Chapter 143: Mediating to Buy Time

In the Deliberation Hall, Daoist Xuantan discussed the Dao with the Elders for a long time, yet he did not mention the matter of requesting a pill. Sitting at the end, Maidong, who bore the title of Fucang Elder, did not seem anxious either; she sat quietly, occasionally chiming in or smiling faintly, and also did not bring up the purpose of the Kunwu Sect's visit.

This made Zhaoming Zhenren feel quite uneasy. To speak of Maidong, he still had lingering fears. Before the recent recruitment of disciples, she and Lingxiang were the only two females in the entire sect. As the saying goes, rarity makes things precious; these two troublemakers were so pampered by those above and protected by those below in the mountains that they developed lawless personalities.

He still had fresh memories of that time many years ago when the two little things fed him some unknown pill, causing him to suffer from endless diarrhea. When he finally recovered, his legs were so weak he could not get out of bed for several days.

Glancing at the now so tranquil Maidong, he truly suspected that the person sitting there might be some kind of demon wearing her human skin.

It was this very glance that seemed to be caught by Maidong. She looked back, and although it was clearly very calm, Zhaoming Zhenren gave a start and hurriedly straightened his gaze, staring at the floor tiles and looking nowhere else.

What on earth were Lingxiang and Maidong up to, making his old bones feel so uncomfortable? It must be that Lingxiang had come up with some bad idea again, wanting to torment Daoist Xuantan.

Thinking of this, Zhaoming Zhenren could not help but sympathize with the Daoist Xuantan opposite him.

Truly, of all the people to be targeted, it had to be this little ancestor of his sect; there was no telling what kind of follow-up moves there would be now!

Just as Zhaoming Zhenren was feeling compassionate, Maidong noticed that the female disciple named Changpu, who was sitting behind Daoist Xuantan, was looking at her. She raised her eyes to look, only to see an incomparable jealousy in Changpu's eyes.

Jealousy?

The two of them did not know each other, and this was only their first meeting; why would she look at her like that?

While she was puzzled, she heard Daoist Xuantan say to her: "This poor Daoist truly did not expect that Fucang Elder, who is skilled in the Outer Alchemy Art, would be a young girl. Truly, the younger generation is to be feared!"

Upon hearing this, Maidong hurriedly put away her thoughts, stood up, and performed a salute, saying, "I dare not accept the Daoist's undeserved praise."

Seeing Maidong so reasonable and measured, Daoist Xuantan continued: "How can it be called undeserved praise? To tell you the truth, the purpose of this poor Daoist's visit has already been told to the fellow Daoists, and now I shall tell you again. I have heard that Fucang Elder is accomplished in the Outer Alchemy Art, so I have come specifically to ask Fucang Elder for a Life-Prolonging Pill for my Sect Leader senior brother. I hope Fucang Elder can look at the face of this old man and grant me a favor."

After Daoist Xuantan finished speaking, the Elders present, except for Shangqing Zhenren and Qianyuan Zhenren, all gasped, and Maidong's face also showed surprise, though it returned to normal in an instant.

"This... it is not that I am unwilling to give the Daoist the pill, but I do not know how the Daoist learned that I can refine the Life-Prolonging Pill?"

Daoist Xuantan laughed upon hearing this: "As for how I learned of it, it was this disciple behind me who told this poor Daoist. It is said that you used a Life-Prolonging Pill at the Taishang Sect to save a disciple who was hanging by a thread. It just so happened that she was out for training at the time and stayed at the Taishang Sect, and thus learned some things about you."

Maidong was horrified upon hearing this. She knew about Lingxiang saving someone at the Taishang Sect. Since this Changpu was present at the time, she must have seen that she was not the person from back then. Could it be that the way she looked at her just now was because she had seen through her?

No, judging by this woman's words just now, she is certainly not a steady character. If she had seen through her, why would she be so silent?

This matter is truly strange!

Although Maidong had many thoughts in her heart, it was only for an instant. She smiled at Daoist Xuantan and said with apparent regret: "The Daoist has truly come at an inconvenient time. Although I originally had two Life-Prolonging Pills, I accidentally lost the other one on the way back earlier. Since the Daoist is asking me for one now, I really cannot produce one for the time being."

Daoist Xuantan frowned upon hearing this, but Changpu behind him was unwilling.

"Lost? I think it's more likely you are unwilling to give it! How could it be such a coincidence that you lost it just when we came to ask for the medicine?"

Hearing Changpu's words, Daoist Xuantan immediately stopped her. He knew the reputation of the Life-Prolonging Pill; it was just a pity that Tumi Fairy had only refined three of them many years ago, and now they had disappeared along with the decline of the Long, Lu, and Qiao families. He was truly surprised to suddenly hear that someone in the Yuanqing Sect could refine them.

