Chapter 467 - 436: Xiao Chan’s Registered Disciple

Chapter 467: Chapter 436: Xiao Chan’s Registered Disciple

RUMBLE—

Thunder shook the heavens as wind churned the clouds. Without warning, raindrops the size of beans began to pour.

A misty curtain of rain descended upon the boundless Imperial City. Splendid, golden-roofed buildings flickered in and out of view, as if the entire mortal realm had fallen silent.

Chen Che sat in a pavilion, a white stone in hand, playing a game of Go with Xiao Chan. The Little Chick stood on his shoulder, listlessly watching the hazy, misty rain. Due to the uncertain situation, it was forbidden from flying out of the estate.

It had been over a month since they made contact with Meng Qianxun. Both of their injuries were now mostly healed. All that remained was a bit more quiet rest to return to their peak condition.

However, during this time, another piece of bad news arrived:

Duobao had come down from the mountain.

Rumor had it that he had furiously rebuked a large number of Chief Stewards for their incompetence. The rebel disciple Xiao Chan had not been found, and the Tributor Chen Che’s whereabouts were still unknown. In his extreme anger, he had apparently taken several confidants and personally descended the mountain to search for them.

One could listen to these words, but only a true fool would believe them.

This made Xiao Chan sigh with relief. It was a good thing they hadn’t left rashly; what if they had run headfirst into Duobao? A rebel disciple and a Valley Master he was desperate to kill, found together... Anyone would have laughed themselves crooked.

However, Jinyun Valley hadn’t been completely unprepared. In recent days, people had been trickling toward the White Lion Dynasty, getting ready to escort the two of them back. It was estimated to be another seven or eight days.

In fact,

many Jinyun Valley disciples had already gathered inside the Imperial City. They surrounded the estate like a sky full of stars, protecting it.

Before long, this Mortal Dynasty would become a dragon’s pool and a tiger’s den. A group of fewer than ten Golden Core Cultivators wouldn’t stand a chance; coming here would be a death sentence. Between Jinyun Valley, the Meng Family, the Chen Clan, and the Lu Family, there would be three to four hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators alone.

If one were to add Chen Che and Xiao Chan to the count, the number of Golden Cores would exceed ten.

Then again, by that time, even if Duobao managed to sneak in, a lineup like this would be enough to annihilate him.

Having been cooped up in this estate for the better part of a month, barely taking a step outside, Chen Che was growing restless. If he weren’t waiting for the people from Jinyun Valley, he would have returned to the Valley long ago.

How bored was he?

He had long since dismantled the tail of Yu Zhen’s duster, braided it into a silver rope, and used it to tie up his gourd.

At first glance, it looked like an exquisitely designed wine gourd.

Xiao Chan was also a mischievous character. After inspecting Xiao Hongchen’s warhammer and shield, he discovered they actually contained Celestial Profound Secret Gold. So, he egged Chen Che on to melt down the two weapons and refine the Celestial Profound Secret Gold out of them.

What was Celestial Profound Secret Gold?

A Tier Four Low Grade metal. A piece of it was nearly a hundred times heavier than a piece of Baiye Mountain Jade Marrow of the same size. If Xiao Hongchen hadn’t split the palm-sized piece of Celestial Profound Secret Gold to forge two separate weapons, they wouldn’t have been severed by a single ’Great Sun Style’ from Chen Che.

And so,

this piece of Celestial Profound Secret Gold was also melted down into fine golden threads and fused around the Jade Marrow.

The completed gourd made even Xiao Chan’s eyelids twitch. This gourd was no small matter; it was several times more terrifying than when it was used to smash that Golden Core Cultivator surnamed Che to death. It was truly excellent for sneak attacks.

"Are you saying more Upper Immortals have appeared outside the Imperial City?"

Xiao Chan twirled a black stone between his fingers. He glanced out of the corner of his eye at the Mortal Emperor standing respectfully in the heavy rain, who had come to deliver the report. "Pay them no mind," Xiao Chan said nonchalantly. "Those people are disciples of this Valley Master Chen. They’re on our side."

With that, he placed the black stone on the board.

The move seemed casual, but it was as if it had stirred the very heavens. A bolt of lightning suddenly cracked above the Imperial City.

Startled, Li Cang looked at Chen Che with even greater awe. Although he didn’t understand Cultivation, he could sense that this figure addressed as ’Valley Master’ was clearly more powerful and mysterious than Immortal Xiao.

Xiao Chan said flatly, "Before long, peace will be restored to the Dynasty, and we will depart."

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Li Cang threw all caution to the wind and fell to his knees, crying out, "I beg you, Upper Immortal, have mercy! I am willing to forsake all worldly splendors to follow you and serve you as a humble Daoist Child."

A smile tugged at the corners of Chen Che’s mouth.

’Sure enough, no mortal can ignore the allure of Cultivation. This Emperor could previously only exchange a word or two with Xiao Chan. Now that we’re staying here, their contact has become a little more frequent.’

’And now that he knows we’re leaving, he’s actually developed the notion of following us.’

