Chongming Xianzong

Chapter 451 The Evil Cultivator Plots a Double Reward
Peng Daoren sat cross-legged on the heated kang, his hands forming a hand seal. With a gentle flick, he easily summoned the last remaining life force from Shang Baijiang and the military academy.

The old man took a deep breath, and as the vital energy entered his stomach, his complexion improved slightly. However, Shang Baijiang and the military academy student were completely drained of color. Anyone with discerning eyes could tell at a glance that they were dead.

A chilling atmosphere instantly filled the small room, seemingly diminishing the warmth from the kang (heated brick bed).

Peng Daoren then took out a blood pill from his sleeve, swallowed it, and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing. Before a cup of tea had been brewed, the old man's complexion not only did not improve, but suddenly turned deathly pale.

Unable to suppress the foul blood in his stomach, Peng Daoren closed his eyes and spat out a cloud of black blood mist. The stench instantly enveloped the entire room, and the old man trembled, almost collapsing.

He barely managed to steady himself, but his hand seals had already broken apart, and his internal energy was in complete chaos. The effects of the blood pill that the Shang Baijiang clan had condensed were completely dissipated. His first cultivation attempt after waking up was indeed a complete failure!
Having come from a humble background and endured countless hardships, the Taoist Peng, who had just reached the peak of the Golden Core stage, was not discouraged. He simply opened his eyes and then spat out a cursing sound that was neither sarcastic nor overly serious: "Cough, what a formidable old bird!"

Only Peng Daoren himself knew the severity of his injuries. Not only were all his meridians severed and his physical body destroyed, but even his golden core essence was reduced to a mere trace. Unless one was extremely unlucky enough to encounter a cultivator with exceptional eyesight nearby, even an ordinary cultivator with fake golden cores would only recognize Peng Daoren lying in the boat awning as a mortal.

In other words, Peng Daoren was used to being cautious. While studying the Blood Magic, he did not forget the orthodox methods of cultivation and nourishing the body.

At the brink of life and death, the old man survived only because of the "Yingwei Xing, Bu Shi Qi" (营卫行, meaning "the movement of the Yingwei Qi, never deviating from its normal course") that he had cultivated for a hundred years.

However, it was also a stroke of luck. With his physical body on the verge of collapse, his life force was extremely weak. If it weren't for Shang Baijiang's good fortune in pulling him out of the river, he, a dignified cultivator, might have actually drowned in there.

Of course, Peng Daoren felt no remorse whatsoever for taking all the blood and energy of his savior's family and turning them into corpse puppets.

Having dedicated his life to cultivation, he had long since lost count of how many lives he had taken through wicked means. Shang Baijiang was not the first savior he had killed, nor would he be the last; to him, this was nothing to dwell on.

Now, all that Master Peng can worry about is healing his wounds.

"Where did my storage bag go?" Peng Daoren sighed. Half of his life's savings were in it, and he didn't know where the storage bag had scattered after he used the forbidden technique.

If he were still by my side, this old man wouldn't be in such a sorry state, reduced to the point where he has to resort to illusions to deceive even a few mere Qi Refining cultivators.
"Fortunately, the Ten Thousand Souls Banner is still intact!" Peng Daoren felt slightly relieved after glancing inward at his natal magic weapon. However, this magic weapon had also been severely damaged by Fei Tianqin, and now it could only be nurtured in Peng Daoren's dantian with a dim spiritual light.

But now that Peng Daoren himself is riddled with wounds, how could he possibly provide any assistance to the Myriad Soul Banner?

"My injuries are too severe, and the spiritual energy here is too weak. If I just stay here without any resources, I'm afraid it will take me thirty to fifty years to cultivate to the Foundation Establishment stage, let alone reach the Core Formation stage!"

The old man felt extremely unlucky. He was already badly injured, but to make matters worse, he ended up in enemy territory. Otherwise, he could have simply sent a message to the Liangyi Sect and been taken back to the sect by Pu Honggu.

