Chapter 172: Chapter 168: I Have Obtained Qiu Yuanqing’s Legacy
In a corner of the Soul Calming Hall, within the Zhongxuan Sect’s Feixian Peak Blessed Land.
A relatively new-looking Life Soul Plate, after a long period of silence, once again began to glow faintly.
The light was weak, yet it persisted.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The day after the banquet, Sect Leader Jin sought out Du Youqian again.
He gave a tactful but firm refusal to Du Youqian’s idea of taking up long-term residence in the Zhongxuan Sect.
Luo Jinyu and Gu Xiaofang both looked indignant.
Du Youqian, however, wasn’t angry. He simply smiled. "The Zhongxuan Sect’s resources include exclusive rights to one Ore Vein and one Gang Domain. Additionally, you jointly develop two other Ore Veins with other sects and possess entry qualifications for three Secret Realms."
Sect Leader Jin said stiffly, "The Guardian Envoy is very well-informed about our Sect."
The smile vanished from Du Youqian’s face. "Take me to see them."
"This..."
Du Youqian’s acting skills had long since reached perfection. The corner of his mouth twitched, revealing a creepy, mirthless smile. "If even one part of your Sect is not up to standard, not in compliance, and I find a single weak spot... Sect Leader Jin, you know the consequences."
Sect Leader Jin squinted. "Am I to understand that you, Guardian Envoy, are threatening me?"
Du Youqian said calmly, "No. Why would I threaten you? I could call out any one of my attendants and they could easily suppress you. Are you even worthy of me threatening you personally?"
At his words, Luo Jinyu and Fang Hua both coordinatedly released their auras.
Du Youqian wasn’t using hyperbole.
Luo Jinyu and Fang Hua could indeed suppress Sect Leader Jin.
Sect Leader Jin squinted, sinking into contemplation.
Unhurriedly, Du Youqian continued, "The Zhongxuan Sect is said to be a Fourth-class Sect, is it not? I don’t think so. I think it might be a Third-class Sect. Or perhaps... a Fifth Class one. What do you think?"
The meaning behind his words was all too obvious.
Those who follow me will prosper; those who oppose me will perish.
’Behave, and I’ll see you promoted to Third Class.’
’Don’t listen? I’ll have you demoted to Fifth Class.’
Sect Leader Jin didn’t doubt Du Youqian had such power.
Although the matter of Du Youqian killing Liu Chixin, the sixth True Successor Candidate of the Holy Blood Sect, had not been spread,
rumors of his many previous deeds in the Wu and Qi Kingdoms, including suppressing a Taihe Sect Inner Disciple at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage with just three sword strikes while he himself was only at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, had long circulated.
After a long moment, a humble, fawning smile reappeared on Sect Leader Jin’s face. "Guardian Envoy, where would you like to stay?"
Afterwards, a Supreme Elder of the Zhongxuan Sect came to liaise with Du Youqian.
He had marked out several places in the Feixian Peak Blessed Land that were both scenic and rich in Spiritual Qi for Du Youqian to choose from.
But Du Youqian picked none of them.
"I want to live here."
Du Youqian’s finger was pointing to the location of the cave residence he had occupied as "Qiu Yuanqing."
"This..." The Supreme Elder hesitated.
Du Youqian looked at him with a half-smile. "Is there a problem?"
The Supreme Elder jolted. "No, no problem at all. I will arrange for someone to tidy it up. Lord Guardian Envoy will be able to move in very soon."
And just like that, Du Youqian was stationed at the Zhongxuan Sect.
He was staying in the very same cave residence he had lived in all those years ago.
As a Guardian Envoy of the Holy Blood Sect... he could, of course, be willful.
No matter which sect he chose as his station, they would be unable to refuse.
Oh, except for the Sword Madmen of the Lingxiao Sword Pavilion.
But Du Youqian wasn’t about to go provoke them.
Though he did covet the Inheritance of the Lingxiao Sword Pavilion.
The Lingxiao Sword Pavilion’s Cultivation Techniques weren’t exactly top-tier.
