Cultivation: From Servant to Revered Immortal

Chapter 926: Chapter 162: You’re Also Named Zhou Xun? (2)

”Zhou Xun!”

Upon hearing these two words uttered from the other’s mouth, Zhou Xun, Wang Erniu, and True Monarch Tianci were all shocked, their eyes widening in disbelief as they exchanged puzzled glances.

Zhou Xun now understood that it was evident someone had usurped his pavilion master position under his name.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but sneer internally. He would see who dared to commit such an audacious act against the world.

He glanced at Wang Erniu and True Monarch Tianci, giving a slight nod, then said to the man, ”Please inform them that Qin Ming seeks an audience to discuss important matters.”

The man responded affirmatively and quickly turned around, walking briskly behind the paifang. Zhou Xun took the opportunity to whisper to Wang Erniu and the other:

”This matter is somewhat strange. Let’s hold our position for now and see who this ’Zhou Xun’ really is.”

Shortly thereafter, the man returned, saying, ”The pavilion master invites you in.”

Zhou Xun and the others followed the man through the paifang, proceeding along a wide flagstone pathway.

Along the way, Zhou Xun attentively observed the surroundings, noticing that the pavilion was heavily guarded, with patrolling soldiers coming and going, faintly emitting undulating Spiritual Power, clearly of decent cultivation.

They arrived before a grand palace where the man halted and said, ”The pavilion master is inside, esteemed elders.”

Zhou Xun took a deep breath, nodded to Wang Erniu and the others, and then confidently stepped into the palace.

...

Inside the palace, a young man in a white embroidered robe sat at the main seat, with a look of contemplation in his eyes.

”Jiangling Prefecture has been quiet for years; who has come to visit!”

As he pondered,

he saw a tall, slender, handsome young man slowly walk in, clad in blue, with an ethereal demeanor.

Though backlit, ’Zhou Xun’ immediately recognized the newcomer!

”Zhou Xun!”

He couldn’t help but exclaim,

”Damn, why is it him, why has he come!”

”Ah, so it was Daoist Bai pretending to be me, indeed you have a keen interest in the Jiangling Prefecture pavilion master position!”

Upon seeing the young man in the white robe, Zhou Xun immediately recognized him,

a rival from years ago who competed for the Jiangling Prefecture pavilion master position, spending heavily to bribe registrants.

Originally, he was puzzled as to why White Bone Mountain was so persistent about this pavilion master position; now it seems they must have a significant secret.

”Zhou... Daoist Zhou, listen to me, everything can be negotiated!” Bai Yu stammered, his face stiffening,

He really hadn’t expected to be confronted directly by Zhou Xun.

The scout had claimed he was in closed-door cultivation at Jinyang Immortal City.

Zhou Xun coldly laughed, his gaze as piercing as a cold star directed at Bai Yu:

”Negotiate? Daoist Bai, you’ve occupied my position, usurping my name for over a decade, and now that you see me, you think of negotiating, don’t you find it too late?”

Saying this, he stepped forward, a faint surge of Spiritual Power emanating from him, oppressing Bai Yu.

Wang Erniu and True Monarch Tianci also stepped into the hall, taking positions beside Zhou Xun, with Magical Treasures at the ready.

Seeing this, Bai Yu inwardly cried out in distress; he suppressed his panic, let out a dry chuckle, and said, ”Daoist Zhou, the matter from back then was really a misunderstanding, we... we can negotiate; just give up the pavilion master position!”

”Name your price; how about one Top-Grade Spirit Stone a year?”

This price was indeed sky-high, considering that previously while serving as an Honored Guest Elder at Sea Suppression Immortal City, he only received five Top-Grade Spirit Stones every century,

while Bai Yu’s offer was twenty times that of True Monarch Qianchuan!

Not even a Great Cultivator joining would garner such a price.

Right now, Zhou Xun was certain that White Bone Mountain held a great secret; otherwise, they wouldn’t offer such a price.

Just then, two figures entered from behind the hall,

One was a Black Robe-clad elder with a square face and a broad mouth, his gaze profound, exuding a vaguely formidable Spiritual Power fluctuation—clearly Middle-Stage Nascent Soul cultivation—and Zhou Xun recognized him, having once faced him in battle, namely Wu Feng,

The other was a middle-aged woman in a red dress, captivating yet carrying a touch of coldness, her aura vast as the sea, unfathomable, clearly Late-Stage Nascent Soul cultivation.

