Volume 4 Chapter 18

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Volume 4 Chapter 18: Nine Extremes

If we talk about the most important positions within Jiuhua, they would be the sect leader, Supreme Protector, and the Mountain Guarding Elder.

The sect leader controls the overall situation, the Supreme Protector is responsible for training and rewarding or punishing the Jiuhua disciples, while the Guardian Elder uses the "Nine Pole Array" to defend against external enemies and monitors everything within Jiuhua Mountain.

Besides these three roles, there is another very special position among the elders of Jiuhua, and that is the Deacon Elder.

Compared to the first three, the Deacon Elder is in charge of all daily affairs of Jiuhua Mountain and can host guests, represent Jiuhua Mountain at various cultivator gatherings, and even to some extent, express the stance of the Jiuhua sect. Simply put, the Deacon Elder is a position that assists the Master of Jiuhua in managing Jiuhua Mountain, similar to the role of a chief steward in the mundane world.

But this is not the reason Xu Qingfan was surprised; among the Jiuhua elders, even though they possess great power, not all are adept at handling these trivial matters, so it was not odd for Zhang Hualing to appoint Xu Qingfan as Deacon Elder based on his previous performance.

But what Xu Qingfan thought of was a sentence Yue Qingru once mentioned when introducing Jiuhua Mountain.

The Deacon Elder, another term for the future sect leader of Jiuhua Mountain. The reason the Deacon Elder assists the sect leader with internal affairs is to help him quickly become familiar with these duties to prevent chaos when taking over.

Although this is just a legend, a series of events confirm the truth of this legend.

For instance, the current sect leader of Jiuhua, Zhang Hualing, was the Deacon Elder before, and the former sect leader, Li Xuhan, also served as Deacon Elder. Jiuhua’s traitor, Zhang Xusheng, was a Deacon Elder at the time of his betrayal. It is rumored that Li Xuhan intended to pass the sect leader position to Zhang Xusheng due to his stagnating cultivation progress, while he focused on his spiritual practice.

And Xu Qingfan’s predecessor as Deacon Elder was Bao Qingfang, who had already committed suicide and was the top expert of the "Qing" generation, chosen by all as Jiuhua’s next successor.

But Zhang Hualing, unexpectedly assigned Xu Qingfan to the position of Jiuhua Deacon Elder after the initiation ceremony ended. What could this mean? Could it be that he wants Xu Qingfan to succeed as the Master of Jiuhua?

Although this seems to be the most likely scenario, Xu Qingfan couldn’t believe it because he didn’t understand why Zhang Hualing saw him as a suitable successor for the Master of Jiuhua.

However, this is just a rumor, and Jiuhua has no clear rule that the Deacon Elder will definitely become the Master of Jiuhua in the future. Xu Qingfan couldn’t ask Zhang Hualing, "Do you want me to be the sect leader?" so he could only keep this doubt in his heart and quietly bowed to Zhang Hualing.

Zhang Hualing’s eyes remained calm and peaceful, though he seemed to see through all of Xu Qingfan’s thoughts instantly. Yet, he didn’t explain further and simply said in a flat tone, "Then that’s settled. There is a month and a half until the next opening of ‘Jiuji Cave.’ You’ve just reached the Condensed Core Stage, so focus entirely on stabilizing your state during this time. Now, you may return."

Even though Xu Qingfan was filled with questions, after hearing what Zhang Hualing said, he didn’t press further. He simply bowed quietly to Zhang Hualing and then left gently.

In this way, the quiet hall was left with only Zhang Hualing once more.

He watched Xu Qingfan’s departing figure until it vanished. Zhang Hualing suddenly lifted his head, his profound gaze seeming to pierce through the thick walls of Linghua Hall, reaching the top of Jiuhua Mountain, as if the answers he sought were there.

"Master, since you want Xu Qingfan to be my successor, I will follow your wish and first appoint him as Deacon Elder, as a first step towards leading the sect."

"But, Master, do you really think that with Xu Qingfan’s personality, he’s suitable to be a sect leader? He has too many worries."

"I just hope that during our lifetime, we can shape him into what a sect leader should be like."

Meanwhile, at the top of Jiuhua Mountain, Liu Huaxiang was smiling silently at Jin Qinghan and the others, and seemed to sense Zhang Hualing’s gaze. He turned to look towards Linghua Hall on the mountainside, his eyes even deeper and more distant than Zhang Hualing’s.

