Stealing Immortal

Fertile plains stretched for a thousand miles, with nary a mountain range in sight!

At the edge of the horizon lay a Great Marsh, the afterglow of the setting sun spilling across its surface, making it shimmer like a crystal-clear mirror.

A great ship sailed across it, leaving a faint wake that lingered until the vessel vanished completely. At two fishing docks, numerous small boats were moored, smoke curling from their galley fires, painting a picture of mortal life.

Leaving the Sect, the sounds were different, the sights were different, and it all inspired a different kind of feeling in his heart.

’A hundred years,’ he thought. ’It’s truly been a hundred years since I’ve seen such worldly beauty!’

"Junior Brother, why didn’t you want to stop by your hometown when we passed it?"

At that moment, Liu Tao and Chen Qingyang were using Wind Control, gliding through the vast sky side by side.

"Sigh!" Chen Qingyang let out a long sigh. "I’ve been an orphan since I was a child. The uncles I knew back then have long since passed away. No one would recognize me if I went back, and it would only cause unnecessary trouble."

Liu Tao nodded in agreement, then giggled. "Then why didn’t you think of visiting Li Qianxue’s family? After all, you’re practically their old son-in-law, aren’t you?"

Chen Qingyang replied, "Senior Sister, please don’t say things like that."

"Hahaha..." Seeing his dead-serious expression, Liu Tao couldn’t stop laughing. "Li Qianxue’s family is thriving these days. Never mind the people in the Sect, even the Immortal Cultivation Clans that depend on us are desperate to curry favor with a Foundation Establishment Stage Master. It’s just that..."

"Sigh!" Her laughter turned into a sigh. "Now that Li Qianxue is unconscious, those little snobs will probably start avoiding her family, just like they avoid you. It’s despicable!"

Chen Qingyang knew Liu Tao was indignant on his behalf. "Senior Sister, the pursuit of profit is just human nature. If you don’t chase after benefits while you’re cultivating in the Tai Xu Sect, I’m afraid it’ll be hard to advance your Cultivation in the future!"

Liu Tao didn’t seem to care at all. Her smile was as bright as a flower as she gazed sweetly at Chen Qingyang. "I’m not afraid. Worst case, I’ll just turn back into that old woman and come work as a servant for you, the great Qingyang True Monarch. Would you take me in?"

Only those with Golden Core Cultivation could be addressed as a True Monarch. Liu Tao truly held him in high regard.

"Don’t worry, I will."

At this, Liu Tao couldn’t help but think of her own Talisman. "It’s a shame Master took my Talisman. When I get back, I’m definitely going to use my Merit Copper Coins to get another one. Then we can be a pair, one yin and one yang, how about it?"

Chen Qingyang smiled and shook his head. "Senior Sister, I hope you never have to come looking for me because of that Talisman, and I hope I never have to come looking for you. That would be a bad omen, you know?"

Liu Tao pursed her lips, gazing at the sunset ahead, and said no more.

By the time darkness fell, the two had landed at the marsh’s dock. It was a classic scene of fishing boats at dusk, a portrait of a prosperous and content people.

A man and a woman, dressed in what could be considered lavish attire, couldn’t help but draw stares as they walked past a group of people sitting around and chatting.

"Senior Sister, are you saying the Spirit Grass we’re looking for is here in the Great Marsh?"

"Not in the Great Marsh itself, but on a small island within it. The Spirit Grass is called the Water Spirit Immortal. It loves water and can only be born and nurtured by it."

’No wonder we had to travel thousands of miles to get here,’ Chen Qingyang thought. ’A Great Marsh this vast truly couldn’t be created even by the methods of an Immortal Family.’

"So we’re staying here tonight?"

Liu Tao said, "There’s a local clan here called the Yao Clan. Many of them are Cultivators, and the strongest among them is at the Qi Refining Ninth Realm. They receive a lot of protection from the Sect, so we’ll stay with them tonight."

"They also control most of the local fishing boats. We can just ask them directly if they know where to find the Immortal Grass, then we can go and retrieve it. There’s no need to waste effort searching for it ourselves. Someone will always be there to handle these things for you."

This... Chen Qingyang fell silent for a moment. Liu Tao had the perfect bearing of an Upper Immortal. ’So this mission can be completed this easily,’ he thought. ’It’s just a simple errand!’

"What do you know? I figured this out the last time I was here. If anyone else had come, this mission wouldn’t be nearly this easy!"

After hearing this, Chen Qingyang could only give her a thumbs-up. "Impressive, very impressive!"

On the shore of the Great Marsh, atop an embankment built of bluestone, stood an imposing estate.

From a distance, it was clear the estate covered a vast area and was exquisitely constructed, especially its main gate, which featured vermilion lacquer, bronze studs, beast-head knockers, a golden plaque, and sturdy pillars.

At first, a young boy answered the door. After hearing the reason for their visit, he rushed back inside.

A moment later, an old man in fine brocade robes appeared, leading several dozen similarly dressed people to stand before them.

The old man had a sharp eye and naturally recognized the noble Vermilion and Purple Attire of an Inner Sect Disciple. "I am Yao Zhi. With me are the disciples of the Yao Clan. We greet the Upper Immortals!"

Liu Tao gave them a brief glance, her gaze fixed forward. Her posture truly had the air of an Upper Immortal, so much so that even Chen Qingyang couldn’t help but stare. "I came here sixty years ago and we met then. I suppose you no longer recognize me?"

The old man first apologized for his poor memory, then studied her carefully. "Please forgive me, Upper Immortal. This old man truly cannot recall when I had the honor of meeting an Inner Sect Disciple from the Tai Xu Immortal Sect."

