FFSC_09

"Oh heavens, it's an immortal..."

Within Qingzhu City, someone sighed in a low voice.

In the far-off lower prefectures, unaware of Tianshu, they still believed it was a celestial immortal from the heavens.

That disciple of Tianshu Sect casually lowered his eyelids, his gaze falling from above, just sweeping past the street corner where Chen Moqing stood.

Chen Moqing stood quietly among the crowd, the back of his hand covered by Cang Shun's soft fur.

The Tianshu Sect disciple calmly withdrew his gaze without a ripple.

An unprecedented Nascent Soul great master from the Dongzhou Prefecture suddenly descended upon Qingzhu City, followed by over a dozen cultivators arriving with great fanfare from the west, respectfully bowing to him, addressing him as 'Immortal', and inviting him away.

Those with sharp eyes noticed that the elder leading those cultivators was the Grand Elder of the Tingyu Sect, a peak Golden Core talisman cultivator and the undisputed top figure of the Tingyu Sect—yet he was bowing and scraping before that young sword cultivator, flattering him to the extreme.

At a corner of the long street, Cang Shun nonchalantly rested his paw on Chen Moqing's wrist.

[So, is he one of your dear senior brothers?]

His seemingly indifferent voice drifted to Chen Moqing's ear, but the latter just continued strolling leisurely through the streets without responding.

Cang Shun raised an eyebrow and turned his head away.

Suddenly, a fluffy ear was gently flicked. The snow-white little beast trembled, let out an 'awoo' sound, covered his ears, and lifted his small head with a bristle.

A slender, fair hand waved before his eyes, holding a bag of packaged osmanthus cake.

[...I don't want to eat this]

Cang Shun turned his head away again.

Chen Moqing's tone was leisurely, "Would you mind holding this for me? We'll eat it when we get back."

Cang Shun fell silent.

Quietly, he pressed the osmanthus cake under his paw.

A few seconds later, he secretly lowered his head and sniffed through the oiled paper.

Seems a bit more fragrant than last time.

The snow-white little beast looked around nonchalantly, holding the osmanthus cake. After a while, its slender tail slowly began to play with Chen Moqing's fingers.

In the following days, Qingzhu City grew turbulent due to the arrival of that Nascent Soul great master. Before the waves had settled, another huge stone was cast into deep waters—it was said a secret realm would soon appear near Qingzhu City, and that immortal from the upper prefecture had come precisely for this.

So-called secret realms are places where some powerful cultivators of the Nine Thousand Prefectures, before their deaths, sealed away their inheritances or hidden treasures, set up multiple layers of restrictions, and created their own separate worlds, waiting for the day they would emerge into the world.

Whenever a secret realm appears, regardless of its scale, it can stir up a frenzy. Countless cultivators die within its dangerous confines, yet a fortunate few obtain inheritances or treasures, ascending to the heavens in a single step.

"The immortal from the upper prefecture has bestowed grace. The secret realm is open to Qingzhu City. Your side, ours, and the Liu family, all three parties can send a portion of people to explore the secret realm."

In the tea room of the Qianxuan Pavilion, the Second Elder of the Tingyu Sect brought this news.

Bai Yue said, "May I ask, Second Elder, which upper prefecture and which great sect does that benevolent immortal hail from?"

Second Elder, "We who dwell in the lower prefectures should not inquire. No matter which sect it is, it's not something we can afford to provoke."

He then shifted the topic, "I wonder if Manager Bai has determined the list of participants?"

Bai Yue skimmed the froth from her teacup, "No hurry. This matter is of great importance. I still need to consider it further."

The Tingyu Sect's Second Elder stroked his beard and smiled, "Are you waiting for a reply from that Fellow Daoist Jiang? Such a stunningly talented talisman cultivator. If we could invite him to explore the secret realm together, even if the realm is dangerous, it would provide an extra layer of security."

Bai Yue chuckled lightly. The Second Elder also chuckled lightly. The two exchanged a glance.

—Is he even familiar with you to accept your invitation? Do you think he'll pay you any mind?

—The Tingyu Sect and Fellow Daoist Jiang are brought together by mutual benefit, each taking what they need. Isn't that a perfect arrangement for both?

