Starting My Cultivation With Time Management

Chapter 976: Chapter 116: Even Traitors Have True Feelings

“That’s absolutely unacceptable.” At this moment, the Long Eyebrow Immortal was in high spirits. Seeing that Ling Yunpo showed no signs of taking credit for his deeds, he found Ling Yunpo increasingly pleasing to the eye. Without hesitation, he pulled out a magical treasure and tossed it over, saying, “Then take this.”

Ling Yunpo fixed his gaze and realized it was the Xuanguang Ruler. Instinctively, he declined, saying,

“What merit or worth does a humble disciple like me possess to dare claim such a heavy treasure…”

“When I give it to you, just take it!” The Long Eyebrow Immortal, without giving him the chance to refuse, pointed with his finger, causing the Xuanguang Ruler to spin and swirl straight into Ling Yunpo’s sleeve.

“Master,” Su Jian remarked with cupped hands from the side, “this Xuanguang Ruler is an essential magical treasure for venturing into the Fire Element Cave. Now that you’ve gifted it to Qing Heng True Person, if the sect ever needs the artifact, then…”

“Then just ask Qing Heng to escort you all!” The Long Eyebrow Immortal burst into hearty laughter.

Ling Yunpo touched the Xuanguang Ruler now lying safely in his sleeve, and a warmth immediately surged in his heart.

The Fenbao Rock of Kunlun and Shushan’s Fire Element Cave signify the storage of most of Shushan Shangqing Faction’s essential treasures, all hidden within the depths of that cave.

Within the Fire Element Cave lies the Fire Element True Qi—an essence so lethal that not even true immortals could guarantee their safety unless shielded by the Xuanguang Ruler’s defensive powers to isolate the Fire Element True Qi.

At this moment, the Long Eyebrow Immortal gifting the Xuanguang Ruler to Ling Yunpo essentially meant that, no matter what treasure he desired in the Fire Element Cave, he could be a guard unguarding… No, rather, take them freely himself.

After all, as Shushan’s Tai Yin Sword Master, it’s only fitting he possessed certain noble privileges!

Parting ways with Su Jian and the Long Eyebrow Immortal, Ling Yunpo leisurely made his way back to Qingluo Peak, mulling over which treasure he should take.

I recall there’s a fragment of the Purple Mansion Thunder scripture within the Fire Element Cave, isn’t there?

Currently, among the three final thunders of the Thunder Method, Tai Xiao Thunder has been fully mastered, Yu Chen Thunder resides in the Shennong Secret Realm, and the Purple Mansion Thunder rests in Shushan’s Fire Element Cave—meaning there are already leads on all three.

As long as I pursue them, there’s hope of mastering the final three thunders and ultimately achieving the Nine Thunder Fusion to acquire the all-powerful Taiji Thunder… Considering that I’ll inevitably betray both the Three Pure Orthodox Sect and Hell Path someday, with most of the Cultivation Realm opposing me, obtaining Taiji Thunder becomes a prerequisite before scheming to seize fragments of the Heaven-Mending Stone.

But now isn’t the time to immediately snatch the Purple Mansion Thunder—a sudden move like that would seem far too impatient.

Better to wait for the next group heading to the Fire Element Cave and casually retrieve it then.

In truth, upon honest reflection, Ling Yunpo didn’t harbor a particularly strong desire for the array of treasures within the Fire Element Cave—after all, if he were to become Shushan’s Sect Leader, wouldn’t those treasures be his to take, free and easy?

Upon reaching this advanced level of cultivation, the demand for magical artifacts and Daoist techniques had shifted to “better few, but extraordinary.”

For instance, when it came to sword control, Ling Yunpo could manage a maximum of simultaneously wielding three swords. If he added magical treasure manipulation or Daoist technique use, he’d have to forgo one sword.

This means that regardless of the grade rank or legendary reputation of a Flying Sword, it must enter his top three to be granted a chance to shine. The Tai Yin Suming Sword unequivocally held the top spot, with the Huangting Kunwu Sword and Myriad Avatar Absolute Immortal Sword close behind—slots already filled.

As for the remaining Tianyuan Yiqi Sword, Thunder Punishment Sword, Myriad Bamboos Sword, Myriad Demons Evil Spirit Sword, Shuilong Yin, and others—though they may be brilliant in the hands of lesser cultivators, once returned to Chen Guanshui himself, they’d rejoin the competitive fray at the starting line with no chance of prominence.

If he were to be greedy for treasures in the Fire Element Cave and chose a Flying Sword, it would need to be at least superior to Myriad Avatar Absolute Immortal Sword and Huangting Kunwu Sword—not an easy feat given its rarity across the entire Cultivation Realm!

