Chapter 107

The courtyard where the Lu family stayed was, to some extent, under Lu family control before they left—even Longhu Mountain could not interfere.

Even Zhang Lingyu, Rongshan, and others needed to follow proper etiquette and announce themselves before seeking an audience with Lu Jin.

These sudden intruders made Lu Linglong begin to suspect they came with ill intent.

“Lu family? I seem to recall something—this girl is Lu Linglong of the Lu family, isn’t she?” Her long golden hair and lovely face stood out.

Even as he spoke, Wang Zhenqiu, who had moments ago been gawking like a fool, immediately clarified: “We’re here to pay respects to Luo Fu True Person, not to cause trouble.”

“To pay respects to Luo Fu?” Lu Linglong hesitated, studying the temporary workers of Naidu Tong, then turned without looking back at Zhi Jinhua: “Hua, go notify Grandpa and Luo Fu True Person.”

The arrival of Liao Zhong and the temporary workers was indeed abrupt, but they had come with proper decorum—not outright disrespectful.

At most, they were slightly impolite.

Lu Linglong could not outright reject their purpose.

The reason Lu Linglong and the others were so cautious was that the atmosphere on Longhu Mountain had become deeply strange.

Because of Luo Fu’s earlier outburst of the Seven Emotions and Seven Sins, countless former close friends on Longhu Mountain had turned into bitter enemies.

In just a short time, deadly duels had occurred more than once on Longhu Mountain itself.

Even as host, Longhu Mountain was overwhelmed by this chaotic web of shifting alliances among guests, and could only intervene occasionally when they spotted trouble in time.

Yet these duels almost always erupted suddenly.

The Daoists of Longhu Mountain could not possibly foresee the future.

This had created a scene across Longhu Mountain where everyone was an enemy and bloodshed never ceased.

Inside the courtyard assigned to the Lu family.

Though the rear mountain housed only a small number of Longhu Mountain’s true cultivators, requiring no large structures,

this was the time of the Luotian Da Jiao.

The many guests from the supernatural world could not be treated casually.

Fortunately, supernatural arts possessed profound mysteries even surpassing modern technology, allowing sufficient buildings to be erected in a short time.

At the very least, it prevented the Longhu Mountain Tian Shi Fu from losing face.

The courtyard assigned to the Luo family was spacious—a three-hall Sihe Academy. Unlike northern red walls and yellow tiles, it had its own unique style.

Luo Fu, Lu Jin, Lu Lin, Zhang Zhiwei, Tian Jinzhou, Wang Ai, Lu Ci, and others were gathered in the main hall.

“Lu Jin, Itachi really struck a lucky deal,” Wang Ai and Lu Ci kept glancing at Tian Jinzhou beside them.

Tian Jinzhou now looked exactly as he had in his youth, according to their memories.

Yet Tian Jinzhou was a centenarian with all four limbs severed.

And now?

Not only were his limbs restored, but his body radiated vibrant life—indistinguishable from a healthy young man in his twenties or thirties.

Lu Ci spoke with deep implication: “This time, Old Lu truly struck gold. But as far as I know, methods capable of restoring lost limbs are exceedingly rare in the supernatural world. The most famous one is surely Shuang Quan Shou from the Eight Marvels. Could it be… oh, now I should call him Luo Fu True Person—could Luo Fu True Person’s secret to immortality be the Eight Marvels themselves?”

“The Eight Marvels are indeed intriguing. I’d very much like to study them—Lü family’s Shuang Quan Shou, Feng family’s and Wang family’s Ju Ling Qian Jiang—I find them all fascinating,” Luo Fu said calmly, yet dropped a bombshell.

Beside him, Feng Zhenghao—who considered himself inferior to the elders but was himself one of the Ten Elders—suddenly flashed a sharp, icy look the moment Luo Fu spoke.

“Luo Fu True Person, I’m curious: Itachi just said Wang family possesses Ju Ling Qian Jiang, just like my Feng family? And earlier on the arena, Wang Bing even used a technique nearly identical to our Ju Ling Qian Jiang!”

Wang Ai’s face darkened. He sneered: “Feng Zhenghao, I’ll tell Itachi plainly—yes, Wang family does possess Ju Ling Qian Jiang.”

