Chapter 176: Chapter 148: Toiling for the Sect Leader, Bustling for the Lady

Mooching off a female True Monarch is no easy task.

Especially a direct descendant of a Dragon Monarch from the Beiju Continent. They are said to be born at the Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer with Innate True Qi coursing through their entire body. Combined with the sturdy physique of a Demon, they are ideal Furnace Cauldrons for cultivation.

Forget about fighting one—an ordinary cultivator would likely find it difficult to even perform in her presence, faced with the pressure of her draconic might, let alone engage her in dual cultivation.

’Heroes in this world are as numerous as fish in the sea.’

Jiang Yi couldn’t help but marvel. The Cat Master’s previous owner had been able to contend with a Dragon Girl True Monarch head-on without being at a disadvantage. It was a testament to the profoundness of his Dao Foundation.

Across the entire Yanfu Vast Land, people like him could probably be counted on one hand.

’If it were me, I’d probably settle for just three shiploads of Five Elements True Essence and one mountain of Dan Jade Divine Sand.

That would be just enough to advance my Dao Embryo to Great Success and break through to the Second Layer.’

Jiang Yi mused that when it came to wealth, even the True Inheritance disciples of the great Immortal Dao Dharma Lineages would likely pale in comparison to a direct descendant of a Dragon Monarch from the Beiju Continent.

While he felt a pang of envy, he immediately recalled that the Cat Master’s previous owner apparently didn’t just have one patron.

’What was the exact number again? I think he was sponsored by one thousand four hundred and twenty-three Dragon Girls. Don’t tell me this Shao Yang True Monarch managed to win over all the Dragon Monarchs’ daughters!

Tsk, tsk. His luck with women is truly off the charts. No wonder he had to create the Long-term Nourishing Daoist Embryo Skill.’

Jiang Yi walked slowly, cradling the calico cat.

He had originally just planned to take a short stroll, but he hadn’t gone far before he ran into the Sect Leader, Liu Huan.

Liu Huan had built a hut to live in nearby. It seemed he was planning to stick it out for a hundred days, hoping to stumble upon some kind of Opportunity.

Until Fengdu closed its gates and sank back into the Netherworld once more.

"Greetings, Sect Leader."

Jiang Yi hurriedly performed a Daoist salute. He discreetly sized up Liu Huan, who appeared somewhat listless, the divine light between his brows dim.

’Looks like the Sect Leader was among the "All Cultivators" who failed to refine themselves with the bestowed fire from the Kitchen God Temple on the Eighteen-Layered High Platform.’

"Did you hear any commotion last night?"

Liu Huan, sitting cross-legged in a clear spring, looked up and asked.

The cyan Daoist Robe he wore floated on the water’s surface, not the least bit wet.

He cultivated Kui Water, and his cultivation had reached the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer. He was already one with his Qi, able to manipulate his immediate surroundings and gather Spiritual Aura.

Where he built his hut, a spring gurgled up from the ground. Clear and turbid water flowed in alternation, exuding a gentle, moist aura. It barely served as a "Cave Mansion" for his Breathing and Cultivation.

"I slept soundly all night and heard nothing."

Jiang Yi replied earnestly.

He reckoned that his Dao Embryo, having reached Small Success, was enough to conceal the external Qi Mechanism of his Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer.

Besides, with the Cat Master by his side, even a True Monarch couldn’t divine his secrets or see through his disguise.

The Sect Leader, who had yet to reach the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm, had no hope of discerning the truth.

"And yet, I saw someone near the ancestral hall pass through the Divine Barrier of the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer."

Liu Huan narrowed his eyes, staring fixedly at the calm-faced youth in the Daoist Robe.

Jiang Yi lowered his head and said slowly:

"It was my Grandpa. He broke through a mental barrier and took that step. He’s still in seclusion and can’t come to pay his respects. Please forgive him, Sect Leader."

Liu Huan was slightly surprised. He hadn’t expected Yang Xun to be the one to break through first.

For an old man of his age to bloom so late in life was a rare thing indeed.

"Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, and he’s passed the Divine Barrier. If he polishes his cultivation slowly, he might just reach the threshold of the Eighth Layer. More than enough to manage Observing Fate Peak." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Liu Huan nodded. He suddenly recalled a piece of news he’d heard last night in Fengdu, and his expression turned complicated:

"A while ago at Dangyin Ridge, a number of the Innate Sect’s Inner Sect Disciples were slain. The killer escaped to the Huai River, fighting their way out of an encirclement. Sui Liushu’s daughter, Sui Yuzhu, was one of them.

You’re one lucky kid. You managed to dodge a huge disaster just like that."

’It’s finally here!’

Jiang Yi had been waiting for this scene for a long time. He had rehearsed it in his mind countless times, so the expression on his face was exceptionally genuine.

From shock and surprise to the relief of a survivor, every subtle reaction was so natural it was flawless.

Finally, he looked completely stunned, unable to speak for a long moment.

Seeing Jiang Yi’s reaction, Liu Huan couldn’t help but recall the days he had spent living in constant fear under Sui Liushu’s oppressive presence.

The thought he’d had of retracting the invitation letter for the North and South Dipper Sword competition dissipated.

Besides, even if the Innate Sect didn’t come looking for trouble, the Qianji Sect was going to be packaged up and "sold" to the Zhao You Sect anyway.

It made no difference who got that entry spot for the North and South Dipper Sword competition.

Xu Yan, Zhou Fu, even Han Li—these relatively outstanding Inner Peak Disciples would have a hard time crossing the threshold of the Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer.

Reversing the acquired to reach the Innate state and condensing the One Qi had extremely harsh requirements.

One needed a qualified "Art of Qi Refining" to lay a solid foundation.

One also had to extract several Great Medicines from within their own body, then mix and merge them with corresponding Spiritual Energy to complete "Body Transformation and Essence Refining."

Only when one’s cultivation reached this stage was it possible to ascend to the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm.

Back in the day, Sui Liushu had been a renowned "Dao Material" on Dangyin Ridge, yet he had still fallen at this critical juncture.

Although Liu Huan’s father had played a part by using some tricks, at most it only reduced Sui Liushu’s chances by twenty percent. In the end, it was because his own foundation wasn’t solid enough.

"After you return to the Merit Supervision Institute, cultivate well. If you can really make a name for yourself at the North and South Dipper Sword competition one day... Hahaha, maybe this Sect Leader will have to respectfully call you ’True Master Jiang’!"

Liu Huan found his own words amusing. How could the Qianji Sect possibly produce a Foundation Establishment True Master?

Even he, a "High Cultivator" at the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer, had no confidence. He was willing to sell off his ancestral property and give up the Dharma Lineage Decree, just for a chance to enter a Spirit Cave to cleanse himself, wash away his acquired Dense Qi, perfect his True Qi, and build up a little more foundation for his path on the Dao.

"I only hope that one day, I can be as magnificent as you, Sect Leader."

Jiang Yi smiled and flattered him, but not in an obsequious way.

He didn’t look down on Liu Huan just because he had obtained the completely perfect Saint King life-type.

No matter how unimpressive a cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer might be, for him at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, Liu Huan was still a towering mountain he could not hope to climb.

Besides, the first rule of survival for a Lower Cultivator was to always remember one’s place.

Throwing one’s weight around and acting smug—those were things you could only do after you’d climbed to the position of an Upper Cultivator.

"No wonder Yang Xun favors you and promoted you out of the Quenching Room."

Liu Huan said with a laugh:

"You have a way with words. Anyone would feel a sense of closeness to you after meeting you."

Jiang Yi habitually wanted to reply with something like, ’It’s all thanks to my old boss for giving me so many opportunities for growth.’

But then he suddenly remembered he was no longer that assistant from his past.

"Will you be staying here for long, Sect Leader? I am concerned about the Fire Cave and Water Cave at the Merit Supervision Institute. I’m afraid that if I return too late, it will damage the Spiritual Aura of Observing Sun Peak."

After a bit more small talk, Jiang Yi saw an opening and said his piece.

’I’ve pretty much gotten all the Opportunities I can get here.’

He had no intention of pursuing that vague, uncertain "Heavenly Fate of the Dharma Lineage" any further.

Only by passing the Qi Barrier as soon as possible and cultivating to the Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer could he stop being so cautious around these "High Cultivators."

