Stealing Immortal

Chapter 111: Chapter 110: Lu Heng

It is said that Yin and Yang transform into the Five Elements, and the Five Elements give birth to Heaven and Earth.

The Divine Soul of a Mortal Cultivator originates from the soul of an ordinary person. It consists of the Three Souls—Fetal Light, Nether Spirit, and Shuang Ling—which are born from the convergence of Yin and Yang. Therefore, any elixir that repairs the Divine Soul must begin with the Yin Yang Five Elements.

In Liu Pei’s Nameless Elixir, the dozen or so ingredients each corresponded to one of the Five Elements. They were both synergistic and antagonistic, and were refined through a complicated process that secretly conformed to Yin and Yang, embodying this very principle.

Chen Qingyang’s cultivation of the Great Soul Scripture, however, was Lesser Yang-dominant and heavily Yin-aspected. In fact, the path he would ultimately walk was the Taiyin Technique. This differed slightly from the refinement method for this elixir.

Xu Baoling’s reminder that day had been a good one; he really could make some slight modifications to the formula. Right now, he sat before the Pill Furnace, refining the elixir with a "Late Fire" while carefully pondering the details in his mind.

Before long, this batch of the elixir was complete. This time, its luster was smooth and gentle, like fine jade. When he touched it, it even felt slightly cool to the touch.

From this moment on, the elixir was no longer entirely the one Liu Pei had created. It now possessed its own unique aura.

"Here, try it again!"

With a professional pill-tester like Xu Baoling on hand, he would quickly find out how effective it was.

One hand resting on her abdomen, Xu Baoling stood before Chen Qingyang with her eyes closed. A golden light surfaced on her face, which, combined with her graceful bearing, gave her a uniquely stunning beauty.

After a long while, Xu Baoling finally opened her eyes. "Master."

Chen Qingyang asked, "How does it feel?"

"Compared to before, the elixir seems more complete. Although it’s still Tier Two, its medicinal potency has clearly increased."

Hearing her say this, Chen Qingyang finally relaxed. "This at least proves your suggestion was correct, and that I’m heading in the right direction."

Xu Baoling added, "Perhaps Master Liu’s understanding of Divine Soul Techniques is not as profound as yours, Master. His approach to elixirs is orthodox and exceedingly polished, with hardly any flaws, but it always lacks that little something extra that pushes for advancement. This pill of yours is completely different."

"Do you really feel that way?" Chen Qingyang asked, afraid she might just be flattering him.

Xu Baoling replied, "Rest assured, Master. I would never spout nonsense about something like this and negatively impact your Alchemy Dao."

Chen Qingyang nodded in acknowledgment.

’Above the Ninth Grade for elixirs was the Immortal Grade. To match the Heaven Repairing Glaze Pill, it would need to be at least Immortal Grade in quality. The road ahead is still long,’ he thought.

"How are those two boys learning?" Chen Qingyang asked.

Xu Baoling replied, "For now, they can only handle some simple ingredients. They can’t manage the more complex elixirs. I’m waiting for the new building to be finished before I assign them more work. That way, they’ll not only free up my time but also have more opportunities to learn."

"That makes sense. It’s a bit much for just the two of them. If I get the chance, I’ll find one or two more miscellaneous task disciples."

Xu Baoling thought for a moment. "Master, I wonder, do you have any reservations about a miscellaneous task disciple’s innate talent?"

Chen Qingyang was puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Xu Baoling explained, "It seems Master has never concerned himself with such things, but many Outer Disciples are very wary of it. Imagine if your own miscellaneous task disciple had excellent talent and, a hundred years later, far surpassed you. How would you face that situation?"

Indeed, for a miscellaneous task disciple with great talent, their former senior brothers and sisters could become a part of a past they’d rather forget. If they had suffered certain humiliations, they might even seek to settle the score. The path of Immortal Cultivation is long, and this would undoubtedly present another risk.

A miscellaneous task disciple should just be a miscellaneous task disciple. The best outcome is for them to serve you faithfully until they are old, then leave the mountain.

"I’ve never cared about such things."

Realization dawned on Xu Baoling. "Of course. I’ve never seen anyone’s cultivation progress faster than yours, Master. What difference does it make if a miscellaneous task disciple’s talent is high or low? That girl, Hong’Er, seems quite promising, in my opinion."

At this, Chen Qingyang immediately shook his head. "Let’s leave that matter for another day. Besides, even if Hong’Er herself were willing, we would still need to see if Tian Jingzhao agrees. And I have other considerations at the moment."

The assignment of a miscellaneous task disciple had to be registered with the Sect. Since they were all fellow disciples, Chen Qingyang couldn’t just openly snatch her away if the other party disagreed.

Seeing this, Xu Baoling simply said, "As you wish, Master."

Just then, Chen Qingyang glanced out the window. "Once you reach Essence Condensation, you’ll be able to form your Yin Spirit Body. When that time comes, I’ll let you return to Four Golden Peaks."

For some reason, Xu Baoling felt a pang of disappointment at his words. ’How can I go back in my current state? I’d just be a laughingstock. On the other hand,’ she thought, ’anyone with eyes can see the boundless future Chen Qingyang has before him.’

Having said this, Chen Qingyang walked straight out the door. He had spotted a young man standing just outside the small courtyard. The man was dressed in a Vermilion and Purple Daoist Robe, with a round, fair-skinned face. His hair was adorned with gold and jade, and he exuded an air of nobility from head to toe.

The man stood at the courtyard gate, merely glancing inside. The two boys had gone up the mountain to cut bamboo, so no one had noticed him.

