Immortality begins with raising apprentices

Chapter 204 Songyang Cave Heaven, Returning to Luoli

"These celestial realms in the mortal world are both immense opportunities and deadly curses. The high-ranking figures in the sects covet the treasures within, yet fear the dangers. What do you think they will do?"

Bu Feifan suddenly looked up at Chen Ye.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, you fought your way through the ranks of rogue cultivators. You don't think these people would be foolish enough to go in on their own, endure countless hardships, and finally obtain this opportunity?"

Chen Ye understood.

If a hidden paradise truly exists in the world...

These sects or major powers would certainly not be foolish enough to simply send their most talented disciples in.

While disciples certainly need experience, the risk of injury or death from training in such a dangerous place would be unacceptable.

Not to mention, these disciples are not only disciples, but also the descendants of various important figures in the sect... How could they bear to let their children and grandchildren take risks?
"Does Fellow Daoist Bu mean... that the sect will send me to Songyang Cave Heaven?" Chen Ye felt a chill in his heart.

He avoided such dangerous and secret places.

Moreover, even if one were to obtain something by some stroke of luck within Songyang Cave Heaven, how could one possibly keep it after leaving the cave heaven?
Moreover, Chen Ye has a proficiency panel, so he just needs to proceed steadily and surely.

“That’s right… but Fellow Daoist Chen is the manager of Lin Song, so in principle, he wouldn’t let you be such a waste.”

Bu Feifan's expression was withered; his face, which had been devoid of life, now showed a hint of doubt.
"This doesn't make sense... Generally, assassins are cultivators who have committed capital crimes. If there aren't enough of them, they'll secretly convict a group of rootless but powerful rogue cultivators. As for me... it's because I accidentally damaged a second-tier spiritual plant while helping a sect protector tend to it, that I was captured and thrown into the dungeon to pay for my debt with my life. I think... it's just that Songyang Cave Heaven lacks a spiritual plant expert to identify spiritual plants, so they just went with the flow and made me act as an assassin."

Bu Feifan is said to be from a family of spirit plant growers, but this is only because his ancestors were all spirit plant growers; in reality, they have no real power or influence.

His words also made Chen Ye's eyes flash:
"So, they're arresting you because you lack spiritual plant cultivation skills... In that case, if I'm to become a suicide soldier, it's probably because someone needs me."

Chen Ye is different from Bu Feifan. The Lingyin Sect would not arrest him simply because they lack spiritual plant growers; that would be a waste of his talent.

Unless, for other reasons.

And then, considering Bai Susu's situation...

Before long, Chen Ye had a vague idea in his mind and asked, "How many times has the sect organized a trip to Songyang Cave Heaven?"

"This is the second time. The first time, three disciples led a group of dozens of independent cultivators to scout ahead. I heard that this group was completely wiped out."

Bu Feifan explained.

Although it is dangerous inside, independent cultivators still need someone to lead them, and a large sect has no shortage of disciples who dare to seek opportunities in situations where they are in dire need of life and death.

Chen Ye pondered silently.

First of all, he did not consider whether it was the Bai family or other high-ranking members of the Lingyin Sect who wanted to deliberately plot against him.

This is completely unnecessary... A mere deacon at the ninth level of Qi Refining is not worth all this trouble.

The Wei family also lacked the ability to directly frame him—if they had that ability, why would Wei Cheng have needed to plot against him in the first place?

The more Chen Ye pondered, the uglier his expression became.

He realized that he was likely just like an ant, casually arranged by some big shot, which led to his current predicament.

For example, a high-ranking member of the Bai family was extremely anxious after hearing that Bai Susu was trapped in the secret cave realm.

While questioning those who had been in contact with Bai Susu, they noticed themselves.

Seeing that his cultivation level was already among the top among rogue cultivators, and that he happened to have some ambiguous entanglement with Bai Susu, he casually mentioned to the people below at a meeting: "Isn't Chen Ye from Linsong Valley close to Susu? Let him go to Songyang Cave Heaven to take a look. Maybe he can find some clues."

