Chapter 624

100

Chapter 100 I do not accept apprentices.

The Xianzhou [Luofu], one of the six flagship ships of the [Xianzhou Alliance], the strongest and largest faction under the Hunt, is a magnificent and beautiful interstellar mothership.

After the war with the Bountiful People came to an end, she slowly sailed through many prosperous star systems like the Hunt arrow, continuing to be wary of and conquer the Abundance People while engaging in trade and cultural exchanges with various worlds, and helping the worlds that had been destroyed by the Bountiful People to restore their ecosystems.

Under the rule of General Jing Yuan of the General of the Divine Might, this place has become a prosperous world with highly developed medical care, machinery, education and trade. Merchant ships of all sizes are always filling the port, and interstellar travelers who come from all over the world come in an endless stream. It can be called a paradise in the dark starry sky that everyone yearns for.

However, light and shadow go hand in hand; prosperity often conceals filth and crisis.

Under the moonlight, in the dark pavilion, a solitary and indifferent figure opens a letter, his fingers carefully tracing the slightly raised characters, reading the blind letter in this way.

"The [seed] is approaching. The next step is to get it into the forbidden area and create an opportunity for the allied [messenger] to reach Jianmu directly—the question is, how credible can the [messenger] of Jinmie be?"

The head of the Alchemy Division Chief Alchemist Danshu, or perhaps the leader of the [Medicine King Sect], was deep in thought in the darkness.

"In any case, at least the [seed] is genuine, since we all need the Jianmu to revive. Only a living Jianmu can create an eternal immortal body, spreading the Yaoshi's compassion once again across the Xianzhou... Let's cooperate for now and observe the effects."

Danshu sighed.

He immediately picked up another intelligence report.

"The internal divisions within the Holders of Purity are indeed becoming increasingly severe. One side wants to protect Bailu, who possesses the power of Dragon Lord, while the other side wishes they could shed her scales and be reborn in order to cultivate a new, complete, and powerful Dragon Lord... But it's all for the best. If they don't cause chaos, I won't receive so much covert support. And the Vidyadhara Dragon Marrow is indeed a valuable medicinal ingredient. If they don't fight amongst themselves, how will I have the opportunity to covet it?"

"Hmm? Asking me about the new Vessel of Knowledge Emanator, that stellar dragon that appeared at the Herta Space Station?"

Danshu frowned, then put the matter out of his mind.

Although the power of the [Immortal] Dragon Ancestor is the key to triggering the Demonic Yin Body, the secret medicine [Coiled Dragon Leaping] is made based on this principle. It allows the immortal beings to control the powerful Demonic Yin Body in a conscious state, and then restore their human form with another medicine after the battle. This is the Medicine King Sect that has repeatedly helped them break through the Cloud Cavalry.

Therefore, a dragon who is suspected to be a descendant of the first generation of the [Immortal] Dragon Ancestor is undoubtedly a great temptation for the Medicine King Sect Manual. Using this person's body as material, it is very likely that a secret medicine with a power far exceeding [Coiled Dragon Leaping] can be developed, thereby changing the Medicine King Sect's absolute disadvantage in direct combat power.

But right now, the rebirth of Jianmu is what she cares about most; everything else can wait. Besides, it's a stellar-level life form, and Emanator. Even if she's in a hurry, there's nothing she can do but take it one step at a time.

After some deliberation, Danshu finalized the next action plan for the Medicine King Sect:

One aspect concerns the delivered [seed] – that is, the Stellaron – which is to be sent into the Lin Yuan Scale Abyss Realm, where the Jianmu Mystic Root is sealed, to activate the long-dormant Jianmu.

Secondly, they were prepared to stir up chaos in various parts of Luofu, and if necessary, to block the Cloud Cavalry from the front, creating an opportunity for Phantylia to enter Scale Abyss Realm, so that Emanator seize the Jianmu and create a perfect eternal immortal body.

Thirdly, the plundering of Bailu Marrow can be attempted, but not forced. The main force of the secret technique must be devoted to the first two tasks.

