Chapter 053 Senior Brother – “ “…The Dao Couple Ceremony, will it be held?” ” (18/19)
Dao, Dao, Dao, Dao—Dao Companions…!
Shi Jingge and that man of extraordinary cultivation were Dao Companions!!!
When this revelation finally sank in, the minds of the Peak Masters were filled with a cacophony of screams.
T–They were really…Dao Companions?! the Peak Master silently asked with a questioning eye.
Shi Jingge nodded helplessly.
The Peak Master pinched the palm of his hand and stood firm.
“May I ask the honorable name of this great cultivator?” the Disciplinary Elder managed to say with great difficulty.
Shi Jingge looked at Wen Xusheng, his eyes filled with inquiry.
Wen Xusheng opened his mouth and said, “My name is Jiuxing. You may call me Master Jiuxing.”
The disciples of Shuixing Peak all called him that. As for the name his Dao Companion had given him, naturally, only he and his Dao Companion were allowed to use it.
It was his most precious gift. It clearly didn’t sound like a real name, but given his cultivation level, who would dare to question it?
The Disciplinary Elder nodded slightly. “Master Jiu.”
“Mm,” Wen Xusheng replied indifferently.
In an instant, everyone’s thoughts were in perfect unison: …This great power is truly an aloof and cold person.
So, everyone timidly turned their gaze back to Shi Jingge.
Shi Jingge: “……”
…Wasn’t this just picking on an honest person?
After a long moment, Shi Jingge scrubbed his hands over his face and yielded.
“Perhaps,” Shi Jingge began hesitantly, changing the subject to ease the current awkward atmosphere as much as possible, “we should consider how the ghost cultivators, demonic cultivators, and demonic beasts formed their alliance. And how did they manage to recuperate and rapidly increase their strength over these past three years?
“Has their alliance truly come to an end? Aside from that black vortex, might they have yet another trick up their sleeves? How was that vortex even formed? If it was just a teleportation gate, wouldn’t it require establishing a connection on both ends? When exactly did they set up that barrier above us?
“If we can’t figure this out, they might make a swift comeback.”
Everyone: “……”
Shi Jingge’s earlier words had everyone on edge, but that final remark…
‘Don’t worry. With your Dao Companion here, even if they had ten times the courage, those beasts and cultivators wouldn’t dare to strike back.‘ But no one would voice this “truth.” Shi Jingge had already tried so hard to break the awkward silence—how could they possibly dismiss his efforts?
So everyone followed the line of thought Shi Jingge had laid out and began discussing the matter with “enthusiasm” and “sincerity.”
“They really haven’t given up their evil intentions!”
“I believe they won’t let this go.”
“If any of our disciples undergo the Tribulation in the future, we’ll definitely have to put the entire sect on high alert.”
“We have a disciple at the peak of the Qi Refining Realm on our peak; I suspect they’re not far from facing the tribulation,” said one Peak Master with a grave expression. “I must return and have this disciple transferred to my side so I can look after them.”
“I have a disciple at the peak of the Qi Refining Realm on my side as well. No, I can’t rest easy either. I must return immediately and have them come to my side.”
“I have one too!”
“Me too!”
The Disciplinary Elder’s lips twitched slightly. This was truly something; they’d even invent a disciple if they didn’t have one. After all, no one would verify their nonsense.
So, the Disciplinary Elder said earnestly, “Now that you mention it, I’m a bit worried too. I have three disciples at the peak of the Qi Cultivation Stage.”
The other Peak Masters: “……”
True to form for the Disciplinary Elder—even his made-up numbers were higher than everyone else’s!
The Disciplinary Elder nodded calmly. “I must return and speak with them.”
The other Peak Masters fell silent for a moment before responding in unison to the Disciplinary Elder’s “call.” Then, the group collectively took their leave from Shi Jingge.
Shi Jingge nodded, bidding them farewell with great understanding.
But before the teleportation array could open, Wen Xusheng spoke up. “Wait.”
The Peak Masters’ footsteps faltered, and a sense of unease crept into their hearts.
…What did this big shot want?
“This one, this one, and this one.” Wen Xusheng pointed at them one by one, covering all six peaks surrounding Shuixing Peak. “Notify those over there. I’m going to collect rent.”
W—What? At that moment, every Peak Master present wondered if they had misheard.
