Yu Changchun

"A steward of the Immortal Ascension Society?"

Wang Ba looked puzzled, seemingly not quite understanding what that meant.

Yet beneath his bewildered exterior, his heart was filled with horror.

Ever since his last encounter with Zhao Feng, he had learned his lesson and kept his Yin Spirit Power active at all times, disguising his physical condition as that of an ordinary person.

In any case, as long as no one was around, it consumed very little.

One thing worth mentioning was that he did not know whether the deceptive effect of Yin Spirit Power was ineffective against Spirit Chickens. Whatever the case, when he activated it inside the estate, surrounded by Spirit Chickens, there was almost no loss either.

But now, within the Yin Spirit Mansion between his brows, a drop of Yin Spirit Power was spinning rapidly, shrinking at a rate visible to the naked eye.

It was actually shrinking considerably faster than it had that night when he encountered the Sect disciple!

Clearly, this steward of the Immortal Ascension Society whom Old Hou had brought was actually a Qi Refining cultivator!

This was far beyond Wang Ba's expectations.

In his view, the Immortal Ascension Society was most likely a low-tier organization that the Sect's Servant Disciples had spontaneously formed together to embark on the path of cultivation.

Even if they knew some hidden information, they would not necessarily amount to much.

Yet the appearance of this steward of the Immortal Ascension Society instantly changed Wang Ba's thinking and immediately made him smell something amiss.

This organization actually had Qi Refining cultivators involved!

This left him both shocked and suspicious.

Why would a lofty cultivator insist on helping a group of lowly Servant Disciples who had nothing to do with him?

What benefit could a cultivator gain from helping them embark on the path of cultivation?

And what value could only these Servant Disciples provide?

If even a steward was a Qi Refining cultivator, did that mean those holding positions above the stewards included people at even higher cultivation realms?

Was the existence of such an organization within the Sect a good thing or a bad thing? Did the Sect know about it? What was its stance?

Even thinking a little more deeply about it gave him the feeling that the more he considered it, the more terrifying it became!

But no matter how violently his thoughts surged, nearly a year of living on tenterhooks had benefited Wang Ba: his face no longer betrayed the slightest flaw. He seemed merely puzzled about what status a steward of the Immortal Ascension Society held and why one had come looking for him.

Meanwhile, this utterly unremarkable-looking steward of the Immortal Ascension Society had no idea that part of his background had already been exposed. He smiled and introduced himself:

"My name is Yu Changchun. I have the honor of serving as a steward of the Immortal Ascension Society, specifically responsible for recruiting those with prospects of longevity into our society."

"Prospects of longevity?"

A trace of surprise and incomprehension appeared on Wang Ba's face. "Well... my name is Wang Ba... but why have you come looking for me?"

As everyone knew, Servant Disciples had almost no hope of embarking on the immortal path, and naturally had no chance at longevity either.

Thus, Wang Ba's reaction was perfectly normal and entirely within Yu Changchun's expectations.

With a chuckle, he said something that moved Wang Ba:

"Naturally, I came looking for you because you have the potential to become a cultivator."

"Me? A c-cultivator?"

Wang Ba could not help pointing at himself, his face full of disbelief.

This was not an act. He genuinely found it rather inconceivable.

After all, he knew perfectly well that he did not possess any Hidden Spiritual Root. Becoming a cultivator was all but impossible for him.

Only his ability to transfer lifespan had given him hope and confidence.

Otherwise, he would long since have lost heart and resigned himself to being a chicken-raising Servant Disciple.

Yet Yu Changchun seemed to have a fully formed plan in mind and said leisurely:

"I'm not making this up. However, if you rely on the Body-Strengthening Scripture you practice, then there probably is no hope."

Those who understood would understand what he was implying.

Wang Ba's thoughts raced, and he immediately put on an expression of shock and curiosity, but even greater caution:

"Steward Yu, could you mean..."

"Exactly. Our Immortal Ascension Society possesses a special method that can let those without Spiritual Roots create something from nothing and embark on the path to longevity!"

As though to substantiate his words.

The fluctuations of Spiritual Qi that had long been gathering within Yu Changchun suddenly poured forth like a mountain torrent, vast and unstoppable!

Feeling the invisible pressure, Wang Ba hurriedly played along, widening his eyes and trembling in both legs as he cried out:

"Y-you're actually an exalted immortal!"

He made to bow down, only to be lifted by an invisible force.

He hurriedly raised his head, "trembling" as he looked up.

Yu Changchun stood with his hands behind his back, his grayish-white robe stirring without wind and his long beard floating, looking for a moment like an immortal.

Had he not known the man was a Qi Refining cultivator, Wang Ba might almost have failed to keep his composure.

Fortunately, he managed in time to conjure up an expression mingling shock, fear, worry, anticipation, and all manner of emotions.

Yu Changchun took it all in. Although he had seen such expressions far too many times, he still could not help feeling a surge of satisfaction.

Feigning nonchalance, he smiled. "Well? Are you willing to believe me now?"

"If you still don't believe me, you can ask Brother Hou."

"N-no need. Naturally, this lowly one would never dare question an exalted immortal's words!"

Wang Ba hurriedly stopped him, but also showed a trace of difficulty. "But this lowly one still needs to feed the Precious Chickens every day. I'm afraid I won't have time to cultivate..."

At these words, Yu Changchun smiled faintly. Old Hou, who had remained silent beside him, hurriedly stepped forward and patted his chest.

"You needn't worry about that at all. Don't you know me? I have to deliver chicken feed every day, without a moment's rest from dawn till dusk. To tell you the truth, I've been running around the Sect for over twenty years, and I haven't even reached the fifth level of the Body-Strengthening Scripture. Everyone looks down on me. But now, in just a few short months, I'm already about to condense a Spiritual Root!"

"If you don't believe me, here! This is a Spiritual Root Testing Talisman. Why don't you test me!"

Wang Ba hurriedly caught Old Hou's arm.

"There's no need for that, no need at all. Naturally, I believe what you and the honored steward say!"

Seeing this, Yu Changchun smiled and cut straight to the point. "Then I wonder whether Brother Wang would be interested in joining our Immortal Ascension Society?"

At these words, difficulty immediately showed on Wang Ba's face, as though he was both tempted and wary of something.

Yu Changchun was not surprised by this reaction.

He knew very well that although Servant Disciples could not cultivate, few of them were fools.

An organization existing within the Sect, with Qi Refining cultivators involved-anyone would know that it was no simple matter.

Anyone with any brains would not rashly get involved.

Thus, Wang Ba's reaction was, in fact, the most normal one.

But that did not matter.

Yu Changchun smiled calmly. "It seems Brother Wang still has some misgivings. Very well, I was too rash."

"Our Immortal Ascension Society's cultivation method for developing Spiritual Roots consists of two volumes. Our meeting is a matter of fate, so I'll give Brother Wang the first volume. You might as well give it a try."

As he spoke, he took out a palm-sized book and handed it to Wang Ba.

Not daring to go against him, Wang Ba hurriedly accepted the book.

"Farewell."

Yu Changchun cupped his hands in farewell, showing none of a Qi Refining cultivator's lofty attitude. An ordinary Servant Disciple would probably have developed a favorable impression of him by now, perhaps even joining the Immortal Ascension Society on impulse.

Wang Ba's expression, too, revealed just the right trace of temptation, only for it to be replaced immediately by hesitation.

He watched Old Hou and Yu Changchun leave.

Upon returning to the estate, Wang Ba immediately opened the book with impatient eagerness and began studying it carefully.

He had no choice but to read it seriously.

Because, at this very moment, Yu Changchun was still watching him.