Immortality begins with inheriting the myriad arts of cultivation.

Chapter 125 Acting Sect Leader

In the teahouse of the Immortal City.

Several late-stage Qi Refining cultivators were discussing the rumors that had recently been making headlines in the Immortal City.

"It turns out that the Wang family patriarch was framed, which is why he failed to break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage and was seriously injured and on the verge of death."

"Not only that, the two Foundation Establishment Pills he had someone refine were also tampered with."

"Foundation Building Pills! And two of them!"

"I've heard that cultivators in the Immortal City have even stolen the Immortal City's third-tier alchemist inheritance as a bargaining chip with outsiders!"

"Tsk tsk... A third-tier alchemist's inheritance!"

"I don't know if it's true or not."

……

Various rumors about the Wang family kept circulating, and the other people in the teahouse soon joined in the discussion.

Who doesn't love gossip, especially rumors involving high-ranking figures in the Immortal City? These are the favorite topics of conversation for low-level cultivators.

Seeing how excited they were, I wished I could join in too.

In a corner of the teahouse, two figures wearing straw hats listened intently to everything, their expressions quite different.

One of the figures suddenly laughed and transmitted a voice: "Master's wife, you went to great lengths to betray Master and join the righteous path, but now it seems that these righteous cultivators aren't as 'righteous' as you imagined!"

As he spoke, the figure's gaze fell upon the woman beside him, whom he called his master's wife. He reached out and casually parted the veil of her bamboo hat, revealing her face beneath.

If Li Ping were here, he would easily recognize that the cultivator called Master's Wife was none other than the former manager of Lingbao Pavilion, Fairy Miaorou.

When he had just successfully established his foundation, Miao Rou even tried to persuade him to leave the city to escort supplies in exchange for a mid-grade second-tier spirit tree.

However, Li Ping did not agree because he was worried about offending Dai Sangyu and the possibility of people lying in wait outside the city.

"Hmph." Upon hearing the telepathic message, Miao Rou snorted coldly, her face as frosty as she said, "How dare you call me 'Master's Wife'? In everything you've done along the way, have you ever treated me with even the slightest bit of respect for me as your master's wife?"

Thinking about her experiences along the way, even with her rich life experience, Miao Rou couldn't help but feel a sense of shame.

Several years ago, after cooperating with Mr. Yan and Master Fenglan, they successfully forced Yan Liming to use the "Blood Wing Escape Technique" to escape.

Distrustful of Master Fenglan, she chose to return to the State of Qi with Mr. Yan.

Unexpectedly, when she returned to Qi, she discovered that the Defenders Alliance had already started a war with the four demonic sects, and the situation in Qi was unstable.

After returning to Jixia Immortal City, considering her past identity as a member of the demonic path, she stayed obediently in the city to cultivate, trying to avoid the great war.

Unexpectedly, Yan Liming's eldest disciple used a hidden mark in a magical artifact he had given her in the past to track her down, subdue her, and abduct her.

As a result, after going around in circles, she actually returned to Fenglan Immortal City!

"Master's wife, you're joking." Slender, bloodless fingers stroked Miao Rou's face. "I am Master's disciple. Now that Master is dead, everything he has should naturally be inherited by me, including you, Master's wife."

Miao Rou scoffed and said, "I've made myself very clear. Yan Liming is not dead. He escaped using a teleportation technique. You're just dreaming if you want his storage bag."

"Hehe... Master's escape from the siege of two mid-stage Core Formation cultivators is indeed impressive, but our sect's Bloodwing Escape Technique is not so easy to execute." A soft, feminine voice rang directly in Miao Rou's ear: "Even if Master didn't die, he would probably have no choice but to possess another body. I've come here to send him on his way. After sending Master on his way, you can come back to the sect with me, Master's wife. Wouldn't that be a delightful thing?"

Miao Rou looked up and caught a glimpse of a young man's face through the gap—a face that was extremely effeminate and devoid of any color.

Liu Wusheng, a rising star of the Blood Shadow Sect, is a disciple of Yan Liming, a Core Formation cultivator, and a late Foundation Establishment cultivator!

……

These rumors, which spread rampantly throughout the Immortal City, were naturally orchestrated by the Meng family patriarch.

