From the Lower Nine Continents, the spirit boat crossed the Heaven-Sealing Chasm and drifted onward toward Upper Lu Continent.
Su Xin piloted the boat without distraction, while Xu Ziqing sat quietly at the stern with his eyes closed, resting.
After roughly a day, the distant outline of the continent was already visible. They would likely arrive before much longer.
Just then, several streaks of multicolored light approached from ahead. Magical artifacts seemed to flash within them. They arrived quickly and stopped in front of the spirit boat.
Su Xin let out an “Ah” and said, “This is bad!”
Xu Ziqing opened his eyes, thinking something had gone wrong. He immediately rose and stood beside Su Xin. “Fellow Daoist Su, what happened?”
Su Xin smiled awkwardly. “…They found me.” Then he sighed. “I’m doomed.”
Xu Ziqing was still confused when a figure flashed. In the next instant, someone had already seized Su Xin by the ear, while another person took control of the spirit boat.
Su Xin lost all dignity but did not dare resist. “Master’s Wife, Master’s Wife, let go!”
Xu Ziqing’s tense heart relaxed. So these were acquaintances, not enemies. He turned and saw a woman dressed entirely in red. Flames wound around her cultivator robe. She wore a red hairpin and red earrings, and around her waist coiled a scarlet snake as thick as a child’s arm, flicking its tongue in a frightening manner.
The woman was beautiful and charming, yet killing intent sharpened her almond-shaped eyes. Her bearing and temperament were five or six parts similar to Su Xin’s.
The more Su Xin protested, the harder she twisted his ear. He immediately begged for mercy. “Master’s Wife, Master’s Wife! Your disciple just made a new friend. Don’t make me lose face in front of him! Ow, ow, that hurts! At least leave your disciple a little dignity, Master’s Wife!”
Xu Ziqing stared for a moment at this display. Since meeting Su Xin, he had always seen him arrogant and willful. Even after Su Xin began showing him some respect, he had never revealed this shamelessly wheedling side of himself. Seeing it so suddenly was both funny and surprising.
Perhaps the woman felt she had made her point. She released him, curled her lips, and arched her fine brows. “I’ll settle accounts with you when we get back.” Then she turned and looked Xu Ziqing up and down. “What a handsome young fellow Daoist. How did you end up becoming friends with this useless disciple of mine?”
Xu Ziqing had never met such a candid and forthright woman and immediately felt some liking for her. Moreover, Su Xin called her Master’s Wife. Although her cultivation was only one layer above his own, he still spoke respectfully. “Junior Xu Ziqing greets Senior.”
Only then did the woman realize that this youth was not old, yet his cultivation was already impressive. He was clearly excellent material, and instead of being arrogant he was mild and courteous. She relaxed somewhat and smiled brightly. “I am Huo Tong. I’ll presume on my age and call you Ziqing. For Xin’er to become your friend is truly his good fortune. I hope you two will watch out for one another and each gain a splendid future.”
Xu Ziqing inwardly admired her. From her tone, Su Xin’s master’s wife had clearly guessed the plans he and Su Xin had made. She was indeed extraordinarily perceptive. He replied warmly, “Senior Huo overpraises me. Fellow Daoist Su and I took to each other immediately. Naturally, we will support one another.”
Huo Tong smiled in satisfaction, then turned her anger back on Su Xin. “You’ve truly grown bold. You dared eavesdrop on matters you had no right to hear, then ran off alone to provoke the Blood Demon. You have no idea how high heaven is or how deep the earth goes. Do you even know what kind of vicious and merciless demon the Blood Demon once was? With your firefly-sized cultivation, one mistake and your little life would have been gone!”
Su Xin muttered, “The Blood Demon only had his primordial spirit left. That’s why I dared to go…”
Huo Tong’s beautiful eyes widened. “You still dare talk back! This time you were lucky and didn’t cause a disaster. If something had happened, what were your master and I supposed to do?” Even worse, this brat had eavesdropped and then told an enormous lie, deceiving everyone in the Alliance by claiming he was going into seclusion for several days. If she had not felt something was wrong a few days ago and insisted her husband investigate his whereabouts, they might still have been completely in the dark.
