Chapter Twenty-Three: Discussing the Immortal’s Abode

Zhou Qi understood that his greatest problem right now was his lack of cultivation. Just dealing with Long Feiyu, who was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, had been so difficult—what would happen if he encountered other soul fragment holders in the future? If his cultivation did not progress, everything else was meaningless. Since Han Yuanzheng was going to negotiate with the other party, Zhou Qi still had some time. He decided to focus on absorbing spiritual energy and improving his cultivation, pushing all other thoughts aside.

Seated cross-legged in the small pool, Zhou Qi took out the spirit stone and began practicing the Xuantian True Art to cultivate.

After learning about the immortal’s cave from Han Qiaoman, Han Yuanzheng was overjoyed and hurried to the Gate of Immortal Companions to discuss jointly exploring the immortal’s cave with its master, Long Chengye.

Long Chengye was baffled by Han Yuanzheng’s arrival. Though there was no deep enmity between the Gate of Immortal Companions and the Gate of Life and Death, they were rivals and hardly close. Discovering something like an immortal’s cave was the last thing one would want to share. If they reported it to the Heavenly Dao Sect, they would get nothing. If they told other sects, and those sects grew stronger, their own would be at risk.

“I never imagined Master Long would be so magnanimous as to invite my Gate of Life and Death alone to explore the immortal’s cave together. I will remember this great kindness forever,” Han Yuanzheng said with a hearty laugh.

“Invite the Gate of Life and Death to explore the immortal’s cave?” Long Chengye was shocked. When had he ever invited them? How did the Gate of Life and Death learn of the cave? He’d only planned to select people from among his own sect’s subordinates. Was there a traitor in the Gate of Immortal Companions?

“Indeed, your son is truly a prodigy. In such a short time, he has already reached the third level of Foundation Establishment. The future is bright! My sect’s disciples all praise him greatly; Master Long, you have a worthy successor,” Han Yuanzheng continued to flatter him.

At last, Long Chengye understood: the traitor was his own son. Since the Gate of Life and Death already knew, there was no further hiding it. It would be better to negotiate terms to maximize the Gate of Immortal Companions’ gain in exploring the cave.

“Master Han, you flatter me. The immortal’s cave does exist, but I’ve already sent people to investigate. Only those below the Golden Core stage can enter, and it’s likely extremely dangerous with many layers of formations. If we proceed, there will certainly be casualties. I hope Master Han can keep this secret—if others or those above find out, our share will be severely diminished.”

Han Yuanzheng understood perfectly and did not argue. Naturally, the fewer who knew of the cave, the better.

“Of course. One must pay a price for any benefit. What arrangement does Master Long propose?” Han Yuanzheng inquired.

“How about this: my sect will send thirty Foundation Establishment disciples, and yours will send five?” Long Chengye suggested, assuming that any opportunities found would still favor his own side.

“That won’t do. What can five disciples accomplish? We must send twenty-five,” Han Yuanzheng refused.

“Ten, no more,” Long Chengye retorted firmly.

“Twenty, not one less. Otherwise, I’ll simply report this to the Heavenly Dao Sect,” Han Yuanzheng threatened.

“Fifteen, and that’s my bottom line. My sect knows the exact location and has the clues. If you insist on more, this collaboration is off,” Long Chengye said, rising to leave.

“Fine, deal!” Han Yuanzheng relented. He knew further negotiation was useless—if he pushed, they would just go alone and leave his sect out entirely. After all, they had discovered the cave, so it was only fair they got more spots.

“This matter must be handled quickly. Master Han, return to your sect and select suitable disciples. Their cultivation doesn’t have to be high, but they must have special skills. In one month, we depart from my Gate of Immortal Companions,” Long Chengye instructed.

“Very well. In one month, our two sects will jointly explore the immortal’s cave.” With the matter settled, Han Yuanzheng left at once to select appropriate Foundation Establishment disciples from his sect.

Only after Han Yuanzheng departed did Long Chengye fully realize what had happened. His face darkened as he shouted at the attendant nearby, “Tell that unfilial son to get over here!”

Long Feiyu had already returned to the Gate of Immortal Companions. There was no point in remaining at the Gate of Life and Death—Zhou Qi clearly refused to meet him alone, and there was no chance to act. He could only wait and prepare to make his move during the exploration of the immortal’s cave. As he left, whether intentionally or not, he let slip some information to Han Qiaoman, hoping Zhou Qi would be present during the expedition.

Faced with his father’s rage, Long Feiyu had long prepared his explanation. Their sect could not monopolize the opportunity, nor did he want to report it to the Heavenly Dao Sect. Letting the Gate of Life and Death go first would both reduce casualties among their own disciples and, if the Heavenly Dao Sect discovered the secret, they could always blame it on the Gate of Life and Death.

Thus, he had to drag another sect into the matter. His arguments were logical and thorough, gradually calming his furious father.

Of course, Long Feiyu never mentioned his true purpose: he only wanted to lure Zhou Qi from the Gate of Life and Death so he could seize the soul fragment of the Xuantian True Lord. He had never told anyone about the soul fragment dwelling in his own soul sea, not even Long Chengye.

The matter was settled, and Long Chengye could only accept it with resignation. Long Feiyu’s reasoning was sound, his only annoyance being that his son had not consulted him first. But given his son's extraordinary talent, he had little choice but to acquiesce.

“I’ll leave the selection of disciples for the cave exploration to you. I never expected you to be not only gifted in cultivation but also so shrewd. Handle this well, and let those elders who resent the resources I spend on you keep their mouths shut.”

“Yes.” Long Feiyu was overjoyed; choosing the exploration team himself gave him even more confidence in dealing with Zhou Qi.

With just one soul fragment of the Xuantian True Lord in his soul sea, he had already gained much. If the entire soul was restored, how far could he go? At that point, not just the Gate of Immortal Companions, even the Heavenly Dao Sect would pose no threat.

Long Feiyu’s only obsession was to kill Zhou Qi and seize the Xuantian True Lord’s soul fragment. The immortal’s cave itself was of little interest to him, as he already had enough herbs to restore the soul, and the Xuantian True Lord’s soul within his sea remained constantly awake, persistently tempting him. Unlike Zhou Qi’s side, where the soul would often fall dormant.

Han Yuanzheng returned to the Gate of Life and Death. Selecting disciples for the cave exploration was a major matter, and the most important criterion was loyalty to the sect. If someone disloyal found a treasure and kept it for themselves, there would be no point in sending them at all.

But surveying the entire sect, Han Yuanzheng found it hard to name a truly loyal disciple. He understood Long Chengye’s unusual behavior—this joint venture was likely Long Feiyu’s own idea. If even his own son could not be trusted, where in the Xuantian Continent could one find true loyalty?

Han Yuanzheng was at a loss when Han Qiaoman mentioned Long Feiyu’s unusual attention to Zhou Qi.

Han Yuanzheng couldn’t help but laugh wryly. To win favor with someone he admired, Long Feiyu had revealed such an important secret. His talent in cultivation was undeniable, but his personal interests truly defied understanding.