. Jiang Ping felt a tremor run through her body and soul, and the next moment, she realized she could once again control herself. Since the Taoist had taken over, she had lived in constant fear that he would destroy her soul to claim her body permanently.

Now, having regained control, she felt an irrepressible surge of excitement. Yet, she managed to stifle it. The first thing she did was walk up to Ji Shengrui, bend her knees, and bow low: "Jiang Ping greets the young master."

"No need for formalities. You have cooperated well with Taoist Thousand Scorpions these years. Once matters here are concluded, come back to Wood Star with us," Ji Shengrui observed her closely. He noted that not only was she exceptionally beautiful, but her cunning and aptitude were also outstanding. If cultivated properly, she might become a great asset to him.

"Thank you, young master." Jiang Ping was overjoyed, bowed respectfully once more, and stood up gracefully.

At this moment, Yun Shulan, the Peak Master of Cloud Mist Peak, who had been standing with Lei Wei and the others, could no longer contain herself. She stepped forward, her beautiful eyes fixed intensely on Jiang Ping, and gritted her teeth: "Jiang Ping, ever since you entered the sect, have you been plotting, waiting for the moment to destroy my Moon-Gazing Sect?"