飘零影音

Chapter 124 - Arc 9: Disciple Recruitment | Chapter 124: Poor Cannon Fodder

Translator: Lynn

With a smile, Li Cai spoke, “I am Li Cai from Jile Peak. I wonder, would my junior brother consider returning with me?”

Su Xin’s response was one of surprise.

The name “Jile Peak” triggered subtle reactions from Zhuo Hanyan and the rest as well.

The memory of Xu Ziqing’s warning lingered in their minds. Had it not been for his caution, Su Xin would likely have been readily inclined to accept. After all, the name “Jile Peak” suggested promising prospects for those who entered it. Yet, the current situation was shaped by Xu Ziqing’s caution.

Familiar with Xu Ziqing, Su Xin comprehended his gentle disposition. The warning might not necessarily stem from a distaste for Jile Peak’s approach, for Xu Ziqing was unconcerned about such matters, which were common in larger sects. As long as one possessed a steadfast will, such challenges could be weathered.

Thus, Su Xin found himself in a dilemma: obey Xu Ziqing’s counsel or heed Li Cai’s urging?

Noting Su Xin’s hesitance, Li Cai misconstrued it as contemplation over potential gains. He perceived this as greed, overlooking the subtler considerations at play. Adopting an air of arrogance, Li Cai expounded, “Su Xin Shidi, upon joining Jile Peak, I guarantee you’ll be under the tutelage of a Golden Core Daoist as an official disciple. The flow of resources will remain steady. What more is there to ponder?”

However, the words fell on Su Xin with an unsettling resonance. Li Cai appeared imperious and domineering on the surface, but his tone hinted at an intent to funnel Su Xin into the middle-rank peak, which puzzled Su Xin. While a single-fire spiritual root was a notable gift, possessing such a talent wasn’t extraordinary in a sect of this magnitude, making Li Cai’s eagerness somewhat suspicious.

Li Cai was taken aback by the unintended skepticism that crept into Su Xin’s response. Observing Su Xin’s reluctance, Li Cai assumed it was greed motivating the hesitation, and he prepared to sweeten the deal further.

Yet, Su Xin had arrived at a conclusion.

Something wasn’t adding up.

Contrasted with Xu Ziqing’s cautious demeanor, Su Xin had gained valuable experiences, fostering vigilance against being blinded by immediate advantages. The path to immortality was arduous, demanding a steadiness of purpose in the face of transient gains. His trust in Xu Ziqing had deepened, prompting an apologetic look as he replied, “I appreciate your offer, Senior, but Su Xin’s abilities are limited. I fear I wouldn’t do justice to Jile Peak’s reputation.”

The displeasure on Li Cai’s face intensified. “Are you implying… that you decline?” he retorted, his tone heavy with disbelief.

Su Xin’s expression carried genuine regret as he responded, “Given my modest cultivation, I hesitate to accept.”

With a dismissive wave of his hand, Li Cai cut off Su Xin’s words. “You need not make a show of respect,” he sneered. “Do you even comprehend the implications of your refusal?”

As Li Cai’s intentions grew clearer to Su Xin, his determination solidified. His gaze sharpened, and he replied, “I am merely a novice disciple, and my esteemed senior brother is undoubtedly above any petty concerns. I trust that his standing would not stoop to troubling me.”

Li Cai’s lips curved into a malicious grin. “What if I were to make your life difficult?”

Su Xin’s expression remained unflinching. “The sect’s principles ensure fairness, and I believe no undue hardship would befall an earnest disciple.”

Li Cai’s smirk persisted. “Despite your nascent status, I am a direct descendant of Jile’s Peak Patriarch. What if someone from Sixing Peak were to oversee this? I must maintain our elders’ dignity. Frankly, you possess a single fire root, a coveted trait within Jile Peak. It is in your best interest to accompany me back willingly. Should you resist, I fear even the elders might intervene… And trust me, you won’t want to face that.” Li Cai reveled in his superiority. “Recruitment occurs only once every ten years. Even if someone from Sixing Peak intervenes, they would at best be one of the forty-nine overseers, a Golden Core Daoist. How could a Golden Core Daoist vie with a Nascent Soul Patriarch?”

