Stealing Immortal

As dawn broke, he suddenly heard footsteps outside. Someone was sweeping the courtyard, after which they brought hot water and a towel, placing them by the door.

It was an old Daoist Child who looked to be in his forties. He had a handlebar mustache and a long, narrow face that seemed somewhat cunning. However, he was extremely shrewd in his actions. Knowing that the Senior Brother from the Upper Sect inside must not be disturbed, he would complete his tasks and leave everything at the door, never calling out to him.

At noon, he would bring fresh well water and a small jar of fine tea. In the evening, meticulously washed and selected fruits and vegetables would be delivered.

This continued tirelessly for three consecutive days. In the past, Chen Qingyang would have certainly made small talk or even given him an Elixir. But with the lesson learned at the Nine True Temple, he paid him no mind.

The old Daoist Child was the same. As long as the Senior Brother from the Upper Sect used the things he had prepared, that was enough. He never caused any further disturbance.

This went on until the fifth day, when he finally called out from the doorway, ”Senior Brother from the Upper Sect, I have to go out today. There’s a famous pastry in Yunxi City. I was wondering if you might have a craving for such things. I can bring some back for you.”

With a CREAK, the door was pushed open.

Chen Qingyang emerged with his long hair unbound, dressed in a loose robe. He plopped down on the threshold. ”You’re a Qi Refining Disciple now. In Ci Yun Temple, that makes you a man above others. Why do you still go through such trouble to do these things for me every day?”

Faced with the question from the Senior Brother of the Upper Sect, Chen Qingyang had expected some sort of subservient or admiring response. He’d encountered that sort of thing many times.

But unexpectedly, the man said something surprising. ”Because you, Senior Brother from the Upper Sect, could very well become my Immortal Fate.”

It was direct and without the slightest pretense.

Chen Qingyang studied the old Daoist Child again. His face, which was far from handsome, was starting to look more and more agreeable. The man himself seemed increasingly to have a hidden depth. ”Why would you think that?”

The old Daoist Child remained completely respectful. ”I learned very early on that while Ci Yun Temple offers a path to Immortal Fate, it is a far cry from the true Dao. To break through this limitation, I must take action. Like today, for instance. If I were to receive even a casual reward from you, Senior Brother, it would be of great benefit to my Cultivation. Even if I don’t, I can still gain insights into Immortal Fate just by being in your presence.”

After days of tedious meditation and Cultivation, Chen Qingyang was feeling a bit bored, so he continued the conversation. ”What should I call you?”

The old Daoist Child replied, ”To answer the Senior Brother from the Upper Sect, my name is Lu Yuan. It comes from the saying about high mountains and long roads, signifying a limitless future.”

”A good name, and great ambition. What benefits have you gained using this method before?”

”I wouldn’t dare hide it from you, Senior Brother from the Upper Sect. I’ve received both Elixirs and blessings. This is why my Cultivation has progressed faster than others’.”

Chen Qingyang then asked, ”And what if I don’t give you any of those things? What will you think then?”

Lu Yuan remained as respectful as ever. ”That would only mean my Immortal Fate has not yet arrived. But I believe that if I persist, it will eventually come.”

The disciples of the Tai Xu Sect who were allowed to travel were all at Essence Condensation or above. Carrying one or two Low Tier Elixirs was no problem for them. Therefore, while this method seemed foolish, it was actually quite effective.

”Is this how you achieved your Cultivation at the First Realm of Qi Refining?”

Considering his age and his level of Cultivation, his talent could hardly be called high. Yet, here in Ci Yun Temple, a place with scarce Spiritual Qi, he had painstakingly reached the First Realm of Qi Refining. His methods must have been indispensable.

”Senior Brother from the Upper Sect is wise.” From beginning to end, the man was perfectly proper.

Chen Qingyang was reminded of himself back when he was an old man, getting by on the Four Golden Peaks. ’Little people have their own methods—direct and effective.’