"The path of Cultivation is guided by blood and paved with bones. Why would you insist on walking such a path?"

Xiao Chan’s tone was calm:

"Just be content as the Emperor of the Mortal World. As long as I live, I will ensure your White Lion Dynasty endures."

Li Cang remained silent, kneeling in the rain.

Clearly,

he wanted to use this opportunity to demonstrate his determination to cultivate to the two Upper Immortals.

"Do you really intend to take him as a disciple?"

Chen Che asked after staring blankly for a moment.

’Why would a Golden Core Cultivator care about a mortal? If annoyed, they’d turn him to dust with a wave of their sleeve. There was only one explanation: Xiao Chan was actually considering taking him as a disciple. "This old Emperor is already over fifty. Can he even reach Foundation Establishment?"’

"I tested him once. He has an Earth Spirit Root. Although it’s late for him to start Cultivation, it’s not too late."

Xiao Chan smiled and shook his head, then flicked his finger lightly.

"I did receive a favor from him. Consider this a repayment for his kindness. If he can’t pass the test, then so be it. If he succeeds, I’ll let him stay at Jinyun Valley for a while."

A single raindrop, hidden in the downpour, quietly landed between Li Cang’s brows. This droplet contained a sliver of Xiao Chan’s consciousness and would transform into a Heart Demon, constantly urging the Emperor to give up.

’So Xiao Chan had planned to stuff someone into Jinyun Valley all along,’ Chen Che thought, clicking his tongue.

’He just hadn’t expected the man to actually possess an Earth Spirit Root—far superior to their own.’

’However, the man was an Emperor in the Mortal World. If he could pass Xiao Chan’s test, his future achievements would surely surpass those of ordinary Cultivators. This path was far more arduous than one could imagine. Without an utterly sincere and resolute heart, it was impossible to say how far one could go, let alone attain immortality.’

「It was the sixth month of the year.」

The heavy rain continued for three days, and when it stopped, it was followed by the scorching sun.

Li Cang, the Emperor of the Mortal World, knelt outside the courtyard, waiting for the two who were playing Go and recuperating. During this time, Chen Che saw him seem to buckle several times, on the verge of rising to leave, but in the end, he would grit his teeth and persevere. He knelt for a full six days.

"Arise."

On the morning of the seventh day, as the sun began to rise in the east, Xiao Chan finally spoke. "Go back and prepare yourself. You will leave with us tonight."

"Thank you, Master!"

Li Cang, who was swaying and on the verge of fainting, cried out as if he’d received a final burst of energy upon hearing those words.

"I am only accepting you as a Registered Disciple. You are not yet qualified to call me Master. We can speak of other things after you reach Foundation Establishment," Xiao Chan said mercilessly.

"Yes, Master Xiao."

Li Cang cupped his fists and bowed.

"Come and drink this bowl of tea."

After a moment of consideration, Chen Che flicked his finger, and a drop of Spirit Liquid enveloped in True Essence fell into the cup.

"You’re certainly generous."

Xiao Chan’s eyelid twitched. That was no ordinary Spirit Liquid; it was the Pill Liquid refined by True Master Chixia before his demise.

"He has an Upper Spirit Root and a firm disposition. He is bound to have some achievements in the future. I’m just giving him a slight push in the right direction."

Chen Che said with a smile.

’At his Realm, one could see through many of the world’s affairs. He also understood why some reclusive masters would choose to help the younger generation. Besides appreciating talent, there was also the desire to see just how far they could go.’

’Although he was only a Registered Disciple, with Xiao Chan’s resources, the man reaching Foundation Establishment was a certainty. It was a good opportunity to grant a favor that cost him little.’

Li Cang dazedly drank the Spirit Tea. He instantly felt the exhaustion from kneeling for seven days vanish completely. His entire body felt filled with inexhaustible energy, and he felt as light as a swallow.

Clearly,

this was different from the Spirit Tea he had drunk before. Astonished, he looked toward Chen Che.

"Many Cultivators like me will go their entire lives without ever seeing a drop of Pill Liquid like the one from Valley Master Chen. This is your great opportunity, your great fortune. If you achieve greatness in the future, you must not forget the kindness shown to you today,"

Xiao Chan said in a level voice.

"Yes. Thank you, Valley Master Chen."

Hearing this, Li Cang understood how precious the item was and immediately performed the three kneelings and nine kowtows.

"Go!"

Xiao Chan waved his hand dismissively.

Only after bowing did Li Cang rise and excuse himself.

The Little Chick, perhaps driven mad by boredom, flapped its wings, landed on Li Cang’s shoulder, and followed him out of the estate.

’Staying with two Golden Core Cultivators was truly boring.’

’Those disciples In the Valley would at least call it ’Senior Jingfeng’ when they saw it. Perhaps in a few decades, new disciples would have to call it ’Jingfeng Ancestor’.’

「Several hours later.」

When Li Cang returned to the estate, he had already shed his imperial robes and changed into common cloth garments. He stood in the courtyard with his hands clasped, ready to be dispatched at a moment’s notice...