Chapter 84: Candidates for the Royal Consort
Sparse grasses and trees, deep clouds and dark waters.
The man who stood atop the high platform was barely thirty, tall and broad-shouldered, with a pale, beardless face. He wore a splendid robe adorned with the Eight Trigrams, a Mysterious Origin crown upon his head, and Flying Cloud shoes upon his feet—his attire was magnificent, his bearing grave.
He opened his eyes slightly, expressionless, and cast his gaze in all directions.
At once, the dozens of Blood Lotus Sect disciples below, who had been chatting and playing, were startled and bewildered, unsure of his intent. Yet, as his gaze swept over them, they all bowed in unison, hands clasped in salutation.
The crowd fell silent, not a sound to be heard.
Only the cold wind stirred countless withered branches and yellow leaves, making them tremble and dance.
“Senior Brother Qin, has something changed?”
As all the Blood Lotus Sect disciples remained silent and bowed, a cloud of mingled red and white slowly drifted in from afar. Upon it stood a squat, bald, red-browed dwarf.
The dwarf cultivator smiled as he glanced around at the bowing Blood Lotus Sect disciples, a hint of ridicule flickering in his eyes. He then gently lowered the cloud onto the high platform, and, calm and collected, saluted:
“Has something happened to one of our brothers or sisters here? To rouse Senior Brother Qin to such anger?”
This dwarf was addressing Senior Brother Qin, who was the leader of the Blood Lotus Sect for this expedition, named Qin Xian.
His cultivation had reached the second stage of Foundation Establishment, “Perfect Control of Size,” just one step away from the third and final stage of perfection. Among the Blood Lotus Sect members present, his realm was the highest.
Upon being questioned, Qin Xian’s expression softened slightly, though his face still looked grim. Shaking his head, he sighed:
“Junior Brother Xu, you may not know—just now, the blind Huqing insect I gave to Zheng Hua for communication suddenly lost its signal. I suspect it’s dead. Thus—”
“In that case, Zheng Hua is likely in grave danger as well!”
Hearing this, the dwarf cultivator lost his earlier calm, his smile fading, his demeanor growing solemn.
“Who was with Zheng Hua?”
He turned to the Blood Lotus Sect disciples below, barking out, “Is that person still alive?!”
“It was Sister Zhao who was with Brother Zheng Hua… I sent a message to Sister Zhao, but received no reply. I fear both of them…”
A Blood Lotus Sect disciple below bowed in response.
Upon raising his head, he saw the dwarf’s hostile gaze and was startled, quickly sweating and stammering his explanation:
“Senior Brothers Qin and Xu, it’s not that we neglected Brother Zheng Hua. He is on good terms with our chief, so we always sought to please him, never to shun him!
The truth is, Brother Zheng Hua has long been smitten with Sister Zhao. He disliked us tagging along, fearing we’d get in his way, and insisted we stay back. Please judge fairly, this cannot be blamed on us—it’s truly unjust!”
At these words, the Blood Lotus Sect disciples below began protesting, voices overlapping in a chaotic uproar.
It was only when Qin Xian impatiently released the pressure of his Foundation Establishment aura, weighing down their hearts, that the commotion subsided.
“Zheng Hua! Zheng Hua! What a fool. Even in death, he brings us trouble. Had I known, I should have blood-sacrificed that troublemaker when he first joined our sect!”
The dwarf cultivator pondered for a while, realizing the trouble could not be avoided, and stomped his foot furiously, cursing:
“Sister Zhao? That’s the one as plump as a bear! The grease from her could light an entire city! Zheng Hua was lucky to catch the chief’s eye and become her consort—how could he be so ungrateful?
With the chief, a true beauty before him, he failed to cherish his fortune, endlessly pining for Sister Zhao. What a fool! An ignorant fool!”
While the dwarf raged, Qin Xian grew increasingly silent, his face darkening.
“It’s come to this—punishment upon returning to the sect is inevitable, and more anger is pointless.”
Seeing the dwarf still cursing, Qin Xian raised his hand to stop him, shaking his head:
“Zheng Hua’s face is quite handsome, and over the years, the chief has favored him greatly, even allowing him to marry, have children, and keep courtesans.
We both know he was meant to be a vessel for dual cultivation, but the chief indulged him, letting him live and even enter the path of cultivation. Even we must show him some respect. Now, with his death under our watch…”
Qin Xian paused, sneering:
“I fear we’ll all have to make a trip to the Eight-Eyed Cavern when we return.”
The dwarf shuddered, incredulous.
Qin Xian, as if oblivious, continued:
“If we wish to avoid that bitter humiliation, only by making amends can we redeem ourselves—it’s the only way!”
“Senior Brother Qin, you mean to capture Zheng Hua’s killer alive? Hand him to the chief for her to deal with?”
