Chapter 72: The Prestige of Chu Huaizhou

Cheng Qingning, recalling Zhao Degui’s sneak attack, seethed with regret.

Though ambushed by a villain and her meridians sealed, rendering her spiritual energy unusable, she trudged through the cave, uncertain of her destination.

Damn it!

She’d thought he was helping, only to find he was with the demonic cultivators. No wonder hundreds vanished without a trace, with officials finding nothing.

Before leaving, her master had warned her of the outside world’s dangers, urging constant vigilance. Always prepare, reserve, and conceal a trump card.

Yet she’d been careless and ambushed.

Still, as a true disciple, she carried life-saving treasures for missions. Escaping was certain.

But… she glanced at the terrified, pitiful mortals around her, clenching her fists.

No, I must find a way to get everyone out!

Cheng Qingning unclenched her fists, exhaled, and silently recited her heart-calming mantra. Turning to the two extraordinary humans and one fox beside her, she performed a standard Wanfa Immortal Sect salute.

“Thank you! I’m Cheng Qingning, inner sect senior disciple of Wanfa Immortal Sect. Don’t worry—I’ll get us out!”

Chu Huaizhou, playing his role fully, returned a Tianyuan Sword Sect salute, about to respond when he froze.

Wait, what’s her name? Cheng… Qingning?!

She was one of the most popular heroines in Black Abyss! Consistently ranked fifth among the game’s favorite characters. To meet her here!

If he recalled correctly, her game profile described her as a true disciple of a Transformation-stage master, with a rare mutated Heavenly Talisman Spirit Root. Kind-hearted, dedicated to cultivation and saving the world, she had no interest in romance.

In the game’s later stages, with player-controlled Ye Feng’s help, she reached Great Vehicle stage and became Wanfa Immortal Sect’s leader.

What a coincidence! But… since Ye Feng was now confirmed female, could she still be romanced?

Grinning, Chu decided to use a fake name, a playful urge rising. Outside, identity and face were self-made. This Youming Sect trip felt uneventful—he was bored. Why not pretend to be Ye Feng and stick by her side?

Scenes from novels about hidden masters and triumphant returns flooded his mind. This was the perfect chance to relive the thrills he missed 300 years ago.

“Hey, hi, I’m Ye Feng!”

Cheng Qingning, dazed and plotting how to save everyone, lit up at the name.

“You’re Ye Feng? The top winner of this year’s Sword Knocks Tianyuan?”

She’d heard of Ye Feng’s victory but knew little else, as he wasn’t standout. Yet his legend stood out! Apprenticed to the world’s top cultivator, the legendary Sword Immortal, and succeeding!

He must have extraordinary skills and life-saving means. The Sword Immortal’s apprenticeship had shocked sects and dynasties, prompting deep investigations into Ye Feng’s remarkable luck. He was a child of destiny, turning danger into fortune, always escaping the impossible.

“Uh, yeah, that’s me.”

Cheng Qingning beamed. Meeting a fellow Seven Immortal Sects disciple here—Ye Feng of Tianyuan Sword Sect—was pure luck. Feeling kinship, she wanted to chat more.

Xia Baiqian, unsure why Master used Ye Feng’s name, grabbed his arm, slipping into acting mode with a sweet smile.
“Hi, I’m also from Tianyuan Sword Sect. I knew Brother Chu before Sword Knocks Tianyuan, and we’re…”

She trailed off, gazing at Chu with obvious affection.

Bai Li, slower to catch on, blinked, then hopped onto Chu’s shoulder.
“I’m this guy’s best friend. He begged me to help, so here I am, meow!”

Cheng Qingning wasn’t surprised by the talking spirit beast, only glancing twice, pondering. Such rare spirit beasts, capable of speech, typically had exceptional bloodlines. But as a Seven Immortal Sects disciple—especially the Sword Immortal’s—she expected no less.

Born into an immortal sect family, Cheng Qingning had idolized the Sword Immortal since childhood, seeing him as her life’s goal. Meeting his disciple naturally gave Ye Feng high favor in her eyes.

Yet, she was puzzled that he already had a dao companion so young. Her master, Immortal Qingxia, taught that dao companions were useless, mere obstacles to cultivation.

Cheng Qingning didn’t understand but respected it, stepping back to keep a safe distance before speaking.
“Ye Feng, are you here investigating the Ping County disappearances, tracking them to this place?”

Chu, as Ye Feng, smiled.
“Yeah, exactly.”

He added that they’d tracked clues to the Nine Nether Lands, saw Cheng Qingning and her junior brother down, surrounded by mortals and demonic cultivators, and acted boldly. Unfortunately, they were captured too.

Having investigated this in the game, he felt like he had a cheat code—nothing wrong with that.

When Bai Li and Xia Baiqian previously asked how he knew the Youming Sect’s location, he’d brushed it off as a secret. They hadn’t pressed, used to his vague answers about treasures or knowledge.

Cheng Qingning was about to thank him when she sensed something off. Why would Tianyuan Sword Sect cultivators come so far?

Wanfa Immortal Sect’s base was relatively close, reachable in half a month by flying boat. Tianyuan Sword Sect was much farther—even the fastest flying boat would take two months.

Realizing the oddity, she tried to step back, but the cramped cave, packed with captives, left no room.

With wary eyes, she asked,
“May I ask… Brother Ye, how did you get here?”

Chu, unfazed, hadn’t planned an explanation but replied smoothly.
“My master, Sword Immortal Chu, said that as his disciple, I can’t be like others. There’s no danger near the sect, so he sent me here to train, meet other sect cultivators, and prepare for the Sacred China Secret Realm.”

Just pin it on the Sword Immortal. Invincible, any lie tied to him would be rationalized.

This feeling of using his own legend to bluff was exhilarating, though he felt a twinge of guilt for Ye Feng.

Whatever, I’ll guide her swordsmanship as compensation after this. For now, I’ll play the role—using a fake identity shouldn’t cause big trouble, right?