Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 800 - 391: Disingenuous Ran Qingchen_2

Chapter 800: Chapter 391: Disingenuous Ran Qingchen_2

Jiang Que and Xiao Lingqiu exchanged a glance, nodded, and voiced no objections.

Li Guanshi turned to Jinxiu and said, "Little girl, go inside and keep an eye on Jiang Mo. When the Heavenly Tribulation descends, give him this ’Spirit Firming Pill’ every quarter-hour to protect his soul."

Li Guanshi handed over a bottle of pills and tossed it to Jinxiu.

Jinxiu quickly caught the vial, instinctively glancing toward Ran Qingchen with a questioning look: "Young Miss..."

"What are you looking at me for? I’m definitely not going to help him!"

Ran Qingchen’s delicate face was taut as she coldly remarked, "As for you, do whatever you want. You don’t need my permission."

Having been a personal maid for so many years, Jinxiu was far from being an ignorant girl. Her innate cleverness had seeped into her very bones, and she instantly caught the subtle note of compromise in the Young Miss’s words.

"Don’t worry, Young Miss. Jinxiu knows what to do."

Jinxiu smiled brightly and headed straight for the small building with the pills in hand.

As she was stepping inside, Li Guanshi suddenly called her back, then leaned in close to whisper a few words softly into the girl’s ear before slipping a small fabric tape into her hands.

Upon hearing the instructions, Jinxiu froze momentarily, her long lashes fluttering as her eyes filled with astonishment.

Moments later, the girl’s face flushed red. "This... this..."

Li Guanshi gently patted her fragrant shoulder. "It’s just a small favor. Nobody’s asking you to sell yourself. Go on now."

"Oh."

Jinxiu, face still flushed, stepped into the room.

Li Guanshi then glanced at Leng, saying, "Miss Leng, you have quite the expertise in formations. Are you familiar with the ’Thunder Control Array’?"

"I know it."

Leng intently nodded her small head. "Originates from the ancient sect of Floating Island, centuries ago. Qian represents Heaven’s beginnings; Kun entails Earth’s enduring sustenance. Zhen calls forth the thunder; Xun brings the gentle breeze... that’s the essence of its theory."

Li Guanshi said, "The Ninefold Heavenly Tribulation manifests true Heavenly Mighty and possesses spiritual awareness. If it detects anyone shielding another from its ordeal, it will double its punishment.

Therefore, we need the formation to maintain stability and prevent exhaustion. Miss Leng, you will serve as the Array Eye and direct us to adjust positions. We will ensure your safety."

"Huh? Me... Will I be up to it?"

Leng’s confidence visibly faltered.

Luo Wanqing snorted coldly, "If you’re told to do it, stop dithering!"

Faced with her new "master" on this journey, even the eldest daughter of Tianqing Manor dared not retort. She reluctantly said, "Alright, I’ll do my best."

Once everything was arranged, the girl began setting up the formation.

Each woman performed her role, leaving only Ran Qingchen standing off to the side, conspicuously out of place. Occasionally, her glances toward the cabin carried a flicker of pain that was difficult to detect—though it was quickly replaced by cold indifference.

BOOM—

The first streak of Heavenly Tribulation struck without delay.

A massive bolt of lightning, like a peerless, freshly-forged heavenly sword, tore through the heavy clouds, descending with the might to annihilate all.

The lightning’s brilliance was blinding, illuminating the black night with a dreadful white glow in an instant.

Inside the formation, Qu Hongling’s hands moved rapidly in a series of seals. A blaze erupted around her, gradually coalescing into the form of a phoenix.

Dugu Luoxue waved her jade-like hand, summoning countless crystals of sparkling snow that gathered from all directions.

Before Luo Wanqing, nine golden lotuses slowly materialized.

The petals of the golden lotuses shimmered with radiant golden light, unfolding to form an exquisite golden barrier.

Li Guanshi slowly raised her palm.

In her hand, the shadow of an Other Shore Flower appeared.

As the Heavenly Tribulation approached, the spectral flower rapidly expanded, its detached petals transforming into razor-sharp scythes that intertwined with the lightning, gradually reducing its terrifying power.

With the united effort of the four women, the first wave of Heavenly Tribulation was resolved with ease.

Meanwhile, from within the cabin, unmistakable sounds of a certain nature began to emanate.

The women pretended not to hear.

But the sounds grew louder, more... provocative, until Luo Wanqing finally snapped, exclaiming:

"That shameless brat is enjoying himself in bed while we risk our lives fending off his tribulation! This is outrageous! Li Guanshi, can’t you set up a soundproof barrier to spare us the headache?"

Li Guanshi, without lowering her gaze, stared at the thunderclouds and said faintly, "Focus. The second wave is coming."

...

