Miss Yue

She doesn't seem like the type to boast about her exploits; Su Kang thought in his mind and wanted to beat his brother for such a blatant lie.

Yet, what truly troubled him was her presence.

The Xuantian Empire was over a million kilometers away from Jiang State. Unlike their land, where spiritual veins were weak, Xuantian was rich in resources and cultivation heritage.

The Xuantian Empire is rich in history and more prosperous than Jiang state. After all, they have better cultivation resources.

There is Heng state between the northern borders of Jiang state and Xuantian empire.

Jiang state doesn't have any fourth-level spiritual vein, but the Xuantian Empire more have them.

"Why would someone like her travel to such barren lands?" Su Kang was confused about this.

Su Kang studied her closely. Her movements were precise, her expression carefully controlled. Her red eyes, unwavering as they met his once more, held secrets he couldn't yet unravel.

It was as if she were looking through him, seeing something beyond his physical presence.

Fate's words sent a jolt through Su Kang. "She is using divination techniques to see your destiny."

He knows about divination techniques, but he had never heard about someone performing it like this.

The methods practiced in Jiang State paled in comparison to what she had just demonstrated. This revelation left him uneasy.

He nodded his head as he thanked her, but inwardly, he was certain that she could not peer into his destiny—not with Fate's protection.

His real concern was her intention. Why had she come all this way? He couldn't think of a single reason that would justify her presence in Jiang State.

Even if she were looking for some treasures or secret realms, then Jiang state had nothing to offer her.

"Brother, she will be living in the Su manor for some time." Su Ting said.

"Dammit!"

Su Kang cursed inwardly but maintained a composed expression, forcing a gentle smile as he nodded in agreement.

"Could it be because of the secret realm that was supposed to be found? But I doubt that someone like her would be lacking third-level spiritual herbs."

"Looking at the timing, my parents would have just reached the destination. Even if someone else was eyeing that secret realm, they couldn't send someone else that fast here."

"Are there other hidden secret realms in the Qingyun region?"

Were there other hidden realms in the Qingyun region?

Su Kang's mind raced through possibilities. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, especially with someone of her background present.

It just took two nascent soul cultivator to destroy his entire family. They had been tortured for two days, and no one had come to their aid.

Heng state has two nascent soul cultivators despite half of the state being barren, similar to Jiang state.

People have to travel half a million kilometers into the Heng state before they can notice the major change in Qi density.

Both of the nascent soul cultivators lived in either the central area or the northern area of the Heng state.

But the Xuantian Empire is not half barren like Heng state. They were far more prosperous, must have at least four or five nascent soul cultivators, if not more.

Su Kang could not—would not—place his family in danger, not even by accident.

As they walked back to Su Manor, an uneasy silence hung in the air. No one spoke.

Their journey back to Su manor was extremely smooth without anyone uttering a word.

Su Ting noticed his brother's unusual behavior. He couldn't recall a time when Su Kang had acted so strangely.

Normally, his brother would have reprimanded him immediately in the tavern for causing trouble, not dragged him away quietly. Something was definitely wrong.

Su Ting decided to speak with his brother after reaching home. Meanwhile he was trying to think of the possible reasons for this.

Su Kang, deep in thought, couldn't shake his unease. No matter how much he considered the possibilities, he could only conclude that she had come for a personal reason.

Upon reaching the manor, Su Kang composed himself and addressed their guest.

"Miss Yue, I will arrange a guest room for you. If you require anything, please let me know."

Miss Yue was escorted to the best guest house within the manor. It was a small but exquisitely decorated building with an elegant garden surrounding it. The sound of a distant waterfall added a tranquil touch to it.

After reaching his residence, Su Ting couldn't ignore his curiosity any longer. As soon as they were alone in the garden, he turned to his brother,

"Brother, why are you acting so strange? What's going on with Miss Yue?"

"Do you know about the Xuantian Empire?" Su Kang asked back.

Su Ting nodded his head in confirmation. Su Ting was aware of that. He even asked her about this, but she didn't tell him much.

Su Kang exhaled slowly, his gaze drifting over the peaceful pond in their courtyard. He took a moment to collect his thoughts before speaking.

"Brother, Miss Yue is no ordinary person. She's a Core Formation cultivator. She might not be here just for a casual visit."

Even if her intention was not bad, it's definitely suspicious why she has used divination techniques on Su Kang.

She might have used her divination techniques on Su Ting as well. Was she looking for something or someone?

Su Ting's eyes widened in surprise. "A core formation cultivator? Why would someone of her status come to our family?"

He had assumed she was at most a peak Foundation building cultivator. Otherwise, why would she enter a realm meant for Foundation Building cultivators?

Su Ting told everything about her. How they met, her attitude, and her behavior.

After listening Su Ting's words, Su Kang has confirmed that she had come with a purpose.

Her icy demeanor towards other, her deliberate suppression of her cultivation level, her decision to follow Su Ting after saving him—everything pointed to a hidden motive.

She came all the way to the Su manor. Su Ting thought she was travelling on her own.

Su Ting started taking out all the artifacts, jade scrolls, and treasures that he had found in the recent years.

"Brother, look if something is precious in them. There might be something valuable enough for her attention." Su Ting said in a low voice.

Su Ting was visibly distressed. He had unknowingly invited potential disaster into their home.

After she had saved him, he had lowered his guard. Looking back, her behavior had been strangely indifferent toward everyone—except for him.

She had even praised his cooking skills, which was rare for a cultivator to appreciate. This made him believe they were on good terms. But now, he realized his mistake.

Su Kang shook his head at this suggestions, if she wanted to rob his brother, she would have done it already.

But he still examined the collection. He was surprised by the quality of items his brother had gathered.

Su Ting was not allowed to travel far or to any dangerous place for now, yet the spiritual items he found are quite good.

There are exquisite-level skills, third-level spiritual herbs, and many precious rocks and minerals.

But none of these seemed like enough reason for a Core Formation cultivator to take interest.

Seeing his brother's growing unease, Su Kang placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"You don't need to worry about this. I'll handle it. Perhaps we're overthinking. We haven't done anything to warrant the attention of someone like her. Go and get some rest."

Su Ting hesitated but eventually nodded, retreating to his room, without taking his treasures back.