But just by looking at how the gates of the mortals had been swept clean, Peng Daoren knew that the city was now heavily guarded. Even if he used all his skills, he could at most fight a beginner cultivator for a while, and it would be difficult to last long. He was really in a difficult position.

After sighing, Master Peng pondered, "I've only recovered to the first level of Qi Refining. I was just confused by that Qi Refining child for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, and now most of my recovered vital energy has been lost again!"

The knots were tied and untied, then tied and untied again. The old man finally calmed down, closed his eyes, and fell into deep thought.
"It may take three to five months to reach the mid-stage of Qi Refining. By then, the city's martial law should have been lifted, and I might be able to find an opportunity to quietly leave the city to find the few separate residences I left behind in my early years. Once I've recovered a little more of my vitality, I can send a message to the Liangyi Sect. But, can I really return to the Liangyi Sect?!"

Even a cunning rabbit knows to have three burrows, let alone Peng Daoren, a seasoned evil cultivator who has weathered countless storms over the years. Even if he were to take refuge under the banner of the Liangyi Sect, he couldn't possibly not make any arrangements outside.

The old man knew perfectly well that he and the other cultivators of the Liangyi Sect were not truly fellow disciples. They were all wary of him, fearing that this filthy outsider would usurp his place.

Even if he and Pu Honggu became closer because of their shared interests, could there really be any affection between them?

Peng Daoren couldn't answer this question. In fact, even the disciples and grand-disciples he had taken in at Black Sand Peak of the Two Elements Sect couldn't be completely trusted by this old man.

While those who practice the path of severing ties and destroying morality may lack much of the karma and human relationships involved, and attain a carefree and unrestrained existence, making their cultivation extremely efficient, once they reach that point, no one can be trusted, which is truly lamentable.

Master Peng had already thoroughly grasped this principle, so he did not indulge in lamenting the passing of spring and the coming of autumn at this time. He simply straightened his face, narrowed his eyes, let out a long breath, made a hand seal again, and flicked his finger.

Two streams of life suddenly burst forth from the old man's seven orifices, splitting halfway through their journey and slowly seeping into the Baihui acupoints of Shang Baijiang and the military academy student.

In just a few breaths, as the faces of the two corpse puppets visibly regained their rosy hue, Peng Daoren's back hunched over even more.

The blood pill he had just taken was far less effective than Peng Daoren had anticipated, and his plan to quickly restore his cultivation had failed. Unable to escape in the short term, he still had to attach his divine sense to the two corpse puppets to travel outside and gather information.

The two corpse puppets stretched their slightly stiff bodies and walked out of the room together.

Just as they closed the door, Master Peng looked inward again for a moment, his gaze lingering on the Thousand Soul Banner, which was being nurtured in his dantian without any movement, as if deep in thought.

------

"Reporting to the Sect Leader, Elder Ye, and Elder Duan, we have thoroughly investigated every household in Chongming City. We did manage to find three or five evil cultivators hiding in the city, but they were all at the early or mid-stages of Qi Refining and their cultivation techniques were substandard, so we killed them all. Apart from that, we have not found anything else unusual."

Jin Shilun, the town's garrison disciple, and Song Cheng, the assigned disciple from the Punishment Hall, stood in the city lord's mansion and reported to the three true cultivators at the head of the household.

How could such a massive city with a population of millions only uncover three or five filthy items after such a thorough search?

There were several thousand martial artists of various ranks who were beheaded or forced into labor, but these were minor matters that could be handled by Kang Rongguang of the City Lord's Mansion. There was no need to mention them and trouble the masters and elders in the sect.

"Hmm," Headmaster Kang responded calmly. The five states under the jurisdiction of Yunjiao Prefecture were so vast that it was unlikely that the thing that Mohegu, a Golden Core cultivator, was searching for could be found in his own territory.

To be honest, even if what the Golden Core cultivators are looking for is truly within the jurisdiction of the Chongming Sect, there is little chance that these Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining disciples will discover it.

