Chongming Xianzong

Chapter 486 The 29th of the Winter Month
No wonder Master Kang was so surprised; Wanbao Trading Company was no ordinary business, and its status within the David Dynasty was quite extraordinary.

Just like Manager Dou of the David Bank in Taiyuan, even a high-ranking official like Gui Nianzhi would have to greet him politely.
As for the business magnates scattered throughout the land, even when they met figures like Abbot Gelie of the Snow Mountain Sect and Songyangzi, the leader of the Rift Sky Sword Sect, they treated them as equals, without distinction of rank or status.

This is not because the merchant guild itself possesses so many powerful cultivators to contend with it, but because the owner of Wanbao Merchant Guild and the lord of Kuling Mountain are close friends, practically sworn brothers.

The various forces of the David Dynasty naturally had to follow the dwarfs, which was not a shameful thing, since all the forces under the jurisdiction of the Bitter Spirit Mountain were the same.

To be honest, Manager Dou of the David Bank headquarters is quite good-tempered. As long as the local immortals are in a good mood, even if some rare spiritual materials are not available in this area, they can be transferred from other headquarters. This is quite a rare and good thing.

Once you reach the True Person level, it becomes difficult to find scarce resources within the territory of the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty. The world's rare treasures are few and far between, and few are left unattended. If you don't want to risk your life in a fight, you'll have no choice but to painfully barter for them.

In fact, a Nascent Soul cultivator lives for 1,500 years. In the eyes of the ignorant, they are considered terrestrial immortals, a rare sight even for ordinary Golden Core cultivators who live for 100-200 years. They are naturally extremely noble.

It is only in the last one or two hundred years that the conflicts between various parties have become increasingly intense, leading to the departure of many real people, and even their demise.

Therefore, Wanbao Trading Company in various regions has enough resources to control True Immortals, while small and insignificant merchants can't even dream of getting close to them. The auction invitation in Xu Liuxian's hand may seem unremarkable, but in reality, even ordinary cultivators would find it difficult to obtain.

Even someone as newly established as the founder of a sect as Wu Feng Shangxiu might not have had the means to obtain this scroll. The fact that Xu Liuxian was able to obtain one naturally surprised Headmaster Kang.

Without being asked, the former recounted the origin of the calligraphy. Xu Liuxian pushed Ji Yunsheng, who was standing behind him, forward and said, "My third brother comes from the Hunlei Sishui Sect, and this calligraphy has been passed down through generations."

Master Kang calmly accepted the invitation and then murmured, "Hunlei Sishui Sect?"

He had first encountered this sect in the "Biographies of Families of the Southern Mountain Taoist Sects" when he first entered the Taoist path. Two or three hundred years ago, it was considered a powerful force, not much weaker than the Yang family of Yezhou today.

It was only because Shen Lingfeng chose the wrong side when he led his army to quell the barbarians that he suffered a counterattack and retribution from the Liangyi Sect when the Immortal Dynasty withdrew from Shannan Road.

Logically speaking, the Chongming Sect should have collapsed and had no disciples left after the death of its founder, Zhang, two hundred years ago. Jiang Qing had told the sect leader, Kang, many years ago that Ji Yunsheng came from a fallen sect, but the latter never imagined that he was actually a disciple of the Hunlei Sishui Sect from a previous generation.

Thinking about it this way, it makes sense that Ji Yunsheng's lightning techniques are considered authentic and rarely seen among rogue cultivators.

When Ji Yunsheng saw that the Grand Master Kang was looking at him, he cupped his hands and said, "After the sect fell into ruin, my master went into hiding and established the Xuanlei Sect to teach and spread the teachings, intending to avenge his great enemy in the future."

However, fate was unkind. My master's injuries were too severe, and his foundation for cultivation was destroyed. Before his death, he passed down this invitation, but he never told me about its origin. After his passing, Yun Sheng was ignorant and confused. Although he was fortunate enough to form a foundation for cultivation, his bright pearl was still covered in dust.

It was only after years of fighting alongside the Alliance Leader, gaining experience and understanding, that I came to know of such an opportunity. However, this opportunity is too great for me to grasp, which is why I begged my elder brother to ask the Alliance Leader to spare some time to stay and examine me further.”