Wang Xingwei was unconscious, so he had no way of verifying the authenticity of the contents of the jade slip in his hand from him.

Under these circumstances, he naturally dared not go to Master Fenglan to complain.

Therefore, he simply disseminated the information described in the jade slip through the Meng family's secret channels.

Such explosive news, spread spontaneously among the cultivators, naturally spread throughout the entire immortal city in no time.

The Meng family patriarch was waiting, waiting until the public outcry could no longer be contained.

He would then join other families in petitioning Master Fenglan for a thorough investigation into the rumors.

In this way, even if Master Fenglan finds out after investigation that the rumors are completely unfounded, he can still shift the blame to the rumors and avoid the crime of false accusation.

……

"How...how could this be!" Inside a cave on Mount Qinglong, Ye Chen paced anxiously back and forth in the courtyard, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty. He growled, "Hu Feng, how dare you break your promise!"

With his shrewdness, he could easily guess it.

This rumor was able to spread, and it only grew stronger with each passing day.

It's certain that something happened to Hu Feng, and there's a strong possibility that some powerful force is behind it.

"Next, I guess someone will ask Master to thoroughly investigate this matter! Cola Novels, following the updates, has never been so enjoyable." A resolute glint flashed in Ye Chen's eyes: "I can't stay in the Immortal City any longer, I'll leave first! Before Master pays attention to this matter, I'll go out for a while under the guise of training, and come back when the news has died down."

After thinking it over, he walked out of Qinglong Mountain without hesitation.

"Hopefully, it's not too late!" Ye Chen's eyes were clouded with gloom.

He knew that in this battle, he was in the open, completely unprepared. His opponent, on the other hand, was in the shadows, and having already made his move, must have a well-thought-out plan and would likely not let him leave the Immortal City so easily.

Sure enough, not long after he left the cave, a figure intercepted him.

Ye Chen recognized him at a glance; it was Zhang Tie, who had achieved Foundation Establishment by good fortune a few years ago and was eventually accepted as a disciple by his master.

"Senior Brother Ye, I was just about to come find you." Zhang Tie smiled憨厚ly, "I want to go to the Secret Techniques Pavilion to pick out a few basic books on weapon crafting."

Upon hearing this, Ye Chen felt a chill run down his spine, and then he thought of Zhang Tie's relationship with the Meng family: "He married a woman from the Meng family."

"Junior Brother Zhang, I have something urgent to take care of. Would it be convenient for you later?" Ye Chen smiled. "Junior Brother, if you need those books, I'll personally deliver them to you later."

Zhang Tie, unsuspecting, was overjoyed upon hearing this and said, "Thank you very much, Senior Brother Ye. I need the books 'Processing Cold-natured Materials'..."

"Okay, I've got it." Ye Chen nodded to Zhang Tie, then hurriedly headed out of the mountain.

But as soon as he reached the mountain gate, he saw Meng Qingyi standing there, seemingly waiting for him.

Ye Chen inwardly groaned, but his expression remained calm. He respectfully greeted, "Senior Sister Meng."

After greeting Meng Qingyi, he was about to leave, but Meng Qingyi moved aside and blocked his way: "Junior Brother Ye, there are some rumors circulating in the city recently. I hope you will stay on the mountain until then."

Upon hearing this, Ye Chen's expression changed instantly!

……

Inside the pavilion.

Listening to Zhang Tie describe the recent events on Qinglong Mountain, Li Ping felt completely at ease: "Ah, that feels good!"

According to Zhang Tie's account, not long after the rumors spread throughout the Immortal City, seven or eight Yuanxun family members who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, including the Meng family patriarch, entered Qinglong Mountain together to seek an audience with True Person Fenglan.

This matter involves the reputation of the Immortal City and his most valued disciple, Dai Sangyu.

Master Fenglan actually came out of seclusion to thoroughly investigate the matter. Under Master Fenglan's bewitching spell, Ye Chen confessed on the spot, revealing all his plans like beans spilling from a bamboo tube.

Next is Xiong Pohai, who was not involved in this matter.

Finally, there's Dai Sangyu, who wasn't involved in the matter either.

The whole thing was actually orchestrated by Ye Chen alone, which Li Ping found quite regrettable.

