Stealing Immortal

Chapter 104: Chapter 103: Lu Sheng

The first light of dawn was faint.

Flowers turned toward the sun, people toward life. On Cyan Bamboo Peak, where the seasons were like an eternal spring, the small courtyard flourished.

Since their arrival, the two boys had fallen into a very regular routine. No one had to ask them to wake up early. Senior Brother Chen never constrained them, so they disciplined themselves.

They were also able to receive pointers from Xu Baoling from time to time, which made them feel all the more that success in Qi Refining was within reach, giving them a sense of purpose in everything they did.

A small locust tree had been planted right against the fence. It wasn’t much taller than the house. Many of its branches had been broken during transport, but it was fine; they would grow back soon.

Next to its trunk, they had moved in a set of bluestone table and chairs, just like the one they’d had back on Four Golden Peaks.

It had taken the two boys a tremendous amount of effort to haul the set up the peak, a testament to their love for their new home.

At this moment, the two boys sat ramrod straight while Xu Baoling paced lightly back and forth before them.

”The art of elixirs is one of the Seven Arts of Immortal Cultivation... Alchemy begins with a thorough knowledge of Gold and Stone Pharmacology. Starting today, I will teach you Gold and Stone Pharmacology. In addition to your current tasks, you will also need to start learning how to process raw materials... This just means you won’t have much time to rest.”

Hearing that they could learn the art of Alchemy, the two boys were beside themselves with excitement. A little extra work was nothing to them.

”Senior Sister Xu, we’re doing this for ourselves now. How could we complain about being tired?” said Zhang Ping.

Li Sheng chimed in, ”That’s right. With our aptitude, who knows how long it would take us to make a breakthrough in Qi Refining, let alone be taught the Seven Arts of Immortal Cultivation. We will never forget your and Senior Brother Chen’s kindness.”

With that, he bowed deeply, not forgetting to pull Zhang Ping along with him.

”Right, right.”

Xu Baoling was very pleased with their attitude.

Meanwhile, in the Alchemy Room, the Mingtang Radiance around Chen Qingyang was gradually dissipating. The cool breeze that had just sprung up around him also faded into nothing. Within his body, nine streams of Golden Qi scattered, then reformed into a pattern of three and six.

[Danxia Nourishing Truth Sword Manual: (41/5000)]

’It’s been almost twenty days since I got this Sword Manual. Through tireless cultivation, I’ve accumulated 41 progress points. If I can maintain this pace, I’ll only need another thousand-odd points to break through my cultivation.’

’But before I break through, my aura-concealing Dharma Gate needs to be improved. This requires me to further strengthen my control over my own Qi Mechanism. To do that, I have no choice but to practice the Great Soul Scripture.’

’I’ve thought about it carefully these past few days. Since I can’t break through my cultivation for now, I might as well use the Immortal Seedling on the Great Soul Scripture. It’s a waste to just leave it there. It would also improve my comprehension, which should be very beneficial for practicing my Sword Formulas.’

With a thought, his Divine Soul instantly entered a mystical state. Borne by his consciousness, it floated upward, then outward, traveling a distance of twenty li.

Now, his Conscious Fish was no longer just a wisp of consciousness; it was more like a controllable stream of energy that Chen Qingyang could send out into the world.

When he made the fish swish its tail, it could rustle the surrounding leaves. He could even attack a bird on a branch he spotted, startling it into a flurry of panicked squawks.

’This technique is formless and intangible. If it could truly be developed into a combat ability, it would be far deadlier than a Flying Sword. For example, I could stay at Eldest Senior Brother’s place and secretly assassinate Tian Jingzhao. Even if they investigated, they’d find no explanation.’

His perception had also become exceptionally sharp. His ability to sense minute and slow movements had been enhanced, and his control over his own Qi Mechanism had risen to a new level. This was extremely helpful for his technique of concealing his Qi Mechanism. After all, he would have to face a Foundation Establishment Master one day.

