Chapter 219: Just So-So Strength

Chapter 219: Chapter 219: Just So-So Strength

"You mean to say that in thirty years, no disciple from the Mo Family has advanced to the Qi Refining Realm?"

Although it was a bit inappropriate to ask, Liu Chen still wanted to know the specifics. This was related to his subsequent disguise—more precisely, it was about the number of cultivation years his disguise would have.

"These seven are the disciples currently qualified to break through to the Qi Refining Realm. The strongest among them is already on the verge of opening his Qi Sea. Barring any accidents, he should reach the Qi Refining Realm within a few months."

Mo Jinyu didn’t mind Liu Chen’s question. No matter what, he had brought honor to her main branch. These disciples more or less had the backing of the Mo Family’s branch families; this was not just an investment, but if things went well, they would also become the future leaders of those branch families.

"I see."

Liu Chen glanced at the Mo Family Disciple he had needed two Dragon Locking Skills to bind. He had been wondering why this guy was a whole level stronger than the other six; it turned out he was preparing to break through to the Qi Refining Realm.

"Alright, my task is complete. I’m going to rest for a bit. Call me when it’s time to eat."

Mo Jinyu paid no more attention to these so-called Mo Family Disciples. She had come this time simply to drop them off somewhere else for their trial. Only those who returned to the Mo Family alive would be considered one of their own.

As for her older brother’s disciple, this Nephew Liu who seemed to have immense Talent and was also a Third Grade Spirit Chef, he would certainly be able to return to the Mo Family. As long as he set foot in Black Water Province, people would naturally be willing to step up and escort him safely back to the Mo Family.

The real trial was the journey *before* returning to Black Water Province. What remained after that would be a trial for the powers within Black Water Province itself.

"If you want to eat, come get it yourself. No one’s bringing it to you."

Mo Xuan shook his head. Mo Jinyu’s expression stiffened, but with so many people watching, she didn’t say anything more. After leaving the Bamboo Garden, she waved her hand, and the guards who were waiting outside the garden all fell in behind her, slowly departing.

"Let’s go. Don’t stay here and embarrass yourselves."

As she passed the seven Mo Family Disciples, Mo Jinyu spoke nonchalantly. Hearing her words, the seven followed at the very back of the group, dejected.

The seven had no intention of asking for a rematch. They understood perfectly well that someone who could bind them so silently could also kill them just as silently.

"How was it?"

Mo Xuan sat leisurely in his chair and couldn’t help but ask. Liu Chen hadn’t used his full strength; otherwise, those people wouldn’t still be alive.

"Their strength was average, but they were much stronger than the other Meridian Passage Realm cultivators I’ve met."

Liu Chen answered truthfully. These people were indeed the strongest Meridian Passage Realm cultivators he had ever encountered. In fact, before them, he had never even met a Cultivator at Meridian Passage Peak. However, in terms of strength, they gave him the same feeling he had back in Fire Dragon Valley.

In Fire Dragon Valley, it was one thing that no one in the Body Tempering Realm could put up a fight, but after he advanced to the Meridian Passage Realm, Liu Chen still felt like there was no one who could challenge him.

"You say that as if you’ve met other Meridian Passage Peak cultivators before."

Mo Xuan shook his head. It was completely impossible for a Meridian Passage Peak cultivator to appear in Fire Dragon Valley. As for the ones in Purple Cloud Valley, they were either sent to the Mo Family’s territory by the Sect Leader to try and pass their assessment and become part of the family, or they became a Steward for one of the sect’s properties. Liu Chen would have had no chance to meet them.

"Alright, how’s that thing I asked you to do coming along?"

Mo Xuan didn’t say much more. He wasn’t entirely sure how strong Liu Chen was, but he estimated that Liu Chen would have no problem dealing with a Qi Refining Early Stage cultivator who had not stepped onto the Peak Path. As for those who had, he could probably only handle a Qi Refining Novice Cultivator.

"The Spirit Contracts are signed."

Liu Chen took out two Spirit Contract Jade Tokens. Mo Xuan glanced at them briefly before handing them to his partner beside him. It was better for her to keep such things. If he kept them himself, he’d probably have forgotten where he’d tossed them by the time they were needed.

"Go and rest for a while. I need your help with something after dinner."

Mo Xuan nodded without saying more. The three of them had finally, formally, become his disciples. If time hadn’t been so tight, he wouldn’t have been in such a rush.

The Mo Family had arrived far too early. The planned ten-day window had now shrunk to three days at most.

Under these circumstances, one day was for Liu Chen to go through Refining for the Spirit Ghost, and one day was for him to familiarize himself with the Mo Family’s trial rules. If they used another day for the discipleship ceremony, time would be far too tight. They needed to leave at least one day for handing over various affairs on Purple Bamboo Peak.

"So, I guess this makes us true fellow disciples."

On the way back to the bamboo grove where the three of them lived, Ji Suyao spoke with a smile. Hearing this, Ye Linglong, who was usually reserved, also had a face beaming with joy.

"Let’s just think about what to have for dinner."

Liu Chen glanced at his two junior sisters and didn’t argue. He had thought Junior Sister Linglong would take the master’s wife as her teacher, but instead she, like them, had been accepted directly by their master. ’On second thought, it makes sense. The situation with the Mo Family is uncertain, so becoming Master’s disciple is the safer option.’

"Braised pork."

Ji Suyao’s eyes narrowed in delight. It was her favorite dish. Now that they had formally become disciples, who knew how long it would be before she could eat it again?

"Don’t you ever get tired of it?"

Liu Chen glanced at Junior Sister Suyao. Whenever she got to choose, it was always braised pork. It used to be Liu Chen’s favorite dish, but now... well, he didn’t feel like he liked it as much anymore.

"Never."

Ji Suyao shook her head quickly. How could anyone ever get tired of something so delicious? She just had to restrain herself a little in front of her senior brother; otherwise, she could devour an entire basin of it by herself.

"I’m fine with anything."

Ye Linglong didn’t request a dish. She used to be a cook herself, and ever since she mastered the culinary arts, there was nothing she particularly craved. She wasn’t picky about the menu at all. Besides, compared to the Spiritual Cuisine, she was looking forward more to the Spirit Tea after the meal.

"So difficult."

Liu Chen shook his head. He had only taken a few steps when his gaze fell upon a mature Purple Bamboo Grass stalk. If he remembered correctly, his master and his wife used to brew tea with Purple Bamboo Grass. ’Perhaps this can also be used as an ingredient for Spirit Tea.’

Once the idea struck him, Liu Chen pulled up the Purple Bamboo Grass directly. Noticing this, Ye Linglong and Ji Suyao exchanged a look, then spread out and began gathering Purple Bamboo Grass in the bamboo grove.

"We’re about to leave Purple Bamboo Peak, and you still can’t tell Purple Cloud Grass from Purple Bamboo Grass?"

A moment later, at a fork in the path within the bamboo grove, Liu Chen looked helplessly at Junior Sister Suyao. She was currently holding six stalks of Purple Bamboo Grass and twelve stalks of Purple Cloud Grass.

When he hadn’t been looking closely, Liu Chen had thought the concentration of Purple Bamboo Grass in the grove had increased. But a closer look sent him reeling back several months. Back then, Junior Sister Suyao couldn’t tell Purple Bamboo Grass from Purple Cloud Grass, and now, even as they were about to leave, she still couldn’t tell them apart.

"Senior Brother, don’t be mad! I was wrong."

Ji Suyao said sheepishly. After not dealing with them for twenty days, she had long forgotten the difference between the two.