Painting of the Nine Immortals

Ever since everyone returned from the auction, Ling Xian has informed Huang Er and Chu Zhong Tian not to disturb him and began his isolation.

By now, he has lifted all three traps related to the three treasures and has created an extremely capable clone. He has perfectly fulfilled everything he wanted to do during his isolation.

Therefore, it was time for Ling Xian to break out of his isolation and find Chu Zhong Tian to discuss matters about the Mu Clan.

The Sun had just rose. On the hallway of the motel, Ling Xian was walking slowly towards Chu Zhong Tian’s room.

He was still using his original body.

The clone he created was merely an object he will use to conceal himself in the future. It was useless on a daily basis, and he will only use it when it’s time for him to enter the Shang Qing Sect.

Because Ling Xian was the original and the possessor of the two bodies, he could switch between them instantaneously and without any second of lag. When he uses the clone, his original body will turn expressionless. When he moves his soul back to the original, his clone will transform into a puppet.

In other words, he can switch around at will. When it is required of him to pretend to have a low cultivation level, he will shift his soul into the clone. Then, even an original leveled cultivator would not be able to realize what is going on behind the scene.

When he encounters danger, he will shift his soul back to the original and regain his capabilities as an advanced completion leveled cultivator!

Because of all this, this entire ordeal seemed very convenient. There was no way the Shang Qing Sect will discover his secrets, and he shouldn’t need to worry about endangering himself.

Therefore, Ling Xian was getting more and more confident about his plans regarding the Shang Qing Sect.

“The clone is done training, this means the preparation I have to do about entering the Shang Qing Sect is complete. It is time for me to enter the Shang Qing Sect. It’s just that before I leave, I have to finish dealing with everything I need to deal with in the City of Sin.”

As Ling Xian strolled on, he made some important decisions silently.

The Shang Qing Sect was a place he must visit, especially now, after he was done with the clone and could perfectly hide himself. Because of the clone, he should be in a hurry and go even earlier. However, before he leaves, he must finish dealing with the Mu Clan.

The Mu Clan provoked him not once, not twice, but three times. First, they tried to poison them, then they set him up, all of which were plots to try and get rid of him. Against someone who wants him dead, Ling Xian will not act kindly.

Therefore, he decided that before he leaves, he must slay the Mu Clan ancestor.

Only after that, will he be able to leave this place in peace without having to worry about being backstabbed.

“Then it’s decided. After I discuss this matter with Chu Zhong Tian, I will make my move.” Ling Xian was determined, he came before a room and softly knocked.

From inside, a voice shouted, “come in”. As Ling Xian pushed the door open and entered, Chu Zhong Tian’s eyes brightened immediately.

This person lost under Ling Xian’s hands and followed him to live in the same motel. Then, he spent the days in a state of anxious waiting.

To Chu Zhong Tian, Ling Xian was a much needed ally and also the key to whether or not he can successfully avenge his clan. Therefore, in this last month, he was acting like an ant walking on a hot pot, twirling around impatiently.

Today, seeing that Ling Xian has finally broken out of his room, how could Chu Zhong Tian not feel surprised? He marched on in giant steps and impatiently asked, “You Excellency, finally you are out of the room now. Have you thought about what we discussed?”

“What’s the rush?”

Ling Xian glared at him and returned to his own chair. The relaxed and confident composure of his made Chu Zhong Tian want to slap him in the face.

However, he knew very well that he was no opponent of Ling Xian’s. Even if they do fight, he will be the one that gets knocked out. Therefore, he suppressed the anxiety he felt in his heart and said, “Your Excellency, this entire situation is related to whether or not I can avenge the hundreds of lives lost in the Chu Clan. Please consider it carefully and give me an accurate answer.”

“I understand how you are feeling, it’s just you have waited for so many years already, why do you care about these last few hours?” Ling Xian softly grinned. “Let’s sit and speak slowly.”

“Aye, you are right. I have waited for so many years already, it doesn’t matter what these last few minutes are like.” Chu Zhong Tian sighed and sat across from Ling Xian.

Ling Xian grinned. “I understand how much you want to avenge your clan. But revenge is not something we can rush. We have to make sure we find out everything about our enemies, or else we will find ourselves in a sticky situation.”

“You are completely right, I understand.” Chu Zhong Tian nodded. He actually thought everything through and knew what Ling Xian meant. He started investigating a long time ago, it was just that he was forced to wait for weeks and it had made him impatient. This was why he appeared hasty.

“I am sure you have learned all there is to learn about the Mu Clan.”

Ling Xian erased the smile off his face and said in a low voice, “I need you to truthfully tell me everything about the Mu Clan. Do not hide anything from me.”

Seeing Ling Xian’s serious expression, Chu Zhong Tian nodded, “Just like what I told you a month ago, the biggest hidden weapon of the Mu Clan is a puppet with the capabilities equivalent to someone at the peak of the completion level. However, the puppet can only be used to protect the clan and cannot leave its home base.”

“The Mu Clan’s ancestor was of the beginning stage of the completion level many years ago. By now, he is probably of the intermediate stage at the very least. As to whether or not the Mu Clan has other completion leveled cultivators… that I am not certain of.”

Chu Zhong Tian spoke softly, and his eyes revealed how hopeless he felt.

Forget about the puppet that was of the peak of the completion level, he wasn’t strong enough to be the opponent of the Mu Clan’s ancestor himself. How could he not feel hopeless?

However, when he remembered how terrifying the man sitting across from him was his eyes flashed with hope and high expectation.