The weight of Li Cai’s words hung heavy on Su Xin’s chest, briefly stirring regret before it was overridden by his determination.

Li Cai had reiterated his fixation on Su Xin’s single fire root. Yet, something clicked in Su Xin’s mind, casting a shadow over the situation. Recalling recent events, his features darkened.

Zhuo Hanyan and others also arrived at a similar conclusion. It appeared that Jile Peak sought to exploit Su Xin’s rare aptitude for a specific purpose, potentially involving someone of high status within the peak.

An atmosphere of shock pervaded the group. Who, beyond those seeking promotions or possessing special physiques, would be enticed by a monk of Su Xin’s exceptional talent? More so, with Su Xin’s natural ability, rapid advancement was nearly guaranteed.

That Li Cai from Jile Peak would seize on this… Su Xin and his comrades felt a rising bitterness.

Was Su Xin destined for degradation?

Seeing Li Cai’s audacity, Su Xin, who had suppressed his fury, couldn’t hold back any longer. He declared, “Senior Brother Li, your harassment will not go unchallenged by Su Xin!”

Li Cai wasted no time. Turning to the two individuals beside him, he ordered, “Go and greet the representative from Sixing Peak. Inform them that Jile Peak is claiming this individual. Assure them that the ancestor will handle him personally and grant him leniency.”

Su Xin and his companions felt a wave of hopelessness crash over them as they absorbed Li Cai’s proclamation.

Facing Li Cai stood a monk who had successfully laid the foundation, with the two flanking monks even higher in stature. Su Xin’s allies, including Zhuo Hanyan, were naturally inclined to support him, but Su Xin subtly shook his head, signaling them not to intervene. He recognized that the members of the Loose Cultivator Alliance who had journeyed to the big world shouldn’t be jeopardized over his predicament.

For this reason, Su Xin refrained from seeking help from Xu Ziqing as well.

Li Cai issued a contemptuous snort. His hand extended, conjuring a golden rope that radiated a kaleidoscope of luminance. It surged forth directly at Su Xin.

This medium-grade spirit tool, the Binding Immortal Rope, once infused with true energy, possessed the ability to effortlessly restrain monks of similar cultivation levels. Li Cai, despite being merely in the early stage of foundation establishment, could immobilize even an expert in the late stage with ease. Remarkably, he was employing this potent tool against Su Xin. Despite Su Xin’s attempts, he was powerless against its grip.

Yet, Su Xin didn’t retreat. He understood that making a stand was preferable to surrender. Swiftly, he hoisted a long sword, its blade enshrouded in brilliant azure flames—flames radiating intense heat!

Li Cai’s approach toward the group of quasi-inner disciples left Xu Ziqing feeling uneasy. However, the unexpected turn came when Li Cai set his sights on Su Xin. This development put Xu Ziqing on edge.

Xu Ziqing had interacted with Li Cai on several occasions, thus understanding his character well. He recognized Li Cai’s pettiness, narrow-mindedness, arrogance, and knack for stirring up trouble despite his mediocre cultivation level. This made Xu Ziqing even more certain that Li Cai’s interest in Su Xin could only spell trouble. Moreover, the very nature of Jile Peak, which indulged Li Cai’s overbearing behavior, indicated that it was not a place dedicated to pure cultivation. Even if Nascent Soul Patriarch presided over it, joining such a peak held no appeal.

Li Cai’s odd behavior hadn’t escaped Xu Ziqing’s keen observation. His wandering eyes and peculiar demeanor when he approached Su Xin were all noted by Xu Ziqing, who had been surreptitiously monitoring the situation. When Li Cai initiated a conversation with Su Xin, his voice was pitched high enough for everyone to hear amidst the relatively quiet surroundings.

Following Su Xin’s refusal, Li Cai’s threats quickly followed and were soon followed by action. The luminous golden rope emitted an imposing brilliance, exuding an irresistible force. As the Azure Flames connected with the rope, it surged forth, trying to counteract its influence.

