Immortality begins with raising apprentices

Chapter 197 The True Seal of the Xu Family, the Girl's Reluctance

"You brat! How dare you bully the Xu family like this!"

"Insanity!"

"kill him!"

Those proud and arrogant Xu family members could not bear such a humiliation!
With a furious shout, the remaining four figures actually drew their swords at the same time, transforming into four streaks of light that attacked Chen Ye from different directions!

Non-vegetation, ruthless Practice makes perfect?
Overwhelmed by anger and grief, they no longer cared about the consequences.

Although they were shocked by Chen Ye's strength, the four of them were confident that they could crush this arrogant plant grower completely by joining forces!

"Well done!"

Chen Ye was not surprised but delighted, and let out a long laugh!
He stomped heavily on his foot, activated the Cloud Chasing Steps, and secretly activated the Bagua Mirror to protect his body. Instead of retreating, he advanced and crashed straight into the cultivator coming from the front!
"court death!"

Seeing that Chen Ye was unprepared, the cultivator was overjoyed and poured his spiritual power into the sword, determined to cut the man in two with one strike!
"Buzz!"

A beam of light flashed past Chen Ye's chest, and the cultivator felt as if the magic sword had vanished into thin air. Immediately afterward, a pitch-black iron sword was right in front of him!
He couldn't even see the trajectory of the black iron sword. He only felt as if his chest had been hit by a heavy hammer, and the immense power directly shattered the protective aura around him!
"puff--!"

He spat out a mouthful of blood, and his whole body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, even faster than when he came, and slammed hard against the distant mountain wall, instantly losing consciousness!
"Damn it!"

The other three cultivators who were attacking from the flanks and rear all tensed up upon seeing this!
Their expressions were fierce, and they were about to take advantage of Chen Ye's distraction to kill him.

"Tsk tsk..."

Chen Ye didn't even glance at the cultivator who was sent flying backward. Without turning his body, he simply moved his mind!
"Zheng——!"

With a soft hum, dozens of Geng metal energies, which had been gathering momentum, erupted like a golden rainstorm, sweeping towards the cultivator on the left!

At the same time, a white light flashed out from Chen Ye's sleeve like lightning!
It is the Flying Light Sword!
The flying sword drew an arc in the air, heading straight for the cultivator on the right.

Multitasking!
The powerful divine sense created by the Seven Luminaries Soul Nourishing Method allows Chen Ye to simultaneously control two completely different techniques and magical artifacts.

"what?!"

The cultivator shrouded in Geng metal energy felt a golden light before his eyes, and countless sharp energies blocked all escape routes from all directions!
He was horrified and desperately tried to raise his spiritual shield to hold on.

But the Geng metal energy seemed endless. Amidst the clanging and clattering sounds, he felt his tiger's mouth crack, and the protective spiritual light around his body dimmed rapidly at a visible speed!
Meanwhile, the cultivator locked onto by the flying light sword didn't even have time to react!
He only had time to hastily hold his magic sword horizontally in front of his chest.

"when--!"

A loud bang!
His superior-grade magic sword was actually cut in two by that flying sword with flowing blue light in a single strike!

Immediately afterwards, the flying sword, its momentum undiminished, spun around and slammed into his chest.

"puff--!"

The cultivator was struck as if by lightning, spitting out a mouthful of blood, and his whole body slumped to the ground!

In the blink of an eye, two were defeated! Only one person remained.

The cultivator who launched the sneak attack from behind Chen Ye was terrified when he saw his companions defeated in an instant!
But his sword had already reached Chen Ye's back, leaving him no way to avoid it!

"Die!" The cultivator's face was contorted with rage as he recklessly unleashed his sword technique.

A glint of inspiration flashed in Chen Ye's eyes.

An invisible wave quietly spread out.

He used his powerful spiritual sense to forcefully shake the attacker's soul!
The cultivator, already disoriented, was struck by this attack. His mind went blank, his spirit was shaken violently, and his movements slowed down by half a beat.

In a battle between masters, victory or defeat can be decided in an instant!
Chen Ye swung his sword backhand, and the jet-black iron sword, though launched later, struck him lightly on the dantian!
"puff--!"

