Stealing Immortal

Chapter 123: Chapter 122: Revisit

Chen Qingyang decided not to think about Tian Jingzhao for the moment. Visiting Four Golden Peaks was more important.

...

Two days later, after packing his belongings, he slung all one hundred-plus of his elixirs onto his back. He looked just like someone heading to market, every last shred of his transcendent, immortal aura worn away.

’As expected, a transcendent bearing was something better suited for those who were idle and had no work to do.’

Using the Void Step Introduction to perform Wind Control, he departed. The moment he left Cyan Bamboo Peak, the world seemed transformed. The mountains and plains, with their layers of forest, were all dyed a pristine white.

A biting chill filled the air as the north wind howled across the land. It seemed the outside world had already entered winter.

No, that wasn’t quite right. This winter was about to end, and spring was just around the corner. Luckily, he had managed to catch this last great snow.

Upon entering the territory of the Four Golden Peaks, he first circled the mountainside and glanced at the old locust tree. He was tied to this place for a hundred years, after all, and looking at it now filled his heart with a multitude of feelings.

For a moment, he couldn’t quite tell if he felt the joy of being fortunate or the sorrow of parting. In any case, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

He then walked up the small path he had traveled many times before. When he reached the Golden Summit, he once again saw the rows of green willows. Passing through them led to the gate of the Pill Institute. ’It’s been more than half a year since I last saw Liu Tao, hasn’t it?’

Standing at the door, he knocked lightly and called out, ”Senior Sister.”

PATTER-PATTER-PATTER!

A flurry of hurried footsteps came from inside, and then the door opened to reveal Liu Tao in her pink robes. Her face lit up with joy upon seeing Chen Qingyang, but then she shot him a glare. Leaving the door wide open, she swayed her hips as she walked inside and plopped down on a chair by the round table.

Chen Qingyang could only feel helpless. After closing the door, he sat down on the other side of the round table and, with a heavy THUD, placed the bundle from his back onto it.

The sound piqued Liu Tao’s curiosity. Unable to resist, she glanced over and asked, ”What’s in there?”

Her tone was still coquettish, but heavy with resentment. Chen Qingyang glanced at her face. After a long moment, he saw that his Senior Sister didn’t seem to have changed at all, and he felt relieved.

”Elixirs. Tier Four Yang Replacement Powder.”

For some reason, Liu Tao’s eyes grew hot when she heard this, and tears welled up. She turned her face away and secretly wiped them. ”You... How many elixirs are in there?”

She asked with her back still to him.

Chen Qingyang just smiled. He picked up a teacup and poured himself a cup, as familiarly as he always had. ”Not that many. One hundred and twenty-five.”

”Then you...” Liu Tao suddenly spun around and scrutinized Chen Qingyang. She found that he wasn’t as haggard as she had imagined. On the contrary, he had the appearance of a young man, gentle and warm as jade. ”Sigh, it’s all my fault you’ve suffered so much. Master is too cruel. It couldn’t have been easy for you to refine all these elixirs...”

This was exactly the kind of talk Chen Qingyang had feared. ’Why must we be so somber when we meet? Can’t we talk about happier things?’ he thought, and cut her off.

”Senior Sister, others may not understand me, but you do, don’t you? It might be difficult for anyone else, but for me, it’s an easy task. Besides, your master was the one who set the term for a hundred years. Do you really think I’m going to refine elixirs for her for a hundred years?”

’At my current rate of cultivation, I’m afraid that after a hundred years, people will have to address me as Master Qingyang.’

Liu Tao stopped sighing, but there was still a hint of resentment in her voice. ”For the past half a year, if it weren’t for delivering these elixirs to Master, I bet you wouldn’t have wanted to come to Four Golden Peaks... You... You didn’t even come to see me!”

In fact, that was exactly what Chen Qingyang had been thinking. ’After all, there was no reason to come here. Wouldn’t it be better to look for Liu Tao only when I needed something?’

”Heh, Senior Sister is absolutely right.”

Hearing his sincere attitude, Liu Tao’s resentment faded. She studied him carefully for a long moment. ”Chen Qingyang, did you have a breakthrough in your cultivation?”

Chen Qingyang nodded lightly. ”I won’t hide it from you, Senior Sister. I’m now at the Qi Refining Ninth Realm. I’m still a long way from Essence Condensation, so I’m afraid it will be a long time before I can catch up to you.”

Liu Tao didn’t seem too surprised; she had seen even more astonishing things from him before. ”It’s good that you’re on Cyan Bamboo Peak. With your master looking out for you and with your talent, you have a great future ahead of you...”

Chen Qingyang said again, ”Senior Sister is absolutely right.”

The two chatted for a while longer, talking about the past and recent events. Gradually, Liu Tao’s resentment disappeared, replaced by simple joy.

Seeing the sun sinking in the west, Chen Qingyang saw that it was nearly evening and said, ”Senior Sister, how can I find Master Yun Ci?”

Liu Tao said, ”I’ll take you.”

But Chen Qingyang waved his hand, refusing. ”Killing Xu Baoling was my decision, and refining elixirs for her is a matter between me and her. Senior Sister, you shouldn’t get involved. Your relationship with her should be nothing more than that of a disciple and master.”

Liu Tao understood that Chen Qingyang was saying this for her own good. She stood up and, with graceful steps, walked to the window, leaving only her lovely silhouette behind. ”Mm, your Senior Sister will listen to you. Master’s Dao Field is called Zhengxin Institute, you know that. Go into Zhengxin Institute and walk all the way to the end. The most magnificent tall building is Master’s residence.”

