Chapter 190: Another Follower Joins the Party
Upon learning that Zheng Banyu had perished from the sinister Dao power's corrosion, Zhu Qingyan fixed Liao Qianji with a solemn look.
"Daoist Zheng gave his life for my Vermilion Bird Race. Please — allow us to compensate your Immortal Formation Alliance."
But Liao Qianji waved her off.
"That won't be necessary. This was Banyu's tribulation."
"Besides, this matter concerns far more than just your Vermilion Bird Race. If that force had broken through the barrier and entered the Immortal Realm, the entire Immortal Realm would have been doomed."
No matter what Zhu Qingyan offered, Liao Qianji refused the compensation.
Left with no choice, Zhu Qingyan let the matter rest.
"Alright. Now that the crisis has been resolved — Zhennian, let's be on our way."
"Yes, Alliance Master."
Liao Qianji and Wu Zhennian departed the Vermilion Bird Clan Territory without further delay.
They had already spent several years with the Vermilion Bird Race. It was time to return to the Immortal Formation Alliance.
With their departure, Lu Xunxian too prepared to leave.
After all, he had come to the Vermilion Bird Clan Territory solely to resolve the crisis Zhu Qingyan had described. Now that it was resolved, there was no reason to linger.
It was the perfect time to check in on how his son and daughter were faring in their respective sects.
"Senior Lu, you are the savior of our Vermilion Bird Race. Without you, our race would surely have been the first to fall."
"Therefore, from this day forward, you are an Honorary Patriarch of the Vermilion Bird Race."
"Please accept this token. Simply present it, and any force in the Immortal Realm will show you respect."
Zhu Qingyan's expression was dead serious as she produced a palm-sized crimson token, its surface emblazoned with the Vermilion Bird Race's totem, and offered it to Lu Xunxian.
Lu Xunxian saw no reason to decline and accepted it outright.
The instant it touched his palm, Zhu Qingyan's finger traced a deliberate line across his skin. She gazed at him with a look full of meaning.
Lu Xunxian remained unmoved.
His attention was on the token.
It radiated an extraordinarily gentle warmth, and within it he could sense a formidable reservoir of power. Once triggered, it could easily annihilate an Immortal Emperor.
Sensing that Lu Xunxian had detected the power, Zhu Qingyan smiled.
"That token is more than it appears. Sealed within it is the accumulated power of every Patriarch in our Vermilion Bird Race's history. Its destructive force is immense."
"Once unleashed, it could kill even a Late Immortal Emperor."
"Though for you, Senior Lu, it's probably not of much use."
"True enough."
Lu Xunxian didn't deny it. Pocketing the token, he turned to leave.
But just then, Zhu Qingyan called out to him.
Puzzled, Lu Xunxian turned — and felt a pair of soft lips press against his cheek, there and gone in an instant.
When he looked at Zhu Qingyan, her face had flushed a deep crimson. The Vermilion Bird Patriarchs nearby had very tactfully made themselves scarce.
"Ahem — don't get the wrong idea. That was your reward. If you hadn't stepped in, my Vermilion Bird Race would have been wiped out. So a kiss on the cheek is perfectly reasonable, right?"
Zhu Qingyan coughed once, her expression brazenly self-justified.
Lu Xunxian regarded her with an amused look.
Zhu Qingyan's face reddened at a visible rate until, unable to bear it any longer, she spun around and fled.
Lu Xunxian found himself wondering — had Zhu Qingyan really been alive for over thirty-seven million years? With that innocent, flustered demeanor, she seemed even less worldly than Luo Qianxue.
He didn't dwell on it, though. Turning toward the Cave Dwelling where Luo Qianxue and the others were staying, he took a single step and appeared before them.
"Master, is everything taken care of?"
Seeing Lu Xunxian, Luo Qianxue immediately ended her cultivation and rose to her feet, her tone respectful.
"When your master takes action, is there a problem that can't be solved? It's done — let's go."
"Yes, Master."
Luo Qianxue nodded, and the group set off to leave the Vermilion Bird Clan Territory.
But just as they were about to depart, a crimson silhouette darted out to block their path. It was Zhu Qingyan.
"Ahem — so, I spoke with the Patriarchs, and they feel I still need to travel and broaden my horizons. They've asked me to accompany you."
Zhu Qingyan delivered this line without so much as a blush, as though every word of it were the honest truth.
Had Lu Xunxian not been able to see inside the Vermilion Bird clan hall at that very moment — where every last Patriarch had been beaten black and blue by Zhu Qingyan — he might actually have believed her.
But he chose not to call the girl out.
"Fine. If you want to tag along, tag along."
"Let's go."
Seeing that Lu Xunxian didn't object, Zhu Qingyan finally relaxed and hurried to catch up.
And so, the group departed the Vermilion Bird Clan Territory.
Back in the Vermilion Bird clan hall, the Patriarchs gradually recovered, their faces the picture of helpless resignation.
"Do you think the Clan Chief has taken a liking to Senior Lu? Why else would she insist on traveling with him?"
"That can't be right. The Clan Chief has never shown the slightest interest in men."
"I wouldn't be so sure. If the Clan Chief actually became Dao Companions with Senior Lu, it would hardly be a bad thing for our Vermilion Bird Race."
Recalling the palm strike Lu Xunxian had unleashed, lingering dread crept across their faces.
If the Clan Chief managed to reel Senior Lu in, the Vermilion Bird Race could vault to the very top of the Immortal Realm's Ten Great Races in a single bound.
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Inside the Primordial Sect, Xu Long's eyes snapped open as a terrifying aura erupted from his body.
"This Chaos Heavenly Emperor Scripture is every bit as formidable as I thought. Right now, I could probably achieve true invincibility within my realm."
Xu Long felt the changes within himself and thought with barely contained excitement.
Before, the Primordial Saint Body could achieve same-realm invincibility — but only against opponents without a Special Physique of their own.
Now, even if his opponent possessed a Special Physique, Xu Long was fully confident he could slay them.
With that thought, he was itching to find an Early Immortal Monarch to test himself against.
Xu Long rose to his feet, took a single step, and shot toward the Central Region.
Before long, he stood before an awe-inspiring city.
Entering the city, Xu Long made a beeline for a particular establishment — a grand pavilion bearing three characters upon its facade: Immortal Refining Pavilion.