Feng Zhenghao stood up, staring at Wang Ai: “Master Wang, Ju Ling Qian Jiang is our Feng family’s heritage. I demand an explanation.”

“An explanation? Ha! Itachi want me to give Itachi one?” Wang Ai sneered. “Then here it is: Wang family’s Ju Ling Qian Jiang was passed down by Feng Tianyang. In fact, we protected your Feng family precisely because of this. Otherwise, how do Itachi think Feng Tianyang survived when all thirty-six rebels were slaughtered? How did he marry and sire descendants like Itachi?”

Luo Fu watched Feng Zhenghao with interest.

If his guess was correct, Feng Zhenghao was about to demonstrate true adaptability.

As expected, the moment Wang Ai finished speaking, Feng Zhenghao’s expression shifted wildly, as if unable to believe the claim. Instinctively, he glanced Qiuzhu at Zhang Zhiwei and Lu Jin.

Zhang Zhiwei gave a slight nod. Though he wished to avoid meddling in Feng Zhenghao and Wang Ai’s dispute, as a supreme figure of the supernatural world, he could not feign ignorance.

“During the pursuit of the Thirty-Six Rebels, Feng Tianyang was indeed protected by Wang family!”

Zhang Zhiwei’s words settled the matter. Feng Zhenghao’s face changed. With tears of gratitude, he stepped forward and, before all eyes, knelt before Wang Ai and slammed his forehead to the ground.

When he raised his head, his voice trembled: “Today I learned that Master Wang and Wang family saved our Feng family. I was ignorant of this great grace—deeply ashamed. From today on, Feng family and Tianxia Hui shall follow Wang family’s lead, at your command…”

“Cough… cough…” Wang Ai cleared his throat, cutting Feng Zhenghao off.

Privately, Wang Ai had no objection to accepting Feng Zhenghao.

After all, Tianxia Hui was a massive conglomerate worth over three hundred billion. Taking Feng Zhenghao meant absorbing Tianxia Hui entirely.

The scattered supernatural beings Tianxia Hui recruited meant nothing to Wang family, but their secular wealth was enough to make even Wang Ai feel tempted.

Yet here, surrounded by so many witnesses, no one could silently watch Wang family seize Tianxia Hui.

Aside from Tian Jinzhou and Luo Fu, everyone present—Zhang Zhiwei, Lu Jin, Lu Ci, Wang Ai, Feng Zhenghao—were all Ten Elders.

The Ten Elders were a tool used by the company to regulate the supernatural world.

Not only would they never allow any one party to dominate, but the company itself would never permit any Elder to consolidate power and become supreme.

Privately was one thing; in public, Wang Ai could only reluctantly refuse.

“Your gratitude is appreciated, but don’t speak of following Wang family as your master. Itachi’re head of Tianxia Hui and one of the Ten Elders—how could Itachi submit to me?”

Wang Ai feigned humility: “Besides, today we’re here to observe the ceremony. Rebuilding San Yi Men is the priority. Let past ancestral matters rest.”

“Master Wang’s refusal to exploit this debt speaks to your noble character,” Feng Zhenghao pressed. “But now that I know, I cannot pretend ignorance.”

But Zhang Zhiwei interrupted him.

Wang Ai and Feng Zhenghao—both pretending.

Everyone present could see through their act.

Though their performances were convincing, falsehoods remain falsehoods.

“Enough. Whether Wang and Feng families unite or repay debts, I don’t care. Let’s focus on San Yi Men.” Zhang Zhiwei’s voice ended the matter.

As Tian Shi of the Tian Shi Fu, leader of the Ten Elders, and a supreme cultivator, Zhang Zhiwei possessed undeniable authority.

The moment he spoke, Feng Zhenghao rose with a forced smile.

He bowed again to Wang Ai, then turned to Lu Jin and Luo Fu: “Lu Elder, Luo Fu True Person, forgive me—I was overwhelmed upon hearing of my ancestor’s story.”

“Itachi’ve truly opened my eyes,” Lu Jin said with double meaning. “No matter. This was merely to notify everyone and to register Lu Lin and Lu Linglong under Luo Fu’s name. A formal ceremony will be held when San Yi Men officially reopens.”

“Old Lu, Itachi’re shrewd indeed—a man who holds the secret to immortality as head of San Yi Men, hah…” Lu Ci smiled without warmth.