Upon hearing this, Kang Dabao's expression changed slightly. He glanced at Jiang Sanye, who was standing beside him, and saw that the latter also had the same expression. He felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

In his memory, Ji Yunsheng was originally a rough and boisterous person, yet he could actually say such cloying things. It seems that after his cultivation level has risen in recent years, his personality has become much more restrained.

If Ji Yunsheng were still living a carefree life with his sworn brothers back then, he would never have uttered such nauseating words.

However, Ji Yunsheng's words made sense. Even Golden Core cultivators without connections coveted this thing, let alone a true cultivator like himself. Even Xu Liuxian, who had only recently become a Pseudo-Core cultivator, couldn't keep it.

The head of the Kekang sect is known for his elegant manners, so how could he accept such a generous gift without knowing why? After making excuses for a while, he realized that he couldn't refuse, so he had no choice but to reluctantly put it into his pocket.

Xu Liuxian and Ji Yunsheng finally smiled, and even Zhou Zhaoyi, the most shrewd of the three, showed no dissatisfaction.

Kang Dabao was truly moved that such a valuable gift was given away without the three of them even asking for a promise.

Reputation may seem useless, since no matter how good one's reputation is, it cannot withstand magical treasures, Taoist arts, talismans, or puppets. But in times like these, it becomes apparent.

Just like the three departments under the jurisdiction of the Star-Picking Tower, each has several Golden Core cultivators in charge. Would their vassals dare to offer such spiritual items?
The Four Friends of Cold Mountain, being rogue cultivators with keen insight into human nature, surely they would know that offering this invitation to those newly ascended cultivators who have no connections might yield even greater benefits!

Having received the benefits, Master Kang did not accept Liu Xian's invitation to stay for a few days. Instead, he returned to the Kui Xing Shuttle, examined the golden characters on the invitation that read "29th of the 11th month," and remained silent.

Having reached his level of cultivation, Kang Dabao had naturally heard about the Wanbao Trading Company's auctions in his daily interactions with others, and knew that there were many rare and precious items that were hard to find elsewhere. He had long been interested in them.

However, even if they had considered it before, it was useless. Fei Tianqin or Fei Nanying were both top cultivators from the number one family in the world. Even Manager Dou of Tengwen Mansion treated them with respect, so they must have received a formal invitation.

Despite their shared love for each other, the man and the bird never took Kang Dabao there.

Master Kang knew his limits and always adhered to the principle of "accepting but not demanding," which was perhaps one of the reasons why he was favored by the Fei family elders.

However, judging by the time, it was only about ten days until the 27th of the eleventh lunar month. If they set off now, they would have to hurry to get there. Kang Dabao held the invitation in his hand and, unusually, he couldn't contain his excitement. So he whispered to Fei Shuhe, "Madam?"

The latter glanced at him with a charming look, and then said, "You want to go with Uncle San so you can leave me behind and have some fun on your own?"

"What are you talking about?" Master Kang would never admit it, after all, the noble lady of the Fei family knew that Third Master Jiang was a womanizer, and being brought up at this time would be disadvantageous for Kang Dabao.

Fei Shuhe chuckled softly, and without further discussion or questioning, she simply opened her lips and arranged everything:

"Let Granny Tang take the children back to Xiaohuan Mountain by flying boat first. It's rare for Xiao Si to bring Lingyi out to spend some time with you. You just want to give her up like this? You have no conscience."

The fourth mistress the beautiful woman was referring to was Zhang Qingran. Huo Ying and Yuan Xiyue were also in the household, and she ranked them as the second and third mistresses, respectively. The women listened, though they didn't necessarily agree with this order; however, none of them dared to argue with Fei Shuhe for the time being.

The head of the Kang family never argued with his wife over such trivial matters. Besides, no one else could hear Fei Shuhe when she spoke, so it was impossible to say whether she had lost face.

Moreover, Fei Shuhe's arrangements were quite proper. Taking these people with her to Tengwen Mansion wouldn't be too conspicuous. And Tang Mama, who had just been transferred from Sheshan Hall to replace Granny Sun in protecting Fei Shuhe, was also quite reliable.

