bookbashuk Chapter 493 Going down the mountain
Chapter 493 Going down the mountain
After speaking, Chen Anran looked at Lu Kong without giving anyone a chance to speak again.
"Lu Kong, escort them down the mountain."
Lu Kong smiled slightly and said respectfully, "I will obey my master's orders."
After he finished speaking, he didn't make any move, but simply raised his hand and waved it casually.
Xuanzhenzi felt a blur before his eyes, and before he could react, his feet slipped into the air. When he came to his senses, he was already at the foot of the mountain.
He stood there blankly for a long time without moving.
Beside him, Lei Xiaozi, Lei Wanjun, Miao Yu'er, and the leaders and elders of various sects appeared at the foot of the mountain without exception. Everyone looked at each other, their faces showing the same shock and bewilderment.
"This...this..."
Lei Wanjun opened his mouth, his tongue seemingly tied in knots, unable to utter a complete word for a long time. He subconsciously turned to look up at the mountain, where the cloud-shrouded Yunyin Mountain still stood majestically, as if nothing had happened. But the feeling from that instant was truly etched into his mind.
There was no fluctuation of spiritual energy.
There were no traces of formations.
They didn't even feel any pressure or oppression from the force applied to them.
With just a wave of his hand, they came down.
Lei Xiaozi stood there, his expression incredibly complex. He had been firing bricks in the kiln for half a year and thought he had smoothed out all the rough edges of his life, but at this moment, he still couldn't help but gasp in surprise.
"What kind of technique is this?" he murmured, his voice trembling. "Even a Nascent Soul stage expert couldn't do this..."
"The Immortal Alliance..." Xuanzhenzi suddenly spoke, his tone filled with excitement, "They really are from the Immortal Alliance! Besides the powerful figures of the Immortal Alliance, who else in the world possesses such abilities?"
As soon as Xuanzhenzi said this, the surroundings fell silent.
Immediately, like dry tinder being ignited, the crowd erupted in uproar.
"The Immortal Alliance? Is it really the Immortal Alliance?"
"I knew it! Besides the Immortal Alliance, who else could possess such methods?"
"Even a Nascent Soul stage expert couldn't have so easily brought dozens of us down the mountain, could they? That Senior Lu is at least at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, or even..."
"Even what? A peak Nascent Soul cultivator could have this ability? I'd say at least a Void Refinement cultivator!"
"Novice Refinement stage... My God..."
The crowd erupted in uproar.
The leaders and elders of those minor sects all had shining eyes, their dejection vanished, replaced by uncontrollable excitement. Some rubbed their hands together, spinning in place; some huddled together, whispering amongst themselves; and others looked up at the cloud-shrouded Cloud Hidden Mountain, their eyes burning with fervor as if they had witnessed the opening of the gates to immortality.
Lei Wanjun's eyes grew brighter and brighter as he listened, his previously wrinkled face now beaming with joy, and he kept muttering, "Immortal Alliance...Immortal Alliance...We're going to join the Immortal Alliance..."
Lei Xiaozi stood aside, now even more smug.
So what if I'm firing bricks? Firing bricks is still work! It's also contributing to the Cloud Hidden Sect! The powerful figures of the Immortal Alliance witnessed me firing bricks for half a year. Doesn't that prove that I'm hardworking, diligent, and conscientious?
He coughed lightly, rolled up his sleeves, and deliberately held up the blue brick he had taken out of his robes, as if afraid that others would not see it: "Gentlemen, this brick of mine has been shown before the Immortal Venerable."
The leaders of several minor sects nearby glanced at him sideways, secretly grumbling to themselves, but dared not say anything. After all, he had indeed made an appearance before the Immortal Venerable, and they hadn't even had a chance to speak.
Miao Yu'er stood on the outskirts of the crowd, listening to the gasps and whispers around her, her face still bearing that calm and composed expression. But deep within her peach blossom eyes, something was quietly churning.
She raised her hand and gently gathered her wind-blown hair.
Immortal Alliance.
She had already guessed it.
If a disciple with such power who can summon countless demon soldiers and generals could not be from the Immortal Alliance, where else could he come from?
The more they talked, the more excited they became, their eyes shining brighter and brighter, as if they could ascend to heaven in one step tomorrow, become members of the Immortal Alliance, and enjoy all the honors in the world.
Miao Yu'er simply watched them quietly, observing the fervor and anticipation radiating from those familiar faces. Suddenly, she recalled that half a year ago, she had also stood in the main hall of the Yunyin Sect, offering herself to that Immortal Venerable Chen.
and then?
Then, before that Immortal Venerable Chen could even speak, he was interrupted by the half-demon woman.
