World's No. 1 Swordsman-Chapter 553: I Am a True Immortal. Why Panic?

Strangely enough, the Fengli Sect and the Celestial Wind Sect only observed each other while Wang Sheng had been carrying out his activities in secret. They didn't fight in the slightest. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Only after he returned to the Xinghai Sect and entered secluded cultivation did the two engage in a series of skirmishes. Less than half a year into his seclusion by the lotus pond, the Celestial Wind Sect suddenly attacked two Fengli Sect outposts.

In retaliation, the Fengli Sect immediately gathered experts and wiped out the Celestial Wind Sect forces that were preparing to trap the nameless sword immortal on Jinhua.

The conflict between the two sides quickly grew into large-scale battles, with their Heavenly Immortals facing each other in multiple standoffs. An all-out war between the two was imminent. Still, their fight stayed centered around Jinhua; it didn't spread to Fengmo.

By the time Linyuan came to discuss the situation with Wang Sheng and Lishang, Wang Sheng had been in seclusion for two years already.

Finding the circumstances strange, Lishang asked, "Why did the Celestial Wind Sect strike first?"

Wang Sheng thought it over, then concluded, "Their recuperating Heavenly Immortals have likely come out of seclusion. Senior, how many Heavenly Immortals does each side have?"

"From what we've gathered, the Celestial Wind Sect has nine, including the two from the North-River Sword Sect," Linyuan replied. "Six from the Fengli Sect have come out, which puts them at a clear disadvantage."

Lishang sneered, "Master, considering you suddenly visited us, I take it the Fengli Sect sent someone to form an alliance with us against the Celestial Wind Sect?"

Linyuan nodded. "That's right. Fairy Wan Feng, their top disciple, delivered the message today and even brought gifts. If we show any interest, one of their Heavenly Immortal Realm elders will come to discuss the alliance."

Lishang scoffed at the news. "The alliance is likely a trick. Their real goal is to have the Celestial Wind Sect attack us so they can swallow us."

Confused, Wang Sheng asked, "Have they done that before?"

Smiling, Linyuan shook his head. "They became powerful using those exact methods. Since this is one of their most common schemes, the sect master rejected the notion; he didn't even send a reply."

Wang Sheng thought for a while and then shook his head.

"What is it?"

"I was wondering if this is our chance to drive both sects off Fengmo, but we're not strong enough," Wang Sheng said with some sentiment. "The growth of celestial sects really can't be rushed."

"How are we not strong enough?" Lishang calmly questioned. "We can make our move while their Heavenly Immortals are fighting."

"It's not that simple." Wang Sheng then thought for a moment. "I'll go talk to my friends. They should be in Xinghai City."

Linyuan looked puzzled. "Those three young friends of yours have not even become immortals yet. This seems—"

Wang Sheng smiled. "Cultivation realm does not determine how good a plan is. In my hometown, I was only an average strategist. Whenever I was unsure, I simply relied on the sword in my hand. Besides, it's been so long since I last saw them. I'd like to use this chance to catch up with them as well. Senior, could you lend me a few jars of good wine?"

Linyuan immediately grabbed his sleeve, turned away, and laughed. He joked, "I plan to live on this bit of drink for the rest of my life. Can you stop trying to take it all the time?"

Shaking her head, Lishang reached out with her hand. The jade pin at her side glowed, and three small jade wine jars flew out of it. "These are Drunken Immortal Brews."

Eyes lighting up, Linyuan reached for them, but Wang Sheng moved like lightning. In an instant, he stored the three jars in his ring, laughed, and flew out of the valley.

Linyuan cast a long look at Lishang, who just calmly stood up and walked toward the lotus pond.

"Master, I am going to cultivate. Remember to take the arrays with you when you leave."

***

Wang Sheng went out as Pi Kachew. Hence, he didn't have to put on a disguise. He swaggered out of the mountain gate, stepped onto a patch of white cloud, and descended toward Xinghai City.

