Chapter 385: The Four Madams

At that moment, the Wang Clan Head wanted nothing more than to devour the man’s flesh and drink his blood, hoping to transfer the medicinal pill’s effects to himself.

But he knew this was a futile fantasy. With a dismissive wave, he lost interest in the topic. “There’s another matter I summoned you for.”

“Please speak, Father-in-law,” Xu Sanyan replied respectfully.

The Wang Clan Head quickly composed himself, his expression returning to normal. “You’ve likely heard that the Mist Tide is approaching. Thousand Autumns City will be sealed for three months. However, many smaller clans depend on us outside the city walls. If urgent matters arise during the lockdown, we’ll need you to handle them.”

Xu Sanyan nodded solemnly. “It is my duty, and I will not shirk it.”

“Ah…” The Wang Clan Head sighed, his face clouded with worry. “You know the family’s situation. We suffered heavy losses in the recent war with the Qian Kingdom, leaving us short-handed. Since you’re capable, I’ll ask you to oversee Wavebreak Mountain as well.”

Wavebreak Mountain, located north of Thousand Autumns City, was the most prosperous and densely populated region. It had originally been under the Second Elder’s jurisdiction, but after his death, it fell under the Second Madam’s control.

Even with just the tributes from these smaller clans, the Second Madam’s faction lived in lavish comfort, their mouths dripping with grease.

Yet these women never shared their gains with others. Now that trouble had arisen, they were quick to pass the buck, revealing their shrewd calculations.

Though Xu Sanyan knew he was being handed a hot potato, he nodded without hesitation.

“Rest assured, Clan Head.”

He understood he had no room to refuse. If he handled this well, his past deception would be forgiven. Xu Sanyan still needed to cultivate his position within the Wang Family for some time, hence his prompt agreement.

Seeing his decisive response, the Wang Clan Head nodded in satisfaction, his mood lightening slightly.

“Very well. Once this matter is resolved, Wavebreak Mountain will also fall under your jurisdiction.” This was a carrot to sweeten the deal.

The Wang Clan Head genuinely admired Xu Sanyan, but since he wasn’t a member of the Wang Family by blood, he still needed to be tested.

“Thank you, Clan Head,” Xu Sanyan said, clasping his hands in a formal bow. He had switched to addressing him by his title, a clear indication of his understanding that professional matters required formal address.

“If there’s nothing else, you may withdraw and prepare.”

“Yes, Clan Head.”

Xu Sanyan turned to leave, but paused at the doorway, turning back to ask, “How is the great elder’s condition?”

The Wang Clan Head smiled faintly. “He’s out of danger.”

“That’s good to hear.”

With that, Xu Sanyan strode away, leaving the Wang Clan Head alone in his study, seated with a bamboo scroll in hand, his gaze fixed in deep contemplation.

As dusk approached, Wang Yu arrived.

The two men sat facing each other in the pavilion. Xu Sanyan listened quietly to Wang Yu’s report.

“Among the four Madams, the Third Madam likely possesses the highest cultivation level. Seven years ago, someone witnessed her in action, and even then, she had already reached the Soul Refining Realm. After seven years, it’s unclear whether she has advanced further.”

Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow. The Third Madam had actually reached the Soul Refining Realm?

She had concealed her true strength so deeply!

Earlier, Xu Sanyan had used the Qi Observation Technique to assess the cultivation levels of the four Madams. While he could discern that the Fourth Madam was at the Dao Seeking Realm, he couldn’t penetrate the cultivation levels of the other three.

There were only two possible explanations for this:

First, they might have mastered high-level Breath Concealment Techniques, making it difficult to see through their true cultivation unless one’s own cultivation far surpassed theirs.

Second, their cultivation levels might be comparable to Xu Sanyan’s, or even higher.

Now that it was confirmed the Third Madam’s cultivation level was indeed comparable to his, combined with her mastery of Breath Concealment Techniques, it was no wonder he couldn’t see through her.