Bai Yue chuckled again, offered a few perfunctory words, and asked him to leave quickly.

However, the Second Elder pretended not to understand, sitting firmly and composedly in his chair. He knew that Fellow Daoist Jiang had recently been closely associated with the Qianxuan Pavilion; he could always wait for the other party to appear here.

In fact, if not for that immortal from the upper province, this Fellow Daoist Jiang should have been the one making the biggest waves in Qingzhu City—not to mention that a single third-grade talisman from him could resonate with the ancient runes of Qingzhu City, just the series of ninety-nine percent quality talismans recently sold through his hands was enough to stir immense envy.

To be able to refine such talismans, he must be at least a high-tier Golden Core talisman cultivator, perhaps a talisman prodigy from another lower province or even a middle province. Their Tingyu Sect had long intended to forge friendly relations; it was just a pity the other party had been living in seclusion, offering little opportunity.

Suddenly, someone hurried in and whispered into the Second Elder's ear.

"What!" The Second Elder slapped the table, looking at Bai Yue, "He went to the Liu family?!"

Bai Yue, "What?!"

Liu Piao stood with his father, Liu Ao, at the main gate of the Liu family estate. From afar, they saw the young cultivator in blue robes approaching, his posture as straight as bamboo. His dark hair was neatly tied up, with a silver chain hanging from his hair crown, trailing down alongside the hair ends scattered at his waist.

"Senior Jiang! Several days ago, I had a servant who was blind and actually dared to offend you. I sincerely hope you won't hold it against him!"

Liu Ao acted as if they were old friends at first sight, laughing heartily, and produced a jade slip containing over ten thousand spirit stones.

"This is a small token of apology from our Liu family. Please do accept it, Senior."

"You are too kind, Patriarch Liu."

The pale green hem of Chen Moqing's robe was embroidered with faint bamboo leaf patterns. The sleeve of his robe, shimmering with a bamboo-shadow hue under the faint sunlight, was being tugged by Liu Ao's slightly darkened hand, creasing it.

Cang Shun glanced over and unceremoniously swatted it away with a paw.

Liu Ao didn't have time to withdraw his hand. He only felt a sharp pain on the back of it, though no blood appeared. His expression changed slightly for a moment, but he quickly forced a smile, chatting and laughing as if nothing had happened, as though he wasn't the one who had tried to storm the inn to assassinate Chen Moqing that night.

Pavilions, flowing water, and clusters of blooming flowers adorned the scene. At the Liu family banquet, Chen Moqing was seated at the very front, with many gazes frequently falling upon him.

Early Foundation Establishment?

No, someone who could kill the great perfection Foundation Establishment stage Xue Qi and refine third-grade talismans couldn't possibly be only Foundation Establishment. He must be concealing his true cultivation level.

Countless eager glances flew his way, but hindered by the frequent glaring of the snow-white demon beast beside the young talisman cultivator, no one dared to approach.

Spirit fruits brimming with spiritual energy were arranged on the carved table. Cang Shun had little interest in such fruits and lay bored on the table's edge, its drooping tail hanging near the table leg.

Chen Moqing took out an exquisite small cloth pouch from his storage bag and opened it, revealing a full bag of salted and peppered dried fish.

He didn't say anything, but under Cang Shun's fixed gaze, he placed the bag of dried fish on the table.

A few seconds later, a small, white, furry ball appeared near the dried fish, peeking and poking its head.

"I have invited you all here today to witness a ceremony. I, Liu Ao, have two sons. Today, I will select one to accompany me to the secret realm."

On the platform at the front of the banquet hall, the Liu family head stepped onto the stage with his two sons.

Liu Piao stood slightly behind and to the right of Liu Ao. Hearing a derisive snort from the left, she turned to see Liu Jue, "Big Brother has been stuck in the backwaters for so long, probably not used to such occasions yet."

"Indeed," Liu Piao said calmly, her gaze fixed ahead, "But since I'm home now, I'll get used to it soon enough. As for you, little brother, you'll have to get used to me too."

Her tone was affectionate. She even reached out and patted Liu Jue's head, like an elder brother showing concern for his younger sibling.

Liu Jue immediately gritted his teeth, looking as if a cockroach had crawled down his collar, yet he couldn't lash out on the spot.

