Chapter 035: Deputy Steward Wan

The Starfeather Mountain, home to the Windfeather Immortal Sect, stretched across a spiritual vein and was several times larger than Pinghua Town. Particularly in the sect’s core areas, the spiritual energy was exceptionally pure, making it ideal for cultivation. Even ordinary mortals, growing up in such a privileged environment without deliberate training, could develop physiques comparable to those at the third or fourth level of body refinement.

On their first day in the outer sect at the mountain’s rear, Xu Xuan and the others were not assigned any chores. Instead, they were given a cursory introduction to the sect’s rules.

The outer sect was nominally overseen by a senior member of the sect, but he was absorbed in his own cultivation and rarely appeared, making him virtually inaccessible to most. In practice, the management of the outer sect fell to two deputy stewards.

As fate would have it, one of these deputy stewards was Wan Fushan, whom some of them already knew.

That day, Wan Fushan was particularly enthusiastic, leading the six new outer sect disciples around the rear mountain, explaining the various rules and customs.

This scene drew surprised glances from some of the older disciples in the rear mountain: when had Deputy Steward Wan ever shown such patience?

However, when their gazes landed on the bright and charming Yang Xiaoqian by Wan Fushan’s side, their confusion was instantly dispelled.

All along the way, Wan Fushan squinted his small eyes and walked with Yang Xiaoqian, answering her every question with great zeal. Yet his attitude toward Xu Xuan, Xu Yuan, and the other five new disciples was cold and indifferent, barely acknowledging their presence.

This unequal treatment filled Xu Yuan and the others with indignation, though none dared voice it. Wan Fushan, as an inner sect disciple, already held higher status, and more importantly, he wielded real power over the outer sect, their fate virtually in his hands.

Xu Xuan, however, remained calm. He understood that for someone of Wan Fushan’s talent—already thirty, yet only at the first level of Qi Refinement—he was quite mediocre among inner sect disciples.

His keen senses also picked up traces of fear and resentment in the eyes of nearby disciples when they looked at Wan Fushan.

Faced with Wan Fushan, a true immortal in rank and holder of real authority, Yang Xiaoqian dared not offend him. Her words were respectful and cautious; her usual aloofness and pride had vanished. Still, whenever Wan Fushan’s small eyes lingered on her, she felt a wave of discomfort and disgust.

Xu Xuan could guess Wan Fushan’s intentions and secretly worried for Yang Xiaoqian. With her potential and talent, it would not be difficult for her to surpass Wan Fushan in the future. But for now, she was still in her cradle, with no patron in the sect—no different from a lamb before a wolf like Wan Fushan.

That evening, the new disciples returned to their quarters to rest.

Before they parted, Wan Fushan said coolly, “Once you officially join the sect, you must devote yourselves to cultivation. You’ll only be allowed to leave the mountain once every two months.”

“Two months?” Several of the new disciples, including Xu Yuan, looked troubled. Each had some mundane affairs left unresolved before coming up the mountain.

“Of course, before that, you’ll have three days to return home and settle any worldly matters. After three days, you must return to the sect on time. Otherwise, you’ll face disciplinary action at best, and expulsion at worst.”

As he finished, Wan Fushan’s gaze turned sharp and cold, and a wave of spiritual pressure descended, making everyone’s bodies shiver and their breaths falter.

Though Wan Fushan was not particularly high-ranking or powerful among the inner disciples, his cultivation as a Qi Refinement immortal put him far above these body-refining mortals.

That first day, no one had time to return home, so they stayed in the sect’s lodgings.

Xu Xuan’s heart was as still as water, untouched by the excitement or anxiety of the others; his past life’s experience allowed him to blend into sect life at once.

That very night, he sat in meditation and began practicing his Breathing Technique.

He had only just mastered the fifth level of the Breathing Technique, but now, cultivating within the sect, he made remarkable progress, approaching perfect mastery.

The dense spiritual energy around him greatly accelerated his cultivation. Xu Xuan vaguely sensed that the Breathing Technique’s effects on his body were enhanced in this environment.

With that in mind, he began to practice the first four forms of the Dragon-Serpent Nine Transformations. The electric, tingling warmth that surged through him felt both familiar and subtly different.

“The benefit of spiritual energy to cultivation is truly immense, and this is only the Body Refinement stage,” Xu Xuan thought, realizing why the remnant soul of his past life had so strongly urged him to spend a year or two cultivating in the sect.

That night, in his dreams, Xu Xuan entered the sea of memories, replaying every detail of his past life in the immortal sect to increase his chances of survival in the outer sect.

From his previous life, he knew that the lives of outer sect disciples were cheap. Many with weak cultivation suffered bullying, oppression, or even had their cultivation crippled. Some disappeared without a trace. The elders and masters in the sect spent most of their time cultivating, paying little attention to those outer disciples with little talent or potential.

