Chapter 59: “You can eat as much as you want.”

“Sect Master, word has come back from the Great Saber Sect. They say…”

The Elder stood below the dais, hesitating.

Bu Donghou’s voice was grim. “Speak!”

The man’s face flushed with shame, and he hung his head. “They say if you refuse to come apologize in person, they won’t release our people.”

Bu Donghou’s palm slammed down, shattering the armrest of his chair. He sneered, “Outrageous!”

Days earlier, the Great Saber Sect had come to Fuyun Sect demanding the Immortal Profound Token. After Bu Donghou had thrown them out, they resorted to a despicable trick.

They had captured the Fuyun Sect disciples who were out training.

The Elder of Tianzhu Peak, Daoist Shuhua, who was Luo Qi’s master, sat in the subordinate seat beside Bu Donghou. His expression was equally grim.

The two Fuyun Sect disciples captured by the Great Saber Sect were none other than Luo Qi and Lin Chao.

No matter how much of a wastrel Luo Qi was, he was still the direct disciple Daoist Shuhua had chosen. Aside from his laziness, his talent wasn’t poor. Daoist Shuhua sighed, his heart filled with worry.

Bu Donghou said coldly, “It seems the Great Saber Sect wants to become an enemy and go to war with my Fuyun Sect.”

Thousands of years ago, because Fuyun Sect had produced a heaven-defying prodigy like Yan Yuanqing, the world’s most renowned figures flocked to her. Great and small immortal sects alike sent greeting cards, seeking to forge connections.

Yet, barely three hundred years after Yan Yuanqing’s fall, Fuyun Sect’s halls had grown deserted. Even a third-rate sect like the Great Saber Sect now dared to trample on them.

Daoist Shuhua stood. “Sect Master, our Fuyun Sect disciples are stranded outside. We must rescue them.”

“Naturally,” Bu Donghou said, stroking his chin in thought. “That Great Saber Sect clearly didn’t learn its lesson last time. Luo Qi and Lin Chao are both disciples of your Tianzhu Peak. I’ll leave this matter to you.”

Daoist Shuhua was about to ask Bu Donghou for more manpower, but Bu Donghou cut him off. “Yuan Yi is gravely injured and of no use now. After this matter is settled, you shall take charge of Tianzhu Peak. You may go.”

As his voice faded, Bu Donghou waved his sleeve, causing the space to ripple. The main seat was already empty.

Daoist Shuhua and the Elder beside him exchanged a glance. The Elder cupped his fist in a salute to him, then turned and left.

“…”

In less than half a day, Daoist Shuhua returned.

His robes showed no signs of a fight, and behind him walked a white-robed figure wearing a mask.

But there was no sign of Luo Qi or Lin Chao.

Bu Donghou was cultivating in a secret chamber. Upon hearing that Daoist Shuhua sought an audience, his eyes flickered slightly.

He didn’t hesitate long. Soon, he arrived at the Sect Affairs Hall.

Seeing the white-robed person by Daoist Shuhua’s side, Bu Donghou’s eyes were wary. “And this is…?”

Without waiting for Daoist Shuhua to introduce him, the white-robed person stepped forward and removed his mask. “I am Xie Xinrong, the Immortal Alliance’s Deputy Envoy stationed at Taiyan.”

The Deputy Envoy of the Immortal Alliance!

Bu Donghou’s expression shifted. His mind raced, trying to figure out what wind had blown such a figure to Fuyun Sect.

Recently, many worldly affairs plagued him, but only two were noteworthy: the Great Saber Sect’s unlawful detention of Fuyun Sect disciples, and the emergence of Yuanqing’s Cave Abode and the trouble caused by Devil Clan members.

In either case, Fuyun Sect was in the right.

Thinking of this, Bu Donghou relaxed slightly. After a few pleasantries, he invited Xie Xinrong to take a seat of honor. “What guidance does the Deputy Envoy bring to my Fuyun Sect today?”

Xie Xinrong was all business, his tone flat. “I wouldn’t dare call it guidance. I am here on orders, originally to mediate the feud between Fuyun Sect and the Great Saber Sect. A few days ago, I also heard of the emergence of Immortal Venerable Yuanqing’s abode. It reminded me there is an old unresolved case, so I’ve come to ask Sect Master Bu for his insight.”

Bu Donghou’s eyelid twitched. An ominous feeling sprouted within him, for no reason he could name.

He glanced at Daoist Shuhua, who was standing by the dais with lowered brows like an invisible man. He waved him away to dismiss him, then spoke. “Please, Deputy Envoy Xie, speak plainly.”

