Stealing Immortal

Chapter 19: Chapter 18: Second Realm

Four Golden Peaks.

Golden Summit.

Chen Qingyang relayed Xu Baoling’s words to Liu Tao, and was met with a long silence.

After a good while, she finally spoke. ”Are you sure?”

”I’m sure.”

”Thirteen days... only two days short. The toxicity of the Star Meteor Powder is more crucial the closer we get to the end. We absolutely can’t let it all go to waste now... How about... we double the dose for the last three days...” Just as Chen Qingyang was about to object, she shook her head. ”No, no, no...”

”That bitch is an Alchemist too. If we increase the dose, she’ll easily notice it. You’d be implicated as well, so...” Pacing back and forth in the room, she trailed off, not finishing her sentence.

Even someone as steady and composed as Chen Qingyang couldn’t help but ask, ”So what?”

”So, the dosage for the next few days can’t change. On the very last day, we triple it.”

One and a half maces.

Based on Chen Qingyang’s understanding of Xu Baoling, she would notice the moment she ingested it. This would undoubtedly be a death sentence for him.

”Senior Sister, does she really have to take that much?”

”Yes.” Liu Tao’s expression was as firm as if she had just glimpsed the Great Dao itself.

”The Star Meteor Powder is colorless and odorless. As long as she dares to swallow it, its effects will immediately activate. The accumulated poison from the previous days will erupt in an instant... Ah, Junior Brother, don’t you doubt it. Not even a Great Celestial Immortal could save her then.”

This still didn’t address Chen Qingyang’s concern. ”And what about me?”

Only then did Liu Tao seem to understand. ”Heh, of course you don’t have to worry about your safety. I’ll go with you. You have to understand, my Cultivation is much higher than hers. She won’t easily notice me. The moment the poison takes effect, I’ll seize the opportunity to take that bitch’s life. It’ll be perfectly clean, without anyone knowing.”

She was extremely confident about this, and appeared far calmer than usual.

Chen Qingyang was still worried. ”That makes sense in theory, but I’m afraid Xu Baoling might land a final, desperate blow on me. Senior Sister, do you have any other life-saving items on you?”

Liu Tao scoffed, ”Why are you such a coward? You’re facing her in her weakened state, with her Cultivation incomplete. Properly using the Sacrificial Refinement on the Warm Jade Scroll is more than enough for self-defense. And if something really does go wrong—if you lose an arm or a leg—won’t I be there to take care of you?”

’Her, take care of me?’

The thought sent a chill down Chen Qingyang’s spine.

”Sigh. I just hope everything goes smoothly then.”

Liu Tao leaned in close again, her tone severe. ”Remember, do not get captivated by her beauty. It will cost you your life. You must know, that bitch is like a cat in heat; the more critical the moment, the more vigilant she’ll become!”

Chen Qingyang could only reply, ”I know.”

For the rest of the time, Liu Tao was too restless to stand still or sit down. She just paced back and forth in the Alchemy Room, muttering about Xu Baoling from time to time.

As for her demeanor, it was, of course, a little unhinged.

Chen Qingyang, for his part, began his Alchemy. He had been meticulously refining every Qi-Introducing Pill lately, making sure today’s batch looked no different from yesterday’s. Otherwise, Xu Baoling would have many questions.

Her mind was far more intricate than Liu Tao’s.

The sky had already darkened, and shadows swept in from all directions.

A few sparse stars lingered, surrounding an ancient moon and evoking a deep sense of melancholy.

The cold wind howled desolately, all life withered and silent. Not even a place like the Four Golden Peaks Golden Summit could resist this overwhelming trend of the world.

Walking toward Xu Baoling’s Alchemy Room, Chen Qingyang saw from a distance that there was an extra shadow on the window today.

He hid himself in the withered grass by the roadside and slowly crept closer, getting a much clearer view.

It looked like a man, pointing his finger at Xu Baoling, his body trembling slightly. Xu Baoling was the same. The two of them were having a fierce argument.

’It was strange, actually. With Xu Baoling’s looks and personality, how could she possibly lack male companionship? And yet I always see her here alone, attempting her breakthrough, almost no different from Liu Tao. Seeing someone visit her now actually seems more normal.’

’My only worry is that this man might ruin our plans.’

After hiding for about a quarter of an hour, he saw signs that the man was about to leave. Chen Qingyang quickly moved farther away, only letting out a slight sigh of relief after the man had completely vanished into the darkness.

’I absolutely cannot let the man see me. Otherwise, after Xu Baoling’s sudden death, the trouble will never end.’

Waiting a while longer to time it right, Chen Qingyang straightened his clothes and walked toward Xu Baoling’s Alchemy Room.

Just like usual, he pushed the door open and set down the Elixirs first. It was Xu Baoling who acted a little different.

She was standing by the window, her body tense, her face flushed, and even her breathing was uneven.

Chen Qingyang glanced at her clothes, which were still tidy, and her long hair wasn’t messy. He judged that she was just angry.

”Senior Sister Xu, here are today’s Elixirs!”

Xu Baoling narrowed her eyes slightly. When she opened them again, her face was wreathed in a brilliant smile. ”Junior Brother, why are you a little late today?”

Chen Qingyang answered dutifully, ”Senior Sister Liu has been willing to talk to me recently, so I kept her company and chatted about some Miscellaneous Tasks. I can feel that she’s starting to trust me more and more.”

