Qiao Yuhong shook his head in tears, sobbing too hard to speak, looking utterly pitiable.
Mei Jingjing could not help stepping forward to comfort her too. Among them, only Han Jin had known all along that she was a young girl. He was a worldly man and understood Qiao Yuhong's feelings very well. Sighing inwardly, he looked at Li Qiang's helpless embarrassment and explained what had happened to Hua Meiniang and the others.
Hua Meiniang immediately understood. Thinking of how she felt the same way about Fu Shan, her heart filled with pity. She was someone who especially enjoyed defying heaven. She smiled. "I see someone making all sorts of excuses about taking a disciple. I'm different. Little girl, would you like to become my disciple?"
Qiao Yuhong could hardly believe his ears. Without a second thought, he knelt and sobbed, "Yes... Hong'er... is willing. Honored Master, please accept..."
Hua Meiniang swept him into her arms and laughed. "Don't call me Master from now on. Just call me Big Sister. Heehee..."
Li Qiang understood everything that had happened perfectly well; he had simply been playing dumb all along. The upheaval back home, his girlfriend's betrayal and deception, had forced him to abandon everything he possessed and follow Fu Shan onto the path of cultivation. He had come to take many things lightly, and had grown particularly guarded in matters of affection.
He was quite accomplished at playing the fool. Laughing, he said, "Congratulations, Brother Hong! Oh, no, I should call you Sister Hong now. Big Sister Hua is a very formidable... people call her... what was that nickname again?"
Hou Pijing could not hold back either and shouted, "The Little Demoness... hahaha..."
Hua Meiniang raised her pale pink fist threateningly. "You're asking for it, making fun of me again... oh, you brat, you were the one who started spouting nonsense..."
Li Qiang looked perfectly innocent. "I was praising you, Big Sister! No nonsense... no nonsense... hehe..." This interruption put everyone at ease.
Qiao Yuhong was clever. He went over to Mei Jingjing and paid his respects, calling her Big Sister at every turn. The three women immediately grew close.
Those few calls of "Big Sister" made Mei Jingjing's heart blossom. In all her life, no one had ever respectfully called her Big Sister before, and she happily indulged in the pleasures of being an older sister.
Fu Shan walked over. "We'll start teleporting the people from Bangqining Kingdom now. Nanadun, there are people of other races and places among them. You're responsible for settling them. Work out the means yourself, but you must handle it properly. Understood?"
Nanadun pressed a finger to the point between his eyebrows and said solemnly, "I swear in the name of Kanbo'er, the great god of the Green Tribe, that I will do it!"
Fu Shan nodded. "Just take the task seriously. There's no need to swear to Kanbo'er, lest he accuse me next time we meet of forcing his juniors to swear oaths."
Fu Shan's casual remark frightened Nanadun so badly that his legs trembled. He bowed his head deeply. From his tone, this Fu Shan was at least a friend of the great god Kanbo'er. Not daring to say anything more, he turned to find Tange and have him hurry back to return the Storage Bag.
If Fu Shan later told the great god that his tribesmen had taken his belongings and refused to return them, that disgrace would be more than a single bag could repay.
This teleportation was an undertaking on an enormous scale, consuming countless crystals. Only the Chongxuan Sect had such resources. Everyone remaining was teleported to the outskirts of a large city in Bangqining Kingdom. Han Jin and Zhao Zhi slipped along amid the confusion. By the time Li Qiang discovered them, the two shamelessly refused to leave, copying Nashan's tricks. Li Qiang had always been softhearted toward his friends and could only agree.
Watching the crowd gradually disperse, Fu Shan asked, "Little Brother! Come back to Sealed Fate Planet with us! Bring your disciples and friends too. Brother Hou, you should come as well! I have some Heavenly Stem Dew Immortal Wine for you to try. But once you've tasted it, you won't drink any other wine again."
Hou Pijing's eyes lit up. He said happily, "Ah, I've heard of that wine, but I've never seen it. I really don't understand you two brothers. Neither of you can drink, yet both of you hoard fine wine, while an old drunk like me has none at all."
Li Qiang smiled and handed him a bottle of "Drunkard" liquor. Hou Pijing sighed. "My brother knows me best. He knows my mouth waters whenever I talk about wine." He took a sip and could not help cheering loudly.
Li Qiang, Zhao Hao, and Mei Jingjing all recalled their first meeting with him, and smiles appeared on their faces.
Fu Shan said mildly, "Once you've tasted my immortal wine, you won't even spare this stuff a glance."
Hou Pijing laughed. "I know. Even immortals would have trouble getting their hands on Chongbi's collection! Hehe, but I don't dare drink your wine."
Hua Meiniang asked curiously, "Why? Are you afraid Brother Fu will harm you?"
