Chapter 5: Exchanging Opportunities

Xie Jiuniang looked towards Patriarch Xie in the head seat.

In her previous life, she had also resented this grandfather, thinking he was cut from the same cloth as the Main Branch. Now, she realized this grandfather was a bit different.

Perhaps it was because her state of mind was different after living through one life, so what she saw was also different.

Her grandfather should have some affection for her as his granddaughter, but not much. Compared to the interests of the clan, the interests of a junior really didn’t amount to much.

Before Xie Jiuniang’s death in her previous life, Xie Ying was already preparing to break through to the Deity Transformation stage. She still hadn’t married and had been supporting the clan all along.

It could be seen that obtaining the Spirit Cleansing Pill was not without a price…

Xie Jiuniang asked, “Grandfather, I can agree, but what will the clan give in exchange?”

“What do you want?” Patriarch Xie carefully examined his previously overlooked granddaughter for the first time, and found her quite extraordinary.

Now was the time to play the pity card.

Xie Jiuniang said pitifully, “You tell me, what can match the Spirit Cleansing Herb? What can match my prospects after becoming a dual spiritual root?

“You should know that if a dual spiritual root cultivator joins the Tianxu Sect, they can at least become an inner sect disciple. If lucky, they can even take a powerful cultivator as their master. In the future, they can become a Nascent Soul or even a Deity Transformation cultivator. Taking away my Spiritual Cleansing Herb is no different from cutting off my path to immortality.

“If my opportunity was snatched away by someone outside, I would accept my fate. But at home… Grandfather, tell me, is this still my home?”

Xie Jiuniang’s final question, brimming with tears, was a direct strike to the soul.

Is it still home?

Home!

It should have been a place that provided shelter from the wind and rain, the safest place…

Suddenly hearing her words, Patriarch Xie was startled, and the others were even more stunned.

Xie Ying realized that the atmosphere was off and quickly broke the silence. She stepped forward, held Xie Jiuniang’s small hand, and said, “Ninth Sister, I don’t want it anymore. Keep the Spiritual Cleansing Herb for yourself. We are family. This is your home. This time, my father was also considering the clan’s interests. I’m sorry. It’s my fault. Ninth Sister, please don’t lose faith in the clan…”

This instantly made Xie Jiuniang, who was acting, feel disgusted.

What did she mean by letting her keep it?

The item was hers to begin with!

Xie Jiuniang lowered her head, withdrew her hand, and inadvertently glanced at the bracelet on Xie Ying’s wrist. Among the ornaments was a gold filigree hollow lantern pendant. Inside the lantern was a piece of emerald-green leaf that seemed like jade, exuding an extraordinary aura.

It stirred a desire in one’s heart… a desire to possess it!

In her previous life, after Xie Ying entered the sect, her cultivation speed was astonishingly fast, and her combat strength was also exceptionally strong. Challenging those in higher stages was a common occurrence for her.

Xie Jiuniang, who was familiar with Xie Ying, always felt that there was something fishy going on, so she paid extra attention to her. Once, she accidentally witnessed Xie Ying suddenly disappearing and then reappearing out of nowhere, even wearing a different set of clothes…

Was it a mustard seed space?^[1]Mustard Seed Space: A pocket dimension that can store items, similar to a storage bag or ring but much larger and more versatile. It is named after the tiny mustard seed, which is said to contain a … Continue reading

Or some kind of secret realm teleportation key?^[2]Secret Realm Teleportation Key: A rare item that allows one to enter and exit a secret realm.

Usually, only these two items could result in the aforementioned situation. The teleportation talismans available on the market could only send a person away and could not precisely transmit them back to their original position.

A mustard seed space or a secret realm key were both heaven-defying opportunities, even rarer than the Spiritual Cleansing Herb. Once it was revealed, it would definitely trigger a bloody struggle among various factions.

Should she take a gamble?

Exchanging one opportunity for another?

It was indeed a gamble. Xie Ying’s golden finger^[3]Golden Finger: A term used in Chinese web novels to describe a cheat or special ability that gives the protagonist an advantage. from the previous life might not be on her at this moment… However, the leaf on the bracelet still made her really desire it.

Xie Jiuniang’s heartbeat quickened slightly. She pretended to be reluctant and said, “I can hand over the Spiritual Cleansing Herb, but I have three requests. If you don’t agree to them, I will destroy it…”

The last sentence carried a hint of ruthlessness.

In fact, if a Golden Core cultivator made a move, a child wouldn’t even have the chance to destroy it. Therefore, the threat seemed significant but was actually not much. However, Patriarch Xie clearly had no intention of forcibly seizing it.

Patriarch Xie said with complex emotions, “Alright, tell me your requests first.”

“Yes, as long as they’re not excessive, Eldest Uncle can agree to them,” Eldest Uncle Xie said with a hint of nervousness.

Patriarch Xie gave him a cold glance, instantly making Eldest Uncle Xie’s heart jump. He no longer dared to interject.