After Granny Sun's son, who had become a squad leader in the Yingshan Army, died in Santing Prefecture, the old woman felt as if she had lost her backbone. You must know that even her son's promising future in the Yingshan Army was a favor she had obtained from Fei Nanying after going through countless difficulties.

Under such circumstances, Granny Sun was heartbroken and immediately brought up the matter of retiring and returning to her hometown. Fei Shuhe had spent many years with her, and even a stone would develop some feelings for a loyal servant. So he asked Master Kang for some rare and precious items and gathered some supplies for her to take back to Yingzhou.

When Granny Fei heard about this, she felt that Fei Shuhe could not be left alone, so she transferred Granny Tang, who often served by her side and whom she considered very reliable, to take care of her.

This old woman was already at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, and her influence in the inner quarters of Sheshan Hall was much greater. She was one of the top servants among thousands of servants and could be considered a capable assistant to Granny Fei. Yet, she was still willing to send her to Fei Shuhe's side.

This is because the current sect leader, Kang, is quite different from before, enough for this old woman to invest this much.

Even though Granny Tang was a person of considerable influence, she did not dare to reduce her respectful demeanor in the slightest when facing Kang Dabao and his wife. After obediently accepting their orders, she led Tang Jiu and the other Chongming disciples, who had just returned from the arena with a full load of spoils, onto the flying boat to return home.

Within Yunjiao Prefecture, the Six-Leaf Dao Banner of Chongming Sect was considered to have some prestige, so Headmaster Kang was not worried about any misfortunes occurring along the way.

After that, Kang Dabao did not delay and took his wife, concubine, daughter and junior brother to Tengwen Prefecture, where Wanbao Trading Company was located in Shannan Road.

That was the territory of the Liangyi Sect, the location of Xiabo Mountain. Even someone as arrogant as Pu Honggu wouldn't dare to stop guests holding invitations from Wanbao Trading Company who came to participate in the auction.

Wanbao Trading Company might not care, but if they really did, they might even skin some Nascent Soul cultivators alive. The principle of "better safe than sorry" is not something only small, insignificant businesses understand.

As the Kui Xing Shuttle broke through the clouds, and the last wisp of silver-blue flame tore through the crimson sunset, the spirit boat gradually disappeared into the sky.

—Liangyi Sect, Xiabo Mountain
Pu Honggu stood alone under the old pine tree, constantly adjusting his breathing. His whole body seemed to be shrouded in a thick layer of deathly aura, which turned the pine needles on his head from emerald green to jet black.

No one knows how much time passed, but when the old cultivator exhaled his last breath of turbid air, which made the old pine tree on his head tremble three times, he finally opened his turbid eyes.

If an outsider who knew him saw this scene, he would immediately notice that the old man had become increasingly aged recently, to the point that he no longer looked like a living person.

As a peak Golden Core cultivator, Pu Honggu naturally understood the situation much better than outsiders. Even with numerous life-extending methods, he was nearing the end of his life.

In recent days, the past six hundred years of cultivation have been flashing through his mind like a film, almost without stopping, causing endless sorrow in the old cultivator's heart.

No one could have imagined that the Grand Elder of the Liangyi Sect, who was so powerful in the Qin state's public siege not long ago, was actually in such a state of near death in private.

The twilight of heroes and the graying hair of beauties are both deeply regrettable things that cannot be reversed.

However, Pu Honggu still had a lifeline. He slowly shifted his gaze to the jade bottle on the low table in front of him. A glass jade bottle costing as much as two Foundation Establishment Pills should be perfectly leak-proof, but the Grand Elder of the Liangyi Sect felt as if the bottle was constantly emanating an alluring fragrance—a life-saving fragrance!
"Crack!" The old pine tree that had accompanied the Liangyi Sect for generations was suddenly snapped in half by Pu Honggu's slap, and its green sap spilled all over the ground.

Pine needles fell haphazardly from the sky. Pu Honggu suddenly killed the "senior pine" he had been so affectionate with not long ago. He felt no regret, but his eyes were bloodshot and he seemed to have an unconcealed jealousy when he looked at the half-cut pine tree on the ground.

