Chapter 1976: Putting on a Show

"I..."

His face flushed red, Zhang Xuan stood rooted to the spot, at a loss.

"Elder Feng, let's go!"

Bai Ruanqing said.

Elder Feng frowned, but finally acknowledged with a sound, and the two figures flickered, vanishing from the spot.

"That should have fooled them..."

Seeing them leave, Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

He had no desire to become some elder's disciple!

If this Elder Bai Ye were willing to take him as a master, he might consider it.

So, he had teamed up with Bai Ruanqing to put on an act, deliberately losing to her at the same cultivation level to appear weak. By having Bai Ruanqing report back personally, it was likely that Elder Bai Ye would abandon the idea of taking him as a disciple.

Even if it couldn't be prevented, such weak swordsmanship would surely delay the matter of taking a disciple.

With the problem resolved, Zhang Xuan quickly dashed toward the inner sect mountain range and soon returned to his residence.

Shan Xiaotian was still practicing swordsmanship. The move "Third Young Master's Sword" had already reached the pinnacle, possessing ninety percent of his essence. Now that he had enough money, Zhang Xuan gave him a few low-grade Immortal Origin Pills and offered some guidance, allowing his cultivation to break through.

He successfully advanced to the second level of the Ancient Saint realm.

As for Cao Chengli, though lecherous, he was much more diligent in cultivation than Sun Qiang.

Having been a bandit, he understood the importance of cultivation. With sufficient pills and high-level techniques, he progressed rapidly.

From the journey here to entering the sect, in just over ten days, his cultivation had already broken through the third level of the Great Saint realm and was advancing toward the fourth. Barring accidents, he would soon impact the Ancient Saint realm!

After instructing the two to continue cultivating, he returned to his room.

"Time to break through..."

Using the second Divine Communication Talisman, Zhang Xuan purchased a full hundred medium-grade Immortal Origin Pills. Then he opened the Heavenly Dao cultivation technique in his mind and settled down to cultivate.

The pills entered his body, transforming into streams of spiritual energy that coursed through his meridians. Having already reached the peak of the Shattering Void realm, he was on the verge of breaking through at any moment. Now with the technique, he hesitated no longer. All shackles were easily shattered, and his power underwent a transformation.

After more than ten minutes, his power had accumulated to its peak. With a "boom!" he broke through the shackles and reached the Illusory Immortal realm.

He continued to swallow pills into his body.

The Heavenly Dao technique consumed a great deal of Immortal Origin Pills, but he was now wealthy and didn't care.

Whenever he felt his power waning, he swallowed a pill. Under the rapid operation of the Heavenly Dao technique, his cultivation steadily climbed.

Early stage of the Illusory Immortal realm!

Middle stage of the Illusory Immortal realm!

...

An hour later, he had already advanced an entire major level, reaching the peak of the Void Immortal realm!

At this point, the hundred mid-grade Immortal Origin Pills he had purchased were nearly depleted, and this level of pill seemed to have little effect on his cultivation. To advance further, he would likely need higher-grade pills.

"When the mind is clear, the soul is like true gold, unharmed by fire refining... this is the Void Immortal!"

Feeling the change in power within his body, Zhang Xuan clenched his fists.

Although he had only broken through one major level, the increase in strength was unparalleled.

The Void Immortal realm and the Shattering Void realm were qualitatively different—the difference between 'Saint' and 'Immortal.' Both lifespan and power were entirely distinct.

If before he had used true qi, now he wielded immortal power!

The power of an immortal.

"To have knocked out Bai Ruanqing... I was really lucky..."

Feeling his current strength and recalling how he had managed to knock out Bai Ruanqing earlier, Zhang Xuan secretly counted himself fortunate.

If he hadn't seized the initiative and allowed her to recover her strength, he would surely have lost.

Not to mention True Immortals, even this Void Immortal was more than ten times stronger than a Shattering Void cultivator.

With his cultivation skyrocketing, his understanding of that 'Divine Sword Intent' deepened. If he were to execute this sword technique, even a peak True Immortal could be easily slain!

As for Immortal Lords, he had never crossed swords with them nor seen them fight. He knew little of their specific power, but from what he had inferred from books, he was probably not their match for now.

"The ruthless man and the clone should also break through..."

He purchased enough pills and released the clone and the ruthless man to cultivate.

As for the gourd, after swallowing a hundred mid-grade Immortal Origin Pills, it seemed far from 'recovery.' As soon as it saw Zhang Xuan release it, it cried and clamored for food.

Annoyed by its noise, he tossed it into his storage ring and ignored it.

He was such an upright person; he really didn't know what sin he had committed to tame such a glutton as a pet.

The worst part was, aside from its bathwater being able to heal injuries, he had no idea what use it had...

Next time, if it came to it, he might try having an Immortal Lord strike it. If it died, so be it; if it didn't split, he could consider using it as a shield, placing it in front to take hits in battle—that wouldn't be bad either.

...

While Zhang Xuan cultivated, Bai Ruanqing and Bai Feng had already returned to the courtyard where Elder Bai Ye lived.

"How did it go?"

Seeing the two return, Elder Bai Ye asked.

"Miss personally tested him. Let Miss speak..." Bai Feng stepped back.

