526 Ancient Qi Practitioners (2/2)
”You just need to have watched sci-fi movies, to have heard of the mystical rumors of River East, as well as possessing a rich imagination...” Meng Qi continued to chat, all the while suppressing a smile as he slowly dispelled the doubts of Chang Huan and the Taoist nun.
When it came to the names of genuine locations in the South Sea, he merely relied on the information he had fished out of Xie Xuan and Ouyang Zheng. His descriptions were a mixture of truth and fabrications, yet full of persuasion.
Their chat was a delightful one. Before anyone knew it, they had already reached Yongzhou. Chang Huan invited Meng Qi and Jiang Zhiwei to stay in the Courier Hostel and said he would go and invite the Principal of Benzhou. Ouyang Zheng also left for the local Plentinude Sect temple in haste.
After watching Xie Xuan leave to report at the branch of Darkness Palace in Yongzhou City, Meng Qi stuffed the object in Jiang Zhiwei's hands.
”Samsara talisman?” Surprised colored her sharp, introverted pair of eyes as she looked at him.
Meng Qi nodded gently. ”We can only test the waters with the change in the situation. The higher-ups of Plentitude Sect and Darkness Palace might know some backstory to the Plentinude Gate. I fear it'll spell trouble for us, so this is our protective measure.”
”Heh, I can escape since I can alter my appearance. I'll lend you my Samsara talisman. You mustn't forget to return it in the future.”
He had only tacked on his final sentence because he knew there was a chance that Jiang Zhiwei, with her soft-heartedness despite her cool exterior, would not accept the talisman and leave him behind to escape.
Jiang Zhiwei, as expected, was reminded of the past and burst out in quiet laughter. ”As a high interest loan?”
Their moods become soft with the past events replaying vividly in their minds. Meng Qi said with a smile, ”The sword cases here are rather arcane. Our Precious Weapons of the Nth order have spiritual natures that are eager to protect their owners. The sword ball earlier had merely approached the weapons, but its viciousness is apparent.”
”Perhaps there's also blood sacrifice involved in the handing over one's life to the sword case. Ordinary sword balls should not be behaving this way...” Jiang Zhiwei said, appearing deep in thought. Her expression turned serious as she added, ”I'm obviously older than you. Why am I your younger cousin? I should be your elder cousin!”
Meng Qi gave a dry laugh and said perfunctorily, ”I'm older spiritually...”
”What do you mean you're older spiritually?”
...
Outside the Courier Hostel, several martial artists equipped with sabers and swords stared at the entrance longingly. They hesitated due to the soldiers and human automatons on guard. They had followed Meng Qi and the rest after getting off the carriage.
Their character would have dictated that they shamelessly enter the hostel to pay Meng Qi a visit or even surrounding the place, so they could gain the impartation of Qi Practitioners. However, the hostel was unusually heavily-guarded at this time. If they made a hasty entry, they might be instantly thrown out.
”Should we secretly sneak in?” a dark-robed man quietly asked. He had a scar on his forehead.
Their leader was a woman with decent features but a rather boorish manner. ”What will we do if they discover us? If we have Darkness Palace and Divine Sect on our tails, we can only flee to the South Sea.”
”What's there to fear? If we miss this opportunity today, who knows if Mister Su and the others will be under patronage in the capital? When word spreads and countless talented martial artists follow suit, what ground do we have to stand on?” a square-jawed young man asked.
”Exactly!” the man with the scar said. ”I've had enough of the automaton architects of Darkness Palace and Practitioners of Divine Sect looking down on us! I'm sick of never amounting to anything in my entire life, to run around just to survive!
”But we still don't know if Mister Su is really an ancient Qi practitioner...” a petite girl said.
”Darkness Palace and Divine Sect will definitely clarify the matter. Let's just wait. Once they've confirmed it, we'll give it a try no matter how dangerous it is!” said a young man with a head of grey hair, appearing comparatively calm.
”That's decided then.” The woman who was evidently the leader took a deep breath and suppressed her turbulent emotions.
...
In the depths of Darkness Palace, Yongzhou County.
Chang Huan stood in front of a grey-haired old man.
The old man was dressed in the robe of Darkness Palace, his breath like a candle in the wind yet it was also oddly brimming with vitality. He exuded danger from every part of him. He was pacing with his hands behind his back, listening to Chang Huan recount his story.
”Principal, their backgrounds aren't quite clear. It's definitely suspicious for them to claim to have the impartation of ancient Qi Practitioners,” Chang Huan said in conclusion.
The Principal paused in his footsteps and said emotionlessly, ”Didn't Divine Sect of today, except Plentinude Sect, and the remaining two large and other smaller schools suddenly obtain some sect's impartation and establish their sects? If he's truly a Qi practitioner, why should we care how he obtains the impartation as long as he joins our Darkness Palace and doesn't keep it to himself?”
”What's crucial right now is confirming their identities as Qi Practitioners as well as strengths. Otherwise, we might just make a fool of ourselves after reporting it.”
”Principal, I fear that I'm not strong enough to probe them,” Chang Huan said awkwardly.
”I got it.” The Principal nodded and walked out of the door, hands still behind his back.
When he reached the side of the door, light and shadow shifted, revealing a huge monster in front of him. It was larger than ten feet, with golden yellow scales lining his back. Divine Sun Stones were its eyes; the essence of Chinese Astrology Jin were its claws. It was a fearsome mechanical dragon!
Chang Huan found it hard to conceal his envy when he saw the mechanical dragon. One could only obtain the god-like impartation of 36 Secret Devices of Darkness Palace after becoming a Principal!
The Principal set foot on the golden mechanical dragon and sat in the hollow of its back. Chang Huan hurried to follow suit, climbing onto the back of the dragon.
The dragon soared high up into the air, penetrating through the clouds and mist as it flew toward the Courier Hostel.
...
Inside the Courier Hostel, Divine Master Guo who was responsible for defending the city walls wore an expressionless face as he listened to Ouyang Zheng's report.
”You said you first met them at the foot of Mount Firemist?” he asked, reiterating.
Ouyang Zheng could not understand why but replied confidently nevertheless, ”Yes.”
Mount Firemist was right at the coastal area of the South Sea.
Divine Master Guo nodded. ”Leader has personally commanded us to pay attention to any usual activity in the vicinity of Mount Firemist. This can be considered as one. This is your solo contribution. I'll report this to the higher-ups.”
Doubt quickly overshadowed the delight that the news brought Ouyang Zheng. ”Divine Master, they seem to be interested in seeking refuge with either Darkness Palace or Divine Sect. Do we take them in?”
”I wonder how much impartation from the Qi Practitioners have they received...” Divine Master Guo who was dressed in a dark blue robe muttered to himself. ”I'll first report this to the Leader and then probe those two. We can't surrender any advantage to Darkness Palace.”
As he spoke he fashioned the fingers on his hand into a particular position, leading the clouds under his feet to gather and lift him.