SWNOVELS Chapter 48 - Arc 5: Loose Cultivator Alliance | Chapter 48: Loose Cultivator Alliance
Chapter 48 - Arc 5: Loose Cultivator Alliance | Chapter 48: Loose Cultivator Alliance
Translator: Lynn contemporary romance
<<Start of Arc 5: Loose Cultivator Alliance>>
The boat continued its journey from the Lower Nine Continents, heading towards Upper Luzhou.
Xu Ziqing sat quietly at the rear of the boat, resting his eyes.
After a day or so, the silhouette of the distant continent became visible, indicating their imminent arrival.
Suddenly, several colorful lights appeared ahead, resembling bright flashes from magical weapons. They swiftly approached and came to a halt in front of the boat.
Su Xin exclaimed, “Oh no!”
Xu Ziqing sensed that something was amiss and stood up, joining Su Xin’s side. He asked, “Fellow Daoist, what’s happening?”
Su Xin smirked sarcastically, “They’re looking for me… It’s a tragic situation.”
Xu Ziqing was taken aback, but before he could react, he noticed a flickering shadow. Su Xin had been grabbed by the ear and someone else had taken control of the spirit boat.
In a state of shock, Xu Ziqing’s heart sank, but he didn’t dare to resist. He pleaded, “Release me!”
To his surprise, the familiar face of the captor turned out to be an acquaintance, not an enemy. When he turned his head, he saw a woman wearing a red dress, her attire adorned with fire motifs. A long red snake coiled around her waist, hissing and spitting venom.
The woman possessed a natural beauty, and her almond-shaped eyes emitted a fierce aura.
As Su Xin continued to scream, his ears were twisted even harder. He begged for mercy, “Master and mistress, I’ve just made a new friend. Please don’t let anyone mock me! Ouch! At least give me some face, Mistress!”
Xu Ziqing was astonished by Su Xin’s behavior. Since their meeting, Su Xin had always been arrogant and unpredictable, and although he had shown some respect later on, he had never displayed such a sulky and foolish look. The sudden change was both amusing and surprising.
The woman, realizing that she had taught him a lesson, released her grip on Su Xin’s ears. She smirked, raised her eyebrows, and said, “I’ll settle the score with you later.” Then, she turned her attention to Xu Ziqing, scrutinizing him from head to toe. “You have a handsome face. Why have you befriended my unworthy disciple?”
Xu Ziqing had never encountered such a straightforward woman before, and he felt a sense of fondness toward her. Despite her calling him “senior,” he modestly replied, “I am honored to meet Senior Huo Tong.”
Only then did the woman realize that this young man was relatively young, yet possessed considerable cultivation and exceptional looks. She was somewhat relieved that he wasn’t overbearing, but rather gentle and polite. A beautiful smile graced her face as she said, “My apologies for mistaking your name, Ziqing. It’s a blessing for my disciple, Xin, to have you as a friend. I hope the two of you will support and care for each other, and have a prosperous future together.”
Impressed by her perceptiveness, Xu Ziqing sighed and expressed his admiration. Her tone indicated that she had correctly guessed their intentions and plans. He replied, “Senior Huo’s kind words are greatly appreciated. My junior and fellow Daoist, Su Xin and I had an instant connection, so naturally, we should support each other.”
Huo Tong smiled with satisfaction before turning her attention back to Su Xin. “You’re audacious enough to eavesdrop and even venture alone to confront the Blood Demon. But do you know how ruthless and dangerous the Blood Demon is? If you’re not careful, you may lose your life!”
Su Xin retorted, “The Blood Demon is merely a lingering spirit, so I dared to confront…”
The first thing you need to do is get a proper understanding of what you’re doing! You were fortunate this time that nothing went wrong. Otherwise, how would you face your master and mother? It was even more irritating that this boy had eavesdropped and lied, deceiving the people of the League by claiming he would be in seclusion for a few days. If Huo Tong hadn’t sensed something amiss and asked her husband to investigate his whereabouts, she would still be clueless!
When she discovered that Su Xin had been missing for two or three days, she rushed out in a frenzy. Only when she saw him alive and well did her heart finally settle.
As Xu Ziqing witnessed Huo Tong’s fury, he didn’t realize that she was deeply concerned for Su Xin. His opinion of Huo Tong improved, and he even felt a hint of envy in his heart.