Hou Pijing roared with laughter. "Hahaha, Little Demoness, stop talking nonsense. If your Brother Fu were that kind of man, would you still like him? Ah... I didn't say anything... I meant... after drinking his wine, where would I ever find wine I wanted to drink again?"
Having her secret exposed in front of Fu Shan, Hua Meiniang surprisingly did not lose her temper. She merely said, "Hmph, I'm ignoring you. Let's go over there." She pulled Mei Jingjing and Qiao Yuhong away.
In fact, she was secretly grateful to Hou Pijing. She liked Fu Shan but did not dare express it, so she could only keep making trouble and wreaking havoc around him, trying every possible way to make him remember her.
In the end, Fu Shan had remembered her, but without the slightest fondness. She had caused even more trouble and destruction, almost losing confidence herself. Today, through Hou Pijing's mouth, the words in her heart had finally been spoken.
Fu Shan froze slightly but said nothing.
Li Qiang smiled wryly. "Brother Fu, I still need to stay here for a while. There's something very important I have to do."
Fu Shan asked curiously, "What is it? Can you tell your big brother?"
Li Qiang nodded. "I need sea agate. It seems it's only found here in the Sea of Wronged Souls. Brother Fu, do you know what it is?"
Fu Shan lowered his head in thought. After a long while, he said, "I seem to have heard of it, but I don't know what it's used for. Who wants it?"
Li Qiang handed him a Nirvana Pill. "The person who gave me this spirit pill wants it. I'm passing this one on to you, Big Brother."
Even someone as composed as Fu Shan could not help being shocked. His voice trembled slightly. "Impossible... this is... a Nir... va... na Pill." He spoke almost syllable by syllable.
Taking the Nirvana Pill and examining it closely, Fu Shan forced himself to calm down and said slowly, "Anyone who could give you a Nirvana Pill must be a highly accomplished senior. Are you truly giving this to me?"
With Li Qiang's present cultivation, he could not understand the significance of a Nirvana Pill. To an expert about to pass through the Tribulation Transcendence Realm, it was more important than anything else.
Li Qiang said somewhat angrily, "If I don't give it to you, Brother Fu, who else would I give it to? Being able to do something for you..."
Fu Shan clasped Li Qiang's hand, cutting him off. "Brother, that wasn't what I meant. I'll accept it. This is your heartfelt gift. I understand."
Taking the opportunity, Fu Shan extended his True Essence Power to examine the changes inside Li Qiang. Li Qiang felt his whole body jolt violently. Fu Shan suddenly said, "Incredible, incredible! What is so powerful? Hey, Brother Hou, come take a look."
Hou Pijing took a sip of wine and swayed over, muttering, "I finally get a chance to enjoy some fine wine, and now what do you want me for?"
"Take a look at what's inside our little brother. It's incredible. Even with my cultivation, I was repelled." Fu Shan's face was full of astonishment.
Hearing this, Hou Pijing grew interested too. He knew Fu Shan's level very well. If even he was astonished, something strange was certainly afoot.
The two took turns probing Li Qiang with their True Essence Power, making him ache one moment and go numb the next. He could not help shouting, "You two venerable elders, stop playing around! What exactly is going on? You're going to kill me!"
Fu Shan asked, "What exactly is inside your Nascent Soul that's so powerful? That's no Purple Flame Heart!"
Li Qiang held out a finger, and a thin thread of Heavenly Fire emerged from its tip.
Fu Shan was a grandmaster artificer. One glance told him this was Brilliant Swift Heavenly Fire. He slapped his forehead hard and exclaimed, "Little Brother, I don't know where you collected Brilliant Swift Heavenly Fire, but this is unbelievable. In all my years of cultivation, this is the first time I've seen someone actually take Heavenly Fire into their body. Hmm, could it be the Purple Flame Heart's doing? Possibly... no, that still isn't right. There should be something else inside your Nascent Soul."
Li Qiang admired Fu Shan immensely. Since the Supreme Radiance Shuttle had fused with his Nascent Soul and could no longer be withdrawn from his body, he could only say, "Yes, there's also the Supreme Radiance Shuttle inside my Nascent Soul."
Fu Shan and Hou Pijing were both widely knowledgeable, yet their little brother seemed determined never to speak without shocking them. The two exchanged horrified looks and sighed together.
Fu Shan paced in two circles, muttering, "The Supreme Radiance Shuttle, the Supreme Radiance Shuttle... that's a fucking immortal artifact. No wonder it's so powerful. Damn it... I... I..." His voice grew louder and louder. Everyone was stunned to hear the usually gentle and refined Fu Shan swear so vehemently.
Hou Pijing tried to soothe him. "Chongbi, don't get worked up. There may still be a solution."
