Chapter 473: I’m Shameless?
Chapter 473: I’m Shameless?
Victorious Buddha and the demons sensed a strong pressure emanating from this giant bird, a natural disparity in strength among demonic cultivators.
The bird's feathers were a deep blue, shimmering with a metallic sheen akin to bronze. Particularly striking were its claws, as thick and powerful as dragon claws, likely capable of easily shattering ordinary spiritual barriers.
"Is the Immortal White Tiger here? Tell him that Fang Chen from Grand Qian wishes to meet him," Fang Chen said with a faint smile.
"You want to meet our ancestor?" The giant bird was slightly surprised. It then showed uncertainty. "Wait here, I'll go inform him."
With a light flap of its wings, the bird shot toward Jade Void Mountain like lightning. Its flight speed surpassed that of ordinary cultivators using Rainbow Transformation, Cloud Riding, or Sword Flying techniques by a significant margin. However, it was still slower than the Sword Transformation technique used by cultivators of the same level. So far, Fang Chen hadn't encountered any method that surpassed the speed of Sword Transformation.
In about ten breaths of time, the giant bird returned. Its attitude had become much more respectful this time. "Please come onto my back. Jade Void Mountain is protected, and unregistered demon cultivators and human cultivators cannot easily go inside."
Fang Chen didn't hesitate and climbed onto the bird's back. Victorious Buddha and the others also showed courtesy by bowing. This gesture improved the bird's perception of them to some extent.
On the way, Fang Chen chatted with the giant bird and learned that it belonged to the Qing Ghost Eagle lineage. In its early years, it joined Jade Void Mountain and became a guardian disciple of the mountain.
Jade Void Mountain had a unique classification system for demonic cultivators. Creatures like the giant bird, belonging to the avian demon lineage, had the opportunity to become guardian disciples. Their treatment was better than that of inner and outer disciples but not as prestigious as the core disciples of Jade Void Mountain. To become a core disciple, one needed an exceptional bloodline foundation. To obtain the position of a core disciple, hard work wasn't the only factor.
Fang Chen glanced at the trio, silently pondering to himself. "Even the worst among them could become an outer disciple, right? Whatever it is, it's still better than staying in Grand Xia,"
After a few moments, the giant bird brought them to the top of Jade Void Mountain, where several figures were already waiting. These individuals didn't conceal their demon cultivator aura. They were all demons who had taken human forms; however, they still retained some features from their original forms. Their leader had reached the peak of the Golden Core Realm, exuding a powerful aura surpassing that of Qian Wuji from back then.
He appeared as a refined middle-aged scholar but had deep red antlers on his head.
"Master, the guests have arrived," the giant bird respectfully announced.
The middle-aged scholar smiled faintly and bowed to Fang Chen with clasped hands. "I am Lu Changqing, the Master of the Jade Void Sect. Greetings, Daoist Fang."
The other Golden Core Realm demon cultivators also bowed with clasped hands, curiosity flickering in their eyes.
Once, Daoist Fang was a figure they occasionally discussed, never imagining that someone they believed to be long gone would appear before them alive today. It left them feeling quite intrigued.
"Greetings, fellow cultivators," Fang Chen returned the courtesy and then asked, "Fellow Cultivator Lu, may I know if Immortal White Tiger is available?"
Lu Changqing smiled. "Well, Master recently entered seclusion, so it may be a while before he emerges. However, he instructed that if Daoist Fang ever visits, regardless of the request, we will do our best to accommodate your request."
How can Immortal White Tiger, who once said I was dead, issue such instructions to you?
Fang Chen's expression shifted, and his spiritual sense instantly caught a suspicious figure in the distance.
Realizing what was happening, he didn't expose the person and returned to his body, smiling at Lu Changqing. "In that case, I won't be shy. These three are disciples I accepted earlier. However, being a human cultivator, my understanding of demon cultivation is limited. Their future with me may be bleak. Would your sect be willing to accept them for cultivation here?" Fang Chen asked.
The Victorious Buddha trio hesitated to speak, but since that was Fang Chen's arrangement, they remained silent.
"Is that all?" Lu Changqing was momentarily surprised, then quickly understood and smiled. "Such a trivial matter is nothing to fuss about. These three will be inner disciples of our Jade Void Sect from now on."
The other Golden Core demon cultivators also smiled kindly.
The fact that he, as a human cultivator, not only accepted three demon cultivators but also willingly took them on a long journey, showed that he harbored no prejudice against demon cultivators and even displayed a friendly attitude toward them.
“Listen carefully, the three of you. In the future, while at Jade Void Sect, if you encounter anything you don't understand, seek guidance from Fellow Cultivator Lu. Practice diligently, and remember not to cause unnecessary trouble,” Fang Chen addressed the three demons.
The three immediately bowed. “We will follow your orders,”
“Everyone, I have other matters to attend to, so I won't linger here. Please take care of them in my absence. If I have time, I will visit Immortal White Tiger again,” Fang Chen respectfully bid farewell to Lu Changqing and others before leaving on his sword. He disappeared into the sky in an instant.
“Is that the Sword Transformation technique of sword cultivators? It's truly fast...” Lu Changqing couldn't help but marvel at the sight.
He then turned to Victorious Buddha and the other two and smiled. “From now on, we are fellow disciples. In the Jade Void Sect, there's no need to be too formal. We demon cultivators don't pay much attention to hierarchy. If other demon cultivators provoke you and you can't handle it, come to me.”
“Thank you, seniors,” the three quickly expressed their gratitude.
Lu Changqing arranged for a Golden Core demon cultivator to guide them for registration, while he respectfully went to find Immortal White Tiger, who was at another location in Jade Void Mountain. “Master, everything has been arranged properly. He didn't ask for anything too difficult.”
“I never expected that he would come find me just for his disciples? And he even accepts demon cultivators as disciples? Quite interesting...” Immortal White Tiger muttered to himself.
Lu Changqing looked puzzled for a moment. He hesitated momentarily and then asked, "Master, why didn't you meet him? He's a sword cultivator, and his skills back then were so amazing. It wouldn't be an embarrassment for you to meet him...."
"What's the point of meeting him? What would I say after meeting him? That I owe him a favor? Am I a shameless fool?" Immortal White Tiger muttered. "Take good care of his disciples; teach them the best demon cultivation techniques we have. Every year, bring them to see me, and I'll personally instruct them for a day."
Lu Changqing sighed inwardly. "Not even we have received such treatment before...."
He, however, understood that this was Immortal White Tiger's way of repaying a favor. If it weren't for that sword cultivator who eliminated the troubles in the past, even with the help of the Nascent Soul Realm experts later, the three of them would have been completely assimilated by the Kunlong War General. By that time, the Purple Pole Dao Academy, the Chenxiang Temple, and Jade Void Mountain would have suffered heavy losses. If it were to get entangled in chaos again, there might even be a risk of extermination for the sects.
So, while this favor seemed small, it was actually very difficult to repay fully.
After hearing Immortal White Tiger's arrangements for Victorious Buddha, Profound Green, and Tiger Mountain Lord, Fang Chen nodded lightly and withdrew his divine soul.