"Once we wrap up this business with the Qu household, I'll explain everything in detail. There are too many insider secrets involved, so you'll need to weigh it carefully. I wouldn't want you to blame me if you end up dead and your clan wiped out."
Though Qi Shiyun dearly wanted to drag Lianshan Xin straight onto her pirate ship, she sought an alliance, not a blood feud.
Besides, cultivating along her lineage was utterly merciless to nine generations of one's kin.
In this ancient era of tightly bound clans, even knowing that cultivating immortality held boundless potential, few dared to gamble the lives of their entire extended family on it. What was more, even if one dared, one still needed the talent.
Lianshan Xin had thought of the latter as well and took the initiative to ask, "Tanhua Qi, are the aptitude requirements for cultivating immortality demanding?"
Through his practice of martial arts, he had already become acutely aware that his path was that of an ordinary mortal, not a chosen prodigy.
Qi Shiyun, however, informed him that he knew nothing of true genius.
"Demanding? Of course they are. Cultivating immortality requires an aptitude a hundred times greater than practicing martial arts. But you don't need to worry. You have the talent for cultivating immortality."
"Huh?"
Lianshan Xin was both startled and overjoyed.
"I have the talent for cultivating immortality? Are you serious?"
"Otherwise, did you think I fancied you so much because of your looks?"
For the first time in his life, Lianshan Xin felt that someone calling him plain-looking was actually a compliment.
"Tanhua Qi, does cultivating immortality require a different kind of talent than practicing martial arts?"
"Naturally."
"Can you inspect a person's aptitude?"
"I cannot examine it directly, but I can sense it vaguely. My lineage differs from the rest; we often spot dragons among men. Even when a dragon is coiled in the deep abyss, it cannot escape our sight."
Thus, in ancient times, her lineage was known as Dragon Supporting.
"In Lord Heavenly Sword's eyes, you are merely a precocious young man. In mine, you are a coiled dragon waiting in the abyss, biding your time to strike. Have no doubt in yourself. You may lack aptitude in martial arts, but you are bound to be exceptionally gifted in cultivating immortality. In ancient times, we would have been the favored darlings of heaven blessed with spiritual roots. It is only that the world has changed and the cultivation system has shifted, yet the legacy of cultivating immortality lives on within the Nine Heavens."
Lianshan Xin grew increasingly thrilled.
He did not suspect Qi Shiyun of lying to him—he was hardly worthy of such deceit.
Sure enough, telling his mother that he wanted to change his dreams had been the right call: he was destined to take his talents to the cultivation realm.
"Right, you probably don't know what spiritual roots are yet. No matter; I'll explain in detail later."
The so-called Chosen Sons of Heaven were all cultivation seeds possessing spiritual roots, and such individuals were exceedingly hard to find. Finding one with the sheer guts to join her lineage was rarer still—one in ten thousand.
Therefore, in Qi Shiyun's eyes, Lianshan Xin was truly a stock of immense growth potential.
Lianshan Xin likewise felt like a heifer getting married—he was the biggest deal around.
Having been an esteemed Senior VIP member on Qidian in his previous life, he knew full well what spiritual roots were.
Reflecting on his innate ability, Lianshan Xin only lamented that he had been born in the wrong era.
Had he arrived in the previous patch, descending into a golden age of cultivating immortality, his life would have read like *Chronicles of the Cultivation Prodigy*.
Fortunately, judging by Qi Shiyun's words, he still had a chance even now.
"Tanhua Qi, if we compare immortal cultivators to martial artists, do we completely wipe the floor with them?"
Lianshan Xin had already stepped into his persona as an immortal cultivator.
Qi Shiyun's reply drifted through the wind. "There are no invincible paths, only invincible people. Still, martial artists under heaven number in the millions, while immortal cultivators are one in ten thousand. Figure it out for yourself."
Lianshan Xin did not need to think; he was convinced that cultivating immortality was far more promising than martial arts.
It was not blind optimism. The main reason was that out of his seven apertures, his martial arts had opened six—leaving him completely hopeless. Clearly, he had to take his talents to the cultivation world.
***
Meanwhile, matters were far grimmer over at the Qu household.
"Elder, how are your injuries?"
Chairman Qu looked anxiously at the Vice Headmaster, Fu Xinghuai.
Fu Xinghuai was a middle-aged man whose face flushed an unnatural crimson. His upper torso was half-bare, and a bloody gash running from his neck down to his chest still seeped blood unstoppably.
