A Pawn's Passage

The woman was none other than the Qingqiu Mountain Master.

Although Donghuang had abolished the guest elder competition, the system for cultivating guest elders remained intact. In essence, abolishing the competition had merely allowed the Li family to monopolize the position of guest elder in Qingqiu Mountain.

In the past, Qingqiu Mountain selected its guest elders through a competitive process. Now, however, the Li family designated the candidate, and Qingqiu Mountain merely approved or rejected the choice.

The Imperial Preceptor would select a candidate and send them to Qingqiu Mountain. After meeting the candidate, the Qingqiu Mountain Master would either accept them or send them back, at which point the Li family would nominate someone else. However, given the Imperial Preceptor’s discernment, problems rarely arose. Anyone recommended by him was bound to be extraordinary.

Under normal circumstances, unless there were major disagreements, the Qingqiu Mountain Master would not disregard the Imperial Preceptor’s wishes.

Any disagreements usually centered on the matter of Qingqiu Mountain bloodlines.

This time, the Li family’s nominee was Li Changge, the future head of the Li family, the Junior Imperial Preceptor, and a leading contender for the position of eighth-generation Grand Master. Qingqiu Mountain had even less reason to refuse such a candidate.

“Madam Su.” Li Changge had already regained his composure and took the initiative to offer a salute.

This Madam Su had no relation to Sage Cihang Su Yuanyi. At present, no one referred to Sage Cihang as Madam, but Sage. However, nothing was absolute. If Sage Cihang were to become the Grand Master Consort, she could be addressed as Madam in the future.

The position of the Grand Master Consort should not be underestimated. A person’s energy was limited, and power could not exist in a vacuum, making delegation inevitable. Since the Daoist Order had no eunuchs, the Grand Master Consort would naturally receive a portion of the Grand Master’s authority, becoming an extension and supplement to his power.

Thus, the Grand Master Consort was not comparable to an ordinary empress. Her role was closer to that of the Heavenly Empress during the reign of the Empress Mingkong, when two sovereigns ruled side by side.

The most famous Grand Master Consort in Daoist history was the Holy Xuan’s wife. The Holy Xuan was unquestionably a dominant Grand Master whose word was law, while his wife was by nature detached and carefree. However, during one of the Holy Xuan’s lengthy periods of secluded cultivation, she was compelled to take charge, becoming the most powerful Grand Master Consort in Daoist history.

If Sage Cihang were to become the Grand Master Consort, she would likely become the most influential holder of that position since the Holy Xuan’s wife.

As a Fox Immortal, the woman was naturally endowed with top-tier charisma. Upon seeing her, even other women would find their mouths dry and their hearts filled with all manner of enchanting fantasies. Without realizing it, they would become immersed in those thoughts, their bodies growing weak and soft, flushed with embarrassment and utterly unable to maintain their composure.

However, Li Changge was completely unaffected. That was because like Qi Xuansu, Li Changge possessed a heart of stone. The two differed only in how they developed afterward.

The woman’s watery eyes shimmered as she carefully appraised Li Changge from head to toe, as though she would not rest until she had seen through every aspect of this young man, inside and out. Then her rosy lips parted slightly, and in a voice like heavenly music, she said, “Junior Imperial Preceptor, I have long heard of you.”

“I dare not accept such praise,” Li Changge replied, neither humble nor arrogant.

The woman smiled faintly. “We are all family here. There is no need for such formality.”

After all, Li Changge possessed the bloodline of Qingqiu Mountain, so it was not inaccurate to call him one of their own.

Given Li Changge’s status, there was naturally no need for any assessment, nor was there any real competition. Unless Qi Xuansu returned from the New Continent and came to Qingqiu Mountain to compete with him, no one else could rival Li Changge.

The only issue was that Li Changge had not yet reached the Pseudo-Immortal stage. In theory, he could use the Qinghuo Pearl, but he could not directly attain the power of an Immortal. Therefore, the Imperial Preceptor’s intention was for Li Changge to remain in the Qingqiu Mountain Paradise for a period of time and, with the assistance of the Qingqiu Mountain Master, assimilate the Qinghuo Pearl and first obtain the strength of a top-tier Pseudo-Immortal.

The Qingqiu Mountain Master did not waste words. She pointed toward the Qinghuo Pearl in the center of the lotus pond and said, “Ever since Sage Qingwei returned this treasure, it has remained here. Forgive my bluntness, but with your current cultivation, you are still not capable of assimilating the Qinghuo Pearl into your body.”

Li Changge replied, “That is precisely why I must ask you for assistance, Madam Su.”

Madam Su turned to the middle-aged beauty and said, “Madam Hu, please entertain our distinguished guests on my behalf. I would like to have a private conversation with the Junior Imperial Preceptor.”

Madam Hu answered, “As you wish.”

Then, with smiling eyes, the beautiful woman addressed the members of the Li family, “Honored guests, please accompany me to Xuanhai Hall.”

The Li family delegation was led by Li Changsheng. Understanding that their role ended here and that what followed was a matter between Madam Su and Li Changge, he replied, “The last time I met you, you were 16, and I was still a young man. Now, upon meeting again, you’re still beautiful while my hair is fully white. I wonder whether there will be another opportunity for us to meet.”

Madam Hu smiled and said, “Daoist Brother, what are you saying? As long as you are willing to come, would Qingqiu Mountain ever bar its gates to you?”

Li Changsheng sighed. “These are troubled times. Ordinary people like us cannot compare to your carefree life, Madam Hu. I’m afraid there may not be a next time. Still, since I’ve come this time, I intend to properly savor Qingqiu Mountain’s fine tea.”

