Back in the battle at Black Mountain Prefecture City, Lu Chang’sheng, all by himself, stord through the rebel army’s tens of thousands, scattering their formations.
Such strength was utterly beyond what any True Qi Realm martial artist could ever hope to achieve.
"You’re all too polite. Tell , did Teacher Hong Yuan explain why we’re gathered here today?"
Lu Chang’sheng smiled as he spoke.
Hearing him address Hong Yuan as ’Teacher,’ the faces of several unfamiliar True Qi Realm martial artists couldn’t help but show a trace of envy and jealousy.
They were all n of advanced age, who typically kept their emotions in check, but now they couldn’t help themselves—it stung a bit too much.
To have taken in a disciple, and that disciple becos Innate!
Hong Yuan gave a soft smile.
He’d t all these folks in his own pursuit of immortality; they shared so camaraderie. Seeing their expressions, he secretly thought: If they knew it was Chang’sheng who literally pulled back from death, who knows how sour they’d be feeling now?
"No, he didn’t say, only that it’s about Immortal ng."
"By the way, Old Qiu, wasn’t there one more?"
Just then, Hong Yuan suddenly frowned and asked.
He rembered notifying eight people, but only seven had shown up.
Old Qiu curled his lips and said, "Old Tian doesn’t care for this kind of excitent—pretty much just went straight to find that Immortal ng."
"It’s fine. Maybe I’m just overthinking things," Lu Chang’sheng replied with a smile.
Next, Lu Chang’sheng shared his plan with everyone.
"Immortal ng is offering to trade magical techniques for goods—which for us mortals, is heaven-sent. Even so, given Immortal ng’s unknown origins, if he does have ill intent, it’s still better we all face it together, rather than each acting alone."
"Scholar Lu is right. Since the other claims to be an Immortal, his thods will surely be extraordinary. If we fall into his trap without support, we might have no way out," Hong Yuan agreed.
Seeing the seven faces show various reactions, so agreeing, so hesitating—
Lu Chang’sheng pressed harder, his voice sinking: "From what I know, not all immortals are good people, either..."
He shared everything he knew about immortals, point by point.
So of it he’d learned from Li Nangua, but most ca from his knowledge of his previous life.
And what he said certainly wasn’t flattery—he basically outlined all of the most despicable acts immortals were known to commit.
Things like tribulation cultivators, body theft, murdering for treasures, soul searching and control—things that turned everyone’s face pale with dread.
With Lu Chang’sheng deliberately fanning the flas, the ones who’d hesitated quickly agreed to join in.
Together, the whole group entered the prefecture city to seek out Immortal ng.
Immortal ng now resided in the mansion of the new Lord, Shi Cong.
"Are you all here to see Immortal ng? Please, co in!"
"Why, it’s Dean Hong Yuan—you’re quick to arrive."
"And you must be Daoist Nun Ruyi? Please, co inside."
······
"What are you doing here?" Hong Yuan’s brows knit into a faint frown.
The few people greeting them were, to his surprise, instructors from the Martial Artist Institute.
True Qi Realm martial artists, reduced to the role of gatekeepers—it was a humiliation.
Seeing Hong Yuan’s displeasure, one instructor shook his head. "What does True Qi Realm an now? Even Innate martial artists can’t take a move from Immortal ng."
"Being able to help Immortal ng is good fortune for the likes of us."
It stoked so anger in Hong Yuan. He’d always held the Martial Artist Institute in high regard, and now, these instructors were dragging its na through the mud.
But then he rembered he was no longer Dean, and a wave of despondency washed over him.
At this mont, a few instructors spotted Lu Chang’sheng behind the crowd and quickly walked over.
"Scholar Lu, you’re here, too? Quick—go notify Immortal ng!"
The lead instructor called out over his shoulder.
Lu Chang’sheng patted the spear strapped to his back and smiled. "I’m just an ordinary man, hoping to obtain so Immortal Fate."
"Scholar Lu is already half an Earth Immortal—how could you call yourself ordinary?" The instructor flattered him.
It wasn’t just Lu Chang’sheng’s wondrous Innate power—Immortal ng himself had instructed that, should an Innate Martial Artist arrive, they must be shown proper respect.
Hearing that, Lu Chang’sheng found himself feeling so goodwill toward this Immortal ng, whom he’d never t.