Xie Xinrong didn’t beat around the bush. He stated his purpose frankly. “Three hundred years ago, a thief stole a supreme treasure of the Heavenly Race. Multiple investigations failed, and the trail finally disappeared at the Endless Sea. Recently, the Heavenly Emperor emerged from seclusion and used his Heavenly Eye to see the thief’s face clearly.”

The ominous feeling in Bu Donghou’s heart grew heavier. Several times he wanted to interrupt Xie Xinrong and change the subject, but considering the other man’s status, he didn’t dare.

Though the Immortal Alliance was a coalition of human cultivation sects in the Mortal Realm, in truth, it was an organization established by the Heavenly Realm to suppress and manage the mortal world. The direct-line higher-ups in the Immortal Alliance were not lacking in High Immortals and Gods who had descended from the Heavenly Realm to train.

Xie Xinrong only appeared to be a Deputy Envoy at the Void Refinement Realm, but who knew what backing he possessed?

Thus, even if he guessed this matter might be related to Fuyun Sect, he couldn’t avoid it.

Then he heard Xie Xinrong say: “The little thief who stole the Heavenly Race’s treasure is none other than your esteemed sect’s illustrious Immortal Venerable Yuanqing!”

These words crashed upon Bu Donghou’s head like a thunderbolt from the blue.

His eyes widened in shock, his tongue tying itself in knots. “Y-Yuanqing, Immortal Venerable?!”

“Indeed!” Xie Xinrong stated with absolute certainty. “The Immortal Emperor has decreed that the Immortal Alliance oversee this investigation. I must ask Sect Master Bu to cooperate with my inquiries and truthfully disclose any clues related to Immortal Venerable Yuanqing.”

Cold sweat streamed down Bu Donghou’s back. At this moment, Immortal Venerable Daoling, who usually provided him such helpful counsel, was not at Fuyun Sect.

Yan Yuanqing had been dead for three hundred years. Even if she had stolen the treasure back then, how could it be recovered?

This woman wasn’t obedient in life, and she couldn’t rest even in death! She was practically bringing calamity down upon Fuyun Sect!

Seeing Bu Donghou’s mind wander, Xie Xinrong reminded him coldly: “Sect Master Bu, there is no need to be anxious. You may speak slowly.”

Bu Donghou pondered for a moment, his mind spinning rapidly. “Yan Yuanqing always considered herself too talented to associate with the rest of us cultivators. She wouldn’t even defer to This Seat. Therefore, This Seat knows little about her. However, there is one person who might know something.”

Xie Xinrong asked, “Who?”

Bu Donghou’s eyes flickered. “Yan Yuanyi, Yan Yuanqing’s elder brother.”

~

Inside the cave, Ren Qingyue pressed down on Yan Zhao’s head, making her bow to Yao Shenzi as her master.

Yao Shenzi exclaimed “Excellent!” three times in a row. Seeing how soundly Yan Zhao slept, he simply grinned and rubbed his hands together.

Having entered his tutelage to become his disciple, there would naturally be plenty of opportunities to show Yan Zhao the marvels of alchemy in the future.

However, there was still one problem.

Yao Shenzi scratched his ear in a dilemma. “What if she wakes up and refuses to acknowledge this old man as her master? What if she won’t learn alchemy from me? What then?”

“Senior, you needn’t worry.”

Ren Qingyue’s tone was calm. She had already thought of a countermeasure and told Yao Shenzi, “You just need to do this, this, and this…”

A moment later, Yao Shenzi’s confusion cleared. “So that’s how it is!”

It was then he belatedly remembered to ask, “Miss, what is your relationship with my disciple?”

Ren Qingyue was silent for a beat, then said, “I am a disciple of Immortal Venerable Yuanqing, Ren Qingyue. Thus, I am also Yan Zhao’s Senior Sister.”

“To be frank, Senior, the Jade Talisman I gave you earlier was entrusted to this Junior by my Shizun. For certain reasons, I cannot reveal my identity before Yan Zhao. I hope Senior won’t take offense.”

Yao Shenzi understood. He waved his hand dismissively. “No matter, no matter.”

Having said that, he scooped up Yan Zhao, then casually grabbed the unconscious red fox from the ground. He said to Ren Qingyue, “In that case, you shall also accompany this old man back to the Medicine God Sect.”

As instructed, Ren Qingyue transformed back into the little fox.

Yao Shenzi waved his sleeve, and a gust of airflow swept her body up. In the blink of an eye, the scenery shifted, and they arrived before a pavilion.

Yan Zhao felt like she hadn’t slept long before waking.

Upon opening her eyes, her surroundings had changed again.

“?”

