The Search for Immortality

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Volume 5 Chapter 11: Escape

Zhang Hualing looked at the decayed corpse in the grave, its white bones exposed, and his face changed as he murmured, "Just as I thought, it was my mistake."

Xu Qingfan asked, "Sect Master, what’s wrong? Is something amiss?"

Zhang Hualing was silent for a moment before he suddenly turned to look at Xu Qingfan. Then, with a resolute expression, he slowly said, "You are now the Deacon Elder of Jiuhua, and it’s time you knew certain things."

Seeing the seriousness and even a hint of worry on Zhang Hualing’s face, Xu Qingfan realized that what Zhang Hualing was about to say was no small matter. His expression also became serious, and he quickly said, "Please go ahead, Sect Master."

Zhang Hualing paused, as if considering how to phrase his words, and after a moment, he finally spoke slowly, "The reason the Feng family was suddenly destroyed by Zhang Xusheng back then was because of our deliberate actions."

"What?" Xu Qingfan was shocked and couldn’t help but cry out.

Zhang Hualing ignored Xu Qingfan’s shock and calmly recounted how, after Jiuhua’s power waned, the Feng family only grew stronger, producing talents and attempting to control Jiuhua. He detailed how he had lured Zhang Xusheng to destroy the Feng family, explaining everything carefully to Xu Qingfan.

After hearing Zhang Hualing’s account, Xu Qingfan was so stunned that words completely failed him. He never expected such a deep-seated grudge between the Feng family and Jiuhua…

Unexpectedly, Xu Qingfan remembered a previous debate with Liu Huaxiang: Would you sacrifice the well-being of others without a second thought for the benefit of yourself and your loved ones? Would you even be willing to endanger others’ lives for your own benefit?

After years of instruction from Liu Huaxiang, Xu Qingfan’s answer at the time was "yes." But hearing a similar story now, Xu Qingfan felt a new kind of emotion.

Only Xu Qingfan, who shared a mysterious connection with Feng Qingtian, knew what Feng Qingtian had sacrificed over the years to restore the Feng family’s former glory and to avenge the family.

Feng Qingtian was considered the foremost among the younger generation in Jiuhua, not just because his talent in cultivating immortality was rare. For instance, after each period of seclusion, Xu Qingfan would voluntarily rest to ensure peace of mind and relieve the burden and fatigue of long isolation. But Feng Qingtian never seemed to rest, continuously training and practicing magic to swiftly enhance his power, regardless of the risks of an unstable mind. The inner turmoil and struggles he faced were beyond comprehension.

If, after such immense effort, Feng Qingtian suddenly discovered that his sect was the chief culprit in his family’s destruction, it was hard to imagine what he would think or what drastic actions his proud and intense nature might drive him to.

Yet, Xu Qingfan knew it was not the time to dwell on these thoughts. So he suppressed his feelings and simply asked, "Sect Master, are you saying Feng Qingtian has already learned the secret of the Feng family’s demise and plans to harm me now for future revenge against Jiuhua?"

Zhang Hualing replied calmly, "I wasn’t sure initially, as those who knew the truth would never tell Feng Qingtian. But just now, I suddenly thought of Bao Qingfang."

Xu Qingfan was a bit taken aback and asked, "Isn’t Bao Qingfang dead?"

Saying this, Xu Qingfan pointed to Bao Qingfang’s grave, where the body, although decayed, still faintly resembled Bao Qingfang’s face from years ago.

As soon as the words were spoken, Xu Qingfan suddenly thought of something, and his expression changed.

Zhang Hualing sighed softly and said, "You noticed too, didn’t you? Back then, Bao Qingfang was the top expert of the Jiuhua ‘Qing’ generation, almost reaching the Real Golden Core Stage. His body was transformed and refined by the Spirit Qi of heaven and earth. Even though he is dead, how could his body decay so quickly?"

After a pause, Zhang Hualing continued, "Bao Qingfang was one of the people aware of the Feng family situation. When he committed suicide in front of me, it didn’t feel right. Bao Qingfang was the leading figure of the younger generation of Jiuhua at the time, and I knew him well. He wasn’t someone who would easily take his own life. In fact, if he had to choose suicide, he would have opted for self-destruction to cause trouble for us. However, at that time, Jiuhua was dealing with great calamities, and I didn’t give it much thought. But now, thinking back, perhaps Bao Qingfang faked his death to escape."

Hearing this, Xu Qingfan fully grasped Zhang Hualing’s thoughts and said gravely, "Are you suggesting that Bao Qingfang is still hiding somewhere in Jiuhua Mountain and has already informed Feng Qingtian about the Feng family’s situation?"

Zhang Hualing spoke slowly, "That could be the case, or maybe not. But as long as there’s a possibility, we cannot overlook it. Over the years, Jiuhua has exhausted its thousand-year resources just to recover a bit, and we cannot afford any more disruptions."

With that, Zhang Hualing’s tone became resolute, and he suddenly called out, "Deacon Xu!"

"Here." Hearing that Zhang Hualing seemed about to give an order, Xu Qingfan quickly responded.

"Have you fully recovered your strength now?"

"When my realm broke through, the Spirit Qi of heaven and earth flowed in, and I have already recovered."

Zhang Hualing nodded and said, "Now gather some of the Jiuhua elders and go to the Feng family’s old residence to bring Feng Qingtian to see me."

Xu Qingfan gave a slight nod and then, without hesitation, rose on a cloud, swiftly flying towards the front mountain.