Meanwhile, outside the small courtyard, it was becoming rather lively.

A sizable crowd had gathered.

Due to the opportunity related to Immortals’ Cactus, numerous cultivators had taken temporary residence in the manor during this period.

Witnessing such a commotion, many assumed some new treasure had surfaced and tried to barge inside to investigate.

But they were swiftly stopped by Jiang Que and Xiao Lingqiu.

Initially, the crowd dismissed the two women.

But when Xiao Lingqiu kicked a Heaven Desolation Boundary master into the distance, and when Jiang Que ripped the skin off the face of a man who tried to grope her during a scuffle, the crowd quickly sobered.

"Today I stand here. Let’s see who dares take one step closer."

Jiang Que wiped the blood from her slender fingers with a handkerchief, her beautiful face radiating a fierce, murderous aura.

Not far away, a man clutched his bloody, mangled face and howled in agony.

The rest of the crowd fell silent.

No matter how many grievances they harbored, not one dared voice them aloud.

Seeing everyone cowed into submission, Jiang Que’s expression revealed a hint of disdain.

Her gaze landed on Xiao Lingqiu. After some hesitation, she sidled over and extended her pinky finger.

"What are you doing?"

Xiao Lingqiu blinked in confusion.

Jiang Que whispered, "Alliance, of course. What else?"

"Alliance?"

"You clueless woman, have you no sense of urgency?"

Jiang Que pouted her rosy lips and said, "You’ve seen the women inside, haven’t you? Every one of them shares some bond with Jiang Mo, and each is more captivating than the last.

In the future, competing for his favor won’t be easy. Forming alliances early ensures we don’t get bullied by the others later, don’t you agree?"

Xiao Lingqiu’s expression turned odd.

This girl sure had foresight.

Not only had she firmly embraced her position as a "junior wife," but she also knew how to build coalitions to achieve dominance in the future harem.

Xiao Lingqiu said nonchalantly, "I’m merely Jiang Mo’s friend. I won’t stoop to fighting for favor."

"Heh."

Jiang Que smirked.

Xiao Lingqiu wasn’t pleased with the girl’s attitude and wanted to reprimand her, but recalling her own slip up with Jiang Shouzhong earlier, she felt embarrassed and flushed.

Ultimately, she inexplicably extended her pinky finger and hooked it around Jiang Que’s.

Jiang Que’s lips curved upward. "From now on, we’re in the same camp. Don’t worry, next time I bed Jiang Mo, I’ll invite you to join. I don’t mind sharing a dragon with two phoenixes."

Xiao Lingqiu’s face darkened.

She suddenly regretted forming an alliance with this girl.

BOOM—

The Heavenly Tribulation relentlessly crashed down into the courtyard.

Howling gales were stirred, roaring beyond the walls, tossing Xiao Lingqiu’s hair and robes.

The woman looked up at the terrifying sky, her face filled with worry.

...

In the attic, Housekeeper Wang continuously wiped the cold sweat dripping off his forehead as he nervously observed Manor Owner Chu Qichuan. "Manor Owner, what should we do now? Are we just going to let them rampage like this?"

Chu Qichuan replied with bitter self-deprecation:

"And what can I do? Tuoman Yong is dead, and even someone as prominent as Li Guanshi has shown up. All we can do is lie low and wait until the Barrier Gate opens..."

After a moment of silence, Chu Qichuan sighed. "Let’s hope everything goes smoothly."

After Housekeeper Wang left, the woman behind Chu Qichuan’s head displayed a disturbingly twisted expression as she screeched:

"Those wretched women! They’re going to anger the Immortals! They’ll bring disaster upon us! Husband, kill them! If you don’t, the Immortals will surely blame us! They’ll destroy us!"

Chu Qichuan gently reassured her, "Don’t worry, I know what needs to be done."

——

Inside the courtyard.

The fifth wave of Heavenly Tribulation had already descended.

Li Guanshi, Luo Wanqing, and Dugu Luoxue remained in relatively good shape, though they were clearly struggling with disrupted vitality.

Qu Hongling, however, as Ran Qingchen had warned earlier, faced doubled attacks due to her demonic nature. She was already severely injured.

With the relentless onslaught of the fifth strike, Qu Hongling finally succumbed, coughing up blood as she was flung backward.

Just as the girl was about to crash heavily, a gentle force appeared behind her, catching her mid-air.

"Ran!"

Qu Hongling looked up in astonishment at the sudden intervention from Ran Qingchen.

Ran Qingchen swung her hand, dispersing the incoming thundercloud, and said coldly:

"Don’t get sentimental. I just decided I’d rather kill that unfaithful scum with my own hands to truly satisfy my grudge! Letting the lightning kill him would be far too merciful!"

With that, the woman leapt into the heart of the formation.