Chapter 112: 104, This child is like me, can’t stay! (Requesting monthly tickets)
If Xu Xing hadn’t known the eventual outcome of the Fate Deduction, Song Knife’s actions at this moment might indeed have been considered broad-minded.
Just as the Emperor Purple Fate, Thief Who Stole the Dragon, had shattered, Xu Xing had once again glimpsed a corner of destiny. It was nearly identical to the previous Thief Official deduction.
In the first year of Tiande, he was compelled to accept the Immortal Sect’s decree, which allowed the Song Family’s Dragon Pulse to remain unbroken for Three Years.
In the fourth year of Tiande, Song Knife emerged from seclusion, having formed a first-class Pill.
Two more years passed. In the sixth year of Tiande, he finally unified the sixteen territories of Fengxi Country by exterminating the remnants of the Song Family’s minor Dynasty. In the same year, Celestial Messenger Shui Hongyao arrived at the Shenjing Imperial Palace to escort him into the Immortal Sect.
In this version, thanks to Song Knife’s "reciprocity," Song Knife didn’t unleash the Heavenly Intent One Knife. Instead, he allowed Xu Xing to enter seclusion to consolidate his Immortal Base. Xu Xing, as he wished, successfully condensed a Flawless Immortal Foundation.
However, more than a decade later, during a Sect mission, he was viciously ambushed and perished.
Although Song Knife wasn’t directly responsible this time, Xu Xing understood that the mastermind was inextricably linked to Song Knife.
...
"In the Sect, True Man Song," Deng An began, "while not a paragon of virtue or a Gentleman of impeccable morality, his conduct has been witnessed by countless disciples inside the door. If Junior Brother Xu had not yet entered the Sect but knew of True Man Song’s reputation, he certainly wouldn’t be so suspicious."
Seeing Xu Xing’s slightly affected demeanor, Deng An patted Xu Xing’s right hand comfortingly. Indeed, Xu Xing was a Human King, yet he was still young, not yet thirty. Even with Xuanji Temple’s backing, and knowing some secrets of the Immortal Sect, it was natural for him to feel apprehensive upon suddenly receiving a decree from the Immortal Sect without being a member. His current posture was understandable.
"I must look foolish to Brother Deng," Xu Xing said, withdrawing his hands from Deng An’s grasp. He shook his head and sighed, "I, Xu Mou, am but a common man who, by a stroke or two of Heavenly Order and luck, managed to seize the Song Family Dynasty. True Man Song not only refrains from treating me as a foe but is actually amicable. I was momentarily overwhelmed with anxiety and had no choice but to adopt such a disingenuous facade for self-preservation. It seems Brother Deng saw right through it... Please, Brother Deng, don’t hold it against me."
He apologized once more.
Illusory and real, true and false. Sometimes, feigning an attitude is merely a deceptive ploy, concealing deeper machinations. His current display of vulnerability to Deng An was precisely to use Deng An as a mouthpiece, to present this deliberately crafted illusion to Song Knife. Then, even if Song Knife failed at Condensing Pill, he would only attribute it to his own misfortune—encountering a high-quality Human King physique and expending Fengxi Country’s Dragon Luck to nurture this Human King. He wouldn’t suspect Xu Xing as the deeper cause. In short, Xu Xing was now on the third floor, while Deng An was on the second floor. And Deng An, on the second floor, believed Xu Xing to be on the first floor.
It was understandable why Deng An thought this way. At nearly 200 years old, he was, by any measure, far more astute than Xu Xing. This young lad, Xu Xing, despite making a name for himself in the mortal world, relied solely on Heavenly Order. How could he compare to a 200-year-old "Immortal" seasoned by worldly affairs?
Each had his own thoughts, his own calculations. It wasn’t that Deng An lacked intelligence; rather, Xu Xing had schemed deliberately. Coupled with the Bronze Ancient Mirror at his disposal, Xu Xing had an information advantage that led to Deng An’s deception.
