Starting Cultivation During a Trip

Cloud Mist Tea Room.

The red fire in the furnace brewed new tea, simmering and steaming, as white mist dissipated and the aroma of tea spilled forth.

With a flick of her delicate jade hand, Meng Qiwu lifted the lid, and the clear tea water danced out like beads, falling into the tea bowl.

This graceful technique made the two young men in front of her widen their eyes involuntarily.

"Senior Sister Meng truly has the true transmission of Zhongnan Mountain. This Qi Circulation technique—if ordinary cultivators can grasp even a bit of it, they could benefit for life,"

praised the slightly older young man in linen garb.

"The Wang Family is indeed a Pure Yang Family. Ever since Chongyang Zhenren, there’s been a deep connection with Zhongnan Mountain. My technique holds no secrets for you; there’s no need for flattery," Meng Qiwu said calmly.

Given her status and cultivation, anyone she meets early in the morning surely isn’t an ordinary person.

Wang Qingshan and Wang Qinghe, both from the Pure Yang Wang Family.

The Wang Family has a celebrated background, with their ancestor being the famous Chongyang Zhenren.

It’s said that Ancestor Wang, in his youth, renounced worldly affairs, entered the path, and dug tombs in Nanshi Village beneath Zhongnan Mountain, proclaiming himself a "Living Dead". In the so-called "Solitary Death in the Grave", he painstakingly cultivated for two years. Eventually, he achieved enlightenment through "death", founded the Quanzhen Sect, and became widely esteemed, admired across the nation.

Thus, throughout generations, the Wang Family’s connection with Zhongnan Mountain remained profound and distinguished.

"Alright, Senior Sister Meng, we’re old friends, so let’s skip the pleasantries," Wang Qingshan said with a wave of his hand, speaking solemnly.

"My sister calculated auspicious timing, met Thunder Qi, and determined the time and place for the Purple Electric Toad’s emergence, unlike... what was his name again?" Wang Qingshan paused, looking at Wang Qinghe beside him.

"Qin Ergou," Wang Qinghe reminded.

"Right, swallowed by Qin Ergou, who is a disciple of Zhongnan Mountain. There should be an explanation," Wang Qingshan’s tone carried an undeniable authority.

The Purple Electric Toad, an Innate Treasure, forged among torrents of Thunder Qi, can only be nurtured in remote mountain depths, surpassing even Zhang Fan’s White Bone Relic.

This newly formed treasure, initially a mere Purple Qi, once grounded and enriched by Five Elements essences, transforms from vapor to treasure.

The Wang Family calculated this treasure’s affinity with their disciples, pinpointing time and location.

Initially, Wang Qingshan’s sister, Wang Qinglian, had the most opportunity.

Unexpectedly, a newcomer disciple from Zhongnan Mountain, not yet notable, snagged the opportunity, consumed the Purple Qi, and achieved extraordinary fate.

Meng Qiwu furrowed her fine brows, knowing the Wang Family approached with intense force, leaving no room for easy resolution.

In fact, upon learning this, she too was shocked.

When Zhang Fan entrusted Qin Ergou to her, she didn’t pay much attention.

However, since Qin Ergou joined Zhongnan Mountain, he inconspicuously excelled, with progress exceptionally swift. Not only did he seize the Wang Family’s opportunity, but he also escaped their masters’ siege, astonishing Meng Qiwu.

"Innate Treasure, where virtue dwells..." Meng Qiwu began.

Wang Qingshan interrupted with raised hand: "Saint’s Holy Skill, virtue aligns with its position. Our Wang Family, descendants of Ancestor Wang, claim rightful ownership of the treasure, only disrupted by someone defying fate..."

"I came to rectify this disrupted fate."

"Senior Sister Meng, I trust you wouldn’t shelter the rebellious, betraying peers."

"This..."

Wang Qingshan wrapped his argument, deceptively polite, yet with hidden sharp edges, leaving Meng Qiwu momentarily speechless.