”However,” he said, ”what if I can’t give you anything?”

Lu Yuan lowered his head, his tone unchanging. ”That would simply mean my Immortal Fate has not yet arrived. It would not be your fault, Senior Brother from the Upper Sect.”

”Haha!” Chen Qingyang laughed, rising to his feet and clapping his hands. ”Right, right. It looks like your Immortal Fate won’t be arriving today.”

He walked straight back into the room, closed the door, and began his Cultivation.

Though he had gone inside, his Conscious Fish was still observing the man. His expression hadn’t changed in the slightest, as if success and failure were equally unimportant. ’This level of composure is truly impressive.’

”Excuse me, Senior Brother from the Upper Sect. When I go down the mountain today, should I still bring back some pastries for you?”

Chen Qingyang’s voice drifted out from inside. ”A taste now and then would be fine.”

...

Another three days passed as Chen Qingyang waited quietly. In his spare time, he would send his Conscious Fish on a circuit around the city to see if there was any activity.

But this was no different from searching for a needle in a haystack, and naturally, he found nothing. He also visited Senior Brother Li again, but it was difficult to make any new progress.

Whether it was Senior Brother Lu’s words or his own Astrological Inference, everything confirmed that something was indeed happening in the Yong Kingdom. The fact that it hadn’t revealed itself yet could only mean he hadn’t waited long enough.

The rest of his time was spent meditating and cultivating in his room. The old Child named Lu Yuan was as diligent as ever, tending to Chen Qingyang three times a day and sometimes bringing back pastries when he went out.

Chen Qingyang paid him no mind, simply accepting whatever he was given. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

One evening, after placing the spring water and tea at the door, Lu Yuan called out, ”Senior Brother from the Upper Sect, are you staying here to investigate the Demon Sect?”

When Chen Qingyang appeared again, his hair was still disheveled, and he was even barefoot. ”You’re well-informed. You even know about that?”

Lu Yuan said, ”It’s easy enough to find out with a few inquiries. Besides, with so many Immortals from the Tai Xu Upper Sect staying behind, you must be guarding against something.”

”Mm,” Chen Qingyang nodded. ”Yes, it’s just as you guessed. So tell me, why are you asking?”

”Today, while I was in line to buy pastries, I heard people talking about a book. Everyone who had read it was utterly captivated by the story, desperate to know what happens... I didn’t believe it at first, so I secretly watched them. It seemed like many people had this book, and they were all completely engrossed...”

His words easily piqued Chen Qingyang’s interest. Even the best story in the world couldn’t possibly be loved by everyone—unless they had been cursed.

”And then?”

”After all, I am a cultivator at Ci Yun Temple, and I know there are many Dharma Gates in this world that can confuse the mind. I managed to get one of the books, and there is indeed something very strange about it. It seems to contain a layer of Qi Mechanism that I can’t see through. I thought you, Senior Brother from the Upper Sect, might be interested, so I brought one back.”

As he spoke, he presented a yellowed book with both hands. Written on the cover were the words, ”Soul-Snatching Obsession, A Marvel for the Ages.”

Probing it with his Divine Sense, he confirmed that there was indeed a strange Qi Mechanism present. This didn’t feel like a Dharma Gate of a Daoist Sect, but more like a Demonic Sect’s Technique.

He suddenly recalled Li Zheng saying that the Demon Sect planned to lay an Array in Yunxi City. There was no rule saying that these books couldn’t serve as the materials for Array Building.

”You’ve done very well. I’ll keep the book. I need to examine it closely!”

He then tossed out an Elixir. ”I don’t have any Low Tier Elixirs to give you, but this is a Tier Four Qihuang Replenishing Truth Pill. It’s more than enough for you to find one of my senior brothers and exchange it for dozens of Qi Gathering Pills!”

Lu Yuan practically jumped as he caught it with both hands. Such an enormous opportunity was something he had never even heard of in his entire life!