"Senior Brother understands Junior Brother’s predicament," Deng An said, feeling he had drawn closer to Xu Xing, this Genius of the Sect. He patted Xu Xing’s shoulder. "This small matter, I naturally won’t blame you for it. Whether in the Mortal World or the Cultivation World, prudence is the wisest course. Senior Brother not only doesn’t blame Junior Brother for acting this way but is actually gratified..."
Having "torn away the Disguise" and shared this candid moment, both felt a significantly greater sense of warmth towards each other.
After some more conversation, they both took their seats in the Ziwei Palace. Xu Xing ordered a State Banquet to be prepared for Deng An, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
"There’s no need for such trouble," Deng An waved his hand dismissively, signaling Xu Xing not to bother. He smiled and added, "When it comes to delicacies, Spiritual Objects are superior. I have a few wild fruits here, picked from beyond the mountains. Junior Brother Xu, please try them."
As he spoke, a white jade box appeared in his hand. The Jade Box was about three inches wide and seven inches long, radiating a gentle spiritual light. The moment the lid was opened, two purple, round fruits, each the size of an infant’s fist, were revealed.
"This fruit is called the Purple Blooded Spirit Fruit," Deng An explained, a flicker of reluctance in his eyes. "It has miraculous effects on building the Immortal Base, allowing one to achieve twice the results with half the effort." He closed the Jade Box and handed it to a nearby palace maid, instructing her to give it to Xu Xing.
He had made up his mind when Xu Xing asked for a congratulatory gift. Upon returning to the Flying Feather Immortal Palace, he would not only ask Song Knife for a gift for Xu Xing but also prepare a substantial gift himself to cultivate a relationship with Xu Xing, a future powerhouse of the Sect. Currently, Xu Xing was still in the Mortal World, and very few knew of his Bright King Body and Human King Physique Talent. Deng An himself had only learned of such an Immortal Genius being born in the Mortal World due to his role as a Celestial Messenger delivering the decree. Although two Purple Blooded Spirit Fruits couldn’t compare to the Thousand-Year Stone Dew from Song Knife, each was worth a thousand Spirit Coins, making them quite valuable. But it was all worthwhile. If Xu Xing merely remembered this small kindness from today and offered him even slight assistance in the future, it would be a significant gain for Deng An. Sometimes, a single word from someone in a high position could alter the destiny of those at the bottom. Even if Xu Xing’s growth was slow, not yet reaching a point where he could change Deng An’s fate, Cultivators were Eternal Life Seeds. The higher their Realm, the longer their lifespan. This favor could extend to his descendants, which would also be a positive outcome.
"Brother Deng’s kindness, Xu Xing will remember it," Xu Xing said, his eyebrows arching slightly as he accepted the generous gift. "If, in the future, there’s any way Junior Brother can be of assistance, and if it is within my power, Junior Brother will certainly not refuse."
He was currently in dire need of connections within the Cultivation World. Since Deng An had come bearing substantial gifts, how could he possibly decline? Moreover, Deng An could serve as a conduit for communication with the Flying Feather Immortal Palace. Being on good terms with him would undoubtedly be beneficial for his future entry into the Immortal Sect. Besides, after achieving the Human King physique, he possessed Dragon Luck, which greatly accelerated his Cultivation. By his estimates, in another three or four years, he could hopefully advance his Cultivation to the Late Innate Stage and then, in one stroke, build his Immortal Base. However, he was critically lacking the Spiritual Objects needed to build his Immortal Base. While he could potentially obtain them from Xuanji Temple or Lingyin Peak, accepting such aid came with strings attached; relying solely on them was not a sound strategy. Maintaining his autonomy and independence was paramount.
"Junior Brother Xu is too kind," Deng An replied, the ache in his heart from parting with the fruits lessening considerably now that he had heard the desired words. "They are merely a few wild fruits."
「As dusk settled.」
Deng An bid farewell to Xu Xing and traveled by sword to the Imperial City Peak.
"True Man Song," he said, approaching the door of Song Knife’s Cave Mansion and bowing deeply. "Junior Brother Xu has accepted the congratulatory gift you sent."