As Ling Yunpo pondered deeply, suddenly An Zhisu entered from outside, smiling as she said,

“Junior Brother, care to join me for a drink?”

“I am naturally at your service,” Ling Yunpo responded with a grin.

After lingering in Shushan for some time, Ling Yunpo loaded his progress and moved to Penglai, transforming into Elder Jingyun, the master of the Heavenly Craft Workshop.

The matter on Luo Yan’s end was likely the most straightforward:

The Heaven-Mending Stone fragment was hidden within Wan Xiang Immortal’s secret space. Once he mastered Sleeve Universe, he could access it anytime and retrieve the fragment.

Given Sleeve Universe’s rarity and the hidden location of the space’s entrance, the defenses within the space were likely minimal. At that time, he could double-check with Ah Jing.

If worse comes to worst, he could simply overpower using the Tai Yin Suming Sword, triggering any existing restrictions indiscriminately.

As Luo Yan deliberated thoughtfully, suddenly Shi Liuli knocked on the door and entered.

For a fleeting moment, he thought Liuli might be here to ask, “Care to join me for a drink,” thanks to the residual impression left by Senior Sister An—but a quick composure realigned his focus as he replied with a smile,

“Liuli, what brings you here?”

“Just checking in on you,” Shi Liuli walked to his desk and glanced at the scripture before inquiring, “Husband, you’re no longer researching formations?”

“Oh, just reading other miscellaneous books to relax,” Luo Yan remarked, unable to recall exactly what he had been reading during his last saved progress and casually responding.

“If you have some spare time, there are several sizable commissions that require attention,” Shi Liuli added. “Since husband has recently gained fame for achieving Nascent Infant, the reputation of our Heavenly Craft Workshop is rebounding, with numerous loyal clients inclined to reignite partnerships. This demand cannot be overlooked.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Yan’s expression stiffened, as Shi Liuli’s stern and persuasive tone bore an uncanny resemblance to a corporate supervisor from his past life.

How is it that even in a Xianxia realm, I can’t escape the grindstone?

Noting Luo Yan’s resistant demeanor, Shi Liuli patiently explained further,

“These formation-related commissions are less significant for their monetary rewards; more importantly, the clients are high-ranking cultivators and sect leaders wielding substantial influence within their factions.”

“Building strong ties with such elite circles is precisely why Father enjoyed unparalleled prestige within his sect. If husband struggles with social interactions, I can join husband during our visits as needed.”

“Alright, alright,” Luo Yan conceded, “Pass me their formation commissions, and I’ll take a look.”

“Good,” Shi Liuli affirmed and handed him a jade slip.

As Luo Yan immersed his Divine Sense into the slip to scrutinize its contents, Shi Liuli spoke again,

“Husband, how much do you know about… the Second Senior Sister from before?”

Second Senior Sister? Luo Yan hesitated briefly before making the connection.

She must be referring to the disgraced ex-member of Heavenly Craft Workshop, Lei Caiyan. Ever since her betrayal, Shi Liuli had remained mum on the subject. Why bring it up now?

“Why?” Luo Yan frowned, “Have you heard news of her?”

Shi Liuli pulled out a letter, saying,

“This letter was tucked within a sect commission file and delivered to our Heavenly Craft Workshop.”

Luo Yan retrieved the letter, scanned its contents, and unfolded it to read the cryptic message: “Dugu Xie, Ghost Mother Sisters, the twenty-third next month, Lu’er Island.”

“Are you suggesting that this was Lei Caiyan warning us?” He raised the letter and asked, “Reminding us to confront the Heavenly Demon Path sect leader and avenge Master’s passing?”

“I consulted a divination,” Shi Liuli hesitated, “The journey shouldn’t pose danger.”

“But logically, since Second Senior Sister belongs to the Hell Path, there’s absolutely no reason for her to aid us, Orthodox cultivators, in challenging leaders from a fellow Six Paths faction like Heavenly Demon Path.”

Hmm… Luo Yan contemplated deeply.

Shi Liuli’s concerns were not unwarranted.

By strict definition, Hell Path’s Lei Caiyan and Heavenly Demon Path’s Dugu Xie sect leader as well as Ghost Mother Sisters elders all belonged to the same overarching alliance.

However, as everyone knows, prolonged pretense often leads to genuine empathy. For example, while I may be a traitor, there are times when I genuinely care about Penglai and Heavenly Craft Workshop, aren’t there?

Recalling the dialogue from a suspected figure resembling Lei Caiyan at a previous Hell Path gathering, combined with Shi Liuli’s divination results, Luo Yan leaned toward believing the authenticity of the matter.

Of course, Master’s vengeance must be done!

Source: .com, updated by novlove.com

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!