The cultivator was struck as if by lightning, spitting out a mouthful of blood and flying away like a dead dog, losing his fighting ability.

It happened in just a few breaths.

All four arrogant elites of the Xu family were defeated.

"Deacon Chen... such swift methods!" Duan Ling exclaimed in amazement.

He sensed something was amiss.

It wasn't that the Xu family cultivators were too weak; it was simply that Chen Ye's movements were as fast as lightning.

Taking the initiative to strike may seem reckless, but it is actually a swift and decisive move to avoid being surrounded.

He then focused on two things at once, using ruthless methods to defeat the other two.

The outcome was now decided, and the last person was no longer of any importance.

In just a few breaths, the four cultivators were defeated before they could even unleash their full power.

Mao Qingzhu nodded secretly, looking dazed.

She saw even deeper – Ye Di's mastery of magic and flying swords had reached a state of perfection, truly the pinnacle!

This is a crushing defeat in terms of realm! Even the current true disciple of the Lingyin Sect is probably no match for Ye Di in terms of understanding of magic.

"I...I'm sorry, Yedi."

Mao Qingzhu felt extremely guilty.
"If I hadn't entrusted Qingjun to him back then, wasting eight years of his life, Brother Ye would probably have already achieved Foundation Establishment and become a prominent figure in the Yan Kingdom by now..."

Ye Di was born into an ordinary family and came from a poor background. It was truly remarkable that he managed to fight his way onto the path of immortality and learn the art of cultivating spiritual plants.

Just as he was about to unleash his full potential and emerge from obscurity, she entrusted a young girl to him.

The younger brother, who is kind-hearted, already has young disciples. As a cultivator who has just entered the path of immortality, the pressure of raising two disciples has increased dramatically, hindering his cultivation!
Thinking of this, tears welled up in Mao Qingzhu's eyes.

Even so, Ye Di would rather have his cultivation hindered than abandon his two disciples. How admirable!

Chen Ye finished his practice, recalled his flying sword, and looked at everyone:
"Fellow Daoist Xu, now, can we have a proper talk?"

Xu Qingsong's face was pale and ashen, and his lips moved but he could not speak.

Talk? Our dignity has already been humiliated, what's the point of talking?

His gaze swept over Mao Qingzhu, then looked at Chen Ye; their attitudes were already crystal clear.

Further discussion would only add to their humiliation.

"Hmph!" Xu Qingsong sneered, "Take him away! Let's go!"

The attendants dared not delay and hurriedly carried the four wailing people back to the flying boat.

The old man sighed, no longer maintaining his airs, his voice hoarse:
“We accept that we are not as skilled as others. However, Qingjun is, after all, a member of the Xu family. Her baptism in the clan is related to her future path. We hope that you, Steward, can prioritize the child’s future.”

No doubt about it, Old Deng is Old Deng.

They can put on airs and act superior because of their age, but they can also lower themselves and compromise. They really have a thick skin!

Chen Ye looked at the old man, inwardly grumbling, and then laughed, "I naturally know, which is why I asked Sister Qingzhu to take Qingjun back for the baptism."

The old man shook his head, glanced at Xu Qingsong who was boarding the boat with a displeased expression, and continued, "Fellow Daoist Chen, the affairs of the Xu family are far more complicated than you think. We are here for Qingjun's sake. Qingsong is, after all, Qingjun's brother, how could he harm her?"

Mao Qingzhu bit her lip slightly, her eyes darting away.

Chen Ye glanced at Mao Qingzhu.

It seems that Sister Qingzhu is still concerned in her heart. The Xu family has accused her of being unchaste, but she has no way to express her suffering.

He cupped his hands and said, "Then I hope you will tell me the truth, senior. I am willing to hear the details."

The old man leaned on his cane, his gaze distant.
"The Xu family has been able to stand in the Yan Kingdom for hundreds of years because of its foundation. When the Xu family moved here from the Xu Kingdom three hundred years ago, they brought with them a part of the secret techniques passed down in the sect, called the Xu Family True Seal. This secret technique is only passed down to the direct descendants. However, three hundred years have passed since the Xu family settled here... the direct descendants are less than one-fifth of the collateral descendants."

