Jiang Ye's heart warmed, as the two were practically his closest people.
They were almost endlessly good to him.
However, between Su Hongye and Su Qingmeng's words, a hint of doubt always lingered in him.
He didn't know much about the Realms above Great Emperor.
But he was also very clear that his mother had only ascended to Great Emperor a mere two hundred thousand years ago; how could she be on the verge of Breaking Through to Heavenly Emperor?
That was not something talent and innate ability could make up for.
Besides needing a great Opportunity, it also required sufficient time to accumulate, only then was it possible to touch upon that step.
Jiang Ye was a bit confused.
If he couldn't figure it out, he wouldn't think about it.
Anyway, his parents' little secrets would sooner or later be dug out by him.
"Sister Meng, please use soul-searching on Li Shou's memories; this person should have secrets on him." Jiang Ye looked at the unconscious Li Shou, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
This Li Shou, who orchestrated the Fan Family's marriage alliance with Ye Qingyun, should be hiding some unknown secrets, which might provide him with some useful information for his upcoming plans.
Upon hearing this, Su Qingmeng's face immediately bloomed into a smile, her beautiful eyes slightly narrowed, revealing a sharp and cunning glint: "That's no problem..."
She extended a slender finger and gently stroked Jiang Ye's cheek, her tone carrying a hint of playful coquetry: "However, Sister Meng wants a little reward..."
Jiang Ye smiled helplessly; he had no way to deal with this mischievous Aunt Meng.
He had called her Aunt Meng before because Su Hongye was present.
Now... Su Hongye was probably still watching in the dark, but it seemed there were no more qualms?
...Two days passed.
Fan Family Mansion.
Although the Fan Family's ancestral land was affected by the war a few days ago and was almost seventy to eighty percent destroyed, Jiang Ye still symbolically provided some compensatory resources.
After all, the Fan Family was a local giant in the Ancient Immortal Domain, with a Foundation, a Legacy, and a Saint Realm expert holding down the fort.
Reconstruction was not difficult for them.
Moreover, now that they were connected with the Jiang Clan, Fan Wuji personally ordered the mobilization of the clan's elites to expedite the repair of the important areas, and it quickly returned to its original appearance, even more magnificent than before.
Jiang Ye and his group were once again welcomed into the main hall by Fan Wuji.
The other party was all smiles, personally arranging several palaces for the Jiang Clan members to reside in, and also personally hosted a banquet, appearing respectful and showing no dissatisfaction.
After the banquet.
A Jiang Clan Ancestor appeared, looking at Jiang Ye with a chuckle and saying, "Your Highness, the God Son, on the day you were assassinated, someone was probing the Fan Family's ancestral land, seemingly attempting to act, but retreated when I enveloped them with my Qi."
"I did not show myself, only remotely suppressed this place with my Qi; that person was clearly wary and unwilling to expose their identity."
"Furthermore, with the Empress sitting in the Ancient Immortal Domain, any major commotion could very likely attract her personal presence."
The Fourth Ancestor of the Jiang Clan, Jiang Chengtian, was an Old Ancestor who rose during the Dark Ages.
His cultivation had reached the Peak of Quasi-Emperor, and he usually lay in a coffin in the ancestral land, sleeping, only appearing when necessary.
Now, as the matter of the Dragon Vein Secret Realm escalated, the Jiang Clan also secretly dispatched many Old Ancestors, placing them in various parts of the Ancient Immortal Domain.
Jiang Ye paused slightly, then immediately reacted.
He had originally suspected that there was some secret within the Fan Family.
So he specifically sent an Old Ancestor to guard this place, to prevent any trouble.
Now, with the mastermind operating on two fronts, his suspicions were further confirmed.
"Thank you for your help, Old Ancestor." Jiang Ye cupped his hands in thanks.
And in the depths of the Fan Family, a small interrogation chamber had also been quietly completed.
This was a special detention facility temporarily set up by the Jiang Clan's Heavenly Prison Division after their arrival at the Fan Family, specifically for holding important prisoners.
Within the temporary small interrogation chamber, Li Shou and Granny Yun were imprisoned.
At the same time, numerous large formations were set up to guard this place.
The array patterns on all sides were strict, talismans intertwined, with lingering traces of the might of the Great Dao, sealing everything.
Why not directly escort them back to the Jiang Clan?
