Cultivation: Being Immortal

Chapter 53

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, Lin Jiang had reached the age of one hundred and forty-eight.

On this day, Lin Jiang visited the West City Market and saw a group of vendors chatting together. Since he arrived early, he joined them.

"Hello, fellow friends. Anything interesting happening today? Please share."

"Friend Lin, you are always late every time."

"Yes, Friend Lin, we can't let you watch the fun for free every time."

"Alright, I'll pay for today's tea."

Lin Jiang laughed and said. He does indeed always come later than everyone else. These vendors are mostly full-time and they come early and leave late. He is the last to come and the first to leave.

"Hehe, thank you very much, Friend Lin. There was an interesting event that happened in Yunzhong City a few years ago. Nalan Yan from the Nalan family, a Grand Elder of the Zhonghang Sect's outer door, was abducted by an independent cultivator."

"I've heard about it. The Nalan family also lost a very important treasure, the Five Elements Golden Fruit. They even offered a reward to capture that independent cultivator. So, what happened next?"

"Yes, yes. That independent cultivator, Wen Xing, has recently returned."

"Really? Is that independent cultivator so powerful that even the Zhonghang Sect is not afraid?"

"Not afraid anymore, Taoist Friend Lin heard about Pill King Li Ruoxu."

"Brother, I am not someone who ignores what's happening. How could Pill King Li Ruoxu not know? He is the pride of our independent cultivators."

Lin Jiang expressed his dissatisfaction, thinking, "Does he really think I'm completely clueless? A shut-in, perhaps?"

Pill King Li Ruoxu is well-known in Yunzhong City and even in the whole Yun State. With his Nascent Soul stage cultivation, he surpasses all the major sects in alchemy. He even earned the title of Pill King.

The most important thing is that he is an independent cultivator. He has no family or sect. Through his own effort, he reached the Nascent Soul stage. This has motivated countless independent cultivators in their cultivation journey, earning him the title of "Light of the Independent Cultivators."

"Yes, it's him, Pill King. He's truly amazing. As independent cultivators, it's not easy for us to cultivate. We don't have many in the Building Foundation Period, let alone..."

"Ahem, let's not digress. About Wen Xing, what's his relationship with Pill King?"

"Ah, sorry for going off-topic. Wen Xing, he's really something. He escaped from Yunzhong City years ago and somehow ended up under Pill King Li Ruoxu's wing. Now, he is Pill King Li Ruoxu's personal disciple. Even Zhonghang Sect has to treat him respectfully, not to mention just a mere Outer Sect Grand Elder. In Zhonghang Sect, Outer Sect Grand Elders are only at the Golden Core Period, they are not considered true elders..."

"I'm more curious about Nalan Yan."

"I don't know about that, Wen Xing didn't bring it. Now we are all guessing what will happen to the Nalan family."

"Exactly, does Taoist Friend Lin want to place a bet? Some people have already started betting on whether the Nalan family will do something to Wen Xing."

"I bet they won't do anything. The title of Pill King is not just a boast."

"Can Pill King match up against Zhonghang Sect? I bet the Nalan family will definitely make a move."

"When did the Nalan family start representing Zhonghang Sect? I'm sure they won't."

Soon, the topic changed again. People started arguing whether the Nalan family would do something to Wen Xing, because someone had started betting on this matter and many people placed bets.

"Taoist Friend Lin, Taoist Friend Lin, aren't you going to place a bet?"

"Sorry, I can't associate with gambling and drugs."

Lin Jiang said seriously. Who would place a bet? Isn't it better to just watch and enjoy?

······

The Star-picking Building is one of the top-notch inns in Yunzhong City. It has a total of seven floors and occupies a very large area. This industry, needless to say, belongs to either the Zhonghang Sect or the Cloud Sword Sect.

Inside a room in the Star-picking Building, Wen Xing was gazing out the window. From this position, he could see most of Yunzhong City, with a splendid view.

"What are you looking at so intently?"

A man who seemed to be middle-aged walked up to Wen Xing and spoke to him.

"I am watching the millions of living beings in Yunzhong City. Master, don't you find it interesting?"

"Yes, it's quite interesting. When I was young, I also made a living in this Yunzhong City. If it weren't for my skill in alchemy, I might have ended up just like them, struggling for a living or turning into a pile of dirt long ago."

"Yes, Master, I was also thinking that if I hadn't met you, I might already be dead. The Nalan family is really ruthless."

"Haha, it seems you're still unwilling to let go of the Nalan family, huh?"

"Master, the Nalan family doesn't want to let me go. I didn't steal the Five Elements Golden Fruit, and Yan'er didn't take it either. They framed and set me up."

Wen Xing said with anger on his face. Back then, it was true that he took Nalan Yan away, or to be more accurate, Nalan Yan took him away.

When news of his double-dealing with two sides was exposed, the Nalan family became furious. They felt that Wen Xing had insulted their family's reputation and wanted to send someone to kill him. After Nalan Yan found out about this, she secretly came to tell him.

Because the situation was urgent and he had offended too many people, he couldn't easily leave the city. In the end, it was Nalan Yan who took him away. At that time, Nalan Yan took some resources from the Nalan family, like spirit stones, but definitely not the Five Elements Golden Fruit.

