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Chapter 103: Chapter 80: I Am the Demon Sect Saintess, and I Will Stop at Nothing

A sliver of unease sprouted quietly in Gu Xiangzhu’s heart.

It wasn’t much.

But it was distinct.

She was certain Zhao Huan couldn’t possibly know that she and Zhao Ci had already laid their cards on the table regarding her identity and the Art of Organ Swapping.

But Zhao Huan’s show of goodwill seemed to have come a little too quickly.

What worried her most, however, was Zhao Ci’s attitude.

He clearly knew Zhao Huan was after his Waizi, yet he was still this happy over some minor favors.

Especially that question he just asked—”The Art of Organ Swapping can’t plunder Flesh Body Divine Patterns, right?”—it was just full of self-delusion.

’He’s still just a cowardly young man, after all.’

The loving-father persona Zhao Huan had cultivated for so many years wasn’t so easily shattered.

Even Gu Xiangzhu herself couldn’t tell if Zhao Huan truly saw all his sons as tools for consolidating power, or if there was a genuine sliver of warmth deep in his heart.

She looked at Zhao Ci’s expectant gaze and shook her head gently. ”The Art of Organ Swapping naturally has no way to plunder Flesh Body Divine Patterns. A stronger physical body can also alleviate the weakness you’ll suffer from having your organs swapped.”

Zhao Ci was silent.

Gu Xiangzhu continued, ”Swapping organs is equivalent to forcibly shutting down your Divine Treasure. The Five Elements Qi in your body will be blocked, making you even weaker than an ordinary person. No matter how strong your physical body is, it will become useless.

I have no intention of driving a wedge between you and your father. I just hope you can think through one question.

Is he doing this...

because he wants you to become a powerful expert?

Or is it just to make himself feel better?”

Zhao Ci was silent.

His gaze lowered slightly, his expression growing dim.

Gu Xiangzhu didn’t speak, just watched him quietly. Only when he started emotionlessly picking at his food again did she ask, ”Why did your father the Emperor suddenly offer you the Heaven-Hanging Pill Formula today?”

Zhao Ci said sullenly, ”Yesterday, I hosted a banquet to recruit officials and got into a fight. The Imperial Clan Court found out, so they went to my father the Emperor to verify my strength. Then, Father gave me the Heaven-Hanging Pill Formula.”

”You fought? Are you hurt?”

”No!”

”Good!”

Gu Xiangzhu nodded. If that was the explanation, it was somewhat convincing.

After all, with Zhao Ci’s First-Grade Flesh Soul, Zhao Huan would inevitably make a connection to her, so showing goodwill to Zhao Ci was to be expected.

It was just that the cost of this goodwill seemed a bit too high.

’A Pill Formula for one of the three great holy medicines?’

’And Heaven-Suspended Spider Silk?’

’It feels like a bit much.’

She asked again, ”Anything else? Did you talk to your father the Emperor about anything else?”

Zhao Ci was still a bit down. ”No, what else could I say?”

’I can’t very well tell you I made up a whole motivational speech for you, can I?’

’Those two will definitely never compare notes anyway.’

’I can make up whatever I want.’

Gu Xiangzhu smiled. ”Actually, you don’t have to be so down. It’s not a certainty that your organs will be swapped in the future.”

Zhao Ci’s head snapped up. ”You mean...”

Gu Xiangzhu smiled faintly. ”If you want to escape this fate, I can actually help you.”

”Forget it!”

Zhao Ci looked defeated. ”My own birth father is after my organs. If I pin my hopes on an outsider, won’t I be devoured until not even my bones are left?”

Seeming to realize he had misspoken, he quickly added, ”Of course! I’m not saying you’re a bad person. It’s just that you’ve been alone and helpless in Lingge for over a decade; I’m afraid you might not be able to protect me. You might be willing to, but the faction behind you might not be.”

Gu Xiangzhu raised an eyebrow slightly. Although this wasn’t the answer she wanted, her appreciation for Zhao Ci grew a little more.

’This kid is very clear-headed. At least he hasn’t lost his rational judgment under pressure.’

’He can even keep his composure in front of Zhao Huan.’

”But...”

A glimmer of hope flashed in Zhao Ci’s eyes. ”Are you really willing to help me?”

Gu Xiangzhu gave a faint smile. ”Of course!”

Zhao Ci took a deep breath. ”I know why you’re willing to help me. It’s nothing more than wanting the Alchemy of Wine, right? Our interests don’t conflict at all. You want to leave with the Alchemy of Wine, and I want something to guarantee my survival.

I can roughly guess what your deal with my father the Emperor is.

But I want to ask, after the deal is done, will you leave Lingge?”

Gu Xiangzhu hadn’t expected him to speak to her so calmly. She pursed her lips. ”There is nothing in Lingge for me to miss. Once the deal is complete, I will naturally leave.”

Zhao Ci asked again, ”Can you leave safely?”

Gu Xiangzhu shook her head. ”That’s not for you to worry about.”

’Of course I can’t leave safely.’

’Because the deal can’t be completed at all.’

’The Art of Organ Swapping can only extend one’s lifespan, not grant true immortality. And while I have a Yin Yang Body, it has absolutely no power to grant immortality.’

’The claim that Dual Cultivation can lead to immortality is just a fabrication to control Zhao Huan.’

’In any case, records about the Yin Yang Body are incomplete. The world knows it’s precious but knows very little about its functions.’

’It was foreseeable.’

’As soon as I get what I want, we will inevitably turn on each other.’

’Of course.’

’There is another point where we will turn on each other.’

’That will be when Zhao Huan masters the Art of Organ Swapping. Right now, he is only one step away from mastery—the Kidney Water Divine Treasure. If nothing unexpected happens, he will guide all the Princes from Zhao Ci downwards to cultivate the Kidney Water Divine Treasure as their Second Divine Treasure.’

’No matter which scenario plays out, it’s impossible for us to part on good terms.’

”Oh...”

Zhao Ci said in a deep voice, ”After you leave, I need to get the Xingyu Pill Association in my grasp. I need to control a portion of the Alchemists within the Pill Association.”

Hearing this, Gu Xiangzhu couldn’t help but give him a deep look.

’I didn’t expect him to be so greedy.’

However, she showed no impatience, waiting for Zhao Ci to continue.

Zhao Ci continued, ”Recently, I heard you’ve been selecting young Alchemists. You must have found a way to train them and are confident you can take them with you later. I won’t comment on the Li Family or the Bai Family, but I want the people from the Chu Family to stay.”