Free Web NovelChapter 377: Chapter 300: Meeting Red Robe
Maple leaves blazed like fire and egret grass cast deep shadows. Fang Qingyuan and Situ Jingyu walked slowly, shoulder to shoulder, along the head of a mountain stream.
Fang Qingyuan looked at Situ Jingyu, who was slightly taller than him, and had to admit that she had become stunningly beautiful since reaching the Golden Core realm.
This beauty wasn’t merely in her appearance but in her entire bearing. Due to her Body Refining, even after altering her previously brawny, Kong Wu-like physique, she now seemed tall, straight, and exuded a heroic aura, setting her distinctly apart from other Golden Core Cultivators.
No two paths to the Golden Core are ever identical, making every Golden Core Cultivator a unique existence. For Situ Jingyu, this manifested as a subtle blend of Fire Phoenix characteristics and an allure that, like a moth to a flame, stirred the most primitive impulses in the hearts of Low-tier Cultivators.
However, this instinctual impulse had a negligible effect on Fang Qingyuan. His soul was powerful, so he could naturally keep himself in check.
Counting the years, it had been nearly three decades since they had last met. For Foundation Establishment Cultivators, this was no small amount of time.
As old friends reunited, they naturally had endless things to say. They chatted about their lives over the past years, spoke of interesting people and events, and reminisced about old times. The atmosphere was quite harmonious.
Situ Jingyu never put on the airs of a Golden Core Cultivator, just as she hadn’t back when she was a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator who never looked down on Fang Qingyuan, who was still at the Qi Cultivation stage.
Through their conversation, Fang Qingyuan learned that Situ Jingyu hadn’t just recently reached the Golden Core realm. She had become a Golden Core Cultivator as early as twenty years ago, while the War of Expansion was still raging.
Now, Situ Jingyu had taken on the role of Sect Leader for the Earth Cave Fire Domain Branch, and her purpose for this visit was to discuss important matters with Lechuan.
They reached a bend in the stream. Gazing at the babbling water ahead, Fang Qingyuan offered his heartfelt congratulations:
"Congratulations, Senior Sister Situ. To become the leader of a sect at such a young age... your future is truly promising."
Situ Jingyu’s eyes narrowed into a smile as she replied,
"Then I must congratulate you as well, Junior Brother Fang. To become the first-generation Sect Leader of the Great Zhou Academy’s three-generation investiture, your future is even more promising than mine."
"Haha, the feeling is mutual."
They exchanged a bit of mutual flattery, burying any romantic notions deep in their hearts. Fang Qingyuan knew that Situ Jingyu had once been interested in him.
After so many years, Fang Qingyuan wasn’t sure if she still harbored those feelings. But even if she did, it was impossible for them to get together and become Dao companions.
As they had just acknowledged, both were now leaders in their own right. If they became Dao companions, who could abandon their responsibilities?
Fang Qingyuan certainly couldn’t abandon his. And while Situ Jingyu didn’t say so outright, he knew her burden was heavy. She had to protect everyone in her sect, young and old, and shoulder the responsibilities of a Sub-Sect Leader.
The previous Sect Leader of the Earth Cave Fire Domain had already retired and no longer involved himself in the sect’s affairs. Situ Jingyu’s visit was to invite Lechuan to attend the ceremony and witness her official succession.
Besides Lechuan, the leaders of the other branch sects would also be attending. Situ Jingyu had simply chosen the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect as her first stop.
After a brief reunion, they had to part ways. Situ Jingyu still needed to visit other sects to extend her invitations. As the newcomer among the sect leaders, the least experienced and most junior, she had to make these visits personally to show proper respect.
Watching her leave without a backward glance, Fang Qingyuan sighed softly. ’I have too many secrets. I can’t risk finding a Dao companion stronger than myself. Senior Sister Situ... I suppose this is farewell.’
.....
Only after Situ Jingyu had left did Fang Qingyuan go to see Lechuan and explain his trip into the Barbaric Wilderness. Some things were difficult to discuss openly while she was present.
Fang Qingyuan omitted any mention of Jinbao and the Golden Reng Bear Owl Beast. He only took out the blood-red tail feather he had obtained for Lechuan to inspect.
Lechuan was visibly moved upon seeing the tail feather. A key component from a Divinity Transformation Demon Beast was indeed priceless.