The conflict between the Celestial Wind Sect and the Fengli Sect had filled even Fengmo with tension. Most cultivators reduced their outings and stayed in cities and towns to cultivate. The grand array of Xinghai City was always active, safeguarding all cultivators within it.

At the city gate, two squads of celestial soldiers bowed simultaneously and called out, "Greetings, Elder."

Wang Sheng waved his hand and, amid the astonished gazes around him, stepped into the city. He felt as though he were inspecting his own backyard, which was... quite dull.

To protect Huai Jing and the others, Wang Sheng could not head straight to their hiding place. He strolled through half the city and saw several jade hairpins that suited his senior sister's temperament quite well. Instead of haggling, he casually bought them at full price.

Once most people had stopped paying attention to him, he finally entered Xinghai City's residential area. He found and went inside a quiet house to drink tea and rest.

Afterward, he concealed his aura, changed into a Daoist robe, put on a conical hat, and followed a small path mapped out by immortal perception. He arrived at a residential area with neat rows of glowing mushroom-like dwellings.

Stopping before a small courtyard, Wang Sheng raised his hand and knocked on the wooden door. He soon heard footsteps inside, then a woman's voice.

"Who is it?"

"I’m here to check the water meter," Wang Sheng replied.

The woman snorted and laughed, instantly breaking the disguise and turning into Shi Qianzhang's wretched—ahem, cunning laughter.

The wooden door opened. Wang Sheng flashed inside, and the door closed behind him. The layers of arrays that Huai Jing had arranged were then activated, instantly turning the small courtyard into a secluded little world.

"Brother Sheng! Hehe!" Shi Qianzhang looked him up and down to check whether he was missing an arm or a leg.

Liu Yunzhi and Huai Jing also rushed out from two separate rooms. Upon seeing Wang Sheng, they smiled knowingly. Liu Yunzhi's Dao Heart, which had been restless from standing by for too long, instantly settled down.

No greetings or small talk were needed.

Wang Sheng signaled the three to gather around the stone table in the courtyard. He then took out the three jars of fine wine and several small dishes from his ring.

"How have you been?"

The brilliance of Huai Jing's spirit instantly dimmed from a blazing hundred-watt intensity to a feeble three or four. He seemingly lost the entire radiant aura of his Buddhist nature.

"I finally understand the saying 'it is better to eat without meat than to live without bamboo.' I'd much rather break my vows and eat meat than live somewhere without internet."

Wang Sheng looked puzzled. "You didn't bring a Spirit Stone generator?"

"What fun is there in playing alone?!" Huai Jing raised both hands to the sky. "The essence of games lies in the interaction between people!"

Wang Sheng was at a loss for words.

Shi Qianzhang laughed. "Just ignore him, Brother Sheng. His internet addiction is acting up. Even CPR can't save him."

"Well, what about you, Yunzhi?" Wang Sheng asked.

"Secluded cultivation is quite comfortable," Liu Yunzhi replied calmly. "It's not as exciting as what you've been up to, though. You snuck alone to ambush the Celestial Wind Sect, then you were caught in the Xinghai Sect in the middle of—ahem. Eat, eat."

Somehow, the heartthrob seemed unhappy.

Concerned, Wang Sheng asked, "Did something troubling happen?"

Liu Yunzhi simply shook his head. Shi Qianzhang looked up at the sky and hummed a familiar tune through his teeth.

"Like an electric shock, unbelievable, like a miracle, cutting through my life, unlike any meaning, you are...♪"

Wang Sheng was rendered speechless.

Did Senior Sister... No, she wouldn't do that to me! Then again, she's actually quite simple-minded and easily deceived. I haven't been by her side for hundreds of years!

Huai Jing earnestly scolded, "Fei Yu, what you did was a bit improper. Bu Yu has been cultivating as hard as she could to try and keep up with you, yet you still went ahead and did that with the Xinghai Sect's vice sect master... Haaaa.

