Exploring Immortality Cultivation-Chapter 927 - 12: Ghost Mysterious Fog

For a moment, Xiao Changgu truly admired "Xia Li".

To defy a Divine Separation Stage cultivator under the pressure of that stage was something even he could not do!

Indeed, Xiao Changgu would occasionally go against his master's wishes. However, that was only after weighing the situation and confirming that such "defiance" would not harm the bonds between him and his master, the Third Elder Ru Tianqi. In most cases, he only dared to act once he confirmed that his master would absolutely not kill him.

"Should I say this lad is remarkably brave... or laugh at his foolishness?"

Upon hearing Wang Qi's words, the Third Elder's hair and beard bristled with anger, "Xia Li, old man still advises you not to bring harm upon yourself!"

"Xia Li in this life understands no rules... only 'if you stand upright, you have nothing to fear from a crooked shadow'!" Wang Qi grew irritated. He squinted his eyes, scrutinizing the three elders.

——If at this moment they truly have ill intentions towards me... should I immediately drop my disguise and employ the Divine Plague Curse Technique?

The three elders also sensed the malice from the other party. This malice was strange and vague, pricking them like needles, yet it contained no murderous intent—Wang Qi wanted to use these three for experiments, so naturally, he wouldn't strike to kill.

"There's hostility but no killing intent. It seems he still holds some sense of belonging to the sect." Second Elder Zhao Xiangshen whispered through Spiritual Sense Transmission.

The Third Elder gritted his teeth, "Bah! To have such hostility towards elders justifies death a thousand times over!"

Great Elder Mei Sicheng made a gesture to suppress the other two's argument, then said, "Why don't we include him in the candidate list for the Qionghua Conference? This Qionghua Conference is uncertain, and we cannot risk our core disciples. This lad is an outsider, still unsure of his loyalties, perfect to send as a Pathfinding Stone, and his talent is quite remarkable, sure to please the Emperor."

The Second Elder immediately said, "I have no objections."

Third Elder Ru Tianqi coldly snorted, "The Qionghua Conference selects the world's best talents, but this lad still has to go through an internal selection. It might not be that easy for him."

Mei Sicheng smiled slightly, "Easily solved. He carries many secrets, just a little stimulation, and he might convert them into strength, right?"

The Great Elder said to Wang Qi, "Xia Li, you should know, Elder Ru is also looking out for your well-being!"

"For my own good? Disciple knows not this type of 'good' in the world." Wang Qi withdrew his gaze and the idea of making a move, speaking in a low voice.

"Hehe, you needn't bear hatred for anyone. You, child, do not know how to restrain your edge, and that is not good." Mei Sicheng, unaware he had narrowly escaped disaster, calmly said, "Did you previously beat a disciple from the Heavenly Book Tower named Jia Chenglie?"

Wang Qi nodded without speaking.

"Although he provoked first, you breaking one of his fingers was too harsh." Great Elder Mei Sicheng continued, "Do you know who stands behind him?"

Wang Qi shook his head, indicating he did not know.

"His father is a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator from the Heavenly Book Tower, a servant boy to a Body Integration Realm monster from the Tower!" Mei Sicheng sternly exclaimed, "Striking a dog requires looking at its owner! Actions like yours could invite the wrath of a Divine Separation Stage or even Body Integration Stage cultivator!"

Wang Qi spoke softly, "I am unaware of such things. I only know that if someone seeks to kill me, I will not surrender easily."

Mei Sicheng shook his head, "Hey, this youngster, listen to me. The reason you have not yet met with retaliation from the Heavenly Book Tower is due to a decision by the Holy Emperor Venerable!"

Holy Emperor Venerable?

Wang Qi found it intriguing, lifting his head to look at Mei Sicheng.

"The day before, the Holy Emperor Venerable issued an edict, telling us ancient sects that he plans to hold the Qionghua Banquet, broadly selecting the best talents from across the world." Mei Sicheng said, "You are alive now only because the Qionghua Banquet protects you. Those cultivators in the Heavenly Book Tower believe you are set to attend, thus dare not act against you, fearing disobedience against the Holy Emperor Venerable. However, this means you have no choice but to attend the Qionghua Banquet. Otherwise, they will come to kill you."

Wang Qi coldly snorted, "Then I shall attend this Qionghua Banquet. By that time, naturally, I will kill whoever appears."

"Naive." Third Elder Ru Tianqi mocked, "Do you think the Qionghua Banquet is just any common event? It's a selection of brilliant talents from all over! Do you think you're the only one in the entire Ancient Method Immortal Sect capable of leaping stages? Your cultivation level among those Golden Core geniuses won't cause even a ripple!"

Wang Qi was noncommittal. Truth be told, this Ancient Method Immortal Sect, even if all their Golden Cores combined, between array formations or a battle of attrition, wasn't enough for him to handle.

Mei Sicheng continued, "Listen well, the Qionghua Banquet is preliminarily set to convene in one year. During this year, a Body Integration Realm elder from the Heavenly Book Tower will personally mentor Jia Chenglie, intending to justly kill you at the Qionghua Banquet!"