It may seem like nonsense, but to those powerful figures who truly hold power, what does Chen Ye's life or death matter?
It was just a casual, unintentional move, a sacrificed piece used to explore the way.

If he is lucky enough to survive and brings back some useful information, that would be an unexpected bonus.

If he dies... then he dies. A steward who came from a rogue cultivator's background, his death is nothing to the sect.

The Wei family, however, merely sensed this trend and went with the flow to settle personal scores.

"I'm afraid... the Wei family used this 'indirect approach' to get themselves into the sights of this important figure."

Chen Ye suddenly understood.

Absurd... Absolutely absurd.

In the cultivation world, human life is as worthless as grass. Chen Ye had already realized this when the Jade Lizard Society captured the herbalists.

But... this time it was completely different from before; it was just a casual remark from a powerful figure! Ironically, while he could resist in front of the Jade Lizard Society in the past, he had no room to resist now!
"Hey, newbie? You've come all this way and you still have the nerve to gossip?"

A rough, hoarse voice broke Chen Ye's thoughts.

Chen Ye looked up and saw the cell opposite him.

A burly figure, as imposing as an iron tower, slowly stood up and stretched his limbs.

This man was unusually tall, and even in prison clothes, his bulging muscles were hard to conceal. The crisscrossing scars on his face looked even more ferocious in the dim light.

Chen Ye's gaze fell on his ankle, where an iron chain was locked, intended to restrict his movement. But strangely, the chain was long enough for him to easily walk to the door of his cell. The cell bars were made of ordinary iron, practically useless against a cultivator of this physique.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, be careful!"

Bu Feifan, who was in the corner, turned pale and hurriedly sent a telepathic reminder.

"This man is named Tie Hu, and he's a ruthless character! He used to have the cultivation level of the eighth level of Qi Refining, but he was arrested for his bloodlust. Although his dantian was locked, he still has immense strength, and no one in the dungeon dares to mess with him!"

Tie Hu grinned maliciously, slowly prying open the seemingly sturdy iron bars, and approached Chen Ye's cell step by step, his fierce gaze fixed on him:
"Kid, who told you to offend the Wei family? Don't blame me, I'm just doing my job."

Before he finished speaking, he pounced like a whirlwind, his fist, as big as a casserole dish, aimed straight for Chen Ye's face! This punch was powerful and fierce; even without the aid of spiritual energy, it was enough to shatter stone tablets!
Bu Feifan was horrified and could hardly bear to look anymore.

Chen Ye sneered. The Wei family? He didn't think it was the Wei family who did it.

Based on his earlier speculation, he suspected it was the work of someone from the Bai family. Although it might just be a casual remark to a big shot, his subordinates would certainly take it seriously.

To verify whether his guess is correct, we only need to see if anyone comes...

Chen Ye neither dodged nor evaded, and raised his fist as well.

A dull thud echoed through the cell!

The expected scene of Chen Ye breaking bones and tendons did not occur when their fists clashed. He remained as steady as a rock, completely still.

Iron Tiger, on the other hand, gasped in pain.

"You...you're also a body cultivator?!" he exclaimed in shock, pulling back as he retreated.

Chen Ye did not answer. In the instant of exchanging blows, he secretly enhanced himself with spiritual power. Otherwise, relying solely on his physique, even with the enhancement of his agility technique, he would still be inferior to a body cultivator like Tie Hu.

"Again!" Tie Hu roared. If he couldn't even handle the Spirit Plant Master, how could he save face?
He suppressed the excruciating pain in his fist, his arms swung like windmills, his legs like whips, creating a gust of wind, each move aimed at Chen Ye's vital points.

Instead of retreating, Chen Ye advanced. He activated his Cloud Chasing Step, calmly passing through the dense barrage of punches and kicks.

