Huh? Isn't this an adventure kingdom building game?!

Chapter 536: Undercurrents Surging

No wonder Ouyang Qing is so decisive!

Fang Shouye heaved a sigh of relief and was overjoyed after listening to his old friend’s analysis and planning, "Great! Let’s proceed as you said. As for the spot for Mingchuan to enter the secret realm, it’s a pity there’s no predetermined rule; he has to compete with many sect disciples."

"Whether he can encounter opportunities depends entirely on his capabilities. If he can’t even pass this hurdle, entering is pointless," Ouyang Qing waved his big hand, indicating that he pretended to be confused to drive Wan Mingchuan’s group away.

Jiang Yuan hurriedly handed him a bottle containing ten Fifth Grade Blood Replenishing Pills, "Sir, remember to quickly refine the medicinal power, then use the Blood Replenishing Pills to recover your physical deficit. There will be hope again to attempt advancement."

Hearing this from the alchemist, Fang Shouye was instantly all smiles;

Wan Mingchuan also had high expectations. If his grandfather can successfully advance to the Golden Core Realm and take control of the Celestial Sword Sect’s power, he might assist his master in the future. It’s best if these precious elixirs turned out to be an investment with return!

Ouyang Qing also felt grateful, with the goodwill of the people in Jiang Yuan’s view rising rapidly.

With the Sect Leader personally orchestrating, a drama of betrayal played out at the rear mountain, and soon after, they were arranged to rest at Tingtai Garden on the right peak of Mirror Mountain.

"Did you hear? The group that came menacingly looking for trouble almost clashed with the Vice Sect Leader!"

"Luckily, the Sect Leader was there to smooth things over, otherwise, we would all be in trouble!"

"What smoothing over? That’s called maneuvering! That old fellow is really something; he’s been kept under soft confinement yet still stirs up trouble. No wonder no one wants to deal with him."

"Back in the day, the Vice Sect Leader could overshadow the Sect Leader, so dominant he was. Times change, huh? As we can see, it’s best to leave some leeway in life..."

...

On Mirror Mountain, the sect’s crowd gossiped privately, and various embellished rumors spread rapidly.

After Jiang Yuan and others settled down and started resting individually, he was not idle either. He turned and entered the mysterious cave to clear it; meanwhile, the undercurrents triggered by the Celestial Sword Sect’s hosting of the Immortal Ascension Conference were brewing.

Wangshi Ridge, Fox Immortal Sect.

Lu Erxi held the ’Divine Artifact’ bestowed by Grandpa Fox Immortal—a somewhat peculiar-looking ’Immortal Rope’ in his hand, studying how to subdue the big eagle.

"Dad... oh no, Father, crick-crack..." Lu Shaojie munched on a pretzel, crunching crisply and mumbled, "What’s this Immortal Rope made of? So thin, can it tie up the big eagle?"

"What do you know? This is used by immortals; it doesn’t need to be that bulky!" Lu Erxi deliberated seriously.

The Immortal Rope was nothing but a slender light purple long line thinner than a pinky finger, with one end covered by a gray leather sheath, capable of freely extending or contracting.

"Grandpa Fox Immortal said, once this Immortal Rope is looped over it, even the toughest demon beast would have to play soft!" He tried it, and couldn’t tug it off despite using all his might, though he shared his son’s doubt—what if such a thin thing fails to bind the demon beast and lets it escape?

This fellow was discovered by accident and caught using an iron chain granted by Grandpa Fox Immortal when it was dazed and confused!

If it escapes, it would be problematic, as the Celestial Sword Sect is far from Wangshi Ridge. Even if leaving today, it’s too late without it as a mount.

"Let’s give it a try then." Lu Shaojie crunched and munched like chewing bones, bits flying about, exuding a somewhat fierce and wild aura.

Eagle Fifty-Third sensed intense killing intent emanating from the ’Immortal Rope,’ instinctively feeling fear and retreating a bit.

Lu Erxi laughed at its reaction, "Hey! Did you see? It’s frightened! Grandpa Fox Immortal’s bestowed Divine Artifact is indeed useful. Watch as Father captures it, and later we’ll ride the demon beast to the Celestial Sword Sect!"

