Chapter 168: "Guaranteed Cultivation" (Part 1)

Chapter 168: "Guaranteed Cultivation" (Part 1)



Like a tiger entering a flock of sheep, the lively atmosphere instantly dispersed as the crowd scattered like birds and mice.

Inside the teahouse, the storyteller on the stage, who had been speaking with intense fervor, now saw the master of Mock Heaven Sect arrive. His legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground, his eyes filled with fear as he crawled away into the depths of the teahouse.

When it comes to storytelling, who doesn't embellish a little?

But the problem was that Chen Qiu had risen to prominence almost overnight, and it was hard to find a framework for his rise. With so many customers eagerly waiting for his tale, he had no choice but to add a bit more color to his story, probably not more than six or seven layers.

He himself felt a bit guilty, but when he saw other storytellers going even further than him, he became more and more confident in his storytelling.

But now, the master himself had suddenly shown up.

The string of tension in his heart snapped instantly, and if he didn't run now, he might have to pay with his life later.

It didn't take long for Fat Dragon to wait.

In just seven or eight breaths, Fat Dragon turned his head towards the west of Dayuan City, where a Late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator appeared. With his movement technique activated at full speed, he shot towards Fat Dragon, reaching him in the blink of an eye.

It was a middle-aged man.

The man's eyes flashed with a hint of panic, and his voice trembled slightly as he looked at the eight Nascent Soul men and said softly, "Greetings to the elders of Mock Heaven Sect. I am the Sect Master of Great Way Sect and the de facto ruler of Dayuan City."

"What instructions do you have for us?"

"I have a connection with your Sect Master, and he knows me."

He couldn't help but feel anxious.

He wasn't in Dayuan City at the time; he was out and about. When he received the message through the sound transmission ring, he didn't hesitate and immediately rushed to Dayuan City at full speed.

What about Mock Heaven Sect?

There was no need for further explanation.

In recent days, not only the people of Xuantian Continent but also those from other states, like the Upper Nine Provinces, had only heard about the sect but hadn't witnessed the thunderous punishment or experienced the despair of being crushed by heavenly power. They had only heard about the sect and didn't truly understand its might.

They knew there was a talented individual, but they had no idea how powerful he was.

But the people of Quzhou were different; they had experienced it firsthand.

Chen Qiu, the Sect Master of Mock Heaven Sect, had single-handedly crossed two major cultivation realms. While still at the peak of Golden Core cultivation, he had annihilated a Demon Race with four Huashen Powerhouses and even completely shattered the Demon State, throwing it into the sea.

In Quzhou.

You may not know about the Mystic Heavenly Sect in Zhongzhou, nor have you heard of the story of patching the sky, but you must have heard of Mock Heaven Sect.

The last time Chen Qiu came to find him, it was right after he had destroyed Chain Sect. Not many people knew about this, and he had come to sell the territory of Dayuan City to him. He had given Chen Qiu three thousand Medium-grade Spirit Stones.

At that time, he felt that this man was not to be underestimated.

He never expected that not long after their last meeting, the next time he heard Chen Qiu's name, it would be from a Heavenly Edict. The words 'Chen Qiu, Sect Master of Mock Heaven Sect' pierced his mind like a thorn.

On many occasions, he had been startled awake from his dreams, grateful that he hadn't harbored evil thoughts, or else he might have had to report to Chain Sect.

However, the Sect Master of Great Way Sect cautiously examined the eight elders of Mock Heaven Sect before him, all at the first stage of Nascent Soul cultivation. He was naturally unafraid of them.

As a Late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator,

Fighting eight first-stage Nascent Soul cultivators was a simple task, but he feared the master of Mock Heaven Sect!

These were just the tip of the iceberg!

Moreover, who said Mock Heaven Sect relied solely on its Sect Master? With eight Nascent Soul elders, the sect's strength might be weaker in Zhongzhou, but in Quzhou, with Chen Qiu's presence, it was undoubtedly a top-tier sect! It was worth noting that Chain Sect didn't even have eight Nascent Soul elders.

"You've mistaken us for someone else."

Zhao Buchu, expressionless, waved the Mock Heaven Sect token in his hand, which represented an outer sect disciple, in the air, "We are merely outer sect disciples of Mock Heaven Sect, and we don't dare to claim the title of elders."

"These two."

"They are our Great Elder and Second Elder."

The Sect Master of Great Way Sect's eyes widened in shock, not only because these Nascent Soul cultivators were outer sect disciples but also because their sect tokens were made from Malevolent Wood, a valuable Heaven-Endowed Material.

