Reborn Heiress: Seeking Revenge

Chapter 357: Shangguan Family (1)_1

"Sixteen years ago, a Prophet foretold that the Five Spirit Pearls would come together again in eighteen years, and that would be the time for the Shangguan Family to turn their fate around," Zhuge Yang spoke indifferently. He was aware that only someone from the Shangguan Family could gather the Five Spirit Pearls. Accordingly, no one currently targeted the Shangguan Family. Even if there were plans against them, it would only be to diminish their influence in the political arena, and that too would be timed with the collection of the pearls. Thus, the Shangguan Family was protected as if they were a national treasure.Minor conflicts were permissible, even dragging the Shangguan Family through the mud was allowed. However, not a single member of their family could die, for no one knew who among them would gather the Five Spirit Pearls.

And even if they managed to acquire a Spiritual Pearl, just as Zhuge Ao had obtained the Inferno Fire, they still couldn’t unleash its full potential. This made it powerful yet useless, tasteless in reality, yet too valuable to discard.

Everyone understood that only the bloodline of the Shangguan Family could gather the Five Spirit Pearls once again.

"Are you saying that even if I snatched the Five Spirit Pearls, I wouldn’t be able to harness their utmost power? And that the greatest power will only burst forth in two more years?" Shangguan You furrowed her brows, suddenly recalling what Shangguan Qing had said. "For the next two years, do whatever you like, be happy. After two years, you will understand everything." That’s what Shangguan Qing told me. Now, hearing Zhuge Yang’s words and thinking of my family’s laissez-faire attitude towards me... I remember how Grandfather was always strict with Shangguan Zhi, Shangguan Yu, Shangguan Hao, and even Shangguan Qing. Shangguan Qing, from such a young age, frequently visited military compounds. Is it because they knew their destiny? Did they know the harsh reality they were about to face? Is that why they indulged me while they desperately tried to protect our family? And was exiling me to B City also their way of protecting me?

"Indeed, only a member of the Shangguan Family can unleash its greatest power. Therefore, esteemed elder, as long as you gain the acknowledgment of the Shangguan Family, all problems can be resolved," Zhuge Yang sneered, a calculating glint in his eyes. First, let this old ghost test the waters with the Shangguan Family. Then, we can also benefit from this situation, like a fisherman reaping the rewards.

"Humph, after spouting so much nonsense without any useful information, you still expect to gain my Spirit Gathering Pills? You must be dreaming," Shangguan You scoffed coldly, her Water Element swirling around her hands and spiraling towards Zhuge Yang’s hands.

"Elder, you can’t do this! You promised us," Zhuge Yang exclaimed in shock, his spirit diminished after being disciplined by Shangguan You.

The fallen Elder Shi quickly leaped up, snatching the bottle.

"Don’t go too far! We have already told you all that you wanted to know. You cannot possibly renege on your promise!" Elder Shi, having recovered some Spiritual Energy, hastily engaged with the Water Element, glaring resentfully at Shangguan You. Damn it, Zhuge Yang, that foolish pig! She’s originally from the Shangguan Family! If she obtained the Five Spirit Pearls, who could stand against her then? And I know her identity, but I can’t speak of it!

"Reneging? I think twenty pills are too many. I’ve decided to take some back. Can you withstand it?" Shangguan You sneered, causing the sand beneath Elder Shi to sink once more, pulling him down. Shamelessly, Shangguan You stepped forward, struck another blow, and snatched the bottle from his grasp.

I do have many Spirit Gathering Pills. But seeing the expressions on Zhuge Yang and the others, and considering the pill’s effect on Elder Shi, I somewhat regret being so impetuous.

"Your Excellency, how can you go back on your word like this? After all, you are a revered senior, and we are merely your juniors," Zhuge Ao shouted indignantly upon seeing Zhuge Yang’s ashen, pained expression. However, he dared not act. His masters hadn’t dared to make a move; if he did, wouldn’t he be seeking death?

"Humph, a revered senior? So what if I am? The three of you disrespected your elder by ganging up on me, an old woman. If you all can do it, why can’t I?" Shangguan You snorted coldly, taking out four pills from the bottle and tossing them to Zhuge Yang. Hearing Shangguan You’s words, Elder Shi exhaled sharply in exasperation. A young girl, hardly more than a child, expects us to respect our elders? Respect her elders, my foot!

"That’s not right! You agreed to give ten, why only four?" Zhuge Yang shouted after the departing Shangguan You.

"All of it was useless talk; naturally, only half is deserved. Elder Shi ate one just now, and now four, that makes it just right."

Shangguan You’s voice floated back from a distance, and as soon as the words faded, her silhouette vanished into the shadows.

"Meihua, you old ghost!" Zhuge Yang stomped his feet in anger.

Elder Shi roared furiously at Zhuge Yang, slapping the water surface. "Humph! Those things you said earlier—every Cultivator knows them, but you shouldn’t have told her!"

"Elder Shi, without those words, where would we even acquire a Spirit Gathering Pill? Besides, having eaten one, your recovery has been swift," Zhuge Yang retorted.

"Humph!" Elder Shi roared again, slamming his palm against the water and swiftly sweeping up the four Spirit Gathering Pills.

"Elder Shi!" Zhuge Yang said, his expression chilling. Those were his spoils!

"Humph! I’ll give you one. As for the other three, return them to the clan!" Elder Shi barked, flinging one pill over. He secured the remaining three pills and, with a flash of his figure, vanished swiftly into the darkness.

Zhuge Yang’s eyes flickered. He exchanged glances with Zhuge Ao and they quickly followed.

「」

Just as Shangguan You slipped through the window into her room, she encountered a pair of narrow, mocking, yet seemingly cold eyes staring at her. Her heart skipped a few beats, and she hastily retreated until she was pressed against the windowsill.

"You decided to return?" a deep voice sounded, pulling Shangguan You out of her shock. She patted her chest. That was frightening!

"Hao, why are you here?" Shangguan You asked with a forced smile, immediately regretting her words as they slipped out. Her mouth twitched uncomfortably.

"Girl, tell me, why aren’t you sleeping in your room at this late hour? Where have you been? And since when did you learn to climb through windows so adeptly?" Lin Wenhao emerged from the shadows, his narrow eyes assessing her without blinking.