The Immortal Lord and the Demon Venerable Are Both My Vests - Chapter 24

In the 14,198th year of the Cultivation Calendar, during the Polar Night.

A powerful white light suddenly appeared in the northern sky of the Lantian Realm, illuminating the entire great world as bright as day.

The earth collapsed, mountains shook, and the galaxy poured down in reverse.

Spiritual qi fluctuated violently, especially severe in the northern part of Zhongzhou Continent. The phenomenon continued until late into the night, when suddenly a massive surge of spiritual qi rushed forth from the north of Zhongzhou. In just one night, all the vegetation in northern Zhongzhou regained its vitality, and the spiritual qi concentration far exceeded that of the south.

This scene was almost a reenactment of what had happened a thousand years ago. The star-gazing sects revealed the heavenly secret—

“A Dao Integration stage great expert has fallen.”

All the major sects were shaken. They urgently recalled their sect’s powerful members who were away, and the three great immortal sects were no exception. The entire Lantian Realm became filled with nervous tension overnight, with everyone living in fear.

Tu Feng’s expression was grave as he sat upright on the Sect Master’s throne, slowly surveying everyone present in the hall.

All cultivators of the Taihua Immortal Sect at the Integration stage and above who were in the sect were seated within.

Tu Feng slowly spoke, “I believe you all already know that last night, a Dao Integration stage great expert has fallen.”

No one answered, and the atmosphere in the hall grew even more oppressive.

Tu Feng said, “Our sect has obtained more detailed information. The fallen one is none other than Daoist Tianxuan.”

Quite a few people gasped on the spot.

It was actually Daoist Tianxuan!

The Dao Integration stage experts in the Lantian Realm could be counted on one hand, and among them, there was only one rogue cultivator—Daoist Tianxuan.

He belonged to no sect or faction. When he first appeared in the cultivation world, he was already at the mid-Integration stage, and throughout his advancement to the Dao Integration stage, he had never had any dealings with any spiritual cultivation sect.

Those with quick minds had already thought of the possible consequences this fact might lead to.

Everyone’s expressions varied. Tu Feng swept his gaze over them and directly stated the purpose of gathering everyone together.

“Daoist Tianxuan’s relics have been placed by him in a space independent of the Lantian Realm. The Daozhu has already ordered that we must obtain Daoist Tianxuan’s inheritance at any cost!”

As expected!

When a rogue cultivator fell, their relics had no one to inherit them, so they usually created a trial to leave for later fated individuals. This was not unusual in the cultivation world.

Everyone present was from the first immortal sect, and most had much richer family wealth than rogue cultivators of the same rank. Usually when they heard of such news, they would just send disciples to participate, treating it as a trial.

However, this time it was the inheritance of a Dao Integration stage great expert!

Ninety-nine percent of people in the cultivation world, including the other few at the Dao Integration stage, would be moved by this!

The breathing in the great hall became noticeably more rapid.

Tu Feng was very satisfied with this state and added fuel to the fire. “The Daozhu has said, whoever is fortunate enough to obtain the inheritance, he will only take one item from it, and everything else will belong entirely to the inheritor. After the dust settles, anyone who dares to covet the inherited items will be making an enemy of the Daozhu!”

After the meeting dismissed, Gu Fuxuan was kept behind alone by Tu Feng.

Gu Fuxuan smiled bitterly. “By doing this, won’t Sect Master Senior Brother cause Fuxuan to be gossiped about by fellow sect members behind his back?”

Tu Feng snorted with laughter. “Do you care about that? If they can also remain completely unmoved by a Dao Integration stage’s relics, I wouldn’t mind keeping them behind either.”

Tu Feng had a disciple bring a chess board and sat on opposite sides with Gu Fuxuan.

Gu Fuxuan placed the first piece. “Since Sect Master Senior Brother trusts Fuxuan so much, shouldn’t you be more candid?”

He smiled. “Senior Brother didn’t tell the whole story earlier, did you? Fuxuan doesn’t believe that Daoist Tianxuan would be generous enough to allow just anyone to take his relics. If that were the case, the Daozhu wouldn’t need to order sect members to search—if he went personally, wouldn’t that be worth more than the entire Taihua Immortal Sect?”