This was no joke!

Malevolent Wood was a precious material used to patch the sky a hundred years ago, and it could also enhance one's strength on the Celestial Talent Road. A single piece of Malevolent Wood was worth ten Medium-grade Spirit Stones.

This was the normal price.

If you wanted to buy in bulk or needed it urgently, the price could skyrocket, and even seventy or eighty Medium-grade Spirit Stones for a single piece was not uncommon.

Seventy or eighty Medium-grade Spirit Stones could set up a small Spirit Gathering Formation for several days of cultivation.

Mock Heaven Sect used this valuable material for disciple tokens?

And for outer sect disciples?

But there was no time to ponder further. The Sect Master of Great Way Sect quickly turned to Fat Dragon and the others, a warm smile spreading across his face. A hint of apology and guilt flashed in his eyes, and he bowed slightly, speaking in a humble tone.

"Please forgive us, elders. I am old and my sight is failing."

"What instructions do you have for us, elders of Mock Heaven Sect?"

It was rare to see a Late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator displaying such humility before two Golden Core cultivators.

Even the bodyguards of the talents in Zhongzhou, who often followed their masters, didn't show such deference to their masters. Although protecting their masters was their duty, as Nascent Soul cultivators, they still maintained their dignity and didn't bow to those with lower cultivation levels.

This kind of scene would likely invite ridicule if it were to spread.

But in Quzhou, no one would dare to mock.

Although he didn't understand why a Nascent Soul cultivator was an outer sect disciple, and a Golden Core cultivator had become an elder, he still maintained a respectful attitude towards the elder of the Mock Heaven Sect.

In these chaotic times, he didn't want the Great Way Sect's thousands of years of lineage to suddenly disappear like the Demon State, without any rhyme or reason.

"It seems the esteemed Sect Master doesn't recognize me."

The scholar tilted his head towards the Great Way Sect's Sect Master and smiled, "On that day, the Sect Master brought me to your Great Way Sect. It seems the esteemed Sect Master has a lot on his mind and tends to forget things."

"I remember, of course I remember."

A cold sweat trickled down the Great Way Sect Master's forehead. He didn't remember a thing; on that day, there was indeed someone beside Chen Qiu, but he thought that person was just a subordinate, so he didn't give it a second thought. Who would have thought that person would turn out to be the Second Elder of the Mock Heaven Sect?

"I've been wanting to find an opportunity to thank Chen Qiu in person. It's thanks to him that the Great Way Sect was able to easily claim this territory of Dayuan City."

"Alright, no more chit-chat."

Fat Dragon waved his hand and took out a piece of ox-hide paper from his bosom, handing it over, "Today, I have a sect mission. You need to list all the evil and demonic cultivation sects within Quzhou, including their exact locations."

"Yes, including their specific positions and so on."

"Those sects that usually do no evil, but when they do, they slaughter and plunder ordinary people."

"This..."

A hint of surprise flashed in the Great Way Sect Master's eyes, and a glimmer of disbelief crossed his mind. His breathing quickened, and then he said solemnly, "I understand. I will record them all!"

After several hundred breaths...

The Great Way Sect Master carefully handed over the ox-hide paper filled with the names of the sects, "Please take a look, Elder."

Fat Dragon took the paper and glanced at it a few times before raising his expressionless face to look at the Great Way Sect Master, "I just realized that your sect's location is quite dangerous. All the neighboring forces are evil and demonic sects."

"To have survived for so long surrounded by these wolves, your sect's strength is not to be underestimated."

"Cough..."

A trace of panic and embarrassment flashed in the Great Way Sect Master's eyes. After a moment, he spoke in a low voice, "Elder, I've written down their crimes below. These must have all happened, and an investigation will reveal the truth."

"Alright."

Fat Dragon waved his hand, unbothered by the Great Way Sect Master's scheming. After putting away the ox-hide paper, he bid farewell, "There's nothing else. You can go now."

After parting ways with the Great Way Sect Master...

Fat Dragon didn't immediately return to report to the Mock Heaven Sect. Brother Qiu had just broken through to the Nascent Soul stage and probably had many things to attend to. Moreover, these disciples of the Mock Heaven Sect had rarely left their small world, and this was their first time officially stepping into the Xuantian Continent. Everyone was filled with excitement and enthusiasm for this unknown land.

They held great passion for this unfamiliar continent.

