Stealing Immortal
Chapter 18 - 17: A Good Deal

Chapter 18: Chapter 17: A Good Deal

Today, I stole 31 strands of Immortal Seedling from Xu Baoling.

The past few days, the number has held steady around there.

Chen Qingyang used them all on the Tai Xu Energy-Introducing Technique. Small, golden characters appeared before his eyes; he was just a hair’s breadth away from a breakthrough.

If all goes well, he would be in the Qi Refining Second Realm by this time tomorrow night.

[Chen Qingyang]

[First Realm of Qi Refining]

[Tai Xu Energy-Introducing Technique: (191/200)]

[Tier Two Qi-Introducing Pill: (92/100)]

[Great Soul Scripture (Incomplete): (3/300)]

[Available Immortal Seedling: 1]

He had wasted a full hundred years going from zero to one, yet now it would take only a month to go from one to two. Although there were life-and-death risks, this path lacked a great deal of tempering.

At this thought, Chen Qingyang was filled with emotion for a long while.

Ten days had passed since Xu Baoling took the Poison Pill. In total, he had stolen more than three hundred and forty strands of Immortal Seedling.

Years ago, when he was an attendant in the Inner Sect, he had personally witnessed Li Qianxue of the Qi Refining Realm advance one realm every month. Her esteemed master taught her behind closed doors almost daily, yet she was still snatched away by the Sword Master of the Tai Hao Sword Institute himself.

’Some people are just born with that kind of aptitude, that kind of fortune. Others have to suffer through hardships, and they must persevere, again and again.’

Chen Qingyang, naturally, belonged to the latter group.

There was another important matter regarding his visit to Xu Baoling. She was breaking through faster than planned. With only thirteen days’ worth of Star Meteor Powder, counting the next three, getting rid of her might lead to new complications.

’Forget it. I’ll wait until tomorrow to discuss it with Liu Tao. Going now would only increase the risk unnecessarily.’

He made his way down the mountain.

After lighting the brazier, Chen Qingyang washed up and meditated as usual.

First, he held the Warm Jade Scroll in his hand, nourishing it for a while with his True Essence.

According to Liu Tao, he had to supply it with energy daily for it to work at a critical moment; otherwise, it would lose its effectiveness.

After that, he spent some time pondering how to conceal his aura. He couldn’t think of a method for a long time and could only pin his hopes on a breakthrough in the Great Soul Scripture.

The mountain winds of the Tai Xu Sect were strong, and the snows came and went quickly.

Just yesterday, the ground had thawed under the sun, only for another flurry of snow to fall at night, forming a thick layer of hard ice by morning.

The ice and snow clinging to the green pines were crystal clear, making them appear even more exquisite.

Before Chen Qingyang could leave, Xu Yong arrived.

"Senior Brother Chen, Senior Brother Hu specifically sent me to tell you that Senior Brother Hong successfully entered the Golden Summit and became an Outer Disciple. If another senior brother breaks through next time, you’ll be invited to attend as well."

"Do you know which master he was assigned to?"

Having spent a lot of time with Liu Tao, Chen Qingyang had learned a thing or two about the situation in the Outer Sect.

"I’m not sure about that. He left quietly. None of us saw him off."

"Alright, I understand."

Xu Yong added, "Senior Brother Chen, Senior Brother Hu also said that if you need anything, you can just say the word."

This piqued Chen Qingyang’s curiosity. ’Why would Hu Kai, for no apparent reason, show me such favor?’

"Please thank him for his kind intentions on my behalf. I wonder, what does Senior Brother Hu say about me in private?"

Xu Yong was a shrewd young man and would surely only report the flattering parts. As expected, he said, "He said that Senior Brother Chen has a profound foundation and that it’s inevitable for you to break through to Qi Refining and become an Outer Disciple..."

"Anything else?"

"He also said that Senior Brother Chen is well-connected, with acquaintances in both the Inner and Outer Sects. Once you break through, you’ll be of great benefit to the Profound Light Association..."

Chen Qingyang interrupted, "Did he really say that?"