"I know Xu Xian's story may give you some unusual feelings, but you have to understand that we still advocate for monogamy back in our hometown. You can't just crave more after gaining one simply because you've grown stronger. Don't even think of taking a woman in each arm! Above all else, you should focus on your cultivation! Nothing is more important than that!"

The two beside him nodded repeatedly while looking at Wang Sheng as if he were their archenemy. "Mmm! Mmm!"

Wang Sheng pressed a hand to his forehead and breathed out slowly. So that's what they're talking about.

"Alright. I'll give you the full story."

He recounted the entire incident of the Celestial Wind Sect visiting the Xinghai Sect to apply increasing pressure on it. To make them believe him, he especially emphasized Lishang's lofty ideals.

"Lishang is not of the human race, and she's still obsessed with contributing to the continued survival of her race. After she becomes a Golden Immortal and achieves immortality, she'll wander the endless space to seek her own kin."

The three immediately looked at one another.

Huai Jing laughed awkwardly. "Phew! So it was just a misunderstanding, then. Come, come, drink. I will break my vows to punish myself."

Feeling embarrassed as well, Liu Yunzhi and Shi Qianzhang stammered for a while.

Instead of dwelling on it, Wang Sheng changed the topic to the Xinghai Sect's situation. The four discussed how they could help it and find opportunities for it to grow stronger.

As the cups were emptied and refilled, the three jars of non-intoxicating celestial wine gradually ran dry. Thanks to their conversation, Wang Sheng's plan for the Xinghai Sect roughly took shape and gained some direction.

He then asked, "Qianzhang, Yunzhi, how is your cultivation now? Do you need more alchemical pills or Spirit Stones?"

Huai Jing smiled. "We brought plenty with us, so we're completely set in that department. Quite a few cultivators also gifted Little Liu a lot."

With an unfriendly expression, Liu Yunzhi snorted. Surprised, Wang Sheng pressed further, then burst into laughter.

Even disguised as a woman, Liu Yunzhi still attracted so much attention. The heartthrob's power was truly unmatched.

Shi Qianzhang subconsciously puffed out his chest and raised his head. "Brother Sheng, I am about to undergo my tribulation!"

Liu Yunzhi smirked. "With that mindset, be careful not to turn into tribulation ash in the process."

Wang Sheng laughed. "Would you two like to get used to the power of a heavenly tribulation now?"

Arcs of lightning sparked at his fingertips.

Liu Yunzhi fell into a brief contemplation and slowly nodded. On the other hand, Shi Qianzhang shook his head like a pellet drum.

Huai Jing fanned the flames from the side. "Amitabha. That would be excellent. When they face their tribulation, they'd already have some immunity to the lightning."

Shi Qianzhang was just about to argue when Wang Sheng raised his hand and lightly tapped. Immortal power instantly locked Shi Qianzhang and Liu Yunzhi, then dragged them to the center of the courtyard.

Wang Sheng casually set up a small patch of tribulation clouds above their heads. Fine arcs of lightning cleaved down and began to simulate a heavenly tribulation for the two of them.

Soon, waves of "pleasant screams" and muffled groans reverberated from the small courtyard.

"Right, Fei Yu, let me tell you some good news." Huai Jing scratched his shiny head. "We weren't planning to tell you this right now because we feared you would become even more impatient and do something rash, but after thinking it over, we've concluded that it would be better to tell you early so you can prepare yourself."

Wang Sheng took a sip from his wine cup. "Just give it to me straight. At the very least, I can be considered to have achieved something in my cultivation now. My Dao Heart is fairly stable."

"Well, we contacted our hometown earlier and learned that Yaoyun is... returning with Bu Yu. They're still in the Realm of Exiled Immortals, but they're already on their way. They'll probably reach the exit in about thirty years."

Wang Sheng crushed the jade wine cup in his hands into pieces.