Mystique Soul: A Cultivator's Flame
Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Chapter 37

The quiet hum of Feng Jiao Xue’s small realm was broken only by the gentle rustling of leaves and the cascading sound of the waterfall. She sat cross-legged on a smooth stone, her mind drifting as she meditated, solidifying the progress of her recent breakthrough. Yet, a nagging thought refused to let her rest, the brazen behavior of the servants.

The wind carried an ominous stillness as Feng Jiao Xue gazed out over the quiet space, her sharp eyes narrowing in thought.

The brazen behavior of the servants lingered in her mind, scratching at her curiosity like a persistent itch. How could they have been so bold as to openly insult her?

She might no longer hold the favor of her clan, but her lineage was undeniable. The granddaughter of the former patriarch, Feng Ao, and a direct descendant of the main branch, such audacity made no sense.

"Why would they dare?" she muttered to herself, her sharp eyes glinting in the dim light.

A shadow shifted behind her, and Huang Jin De stepped into view. "Still thinking about them?" he asked, folding his arms across his chest.

Feng Jiao Xue nodded, her voice steady but cold. "Their audacity makes no sense. I’m still the granddaughter of the former patriarch. Even if I’ve fallen out of favor, I’m from the main branch. There’s more to this. Something doesn’t add up," she muttered under her breath.

At her side, Huang Jin De shifted. His expression was calm, but his eyes gleamed with a quiet determination. "Shall I investigate, Xiao Xue?"

"Do it discreetly," she instructed. "Find out why they act as if there are no consequences. Something feels off." Her voice steady as she thoughtfuly look at him. "Find out why they’re fearless. It’s as if they’re blind to the consequences of offending me, or perhaps they know something I don’t."

Huang Jin De gave a slight bow before disappearing in a flash of movement, his figure melding with the shadows of the courtyard.

As silence settled around her once more, Feng Jiao Xue straightened her posture as she also got out of the little realm and turned her attention toward the looming structure in the distance.

The Feng Clan has a magnificent 9 layered pagoda that Feng Jiao Xue have been wanting to go to.

The Jade Cloud Pagoda. The Feng clan’s library has answers she sought might lie within its walls, buried in the countless records and tomes that detailed the clan’s history and techniques. Not to mention the abandunt of knowledge stored in there. Her fingers brushed the cool surface of her ring, her resolve solidifying.

Night had fallen by the time Feng Jiao Xue approached the library hall, her form shrouded in darkness. The building stood like a silent sentinel, its walls carved with intricate arrays that pulsed faintly with protective qi. Two guards flanked the entrance, their expressions bored but vigilant.

The Feng Clan’s library hall stood like a fortress, its imposing stone walls carved with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with qi. Feng Jiao Xue observed the two guards from the shadows, her presence concealed by the natural ebb and flow of her qi.

Feng Jiao Xue’s lips curled into a smirk. "They think these barriers will keep me out?"

Getting past them won’t be easy, she thought. Her mind worked quickly, calculating her options. Then, an idea sparked, a bloodline array guarded the doors according to her memories. If her hunch was correct, her blood alone could grant her entry.

She moved swiftly, her figure gliding silently across the courtyard. The guards stiffened as they caught a faint movement in the periphery of their vision, but Feng Jiao Xue was already crouched behind a large ornamental vase, well-hidden from view.

She waited for them to turn away from her before two silver streak left her fingers and into their necks knocking the two out.

’An assassin will always be one with the shadows’ Feng Jiao Xue smirks as instead of hiding her qi, she spread it out, blending her qi with the energy around her to mold herself fully to her sorrounding.

With a deep breath, she bit down on her thumb, drawing blood. The sting was sharp, but she ignored it, pressing her bloodied thumb against the array etched on the door.

Feng Jiao Xue slipped through the now-open door, the array sealing behind her with a low hum. She released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, the cool air of the library washing over her like a soothing balm.