Standing before a field of scattered graves, Zhang Hualing watched Xu Qingfan depart and suddenly murmured to himself, "It’s a pity, I had hoped to rely on Feng Qingtian in the future, but now his talent has become his danger, and I have no choice but to ruin him."

After saying this, Zhang Hualing’s eyes were suddenly overtaken by a bloody gleam, filled with murderous intent and madness, yet his face showed a struggle and pained expression. His body trembled for a long time before returning to normal, leaving him looking scared.

"This secret technique is indeed too dangerous. Although I have extended my life by a little, whenever I get angry or murderous thoughts arise, these emotions get magnified without limit. It seems I must be cautious in the future."

Zhang Hualing suddenly looked up towards the top of Jiuhua Mountain, as if reminded of the deceased Li Xuhan, thinking to himself.

…

On the other side, after Xu Qingfan flew to the front mountain of Jiuhua, he did not hesitate and immediately flew towards the cave dwelling where Jin Qinghan resided.

Jin Qinghan’s cave dwelling at this time was once the residence of a deceased Jiuhua elder, and the Spirit Qi was quite abundant. However, the exotic flowers and grasses, and serene woods that once surrounded it had turned into a landscape of strange stones, losing some of its quiet elegance but gaining a sense of ancient solemnity. In the past, Xu Qingfan had often teased Jin Qinghan about his taste.

After arriving at Jin Qinghan’s cave, it was discovered that Jin Qinghan, Lv Qingshang, Li Yuhan, and Sheng Yushan were all there, waiting for Xu Qingfan’s explanation as agreed earlier. There was also an additional person, Dongfang Qingling, who, despite being embarrassed to see Xu Qingfan, still came to Jin Qinghan’s place to inquire about the situation. Upon seeing Xu Qingfan suddenly appear, she quickly lowered her head, her face flushed with redness.

Xu Qingfan couldn’t afford to explain anything to everyone, and once he saw they were all present, he simply said, "Everyone, follow me," and then led the way out.

Everyone was slightly taken aback, not knowing Xu Qingfan’s intention, but they still followed him outside. Jin Qinghan caught up with Xu Qingfan and asked, "Senior Brother Xu, has something happened?"

Xu Qingfan said, "We need to capture Feng Qingtian." After saying this, fearing Jin Qinghan might think he was seeking personal revenge, he added, "The Sect Master wants to see him."

Saying this, Xu Qingfan flew towards the old Feng family residence at Jiuhua’s front mountain, considering the discreet nature of the matter, he only told everyone about Feng Qingtian’s murderous intent towards him and did not mention the destruction of the Feng family years ago.

Even so, upon hearing that Feng Qingtian had previously intended to kill Xu Qingfan, everyone was shocked and indignant, and they all quickened their pace towards the Feng family residence.

In this fight with Xu Qingfan, Feng Qingtian was seriously injured and was left with no combat ability whatsoever. With the power of two Real Golden Core Stage cultivators and four Fake Golden Core Stage cultivators, Feng Qingtian didn’t have the strength to resist capture in any way.

Their speed was extremely fast, and in no time, they arrived in front of the Feng family residence. After descending from the clouds, Xu Qingfan gave Li Yuhan a meaningful look and Li Yuhan, understanding the gesture, nodded slightly and then loudly transmitted his voice towards the Feng family residence, saying, "I am Li Yuhan, requesting to see Martial Uncle Feng."

Li Yuhan’s voice echoed grandly throughout the entire Feng family residence, but after a long time, the place remained quiet, with no reply whatsoever.

Li Yuhan frowned slightly and communicated, "I am Li Yuhan, requesting to see Martial Uncle Feng. The sect leader has matters to discuss with Martial Uncle."

Considering Feng Qingtian might be in seclusion for healing, Li Yuhan used a magical speech technique so Feng Qingtian should be able to hear him no matter what.

However, after a long time, the Feng family’s old house remained silent, and everyone felt that something was amiss.

Xu Qingfan spoke in a low, firm voice, "No need to wait; let’s go in directly."

With that, Xu Qingfan took the lead and flew into the Feng family’s old house, and the other five quickly followed.

Inside the Feng family’s old house, it was eerily quiet, without any sign of people.

Xu Qingfan waved his hand gently and said softly, "Everyone, search around."

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, Jin Qinghan and the others nodded slightly, then spread out, extending their Divine Sense to search for Feng Qingtian’s location inside the Feng family’s old house.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Jin Qinghan and the others returned to Xu Qingfan’s side, shaking their heads with solemn expressions.

"Is Feng Qingtian not here?" Xu Qingfan used his Divine Sense to search the entire Feng family’s old mansion but didn’t see any trace of Feng Qingtian. Still, he turned to the other five for confirmation.

As the others nodded in confirmation, Li Yuhan’s expression grew even more peculiar. He said gravely, "Not only is Feng Qingtian not here, but when I accidentally entered the Feng family’s ancestral hall, I found that all the ancestral tablets were missing."

Hearing Li Yuhan say this, everyone’s faces became solemn.

Could it be that Feng Qingtian sensed something was wrong and has already escaped? But with Jiuhua Shut Down, where could Feng Qingtian possibly flee to?

Just then, they saw several clouds drifting toward the Feng family’s old mansion, and from afar, Gongsun Huasa’s voice could be heard.

"Deacon Xu, have you captured Feng Qingtian?"

It seems Zhang Hualing wasn’t entirely confident in Xu Qingfan and sent Gongsun Huasa as backup.

Just as Xu Qingfan was about to respond, his heart suddenly stirred as if realizing something.