"ended."

His powerful divine sense quickly allowed him to seize an opening, allowing him to close in and bypass Tie Hu's sweeping iron arm. His elbow, like a hammer, precisely struck Tie Hu's chest acupoint.

"Ugh!" Tie Hu felt a tightness in his chest, his breath caught in his throat, and his attack slowed down.

Chen Ye pressed his advantage relentlessly, and before his opponent could catch his breath, he delivered a swift and precise chop to the back of Tie Hu's neck.

Tie Hu's vision went black, and his burly body collapsed to the ground like mud, unconscious.

"Dangdang!"

Just then, the cell door was opened again.

Bai Wuji strode in, shouting, "Stop! You... huh?"

A sharp shout caught in his throat, and Bai Wuji stared blankly at the scene before him.

Chen Ye calmly dusted himself off, while at his feet lay Tie Hu, unconscious.

"White Protector".

Chen Ye turned his head, looked at Bai Wuji who was standing blankly at the door, and a half-smile appeared on his lips.

"You are late."

Seeing this, Bai Wuji looked embarrassed. His intended act of bestowing favors and winning people over had ended abruptly before it even began.

The hunchbacked old woman simply wanted Chen Ye to work more diligently for them, because if they simply used threats and inducements, it would only lead to unexpected problems.

However, he really disliked such hypocritical behavior.

Bai Wuji's mind raced, and the embarrassment on his face was quickly replaced by his usual coldness.

He snorted heavily and said in a deep voice, "It seems you're not entirely useless. To be able to protect yourself in this situation is barely enough to qualify you for the next mission."

"A mission?" Chen Ye looked at him, his expression unchanged. "I didn't know that the sect had such a unique way of testing people."

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Bai Wuji blushed, speechless, and decided to stop beating around the bush, directly taking out a jade slip engraved with the Bai family mark from his robes.

"Now Susu is trapped inside Songyang Cave Heaven, her fate unknown. The Second Elder has ordered you to join the exploration team to enter the cave heaven. Although Songyang Cave Heaven is dangerous... it has already been explored once, and this second time, various major families will participate. It's not as dangerous as you think."

After listening, Chen Ye sighed softly.

Knowing he had wronged him, Bai Wuji finally toned down his posture and softened his tone, saying:

"The Second Elder has always believed in the law of cause and effect. You have some connection with Susu, but you are also too involved with demonic cultivators and others... Sending you there might lead to some clues that we cannot find. This is also an opportunity for you to prove your innocence."

That sounds nice, but they've already pinned the label of colluding with demonic cultivators on Chen Ye.

Now they're making him prove his innocence. To put it bluntly, they know in their hearts that they have nothing to do with demonic cultivators. Otherwise, why would they let him go to Bai Susu?
no way……

Why did he allow both of his disciples to be within the sect's territory?
When a person has a weakness, they are easily manipulated and do not have to worry about being attacked in return.

Chen Ye used to have some goodwill towards the Lingyin Sect, but now it has completely vanished.

If he successfully establishes his foundation, he even wants to take his disciple and fly far away.

He used to need the sect's protection, but now he no longer needs it.

Even without the Lingyin Sect, the only difference is fewer resources and slower cultivation.

But this problem is unimportant to him or his two disciples.

Chen Ye showed no disgust and nodded, saying, "Since it is for the sake of Master Bai, I, Chen, will gladly die for it."

His words were so crisp and decisive that they caught Bai Wuji off guard.

Bai Wuji looked away: "Regardless of whether this trip goes smoothly or not, the sect will take your two disciples into the sect from now on, and they will directly enter the inner sect for cultivation..."

Chen Ye almost laughed. Let alone the inner sect, even the true disciples of Lingyin Sect are not worthy of his disciple's talent.

