Chapter 303: Chapter 248 Aftermath! [3rd Update!]
"Li Ji, personally make a trip and invite the three Demon Kings, Tornado, Shuiqing, and Fuling, here for a discussion."
"Kaixuan stays."
Chen Jichuan waved his hand, dismissing the other disciples, leaving only his third disciple, Zhang Kaixuan, behind.
"Master."
Zhang Kaixuan obediently stood in place, unsure of his master’s intentions.
He had joined Chen Jichuan’s sect for 180 years, struggling in his early years due to a lack of aptitude and slow progress. Watching his senior brothers, Li Ji and the others, advance to the Qi Refining Realm one after another, Zhang Kaixuan was filled with envy.
When Chen Jichuan took Li Ji and the other four disciples to Tan State, leaving Zhang Kaixuan and eight others who showed little promise behind at Qingniu Peak, several of the disciples complained privately. Some even gave up entirely, descending to the mortal world to indulge in pleasures.
Zhang Kaixuan, however, refused to surrender. Instead, he committed himself to even harsher cultivation.
Through his master’s network, he sought advice from True Disciples and Qi Refining cultivators within the Heaven Mending Sect.
Thirty more years passed.
Among the other seven disciples, some fell into decline while others aged, losing their ambitions. Only Zhang Kaixuan achieved a sudden breakthrough in cultivation, mastering Qi Refinement.
That year, Zhang Kaixuan was seventy-five.
After advancing to the Qi Refining Realm, Chen Jichuan brought Zhang Kaixuan to the Barbaric Lands and occasionally summoned him for guidance. Having lived through hardships and emotional ups and downs, Zhang Kaixuan took his cultivation seriously and seized every opportunity. During sessions where Chen Jichuan offered instruction, Zhang Kaixuan would methodically present a list of cultivation questions to ask his master.
With the guidance of a skilled mentor and the resources of the Barbaric Lands, including profits from trading with the Demon Race, Zhang Kaixuan steadily improved his cultivation path.
In just 120 years, his cultivation advanced rapidly, surpassing others until he reached Qi Refining Tenth Layer.
He was only fifteen years behind Li Ji.
"Kaixuan."
"Back when I left you and your fellow disciples at the sect, did you feel any resentment?"
Chen Jichuan asked while observing Zhang Kaixuan.
"Disciple dares not."
"The Barbaric Lands were perilous, and mortals were not permitted entry at the time. The disciple understands this."
At these words, Zhang Kaixuan was visibly uneasy, quickly replying.
Though not naturally reserved, his thirty solitary years at Qingniu Peak and the scorn from others due to his cultivation struggles had made him somewhat wooden. His relationship with Chen Jichuan was far less intimate compared to Li Ji or Chu Zhongyou, marked more by reverence than camaraderie.
"You..."
Chen Jichuan saw Zhang Kaixuan’s anxious demeanor and shook his head, producing two pills from his sleeve: "These are the ’True God Pill’ and ’Mystic God Pill.’ The former increases mana, the latter aids in enlightenment. Given your current cultivation level, they are just right for you."
Years ago.
When Li Ji advanced to Qi Refining Tenth Layer and was stuck for ten years, Chen Jichuan gifted him two pills. Now that Zhang Kaixuan had also spent ten years at Qi Refining Tenth Layer, Chen Jichuan wouldn’t show favoritism.
"Thank you, Master!"
Zhang Kaixuan respectfully accepted the pills, his heart racing.
He had heard from Senior Brother Li Ji about the process of advancing to the Second-order, including how their master had given him two pills to consume on the spot in Fuling Cave.
Master personally acted as his protector.
Li Ji managed his breakthrough in a rather inexplicable manner.
Zhang Kaixuan had initially been unsure why Chen Jichuan kept him behind. But receiving the pills stirred some speculation, filling him with eagerness.
