Volume 4 Chapter 51

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Volume 4 Chapter 51: Qingxu

"I’d be delighted."

Faced with an invitation from the Qingxu Gate cultivator, although he knew that the invitation was out of suspicion, Xu Qingfan showed no trace of caution or alarm on his face. Instead, he perfectly displayed the surprise and flattery of a rogue cultivator being invited by the Holy Land.

Upon hearing that the Qingxu Gate personally invited Xu Qingfan to stay temporarily, Xu Qingfan’s companions like Venerable Xuhan and "Iron Old Man" all looked astonished. Despite their close relationship with the Qingxu Gate, it was rare for them to be invited to stay, let alone receive a personal invitation from its cultivator.

At least this way, Xu Qingfan didn’t have to decline the invitations of Venerable Xuhan or "Iron Old Man" and others, because upon seeing the Qingxu Gate’s invitation, they naturally withdrew their own. They even hoped Xu Qingfan would forget their invitation; otherwise, if Xu Qingfan were rigid, adhering to a first-come, first-served principle, and visited Venerable Xuhan or "Iron Old Man" first, it would unintentionally undermine the Qingxu Gate’s standing.

Fortunately, Xu Qingfan seemed to understand what was appropriate, as he accepted the Qingxu Gate’s invitation without hesitation.

In truth, Xu Qingfan was also inwardly troubled.

It was clear that Xuan Ling suddenly noticed the flaw in Xu Qingfan’s earlier expression and began to suspect Xu Qingfan, who had unexpectedly mentioned Immortal Zizhen. This invitation was actually a test; although accepting it wouldn’t reveal Xu Qingfan’s true intentions, rejecting it would almost certainly indicate he had something to hide.

Being a newly appeared rogue cultivator, both emotionally and logically, Xu Qingfan shouldn’t refuse.

So, Xu Qingfan could only agree gladly.

While following the "Qingxu Gate" cultivator towards Xuan Ling’s direction, Xu Qingfan wore a broad smile, but inside he was weighing the pros and cons of accepting the invitation rapidly.

First, if Xu Qingfan accepted the invitation, he could temporarily ease Xuan Ling’s suspicion of him.

Secondly, if he didn’t accept Xuan Ling’s invitation, Xu Qingfan couldn’t imagine how he could enter "Ronghua Mountain," home to "Qingxu Gate," without anyone knowing. It must be noted that although Ronghua Mountain’s protective formation isn’t as powerful and well-known as the Jiuhua Gate’s "Nine Pole Array," it is still something Xu Qingfan couldn’t break through with his current level of cultivation, let alone silently sneak in.

Therefore, accepting Xuan Ling’s invitation was Xu Qingfan’s only chance to enter "Ronghua Mountain," so he couldn’t miss it.

Lastly, and most importantly, once Xu Qingfan entered "Ronghua Mountain," he could meet many Qingxu cultivators and thus learn about the cause and details of the chaos in "Qingxu Gate" forty years ago.

However, compared to these three advantages, the disadvantage Xu Qingfan faced upon entering "Qingxu Gate," though only one, was more lethal.

That is, as soon as Xu Qingfan accepted the invitation to stay briefly in "Qingxu Gate," he would face continuous tests and suspicions, possibly remaining under constant surveillance. As a result, even if Xu Qingfan entered "Qingxu Gate," he might not be able to obtain any information about Immortal Zizhen.

Moreover, for someone like Xu Qingfan, the upcoming challenges of wit and intrigue were neither his strengths nor something he enjoyed. Xu Qingfan could almost foresee that the upcoming days in "Qingxu Gate" would not leave him with pleasant memories. Thinking of this, Xu Qingfan already felt a wave of exhaustion.

"After arriving at ‘Qingxu Gate’, how should I dispel their suspicions and smoothly deliver Martial Uncle Liu’s letter to Immortal Zizhen? Although detaining a Mahayana Stage cultivator seems like a joke, given the current circumstances, it’s the most likely scenario. Sigh… I’ll just have to take it one step at a time."

Xu Qingfan pondered silently as he weighed the pros and cons.

Lost in thought, Xu Qingfan followed the Qingxu cultivator and soon found himself before Xuan Ling and his companions.

"Thank you, Senior Xuan Ling. It’s a great honor for me, Xu Fan."

Seeing the gentle smile on Xuan Ling’s face and the deep look in his eyes, Xu Qingfan kept his expression unchanged and bowed respectfully to Xuan Ling.