Therefore, in all fairness, there is not much difference between doing this or not. However, since Fei Nanying and other senior cultivators have made it clear that each family should conduct its own investigation, Kang Dabao would not dare to go against the grain at this time.

The result of not doing something is no different from not doing it at all, but the former is due to a lack of ability, while the latter is due to disobedience. These are very different in nature.

After thinking for a while, Sect Leader Kang spoke calmly: "The Liangyi Sect and the State Court just had a battle, and the Liangyi Sect suffered a minor loss. It's hard to say whether they will take some action to retaliate in the near future. These are turbulent times, so Old Ye, you should stay here for now and take charge of the overall situation."

Shilun and his junior disciple Song will lead the disciples of the Punishment Hall to remain in Chongming City, cooperating with Elder Ye to guard the gates. Any unusual activity must not be concealed; report it to me immediately! "Yes,"

"Anle, go and summon the spirit bird to quickly convey the message to Wild Fox Mountain. Tell the second brother to quickly lead the Qingjue and Chizhang guards to thoroughly investigate all four hundred households in Cold Crow Mountain. Also, tell the fourth brother at Jiachou Military Camp not to miss anyone."

"Disciple knows!"

After making the arrangements, Kang Dabao took Duan Anle and returned to Xiaohuan Mountain. They were originally short of resources for cultivation, but this time, after fighting alongside the state court, their luck was indeed good, and they managed to acquire some storage bags without much effort.

If there's nothing else to do lately, then I can cultivate properly for a while. No wonder Headmaster Kang seems a bit anxious. You see, even Golden Core cultivators have already entered the fray recently, and a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation level isn't quite enough at this point.

——————Liangyi Sect, Xiabo Mountain
"Junior Brother Mo, you've suffered!" Although Pu Honggu's words were meant to be caring, they contained no warmth whatsoever, making Mo Hegu's ears sting, as his face was already slightly pale.

Apart from Qiu Yunsheng, who was sent to work for the heretical sects, the other four cultivators were all seated on the stone table atop Xiabo Mountain. Slightly different from the last meeting, the Grand Elder of the Liangyi Sect, Pu Honggu, now had a rather frighteningly gloomy expression, a stark contrast to the kind and benevolent elder he usually was.

Everyone else sensed the unusual atmosphere and dared not speak, but Mo Hegu had been singled out by Pu Honggu, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and reply: "Senior Brother, you flatter me. It is my duty and I dare not complain about the hardship!"

“Hmm,” Pu Honggu murmured meaningfully. Mo Hegu, though seriously injured, dared not show his anger and could only retreat behind the desk with a belly full of grievances.

Seeing Mo Hegu's fate, the cultivators' faces also darkened. They were unaware that Peng Daoren was involved in two major matters: colluding with demon cultivators and refining the Crimson Life-Extending Pill. Therefore, Pu Honggu was extremely anxious and troubled.

They could only see that Mohegu was seriously injured, but they didn't even receive a decent word of comfort, which was truly pitiful.

It should be noted that this battle was indeed caused by Mohegu being discovered on his return journey, which resulted in the Liangyi Sect suffering a somewhat humiliating defeat.

However, Mohegu was also ordered by the Grand Elder of the Two Elements Sect to abandon his own cultivation and go out to do things. Pu Honggu's behavior is indeed somewhat disheartening.

Li Yun didn't know whether Pu Honggu felt ashamed because Mo Hegu couldn't defeat Yue Lin and Yuan Buwen, two fake alchemists, or because he was troubled by the long absence of Peng Daoren. But the atmosphere was too heavy at the moment, and someone had to step forward to try to turn things around.

"My junior brother from Wuwei Tower just sent another talisman to inquire, and it seems that She Fu has also received some news."

"Junior Brother Li, what news?!" Pu Honggu's interest was piqued, his expression softened, and he asked urgently.

Seeing that Pu Honggu was so nervous, Li Yun first suppressed her surprise and then said slowly, "She Fu also said that a month ago, a cultivator saw from afar that the old bird of the Fei family was chasing a Blood Shadow Evil Cultivator. The latter had no power to fight back and could only flee for his life."

