Immortality begins with raising apprentices

Chapter 191 Accepting Wang Hao; Master Seeks Other Disciples!
The alley is short, with dappled shadows cast by the trees.

A figure in black robes disappeared into the night like a ghost, its icy fingers precisely grasping the superior-grade magic sword that Wei Cheng had hastily drawn.

Subsequently,

A surge of powerful spiritual energy erupted, dazzling light tearing through the night sky.

After several exchanges, a few drops of dark red, warm liquid splashed out, and the head flew off the neck, crashing onto the cracked ground and turning into a bloody pulp.

Large gushes of blood gushed out of the headless cavity like a fountain. The headless corpse swayed a few times and then collapsed to the ground.

Qingzhi ignored it, bent down and rummaged through the corpse for a while, then turned and fled quickly out of the market.

Immediately afterwards, several cultivators who arrived upon hearing the news had solemn expressions, and the alarm bells in the market rang loudly.

……

The instant a flash of inspiration tore through the night sky,
Chen Yezheng casually picked up a Snowflake Plant and held it to Lin Jin's nose, as if he wanted her to smell the fragrance of the spiritual plant.

He said to Liu Quan beside him, "This quality is quite good. I'll trouble Manager Liu to pack another pound..."

Before he could finish speaking, the smile on Manager Liu's chubby face, who was enthusiastically introducing the spiritual plants, suddenly froze, and a hint of surprise flashed across his small eyes.

Almost immediately after the flash of inspiration, the alarm bells in the market rang three times.

Normally, once the alarm bell rings, it means that someone in the neighborhood has committed a crime, and the more times the bell rings, the more serious the situation becomes.

Three knocks signify the assassination of a prominent figure in the market...

In fact, it is common for rogue cultivators to fight and die, but the bell usually only rings once.

Aside from the time of the cold disaster and beast tide, Taoshanfang has not rung its bell for nearly three years.

"What happened?!" Liu Quan's expression changed, and he quickly put down the account book. "Someone dared to commit murder in the market! And who was the victim?!"

The workers who were sorting medicinal herbs inside the pavilion also stopped what they were doing, their faces showing surprise and doubt.

The streets were bustling with noise, the monks' footsteps were hurried, and their conversations were lively.

"Judging from the direction, it seems to be coming from the Wei family's villa!"

"How dare you! To commit murder in Taoshanfang?"

"Go and have a look!"

Liu Quan couldn't sit still any longer. He walked to the door and craned his neck to look in the direction of the commotion.

However, judging from his expression, he was not frightened, but rather seemed to simply want to watch the excitement.

He clicked his tongue in amazement, "This is going to be interesting, but I wonder who will die..."

He turned around and saw that Chen Ye was still calm and composed, even having the leisure to straighten the large black robe of the girl in his arms.

"Deacon Chen, aren't you curious?" Liu Quan couldn't help but ask.

"What are you curious about? The cultivation world is full of killings every day..." Chen Ye shook his head and said.

"Too."

Liu Quan scratched his head sheepishly, realizing he couldn't just watch the spectacle any longer, and asked curiously,

"Delegate Chen came to visit tonight just to buy this Snowflake Dew?"

He did not doubt Chen Ye.
Although Chen Ye suddenly visited the Herbal Pavilion at night, it was quite ordinary.

It takes about half a day to get to Ben Cao Ge from Lin Song Gu. If Chen Ye sets off in the afternoon, he will not arrive at Ben Cao Ge until around dusk.

Moreover, as soon as the spiritual light burst forth, the cultivators guarding the town were alerted and immediately began hunting down the murderer. How could they possibly suspect Chen Ye?

"Indeed, my disciple suffers from a cold ailment and needs to use Condensed Snowflakes to treat his illness. When I delivered the spiritual plants last time, I accidentally took all the Condensed Snowflakes with me, which is why there are none left in the valley."

Chen Ye sighed, his face filled with worry.

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Quan became somewhat interested.

He glanced at Lin Jin and saw that the girl was blindfolded, curled up in Chen Ye's arms, her small face as pale as paper.

Judging from his complexion, he did indeed appear to be unwell.

Thinking of this, Liu Quan couldn't resist taking the girl's pulse, and was about to extend his plump hand:

"What a coincidence! Steward Chen, I am quite skilled in medicine, and during my time at the Herbal Pavilion, I have saved countless cultivators. Let me take a look..."

However, even though the girl was blindfolded, she seemed to have a telepathic connection with him, and instinctively flinched before his chubby hand could reach out.