…

After Xu Qingfan returned to the top of Jiuhua Mountain, he didn’t mention to Jin Qinghan and the others that he was going to be appointed as the new Deacon Elder of Jiuhua. After all, this matter was quite astonishing in some ways, so he just suppressed the doubts in his heart and accepted the congratulations from Li Yuhan and the others.

Once Jin Qinghan and the others had all left, Xu Qingfan couldn’t hold back his doubts any longer and relayed Zhang Hualing’s words to Liu Huaxiang in detail.

It must be said that, without realizing it, Xu Qingfan had come to rely on Liu Huaxiang and never hid anything from him.

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, Liu Huaxiang was slightly surprised, as he always kept the idea of grooming Xu Qingfan to be the next sect leader to himself and hadn’t mentioned it to anyone. Unexpectedly, Zhang Hualing managed to guess it. Truly living up to being Liu Huaxiang’s disciple, Zhang Hualing didn’t complain about Liu Huaxiang’s decision to appoint someone without informing him and quietly helped Liu Huaxiang achieve his plans, which was truly commendable.

However, this haste in appointing Xu Qingfan as Deacon Elder—could it also suggest that after forcefully practicing "Substitute for Heaven," Zhang Hualing’s body is slowly breaking down?

This thought brought a hint of sadness to Liu Huaxiang’s eyes. He knew he had only a few decades left, but what about Zhang Hualing? Would he eventually have to say goodbye to a younger friend?

Seeing Liu Huaxiang’s silent and somewhat melancholic expression, Xu Qingfan, who was waiting for Liu Huaxiang’s response, couldn’t help but find it odd.

But Liu Huaxiang simply gave Xu Qingfan a deep look, then turned and left without a word.

As Liu Huaxiang’s figure disappeared into his hut, his old voice suddenly echoed in Xu Qingfan’s ear.

"The Deacon Elder doesn’t necessarily have to be the future sect leader, and the future sect leader doesn’t necessarily have to be the current Deacon Elder. You don’t need to worry about these things; just focus on stabilizing your realm."

Hearing Liu Huaxiang say this, Xu Qingfan sighed. After patting Ting’er on the shoulder, he walked towards his own hut.

At that moment, Liu Huaxiang’s voice suddenly rang out again.

"Since you are about to become a Deacon Elder, let me say one more thing: with the change in position comes a change in responsibility. Before, you thought about protecting Ting’er and your companions. In the future, you must consider all of Jiuhua. Qingfan, it’s time for your perspective and mindset to change."

Xu Qingfan was slightly taken aback and stopped in his tracks, expecting Liu Huaxiang to say more. After waiting for some time, Liu Huaxiang’s hut remained silent, and shaking his head with a sigh, he went inside to meditate.

…

In the days that followed, Xu Qingfan’s life returned to its routine and leisurely pace. After entering the Condensed Core Stage, his abilities greatly increased, and his understanding of the world and the heavens also transformed significantly. Despite this, he could still easily guide Ting’er, a cultivator in the Inedia Stage, without being criticized by Liu Huaxiang as misleading her anymore.

When he wasn’t reading or enjoying tea, Xu Qingfan usually prepared to continue debating with Liu Huaxiang out of habit. However, Liu Huaxiang seemed uninterested in these debates and instead proposed various scenarios, asking Xu Qingfan how he would handle them if they occurred. No matter Xu Qingfan’s response, Liu Huaxiang wouldn’t argue but calmly explained the potential consequences of following Xu Qingfan’s approach, leaving Xu Qingfan blushing despite there being no ridicule in Liu Huaxiang’s words.

During this period, Xu Qingfan felt his understanding of the world grew tremendously. Although it had only been a little over a month, and despite his sixty years of extensive readings, some things simply couldn’t be learned from books alone.

Apart from this, after entering the Condensed Core Stage, Xu Qingfan resolved some of his previous confusions, yet his curiosity about the world of cultivation only deepened. Questions arose about the transformation of the Five Elements’ Spirit Qi, the relationship between the soul and Divine Sense, and how the internal core drives Spirit Qi in the body.

Liu Huaxiang, however, easily addressed these topics, explaining them in a simple and clear manner, giving Xu Qingfan a sense of enlightenment. While Xu Qingfan was stubborn and naïve in handling human interactions, Liu Huaxiang was highly satisfied with Xu Qingfan’s insight in the ways of cultivation.