Once he was done with all that, he washed up properly and left his cottage. In the courtyard, Li Sheng was standing at the gate, speaking with an elderly man.

His Conscious Fish circled the man, and he immediately knew the visitor’s cultivation was at the Qi Refining Ninth Realm. Seeing his senior brother emerge, Li Sheng walked over. ”Senior Brother Chen, this senior brother says he’s from Master Water Moon’s lineage and has come to pay a visit.”

Chen Qingyang gave a slight nod and walked toward the man.

He looked to be in his fifties or sixties, dressed in an azure Daoist Robe. His beard was graying, and his face had a few wrinkles. A Jade Hairpin held his neatly gathered long hair in place, and a Jade Pendant hung from his waist. He had a very refined appearance.

’Practitioners like this, unless their cultivation is trapped at a certain realm, usually look quite young. Of course, there are exceptions, like Eldest Senior Brother.’

”I am Chen Qingyang. May I ask for Senior Brother’s name?”

The man sized him up. Chen Qingyang could feel wisps of the man’s Qi Mechanism probing him—an extremely rude gesture. But Chen Qingyang didn’t mind. He knew this visitor hadn’t come with good intentions.

Only after seeming to get a satisfactory answer did he withdraw his Qi Mechanism. He put on a wide, beaming smile. ”Junior Brother Chen, you are truly a man of fine talent. My surname is Lu, and my given name is Sheng. You can call me Senior Brother Lu, or just Lu Sheng. I was just passing by today and thought I’d stop in to ask for a bowl of water.”

Thanks to Hong’Er’s warning the other day, Chen Qingyang knew someone would eventually come looking for him. The fact that this person was now sitting right in front of him actually put him at ease.

”So it’s Senior Brother Lu. If you’re looking for a drink of water, please, come in and have a seat.”

Lu Sheng didn’t refuse. ”In that case, I’ll trouble you, Junior Brother Chen.”

He led Lu Sheng into the courtyard and had him sit under the locust tree. He then served a pot of tea as a gesture of hospitality.

Lu Sheng looked around, then said with feigned curiosity, ”Junior Brother Chen, you truly are a man of refined tastes. I see you’re hiding a beauty in your golden cage. I’ve heard people say the wonders of nourishing a Divine Soul far surpass those of keeping a maid. As they say, the tangible and the intangible... each holds its own profound secrets!”

His smile was laced with a lewd sort of humor. It was obvious what sort of ’wonders’ he was referring to.

But Chen Qingyang just shook his head. ”I believe Senior Brother misunderstands. She is my junior sister, and we simply cultivate together. A moment ago, you mentioned you were from Master Water Moon’s lineage. I was wondering, are you familiar with a Senior Brother Tian Jingzhao?”

’If he won’t bring it up, I will.’

Lu Sheng gave a dry laugh. ”He’s my junior brother. Of course, I know him.”

Chen Qingyang continued, ”He’s currently recuperating from an injury caused by my Sword Qi. If he can’t recover, knowing Master Water Moon’s temperament, he won’t be allowed to stay and cultivate in the sect for long. What a pity... I’m afraid he won’t be your junior brother for much longer. Were you aware of this, Senior Brother?”

Lu Sheng maintained his smile, but upon hearing this, the corner of his eye couldn’t help but twitch. ”Yes, I heard.”

”And do you know why I did it?”

Lu Sheng simply shook his head.

”He tried to steal my Separation Huo Dragon Pearl, and that’s why he was injured by my Sword Qi. Anyone who dares to covet my treasures will meet the same fate. I also heard that Steward Lu of the Pill Institute was involved. Do you know anything about that?”

Lu Sheng was clearly in a bind. If he said he knew, it would seem like he was helping to frame Steward Lu. If he said he didn’t know, then he couldn’t act as an advocate for Tian Jingzhao.

After a moment’s thought, he simply shook his head again.