Chen Ye pressed down on Liu Quan's hand and said with a smile, "No need to trouble Steward Liu. My disciple doesn't like contact with outsiders, and besides, I already have my chance..."

In the past, if the Lin family could be treated by someone like Liu Quan, the manager of the Herbal Pavilion, they would probably be extremely grateful.

But now... having joined Chen Ye's school, why should I rely on outsiders?
"Fine, I was being presumptuous."

Manager Liu withdrew his hand and awkwardly rubbed his chubby fingers.

Upon closer examination, this action is indeed inappropriate.

Besides, they are nominally master and disciple... but the truth is hard to predict, so how can we allow outsiders to get involved?

Manager Liu's mind raced, and he was about to say something to ease the tension when suddenly, even more hurried footsteps came from outside the door. Immediately afterward, a shop assistant from the herbal medicine shop stumbled in, looking flustered.
"Manager! It's all over the streets! It's Wei Cheng from the Wei family! He's been beheaded, and both of his guards have also perished! The guards say it's a robbery, a robbery, and the suspect is dressed in black robes and is fleeing out of the market!"

"What? It's Wei Cheng?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Quan's eyes, which had been squeezed small by his fat, widened instantly.

Wei Cheng is dead?

Wei Cheng, who ran rampant in Taoshanfang, actually died just like that?
This person is one of the leaders of the Wei family, with a cultivation level of the eighth level of Qi Refining. He usually carries two guards who are at the late stage of Qi Refining with him.

How could an ordinary person kill three people in an instant and then escape so easily!
"Absolutely true!" The shopkeeper gasped for breath, pointing to the street outside, his voice trembling. "Right in the alley near the Wei family's villa, along with his two guards, they're all... all dead! The enforcement team has already gone there. It's said the Wei family is furious, and Wei Zong personally led the clan's experts to hunt them down!"

This caused an uproar throughout the entire Herbal Pavilion.

The murder of the Wei family steward in the street is undoubtedly the biggest event that has happened in Taoshanfang in recent years!

The staff inside the pavilion whispered among themselves, and even the stewards who were busy refining pills and making medicines in the inner hall couldn't help but come out and crane their necks to look at the street.

The thin deacon, Ma Jun, roared in fury, "How dare this scoundrel! He dares to openly assassinate a deacon of my Lingyin Sect! If I find out who this villain is, I will surely kill this scoundrel!"

After speaking, a look of sorrow appeared on his face.

He and Wei Cheng had a fairly good relationship, and since they were both stewards of the Lingyin Sect, they couldn't help but feel sorry for each other.

In addition,

The assassination of Wei Cheng in the street, from another perspective, also reveals the gradual weakening of the Lingyin Sect's authority...

"Hush... To be able to quickly kill three late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, this person is probably one of the best among the ninth-level Qi Refining cultivators, and might even be a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Where do the nearby rogue cultivators find such a ruthless figure? Could it be a cultivator from the Three Thousand Mountains?"

The deacons speculated in hushed tones.

These deacons held a certain position in the market and had a clearer understanding of the situation.

Before long, it was concluded that it was the work of the cultivators who had undergone tribulation within the Three Thousand Mountains.

Someone muttered, "Could it be Yuan Haoxuan from Black Cliff City? I heard that someone saw him in Peach Mountain Lane a while ago. He is from the Yuan family of Qi State. He is ruthless and has outstanding talent. He is young and about to establish his foundation. He must have come to the Three Thousand Mountains to seek the opportunity to establish his foundation."

Chen Ye had a sudden thought.

Black Cliff City? Could it be the expert who originally came to kill him?

According to the steward, the cultivator named Yuan Haoxuan is a master at the ninth level of Qi Refining.

This man was quite famous, which immediately sparked much discussion among the stewards.

"It is said that this person is the prodigy of the Yuan family. He is only twenty-one years old and is already close to establishing his foundation! But what does the Yuan family lack? Why would he choose to venture into the Three Thousand Mountains?"

"Not necessarily. This opportunity may not be for material gain, but for life-and-death tempering... Perhaps he wants to quickly achieve the Foundation Establishment stage, hence the life-and-death tempering in the Three Thousand Mountains."

"In the end, he is not as good as the true disciple of my sect, Bai Zhenchuan. The true disciple of Bai Zhenchuan had already established his foundation at the age of nineteen..."

After a conversation, Ma Jun, the thin butler who had previously made harsh remarks, had an uncertain expression, and his face turned slightly pale.

