"She's dead, buried for many days," Ah Jiu looked at Xue Zhen expectantly. "I just want to know if you cultivators transcend the six realms with your primordial spirit and ascend to the immortal realm to become deities, or if you truly die."
Xue Zhen examined Ah Jiu. The purity in her eyes was solely for her grandmother, untainted by anything else.
Such a gaze possessed a penetrating quality, capable of making one forget their worldly suffering with a second glance.
"To be frank, if the true body is not destroyed, it is as you say. However, if the true body is destroyed and it happens during the lightning tribulation, it means the person failed the trial. Both body and spirit are crushed by the tribulation, leaving no possibility of survival or reincarnation."
As Meng Jiuer's eyes grew weary, tears flowed down her cinnabar mole, scarlet and bright.
"Your grandmother's cultivation has already reached a level far beyond ordinary people. Sometimes, it takes multiple reincarnations to accumulate merit across lifetimes. Please, my lady, accept my condolences."
Xue Zhen finished speaking and turned to leave. The moment his foot crossed the threshold, he pulled back, a detail having occurred to him—
The apparition of the esteemed elder was of an old grandmother. This implied her primordial spirit was certainly not from this current physical body.
As soon as he thought of this, Xue Zhen turned back, intending to tell her that her grandmother was an exception.
Zhao Kun and Tuoba Yan arrived in a flurry.
Facing Tuoba Yan, Xue Zhen had a clear conscience. He stood his ground and performed a Taoist bow:
"Brother Tuoba."
"How did you get in?" Tuoba Yan's first question was this, for he was a subordinate of the Prince of Qi, and one could never be too careful.
"My humble trick, General Tuoba, is surely beneath your notice." Xue Zhen said humbly, a gentle smile on his face.
"I have kept my appointment and will now take my leave."
With that, Xue Zhen took three steps and was outside the winding path leading to the elegant courtyard. In an instant, he vanished.
Tuoba Yan walked directly into the room and saw the woman he cherished with red-rimmed eyes. He frowned, as if a sharp sword had pierced his heart. "Junior Sister Jiuer, are you alright?"
Ah Jiu, seeing Tuoba Yan arrive, slowly shook her head and hastily asked, "Has the Prince of Qi raised troops to rebel and attack?"
Tuoba Yan was taken aback. Junior Sister Jiuer's question was out of context.
However, Junior Sister Jiuer had guessed correctly about this matter. Although she had not left her residence, she was remarkably well-informed about the overall situation. "Yes, they are stationed outside the city."
Ah Jiu rose and spoke to Tuoba Yan with profound earnestness:
"I have a way to win over Xue Zhen and make him your left and right hand. With his assistance, you will surely be able to quell the war."
Tuoba Yan wondered why Jiuer was suddenly concerned about the war for him. He was only focused on having the largest house and the finest carriage.
Had Junior Sister Jiuer now become of one heart with him? This was a good thing.
"At the very least, he understands the Prince of Qi very well," Ah Jiu added.
He instantly understood Junior Sister Jiuer's intentions:
"Quick, go after Xue Zhen and bring him back."
Ah Jiu said this and took a handful of spiritual ginseng from her embrace. She looked at it, then put it back. This time, she took out a tomato.
Ah Jiu wanted Xue Zhen to know that even her tomatoes possessed spiritual energy.
For cultivators, this was a treasure beyond compare.
"Catch up to him and give him this. For now, do not directly ask him to help Tuoba Yan."
Ah Jiu's words stunned Tuoba Yan. "You're giving him something so delicious?"
Seeing Ah Jiu's eyes still downcast and silent, Tuoba Yan smacked his lips and handed the crimson object to Zhao Kun.
Zhao Kun turned and left.
Next, Ah Jiu and Tuoba Yan's gazes met.
Ah Jiu felt a little embarrassed under his stare:
"Don't look at me like that. He did his best to come and tell me about my grandmother's matters. I might not be so fixated in a few days.
Now, as soon as you entered, you reminded me. I suddenly realized that since Xue Zhen could come and go beneath the Prince of Qi's nose alone, he must have a way to bypass your military camp. If he could be recruited to serve me, we would truly know ourselves and our enemy.
If he cannot be recruited, his ability to move freely in Menghua City means that if he helps the Prince of Qi, it would be detrimental to you."