Volume 4 Chapter 81

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Volume 4 Chapter 81: Meeting

"I am Cultivator Ninglingzi, requesting an audience with the General."

Just as Bai Lianye was about to bow to Xu Qingfan, a deep voice suddenly resonated throughout the general’s palace.

Hearing this voice, everyone in the hall, except Xu Qingfan and Chou Xuan, looked surprised. Instinctively, they turned to Xu Qingfan and Chou Xuan, who nodded in confirmation, prompting Bai Lianye to urgently instruct his guard, "Quick, prepare to welcome him."

Saying this, Bai Lianye bowed apologetically to Xu Qingfan and Chou Xuan, then hastily left the hall to personally extend a welcome.

Although Bai Lianye held great power in the mortal world, he was still a mortal, and he held a certain respect for the legendary cultivator.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Chou Xuan turned to Xu Qingfan and asked, "What should we do?"

Xu Qingfan softly replied, "Let’s go greet them as well. Perhaps there may be someone among the cultivators we are acquainted with."

Chou Xuan slightly nodded and followed Xu Qingfan as they stood up and headed out of the hall.

Just now, Xu Qingfan thought the name of the cultivator sounded very similar to an elder’s title from "Qingxu Gate." He wondered why a cultivator from "Qingxu Gate" would leave the mountains now, especially since their strength had greatly diminished. Even if they left, they shouldn’t appear in the worldly realm. Did something happen to "Qingxu Gate" after they left?

Meanwhile, Chou Xuan frowned. As he sensed this group of cultivators, he also felt another group flying past Fencheng City. Judging by the Spirit Qi emanating from them, they were clearly from the "Eight Wilderness Hall," yet they didn’t stop near Fencheng City. He couldn’t help but wonder if "Eight Wilderness Hall" and "Liuhe Gate" hadn’t discovered him.

As Xu Qingfan followed Bai Lianye and the others to the general’s palace, he saw about fourteen or fifteen cultivators standing quietly outside, each one unique in appearance. Leading this group was Ninglingzi, one of the elders from "Qingxu Gate," whom Xu Qingfan had seen before.

At the same time Xu Qingfan saw Ninglingzi, Ninglingzi also noticed Xu Qingfan. A delighted expression appeared on his face, and instead of greeting Bai Lianye, he bowed to Xu Qingfan, saying, "It’s a wonderful surprise to meet Taoist Friend Xu here."

Xu Qingfan returned the gesture with a smile and explained, "I was traveling across the Shenzhou Continent and met a previously acquainted Taoist friend here, so I stayed at the general’s palace for a while."

Then Xu Qingfan introduced Chou Xuan to the group, though he only called him "Taoist Friend Chou," since Chou Xuan was being pursued by "Eight Wilderness Hall" and "Liuhe Gate."

On the other side, Ninglingzi introduced the over ten cultivators behind him to Xu Qingfan. Among them, a white-browed monk who had reached the Real Golden Core Stage like Ninglingzi was Master Guanghui from "Mercy Cloud Temple," one of the six Holy Lands. Another was Hu Ming, a middle-aged Taoist in a bagua robe from "Five Elements Sect," who, like Xu Qingfan, had also reached the late stage of the Fake Golden Core Stage. Additionally, a young man named Xiao Bieshan, full of arrogance and at the Condensed Core Stage, was the top talent of the younger generation of "Tianxing Sect," a prominent sect in the cultivation world besides the six Holy Lands and "Eight Wilderness Hall."

Furthermore, the remaining ten cultivators, all at the Lingji Stage, came from sects such as "Xuan Ling Sect," "Guanghan Gate," and "Heavenly Way Church." These sects were either renowned in the current cultivation world or had established themselves for thousands of years. Listening to Ninglingzi’s introductions, Xu Qingfan and Chou Xuan were secretly astonished. Such a gathering of sect cultivators indicated a significant event was happening.

Meanwhile, the cultivators behind Ninglingzi were surprised to see Xu Qingfan, wondering why an expert of the Condensed Core Stage would appear at the general’s palace in the mortal realm. But after hearing Ninglingzi’s introduction, their looks towards Xu Qingfan changed dramatically. They hadn’t expected the person before them to be the rapidly rising name in the cultivation world, Xu Fan!

Ever since Xu Qingfan’s sermon at the "Qingxu Gate" became known, his reputation has spread throughout the entire cultivation world. The name "Palm Spring and Autumn" is recognized even by some of the elders in the cultivation world. Although it is said that Xu Fan has not yet reached the Real Golden Core Stage, his ability to teach at the Holy Land "Qingxu Gate" alongside countless masters over the millennia makes it hard for anyone to believe that this rogue cultivator Xu Fan is merely an ordinary Fake Golden Core Stage rogue cultivator.