What pleased Li Ping the most was the punishment imposed on him by Master Fenglan.

Ye Chen committed numerous serious crimes, lost a series of positions in the Immortal City, and was imprisoned in the Immortal Prison, losing his freedom and waiting to atone for his crimes through meritorious service in the future.

Dai Sangyu was stripped of his acting sect leader position by Master Fenglan for his ineffective oversight and ordered to go into seclusion to reflect on his mistakes.

The Meng family undoubtedly benefited the most from this turmoil.

Master Fenglan disliked worldly affairs and spent most of his time in seclusion, cultivating diligently.

After Dai Sangyu resigned, the position of acting sect leader ultimately fell to Meng Qingyi. Now, if Li Ping sees her, he must address her as Sect Leader Meng.

In addition to the position of acting sect leader, there is also the position of manager of the Secret Arts Pavilion for Ye Chen, and the position of logistics manager left behind by Meng Qingyi.

To Li Ping's surprise, according to Zhang Tie...

Seeing his honest and simple appearance, Master Fenglan believed him to be a trustworthy and honest person, so he entrusted him with the position of logistics manager.

As for the position of manager of the Mystic Arts Pavilion, it was held by a Foundation Establishment cultivator from another family.

Li Ping couldn't help but sigh, Zhang Tie was really lucky.

Everyone knows how lucrative the logistics department in Immortal City is. If it weren't for the opportunity to serve as acting sect leader, the Meng family probably wouldn't have been willing to give up this position.

"However, Zhang Tie married a woman from the Meng family and is now their son-in-law. Perhaps the Meng family played a role in this outcome?" Li Ping silently speculated.

But no matter what, the scheme he set up not only served as a small revenge, but also, by a twist of fate, brought some benefits to his underlings!

In the future, he might be able to obtain some rare medicinal herbs and materials through Zhang Tie's channels.

Li Ping was very satisfied with his performance.

……

Inside the palace atop Qinglong Mountain.

The veiled Master Fenglan smiled at his disciple before him: "You're not far from forming your core, are you? Take this opportunity to detach yourself from worldly affairs and focus on your secluded cultivation!"

Dai Sangyu nodded respectfully: "Yes, Master!"

What Li Ping didn't know was...

The reason why Master Fenglan removed Dai Sangyu from the position of acting sect leader was not as punishment for her inadequate supervision. Rather, it was because Dai Sangyu had reached a critical moment in her attempt to break through to the Core Formation stage, and therefore could not afford to be distracted by trivial matters.

Even if this incident hadn't happened, Master Fenglan would have replaced him with Meng Qingyi to handle mundane affairs.

"Next, I guess someone will ask Master to thoroughly investigate this matter!" A resolute glint flashed in Ye Chen's eyes: "I can't stay in the Immortal City any longer, I'll leave first! Before Master pays attention to this matter, I'll go out for a while under the guise of training, and come back when the news has died down."

After thinking it over, he walked out of Qinglong Mountain without hesitation.

"Hopefully, it's not too late!" Ye Chen's eyes were clouded with gloom.

He knew that in this battle, he was in the open, completely unprepared. His opponent, on the other hand, was in the shadows, and having already made his move, must have a well-thought-out plan and would likely not let him leave the Immortal City so easily.

Sure enough, not long after he left the cave, a figure intercepted him.

Ye Chen recognized him at a glance; it was Zhang Tie, who had achieved Foundation Establishment by good fortune a few years ago and was eventually accepted as a disciple by his master.

"Senior Brother Ye, I was just about to come find you." Zhang Tie smiled憨厚ly, "I want to go to the Secret Techniques Pavilion to pick out a few basic books on weapon crafting."

Upon hearing this, Ye Chen felt a chill run down his spine, and then he thought of Zhang Tie's relationship with the Meng family: "He married a woman from the Meng family."

"Junior Brother Zhang, I have something urgent to take care of. Would it be convenient for you later?" Ye Chen smiled. "Junior Brother, if you need those books, I'll personally deliver them to you later."

Zhang Tie, unsuspecting, was overjoyed upon hearing this and said, "Thank you very much, Senior Brother Ye. I need the books 'Processing Cold-natured Materials'..."