Jiang Ye considered that, firstly, he had to wait for Li Shou to be soul-searched.
Secondly, there were too many secrets involved in this matter of the Ancient Immortal Domain, and Ye Qingyun was, after all, the Protagonist of Destiny, with the most prosperous Luck.
It was not guaranteed that some unexpected trouble would not arise midway.
After Li Shou was soul-searched, the two could then be secretly escorted to the Jiang Clan's Heavenly Prison Division, and this temporary small interrogation chamber would be the bait.
Taking extra precautions and preparations was always the right thing to do.
At this moment, within the interrogation chamber, the atmosphere was heavy.
Ye Qingyun's face was calm, dressed in prison clothes, with chains wrapped around his body, his cultivation sealed, his Saint Weapon long taken away, and now even his Divine Sense was suppressed, only able to rely on his physical body to endure.
He sat on a stone stool, looking up at the equally frail old man opposite him.
Li Shou's face was haggard, his clothes tattered, but his eyes were still bright.
Since Jiang Ye's assassination, Ye Qingyun saw that Jiang Ye had not suffered any harm, and while he felt regretful, he was also helpless.
"Qingyun, you don't need to worry too much."
"Although I don't understand, since Jiang Ye specifically named you to do something, then we two old guys won't die for now."
Li Shou looked haggard, firmly bound by chains in the interrogation chamber, communicating weakly with Ye Qingyun.
Ye Qingyun did not speak, only frowned at him, remaining silent for a long while.
"But you're going to be soul-searched."
"But I will cooperate, without the slightest resistance; as long as I'm fine, you still have a chance."
"If something happens to me..."
Li Shou's voice lowered a few notches: "You must promise me not to be impulsive."
Ye Qingyun was silent.
Although Li Shou had already expressed his willingness to reveal everything to ensure Ye Qingyun's safety.
But Jiang Ye would not believe him.
Such old foxes would only be honest after a soul search.
Jiang Ye appeared before Ye Qingyun, his golden eyes looking at Li Shou, and said lightly, "It's already set up. As long as you completely open your mind, this soul search will not cause too much damage to your Divine Soul."
Although Ye Qingyun had agreed to Jiang Ye's conditions, his requirement was to guarantee the safety of Li Shou and Granny Yun.
But Ye Qingyun saw the tragic state of Granny Yun after being soul-searched.
Her eyes were numb, her expression vacant, her cultivation had fallen, and she had become a semi-vegetative person, almost completely Waste, except for her long lifespan.
"Jiang Ye, if Shou Lao becomes like this, I would rather die than agree to you."
Jiang Ye said indifferently, "Who told her not to know her place? She insisted on my mother personally taking action to forcefully soul-search her. It's already a blessing that she didn't die directly."
"Of course, whether you agree or not doesn't have much impact on me; it's just an interesting game."
Ye Qingyun's brows furrowed slightly.
Because the Dragon Vein Secret Realm in the Ancient Immortal Domain was about to open, and there was a cultivation suppression, those above the Saint Realm could not enter, and his own strength below the Saint Realm was indeed extraordinary, making him a powerful helper.
But he had already witnessed Jiang Ye's methods.
This person never played by the rules, was cold and ruthless, and particularly enjoyed playing with people's hearts, like a cat playing with a mouse.
He had a feeling.
The other party might not need him to do anything at all, merely indulging in amusement, or even extracting value.
However, he had no choice.
After all, Jiang Ye's strength could crush him, and he had countless trump cards and backup plans, completely not needing his help.
"Are you ready?"
Jiang Ye looked at Li Shou indifferently.
Li Shou struggled to stand up, bowed, and saluted: "This old man is willing to cooperate."
"Since that's the case, let's begin."
Su Qingmeng had been waiting for a long time, dressed in a colorful robe, she walked in from outside.
A smile hung on her lips, but her eyes were cold and ruthless. With a casual wave of her slender hands, countless peach blossom imprints immediately appeared on the ground, scattering down.
Between the petals, however, were intertwined crimson runes, which were soul-searching spell patterns drawn with essence blood.
"Li Shou, sit into the center of the formation." Su Qingmeng said.
Li Shou took a deep breath and slowly stepped into the formation.
Although he felt the countless pressures of Divine Soul around him, he never resisted.
Because he knew that even the slightest struggle would result in a fate worse than Granny Yun's.