Only then had they discovered that Su Xin had already been gone for two or three days. Huo Tong had rushed out in a panic. It was only when she saw him alive and kicking that her heart finally settled a little.
Seeing Huo Tong so furious, how could Xu Ziqing fail to understand that she had simply been terribly worried about Su Xin? His favorable impression of her deepened, and a trace of envy also rose in his heart.
In his previous life, his elder brother and parents had loved him dearly. He had no idea how much grief his death must have caused them. Yet now he had come to another world. Even if the immortal path lay open before him, he would never again reunite with his family. As for the parents of this life, their bond with him had been shallow. He could not help feeling melancholy.
Su Xin, however, was unconvinced. “The Blood Demon has already been eliminated. Your disciple should count as having achieved a great merit! Instead of praising me, Master’s Wife is being so…” He lowered his voice. “…fierce and terrifying.”
Huo Tong smacked him on the head. “Nonsense!” Then she seemed to register what he had actually said and asked urgently, “You said you killed the Blood Demon. Is that true?”
Su Xin said, “Absolutely true! If you don’t believe me, I’ll tell you everything.” He glanced sideways at Xu Ziqing as though asking permission.
Xu Ziqing smiled and nodded.
Only then did Su Xin recount everything that had happened in the Kingdom of Chenghuang in painstaking detail. When he reached the battle, he described every part accurately and vividly.
Xu Ziqing occasionally nodded along. Once Su Xin finished, Xu Ziqing was relieved to find that he had not mentioned Yun Lie at all. His friend existed only as a soul, yet was unlike a ghost cultivator. Xu Ziqing did not know what kind of existence he truly was. If Yun Lie’s presence became known, it might bring him harm.
Huo Tong listened with her heart pounding. When Su Xin finished and she saw his excited expression, her anger flared all over again. Her experience exceeded Su Xin’s by more than tenfold, so naturally she could hear how many dangers had been hidden throughout the entire affair. If events had not repeatedly fallen into place, and if Xu Ziqing had not already been there to join forces with him, this disciple of hers would truly have thrown away his life.
The thought made Huo Tong’s anger rise again.
When she first met Su Xin, she had liked him immediately and brought him before her husband so he could become their disciple. The couple had no children of their own, and Su Xin’s talent was outstanding, so they treated him like their own son. Who could have known he would grow into such a reckless and arrogant child, daring to act so rashly after overhearing only a few scraps of information?
Fortunately, he had returned safely. Otherwise, the two of them would have had to watch someone younger than themselves die before them. The pain would have been unbearable.
Still, outsiders were present. If Huo Tong wanted to discipline her disciple and carefully explain every danger he had ignored, this was neither the time nor place. She therefore glared at him. “I’ll deal with you when we get back!” Then she turned to the green-robed youth. “Young Friend Ziqing, thank you for looking after this useless disciple of mine along the way. You must also be tired. Come back to the Rogue Cultivator Alliance with us. If my husband learns that Xin’er made a friend like you, he will certainly want to meet you.”
Xu Ziqing had originally planned to look over the Rogue Cultivator Alliance before deciding whether to join. Hearing this, he smiled. “Junior will gladly accept.”
Several other cultivators had come with Huo Tong, men and women, young and old. Most seemed to be around the seventh or eighth layer of Qi Refinement. They were probably either close to Huo Tong or capable members of the Alliance, which was why they had accompanied her on the rescue.
While Huo Tong had been speaking with Su Xin, none of them interrupted. They remained hovering on magical artifacts to either side of the spirit boat. Now that the conversation was over, they came over one after another to exchange introductions with Xu Ziqing, all looking fairly warm and friendly.
