Chapter 60: Stirring All of Qingzhou |
The Condensed Qi Pill—this was a treasure of immeasurable value. Its effect was simple: it could help a martial artist at Peak Nine-Fold Inner Origin Realm condense their Qi Origin and step into the Qi Origin Realm. Of course, it wasn’t a guaranteed success, merely an aid that bestowed some support.
But even so, it was still extremely precious.
If word got out that a Condensed Qi Pill had appeared somewhere, it would surely trigger a bloody storm.
And now—
Judging by the Wang Patriarch’s tone, was he planning to offer this Condensed Qi Pill as an apology gift?
Wang Qinghe immediately panicked.
The Wang Clan had only this one pill.
“Patriarch!”
But the Wang Patriarch merely snorted through his nose with narrowed eyes. Wang Qinghe trembled all over, his face going pale. Gritting his teeth, he ran back into the estate and returned shortly after, holding a red sandalwood box inlaid with golden threads.
“This time, it’s true that our Wang Clan was in the wrong first. It's better to resolve enmity than to let it fester. What does Daoist Longshan think?”
As soon as these words left his mouth, everyone looked at Daoist Longshan with even more reverence.
It could be said that the Wang Patriarch was using his own reputation—and the prestige of the Wang Clan—to elevate Daoist Longshan. First he killed his own clan disciple, and now he was offering a Condensed Qi Pill as compensation. This behavior sparked countless speculations.
Daoist Longshan’s eyes narrowed slightly, then he broke into a smile.
“Senior Wang is too kind. This matter has nothing to do with anyone else in the Wang Clan. Since Wang Qingfeng is already dead, what grudge is left to speak of? Later this year, I’ll be holding the Heaven-Man Ceremony at Zhenwu Sect. I hope Senior Wang will do me the honor of attending.”
The Wang Patriarch smiled faintly and nodded.
The Heaven-Man Ceremony was a ritual most powerful Heaven-Man Realm experts with legacies would hold—a perfect chance to boost reputation and showcase their sect’s foundation.
“I’ll certainly attend.”
Everyone looked on as the two Heaven-Man Realm experts laughed and chatted, completely free of the earlier tension. They were confused—especially the younger crowd, who were baffled. Just moments ago, the Wang Patriarch seemed to hold the upper hand. Why the sudden shift in attitude?
Only some old veterans saw through it.
The Wang Clan Patriarch was wary of Daoist Longshan’s potential.
Think about it: if someday, after the Wang Patriarch passed on, Daoist Longshan rose to his peak, and then recalled this old grudge—what then?
Killing Wang Qingfeng was closure; offering the Condensed Qi Pill was goodwill.
A two-pronged approach, perfectly matching Daoist Longshan’s ruthless yet principled character.
By accepting the Condensed Qi Pill, Daoist Longshan also indicated the matter was settled.
Everyone couldn’t help but inwardly praise the Wang Patriarch. Living more than 700 years, truly a cunning old fox. He knew when to bow and when to strike. No wonder he’d built such a powerful clan.
Daoist Longshan bowed once more, then carried the wooden box and two corpses as he left.
The Wang Clan gates slowly closed.
Everyone was still buzzing, feeling as if they’d just ridden an emotional rollercoaster. Their faces lit up with excitement as they scattered in all directions, still murmuring and discussing—albeit in hushed voices, for fear of offending the Wang Clan.
It was clear—
Today’s events would spread across Qingzhou at lightning speed, and perhaps even beyond. Daoist Longshan’s fame would soar.
Inside the Wang Clan’s estate—
The Wang Patriarch’s previously faint smile had vanished. His entire presence was cold and frosty.
Wang Qinghe and the clan’s upper ranks all knelt on the ground.
“The younger generation has failed and shamed our patriarch.”
The Wang Patriarch’s voice was icy:
“You’re indeed useless. After all these years, we haven’t produced even a single Heaven-Man Realm candidate. If the Wang Clan had a worthy successor, would things have come to this today?”
His eyes burned with anger.
If even one person in the clan had the talent to ascend to the Heaven-Man Realm, he wouldn’t have needed to bow and gift away the Condensed Qi Pill. He wouldn’t have had to crush Wang Qingfeng in front of everyone.