But it was impossible that Lechuan was moved by greed or wanted to claim the item for himself. That wasn’t in his nature. Had it been Zhao E Lian, Fang Qingyuan would never have dared to show it.
"This must be from a demon beast like a Fire Phoenix or a Fire Peacock. Let me see... are you planning to trade this tail feather for something?"
After finishing his appraisal, Lechuan started giving Fang Qingyuan advice. A fourth-rank, mid-grade spiritual material was too high-level for Fang Qingyuan to make full use of right now. It would be far better to trade it for various cultivation resources he could actually use.
Fang Qingyuan nodded and stated what he had in mind.
"I’m lacking third-rank, high-grade spiritual materials of the fire, earth, and metal elements. Master Le, do you think this feather could be traded for all three?"
Lechuan stroked his beard and said thoughtfully,
"The higher the rank of a spiritual material, the more its value multiplies with each grade. It would be no problem to trade this fourth-rank, mid-grade Fire Spiritual Material for three third-rank, high-grade ones. However, if we can find the right buyer, you might even be able to get five."
Fang Qingyuan’s eyes lit up at Lechuan’s words. Getting five would be ideal, and from Lechuan’s expression, he had likely already thought of a buyer.
"Master, it seems you already have a plan. Please don’t keep me in suspense. If I can really get five pieces, I’m willing to offer two of them to you."
Lechuan roared with laughter, grabbing Fang Qingyuan and taking flight straight out the door.
"Two is too many! One is more than enough for me. I’m not that greedy. You’ve already helped me a great deal, and the reward from the Pill Alliance was sufficient."
Flying at ten thousand meters, Lechuan carried Fang Qingyuan at high speed. Within a day, they arrived in a land of scenic mountains and pristine waters. The view struck Fang Qingyuan as strangely familiar.
"Isn’t this the Nanchu Sect? Master, are you planning to sell this to Chu Hongshang?"
"Chu Hongshang is the perfect buyer. Her Nascent Soul cultivation path requires all sorts of high-grade Fire Attribute Spiritual Materials for nourishment. This material of yours is exactly what she needs."
After a few sentences of idle chat, they arrived at the main gate of the Nanchu Sect. As Lechuan and Fang Qingyuan descended, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator immediately came to greet them.
After they stated their purpose, the Foundation Establishment Guest Officer led them inside. Lechuan wasn’t some unknown White Mountain Loose Cultivator; as the Sect Leader of the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect, and having been neighbors with the Nanchu Sect for many years, the two sects were on very familiar terms.
Following behind Lechuan, Fang Qingyuan ambled through the Nanchu Sect. Everything he saw made him feel that this was what a truly great and prestigious sect should look like.
The disciples walking about all had a refined, otherworldly air. The Foundation Establishment Cultivators looked universally young, appearing to be in their twenties, unlike the White Mountain Natives outside who were often middle-aged by the time they reached Foundation Establishment.
There was just one thing: these young disciples lacked the composed gravity of the White Mountain People. Perhaps because they had known peace for so long, they seemed carefree, spontaneous, and innocent.
The Nanchu Sect was founded by Chu Hongshang when she ventured south. Over the past three hundred years, it had gradually accumulated the deep foundation befitting a Nascent Soul Sect.
This was especially true in the last few decades. In Northern White Mountain, near the Nanchu Sect’s territory, the Wei Family had fought the Swen Family, and then the Artifact Talisman Alliance had battled the Wei Family. After the Artifact Talisman Alliance was wiped from existence, these successive wars drove many cultivators to seek refuge at the Nanchu Sect with their families in tow.
The Nanchu Sect, of course, selectively recruited the most promising among these refugees. Hundreds of cultivators had joined their ranks over the years, bringing with them tens of thousands of mortals.
Furthermore, after the Artifact Talisman Alliance’s loose cultivator rebellion fifteen years ago, the Nanchu Sect absorbed many of the Alliance’s crafting cultivators, raising their techniques for creating Talismans and War Magical Artifacts to a new level.
With the recent death of Qi Wushuang, the Nanchu Sect had begun another large-scale recruitment of promising cultivators. In the eyes of the White Mountain People, the Nanchu Sect, being the closest major power, was practically a paradise on earth.
