Chapter 173: Come On, Then, Kill Me

The moment the issue of the three Unsurpassed Purple Seeds was raised, the atmosphere in the Taichu Grand Hall changed. With the exception of Xuanji, the masters of the other four great halls all looked at each other with wary eyes. They all knew that if they could have one of their own disciples guide an Unsurpassed Purple Seed during the “Entering the Mortal World” trial and build a close relationship, the chances of that Purple Seed joining their hall in the future would be much greater.

Su Baihua was the first to speak. “Since the Sect Master feels we should stick to the arrangements from the Trial of the Immortal Path, then there is no need to make any changes for the three Unsurpassed Purple Seeds, is there? I have seen that Xu Yu and my untalented disciple, Luo Jinhua, get along very well. If we were to suddenly change her guide, I fear it would be unsettling for her and affect her state of mind. The loss would be to our Taichu Sect.”

She spoke with great righteousness, as if her reasoning were sound, but everyone knew she was a vested interest. Not only she, but also Xia Yunzi and Bizhu nodded in agreement. After all, Zhang Kuang had been guided by a disciple from the Summer Cloud Hall, and Li Jing by one from the Jade Bamboo Hall. The three of them naturally hoped there would be no changes.

But Guyun grew anxious. He had not managed to get a Purple Seed during the first trial; compared to the other three halls, he was already behind at the starting line. Although he was wholeheartedly cultivating Zhang Yang, he knew the vast gap between a Gray Seed and a Purple Seed. So, he shot to his feet in opposition, his face flushing as he said, “No, that’s not acceptable. ‘Entering the Mortal World’ is no small matter. The other disciples can be left as they are, but how can the arrangements for the three Unsurpassed Purple Seeds be decided so casually? This is irresponsible. I do not agree.”

What ‘irresponsible’? This fellow Guyun just wants to snatch an Unsurpassed Purple Seed for himself, the others thought. If there had been four, the four great halls would all be happy. But there were only three. Who would be willing to give one up?

Su Baihua, Xia Yunzi, and Bizhu exchanged a look and immediately formed a tacit alliance of vested interests, preparing to rebut Guyun. Guyun, facing the three of them alone, did not back down in the slightest. He knew that if he yielded now, he would completely lose his chance at a Purple Seed.

Sect Master Huanglong rubbed his forehead, which was beginning to ache. He cut them off. “We will discuss the matter of the three Purple Seeds later.”

Just then, the voice of the reporting disciple came from outside the door. “Reporting to the Sect Master and the five Hall Masters, Prince Li Si of the Soaring Dragon Nation, sent by the emperor, requests an audience with the Sect Master.”

“Hmph, a mere prince?” The ill-tempered Guyun sneered. “Even a mortal emperor is not qualified to request an audience with the Sect Master. What is a mere prince doing here?”

The disciple replied, “Reporting to Hall Master Gu, Li Si says he has an urgent matter and beseeches the Sect Master to make an exception and see him.”

Guyun’s temper flared. “Insolence! A mortal prince dares to ask the Sect Master to make an exception? What right does he have…”

Before he could finish, Huanglong interrupted. “Let him in. Perhaps it is truly an urgent matter.” Normally, he would not have bothered, but with the four halls on the verge of a nasty dispute, letting an outsider in might break the tension.

Soon, the reporting disciple brought in the magnificently dressed Prince Li Si. Being a mortal, his legs gave out in terror before he even reached the steps of the Taichu Grand Hall. How could a mere mortal withstand the aura of so many cultivators?

Seeing this from his throne, Huanglong flicked his finger. A strand of spiritual energy shot out and formed a pale-yellow barrier of light around the prince, shielding him from the oppressive aura of the hall.

Protected by the Sect Master’s power, Li Si finally gathered his courage and walked up the ninety-nine steps, each one feeling like a monumental effort. By the time he reached the top, his forehead was drenched in sweat. He boldly stepped into the hall. Although he was shielded from the oppressive aura, the grand layout and the various murals were enough to nearly shatter his spirit. His face was deathly pale. After a long moment, he finally recovered and prostrated himself on the floor, his voice trembling as he proclaimed, “Li Si, Prince of the Soaring Dragon Nation, under the commission of His Majesty the Emperor, pays his respects to the High Immortals of the Taichu Sect.”

“Rise,” Huanglong said, his voice cool.

Li Si remained prostrate on the ground, not daring to get up. “I beseech the High Immortals of our guardian sect to lend us your aid.”

“What is the matter that requires our intervention?” the Sect Master’s voice floated down.

Li Si kowtowed several times. “Reporting to the Sect Master, the King of the Foothills, Ling Feng, is harboring ambitious schemes. He is raising an army and preparing to rebel…”

Before he could finish, Guyun interrupted. “This is a matter for your mortal kingdom. Such a small affair, you can send your own troops to suppress it. Why do you come to bother us?”

