Chapter Eighty-Nine: The Prominent Xie Family of Changyou

Chen Heng glanced around in all directions and suddenly realized he had unknowingly found himself inside a magnificent palace.

Pearls and jade pendants draped elegantly, peacock-painted folding screens adorned the hall, and beneath the palace roof rang the melodious sounds of flutes and zithers. Two rows of beautiful maidens danced gracefully to the music, their movements enchanting, their beauty radiant like celestial nymphs descending from the heavens.

At the main seat sat the Host of the Enlightenment Cave, Huaiwu, wearing a faint smile. To his immediate left and right were Cui Wuyue, a refining master from the Five Radiance Sect, and Xie Qin, a refining master from the Flower God Mansion.

Beyond these three were several other seats arranged in succession, occupied by Dongxuan refining masters from various minor sects.

The one who had just spoken was none other than Xie Qin of the Flower God Mansion.

Judging by his appearance, he seemed about twenty years old—a handsome youth with jade-like skin, rosy lips, clear eyes, and elegant brows. His visage was refined and delicate, embodying the image of a refined gentleman in this turbulent world.

In his hand, he leisurely fanned himself with a tortoiseshell fan painted with gold and watercolor. On the fan were twelve beauties, each depicted with exquisite detail—some noble and wise, others pure and lovely, some serene, some seductive, some voluptuous. Though their temperaments differed, each was a peerless beauty, rendered so vividly in fine brushstrokes that they seemed poised to step off the fan at any moment.

His own radiance outshone even the dancing maidens, rendering them dim by comparison, like candles against a full moon.

“This folding fan is the masterpiece of refining master Tao Han of the Hu Zhao Sect. Just now, you sensed something unusual about the beauties on the fan? Your perception is sharp indeed, quite rare among qi cultivators,” Xie Qin said, narrowing his eyes slightly as he shook the fan gently.

“Once true qi is infused and an incantation recited, these twelve beauties can be summoned from the fan, transforming indistinguishably into real people. For three full hours, you may use them in any way you wish. Even if they die, their divine essence returns to the fan, and with some more true qi, they can be summoned again... Moreover, these beauties can fight for you. How about that? Quite an entertaining item, wouldn’t you say?”

He pointed at Chen Heng dismissively and continued, “If you pass the trial and have the fate to join the Flower God Mansion as my disciple, consider this little treasure a gift from me to you.”

Becoming a disciple?

This was not merely admission into the sect, but a personal acceptance as a student!

The other refining masters were all startled by this, their expressions shifting, no longer able to maintain calm.

At the main seat, Huaiwu’s eyes darkened subtly, though moments later he resumed a joyful demeanor as if sharing in the honor.

“What madness is Xie Qin up to? Taking someone into the sect was already unexpected, now he wants to personally accept a disciple?”

Though his face remained kindly, inside he was filled with doubt and suspicion, cursing silently:

“Is Chen Heng truly such a prodigy? Even Xie Qin, from the illustrious Twelve Clans, is tempted to favor him? But the page on the wife’s Golden Seal says only those with extraordinary talent can be refined into demonic followers and thus achieve success... If Chen Heng is truly accepted by Xie Qin, then should I refine him or not...”

If refined into a demonic follower, and if the Flower God Mansion’s primordial spirit cultivators discovered the secret, death would be certain.

Yet if not, it would be a great pity...

His wife was close to perfecting that celestial demonic technique; if successful, she could escape from the ring of protective energies above, flee these nine provinces and seas, and finally soar freely like a fish in the ocean or a bird in the sky, no longer trapped in a cage or forced to hide like a rat, fearing death at every step.

The heavens are vast, and the earth immense—freedom to roam without restraint.

While Huaiwu hesitated, a refining master from the Blood Lotus Sect frowned, suppressing his anger and spoke to reason:

“Senior Brother Xie, might this be—”

“I know this brat has slain many of your Blood Lotus Sect, but survival of the fittest is the way of heaven and earth. Open your heart and don’t be so petty,” Xie Qin interrupted dismissively.

“When the Blood Lotus Sect becomes a branch of the Flower God Mansion, we will all be brothers. Better not to cause estrangement now.”

The Blood Lotus refining master hesitated, expression shifting several times before reluctantly returning to his seat and even forcing a smile toward Chen Heng.

“Well? Young man, what do you think? The Flower God Mansion is a great sect of the Southern Domain, and I, Xie Qin, come from the distinguished Twelve Clans. Though a lesser branch, I am still one of them.”

Xie Qin was unafraid to reveal his background, speaking casually as he lightly shook the fan.

“I see in you the seed of a cultivator, and even more rare, a temperament suited to mine. Whether you wish to become my disciple depends on your own heart.”

Yuan Yangsheng’s eyes gleamed as he exchanged a glance with Chen Heng.

Among others, Lu Yu, a six-fingered lone cultivator, was filled with envy.

Now, the top three of Huaiwu Cave were these three men.

Chen Heng and Yuan Yangsheng shared the refined energy from the Qin Xian porcelain vase, holding two of the seats.