Chen Ye's face also showed a hint of shock, followed by a worried tone:
"This place is not safe to stay any longer. Steward Liu, here are the spirit stones, and I'll take the Snowflake with me. I should return to Linsong Valley as soon as possible..."

As he spoke, he placed a small bag of spirit stones on the counter.

Liu Quan looked as if he had just realized something. Yes, there were two other disciples of Chen Ye in Linsong Valley.

Hearing that such a demon roams the vicinity of the Three Thousand Mountains, it is only natural to worry about the safety of my disciple.

"Hey, Steward Chen, take care!" Liu Quan, no longer caring about the score, shouted loudly at Chen Ye's retreating figure, "The market is under martial law now, and the roads may not be safe. Steward, please be careful!"

Chen Ye waved his hand and strode away.

The monks from the enforcement team were moving back and forth, searching for clues.

However, the cultivator was not questioned in detail.

The market was a mixed bag, and it was impossible to close it down and strictly investigate repairmen just for Wei Cheng's sake.

Chen Ye was cautious because he had an old grudge against Wei Cheng, which made him easy to be suspected.

"Deacon Chen...Deacon Chen, please wait!"

A slightly obsequious and urgent voice came from behind.

Chen Ye paused and looked back.

A disciple from the outer sect, dressed in sect attire, squeezed out of the crowd and ran quickly to him, his face full of ingratiating smiles.

Chen Ye recognized this person.

His name was Wang Hao. He was Wei Cheng's confidant when he was in Linsong Valley. He once instigated the disciples in the valley to leave.

Wang Hao ran up to Chen Ye, first bowing deeply in respect, then his face showed a mixture of grief and indignation as he said with heartache:

"Deacon Chen, have you heard? That...that Wei Cheng, he was actually killed! It's...it's truly gratifying...no, it's truly heartbreaking..."

He wanted to show his hatred for Wei Cheng, but he was afraid of saying the wrong thing and offending the Wei family, so his expression looked a little comical for a moment.

Chen Ye raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance: "Oh? What do you mean?"

When Wang Hao saw Chen Ye respond, he immediately perked up, leaned closer, lowered his voice, and said indignantly:

"Steward, you don't understand! The reason we left Linsong Valley back then wasn't because we disrespected you in the slightest, but simply... we simply didn't dare to defy Steward Wei..."

Wang Hao's appearance seemed to have set a precedent.

The eight disciples who had once come from Linsong Valley squeezed out of the crowd and awkwardly approached Chen Ye.

Compared to the shameless Wang Hao, the other outer disciples looked embarrassed and hesitated before speaking:
“Deacon Chen, just as Senior Brother Wang said… I have offended you in the past.”

Among them was a young-looking female disciple whose voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, until she fell silent and could only keep looking at Wang Hao.

Wang Hao's eyelids twitched, and he immediately beat his chest and stamped his feet, speaking with great emotion:
"In truth, how could we forget Linsong Valley for even a day? We have heard that you have managed the valley so well, and the spiritual plants are growing so well. We admire and envy you greatly!"

These words were spoken with such sincerity that anyone else might have believed them to some extent.

But Chen Ye found it all rather amusing.

Like a reed in the wind, swaying from side to side. Seeing that he was outnumbered and outmatched, he didn't hesitate to side with Wei Cheng.

Now that Wei Cheng's body is barely cold, he has immediately turned his attention to him and come running to him, wagging his tail and begging for mercy.

the reason is simple……

In the Wei family, only Wei Cheng was the Spirit Plant Steward of the Lingyin Sect. With his death, these outer disciples lost their support.

Unable to remain in Lingtao Garden, they could only return to Bencao Peak and be reassigned to various sects' properties.

For example, the guards of Yunxifang, the disciples patrolling the streets at this moment, and the shop assistants of Bencaoge.

Of course, if you're lucky, you might even become a spirit rice farmer...

Such a job is hard to compare with the leisurely and lucrative life in the herb garden.

"Yes, yes, Senior Brother Wang is right."

Witnessing this, the disciples breathed a sigh of relief; after all, they were disciples of the sect.

Moreover, most of them were young female cultivators—the Spirit Plant Cultivation Sect is predominantly female, so they couldn't bring themselves to plead for mercy.

But as a cultivator, he still values ​​his future prospects.

Therefore, when their friends at the Herbal Pavilion secretly informed them that Chen Ye was at the Herbal Pavilion, they rushed over as well.

Seeing Wang Hao plead for leniency, he readily agreed.