In his previous life, his elder brother and parents had showered him with love. He couldn’t help but feel the sorrow that must have enveloped them after his death. Unfortunately, now that he was in a different world, even if he aspired to achieve immortality in the future, he would never be able to reunite with his loved ones… As for his parents in this life, their bond was even more tenuous. It was hard not to sigh.
Whispering to himself, he said, “Instead of praising my apprentice, I scolded him like that… so fierce.”
Huo Tong playfully slapped him on the head and retorted, “Nonsense!” Then, as if she understood something, she eagerly asked, “You said you killed the blood demon, is that true?”
Su Xin replied, “It’s mostly true! If you don’t believe me, I can tell you!” He glanced sideways at Xu Ziqing, as if seeking confirmation.
Xu Ziqing smiled and nodded.
Only then did Su Xin proceed to tell the detailed story of the Chenghuang Kingdom, emphasizing the duel with great detail.
Xu Ziqing nodded in agreement at certain points, relieved to hear that Su Xin hadn’t mentioned Yun Ling in any way. He was glad that his friend only had his soul left, and it didn’t appear to be a ghost cultivator. If that had been revealed, it would have caused harm to Su Xin.
Huo Tong was thrilled by the story, but upon seeing Su Xin’s overly excited expression, her fury ignited. She was over ten times more knowledgeable than Su Xin, so she naturally understood the immense danger involved. If it hadn’t been for the fortunate presence of Xu Ziqing, who joined forces with him, her disciple would have perished in vain!
As she thought of this, her anger flared up.
When she first met Su Xin, she had taken a liking to him and brought him to her husband, making him their disciple. Her impulsive and arrogant actions stemmed from overhearing just a few words!
Fortunately, he returned safely; otherwise, the couple would have been devastated!
But in the presence of others, she couldn’t teach her disciple a lesson and reveal everything right here and now. So she glared at him and warned, “I’ll deal with you when we return!” Then, she turned to the young man in the green shirt and said, “Thank you for taking care of my untalented disciple. You must be tired now. You should come back with me to the Alliance of Loose Cultivators. If my husband knew that Xin’s son had made such a friend, he would surely want to meet you.”
Xu Ziqing had originally intended to assess the situation of the Alliance before considering joining, so he smiled and replied, “I would be delighted to oblige.”
Huo Tong was accompanied by several other cultivators, both male and female, young and old, all at the seventh or eighth level of Qi refinement. They were either friend of Huo Tong or influential figures within the alliance who had come with her to rescue Su Xin.
While Huo Tong and Su Xin conversed, the other cultivators remained silent, hovering on either side of the boat with their magic weapons. Now that the conversation was over, they approached Xu Ziqing with enthusiasm, eager to get acquainted.
Xu Ziqing, who seldom interacted with people, displayed his gentle and humble nature despite his talent, leaving a positive impression on the cultivators.
They joked and laughed along the way, and before long, Xu Ziqing had become somewhat familiar with them.
After approximately an hour, the boat came to a stop in the midst of a serene landscape with mountains and clear water.
Numerous mansions and houses were constructed along the mountains and water, all gathered near a grand gate. In front of the gate stood a stone monument bearing the inscription “Loose Cultivator Alliance.”
Huo Tong raised her jade arm, and the spirit boat obediently descended, indicating that it originally belonged to her, not Su Xin.
Once they disembarked from the spirit boat, all the cultivators stood motionless. When Xu Ziqing looked up, he felt a powerful pressure emanating from the stone monument, as if an immense energy burst forth from its inscribed characters.
The monument appeared ancient, its age unknown, yet its power remained intact, indicating that its creator was remarkably strong and formidable. When Su Xin sneaked a glance at Xu Ziqing observing the stone monument, he whispered, “Fellow Daoist Xu, that was inscribed by the esteemed founder of the Loose Cultivator Alliance, dating back to the same era as our Alliance.”
Snapping back to reality, Xu Ziqing praised, “The first Alliance Master must have possessed an extraordinary mastery of heaven and earth!”
Su Xin smirked and replied, “Naturally. If you join our alliance, I guarantee you won’t regret it.”
Xu Ziqing smiled but remained silent, extending his hand in a gesture of “lead the way.”
Upon reaching the gate, Su Xin volunteered to show Xu Ziqing around the alliance. However, Huo Tong understood that he was trying to avoid her husband’s scolding. Concerned for her disciple’s safety after his recent ordeal, she wanted to give him time to prepare. Her immediate priority was to discuss what she had overheard with her husband and the elders.
