Chapter 1998: Acting

“I…”

Zhang Xuan stood rooted to the spot, his face flushed red and his hands and feet unsure of what to do.

“Elder Feng, let’s go!” said Bai Ruanqing.

Elder Feng frowned, but eventually agreed. The two figures blurred and vanished from the spot.

“That should have worked…”

Seeing them leave, Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. He had no desire to be an elder’s disciple! If Elder Bai Ye was willing to acknowledge him as a teacher, then perhaps he could consider taking him on.

So, he and Bai Ruanqing had conspired to put on an act. Under the pretense of being at the same cultivation level, he deliberately made himself seem weaker, allowing Bai Ruanqing to report back. This would likely cause Elder Bai Ye to abandon the idea of taking him as a disciple. Even if it couldn't stop it completely, such weak swordsmanship would certainly delay the matter.

Having resolved the issue, Zhang Xuan quickly flew back to the inner sect mountains and soon arrived at his residence. Dan Xiaotian was still practicing his sword, having mastered the move "Young Master's Sword" to an incredible degree, embodying ninety percent of its essence. Now with sufficient funds, Zhang Xuan had given him several Low-grade Immortal Yuan Pills and provided some guidance, leading to a breakthrough in his cultivation. He had successfully advanced to Ancient Saint 2-dan.

As for Cao Chengli, despite his lecherous nature, he was much more diligent in his cultivation than Sun Qiang. As a bandit, he understood the importance of cultivation, and with enough pills and high-level cultivation techniques, his progress was remarkably swift. Including the journey to the sect and entering the mountain gate, in just over ten days, his cultivation had already broken through to Great Saint 3-dan and was advancing towards 4-dan. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would likely reach Ancient Saint realm within a few days!

Zhang Xuan gave them a few instructions, telling them to continue cultivating, then returned to his room.

“It’s time to break through…”

Using his second Divine Communication Token, Zhang Xuan purchased a hundred Mid-grade Immortal Yuan Pills. He then opened the Heaven’s Path cultivation technique in his mind, calming himself to prepare for cultivation.

The pills entered his body, transforming into streams of spiritual energy that coursed through his meridians. He had already reached the peak of Shattered Void realm, on the verge of breaking through at any moment. Now with the cultivation technique, there was no longer any hesitation. All restrictions effortlessly shattered, and his power underwent a profound transformation.

More than ten minutes later, his power accumulated to its peak. With a resounding "boom," it broke through the shackles, reaching the Half-Immortal realm. He continued to consume the pills. The Heaven’s Path cultivation technique consumed an enormous amount of Immortal Yuan Pills, but Zhang Xuan was rich now and didn’t care. Whenever he felt his power waning, he would swallow a pill. With the rapid operation of the Heaven’s Path technique, his cultivation soared.

Half-Immortal initial stage!Half-Immortal intermediate stage!

An hour later, he had already advanced an entire major realm, reaching the peak of the Half-Immortal realm!

At this point, the hundred Mid-grade Immortal Yuan Pills he had purchased were almost depleted. Moreover, this level of pill seemed to have little effect on his cultivation anymore. To advance further, he would likely need higher-grade pills.

“A single thought penetrates all, the soul like true gold, unharmed by fire… This is the Half-Immortal realm!”

Feeling the changes in his body’s power, Zhang Xuan clenched his fists. Although he had only broken through one major realm, the increase in his strength was unparalleled. The Half-Immortal realm and the Shattered Void realm had a qualitative difference, being the distinction between "Saint" and "Immortal." Both lifespan and power were entirely different. If he had previously used True Qi, he was now using immortal energy—the power of an immortal.

“To have been able to knock Bai Ruanqing unconscious… I was really lucky…”

Feeling his current strength, Zhang Xuan secretly felt fortunate remembering how he had managed to knock Bai Ruanqing out. If he hadn't seized the initiative and allowed her to recover her strength, he would definitely have lost. Not to mention a True Immortal, just this Half-Immortal realm alone was more than ten times stronger than the Shattered Void realm. With his cultivation soaring, his comprehension of the "Sword Intent of the Gods" deepened. If he were to execute this sword technique now, he could easily eliminate even peak True Immortals! As for Immortal Monarchs, he had never fought them nor seen them in action, so he didn’t know much about their specific power. Based on deductions from recorded texts, he likely wasn't their match for now.

“The ruthless man and my clone should also break through…”

He purchased enough pills and released his clone and the ruthless man to cultivate. As for the gourd, after consuming a hundred Mid-grade Immortal Yuan Pills, it seemed far from "recovered." The moment Zhang Xuan released it, it cried and clamored for more food. Annoyed by its noise, he threw it back into his storage ring, no longer bothering with it. He was such an upright person, he truly didn't know what kind of karma he had accumulated to acquire such a gluttonous pet. The most crucial thing was that, apart from its bathwater having healing properties, he had no idea what its other uses were. If all else failed, he might consider finding an Immortal Monarch to strike it and test its durability. If it died, it deserved it; if it didn't break, he could consider using it as a shield in future battles—letting it take the blows in front wouldn't be bad.

While Zhang Xuan was cultivating, Bai Ruanqing and Bai Feng had already returned to the courtyard where Elder Bai Ye resided.

“How did it go?” Elder Bai Ye asked upon seeing them return.

“Young Lady personally tested him. Perhaps Young Lady should speak…” Bai Feng stepped back.

