Immortality begins with raising apprentices

Chapter 127 Mysterious Cultivator Encounters Ambushes
On the road to leaving the clan.

"Uncle Chen, are you reluctant to part with your two apprentices?"

Seeing that Chen Ye remained silent, Li Qiuyun couldn't help but ask a question.

Chen Ye shook his head: "The path of cultivation often takes several years or even decades. What is a month?"

"That's how Uncle Chen sees it, but it's not how Qingjun and the others see it... For Wawa, every day is long."

Li Qiuyun couldn't help but sigh as she recalled the two girls' red-rimmed eyes.

As the two walked side by side toward the mountain gate, they encountered a familiar figure.

The newcomer had delicate features, but when he saw Chen Ye standing next to Li Qiuyun, his peach blossom eyes furrowed almost imperceptibly before he put on a warm smile.

"Junior Sister Li, Steward Chen, are you heading to Yuexi Workshop? I wouldn't have known if Uncle Li hadn't told me. So I came to see you off."

Zhao Qing quickly took a few steps and came to meet him.

His gaze lingered briefly on Li Qiuyun before turning to Chen Ye, his tone carrying a hint of respect.

"Senior Brother Zhao." Li Qiuyun nodded slightly in return, her tone still carrying a hint of distance.

She had never had a good impression of this senior brother Zhao, but her father liked him very much.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Zhao."

Chen Ye responded with a smile, his expression indifferent.

He could easily see through Zhao Qing's little scheme; she simply wanted to take the opportunity to talk to Li Qiuyun a few more times.

Zhao Qing then turned his gaze to Li Qiuyun, and said with concern, "Junior Sister Li, the journey to Moon Rhinoceros Lake is long. As a woman, you must be extra careful on the road while escorting Steward Chen. If you need anything, please feel free to send me a message, and I, your senior brother, will certainly..."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Qiuyun frowned slightly and interrupted, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Zhao. It is certainly appropriate for Qiuyun to travel with Uncle Chen."

Hearing "Uncle Chen" made Zhao Qing feel even more relieved.

His smile grew even more sincere: "Steward Chen, with such a talented disciple as Junior Sister Li escorting you, you should have a safe and worry-free journey. However, Junior Sister Li is still young and inexperienced. If you encounter any difficulties on the way, you can always send me a message. I still have some connections within the sect."

His words, ostensibly showing concern for Chen Ye, were actually an implication to Li Qiuyun that he was more capable than this "senior Chen."

Chen Ye simply smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying.

Li Qiuyun was somewhat displeased, for she could easily detect the subtle disdain in Zhao Qing's words.

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother Zhao."

Li Qiuyun's tone turned colder.

"If there's nothing else, Uncle Chen and I will take our leave now."

After saying that, she grabbed Chen Ye's sleeve and quickly left.

"Junior Sister Li..."

Zhao Qing opened her mouth, her face full of astonishment.

How is this going?

Junior Sister Li has always been impartial and never showed any dislike for her fellow disciples.

Why did they ignore me today and just pull Chen Ye away?

Watching the two figures walk away side by side, especially Li Qiuyun's obviously affectionate attitude towards Chen Ye, a shadow crossed Zhao Qing's eyes.

She must have been bewitched by Chen Ye. How could Junior Sister Li possibly dislike her!
"Hmph, he's just an old guy who got lucky. If it weren't for Junior Sister Li, he wouldn't even have the right to speak to me."

"Junior Sister Li is so naive, she was actually deceived by this kind of person. When I become her Daoist partner one day, I will definitely teach this old bastard a lesson!"

……

Half an hour after Chen Ye left.

Outside the Lingyin Sect, two cultivators also quietly appeared.

"It's good to make a move now. I originally thought it would be two months before I could act, after he went to Taoshanfang."

The burly woman smiled slightly, gazing at the departing figures of Chen Ye and his group.

"Who told him to leave his peaceful paradise and go to Moon Rhinoceros Lake now... He really doesn't know the meaning of death!"

The tall man chuckled, but he seemed somewhat annoyed.
"Alas, we have been dragged into this mess. We are forced to leave this sacred place for no reason and are now forced to commit murder in the outside world."