Yan Zhao propped herself up on her arms and realized she was sleeping on a wooden cot.

The room was filled with the faint fragrance of medicine. In the center of the main hall stood a Pill Furnace as tall as a person.

Where was this?

She turned her head to look around. She saw the white fuzzball curled up on a soft cushion by the couch.

The other little orange fox was sleeping without any composure, having rolled off the cushion. Only its head remained leaning against the cushion’s edge, using the White Spirit Fox’s tail as a pillow.

She remembered the Old Monster she’d met before losing consciousness. She guessed he had captured her and brought her here.

With no one else around, she needed to leave this place quickly.

The thought flashed through Yan Zhao’s mind. She lightened her footsteps and walked over to Snowball’s side, picking her up with both hands and tucking her into her robe.

As the White Fox’s tail was abruptly pulled away, Bai Jin’s head hit the floor with a heavy thud.

And yet, she didn’t wake.

Holding her little fox, Yan Zhao reached the door and quietly pulled it open a crack.

The door wasn’t locked, and there was no one on the porch outside. It was the perfect opportunity to escape.

She quickly pulled the door open and stepped one foot out.

Just then, the wooden gate of the small courtyard creaked open.

Yao Shenzi stepped into the courtyard.

Yan Zhao: “…”

The strange old man was holding a wooden tray, smiling broadly. “Good disciple, are you hungry? Why not eat something before you go?”

Yan Zhao’s gaze shifted to the bowl in his hand, which was as big as an alms bowl.

She nodded. “Alright.”

A moment later, Yan Zhao sat down at the table, picked up the large bowl, and began to eat.

What Yao Shenzi had brought her was a big bowl of dumplings. The skin was thin and the filling rich. She ate until her mouth was full of savory fragrance.

Yan Zhao not only finished the dumplings in one go, but also drank the soup until it was completely clean.

The little fox poked its head out from Yan Zhao’s robe and happened to see Yan Zhao sticking out her tongue to lick the bowl.

It covered its eyes with a tiny paw, thinking to itself: That is truly unnecessary.

Which family’s starving ghost had reincarnated as this person?

Most cultivators had already achieved Fasting. The last time Yao Shenzi had seen something eat like this, it was a stray dog passing by the Mountain Gate.

After Yan Zhao had finished eating, Yao Shenzi said, “If you stay and become this old man’s disciple, three meals a day will be specially provided.”

Yan Zhao blinked, holding up the bowl in her hands. She asked, “This much?”

Yao Shenzi replied, “You can eat as much as you want.”

Yan Zhao tilted her head, a thoughtful expression appearing on her face.

Yao Shenzi secretly broke out in a cold sweat.

Mortal food truly meant nothing to cultivators. He didn’t know if this suggestion Ren Qingyue had given him would work.

After a few breaths, Yan Zhao nodded reluctantly. “Fine, then.”

Yao Shenzi’s eyes lit up. He quickly pulled out an ink-black token and had Yan Zhao drip blood on it.

This direct disciple’s Waist Token was personally forged by him, containing within it a wisp of his Divine Sense. As soon as Yan Zhao dripped blood on it, their master-disciple bond would be completely bound, never to be undone.

Since she had already agreed, Yan Zhao didn’t hesitate. She obediently pressed a bloody handprint onto the waist token.

Yao Shenzi beamed with joy. He told Yan Zhao to put the waist token away safely, then pulled out a Small Pill Furnace that fit in his palm. “Come, good disciple, let your master test your Alchemy Dao talent.”

Yan Zhao blinked, her eyes clear. “How do we test it?”

Yao Shenzi handed the little furnace over and patiently explained. “Simple. Just place your hand on it, silently recite the heart method to circulate your Spiritual Qi, and inject your Spiritual Qi into it.”

Yan Zhao did as she was told.

The little fox in her arms poked its head out, also quite curious.

Yan Zhao was terrible at everything she did. She wondered if this time they might uncover some latent talent of hers?

Beside the low table, Yan Zhao closed her eyes, concentrating intently as she silently recited the heart method.

A warm airflow coursed through the meridians of her palm and poured into the Pill Furnace.

Soon, the surface of the cyan Pill Furnace shimmered with a soft white light.

Yao Shenzi’s face lit up with delight. He leaned in to observe closely.

BOOM—

The little fox lifted a paw to cover its face and sighed.

Heavens.

The table collapsed. The red fox woke up. The Pill Furnace exploded.

Yao Shenzi’s face was as black as the bottom of a pot. His messy hair, singed and puffed out chaotically, made him look like he’d been burned. He opened his mouth and coughed out a puff of bluish smoke.

“…”