Lu Jin slammed his hand on the armrest and stood: “Foolish dog, I’d like to know—wasn’t Shuang Quan Shou originally discovered by Duanmu Kage? Where did your Lü family get it? Give us an explanation. Wang family’s Ju Ling Qian Jiang came from Feng Tianyang’s gratitude—what about yours?”

Lu Ci’s lip twitched. He dismissed it outright: “Shuang Quan Shou? What Shuang Quan Shou? Are we to believe everything Luo Fu says?”

“Hah…” Now it was Lu Jin’s turn to sneer. “Lü family’s Ruyi Jin is famous, yet I’ve combed through Lu family’s archives and found no record of your Lü family possessing Ming Hun Shu before the Jia Shen Uprising.”

“Enough, Old Lu,” Zhang Zhiwei said, sensing the atmosphere turning dangerous. What began as a polite invitation to observe the ceremony had turned into a farce between Feng Zhenghao and Wang Ai, and now Lu Jin was about to brawl with Lu Ci.

As Tian Shi of Longhu Mountain Tian Shi Fu, Zhang Zhiwei could not allow this.

After stopping Lu Jin, he said: “Time is up. Let Lu Lin and Lu Linglong serve tea to Luo Fu True Person first. This ceremony is simple; the formal rites will be held when San Yi Men is rebuilt.”

After stopping Lu Jin, Zhang Zhiwei said, "The time is right—have Lu Lin and Lu Linglong serve tea to Master Luo Fu first. This ceremony is humble; we’ll hold a proper ritual once the San Yi Sect is rebuilt."

Zhi Jinhua hurried to the door.

There was no clear hierarchical relationship between the company and the Ten Elders.

Upon learning from Zhi Jinhua that Naidu Tong had come to visit Luo Fu, Wang Ai and the others exchanged thoughtful glances.

Theoretically, Naidu Tong’s board directly oversaw seven major districts—formal organizations regulating supernaturals—while the Ten Elders functioned like a parallel body under the board, a self-regulating mechanism within the supernatural world.

Soon, when Zhi Jinhua returned, she brought Lu Lin, Lu Linglong, Cang Long, and other Lu family members.

Liao Zhong, Feng Baobao, Wang Zhenqiu, Akatsuki Zizai, Hei Guan’er, and Lao Meng were also present.

When Liao Zhong, impatiently, revealed his purpose and exposed Luo Fu’s appointment as Company Headquarters Inspector,

Wang Ai and Lu Ci exchanged glances, both revealing hidden delight.

They had feared that with Zhang Zhiwei and Lu Jin’s full support, Luo Fu might rebuild San Yi Men and become the Eleventh Elder.

Don’t think it impossible: before, the company had only recognized nine Elders. But Feng Zhenghao and Tianxia Hui’s sudden rise added a tenth.

It granted Feng Zhenghao equal standing with the other nine.

Whether nine or ten, the number was entirely up to the company’s board—though publicly accepted by the supernatural world.

If the company forcibly elevated Luo Fu to the Ten Elders,

Wang Ai and Lu Ci would be severely constrained.

Why? Because if Luo Fu held the same status, targeting him would mean undermining the Ten Elders’ authority.

But now, even as Headquarters Inspector, Luo Fu could not possibly rival the Ten Elders.

The Ten Elders could communicate directly with the company board.

They were unaware Luo Fu had already achieved Earth Immortality, nor that Company Chairman Zhao Fangxu had personally chartered a military aircraft to fly to Longhu Mountain just to meet him.

Believing they could manipulate this man rumored to hold the secret to immortality,

It was still unclear whether Luo Fu had attained the status of a terrestrial immortal, but even the company’s chairman, Zhao Fangxu, had been forced to charter a military airfield to fly temporarily to Longhu Mountain for a private audience with Luo Fu.

Even the earlier quarrel gave them a pretext.

Wang Ai could claim he sought vengeance for Wang Bing—after all, Luo Fu nearly dismembered him on the arena.

Lu Ci could use suppressing Luo Fu to both seize the secret of immortality and silence rumors about Lü family’s possession of Shuang Quan Shou—two birds with one stone.

After so many past collaborations,

a single glance was enough. Wang Ai and Lu Ci silently agreed: they need not wait for the Luotian Da Jiao’s outcome.

At this point, whether the Luotian Da Jiao could even continue was uncertain.

