Chapter 775: Sages

When someone who rarely ate due to extended fasting suddenly claimed to be skilled at cooking, it was as suspicious as a person who rarely left the house claiming superb horsemanship.

Zhang Yuelu asked, “You don’t believe me?”

“I don’t,” Qi Xuansu replied, unwilling to yield to Zhang Yuelu’s imposing aura.

His reasoning was simple. If he said he believed her, he would inevitably be forced to taste her cooking. If he tried to back out later, Zhang Yuelu would accuse him of deceiving her, causing him to lose the moral high ground. Thus, it was better to refuse from the start.

“Fine, suit yourself.” Having spent much time together, Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu subtly influenced each other. Gradually, their speech and behavior aligned closely, and given enough time, even their appearances might resemble each other. This phenomenon was commonly known as a couple’s resemblance.

Zhang Yuelu adjusted her clothing and said, “I have to go.”

“Where to?” Qi Xuansu asked.

“To see the Heavenly Preceptor. You’re coming as well,” Zhang Yuelu replied. “He’ll be leaving Jade Capital tonight.”

Qi Xuansu said, “Alright. But first, I have to ask Sage Donghua for a leave of absence.”

Zhang Yuelu nodded. “Ziwei Hall is in Purple Mansion too, so it’s on the way.”

Like an old married couple, the two tidied themselves up and stepped out together, coincidentally bumping into Nun Cui, who was leaving her home as well.

Nun Cui clearly recognized Zhang Yuelu. Seeing the two come out together, she remarked in surprise, “You two...”

Qi Xuansu felt somewhat awkward.

Nun Cui flashed an understanding smile that implied, “I know exactly what’s going on.”

She quickly left first, sparing them from prolonged embarrassment. But they vaguely heard her muttering, “Young people nowadays...”

Qi Xuansu glanced at Zhang Yuelu, who remained composed, showing no trace of embarrassment.

This was something Qi Xuansu admired about her. At times when they were together, he often experienced an odd reversal, feeling as if Zhang Yuelu were the man while he was the meek, dependent woman.

The two left Haichan Place and walked along Shangqing Street toward Xuan City.

Qi Xuansu still remembered their second encounter, which was also on Shangqing Street. They had shared a bowl of beef noodles at the time.

Thinking about it now filled him with nostalgia. If it weren’t for their tight schedule today, he would have revisited that place.

At the gates of Xuan City, they encountered another familiar face—Li Changge. He was surrounded by admirers, including acquaintances like Li Zhuyu, Lu Shuihan, Bai Yuru, and Zhao Huang.

These young masters and young ladies had effectively become his entourage.

Li Changge showed no hostility. Instead, he took the initiative to stop and greet them politely. “Brother Tian Yuan, Daoist Zhang.”

This surprised everyone present.

By now, Qi Xuansu was no longer a nobody. Yet, in terms of fame and standing, he was still inferior to Zhang Yuelu, who was the most famous among the three prodigies. Strangely, Li Changge had placed Qi Xuansu’s greeting ahead of Zhang Yuelu’s and even differed in formality, addressing Qi Xuansu by his courtesy name prefixed with “Brother” while addressing Zhang Yuelu more distantly, using her last name prefixed with “Daoist.”

This inevitably caused speculation. Were the two men so close?

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu paused to return his greeting respectfully.

Following etiquette, Qi Xuansu responded with “Brother Yong Yan,” while Zhang Yuelu addressed Li Changge as “Daoist Li.”

Li Changge smiled and said, “The army is heading to sea, with Qizhou as the primary base. Brother Tian Yuan, if you happen to visit Qizhou, please let me know so I can fulfill my role as a proper host.”

Qi Xuansu smiled back. “Of course.”

Li Changge said nothing further and left with his entourage.

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu stood there, silently watching Li Changge depart.

Zhang Yuelu murmured, “Someone’s pretending to be gracious by poaching talents.”

“Are you upset?” Qi Xuansu deliberately teased.

Zhang Yuelu immediately denied, “Not at all.”

Qi Xuansu chuckled. “If you ask me, Young Master Li doesn’t resemble the Holy Xuan. He’s more like Elder Xu, utterly pragmatic and ruthless in pursuing his goals.”

Zhang Yuelu agreed. “That’s true.”

Qi Xuansu added, “If he’s acting gracious and humble, I’ll simply play along. Those from the Li family or their vassals won’t dare trouble me if they’re uncertain about our relationship. I just want to avoid unnecessary trouble.”

“How cunning of you,” Zhang Yuelu commented.

Qi Xuansu smirked. “I call it survival skills.”

They continued to Purple Mansion and parted ways. Zhang Yuelu went toward the Heavenly Preceptor’s residence at Biyou Palace.

There were four palaces within Purple Mansion. The Grand Master lived in Zixiao Palace, the Heavenly Preceptor in Biyou Palace, the Earthly Preceptor in Yuxu Palace, and the Imperial Preceptor in Bajing Palace. Centered around Zixiao Palace, their relationship mirrored an original body with the incarnations of the Three Corpses. This reflected the Daoist belief that the Three Pure Ones were embodiments of the Primordial Daoist Ancestor.

Qi Xuansu headed for Ziwei Hall.

However, upon arrival, Qi Xuansu was informed that Sage Donghua was not present. The Chief Omniscient Sage had gone to Kunlun Paradise with several other Omniscient Sages.

Fortunately, given Qi Xuansu’s current status, he was authorized to enter Kunlun Paradise directly through a portal located within Ziwei Hall.