“Grandfather, this Zhang Xuan’s swordsmanship is terrible. He can’t even properly execute the most basic sword techniques. Under the same cultivation level, I easily subdued him with a casual sword technique… he’s completely unqualified to be your student!” Bai Ruanqing quickly said.

As she said this, her admiration for her “Martial Uncle” grew even more. Countless people in the sect wanted to become her grandfather’s disciple, yet this “Martial Uncle” actually refused, going to such trouble… he was truly too low-key! Such a character was truly a role model for their generation!

Elder Bai Ye frowned.

“This is the combat situation I recorded just now with a recording jade crystal. Take a look!” Bai Ruanqing finished speaking and handed over a jade crystal.

Taking the crystal, Elder Bai Ye touched it with his finger, and the scene of the battle immediately appeared before him. He quickly watched it to the end.

“I wasn’t lying to you, was I? His strength really isn’t good. If Grandfather were to take him as a disciple, I’m afraid it would diminish Grandfather’s prestige…” Bai Ruanqing said.

“I understand. You may go down first. I have something to discuss with Xiao Feng!” Elder Bai Ye said expressionlessly, neither agreeing nor refusing.

“Yes!” Bai Ruanqing said no more and turned to leave.

As soon as she left the room, Elder Bai Ye looked at Bai Feng. “What do you think?”

“I’m confident that my disguise had no flaws, but the other party seemed to know beforehand that I would appear. His eyes looked panicked, but in reality, he was extremely composed, not worried at all about being killed…” Bai Feng paused before speaking. Both he and his master were Immortal Monarch realm experts. Although the other party hid it well, they could still easily see through it.

“If he were truly afraid, he would have tried to escape, or sent out a message, instead of showing that expression…” Elder Bai Ye nodded. He agreed with Bai Feng’s assessment.

“Then… Master…” Bai Feng prompted.

“My granddaughter is spoiled rotten! She’s always been reckless and never solid in her basic swordsmanship. Yet, this time she comes running, challenges someone to a spar, and even uses such a spiritual sword move. If you tell me she and this Zhang Xuan didn’t plan this beforehand, I won’t believe you!” Elder Bai Ye stroked his beard with a wry smile.

“Planned beforehand? Master means…” Bai Feng frowned.

“After you left, that girl also left. I then had someone investigate. She went to the library and entered a quiet room with this Zhang Xuan, staying for a full half an hour…” With a flick of his wrist, Elder Bai Ye tossed over a jade token.

Bai Feng quickly took it and glanced at it, his mouth twitching uncontrollably. A man and a woman, sharing a quiet room… and staying for so long? Could something be going on?

“Master suspects… that Young Lady and this Zhang Xuan have some kind of relationship?” He couldn’t help but ask.

“For the next few days, secretly follow her and see what she’s doing. Report any news to me immediately! Also, pay more attention to that Zhang Xuan… An inner sect disciple, yet he can make my fearless granddaughter obediently listen and cooperate in an act. I truly want to know what kind of charm he possesses!” Elder Bai Ye smiled softly.

To be one of the three great elders of Lingyun Sword Pavilion, Elder Bai Ye was not merely highly cultivated; his insight was also exceptionally keen. When his granddaughter heard the news of him wanting to take a disciple, she immediately turned to leave. Fearing she might stir up trouble, he specifically sent someone to follow her. What happened in the library afterward naturally became known. Spending half an hour alone, then suddenly appearing to claim the other party was terrible when Bai Feng was testing him… even a fool would know something was amiss.

Nodding, Bai Feng turned to leave.

“Don’t get too close, and don’t let her discover you, otherwise, that girl will definitely cause a ruckus again! Also, investigate this Zhang Xuan’s background and identity! Among the many inner sect disciples, it seems… his name isn’t there!” Elder Bai Ye waved his hand again.

“Yes!” Bai Feng turned and left.

Bai Ruanqing was unaware that her act with her “Martial Uncle” had been seen through. She was currently in her room, continuing to practice her swordsmanship. After more than ten consecutive moves, she frowned. The sword techniques taught by her “Martial Uncle” were extremely profound. At first, she understood them quickly and made great progress, but the further she went, the harder they became to comprehend.

“I’ll go ask him…”

After cultivating for another hour and feeling unable to make further progress, she gritted her teeth, mounted her beast, and flew directly towards the inner disciples’ peak. Before leaving earlier, she had specifically asked him where he lived, so she knew the exact location.

It didn't take long to arrive outside the courtyard. She dismounted from her beast and knocked on the courtyard gate.

“Creak!”

A middle-aged man came out to greet her. Seeing her beautiful appearance, his eyes lit up. “You are…”

“I’m looking for Senior… Junior Brother Zhang Xuan!” Bai Ruanqing said. Her Martial Uncle was low-key and didn’t want to reveal his identity, so she dared not call him Martial Uncle in front of outsiders.

“Looking for Young Master?” The middle-aged man froze for a moment, then realized. This was, of course, Cao Chengli, the butler. He had initially thought such a beautiful woman was looking for him and had been happy for nothing. However, Young Master was quite impressive… He had initially thought that with his poker face and eccentric personality, he might never find a girlfriend in this lifetime. Yet, he had only been at Lingyun Sword Pavilion for less than a day and had already hooked up with such an extraordinary girl. Truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover!

“Young Master is inside, please…” He gestured, and just as he was about to step over the threshold, he suddenly remembered something, stumbled, and then stepped in with his right foot instead.