With just a simple exchange of glances, Wang Ai and Lu Ci mutually decided not to wait for the outcome of the Luotian Dajiao.

Having escalated to this point, it is uncertain whether the Luotian Dajiao can even continue.

Moreover, even if they won the Luotian Da Jiao, it would have little to do with the Wang or Lu families; the position of Tian Shi would never fall to them, and Lu Jin’s Tongtian Lu might not willingly hand it over either.

Two birds in the forest are worth less than one in the hand.

First, extract the secret of immortality from Luo Fu!

Wang Ai and Lu Ci easily reached a mutual understanding through nothing more than a glance.

This was thanks to years of cooperation, which had forged an astonishing familiarity between them.

The arrival of Liao Zhong, the South China regional head of the Nandutong Corporation, and several temporary workers, was merely a pleasant surprise.

After all, everyone had gathered here only because Lu Jin sought to clear Luo Fu’s name.

It was also Lu Jin’s intention to spread the news of rebuilding the San Yi Sect through the Tianxia Hui, the Lu family, the Tian Shi Mansion, the Lu family, and the Wang family.

Liao Zhong and the others’ arrival was simply an unforeseen stroke of luck.

This time, they merely needed the assembled greats of the yiren world to serve as witnesses; there was no need to worry about auspicious timing.

Soon, under Lu Jin’s direction.

Lu Lin and Lu Linglong, brother and sister, stepped forward—one to the left, one to the right—and knelt before Luo Fu, offering him tea with both hands.

After the simple initiation ceremony.

Longhu Mountain quickly grew quiet.

But a closer look revealed that Longhu Mountain had now become increasingly treacherous and volatile.

Many yiren were dying or being injured in secret; yet these murders were rarely investigated, as if both victims and killers were Moqi ly concealing everything.

There was also a scenario that didn’t even warrant investigation: mutual annihilation.

Don’t assume such cases are rare; quite the opposite—mutual annihilation in combat was actually quite common.

In a hidden room on Longhu Mountain.

“It seems this Zhang Luo Fu truly hides a great secret,” said Yuan Tao, clad in a worn 1960s–70s military uniform, his voice brimming with excitement. “The secret of immortality—this is far more enticing than the Jia Shen Rebellion or the Eight Marvelous Techniques.”

Yuan Tao scanned the group and said, “Everyone, Longhu Mountain is now the target of all. Countless people have already set their sights on Luo Fu. If we don’t act soon, the secret of immortality will slip through our fingers.”

“Act soon?” Xia He raised an eyebrow. “Are Itachi joking? Attacking Luo Fu now—Itachi think Longhu Mountain and the Ten Elders are amateurs?”

“Hehe.” Yuan Tao sneered. “Thanks to the sudden outbreak of the Seven Emotions and Seven Sins, Longhu Mountain is now just one spark away from becoming a massive firework. And that spark…?”

His gaze turned to a fat monk with a benevolent smile and a prosperous appearance.

The monk smiled, eyes half-lidded. “These past few days, Longhu Mountain has seen numerous secret clashes, with heavy casualties. Both Longhu Mountain and the Old Tian Shi are likely exhausted. And that spark—could it be me, Master Yuan Tao?”

“Exactly!” Yuan Tao nodded. “Your Twelve Labors of Emotion Array works similarly to the Seven Emotions and Seven Sins. If Itachi trigger it even slightly, Longhu Mountain will descend into chaos. Then, the Ten Elders and Longhu Mountain will be busy suppressing the rebellious yiren—and we can profit from the confusion.”

“Not enough,” said Xia Liuqing, his eyes pitch black. “Merely inciting ordinary yiren to riot won’t move the Ten Elders, let alone the Old Tian Shi. Itachi underestimate the power of the pinnacle. Even that brat who desperately wanted to become acting Sect Master spent three years on Longhu Mountain—and was crushed instantly. Without greater certainty, trying to seize Zhang Luo Fu’s secret will only kill us all.”

“Um…” a low-profile disciple of Quanxing suddenly raised his hand. “Besides us, many so-called orthodox sects are also watching Luo Fu—like the Wang and Lu families among the Four Great Clans. If we act, perhaps we can form a tacit understanding with them.”

“So Itachi’re from the Wang family?” Xia Liuqing’s mind snapped to the truth in an instant.