He said firmly, "However, I hope Protector Bai knows that I am not going there to prove my innocence. True Disciple Bai has been kind to me, and I, Chen Ye, will repay that kindness. This trip is for her sake, and has nothing to do with the sect or the Bai family."

"You...so be it." Bai Wuji said sadly.

"But I wonder, with my dantian locked, how much strength can I muster? Or will I have to use my fists to find my way, just like this Iron Tiger?" Chen Ye said coldly.

"Don't worry. Once you're inside the cave, someone will unlock the spirit-locking nails for you."

At this point, Bai Wuji hesitated, frowning as he spoke.
"This time, however, Wei Shu, who comes from the Wei family, volunteered to be the only Foundation Establishment cultivator to go and scout ahead... If you want to remove the Spirit Locking Nails..."

Chen Ye twitched his lips.

Good heavens, this is a place where you'd probably die as soon as you went in.

Bai Wuji knew Chen Ye's worries and pondered, "But the Spirit-Locking Nails are ultimately set up according to the sect's system, and... some people are worried that you will secretly escape after the restrictions are lifted and become unruly. What do you think? At that time, will you be with the teams of other families?" "Other families?" Chen Ye asked in confusion.

"Hmm. The Wei family, the Ji family, and the Xu family—all three families have their own teams inside. Transferring control of your Spirit-Locking Nail to these families would be perfectly legal. Bai… cough cough, those people won't have to worry about you escaping. Heh, that's probably why Wei Shu volunteered; he probably wants to help the Wei family."

Bai Wuji explained.

Good heavens, with so many cultivators, do they really need Chen Ye?

What kind of superstition is this second elder spouting! There's no such thing as cause and effect in this world.
Besides, what karmic connection did he have with Bai Susu... Wait, thinking about it carefully, he really did have many coincidental encounters with this girl.

Chen Ye smiled bitterly: "Protector Bai, but all three families have a grudge against me... Ji Yueze's Flying Light Sword has fallen into my hands, and I suspect that Wei Shu will definitely pass this news on to the Ji family. As for the Xu family, I have constant friction with Xu Buhui's lineage."

"You kid..."

Bai Wuji clicked his tongue in amazement. A cultivator who started as a rogue cultivator had managed to offend so many families and still be alive today; he could only be described as incredibly lucky.
"How about this, go to the Xu family. The Bai family has inside information that the Xu family patriarch, Xu Henshan, knows his lifespan is short and wants to explore the secret realm... And he would never harbor ill will towards you because of any branch of the Xu family..."

……

Rakurin.

The familiar courtyard appeared exceptionally tranquil under the moonlight, and the branches of the old pear tree swayed gently in the night breeze, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Chen Ye stood in front of the door, momentarily dazed.

It has only been half a year, but it feels like a lifetime has passed.

"Tsk tsk, I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Chen to have a private relationship with Protector Bai."

Bu Feifan followed behind him, feeling both happy and worried, but thankfully they finally got out of the dungeon.

Thanks to Bai Wuji's efforts, Chen Ye was able to escape from the dungeon and return to Luoli Courtyard.

However, during this period, one must not leave the gates of Rakurin.

Thinking about it, since he was determined to go to Songyang Cave Heaven, there was no reason to keep him locked up in the dungeon.

Do you think I should be grateful to the Bai family?

Chen Ye stretched, his tone wistful. He himself often used this tactic of giving a big stick followed by a sweet treat.

I never expected to be treated like this.

At this moment, he began to believe in the concept of cause and effect.

In the past, he did indeed take advantage of Bai Susu and also gained many benefits from her.

Today, however, she has fallen into prison and will eventually have to go to a secret realm where she faces a life-or-death situation.

"Sigh, what can we do but be grateful? However, this time the cave might be much safer. Didn't they say that three families would send disciples in... even the Xu family patriarch? It seems the rumors are true, and Xu Henshan's lifespan is about to end."

Bu Feifan clicked his tongue in amazement. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the news.

With a cultivator at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment nearby, it's somewhat safer.

