Chapter 61

Chapter 61: The Ninefold Blossom Convention

Under Long Shaoyan’s lead, Chen Ansheng arrived before a sealed room.

“Master, please enter and purify the malevolent fire on your own. I’ll wait outside for further orders.”

Long Shaoyan understood that his master was a superior person, and that this was merely a way to dispel the malevolent fire, so he didn’t feel awkward about it.

“There’s no need. You should inform the Old Ancestor of my retreat. Furthermore, there’s no need to hide my usage of the Spirit Pool. Just tell the truth.”

Chen Ansheng waved his hand, thinking quietly to himself that if Long Shaoyan were to remain outside, it would be embarrassing not just for Long but for Chen as well.

“If that’s the case, then I will take my leave first.”

Long Shaoyan bowed respectfully to Chen Ansheng and then left.

Chen Ansheng entered confidently.

In the lavishly decorated room, several exceptionally beautiful Great Ascension Stage women were already waiting for him…

At the very moment, Chen Ansheng was unaware that within the Demon Bone Abyss, a pair of golden eyes was piercing through the layers of space, locking onto him.

…

In the Immortal Realm, at the Qian Yue Cave’s bamboo grove by the old house on the west side,

“Comfortable.”

Chen Ansheng reclined in a bamboo chair, reminiscing on his recent purge of the malevolent fire.

“The Qian Yue Cave will likely become restless soon, so I’ll cultivate here for a while before descending again.”

With the disappearance of Murong Yan about to be noticed, Chen Ansheng feared an investigation, so he didn’t plan on descending anytime soon.

“Let’s see how fast the cultivation speed is with my True Grade peak physique.”

After resting for half an hour, Chen Ansheng flipped up and began practicing the Celestial Energy Ingestion Art.

With a True Grade peak body and the advanced technique that could complete three rotations in a single breath, compared to his previous self, he was incomparable.

As the Celestial Energy Ingestion Art ran its course, the divine energies of the heavens and earth flowed into his body, fusing with his limbs and bones, internal organs, and meridians.

After seven days,

Buzz!

The air in the old house trembled.

A fleeting trace of divinity emanated from Chen Ansheng’s body.

“Immortal Rank Five!”

Chen Ansheng opened his eyes, his heart filled with delight.

An entire realm enhancement in only seven short days!

Of course, the rapid enhancement could be attributed not only to his mastery of the techniques and his transformation in physique but also the fact that for his entire life, Chen Ansheng had lived in a place severely lacking in spiritual energy. His body had been in a state of hunger, and once he began to practice cultivation, it naturally progressed much faster than normal.

This rapid ascent was unsustainable unless his body and techniques improved further.

Just as Chen Ansheng was about to continue cultivating, he sensed someone arriving in the courtyard.

He thought it was Zhong Li and glanced outward, only to realize it was Nan Gong Xiu.

“Why is she here?”

Chen Ansheng had slight apprehension, secretly wondering if she had come because of Murong Yan.

That made no sense; even if she had discovered Murong Yan’s death, there was no reason for her to suspect him.

Thinking this, Chen Ansheng calmed down, rose and stepped out of the room.

“Miss Nan Gong.”

Chen Ansheng nodded to Nan Gong Xiu.

Nan Gong Xiu showed little change in emotion, saying, “Little Uncle, how have things been recently?”

Chen Ansheng smiled, replying, “Plain and quiet, not bad at all.”

Nan Gong Xiu said, “That’s good.”

Chen Ansheng asked proactively, “Did you come to see me for something, cave Mistress?”

Nan Gong Xiu gestured for him to sit at a stone table in the courtyard, and then said, “In three days, it will be time for the once-a-decade convention at Ninefold Flower Mountain. I have come specifically to invite little uncle to attend, and to share in the festivities.”

Chen Ansheng was taken aback.

“Mistress, I’m not an official disciple of Qian Yue Cave. I need not participate, correct?”

Chen Ansheng didn’t know what the Ninefold Blossom Convention was, but he didn’t want to expose himself, wanting instead to cultivate quietly in this courtyard and also descend later.