Chen Jichuan didn’t disappoint. As Zhang Kaixuan nervously waited, he heard his master’s warm voice, "I will leave in two days. There’s no time like the present. Take the pills now and attempt a breakthrough. I’ll act as your protector."
"Thank you, Master!"
A weight lifted from Zhang Kaixuan’s heart, replaced by excitement. Dropping to his knees, he bowed deeply toward Chen Jichuan.
When Chen Jichuan motioned for him to rise, Zhang Kaixuan followed his master’s instructions, sitting cross-legged, consuming the pills, and channeling his energy to attempt his breakthrough.
...
Beyond Wuling Mountain.
Li Ji returned from his errand. Before entering the mountain, he noticed the violent winds howling around Wuling Mountain’s Central Peak, accompanied by gathering clouds that seemed to press ominously toward the earth below.
"This is—"
Li Ji was startled but quickly realized, "The Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation?"
He hurried along and entered the mountain, meeting junior brothers Chu Zhongyou and Fan Shengyang approaching from ahead. His suspicions mounted: "Who’s undergoing the tribulation?"
"It’s Third Senior Brother."
"Third Senior Brother was kept by Master yesterday and hasn’t come out since."
Chu Zhongyou answered Li Ji, glancing at the Central Peak and the accumulating tribulation clouds with envy.
He had advanced to the Qi Refining Realm earlier than Zhang Kaixuan but had been gradually surpassed in cultivation. Now, this junior brother had reached the point of overcoming the tribulation and advancing to True Person, stirring mixed emotions within Chu Zhongyou: admiration tinged with jealousy.
Beside him, Fan Shengyang wore the same expression, staring transfixed at the Central Peak.
"It really is Third Senior Brother!"
Li Ji’s face lit up with joy upon hearing this. As someone who had advanced to the Second-order before, he felt no envy or jealousy toward Zhang Kaixuan. Instead, he was genuinely happy for his junior brother and delighted by the thought of Zhang Kaixuan sharing the burdens of Wuling Mountain after their master left. Li Ji couldn’t help but laugh aloud.
Turning toward Chu Zhongyou and Fan Shengyang, whose faces betrayed wistfulness, Li Ji smiled and encouraged, "Master treats us equally. While Third Senior Brother and I advanced first, if you two work hard in your cultivation, you’ll surely reach Qi Refining Peak and ascend to Second-order True Persons."
"Qi Refining Peak!"
Chu Zhongyou and Fan Shengyang, inspired by Li Ji’s words, looked once more toward the heavenly tribulation above the Central Peak, their eyes alight with yearning.
...
Two days later.
In the Barbaric Lands, at the central base.
Chen Jichuan sat with Luo Pu. The latter scrutinized Chen Jichuan from head to toe and exclaimed, "When the Hall Master assigned you to work under me, I wondered how long you’d last. Now, less than two centuries later, you’ve already risen to my level."
Luo Pu had already reviewed Chen Jichuan’s transfer order, which bore the signature of Sect Master Sun Jiuzhang himself, along with approval from Five Directions Hall Master Shen Chong. Chen Jichuan was now a Chamber Elder within the Heaven Mending Sect’s Five Directions Hall.
He held the same rank as Luo Pu.
This was a senior position within the Heaven Mending Sect, equivalent in rank to the Peak Masters of the Thirty-Six Peaks. Above them were the Six Hall Masters, the Sect Master, and the Supreme Elders.
Those with higher rank were few and easily counted.
"It’s the Sect Master’s favor."
"I also owe it to Senior Jiulong’s grace."
Chen Jichuan sipped his tea with a calm demeanor, indifferent to accolades.
"Good deeds yield good rewards."
"And you certainly have the skills."
Luo Pu had already learned why Chen Jichuan received the transfer and believed it was no mere fluke. A man like Chen Jichuan, bound by loyalty and willing to journey thousands of miles back to the sect, deserved such opportunities.
Beyond external luck, personal strength was the true foundation.
Stationed in the Barbaric Lands, Luo Pu was more familiar than anyone with Chen Jichuan’s capabilities.