The Azure Flames’ connection with the rope triggered a surge of discussion among the onlookers:

“Did you see? Senior Brother Li unleashed the Binding Immortal Rope!”

“That guy in red is quite audacious, daring to challenge Senior Brother Li. He’s bound to get caught this time!”

“Well, whoever made Senior Brother Li happy? A disciple from the Middle Peak, backed by ancestor support, wouldn’t be able to refuse!”

Amidst the chatter, Xu Ziqing grew increasingly anxious. Contemplating for a moment, he conjured a millennium-aged steel and wood into his hand.

This particular piece wasn’t part of the steel and wood sword’s hilt that had already been shaped; instead, it was a new piece. Xu Ziqing planned to utilize it for an experiment, which, if successful, could be of assistance to Su Xin.

Initiating a silent technique, Xu Ziqing’s palm was illuminated with a cerulean glow. Swiftly, a transformation took place—the once dark, thick, long, and rigid root seemed to liquefy, its texture akin to flowing water.

Yet, Xu Ziqing halted its liquid flow, promptly restoring its flexibility. In the blink of an eye, what was once a fluid mass assumed the form of a slender black rope. Pointing at a specific spot, Xu Ziqing shouted, “Go!”

The strap soared into the air, streaking toward the direction of the fairy-binding rope—

Swiftly, the ebony rope and the fairy-binding rope converged, their flexible and resilient natures causing them to intermingle. Propelled by the remarkably pure Ethereal Wood Qi, the thousand-year-old steel wood defied the aura of the mid-grade spiritual tool, intertwining with the Binding Immortal Rope, while the Azure Wood also ignited with the wood’s energy, gaining intensity.

Suddenly, a deadlock formed between the Azure Wood, Steel Wood Black Rope, and the Binding Immortal Rope!

Simultaneously, as Xu Ziqing surreptitiously aided Su Xin, he sensed approaching individuals. Raising his gaze, he observed two figures trailing behind Li Cai.

Clearly, these two were acting upon Li Cai’s command, seeking out the enforcer supervising the day’s inspection to facilitate their objectives. Xu Ziqing couldn’t help but cast a sidelong glance. From the decision to intervene to its execution, his senior brother hadn’t uttered a word. Did this inaction potentially put him in a precarious position, or did it actually signify his tacit support?

Yun Lie had yet to react, and the two newcomers had already approached. One of them shouted, “May I inquire where the overseer for today’s proceedings is?”

Yun Lie remained silent, prompting many disciples who had witnessed his prowess before to make way.

He exposed his black-clad enforcer uniform to the two visitors’ gaze.

As the crowd parted, the two caught sight of Yun Lie’s figure.

Tall and erect, akin to an invincible sword!

Subtle unease flickered within their eyes as they mused: Xiaozhu Peak’s Yun Lie? So it is him!

In contrast to Li Cai’s overbearing demeanor, anyone serious about cultivation naturally monitored the changes among the sect’s core disciples and the fluctuations on the Tianlong List.

The Ruthless Killing Sword Yun Lie stormed into the top five of the Tianlong List immediately upon forming his golden core. Such an event wouldn’t escape the Sect Master’s attention. Naturally, they wouldn’t fail to recognize him.

They had heard rumors that Ruthless Killing Sword Yun Lie resembled a walking greatsword, his sword intent soaring skyward with a daunting air of fatality. Yet, they hadn’t detected his presence until now. Could Yun Lie have honed his concealment to this extent?

Indeed, Ruthless Killing Sword Yun Lie, the recently promoted disciple of Sixing Peak, overseeing punishment from the forty-ninth seat, might very well have been assigned this task.

Had they been aware that Yun Officer was present, they could have averted Li Cai’s misconduct… The bitter smile on their faces hinted at their retrospective thoughts.

However, Li Cai remained entirely oblivious to the intricate sentiments of these two. His attention was consumed by the realization that someone, a steel-wood manipulator, had assisted Su Xin. Swiftly, his gaze pinpointed the green-clad youth on the fringes of the crowd.

Instantly, Li Cai’s eyes radiated fury, each word he spat out tinged with clenched teeth, “Xu Ziqing, it’s you again!”

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