The burly woman shook her head and said:
“If we wait a few more months, it might become harder to kill her. Li Qiuyun is only at the late stage of Qi Refining, and she is no match for us. But once she starts practicing her divine sense, she will be harder to deal with. Besides… Chen Ye’s progress is not to be underestimated. A few days ago, he easily subdued a disciple at the fifth level of Qi Refining.”

"What's there to be afraid of? We're both at the late stage of Qi Refining, why would we be afraid of his Spirit Plant Master?"

The tall man laughed, while the burly woman remained silent.

After a brief conversation, the two changed their clothes and used a concealment technique to quietly follow.

……

On the official road leading from Lingyin Sect to Guang'an County,
A spacious carriage was speeding along smoothly and swiftly, its four wheels tumbling.

The carriage was made of tough spirit wood, with runes faintly visible flowing across it.

The interior of the carriage, though not luxurious, was comfortable.

The soft animal hide cushions insulated the traveler from the bumps in the road, and a small wooden table held a burner of calming incense.

Chen Ye looked around the carriage, then glanced out the window at the rapidly receding scenery, and couldn't help but marvel: "Hmm? We're actually traveling by horse-drawn carriage?"

There's something odd about cultivators riding in carriages...

"Uncle Chen, do you think it's about flying on a sword?"

Li Qiuyun covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her eyebrows curving into a smile.

She patiently explained:
"Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator, when alone outdoors, would not dare to travel on a sword for an extended period unless absolutely necessary. Firstly, such full-force sword-wielding consumes a great deal of spiritual energy, and if they encounter a powerful enemy along the way, they would inevitably find themselves in danger. Secondly, flying high on a sword makes one too conspicuous, easily attracting unnecessary trouble. And thirdly..."

She winked playfully, "Being exposed to wind, sun, and rain is nowhere near as comfortable and relaxing as this carriage."

Chen Ye chuckled, "That's indeed true."

Seeing his expression, Li Qiuyun added:

"Of course, this carriage is no ordinary carriage. Uncle Chen, look at the horse pulling the carriage. It is called the Crimson Cloud Steed. It has a trace of the bloodline of the ancient mythical beast, the Cloud-Treading Qilin, flowing through its veins! It can run day and night for ten days straight. It is intelligent, knows its way around, and does not need anyone to drive it."

As the two were talking, Chen Ye suddenly had a thought.

Since his consciousness was first formed, his five senses have become far more acute than usual. At this moment, he could vaguely sense that about a hundred feet behind the carriage, a faint aura was slowly following them.

"A technique to conceal one's aura?"

Chen Ye's Qi Concealment Technique was perfected; ordinary people's Qi Concealment Techniques could not hide from him at all.

He looked thoughtfully through the car window at the official road behind him.

Is it directed at them?

Or it could be a coincidence, since many cultivators usually use the technique of concealing their aura.

Seeing his sudden silence and noticing something amiss in his expression, Li Qiuyun couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Chen, what's wrong?"

Chen Ye slowly withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "Qiuyun, is this official road... usually peaceful?"

Li Qiuyun, without suspicion, replied:

"This official road connects the Lingyin Sect with the major markets of Guang'an County. There are many merchants and cultivators coming and going, and it is usually quite peaceful. However, occasionally some ignorant cultivators will appear... or even cultivators from other sects."

"However, Uncle Chen, don't worry! Qiu Yun is at the late stage of Qi Refining, more than capable of protecting you!"

Li Qiuyun assumed that Chen Ye had been peacefully cultivating spiritual plants for a long time, but she couldn't rest easy about it after he left the outside world.

However, generally speaking, very few cultivators who have undergone tribulation dare to target the deacons of the Lingyin Sect.

As for other sects, the probability is extremely slim. Who would be so bored as to target Chen Ye?

Chen Ye, with his keen senses, detected a growing killing intent emanating from a faint aura behind him. Without hesitation, his expression darkened, and he whispered to Li Qiuyun, "Qiuyun, be careful! Someone's following us; they're up to no good!"

Li Qiuyun was taken aback upon hearing this. After all, she had only just entered the late stage of Qi Refining, and her spiritual sense was not as refined and sharp as Chen Ye's.

But judging from Chen Ye's serious tone...

She immediately dropped her previous ease, her pretty face turned serious, and she gripped the hilt of the flying sword at her waist with her backhand, her eyes scanning the back of the carriage warily.