"Fengdu has manifested. With such a huge commotion and such a rare fortune at stake, you want to leave?"

Liu Huan deliberately asked.

"With my inferior aptitude, even if there was an Opportunity to reach Foundation Establishment, it would have nothing to do with me. It is far more practical to do my best to serve you, Sect Leader, and work for the Dharma Lineage."

Jiang Yi could deliver such flawless answers effortlessly.

"You’re more level-headed than Xu Yan, and more reliable than my disciple, Zhou Fu. You’re the kind of Demon Dao talent who could become a pillar of the sect."

Liu Huan was deeply satisfied. Some of the hostile energy that had built up from his injured Divine Sense and depleted Life Qi dissipated.

He thought for a moment, then said:

"To be honest with you, my cultivation has gone awry, and I may need your help. I’ll send word to the Merit Supervision Institute and have Xu Yan take care of things for you. You don’t need to worry about it."

A timely flash of surprise crossed Jiang Yi’s face.

"Sect Leader, could it be that you were injured in Magical Combat?"

Liu Huan waved his hand.

"Last night in Fengdu, a great Opportunity appeared. I couldn’t resist vying for it, but in the end, I lacked a bit of fortune and regrettably missed out."

’With that Third-class Earth and Wood Life of yours, you couldn’t get through the doors of the Kitchen God Temple even if you had a thousand chances!’

Jiang Yi cursed him inwardly, but his expression only grew more respectful.

"If the Sect Leader has a task for me, it is only right that I should do it."

Liu Huan nodded in approval, nearly entertaining the thought of rewarding him with something. But then he remembered that Jiang Yi had already gotten the North and South Dipper Sword invitation for free, and decided that was enough.

"Fengdu is never short on ’Yin items,’ like Yin Ganoderma or Yin Ginseng. Find some for me so I can recover from my injuries."

Jiang Yi nodded but didn’t leave, looking at Liu Huan with expectant eyes.

"Don’t you have any talisman money on you?"

Liu Huan asked with a frown.

Don’t be fooled by his title of Dharma Lineage Master; in reality, he was dirt poor.

Not only was he heavily in debt to that True Master Kang of the Zhao You Sect, but he had also mortgaged and sold off all his spare Magical Artifacts. Otherwise, why would he need to think twice about rewarding a disciple from his own sect?

"My usual expenses are quite high, so I have no spare funds. Besides, from what I’ve heard, Fengdu is a Ghost Country. Those Fierce Fiends don’t accept talisman money, only blood money."

Liu Huan was speechless. He hadn’t expected this. He had originally planned to just send Jiang Yi off and have him expend his own blood essence to refine some coins.

But he felt that such an act would likely dishearten the young man.

Now that Sui Yuzhu was dead, the karmic debt with the Innate Sect could be considered settled.

There would be uses for Jiang Yi in the future, so there was no need to be in a rush to squeeze him dry.

"There are a few Qi Cultivation-level Demons in here. I took them from the sect’s ’Hundred Beasts Cave.’ Refine their blood and qi; that should be worth some money."

Liu Huan took out a worn Sleeve Pouch and tossed it to Jiang Yi.

"If that’s not enough, you’ll have to figure out the rest yourself. Once my injuries are healed, I will be sure to record a merit for you."

Jiang Yi accepted the Sleeve Pouch with both hands, getting a sense of the situation.

’The Sect Leader is just like one of those old bosses from my past life—short on funds but too proud to admit it, insisting on doing things in a big way.’

"I understand."

Jiang Yi replied, tucking the Sleeve Pouch into his robes. After cultivating for so long, he’d finally gotten his hands on a storage-type Magical Artifact.

...

...

「Eighteenth Layer of Fengdu」

The nine-headed behemoth strode out of the Profound City Central Palace with heavy, THUDDING steps.

It disappeared into the rolling black clouds, sending Yin Jiao and Yin Mang fleeing in panic.

Those that were too slow were swallowed whole by one of its nine heads, each as large as a carriage wheel.

"’Looking for the destined one who can tie the red string? The new monarch of Shao Yang... he’s not someone Gui’er can meet just because she wants to.’"

The colossal black shadow of the nine-headed fiend flew past.