Stealing Immortal

Chapter 114: Chapter 113: Hosting Guests

Chen Qingyang followed close behind Kong Yuan. As expected, they encountered many of Lu Jinzhang’s Inner Sect Disciples blocking their path, speaking words of intimidation and obstruction. Fortunately, with Kong Yuan there to keep things in check, everything was resolved smoothly.

This also demonstrated the extent of Lu Jinzhang’s power. He held significant weight within the Lu Clan and also had a say in the Separation Dragon Pill Institute. With over 120 Inner Sect Disciples and more than four or five hundred Outer Sect Disciples under his command, he controlled a considerable force within the Tai Xu Sect.

’Just think about Master Yun Ci of the Four Golden Peaks, who is hailed as the strongest in combat,’ Chen Qingyang thought. ’He only has a dozen or so Inner Sect Disciples. Compared to Lu Jinzhang, he pales in comparison.’

Since things had come to this, Chen Qingyang stopped wondering why he had offended the man. ’There’s still a long road ahead,’ he mused. ’I’m sure I’ll find a way to resolve this one day.’

At that moment, Kong Yuan turned back and said, "Do you find that Steward Lu despicable, for setting up such a grand display just to deal with a little Qi Refining Realm cultivator like you?"

’It is despicable,’ Chen Qingyang thought, ’but if I were in his shoes, I’d do the same. A lion uses its full strength even to catch a rabbit. Subduing the enemy without a fight is the best strategy.’

He didn’t speak, simply nodding.

Seeing his response, Kong Yuan continued, "Junior Brother, we’re practically from the same faction, so I have to remind you. This man has always been cunning and calculating, meticulous in his actions. It’s normal for him to make a big fuss to achieve his goals. If he can make you submit without a fight, it’s a very cost-effective move for him. Therefore, you must not underestimate him."

Chen Qingyang nodded. "Senior Brother Kong is absolutely right. I imagine if I weren’t so stubborn, seeing this show of force today would have made me give up the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl and submit to him long ago."

"Haha!" Kong Yuan’s hearty laughter carried far into the distance.

"You need to understand, the factions within the Tai Xu Sect are intricate and complex. The disciples all have their own cliques. It’s easy to kneel, but very difficult to remain standing. Treasures don’t necessarily go to the worthy. The schemes are all interconnected, and the methods run deep. When the Separation Fire Assembly truly begins, even I won’t be able to protect you much."

He paused for a moment, as if something had occurred to him, then continued, "Especially in recent years, the number of sect disciples has been dwindling, and the competition between them has grown even fiercer."

"The Tai Xu Sect has the most Foundation Establishment Masters, and it’s become commonplace for them to plot against each other to the death. Even the Sect Leader has a hard time stopping it. After all... everyone wants to attain the Great Dao..."

’The Sect is like a high tower,’ Chen Qingyang reflected. ’People on different floors have different views of it. Everything I’ve heard from Kong Yuan today is about things I’d never encountered before—the struggles between Foundation Establishment Masters.’

"Senior Brother Kong, then why have Earth Deities become so scarce?"

Kong Yuan sighed, a note of worldly pity in his voice. "Everything born of heaven and earth in this world is finite. Use a portion, and a portion is gone. Today, the very foundation of the entire Cyan Nether State has been damaged. It’s inevitable that they become rarer."

Chen Qingyang could naturally imagine a future where Foundation Establishment Masters would be at each other’s throats. He even recalled what Liu Tao had once said about the sects of the world being ranked from A to H. That would be another struggle to come.

’When I was a Miscellaneous Task disciple, all I thought about was staying safe and healthy, and finding a chance to awaken Li Qianxue. I suppose when I reach the Foundation Establishment Realm, I’ll just be drawn into other conflicts. In other words, once you step through the gates of an Immortal Sect, it’s nearly impossible to stop.’

’So... it’s better to learn how to scheme against others early. I can’t wait until after I’ve broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm to start learning. By then, it will be too late.’

