Stealing Immortal

The next day.

It was another fine day.

Since he didn’t have to go to the Golden Summit, Chen Qingyang didn’t wake until nearly noon. He slowly exhaled a breath of Dense Qi. The Six Paths of Golden Qi within his body stabilized, each settling into its own domain.

In the Copper Mirror, his reflection looked younger and younger. This was especially true after cultivating the Astrology Skill; his eyes were now bright and clear, like a flame lit in the dead of night.

With his sharp brows, star-like eyes, and tall frame, he’d look like a dashing young nobleman if he shaved his beard.

His consciousness swam back from afar like a fish, dispersing as it entered his body. The surrounding scenery flooded his vision, and even the touch of dewdrops felt exceptionally clear.

’So it’s possible to achieve Enlightenment this way too.’

Ever since last night, a single thought concerning Lin Qingxuan had been stuck in Chen Qingyang’s mind: Possession.

’He had sensed two different personalities in one person. He felt that some of their conversations had been with the young woman he knew, while others were with a complete stranger...’

’If that’s really the case, then who could have possessed Lin Qingxuan?’

’As for Master Xuan Gui’s faction, it seems that everyone except the deceased Zhang Wenyuan has pledged allegiance elsewhere, so they would have no reason to do such a thing. Leng Yueru had also personally confirmed that the Yu Xiao Demon Sect’s contact was a woman who was already dead. Besides, Zhang Wenyuan died right in front of the Law Enforcement Hall. How could he possibly have had the ability to let his Divine Soul escape and commit Possession?’

If the perpetrator was from Master Xuan Gui’s faction, then the only possibility was Master Xuan Gui himself.

Thinking of this, another person came to Chen Qingyang’s mind. Although he had only met her a few times, her influence on Lin Qingxuan was undeniable.

...

’Leng Yueru must like incense.’

On the mountainside, a pleasant fragrance filled the air in the Law Enforcement Hall’s main chamber. It was like sandalwood, yet also like pine, with the rich undertones of agarwood.

A thin line of smoke rose straight up until it vanished among the rafters.

After Chen Qingyang arrived, he only had to wait for about a quarter of an hour before Leng Yueru appeared.

"You said you had a discovery?"

After a moment of silence, Chen Qingyang asked, "Knowing that his death was certain, how could you be so sure that Master Xuan Gui remained here, Senior Sister? Was it based solely on the Qi Mechanism monitored by the Circulation of Stars Demon Suppression Array? What if he pulled a trick and escaped as a wisp of Divine Soul or a splinter of consciousness?"

He didn’t know if any methods besides the Great Soul Scripture allowed for such a thing, but what he had seen last night was simply too bizarre.

Leng Yueru shook her head decisively. "We considered that possibility. Even if he became a mere wisp of consciousness, the Grand Array would detect him, so there’s no need to worry."

’Chen Qingyang had another question in mind: could Lin Qingxuan be special in some way that her Qi Mechanism couldn’t be detected after Possession? But he knew he could never voice such a thought.’

"Senior Sister, this isn’t for selfish reasons, but the more I think about it, the more I feel Lin Qingxuan’s disappearance is too strange. Everything in this world happens for a reason, doesn’t it?"

This time, Leng Yueru did not nod. Instead, she pondered for a long while. "You have a point. Perhaps this is our only breakthrough."

Seeing her agree, Chen Qingyang continued, "It was also a bit strange that Lin Qingxuan was able to go to the Golden Summit in the first place. She was originally working with the Hongling Tokens on the mountainside and doing just fine, but a Steward, Senior Sister Shao, insisted on introducing her to Zhang Wenyuan on the Golden Summit."

"I even analyzed the pros and cons of the matter for Lin Qingxuan, but after speaking with Senior Sister Shao, she still chose to go up the mountain. Don’t you think there might be something fishy going on here?"

Leng Yueru reverted to her usual decisive self, slamming her hand on the long table. "The Senior Sister Shao you speak of, is she Shao Jichun?"

Chen Qingyang nodded. "The very same."

"There’s something you don’t know. This Shao Jichun is a Disciple from Master Xuan Gui’s faction. In fact, it was Shao Jichun who introduced Zhang Wenyuan to that branch. At this point, any clue is worth investigating thoroughly. Men!"

At her sharp cry, a Law Enforcement Hall Disciple immediately came in from outside. It was the same familiar youth. "Senior Sister, what is it?"

"Take some men to the Hongling Token station immediately and bring Shao Jichun back to me. Remember, be quick. If anyone dares to obstruct you, send me a signal!"

The youth, long accustomed to this Steward’s swift and decisive style, didn’t dare hesitate for a moment. He took four or five Law Enforcement Hall Disciples and departed at top speed.

Leng Yueru’s gaze shifted back to Chen Qingyang. "Junior Brother, we found Zhang Wenyuan last time all thanks to you. If we can find out something more through this Shao Jichun, it would be a great service not only to the Sect, but also to my master. Tell me, what do you want as a reward?"

Chen Qingyang truly didn’t want anything at the moment, or at least, nothing that Leng Yueru could procure for him. "Senior Sister Leng, you’ve treated me so well just because we met once through Senior Sister Li. Let’s just consider this me repaying your kindness. If I had to ask for something, I would only hope that Senior Sister Leng will remember me in the future."

His attitude was humble, giving the true impression of someone without desire. After hearing his words, Leng Yueru nodded.

The Law Enforcement Hall acted with great speed. A quarter of an hour later, Shao Jichun was escorted in. She was wearing the blue robes of an Outer Disciple. Her eyes held a trace of confusion, which turned to surprise when she saw Chen Qingyang.