“This way please.” Madam Hu stepped aside and gestured gracefully, her fair wrist extending from her sleeve.

After Madam Hu departed with the members of the Li family, Madam Su led Li Changge to the Falling Blossom Platform.

The two sat facing one another. Madam Su said, “When Sage Qingwei took the Qinghuo Pearl all those years ago, he was already a Pseudo-Immortal with a solid foundation and a clear path toward immortality. For him, the Qinghuo Pearl was merely icing on the cake. Assimilating it was no difficult task and required no assistance from me.

“However, your situation is quite different. You are currently only at the Zaohua stage, one level below a Pseudo-Immortal. The Imperial Preceptor discussed this matter with me not long ago, and I did not approve. This course of action carries the risk of forcing growth before its proper time. Yet the Imperial Preceptor was determined, and it was difficult for me to refuse, so I ultimately agreed.”

Li Changge said, “The Imperial Preceptor also sought my opinion on this matter, and I did not refuse. Madam Su, I wonder whether you have been paying attention to recent developments within the Daoist Order. I have a rival. In terms of cultivation, we are roughly evenly matched. However, when it comes to accomplishments and experience, being one step behind means lagging behind every subsequent step. If I do not wish to fall too far behind him, I have little choice but to proceed in this manner.”

Madam Su asked with evident interest, “I am rather curious. You have enjoyed the full support of the Li family, yet there is someone capable of contending with you. May I know who this person is?”

Li Changge replied, “His name is Qi Xuansu. He comes from the Quanzhen Sect and is a disciple of Sage Donghua, the adopted son of the Yao family, and the son-in-law of the Zhang family.”

“I see.” Madam Su nodded. “No wonder he has managed to pressure you to such an extent. So he is the figure jointly supported by the Quanzhen Sect and the Zhengyi Sect to compete against you. He is also a likely candidate for the position of Grand Master.”

Li Changge did not dwell further on Qi Xuansu and instead asked, “May I ask how you intend to assist me, Madam Su?”

Madam Su did not answer directly. Instead, she asked, “Junior Imperial Preceptor, are you married?”

Li Changge was momentarily taken aback, but he answered truthfully, “I am only betrothed. I have not yet married.”

Madam Su said, “Then that means you still have a pure yang body?”

Li Changge answered calmly without embarrassment. “Indeed.”

Daoist cultivators often faced a difficult dilemma. At lower levels of cultivation, it was unwise to lose one’s pure yang body, as doing so could hinder progress. By the time one’s cultivation reached a sufficiently high level that such concerns no longer mattered, it was often difficult to have children, and worldly desires between men and women had long since lost much of their appeal. After all, such desires were merely physical impulses. Once a person achieved complete mastery over themselves, these urges were among the easiest to abandon. What was far more difficult were the desires of the heart, such as the desire for power. For this reason, many members of the Daoist Order remained unmarried throughout their lives. Among the six figures at the pinnacle of the Daoist Order, only Sage Qingwei had married. The other five remained alone.

For this reason, Li Changge felt no embarrassment whatsoever. If anything, it reflected his self-discipline and personal restraint.

Madam Su said, “You may have to suffer a slight disadvantage.”

Li Changge was once again surprised. “What do you mean by that?”

For Demon Immortals, the century-long lifespan calculation began only after reaching the Immortal stage, with all the years prior added on top. By that measure, Madam Su was at least well over 100 years old, even older than the Imperial Preceptor.

Although Madam Su appeared youthful on the surface, her age was an undeniable fact. Unless she deliberately chose to pretend otherwise, she had long since moved beyond any sense of maidenly shyness. Thus, she answered calmly, “The dual cultivation method.”

Li Changge was not particularly surprised. He had already been mentally prepared to some extent. The crucial issue was simply who the dual cultivation partner would be.

Madam Su continued, “Donghuang abolished the method of severing emotional ties. Furthermore, you are already betrothed, so Qingqiu Mountain will not arrange a Daoist companion for you. Besides, an ordinary Daoist companion would not be capable of resolving your particular problem.”

At this point, how could Li Changge fail to understand? Hesitating slightly, he asked, “Madam Su, do you intend to...?”

Madam Su nodded. “I will be your dual cultivation partner. To put it rather bluntly, this could be seen as an old cow eating tender grass. Do you feel disadvantaged by this, Junior Imperial Preceptor?”

Li Changge replied seriously, “I do not.”

For the sake of power, one could abstain from women. Likewise, for the sake of power, one could also approach women. The key was always determining which course of action maximized one’s interests.

Moreover, Madam Su’s beauty had already surpassed the realm of mortal women. As an Immortal, if she were to walk among ordinary people, countless people would regard her as a goddess and remember her for the rest of their lives. No matter how one looked at it, Li Changge could hardly be considered the disadvantaged party.

Of course, given Li Changge’s pride, he could never bring himself to adopt an overly flattering attitude or say things such as, “It would be my honor.”

The scions of aristocratic families were different from those of humble origins. Sometimes, even in death, they insisted on maintaining their dignity.

“Good.” Madam Su said, “Under normal circumstances, the Qinghuo Pearl only needs to be carried on the person. That was how Sage Qingwei used it. However, if you wish to wield the Qinghuo Pearl ahead of schedule, a special method is required. It is not particularly complicated. We will dual cultivate in the usual manner, and I will hold the Qinghuo Pearl in my mouth. At the critical moment, I will pass it directly into your mouth. Then I will assist you in swallowing it into your abdomen, allowing you to assimilate it.”

Li Changge immediately understood. “I’ll hold the pearl in my mouth.”