’Arrays, Talismans, Elixirs... all of these can be used to harm people. I need more Immortal Seedlings to master more Divine Powers.’

"Senior Brother Kong, may I ask what your current Cultivation realm is?"

Kong Yuan replied, "Half-Step Foundation Establishment. If I can obtain a wisp of an Earth Deity, I can break through just like that. If not, I’ll be stuck here."

’He is the first-seat disciple under Master Liu Pei, after all. And Master Liu shows no fear of Lu Jinzhang. It’s only right for his top disciple to have such a Cultivation.’

Hearing this, Chen Qingyang was a bit puzzled. "I’ve always heard that Earth Deities are something Foundation Establishment Masters fight over. How is it that the struggle has already started for you, Senior Brother?"

After listening, a wry smile appeared on Kong Yuan’s broad face. "That’s right, it starts this early. Without it, if you rely solely on yourself to break through, it’s very difficult to achieve Nine Acupoints Condensing Spirit. But with the help of an Earth Deity, the effect is doubled with half the effort. You should understand how important this thing is now!"

’Since I have the Stealing Immortal, I probably don’t have to worry about that,’ Chen Qingyang thought. ’I wonder if I can pull some strings this time and take a few Immortal Seedlings.’

"It seems that on this Hundred Steps to Immortality, every single step is exceedingly difficult. Each one requires a great fortuitous encounter. This path is not an easy one to walk!"

Hearing him say this, Kong Yuan scoffed. "You’re only a little over a hundred years old. Compared to me, you’ve barely just started. Why are you sighing about the path being difficult, like some old fossil?"

How could he know? After experiencing a hundred years of the world’s fickleness on the Four Golden Peaks and tasting all of life’s flavors, Chen Qingyang possessed a profound maturity that belied his youthful appearance.

"Yes, Senior Brother Kong is right."

As they continued on, they encountered many more Inner Sect Disciples dressed in Vermilion and Purple Daoist Robes. Chen Qingyang counted them silently, reaching a total of ninety-nine.

All of them yielded to the pressure of Kong Yuan’s Half-Step Foundation Establishment cultivation. After a brief war of words, they allowed them to pass. Of course, they also threw some passive-aggressive remarks at Chen Qingyang. Lu Jinzhang’s show of force was truly impressive.

Finally, on the distant skyline, a series of steep mountain peaks rose up. Nestled among them was a lake as clear as a mirror. Beside the lake stood a magnificent complex of palaces. The Pill Institute was right before their eyes.

"Junior Brother, now that we’re close to the Pill Institute, we need to be even more careful. That old bastard might try to pull something on you on the day of the Separation Fire Assembly."

The moment Kong Yuan’s voice fell, a flash of fire like a blade of wind shot through the air, carrying a powerful aura. Seeing this, Kong Yuan didn’t dare to be careless. Before Chen Qingyang could even react, the golden whip on his back had already lashed out.

A violent shockwave blasted outwards, scattering the surrounding clouds. Kong Yuan stopped advancing and pulled Chen Qingyang down to the ground.

Across from them, a crowd of people surrounded an old man as they slowly approached. It was unclear who the old man was, but one of his followers was Lu Heng, whom Chen Qingyang had seen a few days ago.

Looking closer, the old man carried a staff. Though his hair was white, he was full of vigor. His back wasn’t hunched, his steps weren’t unsteady, and he carried himself with an ethereal and leisurely air.

Facing him, Kong Yuan showed extreme caution—a look he hadn’t worn the entire journey.

Chen Qingyang understood as well. The other party was certainly a Half-Step Foundation Establishment Inner Sect Disciple, and very likely stronger than Kong Yuan.

"Hmph, I knew you’d come. But now that you’re at the gates of the Pill Institute, what other tricks can you possibly pull?"

