Chapter 43: A Fortuitous Gift and Looming Conflict

Gazing at Ling Hu’er, who was escorting the Icefire Jade-Scaled Steed onto the immortal vessel, Qin Yangjun’s heart swelled with a profound sigh.

To call Ling Hu’er naive was to speak an undeniable truth, for she harbored not a single ulterior thought.

Though its prowess was augmented by elixirs, this Beast King, capable of battling Void-Shattering cultivators with mere Nascent Soul strength, evinced boundless potential.

Crucially, it remained unbonded to a master.

Should such a Beast King enter the Yuqian Sect, its fate of return would likely no longer be its own to decide.

Naturally, Qin Yangjun held no interest in the Icefire Jade-Scaled Steed at present, but others, it seemed, had already set their sights upon it.

This thought prompted Qin Yangjun to cast a sidelong glance at the figure beside him.

The Grand Elder, at that very moment, was observing the Icefire Jade-Scaled Steed, a faint smile crinkling the corners of his eyes.

He decided against it.

It would be prudent to attend to his own affairs first; with his Heavenly Sovereign Dragon Spirit Pills depleted and his celestial treasures exhausted, it appeared he would need to find an opportunity to restock his supplies from the Treasure Pavilion.

His mission accomplished, Qin Yangjun saw no further reason to linger.

Just as Qin Yangjun prepared to depart, a sudden cry echoed from behind him.

“Immortal… Immortal, wait.”

Qin Yangjun turned his head, to see a middle-aged man, clad in simple burlap, hurrying towards him.

“Is there something you require?”

“Yes… yes, Immortal, it is thus.You have saved our lives, and we possess nothing worthy of repayment.Yet, by chance, my family holds an ancestral heirloom, rumored to be a treasure left by an immortal.My father spent half a lifetime attempting to open it, to no avail.It seems of little use remaining with me.I wish to present it to you as a token of our gratitude.”

The man appeared somewhat nervous, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke.

As he spoke, he produced from his bosom a wooden box, wrapped in white cloth.

‘A treasure?’

‘What true treasure could a mere mortal possess?’

Driven by a flicker of curiosity, Qin Yangjun flicked his wrist, and the wooden box gracefully floated upwards.

Then, with a casual lift of his hand, the wooden box, which had seemed an unyielding stone to the mortal man, effortlessly sprang open.

The man’s eyes widened dramatically, astonished by the effortless opening.

Once the wooden box lay open, a peculiar, grassy fragrance wafted forth.

Inside, a slightly withered sprig of grass rested serenely.

Lacking expertise in alchemy, Qin Yangjun recognized the sprig as a spiritual item, yet its specific purpose remained a mystery to him.

The Grand Elder, having appeared silently beside Qin Yangjun at some unknown moment, gazed at the small grass within the box, a trace of surprise dawning in his eyes.

“A Sun-Restoring Soul Grass… To think such a specimen still exists; I had believed it long extinct.”

‘Sun-Restoring Soul Grass?!’

The name instantly triggered a memory of paramount importance in Qin Yangjun’s mind.

According to the current timeline, Changsun Youyou should be actively seeking this very item.

Her cultivation had plummeted because she had practiced an immortal art bestowed by the remnant soul within her ring.

The art, however, had gone awry during her cultivation, causing severe damage to her soul.

She required a Soul-Nourishing Elixir for recovery.

The Sun-Restoring Soul Grass, in turn, was the primary ingredient for concocting this very elixir.

In the original narrative, this Sun-Restoring Soul Grass had been left here by the remnant soul in her ring during its lifetime.

Following its guidance, she had journeyed here, only to discover that Luohe Town had already been plundered by demonic cultivators.

Thus, she could only return in disappointment.

Intriguingly, however, on her journey back, her ship had been caught in a shipwreck.

She had fortuitously landed directly within the Myriad Dharma Heavenly Sect’s main stronghold.

Utilizing the stealth of her cultivation technique, she had proceeded to plunder the Myriad Dharma Heavenly Sect’s treasure vault.

The Sun-Restoring Soul Grass, after a convoluted journey, had still ultimately found its way into Changsun Youyou’s possession.

Now, this very item had been delivered directly into his own hands.

