Wen Yuan was about to cast the Bright Fire Spell when Zuo Qi stopped him.

 

"What's the matter? You're only dealing with some Soul-Capturing Bats, and this is the standard of Lingxiao Palace?" Zuo Qi sneered.

 

Wen Yuan, an honest man, replied straightforwardly, "It's getting late, and lives might be at stake!"

 

Zuo Qi coldly chuckled, "Seeking the path of immortality is arduous, and if you can't overcome such a small difficulty, how will you face demons, inner demons, and heavenly tribulations in the future?"

 

Wen Yuan was rendered speechless, "But..."

 

Lu Yao rushed over to explain, "Young Master Wen, rest assured. When night fell, I deliberately made the bonfire strong. If they are clever, they should realize the preparations made."

 

Wen Yuan still felt uneasy.

 

Zuo Qi scoffed, "Heh, even the top disciple under the Sect Master is so weak. No wonder Lingxiao Palace is so unpopular."

 

Chu Binghuan flew down in front of Hua Che. "Stay still in front of the fire."

 

"Come stand over here by the bonfire."

 

The two almost spoke simultaneously. As their eyes met, the atmosphere became somewhat subtle.

 

Chu Binghuan, who grew up in a prestigious immortal sect, knew that such common sense was not surprising. However, Hua Che hadn't even begun his apprenticeship, so how could he...

 

Chu Binghuan asked, "Do you know that Soul-Capturing Bats fear fire?"

 

"Are these things Soul-Capturing Bats?" Hua Che pointed at the randomly flying "moths," shivering, "They're really terrifying! Well, about that, I saw Sect Master Lu's bonfire burning brightly, with plenty of firewood. It's enough to burn for two days. Maybe it's a preparation against things that fear fire."

Chu Binghuan naturally knew that Hua Che was clever and could notice these details.

The initially panicked crowd, upon seeing that Hua Che and the others were unharmed, suddenly realized and began gathering around the bonfire.

 

Soul-Capturing Bats dared not approach the flames, so they could only hover on the periphery.

 

Seeing everyone had found the trick, Wen Yuan finally breathed a sigh of relief and cast the Bright Fire Spell. The more than twenty Soul-Capturing Bats were instantly reduced to ashes.

 

Wen Yuan explained, "Remember, Soul-Capturing Bats are vulnerable to fire. Consider this your first lesson before entering the sect!"

 

Zuo Qi sneered, "Such a small commotion scared them like this. A bunch of useless people."

 

Zuo Qi nudged Lu Yao with his elbow, "Only that one in red, the one in white, and that Mu Rongsa barely passed!"

 

Lu Yao was absent-mindedly dazed, "That young man in white..."

 

Zuo Qi couldn't be bothered to lift his eyelids, "What's wrong?"

 

"I always feel that he's a bit different. I can't describe the feeling." Lu Yao mentioned, "Senior Brother is broad-minded and knowledgeable. Can you recognize which prestigious immortal sect he belongs to?"

 

"How is that possible? Apart from that fool Mu Rongsa, which disciple from a prestigious immortal sect would come to this broken place? Are you out of your mind?" Zuo Qi thought for a moment and added, "Do you know the one in the red clothes?"

 

"Yes, he saved me when I was young."

 

Zuo Qi smirked, "He has decent talent, doesn't panic in critical moments, and looks... not bad. Should we bring him back to Shang Qing Immortal Sect?"

 

Lu Yao's thoughts were a bit chaotic.

 

Inviting Hua Che to Shang Qing Immortal Sect would be excellent. He knew that Hua Che possessed outstanding talent and extraordinary aptitude. Once in Lingxiao Palace, he would surely rise to prominence, leaving a lasting legacy.

Lu Yao: “If he was willing, he would have gone straight to Shang Qing Immortal Sect. Why would he have come here to Lingxiao Palace?”

“Hey, do you want him or not? If you do, just snatch him away. Or……” Zuo Qi smiled naughtily. “Are you afraid of his outstanding talent, and how he would directly surpass you and become your senior-apprentice brother after he arrives at Shang Qing Immortal Sect?”

Lu Yao was startled. Panicking, he pushed Zuo Qi away and said, “Senior-apprentice brother, don’t talk nonsense.”

Zuo Qi's words were unnecessary; he knew his aptitude was mediocre. Even if it weren't for Hua Che, he would eventually be surpassed by others. After all, half a year ago, Zuo Qi still called him senior brother.

 

If Hua Che could enter Shang Qing Immortal Sect, would it be considered repaying the favor for saving him in his youth?

With this thought in mind, Lu Yao felt compelled to act. He walked up to Hua Che and straightforwardly asked, "Qingkong, do you want to join the Shang Qing Immortal Sect?"

 

Hua Che was so startled that even his water bag slipped from his hands!

 

Lu Yao, who on the surface appeared friendly but harboured jealousy within, had actually invited him to join the Shang Qing Immortal Sect?

 

Hua Che burst into laughter, amused by the naivety of young people. If he were to repeat the same mistake in his life, wouldn’t Lu Yao hate his past self for inviting a competitor when he grew up?

 

"You..." Hua Che suppressed his laughter, "Are you sure you want me to go?"

 

Lu Yao nodded earnestly, "If I speak up, I can plead with my father to accept you under the Sect Master's leadership!"

 

Hua Che didn't know how to react. He bent down to pick up the water bag, a nonchalant contentment in his eyes, "I'd rather..."

 

“There’s an earthquake!”

Someone shouted suddenly, and the ground began to tilt without warning. Those who couldn't react fast enough rolled down the slope, crashing into the stone wall and fainting on the spot.

