Chapter 96: Returning to the Sect

With the assistance of his external brain, Chen Luo swiftly stabilized his cultivation realm.

The sounds of combat from both skirmishes behind him gradually faded away, indicating that their enemies had been dealt with. Against disciples from major sects, the disadvantage for low-tier rogue cultivators was quite evident.

Chen Luo flew back inside the building and surveyed the area. Junior Brother Du and Fang Shan were tidying up the aftermath. Fang Shan had slain his opponent; it turned out that the one who ambushed them with fire-infused lightning was a diminutive mage wielding magical symbols. Fang Shan’s magical sword pierced through the assailant’s skull, impaling him completely, ensuring a definitive death.

They also found the puppeteer responsible.

In a corner of the restaurant, the dead tribulation cultivator lay with eyes wide open, clutching his own throat, devoid of any life. Judging by the dark purple hue on his face, it was likely he fell victim to Junior Brother Du’s venomous gu poison.

“Everything taken care of?” Chen Luo asked.

“Just these two rogues, only skilled in minor spells, not much of a threat,” replied Junior Brother Du as he searched the corpse of the puppeteer. From the chest pocket, he retrieved a bag of holding and a tattered ancient book.

Inside, there were approximately twenty spirit stones, not many.

The book contained records of the Puppet Technique.

The puppets that had ambushed them earlier were crafted using this very Puppet Technique. Rogue cultivators often lacked security and tended to be inherently suspicious, trusting few people. Consequently, they usually carried everything with them, saving Chen Luo’s group considerable effort.

“These items must have been looted from the market.”

Junior Brother Du glanced at the markings on the secret tome, confirming its origin. Items auctioned at markets typically bore distinctive imprints. As Xixia Market was under the jurisdiction of their Divine Lake Immortal Sect, recognizing these marks came naturally.

“With these findings, our mission won’t be considered a failure after all.”

The primary objective of their task was to recover stolen goods from the market. Initially, due to the unexpected incident at Xixia Market, they feared it would be futile. However, fortune turned, as the tribulation cultivator delivered himself right to them—an opportunity not to be wasted.

Returning with this loot would signify the successful completion of their mission.

“Let’s divide these spirit stones among ourselves as compensation for our efforts.”

Junior Brother Du retrieved the spirit stones, distributing a few to each person, providing some modest recompense for their hardships. Since Fang Shan was injured during the ambush, he received an extra stone.

Chen Luo picked up the Puppet Technique scroll and swiftly skimmed through it. Among his numerous external brains, one compatible with puppetry rapidly activated and, within moments, memorized the secret methods of the Puppet Technique.

Junior Brothers Du and Fang Shan also briefly perused the scroll, eager to learn this newfound secret technique without any cost.

“The talisman cultivator I killed didn’t have anything valuable, just two worthless papers devoid of spiritual energy.”

Fang Shan produced a box he had found on the dwarf tribulation cultivator, bearing the mark of Xixia Market. However, the box was empty except for two yellow talismans drained of spiritual energy.

Chen Luo glanced at them both but said nothing. As fellow disciples, maintaining camaraderie was essential.

“What about you?” They turned their attention to Chen Luo.

“Outside, there was a rogue cultivator using Fire Element Control Arts. I’ve already dispatched him, and all I found is an empty box.” Without batting an eyelid, Chen Luo calmly presented the box.

“Those damned rogue cultivators!”

“Yes, they dare to rob even our Divine Lake Immortal Sect’s possessions and waste precious items recklessly.”

Shen Du and Fang Shan nodded in agreement with Chen Luo’s assessment.

With a loud crash, the door burst open.

Lian Qiang entered, dressed in fresh attire and holding a white mask. The grotesque face on it matched the one they had seen outside earlier.

“Three junior brothers, I’ve slain the formidable enemy.” Lian Qiang slammed the ghostly mask onto the table.

“This fellow was quite challenging… Huh? Junior Brother Chen, you’ve broken through?!” Lian Qiang, about to boast of his victory, noticed Chen Luo and was taken aback.

The sixth layer of Qi Refinement!

Now at the same level as himself.

“I gained some insights during the battle and seized the opportunity to breakthrough,” Chen Luo replied.

“But didn’t you say you were still far from breaking through…” Lian Qiang muttered, yet ultimately left the sentence unfinished.

“The evil cultivator outside was an old hag, playing with these eerie tricks even at her age. One slap from me turned her into pulp,” he said, striking the mask again for emphasis. “This is all that remains.”

“No other loot?” Fang Shan asked routinely.

“None whatsoever!” Lian Qiang responded decisively.

As he spoke, the corners of their eyes involuntarily twitched.

Could you please put your clothes back on before saying that?

The three companions gained further insight into this Divine Fire Peak senior brother. His combat style might be straightforward, but it didn’t mean he was foolish.

After a moment of silence, all four simultaneously cursed:

“Damn tribulation cultivators.”

Following a brief respite, they meticulously searched the area around the restaurant once more.

They discovered a hidden cellar beneath the kitchen, filled with dozens of disarrayed corpses. These were ordinary people from the inn, explaining why no one could be found earlier—all had been brutally murdered by the tribulation cultivators.

“This seems to be a Tianlu Peak disciple’s identity token.” Fang Shan retrieved a dusty token amidst the pile of bodies. Although damaged, the group recognized its origin immediately—it was unmistakably their Divine Lake Immortal Sect’s identification token.

“They truly harmed our fellow shidi,” the expressions of the group turned grim.