At this time, Song Knife was at the Returning Core Realm, just one step from successfully Condensing Pill; it would not be an exaggeration to call him a True Monarch of the Dao Pill Realm. Moreover, Song Knife was not a True Monarch whose potential was exhausted. He had a strong likelihood of reaching the Nascent Soul and even Primordial Spirit stages. In Song Knife’s presence, Deng An dared not show the slightest disrespect.
"Many thanks, Junior Deng." The Cave Mansion door opened at the sound, and Song Knife, clad in a Profound Robe, emerged. His expression was amiable, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips, giving one an immediate sense of warmth, like a spring breeze. "Junior Deng has worked hard on this trip. I have some new Spirit Tea from Chonghe Hall; I’ll have an attendant deliver it to your residence later."
Towards those of lower status, Song Knife was not only willing to spend time exchanging pleasantries but was also frequently generous.
"Thank you, True Man Song," Deng An said, visibly moved. Such considerate high-ranking individuals like True Man Song were a rarity in the Immortal Sect.
"It’s nothing," Song Knife smiled, unconcerned. "You were assisting me; it’s only right that you are rewarded."
He would not easily underestimate these bottom-level cultivators of the Sect. If the Flying Feather Immortal Palace were likened to a great tree, then these numerous cultivators formed its roots. They might lack connections or Resources, but their sheer numbers were vast enough to trigger qualitative changes. For one hundred years, as if it were a single day, he consistently bestowed kindness upon the bottom-level cultivators. Though it cost a considerable sum, it allowed him to cultivate an excellent reputation. Once he had a good name among the bottom-level cultivators, it wouldn’t be long before it reached the ears of the Sect’s great cultivators. This time, when he requested Wan’an Dao Lord to issue the Immortal Order, Wan’an Dao Lord had agreed. While profit was a factor, Song Knife’s good reputation had also played a part.
"By the way," Song Knife began to inquire about Xu Xing from Deng An, "what kind of person is this Xu Xing?"
Only by knowing oneself and the enemy can one win every battle. Xu Xing disrupted his state, killed his future descendants—this was the first grievance. He severed his Dragon Pulse, causing him to almost fail at Condensing Pill. In desperation, he had to seek help from the Sect. Although he succeeded, he sold himself for one hundred years in the process—this was the second grievance. And then, he had to send him a congratulatory gift. This was the third grievance. Being slapped in the face and still having to feign a smile—how could he not harbor resentment!
"Xu Xing..." Deng An recounted Xu Xing’s benevolent acts one by one: not killing the King of Sorrow, the South Garden’s Lost Love, his deep affection for his old sword, and so on.
"What?" Song Knife was visibly stunned. "This young man is so much like me?" If not for his nearly 300 years of cultivating composure, he might have lost his poise then and there.
He wasn’t afraid of Xu Xing killing his descendants; after all, they were mere strangers he had never met. What he feared was Xu Xing’s profound cunning and extraordinary talent. Such a person would undoubtedly become a formidable rival and a serious threat in the future. He could afford to be benevolent because there were few people inside the door of the Flying Feather Immortal Palace whose talent surpassed his own. Even if there were, they didn’t possess the Human King physique; they were on a different track. But Xu Xing was different. With the Human King physique and Bright King Body combined, his talent surpassed Song Knife’s. And they were on the same path. Currently, Song Knife was in the Dao Pill stage, while Xu Xing was merely an Innate Martial Artist. But fast forward one hundred, or two hundred years: Song Knife might still be struggling in the Dao Pill or Nascent Soul stage, while Xu Xing could have reached the same Realm. This wasn’t baseless speculation; it was a common occurrence in the Cultivation World.
"This boy is like me..." An boundless killing intent surged in Song Knife’s heart. "Once I condense a First-Class Dragon and Tiger Dao Pill, I will definitely kill him!"
If Xu Xing weren’t a Human King physique, he might have been able to let go of these three grievances and even befriend Xu Xing despite their age difference. But precisely because Xu Xing was a Human King physique, he had no other choice. Then again, if Xu Xing hadn’t been a Human King physique, these three grievances would never have arisen in the first place.
"True Man Song," Deng An asked, noticing Song Knife’s furrowed brow and silence, a sense of doubt arising in him, "what’s wrong?"