Volume 4 Chapter 12

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Volume 4 Chapter 12: Secrets

Since Liu Huaxiang already regarded Xu Qingfan as the future successor of Jiuhua Mountain’s sect leader, he would often, intentionally or unintentionally, pass on his principles of dealing with people and managing situations to Xu Qingfan, aiming to change Xu Qingfan’s character without him noticing.

But Xu Qingfan’s immaturity and stubbornness on certain matters were beyond Liu Huaxiang’s imagination. So when their views conflicted, Xu Qingfan disregarded Liu Huaxiang’s status as his elder, and Liu Huaxiang didn’t care about being over a thousand years older, leading to their relentless debates and arguments.

Of course, with age comes wisdom, and even wits. Despite Xu Qingfan having experienced many things over the years and having read many books, he was still often left defeated when Liu Huaxiang countered him, though Liu Huaxiang’s words seemed against Xu Qingfan’s values. These past two months, facing Liu Huaxiang, Xu Qingfan felt consistently at a disadvantage and a bit discouraged.

Little did he know, Liu Huaxiang was also secretly sighing. He hadn’t expected Xu Qingfan to be so stubborn. Although Xu Qingfan lost every argument against him, he grew braver with each defeat. Liu Huaxiang’s subtle teachings had some effect on Xu Qingfan, but he was still far from the person Liu Huaxiang hoped he would become.

"It seems that mere persuasion is not enough for Xu Qingfan. He must experience certain things to change his thinking and gain more experience. Although the world outside the mountain is currently fraught with dangers, I can’t rest easy entrusting Jiuhua Mountain to him without testing him through challenges. Once his skills are honed, it might be best to let him descend the mountain early to face trials firsthand."

Liu Huaxiang thought to himself privately.

It was through these daily debates that Liu Huaxiang decided to let Xu Qingfan leave the mountain earlier than planned.

"Kid, you’d better grow up quickly; I don’t have much time left."

Watching Xu Qingfan fail yet another debate but with a hint of understanding on his stubborn face, Liu Huaxiang sighed inwardly once more.

That day, the morning air was fresh and the mountaintop shrouded in mist, making Jiuhua Mountain look like a fairyland.

After reading and preparing, Xu Qingfan entered the room Liu Huaxiang had set up to teach him secret techniques. The routine debate between the two began once again.

This time, Liu Huaxiang and Xu Qingfan were debating the issue between the majority and the minority.

"Qingfan, when you are a leader of a sect, or have a group of people relying on you, would you sacrifice the interests of a few for the benefit of the many?"

Liu Huaxiang asked, sipping his tea calmly.

Xu Qingfan paused for a moment before saying, "If I can save most people, I would."

Liu Huaxiang nodded gently, but continued to ask, "What if those few are completely innocent and unaware? What if it means sacrificing their lives?"

A hint of struggle flashed in Xu Qingfan’s eyes. After hesitating, he answered in a pained voice, "I would still do it, for the greater good, but I think I would feel guilty for the rest of my life."

Liu Huaxiang took a sip of tea but didn’t let Xu Qingfan go, asking, "Now, from another angle, if you are a leader and believe you are right, but are in the minority, would you give up the majority for the few behind you?"

Although Liu Huaxiang’s tone was gentle, he had used a hidden power, making Xu Qingfan feel as if he were truly at a life-altering crossroads. He looked conflicted for a long time, then seemed to suddenly lose all strength, leaning back into his seat, and finally said softly, "I don’t know."

Despite Xu Qingfan’s weak tone, a look of satisfaction flashed in Liu Huaxiang’s eyes. Because he knew that previously, Xu Qingfan would have definitely answered, "No."

Change always comes little by little.

After noticing the vulnerability in Xu Qingfan’s expression, Liu Huaxiang did not press his advantage; instead, he withdrew his formidable powers and began to analyze matters with Xu Qingfan in a calm and ordinary tone.

"First, you must realize that if you insist you are right, then the majority who oppose you are undoubtedly wrong. Can you let them continue in their error?"

