28. Saving a Life

A middle-aged man in a white robe blocked their way and said, "This boat is privately owned. If you're looking to board, please go to the other dock."

Someone replied, "We’re here for the bounty. I have an item—a magical artifact usable by mortals."

He produced a small object and handed it to the man in the white robe.

Li Miao grew anxious and hurried over. The bounties issued by Lady Ji could only be redeemed once; if someone else claimed it first, he’d lose his chance!

But before he could reach them, the man in the white robe tossed the object back, his tone irate. "Nonsense! You dare present a sleeve dart as an artifact to Lady Ji? Are you tired of living?"

As he spoke, he flicked his sleeve, sending a wave of force that knocked the group back several steps.

Li Miao was secretly alarmed. This gatekeeper in white turned out to be a mid-stage Condensing Truth cultivator, on par with Liu Xuanfeng! To have a mid-stage cultivator guarding the boarding gate—Lady Ji was certainly grand in her arrangements!

After being rebuffed by the gatekeeper, Lu Xie, the others remained reluctant, offering up several more items.

Lu Xie glanced over them and said impatiently, "These are all third-rate trinkets, nothing resembling a true artifact. Leave my sight at once. If you dare cause more trouble, you’ll pay for it!"

With a release of his cultivation aura, the would-be opportunists fled in terror.

Li Miao breathed a slight sigh of relief and stepped forward.

"I’m here for the bounty," he announced.

Lu Xie looked up, his expression initially impatient. But upon sensing Li Miao’s cultivation, his demeanor softened. When he noticed Li Miao’s body covered in wounds, his brows furrowed again. "Dragon scale or artifact?"

Having guarded the boat for years, he knew what kind of people came and what kind of bounties could actually be fulfilled. Of the six bounties already claimed, each had specific details—rare items, but still possible to find in the world. The remaining four, however, were all exceptionally rare. Peach blossom petals from twenty thousand years ago and a sword that severs karma—those might not even exist, much less in a small place like Longling County. As for a five-thousand-year-old dragon scale or a magical artifact usable by mortals, there was perhaps the faintest hope, yet they too were exceedingly rare.

Li Miao certainly didn’t look like someone who could peel a scale off a five-thousand-year-old dragon. He answered, "I have an artifact that, in mortal hands, can kill a Guiyuan cultivator."

Lu Xie raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Let me see it."

Li Miao hesitated. Naturally, he was referring to the Magnetic Pulse Cannon. But this was a rather unique item—not that it was precious; in the Expeditionary Army, everyone was equipped with at least one, and energy crystals were distributed by the cubic meter. But in this world, the Magnetic Pulse Cannon was utterly unique, and only he possessed one. Most importantly, to cultivators, the cosmic crystals used to power it were likely far more valuable than the cannon itself.

He said, "This artifact is quite special. I’d prefer to demonstrate it directly to Lady Ji. Rest assured, I am badly wounded and have no intention of causing trouble."

Lu Xie studied him for a moment, saw that his tone was sincere, and relented. "Very well. Go up from here, straight to the pavilion on the third deck—Lady Ji is there. But before you go, you’d better put on a robe, lest you frighten the servants on board."

He stepped aside.

Li Miao thanked him, donned his outer garment despite the pain of the fabric rubbing against his wounds, and headed for the boat.

The pleasure boat was enormous, but Li Miao moved with agility, quickly ascending to the upper decks. The lower level was empty, save for a few female attendants moving about on unknown errands—all of whom were Qi Refining cultivators.

Li Miao asked no questions and made his way directly to the highest, third deck. Along the way, he encountered more servants, each at least at the fifth level of Qi Refining, which astonished him. The higher the deck, the smaller it became; the lower two levels housed servants and stewards, while the third was reserved entirely for Lady Ji.

He climbed the ladder to the top, glancing left and right. By the stairs stood an elegant lantern-lit pavilion, suffused with a gentle fragrance.

Outside, there was a wind-viewing terrace, ten yards square, its ceiling draped with petal-shaped trelliswork, white gauze curtains fluttering gently on all sides. On the terrace stood ten small tables, nine arranged in a nine-palace pattern, each with tea sets and cushions. The principal seat at the front was larger, adorned with two vases of fresh white peach blossoms still dewy from being newly picked.

At this moment, the third floor was empty except for a single woman standing by the gauze-curtained window, gazing out over the river. Her waist was slender, her posture languid, and she wore a white trailing gown, its broad sleeves floating around her like a celestial being. Her long hair, tied loosely with a white silk ribbon, cascaded down her back, swaying gently in the river breeze.

She faced away, her features hidden, yet even from behind, it was clear she was a peerless beauty.

"Are you here to present a treasure, or to seek a beating?"

Before Li Miao could speak, Lady Ji addressed him first. Her voice was calm, melodious as spring water, but her words were far less gentle. Should the offering fail, he might well receive a lesson before being shown off the boat.

Li Miao could not discern her cultivation; she seemed ethereal, her presence almost imperceptible—if not for his eyes, he might not have noticed anyone there at all.

"I come to offer a treasure and seek Lady Ji’s aid to save someone," he replied.

Her tone remained cool. "The terms are simple. Show me the artifact first."

Li Miao withdrew the Magnetic Pulse Cannon from his cosmic ring.

Its appearance was unique in this world—entirely metallic, unlike any cold weapon, and striking enough on sight. Infused with a full charge of cosmic energy, it radiated a powerful primordial energy, which to a cultivator felt like a heap of freshly-cast top-grade elixirs.