The noise and commotion caused Chen Ye a headache.

Lin Jin, who was always well-behaved, shrank her head closer to him.

"Deacon Chen."

Seeing that Chen Ye remained silent, Wang Hao assumed that he harbored resentment, so he suddenly knelt down, hugged Chen Ye's leg, and cried out in tears, "I have something to say to him!"

"Your Excellency is magnanimous, please... please give us another chance! We are willing to return to Linsong Valley and serve you faithfully, even unto death!"

His kneeling and weeping immediately drew the attention of more cultivators around him.

Chen Ye frowned slightly.

It wasn't that he was afraid of being seen, but this kind of pulling and tugging was inappropriate.

"What's the meaning of this sudden change from arrogance to obsequiousness? You were the one who jumped the highest in the past, and now you're the one begging for mercy..."

Chen Ye's spiritual power surged, causing Wang Hao to stagger.

To appease Chen Ye, Wang Hao rolled around on the ground a few more times before comically getting up: "Steward, please forgive my foolishness. I was blinded by greed before..."

“Yes… If we’re talking about it, it was all Senior Brother Wang who started it, what does it have to do with us…” a female disciple whispered.

Wang Hao was so angry that his face turned red and then pale, but he couldn't lash out. He could only look at Chen Ye in a conciliatory manner.

Chen Ye, however, was too lazy to waste any more words with him. He coldly glanced at the group of former subordinates with varying expressions before him, his voice indifferent:

"Lin Song Valley is not short of manpower right now. If you are really willing, then wait until this matter has passed and, according to the sect's rules, request a transfer yourself."

Having said that, he ignored his disciples, whose faces were ashen, and, holding the unusually quiet girl in his arms, stepped into the chaotic night.

Behind him, the disciples could no longer contain themselves when they saw Chen Ye's figure completely disappear around the street corner.

"It's all your fault!"

The female disciple who had been the most shy was the first to erupt. Her face flushed red, she pointed at Wang Hao, who was still standing there dumbfounded, and angrily rebuked him.
"They said Deacon Chen was kind and benevolent, and that they could definitely change his mind! Now look what happened, not only did they not get any credit, but they also lost face in front of so many people!"

"Exactly! Look at the way he's acting, he clearly doesn't respect us!"

Another female disciple echoed, her tone resentful.
"We must have been blind to listen to your lies and leave Linsong Valley! And now we're blind again, listening to your lies to plead for us! Ha, we dared to call you Senior Brother of Linsong Valley, and this is how you treat us?"

"I...I was just doing this for everyone's benefit!"

Wang Hao, his face turning pale and then flushed as he was criticized by the crowd, tried to defend himself.
"Who could have imagined that Wei Cheng would die so suddenly! Otherwise... otherwise, how could we have ended up like this... And you all, you're all pushing all the blame onto me?"

However, at this moment, not only these female disciples, but even his former lackeys were showing resentment.

How can he possibly defeat seven mouths with just his tongue?
Just as Wang Hao was feeling disheartened, a divine sense transmission suddenly came:
"Tomorrow, Wang Hao can return to Linsong Valley. At that time, wait for orders in the outer valley. You alone are permitted."

It's Steward Chen!

This...this is telepathic communication?!

Wang Hao's body suddenly stiffened, as if he had been struck by lightning, and he stood frozen in place.

His face, which had been alternating between pale and flushed, suddenly flushed with color, and he felt dizzy.

Deacon Chen… he… he actually agreed?!

And they're only letting him go back alone?!
This sudden turn of events left Wang Hao's mind blank.

In an instant, all the accusations, all the resentment, all the contempt froze.

"How...how is that possible? You were the one who led the biggest disturbance back then!" someone's voice was almost a scream.

"Yes."

Looking at their almost distorted faces, Wang Hao's expression gradually shifted from initial astonishment to an equally distorted smugness.

He got up from the ground, dusted himself off, and looked at the junior sisters who had been bossing him around just moments before.

"perhaps……"

He mimicked Chen Ye's previous tone, speaking slowly and deliberately.
"Deacon Chen, is this the kind of person you like? My fellow disciples, it seems that from now on, you'll only be able to grow spirit rice, or... be apprentices. You can forget about ever entering the inner sect! Hahaha!"

Having said that, he felt a surge of satisfaction, straightened his robes, straightened his back, and strode away.

"Wait, Senior Brother Wang... We are both disciples of Lin Song Valley, please help us plead for us again... That's not what we meant just now."

Behind them, a female disciple finally reacted and chased after them, her voice trembling with tears.