Maybe he really had been overthinking it.
Relaxing ever so slightly, the group was led into a side courtyard.
"Lord Shi Cong originally wanted to vacate the main residence for Immortal ng, but Immortal ng, ever the noble one, simply borrowed this side yard."
"Borrowed?"
"Yes, Immortal ng’s stay here won’t be long—at most a month. He’ll have to visit other prefecture cities to gather more cultivation resources."
Lu Chang’sheng casually asked, "Actually, Immortal ng doesn’t have to go to all that trouble. He could just let us know where he’ll be cultivating in seclusion—if we gather what he needs, we could deliver them ourselves."
As soon as he said it, the others looked over at once.
Now that they knew Lu Chang’sheng was wary, it was obvious this was a test.
The instructor didn’t catch the hidden aning and answered, "Since Immortal ng himself ca down from the mountain to Black Mountain Prefecture, he must have his reasons. Maybe he just doesn’t want us mortals disturbing his blessed ground."
Clearly, these instructors had no idea about Immortal ng’s real background.
Lu Chang’sheng didn’t mind. A few days ago, these folks were still from the Martial Artist Institute, so it was only natural they didn’t know.
Just as he wanted to ask more, a gentle voice rang out.
"If Fellow Daoist Lu wants to visit my humble abode, perhaps in a while, you can co along. Though, I must warn you, it’s rather spartan—I’m afraid you’ll find it laughable."
With this, everyone felt as if a cool breeze had swept through and their hearts were opened. They turned and saw a middle-aged man, graceful and otherworldly, walking over at an unhurried pace.
No need to guess—this had to be Immortal ng.
His gaze swept the group, finally settling on Lu Chang’sheng, his eyes flashing with a peculiar light.
"I’ve only just arrived, and already people keep telling Fellow Daoist Lu is the foremost martial artist in Black Prefecture City. I thought it must be exaggerated, but it turns out—it’s no lie."
Lu Chang’sheng’s heart clenched. He suspected the other had discerned sothing about him.
The only question was: how much?
He grew even more cautious inside.
But outwardly, he remained as calm as ever.
The group followed into the courtyard, watching as Lu Chang’sheng chatted away with Immortal ng—none of them could help but feel a surge of envy.
After all, since arriving, Immortal ng had only given the rest of them a nod—almost all his attention was reserved for Lu Chang’sheng.
Evidently, Lu Chang’sheng had truly caught his attention.
Soon enough, they got down to business.
"I’m sure all of you know what I need. But before we make the trade, let show you what true immortal techniques look like."
When Immortal ng finished speaking, he swept his hand across the table.
A faint radiance shimred to life.
Suddenly, over a dozen booklets appeared on the table.
The sight made Lu Chang’sheng’s scalp tingle.
So this was the work of an immortal.
Though he wondered—was this perhaps a storage bag, or sothing similar?
Immortal ng, not knowing he’d just shown off for exactly the right effect, smiled, "Please, have a look."
He picked up a booklet, flipping to its first page.
"This is an immortal technique: Elephant Armor Skill. It tempers the flesh so that neither blade nor spear can harm you, impervious to water or fire, and it also bestows the strength of the immortal elephant—the might to lift mountains and stride over seas."
Picking up a second booklet, he flipped it open.
"The second technique: Saint Yuan Technique; for Refining Essence and Gathering Qi, and for Moving Mountains and Catching the Moon—truly extraordinary."
"This is the third: the Great Copper Lock Technique..."
······
Every ti he picked up a booklet, the crowd’s eyes burned with longing.
Immortal techniques—the path to immortality itself.
For them, the allure was irresistible.
Yet Lu Chang’sheng felt his heart sink a little.
It wasn’t that he saw sothing wrong with the techniques, but—after Immortal ng’s explanations, he never once ntioned that these thods required a spirit root to practice.
"Or perhaps... these aren’t real immortal techniques at all?"
So what exactly is he after, acting like this?
"All right, these are the cultivation thods I’m offering for trade—my most closely guarded treasures," Immortal ng said, wearing a warm and friendly smile.
"As you all know, thods for becoming immortal are incredibly precious. As much as I’d love more companions to pursue the immortal path with , I can’t in good conscience sully these teachings." With that, he launched into the sales pitch he’d clearly prepared in advance.
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