Stealing Immortal

Chapter 113: Chapter 112: Kong Yuan

On his back was the Qianxue Sword, he wore a Cyan Daoist Robe and Profound Black Boots, and tucked away in his clothes was the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl. He had also prepared a Dragon and Tiger Fighting Calamity Pill, just in case.

’If I could just get a Protective Magical Treasure, my preparations would be complete. Unfortunately, I have too little Merit, and such items are too precious and difficult to trade for. Besides, the Elixirs I refine have to go to Master Yun Ci first, so it’s a bit difficult.’

On Cyan Bamboo Peak, spring was in full bloom.

The greenery was lush. Above the layers of clouds and mist, a golden sun hung high in the sky. Tomorrow was the tenth day; he had to get to the Separation Dragon Pill Institute today to avoid giving anyone an excuse to talk.

After giving his final instructions to Xu Baoling and the two young boys, he was just about to set off when he saw a man standing outside his gate.

He wore a Vermilion and Purple Daoist Robe over a burly frame, with a golden whip slung across his back. Beneath his robe, he wore a partial suit of Armor. He had a short beard, and his pair of fierce, tiger-like eyes were truly imposing.

Chen Qingyang didn’t recall ever meeting this Inner Sect Disciple. For him to appear at this particular moment, he naturally grew wary. ”May I ask your name, Senior Brother?”

The man said directly, ”I am Kong Yuan, head disciple under Master Liu Pei. I have come on my master’s orders to escort you, Junior Brother, to the Separation Dragon Pill Institute.”

’Hearing the name Liu Pei, Chen Qingyang instantly felt much more at ease. He hadn’t seen any sign of the master since he’d sent over all those Alchemy Raw Materials. So, he was still paying attention to me after all—paying attention to the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl.’

’And he sent his head disciple... His Cultivation must be formidable, very likely at the Essence Condensation Ninth Realm. Master Liu Pei really is treating me well.’

Chen Qingyang bowed with his hands clasped. ”Chen Qingyang greets you, Senior Brother!”

The forthright man simply waved a hand. ”No need for formalities. We’ll be seeing plenty of each other in the future.”

At this, Chen Qingyang had a question. ”Senior Brother Kong, I heard that everyone who participates in the Separation Fire Assembly must have a Separation Huo Dragon Pearl. Does that mean you have one too?”

This Kong Yuan was quick to make himself at home. He first waved his hand, then stepped into Chen Qingyang’s small courtyard and sat down assertively at the stone table and chairs. ”Better you hadn’t brought that up. It gives me a headache just thinking about it. In the Elixir competition at the Separation Dragon Pill Institute the time before last, I almost got my hands on a Separation Huo Dragon Pearl. But I ran into the same kind of trouble you did and ended up missing my chance. SIGH... But...”

At this point, he broke into a gratified smile. ”Fortunately, Master found an opportunity this time and finally pried one from their hands. These people from the Lu Clan... just because their ancestor achieved his Dao using the Li Yang Earth Fire, they think they can claim it all for themselves...”

After saying this, he started muttering curses under his breath.

’Chen Qingyang finally understood. So the feud started back then. His obtaining the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl wasn’t entirely a coincidence after all.’

”So that’s how it is. But from what Lu Heng said, only those holding a Separation Huo Dragon Pearl can go. The journey isn’t far and we’ll be there in an instant. Why would you go to the trouble of escorting me, Senior Brother?”

Kong Yuan waved his hand, as if he had expected this question. ”It seems you’ve underestimated how shameless that Lu Jinzhang can be. Even over such a short distance, he’s capable of anything. Besides, with me there, you can ask me if you run into any problems. I can look out for you.”

’That’s perfect.’ Chen Qingyang’s biggest worry was his own ignorance, that he could be sabotaged without even realizing it. He bowed with clasped hands again. ”Thank you, Senior Brother.”

From his demeanor, it was clear Kong Yuan was a forthright man. ”Junior Brother, you’re being too formal. My master and your master are from the same lineage. Plus, we share a common enemy. It’s only natural that we help each other. I have a lot to tell you. Let’s talk on the way, we don’t want to be late.”

With that, he started to lead Chen Qingyang out. Chen Qingyang had no more doubts, and the two of them departed, riding the wind toward the Separation Dragon Pill Institute.

Finding a moment, Kong Yuan spoke again. ”I know that fellow Shen Chongzhou learned the essence of Master Jing Yuan’s style—he likes that whole ’governing by doing nothing’ schtick and never explains things clearly. You’re probably completely confused. Do you know how to perform the Array Building?”

Shen Chongzhou had actually told Chen Qingyang about this. ”The key is in the Nine Yang Separation Fire Technique, right?”

Kong Yuan turned back, a look of surprise on his face. ”Strange. He actually told you everything. Seems that old codger really treats you differently!”

The way they spoke of Shen Chongzhou, you’d think they were very familiar with each other.

The so-called Nine Dragon Separation Fire Technique was a Magic Technique for controlling the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl. Chen Qingyang had previously sent his Conscious Fish deep into it to control the flames within, but that had only allowed him to unleash a fraction of its power. Back then, it was this lack of control that led him to accidentally burn the Divine Soul of the Yao Family’s third son to death inside.

This technique was created by a Golden Core True Monarch—the very same ancestor of the Lu Clan who achieved his Golden Core by relying on the Li Yang Earth Fire.