Listening to Chu Zhong Tian describe all this, Ling Xian frowned slightly and wondered if it was possible for him to break into the Mu Clan.

He didn’t care much for the Mu Clan’s ancestor, what he was troubled by was the puppet that was at the peak of the completion level.

A puppet was a strange and mysterious method powerful ancestors can create. Normally, these puppets have no intelligence and can only comprehend the orders from their masters. They are most useful at protecting and guarding the home.

Powerful figures of the Taoism community normally love to place a few puppets inside their own home. For one, these puppets have no consciousness and will not betray their masters. They are also extremely good at sticking with their master’s orders and defending against outsiders.

For two, the puppets have bodies that are extremely powerful. Unless the enemy finds the correct way to combat them, it was extremely difficult for puppets to be completely destroyed. To sum it up, puppets’ physical bodies have indestructible properties, which means they are shockingly powerful and would give any leveled cultivators headaches.

Even for someone as capable as Ling Xian.

He had a headache. It wasn’t because he didn’t think he would be able to defeat the puppet, he simply felt very troubled. Being extremely difficult to destroy is the same as being indestructible. Everyone would feel troubled by this.

Especially since that puppet has a cultivation level of a peak completion leveled cultivator. This made it even more troublesome.

“The peak of the completion level plus indestructible properties… this sure is a lot of work.” Ling Xian rubbed his temples, feeling annoyed.

It wasn’t that he was afraid. He simply felt like this will take a lot of time and work.

“Aye… the puppet at the peak of the completion level was originally the protector of my Chu Clan. I cannot believe that today, it became the weapon of my enemy and stops me from avenging my clan.” Chu Zhong Tian sighed deeply, his face full of hatred.

The protector of the Chu Clan transformed into the enemy’s weapon. This was both sarcastic and humiliating. Yet, the sole survivor of the Chu Clan has no ability to change this.

This made him tighten his fists and relax them again a bit later. His face was full of hopelessness. Very quickly, however, he reenergized himself and looked at Ling Xian with those expectant eyes, “Your Excellency, will you lend me a helping hand?”

“I have unresolved hatred against the Mu Clan, so naturally I will find them.” Ling Xia softly smiled. No matter how troublesome the puppet from the Chu Clan was, he had to deal with it.”

After all, the Mu Clan tried to plot against him multiple times. If he doesn’t resolve this hatred, how can he leave in peace?

“You mean what you say?” Chu Zhong Tian’s eyes suddenly exploded with color as he stared at Ling Xian with warmth and hope.

“Of course I mean it.” Ling Xian grinned, “The Mu Clan and I are rivals. Even without your existence, I would’ve found the Mu Clan to end all this.”

Hearing this, Chu Zhong Tian stopped worrying and bowed deeply towards Ling Xian, “Thank you, your Excellency, for lending me a helping hand.”

“There is no need to thank me.” Ling Xian brandished his hand, “I am doing something about it because the Mu Clan attempted to hurt me multiple times, it’s not because of you.”

“I understand. But no matter what, this is a great favor you are doing for me, and I will forever remember it.” Chu Zhong Tian’s tone was heavy and serious. His voice was sturdy and strong.

The hatred he was carrying was as deep as the ocean, but he hasn’t had the ability to return this pain back to the enemy. Now that Ling Xian had agreed to help him, no matter what the reason was, he was thankful.

“Do as you will.”

Ling Xian spoke softly, “I will deal with the puppet at the peak of the completion level. As for the Mu Clan ancestor, I will have to leave him with you. I wonder if you are confident enough for this?”

“Do not worry, as long as the puppet doesn’t interfere with our battle, I am confident that I can bring the Mu Clan ancestor to my own level and defeat him.” Chu Zhong Tian nodded with determination. Remembering the treasure he possessed and uses regularly, his confidence grew.

Ling Xian remembered that strange treasure as well, and he grinned, “That treasure of yours has some very special powers. If his cultivation level is two stages ahead of you, you will not be able to suppress him. However, if his level is merely one ahead of you, then you can definitely bring the Mu Clan’s ancestor down to your level.”

“That’s right. As long as I am at the same level as him, I have the confidence to kill him.” Chu Zhong Tian nodded, his face full of confidence.

He was once a Heaven’s Favorite with a Qi level of 10, why wouldn’t he have the confidence to defeat someone at the same level as him? It was just that Ling Xian defeated him with one punch, that was all.”

“Very good.” Ling Xian smiled in satisfaction, “If you realize that you cannot kill him, then don’t force yourself. Wait for when I have the chance to help you out.”

“Do not worry. You should be the one being careful. After all, that puppet is at the peak of the completion level.” Chu Zhong Tian was a little worried.

Ling Xian didn’t seem to care too much and smiled, “Do not worry, it’s merely a puppet with consciousness. Though it’s difficult to deal with, it’s not enough to hurt me.”

Hearing this, Chu Zhong Tian’s eyes flashed with strangeness, and he didn’t make another comment.

“Then it is decided. You and I shall prepare, and we will begin our move tomorrow. Let us end this whole thing.” Ling Xian shifted his gaze upwards, and killer’s intent filled his eyes.

Even though he has only been in the City of Sin for a month, the rivalry between him and the Mu Clan was extremely rigid. Therefore, killing the Mu Clan was something he must do.

Just as Ling Xian and Chu Zhong Tian were planning on how to approach this assassination, the Mu Clan was also having a serious meeting.

A meeting that specifically targetted Ling Xian.