A shadow crossed Xu Qingfan’s face.

"Second, even if you represent a minority, it shows that a few people steadfastly support you. Could you abandon these few? If you did, who would follow you in the future?"

Xu Qingfan appeared lost in thought.

"Lastly, and most importantly, do you think that even if you abandon the few and join the majority, they would truly accept you? Would they allow you to lead them? I fear that their first thought would be to suspect your motives and exclude you permanently. You’ve read so many books; you should know this has happened countless times in history."

Observing Xu Qingfan’s reaction, Liu Huaxiang knew he had grasped something, so he refrained from saying more. Instead, he rose and walked away to prepare for the secret techniques he was about to use, leaving Xu Qingfan alone to ponder deeply.

Liu Huaxiang didn’t explicitly state his opinion; he merely presented the potential outcomes of Xu Qingfan’s choice to side with the majority. His analysis clearly indicated his perspective.

"Should I truly abandon the majority at this time? But many of them are innocent; they merely stand firm in their beliefs. Most importantly, if I can so callously abandon the majority, would the few who genuinely support me continue to follow someone so unfeeling? Can a leader who might abandon his followers at any moment truly be trusted?"

In this debate, Liu Huaxiang once again held the lead from beginning to end, and Xu Qingfan was completely defeated, falling into confusion.

(Actually, this debate was something Bug saw on a post on Mop, and it made him quite conflicted. You can express your opinions in the comments section.)

Suddenly, Xu Qingfan’s body shuddered, and he looked up abruptly.

This shudder wasn’t because Xu Qingfan had figured something out or realized something. Instead, a sudden surge of intense hostility and anger erupted in his heart, which was initially full of confusion. However, Xu Qingfan knew these feelings of hostility and anger were not his own but appeared abruptly within him.

In an instant, Xu Qingfan realized that the only one who could transmit such hostility and anger into his heart was Feng Qingtian. After two transformations, some mysterious connection had formed between their bodies and souls, allowing them to faintly sense each other’s thoughts, almost like twins.

Only when Feng Qingtian himself felt extreme terror and anger would Xu Qingfan have such a clear sensation of it in his heart.

Thinking of this, Xu Qingfan stood up and gazed through the thick morning fog towards the direction of the Feng family’s old residence on the waist of Jiuhua Mountain.

"Junior Brother Feng has always been calm, with emotions hidden deeply. What on earth has happened this time to cause such powerful anger and hostility in his heart?"

Xu Qingfan muttered worriedly.

Xu Qingfan was unaware that Feng Qingtian, the foremost master among the younger generation of Jiuhua disciples, was facing a significant turning point in his life, one that was closely related to the previous debate between Xu Qingfan and Liu Huaxiang.

…

Midway up Jiuhua Mountain stood the old Feng family residence.

The old Feng family residence covered a vast area, entirely made of sturdy "Dark Fire Stone." Its overall style was simple and elegant, with a touch of mystery. Due to the extreme sturdiness of "Dark Fire Stone" and its slightly remote location, it was one of the few buildings in the forefront of Jiuhua that remained intact during Zhang Xusheng’s attack a decade ago.

In his spare time from meditation, Feng Qingtian would stand at the highest point of the Feng family residence, gazing at the scenery of all Jiuhua. He found this view eased the weariness in his heart from training, and over time, this habit became ingrained.

At the time when Xu Qingfan and Liu Huaxiang were once again debating, Feng Qingtian was once more at the highest point of the Feng family residence, quietly looking out at the scenery of Jiuhua. Even though the landscapes of Jiuhua had been completely ruined, Feng Qingtian’s habit persisted.

Habits are always the hardest to change.

Feeling the constant hesitance and struggle coming from within his heart, Feng Qingtian frowned, knowing it was the emotion Xu Qingfan was experiencing.

Among all the younger generation disciples of Jiuhua Mountain, Feng Qingtian opened his eyes to only two people: Jin Qinghan and Xu Qingfan. Although Feng Qingtian admired Xu Qingfan’s cultivation, wisdom, and insight, he couldn’t stand Xu Qingfan’s indecisive nature. Thus, when he felt the sudden emotion arising within, a trace of disdain crossed Feng Qingtian’s heart.