Competition at the bottom was ruthless; only a tiny fraction would ever rise to the inner sect.

Though Xu Xuan appeared calm, his heart was cautious and alert.

The next morning, the six new disciples set out to handle their mundane affairs.

On his way down the mountain, Xu Xuan saw Yu Qin. Even as a favored disciple of the sect, the girl’s eyes were still shy and evasive, her speech hesitant.

As a “true disciple,” Yu Qin was escorted by two inner sect immortals—a treatment others could only envy.

Xu Xuan and the rest, meanwhile, left the mountain alone. Yang Xiaoqian was only accompanied a short distance by Wan Fushan.

Of the six new outer sect disciples, three were from Yangmu Village—a truly fortuitous circumstance.

Xu Xuan, Xu Yuan, and Yang Xiaoqian took the road home together.

As they walked, Xu Xuan noticed a hint of hostility in Xu Yuan’s eyes, but then Yang Xiaoqian sighed softly, “We come from the same village and are lucky to enter the sect together. We should stand united against outsiders if we are to survive here. Past grudges are hardly worth mentioning.”

After hearing this, Xu Yuan seemed to understand. The road ahead would be filled with harsh competition and perilous cultivation. Compared to that, their past squabbles were insignificant; to let them affect his future would be foolish.

Though he thought so, Xu Yuan could not immediately let go of his resentment toward Xu Xuan. At best, he could set it aside for now.

Xu Xuan, however, was even more detached by nature. He had always believed in not causing trouble unless provoked. As long as Xu Yuan did not seek to trouble him or target his sister, he was disinclined to stir up conflict.

The three hurried home, each lost in thought.

At home, Xu Xuan calmly recounted everything that had happened.

“You’ve seized this chance to join the immortal sect—this is wonderful!” his father exclaimed, his face flushed with pride.

His mother, Wang Yu, and his sister, Huilan, were both joyful and a little reluctant; after all, once he entered the sect, his chances to return home would grow fewer and fewer.

Xu Xuan was already making plans for the three days he had—some matters had to be resolved.

Most importantly, he had to eliminate the threat posed by Xu Dahu and his ilk.

That day on the mountain, Xu Dahu had tried to kill him, casting him into an abyss. Such ruthlessness was not typical of an ordinary villager.

Given all the bullying and oppression Xu Dahu had inflicted on his family, Xu Xuan was determined to act.

Had he been the same ordinary boy as before, even with the strength, he might never have been so decisive.

But now, with his past life’s memories merged into him, Xu Xuan’s mind was far beyond that of an ordinary youth.

He rested and gathered his energy until late at night, then quietly climbed out the window.

Swift and silent, he used the “Drift” technique to make his way to Xu Dahu’s house.

Xu Dahu’s home was an imposing two-story pavilion, alone on the mountainside, with no neighbors nearby.

Arriving at the house, Xu Xuan activated the Breathing Technique, sharpening his senses, and slipped into the courtyard.

He crept up to the building, held his breath, and listened. All was silent; it seemed the household was already asleep.

With a cold snort, he shot forward like an arrow and crashed through the window into the room.

Inside, all was pitch black and eerily empty—no sign of movement at all.

Something was wrong.

A normal house would surely have some furniture—this emptiness was unnatural.

“Could it be that Xu Dahu’s family, upon learning I entered the immortal sect, fled in advance?”

Xu Xuan’s expression grew grave as he cautiously explored the dark room.

When he reached the center of the hall, the floor suddenly gave way beneath him.

With a crash, the boards collapsed.

“Not good!”

Xu Xuan reacted instantly, springing onto a beam just as the floor fell.

With a thunderous rumble, the floorboards crashed down, revealing a huge pit more than ten feet across. Sharpened blades and spears bristled within, glinting coldly in the moonlight.

Such a scene would chill the blood of any ordinary person.

“Don’t let him escape!”

Two figures rushed into the hall, taking positions on either side, their eyes fixed coldly on Xu Xuan, who hung from a beam.

One burly figure drew a dark iron whip from his waist, his gaze fierce and intimidating—it was Xu Dahu.

The other, a tall, lean man with a strange curved blade, stared at Xu Xuan with icy detachment; judging by his aura, he was no weaker than Xu Dahu.

Gripping the beam, Xu Xuan’s face hardened.

In this situation, he was trapped, facing two powerful foes—both at the fourth level of body refinement, armed and dangerous.

“Xu Xuan, now that you’ve joined the immortal sect, your fortunes have changed. I, Xu Dahu, have been prepared. You wouldn’t let your old enemy go so easily.”

A savage gleam flashed in Xu Dahu’s eyes.

“Today, with Brother Cao Fei of the Blood Spirit Bandits by my side, you will not leave this place alive. Your blood will stain the floor!”

(Two chapters have arrived. Thank you all for your recommendations. Another chapter will be posted at midnight.)