Xu Baoling liked hearing these things, so he made sure to say more of them.

”Did you see anyone leave just now?”

Chen Qingyang shook his head. ”I’ve been coming to your place for almost half a month, Senior Sister, and I’ve never run into anyone else. I only know that you and Senior Sister Liu are from the same lineage. As for who the other senior brothers and sisters of this lineage are, I have no idea.”

Xu Baoling contemplated this for a moment. ”That’s enough. You can go back now. I still need to cultivate. These three Qi Gathering Pills are your reward.”

”Thank you, Senior Sister.”

Outside the Alchemy Room, it was pitch-black.

Chen Qingyang took out the Warm Jade Scroll and was walking along the small path when he suddenly heard the sound of wind ahead. A man came to a stop before him.

He had a slender build and a clean-shaven, fair face, and appeared to be in his forties. Despite his handsome features, he had a gloomy air about him. Half a sword hilt was visible over his back—he’d seen it in the shadow on the window earlier.

This was the man who had been arguing with Xu Baoling.

’Speak of the devil.’ Chen Qingyang retracted his hand into his sleeve, clutching the Warm Jade Scroll in his palm, and bowed to the man. ”Might I ask which Senior Brother from the Golden Summit you are?”

His polite gesture was met only with the man’s cold sneer. ”Heh, coming out of her Alchemy Room in the dead of night. I thought you were Xu Baoling’s lover, but it turns out you’re just a Miscellaneous Task disciple!”

He clearly enjoyed mocking others, his smugness written all over his face.

In contrast, Chen Qingyang’s face was like old leather. He gave a slight shrug of his shoulders and only managed to utter a single word: ”Yes.”

The man looked him up and down again and scoffed, ”In the two years I was in seclusion, that slut really let herself go, finding a Miscellaneous Task disciple like you to serve her!”

’There was no way to tell what the man’s Cultivation level was, or what grudge he held against Xu Baoling.’

’But the fact that he dared to argue with Xu Baoling meant their Cultivation levels were at least comparable. He was definitely no match for this man.’

’Besides, he was just a Miscellaneous Task disciple. To this man, he was someone who could be killed on a whim. The most sensible thing for Chen Qingyang to do was not to provoke him.’

He just bowed his head and remained silent.

The man spoke again. ”How long have you been following that slut?”

”Not long. Just the last couple of days.”

”Then have you seen anyone else in that Alchemy Room? Especially any other men.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he stomped his left foot lightly. A vicious aura washed over Chen Qingyang, sending him tumbling. ”Don’t you dare lie to me just to protect her. If you ever experienced my methods, you’d know better.”

Neither angry nor annoyed, Chen Qingyang simply got back up and said, ”Replying to Senior Brother, I have not.”

”Really?”

Chen Qingyang said again, ”I would never dare to deceive you.”

”Hmph!” A snort of extreme disdain came from his nose. ”I doubt you’d dare. Remember, my name is Qi Xiuyuan. Next time you see me, you must call me Senior Brother Qi.”

”Yes, Senior Brother Qi.”

”HAHAHA, now that’s more like it.” Qi Xiuyuan laughed as he left. ”Remember, don’t let her know I saw you, or you’ll be sorry!”

The man departed by Wind Control, his back disappearing over the horizon, but Chen Qingyang still replied in his direction, ”Yes.”

He stood there for a long time before slowly straightening up, a sharp glint appearing in his eyes. He clutched the Warm Jade Scroll in his hand and leisurely made his way down the mountain.

Halfway down, he stopped beneath Cangsong, brushed the snow off the ground with his palm, and began to sit in meditation to cultivate.

After about an hour, Xu Baoling’s face, along with the familiar White Flame, appeared in his mind.

[Chen Qingyang]

[First Realm of Qi Refining]

[Tai Xu Energy-Introducing Technique: (191/200)]

[Tier One Qi-Introducing Pill: (91/100)]

[Great Soul Scripture (Incomplete): (3/300)]

[Available Immortal Seedlings: 46]

Xu Baoling’s Immortal Path was truly coming to an end. Today, he had gained 45 Immortal Seedlings from her.

Chen Qingyang considered for a moment, then took 9 Immortal Seedlings and added them to the Tai Xu Energy-Introducing Technique.

Instantly, a Profound Secret arose around him. The Qingfeng that stirred because of him was several times stronger than the first time, and a hurricane seemed to form inside his body. It condensed and completed one full Circulation.

Throughout this process, Spiritual Qi from the surroundings surged in relentlessly, and his Meridians opened up even further, reaching a new level.

After a long while, the Qingfeng subsided.

Under Introspection, two wisps of Golden Qi had appeared in his Dantian.

Gold is Essence.

Refining Essence into Qi, and transforming Qi into Gold.

Once nine strands of Gold are stored within, Essence Condensation can be achieved. These two wisps of Golden Qi were the mark of the Qi Refining Second Realm.

After that, he took another nine Immortal Seedlings and added them to the Tier One Qi-Introducing Pill. In his mind, his comprehension of the Alchemy Dao ascended to a new level in some mysterious, unseen way.

Like spring rains nourishing all things, he had unknowingly achieved mastery of the Tier Two Qi-Introducing Pill.

As for the remaining Immortal Seedlings, he left only one and added all the rest to the Great Soul Scripture.

This scripture could cultivate one’s comprehension.

With high comprehension, he would be able to go much further in the future.