"Grandfather, this Zhang Xuan's swordsmanship is extremely poor. He can't even perform the most basic sword techniques. At the same level, I casually executed a set of sword techniques and subdued him... He is utterly unqualified to be your student!"

Bai Ruanqing said quickly.

As she spoke these words, her admiration for this 'uncle master' increased even further.

Within the sect, countless people wanted to become Grandfather's disciple. This 'Uncle Master' actually refused, going to such trouble... truly too low-key!

Such a character is truly a model for us!

Elder Bai Ye frowned.

"This is the battle record I captured with a recording crystal just now. Look!"

After speaking, Bai Ruanqing took out a crystal and handed it over.

Taking the crystal, Elder Bai Ye tapped it with his finger, and the scene of the battle immediately appeared before him. He finished watching quickly.

"I didn't deceive you, did I? His strength is indeed lacking. If Grandfather takes him as a disciple, I fear it would tarnish Grandfather's dignity..."

Bai Ruanqing said.

"I understand. You may leave now. I still have matters to discuss with Xiaofeng."

Expressionless, Elder Bai Ye neither agreed nor refused.

"Yes!"

Bai Ruanqing said no more and turned to leave.

As soon as she left the room, Elder Bai Ye looked over: "What do you think?"

"I am confident my disguise had no flaws, but the other party seemed to know in advance that I would appear. His eyes appeared flustered, but in reality, he was extremely composed, not at all worried about being killed..." Bai Feng paused, then said.

Both he and the master were at the Immortal Lord realm. Although the other party concealed himself well, he was still easily seen through.

"If he were truly afraid, he would have tried to escape or sent a message, not worn that expression..." Elder Bai Ye nodded.

He agreed with the other's view.

"Then... Master..."

Bai Feng said.

"This granddaughter of mine has been spoiled by me! She is always reckless and never solid in learning basic swordsmanship. Yet this time she came running to spar with someone, even displaying such inspired sword moves. If she hadn't prearranged this with this Zhang Xuan, I wouldn't believe it!"

Stroking his beard, Elder Bai Ye smiled wryly.

"Prearranged? Master means..." Bai Feng frowned.

"After you left, that girl also left. I took the opportunity to have someone investigate. She went to the library and entered a meditation room with this Zhang Xuan, staying for a full half hour..."

With a flick of his wrist, Elder Bai Ye tossed over a jade token.

Bai Feng quickly caught it, glanced at it, and couldn't help but twitch his mouth.

A man and a woman, sharing a meditation room... and staying that long, could something be going on?

"Does Master suspect... that Miss has some relationship with this Zhang Xuan?"

He couldn't hold back any longer.

"These days, quietly follow her and see what she does. Report any news to me immediately! Also, keep an eye on that Zhang Xuan... An inner disciple, able to make my fearless granddaughter obediently cooperate with him in putting on an act—I really want to know what kind of charm he has!"

Elder Bai Ye chuckled lightly.

As one of the three great elders of the Lingyun Sword Pavilion, Elder Bai Ye was not merely accomplished in cultivation; his insight was also extraordinary.

When his granddaughter heard the news of his intention to take a disciple and turned to leave, fearing she might cause trouble, he had someone follow her... and naturally learned of what happened in the library later.

Alone together for half an hour, then suddenly appearing during Bai Feng's test to say the other was terrible... even a fool would know something was fishy.

Nodding, Bai Feng turned to leave.

"Don't get too close, don't let her find out, or that girl will surely make a fuss! Also, investigate this Zhang Xuan's background and identity! Among the many inner disciples, it seems... his name isn't there!" Elder Bai Ye waved his hand again.

"Yes!" Bai Feng turned and left.

...

Bai Ruanqing didn't know that the act she put on with 'Uncle Master' had been seen through. At this moment, she was in her own room, continuing to practice swordsmanship.

After more than a dozen moves, she furrowed her delicate brows.

The sword techniques taught by 'Uncle Master' were extremely profound. At first, understanding came quickly and progress was great, but the further she went, the harder it became to comprehend.

"I'll go ask him..."

After practicing for another hour or so, feeling she could no longer improve, she gritted her silver teeth, mounted her beast, and flew straight toward the inner disciple's peak.

When she left earlier, she had specifically asked where he lived, so she already knew the exact location.

Before long, she arrived outside the courtyard, dismounted, and knocked on the gate.

"Creak!"

A middle-aged man came out. Seeing her appearance, his eyes lit up: "You are..."

"I'm looking for Zhang Xuan, shi... junior brother!"

Bai Ruanqing said.

Uncle Master was low-key and unwilling to reveal his identity, so in front of outsiders, she dared not address him as Uncle Master.

"Looking for the young master?"

Startled, the middle-aged man suddenly understood.

This fellow was naturally the steward Cao Chengli.

He had thought such a beautiful woman had come for him, but it was a false alarm.

Still, the young master was quite impressive...

He had originally thought that with his poker face and strange personality, the young master might never find a girlfriend in this life. Unexpectedly, in less than a day at the Lingyun Sword Pavilion, he had already hooked up with such a top-notch girl.

Truly, you can't judge a book by its cover!

"The young master is inside. Please..."

As he spoke, he was about to step over the threshold, but suddenly remembered something, stumbled, and switched to his right foot before entering.