Fourthly...

After considering the matter carefully and confirming that nothing had been missed, Danshu left a message using a secret method within the organization, then disappeared into the darkness and departed.

Unaware that, as she walked out of the secluded courtyard and onto the street, a passerby casually adjusted the monocle on her right eye.

[I've found a breakthrough in the Medicine King Sect. I plan to stay by Danshu's side for a few days to see how things go; she seems to have a deep understanding of pharmacology, especially the power of abundance.]

'What ever.'

Cheng Lingshuang ignored Amon's actions; let her be as reckless as she wanted, she just needed to do her own thing.

"Bump!"

"Bang!"

"East Wind!"

The cards changed hands several times at the card table.

In the end, Cheng Lingshuang drew a card and then pushed the card in front of her over.

"Self-draw, all one suit!"

"Sister Ling Shuang has such good luck!"

"Yes, Miss Ling Shuang."

Qingque and Yan Qing sighed and each offered their bets.

Another player did the same, pushing several Xun Di forward while sighing as he took off his exquisite monocle and carefully rubbed it.

"Hey, Xiaoxuan, when did you buy your monocle? It looks really good."

"Hmm? When did you buy it? I forgot. Haven't I been wearing it all the time?"

Is that so?

Qingque scratched her head. However, they were just card-playing buddies who had played together a few times, and she didn't know them well, so she didn't delve into it further.

Cheng Lingshuang raised her eyes and stared at Xiaoxuan's mahjong partner with indifferent eyes.

The other person gave a friendly smile.

"Fortune and misfortune have no fixed gate; it is the foolish who trouble themselves with them."

"Understood, I was just here to play cards. I didn't expect to meet Miss Ling Shuang like this... Anyway, it's getting late, and since we've finished the last round, I won't disturb you any longer."

Xiaoxuan laughed and put on her monocle, then got up and left.

Qingque and Yan Qing exchanged a glance, feeling as if there was some hidden meaning in the conversation, yet also as if there wasn't. They didn't sense anything particularly strange, so they didn't think much of it, assuming it was just a normal farewell between mahjong partners.

Then Qingque gave Yan Qing an encouraging look and glanced in Cheng Lingshuang's direction.

Yan Qing hesitated for a moment, and after sending money for several days of gambling, finally spoke:

"Mr. Ling Shuang, I..."

"We do not accept apprentices."

"Well..."

"Whoever's student is responsible for their teaching. You may have some talent, but that has nothing to do with me."

Cheng Lingshuang coldly refused.

Qingque immediately tugged at Cheng Lingshuang's sleeve, and after she turned her head, whispered in her ear:

"Sister Ling Shuang, that's not how it works. He's backed by General Jing Yuan, the top figure in Xianzhou Luofu. If you just give him a few pointers, wouldn't that establish a good relationship? Then he could walk around Luofu with impunity!"

"Oh? So, I saved your life once, and you have Grand Tutor Fu backing you. Don't we already have that kind of relationship?"

Cheng Lingshuang raised her hand, pinched Qingque's soft cheek, and pulled it outwards.

Qingque hadn't expected this kind of "treatment," but in order to plead for him—mainly so she could establish a connection with General Jing Yuan and improve her future career prospects—she had no choice but to smile obsequiously:

"That's not how it works. The Grand Diviner is just a Grand Diviner, while the General is a General! Can the Six Lords of Luofu and the head of the Six Lords be the same thing?"

"I will relay these words to Grand Tutor Fu next time."

"No! You're Little Sparrow to kill me! What I mean is, relationships are something you can never have too many of, right? One is never as reliable as two, right?"

"You Little Sparrow, just how much did you get from Jing Yuan and this child?"

Cheng Lingshuang gently pinched Qingque's little face, her calm eyes like icy swords piercing straight into people's hearts.

Qingque panicked.

"I... I didn't! Sister Ling Shuang, don't talk nonsense, I just wanted to help Sister Ling Shuang!"

"Looks like they accepted it."

"... Um."