Once Huo Tong departed, the other cultivators bid farewell to Xu Ziqing and Su Xin before leaving as well. When Su Xin turned his head, he noticed Xu Ziqing’s calm and gentle demeanor, recalling how he had pleaded with his mother earlier. He felt a hint of embarrassment and addressed Xu Ziqing, “Fellow Daoist Xu…”
Xu Ziqing smiled faintly, “As a newcomer here, I would appreciate some guidance from my Daoist friend Su.”
Su Xin brushed it off as usual and replied with a smile, “That’s my duty. I can’t refuse guidance. Please, Fellow Daoist Xu.”
Xu Ziqing also smiled and said, “Please.”
As Xu Ziqing entered the entrance of the Alliance of Loose Cultivators, he encountered an ancient hall divided into three levels. On the ground floor hung a plaque that read “The Pavilion of the Governors,” responsible for managing all alliance affairs and assigning tasks to the various governors.
To the side, a stone path led to the back, where a seven-story tower labeled “Trading Hall” bustled with people coming and going.
Su Xin guided Xu Ziqing into the pavilion and explained, “I will introduce you here to receive a plaque, officially making you a member of our foreign alliance.”
Xu Ziqing nodded, “I assume I belong to the first category of people that Daoist Su mentioned?”
Su Xin smiled, “Indeed, that identity plaque serves as proof.”
Xu Ziqing understood.
The two of them stepped into the pavilion, where a portrait of a middle-aged man with an immortal-like appearance greeted them. He had a fair complexion, a beard under his chin, and a pair of eyes radiating inner light, exuding an extraordinary aura.
In front of the portrait, an incense burner stood with a stick of jing xian incense placed beside it.
Adjacent to the burner, a monk resembling a steward sat behind a sandalwood table. He opened his eyes upon seeing someone approach.
Noticing the person, Su Xin’s expression revealed a somewhat condescending smile. “Elder He, are you in charge here today?” he asked.
Xu Ziqing took a quick glance and noticed that Elder He’s cultivation level was only at the fifth level of Qi refinement, similar to Su Xin’s. However, his aura was not as clear as Su Xin’s; it had a slight haze, suggesting a shorter life expectancy and a lack of motivation for cultivation.
As Elder He saw Su Xin, he promptly stood up, his smile curt. “Ah, it’s the Young Alliance Master. What brings you here today?” he replied.
Su Xin snorted, “I want to introduce someone to the Outer Alliance, so I’ve come to you for a plaque. Do you have any objections?”
Elder He shifted his attention to Xu Ziqing and praised him first, saying, “As expected of a friend of the Young Alliance Master, your talent is truly exceptional, unlike us ordinary folks!” Then he added, “The Loose Cultivator Alliance has always welcomed Loose cultivators to join, and we have a good relationship with the Young Alliance Master. I see this… individual.”
Xu Ziqing smiled gently and introduced himself, “My name is Xu Ziqing.”
Elder He continued, “I believe this Xu gongzi is eligible for a first-class token.”
Gongzi = master/young master/an honorific to address esteemed ones.
Su Xin nodded in satisfaction, “You’re the right person for the job, Elder He.”
Elder He smiled happily, flipped his palm, and produced a black token. He then took up a fine hard-bristle pen with a shimmering silver tip and swiftly inscribed Xu Ziqing’s name on the token. He pointed his finger and muttered a recitation.
Xu Ziqing received the token with both hands. It felt quite heavy and slightly cold to the touch.
Upon seeing the token, Su Xin also smiled and urged, “Fellow Daoist Xu, those who receive a first-class token must offer three incense sticks to the ancestors of the League. Hurry and go!”
Knowing the rule, Xu Ziqing lit the incense, paid his respects, and turned back to Elder He with a smile, saying, “Thank you, Elder.”
Elder He replied, “I dare not.”
However, Su Xin reached out and grabbed Xu Ziqing’s sleeve, urging him, “I’ll guide you elsewhere. Come on!”
Unable to resist, Xu Ziqing followed him outside. Once they were out, he asked, “Fellow Daoist, what does this token signify? I assume there’s something special about being classified as first-class or second-class.”
Su Xin replied, “The Outer Alliance tokens are divided into three classes. The first-class token is the highest ranking and offers the best treatment within the Outer Sect. With your exceptional abilities, you deserve a good token.”
