Chapter 706 - 700: Refined Scum, Aggressive Pagoda
The chief disciples of the Spring and Autumn Academy who had inherited the true teachings were thrilled to hear of Qin Feng and Li Miao Zhen’s arrival and rushed over to meet them immediately.
However, once they recognized the aura emanating from the two, their expressions changed instantly, revealing shock.
They were the proud talents of their generation after all, and without exceptional giftedness and talent, they could not have secured their positions as the lead disciples of the Spring and Autumn Academy.
As the cream of the crop among the younger generation of cultivators, they were filled with pride.
So when they saw that the two people, who were previously on par with them, had surpassed them and achieved Immortal Dao before them, with auras that were indecipherably profound and far from the appearance of those new to Immortal Dao, they were beyond astonished.
Especially Tang Sanyuan!
Unlike Fang Chengqian and the others, he, just like Qin Feng and Li Miao Zhen, was a recognized Master of Qi Luck by the Heavenly Dao, blessed with great fortune.
And now he had fallen a big step behind the two, how could he accept this?
Therefore, with widened eyes and after assuring himself that he wasn’t seeing things, he couldn’t help but wail, “As a Master of Qi Luck just the same, why is the gap so vast?
I originally thought that advancing to the Primordial Spirit in such a short time would make me stand out among my peers, even considered the best of my time, but now you two have… sighed!”
He glanced at Li Miao Zhen, sighed deeply, and said no more.
Initially, he had quite a favorable impression of Li Miao Zhen, and even entertained thoughts of courtship, considering an alliance through marriage with the Beast Taming Sect.
Now that he saw Li Miao Zhen’s Dao Cultivation had surpassed his, his ego as a man suffered a great blow.
He had thought that after becoming an Immortal, with a higher status, if he proposed marriage to the Beast Taming Sect, he might be received with some consideration. Yet now he was so far behind her, how could he even broach the subject!
Qin Feng glanced at him, shook his head, and said, “Brother Tang, why be disheartened? My master and I had a different opportunity, which lead us to an unexpected breakthrough in our realm and allowed us to achieve longevity. This is not something that can be judged by ordinary standards.
Moreover, with so many cultivators in the Cultivation World to compare yourself against, why distress yourself by comparing with us two?”
These words were a subtle jab at Tang Sanyuan.
Under normal circumstances, he would not have said this, but now that he and Li Miao Zhen had tied the knot, he already regarded her as his own, and naturally did not want to see another man harboring any desire for her. Thus, he purposefully chastised Tang Sanyuan to prevent him from harboring any further thoughts in the future.
Next to him, Tang Qiyun couldn’t help but tease with a laugh, “Brother always boasts so proudly about himself, praising his rapid advancement in cultivation. But now it seems that you are quite ordinary after all, far inferior compared to Brother Qin and Sister Li!”
“…”
Tang Sanyuan glanced at his sister and replied listlessly, “You wretched girl, so quickly forgetting all the kindness your brother has shown you. Now you team up with Brother Qin to put me down, where is your conscience!
Hmph, be careful, or I’ll tell our parents when we get home, see how you’ll explain then!”
“Hehe…”
Tang Qiyun playfully blinked her eyes, not afraid of him in the slightest.
When it came to standing within the family, she was far more favored by their parents than her elder brother.
Meanwhile, Fang Chengqian observed Qin Feng and Li Miao Zhen and couldn’t help but blink.
His mind was more delicate, and his observational skills were far superior to Tang Sanyuan.
Though he didn’t frequent the pleasure districts as often as Tang Sanyuan, as a poet, he was not without experience in places of mirth and laughter. At this moment, seeing how closely Qin Feng and Li Miao Zhen stood together, and noticing the subtle intimacies they unintentionally revealed, it was clear to him that the two had already pledged their hearts to one another.
Although somewhat bitter, as a person of understanding and a Scholar nearing the Immortal Realm through his study of Confucianism, he was quick to adjust his mindset and bury any subtle affections deep in his heart.
After all, he was not a cultivator of the Demon Path nor did he practice the Absolute Emotionless Path, so obviously he couldn’t sever his affections instantly. He could only rely on time to slowly fade those emotions.
After letting go of his thoughts, Fang Chengqian approached with a jovial smile, joining Qin Feng and the others in ribbing Tang Sanyuan, using this as a way to forget the fact that he was even more smitten with Li Miao Zhen than Tang Sanyuan had been.