Wang Qinghe and the others remained kneeling, feeling utterly humiliated, yet powerless.
After a long time—
The Wang Patriarch let out a helpless sigh. The Wang Clan’s foundation was still too weak. It couldn’t compare to the thousand-year-old sects and noble families. Those always had more than one Heaven-Man Realm cultivator—some even held complete cultivation paths for grooming Heaven-Man experts.
For years, he’d carried everything alone. Though the Wang Clan appeared prosperous, it was already showing signs of decline as his end drew near. Internal strife had only worsened the situation.
Wang Qingfeng’s attempt to seize the Zhenwu legacy was also part of this desperation.
“If nothing else works, I may have to try that old method again...”
The Wang Patriarch’s eyes turned deep and dark.
Unless absolutely necessary, he didn’t want to resort to that method again.
But Daoist Longshan storming in today had shaken his resolve.
Then, after a moment of silence, something came to mind.
A rumor he’d heard in passing.
“Maybe... this could be the first step...”
He remembered Daoist Longshan’s upcoming Heaven-Man Ceremony. His eyes began to shine.
...
News of the battle between Daoist Longshan and the Wang Patriarch spread through Qingzhou at an astonishing pace.
Everyone was talking about it.
Daoist Longshan’s prestige soared, and many said it was only a matter of time before he made it onto the Great Yan Heaven-Man Ranking.
The Heaven-Man Ranking included only thirty-six.
Each one was a peerless powerhouse at the pinnacle of Great Yan.
Those on the Heaven-Man Ranking could easily suppress ordinary Heaven-Man Realm cultivators.
Across the thirteen prefectures of Great Yan, only those who stood at the absolute peak of a region could enter the list.
All sorts of news about Daoist Longshan and the Zhenwu Sect continued to circulate. The Zhenwu Sect had rightfully ascended to the ranks of top-tier sects, catching everyone's attention. But what most people looked forward to now was Daoist Longshan’s upcoming Heaven-Man Ceremony.
It would surely be another grand event in Qingzhou.
At this moment, atop Zhenwu Mountain—
It was equally lively.
Ever since Daoist Longshan descended the mountain and began settling scores, good news had kept pouring in, sending waves of excitement through all the disciples.
One incident after another swept away all previous frustration.
Daoist Longshan’s dominance made every Zhenwu disciple feel proud. Even Ning Qi, normally calm and collected, was filled with emotion. His master was truly dependable. That protective streak gave him a strong sense of security.
Daoist Longshan’s ascension to the Heaven-Man Realm also made him realize just how awe-inspiring that realm truly was.
He now yearned even more for the day when he too could step into that realm.
At this moment—
All the Zhenwu Sect disciples were gathered at the Martial Arena.
Far off in the sky—
A figure descended slowly from above.
Ning Qi and the other True Disciples stepped forward, faces full of joy.
“Welcome back to the mountain, Master!”
Daoist Longshan looked at the disciples before him, smiling with great satisfaction. He nodded gently and said with a smile:
“All is well?”
Luo Wentian burst into laughter.
“Master’s name shakes all of Qingzhou. No blind fools would dare cause trouble now.”
Everyone broke into smiles.
Lately, many had come up the mountain—but most were there to build connections. The scene was a far cry from before. Now, the Zhenwu Sect was bustling with visitors. Even factions that had nothing to do with them were eager to curry favor.
“That’s good.”
There was a smile in Daoist Longshan’s eyes. The Zhenwu Sect thriving was his greatest wish.
Now that he had entered the Heaven-Man Realm, he had truly elevated the Zhenwu Sect to new heights.
But there was one thing that worried him—his disciples’ cultivation levels were no longer enough to uphold the sect’s reputation.
So far, only Jiang Baishan had reached the Qi Origin Realm.
It wasn’t that his disciples lacked talent—they were just too young.
Give them ten more years, and several could break through.
With that in mind—
Daoist Longshan slowly said:
“This time, I acquired a few good treasures while I was out.”
Everyone’s spirits were instantly lifted.