The Transmigrator's Cultivation Arc 17: Hengwu Small World | Chapter 338: Xiantian's Conspiracy

Arc 17: Hengwu Small World | Chapter 338: Xiantian's Conspiracy

The one who sent the invitation was a powerful expert in the fourth stage of Xiantian. If an ordinary martial artist were to receive such an invitation, they would likely be overjoyed and rush there immediately.

However, Xu Ziqing was more thoughtful upon seeing it.

This Xiantian expert, Cheng Jiuzhong, was most renowned for his mastery of hammer techniques.

To reach the Xiantian stage through hammer techniques meant his martial prowess was immensely formidable, with unparalleled power, as heavy as Mount Tai. Yet, there wasn’t much overlap between hammer techniques and swordsmans.h.i.+p, which gave Xu Ziqing some pause.

Now that Yun Tiangang had awakened his sword intent, there was no fear.

Xu Ziqing asked, “s.h.i.+xiong, what do you think?”

Yun Tiangang replied, “Let’s go and see.”

The two accepted the invitation and went to the location. Upon arrival, they saw that, besides Yun Tiangang, three to five other talents who had performed outstandingly at the Xuanwu Conference had also been invited. When they saw Yun Tiangang, they exchanged greetings, though Yun Tiangang, being a man of few words, left most of the conversation to Xu Ziqing, who courteously handled the social pleasantries.

Cheng Jiuzhong gave them all some guidance, and while Yun Tiangang and Xu Ziqing listened, they noticed nothing unusual.

Thus, they all remained at the Xiantian Mansion, sparring and discussing martial arts daily, for seven or eight days.

One day, unexpected visitors arrived: Qiu Yuchen and Qiu Hu.

Cheng Jiuzhong greeted them heartily and invited them inside for a discussion.

Qiu Yuchen smiled warmly and, after a short conversation, said, “I watched Young Hero Yun’s martial performance earlier and gained some insights that I wish to discuss with him. However, after the tournament, there were so many people and matters that I couldn’t find the time. Now that things have quieted down, I heard that Young Hero Yun has been invited by Brother Cheng, so I came to visit, hoping Brother Cheng won’t mind.”

Cheng Jiuzhong naturally replied, “Not at all. Since both Brother Qiu and Brother Hu have come, why not stay here for a while? It would be convenient.”

Qiu Yuchen readily agreed, and he and Qiu Hu arranged to stay near Yun Tiangang and Xu Ziqing.

Cheng Jiuzhong promptly made arrangements and left it at that.

That night, after the sparring ended, everyone retired to their rooms.

Around midnight, while Xu Ziqing and Yun Tiangang were meditating together, there was a knock at the door.

Xu Ziqing opened the door to find, as expected, Qiu Yuchen and Qiu Hu standing outside.

After entering, Qiu Yuchen instructed Qiu Hu to stand guard by the door, while he walked over, clasping his hands in greeting. “Ziqing, you and Young Hero Yun seem quite at ease. Aren’t you taking any precautions?”

Hearing this, Xu Ziqing realized they were here to deliver important news, so he smiled and said, “Even with all the defenses in the world, there might still be oversights. It’s better to take things as they come. I’m sorry to trouble you with this, Yuchen.”

Qiu Yuchen knew that Xu Ziqing had great confidence and extraordinary cultivation, but the matter at hand was serious enough that he couldn’t let it go without warning.

Xu Ziqing poured him a cup of tea and listened intently as he explained.

Qiu Yuchen said, “Cheng Jiuzhong was saved by an elder of the Thunder Sect, Lei Hong, many years ago. Now, it is time for him to repay that debt.”

Xu Ziqing listened attentively.

Qiu Yuchen went on to disclose all the information he had gathered.

It turned out that after Lei Li was killed by Yun Tiangang, his senior brother Ren Pingfeng was consumed with hatred and immediately took his body away. He used the sect’s mystical arts to inform the Thunder Sect, reporting everything to the current sect master, Lei Li’s father, Lei Hun.

Lei Li was a promising young talent with strategic ac.u.men, the hope of the Thunder Sect, and the rightful heir to the sect.

When the Thunder Sect heard of this, they were furious, demanding that Ren Pingfeng stall Yun Tiangang, determined to make him pay with his life!