This left Tang Sanyuan choked up with frustration, “Fang Chengqian, I never thought the world had someone as shameless as you. Don’t forget, once upon a time, you were… “
“What once upon a time?”
Fang Chengqian narrowed his eyes, glanced at Tang Qiyun and subtly threatened, “Sister Qiyun is so delicate and charming; Brother Tang better keep a close watch, or else some gentleman might sweep her away, which would be such a pity!”
“You…”
As a long-time friend and rival, Tang Sanyuan understood the implication in Fang Chengqian’s words all too well.
This wretch was clearly using his sister to blackmail him, implying that if he spoke out of turn, this man could cause mischief, just as he had once enabled Ma Xingkong to linger around Tang Qiyun as a past suitor.
What worried him even more was the possibility that one day Fang Chengqian might take action himself, and with Tang Qiyun’s unguarded attitude towards him, she might actually fall prey to his charms!
So, Tang Sanyuan wisely kept his mouth shut.
As for Tang Qiyun, oblivious to the subtext, she blushed slightly and stomped her foot in pretend annoyance, “What nonsense are you talking about? Why drag me into this out of nowhere?”
“Haha… no, nothing at all, I’m just joking with Brother Tang. Please don’t be upset, Sister Qiyun.”
Fang Chengqian offered a clearly insincere explanation, then added a comment that put Tang Sanyuan on high alert, “But honestly, Sister Qiyun really is becoming more beautiful. I remember when we first met, Sister Qiyun was still at the tender age of youth, so innocent and lively.
The image from when we first met seems like it was just yesterday, and now looking again, it suddenly strikes me how much Sister Qiyun has grown.
Indeed, time flies like an arrow, silently passing by, and without realizing it so many years have gone by, and Sister Qiyun can no longer be viewed as the little sister she once was!”
“Fang Chengqian!”
Tang Sanyuan looked at him warily, as vigilant as he had been against Ma Xingkong in the past.
But he couldn’t voice certain thoughts, and while grinding his teeth in silent anger, he pressed down the fury in his heart and warned him, “Don’t mess around, otherwise…”
“Otherwise what?”
Fang Chengqian certainly wasn’t afraid of him, still smiling amicably, “Besides, when have I ever been reckless? I was merely lamenting how swiftly time passes, how Sister Qiyun has come of age, growing more beautiful with each change. Could it be that I’m wrong, and Sister Qiyun has grown uglier over the years instead?”
When Tang Sanyuan saw that his sister’s questioning gaze had also turned toward him, he couldn’t help feeling greatly bothered, “Alright, alright, as if I never said anything!”
He raised his hands in surrender but, inwardly, he became even more vigilant toward Fang Chengqian.
Unless he could be certain that the fellow was indeed speaking in jest and harbored no designs on his sister, he would definitely guard against him closely and might even resort to certain necessary measures if needed.
For instance, an Alchemy Master-crafted top-tier laxative, whose potent effects not even an Immortal could withstand, might leave one with an upset stomach for three days straight.
Or perhaps some strange medicine, when applied on the skin, would render one unable to leave the house – all the better to diminish his standing in his sister’s eyes!
Although Fang Chengqian had shown no signs of making a move on his sister, Tang Sanyuan was already considering how to nip any such possibilities in the bud.
“Enough, enough, can’t you two be a bit less troublesome!”
Daoist Wu next to them couldn’t help but hold his forehead in exasperation.
His Daoist Heart was transparent; although he was engrossed in the art of painting, under the corrupting influence of these two crafty individuals, how could he not be aware of the ulterior motives in their words?
Thus, he stepped in to mediate, “Brother Qin and Daoist Fellow Li have traveled from afar to our Spring and Autumn Academy, let’s not cause them to witness any embarrassment!”
“Eh, that’s right. I haven’t asked yet. What brings you two Daoist Fellows to the Central Region at this time? Is there some matter afoot, requiring any assistance from us?”
“Brother Wu, you are too courteous.”
Qin Feng bowed, “The matter has been resolved, there’s no need to trouble you all!”
“Oh, that’s good to hear!”
Daoist Wu relaxed and curiously voiced his question, “Daoist Fellows, it has only been a few years since we last parted, and it was not long after we had attained our Primordial Spirits. How is it that both of you have advanced so swiftly, achieving Immortal Dao, leaving us old friends far behind?”
“Hehe… The story behind that is a long one. Allow me to explain it slowly!”