Xuan Ling smiled and said, "I felt an immediate connection with you, so it was only right to invite you. Moreover, the cultivation method you practice is both vast and unique. If you were to give a talk at ‘Qingxu Gate’, I believe our disciples would greatly benefit."

Xu Qingfan gave a slight smile and said, "To be invited to speak at the Holy Land is an honor, though it fills me with anxiety."

Xuan Ling replied earnestly, "I am not merely being polite. Inviting cultivators from other sects to speak at ‘Qingxu Gate’ is our tradition, much like ‘Qingxu Preach’. The four strands of Spirit Qi within you are truly rare in my experience. With such a cultivation method, your understanding of the Heavenly Way must be unique. I’m sure that when you speak, even my fellow seniors will come to listen."

Hearing Xuan Ling’s sincere words, Xu Qingfan nodded in agreement, though in his heart, he felt even more puzzled.

"Xuan Ling’s words are flawless and reasonable. Is his invitation this time really genuine, like he claims, and not a test for me?"

While Xu Qingfan was still puzzled, he joined Xuan Ling and others, flying through the clouds towards Ronghua Mountain.

As soon as they rose on the clouds, Xuan Ling suddenly turned to Xu Qingfan and asked, "Earlier, because the time for Qingxu Preach had arrived, I didn’t ask much about the matter between Taoist Friend Xu’s master and my martial uncle, Immortal Zizhen. Could you please explain it to me now?"

"Here it comes," Xu Qingfan thought to himself, knowing the first test had begun.

"Here’s the story: Four hundred years ago, my master went down to explore bustling Middle-earth. However, my master had not fully mastered the four streams of Spirit Qi within him, and they suddenly clashed, but luckily, Immortal Zizhen, who was passing by, noticed and helped suppress the violent clash. At that time, my master was new to Middle-earth and didn’t recognize Immortal Zizhen. It was only later that he realized it, but by then, he couldn’t find Immortal Zizhen to thank him personally. So my master repeatedly urged me to express gratitude to Immortal Zizhen if I ever had the chance."

Xu Qingfan silently apologized to his master, Lu Huayan, in his heart, and then slowly explained to Xuan Ling.

Xu Qingfan had been planning this lie in his mind for a long time; he indeed had four streams of Spirit Qi within him and the potential for conflict.

Furthermore, as far as Xu Qingfan knew, Immortal Zizhen was indeed traveling in the Shenzhou Continent four hundred years ago, so even though Xu Qingfan hadn’t spoken a single truth, Xuan Ling couldn’t find any flaw.

"I see," Xuan Ling nodded and said, then quickened his pace towards Ronghua Mountain without speaking to Xu Qingfan further.

The journey was silent.

When Xuan Ling led Xu Qingfan and the others to "Ronghua Mountain," what they saw amazed Xu Qingfan.

Unlike Jiuhua Gate, which concealed Jiuhua Mountain as a barren landscape, "Ronghua Mountain" before Xu Qingfan glittered with brilliant golden and azure light, instantly inspiring a sense of majesty. The waves of Spirit Qi emanating from "Ronghua Mountain" were evident even to ordinary folks.

Noticing the surprise on Xu Qingfan’s face, Xuan Ling smiled slightly but offered no explanation, instead opening the mountain’s protective array and flying deeper into "Ronghua Mountain."

As Xuan Ling led Xu Qingfan and the others into "Ronghua Mountain," three beams of colorful light swiftly descended from the mountain’s peak, landing before them. As the light dispersed, three elderly men in green robes stood before Xuan Ling and Xu Qingfan, bowing in greeting.

Xuan Ling said, "Brother Deng, this is Taoist Friend Xu, whom I met during the ‘Qingxu Preach.’ I have invited him to our ‘Qingxu Gate’ to share his teachings. Please arrange some accommodation for him."

Elder Deng’s face showed surprise upon hearing Xuan Ling’s words, as he kept observing Xu Qingfan, clearly puzzled about why Xuan Ling invited Xu Qingfan to Qingxu Gate to teach.

However, Elder Deng seemed to hold great respect for Xuan Ling and, despite his curiosity, did not question further and led Xu Qingfan flying towards the horizon.

Once Xu Qingfan disappeared from Xuan Ling’s sight, the gentle smile on Xuan Ling’s face vanished abruptly. He turned to the surrounding Jiuhua elders and solemnly said, "Gather all the current resident elders of Qingxu Gate. I have something to announce at the council."