No wars, a prosperous life, a powerful sect, and it was backed by the prestigious Qi Yun. With such an illustrious background, what White Mountain Loose Cultivator wouldn’t dream of joining?
Mulling over his observations of the Nanchu Sect, Fang Qingyuan followed Lechuan into a grand hall, where another of the sect’s Golden Core Cultivators came forward to receive them.
"Sect Leader Chu, how could we trouble you to receive us personally? I am truly flattered," Lechuan said.
The man was around Lechuan’s age. His name was Chu Shen, and he was the Vice Sect Leader of the Nanchu Sect. Chu Hongshang disliked dealing with mundane matters and generally paid no mind to the sect’s internal affairs, leaving everything for him to manage.
"Sect Leader Le, are you complaining that I didn’t come out to greet you personally? Ahaha! It’s been years. We must have a proper catch-up."
Chu Shen clasped Lechuan’s arm warmly. Back when their two sects were neighbors, their relationship had been quite good. It had only cooled after Lechuan relocated far into White Mountain.
"Brother Chu, catching up can wait. I’ve come today because I’d like to discuss a trade with your esteemed ancestor. I was wondering, is the Red Robe Ancestor free today?"
At the mention of Chu Hongshang, Chu Shen’s expression shifted subtly. He then pulled Lechuan deeper into the hall.
"No time like the present. We’ll go see the Ancestor right now. Just... she is with a guest at the moment. You’ll have to play it by ear when you see her."
These cryptic words left both Lechuan and Fang Qingyuan baffled. They were led in a state of confusion to the main hall where Chu Hongshang resided.
"Reporting to the Ancestor: Sect Leader Lechuan of the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect and his disciple, Fang Qingyuan, have come to pay their respects."
After a disciple at the entrance announced their arrival, Chu Shen led the two inside.
As soon as he stepped inside, Fang Qingyuan saw Chu Hongshang. She was exquisitely dressed in a fiery red palace gown. Seated opposite her was a young cultivator who looked refined, elegant, and dashing.
Chu Hongshang’s face was filled with impatience, yet she was forced to converse with him. The man seemed oblivious to her expression, chattering on by himself. He would often speak a dozen sentences for every one-word reply from Chu Hongshang, but even so, he seemed to be enjoying himself immensely.
’To make someone like Chu Hongshang this helpless, he must be a Nascent Soul Cultivator, perhaps even one with a background loftier than her own. Otherwise, with her personality, she would have stormed out long ago. She wouldn’t be sitting here as if on pins and needles.’
As these thoughts flashed through Fang Qingyuan’s mind, he heard Chu Shen bow to the two figures.
"Chu Shen pays his respects to the Ancestor and to Senior Nangong Zhi."
Chu Hongshang’s eyes lit up the moment she saw Lechuan and Fang Qingyuan. She immediately spoke with unconcealed glee:
"Fellow Daoist Nangong, please feel free to see yourself out. I have urgent business to attend to, so I won’t keep you. Please send my regards to Uncle Nangong when you return."
Nangong Zhi blinked. His face flushed red as he said awkwardly,
"Oh, right, of course. I’ll pass on your message. Red Robe, you... take care. I’ll visit again."
Chu Hongshang beamed as she saw Nangong Zhi off. The moment he was gone, she slumped into her large chair. But an instant later, upon seeing Lechuan, she straightened up again and sat properly. She began,
"Sect Leader Le, what important matter brings you here to see me today?"
’Witnessing that scene gave Fang Qingyuan a new perspective on Chu Hongshang. So even someone as powerful as her had moments of helplessness.’
Just then, Lechuan, having finished his reply, discreetly nudged the dazed Fang Qingyuan. Fang Qingyuan suddenly realized he had been staring at Chu Hongshang for far too long.
A chill went down Fang Qingyuan’s spine. He hastily took out the blood-red tail feather. In the next instant, his hand felt empty as the feather appeared in Chu Hongshang’s grasp.
"Wow! A Blood Phoenix Feather! And it’s so long! This is wonderful!"
Chu Hongshang exclaimed in delight, like a little girl receiving a beloved toy. She made no effort to hide her joy.
This display made Chu Shen, who stood to the side, involuntarily palm his forehead. ’Now how are we supposed to haggle over the price?’ he thought.