Implicitly, the Purple Electric Toad rightfully belongs to the Wang Family; anyone taking it disturbs destiny, and anyone shielding deserves enmity.

"Meng Qiwu, today’s visit respects Zhongnan Mountain’s face. If you’re wise, hand over Qin Ergou."

Then, Wang Qinghe spoke sharply, disregarding courtesy, words cold and domineering.

"Are you threatening me?" Meng Qiwu raised an eyebrow, displeasure visible.

Since her debut, defeating numerous experts, especially after entering the Great Master Skillful Realm, none but Zhang Fan dared speak thus.

"Qinghe, mind your words," Wang Qingshan gently admonished, but showed no rebuke.

"No offense, Senior Sister Meng, my brother is impulsive, yet bluntly truthful. Best hand over the person."

"What do you intend?" Meng Qiwu asked sternly.

Regardless of Qin Ergou being a Zhongnan Mountain disciple, introduced by her, and entrusted by Zhang Fan, she couldn’t easily surrender Qin Ergou.

"After all, he is a Zhongnan Mountain disciple; Heaven is merciful—we won’t take his life..."

Wang Qingshan spoke seemingly compassionate, yet his tone abruptly shifted: "However, if the Purple Electric Toad truly landed in his hands, then only by fire refining the body, and ghostly refining the Primordial Spirit, can the treasure be extracted."

"Extracted!?"

Meng Qiwu’s face contorted instantly.

Fire refining the body, ghostly refining the Primordial Spirit, akin to bone extraction, unimaginable agony likened to mortals falling into Hell, Immortal Gods descending to the Mortal World.

"You would destroy all his cultivation," Meng Qiwu sternly said.

If Qin Ergou lost all his cultivation, she truly didn’t know how to answer Zhang Fan.

She vaguely knew, Zhang Fan had high hopes for his junior.

"Senior Sister Meng mentioned, Innate Treasure belongs to the virtuous; that boy disturbed fate, touching the untouchable, preserving a life is already divine mercy—can one ask for more?" Wang Qingshan spoke indifferently.

"Hmph, preserving a life depends on his fortune," Wang Qinghe sneered.

"Enough."

Wang Qingshan raised a hand, signaling the end of discussion, meanwhile lifting his teacup, toasting towards Meng Qiwu.

"So, Senior Sister Meng, will you deliver the person or not?"

"What if I refuse?" Meng Qiwu furrowed her delicate brows, facing the confrontational Wang Qingshan, replied coldly.

"Refuse?"

Wang Qingshan chuckled, a flick of his wrist splashed tea on the floor, while Wang Qinghe’s sneer grew more apparent.

"Then consider Senior Sister Meng informed, responsible for any ensuing consequences."

"You’re threatening me?" Meng Qiwu said sternly.

"Not a threat, just a notice."

Wang Qingshan calmly, softly spoke: "I know Senior Sister Meng, exceptionally gifted and powerful, if truly committed, could protect that boy’s life."

"But I also know, recently, you suffered injuries in Magical Combat, likely incapacitating you temporarily."

"You know!?" Meng Qiwu’s expression shifted.

Her injury, barely five days old, highly confidential, shouldn’t be known to others.

Yet Wang Qingshan had her affairs thoroughly understood.

"Senior Sister Meng hasn’t grasped the situation, forgot my surname," Wang Qingshan said calmly.

"In Qinxi Province, the Wang Family’s word stands, what we endeavor, we achieve..."

"Today’s encounter doesn’t favor you, but Zhongnan Mountain."

"This exemplifies courtesy before force!"

Speaking further, Wang Qingshan slowly stood.

"Today, courtesy fulfilled, next is unceremoniousness."

With these words, Wang Qingshan stepped to leave.

"I want to know how you plan to be unceremonious."

At that moment, the door swung open, a figure entered, it was Zhang Fan, followed by Ge Shuangxiu.

Both pierced the room with their gaze, targeting the Wang brothers.

"Zhang Fan!" Meng Qiwu rose quickly upon seeing him.