Sensing the surge in energy, Lady Ji let out a soft sound of surprise, turned, and fixed her gaze on the item in Li Miao’s hand.

Only then did Li Miao see her face. Not only was her silhouette exquisite, but her features were so perfect as to seem almost otherworldly—an oval face, brows like willow buds, eyes like ink-washed pools, a delicate nose, and finely shaped lips, each detail impeccable, as if she were the very embodiment of heaven’s grace.

"Primordial celestial energy... intriguing," she murmured, her left hand gently fanning, her right reaching out toward the cannon.

The artifact flew from Li Miao’s hands into hers.

Lady Ji examined it with evident interest, nodding as if appreciating its wonders.

Seeing her satisfaction, Li Miao asked, "Does this artifact meet your standards, Lady Ji?"

She nodded slightly, lightly waving her fan. "It’s quite something, but what I require is an artifact a mortal can wield. You... show me how it works."

Li Miao hesitated, a trace of embarrassment flickering across his face. The Magnetic Pulse Cannon was absurdly simple to operate—just aim and pull the trigger. Watching her examine it with such satisfaction, he’d assumed she understood how to use it, but apparently not...

"Very well, I’ll demonstrate."

He cleared his throat to mask his discomfort, retrieved the cannon, lifted a curtain, and aimed at the distant riverbank. With a brief aim, he pulled the trigger.

A beam of ionized light shot forth, faster than any flying sword, crossing hundreds of yards in the blink of an eye and striking a massive boulder on the far shore.

The beam vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving the air charged with lingering spiritual energy.

The boulder remained intact, but with Lady Ji’s keen eyes, she could see the newly bored, fathomless hole in its surface.

She parted her lips in mild surprise. "Indeed, it requires no cultivation to activate, though using celestial jade as fuel is rather extravagant. This artifact... is cleverly designed, but far too crude."

What did she mean?

"Are you trying to renege on your promise?" Li Miao frowned, displeased.

That she could immediately discern the artifact’s energy source as celestial jade spoke to her vision and power. Yet if a cultivator of her level chose to renege, he would be powerless to resist.

Lady Ji noticed his irritation and smiled serenely. "I, Ji Lingyu, am a Xuantong master. I would never swindle a junior. But... everyone knows my bounties are strictly by value exchanged for value."

"Aside from its unusual structure, your artifact has little merit. Using precious celestial jade for such minimal damage is simply a waste."

"Therefore, I cannot grant you the full reward for the seventh bounty."

She fanned herself, her breathtaking smile making even her evasions seem perfectly natural.

Li Miao felt a headache coming on.

But fortunately, he was not here for treasures or pills—he simply needed her help. If she was truly a Xuantong master, then rescuing Guo’er from the two Guiyuan-level cultivators of the Sun family would be a trivial matter.

"You’re the stronger party; I can’t argue with you. I never counted on any reward anyway—just help me save someone."

"Who do you need saved?" Ji Lingyu asked coolly.

"A little girl, currently held at the Sun residence in Longling. Time is of the essence—I hope you can act quickly," Li Miao replied.

"Oh..."

Ji Lingyu closed her eyes, making it clear she intended to do nothing.

Li Miao felt a surge of anger. Guo’er was in danger, Liu Xuanfeng’s fate unknown, and this was the only person who could help—yet she was so indifferent!

Seeing her nonchalance, he pressed her, "How can a Xuantong master break her word?"

His tone was sharp as he stepped forward.

Ji Lingyu opened her eyes, meeting his gaze now inches away, her expression sly. "I never said I wouldn’t help. Are you standing so close to take liberties with me?"

"You—" Li Miao was speechless, but wisely stepped back.

Ji Lingyu said blandly, "I merely scanned the Sun residence with my divine sense; you’re so impatient. In a moment, we’ll make the exchange—person for reward. Make sure you keep your word."

Li Miao was left speechless. She had almost refused, yet now she accused him of being unreliable—what a woman...

Ji Lingyu wasted no more time. With a casual wave, a thin white veil appeared, masking half her striking face. With a flick of her fan, she and Li Miao vanished on the spot.

A surge of powerful energy swept over Li Miao—he felt the world spin and the wind roar past. Next thing he knew, he stood outside the boat.

Lu Xie, the gatekeeper, saw them and asked in surprise, "Lady Ji?"

Ji Lingyu replied, her lips moving beneath her veil, "The seventh bounty has been fulfilled; it can be removed. His reward is... my full assistance."

Lu Xie bowed. "Yes, I will update the bounty list immediately."

Ji Lingyu nodded, seized Li Miao, and in a flash they soared across hundreds of yards, landing atop the Longling city wall with astonishing speed.

She did not pause, but with another movement, they appeared at the gates of a grand mansion.

Li Miao looked up and saw the plaque: "Sun Residence." Six Body Tempering cultivators stood guard at the gate.

The vast estate resembled a crouching behemoth, its six open gates like a gaping maw.

"Who goes there?"

The sudden appearance of two strangers drew the attention of the Sun family guards, who moved forward warily.

Ji Lingyu ignored them and turned to Li Miao. "You’re the client—how do you want me to help?"

Li Miao’s expression turned cold. "Break down the gates—kill any who dare stand in our way!"

"As you wish," Ji Lingyu nodded, her veiled face unreadable.

As two guards approached, she flicked her left hand, fan in hand.

The gesture was as effortless as swatting a fly.

Yet Li Miao felt a terrifying force erupt with no warning, blasting forward.

With a thunderous crash, the two Sun guards spat blood and were flung backwards. The massive gates, two yards tall and three wide, splintered into dozens of cracks and collapsed with a crash.