To succeed at Array Building, one had to master this Nine Yang Separation Fire Technique. Otherwise, you couldn’t control the power of the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl and would lose the right to possess it. Shen Chongzhou had predicted that their opponents would focus their efforts on this.

”You’re right, Senior Brother Kong. My Senior Brother did indeed instruct me on quite a few things that day!”

Hearing Chen Qingyang’s confirmation, Kong Yuan continued, ”But do you know that their Lu Clan’s Dharma Gate has been practiced since childhood? They are extremely familiar with controlling the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl. But when it comes into our hands, they call it a ’selection of the gifted’ and only give you six hours to comprehend it. If you can’t grasp even a little, they take it back... HMPH! For such a harsh and unreasonable condition to persist in the Sect!”

’Hearing his complaint, Chen Qingyang once again recalled his Senior Brother’s words: ”Reasonable, as it should be... it’s all just a load of bullshit.” It really was a profound insight.’

”It seems you’re quite knowledgeable about this Dharma Gate, Senior Brother Kong?”

Kong Yuan naturally nodded. ”If I didn’t understand it at all, why would Master have sent me? The secret of the Nine Yang Separation Fire Technique isn’t in the ’Separation Fire,’ but in the ’Nine Yang.’”

”This represents the ultimate Yang and hardness. It can guide the Separation Fire to temper the Three Jiaos, refining essence into Qi. It uses the Dantian as a Tripod Furnace, with the flames divided into nine layers...”

This Senior Brother Kong looked coarse, but he was meticulous in reality. He carefully explained it all over again to Chen Qingyang. Having never encountered this kind of Dharma Gate before, Chen Qingyang was able to get a general understanding.

”...So, the key is to guide the Separation Fire to temper the Three Jiaos. Since you cultivate the Sword Dao, you don’t have the Fire Element in your body, which puts you at a huge disadvantage when trying to comprehend this. SIGH!”

Perhaps because he felt the matter was extremely difficult, Kong Yuan sighed again.

Chen Qingyang, however, wasn’t worried. After making his inquiries that day, he had already prepared to use his Immortal Seedling at the critical moment.

’Besides, on this trip, I’ll also be able to cultivate the method for controlling the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl. That in itself is a significant gain.’

”Don’t worry, Senior Brother Kong. Maybe things will turn out differently when the time comes!”

Looking back at Chen Qingyang, Kong Yuan nodded thoughtfully. ”That’s true. You succeeded in refining Master’s incredibly complex Elixir on your first try. Your comprehension must be quite good... And here they come!”

As he spoke, Kong Yuan’s expression suddenly changed. He accelerated with a whoosh, diving sharply downward. Chen Qingyang, not knowing what was happening, could only follow close behind.

In the forest below, a male and a female Inner Sect Disciple in Vermilion and Purple Attire were in a standoff with Kong Yuan.

”Skulking around, what are you doing hiding here? Are you trying to block someone’s path? Or maybe you just want to harass them a bit beforehand?” Kong Yuan was as direct as ever, calling the two of them out immediately.

The man looked a little embarrassed after hearing this and was about to retort, but the woman remained unfazed. She stepped forward and said, ”What are you talking about, Senior Brother Kong? My master spread the word that there’s a genius Alchemist Junior Brother on Cyan Bamboo Peak. Can’t we be curious and come take a look for ourselves?”

Kong Yuan sneered. ”’Spread the word’ and ’take a look,’ is it? I think you wanted to trip him up and stop him here. I don’t know what Steward Lu is thinking, but his disciples are getting more and more useless.”

This time, the man finally couldn’t take it anymore. He shouted furiously, ”Kong! Watch your damn mouth! Who are you calling useless?”

Kong Yuan snorted coldly again, the Qi Mechanism around his body shifting dramatically. The golden whip was already in his hand. ”Useless or not, we’ll only know after we trade a few blows. Even if I injure you two, it would just be a friendly spar between sect brothers to improve our Cultivation. No one could punish me for it!”

The man, likely aware of Kong Yuan’s reputation, immediately became timid. It was the woman who defused the situation. ”The Separation Dragon Assembly is tomorrow. For such an important event, why resort to violence... Junior Brother Chen Qingyang, my master has always held you in high regard. Along this path, at least a hundred Inner Sect Disciples from our lineage are waiting to see you. You’ll meet them, one by one!”

’Chen Qingyang was secretly alarmed upon hearing this.’

’What had he ever done to attract the attention of so many people? If he had really come alone, how could he have withstood the ”greetings” of a hundred Inner Sect Disciples? The threatening implication was self-evident.’

’They were trying to subdue me without a fight. Thankfully, Liu Peiqi was one step ahead and had arranged for Kong Yuan to come.’

Kong Yuan said, ”I know Steward Lu is a ’hospitable’ man, and his disciples are prone to getting their heads ’scorched’ at the drop of a hat. That’s why Master specifically sent me. No matter who we run into later, let me, Kong Yuan, meet them first.”

With that said, a burst of his Qi Mechanism knocked the two aside, and he continued onward with Chen Qingyang.

The two didn’t dare to block them, staring blankly at the golden light that swirled around Kong Yuan as he left.

’With Foundation Establishment Masters in the background and their Inner Sect Disciples tearing away all pretense of civility like this... Chen Qingyang had finally gotten a real taste of it!’