11: A hidden master lurks behind? Aristocratic families and sects

"Heh, idiots."

Three poor devils, wasting their energy.

He took out the three men's quasi-immortal jade tokens and tried to investigate them.

His Divine Thought sank in, but it was like a clay ox entering the sea—he couldn't find any information.

"As expected, the Immortal Dynasty prepared for this long ago. The jade tokens are bound to the first owner; others cannot steal the Legacy."

Lu Xian understood.

He packed the three corpses into burlap sacks.

He repaired the courtyard gate and waited until the night was deep.

Lu Xian hoisted the sacks, carried half a bucket of sesame oil, and quietly left the house.

He traveled rapidly for an hour, randomly selecting a few spots along the way to toss out the three quasi-immortal jade tokens.

He was now a hundred li away from Qingyun County City, and Lu Xian felt it was far enough.

Any further, and he might encounter Yao Beasts.

He found a small grove, set the corpses down, poured the sesame oil over them, formed a hand seal with his fingers, and used the Ignition Technique he had just learned that afternoon.

"Crackling..."

A scent of roasting meat permeated the air.

Reflected in the firelight, Lu Xian expressionlessly watched the three bodies shrink and deform under the high heat, their bones emitting muffled popping sounds in the fierce flames.

After the fire subsided, all that remained were three piles of charred, twisted, and unrecognizable remains, still emitting wisps of smoke.

"With them reduced to ashes like this, the whole Family can be on their way together. I doubt there will be any more trouble."

Lu Xian let out a long breath, feeling completely relaxed.

Just as he was about to leave.

A young voice, carrying a hint of admiration, rang out in the silent woods:

"Tsk, tsk, tsk... Fellow Daoist, splendid, truly splendid! A one-stop service of murder and cremation—you are truly cautious and seasoned. What a pity, though... Look behind you?"

Lu Xian turned around warily.

He saw a short, plump figure slowly strolling out from behind a thick ancient tree.

The newcomer was wearing a black-purple Mystic Robe, had slightly dark skin, and his nose twitched while his round face was wreathed in smiles.

"Heh heh, Fellow Daoist, don't be nervous. I didn't come seeking revenge for those few pieces of charcoal."

Lu Xian could only roughly confirm the Cultivation of the person before him was at the Qi Refining Middle Stage, which slightly eased his mind.

Even if he couldn't defeat him, escaping wouldn't be a problem with his own strength.

"Your Excellency pursued me, but for what purpose?" Lu Xian's tone was flat.

The plump Cultivator shook his head and sighed, "Alas, I merely wanted to retrieve a 'small item' entrusted to the Chen Family. Unfortunately... Fellow Daoist burned it all clean with one fire."

"Are you that Third Young Master Wang? Wang Qing Hong?"

Lu Xian recalled the name on the sachet and observed the person before him, concluding that he must be skilled in scent-tracking techniques to have followed him all this way.

"Heh heh... No, no."

The plump man's smile froze. "This Young Master actually belongs to the Tang Family of Danyang. Heard of us?"

"Tang Family Three Spoons? Renowned indeed, I have heard of them." Lu Xian spouted nonsense.

The plump man was slightly stunned and couldn't maintain his composure. "Er... I got it wrong! My surname is Li. I am the Successor of the Li Clan's Array Dao. Surely you haven't heard of that."

"Brother, let me tell you, this Young Master has a way to make big money, called the Huifeng Bank Heist. Interested in pulling a job?"

"Enough. Does Your Excellency truly think I am as easily fooled as those three idiots of the Chen Family?"

Lu Xian said no more, turning and walking away in a different direction.

Not a single truthful word came from this person's mouth; he was clearly a veteran of the Jianghu.

But precisely because of this, Lu Xian determined the other party wouldn't dare attack. After all, there's a big difference between a swindler and a Bandit Cultivator.

Generally speaking, swindlers try not to kill.

"Fellow Daoist! Fellow Daoist, wait! This Young Master truly has countless marvelous ways to make money."

The plump man quickly followed. He needed to find an opportunity to recover the Spirit Stones he failed to earn from the Chen Family.

"Ask around Qingyun County City, who doesn't know my name, Li Qinghong? Trust me, I guarantee you..."