Wang Hao snorted coldly and immediately used his movement technique to leave.

He was originally the senior disciple of Lin Song Valley, with a cultivation level of Qi Refining Level 6. How could these disciples catch up with him?
……

Chen Ye's action was merely a casual remark.

Although Wang Hao is shameless and has often opposed him in the past.

But to some extent, he is still a useful person.

For example, under Wei Cheng's orders, he even dared to come to Songgu alone to investigate, which shows he had some courage.

Chen Ye's current subordinates, Old Man Hei and Lin Jinghua, are too weak in cultivation, and Duan Ling is only carrying out sect missions, so it's not good to keep bothering him.

Wang Hao is at the sixth level of Qi Refining; he's quite useful.

Chen Ye had been stationed in Linsong Valley, cultivating in seclusion for a long time, and knew very little about the surrounding markets. It was just right to send Wang Hao to the surrounding areas to collect information for him. He didn't need to find anything secret, but at least he could convey some key information in a timely manner.

For example, the turmoil in the Three Thousand Mountains, and Yuan Haoxuan from Black Cliff City... If Chen Ye hadn't come to Peach Mountain Workshop today, he wouldn't have known about these things.

Chen Ye carried Lin Jin and flew through the deep night on his sword.

The hustle and bustle of the market was quickly left far behind them.

Only the cold moonlight and the howling wind remained.
Above a dense forest several miles from Linsong Valley, Chen Ye suddenly stopped flying his sword.

With a thought, he quietly dispersed into the depths of the dense forest.

After a while.

A dark shadow leaped out of the forest.

He reached out and respectfully handed a storage bag stained with dark brown blood to Chen Ye.

Chen Ye took it, scanned it with his divine sense, and nodded in satisfaction.

Wei Cheng carried with him a considerable amount of resources.

He put Qingzhi back into his storage bag, glanced at the girl in his arms who seemed oblivious to everything, and then activated his flying sword, speeding off towards Linsong Valley.

"He...did something he shouldn't have done..."

……

When Chen Ye's figure reappeared at the entrance of Linsong Valley, the sky was already beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

The entire valley was still shrouded in a tranquil morning mist.

He quietly escorted Lin Jin back to her courtyard.

Lin Qiongyu hadn't slept all night. When she saw Chen Ye carrying her younger sister back, she rushed to greet him, her bright eyes bloodshot.
"Owner……"

Chen Ye spoke to Lin Qiongyu with unusual gentleness: "Don't worry, the child had a lot of fun today."

"!"

Upon hearing Chen Ye's gentle voice, Lin Qiongyu was suddenly taken aback.

Since that snow disaster,
She had never heard Senior Chen speak so softly again; his tone was always calm to the point of being cold.

Moreover... now it's not Senior Chen, but Master.

"Right, today?" Chen Ye said, affectionately pinching the girl's nose.

Lin Jin blinked, neither confirming nor denying, which left Chen Ye somewhat frustrated.

Well, this isn't something that can be resolved overnight.
He, Chen Ye, is not a succubus! How could he possibly spend just one day with Lin Jin and expect her to respect and be close to him as her master?

Chen Ye thought to himself with a self-deprecating smile as he put the girl back in her wheelchair.

As soon as he took a step, he noticed that the girl's gaze was still on him, as if she was puzzled.

Chen Ye smiled and said, "Master has spent the whole day playing with you, so it's time for Master to go and spend time with the other disciples. There are two lovely girls in Master's courtyard, and I'll introduce you to them later."

The girl silently lowered her eyes, staring intently at the doll in her arms.

Ok?
This little girl really loves dolls.

Chen Ye smiled casually and tossed a bag to Lin Qiongyu: "Here are some Qi-Nourishing Pills and spirit stones for your cultivation. By the way, today is not a suitable day for cultivation with pills, so remember not to feed them to her."

"Elixir..."

Lin Qiongyu stiffly took the bag, and before she even opened it, a rich, sweet fragrance wafted out.

This...this is a top-grade elixir!
Lin Qiongyu's pupils contracted, her slender white fingers trembled, and faced with such a huge temptation, she disregarded etiquette and subconsciously opened the bag.

Inside, there were more than a dozen top-grade Qi-Nourishing Pills!
"I will never forget the master's immense kindness and virtue..."

The girl knelt on the ground, her voice trembling with emotion, but she realized halfway through her sentence that the man had already left.

She bit her lip and murmured to herself.

"Unforgettable..."

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(End of this chapter)