The dwarf caught on, but hesitated, “Will that appease the chief?”
“It’s better than doing nothing.”
Qin Xian replied flatly.
The dwarf sighed, the two exchanged glances.
The dwarf took out several golden arrows from his sleeve, used his hand as a brush to inscribe them with true energy, then tossed them into the air, murmuring an incantation.
Moments later, he pointed and commanded, “Go!”
The golden arrows shot through the clouds with a swift whoosh, vanishing in an instant.
“It’s done. I’ve informed several junior brothers of the situation here—let’s hope they’re lucky enough to capture Zheng Hua’s killer.”
Seeing the arrows speed away, the dwarf gave a bitter smile, resigned.
This time, the Blood Lotus Sect had sent six Foundation Establishment cultivators into the trial. Apart from himself and Qin Xian on the platform, the other four were out raiding various parts of Huaiwu Cave, gathering spiritual energy for Qin Xian to help him earn a ranking.
“Such a promising opportunity, only to be spoiled by Zheng Hua’s mishap—how vexing!”
The dwarf shook his head, took out a porcelain bottle from his sleeve, and handed it to Qin Xian.
Upon lifting the seal and seeing the total spiritual energy within, even Qin Xian, usually composed, relaxed somewhat.
“Junior Brother Xu, you truly have remarkable means—so much spiritual energy! I must see you in a new light.”
“I didn’t bother with killing beasts and sweating over it.”
The dwarf said lazily.
“I simply rob—no need to search, I kill whoever I meet! Those fools toil slaughtering beasts, nearly losing their lives, but what does it get them? I reap the rewards!”
“Senior Brother Qin, now I see the benefits of having someone backing you—it’s quite the feeling.”
He sighed,
“If not for Flower Deity Manor wanting to pressure Huaiwu Cave’s master and supporting us, would we dare risk offending a Cave Profound master, running wild right under his nose?”
“Flower Deity Manor and Five Radiance Sect are clashing. Our Blood Lotus Sect and Huaiwu Cave’s master are just pawns, nothing more.”
“I heard Flower Deity Manor intends to recruit our Blood Lotus Sect as a subsidiary. If true—”
The dwarf’s eyes gleamed, “We’ll be able to call ourselves disciples of a major sect soon!”
Qin Xian smiled but said nothing.
After a few more words, the dwarf took his leave. With his departure, the Blood Lotus Sect disciples below dispersed, rushing off in all directions.
In the blink of an eye,
Only Qin Xian remained atop the platform.
“With the help of my brothers and sisters in the sect, only one Foundation Establishment cultivator will be ranked in the top three, but I will surely be among them!”
Qin Xian sat cross-legged, eyes closed in feigned sleep.
He mused inwardly:
“The storm stirred by Flower Deity Manor and Five Radiance Sect could drown me a hundred times over, but the contest of the Dao leaves no room for hesitation!
Though this may displeasure Huaiwu Cave’s master, with Flower Deity Manor’s protection, at least my life will be safe—perhaps I might even gain their favor and be promoted… This is exactly why I risk myself!”
Thinking this,
A slight smile tugged at Qin Xian’s lips.
Yet,
As he recalled Zheng Hua and his chief, the smile faded in resignation…
“Capturing Zheng Hua’s killer won’t be enough—the chief loves handsome men. To appease her wrath, I’ll need to find a new consort for her.”
He hesitated for a long while.
Suddenly, a thought struck.
His eyes lit up, and he laughed, rising to pace the platform, his steps growing lighter.
“Yes! Yes! How could I almost forget him? In terms of looks, throughout the vast Southern Region and even Eastern Mi, who could compare? Zheng Hua isn’t fit to carry Chen Heng’s shoes!”
Qin Xian felt he had seized a perfect plan, his eyes growing brighter.
“Yan Zhen is dead, and the Xuan Zhen Sect won’t keep him long—his life is at risk. Now, if I step forward with a few talismans, I can claim him.
The chief has admired Chen Heng for ages, only choosing Zheng Hua as her consort because he resembled Chen Heng a little… But a counterfeit can never equal the real thing!
If I present Chen Heng to the chief, not only will I avoid the Eight-Eyed Cavern, but I might also gain a rich reward!”
The more he thought, the more feasible the plan seemed.
Qin Xian paced a few more turns, filling in the details in his mind, finally stomping his foot and laughing heartily.
Just as Qin Xian reveled in his cleverness,
Outside Huaiwu Cave, in a glass palace atop Floating Jade Lake,
The master of Huaiwu Cave sighed from the main seat. Stroking his long beard, he spoke bitterly after a few moments’ silence:
“Senior Brother Deng, your Blood Lotus Sect’s meddling has broken the rules. If the sect disciples all act like Qin Xian, how will rogue cultivators survive? It also goes against my original intent in bestowing opportunities and selecting talent!”