Fu Shan fell silent. Unwilling to give up, he probed again with his True Essence Power. After a long while, he suddenly asked, "Brother Hou, did you teach him your cultivation method?"
Hou Pijing grimaced. "Well... no... it doesn't count as teaching, does it? He figured it out himself."
Seeing his expression, Fu Shan could not help saying, "Ah! You gave him a Jade Pupil Slip?" Hou Pijing nodded.
Fu Shan relaxed slightly and said with relief, "Brother Hou, thank you for thinking so highly of my little brother and passing your cultivation method on to him."
Hou Pijing took a sip of wine and shook his head with a smile. "What's there to thank me for? He and I simply hit it off," he said dismissively.
Fu Shan said, "Fortunately, our little brother learned the Primordial Beginning Sect's cultivation method. The Primordial Beginning Sect's Nascent Soul microcosm is extraordinary. Otherwise, even I couldn't save him."
Seeing Fu Shan so anxious, Li Qiang tried to reassure him. "Brother Fu, don't worry! Let heaven decide my fate!"
Fu Shan snapped irritably, "You brat, you've got a thief's boldness! You dare refine anything into your Nascent Soul. That's your life-bound Nascent Soul. If something goes wrong, it'll be difficult to fix. Fortunately, you practiced the Primordial Beginning Sect's cultivation method first, so there's still a remedy."
Li Qiang asked in confusion, "Isn't the Supreme Radiance Shuttle an immortal artifact? Isn't it a good thing?"
Fu Shan smiled bitterly. "Good? It's far too good. The Supreme Radiance Shuttle... even I don't have an immortal artifact that fine. Little Brother! The might of this Law Treasure... ah, what power do you have to control it? Didn't the expert who gave it to you say that to truly use the Supreme Radiance Shuttle, your spirit and the artifact must become one?"
Li Qiang thought carefully. "Hmm, I think he did mention it. I didn't really understand."
This time even Hou Pijing nearly jumped up. "Little Brother, I have to admire you. You're absolutely, recklessly bold! Do you have a death wish? You dared use it without understanding it!"
Li Qiang said aggrievedly, "I wasn't trying to use the Supreme Radiance Shuttle. It moved on its own."
Fu Shan could only explain why this had happened.
With Li Qiang's current cultivation, there was absolutely no way he could control the Supreme Radiance Shuttle. He had unwittingly drawn on its power, and it had nearly sucked his own source power dry.
Cultivators strengthened their source power through cultivation. Law Treasures such as the Purple Flame Heart could provide tremendous assistance, while the Primordial Beginning Sect's cultivation approach was the best method for increasing source power.
Fu Shan finally relaxed and smiled. "You're lucky! You have the Primordial Beginning Sect's cultivation method to practice. But from now on, you'll be a hedgehog. Whoever strikes you will suffer... Brother Hou, it looks as though we'll have to join forces to cut off the Supreme Radiance Shuttle's suction. My cultivation alone isn't enough to sever it. The Supreme Radiance Shuttle is simply too powerful."
There was only one word to describe Li Qiang: lucky.
Had the two grandmaster-level experts, Fu Shan and Hou Pijing, not acted together, it would not have taken long for the Supreme Radiance Shuttle to forcibly suck Li Qiang's Nascent Soul into its body, truly becoming an immortal artifact with a soul. At that point, Li Qiang's original body would also have been reduced to drifting ash and smoke.
Fu Shan and Hou Pijing joined forces to seal the Supreme Radiance Shuttle outside Li Qiang's Nascent Soul, preventing it from absorbing the Nascent Soul's power. Fu Shan repeatedly warned him never to try controlling the Supreme Radiance Shuttle. Only when his source power exceeded its power could he attempt to refine it. Then his spirit and the artifact could truly become one.
Fu Shan said, "Little Brother, you'll need to cultivate for a while longer to restore your source power. For now, you shouldn't rashly use your True Essence Power, lest you suffer a backlash. Hehe, but don't be afraid. Whoever strikes you will suffer... unable to absorb your power, the Supreme Radiance Shuttle will release its own. Whoever touches it... you'll understand later."
Knowing he was out of danger, Li Qiang said happily, "Brother Fu, Old Brother, are you going back to Heavenly Court Star or Sealed Fate Planet? Once I find the sea agate, I'll come find you."
Fu Shan considered for a moment. "I can't say for certain either, but there's a major matter on Heavenly Court Star... several of my brothers are overseeing it there. This matter has far too great an impact on the entire cultivation world. I imagine I'll spend more time on Heavenly Court Star! Oh, take this."
He handed Li Qiang a strange object a finger long, made of numerous silver rings linked together section by section, with a sharp hook at the front. "Put it on your ring finger. This is the mark of the Chongxuan Sect's core brothers. Our people will recognize it at a glance."
