Chapter Twenty-Five: Promise

Su Li suddenly understood; no wonder Shen Luo had used spiritual herbs she’d never seen before to roast the fish—he’d been waiting for Ke Rongzi. She thought, this youth was even more clever and calculating than she’d imagined.

Shen Luo’s face was alight with anticipation. “Is it possible?” he asked, and then his voice deepened with genuine loss and longing. “People in the clan say my mother was an alchemist.” Countless nights he’d wondered, if he learned the art of alchemy, would he be closer to his mother?

Just as he was steeped in sorrow, a fluffy tail suddenly brushed across his face. Four soft, padded paws pressed against his arm, abruptly pulling him from his memories.

Su Li looked up innocently, those bright, lively eyes fixed on him.

Shen Luo’s lips curled into a smile.

Thankfully, he still had the furball, Feng Xi, and the tiger spirit that had inexplicably appeared in his embrace.

Ke Rongzi sighed deeply, producing an object from his robes and handing it to Shen Luo. “Of course you can. When the time comes, bring this jade pendant to find me.”

Tracing the carved patterns on the jade, Shen Luo revealed, for the first time, a sincere smile. He’d gambled: Ke Rongzi wore no sword, had no beast companion, and dispensed high-grade elixirs with ease. Everything pointed to his identity as an alchemist.

With the weather fair, the two decided to depart for Mount Qi that very day.

Cultivators at the Out-of-Body stage could travel through the air, but to avoid attracting undue attention, they agreed to share a mount. An adult flying lion was large enough for both to ride comfortably.

Thus, an odd sight unfolded: a pair of cultivators, resembling father and son, raced ahead atop a flying lion, followed by a plump azure bird, its legs tied with two bags of sand.

The other cultivators gathered at the mouth of Mount Qi turned to stare, sensing the formidable aura radiating from the middle-aged man on the flying lion, then hurriedly looked away.

Su Li poked her head out of Shen Luo’s arms, observing the cultivators along the road, when she heard Ke Rongzi say to Shen Luo, “These are disciples sent from various sects, don’t bother with them.”

At this, Su Li lost interest, retreating quietly.

The journey remained peaceful until they reached the canyon.

In broad daylight, the scene below was clear and all the more shocking: hundreds of corpses piled within the hundred-zhang-long canyon, evidence of a fierce battle.

Ke Rongzi’s lips twisted into a cold smile as he set up a barrier, isolating them from outside sound before explaining to the youth, “After the beast tide erupted, the first wave of elite cultivators from the noble families formed a strong team to quell the chaos in the secret realm, only to encounter demonic cultivators.” At that time, they were slaughtering the maddened beasts when the demonic cultivators suddenly appeared, plunging both sides into a chaotic melee.

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“Demonic cultivators?” Shen Luo furrowed his brow. “Why would they appear here?”

He’d read in ancient texts that demonic cultivation was originally a branch of Daoist practice. Later, a powerful cultivator willingly descended into the demonic path, creating a sinister and vicious cultivation method, leading demonic cultivators into repeated conflict with righteous practitioners. In time, they became despised by the orthodox.

Ke Rongzi’s voice was icy. “These demonic cultivators are searching for something. Not only is this disturbance their doing, but even the canyon itself was created by that object.” Remembering the scene, he still felt a lingering fear—the violent pressure had split the mountain in two.

Su Li immediately thought of the Twelve-Rank Serpent Saint Whip.

Shen Luo had the same thought, so he said, “To be honest, Uncle Ke, before departing, I heard the elders mention that the treasure appearing in the secret realm is called the Twelve-Rank Serpent Saint Whip.”

What happened in Youzhou City could not be concealed; Ke Rongzi had easily found out. Shen Luo, wishing to curry favor, gave him a half-true account, omitting the existence of the tiger spirit.

Ke Rongzi was furious upon hearing this. He solemnly told Shen Luo, “This is a matter of great importance. I must report it to the sect.”

Shen Luo nodded. “Naturally.”

Even if the youth disagreed, Ke Rongzi would have sent word regardless. Yet Shen Luo’s reply won him another measure of respect. Without further hesitation, Ke Rongzi produced a stone pendant, infused it with profound energy, and the stone projected an image—a stern, ethereal elder with immortal bearing.

Su Li watched in amazement, leaping onto the youth’s shoulder for a better view.

“Sect Master,” Ke Rongzi called respectfully.

Not only Su Li, but even Shen Luo was surprised.

So this was the master of Nine Heavens Mingyu Sect, Dao Guang, at the eighth tier of the Transcendence stage.

Ke Rongzi briefly introduced Shen Luo, then solemnly relayed what he’d just learned.

Dao Guang pondered for a moment, his scrutinizing gaze falling suddenly upon Shen Luo.

Even through the image stone, Shen Luo felt an overwhelming pressure sweep toward him.

His mind reeled—was this the power of the eighth tier of Transcendence, the strongest cultivator on this continent? When would he possess such strength?

The young boy gritted his teeth, swallowing the blood rising in his throat, staring straight ahead.

Dao Guang was surprised, a hint of appreciation flickering in his eyes.

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For a moment, all was silent.

Su Li grew bored and lazily stretched.

Unexpectedly, Dao Guang’s sharp gaze shifted to her, his heart filled with shock!

A zero-rank beast utterly unfazed by his aura?

Unbelievable!

Calming himself, he looked closer, and his expression changed dramatically. The nearer he drew to ascension, the more he sensed the universe’s mysterious gifts, the more he glimpsed the profound truth hidden in the laws of heaven.

This beast inspired in him… awe?

Unable to fathom it, Dao Guang opened his Heavenly Eye to probe the white beast. Instantly, his face went pale, and he abruptly severed the image. Disordered in mind, he spat a mouthful of blood.

He could scarcely believe it—he had been punished by the backlash of the heavenly laws.

The others were all quite bewildered.

Ke Rongzi, feeling his task was complete, said to Shen Luo, “Let’s move on. Perhaps we can reach the entrance to the secret realm before nightfall.”

Shen Luo readily agreed.

For cultivators at the Out-of-Body stage, crossing a small canyon was no challenge. They pressed deeper into Mount Qi. As the last rays of sunlight vanished from the ground, they arrived at the entrance to the secret realm.

Around the secret realm, various cultivators gathered, apparently intending to rest the night before venturing in.

Finding an empty spot, Ke Rongzi prepared to meditate and cultivate. What happened next left him utterly stunned.

The youth spread his cloak neatly on the ground, and the white beast, as if by right, settled atop it.

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