Chapter 166: Chapter 159: Three-Life Glazed Treasure Mirror
"Junior Brother Qi, it’s been a long time."
A familiar figure appeared at the entrance of Qi Yun’s courtyard, his voice tinged with the emotion of old friends reuniting.
Several years had passed, but Li Chong’s appearance had hardly changed. He still had the same handsome and sharp features, though the frost at his temples seemed a bit more pronounced.
However, the aura around him was much denser and more substantial than it had been back then.
He had, impressively, reached the Qi Refining Eighth Layer.
Clearly, he had not slacked off in his cultivation these past few years.
"Senior Brother Li, it’s been several years. I trust you’ve been well." Qi Yun stood and gave Li Chong a slight bow with his hands clasped.
His expression was calm and placid, showing neither the warmth of a long-awaited reunion nor the coldness of deliberate distance.
Times had changed.
Back when he first entered the Inner Mansion, Li Chong was the captain of the Punishment Hall’s Law Enforcement Team, a cultivator at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer. His status and strength were far above Qi Yun’s, who was then just a newly promoted disciple at the Qi Refining Third Layer.
But now, not only was Qi Yun an Inner Mansion True Cultivator with the backing of an Elder Master, but his own cultivation had also reached the Qi Refining Eighth Layer!
To put it bluntly, the Li Chong of today...
...was a step below him in terms of potential, status, and even the hidden cards he might possess.
If not for the fact that Li Chong had indeed passed him a few messages back in the day...
...a small favor that had created a bit of goodwill, he might not have even accepted the visiting request today.
"I am well, thanks to you, Junior Brother." Li Chong wore a polite smile as he spoke, naturally walking into the courtyard.
But the moment his gaze met Qi Yun’s, it hardened imperceptibly, and waves of shock crashed through his mind.
’Hm?’
’He... he actually can’t see through Qi Yun’s cultivation depth!’
The other man’s aura was like a deep pool—calm on the surface, but its true depths were impossible to perceive.
For this to happen, it meant one of two things: either Qi Yun possessed an incredibly profound Concealing Breath Secret Technique that could completely fool the senses of a cultivator of the same rank...
...or Qi Yun’s cultivation... was already on par with his, or perhaps even higher!
Either way, it meant that the junior brother before him, who had once needed his protection...
...had now grown to a point where he had to be treated with the utmost seriousness.
"My assignment in the Punishment Hall ended two years ago, so life has finally become a bit more relaxed." Li Chong suppressed the shock in his heart and continued in a casual tone, as if just making small talk.
Qi Yun raised a hand in a gesture of invitation, guiding Li Chong to a stone bench in the courtyard.
He personally picked up the teapot simmering on the small, red-clay stove and poured him a cup of steaming Spirit Tea.
His movements were unhurried, carrying the calm demeanor of a host in his own home.
"That’s good." Qi Yun pushed the cup toward him, his tone still flat as he cut straight to the point.
"I wonder, Senior Brother Li, is there a specific reason for your visit today?"
He knew perfectly well.
Li Chong might seem easygoing, but in truth, he was the type who never did anything without a motive.
This visit couldn’t possibly be just for reminiscing.
He recalled how Li Chong had once proposed they team up to ambush and kill Yue Rong, the direct son of the Black Mountain Master.
At the time, he had been mired in his own troubles and felt the risk was too great. After much deliberation, he had ultimately refused.
If Li Chong had come to him again for the same reason... a ripple flickered in the depths of Qi Yun’s eyes.
Then he’d really have to tell this Senior Brother to go take a hike.
The higher his cultivation grew and the more he learned, the more deeply he understood the terrifying power of a Foundation Establishment Master.
The Black Mountain Master was one of the top three most powerful figures in the Holy Sect. If his direct son were assassinated, no matter how flawlessly the deed was done, there was no guarantee the Master wouldn’t use some forbidden means to forcefully deduce the karmic threads.
Once exposed, it would mean utter annihilation.
He would absolutely not touch such a suicidal endeavor until he had enough strength to contend with the Black Mountain Master himself.
He watched Li Chong quietly, waiting for his answer.
Li Chong was a sharp man. Having trained for years in the Punishment Hall, reading people’s expressions was a fundamental skill for him.
He immediately noticed the subtle distance and scrutiny in Qi Yun’s gaze.
He knew that if he kept beating around the bush, he’d likely be shown the door in the next moment.
He immediately dropped the pleasantries, his expression turning serious as he got straight to the point:
"Junior Brother Qi is a straightforward person, so I won’t beat around the bush either.
The truth is, I’ve come to you today to ask for your help in killing someone."
"Yue Rong?" Qi Yun’s eyelids lifted slightly, his tone unreadable.
"Not him." Li Chong shook his head, a flash of bone-deep hatred in his eyes that he quickly suppressed.
"The man’s name is Chang Qing. He’s also an Inner Mansion True Cultivator with a Qi Refining Eighth Layer Cultivation.
He has been entrenched in this realm for many years and has a profound foundation. I fear he is only a step away from the Ninth Layer, the Realm of Divine Soul.
To kill him, we must act quickly!
Otherwise, once he steps into the Ninth Layer, his Divine Soul will begin to form, his senses will sharpen, and his life-saving abilities will increase dramatically. We will lose our chance."
Alone... I don’t have complete confidence. That’s why I’ve come to find you, Junior Brother, to lend me a hand."
"Why me?" Qi Yun’s tone was flat as his fingers tapped unconsciously on the stone table.
"In the Sect Treasure Market, there should be no shortage of skilled fighters for hire who are proficient in killing."
