Chapter 316: Gui Xu

If anyone on Cyan Bamboo Peak lived a more simple and unadorned life, it would have to be First Senior Brother, Shen Chongzhou.

It was the same house, a small courtyard still enclosed by a wicker fence. With no Miscellaneous Task Disciples in sight, he lived there alone all year.

When Chen Qingyang stood at the gate to pay his respects, it was this very Foundation Establishment Master who personally opened it.

He wore white robes and had white hair, his face ancient. He had the appearance of an old man, yet he gave off an aura even more mysterious than their Master. He was never seen practicing Alchemy, nor was it known what Dharma Gate he cultivated. He didn’t frequent the Pill Institute and never visited Fulu Workshop. As such, there were very few rumors about him in the outside world.

‘After all, he’s a Foundation Establishment Master!’

His First Senior Brother glanced over, his gaze immediately falling on his Cultivation. A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes. “You… you actually broke through?”

Chen Qingyang bowed. “That’s right. I broke through a few days ago. I’ve come to you, First Senior Brother, to report to our Master.”

“Mm. Come in and we’ll talk.”

He stepped aside slightly, gesturing for Chen Qingyang to enter.

After showing Chen Qingyang inside, they sat down, and his First Senior Brother took out some high-quality Spirit Tea to serve his guest.

“I used to think that while you appear quiet and reserved on the surface, your actions are actually quite unpredictable and your heart is resolute. I thought you were very well-suited for Sword Cultivation. Our Master, however, insisted that you must stay far away from the Sword Dao. Thinking about it now, he was right—the results have been excellent!”

In truth, Chen Qingyang wanted to say that his First Senior Brother’s insight was superior to their Master’s.

After all, the Cyan Nether Sword Embryo now resided in his Dantian Spiritual Sea. Every time he broke through in his Cultivation, qi from the Sword Embryo would circulate through his body, and his understanding of the Sword Dao was now far beyond that of the Nanming Red Emperor.

“Our Master probably didn’t want me to waste the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl or this natural talent I possess,” Chen Qingyang replied evasively. ‘As for the real reason, I’d have to ask him myself.’

Shen Chongzhou laughed. “Oh? It seems you’d rather be practicing Sword Cultivation?”

‘This old fox…’ Chen Qingyang knew his subtle expression hadn’t escaped him. “I did enter the Dao through the Sword, after all. It’s only natural I’d miss it a bit. But I’ve accepted it. You win some, you lose some.”

“Heh. Let’s hope so.”

Knowing his First Senior Brother was still suspicious, Chen Qingyang merely smiled and remained silent.

“The other day, I saw you were planning to build a new residence and had even cleared a Spirit Field. I also heard from the folks at Fulu Workshop… that you can already refine Sixth Realm Elixirs?”

‘He pretends not to see or hear anything, but in his heart, he knows everything perfectly.’ After all, he was the Vice Sect Leader of this lineage. If anything were to happen to the disciples, he would have to answer to their Master.

“You’re incredibly well-informed, First Senior Brother. Is there anything you don’t know?”

But that wasn’t what Shen Chongzhou was focused on. “With your skill in Alchemy, cultivating Spirit Grass will be a necessity for you in the future. I may not practice Alchemy myself, but as a disciple of Cyan Bamboo Peak, how could I not know these things? Fortunately for you… you have someone at your place who cultivates using the Mountain and River Daoist Lord’s Method. Their cultivation is low for now, but they’ll be of great use down the line!”

Chen Qingyang wasn’t surprised that his First Senior Brother knew all this. He was a Foundation Establishment Master, after all. Just by passing by his gate and noticing a few changes, he could easily grasp the situation.

“Truly, nothing escapes you, First Senior Brother.”

“So…” Shen Chongzhou paused for a moment. “Do you know what it is you lack most?”

“What do I lack?” Chen Qingyang genuinely had no idea what he meant.

“Never mind. Come with me.”

Though confused, Chen Qingyang followed him outside. As soon as they were at the door, he heard Shen Chongzhou say, “Brace yourself. And don’t resist.”

With a wave of Shen Chongzhou’s hands, a gentle breeze lifted them both into the air, holding them perfectly steady.

Chen Qingyang felt as if they were merely floating motionless in mid-air, while the mountains and the landscape itself rushed past below. When they came to a stop, they were in a valley. He looked up to see the highest summit of Cyan Bamboo Peak directly overhead.

The terrain wasn’t perfectly flat, nor was the valley especially wide—a hundred zhang across at most. The cliffs on both sides were steep, dotted with pine and cypress trees. Swirling clouds and mist gave the place a distinct Immortal Qi.

Further ahead, at the end of the valley, was a massive stone. Perhaps from long years of being washed by the rain, its surface was as smooth as a greenish mirror. A fissure, as if cleaved by an axe, ran down its middle, forming a waterfall that fed a stream, which then wound its way along one side of the valley and out of the mountains.

The valley floor was a flat plain, devoid of trees and covered only in verdant grass. Chen Qingyang instantly understood: this was a perfect Dao Field.

It was like a Peach Blossom Spring, hidden beneath the clouds and mist, yet located right before Cyan Bamboo Peak.

“First Senior Brother… are you saying that a place like this is what I’m lacking?”

He nodded. “Precisely. This place is large enough for you to plant your Spirit Fields and house those few Miscellaneous Task Disciples of yours. Placing you halfway up the mountain was a mistake from the start. This is the place that’s most suitable for you.”

Pointing to the land, Shen Chongzhou added with some emotion, “Years ago, a senior brother of ours gifted this place to me. He has long since passed away. Since I don’t follow the Alchemy Dao or cultivate Spirit Plants, I’ve never had any use for it. I figured it shouldn’t go to waste, so I might as well give it to you.”

‘Generous. Truly generous.’

‘Why is he being so good to me?’ Chen Qingyang immediately wracked his brain. ‘I don’t seem to have anything that First Senior Brother could possibly want.’

“Ah, First Senior Brother, why didn’t you tell me sooner? The foundation for my new place has already been laid. I’ve already wasted Spirit Stones on it.”

“Heh!” Shen Chongzhou gave a cold smile. “Well, you didn’t come looking for me, either. Besides, you Pill Masters earn Spirit Stones so quickly, you aren’t hurting for the little bit you wasted. You can make it all back with a single furnace of pills.”

Having received such a tremendous gift, what else could Chen Qingyang say? He quickly bowed with clasped hands. “Thank you so much, First Senior Brother. This is a truly great gift. Is there anything you desire? I will surely accomplish it for you.”