Pu Honggu's expression, which had just relaxed, suddenly hardened, and his old eyes narrowed as if deep in thought.

As soon as Li Yun said this, not only Pu Honggu thought of it, but everyone present was certain that the one being chased by Fei Tianqin was the Taoist Peng whom all the cultivators had been searching for.
But Pu Honggu was more shocked than the others.

"That old bird is so capable in battle? No wonder many powerful figures in the imperial court respect his seniority and are willing to humble themselves and associate with him."

After Peng Daoren completed the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, Pu Honggu showed no reaction on his face, but he knew in his heart that unless something unexpected happened, he would have a very difficult time surpassing the former.

However, Peng Daoren was completely overwhelmed by Fei Tianqin and had no power to retaliate.
Upon reading this, Pu Honggu suddenly felt fortunate that he had pulled himself back from Laoniu Mountain in time: "Luckily, I had foreseen this. If I had shown up then, that old bird from the Fei family would probably have no more scruples about bullying the weak and would definitely have come to fight. At that time, it wouldn't have been as simple as losing a few fake core cultivators. I'm afraid even Junior Brother Mo and Junior Sister Huang would have had a hard time returning unscathed."

It took the old man a while to calm himself down. He saw that although none of his fellow disciples spoke, their eyes were all on his black robe. Pu Honggu was not in a hurry. After pondering for a long time, he finally spoke: "What else did that woman She Fuyi say? Is Junior Brother Peng still alive?"

Li Yun thought for a while before speaking: "That woman She Fuyi's tone was not very certain, but she said that if Junior Brother Peng is still alive, he should be able to be found near Pingrong County in Yunjiao Prefecture."

Pu Honggu murmured, "Pingrong County? After the chaos, it was a barren place. There shouldn't be any fake alchemy sects there. If I remember correctly, that seems to be the territory of the Fei family's eldest son-in-law?"

Li Yun nodded in agreement: "Back then, the Taoist in black shoes also came from this place and had done some favors for that Fei family son-in-law. That fellow had just defeated the abbot of Benying Temple and was highly regarded and at the height of his power."

Pu Honggu frowned slightly upon hearing this, not out of fear of a nobody like Headmaster Kang, but because Fei Nanying, who was in charge of the Fei family, would certainly not hesitate to plant spies among such a junior.

In this way, if Pu Honggu were to personally go to Pingrong County, it would indeed cause him a lot of trouble. You should know that when Fei Nanying was at Laoniu Mountain, he had been pressing Li Yun with many questions, so he must have already sensed some signs.

Having figured this out, the old cultivator turned to Li Yunyan and said, "Have She Fuyi continue to send people to search. If Junior Brother Peng is still alive, Wuwei Tower must verify the truth! Junior Brother Li, go and tell She Fuyi that if she can find out Junior Brother Peng's whereabouts, in addition to the previous promises..."

Pu Honggu's expression turned solemn. After looking at the group of fellow disciples who hesitated for a while, he made up his mind: "If you can form a Golden Core, I can also grant you a member of the Fearless Pavilion."

"what?!"

"Big Brother!!"

The cultivators were startled and stood up abruptly, even the most composed Li Yunyi was filled with surprise.

But Pu Honggu, who was usually very kind, put on an air of absolute authority this time. Even though none of the cultivators agreed, the old cultivator raised his eyebrows and made a final decision: "Stop talking, Junior Brother Li, do as I say!"

"Big Brother!"

"Junior Brother Li?"

"Junior brother obeys."

After the meeting ended in discord, the cultivators had different thoughts. Although Li Yun was unwilling, she quickly wrote a letter and rushed to a gauze tent.

As ten slender fingers gently unfolded the talisman, a slight smile appeared on the face of the woman behind the gauze curtain after her beautiful eyes swept over it.

“Go and send a message to my dear granddaughter, inviting that young Kang to come and see me.”

(End of this chapter)