The Journey of Immortal Cultivation-Chapter 460 - 268 111_2

Qi Zai saw her injured and vomiting blood, suddenly stood up, his feathers exploding, and posed an aggressive stance towards Bai Qing.

Bai Qing seemed oblivious to its actions, merely raising an eyebrow, not bothering to conceal his surprise: "You actually withstood it?" Upon hearing the name Ning Xiaoxian, he had casually released his killing aura, figuring to simply kill and be done with it. After all, does anyone consider their own status before stepping on and crushing an ant beneath their feet, be they a pauper or a magnate?

In his heart, Ning Xiaoxian was an entity even less than an ant, so insignificant that he didn’t even have to contemplate his status. However, the fact that she had withstood his strike, and her injuries seemed light, was quite extraordinary. Even Quan Shifang, whom he had personally instructed, would find it difficult to withstand such a strike from him. Moreover, there was an odd aura about the woman, which gave him a sense of being unable to discern the truth.

Ning Xiaoxian did not answer, simply wiped away the fresh blood from the corner of her lips, then repeated her question: "May I ask what offense I have given to Sect Leader Bai that you seek my life upon our meeting?" With Divine Power as her protective body, and her Black Scale Armor absorbing eighty to ninety percent of the killing aura, her physical body had not been severely injured. Seizing the opportunity to interrogate, she accelerated her True One Technique, stabilizing her injuries.

Her words were aggressive indeed. It wasn’t that she had a death wish, but since Bai Qing had attempted to take her life upon their meeting, cowering would only invite more contempt. It might be more dignified to provoke an elder to protect her; there might be a slim chance of survival. Faced with such a sudden life-threatening crisis, and under the subtle oppressive aura of Bai Qing, her mind was working rapidly instead of panicking, searching for every possible avenue to stay alive.

This little girl even thought she could "force" him! Bai Qing snorted coldly. Little did Ning Xiaoxian know, as a Grandmaster of the sect, having his first attempt fail, it wouldn’t be proper for him to strike at her again.

The elder by the side said sternly: "Bai Qing, I respect you as a fellow man, but why are you launching such a ferocious attack on a young girl right off the bat?" Ning Xiaoxian was not far from him, but he hadn’t expected Bai Qing to act without warning. The cultivation of the Sect Leader of Chaoyun Sect was indeed profound, and even he hadn’t managed to stop the attack, leaving him quite unable to save face.

Though he remained seated, an overwhelming and enormous aura began to emanate from him. It wasn’t as sharp as Bai Qing’s, but it was continuous and profound, seemingly boundless, reminding her of a lion who sits proudly, its might radiating even without baring its fangs.

This was the aura befitting a Great Perfection Cultivator in the Tribulation Crossing Perfection stage! The previous kindly appearance of the neighborly elder was but a facade he left her while reminiscing about the past.

Bai Qing spoke coldly: "She is a calamity for my disciple, and I had intended to kill her outright. Who knew she had some cultivation in her." He turned to examine Ning Xiaoxian closely, his killing aura already waning significantly, replaced by a probing and focused gaze.

Truth be told, such a gaze was even more terrifying to her, as if this Sect Leader was contemplating some calculation in his mind. "Your cultivation is not profound, your foundation is shallow, yet the technique you practice is quite strange? Hmm, it’s been said you have not even reached your twentieth year? You are indeed much stronger than those useless female disciples in my sect, it’s a pity, however, that the path you have chosen is not the Righteous Path."

Her heart skipped a beat. Had Bai Qing realized she was practicing Demon Cultivation with her human body, or why else would he say "not the Righteous Path"? Regardless, the diminishing killing intent in the eyes of the Sword Immortal was good news for her.

Bai Qing no longer paid attention to her, and sat down properly, turning to the elder to say: "Nangong, did you call me here today just for trivial matters like this?"

This confirmed her guess: this elder was indeed the current Sect Leader Nangong Zhen of Guangcheng Palace.

Nangong Zhen shook his head and sighed: "I am not like you. You are unfeeling and desireless, focusing solely on sword cultivation for hundreds of years, leaving all mundane affairs to others, while I must manage everything personally. The karma and entanglements of these centuries, sigh..."

Bai Qing was silent for a moment before saying: "It should not be a problem for you." To him, this was one of the rare times he offered words of comfort.

Nangong Zhen said: "Not necessarily. I have killed many in these hundreds of years, and when the time comes, I don’t know how many layers of Heavenly Tribulation I will face." He picked up the wine gourd next to him and tossed it to Bai Qing, laughing heartily, "We defy the heavens and alter fate, struggling with cultivation for hundreds of years, whether we become immortals or martyrs, will be decided in this life! For this, let’s have a great toast!"

Bai Qing took the gourd and also took a large gulp, saying: "The path to ascension is not so easy to traverse. You go first, within three years, I will surely follow."

Nangong Zhen was momentarily stunned: "Three years? Are you about to be unable to suppress your cultivation?"

Bai Qing’s face, for a rare moment, showed a hint of a bitter smile: "Yes. Without the Nine Revolutions Rebirth Lotus Elixir, I must face Heavenly Tribulation within three years. I bear even greater sins than you, the tribulations will not go easy on me." He barely concealed a hint of pride, "I am not afraid of Heavenly Tribulation, only that my time is running short."

The two looked at each other and drank plenty of wine.

After a while, Nangong Zhen finally said: "Right, the situation in the North..."

He had barely started speaking when Ning Xiaoxian, who had been standing by like a wooden stake, interjected: "Elders, I shall take my leave and not disturb your pleasant conversation." The two were talking as if no one else was present, but she had no desire to overhear secrets that could earn her a death sentence, thus, it was wiser to make a swift exit.

As she spoke, she had already started moving. Nangong Zhen nodded with a smile: "Little Friend Ning, we shall meet again at the ceremony tomorrow morning."

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please head over to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)