He didn’t announce his presence, simply standing there with his head held high, calm and composed, as if certain that Chen Qingyang would come out.

"May I ask this Senior Brother’s name, and the purpose of your visit?" Chen Qingyang called out, standing in the courtyard.

The man gave a slight Daoist bow in return. "Lu Heng of the Separation Dragon Pill Institute. Are you Chen Qingyang?"

Chen Qingyang recalled who this was. Wasn’t this the Senior Brother Lu from the Pill Institute that Hong’Er had mentioned a few days ago? He had assumed Lu Heng would try some clandestine tricks over at Tian Jingzhao’s place, but he never expected him to show up here directly.

Just then, the man added, "Junior Brother Chen achieved great results in the elixir competition, and you are a Pill Master recognized by our Tai Xu Sect’s Separation Dragon Pill Institute. I’ve come on official business. You should understand what that means!"

With that said, Chen Qingyang certainly had no reason to turn him away at the gate. He gestured for him to enter. "Senior Brother, please come in."

「In the corner.」

When the Locust Tree had just been moved here, its leaves were still a bit yellow, but they had quickly turned a vibrant green. Cyan Bamboo Peak was like spring all year round, eternally verdant.

After Lu Heng took a seat, tea was served.

"I wonder, what sort of official business brings Senior Brother Lu here?"

Lu Heng raised the cup, sniffed the aroma at its rim without taking a sip, and frowned slightly, clearly disdainful of the tea. "I had thought you would be highly regarded on Cyan Bamboo Peak, but I never expected you to be treated like this. To think, if you had been able to stay in the Pill Institute back then, you wouldn’t be in this situation today. What a pity!"

The small courtyard was located at the foot of the mountain belonging to Master Jing Yuan’s lineage. The environment wasn’t particularly good, and it certainly looked out of place.

Chen Qingyang said, "Perhaps my fate was not yet right to become Master Lu’s disciple."

After speaking, he drained his own cup in one gulp. "In truth, that fate was only missed by a thread. And that thread wasn’t for me to decide, but for Master Lu to decide, wasn’t it?"

This was a clear reference to the matter of the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl. It was precisely because of Master Lu’s favoritism back then that things had turned out this way. If Liu Pei hadn’t shown up to spoil the plan, the treasure would never have fallen into his hands.

Lu Heng’s smile always carried a hint of arrogance, and now it grew colder. "Then does Junior Brother Chen know that what you hold in your hand isn’t necessarily yours forever? Sometimes, giving something up is the only way to gain even more."

Chen Qingyang observed him carefully. He couldn’t see through the man’s Qi Mechanism, nor did he dare to release his Conscious Fish, so he was unable to determine Lu Heng’s specific cultivation level.

The man wasn’t even pretending anymore; he was directly showing his determination to obtain the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl. Chen Qingyang said, "At least it’s in my hands right now. Surely Senior Brother Lu didn’t come all this way just to tell me this? If so, I’m afraid I’ll have to show you out."

He showed no regard for the fact that the other man’s cultivation was higher than his own. His firm attitude even made Lu Heng pause for a moment, wondering just who was supposed to be the Inner Sect Disciple here.

"Heh!" After holding back for a moment, Lu Heng let out a cold laugh. "Fine. I’ll get to the point. In ten days, the Separation Dragon Pill Institute will hold its Separation Dragon Assembly. All Pill Masters invited by the Pill Institute must attend. This is especially true for the holder of the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl, who has even less reason to refuse."

’I don’t know what this assembly is, but my intuition tells me nothing good will come of attending.’

Chen Qingyang asked, "And what if I refuse?"

"That would be even better. According to Sect regulations, if the holder of the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl fails to attend, the Pill Institute has the right to reclaim it. When that happens, no one will be able to stop us. Not... even your master."

’Absurd. That reason is utterly absurd. It’s already in my hands, yet my right to it is still subject to the Sect’s influence. But then again,’ he mused, ’it makes sense. Even people can become the private property of the Sect, to say nothing of such a valuable treasure.’

"What is this Separation Fire Assembly, and what will I be doing there?"

Seeing Chen Qingyang proactively ask a question, Lu Heng’s smile softened slightly. "You’ll find out when you go. I can’t necessarily explain it clearly to you now. Before I came, my Martial Uncle also gave you a chance. It all depends on your choice."

As for what that chance was, Chen Qingyang neither asked nor responded. Lu Heng had no choice but to volunteer the information himself. "Although you are now a disciple of Master Jing Yuan’s lineage, you can still work for the Pill Institute and continue under my Martial Uncle Lu. If you do, Martial Uncle Lu will not hold the matter of the elixir competition against you."

This sort of arrangement was quite common, much like how Leng Yueru was a disciple of Master Yun Ci but could also work in the Law Enforcement Hall.

"And what benefits would I receive?"

When Lu Heng looked at him again, a trace of contempt flashed in his eyes. ’Without a doubt,’ Chen Qingyang thought, observing him, ’this man is extremely arrogant and conceited.’

"Do you even need to ask about benefits? With Martial Uncle Lu’s support, your future path will be a long and prosperous one. As for what you have to give in return... you should understand. Besides, that thing was never yours to begin with."

He was just talking in circles, refusing to say what the Separation Dragon Assembly was actually about, always circling back to the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl. Chen Qingyang had no desire to speak with him any longer. He stood up and said, "Rest assured, Senior Brother. I will naturally be there in ten days."

This was a clear gesture of dismissal. It was obvious the other man was already struggling to suppress his anger. "Hmph! You’d best watch yourself!"

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