This Life-Prolonging Pill is no ordinary object; even if others are unwilling to give it, it is understandable, but...

Just as Daoist Xuantan was weighing things in his heart, he saw Maidong stand up and salute:

"This junior niece's words are indeed reasonable. The Daoist has traveled thousands of miles specifically to seek medicine; if I do not produce some sort of result, would I not be failing the Daoist's earnest heart to save his brother? It is just that..."

"So you feel there is something improper about it?" Xin Yi pondered after hearing what Lingxiang said.

"Exactly. Watching Hongying, it seems she is telling the truth, and her heart to save someone does not seem fake, but concern leads to chaos, and she hasn't thought it through, so she is trapped by her own perspective," Lingxiang said, then stood up and asked Maidong.

"Did you go before Daoist Xuantan when you arrived just now?"

Maidong knew the stakes and completely lost her usual crazy demeanor: "I did see him from afar, but when I received the news, Master sent me over to find you, so I suppose I didn't meet him. And..."

"And what?" Lingxiang asked, puzzled.

"And that female disciple behind him, I always feel there is something strange about her, but I can't say what is strange," Maidong said, pinching her chin and trying hard to recall, "She looks bright and lively, but that gaze, even when looked at from far away, gives one a feeling of chilling to the bone, as if seeing some Demon Beast."

Chilling to the bone? Could it be?

Lingxiang glanced at Xin Yi. Xin Yi frowned and pondered for a moment, then nodded at Lingxiang.

Long Qi was very puzzled: "What have you two understood? Why not tell us?"

Xin Yi crossed his arms and said in a deep voice: "If the murderous intent is seen from the eyes, it should have some connection with the Demon Race. Could it be that this woman is transformed by the Demon Race?"

Lingxiang shook her head upon hearing this: "That should be impossible. My senior brothers are not pushovers. If she were truly of the Demon Race, it wouldn't be our turn to speculate; they would have already dealt with her. Moreover, if she were of the Demon Race, she would absolutely not be able to enter Zhaoming Senior Brother's Mountain Guarding Array, let alone be seen outside the Deliberation Hall."

This is a bit strange. Could it be that this woman was born with a fierce appearance?

At this time, Maidong spoke up: "Observing that woman's features, she does not look like a fierce person, yet her eyes reveal a murderous light; it is truly very suspicious."

Since she is not a fierce person, yet her eyes reveal a murderous light, could it be...

"Since that is the case," Lingxiang said, looking at Maidong, "Maidong, you and I will swap identities. You go to the hall in my name. I will use a method to send your master away, and then I will go with him to the Kunwu Sect to save the person."

Maidong was shocked: "You want me to impersonate you? The uncles are all in the hall; how am I supposed to impersonate you?"

Lingxiang frowned and said: "My senior brothers are not pushovers; they will certainly see the strangeness in it, but they are just inconvenienced to say so for the sake of the two sects. After I go to save the person with your master, you just hold off the people from the Kunwu Sect, and then explain the reason to the senior brothers. I think they will arrange the subsequent matters."

"Moreover, you are the only one who can impersonate me now. Don't tell me you want Long Qi and Xin Yi to impersonate me?" Lingxiang said with a strange smile. For some reason, she suddenly imagined Long Qi and Xin Yi dressed as women, especially Xin Yi—with his cold-faced killer appearance, wearing women's clothing, it felt hilarious just thinking about it.

Seeing Lingxiang laughing like that, for some reason, Xin Yi suddenly felt a chill down his spine. Based on his understanding of Lingxiang, if she was laughing like this, she must be calculating something again.

Xin Yi remained calm, but moved two steps toward Long Qi without leaving a trace.

Maidong was still hesitating; she truly felt that this method was somewhat unfeasible: "But..."

Before she could finish, Lingxiang hurriedly stood up and grabbed her: "No 'buts' about it. Not to mention that you are the only one who can swap identities with me right now, even if there were others, it would certainly not be appropriate. You and I have grown up together since we were young; you know everything about me, and we have the same temperament. And that Daoist Xuantan doesn't know either of us, so even if there are slight differences, we can definitely fool them. If all else fails, just put on the airs of a sect Elder; I think you can definitely bluff them. Haven't you always been coveting your master's Elder position? Now you can adapt to it first, just consider it practice."

Hearing Lingxiang say this, Maidong felt it made a lot of sense, but why did these words sound so awkward?

What does "same temperament" mean? What is wrong with her temperament? To say that in front of Xin Yi, she really didn't give her any face. And when did she ever covet her master's Elder position?

Maidong was about to retort, but saw Lingxiang talking to Long Qi: "To be on the safe side, you go to Youyuan Hall quickly, find Shoucheng, and order him to go to the Ancient Bamboo Forest to ask for the Cizhu Sword. Tell him to tell Zhuzhang Laoren that it must be the one Zhuzhang Laoren uses."

