The Decline of Su Jiu

Su Ji slept exceptionally soundly, not waking until the sun was high in the sky.

Only when the sunlight spilled through the window lattice onto his face did he lazily open his eyes.

The oppression brought about by previously prying into that terrifying future was swept away during this deep slumber.

Su Ji stretched, his joints letting out a series of crisp pops, feeling thoroughly refreshed.

He sorted out his somewhat chaotic thoughts and, without further delay, flickered and sped toward the mountain peak where Li Fan was located.

Some matters had to be arranged in advance.

...

Li Fan was thrilled.

Ever since he witnessed the senior's earth-shattering sword strike and received his guidance regarding inner demons, he felt as if he had touched a new realm.

Although his cultivation base had not broken through, his state of mind was unprecedentedly smooth and clear.

Now entrusted with the heavy responsibility of temporarily managing the sect's affairs, he was full of drive.

He swore that he would handle the matters entrusted to him by the senior flawlessly, never betraying his trust.

When Su Ji's figure appeared before his newly built cave dwelling, Li Fan rushed out almost immediately, a fanatical joy on his face.

Senior!

His knees went soft, and he was about to prostrate himself.

Alright, alright, don't kneel.

Su Ji waved his hand impatiently. Looking at Li Fan's eager-to-worship appearance, he only felt his teeth ache.

This guy had been thoroughly fooled.

Old Six, I have a very important matter to entrust to you.

Su Ji didn't waste words and got straight to the point.

Li Fan immediately stood up straight, his expression solemn, as if listening to a holy decree. He looked so focused, afraid of missing a single word.

First, build the venue for the succession ceremony as large and grand as possible. Money is not an issue.

Take it directly from the sect's treasury. If it's not enough, come to me.

The extravagance must be sufficient. Let everyone know that my Xiangsi Sect is filthy rich.

Su Ji wanted to create the posture of a nouveau riche, an arrogant disregard for everyone after obtaining a heaven-defying fortune.

Only in this way would those with ulterior motives feel that he was a fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered, and thus jump into the pit he had dug without hesitation.

Second, have your Dao companion set up the top illusion or killing arrays around the venue.

Su Ji's tone became a bit more serious.

Similarly, there are plenty of spirit stones, and materials can be used freely. There is only one requirement: once the grand array is activated, not even a peak Golden Core cultivator can escape in a short time.

Hearing this, Li Fan's heart skipped a beat.

Is this... preparing to close the door and beat the dog?

He didn't dare to ask more, only nodding heavily. Please rest assured, Senior, my wife will definitely handle this matter.

Very good. Su Ji nodded in satisfaction. This free all-around laborer was indeed handy to use.

Third, on the day of the ceremony, you don't need to worry about anything else. Just focus on guarding the key exits and don't let a single fly escape.

He paused, looking at Li Fan's face full of excitement, and continued:

Remember, the scene might be very chaotic then. If the sky falls, I will hold it up. All you need to do is watch the doors well.

Li Fan's blood boiled as he listened. He could almost see the senior's supreme elegance a month later, ruling the world and suppressing all directions.

What heroism, what dominance!

And he himself would be the most indispensable stroke in this magnificent picture!

To be able to serve such a senior, let alone just watching the door, even if he died in battle on the spot, what regrets would he have?

This junior... obeys your command!

His voice was sonorous and forceful.

Su Ji looked at his pumped-up appearance and laughed inwardly.

A free laborer is truly wonderful.

He took a step forward, patted Li Fan's shoulder, and said earnestly, Work hard, I have high hopes for you.

After saying that, he didn't stay any longer. He turned into a stream of light and flew toward Su Jiu's courtyard.

Leaving Li Fan alone on the spot, trembling with excitement, wishing he could immediately shed his blood for this cause.

...

Having finished explaining the serious matters.

Next, he could attend to some less serious matters.

Su Ji walked straight toward Su Jiu's courtyard.

He calculated in his heart that after not seeing each other for over four months, the little fox must have accumulated quite a bit of resentment.

Yesterday he rested and gathered his strength.

Today, he had to comfort her properly no matter what.

Familiar with the route, Su Ji flipped over the courtyard wall and landed silently in the yard.

He wasn't in a hurry to push the door open, but first listened closely for any movement inside.

Dead silence.

Su Ji raised an eyebrow, a trace of doubt rising in his heart.

That shouldn't be.

Su Ji walked to the familiar door, thought for a moment, and finally raised his hand to gently push it open.

Creak—

The door hinges made a slight sound.

The scene inside made Su Ji's movements pause once again.

On the bed, that beautiful figure was still lying quietly.

The moonlight had dissipated, and the faint morning light filtered through the window, coating her in a soft halo.

Sleeping again?

Su Ji's brows slowly and deeply furrowed.

Something is wrong.

This is very wrong.

Once could be said to be a coincidence; everyone gets tired sometimes.

But waking up later than him today couldn't be explained by coincidence.

Su Ji knew clearly that Su Jiu's personality was completely different from his.

She wasn't the type to throw her hands up and dump all the work on others.

Moreover, with his sudden departure, the sect was definitely facing internal and external troubles. It was exactly when they needed her, the vice sect master, to hold the fort.

Li Fan said that for the past month or so, he had been handling all the sect's affairs.

This meant that Su Jiu hadn't had the energy to manage those trivial matters for at least a month.

A Golden Core stage cultivator, lethargic to this extent?

Su Ji put away all his playful thoughts, and his expression turned solemn.

He walked silently to the bed, looking down at Su Jiu.

She was sleeping very deeply, her breathing steady.

However, on that tranquil sleeping face, her delicate brows were furrowed even tighter than the last time he saw her.

She looked as if she was enduring some immense pain and torment in her dream.

Her small face was also a bit pale, without the slightest trace of blood.

Su Ji's heart inexplicably clenched.

He reached out his hand, wanting to smooth her furrowed brows, but just as his fingertips were about to touch her skin, he stopped.

Instead, he carefully probed his divine sense into Su Jiu's body.

Her spiritual power was stable, and her heavenly palace Golden Core glowed with an introverted light, showing no abnormalities.

But when his divine sense touched the origin of Su Jiu's divine soul, Su Ji's expression instantly changed.

He sensed that although Su Jiu's divine soul looked relatively intact on the outside, it was extremely weak on the inside.

A faint aura of decay was slowly dissipating from the depths of her divine soul.

Her life force was being continuously devoured by something at an extremely slow, yet irreversible speed.

How could this be?!

Su Ji's mind was in chaos.

He couldn't understand why Su Jiu's perfectly fine divine soul would become so weak.

Could it be some hidden danger left behind during the last spiritual energy tide?

Or was condensing a second tail supposed to cost such a heavy price?

Neither made sense...

Su Ji forced himself to calm down.

His gaze quickly swept across the room, searching for the slightest clue.

Soon, his eyes locked onto the head of the bed.