 

Hua Che swayed, subconsciously grabbing a nearby dry tree. Unexpectedly, the entire old pine tree split in half from the middle, and the ground cracked, with sand and stones falling.

In the split second when he lost his balance, someone grabbed him around the waist. Turning his head to look, it was Chu Binghuan.

Chu Binghuan flew him with his sword to a safe place, large chunks of boulders rolled down the slope, and a colossal creature emerged from the ground.

 

The creature was entirely black, its scales reflecting a faint eerie light, and it was as long as a hundred zhang.

 

It turned out to be a giant python!

 

Wen Yuan's face changed drastically, "Lord! How did we disturb the Lord!"

 

In such deserted territories, without a sect's control, monsters proliferated. Among the monsters, the stronger ones were respected as kings. The ruler of this Qingcheng Peak was undoubtedly this giant python, referred to as the "Lord" in the cultivation world, signifying the master of this territory.

 

The python spiralled around them, avoiding them. Da Hu, however, couldn't evade completely and was scratched by the python's scales, prompting him to curse angrily.

 

Zuo Qi grabbed the panicked Wen Yuan, sneering, "This still shows some skill."

 

Wen Yuan urgently said, "Immortal, that's the Lord! How can we provoke the Lord?!"

 

"What's the hurry?" Zuo Qi said sinisterly, "Since we came to personally guide, we should guide properly. We can't use our titles to avoid work, right? Watch carefully; see how the Shang Qing Immortal Sect establishes standards for its disciples!"

 

Wen Yuan exclaimed, "Immortal, this way, they'll all lose their lives!"

"Shut up!" Zuo Qi, annoyed by the noise, pushed Wen Yuan towards Lu Yao and shouted loudly, "Listen carefully, whoever can kill the Lord can pass the assessment of the Lingxiao Palace. Otherwise, you'll all become the Lord's dinner!"

 

Wen Yuan objected, "That's not possible."

 

Lu Yao, worried, said, "Senior, isn't this too risky?"

 

"What do you understand?" Zuo Qi gave him a disdainful look, "As cultivators, if we can't handle something this trivial, how can we face demons, confront inner demons, and endure heavenly tribulations? If you're afraid of death, you might as well go home early...”

“You can’t be like this ah, Immortal Master!” Wen Yuan struggled out of Lu Yao’s grasp, but then he slipped and fell flat on his face. “Ah!"

Typically, as cultivators, they should have addressed each other as "Daoist friend." However, the Shang Qing Immortal Sect held a prominent position among thousands of sects. Consequently, disciples from other sects had adopted the mortal practice of addressing them as "Immortal Masters."

 

Wen Yuan cried out desperately, "Not everyone here is a cultivator. Take Lin Yan, for instance; he's just an ordinary mortal! Immortal Master, we are all individuals nurtured by our parents; we can't treat each other this way!"

 

"Your constant chatter is getting on my nerves!" Zuo Qi dismissed it with a wave of his hand and cast a Silencing Spell, immediately silencing Wen Yuan.

 

Zuo Qi, with an air of arrogance, continued, " So softhearted, no wonder your Lingxiao Palace Sect has been mediocre for hundreds of years because your disciples are getting weaker one after another! If you have the courage to come and seek guidance, you should have thought about the consequences beforehand. If you're afraid of dying, you should go home early and drink milk... Ah!"

 

Hua Che landed a punch firmly on Zuo Qi's face!!

 

Except for the rustling sound of the python sliding, there was dead silence.

 

Hua Che's expression turned icy, his deep phoenix eyes gleaming ominously. He grabbed Zuo Qi by the collar, lifting him from the ground, "Disregarding life, is this how the disciples of the Shang Qing Immortal Sect behave? Treating lives as insignificant, is this the rule of the Shang Qing Immortal Sect?"

 

Everyone was dumbfounded.

 

Wen Yuan stared in disbelief, and Mu Rongsa was wide-eyed.

 

Zuo Qi, who got punched, was completely bewildered. It took him a while to react, "You, how dare you hit me? You actually dare to hit me!!"

 

In this small Lingxiao Palace, no, it should be this insignificant kid dared to physically assault an immortal Master of the Shang Qing Immortal Sect!

 

Zuo Qi's eyes revealed a murderous intent. He summoned his spiritual tool and unsheathed his sword, pressing it against Hua Che's vital point.

 

Hua Che remained indifferent, slightly tilting his head to dodge. At the moment when the second struck was about to fall, everyone gasped. Just as Chu Binghuan was about to rush forward, Hua Che's right hand flashed with a stream of light. A dark purple bamboo flute pressed against Zuo Qi's sword, making a crisp "clang" sound.

 

Chu Binghuan was shocked, "Embracing Snow."

The subsequent actions left everyone dazzled.

Hua Che blocked each of Zuo Qi's sword moves and pushed them all back. He moved like lightning, the bamboo flute flipping in his right hand, flawlessly striking Zuo Qi's back, waist, and legs without any openings.

 

Only screams were heard, Zuo Qi ejected blood from his mouth and knelt on the ground.

 

Mu Rongsa watched in astonishment, unable to conceal his excitement, " So—So cool ah!"

 

The bamboo flute pressed against Zuo Qi's shoulder felt like carrying a mountain. Zuo Qi couldn't move.

 

Hua Che's eyes shone mysteriously. He turned to the stunned Lu Yao, smiled at the corner of his mouth, and with a sinister tone, said, "Thanks for Senior Lu's kindness. I... don't... want... to go!"

 

Mu Rongsa's heart skipped a beat.

 

—Cultivation realms are not absolute, and do you believe that a Foundation Establishment can defeat a Nascent Soul scattered all over the place?

 

—If there is a chance, you'll witness it.

 

Translator : DarNan