"Because you, Junior Brother, have a clean background!" Li Chong answered without hesitation, having clearly thought this through.
"The relationships between Inner Mansion Disciples are tangled and complicated, their backgrounds complex.
That Chang Qing has been operating in the Inner Mansion for many years. He has a wide circle of friends and many eyes and ears.
If I were to look for outsiders who take jobs in the Treasure Market, there’s no guarantee the news wouldn’t leak, alerting the target.
Only you, Junior Brother..."
He looked at Qi Yun with a burning gaze:
"You’ve been in the Inner Mansion for several years, yet you still haven’t become a disciple to any Master. Your background is relatively simple.
Moreover, you joined the sect late, and your life story is clean and verifiable.
More importantly, you’ve been living in seclusion for the past three years, with almost no contact with the outside world. The karmic ties you’re involved in are minimal.
Therefore, you are my best, and safest, choice."
Li Chong’s explanation was logical, highlighting Qi Yun’s current advantages: being a "lone wolf" with a clean background.
"Heh," Qi Yun chuckled noncommittally. His gaze shifted, and he rubbed his fingers together meaningfully as he spoke:
"Senior Brother Li, killing an Inner Mansion True Cultivator at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer who could break through to the Ninth Layer at any moment...
...you should understand the risks involved."
"I understand! Of course, I understand!" Li Chong understood Qi Yun’s meaning in an instant.
If there’s no benefit, there’s nothing to discuss.
He no longer hesitated. With a flip of his hand, an object appeared in his palm.
The moment it appeared, it captured all of Qi Yun’s attention.
It was a treasure mirror, about the size of a palm, translucent and flawless, as if crafted from the finest glazed glass.
Its surface did not reflect the surroundings. Instead, it seemed to contain a miniature world of its own, with roiling clouds and faintly glimmering starlight.
Looking closely, one could even see three indistinct phantoms representing the past, present, and future, floating erratically within, creating a profoundly mysterious sight.
"The Three-Life Glazed Treasure Mirror?!" An unmistakable glint flashed in Qi Yun’s eyes, and his breath hitched for a moment.
In his spare time, he was an avid reader and naturally recognized this item.
This was a superior treasure that could aid in tempering the Divine Soul, clarifying the mind to see one’s true nature, and even allowing one to perceive the Three Souls!
Its value far exceeded that of ordinary resources. Within the Holy Sect, it wasn’t something one could buy with Holy Essence alone.
It had to be exchanged for, using a sufficient amount of sect contribution points.
For him, who was currently marching toward the threshold of the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, the value of this item was self-evident.
However, faced with this immense temptation, Qi Yun quickly calmed himself, suspicion blooming in his mind:
"Senior Brother Li, since you have such a treasure, why not use it to reach the Qi Refining Ninth Layer yourself?
At that point, with a Ninth Layer cultivation, wouldn’t it be easier and safer to deal with Chang Qing personally?
Why give this precious treasure to me and rely on someone else?"
Hearing this, Li Chong revealed a helpless, bitter smile:
"There are some things you don’t know, Junior Brother.
That Chang Qing... is a lot like you.
He is extremely talented in magic, with bizarre and unpredictable methods. He’s especially skilled in Escape Techniques and several sinister Spells, making him incredibly difficult to guard against.
Even if I were lucky enough to use this mirror to break through to the Ninth Layer, I still wouldn’t be completely confident I could take him down for good.
If I fail on the first attempt and he becomes vigilant, with his connections and methods, I fear I would truly never get another chance."
He caressed the shimmering Treasure Mirror in his hand, his eyes filled with determination:
"This Three-Life Glazed Treasure Mirror... I spent five years in the Punishment Hall, working diligently and without complaint, saving up all my contribution points to exchange for it...
If I weren’t absolutely desperate, why would I be willing to offer it up?"
As Li Chong spoke, an irrepressible, thick hatred flashed in his eyes.
’As long as I can kill that son of a bitch.’
’I’d give up everything I own without a second thought.’
Qi Yun silently noted Li Chong’s reaction, not speaking immediately as he calculated in his mind.
’I really want the Three-Life Glazed Treasure Mirror.’
’It’s a treasure that can significantly shorten the process of condensing my Divine Soul.’
’But I can’t completely trust Li Chong’s words.’
’When it comes to the words of a fellow Holy Sect member, you have to start by assuming only half of it is true.’
"How about this: let me consider the matter. Three days. In three days, whether I agree or not, I will give you an answer, Senior Brother Li."
Qi Yun didn’t agree immediately. Li Chong’s expression shifted, and he was about to speak again, but he was met by Qi Yun’s unshakable gaze.
"Alright, then. For the sake of our past association, Junior Brother Qi, please consider it carefully." Pressing his lips together, Li Chong clasped his hands and departed.
After seeing Li Chong off, Qi Yun stood and slowly turned the Platinum Buddha Beads on his wrist. After a moment of silence, he used his Taixu Jade Order to summon someone.
"What’s up? Got more goods to move? So soon this time?"
Arriving at Qi Yun’s courtyard with practiced familiarity, Ning Feng was glowing with health and vitality. Clearly, their cooperation over the past few years had allowed him to make a fortune.
"Not this time. I remember you know a lot of people in the Inner Mansion. I want to ask you to help me look into someone," Qi Yun said, pouring a cup of tea for Ning Feng.
"Who?" Ning Feng asked curiously, picking up his cup.
"An Inner Mansion True Cultivator named Chang Qing."
The teacup, just as it reached his lips, paused. Ning Feng glanced at Qi Yun out of the corner of his eye and slowly set the cup down.
"Never heard of him."
...