At this, Liu Tao turned her head back. ”Master is now the Peak Master of the Four Golden Peaks. She has over seventy disciples under her, with more than twenty in the Inner Sect alone. Her power and influence are growing. You must not say anything she doesn’t want to hear and anger her!”

Her tone was overflowing with concern. Chen Qingyang bowed with his hands clasped. ”Thank you, Senior Sister.”

Liu Tao stared at him blankly, her beautiful eyes filled with reluctance to see him go. ”Hmph, who needs your thanks? I don’t need you to thank me...” As for what she did need, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

”Alright,” Chen Qingyang could only agree. As he was about to leave, he left a jade box on the table. ”This is a pill formula I learned on Cyan Bamboo Peak. It’s greatly beneficial to the Divine Soul. Just consider it a gift for you, Senior Sister.”

After saying this, he saw that Liu Tao was ignoring him, so he picked up his bundle and walked out the door, starting his climb up the white jade steps.

Secretly watching his departing figure, Liu Tao clutched the jade box. Only after a long while did she open it and examine the elixir inside...

The snow showed no signs of letting up, and the fierce winds grew stronger.

The world was a vast, desolate expanse. The light had already been dim, and now vision was becoming even more obscured.

Carrying his bundle, Chen Qingyang walked slowly up the steps, letting the wind and snow fall upon him. Before long, he saw the words ”Zhengxin Institute.”

He had been here once before, so it was somewhat familiar. After entering, he continued upward until he reached the summit, where he finally saw a tall building perched on the edge of a cliff.

The building was about five stories high and magnificently constructed. Atop the tower sat a bright pearl, emitting a faint golden light. The interior must have been decorated with many luminous pearls as well, for it was brightly lit.

Just as Chen Qingyang stood below it, a man walked out from within. He was handsome and tall, dressed in a moon-white Daoist robe and holding a silver duster.

”No wonder Master said we had a visitor. Someone has indeed arrived. May I ask which peak you are from, and what brings you here?”

He had long heard from Liu Tao that Master Yun Ci had several child attendants, all with Qi Refining Cultivation. They usually performed tasks like serving tea and water or relaying messages for the disciples. The person before him was one of them.

”Please inform the Master that Disciple Chen Qingyang from Cyan Bamboo Peak has come to pay his respects.”

The child frowned slightly, a little confused. ”Cyan Bamboo Peak? Is that the one far in the distance? Why do you wish to visit my Master? Are you here on your own master’s orders?”

Chen Qingyang shook his head. ”No.”

The child then said, ”Then could you please state your business, so that I may report it properly?”

Chen Qingyang understood that the child wasn’t trying to make things difficult for him. Master Yun Ci was likely extremely strict with her subordinates. If he didn’t ask clearly, he wouldn’t dare go back and report, for fear of disturbing his master’s secluded cultivation.

”Just say it is about the elixirs. The Master will understand.”

The child paused for a moment. ”Very well. Please wait here.”

The attendant left and returned a short while later. ”Senior Brother, Master invites you in.”

He was led inside. Chen Qingyang gave the room a quick glance and saw that this floor was empty, with very little furniture. The wooden floor, however, was spotlessly clean.

”Senior Brother, it’s muddy outside. You can take off your shoes here.”

”Alright.”

Chen Qingyang took off his shoes, still carrying the elixirs on his back, and followed the child up the wooden stairs.

He had no idea what the second, third, or fourth floors looked like. He was led by the child straight to the fifth floor in one go.

The room was dimly lit, with only a single candle flame burning. The Master sat upright behind the candlelight. She had a petite frame, which was swamped by her wide Daoist robe. Her eyes were closed, her hands were folded over her abdomen, and her head was slightly bowed.

Her snow-white Daoist robe was trimmed with two black stripes along the collar. Her face was small and exquisite, and her hair was lustrous black, tied up in a Daoist topknot that draped down her back, with two long strands falling from her temples to rest on her chest.

Although her robes were loose, they held a unique charm. Perhaps she was circulating her energy, as a faint white halo emanated from her. In this space, she alone was the most eye-catching.

The child said nothing, only making a gesture for Chen Qingyang to approach on his own.

After approaching, Chen Qingyang gently placed the elixirs in front of her. Then he bowed with clasped hands. ”Disciple Chen Qingyang of Cyan Bamboo Peak pays his respects to Master Yun Ci!”

The Master opened her beautiful eyes. In that instant, it was as if a spring breeze had arrived in the night, making all the peach blossoms fall. ”You... What is that on you?”

’It’s a shame about her personality, though. Completely unapproachable.’

The question puzzled Chen Qingyang, and he instinctively drew his aura in tighter around himself.

”Forgive my ignorance, but I don’t know what Master is referring to.”

Yun Ci walked over, her bare jade feet creaking on the floorboards as she circled Chen Qingyang three times.

Chen Qingyang kept his head down, but he couldn’t help but sneak a peek at her jade feet. Perhaps it was because she cultivated the Ice Skin Jade Bone Technique, or perhaps she was just naturally beautiful, but they were so crystalline and flawless that they defied description.

”I’m talking about fire,” she said. ”A very special kind of fire. You have it on you!”

’I see.’ He had been baptized by Dragon Qi, so of course he was tainted with the Li Yang Earth Fire. Moreover, he refined the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl daily. Although he practiced Sword Cultivation, his was also a Fire Sword.

’And this Master cultivates the Ice Skin Jade Bone Technique. Water congeals into ice through cold; it’s only natural she would be sensitive to my fire!’