Stealing Immortal
Chapter 21 - 20: Ascending Again

Chapter 21: Chapter 20: Ascending Again

Liu Tao had been ruthless, leaving their victim no way out. Xu Baoling was dead through and through, ensuring no other trouble would arise. Most importantly, Qi Xiuyuan never showed up.

Everything went just as planned.

’What in the world was that golden light on Senior Sister Xu?’

This was the one thing that still left Chen Qingyang with a lingering sense of dread, even after he had left.

He felt as if something had happened to him, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

Back in Liu Tao’s Alchemy Room, the two of them finally composed themselves.

"After cultivating the Righteous Great Divine Dao, the Divine Soul in her Mud Ball Palace was incredibly powerful. I never thought she’d have another trick up her sleeve. But don’t worry. I checked again when you left. I can confirm that bitch is gone from this world for good!"

Instead of the excitement she had anticipated, Liu Tao felt a sense of wistful loss. She also had no idea what was worrying Chen Qingyang.

They positioned Xu Baoling’s body, wiped away all their tracks in the room, and ensured all the Poison Pills had been ingested by Xu Baoling. There was virtually no evidence left behind.

"Now that it’s done, I’ll head back down the mountain. But Qi Xiuyuan seeing me is still a liability. Senior Sister, you’ll need to be vigilant."

Liu Tao looked at him, her expression solemn. "Junior Brother, you and I are in the same boat now. How could I not be careful?"

...

On the way down the mountain, the moonlight was brilliant.

It reflected off the white snow, making the majestic mountains look like they were carved from jade.

With the matter settled, Chen Qingyang finally allowed himself to relax a little. As for Qi Xiuyuan, he would have to put that problem aside for now.

He returned to the pine tree, sat down, and steadied his emotions.

In the instant Xu Baoling died, her figure had appeared in his mind, wreathed in a fierce White Flame.

[Chen Qingyang]

[Qi Refining Second Realm]

[Tai Xu Energy-Introducing Technique: (1/400)]

[Tier Two Qi-Introducing Pill: (1/300)]

[Great Soul Scripture (Incomplete): (34/300)]

[Available Immortal Seedlings: 415]

Small golden characters appeared. His Immortal Seedling count was over four hundred.

Chen Qingyang was stunned. All in all, this Qi Refining Eighth Realm cultivator had contributed over eight hundred Immortal Seedlings to him. It truly was like a whale fall, where one great death gives life to myriad others.

’Ever since I broke through to the Qi Refining Second Realm, the cap for the Tai Xu Energy-Introducing Technique has reached 400. I have just enough now. I can push through in one go, first raising my cultivation to the Third Realm of Qi Refining. I’ll use the rest to solidify my mastery of the Tier Two Qi-Introducing Pill. That way, creating the elixir tomorrow is a sure thing.’

With a thought, the numbers on the panel changed.

In an instant, the sensation of a breakthrough washed over him again. A powerful, pure energy surged from all directions, swirling through his body. Chen Qingyang steadied his mind and silently recited the general principles of the Tai Xu Energy-Introducing Technique. He slowly mobilized his Meridians and Dantian and began the Refinement of this new power.

One Circulation passed, then another. He lost track of time. When a streak of fire leaped over the horizon, his eyes snapped open, a sharp glint flashing within them.

Within his Dantian, a third wisp of Golden Qi had formed.

His Qi moved with his will, and his intent was born from his mind. His robes billowed out, scattering the snow at his feet. The power of his Qi Mechanism was several times greater than before.

He checked his status again. The cap for the Tai Xu Energy-Introducing Technique had jumped to one thousand. ’This is outrageous,’ he thought. ’Even everything I got from killing Xu Baoling won’t be enough to fill this.’’

’To concoct a Tier Three Elixir, I’ll need at least Fourth Realm Cultivation. I wonder if I can even survive as a Miscellaneous Task disciple long enough to get there.’

A Cultivation at the Third Realm of Qi Refining was enough to become a Steward overseeing miscellaneous tasks in the Outer Sect. Finding a master and officially being promoted to an Outer Disciple would also be a breeze. The only problem was that he would still be stuck on Four Golden Peaks.