Xu Ziqing rarely interacted with people, but he was gentle in manner and never became arrogant because of his aptitude. The cultivators therefore formed a good impression of him as well.
They chatted and laughed along the way. Before long, Xu Ziqing had become somewhat familiar with them.
Upper Lu Continent had already been close. After about two hours, the spirit boat stopped beside clear water and a beautiful mountain.
Numerous courtyards, residences, and large halls had been built against the mountain and water, all enclosed behind an extremely tall gate. A stone stele stood before the gate, bearing three great characters: “Rogue Cultivator Alliance.”
Huo Tong lifted one jade-like arm, and the spirit boat descended at once. Under her control it was far more docile than it had been in Su Xin’s hands. Clearly, the boat had never belonged to Su Xin at all, but to Huo Tong.
After everyone stepped off the spirit boat and stood in place, Xu Ziqing looked up. A vigorous pressure spread outward from the stone stele, carrying tremendously powerful force that seemed to burst from the imprisoned strokes of the inscription itself.
The stone stele looked ancient, and no one knew how many years it had stood there. Yet its imposing power had still not faded, showing how tremendous the ability and strength of the person who erected it must have been.
Su Xin quietly slipped over. Seeing Xu Ziqing staring at the stele, he whispered, “Fellow Daoist Xu, those characters were written by the great cultivator who founded the Rogue Cultivator Alliance. The stele is as old as the Alliance itself.”
Xu Ziqing came back to himself and praised, “The founding Alliance Master must have possessed heaven-reaching power!”
Su Xin smiled proudly. “Naturally. Once you join our Alliance, you definitely won’t regret it.”
Xu Ziqing merely smiled without replying and gestured for him to lead the way.
When they reached the gate, Su Xin volunteered to take Xu Ziqing around the Alliance himself. Huo Tong understood perfectly well that he was trying to avoid her husband’s punishment. Still, she pitied her disciple after his narrow escape from death and deliberately let him go so he could prepare himself. Besides, she first needed to report what she had heard along the way to her husband and the elders.
After Huo Tong left, the other cultivators also bade Xu Ziqing and Su Xin farewell and followed her. Su Xin turned back. Seeing Xu Ziqing still as calm and gentle as ever, he remembered how he had just begged and wheedled before his master’s wife and immediately felt rather embarrassed. “Fellow Daoist Xu…”
Xu Ziqing smiled faintly. “I have only just arrived and know nothing of this place. I will have to trouble Fellow Daoist Su to show me around.”
Seeing Xu Ziqing behave exactly as usual, Su Xin put his embarrassment aside and laughed. “It’s only what I should do. There’s no need to call it guidance. Fellow Daoist Xu, please.”
Xu Ziqing smiled as well. “Please.”
* * *
Beyond the gates of the Rogue Cultivator Alliance stood an ancient three-story hall. A plaque on the first floor read “Affairs Pavilion.” It handled the Alliance’s general business and assigned stewards, miscellaneous duties, and similar matters.
A stone path ran along one side and curved behind the hall to a seven-story tower. Three characters on the tower read “Trading Hall.” People constantly came and went, making it look quite lively.
Su Xin first led Xu Ziqing into the Affairs Pavilion. “I’ll recommend you here so you can receive a token. Once you have it, you’ll count as a member of the Outer Alliance.”
Xu Ziqing nodded. “A member of the Outer Alliance. That would be the first category Fellow Daoist Su mentioned?”
Su Xin smiled. “Exactly. The identity token is your proof.”
Xu Ziqing understood.
Inside the Affairs Pavilion hung a portrait of a middle-aged man with the bearing of an immortal. He was fair-faced, with a beard beneath his chin, and his eyes held a restrained brilliance that gave him an extraordinary presence.
An incense altar stood before the portrait. Beside it was a container of Respect-for-the-Worthy Incense. Green smoke curled from the incense burner, lending the room an ethereal air.
A sandalwood table stood to the side. A cultivator who looked like a steward sat behind it. When he saw someone enter, he opened his eyes.