"Once I leave, Wuling Mountain may need you to oversee things."
"Tornado, Shuiqing, and Fuling know my temperament and won’t act recklessly. With their presence, things should remain stable. If you ever encounter an especially difficult task, consider enlisting their help."
"The daily affairs of Wuling Mountain will be handled by my disciples, Li Ji and Zhang Kaixuan. I’ve instructed them that should they encounter any troubles, they should seek your guidance."
Chen Jichuan smiled at Luo Pu.
Among the Heaven Mending Sect’s members, his closest relationship was with Luo Pu, his former superior. Besides personal rapport, both had mutual interests in the Barbaric Lands.
Properties beyond Wuling Mountain and Cangtou Mountain, though established by Chen Jichuan, still relied on Luo Pu’s cover, with a shared stake between them both.
The profits from hunting Evil Gods were even more substantial.
If their joint misconduct ever came to light and were brought before the Law Enforcement Hall, the evidence would warrant enough penalties for them to die many times over.
Partners in crime.
And partners in ongoing crime.
Their bond was naturally deep.
"You’ve reached success and left me with this mess!" Luo Pu joked, pointing accusingly at Chen Jichuan.
As he spoke, his expression suddenly shifted, realizing something from Chen Jichuan’s earlier words. He stared wide-eyed at Chen Jichuan: "Your disciple, Zhang Kaixuan, didn’t just advance to Second-order, did he?"
"Sharp as ever, Master Luo!"
Chen Jichuan gave Luo Pu a thumbs-up.
"It really happened?!"
Luo Pu straightened up in astonishment, exclaiming, "How many disciples do you have in total? And another one advanced?!"
Zhang Kaixuan had only ascended two days earlier, and the news hadn’t yet reached the central base, making Luo Pu’s reaction understandable.
"I have tens of disciples, and only two have advanced. Is that remarkable?"
Chen Jichuan chuckled.
"Just two?"
"Of those tens of disciples, only four or five cultivate Qi Refinement. For two of them, Qi Refining disciples, to reach Second-order True Persons—it’s incredible!"
"You’re truly—"
Luo Pu was momentarily speechless.
"Their diligence speaks for itself; I’m simply their guide."
Chen Jichuan maintained his usual modesty, preferring not to dwell on the topic. Instead, he diverted the conversation, encouraging Luo Pu: "You’ve been in the Barbaric Lands for 150 years, isn’t it time to request a transfer to No.2 Cave? With your credentials, you might even earn a Hall Master or Supreme Elder title in old age."
Given Luo Pu’s capabilities and achievements, transferring to No.2 Cave was entirely feasible.
Yet, enjoying his unmatched authority in the Barbaric Lands and the freedom granted by the loosely managed No.5 Cave above, Luo Pu was reluctant to leave. Profits had flowed abundantly, shaping the connection between the two men.
"Forget it."
"While the sect hasn’t tightened control here, I’ll take advantage and secure what I can. If I move to No.2 Cave later, I’ll be more prepared."
Luo Pu waved dismissively, unwilling to consider leaving.
Chen Jichuan shook his head but refrained from further persuasion.
The two spent hours discussing various arrangements for Chen Jichuan’s impending departure.
Given their close ties, Chen Jichuan ensured that interests and strategies were meticulously adjusted to prevent future discord.
Additionally, Wuling Mountain Alliance, governed by Demon Kings, carried inherent risks despite Chen Jichuan’s intimidating reputation.
Having Luo Pu’s oversight guaranteed stability.
Once all matters were settled, Chen Jichuan made a point to inquire about the Heaven Mending Sect’s list of mid-stage True Persons and their backgrounds.
As someone with shallow roots in the sect.
Luo Pu’s extensive knowledge of experienced True Persons far surpassed Chen Jichuan’s own.
Armed with this key information.
Chen Jichuan departed without delay, heading toward No.2 Cave.
...