"The method for refining the Crimson Celestial Life-Sustaining Pill!! Peng Daoren, you son of a bitch! Are you dead or alive right now?!"

As the old cultivator roared, even the jade hairpin on his head seemed unable to suppress the resentment emanating from it. His hair suddenly exploded, and his white hair cascaded down like a waterfall, making him appear both terrifying and pitiful.

Pu Honggu was well aware that as long as he tilted his head back and swallowed the pill in the jade bottle, he could solve his immediate problem.

Even if one does not obtain the method of refining it and cannot fully obtain the effects of the Crimson Life-Extending Pill, it is still difficult to obtain two Jiazi (60 years) of lifespan. One or even half a Jiazi of lifespan is not impossible. It is still much more worthwhile than turning into a pile of ashes now.

But he was also afraid. He knew his own situation. It was already a great difficulty for him to gain another two 60-year lifespans to form an infant. If he wanted any less, it would be impossible.

Taking the Crimson Life-Extending Pill would indeed prolong one's life, but what torment it would be to live in the same pain as today for the next few decades!

No one could answer the question in Pu Honggu's mind. A gentle breeze blew by, bringing with it a familiar yet unfamiliar scent of pine, which made him even more agitated.

At some unknown time, a cultivator in brocade robes stepped into the summit of Xiabo Mountain, a place rarely visited by anyone. Upon seeing Pu Honggu's disheveled state, his heart immediately ached.
"When you were young, you led the sect to fight against the beast tide and protected countless people, but you still ended up like this."

However, what moved him was not the matter of the Crimson Life-Extending Pill.

This matter was kept extremely secret, and Pu Honggu dared not reveal a single word about it. It was known only to him and Peng Daoren, and he had not even told his close junior brothers.

Upon hearing that someone had arrived, the old cultivator was not in a hurry to hide his disheveled state. He simply said in a deep voice, "I haven't tidied myself up yet, which has made Junior Brother Li laugh at me."

"Senior brother, what do you mean by that?!" Li Yun's face immediately showed panic, and his expression was genuine.

It should be noted that the newly established Duke Qin's Mansion is located right next to the Liangyi Sect. If the Liangyi Sect loses Pu Honggu, this pillar of strength, Li Yun can easily foresee how difficult things will be for the sect in the future.

"Cough, how did things go?" Pu Honggu seemed extremely tired, and his cloudy eyes closed again.

Li Yunyi calmed down and replied softly, "A new batch of 'opportunities' has been forged, and another batch of people should emerge this year."

Pu Honggu lost interest after hearing this. He seemed to have lost all his strength. He nodded almost imperceptibly in front of Li Yun, and then said in a low voice, "In the past ten years, nearly a hundred people have been promoted to Foundation Establishment. The number of true cultivators in my family has increased by nearly one-third compared to before. The outside world may have already noticed that this is too ostentatious. Let's put it aside for now."

"Yes, Junior Brother understands. I will make the arrangements after I go down." After hearing what Pu Honggu said, Li Yun's eyes also showed some worry. If such a thing were exposed, Liangyi Sect would definitely become the target of everyone's criticism.

"I have already obtained the assistance of an old acquaintance. We will gradually bestow opportunities upon our disciples. Once the number of true cultivators reaches five hundred, and this old acquaintance is to cultivate the Heartless Dao Weapon, then our Two Elements Sect may be able to contend with Nascent Soul True Persons, and will not become fish on the chopping block! Wait until... cough!"

Although Pu Honggu was unharmed, he still coughed for a while before stopping. When he opened his eyes and saw Li Yun's concerned look, he comforted him with a smile and said, "Junior brother, don't panic. I won't die anytime soon!"

"Big brother"

"Heh, please settle things at home, Junior Brother. I need to go out for a while now." After saying this, Pu Honggu did not avoid Li Yun's presence. He simply took out a black invitation card and stared at the gold characters on it for a long time without saying a word.

(I'll be visiting three schools in Wuhan tomorrow, and then heading back to Ningbo tonight to finish this business trip. I should be able to update normally the day after tomorrow.)
(End of this chapter)