The moment Su Xin saw him, he gave a somewhat haughty smile. “Elder He, you’re managing things here today?”
Xu Ziqing glanced at the man. Elder He was only at the fifth layer of Qi Refinement, barely equal to Su Xin. Yet his spirit was not as clear and upright as Su Xin’s and seemed somewhat turbid. It appeared his lifespan was nearly exhausted and he no longer had the heart to cultivate.
When Elder He saw Su Xin, he immediately rose, his smile carrying a trace of ingratiation. “So it’s the Young Alliance Master. What brings you here today?”
Su Xin snorted. “I want to recommend someone to the Outer Alliance and came to you for a token. Do you have any objection?”
Elder He hurriedly looked at Xu Ziqing. First he praised, “As expected of the Young Alliance Master’s friend. Your aptitude is every bit as outstanding as his, completely unlike mediocre people such as us!” Then he continued, “The Rogue Cultivator Alliance has always welcomed all rogue cultivators who wish to join, and since you are also a friend of the Young Alliance Master, I think this…”
Xu Ziqing smiled gently. “This one is Xu Ziqing.”
Elder He picked up smoothly. “I think Young Master Xu may receive a first-class token.”
Su Xin nodded in satisfaction. “Elder He is indeed reliable. A first-class token it is.”
Elder He beamed. He turned his palm over, and a pitch-black token appeared there. Then he picked up an extremely fine, stiff-bristled brush whose tip glittered with silver light and rapidly wrote Xu Ziqing’s name on the token. He tapped it with a finger and murmured an incantation. Only after the silver light faded did he exhale and wipe the sweat from his brow. “Finished. Young Master Xu, please accept the token.”
Xu Ziqing received it with both hands. It felt rather heavy and slightly cold.
Su Xin smiled when he saw the token and urged, “Fellow Daoist Xu, members of the Outer Alliance who receive a first-class token must offer three sticks of incense to the Alliance Founder. Hurry and do it.”
Xu Ziqing understood that this was the rule. He sincerely lit three sticks of incense and offered them, then bowed before turning back and smiling at Elder He. “Thank you for the trouble, Elder.”
Elder He repeatedly said that he did not dare accept such thanks.
Su Xin, however, tugged Xu Ziqing by the sleeve. “I’ll take you somewhere else. Come on!”
Xu Ziqing was pulled outside almost against his will. Once they were out, he asked, “Fellow Daoist Su, is there some particular significance to this token?” The mere distinction between first and second class was enough to tell him there had to be more to it.
Su Xin said, “Outer Alliance tokens come in three classes. A first-class token is the best token available in the Outer Alliance and gives the best treatment. With aptitude like yours, you naturally deserve a good one.”
Xu Ziqing smiled. “Then I must thank Fellow Daoist Su for arranging matters.”
Su Xin waved a hand. “Why thank me for that? The higher your cultivation becomes, the more I benefit too!”
He made it sound casual, but Xu Ziqing understood part of the truth. In any great organization, different levels of contribution naturally brought different treatment. Even with excellent aptitude, Xu Ziqing was a newcomer. Under ordinary circumstances, receiving a second-class token at the start would already have been exceptional. A first-class token was probably something the Alliance dared give only after forming deeper ties with someone.
Su Xin had deliberately accompanied him, acting both imposing and familiar, which prompted Elder He, who wanted to curry favor, to bring out a first-class token immediately. It was a considerable favor.
Xu Ziqing was not falsely modest. He accepted the favor in his heart and did not keep thanking Su Xin aloud.
Su Xin understood perfectly and was pleased as well.
Afterward, he took Xu Ziqing to several more places, explained the Alliance’s rules and ways of doing things, showed him the various entrances and routes, and carefully described all sorts of practical matters.
The Rogue Cultivator Alliance was divided into inner and outer sections. Outer Alliance cultivators were similar to guest retainers, free to come and go as they pleased. Their cultivation, contributions, and length of membership determined what class of token they received, where they lived, and what treatment they enjoyed.