At this moment, Feng Qingtian had reached the middle stage of the Fake Golden Core Stage. He was truly a rare genius in Jiuhua’s thousands of years of history. After two transformations, the phoenix bloodline within his body became purer, increasing his natural talent and aptitude. His cultivation progress could only be described as terrifying.

In the "Jiuji Cave," Feng Qingtian was the fastest to reach the Condensed Core Stage, taking less than two years, astonishing the elders serving as protectors. The second-fastest, Jin Qinghan, took five whole years, lagging far behind Feng Qingtian. The others were not even worth mentioning.

In the remaining eight years, instead of relaxing a bit, Feng Qingtian became even more fervent in his cultivation. Due to his rapid progress and the intensity with which he practiced, Feng Qingtian experienced Qi deviation the most among the thirty-three elite disciples, often nearly losing his life in the "Jiuji Cave" because of it. Ultimately, his efforts paid off. Finally, three days before leaving the "Jiuji Cave," Feng Qingtian reached the middle stage of the Fake Golden Core Stage, a speed that would surely turn the heads of any genius in the history of the cultivation world.

A month later, Feng Qingtian would receive the empowerment from Zhou Huahai, who had attained the late stage of the Golden Core Stage, and then reenter the "Jiuji Cave" for a ten-year secluded cultivation. By the end of all this, Feng Qingtian would likely achieve the late stage of the Fake Golden Core Stage, and perhaps be just a step away from the Real Golden Core Stage.

Such a level of cultivation would already be a lifelong pride and achievement for others, and might very well lead to entering the Mahayana Stage, admired by countless cultivators.

But these achievements were far from enough for Feng Qingtian.

Because Feng Qingtian’s goal was not to enter the Mahayana Stage or seek the elusive path to immortality, but revenge!

His enemy was none other than Zhang Xusheng, who was in some ways even more of a genius than Feng Qingtian and much stronger in cultivation.

In fact, few people knew that the attack on Jiuhua Mountain by Zhang Xusheng leading monsters and demons ten years ago was not his first such action. Two hundred years ago, Zhang Xusheng also infiltrated Jiuhua Mountain alone, but for some unknown reason, his target wasn’t the sect leader Zhang Xusheng or any other elders of Jiuhua, but rather the always low-key Feng family within the Jiuhua Mountain.

Although Jiuhua Mountain’s power was declining at that time, the Feng family was at its peak, with over ten elders in the Condensed Core Stage, and the head of the family was close to reaching a high stage. However, under Zhang Xusheng’s sneak attack, this seemingly strong power proved to be incredibly weak. The people of Jiuhua Mountain only heard several loud explosions from the Feng family estate, and when they arrived, they found over two hundred members of the Feng family had been killed, leaving only Feng Qingtian’s gravely injured father.

His father lived only to seek revenge from then on, but unfortunately, due to the severe injuries he sustained during the Feng family’s calamity, he passed away after just two hundred more years. In his later years, to continue the Feng family lineage, he married a mortal woman and had a son named Feng Qingtian. After his death, he left the heavy burden of the Feng family’s legacy on Feng Qingtian’s frail eight-year-old shoulders.

"Avenge! Revive the Feng family!"

Feng Qingtian’s father died with open eyes, leaving this message for Feng Qingtian before he passed away.

From then on, Feng Qingtian became another version of his father, burying himself in practice for revenge every day. If Jin Qinghan practiced diligently to catch up with Feng Qingtian, then Feng Qingtian practiced so hard to catch up with Zhang Xusheng.

Two people, both geniuses, had a widening gap in their abilities because of their different goals.

Initially, Feng Qingtian proudly believed that with his talent and hard work, he would one day be able to fight Zhang Xusheng. This belief always supported his rigorous practice.

But ten years ago, when Zhang Xusheng attacked, the powerful aura and pressure he sensed shattered Feng Qingtian’s original illusions, although his expression remained indifferent.

