Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Grandmother’s Jade Pendant

Around eight o'clock, the night was not yet deep, but that eerie blue glow was particularly menacing, like a curved beam of light shooting through the rear window of the Lamborghini, piercing through Xiao Cheng's seat. Had Xiao Cheng’s nerves not been honed to a razor’s edge in his previous life, that sword would surely have struck true.

Xiao Cheng knew without a doubt that the assailant must be Wang Qiyi—his cultivation at the third innate stage, precisely aware that Xiao Cheng had left his family, it could only be him. There was no need to guess.

Missing his mark, Wang Qiyi in the Porsche gave a slight grunt of surprise. He hadn’t expected such a cunning sneak attack to be evaded by this good-for-nothing scion, which surprised him. Not even cultivators of his own level could easily dodge such an assault, let alone Xiao Cheng.

Could it be that Xiao Cheng now possessed abilities surpassing his own?

The thought had barely formed before Wang Qiyi dismissed it. Impossible. The king of loose cultivators could never acquire strength beyond his in such a short time. It must be a coincidence, or perhaps the jade pendant given to Xiao Cheng by the old lady had some special power.

“You think you deserve that jade pendant? That pendant belongs to me!” Wang Qiyi was undeterred. He gave a cold smile, formed a sword seal with his fingers, uttered a soft command, and the flying sword shot back from the Lamborghini, its target unchanged—still Xiao Cheng’s left shoulder. He dared not kill Xiao Cheng outright, but injuring him was within his grasp.

He had come tonight precisely for the jade pendant in Xiao Cheng’s possession. If it hadn’t been for Xiao Fusheng’s mutterings some time ago, he would never have known that the Xiao family matriarch possessed such a treasure. Now that it was on Xiao Cheng, how could he let it slip by?

Watching the ghostly blue sword draw ever closer, Xiao Cheng smiled. It was clear that Wang Qiyi’s control over the sword was somewhat clumsy, lacking vigor. Xiao Cheng had reached the peak of the innate stage in his previous life; though his cultivation was low now, his discerning eye remained sharp.

But keen eyes could only get him so far; strength was another matter. If he kept dodging endlessly, sooner or later he would lose.

Xiao Cheng’s spiritual sense locked onto the sword, predicting its trajectory. He dodged swiftly, and the blue sword once again pierced through the seat, thudding into the rear cover of the Lamborghini and leaving a gaping hole.

Xiao Cheng felt a pang of pain—a sports car worth millions, a gift from Zhuo Qinglian.

But Xiao Cheng was never one to sit and wait for death. He slammed the brakes, all four wheels locking in place. The Lamborghini screeched to a halt.

He was no immortal; he couldn't fight off Wang Qiyi’s elusive sword while driving. He could have sped off and shaken Wang Qiyi, but he chose not to. He wanted to know why Wang Qiyi was targeting him.

How could one catch a tiger without entering its den? Besides, Wang Qiyi was hardly a tiger—at most, a kitten.

Wang Qiyi was surprised to see Xiao Cheng stop the car—by all rights, Xiao Cheng should be desperately fleeing. But he didn’t dwell on it; Xiao Cheng stopping was to his advantage.

Xiao Cheng stepped out, leaning against the car door, calmly watching the now stationary Porsche.

Soon, a masked man in black, about six feet three, emerged from the Porsche. He was not especially muscular, nothing remarkable, but his eyes shone brightly, with long sword-like eyebrows arching above.

Xiao Cheng sneered inwardly. The outfit was impressive, but had he not already deduced Wang Qiyi’s identity, he would never have recognized him. Compared to Wang Qiyi, this man was much taller. The exposed eyes and altered brows were clearly a disguise.

“Ha! Shameless brat, I’ve finally caught you. Let’s see where you run this time!” Wang Qiyi cackled, his voice distorted, sounding bizarre.

Xiao Cheng had known all along it was Wang Qiyi. He hadn’t expected Wang Qiyi to try and pose as a master. Since Wang Qiyi was in such high spirits, Xiao Cheng wouldn’t expose him—it made things far more interesting.

“Oh? Do I know you? Why are you looking for me?” Xiao Cheng asked coolly.

“You don’t deserve to know who I am. As for why I’m looking for you? Naturally, it’s for that jade you possess!” Wang Qiyi, seeing Xiao Cheng’s unfazed expression, grew more delighted and smug.

Hearing the word “jade,” Xiao Cheng’s heart skipped. When Xiao Fusheng had come to catch him at the Tangchen villa, he had vaguely heard the old patriarch mention something about jade. He hadn’t thought much of it then, but now it was clear Wang Qiyi was after this “jade.”

Could the jade Wang Qiyi spoke of be the Three Lives Jade Tablet he had obtained in his previous life? No, absolutely not! Xiao Cheng immediately dismissed the notion. No one knew he possessed the Three Lives Jade Tablet—it was acquired in his previous life, and he had never shown it to anyone this lifetime. Wang Qiyi couldn’t possibly know.

“What jade?” Xiao Cheng asked reflexively.

“Hmph!” Wang Qiyi snorted, thinking Xiao Cheng was pretending to be dumb. If Xiao Cheng didn’t have the jade, how could he have approached him silently last time, or vanished without a trace before?

“Don’t play dumb. You think I don’t know that your family’s matriarch gave you a jade pendant? Save your petty tricks!” Wang Qiyi finished, laughing heartily.

Jade pendant? Hearing Wang Qiyi mention it, Xiao Cheng felt a wave of relief. So Wang Qiyi believed the old lady had given him a jade pendant, and was after it for its value. His previous trouble with Zhuo Qingli was all because Wang Qiyi wanted to find him and seize this pendant.

Everything was because of this nonexistent jade pendant…

Xiao Cheng had never known the old lady possessed a jade pendant, nor what it did, nor why Wang Qiyi was so certain he had it.

He didn’t want to worry about the jade, so long as it wasn’t the Three Lives Jade Tablet.

“The jade pendant is indeed on me. If you have the skill, come and take it!” Xiao Cheng smiled calmly. Since Wang Qiyi believed it, he played along.

The jade pendant was not a baseless rumor; the old lady might truly have such a treasure. She was already one hundred and thirteen years old—if people coveted her treasure, there was certainly risk. By taking the blame himself, Xiao Cheng was shouldering that risk.

Wang Qiyi laughed wickedly. He never expected Xiao Cheng to hand over the treasure willingly; he had come to steal it.

This jade pendant, capable of concealing one's aura, was no ordinary item—there might be other powers as well. What was Xiao Cheng, after all, that he deserved such a treasure? Others would covet it sooner or later; it might as well come to him.

As for Xiao Cheng’s taunt to take it if he could, Wang Qiyi took it as a joke. With his third-stage innate cultivation, dealing with Xiao Cheng, the feckless heir, was hardly a challenge.

Wang Qiyi wasted no more words. He summoned the flying sword again, aiming it at Xiao Cheng’s face. Having failed twice, he no longer held back, unleashing his full power.

The sword sliced through the night, faster than before, its blue glow dazzling in the darkness.

Xiao Cheng’s spiritual sense locked onto Wang Qiyi, his eyes fixed on the approaching blade. This strike was more powerful than the last, and he had to treat it seriously. At some point, a three-foot azure sword appeared in his hand.