Liu Ao's expression turned solemn as he produced a heavy treasure box forged of gold, inlaid with countless jewels that refracted dazzling light.

"This is my Liu family's heirloom treasure. Whoever gains the treasure's approval will qualify to enter the secret realm."

As soon as he finished speaking, murmurs of surprise rose from below, "Is that the treasure said to be able to slay a Nascent Soul?"

"This…"

Legend had it that decades ago, before the Liu family moved to Qingzhu City, the previous family head had done a favor for an immortal from the upper prefecture and received this treasure in return. However, over the many years, no one in the Liu family had ever truly used that magic treasure. Gradually, outsiders began to dismiss it as mere boasting and stopped believing.

Now, lying within the treasure box was a simple, unadorned white short sword, utterly plain and without the slightest fluctuation of spiritual power.

Liu Jue lifted his eyes, meeting Liu Ao's gaze. His heart grew warm.

Last night, his father had told him this magic treasure would be his. He would also enter the secret realm with his father to seize the inheritance.

Sooner or later, the Liu family would be his too.

A mocking smile curled at the corner of Liu Jue's mouth, "Big Brother, you go first."

At the banquet, Chen Moqing raised his hand and gently brushed it over the furry head of the snow-white little beast, who had picked up a dried fish snack. His knuckles moved slightly.

Cang Shun looked at him.

What?

He nuzzled against his palm.

The next second, exclamations rose one after another, and some even knelt down and kowtowed, directly calling out 'Immortal'.

Cang Shun glanced casually and then turned back to Chen Moqing.

Chen Moqing sat upright without moving, calmly picking up another dried fish snack and giving it a little shake.

On the high platform, under the incredulous gazes of Liu Jue and Liu Ao, Liu Piao stared blankly as she raised her hands.

—That pure white short sword, which had been lying quietly in the treasure box, suddenly rose into the air. Before everyone's eyes, it circled Liu Piao three times before finally standing upright steadily before her.

At that moment, an unimaginable aura erupted from the sword, shooting straight into the sky. The vast sea of clouds above Qingzhu City was swept completely clear, like a smoothed mirror, reflecting the thousands of pairs of eyes below.

Liu Ao and Liu Jue, being the closest, couldn't withstand such pressure at all; they fell to the ground, sweating profusely.

—A mid-stage Nascent Soul magic treasure!

Liu Piao's widened eyes reflected a scabbardless sword, its blade pure white, pointing directly at the heavens.

Her spiritual sea was suddenly struck; her vision blurred, and images appeared before her—

A forest sea surged, river tides rose and fell, a sword cultivator stood gracefully atop a great river, robes fluttering, figure slender, features indistinguishable.

"In days past, I received the kindness of a single herb from you. Today, I gift you a sword. Descendants of the Liu family, only those who possess good intent may wield it."

The sword cultivator in blue robes turned and left, his garments sweeping over the great river. An old man prostrated himself toward the river's surface, calling out 'Immortal'.

The immortal patted his head and bestowed upon him a sword.

The Liu family's heirloom treasure is the sword intent left behind by an immortal!

...

Tingyu Sect.

Upon a solitary peak, a handsome man who appeared no older than twenty-five or twenty-six sat quietly in meditation. Suddenly, he opened his eyes.

"Nascent Soul sword intent?"

A moment later, he slowly closed his eyes again.

"Hah, it's just an impure strand of sword intent."

Behind the man, a white-bearded elder stood with bowed head, not daring to make a sound.

If any other member of the Tingyu Sect were here, they would be shocked to discover that this was their supreme Grand Elder, who stood above ten thousand in the sect. And the one whom the Grand Elder of the Tingyu Sect personally served could only be that Nascent Soul sword cultivator who had come from the upper prefecture.

"By the way, yesterday you secretly contacted your sect?"

At these words, cold sweat immediately broke out on the Grand Elder's forehead, "Immortal, what do you mean? Our entire sect looks only to you as our leader—"

His trembling words were cut off impatiently by the sword cultivator, "There’s no need to wait for a reply from your sect. Two years ago, the Nine Domain Star-Fixing Sundial of the Shenlu Sect calculated that a talisman-path secret realm would emerge here."