Before departing, these cultivators gathered at the "Qingxu Gate" and conversed with the cultivators there, further impressed by their high praise for Xu Fan, which left a lasting impression on their hearts. Thus, upon hearing Ninglingzi’s introduction, both Master Guanghui from the "Mercy Cloud Temple" and Hu Ming from the "Five Elements Sect" politely expressed their long-standing admiration for Xu Qingfan. Even the proud Xiao Bieshan showed a slight decrease in his aloof demeanor.

Listening to Xu Qingfan engaging in courteous exchanges with the cultivators left Chou Xuan and Bai Lianye greatly surprised. Chou Xuan had not realized Xu Qingfan’s other identity was so renowned. For years, while evading the pursuit of the "Eight Wilderness Hall" and "Liuhe Gate," he knew little about the cultivation world’s state. Bai Lianye, on the other hand, perceived Xu Qingfan as a distinguished elder of the cultivation world. Thinking that Xu Qingfan might take his offspring as a disciple filled him with silent excitement.

After a round of polite exchanges with Xu Qingfan and Chou Xuan, Ninglingzi and the others introduced themselves to Bai Lianye and his group before accepting Bai Lianye’s invitation to enter the general’s palace.

Once everyone was seated, Bai Lianye courteously addressed Ninglingzi and the others, asking, "I wonder what brings such esteemed immortals to grace my residence today?"

Ninglingzi’s words caused a stir among those present.

"We have come to search your residence."

…

Meanwhile, in the sky above the general’s palace, two cultivators stood silently, looking down at Xu Qingfan, Chou Xuan, and Ninglingzi as they politely exchanged pleasantries outside the general’s palace before entering together.

There were two cultivators; one had a handsome face with a hint of wickedness and a proud smile. His simple clothing carried an air of nobility.

Behind him stood another person, tall and plain-faced, with confusion in his eyes.

After a moment, the second cultivator couldn’t hold back his curiosity and asked, "Sect Leader, you confirmed that Chou Xuan was in the general’s palace, and now you’ve seen him yourself. Why didn’t you tell the ‘Eight Wilderness Hall’ people and instead misled them?"

The leading cultivator glanced coldly at him, causing a shiver to run down his spine, then said calmly, "Remember, you belong to ‘Liuhe Gate,’ not ‘Eight Wilderness Hall.’ Focus only on ‘Liuhe Gate,’ why care about ‘Eight Wilderness Hall’?"

This handsome-faced cultivator was Deng Tianao, the current sect leader of ‘Liuhe Gate,’ who plotted against Chou Xuan!

Hearing Deng Tianao’s words, the tall cultivator quickly bowed in acknowledgment.

Seeing the respectful demeanor of the cultivator, Deng Tianao nodded in satisfaction before saying, "Deng Lian, you are the most talented in ‘Liuhe Gate’ after Chou Xuan, and I’ve always valued you. Once I fully control ‘Liuhe Gate,’ I will entrust you with more responsibilities, so you should think more in the face of challenges."

After a pause, Deng Tianao continued, "I am not allowing anyone to touch Chou Xuan now because he is still useful to me. Although I am the sect leader of ‘Liuhe Gate,’ I have been under the control of the old man Jiuguang and ‘Eight Wilderness Hall.’ It’s ridiculous that the elders have not noticed that ‘Liuhe Gate’ is becoming a subsidiary of ‘Eight Wilderness Hall’ and still obey Jiuguang. Therefore, I can’t change it. Since we can’t solve the problem internally, we have to look for opportunities externally."

With a cold smile on his face, Deng Tianao said, "Chou Xuan wants to get rid of me, but he must first eliminate Jiuguang and the ‘Eight Wilderness Hall’ forces that support me as the sect leader. Meanwhile, Jiuguang and ‘Eight Wilderness Hall’ want to secure my position, so they also try to eliminate Chou Xuan. I will let them fight it out first."

After a slight hesitation, Deng Lian said, "But with Chou Xuan’s abilities, it seems quite unlikely for him to deal with Jiuguang."

Deng Tianao calmly replied, "That’s why I’ve come down the mountain personally this time to guide Chou Xuan on the right path."

Deng Lian said, "I’m afraid Chou Xuan won’t listen."

Deng Tianao softly said, "Don’t worry, anyone who has lived a life of being hunted for decades will become more pragmatic."

As he spoke, Deng Tianao murmured, "However, there are too many people around right now, making it inconvenient to meet with Chou Xuan. I might have to wait for another opportunity to approach him. After all, I’ve managed to trick Jiuguang and get the ‘Concealing Sky Veil’, so I’m not worried about being discovered by Chou Xuan’s ‘Great Method of Heaven and Earth’."

"The sect leader is wise," Deng Lian quickly remarked.