177: Leave it to Master

Xiao Lingxian glanced at the few of them; she still couldn't quite believe that these people would continue to Cultivate that evil art even after knowing the truth.

Her cold voice rang out: "Are you truly willing to continue to Cultivate this evil art? You saw those Cultivators in the Pill Pavilion just now, withered like ghosts, didn't you?"

"Would you rather throw away your lives just to walk this dead-end path?"

Xiao Lingxian's words were like a heavy hammer, ruthlessly striking the already fragile hearts of the crowd.

One of them could no longer bear the fear in his heart. Clutching his lapels tightly with both hands, he cried out in a breakdown: "I don't want to Cultivate to become an Immortal anymore! I don't want to die, I don't want to die."

"I'd rather go home and farm than turn into that. I just want to live out my life properly; I haven't lived long enough yet."

His wailing caused the surrounding air to instantly fall silent, and the fear on the faces of the others grew even more intense.

Sect Master of Qinglan Sect looked at him, his expression still indifferent without the slightest reproach. He only spoke slowly:

"Very well. You may leave the Sect at any time. From this moment on, you have nothing more to do with the Qinglan Sect, and no one will stop you."

With the first person speaking up, another thin young man also echoed with a trembling voice, his tone carrying obvious cowardice: "I... I also want to live well. I didn't expect to Cultivate to become an Immortal would be like this."

In an instant, two of the eight people chose to give up.

Xiao Lingxian breathed a secret sigh of relief.

But after about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, not another person spoke up.

The expressions of the remaining six varied. Some hesitated, some struggled. Lin Yan kept his fists clenched, complex emotions churning in the depths of his eyes.

He took a deep breath, slowly stepped forward, and cupped his hands to Mu Wanqing. "Thank you, Senior, for saving my life before. If not for you, I'm afraid I would have died at the hands of that Yao Beast in the forest. I've also guessed some of the reasons for your visit this time."

"Forgive me for saying something offensive, but you two Seniors come from Immortal Clans and do not understand the feelings of us commoners from the foot of the mountain."

He paused, his voice rising a bit: "Especially since I have seen Immortals riding the wind, seen them turning clouds and rain with a flip of their hands—that kind of power that looks down on all living beings. I've seen them see a woman with some beauty and forcibly take her away, completely ignoring her cries and pleas;"

"Even children who accidentally bumped into their mounts were casually slapped into a mist of blood! They treat the common people like grass, bullying and trampling them as they wish. And we Mortals can only watch helplessly, without even the qualification to resist!"

"I am indeed unwilling to spend my whole life as just a Mortal."

Lin Yan's words were like a shot of adrenaline, making the few who were originally hesitant firm up their resolve.

In the end, one more person chose to withdraw. A total of three people, after bowing to Sect Master of Qinglan Sect, flew towards the foot of the mountain with mixed feelings of relief and apprehension.

Mu Wanqing looked at them, her brow slightly furrowed: "Even if you continue to Cultivate, you should have seen clearly in the Pill Pavilion just now. This evil art requires consuming one's own blood and Qi to nurture Innate Spiritual Qi. But a person's blood and Qi are ultimately limited and will eventually run out. At that time, you will still turn into that withered state. How is this any different from seeking death?"

Sect Master of Qinglan Sect heard this, turned to look at Mu Wanqing, and explained in a peaceful tone: "This young lady seems to have some misunderstandings about this Cultivation Technique."

"In the Qi Refining Realm, this technique indeed requires consuming one's own blood and Qi to Cultivate, in order to nurture that Innate Spiritual Qi. This is also why Qi Refining Realm Cultivators easily suffer from blood and Qi depletion."

"But as long as one can successfully cross the threshold of Foundation Establishment, the Innate Spiritual Qi in the body will completely stabilize. Then, there will be no need to consume blood and Qi; instead, one can absorb Innate Spiritual Qi to Cultivate. Starting from Foundation Establishment, one can be considered to have truly stepped onto the Immortal path."

"Although this Immortal path is nothing more than a single-plank bridge to you Sect Prodigies, and I don't know what Realm you will ultimately reach, for these commoners from the foot of the mountain, it is nonetheless a path."

"One could say that I have given these commoners a way forward."

Xiao Lingxian could find no words to refute him for a moment.

Sect Master of Qinglan Sect's expression remained calm as he said in a deep voice: "Do you two have any more doubts? If not, please leave quickly. I will no longer pursue the matter of you two trespassing into the Pill Pavilion and disturbing the Sect Disciples."

"Senior Sister, what do we do now?"

Mu Wanqing was also a bit hesitant. If the other party were an evil Cultivator bewitching the common people to Cultivate, she could strike and suppress this Qinglan Sect without hesitation. But these people were mostly walking this path voluntarily.

Would she then destroy this path?

She frowned in thought, "Let's go back and report this to Revered Master first!"

She always felt that this Sect Master's approach was wrong, but she didn't know exactly where the problem lay.

Mu Wanqing felt that this kind of matter requiring brainpower should be left for Revered Master to worry about.

As the Founding Senior Disciple, it was enough to just hit wherever Revered Master pointed!

...On the other side!

After Chen Xuan withdrew from the Chaos Void Jade, he checked the System Mall.

The Tianyuan Soul Pill was indeed for sale inside, but the price was far beyond what he could touch at the moment. If he happened to win this Medicinal Pill in the next lucky draw, he could use it to exchange for a Magic Treasure or something.

As for Cultivation Techniques and Divine Abilities, these were the two things Chen Xuan lacked the least.

Just as he was pondering!

Steward Ding's voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard: "Young Master Chen, my City Lord requests your presence."

Led by Steward Ding, Chen Xuan returned to the main hall of the City Lord's Manor.

Inside the meeting hall of the City Lord's Manor, sandalwood incense curled in the air. Shu Qingfeng sat in the main seat. After a whole night of recuperation, his originally pale complexion had mostly faded, replaced by a bit of ruddiness.

On the seats on both sides, Mr. Zhao and Sun Qian sat at either end.

Chen Xuan had already learned the identities of the two from others yesterday. Mr. Zhao was a Consecrated Expert specially hired by the City Lord's Manor, and Sun Qian was a capable subordinate of the City Lord's Manor.

Upon seeing Chen Xuan, all three rose to greet him.

When Chen Xuan's figure appeared at the entrance of the meeting hall, the three people in the main and side seats almost simultaneously rose to greet him with respectful postures.

Shu Qingfeng took the lead in stepping forward and cupped his hands: "Senior Chen has come at a good time. I have carefully considered the matter."

Chen Xuan nodded slightly, walked to a guest seat and sat down, looking at Shu Qingfeng with a calm gaze.

Shu Qingfeng's expression became solemn as he got straight to the point: "Regarding Senior Chen's proposal yesterday to take my daughter Shichan as a Disciple, it is truly her good fortune."

"It's just that I have an unpresumptuous request. I hope Senior Chen will grant it."

"But say it without hesitation." Chen Xuan raised his eyes, waiting for the rest.

"I hope that in the future, if Biyun City falls into danger, Senior Chen can lend a hand three times. There is no need for Senior to exert all your efforts; you only need to ward off the crisis for Biyun City within your capability."

These words were spoken very cleverly and also revealed trust in Chen Xuan's strength, with the sense of propriety handled just right.

Hearing this, Chen Xuan did not hesitate at all and immediately nodded: "This is not difficult; I promise you."

Seeing Chen Xuan so straightforward, the stone hanging in Shu Qingfeng's heart finally fell to the ground. A genuine smile appeared on his face, and he quickly commanded: "Steward Ding! Go quickly and call that girl here!"