Chen Ye understood a bit after hearing this.

They were simply collateral members of the Xu family, who also wanted to learn the true essence of the Xu family.

The old man continued, "As for the Xu family's True Seal inheritance, due to... certain reasons, each time it is passed down, it loses a bit of its power. This is the reason why it is unwilling to pass it on to collateral branches."

Chen Ye was extremely perceptive and immediately deduced the meaning from the old man's words.

He sneered, "Senior means... that Qingjun is said to be a direct descendant, but in reality a collateral descendant. If she returns to the Xu family, she might be used by the collateral descendants to try and seize the true seal inheritance?"

The old man smiled bitterly:
"That's true. It's not that Qingjun plays a crucial role in the struggle between the main and secondary branches. Rather, her ambiguous identity makes her an easy target for escalating conflicts."

"Damn it... What makes you think Qingjun is a collateral descendant? I don't respect a single one of you Xu family members!" Mao Qingzhu gritted her teeth, filled with resentment.

The old man's lips twitched. That year, Mao Qingzhu had been cultivating on Longmian Mountain. She wasn't from the Xu family, so she couldn't have been a servant, could she?

Or……

Nine years ago, this Deacon Chen was a handyman at Longmian Mountain? That's even more impossible. They had already thoroughly investigated Chen Ye, but they just didn't expect him to be so skilled at concealing his aura.

"What a Xu family..."

Chen Ye sneered inwardly.

He looked at the seemingly submissive but actually calculating Foundation Establishment elder before him and shook his head.
"Senior, please go back. What does your Xu family's dispute have to do with me? Besides, with Sister Qingzhu here, she will surely protect Qingjun."

"You..." The old man frowned, "Aren't you worried that Qingjun will be plotted against by the collateral branches when he returns to Dragon Vein Mountain?"

Chen Ye had already seen through the old man's trick: if force didn't work, he'd try a softer approach.

But he was determined.

Since Mao Qingzhu was going to take Qingjun back to Longmian Mountain, she had naturally made full preparations in her heart.

If he didn't trust Mao Qingzhu, he would definitely have hesitated after hearing the old man's words.

but……

Chen Ye's lips curled slightly: "How could I dare to believe that you, senior, are telling the truth?"

"What do you mean by this?" the old man asked, displeased.

"Heh, since you believe Qingjun is of collateral blood, then the collateral bloodline must also believe that one of their heroes is Qingjun... So, in other words, they would consider Qingjun one of their own. They might even know that Qingjun is exceptionally talented and has the Mao family as his backing, and they might even want Qingjun to lead the collateral bloodline to rise..."

Chen Ye spoke slowly and deliberately, which made the old man's face turn completely ugly.

Chen Ye also questioned how Qing Jun, with her identity, could possibly influence the inheritance of the Xu family's true seal.

Perhaps these collateral relatives, considering Qingjun to be a member of a collateral branch, simply wanted to secure the inheritance for Qingjun.

But those who were loyal to the family were naturally unwilling...

This old man is truly cunning and treacherous!

"You...you're talking nonsense!"

The old man was speechless at Chen Ye's words, his face turning ashen, and his hand holding the cane trembled slightly.

He realized that he had underestimated this steward who came from a humble background.

Whether it was their strength, their mental fortitude, or their ability to twist the truth, they all far exceeded his expectations.

His rhetoric, which he used to win people over and sow discord, was full of holes in front of this person!
……

One side's matter is settled.

The Azure Phoenix Flying Boat had long since disappeared into the horizon, leaving only a scene of devastation.

Chen Ye gazed at the spot where the flying boat had disappeared and said wearily:
"Fellow Daoist Duan, please clean up this mess. Also, send a message to Wang Hao and tell him to keep a close eye on the movements at Moon Rhinoceros Lake."

"Yes!" Duan Ling accepted the order without hesitation and turned to organize the spiritual plant growers in the valley to clean up the chaotic valley entrance.