Wang Qi nodded, "Disciple understands."

Xiao Changgu carefully observed Wang Qi, trying to catch a trace of fear from his expression, but Wang Qi always maintained a stoic face.

The Elder didn't make things too difficult for Wang Qi. After saying those words, they dismissed Wang Qi. Then, the third elder, Ru Tianqi, had his own disciple take Song Zhongqiao away. Once there was no one else in the hall, the three elders huddled together, whispering.

"At the moment he resisted my pressure, he indeed showed traces of a different sect's cultivation technique," said the third elder. "Ye Tianye's words about impure cultivation are indeed true. However, his dual cultivation undoubtedly surpasses our Luochen Sword Palace's Great Freedom Brushing Heart Mysterious Truth in sophistication, with an implied sense of change, but I still can't discern his origins."

"He indeed came here to learn with skills," Zhao Xiangshen nodded. "When Lian Yichen took him in, he hadn't yet harbored thoughts of rebellion, so it's not necessarily out of ill intentions towards the sect. Otherwise, he wouldn't have ordered Lian Xinjie to bring him back."

Mei Sicheng sighed, "The thing is, we don't know what secrets he harbors. With a Ruyi Bag and that Night Night Song, this kid is truly extravagant!"

The three of them were also somewhat tempted by that unknown wealth. However, they shared concerns similar to Ye Tianye's. In such a time when the sect is nearing its end, forcibly seizing wealth from low-level disciples would only lead Luochen Sword Palace to further disunity and accelerate its downfall.

"So, what kind of attitude should we adopt towards Xia Li?" Zhao Xiangshen, the second elder, raised the key question.

After pondering for a moment, Mei Sicheng said, "Give him the same treatment as any other sect disciple. Since we've confirmed he bears no ill will, we should at least let him develop some fondness for the sect."

...........................................................................

Wang Qi returned to the Library Tower without a word, first retrieving his sister. Then, he took "Xia Mi" and silently walked back to his room. Immediately afterward, he feigned exhaustion from injuries and forced himself to spit out a mouthful of blood, walking into the Night Night Song without a word.

Xia Mi, seemingly flustered, softly called, "Brother... brother!" and then also slipped into the Night Night Song.

Once inside the drapes, Wang Qi laughed, "Senior Sister, your acting was superb."

Mi restored her calm expression, wiped away her tears from the corners, and said, "It's nothing."

"By the way, some of your body ends up in that Luochen Sword Palace's main hall. You should be able to monitor over there now, right?"

Mi closed her eyes, sensed for a while, then said, "The quantity is too small to analyze complex audiovisual signals. It will take a few days." As she spoke, Mi glanced at Wang Qi's mouth, seeming a bit troubled, "Also, Junior Brother... could you please brush your teeth?"

"Hmm?"

"Some of it is still in your mouth... it disgusts me."

Without a word, Wang Qi promptly stuck two fingers into his mouth, using the Heavenly Entropy Technique to swiftly annihilate all possible microorganisms in his mouth, then used the Life Flame to heal the oral burns.

At this point, Zhen Chan suddenly spoke, "Wang Qi, you can start showing a bit more of your 'suspicious traits' now. Also, you can visit the black market tomorrow."

"The black market?" Wang Qi asked, "Didn't you say before to be cautious?"

"Those old folks probably want to see your trump cards while cherishing their reputation, so they're trying to press you," Zhen Chan explained, "Now, appearing suspicious aligns more with their expectations."

"Why?"

"From experience, just do as I say."

..............................................................................

The next day, Wang Qi found Lian Xinjie and requested him to take him to the legendary black market.

Lian Xinjie felt a bit surprised. Now, others thought Wang Qi was in a massive crisis, yet didn't he know Wang Qi's true capabilities? Even two Divine Separation Cultivators might not be enough to take him down, let alone a few Golden Core cultivators. Regardless of how Luochen Sword Palace pressured Wang Qi, he shouldn't feel any pressure - the whole Luochen Sword Palace might not even be able to defeat him.

However, he still dared not go against Wang Qi's wishes.

After walking out of the slightly dark corridor, the dazzling sunlight poured down from above the sea of clouds. The two soared into the air and flew westward. It wasn't long before Wang Qi saw an unusual area. This sea region was perpetually swept by southeastern trade winds and was not low in customs, but that area was always shrouded in black fog.

"Ghost Mysterious Fog," Zhen Chan said blandly, "That piece of armor was originally an extremely powerful Ghost Dao Magic Artifact, capable of isolating the inside from the outside. However, this Ghost Dao Magic Artifact was not refined by any one person, but collectively refined by countless people. Under the constraints of so many owners, it couldn't exert any of its functions, only serving to isolate spiritual senses. Still, it's a good artifact."

Lian Xinjie pointed to the Ghost Mysterious Fog and said to Wang Qi, "Junior Brother Xia, there it is."