The library was vast, its towering shelves packed with scrolls, tomes, and jade slips that radiated faint traces of qi. The air was thick with the scent of aged parchment and spiritual energy, a combination that stirred something deep within Feng Jiao Xue’s soul.

Her eyes narrowed in the stairs feeling a strong magic from it and the suble ’suggestions’ in her mind to walk away.

Feng Jiao Xue shaked her head, closing her eyes to wipe that influence off.

She moved quickly but deliberately, scanning the rows for anything that might hold the answers she sought. Her fingers brushed against the spines of books, lingering on titles that piqued her interest: Azure Dragon Continent; History and Facts, The History of the Feng Clan, Alchemy: An Introduction, Basic Magic Theories, Herbal Medicine Practices, these, she carefully slid into her spatial ring.

However, her attention was drawn to another section, where the most important tomes were stored. A faint barrier shimmered around them, a protective qi that deterred even the most skilled thieves.

Feng Jiao Xue frowned, her hand hovering just outside the barrier. "Of course they’d be protected," she muttered, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice. Still, just like the stairs, she didn’t press further, knowing that forcing her way through might alert the clan’s elders.

Satisfied with her haul, she turned to leave, her steps light and measured.

By the time Feng Jiao Xue returned to her courtyard, Huang Jin De was already waiting for her, his expression grim. He stood near the waterfall, his arms crossed as he watched the cascading water with an intensity that spoke of troubling news.

"What did you find?" she asked, approaching him.

Huang Jin De turned, his eyes meeting hers. "There’s something wrong with the previous patriarch, Feng Ao. For someone of his level. a Spirit Grandmaster, his presence is faint, like a once-bright candle about to burn out."

Feng Jiao Xue’s brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"I visited the mountain peak. I didn’t enter his cultivation cave but I was close enough." Huang Jin De explained. "Feng Ao remains in seclusion, and no one is allowed to see him, not even close family. It appears that everyone thinks his just in close door cultivation, but the elders did seem to know something but remain tight-lipped. Don’t worry, I removed all of my traces in their memories. But I did gather one thing, it’s as if they’re waiting for him to fade away completely."

Feng Jiao Xue’s heart clenched, though she kept her expression neutral. Feng Ao had once been a towering figure, both in stature and reputation. His decline would undoubtedly shift the balance of power within the clan. But that’s not what made her frown. The memory she has is faded but they are still there. He had been nothing but a dotting grandfather.

"Does this have anything to do with the servants’ behavior?" she asked.

Huang Jin De nodded. "Likely. Without Feng Ao’s protection, your position as the fourth miss holds little weight. The elders have already begun consolidating power, and with the patriarch’s absence, the clan’s discipline has weakened. They think you’re an easy target because you no longer have his backing."

Feng Jiao Xue’s lips pressed into a thin line. "Fools," she said softly, though her voice carried a sharp edge. "They underestimate me because I’ve kept to myself. Let them think that. It’ll make it easier to strike when the time comes."

Huang Jin De’s smile was small but approving. "What’s our next move?"

Feng Jiao Xue tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I found some useful books in the library, alchemy, history, magic theories. I’ll study them and continue solidifying my foundation. But first, we need to investigate what’s truly happening with Feng Ao- with grandfather. If he’s being suppressed or harmed, we’ll need to act carefully but one thing is certain, I need to improve my knowledge in medicine."

Huang Jin De nodded.

Back in her small realm, Feng Jiao Xue spread the books across a stone table, her gaze scanning their covers with a mixture of curiosity and determination. She opened the history book first, flipping through its pages with practiced ease.

She needs to worry about herself first before she can concern herself with other’s business. And first order of business is to get more information and get her first backer.

If she can cure the crown prince, she could get a powerful ally and a good friend. And if something is wrong with her grandfather, she can be more likely help him if she can make herself stronger and far more reliable.

Huang Jin De looked at her before moving to ’his’ rock to cultivate again.