NOVEL NEXT Chapter 349: Hidden Dangers
Chapter 349: Hidden Dangers
Ning Meixue smiled warmly, finding the bold, cheerful, and playful young maiden quite likeable. She retrieved a scroll made of beast hide and handed it to Huangfu Shuyi. “Although this ancient pill formula isn’t particularly valuable, it’s quite interesting and perfect for novice alchemists to practice with repeatedly. Consider it my gift to you.”
“Thank you, Second Sister,” Huangfu Shuyi said sweetly, accepting the scroll with both hands. Her big eyes then turned to Xu Lian expectantly.
How adorable… Xu Lian scanned through the contents of his storage pouch, but found nothing particularly suitable to give her. However, giving her nothing would be inappropriate-she was the direct granddaughter of the Prince of Rui and the cousin of the Crown Prince. Offending someone of her stature, even if indirectly, could bring trouble. If she complained to the Prince of Rui or the Crown Prince, it might harm his chances of managing an exclusive cultivation resource zone independently someday. What a headache.
After some thought, Xu Lian took out a stalk of Heavenly Serpent Grass sealed inside a crystal sphere and handed it to Huangfu Shuyi. To his former self, the Heavenly Serpent Grass had been an invaluable treasure. But now? To him, it wasn’t much more than a trinket.
The real value of one stalk equated to a single Root of Passage , the cultivation resource for practitioners of the Unity Realm – not enough to exchange for even a trace of Origin Tracing Light. He didn’t have much use for it anyway, and there were hundreds more growing in the old well at Green Bamboo Town, which would eventually belong to him regardless.
“Thank you, Third Brother,” Huangfu Shuyi said as she accepted the gift, curiously examining the vibrant green grass encased in the crystal sphere. “What is this?”
“Heavenly Serpent Grass?” Chi Sui immediately recognized it. “The value of Heavenly Serpent Grass is equivalent to a controlled cultivation resource for the Unity Realm – a single Root of Passage . However, its growth conditions are extremely harsh, making it exceedingly rare. Quite a find indeed.”
Upon hearing this, Huangfu Shuyi’s delight grew, and she once again thanked Xu Lian.
Chi Sui looked at Qin Feng. “Disciple, do you still have any Heavenly Serpent Grass? Give me a stalk as well.”
“…” Xu Lian reluctantly retrieved another stalk and handed it over to Chi Sui. He wasn’t worried about exposing its origin – the only people who knew where the Heavenly Serpent Grass came from were him and the Time Sovereign.
Chi Sui toyed with the crystal sphere containing the Heavenly Serpent Grass for a moment before putting it away. He didn’t inquire further about where Xu Lian had obtained it from. For a Sage Realm cultivator like himself, while Heavenly Serpent Grass was rare, it wasn’t extraordinarily precious. His request was more out of an alchemist’s habit of collecting herbs than anything else.
Chi Sui then turned to Huangfu Shuyi. “From now on, you’ll follow Meixue and assist her in managing the medicinal fields and the rare birds and beasts we raise here.”
Huangfu Shuyi frowned slightly. “Master, when can I start learning alchemy?”
Chi Sui replied indifferently, “Every alchemist begins by identifying herbs. That’s how I started, and so did your three elder siblings. You’re no exception. It’s not beneficial to jump into alchemy right away. First, you need to thoroughly understand the properties and principles of herbs, and then gradually move on to refining pills.”
Huangfu Shuyi could only nod her head. “Understood, Master.”
Chi Sui gave a slight nod and waved dismissively.
“Come along, Junior Sister. Let’s not disturb Master and the others while they refine the Metamorphosis Elixir.”
Ning Meixue smiled and led Huangfu Shuyi away.
The days passed quietly.
Xu Lian found a suitable opportunity and entered the narrow cave.
It was time to send Qin Feng on his way-and relocate Caiyi.
Now that he had mastered all of Chi Sui’s lifelong alchemical techniques and inherited his master’s legacy, there was a high likelihood that he would soon independently manage one of the Qian Dynasty’s exclusive cultivation resource zones, an essential source of cultivation resources for him. However, this cave remained a lingering hidden danger. If discovered, all his carefully laid plans would collapse into nothingness.
As Xu Lian unsheathed his sword, its cold light gleamed ominously. Both Qin Feng and Caiyi paled, their eyes filled with fear.
Bound by Xu Lian’s array seal, they were unable to move or speak, forced to watch helplessly.
Xu Lian gestured casually. “Caiyi, I’m going to send you away soon and seal you in a hidden place.”
Caiyi blinked quickly, visibly relieved. She had feared that this top-tier expert would kill her outright.
Qin Feng, on the other hand, felt despair sweep over him. If Caiyi wasn’t going to be killed, that meant he was next.