"Senior Brother Chen, it’s the absolute truth. How would I dare to lie?"

He began to understand. Hu Kai was showing him such favor probably because he wanted Chen Qingyang to rely on the Profound Light Association for his breakthrough, and then do things for the association in the Outer or Inner Sect. After all, there were plenty of rumors about him going to the Golden Summit every day and being taken care of by someone influential.

"Senior Brother Chen?" Xu Yong said, seeing him fall silent.

Chen Qingyang sized him up. "In the Profound Light Association, you’re the youngest, aren’t you?"

"I suppose so. The senior brothers and sisters I’ve met are all over forty."

’That explains it.’

The Profound Light Association was full of servant disciples between forty and sixty. These people had profound foundations and found it easier to break through.

Furthermore, they could all be considered average talents—not dazzling, but not so poor that they’d end up without a master. In comparison, Xu Yong seemed like an anomaly.

’It’s not that he’s incapable, but that he’s not ready yet. So,’ Chen Qingyang had reason to suspect, ’recruiting Xu Yong was just a way to bring me in.’

"When you go back, thank Senior Brother Hu for his kind intentions on my behalf."

Xu Yong readily agreed. "Senior Brother Chen, Senior Brother Hu has always held you in high regard. If you get the chance to break through in the future, please don’t forget that I was the one who made the connection."

"Alright."

Chen Qingyang closed the door as Xu Yong stepped out into the snow and left.

From the room across the way, Lü Yunshen had been peeking out, watching the goings-on. The moment he saw Xu Yong leave, he immediately ran over.

"Just as you instructed the other day, Senior Brother Chen, I’ve gotten everything ready."

His clothes were neat, his long hair was tied up, and he even wore a jade hairpin, giving him a rather handsome, scholarly air.

Chen Qingyang tossed him a Qi Gathering Pill. "Don’t speak of this to anyone. Otherwise, it will do neither of us any good."

"Don’t worry, I understand completely." Lü Yunshen nodded repeatedly. "Senior Brother Chen, you’re a man of great stature. I just saw that Xu Yong begging you and saying all sorts of things. People like him are shifty opportunists with no principles. If he annoys you, Senior Brother Chen, just call for me and I’ll chase him off."

’This scholar has really seen the light. He even manages to insult himself while badmouthing others. The only thing that hasn’t changed is how caustic he is.’

"Come with me!"

Leaving the small courtyard, they headed east until they reached the entrance of the courtyard they had visited a few days prior. Chen Qingyang knocked on the door.

Beside him, Lü Yunshen deliberately straightened his clothes again, showing how seriously he was taking this.

"Senior Brother Chen, welcome to my humble abode!"

During the day, servant disciples were supposed to be at work, but they could ask for leave if something important came up, as long as they completed their assigned tasks for the month.

If they failed, there were two kinds of punishment.

The more severe was expulsion from the mountain without a single coin.

The lighter punishment was being sent to do heavy labor in the mines. At least you still had a chance at immortality, right?

However, for someone like Hu Kai to be mingling with the servant disciples despite his Qi Refining cultivation, he must have his ways of handling the Outer Sect Steward.

"Sorry for the intrusion!"

"Senior Brother Chen, no need to say such things! Please, come in." Hu Kai acted familiar and enthusiastic, but he didn’t spare Lü Yunshen so much as a glance.

They took their seats in the West Wing. Tea was served, incense smoke wafted through the air, and the room’s decor was quite elegant.

"I take it Senior Brother Chen has something to discuss?"

Only after three rounds of tea did they get down to business.

Chen Qingyang gestured to Lü Yunshen. "This junior brother of mine has been a servant disciple for over twenty years. He has a deep foundation but just lacks an opportunity to break through to Qi Refining. He has long wanted to join the Profound Light Association but had no one to recommend him. Today, I’d like to do him a favor. I wonder if that would be possible?"

Only then did Hu Kai glance at Lü Yunshen. "A scholar should walk the path of righteousness. Cultivating in the Tai Xu Sect, one should follow the sect’s methods in all things—that is the proper way. Junior Brother Lü, would you say our Profound Light Association is also the proper way?"