No wonder these tribulation cultivators were so audacious; they had indeed killed disciples of the Divine Lake Immortal Sect.

It was true that undertaking solo missions carried the risk of being killed. However, Chen Luo and his group were different; they had formed a temporary alliance involving all four main peaks for this mission against Xixia Market. With Shen Du from Wanwu Peak present, the rogue cultivators’ primary reliance on poison-based techniques became ineffective. Additionally, Lian Qiang from Divine Fire Peak provided formidable frontal defense. Facing such a team head-on, their defeat was unsurprising.

“Let’s burn them.”

Fang Shan set ablaze the bodies, providing a simple burial for the deceased.

After a busy night, dawn approached as they finished their tasks.

They found their carriage intact in the nearby stable, untouched by the violence inside the inn.

Having consumed a quick meal, the group climbed aboard the carriage and departed from the small town.

The road stretched towards the horizon, smooth and unobstructed.

In the distance, thunderclouds began to rumble, releasing bolts of lightning.

Amidst the deafening thunder, they seemed to glimpse an indistinct figure, but when they looked again, it vanished, leaving only swirling dark clouds and crackling lightning behind.

“Could it be someone undergoing their ascension trial?” Fang Shan couldn’t help but ask.

“It doesn’t matter whether it is or not. Let’s return to the sect first. After completing this mission, I need to focus on breaking through to Late Stage Qi Refinement. If I don’t advance soon, next year I’ll have to leave the mountain,” Lian Qiang closed his eyes, ending the conversation. Shen Du and Chen Luo followed suit, remaining silent.

Half a day later,

The carriage finally arrived at the nearby market town.

After spending two spirit stones each, they successfully boarded the intercity flying boat back to their sect.

At Divine Lake Immortal Sect,

The grand Divine Lake Formation remained unchanged, with Elder Ke’s Dragonfish from Beast Control Peak still playfully chasing after the flying boat. Compared to the outside cultivation world, the Divine Lake Immortal Sect felt like a heavenly paradise. Although competition existed within the sect, it was always governed by rules, far less direct and perilous than the risks faced in the broader cultivation realm.

As the four disciples disembarked from the flying boat, their hearts finally settled upon touching solid ground.

At the entrance of the mountain gate, they exchanged farewells.

Having completed the mission together, their bond had grown considerably closer.

“If you have time, Shidi, feel free to visit me at Divine Fire Peak.” Lian Qiang shared his identity mark with them before hastily departing for Divine Fire Peak to report his mission completion.

As he had mentioned earlier, he planned to attempt a breakthrough to Late Stage Qi Refinement upon returning, so they likely wouldn’t see him for a while.

“I’m off too. Take care, both of you,” Shen Du bid farewell.

Being a disciple of Wanwu Peak, their paths diverged from there.

Chen Luo and Fang Shan proceeded together towards Wu Dao Peak. Upon arrival, they headed straight for the grand hall where their master, Wu Wei-zhenren, practiced cultivation.

When they reached the hall, three individuals were already present - senior brothers and sisters ranging from Late Stage to Full Circle Qi Refinement. During the joint mission, these three had been undertaking tasks outside to prepare for Foundation Establishment. Their return indicated that their missions were completed, but it was unclear if they were now ready to attempt the breakthrough.

Chen Luo and Fang Shan patiently stood to the side, waiting until the senior disciples finished their matters before approaching.

“Did the two of you participate in the joint task at Xixia Market?”

Just as Chen Luo and Fang Shan were about to knock on the door, a woman emerged from inside, blocking their path and addressing them.

Dressed in plain white robes, she wore a gentle smile with silver bracelets adorned on both wrists. These bracelets had tiny bells that chimed melodiously with each step, evoking a sense of tranquility.

“Elder Sister Bai!”

Upon recognizing her, Fang Shan swiftly lowered his head.

Bai Su was Wu Dao Peak’s most gifted disciple, renowned as the one with the highest potential for Foundation Establishment within the next decade. On Wu Dao Peak, aside from Shizun Wu Wei-zhenren, no one held a higher status than Bai Su. Not even the other two disciples at Late Stage Qi Refinement could compare to her.

“Yes, Junior Brother Chen and I just returned from Xixia Market. We encountered some incidents along the way,” Fang Shan, momentarily dazed, promptly recounted the entire mission to Bai Su.

He even disclosed the ambush by rogue cultivators near the small town, which seemed uncharacteristically revealing given his usual reserved demeanor.

“You mean people from Nine Poisons Valley and Corpse-Raising Sect were there too?” Bai Su narrowed her eyes, contemplating something.

“Yes, Uncle-Master Chengfeng was also there. Shijie can verify this with him,” Fang Shan promptly mentioned a respected figure.

“I see. I have no further questions now, you may enter.” With a light laugh, Bai Su turned and walked away without looking back, her bells chiming melodiously like a song.

‘Soul Technique integrated with artifacts,’ thought Chen Luo as he watched her disappear. This reminded him of the suggestion from his Foundation Establishment brain - Soul Techniques could be fused with objects, and it seemed that this Elder Sister Bai had chosen such a path. However, he wondered why she would be interested in events at Xixia Market. Could there be something they missed within those occurrences?

“What happened to Elder Sister Bai?”

Fang Shan snapped out of his daze, looking around bewilderedly. He couldn’t recall anything that just occurred.

“She’s already left. Let’s go inside and report our mission to Shizun,” Chen Luo responded briefly. Bai Su meant no harm; she simply asked some questions. It wouldn’t affect Fang Shan’s divine soul.