Ren Pingfeng and Lei Li grew up together, and he had always cared deeply for his junior brother. His hatred was no less than Lei Hun’s. After receiving the order, he immediately contacted Peng Han, a Xiantian expert whose beloved grandson had been killed by Yun Tiangang and who harbored deep resentment towards him. Peng Han was instructed to gather more men, while Ren Pingfeng sought out Cheng Jiuzhong, asking him to hold Yun Tiangang in place.

It’s important to note that during the Xuanwu Tournament, Xiantian cultivators were forbidden from attacking martial artists holding the Xuanwu invitation. However, once the tournament ended, this restriction no longer applied.

Therefore, those bearing grudges would typically leave immediately after the tournament ended, but to ensure everything went according to plan, Cheng Jiuzhong extended the invitation.

As expected, Yun Tiangang was held by Cheng Jiuzhong.

Meanwhile, Peng Han had begun summoning his old allies, offering them great rewards to bring several other Xiantian experts. Simultaneously, the Thunder Sect had mobilized its full strength, dispatching many elders and grand elders to Xuantian City, working tirelessly to arrive as soon as possible.

Qiu Hu happened to notice Peng Han moving secretly, which raised his suspicions. After paying close attention, he discovered some clues.

Afterward, Qiu Hu informed Qiu Yuchen, who deduced everything and immediately came to inform Xu Ziqing.

Upon hearing this, Xu Ziqing sighed softly. He made a note of Qiu Yuchen’s friends.h.i.+p, though he realized it was already somewhat late. Over the past seven or eight days, those people had surely prepared thoroughly, and if the Thunder Sect had put forth all their efforts, they might have already arrived.

Otherwise, when Cheng Jiuzhong saw Qiu Yuchen and Qiu Hu arrive, he wouldn’t have been so calm and composed.

Clearly, Cheng Jiuzhong’s promise was about to be fulfilled.

Xu Ziqing understood all of this but did not mention it to Qiu Yuchen. Instead, he simply thanked him and said, “I am aware of the situation. Yuchen, you have a different status, so it’s best not to get involved. Tomorrow, you and Qiu Hu should leave.”

Qiu Yuchen frowned. “Since I came here, it’s to mediate on your behalf. I felt an instant connection with you, so there’s no need for you to be distant with me.”

Xu Ziqing shook his head and smiled, “It’s not about being distant; I simply don’t fear it. The deep hatred involved is likely irreconcilable, so there’s no reason to drag you two into this.”

After some back-and-forth, Qiu Yuchen reluctantly agreed but resolved to keep an eye on things. If the two of them couldn’t handle the situation, he would intervene.

Xu Ziqing said a little more. He knew that when the Xiantian experts made their move, Qiu Yuchen would understand.

Moreover, Qiu Yuchen had already risked much, almost putting his life on the line to help. Despite the bond they had formed in such a short time, it was not right for him to go so far. However, Xu Ziqing knew that in a previous life, Dong Lixi and Jiao Tu had been indebted to him, and in this life, they had reincarnated and were unknowingly repaying that debt.

Xu Ziqing deeply appreciated the goodwill of Dong Lixi and Jiao Tu, but he did not want their reincarnations to experience further regrets in this life. He would not allow them to truly interfere.

The divide between immortals and mortals was clear, and these connections should be settled here and now.

The next day, Qiu Yuchen and Qiu Hu bid farewell. Cheng Jiuzhong showed no visible reaction, but inwardly he was relieved.

Two days later, Cheng Jiuzhong hosted a banquet, announcing that he had invited several Xiantian friends to guide the martial artists. He mentioned that, with luck, some might even be taken as disciples by these Xiantian experts, a great opportunity.

Apart from Yun Tiangang, the other martial artists, who had received guidance from Cheng Jiuzhong over the past few days, already held him in high regard. Although it seemed Cheng Jiuzhong had no intention of taking on disciples, they had been slightly disappointed. Now, upon hearing this news, they were even more grateful to Cheng Jiuzhong. Whatever he said, they followed without question.

Xu Ziqing heard this and glanced at Yun Tiangang. “s.h.i.+xiong.”

Yun Tiangang gave a slight nod.

It had begun.