The Inner Alliance formed the organization’s core. Anyone who handled Alliance affairs, even merely miscellaneous work, belonged to the Inner Alliance. Su Xin’s master was the current Alliance Master, which was why Su Xin was called the Young Alliance Master. Even so, the next Alliance Master would not necessarily be him.
The Affairs Pavilion served as the dividing line. Going farther inward, a long stone stairway wound upward along the mountain and led to the Inner Alliance.
Both sides of the Affairs Pavilion belonged to the Outer Alliance. On the left were cultivator residences. Visiting cultivators with third-class or second-class tokens could live there and were provided varying numbers of servants. On the right, where the spiritual energy was more abundant, stood the residences for cultivators holding first-class tokens. This area was called the High Guest Residences and was also close to the Trading Hall.
After explaining these places, Su Xin added, “Rogue cultivators here should have no private feuds. Even if disputes arise, fighting inside the Alliance is forbidden.” He thought for a moment and warned Xu Ziqing, “Fellow Daoist Xu is mild-tempered, but some visiting cultivators are unruly. If you don’t want to become entangled with them, ask an elder of the Affairs Pavilion to mediate.” At this point his brows shot upward. “And if you meet some fool in the Trading Hall who doesn’t know what’s good for him, just give them this young master’s name!”
Xu Ziqing knew he meant well and nodded. “I understand.”
Having said all this, Su Xin led Xu Ziqing toward the High Guest Residences on the right.
Past the seven-story Trading Hall tower lay an inner lake crossed by a stone arch bridge. The surrounding scenery was graceful and bright, filled with abundant spiritual energy and exceptionally pleasant.
Beyond the bridge stood a low mountain. Corners of rooftops could be seen among the slopes, spaced well apart. A handful of elegant trees stood beside the residences, while streams murmured nearby amid birdsong and fragrant flowers.
It truly was a fine mountain, fine water, and beautiful scenery.
Su Xin led Xu Ziqing up the winding stone steps. “Only a little over thirty people in the Rogue Cultivator Alliance currently hold first-class tokens, but there are more than a hundred residences on this mountain, so many remain empty. Fellow Daoist Xu, where would you like to live?”
Xu Ziqing replied gently, “Somewhere quiet, with fewer people nearby, will do.”
Su Xin raised a brow, having expected as much. After thinking, he introduced the place first. “This mountain is called Spirit Aperture Mountain because a spiritual aperture lies within its belly. The aperture was originally part of a spiritual vein that someone excavated and severed, leaving only a section behind. Over many years, it formed this spiritual nexus. The spiritual energy inside spreads outward through the whole of Spirit Aperture Mountain. The closer a residence lies to the spiritual aperture, the denser its spiritual energy. Farther away, it becomes somewhat thinner.”
But whether near or far, the spiritual energy here was still more abundant than in ordinary places.
Xu Ziqing had read miscellaneous books that mentioned spiritual veins. When the spiritual energy of heaven and earth accumulated over long years, it could form a channel of spiritual energy. When that channel condensed into material form, it became a spiritual vein.
Spiritual veins produced spiritual stones and spiritual pearls. When a severed vein was left unexcavated, it often formed a spiritual nexus. If a cultivator opened a cave residence within such a nexus, cultivation could proceed with half the effort and twice the result.
The greatest advantage of spiritual veins and spiritual nexuses, however, was their balance of the Five Elements.
No matter what attribute a cultivator’s cultivation method possessed, after absorbing the spiritual energy here, it could naturally condense into spiritual power matching that method and attribute. There was no need to painstakingly expel spiritual energy of incompatible attributes as impurities.
Xu Ziqing possessed a single spiritual root and did not suffer the same difficulty as ordinary cultivators. Even so, cultivating where spiritual energy was dense would allow him to absorb it faster, which was also greatly beneficial.