Chapter 404 - Grand Elder

Chapter 404 - Grand Elder

“Lord Zhuge said that you’ve executed the Cang-Qiang Ascension three times. May I ask if it's true?”

Li Huowang stared coldly at the young man in front of him and asked, "So what? What is it to you?”

“So it’s true?!” Xia Rusheng exclaimed and immediately knelt on one knee. “I pay respects to the Grand Elder!”

Li Huowang stood up and sidestepped. “I’m not a Grand Elder or anything! You’ve got the wrong person!”

“You're the Grand Elder! You definitely are the Grand Elder! Anyone capable of executing the Cang-Qiang Ascension three times using the Profound Records is undoubtedly a Grand Elder of the Ao Jing Sect!”

“At your level, you can forgo the Profound Records and directly feed the master with your flesh[1]! And that is the ultimate symbol!” Xia Rusheng exclaimed with extreme excitement.

Goosebumps broke out all over Li Huowang. He wasn't that knowledgeable about the Ao Jing Sect, so he had no idea that they had such a concept.

“You’re mistaken! Zhuge Yuan lied to you. I've never executed the Cang-Qiang Ascension!” Li Huowang retorted. Then, he turned around and walked away, ignoring Xia Rusheng's response. This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

What’s going on? The Cang-Qiang Ascension ritual involves exchanging extreme agony for power with Ba-Hui, right? According to him, is this ritual a symbol of some status within the Ao Jing Sect? Li Huowang knew about the so-called Grand Elders of the Ao Jing Sect, even though those Grand Elders had all been impersonated by the Sitting Oblivion Dao members.

Even if there were people higher in status than Grand Elders, those with the Grand Elder title definitely had a high position in the Ao Jing Sect.

Wait, I can now sacrifice myself to Ba-Hui without using the Profound Records? What does that mean? Does that mean I’m getting closer to Ba-Hui? Li Huowang pondered, but he didn’t think that it was a good thing at all.

It seemed that the Cang-Qiang Ascension had hidden dangers that weren't mentioned in the Profound Records. Li Huowang pondered for a bit more and decided to give it a try. He glanced at the others in the distance and into the nearby woods.

Li Huowang took off his red Daoist robe once he was deep enough in the woods. Then, he held the bronze coin sword horizontally in front of his chest.

"Li Sui," Li Huowang uttered.

Li Sui’s tentacles emerged, wrapping around the hilt of the bronze coin sword before slicing open Li Huowang's skin, which had just healed. As time went on, more and more tentacles reached out and wrapped around the embedded Profound Records.

Moments later, the tentacles gave the Profound Records a forceful tug. Li Huowang ignored the pain and forcefully lifted the corner of his index finger's fingernail. With a swoosh, a deep blood mark appeared on a tree trunk ten meters away.

The members of the Sitting Oblivion Dao were supposed to attack Zhuge Yuan like moths to a lamp once they caught wind of Zhuge Yuan's activities.

However, there had been no attacks at all since the incident on Xing Island. The Sitting Oblivion Dao was silent. The only encounter they had related to the Sitting Oblivion Dao was the encounter with a low-ranking soldier whose identity as a member of the Sitting Oblivion Dao had been completely exposed.

Perhaps they're thinking that any minor disturbances won't harm Zhuge Yuan at all, so they’re planning on doing something major? Li Huowang thought. He couldn’t help but think about the worst-case scenario.

Of course, Li Huowang wasn’t afraid. He was alone, so he genuinely had nothing to fear. His only concern was if Bei Feng would get involved. Fa Cai has died, so Hong Zhong and Bai Ban will definitely come. To kill Zhuge Yuan in one fell swoop, the Four Joys should come too, right?

While Li Huowang was busy contemplating many scenarios, Zhuge Yuan appeared and sat down in front of him.

“Brother Zhuge, where did you go?” Li Huowang asked.

“Oh, I bought a carriage. I want the interior to become more comfortable for Qin Lao.”

“You handle that kind of matter, too? I'm curious, Brother Zhuge. How did you get to know Qin Lao?” Li Huowang asked, picking up the teapot and pouring a cup of tea for Zhuge Yuan.

“I was in You Capital one day, and I saw Qin Lao playing chess under a tree with someone. Qin Lao’s playstyle was outstanding, and he won every game in an upright manner. I couldn’t help but approach him and make friends.”

“You got to know him just like that?”

“How about you, Brother Li? I don't really consider the identities or status of my friends. I only value fate and mutual affection.”

“Brother Zhuge, your character is admirable.”

“Admirable? Shouldn’t that be the norm? Nowadays, I think people tend to overthink and complicate things, and that is exactly why they can’t make true and trustworthy friends. Nowadays—”

The waiter approached with a tray of dishes, interrupting their conversation and allowing Li Huowang to break free from Zhuge Yuan's endless chatter, which had gotten quite a bit annoying these days.

“The dishes are here~ Stir-fried lamb, stir-fried water spinach, and an eight treasures duck. Please enjoy your meal,” the waiter said.

1. a figurative expression that suggests a deep level of commitment or sacrifice, often used in a spiritual or ritualistic context. It seems to imply a significant and profound connection between the individual and a higher power or entity. ☜