“You, oh you…” Tu Feng laughed helplessly, “The sect disciples all say that Tianshu Daojun has a frightening cold face. How would they know that when this Gu Fuxuan becomes clever, he’s no less sharp than your junior brother.”

“Muxuan is naturally the most intelligent.”

“…When I’m being polite to you, you actually take me up on it!” Tu Feng was speechless and reached out to pick up a black piece. “Your guess is correct. The entry requirement for Tianxuan’s secret treasury is…”

“…Spirit Transformation stage and below, under a hundred years old.” Gu Fuxuan confidently stated the correct answer. “The Spirit Transformation stage is when the divine soul is first shaped, not yet fully formed. Young people of this age who can reach this cultivation level are without exception geniuses among ten thousand, most suitable for a Dao Integration great expert’s criteria for choosing an inheritor.”

He smiled. “Is Sect Master Senior Brother giving Fuxuan an early warning, so that Fuxuan can alert his disciples not to slack in their cultivation and prepare to compete for spots? Unfortunately, both Lan’er and Chang’an are not in the sect, which will disappoint Senior Brother.”

“I still don’t quite understand—Xie Lan possesses a special sword body and needs to return home regularly for special body refinement methods, that I understand. But why did Chang’an also leave?” Tu Feng was extremely curious: “Just the other day you fought with Master to secure a disciple who could stay by your junior brother’s side. Why are you so unconcerned when it comes to yourself?”

“But there’s no need to be so anxious. I’m just giving you advance notice. Last night’s commotion looked big, but think about it carefully—that’s a Dao Integration stage secret realm. Those rushing in headlong are all unaffiliated rogue cultivators. The final distribution of benefits will still need to be led by the three great immortal sects.”

Tu Feng estimated as he spoke, “According to past practice, after I finish wrangling with them, it will still take several more months. Add to that each sect’s internal martial competition to select elite disciples, then jointly holding another event to determine the final candidates—a year will quickly pass. Chang’an and Ah Lan can take their time traveling outside.”

Gu Fuxuan only smiled without speaking, not wanting more people to know that Ji Chang’an had developed a special heart demon.

He asked in return, “Speaking of which, the young disciple that Muxuan took a liking to—I remember he also participated in the small secret realm?”

The small secret realm activity had already opened on schedule after the demonic qi outbreak at Tianji Peak.

Internal affairs among the sect’s high-level members, as long as handled properly, usually wouldn’t affect the disciples below. Although the demonic qi outbreak at Tianji Peak came fiercely, it was suppressed back down in one night. Apart from subsequent problems being somewhat troublesome to handle, there was nothing that required too much attention.

“Right, it was left by a Golden Core disciple. He entered together with the young lady from the Lin family—quite gutsy.” Tu Feng placed another piece, answering quite casually.

But this was also normal. The matters that concerned an immortal sect’s master all involved issues affecting entire continents. If not for this disciple having triggered an internal conflict between two high-level sect members, he probably wouldn’t even remember this person’s existence, let alone remember the name so clearly?

Gu Fuxuan hummed in acknowledgment, as if asking casually, “The Daozhu has already achieved longevity equal to heaven and earth. What thing could still make him care so much?”

One must know that Yuan Daozhu hadn’t directly issued such a solemn order to the Sect Master in several hundred years.

For some reason, Gu Fuxuan felt somewhat uneasy in his heart.

Tu Feng glanced at him with a half-smile. “That… I don’t know either.”

“You yourself said it’s something very important—how would the Daozhu tell me?” He laughed “haha” twice, then lowered his voice. “But I guess it’s probably related to the Demonic Path’s recent activities.”

How well-informed were the immortal sects?

What happened in Ming City, except for more confidential parts like the Primordial Jade, was laid out in detail on Tu Feng’s desk overnight.

If he hadn’t known early on that his junior brother was fine, Gu Fuxuan couldn’t have sat here so calmly chatting and playing chess with Tu Feng.