Li Si, as if granted a great amnesty, hurriedly said, “If it were only a matter of raising an army, we would naturally not dare to disturb you. But Ling Feng has somehow found several ‘High Immortals’ to aid him…”

“Nonsense!” Guyun cut him off again. “In the territory of the Soaring Dragon Nation, only we of the Taichu Sect can be called High Immortals. This Ling Feng must have found a few unorthodox rogue cultivators and has the audacity to call them immortals?”

Li Si trembled and repeatedly agreed, “Yes, yes, yes. But even such rogue cultivators are not something we mortals can deal with. My elder brother, the emperor, considered this for a long time and, having no other choice, could only come to beg for the aid of our guardian sect.”

After hearing the whole story, Huanglong said to the five Hall Masters, “Such unorthodox rogue cultivators cannot be very strong. A few disciples should be enough to drive them off. It seems our Taichu Sect has been silent for too many years. These rogue cultivators have forgotten that we are the guardian sect of this nation. To dare to act so tyrannically in the mortal realm and call themselves immortals is unforgivable.”

Though his tone was calm, it contained a hidden killing intent. Li Si was overjoyed and kowtowed repeatedly in thanks.

“Inform the Hall of Worldly Affairs of this matter and have their elders arrange it,” Huanglong said to Xia Yunzi.

After receiving the order, Xia Yunzi waved his hand, and a gentle force lifted Li Si to his feet. “Go and tell your emperor that the disciples of our sect will deal with those rogue cultivators. As for the mortal army, he will have to handle that himself.”

Li Si tried to bow again but found he could not. He could only nod repeatedly, offering his thanks in a comical manner, and then fled from the place that was so revered in the hearts of mortals. The pressure here was simply too great…

Qin Haoxuan had carved the last of the remaining black iron. The sky had already turned completely dark when Xing finally sauntered over. Qin Haoxuan shot him an impatient look. “Tonight, I am preparing to refine the Thousand-Mile Talisman. I need you to set up the infusion array for me.”

Xing grinned and made a gesture of counting spirit stones. The meaning was obvious.

Qin Haoxuan did not get angry. He simply stared at Xing with a cold, assessing gaze that made the hair on his body stand on end.

“Can you not look at me like that?” Xing protested. “It’s giving me goosebumps! That look of yours is simply not kind!”

“Oh,” Qin Haoxuan replied with a chillingly calm voice. “I was just thinking that I’ve made some progress in my spiritual sense cultivation recently. I can now condense it into a small sword, and its power is much greater than before. But I haven’t tested its full power yet. So I was just wondering if I should test it on you, to see if I can kill you in one shot.”

“Go on! Go on! Kill me!” Xing immediately threw himself on the ground in a starfish position, as if offering himself up for slaughter. “You use me, and then you turn on me?” he shouted. “Come on, then! Kill me! I’m begging you! Let’s see what other tricks you have!”

Qin Haoxuan was left speechless by his shameless, dramatic act. He had only been joking.

“Not going to do it?” Xing climbed up from the ground. “I treated you as a friend, and you want to kill me!”

“Alright, alright… I know…” Qin Haoxuan could only quickly console him. “I misspoke. Is your heart made of glass?”

“What do you know?” Xing gave him a dissatisfied look. “Besides, don’t think you’re the only one whose spiritual sense has improved. This seat’s cultivation has also soared, alright? Don’t think I’m weak. If not for our friendship, I could eat you in one bite, bones and all!”

Qin Haoxuan could only laugh. “Fine, fine, you’re the ‘Xing’-est! I won’t joke around like that anymore. And I promise, I will fulfill my promise to you. I will not send you back until your cultivation is strong enough to protect yourself in the Netherworld.”

This placated Xing. He immediately launched into a long, sycophantic speech. “Among you wicked and cold-blooded cultivators, a man who keeps his word like you is a true rarity! The first time I saw you, I knew you were a man of great righteousness, worthy of friendship…”

“Save the flattery for Zhang Yang,” Qin Haoxuan cut him off coldly. “I don’t need it.”

Xing just chuckled, his skin as thick as ever. “Is there anyone in this world who doesn’t like to hear nice things? You’ll get used to it. In the future, many more people will be flattering you.”

Qin Haoxuan was amazed at the depths of his shamelessness and could only shake his head with a wry smile. “Enough nonsense. Set up the infusion array for me. Here are ten thousand low-grade spirit stones.”

He moved several full bags of spirit stones from under his bed.

Seeing the stones, Xing’s eyes lit up, a greedy look appearing on his face. But then he glanced at Qin Haoxuan and thought to himself with a shiver, This guy is no saint. I’d better not get any ideas about his spirit stones. He’d really do it.

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