So, Fat Dragon, as the Great Elder of the Mock Heaven Sect, took it upon himself to lead these disciples to experience the customs and culture of the Xuantian Continent.

In the largest brothel in Dayuan City, within the Heavenly Room...

Fat Dragon sat in the private room, waving his hand to have the madam bring all the courtesans. He seemed to have an endless supply of money.

As the saying goes, if you are the young master of a small family and plan to cultivate diligently to become a powerful figure, leading your family to great heights, then your family might very well be bankrupted by you.

But if you are born without ambition and spend your nights in revelry, you might never run out of spirit stones in your lifetime.

This is no exaggeration.

How many spirit stones does it cost to spend a night with a courtesan?

How many spirit stones does it cost to cultivate for a night?

Courtesans are not available every night, but cultivation takes not just one or two nights, but decades. Add to that the cost of treasures, spells, talismans, and all sorts of miscellaneous expenses, and spirit stones flow out like a rushing river, uncountable.

Fat Dragon, accompanied by his disciples and surrounded by a group of girls, laughed merrily from time to time, like the sound of silver bells.

But next door...

Someone was not happy.

In the neighboring private room, a young man listened to the sounds of merriment from the adjacent room. His face remained calm as he picked up a grape from the table and popped it into his mouth without saying a word.

He had come all the way from Zhongzhou.

He had heard that a Heaven's Pride had appeared in Quzhou, known as Chen Qiu, the Sect Master of the Mock Heaven Sect.

Chen Qiu had first appeared in Dayuan City, and during the event of 'The Long Night Approaches,' he single-handedly crushed all competitors in the darkness.

He had come specifically for Chen Qiu.

He never expected that upon arriving in Dayuan City, he would encounter someone from the Mock Heaven Sect; it was quite a coincidence.

"Brother Wen!"

A man with a pale face sitting next to him spoke with indignation, "Isn't the Mock Heaven Sect a bit too domineering? They've booked all the courtesans in the brothel. Are they trying to show off their wealth while making us look poor?"

"Brother Wen, if you give the order, I'll go and reason with them right now."

"Moreover, Chen Qiu probably doesn't know that his people are so arrogant and domineering. Even if Chen Qiu finds out about this, he might personally punish his own disciples."

Three or four men and women were also in the private room, and they all seemed righteously indignant.

They came from different factions in Zhongzhou.

In the corner of the room, three elders at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage and three late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators sat. These elders were the bodyguards of the Heaven's Pride, and they sat in their original spots, calmly cultivating their Heart Method.

As a bodyguard, one must always stay close to their young master and act as if they haven't heard anything unless it's specifically directed at them.

This group of people had come specifically to Quzhou after hearing about the Mock Heaven Sect, hoping to meet Chen Qiu.

Normally, as the pride of Zhongzhou, they wouldn't pay much attention to the talents of the Lower Nine Provinces.

The talents from the Lower Nine Provinces must pass through an initial screening mystic realm to qualify for the Path of the Peerless Talent, while these Zhongzhou talents don't need to bother with such trivialities and can directly participate.

This is the difference.

But Chen Qiu is indeed extraordinary, having consecutively received multiple Heavenly Edicts that covered the entire Xuantian Continent. Such an honor hasn't been bestowed upon anyone in a long time.

A talent like this is indeed worth their personal visit to Quzhou to establish a deep connection.

Their backing forces naturally support this decision.

After all, a force's foundation includes various exchanges of favors, and interactions between talents from different forces can enhance the relationship between the forces themselves.

"No need to rush," said the young man sitting in the main seat, clearly the leader of the group. He shook his head, his expression calm. "There's no need to create unnecessary conflicts over trivial matters."

"We're here to build a good relationship with Chen Qiu, not to offend him."

"Let them have their fun with the courtesan. I'm not interested in the women of the Lower Nine Provinces. A drink will do."

"A turbulent era is approaching, and we should avoid offending people whenever possible."

"However..."

"If Chen Qiu doesn't know how to appreciate kindness, then there's another way to deal with him. You should know—"

The young man paused, picked up the wine cup from the table, and leaned back in his chair, looking at the others with a smile in his eyes, a cold glint flashing by.

"So what if he has a hundred million virtue points?"

"I don't believe he can use those methods from the Demon State again!"

"Even if he can use those methods again, I'm just a Primordial Soul Level One cultivator from Zhongzhou. If he really wants to kill me, wasting such a terrifying method on me, then so be it."

"But as long as that method can't be used again.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end