’With Stealing Immortal, I no longer have bottlenecks with most Dharma Gates. I should be finding a more powerful master, joining a stronger peak, and practicing a superior Cultivation Technique.’

He descended the mountain and returned to his cabin.

He carefully examined himself again. This time, it wasn’t just his aura that had changed. The skin on his face had become smoother, and some of the fine lines had been stretched away.

He took off his shirt. His body now looked like that of a young man in his prime. There were no wrinkles, only faintly defined muscles.

No one seeing him now would ever connect him with a centenarian.

"Senior Brother Chen, Senior Brother Chen!"

It was Lü Yunshen’s voice from outside the door.

Xu Yong should have already left for the day; Lü Yunshen always waited until he was gone to visit.

"Come in!"

Lü Yunshen’s complexion had improved greatly over the past two days. He held his head high all day, and that old scholarly air of his had returned to his every gesture.

"Senior Brother Chen, I went to a Profound Light Association meeting yesterday and met a lot of people. Senior Brother Hu checked my Cultivation and specifically asked what you’ve been busy with lately. I told him you were either at the Golden Summit or at your post."

Chen Qingyang nodded. "And what did he say about your Cultivation?"

"He said that I’ve been cultivating tirelessly for the past twenty years and have built a solid foundation. The only thing I lack is a bit of innate talent, which is something the Profound Light Association can help compensate for."

’This is good news,’ Chen Qingyang thought. He genuinely hoped Lü Yunshen could enter the Outer Sect. That way, he could recoup his investment in the elixirs.

Chen Qingyang flicked out another elixir. This one was from Liu Tao—a genuine Qi Gathering Pill.

Lü Yunshen knew Senior Brother Chen’s routine. He didn’t go far, simply consuming the pill right in front of him and starting to meditate. A few moments later, he had completely refined it.

When he opened his eyes, he was naturally overcome with joy. "My admiration for you, Senior Brother Chen..."

Chen Qingyang raised a hand, cutting him off. "Again."

This time, he gave him a Poison Pill. Lü Yunshen refined it without hesitation.

’Xu Baoling’s poison is slow-acting,’ he mused. ’As long as he takes a dose every now and then, it shouldn’t flare up. It might even raise his Cultivation a bit. As for it damaging his Dao Foundation, that doesn’t matter. Anyone who relies on the Mystic Gate Association to advance has a ruined foundation anyway.’

Lü Yunshen’s image appeared in Chen Qingyang’s mind, and his Immortal Seedling count increased by just 1.

"Go on back. I have to get to my post."

"Yes, Senior Brother Chen."

He was a little late today.

The path to the Hongling Token hall was deserted; there wasn’t another soul in sight.

Chen Qingyang sat down in his small cubicle and began crafting Dao Rhyme Patterns.

He deliberately slowed his pace, taking a long time to finish a single one. He estimated he would only complete two by noon.

Whenever Wu Boyou saw him, he would wander over to make small talk.

It wasn’t for the sake of friendship, but for the hope of getting an elixir.

"Junior Brother Chen, you came in a bit late today!"

Chen Qingyang answered, breathing heavily. "My body’s been getting tired easily lately, so I’ve been sleeping more. My apologies, Senior Brother Wu!"

Hearing this, Wu Boyou grew curious. "That doesn’t seem right. With all those elixirs you have, are you saying they’re not helping?"

"I don’t understand it myself. A senior sister at the Golden Summit took a look and said I just need to nourish my qi and blood for a while. I should get better eventually. Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Wu."

As he spoke, he produced an elixir from his sleeve. It was a Poison Pill.

"I promised you last time, Senior Brother Wu, that I’d give you a Qi Gathering Pill if I got one. Please, accept it."

Wu Boyou accepted it with a wide grin. "It’s strange, you know. I felt like I was on the verge of a breakthrough, but the feeling seems to be fading. After thinking it over, I figured my foundation is probably too shallow. This Qi Gathering Pill will be a great help."

"I don’t really understand much about the Qi Refining Realm, but if you say so, Senior Brother Wu, then it must be true."

Holding up the elixir, Wu Boyou said, "Thanks a lot."

...

After leaving the Hongling Token hall.

