Chapter 68: An Inevitable Punishment
A surge of Spiritual Power, more than a hundred times greater than an ordinary person’s, undulated outwards. The perfected and improved Soul Capturing Technique, pushed to its absolute limit, silently descended upon the grey-robed Grandmaster, sweeping over the two Third Grade Martial Generals beside him as well.
A flicker of confusion passed through the depths of the grey-robed Grandmaster’s eyes, but he regained his clarity in an instant, as if nothing had happened.
He did not know, however, that Xia Wuyang’s Spiritual Power had already seeped into his Sea of Consciousness as silently and gently as a spring rain nurturing the earth.
Although he remained vigilant, monitoring his surroundings and maintaining his original posture, his consciousness had already fallen into an intricately woven trap.
In his perception, everything was normal. Nothing had happened, and the Fifth Prince in the Practice Room was, of course, perfectly safe.
Meanwhile, Xia Wuyang had already entered the Practice Room without a sound. His Mental Force Field reflected everything, unstoppable even by the specially constructed room.
He deftly probed the situation inside and used the Soul Capturing Technique, causing Xia Wushang to become lost in the illusion, unaware of his own surroundings.
Then, as if taking a leisurely stroll, Xia Wuyang appeared in the Practice Room. He observed Xia Wushang, who was currently cultivating, and noticed that his Foundation was more or less stable.
He had obviously consumed some Miracle Elixir that could solidify his Cultivation Realm; otherwise, his Foundation wouldn’t have stabilized so quickly.
’If I’d let him consolidate for a few more days, he probably would have drunk my Seven Hundred Year-Old Monkey Wine. Good thing I got here in time, or my Monkey Wine would be gone.’
After a careful look, he quickly found the Seven Hundred Year-Old Monkey Wine hidden in a secret compartment under the floor. It was stored in a Jade Altar that was crystalline and translucent, with intricate patterns carved on its surface.
Besides the wine, the compartment also contained more Miracle Elixirs, including quite a few High Level ones, all of which were of premium quality.
The Practice Room, which had just been plundered a few days ago, was now more or less restocked—perfect for another round of looting.
Xia Wuyang gleefully transferred all these fine things into his Personal Space before his gaze fell upon Xia Wushang once more.
’Xia Wushang, you’ve tried to harm me so many times over the years. By rights, I should have killed you long ago. Unfortunately, the time isn’t right yet. I still need you to prepare more good things for me. However, while I may spare you from death, I won’t let you escape punishment.’
As he thought this, he condensed a special strand of Qi Blood at his fingertip—the Qi Blood of the improved Nether Acupuncture Needle. It silently landed on Xia Wushang’s body.
This single strand of Qi Blood not only destroyed Xia Wushang’s "root" but also left behind a Hidden Force. This Hidden Force would normally remain dormant, but the moment Xia Wushang tried to break through to the next realm, it would erupt and cause all his efforts to end in failure.
The original Nether Acupuncture Needle couldn’t accomplish this. However, after his recent improvements, the Nether Acupuncture Needle in Xia Wuyang’s hands was now capable of such a feat.
On the surface, nothing would seem wrong with Xia Wushang. The problem with his "root" would only manifest when he tried to be intimate with a Palace Maid.
With such a method, even the Imperial Physicians would be unable to find anything wrong. They would only assume Xia Wushang had contracted some strange and complicated illness, making it impossible to find the true cause.
Even for a Super Grade Celestial Human, the probability of discovering it would be minuscule, let alone curing it.
This could be considered collecting a bit of interest. Xia Wushang had harmed him so many times, and on several occasions, nearly killed him. Even now, there were still many of Xia Wushang’s spies in the Eastern Palace.
’So, for now, I’ll make it so he can no longer be a man and can never break through in his Cultivation again. Consider it a small repayment.’
’When the time is right in the future, I will take his life to avenge myself and my fallen subordinates.’
After doing all this, Xia Wuyang carefully cleaned up the scene.
Using his Mental Force Field, he could detect even the slightest clue and then erase it.
This was why even the renowned Divine Female Constable, Liu Yiqing, had failed to find any clues, let alone any trace of Xia Wuyang.
However, Xia Wuyang also realized that doing this could expose him. After all, he was likely the only one in all of White Jade City capable of leaving a scene so perfectly clean.
’If this happens again, others will immediately think of me. In that case, I might as well leave a few traces this time, just so this act doesn’t arouse suspicion.’
After a moment of consideration, Xia Wuyang left a trace in the Practice Room—an extremely faint scent of the custom-made incense from the Third Prince’s Mansion.
Among the current Great Xia Royal Family, the only one who could truly contend with the Fifth Prince, Xia Wushang, was the Third Prince, Xia Wuchen.
The mother of one came from the Celestial Treasure Pavilion, whose wealth could rival a nation, while the other’s mother was from the Northern Zhao Family, which held immense power in the imperial court. Both Princes possessed one-in-ten-thousand Talent and Qualification, and their rivalry was the most intense.
In the eyes of the public, if Xia Wuyang were to die, the new Crown Prince would be chosen from one of these two.
Among all the Princes and Princesses, only the Third Prince would be capable of plundering the Gold and Silver Palace twice in a row while it was under the protection of a Second Grade Grandmaster.
That was why Xia Wuyang left a trace from the Third Prince’s Mansion. The two were already locked in a bitter struggle. Even without his frame-up, nothing would stop their open and secret conflicts.
But with his "help," Xia Wushang would have the perfect excuse. Even if he suspected he was being framed, he wouldn’t just ignore it.
If the two of them started fighting, it would certainly draw the attention of most of the other Princes and Princesses. Xia Wuyang could then quietly make a fortune and advance his Cultivation Realm.
The frame-up wasn’t sophisticated, but it was extremely practical.
Upon returning to Wenhua Hall, Xia Wuyang wasted no time and immediately prepared to consume the Seven Hundred Year-Old Monkey Wine.
The lesson from Xia Wushang’s experience was fresh in his mind. How could he make the same mistake? Naturally, he had to drink his Monkey Wine as soon as possible.
In the Practice Room of Wenhua Hall, Luminous Pearls emitted a gentle glow, and the faint scent of sandalwood drifted through the air, clearing the mind.
He took out the Seven Hundred Year-Old Monkey Wine. The body of the Jade Altar radiated a soft luster under the light of the Luminous Pearls. Even before the seal was broken, he could already smell a faint fragrance and could almost feel his Cultivation Realm rising with each breath.
He didn’t drink the Seven Hundred Year-Old Monkey Wine immediately. Instead, he first circulated his Cultivation Technique to adjust his condition to its Peak.
His viscera shone brilliantly, nourished by his Qi Blood. The Golden Essence of the Gallbladder flowed ceaselessly, and the Three Jiao Passage resembled a golden bridge. The feeling of mastering such Power was intoxicating to his Heart Spirit.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xia Wuyang gently tapped open the altar’s seal.
’It’s time!’
In an instant, an indescribable aroma of wine filled the Practice Room. The scent seemed to contain a certain mystery, refreshing the mind and spirit of anyone who smelled it.
Xia Wuyang took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the contents of the altar. An amber liquid sloshed gently inside, and he could faintly see specks of golden light swirling within it.
’What a treasure,’ he thought. With no time for further reflection, Xia Wuyang carefully lifted the Jade Altar and began to drink the Monkey Wine inside.
As the liquor entered his mouth, a jolt shot through his entire body. Unlike the Five Hundred Year-Old Monkey Wine, this seven-hundred-year-old vintage was far more potent, like a roaring flame plunging down his throat and into every inch of his being.