It is said that at that time, sect leader Zhang Hualing invited two Mahayana Stage experts, yet they were still completely defeated.

It is said that Zhang Xusheng was unable to give his best effort for some reason at that time.

It is said that Zhang Xusheng could use his dark powers to create countless high-level demons with Condensed Core Stage abilities.

It is said…

From that moment, Feng Qingtian realized that Zhang Xusheng, this enigmatic genius, was not someone who could be surpassed merely through talent and hard work.

At least not for him.

So, Feng Qingtian began to train even more diligently, setting aside the pride expected of the heir to the Feng family. He not only joined others in the "Jiuji Cave" for cultivation, receiving the protection and guidance of Elder Jiuhua but also accepted the power infusion arranged by Zhang Hualing.

This was something unimaginable for him before.

"Zhang Xusheng, you must continue to live. It doesn’t matter if you become even stronger, but you must wait until the day I become powerful enough to seek revenge against you in person."

Feng Qingtian thought to himself as he gazed at the morning mist and the dawn light ahead.

Shaking his head, Feng Qingtian cast aside his thoughts. Feeling his weariness from constant training slightly ease, he didn’t hesitate further and turned to head for his training chamber.

Now, he focused more on the present. Bold words can be spoken, but taking steady steps is the most important.

But just then, something unexpected happened. The morning mist surrounding him began to move without wind and gradually transformed into the shape of a snake-like spirit, standing silently before Feng Qingtian.

This snake spirit was Snake Guard Number 33, who had disappeared during the turmoil at Jiuhua.

Seeing Number 33 appear suddenly, Feng Qingtian’s eyes turned icy cold. He said coldly, "It’s you? Are you here for revenge again? Didn’t you learn your lesson last time?"

As he spoke, fierce flames erupted from Feng Qingtian. A crisp phoenix cry began to faintly echo across the world.

Feeling the overwhelming pressure from Feng Qingtian, Number 33 was terrified, retreating over ten steps. His body made of mist feared Feng Qingtian’s phoenix flames the most. And with Feng Qingtian’s power surging, Number 33, who was already not a match, had no choice but to be firmly suppressed.

Yet despite this, there was no panic in Number 33’s eyes. He simply said one light sentence, and with that, Feng Qingtian’s body trembled, and the attack spell he had prepared slowly retracted.

That sentence was:

"Feng Qingtian, don’t you want to know the real reason your Feng family was destroyed two hundred years ago?"

"What are you saying? Are you telling me that the Feng family wasn’t destroyed by your master Hui?"

After a long silence, Feng Qingtian slowly spoke.

Number 33 sneered, "Of course my master personally destroyed the Feng family, but do you really think that the destruction of your Feng family two hundred years ago was that simple? Haven’t you ever thought about why my master appeared at Jiuhua Mountain when his great skills were not yet fully developed? And why did he not go after Zhang Xusheng but instead came for your Feng family? Do you really believe all of this was just a coincidence?"

Feng Qingtian ignored Number 33’s mysterious words and simply stared into his eyes, coldly asking, "What exactly do you want to say? Hurry up and make yourself clear, my patience is limited."

Seeing the murderous intent gradually return in Feng Qingtian’s eyes, Number 33 dared not delay and hurriedly said, "You should understand the situation of Jiuhua Mountain two hundred years ago. At that time, Jiuhua Mountain had not fully regained its strength, and there were only about thirty elders at the Condensed Core Stage. Zhang Hualing had just taken over as Master of Jiuhua, and there were members like Xiao Huazhe and Lu Huayan who were unruly. Meanwhile, your Feng family reached its peak with nearly twenty members at the Condensed Core Stage, and the master of the Jiuhua family was the top expert of Jiuhua."

After hearing Number 33 speak, Feng Qingtian surprisingly calmed down and asked coldly, "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Number 33 smiled slightly and continued, "The Feng family master at that time was a man of great ambition and extremely proud. Unlike the low-profile masters of the Feng family throughout history, he saw Jiuhua’s decline and disliked Zhang Hualing’s policies, so he started getting involved in Jiuhua’s internal affairs and even wanted to replace Zhang Hualing."