"Whoosh!"

The delicate leather cover tied around Eagle Fifty-Third’s neck unexpectedly released a cold, stinging sensation that made its head buzz, disorienting him.

So formidable!

In his daze, Eagle Fifty-Third secretly marveled.

Luckily, having cultivated to the eighth layer of the Qi Refining Stage makes him much tougher than those wild demon beasts, so he doesn’t lose his senses completely; otherwise, an ordinary demon beast would be controlled by this thing!

Of course, to avoid further suffering, he decided to pretend compliance and wait for an escape opportunity.

"Eh? Really works!" Lu Shaojie exclaimed with excitement, jumping as he witnessed the big eagle becoming docile after struggling a bit, "I want to ride! Let me try!"

In a moment of excitement, a green light flashed in his eyes, yet the father-son duo, engrossed in conquering the demon beast, obliviously ignored it;

Several hundred miles southwest from Wangshi Ridge, an old village soldier named Li rode briskly on horseback wearing gray long shirt, amidst the jolting, a small yellow sparrow flap its wings idly on his left shoulder.

The originally fresh yellow sparrow’s feathers now sported tips of bright red on its tail and wings, making its plumage strikingly vibrant.

"Divine Bird, oh Divine Bird, are you sure going to the Celestial Sword Sect’s Immortal Ascension Conference might grant us immortality?" Old Li felt uncertain yet craved the immortal fate deeply, torn with anxiety while hurriedly on the way.

Back in spring, by chance encountering a cultivator, Old Li brought him to the nearly deluded dwelling of Zheng Lang and witnessed extraordinary means with his own eyes!

Back then, it was agreed upon that Zheng Lang, learning the Immortal Technique, would teach it to him thereafter, but upon acquiring true transmission that very night, he took off with all his valuables!

Old Li was so enraged, restless for days, and any mention of Zheng Lang drove him near insane, eyes red with fury, eager to strangle the deceitful cheat!

Having seen the cultivator’s prowess yet missed the opportunity, Old Li could no longer focus on his duty, waking each day with thoughts filled with magical techniques, gradually becoming as obsessed as Zheng Lang.

Then, Old Li set his aim on the Divine Bird.

That day at Zheng Lang’s place, after the Divine Bird ate young master’s fruit and learned the cultivation technique from the book, it evidently enjoyed the benefits and didn’t wish to remain in the county office.

He used this shared little secret to frequently contact the Divine Bird, until they became extremely familiar. Once the Divine Bird practiced the technique able to breathe fire, growing increasingly intelligent, the man and bird communicated smoothly.

Leveraging his official post, Old Li sought out information relating to cultivators, while the Divine Bird verified its truth, busy for over a month, they finally learned the Celestial Sword Sect on Mirror Mountain was convening an Immortal Ascension Conference, inviting various cultivation sects, noble families, and skilled loose cultivators to participate.

Upon hearing the news, Old Li conspired with the Divine Bird, taking advantage of a business trip to quickly rush to the Central Province to attend the Immortal Ascension Conference!

If the news turned false or entry proved impossible, he’d hurriedly return, likely only delaying time and losing some salary; if it were true, and he luckily encountered the immortal fate through the Divine Bird’s connection, he’d never go back!

Learning technique and becoming an immortal, isn’t it hundreds of times better than being a village soldier?

"Chirp chirp chirp! Promised, definitely promised!" The small sparrow twittered twice, mixing with somewhat muddled yet hastened human speech.

But Old Li, accustomed to the bird’s rhythm, immediately comprehended it, letting his strung-up heart ease somewhat.

"Let’s skip lunch and speed up to reach the foothills of Mirror Mountain before sunset. I’ve inquired there’s a sizable town there, we’ll spend the night in the town, and tomorrow morning head up the mountain!" Old Li whipped again, and the horse sped faster.

Watching the destination draw neater, he coldly snorted internally: Zheng, wait until I also get the immortal fate, it’s not over between us!