Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit

Chapter 258: Black Mountain Gang Lord

While Lu Ping was deep in thought, Chu Ting took out a jade scroll from her interspatial bracelet. “This is [Divine Sense Transcendence], the secret technique that allows cultivators to develop their divine sense into divine revelation before attaining the Core Forging Realm. This technique is the reason why I can concoct half-step Core Forging Realm medicinal pellets and the boost in my strength. Being able to cultivate your divine revelation will be incredibly beneficial to your advancement.

“Even if Brother Lu doesn’t join the Alchemy Conference, please take this as a token of appreciation for saving Elder Sister Ying. Furthermore, the Three Clans Alliance is having internal conflict, so the pavilion is willing to assist Brother Lu to replace the Wang Clan.”

Lu Ping raised his eyebrows and looked at Chu Ting.

Chu Ting laughed with a trace of helplessness,.”Forgive me, Brother Lu, there are many things that I cannot say yet. The original plan was to support Sister Ying to replace the Wang Clan, but after the spirit stone mine incident, she is now being pursued by the Crystal Palace. We have no choice but to change the plan, so I wish to seek Brother Lu’s aid. Your advancement to the Core Forging Realm will make things easier for us all.”

Chilian Ying said with annoyance, “Unruly girl, are you trying to exploit me? No wonder you urged me to conquer more islands.”

Although she sounded annoyed, there was a touch of indulgence in her words.

Lu Ping took the jade scroll and smiled. “Well then, I look forward to meeting the alchemy experts in the conference!”

After leaving the room, Lu Ping saw Hong Ying and Wu Yan walking towards him, a servant leading the way. Just as he was about to greet them, he saw their gazes fixated behind him in awe.

Lu Ping turned around and spotted Chilian Ying behind him. Amused, he asked, “What are you doing following me?”

Chilian Ying giggled. “I’m giving myself to you! The hero saves the beauty and they live happily ever after, isn’t that how the story goes?”

Lu Ping shook his head helplessly. “I have a fiancée, please spare me!”

Chilian Ying said cheerfully, “Don’t men like to have multiple lovers? Aren’t you moved by my natural beauty? Your fiancée only met you a little earlier than I did, but that’s okay, I can be your wife too! You can have two wives, isn’t that lovely? I’ll even let you have some concubines and secret lovers, I don’t mind. And I can help you teach them to be submissive!”

Speechless with shock, Lu Ping really couldn’t understand her way of thinking. Hong Ying and Wu Yan were simply dumbfounded.

Chilian Ying happily continued, “Tell me, what type do you like? Mature, charming, gentle, tolerant, cheerful, understanding, vicious, or whatever qualities I can’t think of, as long as you ask for it, I can be whatever you wish…”

Startled, Lu Ping quickly shook his head and waved his hands, “Okay, no thanks, that’s enough!”

Hong Ying and Wu Yan were left dazed.

…

In the quiet room, after Lu Ping and Chilian Ying left, a charming middle-aged woman walked out from behind the folding screen.

Chu Ting and Li Xiu-Zhu hurriedly stood up and said, “Teacher!”

The middle-aged beauty waved her hand and said, “Excellent arrangements, Ting’er. Over the years, I’ve gradually let you handle almost all of Maiden Pavilion’s affairs. You’ve made rapid progress!”

Chu Ting smiled. “It’s all thanks to Teacher’s care. Since Teacher’s cultivation base has reached Peak Core Forging Realm, breaking through to the Avatar Realm is of the utmost priority. As long as it is needed, Ting’er will help Teacher take care of everything to the best of my abilities.”

The middle-aged beauty smiled and turned to Li Xiu-Zhu. “Xiu-Zhu, you have a pure soul and kind heart. Such dirty calculations will only stain you, which is why I’ve kept you as a nominal disciple. I worry that others will scheme against you if you enter the spotlight too soon. But now as an Enlightened Master, people will think twice before overstepping their boundaries. I wish to accept you as my sixth direct disciple, what do you say?”

Li Xiu-Zhu was stunned, only returning to her senses after Chu Ting’s prodding. Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks and she hurriedly knelt to salute the teacher.

The middle-aged beauty helped Li Xiu-Zhu up from the ground with a smile. “According to the rules of my lineage, a direct disciple must personally present a gift of appreciation to the teacher, and the teacher and rest of the direct martial siblings will reciprocate. Today, we are only forming the discipleship privately between us. When the Alchemy Conference is over, and everything else comes to a break, we will have a ceremony, where friends and family will be invited to witness the disciple acceptance. Allies, like Lu Jiu, may also be invited.”

Chu Ting asked hesitantly, “Teacher, what do you think about Elder Sister Ying’s matter?”

The middle-aged beauty replied enigmatically, “She can go if she wishes to, no one knows her true identity anyway.”

Chu Ting still felt uneasy. “Elder Sister Ying suffered amnesia from a vicious soul-searching spell. Teacher, you mentioned that once she advanced to the Core Forging Realm, the transcended divine revelation might help her recover some memories. By then, if she…”

The middle-aged beauty murmured, “If it’s recovered, then it’s recovered. This may perhaps be a good thing.”

After Chu Ting and Li Xiu-Zhu left the room, the middle-aged beauty stood quietly, muttering softly to herself, “I’ve lost to you… but not because I’m weaker, nor will I ever be. Avatar Realm… hmph. He is still amazing as ever, and none of us can hope to compete. But, at least, I will beat you this time… I will beat you.”

…

Chilian Ying smugly trailed after the depressed Lu Ping like a mischievous fox; Hong Ying and Wu Yan exchanged strange looks and silently followed behind Chilian Ying.

They decided that this trip to Qian Yuan City was an informative one. First, they learned of the mysterious young master’s heroic beauty-saving act that won said beauty’s favor; secondly, they learned that the young master had a fiancée.

More importantly, the fact that Lu Ping didn’t try to conceal this piece of information showed that they had his trust. Feeling honored by this, they secretly swore to never betray the young master and to keep his secrets safe.

At this time, an old cultivator in his fifties, wearing clothes made of hemp, walked into Melodious Inn. He saw Lu Ping and approached him smilingly, “Little Brother, I’m Black Mountain Gang’s gang lord, Qiao Zheng-Yan. May I invite Little Brother somewhere quiet for some tea?”

Lu Ping smiled and said, “That would be nice. Juniors should not resist a senior’s request. The music at the teahouse is pleasant to the ears, it should be a fitting place to relax.”

Hong Ying and Wu Yan were shocked. A quick appraisal of the old man with their divine sense revealed that his cultivation was profound. He emitted a powerful yet reserved vibe, like a vast ocean—peaceful on the surface yet turbulent below.

There was no doubt that the old man was not only an Enlightened Master, but one at the Mid Core Forging Realm. He might even be a Late Core Forging Realm Enlightened Master!

Yet, Lu Ping was able to chat casually with the other, showing no signs of fear or anxiety. They couldn’t help admiring the young master even more.

But not just Lu Ping, even Chilian Ying behaved nonchalantly as she continued to follow Lu Ping.

Hong Ying and Wu Yan exchanged a look and saw the shock in each other’s eyes. Rallying their spirits, they followed Lu Ping and the old man to a quiet room.

——

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