After a slight pause, Number 33 continued, "But Zhang Hualing was also a formidable figure. Seeing that he couldn’t suppress the Feng family with his strength, he shifted his focus to my master. You now understand that Bao Qingfang and I serve the same master, right? Well, Zhang Hualing probably knew this back then and had Bao Qingfang personally hand an item to the Feng family master, falsely claiming it was my master’s lost heart."

"It was our incompetence that allowed Zhang Hualing to deceive us so easily. We ended up telling the family master that the heart was hidden with the Feng family, so our family master rushed to Jiuhua Mountain overnight and attacked the Feng family. But after reclaiming the heart, we found out it was fake! Meanwhile, the Nine Pole Array was activated, forcing our family master to retreat."

After pausing briefly, Number 33 looked at Feng Qingtian, whose eyes were filled with shock, smiled, and continued, "This is the truth of what happened back then. As for why Zhang Hualing gave the fake heart to the Feng family master, and why the elders of Jiuhua showed no reaction when our family master slaughtered your Feng family members, you can guess that for yourself."

Number 33 expected Feng Qingtian to be furious after hearing his words. Unexpectedly, even after a long while, Feng Qingtian stood there silently. Only after a while did he slowly retort, "Why should I trust you?"

Number 33 smiled slightly, tossed a green slip to Feng Qingtian, and said, "I knew you would ask that. This was left for you by our family master before he left. You’ll understand after reading it."

Feng Qingtian caught the green slip and, without caring that Number 33 was right there, immersed his Divine Sense into it. As he absorbed the information left inside, his facial expressions changed dramatically, eventually turning into deep anger and a desire for vengeance.

After a long time, Feng Qingtian clenched his right hand, and the green slip turned to dust. Without saying another word, he turned and walked deeper into the old Feng family residence.

Seeing Feng Qingtian’s actions, Number 33 became anxious and hurriedly said, "Feng Qingtian, let’s cooperate. You help me rescue Number 4 and Number Seven, and the three of us will help you get your revenge. You don’t know this, but the four of us Snake Guards can form a powerful formation…"

Feng Qingtian, without turning his head, coldly interrupted, "Liu Huaxiang is certainly my enemy, but so are you. I’ll take revenge on my own. This time, I won’t kill you because you told me these things, but if I see you again, you won’t be so lucky, servant of Zhang Xusheng."

When Feng Qingtian’s figure disappeared deep into the Feng family old residence, although it was still early morning in Jiuhua, the dawn sky appeared to be stained with blood-red hues.

Suddenly, a figure appeared silently beside Number 33, and to his surprise, it was Bao Qingfang.

Seeing the newcomer’s face, Number 33 quickly bowed and said, "Master Xuan Luo."

Bao Qingfang nodded, watching the direction in which Feng Qingtian disappeared, and asked, "Does he believe it?"

Number 33 nodded, "It seems he believes it. But he doesn’t agree to accompany me to rescue Number 4 and Number Seven."

Bao Qingfang replied coldly, "Number 33, remember this: from the moment you became the master’s servant, you must be ready to sacrifice for the master at any time. If Number 4 and Number Seven can’t be saved, then let them be; saving them might disrupt my plans."

Hearing Bao Qingfang say this, a flash of anger passed through Number 33’s eyes, but he suppressed it and simply bowed his head in acknowledgment.

Bao Qingfang suddenly changed the subject and slowly said, "Feng Qingtian has made great progress over the years; keeping him will eventually lead to trouble."

Number 33 hesitantly asked, "Do you mean…"

As he spoke, Number 33 waved his right hand as if cutting with a knife.

Bao Qingfang shook his head and said, "Let’s just wait and see what trouble he causes at Jiuhua Mountain."

After saying this, Bao Qingfang vanished silently, just as he had appeared. Number 33 sighed, and his body turned into mist and quickly disappeared without a trace.