’So, the two of them have met before. Hu Kai was rebuffed, which is why he turned to Xu Yong.’

Instantly, Lü Yunshen’s face flushed red with shame. His usually quick tongue failed him; for a long moment, he couldn’t utter a coherent word, just standing there stunned.

It was Chen Qingyang who broke the impasse for him. "Times change. As the saying goes, ’He who understands the times is a wise man.’ Junior Brother Lü has always been a man of talent; he just couldn’t see through the illusions of the moment."

As Hu Kai looked over, Lü Yunshen stammered, "Yes... it’s as Senior Brother Chen said. Where I... offended... before..."

Hu Kai waved his hand impatiently, cutting him off. "Since Senior Brother Chen has taken the trouble to recommend a talent to our Profound Light Association, he must regard us as close as brothers. How could I possibly refuse him? Junior Brother Lü..."

Lü Yunshen immediately said, "Yes, Senior Brother Hu?"

"Come back tomorrow after sunset. I’ll introduce you to the other members of the Profound Light Association. If Senior Brother Chen wants to come, he’s welcome to join too."

Hearing this, the flush and gloom on Lü Yunshen’s face vanished instantly, replaced by sheer, unadulterated joy.

’How could a mere upstart like Xu Yong have a higher cultivation than me? This is great. I’m getting into the Profound Light Association too!’

"Thank you, Senior Brother Hu! Thank you..."

But Hu Kai said, "You should be thanking Senior Brother Chen. According to the rules of our Profound Light Association, he is your guide."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Chen."

After a bit more small talk, Chen Qingyang led Lü Yunshen away.

As they walked, Lü Yunshen was still caught up in his excitement.

"Senior Brother Chen, since you’re already in the Profound Light Association and have such a deep foundation, why haven’t you broken through yet?"

His previous humility vanished, and he even seemed to feel he was now on equal footing with Chen Qingyang.

"You want the Profound Light Association’s help because you need it. I don’t use it because I don’t need it. You should understand that, right?"

Sensing the hostility in his tone, Lü Yunshen quickly reined in his temper. "Senior Brother Chen is right, of course!"

Chen Qingyang continued, "Your aptitude is too poor. Even if you join the Profound Light Association, you’ll still need to temper your own foundation to break through. But if you rely only on yourself, I’m afraid you won’t see much progress even by the time you reach my age. Think about it, will you even live past sixty? Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless I frequently feed you Qi Gathering Pills. Only then will you have a chance at Qi Refining!"

Upon hearing this, Lü Yunshen didn’t even pause to think. He dropped directly to his knees in the snow.

"By age, Senior Brother Chen is my elder. You have also done me the great favor of sponsorship and rebirth, a kindness comparable to that of a parent. If you wouldn’t mind, Senior Brother Chen, I am willing to acknowledge you as my adoptive father! If I have the chance to enter the Outer Sect in the future, I will surely bring my adoptive father up with me!"

’Adoptive father.’

The word stunned Chen Qingyang for a moment.

"Please, Senior Brother Chen, don’t refuse!" He kowtowed again.

"Let’s forget about the ’adoptive father’ thing. When I was young, I had my fortune told. The fortune teller said I must never take someone with the surname Lü as an adoptive son, or my life will be filled with disaster. If you’re sincere, calling me Senior Brother is just the same."

As he spoke, he tossed out another Qi Gathering Pill.

Lü Yunshen was ecstatic. "Thank you, Senior Brother! Thank you, Senior Brother!"

’If I take this elixir myself, not only will there be side effects, but it won’t increase my progress one bit.’

’But if I give one to Lü Yunshen every so often, I might be able to gain a strand of Immortal Seedling. I’ve done the math carefully; it’s still a good deal.’

"It’s nothing. In the future, just remember to tell me whatever the Profound Light Association says to you and whatever they have you do."

How could Lü Yunshen have the slightest hesitation? He nodded in agreement.