The Grand Elder was left speechless.

"Are you puzzled? Tianshu Sect is the world's number one sword sect, so why would this talisman-path secret realm fall to us?"

Grand Elder, "No, I dare not be puzzled..."

"......"

"I am puzzled! This humble one is truly puzzled! I beg the Immortal to enlighten me!!"

The sword cultivator sneered, "Back in the battle of the Demon Abyss, the useless young master of the Shenlu Sect was trapped in the Demonic Blood Desolation-Slaughtering Array, nearly losing his life. It was our Eldest Senior Brother who rescued him, though he himself was severely injured, almost dropping in realm."

"For the next hundred years, all talisman-path secret realms that emerged belonged to Tianshu—this is the Shenlu Sect's compensation."

The 'Eldest Senior Brother' he spoke of was naturally the former head disciple of the Tianshu Sect's Sect Master, the pinnacle of sword path who overpowered all the prodigies of the younger generation across the Nine Thousand Prefectures.

It is said that before he was corrupted by demonic energy and began slaughtering innocently, due to his seniority in ranking, even though he was the youngest among his generation of disciples, older disciples several cycles his age still addressed him as 'Eldest Senior Brother'.

"You talisman cultivators are nothing but useless trash hiding behind sword cultivators."

The sword cultivator's voice was as cold as a sharp blade.

"Get out."

The Grand Elder fled in panic.

At the peak of the verdant mountain, the sea of clouds churned. Murong Zhou took out a blood-stained scrap of cloth and held it to his nose.

It was a corner of a robe sleeve, embroidered with patterns of crane feathers and flowing clouds.

In the bloodiest battle of the Demon-Sealing War, countless demonic creatures sacrificed themselves to summon the long-lost Demonic Blood Desolation-Slaughtering Array, staining tens of thousands of miles of mountains and rivers with blood, corpses littering several prefectures. Even Nascent Soul stage cultivators fell there.

A group of spell cultivators joined forces, attempting to break the array, but were powerless. They could only watch, eyes cracking with fury, as their friends, family, and fellow sect members were trapped within the slaughtering array, reduced to pools of blood and mud.

Suddenly, a sword descended from the heavens, its sword qi sweeping across the Nine Thousand Prefectures, its sword light illuminating the bloody night for a long time.

The Myriad Phenomena of the Heavens Array!

That night, the number one sword cultivator of the younger generation ignited his essence blood, sacrificing his entire cultivation to leap from the peak of Soul Formation directly into the Spatial Tempering stage—using the Myriad Phenomena of the Heavens to shatter the Demonic Blood Desolation-Slaughter!

Murong Zhou buried his mouth and nose in the fragment of the robe sleeve, uncontrollably taking deep breaths.

He was merely an outer sect disciple of Tianshu Sect, utterly unqualified to set foot on such a battlefield. Moreover, every time demonic creatures attacked, his Eldest Senior Brother protected them so well, so very well.

Each time, all he could see was that tall, straight back standing firm with a sword.

Only once, just this once, was he so close to his Eldest Senior Brother... it was that day.

That day, Eldest Senior Brother returned alone to the sect, the corners of his eyes red, his robes stained with blood, lost and desolate—a demeanor he never had in ordinary times.

He went forward to greet Eldest Senior Brother, and taking advantage of his unpreparedness, thrust a sword towards his chest—

That strike went awry, only barely grazing his senior brother's robe, slicing off a corner of the sleeve.

He did not die, because behind him stood the entire, awakened Tianshu Sect.

On that day, Chen Moqing, the head disciple of the Tianshu Sect Master, fell into the demonic path, no longer tolerated by his sect.

Murong Zhou almost greedily inhaled the scent of the incomplete robe sleeve, his face constantly rubbing against the crane feather and cloud patterns, his eyes burning, an abnormal flush rising on his cheeks.

"Senior Brother..."

He chewed over the words one by one, as if wanting to repeatedly tear and bite at those two characters, swallowing them into his belly.

...

A pure white small sword glided between slender, slightly curved fingers.

The Nascent Soul magic treasure that had just soared with sword intent and shaken Qingzu City now rested in Chen Moqing's hand, as docile as a swimming fish.