”It seems Senior Brother Lu knows nothing at all. In that case, you must not be here as Senior Brother Tian’s advocate. So, I wonder, what did you come here to talk to me about today?”

Lu Sheng’s expression finally changed. He smiled and said, ”Junior Brother Chen, you’ve only been on Cyan Bamboo Peak for a short while. I take it this is the first time you’re hearing my name?”

Chen Qingyang replied, ”Is there something special about Senior Brother Lu’s name?”

Lu Sheng kept smiling. ”There’s something you may not know, Senior Brother Chen. Among Master Water Moon’s Outer Disciples, there are seven of us who have been cultivating the longest and are the closest to a breakthrough. Since we seven don’t usually cultivate on the mountain, but rather in a nearby place called Peach Blossom Valley, we’ve gained a nickname among the Outer Disciples of Cyan Bamboo Peak: the Seven Immortals of Peach Valley. And your humble senior brother happens to be one of them.”

’What a name. How very elegant!’

’But Chen Qingyang understood perfectly. This was clearly a case of being unable to break through in their cultivation for a long time. They had to find something to do, so pretending to be cultured and elegant became their pastime.’

Chen Qingyang raised his teacup. ”My apologies for not recognizing you. This is the first I’m hearing of your great reputation, Senior Brother.”

Lu Sheng set down his teacup and swept his gaze across the small courtyard. ”I’ve long heard that Master Jing Yuan has taken on a new, young junior brother—his only Outer Disciple, in fact—with a cultivation around the Seventh Realm of Qi Refining. I’ve been quite keen to meet you. I’m here today to invite you to a banquet at my Peach Blossom Valley in a few days. I wonder if that would be convenient for you, Junior Brother Chen?”

’He hadn’t mentioned Tian Jingzhao’s name once, but how could this possibly be unrelated to him? Fine. A banquet it is.’

”What kind of banquet is it? If it’s too ordinary, I naturally won’t attend. After all, my alchemy is what’s most important.”

Chen Qingyang’s bluntness made Lu Sheng’s expression flicker. ”Do you know why the place is called Peach Blossom Valley?”

Chen Qingyang said, ”I’d be glad to hear about it.”

”This place was originally my Master’s Dao Field for cultivation. Many years ago, Master brought a peach tree from the West. It developed a Spiritual Rhythm and awakened to its true nature. It was through this peach tree’s Magical Power that the ravine became Peach Blossom Valley. After Master’s cultivation advanced, he handed its care over to the seven of us.”

”This peach tree is of great benefit to one’s cultivation. It blooms once every hundred years and bears fruit once every hundred years. Consuming the fruit can clear the mind, clarify one’s nature, and improve comprehension.”

’Chen Qingyang was suspicious. ’What is this guy really up to? He can’t be willing to go to such an expense, can he?’’

But then Lu Sheng continued, ”Although it will be another eighty years before it bears fruit, the blossoms are at their peak right now. Appreciating the flowers, drinking wine, enjoying the scenery, and discussing the Great Dao... it would be a most elegant affair. That’s why I wanted to invite you, Junior Brother. I wonder if you would do me the honor?”

’All that build-up, for so little benefit.’ Chen Qingyang then said, ”Since Senior Brother Lu is preparing such a lavish event, I can’t possibly show up empty-handed, can I?”

Lu Sheng said, ”This is a sincere invitation simply to discuss the Great Dao. As long as you show up, Junior Brother, you’ll be giving me enough face. Many of my Master’s Outer Disciples will be there at that time. Since you don’t have many people to talk to in Master Jing Yuan’s lineage, why not come and have a chat with us when you’re feeling bored?”

Chen Qingyang clapped his hands. ”That sounds wonderful! Please rest assured, Senior Brother, I definitely won’t come empty-handed. By the way, how many people will be there?”

Lu Sheng replied, ”At the very least, all seven of us, the Seven Immortals of Peach Valley, will be there.”

Chen Qingyang considered this for a moment. ”Alright. It’s a deal.”