"It just so happens that the head of Longhu Mountain, Lingdang, is short-handed. Go and help her out. If you do a good job, you'll naturally get your share of the rewards."
With just that one sentence, Miao Yu'er, the dignified sect leader of the Hehuan Sect and a former Nascent Soul stage cultivator, was sent to follow a Foundation Establishment stage woman all over the mountains to catch those unintelligent demonic beasts.
Miaoyu'er's emotions were complicated.
She lived for over four hundred years, rising from an unknown cultivator to the position of sect leader of the Joyful Union Sect. What did she rely on? Was it her face? Her body? Or her despicable methods?
neither.
She relied on her brains.
She knew all too well what her strengths were, and she also knew all too well what this world demanded of women. The Hehuan Sect's cultivation methods were inherently based on dual cultivation; using beauty to please, emotion to move, and desire to seduce were their innate abilities. She never felt there was anything shameful about it. Those righteous people might verbally condemn it as despicable, but secretly, how many hadn't tasted the pleasures of a Hehuan Sect disciple?
That's why she didn't hesitate to use those methods when she first met Chen Anran.
Her eyes were alluring, her figure seductive, her words subtly provocative, and her gestures subtly inviting. She was confident that no man could escape her grasp.
and then?
Then that Immortal Chen didn't even glance at her.
Miao Yu'er raised her head and looked at the Cloud Hidden Mountain shrouded in mist.
She recalled the look Chen Anran had given her in front of the mountain gate.
It was just a glance, a casual glance, no different from the way he looked at Xuanzhenzi, Leixiaozi, and Lei Wanjun. There was no disgust, no aversion, and no unusual emotion whatsoever.
It's like looking at a stone, a tree, or a blade of grass.
Miao Yu'er's heart suddenly clenched.
She wasn't afraid of men having desires for her. Desire could be exploited, manipulated, and turned into leverage. Nor was she afraid of men having aversions towards her. Aversion was also an emotion, and with emotions come vulnerabilities, and vulnerabilities provide opportunities.
What she fears is this...
ignore.
True disregard.
Beside him, Lei Wanjun was still excitedly chanting words like "Immortal Alliance," "Deity Transformation," and "Void Refinement," his face flushed red, as if he could already see a bright future. Xuanzhenzi stroked his beard, squinting his eyes, looking completely at ease. Lei Xiaozi was even more smug, still holding the blue brick in his hand, occasionally waving it to the side, as if afraid others wouldn't see it.
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Only Miaoyu stood quietly, the smile on her lips fading until it disappeared completely.
She recalled the days she had spent running around the mountains with Ling Caiyou over the past six months.
What gave that woman, who was only at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, the right to boss me around? Was it because she was the "person in charge" personally appointed by Immortal Venerable Chen? Or was it because of her cold and beautiful face?
Miao Yu'er didn't know. All she knew was that every time she saw Ling Caiyou's face, her resentment grew stronger.
It wasn't because Ling Caiyou was prettier than her. In terms of appearance, Miao Yu'er was second to none. Nor was it because Ling Caiyou's cultivation was higher. Mid-Foundation Establishment was nothing to her.
It was because of the way Ling Caiyou looked at her.
That look in her eyes was exactly the same as the look Chen Anran had given her just now.
Who is Miao Yu'er? She is the sect leader of the Hehuan Sect, who can make countless men fall head over heels for her! She is a peerless beauty who can make even Nascent Soul stage cultivators kneel at her feet! But in their eyes, she seems to be nothing more than a... joke.
"Master Miao? Master Miao?"
A voice pulled her back to reality.
Miao Yu'er came to her senses and saw Lei Wanjun standing in front of her, a smile plastered on his wrinkled face.
"Sect Leader Miao, what are you daydreaming about? Let's go back! Today is some really good news, we should celebrate!"
Miao Yu'er looked at him, forcing a polite smile onto her face.
"Sect Leader Lei is right." Her voice was gentle, like a spring breeze caressing a lake. "It's time to celebrate."
Lei Wanjun was so charmed by her voice that his bones felt lighten, he chuckled twice, and turned to walk towards the others.
Miao Yu'er stood there, watching his back, the smile on her face fading away little by little.
celebrate.
What's there to celebrate?
The Immortal Master Chen only said, "Arrangements will be made in a couple of days," and these people are already this happy. What if the arrangements are made then, and all they get to do is continue carrying bricks, firing kilns, farming, and raising demonic beasts?
Miaoyu didn't know.
But she knew one thing.
She couldn't let things continue like this.