Yet, Xu Qingfan faintly sensed that Liu Huaxiang’s knowledge extended far beyond what a Condensed Core Stage cultivator should possess. This was particularly evident considering Xu Qingfan had met Xiao Huazhe, who was nearing the Mahayana Stage, and even he didn’t have as vast an understanding as Liu Huaxiang.

Nevertheless, the notion of Liu Huaxiang being a Mahayana cultivator seemed too far-fetched, so these thoughts would just briefly cross Xu Qingfan’s mind before disappearing.

During this month and a half, aside from discussions with Liu Huaxiang, Xu Qingfan frequently engaged in sparring and conversations with the visiting Jin Qinghan.

In fact, after Jin Qinghan underwent initiation and stabilized his stage, he wanted to seek out Xu Qingfan but hesitated. He recalled Xu Qingfan’s melancholic expression before they went to "Jiuji Cave", fearing that seeing Jin Qinghan’s progress in Core Formation would only further depress Xu Qingfan, so he restrained himself from approaching.

Now that Xu Qingfan has reached the Condensed Core Stage and won’t be saddened by the scenery, Jin Qinghan no longer hesitated. Just like before when both of them used to train together in the back mountain, he often sought out Xu Qingfan. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as they received much guidance from Liu Huaxiang along with Xu Qingfan.

It must be said, although Jin Qinghan was indifferent at heart at this time, he was unexpectedly considerate when dealing with friends.

A month and a half passed quickly. During this time, Xu Qingfan not only stabilized his realm but gained many insights; these insights went beyond mere stability of his level.

On this day, it was the reopening of the "Jiuji Cave," and also the last time Jiuhua Mountain would reopen it after seclusion. Xu Qingfan bid farewell to Liu Huaxiang and Ting’er early and joined Jin Qinghan and others as they flew towards a certain place in Jiuhua.

Xu Qingfan knew that the so-called "Jiuji Cave" was not an actual cave or underground location, but just a stable vortex of Spirit Qi within the "Nine Pole Array." Therefore, he assumed its location would be inside the "Nine Pole Array."

However, when Jin Qinghan and the others led Xu Qingfan to the destination, he was surprised to find only an ordinary open area, with no sign of the "Jiuji Cave."

What he didn’t know was that although entering the "Jiuji Cave" from the "Nine Pole Array" was much easier, the "Nine Pole Array" was currently sealed off and inaccessible.

On the ground, Zhang Hualing, along with several elders and other elite disciples who were also going to train in the "Jiuji Cave," had been waiting for some time. When they saw Jin Qinghan, Xu Qingfan, and the others arrive, they gave Xu Qingfan a respectful look, their eyes full of astonishment.

By this time, everyone knew that the person who previously reached the Condensed Core Stage and caused the extraordinary phenomenon in Jiuhua Mountain was Xu Qingfan. Connecting this with Xu Qingfan’s talent, they were all amazed, looking at him with strange eyes.

But Zhang Hualing merely glanced at Xu Qingfan casually, as if he had no special expectations of him.

Xu Qingfan, on the other hand, immediately spotted Feng Qingtian among the crowd. After a decade apart, Feng Qingtian’s skills had become even more advanced. In Xu Qingfan’s estimation, Feng Qingtian was just a step away from the late stage of the Fake Golden Core Stage, significantly ahead of Jin Qinghan, who had just reached the middle stage.

However, as Feng Qingtian’s skills deepened, he seemed to become more aloof. Unlike the others gathered together, he stood off to one side, his expression further highlighting his unsociable nature. He was the only one who didn’t look up to meet Xu Qingfan’s gaze.

Xu Qingfan initially intended to greet him, but seeing Feng Qingtian like this, he decided to keep his distance.

Once everyone was present, Zhang Hualing nodded gently to the other elders and, along with them, began to move their fingers in complex patterns. Spirit Qi burst from their bodies and rhythmically oscillated together.

Soon, a black vortex silently appeared before the crowd, marking the entrance to "Jiuji Cave," which was quite different from the grand scene Xu Qingfan had anticipated.

Seeing the entrance of the "Jiuji Cave" appear, Feng Qingtian wasted no time and swiftly entered, as if unwilling to delay for even a moment.

Watching Feng Qingtian’s actions, both the elite Jiuhua disciples and the elders frowned deeply. But since Feng Qingtian had already entered the "Jiuji Cave," there was nothing more they could say.

Zhang Hualing’s expression didn’t change. He simply addressed the disciples before him, saying, "I don’t need to remind you of the dangers in ‘Jiuji Cave.’ Be careful with everything once you enter."