Nan Gong Xiu said, “Little Uncle, don’t rush to decline. Let me finish speaking before you make a decision.”

Since that was said, Chen Ansheng had no choice but to nod and say, “Please go ahead, Mistress.”

Nan Gong Xiu waved a hand, and a pot of tea and two cups appeared on the stone table. She personally poured tea for Chen Ansheng and then said, “The Ninefold Blossom Convention is an event organized by the four great caves of Ninefold Flower Mountain, where the younger generation of disciples engage in exchanges and contests, vying for prizes.

“Of course, this has nothing to do with you, Little Uncle. However, after the convention ends, the Xuan Yang Immortal Palace will send envoys to recruit disciples, thus giving you a chance to become a disciple of the Immortal Palace if you participate.”

Chen Ansheng was speechless.

The immortal palaces were a level up from spirit caves.

With the Four Caves of Ninefold Flower Mountain teeming with talents, how could he, with his current meager qualifications, possibly be chosen?

Was Nan Gong Xiu making fun of him?

Thus, Chen Ansheng said, “Mistress Nan Gong, with such qualifications, how can I possibly become a disciple of the Immortal Palace? If Mistress is willing to let me leave, I shall depart.”

Nan Gong Xiu said, “Little Uncle, you misunderstand. How could I let you leave? Based on previous experience, the Xuan Yang Immortal Palace doesn’t solely judge by talent. Any cultivator from Ninefold Flower Mountain might be chosen.

“The last time the Xuan Yang Immortal Palace came, they took eight disciples in total. Among them, two had superior talents, four had average talents, and the remaining two—one was an old man handling miscellaneous tasks from a neighboring cave, the other was an outer sect disciple from our cave who had been bedridden for over three centuries.

“Therefore, anyone could potentially be chosen by the Xuan Yang Immortal Palace. What specific criteria they use, no cultivator from Ninefold Flower Mountain knows. That’s why I’m inviting Little Uncle to give it a try.”

Although Nan Gong Xiu knew, even if Chen Ansheng gave it a try, the chances of him being chosen were extremely slim.

However, if Chen Ansheng got lucky and was chosen, it would be good.

Firstly, sending Chen Ansheng to a better place would not violate the promise she made to Li Zhengyang. Secondly, it would allow her daughter to settle down and stop being distracted by trivial matters, thus affecting her cultivation and future.

In short, sending Chen Ansheng away was the most effortless for her.

Chen Ansheng wasn’t truly naive; he roughly understood Nan Gong Xiu’s intention.

If he could leave Qian Yue Cave, even somewhere slightly lower in hierarchy, would be better than being forcibly kept here.

“In that case, I’ll participate in the convention. However, Mistress Nan Gong, if your daughter, Miss Ji Ziling, finds out I have left this courtyard…” Chen Ansheng stopped there.

“Little Uncle, please rest assured. I’ve already ordered the girl to enter retreat, to attempt breaking through to a new realm. She won’t appear on the day of the convention.”

Nan Gong Xiu understood Chen Ansheng’s concern, and the so-called breakthrough to a new realm wasn’t a deliberate arrangement but rather because Ji Ziling’s third attempt at breaking through to a new realm was approaching, and she couldn’t help but retreat.

“Perfect.” Chen Ansheng nodded, then suddenly said, “Ah yes, what about the Third Elder and your distinguished disciple, Master Murong who seem to bear resentment towards me…”

Upon hearing this, Nan Gong Xiu felt a twinge of guilt, understanding the bitterness of being excluded.

“Little Uncle, let me make this clear. On the day of the convention, whoever dares to harm you, I will show no mercy. Do you have any more concerns?” Nan Gong Xiu swore with conviction.

“No, none at all,” Chen Ansheng picked up the teacup and greedily drank several large sips.

“In three days, I’ll send someone to pick you up. For now, I’ll take my leave.”

Nan Gong Xiu nodded slightly, then rose and departed.