Chen Qingyang drank a pot of tea in his small courtyard and cooked a bowl of noodles over a fire. The noodles were plain, but paired with the beautiful scenery, they had a unique charm.

Before him, steep peaks rose sharply, a vast expanse of white under the open sky.

His mind drifted back to a distant memory—the year he had come to the mountain, at nineteen years of age.

A few hundred li from the Tai Xu Sect’s mountain, there was a small town. Outside that town was a small village called Li Family Castle, and in that village lived an orphan boy.

His parents had still been alive when they arranged his childhood engagement to Li Qianxue. But then tragedy struck, and he became an orphan.

Fortunately, her family didn’t break the engagement and treated him well. He managed to scrape by on his hunting skills from the age of thirteen until he was nineteen...

’It’s been a hundred years since I joined the Immortal Sect. Li Family Castle must be completely different now, and Uncle Li and the others... they must have passed into memory long ago.’

Uncle Li’s words still rang clear in his mind, but reality was a bitter irony. Everything had turned out the complete opposite. "Qingyang, you’re a steady boy. When you go, you must take good care of Qianxue. I’m entrusting her to you..."

’To pursue Immortal Cultivation, one must become ruthless. You don’t just watch your loved ones die one by one; even those who live on become unrecognizable. Everything is for the Dao, for longevity, and above all, for personal gain!’

Having eaten and drunk his fill, Chen Qingyang rubbed his belly contentedly.

Then, in his worn-out cloth shoes, he began a slow and leisurely walk up the mountain.

The stone steps had long been frozen solid, but his footing was firm. A few squirrels scampered up and down the trees lining the path.

Chen Qingyang stopped, broke off a piece of the dried food he was carrying, and placed it on a large rock beside the steps.

At first, the squirrels were too timid to eat it. But when Chen Qingyang stood as still as an old pine, one slowly crept forward to investigate before snatching the food and scurrying away.

This moment of peace was broken by a flock of immortal cranes flying past the Golden Summit. In response, even the Spirit Deer in the forest began to call out.

Chen Qingyang resumed his ascent.

Four Golden Peaks, the Pill Institute.

He had been coming here for many days now. Whenever he ran into other Outer Disciples, they paid him no mind.

A Miscellaneous Task disciple here to do a job, perhaps, or some master’s Furnace Boy... In any case, he was insignificant. Few would remember that this was the same old task disciple who had caused such a stir a month ago.

He pushed the door open and went inside. Liu Tao was there, meditating.

When she saw it was Chen Qingyang, she immediately rushed over to size him up. "You broke through the Second Realm, didn’t you?"

The fact that she couldn’t be certain and had to guess based on his aura meant that Chen Qingyang’s ability to conceal his Qi Mechanism was working.

"Yes. Today, I want to try concocting the Tier Two Qi-Introducing Pill."

Liu Tao kept staring at him. "You know, you’ve become quite a bit more handsome. You must have been a real heartbreaker when you were young!"

A faint blush rose on her wrinkled face, making her look like a giddy old maid.

Chen Qingyang’s expression was flat. "I’m a bit late today. We should get started on the alchemy. This is my first time attempting a Tier Two Qi-Introducing Pill, so I don’t know how long it will take."

As if by unspoken agreement, Liu Tao took Chen Qingyang’s outer coat and hung it on a rack. "Why don’t you become my master’s disciple? Or I could introduce you to a skilled Pill Master here on Four Golden Peaks. At one hundred and twenty years old with a Third Realm of Qi Refining cultivation, you’d be accepted without any issue."

This time, Chen Qingyang could genuinely feel her goodwill.

"To be honest with you, Senior Sister, I want to go to a different peak."

Liu Tao’s fleeting gentleness vanished. "To the Tai Hao Sword Institute? To be a Sword-Hugging Elder? But Li Qianxue is never going to wake up! And even if she did, she’s far beyond your reach!"

Chen Qingyang said, "You misunderstand, Senior Sister. My passion is for the Alchemy Dao. I hope to find an opportunity to go to Cyan Bamboo Peak in the future."

At his words, Liu Tao fell silent for a long time.

Going to the Tai Hao Sword Institute was a pipedream, but going to Cyan Bamboo Peak... that was actually possible.

"I knew it... I knew it from that first day... I can’t keep you here..."