He sat cross-legged on the bed, beside which a basin of bloody water stood in plain view.
Although Chairman Qu knew Fu Xinghuai possessed profound martial arts, he still dreaded that Fu Xinghuai might bleed to death.
Qu Junjie harbored no such concern.
He praised with absolute sincerity, "Elder, you've already bled ten full basins! Truly incredible—not even women can bleed as much as you."
The haze in Fu Xinghuai's eyes cleared instantly, and his gaze snapped toward Qu Junjie like a razor.
Chairman Qu's heart seized. He lashed out with a kick. "If you don't know how to speak, keep your mouth shut!"
Then he rushed to apologize to Fu Xinghuai. "Forgive him, Elder. Please do not lower yourself to the level of an ignorant boy. I had him late in life and spoiled him rotten."
Fu Xinghuai gave Qu Junjie a long, searching look, then shook his head. "Enough. Old Qu, did you say earlier that the physician in the clinic next door possesses remarkable medical skills?"
"Indeed. Doctor Lianshan enjoys a reputation in Jiangzhou as someone whose wondrous hands bring back spring. I only feared exposing your whereabouts, which is why I didn't dare summon him to treat you," Chairman Qu answered.
Fu Xinghuai pondered for a moment before continuing, "Is his son close with Ningyuan?"
"Yes. Today, Kong Ningyuan personally escorted his son, Lianshan Xin, to Bailudong Academy."
"Ningyuan is my disciple. It seems this Doctor Lianshan shares a destiny with this seat as well, and by rights ought to belong to our cult."
Chairman Qu understood Fu Xinghuai's intention, but worried, "Elder, many mouths mean many leaks. What if your presence slips out through him...?"
"No matter. This seat has roamed Jiangzhou for years; I am no tender herb to be plucked. Even if Heavenly Sword's cultivation can reach the heavens and pierce the earth, he can forget about detecting my traces."
Though his blood still flowed without pause, Fu Xinghuai exuded an imposing aura that made Chairman Qu ready to prostrate in deference.
"In that case, I shall obey your command, Elder. I will seek out Doctor Lianshan at once and bring him here to treat you."
Chairman Qu took Qu Junjie and excused themselves.
The moment they stepped past their front gate, they ran headlong into Lianshan Xin and Qi Shiyun walking side by side.
Chairman Qu did not recognize Qi Shiyun. Although her beauty was extraordinary, he had traveled far and wide and was, moreover, long since impotent.
Thus, he felt nothing.
He merely continued to play his flattering role with diligence: "Young Master Xin, you have returned so swiftly? Surely that means good news!"
Qu Junjie let out a laugh. "Father, you truly lie through your teeth. If he had caught the eye of an academy master, he would certainly be staying there right now. Why would he have turned right back? He was obviously chased out."
Lianshan Xin gave Qu Junjie a deeply meaningful look.
Still too young. The boy did not understand that Chairman Qu's brazen lying was a vital survival skill.
The gulf between a self-made patriarch and a spoiled heir was on full display here.
He had no desire to waste his breath on a little demon brat. Instead, he looked at Qi Shiyun.
"My lady, are the arrangements in place?"
Qi Shiyun nodded, her gaze fixed intently on the Qu residence.
Suddenly, the bell at her waist chimed softly. A smile broke across her face. "Found him."
Chairman Qu's expression shifted drastically.
Qu Junjie blurted out, "Impossible! The Elder said it was impossible for anyone to find his traces!"
At that, Lianshan Xin smiled too.
Lightly patting Qu Junjie's cheek with his palm, Lianshan Xin remarked with heartfelt admiration, "Young Master Qu, you truly understand the times better than your father. A prodigy in name and deed. You have rendered great service as an informant today; for discovering the demon cult villain's whereabouts, you are the foremost hero."
"I... rendered service? What the f—"
Qu Junjie tried to say more.
Lianshan Xin gave him no chance. Hooking an arm firmly around his neck, he marched him straight into the Qu household.
Although Lianshan Xin lacked martial aptitude, he had trained diligently since childhood.
Qu Junjie, on the other hand, was utterly useless at everything.
Which was only natural.
If someone were capable in every respect, why would they ever turn to rebellion?
Had Qu Junjie possessed an ounce of promise, Chairman Qu would likely have considered washing his hands clean long ago to avoid ruining his son's chances at the civil service exams.
Pity his son was a disappointment, leaving the father no choice but to push harder—only he had chosen entirely the wrong path.
Chapter 11