The Blood Lotus Sect had six foundation-stage cultivators entering Huaiwu Cave; five had died, leaving only Mo Can who escaped early and survived by luck.

But even the energy Mo Can gathered belonged to Qin Xian.

Thus, by a twist of fate, the lone cultivator Lu Yu narrowly made it into the top three rankings with foundation-level cultivation.

Under the admiring or complicated gazes of all, even Chen Heng, skilled in nurturing qi, felt a tremor in his heart and momentarily lost himself.

Had it really come to this?

All his painstaking efforts had been to join a major sect with a blessed spiritual vein to seek true cultivation methods and attain longevity.

He had thought he would have to risk life and death in the Abyssal Domain to gather enough resources to attend the "Gathering of Flowers" banquet, yet now, with just a few words, his path was already set.

“Yet... this still mentions a trial by law. Could it be I must fight within the ‘Gathering of Flowers’? The Abyssal Domain trip seems inevitable...”

Chen Heng lowered his brows and calmed his mind swiftly.

Though uncertain what storms lay ahead before truly joining the Flower God Mansion, at least now he had a firm reason…

Though the Flower God Mansion could not compare with the supreme Eight Sects and Six Clans, it was still a major Daoist power in the vast Southern Domain, guarded by a True Spirit cultivator.

Moreover, the refining master offering to take him as disciple was from the Twelve Clans, a prestigious and unchanging noble lineage.

From any perspective, this was a golden path to the heavens.

His thoughts racing, Chen Heng no longer hesitated, immediately bowing deeply and calling himself a disciple.

“Not so fast, not so fast.”

Before he could complete his bow, Xie Qin raised his hand slightly, an invisible force stopping him and helping him to his feet.

Chen Heng looked up to see Xie Qin smiling ambiguously, folding the fan with a crisp snap.

“Though I see great promise in your future and wish to bind our fates as master and disciple, the path of cultivation, including companions, wealth, and especially the matter of a sect’s disciples, is grave and cannot be decided lightly or with mere words.

You must pass my trial, and the Flower God Mansion must verify your bloodline, background, and ties. Only when all is confirmed can you truly enter my sect and join me in pursuing the Dao fruit of True Spirit’s return to emptiness.

As for now...”

Xie Qin sighed, “This master-disciple ceremony is premature. Too soon.”

His words caused Lu Yu and the others to shift from envy to astonishment and hesitation, unable to grasp Xie Qin’s true intent.

Even Huaiwu was surprised, halting his raised wine vessel, unsure of Xie Qin’s meaning.

“That pretty boy isn’t just playing with people for fun, is he?”

Yuan Yangsheng lowered his head, muttering bitterly:

“He spoke so clearly just now, as if they were about to become master and disciple, tea and honey. Now he pulls back for no reason—how shameless! I despise these pretty boys who put on airs. If I could beat him, I’d kick his butt into oblivion!”

While everyone speculated, Chen Heng remained composed, bowing calmly and asking:

“May I ask, Master Refining Master, what exactly is this trial by law?”

“Naturally, it follows ancient precedent, all as usual,” Xie Qin replied.

“Once you leave the Abyssal Domain with enough resources to attend the ‘Gathering of Flowers’ and earn a ranking, then and only then will we have the master-disciple bond.”

“Curious that you know about the Abyssal Domain,” Chen Heng remarked.

Xie Qin glanced at him and said:

“I am old friends with your sect leader Ai Jian of the Mysterious Truth Sect. After being cast out of the Jade Palace Sect, he came to the Southern Domain and lived a miserable life at the Ai Clan in Shangyu. Though I am better off in the Changyou Xie Clan, as a branch member I am not highly regarded.

Since his exile, we, two scions of noble houses, often drank together as brothers in hardship.

I know Ai Jian’s narrow heart well. If I were to bring you straight back to the Flower God Mansion, with his calculating and bitter nature from losing his father young, he might secretly resent me.

Since we are friends and fellow aristocrats, I do not wish to put him in a difficult position.”

Xie Qin’s rare explanation shed light on the matter.

As for the reason for attending the “Gathering of Flowers” and gathering enough resources for entry—that was the trial by law he spoke of.

If one dies in the Abyssal Domain, fails to gather enough resources, or cannot earn a ranking in the banquet, then fate has decreed such doom, and Xie Qin would not spare a glance.

The Daoist path is harsh, and the demonic sect even more so, embodying the law of the jungle with brutal clarity.

The strong rule, the weak perish.

The rules are strict and leave no room for sentiment.

“The Flower God Mansion truly is a demonic sect of wicked Dao. To accept disciples yet concoct such twisted doctrines and cause so much trouble,” Cui Wuyue of the Five Radiance Sect sneered suddenly.

He glanced coldly at Chen Heng, then turned his gaze elsewhere. Suddenly, a fierce light erupted within the hall, turning the space white and chilling, with killing intent roaring through the void.