Seeing these two enter, Bai Yu visibly relaxed,

After all, he was merely Early-Stage Nascent Soul; if Zhou Xun sought to harm him, he’d be slain in an instant,

He had witnessed Zhou Xun’s power even during his Early-Stage Nascent Soul days, even with the Profound Bone Flying Corpse in hand, Wu Feng was no match!

Now with these two powerful supporters beside him, he felt considerably more confident, hurriedly standing to greet them, a smile plastered on his face:

”Martial Uncle, Fairy Red Refinement, you’re here just in time, please help advise Daoist Zhou, lest we harm our relations over momentary emotions.”

”Daoist Zhou, long time no see!”

Wu Feng was the first to bow respectfully; earlier he sensed Zhou Xun’s cultivation and knew forcing Zhou Xun today was impossible.

”Daoist Wu, I never expected a mere Jiangling Prefecture could attract so many fellow Daoists here, including Late-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivators,”

”I presume madam is Fairy Red Refinement of White Bone Mountain!” Zhou Xun said, bowing to the beautiful woman.

”I have long heard of Daoist Zhou’s renown; meeting today, indeed your charisma is exceptional.” Fairy Red Refinement nodded lightly, returning the gesture, though her gaze retained a touch of aloofness and pride,

”However, this Jiangling Prefecture pavilion master position, Daoist Zhou might find it unstable, why not cooperate with White Bone Mountain and earn one Top-Grade Spirit Stone a year?”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xun couldn’t help but laugh heartily:

”When did the Great Jin’s pavilion master position allow imposters, no matter, if fellow Daoists want it, I shall leave!”

At this, Bai Yu was first stunned, then joyously nodded repeatedly:

”Indeed, indeed, Daoist Zhou can think this through; that is excellent, rest assured, that Spirit Stone is certainly yours!”

Even Wu Feng and Fairy Red Refinement’s expressions softened, revealing a hint of a smile.

”However... afterward, I shall meet His Majesty Jinn to inquire whether the pavilion master of the Great Jin Dynasty still permits impersonation!” Zhou Xun sneered.

”You!” Bai Yu was momentarily at a loss,

Fairy Red Refinement’s face instantly turned cold, sternly saying:

”Zhou Xun, don’t refuse a toast only to consume punishment; do you think White Bone Mountain dares not kill?”

”Haha, I have long heard of Fairy Red Refinement’s fame, today I aim to witness your expertise!” Naturally, Zhou Xun had no intention of yielding the pavilion master position,

Not to mention the potential great secret within Jiangling Prefecture that even drew the likes of White Bone Mountain; the value of such a secret was undeniable,

Possibly related to the Divinity Transformation level!

He certainly wouldn’t let this opportunity pass, yet to have White Bone Mountain retreat, or share the secret, battle was inevitable.

Fairy Red Refinement’s anger turned to laughter, ”Since you’re so obtuse, don’t blame me for being rude!”

With that, she flashed, appearing in the hall’s sky.

Her hands swiftly moved, fingers flickering with Spiritual Power, instantly sketching complex and mysterious runes in the air.

These runes intertwined, merged, and in a blink, transformed into a massive Flaming Vermilion Bird, flames burning fiercely around it, the intense heat causing the air below to ripple in waves, emitting a ”sizzling” sound as if about to ignite the entire hall.

Zhou Xun’s gaze intensified, his toe lightly touched the ground, his form like a purple lightning bolt soared upward, also appearing outside the hall.

Face to face with Fairy Red Refinement and her summoned Flaming Vermilion Bird.

With a gentle shake of his sleeve, Spirit Light flew out, transforming into a blue-purple Flying Sword suspended before him, precisely the hovering Thunder Sword,

Then he slapped his waist Spirit Insect Bag, and a faint seven-colored Spirit Light emerged, transforming into a five-inch Spirit Butterfly beautifully fluttering its wings.

This was Zhou Xun’s Nether Illusion Spirit Butterfly.

’Today is a perfect chance to test the Spirit Butterfly against Great Cultivators!’

”Zhou Xun, strike first, don’t say I’m bullying the weak!” Fairy Red Refinement coldly remarked.

”Fairy, watch carefully!” Zhou Xun laughed heartily, then communicated with the Nether Illusion Spirit Butterfly,

Its wings flashed lightly, and an invisible ripple spread outward, enveloping the beautiful woman instantly,

Fairy Red Refinement felt her vision blur, soon arriving in a desolate plain full of flowers, reverting to her childhood, six or seven years old, running amid the blooming flowers...

She immediately had a flash thought,

”No... I’ve fallen for it...”