In the end, it was the Sect Master who mustered the courage to ask respectfully, “Master Jiuxiang, may I ask about this rent…?”
“Summon the spirits of these peaks. See if they answer you,” Wen Xusheng said in a flat tone.
The Sect Master’s breath caught in his throat.
“Originally, the boundaries of the Liuzhong Sect didn’t include this area, did they?” Wen Xusheng said with a half-smile. “It was only later that they gradually expanded to cover this land, wasn’t it? Just because the Master has gone into seclusion and turned his back on the mortal world doesn’t mean you can get away with paying absolutely no rent. Or is it that the mighty Liuzhong Sect has no intention of paying me at all? You want to steal my mountain peaks? Are you sure?” Wen Xusheng’s tone was thick with menace.
The poor head of the Liuzhong Sect hadn’t even opened his mouth when Wen Xusheng waved his hand. In an instant, spiritual energy surged outward.
The peaks he had just pointed out seemed to respond to him. Something within them stirred as if roused from slumber; the conviction of the ancient pact stirred gentle breezes, carrying a sense of joy into everyone’s ears.
These peaks… were actually… already claimed by a single owner!
It was just that the owner had been in seclusion for far too long, or perhaps had chosen to live in withdrawal from the world, having even unilaterally blocked the contract or something else. The power of the contract had gradually been suppressed, and the mountain spirit had gradually fallen into slumber, showing no response, which led later generations to believe it was a spiritless, ownerless land, and thus incorporated it into the Liuzhong Sect.
Now, the owner had returned, and the mountain spirit had been awakened. This, this, this… How could we refuse to pay rent? But even if we did pay rent, who would want to be a Peak Master on a mountain that already had an owner? Was that even a Peak Master? That was just a tenant!
The surrounding Peak Masters all turned to look at the Sect Master, and one of them, who happened to be one of these six Peak Masters, looked utterly heartbroken.
The Sect Master of the Liuzhong Sect clutched his chest. He was even more heartbroken.
That was hundreds of years’ worth of rent. How could they think the Peak Masters could pay all that themselves?
In the end, the sect would have to foot the bill!
And this notion of “renting” was simply absurd. These six Peak Masters were all prominent figures with numerous disciples under their command. What kind of reputation would this create if word got out?
Switching mountain peaks wasn’t out of the question, but if the Liuzhong Sect were to relocate all six overnight, what would the outside world think? How could the Liuzhong Sect possibly save face?
The best solution, without a doubt, would be to “buy” the mountain peaks from this big shot.
But…he’d have to be willing to sell it first!
The Liuzhong Sect’s leader opened and closed his mouth, yet not a single word came out. Finally, he managed to say with great difficulty, “Mr. Jiu, rest assured. We will deliver every last coin of the rent into your hands.”
Master, what have you done to me? How could you leave me with such a mess? Master, come back! Come back and see your poor disciple! I don’t want to be the head of the Liuzhong Sect anymore! I really don’t!
But his master had passed away a hundred years ago and could not come to his rescue. The only one who could save him was himself. Tears welled up in the eyes of the Liuzhong Sect’s head.
Wen Xusheng said indifferently, “No need. I’ll collect it myself. Just get everything ready. In three days, I’ll go and pick it up.
The Master of the Liuzhong Sect: “……”
Could there still be… any room for resistance?
The group finally departed, their faces still dazed as they left.
Shi Jingge watched Wen Xusheng quietly, raising an eyebrow.
No wonder this guy showed up at the spiritual vein of Shuixing Peak and even had a cave residence there. So it turned out the entire Shuixing Peak belonged to him.
As soon as the others left, Wen Xusheng’s face fell, and he said with a pout, “Don’t you want to acknowledge our relationship?”
Unfortunately, Wen Xusheng had played this trick too many times recently. Shi Jingge had given in countless times before, but now he wasn’t falling for it anymore.
Shi Jingge’s tone was flat. “You seem to have forgotten who was the first one to not acknowledge our relationship. The Shuixing Peak Artifact Forger? The one ‘invited’ to teach artifact forging classes to the disciples?”
Wen Xusheng blinked. “Wasn’t that just because I was afraid you’d get angry?”
“Oh?” Shi Jingge flicked his sleeve. “What a coincidence. I am actually angry right now.”
Wen Xusheng: !!!
Shi Jingge kicked Wen Xusheng out. Between Wen Xusheng and Shi Jingge, the three-tailed cat decisively chose to stay with Shi Jingge.
