Chapter 229: The Cihang Lineage

Chapter 229: The Cihang Lineage

Sage Cihang chuckled. Although she came over because she sensed traces of the Cihang lineage in Qi Xuansu, she did not intend to get to the bottom of it.

Instead, she said, “The Cihang lineage has been passed down for many years, and its cultivation method has been included in the Holy Xuan’s consolidated Five Major Lineages. Only certain mystical abilities are kept exclusive for core disciples. So it’s not surprising for the Cihang lineage to spread outside the Daoist Order. It’s not a big deal.”

Qi Xuansu was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when Sage Cihang’s next words made his heart race with anxiety again.

“But...” Sage Cihang paused for a moment to keep him in suspense. “Your blood qi is intriguing. You’re not just a Rogue Cultivator, but also a Martial Arts Practitioner, right?”

“Uh...” Qi Xuansu hesitated.

Sage Cihang continued, “Since the Holy Xuan established the Five Major Lineages, there are many who hope to cultivate multiple lineages, but most of them have failed. You are now in the Rogue Cultivator’s Yuding Realm, so your next step is the Holy Embryo Realm.

“That realm is when you open the upper Dantian to cultivate the soul. But a Martial Arts Practitioner’s first step as a Xiantian Being is to condense the spirit and body. After that, their soul and body will merge as one so that the soul can no longer leave the body. In that stage, you will no longer be able to cultivate the soul.

“Your two realms are in complete conflict, so how do you manage to cultivate them both? Or do you plan to stay in the Yuxu stage for the rest of your life?”

Qi Xuansu finally understood the power of a Sage. It was terrifying for a stranger to see through him with just one glance. He was not sure whether the explanation he used to deal with Zhang Yuelu could deceive this Sage, but he had no other choice.

He said, “You sure have a keen eye, Sage. I had a lucky encounter that changed my body so much it resembles a Martial Arts Practitioner’s. But I can’t condense my acupoints or practice the fist intention, nor can I combine my spirit and body like a true Martial Arts Practitioner. So I’m not considered a Martial Arts Practitioner.”

“Is that so?” Sage Cihang smiled faintly, which made Qi Xuansu feel goosebumps all over.

It was just Qi Xuansu’s luck (or lack thereof) that Sage Cihang used to be the Hall Master of Huasheng Hall before she transferred to Duzhi Hall. That was why she knew many secrets regarding the experimental creation projects and processes.

Qi Xuansu could fool the young and naive Zhang Yuelu. However, he could not deceive the experienced Sage Cihang.

That was when Sage Cihang asked, “So, who taught you these methods? It could be an old acquaintance of mine.”

Of course, Qi Xuansu dared not answer truthfully. He took a deep breath and gabbled. “I hope you will forgive me, Sage. The old lady specifically told me not to mention her name, and I dare not violate her wishes.”

If Qi Xuansu was facing Sage Donghua or Sage Qingwei, he would likely end miserably—critically injured, if not dead. Fortunately, he met Sage Cihang, who was the best-tempered among the three Omniscient Sages. Thus, she would not force Qi Xuansu against his will.

Sage Cihang merely nodded. “That’s fine. Since you don’t want to tell me, forget I asked.”

Qi Xuansu was in a daze for a moment, as he suddenly realized that this Sage had an indescribably similar disposition to Zhang Yuelu.

However, compared with Zhang Yuelu, this Sage was clearly more reticent and mature, while Zhang Yuelu was somewhat inexperienced and overly assertive.

Just as Qi Xuansu was lost in a trance thinking of Zhang Yuelu, Sage Cihang suddenly turned to look at him. She met his eyes and asked, “What are you looking at?”

Startled by the voice, Qi Xuansu quickly looked away and stammered. “N-Nothing.”

Sage Cihang laughed it off and advised. “If you want to avoid trouble, you’d best be on your way.”

“Yes, Sage.” Qi Xuansu responded quickly, “I’ll take my leave.”

Immediately after, Qi Xuansu ran as fast as he could in the other direction.

Sage Cihang stared at the young man’s departing figure, her gaze inadvertently landing on the Jiamas tied to Qi Xuansu’s legs. Seeing this, she could not conceal the look of surprise on her face.

This pair of Jiamas looked familiar, as Zhang Yuelu had asked her for a pair just like these not long ago. The Jiamas were not worth much. What attracted her attention was the markings on them.

Although Qi Xuansu had already run off quite a distance away, Sage Cihang had great eyesight and could clearly spot the lotus pattern on the corner of those Jiamas.

That was the unique symbol of the Cihang lineage.

Each major sect in the Daoist Order had its own symbol. When Qi Xuansu obtained the flying sword from the fight in Fengtai County, he had to reluctantly sell it because it had the Li family’s mark on it.

Sage Cihang pondered. Could this person be an unnamed disciple of my seniors or juniors? Or could he be one of my juniors’ lovers?

However, her main focus was on Jade Capital, so she did not delve too deeply into this young man's identity.

At the same time, on Yuzhu Peak, which was opposite Yuxu Peak, three huge Yinglong Warships were taking off.

Each Yinglong Warship had an Omniscient Sage personally taking charge. There were also many accompanying third-rank Youyi Daoist masters and fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist masters onboard.

Their destination—Cuowenbu.