Chapter 54: Chapter 50: Suspicions

At first sight of Song Lingqing, Chu Zheng had a sinking feeling.

According to his original plan, even if he were to interact with Song Lingqing, it would be a gradual probing and at least give Song Lingqing some time to adjust.

Such a hasty meeting could easily lead to someone catching a hint of something off and thereby bring trouble.

To Chu Zheng's surprise, Song Lingqing did not initiate a conversation with him, but merely glanced at him before shifting her gaze away.

The last time the two met was only a few months ago; it was obviously impossible for them to have forgotten about each other.

This could only mean that Song Lingqing was doing it on purpose, and clearly, she had her reservations.

This reaction, for Chu Zheng, was a good sign. He glanced at Tong Jinshan thoughtfully.

A distinguished successor visiting the Spirit Beast Garden is being shown around by a mere odd-jobber, such a slight.

From this detail, it was clear that Song Lingqing's status was shaky or perhaps already dead in name.

Normally, a typical successor visiting would not have even Outer Sect Disciples qualified to meet them, let alone someone less than an Elder to receive them.

And furthermore...

Chu Zheng looked around his own supervised area. The strongest spirit beast here was only around the mid Spirit Spring Realm, not at all suitable for a successor to come here to pick spirit beasts.

In the meantime, Tong Jinshan waved his hand, "Chu Zheng, find a Cloud Wing Tiger."

Chu Zheng responded and was just about to leave when he suddenly heard Song Lingqing's voice from behind:

"I'll go with him to save time, wait here for a moment."

"Song Zhenchuan..."

Tong Jinshan, showing some hesitation, did not dare to contradict Song Lingqing's words. After hesitating for a while, he carefully said:

"He hasn't been here long and still doesn't understand the protocols. If there is any offense, I hope you can forgive it..."

The identity of a true disciple is exceedingly noble. Even now, when Song Lingqing is unlike her past self, stepping on an odd-jobber would matter to no one.

"It's alright."

Song Lingqing slightly shook her head and followed Chu Zheng's steps.

The two, one after the other, quickly went deeper into the Spirit Beast Garden.

"There's been trouble at home."

Song Lingqing's voice transmission reached Chu Zheng's ears, not a question, as she had already received some news.

"Hmm."

Chu Zheng responded, stopping his steps. In a cave not far away, stood a Black Tiger over twenty meters long, its neck tightly bound with a Spirit Binding Ring.

Song Lingqing stepped forward, stroked the Black Tiger's head through the iron bars, and continued to communicate via voice transmission, "Is it because of me? How are father and sister... Are they alive or dead?"

On hearing this, Chu Zheng felt a bit surprised, instinctively turned his head, and glanced at Song Lingqing.

Only now did he take the time to carefully observe this woman he had only met once before.

Compared to their last meeting, Song Lingqing looked somewhat pale as if she had lost blood, visibly thinner, with a hint of exhaustion in her brow.

Song Lingqing and Song Lingxue looked somewhat similar, but the feeling they gave was completely different.

Especially now, Song Lingqing's tone was unusually calm. Her white clothes set her apart from the world, even making Chu Zheng feel a strange chill.

"They're still alive."

Chu Zheng estimated for a moment and transmitted back, "They should have left Great Zhou by now, heading in the direction of Giant Marsh."

Before he could finish, he added, "They all think you're dead, including me."

"It's good that they're still alive."

Song Lingqing nodded and responded with an indiscernible expression in her eyes, "Since the Sect was unwilling to intervene, I assume that period must have been very tough for you."

"Actually, Phantom Spirit Sect did send someone."

Chu Zheng raised his hand to open the iron gate, releasing the Black Tiger, "An Outer Sect Disciple, at the Seventh Layer of Nourishing Power Realm."

"I heard, Fu Quanliang."

Song Lingqing's expression paused slightly, and she remained silent for a long while.

It was only after some time that her voice reached Chu Zheng's ears again:

"My injuries have not yet fully healed, so I came to fetch a Spirit Beast as a mount. What brings you here? To confirm whether I am dead?"

"Entering the Sect as an odd-jobber, you must be at least a common Grandmaster, or even a Great Grandmaster. How did you acquire such power in such a short period?" S~eaʀᴄh the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Phantom Spirit Sect has a set standard for selecting odd-jobbers, one cannot simply show up if they wish.

For Song Lingqing, who had met Chu Zheng not long ago, no one understood better than her how terrifying the speed of Chu Zheng's advancement was.

"I cultivated a few techniques."

The perfunctory nature of Chu Zheng's words was too obvious, causing Song Lingqing's brow to furrow slightly before she spoke again:

"I've met Fu Quanliang before, a man of mediocre talents, merely a mortal, lacking the valor to kill enemies across realms. Jiang Cunhu... Did you make a move?"

Song Lingqing waited a long time but never heard an answer from Chu Zheng. After a moment of silence, she spoke once more:

"Thank you."

"No need, there's no karma between you and me. I should thank you for the books you gave me initially."

As far as debts and grudges were concerned, Chu Zheng always had a clear distinction; Song Lingqing owed him nothing, and there was no need for thanks.

"My father and sister could leave Great Zhou alive; you must have exerted a lot of effort. I am aware of this in my heart; I will repay this kindness if the opportunity arises," she said.

Song Lingqing's tone was devoid of much fluctuation, like a pool of stagnant water, "Your joining the Sect wasn't for me. What are you planning to do? If there's anything I can help with, I'll do my best."

"What are your plans moving forward?"

Chu Zheng's eyes shifted subtly, dodging the question. Instead, he changed the subject, "I heard your Immortal Bone was shattered, this position of Zhenchuan..."

"Zhenchuan is but a false reputation, and so what if the Immortal Bone is shattered? It's just a bone, a stepping stone."

"Now that I have entered the Spirit Spring Realm and possess mana, even if my cultivation speed is much slower than before, I can still continue on the path of cultivation," Song Lingqing stated calmly.

"The moment I stepped onto the Immortal Path, I had resolved that even if it kills me, I wish to die on the path of Becoming an Immortal. No matter the cost, I will not stop walking."

"I will repay the Song Family's kindness and avenge their grievances, even if it takes hundreds or thousands of years, I will achieve what I desire."

Discussing the Immortal Path, an obsessive light emerged in Song Lingqing's otherwise stagnant eyes.

Chu Zheng remained silent; throughout, he never brought up helping Song Lingqing repair her Immortal Bone. It was simply not in his plans.

Not to mention that repairing the Immortal Bone would require a significant sacrifice on his part, the very Immortal Bone that even Phantom Spirit Sect hadn't managed to save if repaired by him, could cause enormous turbulence.

There are invisible threads in each cause and effect in this world, and every matter has traces which can be followed; Chu Zheng dared not be certain whether there were experts capable of divining fate within Phantom Spirit Sect, nor was he willing to gamble on it.

If such a person were to discover him, everything would be over.

Chu Zheng silently released the Spirit Binding Ring and handed over the Cloud Wing Tiger to Song Lingqing. As their fingertips touched, a message appeared before his eyes.

[Song Lingqing (First Order): True Disciple of Phantom Spirit Sect, Middle Quality Immortal Bone, meridians severely damaged, Immortal Bone consecutively struck twice and forcefully shattered, repairs possible (0/3000)]

Middle Quality Immortal Bone...

Seeing this message, doubts instantly clouded the depths of Chu Zheng's eyes.