He bowed solemnly to Chen Ye and said, "I must thank Fellow Daoist Chen for helping me escape from the dungeon!"

"This is the White Protector's idea... I suppose it was the White Protector who arranged this prison for you back then."

Chen Ye shook his head. He understood that Bai Wuji did indeed have a good impression of him. His assessment in Linsong Valley was intentionally overestimated, and this time he had secretly manipulated things, using Bu Feifan to tell him a lot of information.

"Well... in any case, we are all indebted to Fellow Daoist Chen."

Bu Feifan nodded.

After following Chen Ye into Luoli Courtyard, he wisely refrained from going inside and instead sat cross-legged by the pond.

“Fellow Daoist Chen, I’ve been resting in the courtyard these past few days. I’ve been confined for a month and haven’t had much contact with the outside world…”

Chen Ye did not extend any further invitations.

As cultivators, enduring wind and dew is nothing new.

He walked into the room where he had once laughed and played with his two apprentices, and stroked the cold tables and chairs, as if their presence still lingered in the air.

However, this was probably just Chen Ye's misconception.

The room was spotless, indicating that someone cleaned it regularly.

Even if there were indeed two girls' auras, they would have been swept away long ago.

“Zhiwei, Qingjun…”

Chen Ye muttered to himself, he would never sit idly by and wait for his death.

According to Bai Wuji, a Golden Core demon beast has recently been stirring up a beast tide in the Three Thousand Mountains, making Songyang Cave Heaven temporarily inaccessible. It is estimated that it will be two months before Songyang Cave Heaven can be entered.

During these two months, Qingjun was fortunate to have Mao Qingzhu's protection.

Knowing that Wei was alone in Linsong Valley and unaware of her master's safety, she was undoubtedly very worried.

What frustrates Chen Ye the most is that although he is now free and has come to Luoliyuan, he is essentially under house arrest and it is difficult for him to send messages to the outside world.

"Two months... I hope Zhiwei can take good care of herself. Today she has her sister's company, and Qingjun has Qingzhu's care, but Zhiwei..."

"According to Bai Wuji, the Xu family will be holding a Dragon Gate Gathering in ten days. Qingjun happens to be at the Xu family's place, so we must make sure she doesn't get caught up in it..."

……

Meanwhile, near the Song Valley.

Since Chen Ye was taken away, the plant growers continued their work as usual, but their faces were filled with lingering worry, and they talked much less, for fear that they might bring trouble upon themselves by speaking carelessly.

The atmosphere in the inner valley courtyard was even more somber and icy.

Lin Qiongyu held a bowl of carefully cooked spiritual porridge and wanted to knock on Zhiwei's door several times, but hesitated and withdrew her hand each time.

“Zhiwei…she hasn’t eaten anything all day,” she whispered to Granny Li, who was standing beside her with a similarly worried expression.

"Sigh, let her be." Granny Li sighed. "That child is stubborn. But Steward Chen... good people are always blessed, he'll be alright."

Even so, her cloudy old eyes were full of worry.

Inside the room, Zhiwei was not cultivating, but she was not dejected.

She held the flying sword named Shenchen in her arms, its cold blade pressed against her equally cold cheek.

My master has been taken away.

His cultivation was sealed, his magical artifacts were taken away, and he was like a prisoner.

And she could only watch helplessly, unable to do anything about it.

Utterly incompetent.

But we absolutely cannot sit idly by and wait to die!

She suddenly stood up, pushed open the door, and ignored the spirit porridge that Lin Qiongyu was about to serve, and walked straight towards the outer valley.

The guard patrolling the outer valley was Duan Ling.

Duan Ling leaned back slowly against the Iron-Backed Demon Bull, sighing repeatedly.

He was Chen Ye's bodyguard, and with Chen Ye imprisoned, his position became extremely awkward.

If Chen Ye is indeed held accountable, his six months of guard work will likely be in vain, and he may even face punishment.