Left outside, Wen Xusheng felt as if he’d just watched a nearly caught bird fly away.
Waaah… his Dao partner!
After being ignored for three days, Wen Xusheng went around to collect rent, his aura even colder than before.
Unfortunately, Lingyue Peak was one of those six peaks, and even more unfortunately, when Wen Xusheng went to Lingyue Peak to collect rent, he ran into the peak’s senior disciple.
He quickly recalled the scene he’d witnessed while secretly following Shi Jingge that day.
Then he quoted a figure to the Lingyue Peak Master that was far higher than what he’d charged the other peaks.
Lingyue Peak Master: !!!
Wen Xusheng said indifferently, “From the other peaks, I only collected a quarter of the rent. But from your peak, I’ll take at least half. Why? Ask your good disciple. I hope your esteemed disciple learns to watch his words and actions.” Wen Xusheng gave a half-smile to the Lingyue Peak Master. “Be careful, or next time, I’ll want the full amount.”
Wen Xusheng strolled away nonchalantly.
The Lingyue Peak Master’s gaze silently shifted to the Senior Brother.
Lingyue Peak’s Senior Brother immediately bolted, running while weeping, “I’m going into seclusion right now! I won’t come out until I reach the Golden Core Realm!”
Lingyue Peak Master: “……”
Just how much karma had he accumulated to have taken on such a disciple? Thank goodness, thank goodness the sect was covering this “rent.”
The Sect Leader of Liuzhong: “……”
What a disaster…
Canglie Peak also encountered a situation similar to that of Lingyue Peak.
The difference was that Canglie Peak had only received a verbal warning, while Lingyue Peak actually had to pay extra rent.
Wen Xusheng spoke in a calm tone, “I hope the Peak Master keeps a close eye on his disciples and keeps them from running over to Shuixing Peak too often. Is that understood?”
Faced with such overwhelming power, the Canglie Peak Master could only nod in bitter resignation, “I shall strictly follow your instructions, Master.”
“Especially when it comes to my Dao Companion. Understand?”
Canglie Peak Master: “……”
How could he not understand?
So the Canglie Peak Master summoned Jiang Lingqing and said in a flat tone, “Go into seclusion.”
Jiang Lingqing: “?”
In the end, Wen Xusheng put all the rent he’d collected into a storage ring and presented it to Shi Jingge as a token of goodwill.
Shi Jingge took the storage ring and ruthlessly kicked Wen Xusheng out again.
Wen Xusheng swore that in that moment, he definitely saw the three-tailed cat’s gloating gaze.
The three-tailed cat could just wait. He absolutely wouldn’t be barred from entering for the rest of his life! Once he got in, the first thing he’d do was kick the creature out!
So, furious and humiliated, Wen Xusheng went to find the Sect Leader.
The moment he sensed Wen Xusheng’s presence, the Sect Leader felt like he was about to have a heart attack. At that moment, he truly wanted to turn and run. But he couldn’t—he was the Sect Leader; he had to maintain his dignity. Well, he couldn’t outrun him anyway. Why waste his energy?
The Sect Leader steeled himself and bowed respectfully, “May I ask what you require, Master…?”
Before he could finish, Wen Xusheng cut him off, “Do you want those mountain peaks or not? Be decisive.”
Sect Leader of the Liuzhong Sect: !!!
He’d give anything for them, for heaven’s sake! He’d been so stressed over this matter these past few days that he’d actually lost his hair! He was a Nascent Soul cultivator, and now he was even losing his hair—that was how desperate he was!
“Agreed.” Wen Xusheng nodded to himself before the Sect Leader of the Luizhong could even answer. “Money or labor? You choose.”
Sect Leader of the Luizhong: “……”
Did he really have a choice?
The Sect Leader of the Liuzhong Sect said, “I am at your command.”
Wen Xusheng nodded in satisfaction. After a brief pause, he said slowly, “…The Dao Companion Ceremony—you’ll arrange it, right?”
Sect Leader: “……”
Whoa, so this was the legendary Dao Companion Ceremony that cost as much as several mountain ranges?
Author’s Note:
#You think I’m here to collect rent? Of course not!#
#Spreading dog food is my true calling!#
Sect Leader of the Liuzhong Sect: Kick over this bowl of dog food
Edit: Krone
Proofread: Choux_choux