However, in terms of Swordsmanship, if the Lingxiao Sword Pavilion claimed their Zong Wu True Monarch’s Sword Collection Annotation was second best in the world, then not even the Holy Blood Sect or the Taihe Sect would dare claim their Blood Slaughter Sword Scripture or Cen Song Master’s Celestial Flying Sword Technique were the best.
Du Youqian understood that Swordsmanship was his forte, and he certainly wanted to maximize that advantage.
The Evergreen Master’s Immortal Sword Scripture Record that he was currently cultivating ranked in the top five across the Nine Countries of the Momenan Desert.
But there was still a considerable gap between it and the Zong Wu True Monarch’s Sword Collection Annotation.
It was impossible not to be envious.
But it was also something he definitely couldn’t obtain.
Whether through threats or inducements, the Lingxiao Sword Pavilion would never hand over their Sect’s Foundation Swordsmanship to him.
So Du Youqian decisively chose not to waste time plotting for this Swordsmanship.
’Perhaps in a future life, I’ll have the opportunity to learn this Swordsmanship when the time is right.’
But that was a distant future, not worth considering for now.
In any case, Du Youqian settled down in the Zhongxuan Sect just like that.
He didn’t rush to repay any kindness, nor did he hurry to inquire about matters of national fate, and he certainly didn’t try to contact any old acquaintances.
For several months, he lived in seclusion, rarely venturing out. Many in the Zhongxuan Sect even forgot about the man who had forced his way in, embedding himself like a nail in their heartland, which the Sect could only accept in humiliation.
But someone hadn’t forgotten.
Shen Miao felt a Divine Sense sweep over him wantonly.
His body stiffened, and he didn’t dare to move.
Immediately, a thought was transmitted to him.
"Young friend, you have peeked at my cave residence seventeen times this past month. Since you have something to say, why not come in and talk?"
Shen Miao was stunned.
He didn’t seem to sense any hostility from the transmitted thought.
After a moment’s hesitation, he stepped forward.
The Defensive Array did not activate, and he entered the cave residence smoothly.
Once inside, he looked around and found that the layout and furnishings were still just as they were when his master was here, with almost no change.
Shen Miao marveled inwardly.
’Could this Yu Guardian Envoy be an easygoing person?’
Following the familiar path, he walked toward the main hall.
Arriving outside the hall, he saw the Yu Guardian Envoy seated on a chair, his aura profound.
That incomparably cold and beautiful woman, who possessed a sharp Sword Qi unlike any Shen Miao had ever seen, stood expressionlessly behind the Yu Guardian Envoy.
Her jet-black eyes swept over Shen Miao. Everywhere her gaze passed, he felt a chill, as if a sword blade had scraped past him.
’Is this the power of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator skilled in Swordsmanship?’
Shen Miao was terrified.
He felt that the woman could kill him with just her gaze, without even making a move.
Of course, upon careful consideration, this was definitely an illusion.
The gap in their Cultivation and strength wasn’t *that* large.
’She definitely couldn’t kill him with just a look. She’d at least have to poke him with one of her slender fingers.’
’Sigh... without reaching Foundation Establishment, one is truly an ant.’
Shen Miao lamented inwardly.
’I can’t even block a single one of her little fingers.’
Seeing Shen Miao standing there, trembling and not daring to speak, Du Youqian smiled. "Young friend, state your name."
He had long been looking for an excuse to meet Shen Miao.
He had performed a divination earlier, which indicated that befriending Shen Miao would be beneficial, not harmful.
Thus, he had no particular guard up.
As for the fact that he was actually younger than Shen Miao, yet addressed him as "young friend" like a seasoned elder...
In the Cultivation Realm, the accomplished come first.
He was already a Foundation Establishment Cultivator; there was nothing improper about him calling Shen Miao "young friend."
Shen Miao composed himself slightly, took a breath, and said formally, "This junior is named Shen Miao. The reason I was peeking outside the cave residence is that this was originally my master’s home."
