CHAPTER 33: THAT'S ALL?

Qi Yuan carefully read through the books.

His brow, furrowed in concern, gradually smoothed. "...That’s all there is to the Black Mountain Sect?"

Judging from how the Black Mountain Sect was throwing their weight around in Great Shang, Qi Yuan’d assumed they were terrifyingly strong. Yet, the records showed their actual power ranked only at the third tier.

The first tier consisted of the three Great Immortal Sects. The second tier included sects with at least one Nascent Soul powerhouse, or those possessing methods capable of withstanding a Nascent Soul expert’s attack.

The Black Mountain Sect had neither. They only had seven Core Formation cultivators. Even the strongest among them, the sect master, was only at mid-stage Core Formation. The rest were early Core Formation.

The more Qi Yuan thought, the more at ease he felt. "So, they’re nothing without the Black Rooster Demon?"

He’d be wary if his opponent was a late stage Core Formation cultivator with perfected protective pill light. Compared to that, what were a single mid Core Formation and a few early Core Formation cultivators with mediocre Golden Cores? Moreover, his vegetable knife had already awakened its spiritual wisdom!

Qi Yuan’s eyes gleamed coldly as he sneered. "They dare come to provoke me with such pathetic strength?! They’re asking for death! Strike first and seize the advantage. Strike late and pay for it. Bet they never thought I’d cut them down in advance! I’m nipping this karmic causer right in its cradle!" [1]

He was already scheming. The Black Rooster Demon wasn’t even in the sect. If he moved fast, he could get his revenge and make his escape.

"A shame I’m still too weak. Otherwise, I won’t even need to avoid Black Rooster Demon. I’d just lop off his dog head in a single slash! Black Rooster Demon, I won’t forget you! If only I can travel through time and space! I’d have killed you when you were still a chick and made chicken soup! Or I'll wait until you die and dance on your grave!”

Qi Yuan suddenly thought of a female Go champion back on Blue Planet. Having mastered the very laws of time, she’d defeat the top female player of the past while in the present, and defeat the top female player of the present while in the past. She was honored with the title 'Punching the Retirement Home and Kicking the Kindergarten.'

Suddenly, someone called in a familiar voice, breaking his reverie, "Senior Brother Qi Yuan, what are you doing here?"

Zheng Jianghe was staring at him curiously. Upon arriving at the library’s third floor, he spotted Qi Yuan right away. Qi Yuan’s strange outfit and sneaky behavior seemed highly suspicious. How could he not attract attention when lurking in a corner like that?

After watching for quite a while, Zheng Jianghe finally confirmed that it was indeed the chief disciple of the Seven-Colored Peak.

Qi Yuan was startled when he saw Zheng Jianghe. He felt like a couple caught doing something shameful in the library. Still, he quickly regained his composure. "Mm, just looking through some information."

Zheng Jianghe said formally, "Senior Brother, are you also studying the Black Mountain Sect? If you’re finished, could you hand me those books? I need to deliver them to the elders."

Qi Yuan set the books down. "No problem."

Then, as if recalling something, he asked, "What’s written here should be accurate right? Is the Black Rooster Demon really not in the sect?"

Despite feeling the question was odd, Zheng Jianghe still answered truthfully, "The Black Rooster Demon’s abode is in the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge, about a thousand li from the sect. Rumor says he’s attempting a breakthrough to late Nascent Soul, so he should be in seclusion for now."

Qi Yuan’s heart settled completely. "That’s good."

Zheng Jianghe gave him a strange look. "Senior Brother, why are you investigating the Black Mountain Sect?"

Qi Yuan pulled out his kitchen knife. "Do you know what this is?"

"Senior Brother’s... pet."

This knife’s reputation was infamous. Zheng Jianghe had often seen Qi Yuan taking it for walks.

Qi Yuan said with absolute seriousness, "I heard Chu Tianxiong and Black Chicken Ancestor were killed by a mysterious, saber-wielding expert. Meanwhile, I use a knife. I’m worried the Black Mountain Sect might mistake me for that mysterious expert. I have to prepare in advance and check what kinds of experts they have."

Zheng Jianghe was lost for words. He coughed lightly, then finally said, "Senior Brother truly is... cautious in times of peace."

As if the Black Mountain Sect would ever suspect you... Zheng Jianghe thought the whole thing was absurd. However, upon recalling Qi Yuan’s usual bizarre way of thinking, he found it understandable.

After all, in the entire Divine Radiance Sect. No, in the entire Great Shang, only Qi Yuan dared to openly call the Seven-Colored Peak Master "wife."

Zheng Jianghe left with the books.

Qi Yuan tilted his head in thought. "Looks like I need to find an excuse to leave the sect for a while."

Unlike Rong City, which was just a few hours’ round trip, the Black Mountain Sect was far from the Divine Radiance Sect. As a chief disciple, he’d have to report his leave.

***

Dong Xian hurried through the Divine Radiance Sect, clutching a stack of bamboo scrolls.

When he first entered the sect, his cultivation was crippled. However, just days ago, the residual soul within Dong Xian had begun to awaken. He was once a powerful artifact refiner, betrayed and harmed by his enemies.

All this time, he’d been guiding Dong Xian's cultivation, even teaching him secret refining techniques. Yesterday, under his guidance, Dong Xian’d even managed to buy several rare refining materials at a bargain.

Dong Xian whispered in his heart, "Artifact Master, if the Black Rooster Demon really breaks into late Nascent Soul, won’t the whole Great Shang fall into turmoil?"

The old soul chuckled. "You’ve only just started cultivating. Why think so far ahead? Don’t tell me you’re still clinging to power and authority?"

Dong Xian fell silent for a while, then replied softly, "Well, it’d help restore your strength sooner, Senior."

The old soul advised earnestly, "If you can seize power, all the better. Still, your foundation is too weak, and your mother’s clan is weak. You should focus on cultivation step by step. With my refining techniques, barring accidents, it won’t take more than a few hundred years for you to reach Nascent Soul. Strength is the root of everything."

Dong Xian was actually a neglected prince of the Great Shang Kingdom. Now that the King of Great Shang was old and senile, all the princes were ambitious, vying for the throne. Dong Xian had the weakest background and support among them. Hence why he’d voluntarily broken off his engagement and retreated in time. He entered the Divine Radiance Sect to stay clear of the upcoming whirlpool of power struggles.

"Hmm?!" Suddenly, the old soul exclaimed in surprise. "Who is that?!"

Dong Xian quickly looked over. He quickly recognized the peculiarly dressed man walking on the main road.

Dong Xian didn’t know why the old soul cared about him. "That's the chief disciple of the Seven-Colored Peak, Qi Yuan."

The old soul said urgently, "Do you see the vegetable knife at his waist?! I have no doubt about it! It’s something extraordinary! If only I could extend my divine sense, I’d know for sure. Quickly, go buy that knife!"

Dong Xian was stunned. If it were just an ordinary vegetable knife, and Qi Yuan an ordinary disciple, maybe he could buy it. Still, since the old soul commanded it, he braced himself and went up to Qi Yuan.

1. E/N: If you ever wonder how a psychopath’s mind work... ☜