Moreover, putting all that aside, he and Chen Ye had a good personal relationship:
"Sigh, why would such a good person as Deacon Chen be arrested by the Enforcement Hall? Could it be the Wei family..."

"Brother Duan..."

Upon hearing the girl's call, Duan Ling's expression brightened. Seeing it was Zhiwei, he felt a pang of pity.

"Junior Sister Lu, please accept my condolences... Steward Chen is a lucky man and will be blessed by Heaven."

He and Lu Zhiwei were both in the same sect, and he usually addressed her as his junior sister.

Zhiwei interrupted him, her dark eyes calm:
"Heavenly signs? Ridiculous! My master said that success depends on human effort, and I don't want to sit idly by and wait for my doom."

"This……"

To be frank, although Lu Zhiwei spoke calmly, her words carried a clear hint of hostility.

Clearly, the arrest of her master had left this usually quiet girl seething with anger.

Duan Ling understood, and he changed the subject, saying, "Junior Sister Lu came to see me, I suppose you have something to ask of me?"

"Well, I'd like to ask Brother Duan for a favor," Lu Zhiwei said softly.

"Junior sister, please speak freely." Duan Ling sighed. He knew that this child must be feeling very distressed.

"I would like to ask Brother Duan to go to Yuexi Lake Workshop and inform Aunt Mao... that is, Mao Qingzhu, about the news that Master has been arrested. Aunt Mao is currently in seclusion at Longmian Mountain with Qingjun, so she is unlikely to know about the news from Taoshan Workshop."

Lu Zhiwei bit her lip. It was really unfortunate that Aunt Mao brought Qingjun to be baptized at this time.

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Duan Ling's expression changed slightly.

As an inner disciple, it was somewhat taboo for him to contact outsiders in private, especially since he was conveying the message that the sect had captured a certain cultivator...

However, this matter is neither a major nor a minor one.

Thinking of this, Duan Ling said again:
“Deacon Chen has done me a favor, and I will do my best to help him. However, you are unaware of the methods of the Enforcement Hall, Junior Sister Lu. Even Senior Mao would find it difficult to intervene. Only the Bai and Zhao families, who are involved in the core of the sect's power, can operate in secret.”

“Anything that can help is good... Brother Duan is the only late-stage Qi Refining cultivator in Lin Song Valley. Only you can use your sword to quickly reach Yuexi Lake Town.”

Lu Zhiwei understood this principle, but she would never allow her master to be slaughtered!
Moreover, she firmly believed that, whether it was for her master or now to save him, it was the right thing to do.

How will you know there's no chance if you're not willing to try?

“Alright.” Duan Ling was quite capable and efficient. Upon hearing this, he leaped onto his flying sword and stepped directly onto it. He turned around and said, “Then I’ll go to Lu Zhiwei.”

"Eh?"

Lu Zhiwei was stunned. Her master had said before that this Brother Duan was decisive and efficient, and now it seemed that it was indeed true.

"Master..."

Thinking of this, her eyes unconsciously drifted back to the image of her master holding her and whispering about various things.

"Even if... Master really has to accept punishment, Zhiwei should stay with Master!"

　Gastroenteritis, fever, guests coming over, a relative getting married, injury. Which one would you believe?
　　To be honest, I could write 10,000 words a day, but the more I wrote, the more I felt I was going astray.

　　I wanted to write a story about a master and his apprentice, but now that I'm writing, I've strayed too far from the original theme.

　　If this continues, the brain will have even less time to organize the plot, and it will just keep falling apart.

　　For long-term considerations, I'd like to change the previously mentioned three-day, 10,000-yuan daily plan to a longer-term six-day, eight-day plan. ……………………

　　barley
　　Thank you Elvisua and Hezhoudeyu for the 500 points!
　　Thank you to Star Investor and Heartfelt Thanks for the 200 coins!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)