Volume 1, Chapter 124: The Spirit Master Representative of the Mi Kingdom

The ivory jade pendant landed slowly on the table, its surface still shimmering with a faint trace of spiritual energy, no different than before.

There had never been any resentment attached to this pendant; Zhong Lingyu had not held a single shred of bitterness even at the moment of her death.

After a long silence, Chi Xingwan said, "Wearing this pendant will alleviate your symptoms. Which one of you wants it?"

Xiao Yue pushed the pendant toward Wei Shi'an. "I have Nalan Hexuan's jade thumb ring; you should wear this one."

Wei Shi'an did not refuse. She picked up the ivory pendant and put it on, stroking it carefully. "I will cherish it well."

Having stayed in Tongyang City longer than anticipated, Chi Xingwan prepared to return to Yanjing City now that matters were settled. Before departing, she met with Jiang Xiaozhou once more.

"Your body is fine now. I'll give you a few protective talismans; wearing them will prevent you from being possessed by ghosts."

For Chi Xingwan, creating these talismans was a trivial task. She was generous, preparing enough for everyone in the Jiang family.

Jiang Xiaozhou accepted them like precious treasures. "Sister, thank you. If it weren't for you, I might be gone by now."

"Just be careful in the future," Chi Xingwan said, taking out a brocade box and handing it to him. "Give this to your grandfather for me."

Jiang Xiaozhou took it. "What is this?"

"Don't open it; just give it directly to your grandfather," Chi Xingwan replied.

"I understand." Jiang Xiaozhou was naturally obedient; since Chi Xingwan told him not to open it, he truly did not.

"Sister, if you have time, I'll come to Yanjing City to visit you."

Chi Xingwan asked, "Are you not returning to Lan Country?"

"I am," Jiang Xiaozhou said. "I'm still in school, but I can come back to visit during the holidays."

After saying goodbye, Chi Xingwan, Xiao Yue, and the others headed straight to the high-speed railway station and left Tongyang City.

Jiang Xiaozhou brought the brocade box to the hospital for his grandfather. "Sister Chi said to give this to you before she left."

Old Master Jiang opened the box to find an exquisite purple clay teapot inside. He held it up carefully, unable to put it down, his heart filled with complex emotions.

Jiang Xiaozhou asked, "Grandfather, why did Sister give you a purple clay teapot?"

Old Master Jiang smiled helplessly. "This teapot is worth about the same as that jade pendant. She doesn't want to take advantage of me, but in truth, it is our Jiang family that has benefited."

As universities began their fall terms, Yanjing University was no exception. However, the Department of Taoist Studies was somewhat different; although classes had officially begun, the entire department was preoccupied with preparations for the Spiritual Master Exchange Conference.

Chi Xingwan’s part-time teaching duties were paused. During this period, she had to meet with representative spiritual masters from other countries alongside Xu Hengyang every few days.

"Which country's representatives are arriving today?"

Called to the high tower once again by Xu Hengyang, Chi Xingwan navigated the path with ease.

Xu Hengyang looked uncharacteristically troubled. "The spiritual masters from this country are quite difficult to deal with."

Chi Xingwan raised an eyebrow. Having met representatives from so many countries, this was the first time she had heard Xu Hengyang speak so bluntly about them being difficult.

Xu Hengyang rubbed his temples. "I told you before that the spiritual master associations of certain countries are always looking to challenge us. The ones arriving today are exactly that type."

He pushed a file toward her. Chi Xingwan picked it up and saw it contained information on the delegation from the Mi Country.

"Hm? A twenty-five-year-old Grade A spiritual master?"

Xu Hengyang said, "That’s right. It is said that this is the 'secret weapon' Mi Country has been hiding. There were rumors before, but they never responded. This time, they’ve brought her out quite openly."

He glanced at Chi Xingwan and added, "It’s ten to one that they’re here for you."

He looked quite smug as he spoke. Mi Country had always eyed China with hostility, constantly looking for ways to cause trouble and gain prestige over the Chinese Spiritual Master Association.

By hiding this young Grade A master, they had likely hoped to catch China off guard. They could not have predicted that Chi Xingwan would emerge, not only ranking higher than their Grade A master but also being younger.

Chi Xingwan carefully reviewed the person's profile.

Michelle Morton was said to have awakened as a spiritual master at birth. By the age of twenty, she had reached the threshold of a Grade A master, and after three years of secluded cultivation, she had finally promoted to Grade A.

The Mi Country Spiritual Master Association revered her as a saintess, sincerely believing her to be a gift from the divine.

...

On the chartered plane of the Mi Country Spiritual Master Association, Michelle's fiancé, Tim Olsen, said coldly, "We will arrive in China in an hour. Get ready; don't embarrass our country."

Michelle lowered her head and whispered, "Yes."

Tim frowned, stood up, and said irritably, "I'm going to the restroom."

As soon as he left, Michelle let out a sigh of relief. Looking at the clouds outside the window, her mind was filled with the instructions the Association President had given her before boarding.

"Michelle, we must replace China as the masters of the mystical world. You are our hope. The moment news of your promotion leaked, a Super Grade A spiritual master even younger than you appeared in China. It is far too suspicious."

"We suspect this is a Chinese conspiracy. We have placed you in this delegation so you can expose their fraud. If you succeed, it will be a major step toward seating Mi Country on the throne. You must not let us down."

Michelle sighed deeply. She did not understand why the people in the Association were so certain that China’s Super Grade A master was a fraud; she only knew she did not want to be involved in these games.

But she was not her own master.

Elsewhere, Tim had not gone to the restroom. He had walked into the plane's lounge, where several young spiritual masters of aristocratic descent were drinking and chatting.

"Hey, Tim, don't you need to keep your fiancée company?" someone teased.

Tim’s expression darkened as he walked over, grabbed a glass of wine, and downed it in one gulp.

The person next to him continued to joke, "I really envy you, Tim. Your fiancée is a Grade A spiritual master, and she's so young! She might even promote to Super Grade A in the future. You should support her well and be a good 'house-husband' for her."

Tim suppressed his anger. "Do you want to fight me here?"

The other man laughed. "Just a joke, don't take it seriously."

Tim knew they weren't joking; they were mocking him. But if he showed anger, he would be told he couldn't take a joke. He could only sit down, simmering with frustration.

Someone next to him comforted him: "Tim, don't mind them. Marrying Michelle is a huge boost for the Olsen family; they’re just jealous of you."

Tim remained unhappy. "My family might be happy, but I'm not. They're forcing me to marry a commoner!"

The man replied, "She’s a Grade A master. Even among the nobility, how many can reach Grade A before thirty?"

Tim snapped, "I don't care! I only know she’s a lowly commoner. If I unite with her, the bloodline of my children will be tainted."

The person beside him realized there was no point in arguing and fell silent.