The Nascent Soul Expert Eats Humble Pie

Yuyang Commandery, Miao Clan inner courtyard.

After hearing Drake Long's report, Skye Miao couldn't help but fall into deep thought. A Guardian Mountain Formation capable of withstanding Nascent Soul experts would cost at least several million low-grade spirit crystals.

The Jade Maiden Sect only occupies a single county—how could they possibly set up a Guardian Mountain Formation that costs so much?

Could it be that the Jade Maiden Sect has discovered a new spirit-stone mine?

Or maybe some other power is secretly backing the Jade Maiden Sect just to make trouble for my Miao Clan. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but tense up—if another power really is involved, things could get complicated.

Not many people know about his connection to Prince Yue. He wants to marry his daughter to Prince Yue to strengthen their alliance, but if the other powers in Yuyang Commandery find out, they'll surely try to interfere.

After weighing his options, Skye Miao issued three orders in succession.

First, send people to Huangyuan County to investigate whether the Jade Maiden Sect really discovered a new vein; second, closely monitor the movements of other top powers;

Third, dispatch two Nascent Soul experts to the Jade Maiden Sect to swiftly bring Lena Ling back, before anything else can go wrong.

Jade Maiden Sect, Splendor Palace.

Leah Ling carefully approached the palace gate. She had just opened her mouth to speak when a voice called out from inside: "Little girl, what is it?"

"Senior Azure actually called me 'little girl'?"

Hearing this, Leah Ling was stunned for a moment, then delighted. She quickly bowed and said, "Senior Azure, Sect Master Lana and the others are here. They wish to pay their respects to you!"

"Go tell them I already know what's going on. They don't need to worry!"

"Yes!"

After bowing, Leah Ling left, then relayed Ian's exact words to Lana Snow and the others waiting nearby.

In fact, they had already heard Ian's voice.

Their purpose in coming here was to ask Ian to help resolve the problem. Since they'd gotten what they wanted, whether or not they saw Ian didn't matter.

Before leaving, Lana Snow carefully reminded Leah Ling to serve Senior Azure well.

Leah Ling nodded repeatedly.

"Yes."

"No need to be scared. I'm not a tiger!" Ian said with a smile.

"Oh." Leah Ling nodded and began to talk about herself.

Leah Ling came to the Jade Maiden Sect when she was ten and has been here for five years. Her family is a landowning household in the city of Huangyuan County, fairly well-off.

At first, the girl was a bit nervous, but seeing Ian's ever-present gentle smile, she gradually relaxed and started sharing little stories from inside the Jade Maiden Sect.

"By the way, I heard your Jade Maiden Sect accepted a male disciple. Do you know him?" Ian suddenly interrupted Leah Ling's chatter.

"Of course! His name is Deuce, and his cooking is amazing!"

Leah Ling nodded vigorously.

"Do you like eating his cooking?" Ian asked again.

"Mm!"

Leah Ling nodded again. "It's a pity, Deuce can't work in the cafeteria anymore, so it's hard to eat his cooking every day. By the way, Senior Azure, do you want to try Deuce's food? It's really delicious!"

"Is that so?" Ian Song (as Senior Azure) smiled, pretending not to care.

Leah Ling nervously explained, "Senior Azure, I'm really not lying to you. Deuce's cooking is truly delicious. If you don't believe me, you should try it!"

"You're so nervous speaking up for Deuce. Do you like him?" Ian Song suddenly asked with a laugh.

"No way!" Leah Ling said, blushing.

"Really?" Ian Song looked at her with a half-smile.

"Really!" Leah Ling shook her head vigorously.

"Alright, there's nothing else for you here. Go back and cultivate." Ian Song waved his hand.

"Yes, I'll take my leave."

Several hours later, two streaks of blue and red light suddenly appeared above the Jade Maiden Sect, transforming into a man and a woman.

The man wore a green robe, had a broad face, and an imposing presence, looking about forty.

The woman wore a red dress, was charming and voluptuous, with a curvy figure and a chest that strained her dress. She looked to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight.

Whoosh!

A figure shot into the sky—it was Justin Su, who bowed slightly and said:

"Justin Su greets Elder Jian and Elder Yao!"

"No need to be so polite, Seventh Young Master," Elder Jian said with a smile.

"Yes, Seventh Young Master," Elder Yao also laughed softly.

"By the way, Seventh Young Master, I heard this Jade Maiden Sect has a Guardian Mountain Formation?" Elder Jian's eyes suddenly flashed with light as he looked down.

Justin Su nodded. "That's right. Even working together, we couldn't break it, so we had to wait here. My adoptive father sent you two elders, so we don't need to keep guarding!"

"Don't worry, I'll break it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Elder Jian raised his hand and struck out with a palm. Instantly, a giant palm shadow appeared out of thin air, accompanied by a thunderous roar, and slammed down.

Buzz!

Boom!

A seven-colored barrier flashed, blocking the thunderous giant palm. After trembling for a moment, it returned to normal.

Huh!

Seeing his palm strike fail to break the Guardian Mountain Formation, Elder Jian's face reddened. He struck again.

This palm was even stronger, with thunder crackling loudly.

Finally, the giant palm struck the seven-colored barrier again.

But after trembling for a moment, the barrier returned to normal again.

Elder Jian's face turned even redder, and he grunted, "This formation is really tough!"

Elder Yao smiled and said, "Elder Jian, let me try."

After speaking, Elder Yao raised her hand, gathering a red mist that formed a giant fiery palm, pressing down on the seven-colored barrier.

The seven-colored barrier trembled again and returned to normal.

"This formation is really strange!" Elder Yao frowned.

Justin Su couldn't help but say, "Elders, this formation isn't so easy to break. Even my adoptive father couldn't do it."

Elder Jian and Elder Yao exchanged glances, both feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Don't worry, we'll break it sooner or later!" Elder Jian said, not willing to admit defeat.

After that, Elder Jian and Elder Yao began to study the Guardian Mountain Formation.

Meanwhile, inside the Jade Maiden Sect, Ian Song was sitting cross-legged in his room, quietly cultivating.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes, a trace of coldness flashing through them.

"Someone's trying to break the Guardian Mountain Formation again."

He sneered, "Keep trying. As long as I'm here, no one can break this formation!"

Meanwhile, Elder Jian and Elder Yao continued to attack the Guardian Mountain Formation, but after a whole day, they still couldn't break it.

The two elders were exhausted, their faces pale.

"Seventh Young Master, this formation is too powerful. We'll need to rest before trying again tomorrow," Elder Jian said, feeling helpless.

Justin Su nodded, not daring to say more.

Inside the Jade Maiden Sect, Ian Song sneered, "If you want to break my formation, you'll have to work harder!"

He closed his eyes and continued cultivating.

The night passed quietly.