Besides Huaiwu Cave’s master, five others were present in the hall.
Upon hearing him speak,
Elder Deng of Blood Lotus Sect laughed, unconcerned:
“Junior Brother, let the youngsters play as they wish—why fuss over it? It lowers your stature, doesn’t it? Besides, Fellow Daoist Xie from Flower Deity Manor is enjoying the spectacle. Your complaints might spoil his fun!”
His words carried a deeper meaning.
The Cave Profound master from Flower Deity Manor wore a sly smile, snapping his fan shut and tapping his palm with the handle, eyes full of amusement.
“They see my alliance with Five Radiance Sect and are deliberately making things hard for me.”
Huaiwu Cave’s master’s heart sank.
He turned his gaze to the Five Radiance Sect’s Cave Profound master.
But that one seemed utterly unmoved, coldly observing as if he hadn’t noticed him.
Then,
The Flower Deity Manor’s Cave Profound master opened his fan, smiling:
“Junior Brother, this Huaiwu Cave trial is ultimately about bestowing opportunities—since that’s the case, why fuss over status or sect?
Should rogue cultivators always lose while sect disciples lag behind? If we talk about talent, I see this Qin Xian from Blood Lotus Sect as a true figure—adapting to circumstances, seizing the moment! Good! Very good!”
He turned to the Five Radiance Sect’s Cave Profound master, sighing:
“What do you think, Junior Brother of Five Radiance Sect? Is there anything questionable in my words?”
“Typical talk from demon sects and heretics—nothing worth discussing.” The Five Radiance Sect master replied coldly.
Huaiwu Cave’s master fell silent for a moment, his eye twitching, heart chilling.
Five Radiance Sect clearly had no interest in contesting minor matters with Flower Deity Manor, and his Huaiwu Cave trial,
In their eyes,
Was nothing but a trivial event…
“When the tea cools after guests depart, after my mentor’s death, even though Master Wang of Five Radiance Sect shows me some care, he’ll never treat me like family again. Ultimately, my own cultivation is too low.”
Suppressing his anger, Huaiwu Cave’s master sneered inwardly:
“You want to pressure me? Break my rules? Wait and see! When Madam masters the Heavenly Demon technique from the Golden Chapter, and refines Qin Xian into a demon thrall,
Then it’ll be my turn to break your rules!”
Though he longed to slaughter everyone present, Huaiwu Cave’s master maintained a helpless, bitter smile.
Seeing the subtle discord between Five Radiance Sect and Flower Deity Manor, the Cave Profound masters of the smaller sects—like Jiang Gu of White Crane Cave—lowered their heads, silent as cicadas in winter.
Fearing the fire at the city gates would spread to their pond…
“It seems the top three in this Huaiwu Cave trial will all be from Blood Lotus Sect. Refining them into demon thralls may expose matters, but with Madam’s Heavenly Demon technique nearly complete, that can’t be helped.”
With Huaiwu Cave’s master’s deliberate hospitality, the hall soon became lively again, as host and guests feasted. Yet his eyes flashed darkly as he raised his wine cup:
“Those two who received my Crane Embryo Pills must not be allowed to live!”
…
…
Two days passed in a flash.
Within Huaiwu Cave,
A Blood Lotus Sect Foundation Establishment cultivator shouted, spitting out a turtle shell to block Yuan Yangsheng’s fist.
But before he could catch his breath, a flying sword slashed at his face, its cold gleam unavoidable!
“Chen Heng? Are you mad? Becoming the chief’s consort—does it shame you? It’s an honor many would die for!”
He cried out in terror:
“If you kill me, you’ll be a true enemy of the Blood Lotus Sect!”
Thanks to reader 170120185930315 for the 10,000-point reward, thanks to Wanhu_Guiyi for the 5,000-point reward, thanks to Li Pichen for the 1,500-point reward, thanks to Meng Yihuanwu for the 500-point reward, thanks to reader 20210301104144035522 for the 500-point reward, thanks to Qingzhu Sun Fried Pork for the 300-point reward, thanks to Xiang You Tian Di Jian for the 200-point reward, thanks to Meng Hui Tang Song Yuan Ming Qing for the 200-point reward, thanks to Jiang Yue Jian Chongshan for the 100-point reward, thanks to Zhan Zhan Zz for the 188-point reward, thanks to reader 20170421120616909 for the 100-point reward, thanks to reader 20201018212859612 for the 100-point reward, thanks to old2old3 for the 100-point reward, thanks to jhdshduuak for the 100-point reward, thanks to aowuok for the 100-point reward, thanks to Zhixing He Yi Shen Du for the 100-point reward.