"You are Shao Jichun?"

Hearing Leng Yueru’s question, she immediately bowed with her hands clasped. "So it is Senior Sister Leng. We are now Disciples of the same faction. Master just met with us yesterday. May I ask why Senior Sister Leng was looking for me?"

Leng Yueru’s expression turned grim. "I’ve found Lin Qingxuan. She told me everything. If you confess now, I can send you directly to the Bridge of Longevity and spare you the pain. But if you force me to investigate, the Nine Deaths Treasure Mirror will burn you for nine days and nine nights!"

’From what I’ve seen today, Leng Yueru’s methods are quite domineering. She throws out a conclusion right away just to see your reaction.’

One could only imagine Shao Jichun’s unease. She had already been "invited" here with great fanfare by the Law Enforcement Hall, and now, seeing Leng Yueru’s stern demeanor, a flash of terror she couldn’t hide flickered in her eyes. "I... I don’t quite understand?"

Sharp as ever, Leng Yueru seized on this weakness. "Hmph, you still don’t understand? I was trying to give you an easy death, seeing as we belong to the same faction. Did you really think you could survive after colluding with the Demon Sect? So what if you have Master Xuan Gui? We still found the trail of that woman from the Demon Sect!"

Shao Jichun lowered her head, trying desperately to remain composed, but her body couldn’t stop trembling. She fell silent.

Leng Yueru spoke again, "Fine. I’ve lost my patience. It makes no difference whether you talk or not. Men, seize her!"

Shao Jichun grew frantic and suddenly looked up. "This... How is this possible... Was Lin Qingxuan really captured?"

Leng Yueru’s eyes narrowed, instantly sensing that she knew something. "Heh, you truly underestimate the power of the Circulation of Stars Demon Suppression Array. Do you have something to say now?"

Shao Jichun’s gaze became fixed, as if she were in a daze. "That’s right. Lin Qingxuan was the person hand-picked by our master!"

Leng Yueru said, "If you want a quick death, then speak clearly."

"Lin Qingxuan was never supposed to enter the Immortal Sect for Immortal Cultivation. It was Senior Brother Wang who massacred her family, forcing her onto this path. After she arrived, I was the one who arranged for her to go up the Golden Summit to Senior Brother Zhang Wenyuan. Our master was pulling the strings behind the scenes, but as for what he was plotting, I can’t say..."

Hearing this, Chen Qingyang was shocked. Master Xuan Gui’s methods didn’t seem to belong to an orthodox Daoist Sect in the slightest.

Leng Yueru’s face was dark as she pressed on. "Keep talking. Tell me more!"

"One day, our master let it slip. He mentioned a plan called the Golden Cicada Shell. Later, Junior Brother Zhang figured it out—the ’shell’ is Lin Qingxuan. Now that you’ve captured her, our master’s plot..."

Leng Yueru abruptly looked up, cutting her off. "You don’t need to tell us that; we already know. I’ll ask you one question. If you answer correctly, I’ll give you a quick death... You must tell me yourself: what is the evidence of Master Xuan Gui’s collusion with the Demon Sect?"

Leng Yueru pointed to a Copper Mirror, which clearly reflected the situation in the room. Beside it, a Disciple was recording her words.

"Master only ever assigned me this one task. It was Junior Brother Zhang who told me that the Yu Xiao Demon Sect once gifted Master a Magical Treasure as a show of goodwill. Master never dared to carry it on his person and has kept it hidden beneath the Dragon Spring."

"...Junior Brother Zhang also said that our master is an extremely selfish person, and if he ever dared to do anything to us, we would reveal this secret... Oh, Junior Brother Zhang... I was the one who personally brought him into the Sect..."

Facing death, Shao Jichun said a great deal in one breath. From these fragmented pieces, Chen Qingyang pieced together the whole story.

’Whether Lin Qingxuan went to the Golden Summit or not, everything was already set in stone. It’s just that when I saw her yesterday, she seemed to have retained a sliver of her own consciousness. I wonder how long she can hold out against a Divine Soul split from a Foundation Establishment Master.’

Chen Qingyang and Leng Yueru exchanged a look. Both of them felt as if they had searched high and low for something, only to find it right under their noses. The evidence they had been painstakingly seeking had been obtained with such ease.

"Senior Sister, you understand everything now, right?"

Leng Yueru nodded. "Yes, I understand."

"Since she is repentant and has hidden nothing, I ask that you give her a quick death, Senior Sister."

Though she didn’t understand why Chen Qingyang had suddenly spoken up for her, Leng Yueru didn’t hesitate. With a flick of her hand, the Outer Disciple of the Third Realm of Qi Refining crumpled to the ground, as dead as could be.

’The image of Shao Jichun appeared in his mind as Stealing Immortal drew a white flame from her body.’

’I’m the one who exposed her. Without me, she would have been hard to find. I was also the one who suggested her manner of death, so it’s only right that I’m the one to steal this Immortal Seedling!’

"Yueru, you’ve done very well!"

A young woman’s voice echoed through the room, soft and gentle like a spring breeze.

Chen Qingyang looked left and right but couldn’t spot a single person.

Leng Yueru, however, bowed toward the Copper Mirror. "Master, that Demon Sect Magical Artifact..."

The scenery in the Copper Mirror changed. It showed a flight of steps carved from White Jade, flanked by bamboo groves. Most of the paths on the Four Golden Peaks Golden Summit looked like this.

A slender female figure appeared, dressed in a pure white Daoist Robe with a white Jade Crown on her head. A Sharp Sword that resembled a White Jade Bone was slung across her back as she ascended the steps one by one.

"Say no more. I’m already on my way!"