"My name is Liu Tao."

At this, the old man seemed to snap to his senses. "Ah, so it is Liu Xianggu! You bestowed an Immortal Elixir upon me sixty years ago. And now, your cultivation breakthrough... it truly allows one to regain their youth!"

His eyes were practically dripping with envy.

Chen Qingyang had his Conscious Fish circle the old man. While it was true he was at the Qi Refining Ninth Realm of cultivation, the flow of his Qi Mechanism was extremely weak, just like Liu Tao’s had been when they first met.

’His Cultivation is stuck at this level,’ Chen Qingyang noted. ’If he can’t break through, he probably doesn’t have much time left.’

Soon, the two were invited inside and seated in the main hall. The old man did not take a seat, instead standing to the side with the other disciples of the Yao Clan.

Liu Tao took out an elixir and handed it to him. Chen Qingyang had a sharp eye and recognized it as a Tier Two Warm Sun Pill. "You should be able to tell what kind of elixir this is, shouldn’t you?"

The old man extended a trembling hand to accept it. He first inspected it, then smelled it. "I have never seen such a fine elixir in all my life. My knowledge is far inferior to yours, Immortal Lady, but I can still tell good from bad."

Liu Tao said, "This is a reward for you. Whether or not your Cultivation breaks through will depend entirely on your own good fortune."

The old man was about to lead everyone in kneeling to thank her, but Liu Tao waved her hand, somewhat annoyed by the formalities. "This is my Junior Brother Chen. We are here on a mission from the Sect to find a Water Spirit Immortal. You should be able to help us with that, right?"

He seemed prepared for this. Without another word, he called over another old man who was standing nearby. This man was stooped with age and looked even older than Yao Zhi himself. "Eldest Son, send out the word: if any fishermen find a Water Spirit Immortal, they can come to the estate to claim a reward. We will also send out more of our own people to search."

"Yes, Father."

So the man he called "Eldest Son" was indeed his firstborn. Such a thing was extremely rare to see in the Tai Xu Sect, but it was a common sight in Immortal Cultivation Clans like this.

After giving the order, he turned back to Liu Tao. "I have already had two guest rooms prepared. Please, make yourselves at home. I will report to you as soon as there is any news. What do you think, Immortal Lady?"

Liu Tao replied, "Mm, thank you for the trouble. We only need one room."

She didn’t even ask for Chen Qingyang’s opinion; the matter was simply decided.

"Immortal Lady, this old man has one more impertinent request. I was hoping that, during your stay, you might find the time to offer some guidance on my Cultivation... Sigh, I am old and my vitality is fading. If I don’t break through, I’ll pass away within two or three years. When that time comes, I truly don’t know what will become of this large clan I’m leaving behind..."

As he spoke, he looked as if he was about to burst into tears.

But Liu Tao acted as if she hadn’t heard a thing, replying calmly, "Our cultivation methods are different, so I can’t offer any guidance. Even if I did say a few words, it wouldn’t necessarily be good for you. I think it’s best we drop the matter."

The old man could only look awkward. "Yes, I will defer to the Fairy’s arrangements."

From Chen Qingyang’s perspective, what Liu Tao said was the truth. Without some powerful method, the man’s life couldn’t be saved.

...

After all the commotion, the sky had turned completely dark.

In the guest room, Yao Zhi had arranged for baths, a change of clothes, tea, and snacks, showing extreme hospitality. However, Liu Tao refused everything, asking only for a pot of tea.

A single flame flickered atop a bronze lamp. On either side of a long table, the two of them sat sipping tea.

"Senior Sister, are we just going to wait now?"

Liu Tao replied, "That’s right. If you get bored, I can go for a stroll with you."

Chen Qingyang didn’t refuse. "It’s been a long time since I’ve spent time in the mortal world. If we’re free tomorrow, let’s do it."

Liu Tao then asked, "Junior Brother, what do you think of that Yao Zhi?"

Chen Qingyang thought for a moment. "He seems like someone who covets the pleasures of the Red Dust and enjoys his wealth and status."

Liu Tao nodded immediately. "You have a real knack for understanding people. I didn’t realize that about him back then. If he weren’t so attached to his wealth and status, with his aptitude, he would have cultivated much better in the dense Spiritual Qi of our Immortal Sect. It’s a shame he can’t let go of all this."

"Senior Sister, there’s nothing wrong with that. As long as he doesn’t get too greedy, he won’t bring any trouble on himself."

Liu Tao considered this seriously. "Hm, you have a point. But it seems to me that he’s not content with just staying in the Red Dust; he also craves the longevity that comes with the Immortal Sect. Sooner or later, that’s going to get him into trouble."

Chen Qingyang gave her another thumbs-up. "Senior Sister, you’re amazing!"

Liu Tao grew smug and pulled two Spirit Stones from her robes, handing them to Chen Qingyang. "Since you’re such a sweet-talker, consider this a reward. Use them to recover your strength tonight."

Chen Qingyang had already discovered during the day that the Spiritual Qi he could absorb from the air here was less than one percent of what was available in the Immortal Sect. He had been relying entirely on the True Essence stored in his Dantian to get by. If he were to run into any real trouble, he would have to rely on Spirit Stones.

And this was still within the Tai Xu Sect’s sphere of influence. Further on, they would leave it completely, and the land would become even more barren. After crossing that barren stretch, they would enter the territory of the Nine Nether Mechanic Divine Palace.

Liu Tao had told him all of this on their journey.

"You’re always so thoughtful, Senior Sister. Otherwise, I really might have had to walk all the way back!"