"Oh?" Du Youqian got into character quickly, asking with great interest, "Your master? Could he be Fellow Daoist Qiu Yuanqing?"
Shen Miao was startled. "Senior, how did you know!"
Du Youqian said with a smile, "It is precisely because I knew this cave residence belonged to Fellow Daoist Qiu that I wished to reside here."
Shen Miao grew serious. "May I ask Senior to tell me how you came to know my master? My master... has he really passed away?"
"Strictly speaking, your master and I were not acquainted," Du Youqian said, feigning a benevolent expression as he sized up Shen Miao. "I feel a sense of kinship with you upon our first meeting. Come find me again tomorrow at this time."
"Yes, this junior will come again tomorrow," Shen Miao asked, unwilling to give up. "Can Senior please tell me, has my master truly passed away?"
Du Youqian smiled. "He is, of course, no longer with us. As for the specifics... I will tell you in detail another day."
The next day.
Du Youqian waited with confidence.
As expected, it wasn’t just Shen Miao who came to his door.
Ma Chongyu was there as well.
"Fellow Daoist Ma..." Du Youqian greeted him lazily. "I wonder what brings you here today?"
Ma Chongyu gave a deep Daoist bow. "Fellow Daoist Yu, after that boy Shen Miao returned yesterday, he told me about his meeting with you. He also mentioned that during your conversation, you brought up my misguided disciple, Qiu Yuanqing. My disciple’s death back then was unclear, and no body was ever found. When I think of it, my heart burns with worry. If you were acquainted with my disciple and have even a few words to share, I would be endlessly grateful!"
Du Youqian showed a look of surprise, glancing at Ma Chongyu and then at the uneasy Shen Miao beside him, before nodding. "So, Fellow Daoist Ma is Qiu Yuanqing’s master. In truth, Fellow Daoist Qiu Yuanqing and I were not acquainted. I merely chanced upon his remains and received his legacy."
"Ah!" Shen Miao cried out in a low voice.
Ma Chongyu also trembled.
Du Youqian smiled. "Back then, I had not yet reached Foundation Establishment, but I had a powerful Foundation Establishment enemy in my sect, so I had no choice but to go into hiding. It was then that I encountered a body that was nothing but white bones. From the remains, I obtained some Spiritual Artifacts and a Cultivation Technique Inheritance."
"There was also a Jade Scroll that briefly recorded his name and life story. Fellow Daoist Qiu wrote that someone had invited him to assist a woman from a Holy Sect, offering a scroll of the Shangqing Purple Qi Divine Pill Creation Technique as payment."
"That technique was once the Zhongxuan Sect’s Foundation Technique, and he was determined to get it. Unfortunately, the opponent was too powerful. Although he helped the Demon Sect woman defeat her foe, he himself was gravely injured. Worried that someone might ambush him and steal the Inheritance, he hurried to return to the Sect. Sadly, his injuries were too severe, and he finally succumbed, able only to leave behind his last words with deep regret."
"In his last words, Fellow Daoist Qiu Yuanqing said that whoever found his body could have his entire inheritance, but they must teach the Shangqing Purple Qi Divine Pill Creation Technique to a child in the Zhongxuan Sect named Shen Miao."
"I have been observing this child in secret for a few days. Seeing that he bears no resentment towards Fellow Daoist Qiu, I called him over today, intending to begin teaching him the Shangqing Purple Qi Divine Pill Creation Technique."
Ma Chongyu was flabbergasted. Forgetting his grief, he exclaimed, "It’s actually the Shangqing Purple Qi Divine Pill Creation Technique? I heard that when our Sect was demoted back then, that Cultivation Technique was confiscated by the Upper Sect. For hundreds of years, the lifelong dream of generations of our sect’s prodigious seniors has been to bring the Shangqing Purple Qi Divine Pill Creation Technique back to the Sect. No wonder... no wonder that boy agreed to help that Demon... Holy Sect sor... that Holy Sect woman. That child... he had the Sect in his heart..."
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