Chapter Seventy-One: The Arrival of the Envoy

After being thrown aside, the sharp-faced, monkey-cheeked man squeezed through the crowd and made his way to the other side of the stage. Soon after, the dancers finished and retreated from the platform. As the crowd indulged in their merrymaking, a cultivator in his sixties suddenly appeared on the stage, accompanied by a young man of about fifteen or sixteen. The youth’s lips curled in a gentle smile as he gazed out at the assembly.

The elder, with a wine gourd hanging from his waist, bore a face marked with deep lines, yet his eyes shone brightly as he surveyed those around him. At last, his gaze settled on the girl in the white gauze dress who had led the dance. Her eyes, cold as ever, met his with an icy clarity that seemed to pierce to the soul, but her austere beauty was tinged with innocence as she stared directly back at him.

Unperturbed, the old man smiled and nodded, muttering to himself, “Such talent, and such pure, frosty beauty—how perfectly suited. This is a matchless opportunity, a supreme fortune.”

The three brothers of the Zi family, seated in the place of honor, rose and came forward to bow respectfully. Zi Fancheng bent at the waist, and his younger brothers, Zi Fansheng and Zi Fanshan, followed suit.

“Immortal, welcome. Has your Excellency come to the mortal realm on an inspection, or to collect tribute?” Zi Fancheng inquired.

Stroking his beard, the elder gestured to the youth beside him. “This young man will be the new envoy to the Gale Continent. I have other matters to attend to, so I brought him here, firstly to collect the tribute, and secondly to introduce him so you all may become acquainted.”

“After the trading conference, I will naturally present the tribute,” Zi Fancheng replied. “Please, honored sir, take the seat of honor and join us for a cup of wine.” He made an inviting gesture.

“I will pass on the wine,” the old man said, pointing to his own wine gourd, then motioned for the youth to step forward. The young man approached slowly and stood by the elder’s side.

“These are the three brothers of the Zi Immortal Palace: Zi Fancheng, Zi Fansheng, and Zi Fanshan. From now on, you are this realm’s envoy; I have already handed all affairs over to you, and it is time for me to return.”

With that, the elder finished his introduction. The young man cupped his hands in salute, nodding to the three brothers.

“If Elder Lin is about to depart, allow us to present a token of our esteem,” Zi Fanshan offered quickly.

The elder waved his hand dismissively, then pointed to the girl in white who had just left the stage and was now seated. “This year’s tribute may be waived,” he said, “but if you can entrust this young lady to me, to take her to the upper realm, that would be best of all.”

He could not help but smile as he spoke.

“Of course we agree! This is a tremendous blessing—others pray for such fortune and never receive it. How could we refuse?” Zi Fancheng replied at once, afraid to let the opportunity slip by.

“Your willingness does not mean the disciple herself agrees. I must ask for her own answer,” the elder said.

As he finished speaking, his voice sounded in Qian’er’s ear. “Young lady, your bearing is extraordinary and your cultivation aptitude is exceptional. Would you be willing to come with me to the upper realm to cultivate? I can bestow upon you a great fortune, but such fortune is not given for nothing. Are you willing?”

No sooner had he finished than Qian’er immediately protested. “I have no great ambitions,” she said. “I have a younger brother—he is my only family in this world. Before my mother passed, she entrusted him to my care. I have yet to fulfill that duty. How could I simply leave?” Her voice grew passionate, and she rose to her feet.

The old man shook his head, clearly disappointed. “That is truly a pity. I had hoped to bring you with me and leave a legacy for Zi Immortal Palace, but alas, it seems it cannot be. What a pity,” he sighed.

The palace master of Zi Immortal Palace came to Qian’er’s side, whispering in her ear, “Qian’er, this is a rare chance to ascend to the upper realm—many pursue it all their lives and never attain it. Go without worry; I will care for your brother.” As he spoke, he stroked her hair reassuringly.

Qian’er nodded obediently. “Master, allow me some time to consider.”

But before she could finish, Chen Xiaofeng’s face twisted with anger as he spat out, “If you do not go, I’ll kill your brother myself. You may not want the legacy, but I do. I have endured endless humiliation here at Zi Immortal Palace, protecting you as best I could. Why? Not for your sake, but to build my own power, to live a dignified life. Otherwise, you would have been taken as a servant by the young masters of the Zi family long ago. You wouldn’t be alive as you are now.”

Veins bulged on Chen Xiaofeng’s brow, his fury plain for all to see.

“I’ll go, Senior,” Qian’er said at last, the few words wrung from her as if they cost all her strength. As soon as she spoke, her spirit seemed to collapse.

Upon hearing this, the old man flashed to her side, let out three great laughs, and vanished with Qian’er. All that remained was a jade token on the ground.

At a glance, the youth who had come with the elder had also vanished from sight, as if he had never been there at all.

Chen Xiaofeng, standing in the crowd, seized the jade token, pricked his finger, and refined the technique within. Only then did the three Zi brothers react and rush forward, but the crowd descended into chaos, surrounding Chen Xiaofeng.

After a sudden burst of blood mist, only a bloodstained mark remained on the stage—Chen Xiaofeng had vanished in the confusion before the Zi brothers could stop him.

“So someone from Zi Immortal Palace has been cultivating an ancient demonic art—and it’s the current palace master! I think the Zi family owes us all an explanation,” declared a middle-aged man in gray-brown robes, wielding a great seal, as he stepped forward and pointed accusingly at the three brothers.

“I, Bai Xuefeng, agree!” added an elderly man over sixty, also pointing at the brothers.

More and more people stood up. As Zi Fancheng and Zi Fanshan turned to pursue Chen Xiaofeng, they were blocked, forced to watch helplessly as time slipped away. By now, Chen Xiaofeng, having employed blood escape, was long gone.

A handful of independent cultivators quietly withdrew from the crowd, heading toward the city gates in pursuit of Chen Xiaofeng.

“Master, everyone’s gone after them. We can’t miss out on such a peerless technique—we should follow too,” said a youth of fifteen or sixteen in coarse hemp robes, gesturing after the departing crowd.

“That Chen Xiaofeng has made a name for himself for years—countless heroes have fallen by his hand. Don’t be greedy for techniques, Cheng’er. One must know when to pursue and when to let go. We’d do best to stay out of this,” his master replied.

As they spoke, a fight suddenly broke out among the crowd.

In an instant, the stage was reduced to splinters and those nearby were caught in the chaos. The master and disciple, who had just been speaking, were struck and hurled backward, gravely wounded.

Zi Fancheng, Zi Fanshan, and Zi Fansheng stood back to back in midair, while the crowd below also rose up, continuing to surround them.

“Our Zi Immortal Palace has stood on the Gale Continent for generations—not by empty reputation. If you wish to fight, come ahead! But don’t forget, you’re on our territory, and our Nascent Soul elder will soon arrive,” Zi Fancheng declared, sweeping the crowd with a cold glare. His magical treasure flew into the air, his long sword growing ever larger.

The leaders among the crowd exchanged glances, then flew straight out of the city, shouting as they went, “Don’t let that demon Chen Xiaofeng escape! We must capture him, uphold justice, and reclaim the righteous way’s techniques!”

Watching the departing crowd, Zi Fancheng finally withdrew his weapon.