Chapter 70: Brewing a Fine Pot of Tea for My Brother-in-Law

A flicker of amusement darted across Ji Yin’s eyes.

Suddenly, the Demon Cauldron surged with power, devouring the soul force within the Phoenix Plume.

“How is it?” Ji Yin asked anxiously, fearing the cauldron might not withstand it.

“I can bear it! Great Demon, prepare yourself!”

A powerful surge of soul force flooded her body, illuminating her meridians with a faint white glow. Ji Yin could feel the soul force entering her, even the Seven Star Meridians seemed summoned, gleaming brilliantly for a moment.

But in the next instant, the light faded.

The Seven Star Meridians siphoned off some of the soul force, then settled into stillness.

Her meridians had undergone a significant transformation, growing far more resilient.

Meridians were vital for cultivation, the bedrock upon which it rested—if damaged, they were difficult to repair.

While the Seven Star Meridians absorbed soul force, they also reinforced her meridians, likely a reflection of her current strength. After breaking through the second tier, the Seven Star Meridians continued to draw soul force to fortify her meridians.

Yet, she could not say how much soul force would be required.

Now, however, her body brimmed with soul force, and the Seven Star Meridians seemed sated; the soul force gained from breaking the second tier was more than sufficient. But she had no intention of advancing her meridians further just yet.

Ji Yin raised her head, gazing at Chu Yu.

“What is it? Do you wish to spar with me again, Young Master Chu?”

Chu Yu, whose thirst for battle had faded, was instantly provoked by Ji Yin’s challenge. He raised his sword and pointed it at her. “Ji Yin, do you dare accept my challenge?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Good!”

Chu Yu leapt onto the plaza, Ji Yin close behind.

The others hurried after them, eager to witness the true extent of their abilities.

Every year, the Celestial Origin Sect held a soul force competition—a friendly bout where blows were pulled. But today, Chu Yu and Ji Yin were truly dueling.

...

“Brother! Brother! This is bad! Come quickly, Little Seven and Chu Yu are fighting again!” Ji Shaowen rushed to Ji Shaofeng’s residence, grabbing him as he dried herbs in the courtyard. “Hurry, come with me!”

Ji Shaofeng tossed aside the herbs and strode out, but after a few steps, he suddenly halted.

“Brother! Why have you stopped again?” Ji Shaowen, sweating in impatience, demanded.

“Has Lord Xuanyuan made any move?”

“At a time like this, why worry about Lord Xuanyuan?”

Ji Shaofeng abruptly regained his usual aloof demeanor, flicked the wrinkles from his sleeve, his noble bearing reminiscent of an immortal, and walked toward Xuanyuan Ji’s residence.

Ji Shaowen: ...

Xuanyuan Ji paused his tea preparation as Ji Shaofeng approached.

“Wu Yan, fetch the new tea you bought the other day.”

Wu Yan: ... That little bit of new tea, so rare and precious—serving it to Seventh Young Master was one thing, but now to entertain the eldest as well?

When did the young master become so generous?

Despite his thoughts, Wu Yan dared not delay and quickly fetched the tea.

“To share tea with Lord Xuanyuan today is a fortune thrice blessed.”

“You flatter me, Young Master.”

The two sat across from each other by the window—one serene, one noble. The fragrance of tea mingled with rare spices, suffusing the sun-warmed room.

Time itself seemed to slow and linger.

...

Chu Yu gripped his sword, lunging at Ji Yin.

The blade, imbued with soul force, swept forward, carving a deep scar into the ground!

Ji Yin stood firm, facing Chu Yu’s assault without flinching, her expression unchanged.