As Qin Yangjun pondered, the flicker of interest in the Grand Elder’s eyes had already receded.

He spoke leisurely, his gaze fixed on the box:

“While this Sun-Restoring Soul Grass is indeed rare, its medicinal properties target a very narrow range of injuries.The elixir derived from it is also complex to refine.Our Yuqian Sect’s treasure vault contains countless items far superior to it.For you, this item is rather superfluous.”

Qin Yangjun, having regained his composure, merely offered a slight smile.

He had not forgotten his true identity.

Since this crucial item had been presented directly to him, there was no way he would let it slip by.

“Indeed, it holds little practical use for me, but it is, after all, a gesture of goodwill.I shall accept it.”

With a gentle wave of Qin Yangjun’s right hand, the box vanished, replaced by two delicate porcelain vials.

“These elixirs will protect you and your descendants from all ailments and grant you longevity.Consider them a small gift from me.”

The man was overcome with joy, eagerly reaching out to receive them.

The moment the porcelain vials touched his hand, a gentle breeze swept past, and the two figures who had stood before him had vanished.

The immortal vessel, which had been moored in the sky, was already sailing away.

The man hastily bowed towards the retreating immortal vessel.

“Thank you, Immortal Master, for your benevolent gift of medicine!”

The group returned to the Yuqian Sect.

No sooner had the immortal vessel touched down than Qin Yangjun observed a multitude of disciples gathered in the plaza.

Hua Yaoyao and Yu Lingyue were conspicuously among them.

All of them bore solemn expressions, as if engaged in a pre-war mobilization.

Qin Yangjun pondered for a moment, calculating that a major event was imminent.

This, he surmised, was merely the prelude.

In truth, according to the original narrative, he was not meant to participate in the impending event.

After all, he had just returned from a mission.

Yet, Qin Yangjun had no intention of adhering to the original plotline.

For this particular plot arc involved a pivotal character connected to Ah Ling.

Since Ah Ling was under his care, Qin Yangjun felt compelled to establish contact with this individual.

If possible, he intended to draw her to his side.

Even if that proved impossible, he would at least ensure they did not become adversaries.

Thus, after the immortal vessel landed, and he bade farewell to Yueyao and Ling Hu’er, Qin Yangjun immediately made his way to Mu Xianxian’s chambers.

“Sister, I have returned.”

Upon Qin Yangjun’s arrival, Mu Xianxian was naturally delighted.

‘It seems this brat hasn’t forgotten his sister after all, knowing to come greet her first thing.’

Such thoughts, of course, Mu Xianxian would never voice aloud.

“Xiao Jun, you performed exceptionally well this time, setting an admirable example for the sect’s disciples.

Tell me, what reward do you desire now?”

“No, Sister, I did not come seeking rewards.

Having not seen you for a month, my heart was filled with longing, and thus I wished to visit you.

Even after all this time, Sister remains as captivatingly beautiful as ever.”

To immediately get to the point would be too blunt, too much like a ‘straight man’.

Qin Yangjun felt it was better to exchange pleasantries first, offering some compliments.

‘What woman would dislike being praised for her beauty?’

As expected, Qin Yangjun’s words caused Mu Xianxian’s brows to curve into crescent moons.

“Oh, you, where did you learn such glib flattery?

I’ve been in the sect all month, never venturing out.

Do you think anyone outside could prevent you from seeing me?

Now tell me, what is it you truly want?”

It had merely been a formality, and Qin Yangjun had no intention of continuing the charade.

He offered an awkward smile.

“My petty thoughts truly cannot escape Sister’s keen perception.Just now, upon my return, I noticed many junior brothers and sisters gathered in the plaza.And along the way, I overheard the words ‘demon race’.Could it be that their departure this time is for…”

Hearing this, Mu Xianxian’s expression immediately grew serious, her smile receding considerably.

“Indeed, you are not mistaken.Those troublesome demon whelps on the frontier have started stirring again.They are heading there to reinforce Canggu City.However, you have just returned, so rest well.You need not concern yourself with matters there.”

📚 Also on NHV Novels

Desire’s Sole Cultivator

cultivationDramaFantasy

Read Now →
Not interested