Quanxing was a mix of all kinds. Many who had betrayed their sects or families had thrown themselves into Quanxing.

Take Lu Liang—he was a direct heir of the Lu family, yet he became a Quanxing member.

Countless others like Lu Liang existed in Quanxing: some sought forbidden dark arts; others joined merely to survive, clinging together for warmth.

But some entered Quanxing from the start with ulterior motives.

And this last category was numerous—even Quanxing members knew their ranks harbored countless moles from orthodox sects, or even outright agents of the Corporation.

Yet until now, everyone had pretended not to notice.

After all, Quanxing was just a dumping ground of the yiren world—anyone could be inside.

Except for the one time, centuries ago, when Wu Gensheng truly became Quanxing’s Sect Master, Quanxing had existed for millennia as a loose alliance.

Even Wu Gensheng, after becoming Sect Master, was never universally accepted—many still opposed him.

“Cooperation? Sounds noble, but isn’t this just the Wang family using us as shields? Even if Itachi do get Luo Fu’s secret, Itachi won’t share it with us,” Shen Chong sneered.

“But isn’t this our only chance? Without allying with the Wang and Lu families, we have no path to Luo Fu’s secret. Cooperation means everyone fights for themselves—but without it, the secret of immortality will remain forever out of reach.”

Though he had revealed his identity, the Wang family disciple had clearly been in Quanxing too long—he still spoke as if he were a true Quanxing member.

“Immortality,” said a gaunt figure whose pallor suggested imminent death; even Quanxing members kept their distance from him.

Such intimidation was rare in Quanxing—only the infamous Corpse Demon Tu Junfang matched it.

Once a disciple of the Three Demons Sect, he lost his sect’s core teachings on severing the Three Corpses during the War of Resistance.

Now, Tu Junfang had found ways to suppress his own Three Corpses—but could advance no further.

Though his methods were inferior to the Dao,

no one dared underestimate Tu Junfang’s power.

Once the Three Demons Sect’s techniques triggered one’s Three Corpses, there was no turning back.

Because as soon as one channeled qi, the Three Corpses surged violently—and might even manifest to interfere with their host.

Tu Junfang’s terrifying reputation stemmed from his ability to provoke others’ Three Corpses.

Tu Junfang was deeply feared because of his method capable of stirring others’ Three Corpses.

Tu Junfang’s abilities were unremarkable—even among Quanxing, his raw fighting power was far from top-tier.

His method was like swinging a filthy mop soaked in excrement—

inflicting severe, incurable psychological trauma on any yiren.

“Let’s get involved,” Tu Junfang declared firmly. “I want to know if someone with the secret of immortality can break the Three Corpses technique.”

“Getting involved is fine, but we must ensure the secret ends up in our hands,” Xia Liuqing insisted.

“No one can guarantee that,” said the Wang family disciple, bowing slightly. “Master Xia, Itachi’ve been in Quanxing for decades—Itachi know the world holds no guarantees.”

“Then I won’t join. Itachi handle it yourselves.” With that, Xia Liuqing turned, hands behind his back, and stepped out of the crowd, clearly preparing to leave.

After a moment of shifting expressions, none of the Quanxing members moved to stop him.

Xia Liuqing vanished from sight.

After Xia Liuqing left,

under the Wang family disciple’s persistent persuasion, and fueled by Quanxing’s hunger for Luo Fu’s secret,

the plan to storm Longhu Mountain was finalized.

Unlike before, when Acting Sect Master Gong Qing had orchestrated the Quanxing assault to distract Zhang Zhiwei and gain access to Tian Jinzhong’s memories to decode the Jia Shen Rebellion,

this time their goal was crystal clear: seize Luo Fu’s secret—the secret of immortality—an irresistible lure to every yiren.

After constant secret killings on Longhu Mountain,

the Tian Shi Mansion, with no other option, accelerated the Luotian Da Jiao, hoping to send all yiren away as soon as it ended.

Otherwise, more killings would surely follow.

As Longhu Mountain prepared to continue the Luotian Da Jiao,

that very night, the announcement was released.

The entire Longhu Mountain plunged into chaos.

With the combined effort of all Quanxing members, Gao Ning’s Twelve Labors of Emotion Array engulfed nearly half the mountain’s rear, especially the quarters where yiren resided.