Xu Ziqing smiled, “I would also like to express my gratitude to Fellow Daoist Su for your kind assistance.”
Su Xin waved his hand, saying, “There’s no need to thank me. I’m benefiting from your higher cultivation as well.”
He said it casually, but Xu Ziqing understood the implications. As a newcomer in this world, even a second-class token would have been a significant honor considering his qualifications. Receiving a first-class token meant that he must have a deeper connection with the League.
Realizing that Su Xin was putting on a front and warming up to him, Xu Ziqing acknowledged the favor without expressing gratitude.
Xu Ziqing also grasped the situation and felt pleased about it.
He then took Xu Ziqing on several walks, diligently explaining the rules and customs of the League. He accompanied him to identify various locations and provided detailed explanations. It was evident that he was devoted to his role.
Within the Alliance, there were two distinct types of cultivators. Those who possessed different tokens resided in different accommodations and received varying treatment based on their cultivation level, contributions, and years of membership.
On the other hand, the Inner Alliance served as the core of the loose cultivation alliance. Anyone wishing to be involved in matters within the alliance, regardless of their significance, became a member of the Inner Alliance. The title of the young master belonged to Su Xin for now, but the next master might not be him.
The Pavilion of the Councilors marked the boundary of the Loose Cultivator Alliance, and a long stone staircase winded up the rocks, leading to the Inner Alliance.
The left side of the pavilion was designated for the outer league. There, cultivators’ residences were situated, accommodating guest cultivators with third and second-class tokens. These individuals were attended to by varying numbers of servants. On the right side, the aura was more abundant, and it housed cultivators with first-class tokens. Known as the “High Guest House,” it resembled the Trading Hall.
Su Xin shared all this information with Xu Ziqing and emphasized the importance of maintaining harmony among cultivators. In the event of disagreements, they should avoid conflicts within the Alliance. He then warned Xu Ziqing, “Although you are gentle and kind, there are unruly guest cultivators. If you wish to avoid trouble, seek mediation from the responsible elders. If you come across someone causing trouble in the trading hall, let me know their name!”
Understanding Su Xin’s intentions, Xu Ziqing nodded and replied, “I understand.”
Afterward, Su Xin guided Xu Ziqing to the right side of the High Court.
Passing through the seven-story pagoda in the trading hall, they arrived at an inner lake adorned with a stone arch bridge. The surrounding scenery was picturesque, and the aura in the area was highly enticing.
Beyond the bridge, a small hill emerged with several eaves scattered around, not in close proximity. A few beautiful trees stood next to the houses, and the sound of flowing water and the fragrance of birds and flowers filled the air.
It was truly a place with breathtaking scenery—beautiful mountains, clear water, and a serene ambiance.
Su Xin led Xu Ziqing up the stone steps and inquired, “Only 30 people have been granted the first-class token, yet there are a hundred houses on this mountain, many of which are unoccupied. Fellow Daoist Xu, where would you prefer to reside?”
In a soft voice, Xu Ziqing replied, “Somewhere quiet and less crowded would be suitable.”
Su Xin raised an eyebrow, anticipating the same preference. After a moment of thought, he began introducing the area, saying, “This mountain is called Spiritual Trick Mountain, named after the spiritual trunk located within. Originally, it was a spirit vein that was excavated and broken, leaving only one section behind. Over time, a spirit cave formed. The spiritual energy within it permeates the entire mountain. The closer a house is to the spirit node, the stronger the spiritual energy, whereas the farther away, the weaker.”
Regardless of the distance, the spiritual energy in this place exceeded that of other locations.
Xu Ziqing had come across information about spiritual veins in a miscellaneous book. It explained that over time, the spiritual energy of the heavens and earth would gather and form a vein, which, when condensed, became a spiritual vein. These veins produced spiritual stones and pearls. If a vein was damaged and left undeveloped, it would often transform into a spirit cave. Cultivators who created their cultivation space within a spirit cave could achieve twice the result with half the effort.
The greatest benefit of a spirit cave lay in its balance of the five elements. Irrespective of a cultivator’s technique’s attributes, the absorbed spiritual energy is automatically condensed into the same type of energy, eliminating the need to expel impurities from different types.
As Xu Ziqing possessed a single spiritual root, he did not encounter the same issues as ordinary cultivators. However, cultivating in a place with dense spiritual energy allowed for faster absorption, providing significant advantages.
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