Starting Cultivation During a Trip

Chu Chaoran of Zhenwu Mountain is currently holding the position of Vice President of the Divine Power Association, so news of this kind naturally has to be reported to him.

”East Mountain Province…” Chu Chaoran mused.

”Li Changgeng from White Crane Temple was in East Mountain Province just yesterday. His Vertical Earth Golden Light is a Fourth-Grade Divine Technique. Judging from the phenomenon last night, it matches up.” Liu Nanxu said lightly.

Having reached such a realm, he could naturally see things that many other cultivators could not. With the intelligence at hand, he could deduce countless truths.

”Besides that…”

”Where is Zhang Fan?” Chu Chaoran suddenly asked.

”According to news from Bai Buran, he’s also in East Mountain Province.” Liu Nanxu paused for a moment, then couldn’t help but say, ”Samadhi True Flame is a Third-Grade Divine Technique. Last night, its essence soared to the sky, crimson brilliance swallowing the moon. I’m afraid he…”

The Divine Gift is divided into seven grades.

For most cultivators, awakening a Sixth- or Seventh-Grade Divine Power is already a great fortune.

For example, the Rejuvenation awakened by Meng Qingtong before was a Sixth-Grade Divine Technique. Wuma Wuqilu’s All Things as Talisman was a Fifth-Grade Divine Technique.

Once a Divine Technique reaches Fifth-Grade, it’s already extremely mysterious and formidable. Such existences are exceedingly rare, and generally, they are the ones the Divine Power Association pays close attention to.

As for Li Changgeng’s Vertical Earth Golden Light and Headless Regeneration, both are Fourth-Grade Divine Techniques, even rarer still.

”Teacher, Zhang Lingzong spent ten years wiping this kid’s slate clean, but…” Liu Nanxu said solemnly.

”Now, though he’s become your disciple, one day, his true identity will be revealed to the world.”

In the eyes of White Crane Temple, in Li Changgeng’s eyes, Zhang Fan is the son of the Great Spirit Sect King, a cultivator with the Divine Demon Holy Embryo.

But now, he still bears the title of a disciple of Zhenwu Mountain.

One day, he will appear before everyone with this dual identity.

Then, the entire world will know that this closed-door disciple of the Transcendent Zhenren is the same boy with the Divine Demon Holy Embryo who should have died ten years ago beneath Dragon Tiger Mountain.

”So what if they know?” Chu Chaoran said calmly.

With this simple statement, Liu Nanxu, one of the three Celestial Masters of Zhenwu Mountain, fell silent.

After a while, he finally spoke: ”Maybe, he’s already crossed paths with that kid from White Crane Temple.”

A faint trace of gravity appeared on Liu Nanxu’s face.

”That kid is carrying three kinds of Divine Techniques.”

At this, Liu Nanxu instinctively looked at Chu Chaoran, but the latter’s face was as calm as water.

”Zhang Fan’s life is tough, I’ll say that.”

”Even if he survived, the Divine Power Association has probably already sent people to East Mountain Province. He’s not registered, not on the books at all…” Liu Nanxu said gravely.

”East Mountain Province… The closest would be Lao Mountain, right? Thinking about it, I haven’t seen Li in years…” Chu Chaoran said leisurely.

The ”Li” he mentioned was, naturally, the Lao Mountain Sect Leader, Li Chengge.

In today’s world, it seemed only Chu Chaoran dared to refer to the Lao Mountain Sect Leader so.

”Little Liu, you should make a trip.”

Just then, Chu Chaoran spoke up.

”Teacher…”

”Go to East Mountain yourself.”

”You want me to go? What kind of attitude should I show?” Liu Nanxu mused.

If underlings are sent, there’s still room for maneuver and explanation, but as one of the three Celestial Masters of Zhenwu Mountain, if Liu Nanxu shows up himself, the implications would be obvious.

”Sending you is the attitude.” Chu Chaoran said in a low, firm voice.

”Understood.”

Liu Nanxu nodded, bowed respectfully, and left the Pure Yang Hall.

...

East Mountain Province, Qilu City.

Luoxia Town.

Zhang Fan spent two days recovering in town, slowly regaining his strength.

During these two days, some people from the East Mountain Province Daoist Alliance did come, led, of course, by Wei Qingsong. After all, as a Lao Mountain disciple, he wielded considerable power in the local Daoist Alliance.

With such a commotion on Luoxia Mountain, an investigation was inevitable. In Wei Qingsong’s eyes, Zhang Fan was already his springboard. He was certain this outstanding young man, even if not the legendary Li Changgeng, must at least be an important disciple of White Crane Temple…

Because of this, during this time, he put complete faith in the men Zhang Fan sent—Shi Shougong and Su Shiyu—and even allocated his own subordinates to them for any command. They managed to apprehend quite a few Daoist Sect folks trying to approach Luoxia Mountain.

In Wei Qingsong’s mind, with the friendship earned by working alongside the White Crane Temple Daoist, it was only a matter of time before he transferred to Shangjing.

As far as Wei Qingsong was concerned, he already had one foot in the Daoist Alliance Headquarters.

”Recently, a lot of Daoist Sect people have come to Luoxia Mountain, but all have been stopped by Wei Qingsong—anyone suspicious is arrested and interrogated.”

That day, under clear skies, Zhang Fan stepped out of the hotel, sitting at a roadside teahouse, sipping tea and listening to a report from the Liu Brothers.

”He’s sure putting in the effort,” Liu Xingyu couldn’t help but say.

”He’s cozying up to Brother Fan.” Liu Xingtui chuckled.

”I only brought a letter of recommendation from the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance, that shouldn’t merit this much. Are East Mountain Province and Jiangnan Province really that tight?” Zhang Fan wondered aloud.

Obviously, Wei Qingsong’s enthusiasm had gone far past the bounds of normal courtesy—he was practically worshipping him as a father.

”I don’t think they’ll be able to find anything.” Liu Xingtui said casually.

The Imprisoned Immortal Temple had already become ruins; once the full moon passed, it was even harder to find—it had vanished without a trace. No one would ever know what really happened that night inside Imprisoned Immortal Temple on Luoxia Mountain.

”Nothing from Shangjing City either. I wonder if Li Changgeng made it out alive.” Zhang Fan murmured thoughtfully.