Chapter 494: You Can Be the Peak Master, But Don't Drag Me Up the Mountain

After visiting Shi Hanwen, Zuo Fan left soon after.

The man couldn’t speak or move and looked utterly despondent. No matter what Zuo Fan said, he couldn’t get any reaction out of him.

Staying would have been a waste of time. Besides, he and Shi Hanwen shared no personal bond; their relationship was merely that of a superior and subordinate.

Since his visit elicited no response, he naturally offered a few polite words and departed.

Then, he headed straight for Tang’s Candy Shop. Qi Suian was resting in a rocking chair, looking perfectly content and at ease.

“Uncle, you’re as laid-back as ever,” Zuo Fan said immediately.

“I’m doing well, thanks to you,” Qi Suian said, getting up and sizing him up. “You’ve gotten stronger again, haven’t you?”

“Of course. I’ve mastered the basics of the two Spiritual Techniques you gave me, Uncle.” Zuo Fan’s expression turned serious. “Why did you give those two Spiritual Techniques to the Yanghuang Sect?”

“I remember them being your family’s ancestral Spiritual Techniques, weren’t they?”

Zuo Fan already had his suspicions. It was most likely because of him that Qi Suian had been targeted.

The Yanghuang Sect was far too powerful for Qi Suian to offend. Therefore, he had exchanged two Spiritual Techniques for the lives of the entire Shen Family.

As it turned out, his guess was half right.

“Oh, that? It was just a small issue, and it’s already been resolved,” Qi Suian said with a nonchalant expression.

This confirmed Zuo Fan’s suspicions. “I’ll go to the Sect Leader,” he declared, “and demand those two Spiritual Techniques back for you, Uncle.”

As he finished speaking, Zuo Fan turned to leave but was promptly grabbed by Qi Suian.

“What’s given is given. It’s no big deal. I’ve got them all memorized, so it’s just a matter of writing out another copy,” Qi Suian said dismissively. “Besides, out with the old, in with the new.”

Zuo Fan could tell from the first half of the sentence that Qi Suian wanted to let the matter rest, but he didn’t quite understand the second half.

“Perfect timing. Now that you’ve grasped the basics of the Pure Yang Wuji Heart Method and the Innate Li Fire Sword Technique, I happened to find another Spiritual Technique at the bottom of my clothes chest. It’s one that complements the other two.”

“Here, you should learn it.”

As he spoke, Qi Suian produced a manual for a Spiritual Technique titled “Flame Demon Body Refining Technique” and handed it to Zuo Fan.

Zuo Fan stared, dumbfounded, at the manual in his hands. ‘A Spiritual Technique that complements my Pure Yang Wuji Heart Method and Innate Li Fire Sword Technique must be on the same level as them.’

‘And yet Qi Suian just casually whipped out another one. This is just ridiculous!’

“I—I can’t. This is too precious! I’ve already received the Pure Yang Wuji Heart Method and the Innate Li Fire Sword Technique from you, Uncle. How could I possibly ask for more?” Zuo Fan refused hastily.

But Qi Suian simply shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. It’s a small matter.”

“Who knows, I might just find another Spiritual Technique buried in my old clothes one of these days.”

“…” For a moment, Zuo Fan couldn’t tell if Qi Suian was showing off or telling the truth.

In the end, he accepted the Flame Demon Body Refining Technique.

“If you don’t understand something, you can come to me, and we can look it over together. I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to teach you, though, because I don’t know it myself,” Qi Suian said leisurely.

Zuo Fan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Got it, Uncle. I’ll be sure to ask for your help after I’ve read it.”

After a moment, he continued, “The Sect Leader wants me to succeed as the Peak Master of Azure Flame Peak. What do you think, Uncle?”

His initial thought had been to refuse. After all, with his current level of strength, he would have a hard time proving himself worthy of the position.

His strength was insufficient to command respect, and he wouldn’t be able to stand against the other Peak Masters.

In time, he would not only be turned into a figurehead, but the entire Azure Flame Peak would be weakened.

But things were different now. He realized he needed not only strength, but also sufficient authority.

Otherwise, without a voice or resources, he would be left completely helpless.

If he had the power and status of a Peak Master, the Yanghuang Sect would have to think twice before trying to take Qi Suian’s ‘family’ Spiritual Techniques. They couldn’t just casually snatch them and even rebrand them as techniques left behind by Yanghuang Zhenren.

Might makes right; they had the power, so they called the shots.

“My advice is to accept,” Qi Suian said. “Once you master the basics of the Flame Demon Body Refining Technique, your strength should be sufficient.”

‘This is definitely the time to go all in. Zuo Fan has the makings of a protagonist’s halo; how could he possibly lose?’

‘Besides, if he succeeds, it might just help that halo fully form.’

“But Uncle, didn’t you say you don’t know the technique? How would you know that?” Zuo Fan eyed Qi Suian with suspicion.

‘How could someone who isn’t even a Spirit Master know so much?’

“It’s still my family’s ancestral Spiritual Technique,” Qi Suian replied. “Just because I couldn’t cultivate it doesn’t mean I haven’t read it.”

‘A flaw in my story? Whatever. As long as I deny it to the death, what can he do about it?’

Now Zuo Fan suspected that if he mastered the basics of the Flame Demon Body Refining Technique, Qi Suian would probably produce yet another Spiritual Technique, claim it was complementary, and tell him to keep cultivating.

“Alright, I’ll choose to accept the position of Peak Master of Azure Flame Peak. I’ll have the strength to back it up, but I don’t understand management or politics.”