Even Xie Ying settled down.

Xie Jiuniang looked around at everyone and said solemnly, “First, send someone to the mortal realm to bring my parents back and ensure their safety along the way.”

When Patriarch Xie heard the mention of the mortal realm, his expression slightly darkened. He only knew that his third son and daughter-in-law had gone on a mission but didn’t know it was to the mortal realm.

The mortal realm had scarce spiritual energy. Staying there for long was not beneficial to cultivation. This kind of mission shouldn’t have required his third son to go.

Eldest Uncle Xie was so scared that he broke out in a cold sweat.

Patriarch Xie spoke, “This is not a problem. I will arrange it.”

“The mission rewards should be given as well,” Xie Jiuniang added. “Also, the share of resources for these past few years should be compensated to my parents.”

“Give! We’ll give everything!” Eldest Uncle Xie only hoped she would shut up.

Xie Jiuniang then looked directly at Patriarch Xie and said, “My second request is that in the future, the clan must not interfere with my affairs for any reason.”

Patriarch Xie asked, “Do you want to leave the clan?”

“No, I just don’t want today’s incident to happen again.” Xie Jiuniang supplemented, “Of course, if the clan is in trouble in the future, I won’t stand by and watch.”

Xie Jiuniang couldn’t leave even if she wanted to. Her parents wouldn’t agree to it. Leaving alone while leaving her parents behind was meaningless.

But her words also made it clear that she would only take action if the clan was in trouble. As for the rest, they shouldn’t even think about it.

At this time, she only had the talent of three spiritual roots, and her individual value was not high. Compared to a heavenly spiritual root, she was even more insignificant. Therefore, Xie Jiuniang was confident that the clan would agree.

Patriarch Xie once again examined this granddaughter. Her mentality was stable, and she was very calm. She was indeed a good seedling for cultivation.

However, her heart had ultimately turned cold.

Since she no longer wanted to be tied down by the clan, there was no harm in agreeing to her request. After all, she was his own granddaughter by blood.

“I allow this. I will explain it to the Great Ancestor later,” Patriarch Xie declared.

Xie Jiuniang inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief and said, “My last request is that my opportunity is not so easy to take. I want Eldest Sister to exchange all her things for it.”

“No!” Xie Ying blurted out a refusal.

After the words left her mouth, Xie Ying realized something was wrong. Everyone was looking at her strangely.

Xie Jiuniang sneered in her heart. This matter was not up to her to refuse.

Today, it was still uncertain who would suffer a loss!

In any case, Xie Jiuniang wouldn’t lose.

Being able to bring her parents home early and avoid the death calamity, she had already gained!

At the same time, she made everyone think she was at a disadvantage. It should be known that among the three requests she made, except for Xie Ying, none of them harmed the interests of the elders.

This meant that in the eyes of the elders, her requests were not excessive and were in line with what a child would ask for. Even Xie Wenshuang, who was biased towards the Main Branch, didn’t feel there was anything wrong.

Xie Wenshuang said, “Ying’er,^[4]The “er” (儿) suffix to the name is used to denote closeness or a familiar nickname. give it to her.”

“But… but some things were bestowed by the elders, and my brother…” Xie Ying touched her bracelet, very reluctant.

Xie Jiuniang snorted disdainfully and said mockingly, “If Eldest Sister is unwilling, then we don’t have to exchange. I’d be more than happy.”

This was even more unacceptable!

Xie Ying looked at her father pleadingly.

Eldest Uncle Xie, under the pressure of his father, didn’t dare to say much. He could only transmit a message to his daughter first, “Ying’er, agree for now. We’ll find an opportunity to take it back later.”

Xie Ying’s eyes lit up, and she immediately nodded.

Xie Jiuniang just wanted to say, dream on!

Once something was in her hands, it was hers!

The subsequent exchange went smoothly.

Xie Jiuniang almost stripped Xie Ying bare, leaving her with only a set of worthless clothes.

Xie Ying watched Xie Jiuniang carefully counting the items and said dejectedly, “You took the items, but where’s the Spiritual Cleansing Herb?”

“About that… I didn’t bring it with me. Eldest Sister can follow me to get it,” Xie Jiuniang no longer hid anything at this point.

Second Uncle Xie found it amusing.

The little girl was quite shrewd, actually taking precautions against everyone in advance.

Fortunately, no one forcibly searched her body. Otherwise, it would have been a huge embarrassment. If things really got out of hand, it was still uncertain who the Spiritual Cleansing Herb would ultimately belong to. After all, there were other juniors with dual spiritual roots in the clan, not just Xie Ying. It’s just that their lineage^[5]The Xie Clan is large, with thousands of members, and only the descendants of the Patriarch can be called the direct lineage. Once a new Patriarch inherits the title, all side branches will be … Continue reading only had Xie Ying.

They simply didn’t want to benefit outsiders.