She, Miaoyu'er, with four hundred years of cultivation, the head of the Hehuan Sect, and a stunning beauty who once made countless men flock to her, cannot be treated as an insignificant ant and left to fend for herself at the foot of the mountain.
She had to do something.
Miao Yu'er raised her head and looked at the mountain shrouded in mist once more.
The sun had already sunk most of its way down, leaving only a final ray of light that burned a brilliant red across the horizon. That red light shone on her face, casting shifting shadows on her delicate features.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly.
Last time, she offered herself as a bedmate in the main hall in front of everyone.
Too hasty, too straightforward, and too... inferior.
The seductive arts of the Hehuan Sect are never used this way. True seduction isn't about displaying desire on your face, but about keeping it hidden deep within your bones. It's not about taking the initiative, but about making the other person want to approach you. It's not about demanding, but about giving.
Miaoyu suddenly smiled.
The smile was light and faint, yet completely different from her previous polite smiles. The smile spread from the corners of her mouth to the corners of her eyes, from the corners of her eyes to the tips of her eyebrows, and finally melted into her peach blossom eyes, becoming a pool of spring water.
The ripples on the water hinted at a determined spirit.
"Master Miao, aren't you leaving yet?" Lei Wanjun's voice came from afar.
Miao Yu'er withdrew her gaze and responded in that direction, "Coming."
She lifted her skirt, took a step, and walked towards the village at the foot of the mountain where lights were gradually coming on.
After walking a few steps, she stopped and looked back.
Yunyin Mountain still stands there quietly, its shadow hazy.
As Miaoyu gazed at the mountain, she suddenly remembered what her master had told her long ago when he was still alive.
"Yu'er, you were born for this. Your eyes can speak, your body can be alluring, every inch of your skin screams 'want.' But you must remember, true seduction isn't about making a man want you, it's about making him feel... that you want him."
………………
At the same moment, Chen Anran, holding Xiao Ling'er's hand and followed by Lu Kong, had already entered the sect.
The interior of the Cloud Hidden Sect is even more impressive than it was six months ago.
Zhang Laoshi and his apprentices have been incredibly busy for the past six months. Two new stone pillars have been erected on either side of the mountain gate, their shafts carved with auspicious cloud patterns. While not as exquisite as those from ancient immortal sects, they are still quite presentable. A stone beast perches atop each pillar.
The spirit stone path behind the mountain gate has also been widened, and the newly transplanted spirit fruit trees on both sides are growing well, with branches laden with unripe fruit. Looking further into the distance, several newly built palaces are nestled among the clouds and mist, arranged in a pleasing and orderly fashion.
All the stones used were spirit stones that Chen Anran had evolved from, which made the spiritual energy within the sect even more abundant.
The three hadn't walked far when they heard a series of clanging sounds coming from ahead, along with Zhang Laoshi's familiar shouts.
"Move the pillar three inches to the east! Yes, yes, right there! You guys, give it your all, didn't you eat breakfast?"
Chen Anran looked in the direction of the sound and saw Zhang Laoshi leading his apprentices to build a new side room on the open space to the left. The foundation had been laid and the wooden frame had been erected. Several young men were working together to lift a thick crossbeam, their faces flushed red.
Zhang Laoshi stood to the side, giving instructions, a wooden ruler clutched in his hand, his gray hair covered in sawdust. He squinted, glancing at the position of the crossbeams and the level of the foundation, his mouth never stopping.
"Xiao Wu, lower your head! Lower it even more! Liu Zi, you raised your head, lower it three inches! Yes, like that, hold it steady!"
The apprentices were being directed around like crazy, sweating profusely, but dared not slack off in the slightest.
Zhang Laoshi was waving his wooden ruler and shouting enthusiastically when he suddenly heard footsteps behind him. He subconsciously turned around and his gaze fell on the young man carrying a red gourd. The wooden ruler in his hand fell to the ground with a "thud".
"Chen...Master Chen?!"
He paused for a moment, then a big smile spread across his wrinkled old face. He abandoned his apprentices, ran over in a few steps, reached Chen Anran, then suddenly stopped, standing there helplessly, wringing his hands, unsure of what to say.
"Master Chen, you...you're back..."
Chen Anran looked at him and nodded slightly: "Thank you for your hard work."
"It's no trouble at all!" Zhang Laoshi quickly waved his hand, unable to suppress the smile on his face. "Master Chen, you're too kind. This is what we should do!"
As he spoke, he turned back and waved to his disciples who were still standing there in a daze: "What are you all standing there for? Come here quickly! Master Chen is back!"
The disciples seemed to wake from a dream, dropped what they were doing, and rushed over, standing in a row, shouting "Master Chen, you're back!" Their faces were full of excitement and reverence.