Chapter 148: Framed by the Adopted Daughter

Ji Ling'er said coldly, "Someone claims I stole the Divine Pill of Creation? Who is it? Let those who saw me stand forward. I will confront them face-to-face. Ji Yuanyuan, to frame me, you truly have stooped to every conceivable method—you even found a witness."

Ji Yuanyuan had only recently reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Ji Ling'er, however, was at the peak of the Golden Core stage. Boundless fury caused her to involuntarily unleash her aura, which bore down upon Ji Yuanyuan with crushing force.

Ji Yuanyuan stumbled back, her face deathly pale, and cried out, "Sister, please, no!"

This immediate reaction incited the fury of Ji Ling'er's elder and second brothers, who stepped in front of Ji Yuanyuan. "Ji Ling'er, don't go too far! You stole the Divine Pill of Creation and refuse to admit it, and now you want to hurt Yuanyuan? Are you looking for a beating?"

Ji Guang was at the late Golden Core stage, and Ji Ming was at the early Golden Core stage. Normally, Ji Ling'er's aura would not have caused them much harm; it was intended only to intimidate Ji Yuanyuan for her babbling. However, the fact that Ji Guang and Ji Ming appeared and took sides without asking for the truth only fueled Ji Ling'er's rage. She released a powerful surge of pressure directly at the two men.

Having practiced the Dragon Subduing Palm, Ji Ling'er unleashed the supreme pressure of the dragon. Ji Guang and Ji Ming were struck as if by a heavy blow; it felt as though someone had punched them squarely in the chest. They let out muffled groans and were forced back several steps before they could steady themselves. The looks they cast at Ji Ling'er had changed, now filled with disbelief.

"Your cultivation..."

Even Ji Dongchang wore a look of shock. If he remembered correctly, this daughter of his had only been at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage a short while ago; now, she was at the peak of the Golden Core stage. Furthermore, it was evident that the Golden Core she had condensed was at least of the eleventh grade. He himself had only condensed a tenth-grade core, and his two useless sons had only managed ninth-grade ones.

Ji Ling'er sneered, "Does my cultivation matter? What about you? You claim I stole Ji Yuanyuan's Divine Pill of Creation—where is the evidence? Bring it out."

Though stunned, Ji Yuanyuan relied on the backing of her parents and said, "Sister, this is what you asked for. Mother Wang, come out."

As soon as she finished speaking, a middle-aged woman walked out. She knelt before the group and said, trembling with fear, "This servant saw with her own eyes that the eldest young lady went to the second young lady's room. As for whether she stole the Divine Pill of Creation, I do not know, but ever since the eldest young lady left, the second young lady's pill has been missing."

Ji Yuanyuan said, "Sister, what else do you have to say for yourself now? Sister, I beg you, please return the Divine Pill of Creation to me. I am pleading with you."

Ji Ling'er frowned.

She *had* indeed gone to Ji Yuanyuan's room. However, it was because someone had told her that her mother wanted to see her there. When she arrived, she found no one and simply left. Who could have imagined that the moment she returned, they would accuse her of theft? She hadn't thought much of it at the time, but now it was clear: this was a setup.

"Ji Yuanyuan, you are framing me!"

Ji Yuanyuan recoiled in feigned terror, retreating behind her mother. "Mother, look at Sister! She stole the pill and still refuses to admit it. Father, you must seek justice for me!"

Ji Dongchang nodded. "Ji Ling'er, the evidence is now conclusive. Hand over the Divine Pill of Creation immediately."

Ji Ling'er was furious. "Who says the evidence is conclusive? This is clearly a frame-up! I can't believe you would even say that."

"Insolent!" Ji Dongchang slammed his hand on the table. "Ji Ling'er, you are lawless! Don't think that just because you've had some strange encounter and reached the peak of the Golden Core stage, you can speak to me this way. Do you believe I won't strike you dead with one blow?"

"You wouldn't dare." Ji Ling'er no longer feared Ji Dongchang. After all, Chu Feng was here. She knew the extent of her husband's power; he could kill a Tribulation-stage Heavenly Sovereign as easily as swatting a fly. If Ji Dongchang, who was only at the Harmony-Unity stage, truly tried to harm her, it was unclear who would be the one struck down. At this moment, Ji Ling'er felt completely disillusioned with the concept of family.

"You dare talk back?" Ji Dongchang was incensed. Just as he was about to act, Ji Yuanyuan interjected, "Father, Ji Ling'er stole the Divine Pill of Creation only a short while ago. She shouldn't have consumed it yet; it must still be on her."

Ji Dongchang nodded. "You are right. Search her."

"I'll do it."
"I'll search her person."
"I'll search her room. She might have hidden it somewhere."

Ji Yuanyuan began walking toward Ji Ling'er.

Ji Ling'er glared at her and hissed, "Don't you dare."

Ji Yuanyuan shivered and cried out, "Mother!"

Ji Ling'er's mother frowned. "Ji Ling'er, what are you doing? I will search you myself." She rose to her feet.

Ji Ling'er's expression changed drastically. Just as she was at a loss, Chu Feng gave a light cough and said, "Everyone, have you asked me if you may touch my woman?"

"Who are you? I am disciplining my own daughter; what business is it of yours? This is the Ji family, not a place for an outsider to run wild!" Ji Dongchang stood up abruptly.

"Found it!"

At that very moment, Ji Ming walked out holding a wooden box. "Father, Mother, I found it! The Divine Pill of Creation was indeed stolen by Ji Ling'er; it was right there on her bed."

Ji Dongchang took the box and opened it. Inside lay a Divine Pill of Creation. He glared at Ji Ling'er with fury. "What do you have to say for yourself now? You wretched creature, I should kill you right here!"

Ji Ling'er was stunned. She retreated, clutching Chu Feng's hand tightly. "Husband, what is happening? How could the Divine Pill of Creation be in my room?"

Chu Feng smiled. "Isn't it obvious? This pill has been on your second brother the entire time. He just took it out to frame you. Your second brother and this scheming sister of yours have clearly colluded to frame you and drive you out of the family."

Ji Ling'er looked at Ji Ming. "Second Brother, is what my husband says true?"

Ji Ming's expression flickered, and he argued, "Nonsense! Why would I frame my own sister? Father, you must believe me!"

Ji Dongchang snorted. "You are still trying to blame others at a time like this? Ji Ling'er, you have disappointed me greatly. You stole the Divine Pill of Creation and tried to frame your brother—how did I ever birth a daughter like you? If it weren't for your bloodline, I would strike you dead this instant and disown you. While your life is spared, you cannot escape punishment. From this moment on, I sever our father-daughter relationship. I will report this to the family and have you cast into the Fire Domain. You are to remain there until you have gathered sufficient spiritual fire; only then may you leave to properly reflect on your sins. Guards! Seize her!"