A woman's cold laugh came from the back of the carriage: "The juniors of the Lingyin Sect have rather sharp senses!"

Before the words were finished, a dark red whip, like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, tore through the air and, carrying a bloody scent, lashed fiercely at the back wall of the carriage!

"boom!"

The rear wall of the carriage exploded with a loud crack, sending wood chips flying everywhere!
Li Qiuyun reacted extremely quickly, letting out a delicate shout as her flying sword was already drawn. The hazy green sword light instantly formed a sword curtain, barely blocking the powerful whip.

"Qiang!"

Whips and swords clashed, sparks flying everywhere.

Li Qiuyun felt a tremendous force coming from the sword, which made her arm go slightly numb, and she was secretly shocked.

Outside the carriage, the burly woman stood firmly in the middle of the official road, holding a dark red whip, a cruel smile curling at the corner of her mouth: "Little wench, you have some skill, actually managing to block one of my whips!"

"Who are you? Why are you committing violence here?" Li Qiuyun shouted sharply, holding her flying sword horizontally in front of her chest to protect Chen Ye behind her.

"Kill your people!" The burly woman stopped talking nonsense, flicked her long whip, and once again it transformed into a sky full of whip shadows, attacking Li Qiuyun like a tidal wave.

Li Qiuyun's expression was solemn as he wielded his flying sword with impenetrable precision, engaging the burly woman in a fierce battle.

The whip flashed fiercely, the sword gleamed menacingly, and for a time they were evenly matched.

Chen Ye stood behind Li Qiuyun, but did not immediately intervene in the battle.

not right...

Since the opponent came prepared, there is no way they could only be a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

This burly woman was just as strong as Li Qiuyun; without accomplices, she wouldn't be able to reliably intercept and kill the two of them.

This person's appearance at this moment is most likely just bait.

"Qiu Yun, be careful, it might be a trap!" Chen Ye warned in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Li Qiuyun felt a chill run down her spine, but her offensive became even more ferocious.

She was a disciple of Zixiao Peak. Although her combat experience was not extensive, her swordsmanship was exquisite. At this moment, she was unleashing her full power, and her sword light flashed, showing a faint tendency to suppress the burly woman.

After several moves, Li Qiuyun seized an opening.

The flying sword suddenly accelerated, and with a flash of blue light, it left a hideous bloodstain on the burly woman's arm.

"Ugh!"

The burly woman winced in pain, letting out a muffled groan, and her offensive faltered.

She glanced at the wound on her arm, a flash of shock and anger crossing her eyes.

"You little bitch, you're ruthless!" The burly woman seemed to be injured, and her breathing weakened.

She ceased fighting, feinted a whip strike to force Li Qiuyun back, then clutched her arm and turned to flee in a disheveled state into the dense forest beside the official road, muttering hatefully, "I admit defeat today! You just wait!"

"You vixen, don't you dare leave!"

Seeing that the other party was injured and fled, and feeling that she had the upper hand, Li Qiuyun thought it was the perfect opportunity to eliminate evil completely.

How could she allow the other party to escape so easily?

Moreover, her duty on this trip was to protect Chen Ye. If this calamity cultivator escaped, he would surely become a scourge in the future.

With a sharp cry, she spurred her flying sword and set off into the dense forest.

"Qiu Yun, don't pursue a desperate enemy!" Chen Ye quickly spoke up to stop them.

However, Li Qiuyun was only focused on capturing the witch and was quite confident in her own strength, so she couldn't listen to Chen Ye's advice.

She left only one sentence: "Uncle Chen, please wait here for a moment. Qiuyun will be right back! We must capture this vixen to prevent future troubles!"

Before the words were even finished, the figure in green had already shot into the dense forest like an arrow.

Chen Ye watched her disappearing figure, his brows furrowed, and thought to himself:

"Alright... let's lure out the other one first and eliminate her at the same time. Qiu Yun is in the nearby dense forest, and my flying sword can help her at any time, so her safety should be guaranteed!"

Just as Li Qiuyun's figure completely disappeared into the dense forest, another tall figure indeed silently emerged from the other side!

　My friend's book is already 50,000 words long!

　　It's a cultivation novel with a cheat-like advantage where the protagonist has a younger sister.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)