Afterwards, the Nalan family relentlessly pursued and chased him, causing him to lose sight of Nalan Yan. It was only when he met Li Ruoxu that he was able to shake off his pursuers and ultimately became Li Ruoxu's disciple.

All of these things made Wen Xing extremely hateful towards the Nalan family. This time, he came back with the intention of confronting them face-to-face.

"The Nalan family's petty matters are probably just a display of their dirty tricks. Their mindset is limited to this."

Li Ruoxu said. Although he didn't know exactly what had happened, he could make some educated guesses. It's likely that someone from the Nalan family stole something and framed Wen Xing, while also killing to cover up the whole situation.

(Translated by Gravity Tales 😚)

"Master said it, and I also think the same."

"Okay, how do you plan to get back at the Nalan family?"

"The Nalan family has the support of the Zhonghang Sect, and I don't want to trouble my master too much. I only want to know if Yan'er is alive or dead and bring her back to me."

"Nalan Yan, I will help you get justice. As long as she is alive, I will definitely bring her to you. But you must not let my daughter down."

"Master, it's true that I am passionate, but I am not indiscriminate. I couldn't help it before, but now I have chosen the right path. My sincere love for Yan'er is visible to all."

Wen Xing quickly said, the reason he could become Li Ruoxu's disciple was not only because of his alchemy talent. The most important reason was that Li Ruoxu's only daughter fell in love with him. Without this relationship, he wouldn't even have the opportunity to become a disciple. Over the years, Li Ruoxu had encountered many talented individuals.

Li Ruoxu initially disagreed because Wen Xing's past was truly remarkable. So Li Ruoxu gave Wen Xing a hard time at first. But Wen Xing endured all of Li Ruoxu's challenges and was eventually accepted by him.

"That's good to know. Focus on your cultivation. Once your abilities improve, the Nalan family won't be an issue."

Li Ruoxu nodded. He didn't expect Wen Xing to only have his daughter as a woman. That's just the way the world works. Powerful men can have many women, and powerful women can have many men. It's all about your strength.

He only wants to ensure his daughter's happiness. After all, why is his daughter so fascinated with Wen Xing? He couldn't do anything about it.

······

"Can you tell me what's going on with the Five Elements Golden Fruit? Who took it?"

Zhonghang Sect, Nalan De said to the two elder members of the Nalan family.

Wen Xing appeared in Yunzhong City, and they were the first to know. They also knew Wen Xing' current identity, so they didn't dare to confront him directly. Instead, they sent someone to question him. Wen Xing replied that he didn't take the Five Elements Golden Fruit, and that Nalan Yan didn't take it either.

Nalan De couldn't be sure if Wen Xing was telling the truth, so he had to come back and investigate to see if there was a thief causing trouble.

"Ancestor, it's true that the Five Elements Golden Fruit is missing. As for whether Wen Xing or Nalan Yan took it, I don't know."

"Ancestor, Wen Xing' words can't be trusted. The Five Elements Golden Fruit is so precious. Can we really believe him when he says he didn't take it?"

"You're right. Go and bring Wen Xing back."

"Um..."

The man was suddenly speechless. It was easy to tie up Wen Xing, even though he was now in the Building Foundation Period, he was no match for the Nalan family. But he cannot offend Wen Xing' master, a master alchemist who can befriend countless strong individuals.

I must investigate this matter thoroughly. It concerns not only the reputation of our Nalan family, but also the issue of a traitor in our midst. We must be vigilant against family traitors, as they are hard to guard against. If the Nalan family has a traitor and remains unaware, it will lead to our own destruction.

For now, don't engage in any other matters. Focus on clarifying the current situation for me. First, find out who stole the Five Elements Golden Fruit. Second, determine where Nalan Yan has gone, whether she is alive or dead. If we don't uncover these truths, none of us will have good days ahead."

Nalan De glanced coldly at the two individuals. This time, the Nalan family has truly brought shame upon themselves. Countless members of the Zhonghang Sect are laughing at them.

Therefore, the best remedy now is to uncover the truth. Who stole the Five Elements Golden Fruit? Where is Nalan Yan, and is she alive or dead?

"Yes, ancestor."

The two elders both agreed, and after Nalan De left, they exchanged a glance.

"Nalan Xiong, what do you think? Who could have stolen the Five Elements Golden Fruit?"

"Nalan Xi, what do you mean? Are you suggesting that I stole it?"

"The Five Elements Golden Fruit was being guarded by someone from your house at that time."

"Then you, Nalan Xi, need to explain clearly. Nalan Yan has run away, but why is the Soul Lamp in the ancestral hall also missing? Who was the last person to see Nalan Yan? Could someone be trying to cover up a murder?"

"Oh well, let's just wait and see."

Nalan Xi couldn't explain it all at once. There were many suspicions about this matter. Nalan Yan ran away, but her Soul Lamp is also missing. There is something extraordinary about this.

"Let's just wait and see."

Nalan Xiong said coldly, as he watched Nalan Xi's figure walk away. He, too, fell into deep thought. Who could have done this?