Qin Feng gestured for everyone to follow him to a nearby pavilion, where he briefly recounted the events of the recent past.
He didn’t conceal his experience of refining the Beiming Immortal Mansion nor the venture into Divine Mountain to seize the Golden Apples; after all, these were tales that had already spread far and wide. Even if they didn’t inquire about them, such news would reach them eventually, rendering secrecy pointless.
His vivid narration left Tang Sanyuan, Daoist Wu, and the others feeling surging emotions.
“It seems that staying cooped up on one’s own is certainly no long-term strategy!”
Tang Sanyuan remarked, “While we gain much from studying the texts of Saints and scholars within the Academy, lacking thrilling experiences and trials can’t compare to what you Daoist Fellows have encountered and your subsequent gains!”
“Indeed!”
Fang Chengqian slightly nodded in agreement, endorsing his point, “It seems that it’s time we also ventured out for some experience, whether it be participating in battles in Otherworlds or traveling through Biluo. We can’t stay in the Academy forever; otherwise, we might lose our fighting spirit and the passionate drive of youth!”
“Should we also quietly sneak into Otherworlds?”
Tang Qiyun’s face showed a playful expression, “Which world should we go to? Why not that Divine Realm where the Ghost City wars are happening?”
“What are you thinking about?”
Tang Sanyuan tapped her head, scolding gently, “Brother Qin and the others only disguised themselves and joined another Sect’s team because they had no other choice. We’re not in such a predicament, so why bother with such actions? It would suffice to join a Sect’s expedition openly and upright!”
“Oh!”
Embarrassed, Tang Qiyun stuck out her tongue sheepishly.
Though her Daoist cultivation was profound, she was engrossed in the path of music and, having been pampered from a young age, she was clever but somewhat naive, especially in the presence of those close to her, where her naive charm was even more evident.
…
As an Elder, Elder Long Qian would naturally not mingle with these young people. Instead, he was hosted by other Great Scholars of the Academy, taking the opportunity to consult them on the teachings within the book that Gongsun Cuo had gifted him, reaping significant benefits.
As for Qin Feng and the others, they joined Tang Sanyuan and Fang Chengqian in roaming east and west, wandering through the Academy for several days, meeting many talented scholars and Great Scholars, and witnessing the unique Daoist magic and Divine Powers of the Confucianism lineage.
Days later, a scholar came bearing a Pagoda for Qin Feng.
It was the original Demon Tower, which Gongsun Cuo had since cleansed with his Vast Energy, purging it of the Demonic Qi and reversing the origin of power within the Treasure. However, being preoccupied with his own important matters, Gongsun Cuo could only spare a fraction of his attention for the Demon Tower, and it took him several days to complete the task.
Qin Feng thanked the scholar who delivered the Pagoda and returned to his room. Sitting cross-legged, he held the Pagoda in his hand for a moment.
Now, the Pagoda no longer held its original dark and Demonic Qi-infused appearance; it glowed brightly, showing a faint Spirit Light, clearly a Righteous Path magical treasure.
Gongsun Cuo, while cleansing the Pagoda, had not eradicated the imprints Qin Feng had placed on the Demon Tower while refining it, so he was able to immerse his Spirit directly into the Pagoda, exploring its interior, and was immediately astonished.
The Pagoda still had thirty-three layers, akin to before, and the exterior had not changed much. However, the interior was drastically transformed, not only more expansive but also rid of the previous Demonic Qi. Instead, the elements of earth, water, fire, and wind were now laid out in front of him as if covering the sky.
After careful examination, Qin Feng found four Treasure Beads within the core Prohibition of the Pagoda.
These were the origin of the elemental forces of earth, water, fire, and wind, with their power infinitely amplified by the Prohibition Array.
Such might, once ensnaring a being within, could even challenge the average Profound Immortal with its formidable Refining Power – assuming, of course, Qin Feng had the strength to capture a Profound Immortal inside.
Apart from the ability to refine beings, this Pagoda also possessed powerful suppressive force!
With Qin Feng’s current strength, once the Pagoda was raised, it could grow hundreds of feet tall and weigh as much as a mountain, which even ordinary Heavenly Immortals would dare not contend against.
Should he further invoke the Gravity Divine Power to increase the weight of the Pagoda, its suppressive force would likely become even more fearsome!
Qin Feng toyed with the Pagoda, growing more delighted as he examined it.
Now that the Pagoda was his own Treasure, it was no longer appropriate to call it the Demon Tower. What should he name it?