After everyone responded, Zhang Hualing turned to the Jiuhua disciples who had not yet reached the Condensed Core Stage and said, "Also, since recently more disciples have entered the Condensed Core Stage, only the first seven of you who reach this stage can receive the elders’ guidance, so you must work even harder."

Hearing Zhang Hualing’s words, everyone looked at Xu Qingfan, who simply smiled subtly without revealing much.

After speaking, Zhang Hualing waved his hand and said, "Off you go."

…

Once Xu Qingfan followed the group into the "Jiuji Cave," everything before his eyes filled him with awe.

When the entrance to "Jiuji Cave" appeared, Xu Qingfan had been disappointed with the silent scene, thinking it was not as legendary as claimed.

But only after entering did Xu Qingfan realize that the legends had not been exaggerated at all and actually failed to capture even a fraction of the "Jiuji Cave’s" wonders.

As Xu Qingfan had learned earlier, "Jiuji Cave" is not a real cave but a stable vortex of Spirit Qi. Once inside, it feels chaotic with no sense of vastness, appearing as if the world has not yet taken shape, yet it is vibrant and dazzling, transformed by the essence of the five elements.

Although depth is not visible, within it, one feels weightless, able to float effortlessly. The air around is thick, like being in a pool of mud, due to the extreme concentration and liquefaction of Spirit Qi.

Little did they know why the "Jiuji Cave" was so rich in Spirit Qi; at the entrance, no one could sense even a trace of Spirit Qi, which was quite strange upon reflection.

As Xu Qingfan was being amazed by everything in front of him, he heard a guardian elder who had come along say, "Now everyone can freely choose a place to cultivate. My fellow elders and I will keep an eye on you to prevent any Qi deviation. As you know, maintaining the ‘Jiuji Cave’ demands a lot of spirit stones, so this will be your last time entering to train. It’s only a matter of ten years, so please make the most of your time."

After saying this, the elder floated in mid-air and sat cross-legged, closing his eyes to meditate.

Hearing the elder’s words, everyone realized the urgency of the situation. Ten years might sound long, but to a cultivator, it passes in the blink of an eye. They hurried to find a place to sit and train. Even Jin Qinghan simply nodded to Xu Qingfan and went off to a secluded spot to cultivate.

As Xu Qingfan looked around, he noticed everyone else who entered the "Jiuji Cave" was already sitting cross-legged and meditating, except for him standing out like a crane among chickens. He couldn’t help but smile wryly, shook his head, and found a quiet corner to sit and cultivate like the others.

Despite many warnings from Liu Huaxiang, Zhang Hualing, and others, Xu Qingfan had underestimated the risks of the "Jiuji Cave."

Since he did not dare to increase the mutated Wither Qi, Xu Qingfan was practicing the Feng family’s cultivation method, as well as an unnamed method taught by Liu Huaxiang.

But as soon as Xu Qingfan began to meditate, the sticky Spirit Qi around him rushed into his body as if finding a long-lost home, moving at a speed and quality far surpassing what was outside the cave. Taken by surprise, Xu Qingfan quickly employed various cultivation methods to absorb and refine the incoming Spirit Qi.

At first, Xu Qingfan was able to refine each bit of Spirit Qi that entered his body. However, the amount and purity of the Spirit Qi were so overwhelming that he eventually felt overwhelmed. Even though he absorbed it with all his might, it simply wasn’t enough. Neither the Feng family’s secret method nor Liu Huaxiang’s mysterious technique could keep up with the influx. The excess Qi began to accumulate, giving Xu Qingfan a sensation of expanding inside.

When Xu Qingfan wanted to stop, he was horrified to find that he couldn’t stop at all, otherwise the Spirit Qi rushing into him would surely make him explode.

Only then did Xu Qingfan finally understand a fraction of the risks in the "Jiuji Cave". Here, you don’t train to become stronger; the environment forces you to. If you slow down even a bit, you’ll be harmed by it.

Unfortunately, Xu Qingfan realized this too late; at this point, Spirit Qi filled his entire body, and Xu Qingfan felt that just a tiny bit more would cause him to explode.

The elders, originally meant to protect him, did not react to Xu Qingfan’s strange situation at all!

Helpless, Xu Qingfan had no choice but to run the Feng family secret technique and an unknown cultivation method while also using the heavily-guarded "The Formula of Wither and Flourish".

As Xu Qingfan began using "The Formula of Wither and Flourish," the Wood-type Spirit Qi and mutated Wither Qi rapidly started circulating inside his body.