As extreme emotions were stirred, yiren who had long suppressed hatred and murderous intent erupted into violent, chaotic battles.

Even many Longhu Mountain Daoists, caught off guard, lost their mental composure and joined the frenzy.

Taking advantage of the chaos,

Quanxing launched their assault under cover of night.

In the rear of Longhu Mountain,

inside Luo Fu’s residence,

“Quanxing is attacking? They’re not after Tian Jinzhong,” Luo Fu realized instantly.

Even Acting Sect Master Gong Qing had been exposed and killed because of Luo Fu—Quanxing wasn’t stupid. Why would they risk everything just to provoke Longhu Mountain over a dead man?

Unless they’d found something more enticing than helping Gong Qing uncover the truth of the Jia Shen Rebellion.

Unluckily for them, Luo Fu knew his secret—the secret of immortality—had first spread from Quanxing.

And now, on Longhu Mountain, the only thing worth such a costly gamble was himself.

Though Lu Lin and Lu Linglong had both become Luo Fu’s disciples at Lu Jin’s request,

Luo Fu’s only true disciple—someone who had truly entered the San Yi Sect—was Lu Lin alone. Lu Linglong was more like a registered student, learning under Luo Fu as Luo Fu once learned under Tian Jinzhong.

But Lu Lin was a true San Yi Sect disciple—after all, he had already mastered Ni Sheng San Chong before meeting Luo Fu.

That was precisely why Lu Jin had no choice but to send Lu Lin to the still-unreconstructed San Yi Sect.

The Lu family’s rule forbade teaching their own methods to outsiders unless permitted by the sect.

But the San Yi Sect had been destroyed long ago. Lu Jin himself was its last surviving heir—he couldn’t be both Lu family patriarch and San Yi Sect master.

Doing so would utterly destroy the Lu family’s hard-won reputation over centuries.

In this situation, after Luo Fu appeared, Lu Jin’s only balanced solution was to send Lu Lin into the San Yi Sect as its disciple.

That way, the Lu family’s reputation was preserved, and Lu Lin could receive Luo Fu’s direct guidance on Ni Sheng San Chong.

“Master,” Lu Lin, unlike Lu Linglong, though older than Luo Fu,

had, after offering tea and kowtowing before the assembled yiren greats, maintained the demeanor of a true disciple.

“Itachi mean Quanxing’s attack isn’t aimed at the Tian Shi Mansion—but at something else?”

Luo Fu nodded. “What on Longhu Mountain now is worth such a reckless gamble?”

Lu Lin thought. “The Eight Marvelous Techniques?”

After all, several of the Eight Marvelous Techniques were present on Longhu Mountain.

After a moment’s thought, Lu Lin said, “Eight Marvelous Techniques?”

Keep in mind, several schools of the Eight Marvelous Techniques are now gathered on Longhu Mountain.

The Wang family and Feng family’s Spirit Binding and Command; Lu Jin of the Lu family holding the Tongtian Scroll; Zhang Chulan’s Qi Body Source Flow; the Fenghou Qimen exposed in Wang Ye; the Ming Hun Art on the Lu family, suspected to be Shuangquan Shou.

Just these five Eight Marvelous Techniques—already exposed or with strong suspicion—have already surfaced.

Unknown to others, Balun, who wields the Liu Ku Xian Zei, arrived at Longhu Mountain alongside Quanxing; added to this is Ma Xianhong of the New Jie Sect, who has visited Longhu Mountain and whose current whereabouts are unknown, yet possesses the Shenji Bailian.

One could say that, aside from the mysterious Dalaodongguan, all Eight Marvelous Techniques have gathered at Longhu Mountain.

This explains why Lu Lin suspects Quanxing’s goal is the Eight Marvelous Techniques.

Luo Fu shook his head and said: “The Eight Marvelous Techniques are indeed tempting, but as long as Quanxing isn’t composed entirely of fools, they wouldn’t openly challenge Longhu Mountain so brazenly. Remember, aside from Zhang Chulan—who may or may not truly possess Qi Body Source Flow—Longhu Mountain has no connection whatsoever to any of the Eight Marvelous Techniques.”

Before Lu Lin could ponder further, Luo Fu reminded him again: “The rumors about me holding the secret to immortality originally came from Quanxing!”

(End of Chapter)