Led by a superintendent, Qi Xuansu passed from Ziwei Hall’s main hall directly into Kunlun Paradise.

Kunlun Paradise was known as the greatest paradise in the world. Although a substantial part had merged into the mundane world, its remaining portion was still vast, much larger than the Ghost Kingdom. Naturally, it was divided into multiple distinct areas by the Daoist Order, each accessible via specific portals. For example, the internal portal at Huasheng Hall led to the old site for the creation projects, while Ziwei Hall’s portal opened into a picturesque area filled with birdsong and blooming flowers.

As Qi Xuansu exited the portal, he saw an endless expanse of lush green grassland stretching like an ocean into the horizon. Exotic beasts strolled leisurely about. In the distance was a crystal-clear lake that was as large as a sea, teeming with koi and other fish, while flocks of white cranes gracefully flew above.

Across the lake and a small hill was a vast shooting range that was over 700 hectares in size. It was stocked not only with regular rifles but also a variety of cannons, including naval artillery.

It made sense because only artillery would offer some sensory stimulation to Sages with exceptional cultivation. Ordinary firearms were merely children’s toys to them.

Sage Donghua and several Omniscient Sages were currently test-firing the Army Breaker, a cannon second only to the famed Starcrusher.

The superintendent stopped at this point and said respectfully, “Deputy Hall Master Qi, the Hall Master is just ahead. I am not permitted to enter the shooting range, so please proceed on your own.”

Qi Xuansu nodded and stepped forward into the shooting range.

At that moment, there was a thunderous boom, and the earth trembled violently.

An ordinary person caught off guard would certainly have fallen, but Qi Xuansu remained steady. He calmly walked closer to the Sages and stopped a short distance away without rashly approaching.

Sage Donghua, who had just test-fired a Grade-A Series Five Dragon Eye Bomb, turned around and beckoned to Qi Xuansu. He introduced his new subordinate to the other Sages. “This is the youngest Deputy Hall Master of Ziwei Hall, Qi Xuansu.”

The Omniscient Sages smiled warmly, showing no surprise, clearly already aware of who Qi Xuansu was.

Qi Xuansu respectfully greeted the Omniscient Sages.

Among them was someone Qi Xuansu knew personally, Sage Ning Lingge, currently the Ciji Hall Master. Sage Ning had been an old superior of both Zhang Yuelu and Qi Xuansu in Tiangang Hall and had even gifted them theater tickets.

One of the Sages smiled and remarked, “Boy, we happen to share the same last name. What a coincidence!”

Sage Donghua introduced, “This is Sage Wanmiao from the Shuzhou Daoist Mansion.”

Sage Wanmiao’s full name was Qi Jiaozheng. Qi Xuansu didn’t know this Sage personally, but he had long heard of him. Many people had mistakenly believed Qi Xuansu was related to this famous Sage Qi. Today, he had finally met the man himself.

Qi Xuansu explained, “I inherited this last name from my master.”

Qi Jiaozheng became curious. “Who might your master be?”

“My master’s name is Qi Haoran,” Qi Xuansu replied.

“Qi Haoran...” Qi Jiaozheng thought briefly before shaking his head. “I haven’t heard of him.”

Qi Xuansu was not surprised. After all, his master had only been a fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist before he died, far beneath the rank of Omniscient Sages. Had he mentioned Madam Qi’s name, these Sages would likely have recognized her instantly.

The Sages certainly were not idly firing cannons for amusement. The artillery was merely a pretext. This group formed a small, influential circle centered around Sage Donghua, primarily composed of Omniscient Sages from the Quanzhen Sect. Important decisions often emerged casually from their informal conversations.

Sage Donghua had gathered these Sages today to discuss important matters and had invited Qi Xuansu to familiarize him with this circle. This was undoubtedly the start of Qi Xuansu’s journey into the core of the Quanzhen Sect. Perhaps, in a decade or two, he would join their ranks. By then, Yao Pei might replace Sage Donghua, while Qi Xuansu himself could succeed Qi Jiaozheng.

Sage Donghua signaled the attending Spirit Guard to reload the artillery and casually asked, “Is something the matter?”

Qi Xuansu briefly explained that he would be returning to Yunjin Mountain with Zhang Yuelu to celebrate the Shangyuan Festival.

Ning Lingge chuckled upon hearing this and remarked, “Young men easily get entangled in romance and can’t pull themselves free.”

Sage Donghua retorted, “You’re the last person qualified to say that since you were the one who brought them together in the first place.”

Ning Lingge waved his hand dismissively. “That’s hardly matchmaking. At most, I just gave them a little nudge.”

In front of these elders, Qi Xuansu had no place to interject, so he could only listen respectfully.

Now that the Zhengyi Sect and Quanzhen Sect were allies, the Omniscient Sages had no objections to this union. Sage Donghua finally said, “Go ahead. Have fun, and stay safe. Just don’t pull another jaw-dropping leap this time.”

All the Omniscient Sages laughed.

Qi Xuansu felt a rush of embarrassment. Though his bold stunt had indeed won him the beauty’s heart, it had also become a widely known tale in the Daoist Order.

𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

There were also several followers and juniors present near the Omniscient Sages. As Qi Xuansu spoke with the Sages, all of these observers watched him intently.

However, Qi Xuansu did not care about his peers.

Somehow, Qi Xuansu had become comparable to the three Daoist prodigies, a figure others now had to look up to, rather than someone who looked up to others.