Xu Lian lifted the voice restriction on Qin Feng and asked indifferently, “Any last words?”
Qin Feng spat angrily, “You promised not to kill me! You are breaking your word!”
Xu Lian calmly replied, “At first, I really had no intention of killing you. However, when I visited Marquis Qin’s residence and saw the pitiful state of those women you locked up in the basement of the side courtyard… I changed my mind. Having multiple wives and concubines may be common in this world, but you shouldn’t take out your inner dissatisfaction and darkness on these innocent women. You’ve already chosen your path to death.”
The superposition of fear and anger twisted Qin Feng’s face into a terrifying mask. His bloodshot eyes locked onto Xu Lian, burning with unbridled hatred as he snarled, “You swore a Great Dao vow not to kill me! If you break this vow, you will inevitably face retribution – become a twisted abomination and meet a miserable end!”
Xu Lian remained calm. “This is none of your business. As the saying goes, ‘A man about to die speaks kindly, a bird about to perish sings mournfully.’ I have some respect for life. Do you have any last words? Any last wishes? If they’re within my power, I might fulfill them after you’re gone.”
Qin Feng’s eyes burned with venomous resentment, his voice cracking as he screamed curses. “You have broken the Great Dao Oath! You will be haunted by evil entities forever and never know peace!”
Xu Lian slowly raised his hand, the sword light emanating from his palm now pointed directly at Qin Feng.
Qin Feng’s courage was shattered. Desperation seized him as he began shouting for help at the top of his lungs. “Help! Help me! I’m Qin Feng! Someone is impersonating me!”
“…” Xu Lian shook his head slightly. “It’s useless. No matter how loud you scream, it won’t make a difference. This cave is sealed with a barrier – I have made sure that no sound can escape. Let me ask you one last time: do you have any last words or wishes? Before I act, consider this my personal gesture of respect for life.”
Trembling with panic, Qin Feng pleaded desperately. “Don’t kill me! Please, I beg you! I will be your servant – do whatever you want!”
Xu Lian sighed softly. “To give you peace in death, let me tell you what has happened since I assumed your identity.
First of all, regarding your home – the Marquis Qin’s residence – we have officially declared our support for the Fifth Prince. He hasn’t disappointed us and has successfully secured the position of Crown Prince. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Marquis Qin family will continue to prosper under the reign of the Crown Prince. You can rest assured.
Second, Second Sister Ning Meixue didn’t choose Elder Brother Zhao Ming. Instead, she became my Dao companion. We’re happy together, and I’ll treat her well. You can take comfort in that.
Lastly, after acquiring your alchemical knowledge, I further enhanced it through my talent and effort. My alchemy now surpasses that of Elder Brother Zhao Ming, and has earned the recognition of Master Chi Sui. He has passed on all of his lifelong alchemical techniques to me, and it’s inevitable that I will independently manage an exclusive cultivation resource zone.
In essence, the current me, the current Qin Feng, is both the pillar of the Marquis Qin household, the beloved partner of the Second Sister, and the most precious disciple of Master.
Everything you’ve longed for but failed to achieve, I’ve achieved.
That’s all I have to say. It’s time to send you on your way.”
Even prisoners sentenced to execution in the fall were given a last hearty meal. By recounting these details, Xu Lian had provided a sense of ritual closure.
“This isn’t real! None of this is true! You’re lying!”
Qin Feng roared in disbelief. “Do you think just anyone can master alchemy? Let alone surpass Elder Brother! You’re delusional! And Second Sister loves Elder Brother Zhao Ming – how could she possibly choose you as her Dao companion? Father only cares about my elder brother – he couldn’t care less about you!”
“You don’t believe me?”
Xu Lian retrieved a pill furnace and herbs, then promptly refined a Barrier Breaking Pill decorated with ten cloud-vein patterns right in front of Qin Feng’s eyes.
Qin Feng froze in astonishment. If he possessed such a divine alchemical skill, it could truly alter fate. The words that Xu Lian had spoken earlier suddenly seemed much more plausible.
“Rest in peace.”
The sword light shot out from Xu Lian’s palm, and a spray of blood bloomed. Qin Feng’s eyes widened, the light in them gradually fading until they grew dim.
Xu Lian exhaled softly, shaking his head. He placed his hand over Qin Feng’s eyelids, closing them gently. With a wave of his hand, a burst of True Fire erupted, reducing the body to ashes in a matter of moments.
Afterwards, Xu Lian escorted Caiyi through a spatial channel, sealing her away in a hidden location within a remote border town. Then, he collapsed the spatial channel entirely and meticulously erased every trace of the narrow cave.
From this moment forward, he was completely and utterly Qin Feng. His “secondary account” in the Qian Dynasty was now fully established. How far he could rise in the future depended solely on the unfolding tides of fate.