The old man lowered his eyes and clasped his hands, taking two steps forward away from the crowd. "We haven’t seen each other in years. Can’t you change that boorish nature of yours? Master sent us only to see which disciple was able to defeat Lu Qing and take the thirty-fourth Separation Huo Dragon Pearl. From the looks of it... he’s just a cub hiding under your wing."

Seeing the gaze land on him, Chen Qingyang stepped forward, bowed, and cupped his fist in a salute. His manners were refined and his expression was composed. "I am Chen Qingyang. May I ask this Senior Brother’s name?"

The old man didn’t answer, merely scanning him from head to toe. He then let his Qi Mechanism flow over Chen Qingyang, his disdain palpable. "He looks passable, but I see nothing outstanding about him."

After saying this, he turned to Lu Qing behind him. "I say it was a fluke. Either that or Master Liu used some trick. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have lost to him. Don’t take that matter to heart."

How could Lu Qing not have thought this through? But with just a few words, the old man had defined the nature of the incident.

Since the other party had ignored his courtesy, Chen Qingyang naturally straightened his back and dropped his hands. "This... hmm, let’s just call you Old Senior Brother. You’re right, there’s no shame in losing a fair and square fight. But if one’s actions behind the scenes are nothing but despicable dealings, that’s truly shameful to the extreme. One might even say... heh, shameless!"

In a single sentence, he’d called the man old twice and mocked his character. Lu Qing had experienced this sharp-tongued skill firsthand.

A fierce light glinted in the old man’s eyes, and he brandished his staff, ready to act.

"Hmph!" Kong Yuan snorted coldly. "What, is this the Separation Dragon Pill Institute’s way of treating guests? In any case, we’ve already arrived. If you don’t welcome us, we’ll just go back right now. When the Dragon-locking Array is missing a piece, don’t you dare blame us."

Stifling his anger for a moment, the old man sneered, "Hehe, in my life, I have seen many lucky people, but very few can rely on luck all the way to the end. That’s because they don’t know how to seize what should be seized at the critical moment."

"Junior Brother Kong, you won’t be able to enter our Separation Dragon Assembly tomorrow. Let’s see how long you can protect this junior brother of yours."

With that, he let out another soft chuckle.

Chen Qingyang, however, resumed his earlier respectful bow. "This is my second time visiting the Pill Institute. Thank you, Steward Lu, for sending so many Inner Sect junior brothers to welcome me. Please express my gratitude to Steward Lu for me, especially for this Separation Huo Dragon Pearl. It’s incredibly useful!"

Hearing this, they could no longer laugh. This was especially true for Lu Qing. He had thought he had accepted his defeat gracefully, but after hearing Chen Qingyang’s words, he felt as if he was being mocked personally, making him feel even more humiliated.

In the end, it was Kong Yuan who wrapped things up. The two of them formally entered the Pill Institute, registered with the junior brother in charge of reception, and settled into the accommodations arranged by the institute.

Kong Yuan pushed open the window, revealing a golden crescent moon hanging over the surface of the water directly opposite.

"Junior Brother Chen, by speaking to that old bastard like that, you’ve well and truly offended him. Tomorrow, I can only wait here for you. The rest will be up to you!"

’For someone you’re destined to offend, the outcome won’t change whether you smile at them or not.’ Chen Qingyang didn’t explain this, merely nodding solemnly.

Kong Yuan pointed ahead. "Look at this lake water. Do you see anything unusual about it?"

Chen Qingyang hadn’t really thought about it. He only remembered seeing it twice, its surface as calm and beautiful as a mirror.

Chen Qingyang didn’t answer right away. Instead, he sent his Conscious Fish to circle around and immediately sensed that the water was chillingly cold, concealing an extremely vast power.

"Could it be that this water contains Pure Yin Power?"

Kong Yuan cast an appreciative glance at him. "Not bad, not bad at all. Your perception is good. While this water can’t be called Pure Yin Power, it does contain a significant amount of Yin Power. That’s because the Li Yang Earth Fire is suppressed right beneath it!"

’So... this is also an Array.’

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