As she spoke, she took a jade flute from her Universe Bag and handed it to Long Qi. The flute was emerald green and transparent, the very one she had played in front of the Ancient Bamboo Forest earlier.

Long Qi thought the flute was very beautiful, then heard Lingxiang say: "You go with him; he knows this flute and will tell you how to use it." She blushed as she said this, then said to Xin Yi: "Xin Yi, you are skilled in the art of concealment. Since that woman is strange, you keep a close watch on her. Do not let her cause any trouble. Wait for me to return before making any decisions."

"Just what?" Daoist Xuantan asked hurriedly.

Maidong smiled upon hearing this: "Since it is about saving a life, it is naturally the duty of us practitioners. And this Life-Prolonging Pill is not a difficult matter, but if I start the furnace to refine the pill now, I am afraid it will take half a month to refine it. Can the Daoist wait?"

Upon hearing this, except for Shangqing Zhenren, all the Elders gasped—the Life-Prolonging Pill is no ordinary object. Even Lingxiang only managed to refine two Supreme Grade ones after two years back then. Even Tumi Fairy, as far as they knew, only had four. Where did Maidong get the confidence to say such arrogant words?

If she cannot refine it, what will happen then?!

"Mai..." Zhaoming Zhenren grew anxious, eyes wide, and stood up with a start, nearly blurting out Maidong's name, but changed his words in an instant so as not to give the game away.

"Do you think this is a business transaction!? That is a Life-Prolonging Pill! If the batch fails, wouldn't that make the Daoist priest wait in vain for half a month? Saving a life is like putting out a fire; it cannot wait!"

As soon as Maidong heard Zhaoming Zhenren speak, she was truly startled, and the expression on her face could no longer be contained, but the people opposite were Xuantan Daoist and his disciples, and they were not blind—how was she to cover this up?

In an instant, Maidong found a way; she was seen clutching her chest as she stood up, gasping for air and saying, "Fifth Senior Brother, what are you doing, being so jumpy? You've frightened me... oh, my poor little heart..."

Saying this, she patted her chest, and her manner mimicked Lingxiang so perfectly that it nearly made the two True Persons, Danyang and Danzhu, who were seated above, laugh out loud.

"If others cannot trust me, can Fifth Senior Brother not trust me? Is my Daoist title of Fucang just an empty name? If I say half a month is possible, then it is certainly possible; I only wonder if Daoist Xuantan can wait." Saying this, Maidong looked at Changpu behind Xuantan Daoist, but saw a look of surprise on her face.

Surprise? Could it be that this person knows the origin of the Life-Prolonging Pill?

Although everyone was of the Daoist Sect, not everyone understood the External Elixir Technique. Ordinary laypeople only knew that refining pills was troublesome, but did not know how long it took or what the success rate was, so one could usually get by with a bit of bluffing. But looking at the expression on Changpu's face, it seemed as if she knew something.

However, the half-month period was something Maidong had calculated in her heart. If Xuantan Daoist's senior brother were truly on the verge of death, he would certainly not have brought a group of disciples to demand the pill, but would have come alone, so that he could make the trip back and forth in time. But if this person had ulterior motives, half a month was enough time for his schemes to succeed. Moreover, in half a month's time, she imagined that there would certainly be results from Master and Lingxiang's side.

Just as Maidong was thinking, Xuantan Daoist smiled and spoke: "Is Fucang Elder not trying to fool this old man? Although I am not skilled in the External Elixir Technique, I understand a little; even for superior pills, it takes forty-nine days, let alone a pill like the Life-Prolonging Pill. How can you refine it in this half-month period?"

With Daoist Xuantan asking this, Maidong was left puzzled; did this old man want to save his senior brother or did he want him to die? Either way, he should have gone along with what she said, yet he insisted on creating complications.

Thinking this, Maidong smiled: "To say half a month is indeed not enough to refine a Life-Prolonging Pill, but it is a coincidence that I had already begun refining it before you all arrived. You see, when my junior nephew went out to look for me, I was in the herb field picking the final ingredient for the pill, which is why he could not find me for half a day and why I arrived late."

"That is truly a coincidence," Xuantan Daoist said, stroking his beard.

"Who is to say it isn't? It just so happened that I lost the pill, and the Daoist came looking for it, and it also happened that the Daoist came at the right time, as I am currently refining a new batch of Life-Prolonging Pills," Lingxiang said, picking up her Tea Cup and taking a sip.

But the clear tea in the cup had gone somewhat cold; Maidong flicked her finger, used the Fire Character Formula, and in no time at all, the tea in the cup was steaming.

Seeing this, Xuantan Daoist, who was sitting opposite, seemed to be put at ease, and he even picked up the Tea Cup on the table and took a sip.

The tea was indeed cold.

"Since that is the case, then we shall wait a while. I have troubled Fucang Elder."