Cang Shun circled around Chen Moqing's hand, his gaze settling on his fingers.

[Several decades ago, Nascent Soul peak?]

Chen Moqing did not answer.

Cang Shun directly lay down on his wrist: [A Nascent Soul peak under fifty years old, unheard of.]

Half a century, for a cultivator, is merely the age of a young child.

A three-hundred-year-old Nascent Soul can already be called a young talent with great prospects on the Dao path.

That Nascent Soul sword cultivator who appeared in Qingzhu City a few days ago, Cang Shun had seen through his spiritual phase at a glance; he was already over two hundred years old.

[So—]

Cang Shun pressed a paw onto Chen Moqing's finger.

[You are a sword cultivator.]

Chen Moqing lowered his eyes, "Does Your Majestic the Demon Emperor have a preference for sword cultivator?"

[I hate sword cultivator the most.]

Chen Moqing lifted his gaze, "Oh."

And then there was no follow-up.

Cang Shun stared at this sword cultivator.

And he had even lied, claiming to be a talisman cultivator.

Outrageous.

[With such talent, no wonder Heaven is jealous and others resentful.]

"The Demon Emperor's talent is even more extraordinary."

[I am different from you. I am a great demon born of the Primordial Void, inheriting the fortune of the Heavenly Dao from birth.]

Cang Shun said dismissively.

[If I were human, I might not match you.]

Chen Moqing, "The Demon Emperor jests. Jiang is merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator."

Cang Shun slapped the back of his hand with a paw.

Chen Moqing poked that pair of soft, fluffy beast ears.

The snow-white little beast shuddered quickly again, widening its round eyes to glare at him, as if wanting to curse but not knowing how.

Huffing with anger, it jumped onto the table, covering its ears, keeping its distance from that detestable sword cultivator.

—About three feet away.

Chen Moqing focused his mind, and the short sword flew away, carrying his voice transmission back to Liu Piao.

"In at most three days, a secret realm will appear here."

He reached out and stroked the furry back of a certain Demon Emperor.

"Your Majesty the Demon Emperor can rest assured, I will not die."

Cang Shun held his head high, facing away.

[What does it have to do with me? I wouldn't worry about you anyway!]

Chen Moqing smiled and took out a stack of talisman paper.

A moment later, Cang Shun turned his head again, looking at his focused profile as he refined talismans.

[You knew long ago that a secret realm would appear here, and that your former sect brother would come.]

[From the very beginning when you came to Qingzhu City, it was for the Liu family's magic treasure, to lie in wait and personally kill your enemy.]

"Just him alone isn't worth such scheming on my part," Chen Moqing's pleasant voice held not a trace of fluctuation, "I want to obtain the inheritance of talisman-path. Killing him is merely incidental."

Cang Shun fell silent for a moment, then walked over nonchalantly and gently pressed his paw on the back of Chen Moqing's hand.

[Excessive killing may lead to inner demons, difficult to eradicate when forming the Nascent Soul in the future.]

Chen Moqing lowered his gaze slightly, meeting those crimson demonic pupils.

"Then I shall walk the path through slaughter, using blood to end conflict."

Cang Shun said nothing more.

...Never mind.

At most, he could just keep an eye on him then.

In the evening, the inn, as usual, delivered a portion of braised fresh fish and a bowl of asparagus fish soup.

Half an hour later, the inn attendant came in to clear the empty dishes, leaving behind a basket of freshly fried dried fish.

Cang Shun, who had just finished a satisfying burp, glanced at the dried fish, then sauntered over to Chen Moqing who was meditating with his eyes closed. With a plop, he jumped onto his lap, arched his furry back in a long stretch, raised a paw, and began toying with the hem of his robe.

A calm voice drifted down from above his head, "After the hour of Xu*, you can't have the dried fish."

*t/n; after 7 PM.

Cang Shun's tail shot straight up: [Says who?!]

Wait, no!

[Benzun doesn't even like it!]

Chen Moqing opened his eyes, picked up this fluffy little ball of fur, and gave him a couple of gentle shakes in the air.

"Mimi, you've gotten chubby."

Cang Shun: [???]

–

TL: Muji

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