"Okay, I've got it." Ye Chen nodded to Zhang Tie, then hurriedly headed out of the mountain.

But as soon as he reached the mountain gate, he saw Meng Qingyi standing there, seemingly waiting for him.

Ye Chen inwardly groaned, but his expression remained calm. He respectfully greeted, "Senior Sister Meng."

After greeting Meng Qingyi, he was about to leave, but Meng Qingyi moved aside and blocked his way: "Junior Brother Ye, there are some rumors circulating in the city recently. I hope you will stay on the mountain until then."

Upon hearing this, Ye Chen's expression changed instantly!

……

Inside the pavilion.

Listening to Zhang Tie describe the recent events on Qinglong Mountain, Li Ping felt completely at ease: "Ah, that feels good!"

According to Zhang Tie's account, not long after the rumors spread throughout the Immortal City, seven or eight Yuanxun family members who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, including the Meng family patriarch, entered Qinglong Mountain together to seek an audience with True Person Fenglan.

This matter involves the reputation of the Immortal City and his most valued disciple, Dai Sangyu.

Master Fenglan actually came out of seclusion to thoroughly investigate the matter. Under Master Fenglan's bewitching spell, Ye Chen confessed on the spot, revealing all his plans like beans spilling from a bamboo tube.

Next is Xiong Pohai, who was not involved in this matter.

Finally, there's Dai Sangyu, who wasn't involved in the matter either.

The whole thing was actually orchestrated by Ye Chen alone, which Li Ping found quite regrettable.

What pleased Li Ping the most was the punishment imposed on him by Master Fenglan.

Ye Chen committed numerous serious crimes, lost a series of positions in the Immortal City, and was imprisoned in the Immortal Prison, losing his freedom and waiting to atone for his crimes through meritorious service in the future.

Dai Sangyu was stripped of his acting sect leader position by Master Fenglan for his ineffective oversight and ordered to go into seclusion to reflect on his mistakes.

The Meng family undoubtedly benefited the most from this turmoil.

Master Fenglan disliked worldly affairs and spent most of his time in seclusion, cultivating diligently.

After Dai Sangyu resigned, the position of acting sect leader ultimately fell to Meng Qingyi. Now, if Li Ping sees her, he must address her as Sect Leader Meng.

In addition to the position of acting sect leader, there is also the position of manager of the Secret Arts Pavilion for Ye Chen, and the position of logistics manager left behind by Meng Qingyi.

To Li Ping's surprise, according to Zhang Tie...

Seeing his honest and simple appearance, Master Fenglan believed him to be a trustworthy and honest person, so he entrusted him with the position of logistics manager.

As for the position of manager of the Mystic Arts Pavilion, it was held by a Foundation Establishment cultivator from another family.

Li Ping couldn't help but sigh, Zhang Tie was really lucky.

Everyone knows how lucrative the logistics department in Immortal City is. If it weren't for the opportunity to serve as acting sect leader, the Meng family probably wouldn't have been willing to give up this position.

"However, Zhang Tie married a woman from the Meng family and is now their son-in-law. Perhaps the Meng family played a role in this outcome?" Li Ping silently speculated.

But no matter what, the scheme he set up not only served as a small revenge, but also, by a twist of fate, brought some benefits to his underlings!

In the future, he might be able to obtain some rare medicinal herbs and materials through Zhang Tie's channels.

Li Ping was very satisfied with his performance.

……

Inside the palace atop Qinglong Mountain.

The veiled Master Fenglan smiled at his disciple before him: "You're not far from forming your core, are you? Take this opportunity to detach yourself from worldly affairs and focus on your secluded cultivation!"

Dai Sangyu nodded respectfully: "Yes, Master!"

What Li Ping didn't know was...

The reason why Master Fenglan removed Dai Sangyu from the position of acting sect leader was not as punishment for her inadequate supervision. Rather, it was because Dai Sangyu had reached a critical moment in her attempt to break through to the Core Formation stage, and therefore could not afford to be distracted by trivial matters.

Even if this incident hadn't happened, Master Fenglan would have replaced him with Meng Qingyi to handle mundane affairs.

As the highest combat force of a sect, a Core Formation cultivator only needs to strengthen himself and accept the offerings of the entire sect!