ALL NOVEL Chapter 96: The weakest among them—Chu Xuan
Chu Xuan wasted no time, arriving immediately at Wan Wuying's cave dwelling. Upon his arrival, he found that Li Xuanming, Liu Zhenxiong, and Wu Teng had already been waiting for a while.
Unlike his usual composed self, seated regally upon a throne of bones, Wan Wuying was pacing before them. Seeing Chu Xuan join, he nodded slightly in acknowledgement.
"I used to have many disciples, and now only you four remain," Wan Wuying spoke with a grave tone. "I do not wish for our lineage to die out, so there are things I need to clarify with you now."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of Chu Xuan and the others turned solemn. Li Xuanming responded with due respect, "Please speak, Master. We are all ears."
Wan Wuying continued evenly, "Several months ago, Zhao Wuya, Huang Yuanwu, and I ventured into Wu Province and took a precious treasure from the Thousand Insects Sect. What that treasure is, I'd rather not dwell on—the important thing is that it's valuable enough to attract the covetous glances of other sects. The current war between the Heavenly Seal Sect and the native sects of Wu Province was supposed to end quickly, but it has been prolonged by a third-party force, which I have now confirmed to be Imperial Spirit Mountain."
This revelation surprised Chu Xuan and the others, yet it also seemed entirely within reason. Following the destruction of the Infinite Sect, the righteous Five Sects divided the territory.
Imperial Spirit Mountain acquired a fertile third of northern Wu Province. Being the closest to Heavenly Seal Sect and Wu Province, it was most convenient for them to covertly influence the war.
"I suspected early on that someone would covet the treasure and eventually make a move against me," Wan Wuying disclosed. "Soon, Zhao Wuya and Huang Yuanwu will be called back to the Heavenly Seal Sect's main hall, and the new Golden Core cultivators taking their place are not particularly friendly towards our Extreme Yin Sect. I suspect they are preparing to act."
He continued, "I'm telling you this so you will be more vigilant in the coming days. If they plan to strike at me, they will likely target you as well. Especially the Hundred Gu Daoist from the Thousand Insects Sect; he was very fond of Chen Zhaofeng, and since Chen Zhaofeng is dead, he will undoubtedly hold you responsible."
Li Xuanming and Liu Zhenxiong felt a chill in their hearts, while Wu Teng tasted bitterness.
'I didn't even participate in that battle and gained nothing from it, yet I'm still a target?'
Chu Xuan pondered deeply. Wan Wuying had provided timely notification, fulfilling his duty as a master.
However, Chu Xuan had already sensed that dark currents were about to surge again. Unlike others, he had no qualms about escaping if necessary.
But if someone really intended to strike at him, he planned to first test their strength. Presently perceived by outsiders as only a second-level Foundation Establishment cultivator, any aggressor would likely be a third-level Foundation Establishment at most.
Since such opponents were essentially delivering themselves to him, there was no need to flee. A gift of a head sent from a thousand miles away deserved acceptance—it would be impolite not to.
Wan Wuying's gaze swept tenderly over the four, "That is all, go back now, and be very careful."
"Yes, thank you, Master." Chu Xuan acknowledged respectfully.
After a moment of thought, Wan Wuying added, "Chu Xuan, stay a moment."
Once Li Xuanming and the others had departed, Wan Wuying continued, "Chu Xuan, you are now at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment, already surpassing Xuanming. I have some low-grade magic treasures, but you might find them difficult to activate, and they're less useful to you than a high grade magic tool. Tell me, what do you need? I will do my best to provide."
Chu Xuan was pleasantly surprised. It seemed his nominal master felt he had previously neglected him and was now looking to make amends. Such an offer was not to be refused lightly.
After a brief pause, Chu Xuan asked somewhat boldly, "Master, do you possess any flying magic tools? I find myself in need of an top grade flying magic tool..."
Wan Wuying rolled his eyes but nodded. He flipped his hand and produced a flying shuttle radiating a faint blue light. "This is the Green Shadow Shuttle, a flying magic tool I used back when I was a Foundation Establishment cultivator. It is yours now."
Chu Xuan eagerly accepted it, "Thank you, Master!"
"Go now, and take care," Wan Wuying nodded.
"Yes." Chu Xuan departed, leaving Wan Wuying to watch his retreating figure with a light chuckle.
The Infinite Sect's approach to discipleship was hands-off. Golden Core cultivators believed that allowing disciples to grow untamed fostered the strongest, most ruthless, and most fortuitous demonic cultivators. Indeed, luck was also a part of strength.
Thus, knowing that the disciples of the Extreme Yin Cave were destined to face calamity, he had not exerted himself fully to protect them but merely warned them. He understood that the one who survived would be the strongest and luckiest.
Of his four disciples, whoever survived, he would seriously cultivate.
...
Upon returning to the Water Curtain Cave, Chu Xuan wasted no time in activating the Green Shadow Shuttle through the Blood Mirror.
This was a top-tier flying magic tool, far superior to the Heavenly Star Flying Sword. Whether for slaying foes, seizing treasures, or evading pursuit, his speed would now be vastly enhanced. Few Foundation Establishment cultivators could match his pace now!
Chu Xuan imprinted his soul blood on the Green Shadow Shuttle and took it for several test flights, thoroughly pleased with its performance, before finally stowing it away contentedly.
...
The nameless market.
In the secluded chamber of the teahouse, hidden by soundproofing arrays ensuring privacy, Zhou Yu prepared for a clandestine meeting. He had been nursing severe injuries from a previous disastrous venture to Ironwire Mountain, barely saved by his stash of medicinal pills.
The cost had nearly drained his resources, and he was eager for a chance to replenish his supplies through the proposed hunting mission.
Soon after he settled, the gaunt figure of Lu Yin hurried in. With a hearty laugh, he greeted Zhou Yu, "Fellow Daoist Zhou! I've missed you!"
Zhou Yu returned the greeting with polite laughter. The two were familiar with each other from their undercover collaborations within the Heavenly Seal Sect and caught up briefly.
After the pleasantries, Zhou Yu got straight to the point, "Tell me, who's the target? When do we strike?"
Lu Yin's smile widened, "You might remember them. Do you recall being mysteriously abducted by Li Xuanming and Liu Zhenxiong of the Extreme Yin Cave? Your injuries, too, were thanks to them. It wasn't for their insistence on dragging you to Ironwire Mountain, you wouldn't have suffered so."
Zhou Yu's expression hardened, "Are we targeting the Extreme Yin Cave? They are formidable; am I a match for them?"
Lu Yin nodded vigorously before smiling slyly, "Indeed, we are targeting the Extreme Yin Cave, but not Li Xuanming or Liu Zhenxiong. We pick the softest target, the weakest among them—Chu Xuan. We'll deal with him. This is an easy job with quick pay, and I thought of you immediately."