“That’s why I need a seasoned veteran to help me.” Zuo Fan’s gaze was fixed firmly on Qi Suian.

His expression and attitude made it perfectly clear that he believed this “seasoned veteran” was Qi Suian.

But Qi Suian played dumb, saying in a knowing tone, “You’ll definitely need to choose carefully. It has to be someone with strong abilities and a firm hand.”

“It’s a shame I’m just a candy shop owner with no connections. Otherwise, I’d definitely introduce you to someone.”

Zuo Fan was speechless. How could he fail to see that Qi Suian was deliberately playing dumb and pretending not to understand his intentions?

He couldn’t force the issue, though. You can’t just strong-arm someone into helping you.

“In that case, I’ll be direct. Uncle, I want to ask you to help me manage things and teach me how to lead.”

“To be honest, Uncle, in the entire Yanghuang Sect, you’re the only person I can trust. I don’t trust anyone else.”

Zuo Fan stopped beating around the bush and decided to be blunt.

Otherwise, it would be a huge headache if Qi Suian kept deflecting.

“I’m afraid not. I’m just a candy shop owner. I can’t handle a job like that.” Since the other party was being direct, Qi Suian gave a direct refusal as well.

He wasn’t the shy type who couldn’t bring himself to refuse anything.

Qi Suian’s refusal was nothing short of swift and decisive.

Zuo Fan’s face fell. “Alright, then. I’ll go and try on my own.”

“If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll come back and ask you to step in, Uncle.”

Zuo Fan had a faint feeling that Qi Suian’s background was extraordinary. After all, what normal person could casually produce three Spiritual Techniques on par with the Yanghuang Sect’s Sect’s Spiritual Technique?

And then just give them away so casually.

However, he had no intention of investigating Qi Suian’s background or uncovering his secrets.

The man was clearly living in obscurity because he didn’t want to be found. He had been so good to Zuo Fan; deliberately going against his wishes would be a classic case of repaying kindness with malice.

And claiming it was ‘for his own good’? Zuo Fan would never use such a pathetic excuse.

If Qi Suian was unwilling, he wouldn’t press the issue.

“No. Even if things get tough, you have to handle it yourself.”

“It’s called ‘taking care of your own business’.” Qi Suian had absolutely no intention of getting involved.

‘Getting entangled with a half-baked protagonist like Zuo Fan means running into small troubles from time to time. Luckily, I’ve managed to handle them before they could blow up.’

“Speaking of which, I remember the Yanghuang Sect was supposed to be forming some Celestial Spirit Alliance. What happened to that?” Qi Suian changed the subject.

Zuo Fan actually knew the answer to this question.

“It’s because I exposed Shen Chen and caused a stir at the banquet. The whole thing just fizzled out afterward.”

“The Sect Leader probably sensed the internal problems within the Yanghuang Sect, so he shelved it for the time being.”

“He’ll have to find another opportunity. But with Stone Peak Master’s recent calamity, the matter of the Celestial Spirit Alliance will likely be postponed even further,” Zuo Fan explained.

He didn’t regret causing the formation of the Celestial Spirit Alliance to fail. From his perspective, it was doomed from the start anyway.

The strength of Xu Ziyang, the Sect Leader of Yanghuang, wasn’t enough to suppress the eight major sects.

“So, how is the investigation into Stone Peak Master’s condition going?” Qi Suian asked. He wanted to see if Xu Ziyang would find a scapegoat or just let the matter cool down and fade away.

“There are some leads. I suspect the Sect Leader plans to use Stone Peak Master’s situation as a pretext to restart the formation of the Celestial Spirit Alliance.”

“The details are unclear, though; the Sect Leader hasn’t revealed anything.” Whether by birth or by his journey through the sect, Zuo Fan was a core disciple of the Yanghuang Sect’s main lineage, so Xu Ziyang trusted him deeply.

Having him take over as the Peak Master of Azure Flame Peak ahead of schedule was part of a plan to both consolidate power and groom him for the future.

“Oh? Well, be careful. Becoming the Peak Master of Azure Flame Peak at a time like this is no easy task,” Qi Suian warned him.

“I know that, of course. The risks are huge, but so is the opportunity. If I can seize it, I’ll be able to rise through the ranks and become a true high-level figure in the Yanghuang Sect.”

“Then neither of us will ever have to worry about being pushed around again.” Zuo Fan had made his decision and wouldn’t be swayed.

“You make it sound so dramatic. Getting bullied? That’s just how it is when you’re dependent on others. It’ll be that way unless you become the Sect Leader of the Yanghuang Sect yourself,” Qi Suian said with a grin.

“I’ll get my chance.” Zuo Fan’s ambition to become the Sect Leader of the Yanghuang Sect had never wavered. “If there’s nothing else, I should get back. I still need to study the Flame Demon Body Refining Technique.”

“Go on, then. If you run into anything you don’t understand, come ask me. I’ll do my best to teach you a thing or two.” Qi Suian didn’t try to make him stay.

“And Uncle, if you need anything, you can come find me directly. I’m something of a person of consequence in the Yanghuang Sect now, you know.” With that, Zuo Fan stood up and left.

Qi Suian watched him go without saying a word.

He just watched until Zuo Fan disappeared from view.

‘The protagonist halo’s progress bar went up a little, but not by much. It seems just giving him Spiritual Techniques at this stage isn’t enough to trigger a qualitative change.’

‘He probably needs to hit some key plot points to make a real breakthrough.’

‘Like this whole Peak Master business. If he can really secure his position, the protagonist halo should level up.’