“Taking disciples in cultivation is no trivial matter. Though I favor this boy, I would not harm an old friend’s face or break the centuries-old ‘Gathering of Flowers’ rules. This is my last resort.”

Xie Qin lightly pressed his hand down, and the brilliant white light instantly dimmed. Cui Wuyue groaned in defeat, evidently suffering a small loss in this contest.

“When Great Daoist Shen Wushu accepted Lord Yushu as disciple, he tested his heart thrice—his root bones, fate, and nature. How could I, the humble Xie Qin, not do the same?”

He smiled at Cui Wuyue and said:

“Though I come from a branch, I am still of the Changyou Xie Clan. Master Brother, you lack the ability to contend with me. Let this be a mild lesson; do not seek death again.”

At once Cui Wuyue’s eyes burned painfully, black blood flowing forth.

Fearful and ashamed, he fled the hall without looking back.

“Foolish mud-legged ignoramus, knows neither heaven nor earth, nor life nor death.”

After Cui Wuyue’s angry departure, Huaiwu and the other Dongxuan masters lowered their heads in silence, as if frozen by fear.

Xie Qin coldly scanned the group before turning back to Chen Heng.

“My terms are clear: you cannot enter immediately. What do you say?”

“Thanks to Master Refining Master’s care, I am overjoyed and dare not say more,” Chen Heng bowed deeply.

“Are you not afraid of dying in the Abyssal Domain or the Gathering of Flowers?”

“What is victory but survival, defeat but death? If I die, it is my destined trial.”

“Good, good! That is the spirit!”

Xie Qin was momentarily surprised, then clapped and laughed heartily.

“If you truly join my sect, in a few months I shall reach Golden Core stage. Given your temperament, I will petition the elders to teach you the ‘Twenty-Four Flower God Scriptures,’ the fundamental classics preserved in the Flower God Mansion for tens of thousands of years!”

Chen Heng respectfully bowed.

This time, Xie Qin accepted the gesture, personally handing Chen Heng the folding fan decorated with twelve beauties, laughing heartily before flying away.

Huaiwu’s expression was complex and inscrutable as he observed the scene, falling silent for a moment before forcing a smile and resuming the banquet with Chen Heng.

Music resumed, flowing melodiously for two hours before finally ending—this time with all guests and hosts delightfully pleased.

Not only did Chen Heng and the others receive the promised gifts from Huaiwu, but they also gained much insight into cultivation, a truly fruitful gathering.

Before departing, Chen Heng suddenly stopped and, compelled by some impulse, asked Huaiwu:

“May I ask, Host, what did Master Refining Master mean by verifying bloodline and background upon entry to the Flower God Mansion?”

“Bloodline? That’s easy to explain...”

Huaiwu, slightly intoxicated, was not surprised by the question and answered kindly:

“Verifying disciples’ bloodline and background is a rule in all major sects. They possess unique, powerful techniques that, once cast, can clearly reveal not only you but several generations of your ancestors’ genealogy.

Such measures are to prevent disciples who carry heavy karmic burdens that might bring calamity to the sect. It is a precaution to filter out troublesome candidates.

Your background is clean, young friend, so there is no obstacle. Rest assured!”

Chen Heng was momentarily taken aback, then cupped his hands in thanks.

Huaiwu did not linger, simply reminding Chen Heng and the others to return at the appointed hour the next day for a lecture, then withdrew into the hall.

At dusk, as the sky blushed crimson with the last light, the foundation-stage lone cultivator Lu Yu merely nodded slightly at Chen Heng and Yuan Yangsheng before hastily departing, evidently wary of lingering.

“Xie Qin’s folding fan is truly a precious treasure, a genuine one! Let me see it!”

Yuan Yangsheng glanced at Lu Yu dismissively, then shamelessly pressed close to Chen Heng, begging desperately for a glimpse of the beauties.

Chen Heng, weary of his pestering, finally took the painted fan from his sleeve and unfolded it.

“Ah! These legs are so long, and here...”

Yuan Yangsheng swallowed hard, gesturing at his chest in awe and terror.

“Bigger than my head! Is there really a woman that large? I don’t believe it! It must be fake!

Chen brother, summon her with a hand sign tonight—I want to confront her and see what demon or spirit dares disturb your Dao heart! Anyone who disrupts Chen brother’s heart is an enemy of mine. I will never forgive her!”

“She won’t unsettle my resolve, but you might.”

Chen Heng said lightly, “Wipe your drool and don’t embarrass yourself.”

Just as Yuan Yangsheng’s eyes gleamed wildly, swallowing saliva, Chen Heng suddenly flicked his fingers, folding the fan back into his sleeve, eyes lowering slightly.

“What are you doing? You’ve only admired two; ten beauties remain!”

Yuan Yangsheng snapped out of his obsession, complaining: “We’ve been through life and death together, brothers all. How can you be so stingy?”

Chen Heng did not respond.

When Yuan Yangsheng looked up bewildered, not far away on the floating bridge stood a graceful woman wearing a veil hat.

Beside her crouched a round-faced girl in blue clothes, cheeks puffed with a piece of bread in hand.