"In short, I have no interest in taking on disciples, and why should I waste my time teaching someone who isn't my disciple? Don't waste your time here. If you have that kind of enthusiasm, you should tell Jing Yuan to find another way."

After saying that, Cheng Lingshuang got up and left.

Qingque and Yan Qing were left standing there awkwardly, looking at each other with expressions of helplessness.

"I've tried my best. Sister Ling Shuang is indifferent to worldly affairs. You couldn't pique her interest the first time, and it's not that easy to change her mind. It's like those rich people who desperately want clothes; no matter how much they raise the price, Sister Ling Shuang will only weave half a bolt of cloth each day. There's no use saying more."

"I see. But my master already warned me that all truly accomplished people are like this; they're not so easily moved."

So what are you planning to do next?

"Of course we should persevere! As the saying goes, sincerity can move mountains! However, we may not be able to continue for the next few days. A group of madmen came to the ferry crossing and dared to cause trouble in Luofu. They are still on the run. As a member of the Cloud Vanguard, I have to go and help quell the unrest."

Yan Qing chuckled and scratched his head.

Qingque spread her hands, not asking any further questions. Her work experience told her that she should ask as few questions as possible about matters outside her job description; if she didn't ask, nothing would happen, and asking might just add extra tasks to her workload.

"Then I'll try to subtly inquire about Sister Ling Shuang's preferences, or her criteria for accepting apprentices, etc. That's all I can do."

"That's enough, thank you so much!"

The two then said their goodbyes.

Luofu also fell silent; it was another peaceful night, at least on the surface.

~~~~~

101

Chapter 101 Immortality.

"Lord Yan Qing, we have received a distress call! The criminal has appeared in the Seventh Port District!"

"Okay, I'm on my way! You guys notify the other brothers and come as reinforcements as soon as possible!"

"Yes!"

The Cloud Cavalry looked up, watching the young man's dashing figure as he rode away on his sword.

Some were envious, some were moved, but they quickly followed the instructions and got to work.

Yan Qing flew on his sword, carrying the Cloud Cavalry's righteous indignation towards the perpetrators, heading straight towards the direction of the distress signal. But suddenly he stopped abruptly in mid-air, turned around, and slowly landed on the street.

"Sir, what are you doing here?"

"I ordered a potted plant to decorate the room. What, are you on patrol?"

"Well, there's nothing I can't tell you, sir. There have been some petty thieves causing trouble in the port area these past few days, and I'm planning to go and arrest them. Official business is important, so I'll have to go now. I'll visit you again another time. Have a safe trip!"

After giving a humble and polite greeting, Yan Qing smiled, mounted her flying sword, and sped away.

Cheng Lingshuang held the flowerpot, touched the delicate petals with her fingertips, and looked up at the boy's back.

"Hmm... putting everything else aside, his manners are alright, he's quite polite."

Since we met, Cheng Lingshuang has given me a rare positive review.

Unfortunately, Yan Qing had already gone far away and could no longer hear it.

'Criminal, Stellaron Hunters... According to Ninti's intelligence, there's a Blade among them, who uses a sword, and has a high bounty. Logically, he should be a highly skilled individual, right?'

Cheng Lingshuang touched her chin.

She is making good progress in refining her martial arts skills. She has simplified her skills and refined them, and the perfect state in her mind is beginning to take shape.

But so far, these are all just theories, her own summaries and deductions.

The next step is to find a suitable target to strike with, so that we can truly understand where we are and what adjustments are needed.

"It wouldn't hurt to go and take a look."

As soon as she finished speaking, her graceful figure vanished without a trace, like a falling leaf.

There are five people!

"Well--"

"There are three costs!"

"Ah--"

"None of you are..."

"Waaah--"

After a series of bloody slicing and bloody sounds, Ren expressionlessly swung his longsword, sending out thousands of drops of blood.

A Cloud Cavalry, his chest pierced, lay in a pool of blood, his face filled with resentment as he said:

"I don't know what poem you're reciting, but why can't I kill you? I refuse to accept this... Ugh!"

Don't get me wrong, he's just unconscious.