"Alright, I'll go back and ask the Li Family if they care about someone scamming people using their name."

"No, no, no, actually, my surname is Shen..."

"..."

Neither of them had the intention to fight, so they traveled together like this, occasionally chatting casually.

Without the sense of urgency, Lu Xian didn't approach Qingyun County City until the belly of the fish began to whiten in the sky (dawn).

"With your technique, you can actually fool people?"

Lu Xian suddenly asked.

"What?!" The plump man had talked himself hoarse along the way, offering endless proposals.

Seeing himself denied, he nearly jumped up. "Fellow Daoist, you can slander my character, but you cannot question my professionalism!"

A flash of inspiration struck Lu Xian, and he abruptly changed the subject: "Then, Young Master Shen, could you enlighten me? How can a Loose Cultivator acquire a higher-grade Legacy within the Immortal Dynasty?"

"Ah, this..."

"What's wrong? A dignified Young Master of an Aristocratic Family doesn't even know this?"

"Who doesn't know?" The plump man's expression changed. "Let this Young Master tell you, within the Immortal Dynasty, the difference isn't just between Immortals and mortals! You Loose Cultivators are worlds apart from the true Family and Sect disciples!"

"Not everyone can be called a Family or a Sect. Aside from the lofty Six Sects and Ten Aristocratic Families, other powers must possess at least a thousand years of Legacy background, have two or more great Cultivators above Foundation Establishment guarding them, and most crucially, they must hold an official rank within the Immortal Dynasty!"

"Loose Cultivators want to climb higher? They can only join them. Of course, if you truly have the ability, securing an official position directly within the Immortal Dynasty—that's what you call ascending to heaven in a single step!"

The plump man explained quickly, revealing a degree of genuine knowledge.

Lu Xian frowned in thought.

Official positions in the Immortal Dynasty are mostly controlled by Aristocratic Families and Sects. No wonder the lower ranks have no path for advancement.

Some minor clans cannot even be called Families, possessing only a few Peak Qi Refining members. Without entering Foundation Establishment, they are ultimately ants.

He glanced at the plump Cultivator beside him and realized that this person likely came from such a minor Qi Refining clan, indeed having a slightly higher starting point than his own.

"So, if a Loose Cultivator wants to obtain a high-grade Legacy, the only ways are to marry into an Aristocratic Family, become a disciple of a Sect, or become an official in the court?" Lu Xian summarized.

"Yes, yes, yes. Among those, marrying into a Family should be quite easy for you; you have decent looks. As for becoming a disciple, that depends on your talent. And becoming an official? That's one in ten thousand for Loose Cultivators. You and I should just go to bed early..."

The plump man suddenly realized he had let slip the truth and awkwardly stopped talking.

Lu Xian smiled faintly, not caring.

Seeing that they were not far from his own small courtyard, he said, "My conversation with Young Master has been very enlightening. Let us part ways here today."

"Wait... why don't we exchange contact tokens? If Fellow Daoist ever changes his mind and has an idea for making big money, you can come find me."

The plump man was still unwilling to give up.

Lu Xian pondered for a moment. "Fine."

The two took out their quasi-immortal jade tokens, moved them slightly closer, and a flash of spiritual light indicated they had received each other's information.

"Han Feiyu?"

"Du Qinghong?"

"Heh heh."

"Heh heh."

"Third Young Master Du, I shall take my leave." Lu Xian exerted force under his feet, flashing several times consecutively, disappearing into the Shantytown.

"Fellow Daoist Han, keep in touch!" Du Qinghong shouted from behind.

He watched Lu Xian's retreating figure, wondering what he was thinking... Lu Xian returned to the Cultivation Chamber in his small courtyard.

The Chen Family matter was completely resolved. Du Qinghong popping up unexpectedly was a surprise, but the other party didn't bear much malice.

Cultivating Immortality isn't just about fighting and killing; social etiquette is quite important.

Especially among Loose Cultivators, gathering together for warmth is common, although backstabbing, betrayal, and deception are also frequent.

The information he received today.

He needed to carefully consider the three paths for Loose Cultivators to advance.

Based on Zhao Shouren's situation, it wouldn't be easy to succeed through these paths, otherwise, he wouldn't have stayed in the Shantytown, constantly complaining.