As for the First and Second Madams…

“Focus your investigation on the First and Second Madams.”

“Understood.”

Wang Yu acknowledged the order, turned, and departed.

Shortly after he left, Wang Zixuan arrived with her maids Chunmei, Xiazhu, and several others. The maids carried large crimson lanterns and were selecting spots to hang them.

Xu Sanyan asked, “What are you doing?”

Wang Zixuan lifted her robes and hurried forward. “The Mist Tide is approaching. When the dense fog rolls in, visibility will be severely reduced. These lanterns are specially crafted treasures with the power to dispel the mist. I thought it would be nice to keep the residence bright.”

“Hmm.”

Xu Sanyan turned his attention away from her, pulling out a soul crystal and beginning to absorb its energy while silently contemplating his next steps.

First, he needed to bring the Fourth Madam over to his side. According to Wang Yu, all four madams came from powerful families, their marriages to the Wang Clan Head serving as strategic alliances between the clans.

Given the Fourth Madam’s influential background, she likely possessed valuable resources. Xu Sanyan, currently desperate for soul crystals, wondered if she might have any to spare.

The First Madam, on the other hand, had already gifted him several dozen soul crystals. Even the one he held now—one of twenty that came as part of her daughter’s dowry—was a gift from her. He had already used two, and this was his third.

While the quantity was substantial, it was still a drop in the bucket compared to what he needed.

These twenty soul crystals likely wouldn’t even be enough to break through to the Peak Stage of Soul Refinement, let alone provide the resources he needed to set up formations.

“Sigh, where am I going to get more soul crystals?”

Xu Sanyan deeply felt the hardship of lacking a powerful background. If only he had a major clan supporting him, providing him with a steady stream of resources.

A moment later,

The soul crystals had crumbled into dust, scattered across the ground and then swept away by a gentle breeze, leaving no trace behind.

Xu Sanyan closed his eyes to sense his own body. His soul power had increased slightly. He estimated that after absorbing the remaining seventeen soul crystals, he should be nearing the critical point.

Once his divine soul power reached the Peak Stage, he could use the panel’s power to break through. It shouldn’t take too much longer…

Before the full onset of the Mist Tide, he planned to return to the Secret Realm World to attempt his fifth blessing.

He looked up at the sky. The mist was still thin, so his absence for a couple of days shouldn’t be a problem.

Xu Sanyan rose and walked toward the city gates. The already quiet streets of the inner city were now even more desolate, shrouded in a gray mist that made it feel like a ghost town.

The inner city had always been sparsely populated. Besides the Wang Family, only a few disciples from other minor clans resided there temporarily.

He had heard that the Second Madam’s family had arrived recently and were now staying in the inner city. He wondered what business had brought them here.

Stepping out of the inner city into the outer city, he noticed that many shops were closed along the wide streets, and the usual bustling crowds had thinned considerably. The streets were no longer as lively as they once had been.

Suddenly, Xu Sanyan’s eyes narrowed, and he swiftly dodged to the side. Five figures appeared ahead, hurrying toward the city gates.

He recognized them from their previous encounter—the Lu Clan. He hadn’t expected them to still be here.

Two of the five had crossed paths with Xu Sanyan in the Hundred Saints Secret Realm. One was Lu Wang, a valiant warrior wielding a massive spear. The other was Lu Wang’s sister, who had stayed close to Fang Qingge during their time in the secret realm.

With the Mist Tide approaching, he wondered why they were leaving the city now.

Staying in Thousand Autumns City would undoubtedly be safer than venturing into the wilderness at this time. Yet they were defying common sense by leaving now. Were they courting death?

Their unusual behavior piqued his curiosity, and he began to follow them discreetly.

He dared not get too close. He couldn’t discern the cultivation level of the middle-aged man among them, but the man didn’t exude an overwhelming sense of danger, suggesting his cultivation level was likely comparable to Xu Sanyan’s own.

(End of the Chapter)