Gu Fuxuan sighed. “Before leaving, Fellow Daoist Xie said ‘a storm is coming.’ At the time, I didn’t understand the true meaning in those words. Only now do I know—a storm truly is approaching.”

“That has nothing to do with us.” Tu Feng smiled carelessly. “My achievements in this lifetime will stop here. I have no ambition to ascend, nor do I aspire to dominate the Lantian Realm. I’ll honestly be my Taihua Sect Master, enjoy a lifetime of glory and wealth without merit or fault, and then go report to the underworld.”

****

While the outside world underwent tremendous changes, the disciples in the small secret realm were completely unaware, still wholeheartedly working toward their immediate goals.

The cooperation between Lin Xinqiao and Xu Rong was going very smoothly.

Thanks to Xu Rong’s terrible performance in recent days, his sharp and agile responses after entering the secret realm made Lin Xinqiao’s favorability toward him jump up significantly.

One of them knew much intelligence, the other had experience from a past life as foundation—one civil, one martial. They left the fellow sect members who had entered the same secret realm tens of thousands of miles behind.

“Not far ahead should be this secret realm’s final treasure location.”

Lin Xinqiao wiped the sweat from her forehead, panting lightly. The two of them had been rushing forward at full speed since entering the secret realm, heading straight for their target.

Xu Rong had experience exploring secret realms from his past life, and was extremely skilled at crossing mountains and waters. If Lin Xinqiao hadn’t held the advantage in spiritual power, she would have nearly been unable to keep up with Xu Rong’s pace.

Lin Xinqiao couldn’t help muttering inwardly.

How strange—am I the Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, or is he?

Xu Rong nodded and quickly scanned the surroundings. “No one is following. Shall we enter?”

Lin Xinqiao placed her hand on the whip at her waist and vigorously shook her head to relieve the oxygen deprivation caused by the rapid journey. “Let’s go.”

The treasure trial left by a Golden Core stage disciple, even for disciples of the first immortal sect, wouldn’t be too complex.

Lin Xinqiao crouched before a not-too-complicated array formation, muttering to herself, raising her hand to gesture back and forth over the array.

Xu Rong urged. “How much longer? This place isn’t hidden—other people will catch up soon.”

Lin Xinqiao frowned tightly and waved her hand impatiently. “Why are you rushing me? I’m working on it. Wait one more incense stick’s worth of time!”

About one incense stick’s time later, she raised her hand and made the final stroke. Various colored lights rapidly flashed across the array formation, then gradually disappeared, revealing a dark cave entrance.

Lin Xinqiao stood up and wiped her sweat. “Worthy of being a disciple of the first immortal sect. Fortunately he wasn’t specialized in array formations, otherwise I really almost couldn’t break it.”

Which secret realm to enter was something Lin Xinqiao had chosen in advance—it contained what she needed most at her current stage.

After the Jihe Alliance was destroyed, she no longer had backup reserves of vast resources. As an ordinary inner sect disciple of the Taihua Immortal Sect, she could only rack her brains to obtain things needed for cultivation like every rogue cultivator.

The two entered the cave together.

The passage wasn’t long. After walking for about two incense sticks’ worth of time, they could vaguely see light at the exit. After a few more steps, their vision suddenly opened up, and a bright cavern appeared before them.

Lin Xinqiao didn’t even glance at the gold, silver, treasures, and spirit stones scattered around. She went straight toward the high platform in the very center.

“As agreed before, this item is mine, and you can take whatever else you want.” Seeing how pleasant their cooperation had been, Lin Xinqiao didn’t forget to remind Xu Rong, “Try to pack more spirit stones and magical artifacts. Gold and silver treasures are useful in the mortal world, but in the cultivation world, they’re no different from a clump of mud on the ground.”

She still remembered that Xu Rong came from a mortal dynasty and was afraid he would be blinded by the gold and silver.

“I understand.”

This voice was extremely close, startling Lin Xinqiao so much her heartbeat stopped for an instant.

“Are you trying to scare me to death! Why are you standing so close! What are you trying to do!”

She turned her head to scold him irritably, but when her gaze touched the figure behind her, she was caught off guard by a pair of dark red eyes.

Click—

The cavern suddenly plunged into darkness.