The banquet took place outdoors, under the bright moonlit sky.

Servants arranged the seating for the martial artists as they awaited the arrival of the honored guests.

Before long, the sound of wind stirred in the air as several figures, their robes billowing, flew through the sky.

Xiantian experts could soar through the air, and at that moment, their joyful laughter echoed in the sky, evoking admiration.

The martial artists looked up with reverence.

Soon, the Xiantian experts descended. Besides Cheng Jiuzhong, there were four others, all displaying exceptional poise and presence.

Their bodies were enveloped in Xiantian energy. Though different from spiritual energy, it carried a transcendent aura.

Xu Ziqing observed the four, scrutinizing them closely.

Though these Xiantian experts appeared natural, Xu Ziqing detected a sense of unease. One of them occasionally cast a glance in his direction, and within that gaze was a deeply hidden, bone-chilling hatred that sent s.h.i.+vers down his spine.

This person… must be from the Thunder Sect.

The five Xiantian experts were powerful, at least at the third stage of Xiantian cultivation. From time to time, they graciously answered the questions of the martial artists, appearing magnanimous and amiable.

For the moment, everything seemed harmonious.

Yun Tiangang sat upright in his seat, showing no sign of warmth towards the Xiantian experts.

Xu Ziqing, seated beside him, occasionally sipped his tea, his expression calm and natural.

This behavior from the two brothers made them difficult to read.

After the banquet had run its course and the full moon hung overhead, it was already late into the night.

At that moment, a few graceful maidservants brought over several jugs of fine wine, filling each guest’s cup.

When they reached Xu Ziqing and Yun Tiangang, they served them just as attentively.

However, Xu Ziqing couldn’t help but find it amusing.

In his previous life as a mortal, he had heard of an ancient trick from the royal courts and the jianghu, involving an item called the “Nine-Curve Mandarin Duck Jug¹Maybe something like this?.” This jug could pour out two types of wine—one harmless and the other poisoned—tricking many accomplished individuals. To think that he would encounter such a thing in this life! The wine poured into their cups also contained a colorless and tasteless poison.

But while it might work on mortals, how could it escape the spiritual awareness of him and his s.h.i.+xiong?

Xu Ziqing smiled warmly, while Yun Tiangang’s expression remained cold, neither of them showing any reaction.

Seeing this, the Xiantian experts above felt somewhat rea.s.sured.

They were simply trying to take advantage of the lively atmosphere, using this special wine to trick the two brothers.

The poison was extremely potent. Once ingested, it would spread throughout the body, paralyzing the meridians and rendering the victim unable to move.

The Thunder Sect had not only sent many Xiantian experts but also resorted to such underhanded means demonstrating their deep hatred for Yun Tiangang, surpa.s.sing any concern for honor. They were determined to kill him without leaving any trace of mercy.

There were other plans in place after the poison took effect.

As the banquet continued, Xu Ziqing and Yun Tiangang still hadn’t touched their wine, making Cheng Jiuzhong and the other Xiantian experts somewhat anxious.

With a quick thought, Cheng Jiuzhong raised his cup and said, “Today, we have many outstanding individuals gathered here. I am filled with joy and raise my cup to you all, hoping that you will soon reach the Xiantian stage and serve our kingdom, Che Ling Kingdom!”

A toast from a Xiantian expert was a great honor—who would dare not drink?

Immediately, the faces of many martial artists turned red with excitement as they raised their cups in unison. “Thank you for your kindness, Senior!”

They then drank their wine in one gulp.

Xu Ziqing flicked his finger, sending a wisp of wood energy into Yun Tiangang’s cup, neutralizing the poison within.

It was merely a mundane poison; no matter how potent, it could not withstand the power of wood energy. However, since his senior brother was still in his mortal body, even if his primordial spirit was immune, it was better to protect his physical form for the time being.

Yun Tiangang, whose primordial spirit had already awakened, was even more perceptive. He had never drunk alcohol during his past cultivation, but now, reborn as a mortal, he slightly wet his lips to avoid suspicion.

Xu Ziqing smiled and drank his wine.

In an instant, a surge of true essence enveloped the liquid, dissolving the poison immediately.

Translator: Lynn

Translator’s Notes: Merry Christmas guys!

Translations are not 100% correct. Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.

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