Li Qiang toyed with the object, which somewhat resembled a finger sheath. It was exquisitely made, and at first glance looked like an eagle's head.
He carefully slipped it onto his ring finger. With a series of soft clicks, the ringlike sections fastened themselves one by one. Silver light flickered, and the object seemed to have grown onto his finger. Li Qiang flexed his finger. Amid the flashing silver light, the object seemed alive, possessing an uncanny beauty.
"What's this called?" Li Qiang asked curiously.
Hou Pijing answered first. "I know. Your Chongxuan Sect loves making these strange things. It's called the Soul-Releasing Dragon Ring, isn't it?"
Fu Shan smiled. "What, envious? With your standing and cultivation, founding a sect would be effortless. You're simply too lazy! You're right, this is called the Soul-Releasing Dragon Ring. Every core brother of the Chongxuan Sect has one. When their disciples see it, they'll treat you as their master." He added, "Try controlling it with a little True Essence Power."
Li Qiang tried as instructed. Sure enough, the Soul-Releasing Dragon Ring contracted into a normal-sized ring. Its face was a silver triangle, and he could not tell what material it was made from. He tried again, and the Soul-Releasing Dragon Ring became a thin black line encircling the base of his finger, impossible to notice without a close look.
Li Qiang smiled. "How interesting. Thank you, Brother Fu. Oh, Big Brother, what major event is happening on Heavenly Court Star? Is it related to the Wrath of the Heavenly God?"
Fu Shan gave Li Qiang a curious look. "I hadn't realized you were so well informed. There's still some time before the Wrath of the Heavenly God emerges. Right now, the main issue is a major conflict between Sealed Fate Planet and Qianjie Star. They may go to Bada Star for the contest. Both sides are still inviting people. I hear they may be able to invite a Loose Immortal. If so, that'll be troublesome. Never mind... this isn't something you can help with. Brother Hou, for our little brother's sake, isn't it time you stepped forward too?"
Hou Pijing laughed. "All right, I'll go with you. I need to settle accounts with that old fellow Bai Huang anyway. Count me in! Just make sure there's plenty of wine. The kind our little brother has will do."
Fu Shan was overjoyed. He had invited Hou Pijing several times already, but Hou Pijing had never given him a direct answer. With an expert like him joining them, their side's strength immediately increased considerably.
"Rest assured. I, Fu Shan, may not promise anything else, but I have plenty of good wine. Hmm! We should be going too. Little Brother, this Jade Pupil Slip contains instructions for using teleportation arrays. There's a large ancient teleportation array on Tanbang Star, on the Western Continent. Its location is recorded in the Jade Pupil Slip. Once you find the sea agate, go to that array. Be careful, and don't rashly use your True Essence Power for the time being!" Fu Shan cautioned.
Li Qiang had his own plans. He had just heard that the people from Qianjie Star had found a Loose Immortal to help, and Brother Fu seemed extremely wary of this Loose Immortal. Once he found the sea agate, he intended to find Mo Huaiyuan first and ask him to help. Li Qiang was in no hurry to tell Fu Shan, planning to surprise him later.
The experts Fu Shan had brought had already left ahead of them. Fu Shan, Hou Pijing, Hua Meiniang, Qiao Yuhong, and Mei Jingjing all said goodbye to Li Qiang and his companions.
Mei Jingjing had wanted to stay, but Fu Shan would not agree. He had promised Mei Youbing to bring her back. For some reason, Mei Jingjing was very afraid of Fu Shan, perhaps because she had seen that even her great-grandfather had to kneel and pay his respects to him. With Hua Meiniang persuading her as well, she could only leave with them.
Qiao Yuhong had already made up his mind to master his skills first and leave everything else until later, so when it was time to go, he obediently left.
With Nanadun as their guide, Li Qiang's group entered the city easily.
This was a large city in Bangqining Kingdom, and Li Qiang found it a real eye-opener. Perhaps because this place was so closely tied to crystals, its buildings had extremely strange shapes. The tall buildings were actually composed of countless crystal-like materials.
Even more unbelievable to Li Qiang, some houses floated two or three meters above the ground without any visible support.
The houses came in every imaginable color, but they shared one feature: all of them shone with a faint light.
The pedestrians belonged to all sorts of races, and their clothes were strange and varied too.
Nashan entered the city with his one eye practically bulging. He was even more astonished than Li Qiang. After all, Li Qiang had seen many things, whereas he was different. Heavenly Court Star had always been a backward planet.
He tugged at Zhao Hao. "Senior Brother, look at that..." He meant a person leading a meter-long beast by the hand.
Seeing Nashan point at it, the beast suddenly reared upright. Its head immediately swelled, revealing a mouthful of closely packed, fine teeth, and it let out a strange cry.