At the valley entrance, only Chen Ye and Mao Qingzhu remained for a moment.

"Brother Ye..."

The mountain breeze ruffled her cascading black hair, with a few stray strands clinging to her fair cheeks.

With her eyelashes drooping, her bright, clear eyes were misty, like lotus leaves after rain, losing their fierce and ruthless edge, leaving only a gentle and unspoken tenderness.

The person before her had raised her "daughter" for nearly ten years and had protected her with all his might in times of crisis... How could she not be moved to tears?

Chen Ye asked in confusion, "Sister Qingzhu, what's wrong with you? Don't worry, I won't give Qingjun to them."

"No, it's my fault for letting you down," Mao Qingzhu murmured. "It's all my fault for entrusting Qingjun to you, hindering your cultivation. Otherwise, you should have been..."

"Is there...is there any?"

Chen Ye was even more confused. When did the little girl start influencing him?

On the contrary, she seemed mischievous, but was actually very well-behaved and never disturbed his cultivation.

"With your kind of mentality, you're bound to suffer a great loss in the future."

Mao Qingzhu sighed softly.

She gazed at Chen Ye's gentle features, her worry growing stronger.

Ye Di is good in every way, except that he never expects anything in return and never cares about his own efforts.

He was still thinking of comforting her.

Such sincerity, if encountered by a female cultivator with wicked intentions...

Wouldn't that make me a cuckold?

She didn't want her sworn brother to become the legendary Turtle Cultivator in the future.

The more Mao Qingzhu thought about it, the more uneasy she felt about entrusting her younger brother to someone else.

"By the way, I'm sure Sister Qingzhu is aware of the internal struggles within the Xu family, right? Why don't you tell me about it?" Chen Ye suddenly said. Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory in every battle.

"I've heard a little about it, but I only know there's some conflict... I was in seclusion cultivating all that year." Mao Qingzhu looked confused and smiled sheepishly. "So the conflict in the Xu family has gotten this intense."

hateful!

He shouldn't have trusted Sister Qingzhu.

Seeing Mao Qingzhu's blank expression, Chen Ye was startled.

He dared to take Qingjun back without knowing anything.

I hope that my sister Qingzhu will not end up like Qingjun, all bark and no bite.

Seeing Chen Ye's worry, Mao Qingzhu quickly adjusted her expression, lightly tucking her hair behind her ear and smiling gently:
"Brother Ye, don't worry. Sister Qingzhu is also a Foundation Establishment cultivator. If anyone dares to block me, I'll just take Qingjun and fight my way out! Besides... although Father doesn't like Qingjun, he will never sit idly by."

In any case, what's meant to happen will happen...

Within the inner valley.

The two girls had already been washed clean, and their skin was fair and tender.

He was sitting at the stone table, resting his chin on his hand, looking utterly bored.

"Senior sister, does it hurt when Master hits you?" the little girl asked curiously. She hadn't been whipped in a long time and couldn't quite remember what it felt like.

"It doesn't hurt." The older girl stared at her little hand.

As expected... as expected, Master still couldn't bear to hit her.

I clearly controlled the force; it only hurt for a moment.

Thinking about this, she couldn't help but smile foolishly.

"Sister?"

The little girl squinted, looking puzzled. "Senior sister is so scary! Why is she suddenly grinning like that?"

My senior sister isn't stupid at all...

"Ahem, by the way, Qingjun, are you going to Longmian Mountain?" Zhiwei quietly changed the subject.

“Yes.” The little girl sat on the stool, swinging her tiny feet that barely touched the ground. “Qingjun really wants to go out and play… Anyway, we’ll be going back to Linsong Valley in a month. Qingjun won’t miss you all!”

"is it?"

Suddenly, her master appeared behind her and pinched her wet little face.
"But Master can't bear to part with Qingjun..."

　Thank you to the fisherman who drinks porridge, book friend 20250720005031145, and book friend 20250731075122636 for the 500 points reward!

　　Hmm... I wrote too much battle! orz! I got stuck at chapter 197, hopefully I can make up for it! orz
　　
　
(End of this chapter)