Chapter 179 - 178: The Temptation of Xuan Nu Palace

Chapter 179: Chapter 178: The Temptation of Xuan Nu Palace

Xia Wuyang was left speechless by what Elder Saint Heart said.

He had heard some of this from Elder Yuheng before, but there were details she wasn’t clear on. He never imagined that the Mistress of the Profound Lady Palace, Bing Qing Fairy, had even fought over men with the Second Elder, Saint Heart.

’Neither of them was unattractive; in fact, they could be called peerless beauties. This was especially true for Bing Qing Fairy, a beauty among beauties. To think their private lives were so chaotic.’

’But then again, considering the nature of this world, the strong are revered and the weak are their servants. If men can have countless wives and concubines, then women naturally can as well.’

Many female demonic cultivators openly frequented brothel boats to seek out handsome young men, and many kept numerous male concubines.

Xuan Nu Palace was one of the world’s most Renowned Sects, with monstrous power, ruling over millions of souls. It was natural that they had the capability to do such things.

’But you’re supposed to be one of the Renowned and Righteous Sects. Pulling this kind of stunt is rather shocking.’

’Back when I was on good terms with Xuan Nu Palace, I never saw that Bing Qing Fairy and some of the Elders were like this. I even helped them out quite a bit.’

’But on second thought, whenever I visited Xuan Nu Palace back then, I was always in a rush. I was either there to see Yun Liyue or just passing through. I never delved deep into the palace’s affairs, so it’s normal that I wouldn’t know about all this sordid business.’

"What else?" Xia Wuyang pressed on, curious to see what other interesting things this Second Elder knew.

Elder Saint Heart’s expression was vacant, a look of recollection surfacing on her beautiful face. "The Third Elder, Elder Yuqing, cultivates a life-draining Secret Technique. To accelerate her Cultivation, she has killed hundreds of young Martial Artists over the years, draining their very life force until they became decrepit old men."

"The Fifth Elder, Elder Miaoyu, is in collusion with the Demon Sect. She secretly purchases their vile resources to prolong her life."

...

One secret after another was exposed, many of which were unknown even to Elder Yuheng. Xia Wuyang was stunned as he listened. He never expected Xuan Nu Palace to be even more depraved than he had imagined.

’Thankfully, Elder Qing Yin is like a lotus rising from the mud, unstained. She hasn’t stooped to their level. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to face her in the future.’

"There is one more thing... It’s extremely important. It concerns the very survival of Xuan Nu Palace."

As she spoke, Elder Saint Heart’s voice faltered. It was as if she was subconsciously resisting this ultimate secret, unwilling to reveal it.

Xia Wuyang’s Spirit jolted. ’Am I about to hear something extraordinary?’ He intensified the Illusion Technique effect of his Soul Enchantment Technique. A moment later, Elder Saint Heart finally spoke, albeit reluctantly. Her expression was like that of a beautiful woman being forced into service.

"For hundreds of years, Xuan Nu Palace has been marrying its carefully groomed disciples to the core figures of major powers. On the surface, these women seem to be devoted wives and mothers with no remaining ties to the palace. In reality, they are still under its control. They act as spies, feeding Xuan Nu Palace all sorts of intelligence, helping it acquire resources and treasures, and even eliminating some of its enemies."

Elder Saint Heart then listed dozens of names in detail. Among them were the wives of high-ranking court officials, the primary wives of Noble Family Patriarchs, and even the Consorts of certain Princes.

"They regularly transmit classified intelligence to Xuan Nu Palace and secretly influence the decisions of various factions. Some have even... even poisoned their own husbands, seized control of their family’s power, and become puppets and vassals acting on the palace’s behalf..."

This secret stunned Xia Wuyang. Even Elder Yuheng had been unaware of it, which showed just how deeply it was Hidden. Within the vast Xuan Nu Palace, it was likely that only a handful of people knew.

’Xuan Nu Palace’s tendrils reach so far, infiltrating nearly every corner of the Great Xia Dynasty. Using their own disciples, married off to others, for profit... They truly have no shame.’

If this were to get out, Xuan Nu Palace would face a grim future. In fact, it would be one step closer to its doom.

Until now, the outside world had always considered it an honor to marry a disciple from Xuan Nu Palace. Men were willing to spend their entire fortunes to do so.

Disciples of Xuan Nu Palace were once synonymous with being a good wife. If this news were to leak, that reputation would be replaced by one of being a curse.

In addition, Elder Saint Heart also revealed the locations of many of Xuan Nu Palace’s Treasure Vaults and Secret Vaults, along with the resources and treasures hidden within them.

"In the Profound Ice Cave on the mountain behind the headquarters, there are several Spiritual Objects hidden away, including Spiritual Artifacts, Spirit Talismans, and Spirit Pills. They are Xuan Nu Palace’s trump card. With them, they could even contend with a True Monarch who has transcended the mortal realm."

"The Embroidery Pavilion, south of the White Jade Imperial City, is actually Xuan Nu Palace’s largest secret base in White Jade City. It holds vast resources and treasures."

"The complete manual for the Profound Lady Fist Technique is in a secret chamber beneath the Palace Master’s Sleeping Palace. It even includes the Profound Lady True Techniques, a path straight to the True Monarch Realm. It’s an Intermediate Spiritual Technique that allows one to cultivate all the way to the Four Spirits True Monarch Realm."

...

One by one, secrets and information useful to Xia Wuyang poured out. If he could obtain the three Spiritual Objects from the mountain behind Xuan Nu Palace, he would be much better equipped to deal with Emperor Xia, and might even have a chance of taking him down.

’And that wasn’t even mentioning Xuan Nu Palace’s secret treasuries, which were said to contain Miracle Treasures. I’ll have to find time to raid those later and plunder their resources and treasures.’

’I didn’t expect Xuan Nu Palace to have Intermediate Spiritual Techniques as well. Although it can’t compare to the Great Xia Royal Family’s River and Sea True Techniques, it could still show me the path to the True Monarch Realm.’

Xia Wuyang was in desperate need of a Cultivation Technique for condensing a True Qi Seed and forging a Spiritual Vein. Obtaining one would mean an unobstructed path to the True Monarch Realm. Once he reached Super Grade Perfection and refined his state, he could condense a True Qi Seed, ascend to the True Monarch Realm, and gain a lifespan of over a thousand years.

’If I can’t obtain the River and Sea True Techniques soon, I can just take down Xuan Nu Palace. According to Elder Saint Heart, although the palace is protected by a Spirit Array, it has no True Monarchs.’

Their strongest expert, the Grand Elder, was merely a Celestial Human at Super Grade Perfection. However, she was protected by multiple Spiritual Objects and Spiritual Artifacts, making her a difficult opponent.

’But once I take the Spiritual Artifacts and Spiritual Objects from the Xuan Nu Palace’s Secret Vault, I’ll have the means to capture, or even kill her. So, Xuan Nu Palace is far less of a threat to me than Emperor Xia.’

After all, it was highly likely that a true Extraordinary being existed within the Great Xia Royal Family—someone the current Xia Wuyang was in no position to face.

Even with enough Spiritual Objects and Spiritual Artifacts, victory would be uncertain.

’With Spiritual Objects and Spiritual Artifacts, I might be able to unleash power at the True Monarch Level for a short time. But once they’re used up, I’d be finished if I were facing a real Extraordinary True Monarch.’

’How could power at the True Monarch level, gained temporarily through external items, possibly compare to a genuine True Monarch?’

’Besides, who could be certain that Emperor Xia, after so many years at Super Grade Perfection, hasn’t already ascended to the True Monarch Realm?’