Chapter 246

The Xiao Yao Immortal Sect is one of the top-ranked sects in the entire Hongshi County.

Its strength is immense, with at least six Nascent Soul cultivators within its ranks.

The number of Golden Core elders is countless.

Bai Shangli is one of these Golden Core elders of the Xiao Yao Immortal Sect, and he was not a latecomer to cultivation—he grew up entirely within the sect, rising to become a major Golden Core.

Within the Xiao Yao Immortal Sect, he holds high rank and great power.

Unfortunately, after reaching the mid-stage of Golden Core, further breakthroughs became difficult; as his years increased, he began pursuing Yin-Yang harmony techniques to absorb Yin and replenish Yang to enhance his cultivation.

He hoped to use this shortcut to shatter his Core and form a Nascent Soul.

Yet since embracing the Joyful Union path, he turned the Dao into a mere hobby, gradually sinking into it, unable to extricate himself.

His lust for women reached the point of obsession.

Today, at this Jiaoyi Society, he saw Qiao Huizhu gently wiping He Pingsheng's sweat with a silk handkerchief—his heart flashed like lightning, and he became determined to claim her for himself.

Thus, the scene just now came to pass.

"Your consort?" Bai Shangli looked at He Pingsheng, his brow slightly furrowed: "You?"

"You, a filthy, ugly wretch, dare to be worthy of such a heavenly beauty?"

"Truly the greatest absurdity—a joke, a joke…"

He Pingsheng was not ugly—he had well-proportioned features, a tall, slender frame, and an ordinary but decent appearance.

But now, he had used the Jin Lan Treasure Robe to alter his appearance, making him genuinely unattractive.

"Elder!" Qiao Huizhu hid behind He Pingsheng and said: "My husband speaks truly—we are already sworn cultivator partners, and this marriage was arranged by our senior family members!"

"This is no joke!"

Qiao Huizhu stepping forward to confirm this angered Bai Shangli instantly.

Around them, people pointed and whispered; though none spoke aloud, their gazes clearly favored Qiao Huizhu.

Bai Shangli felt he was on the defensive.

His plan to forcibly take Qiao Huizhu was likely to fail.

But it didn't matter!

Though he couldn't seize her by force, he could threaten and bribe.

Tonight, he must consummate his union with this girl.

The more Bai Shangli looked, the hotter his desire grew—he longed to enter the bridal chamber at once.

"Very well!" Bai Shangli glanced at He Pingsheng and said: "Boy, I am an elder of the Xiao Yao Immortal Sect—you've heard of it, haven't you?"

"Yes," He Pingsheng nodded.

He had indeed heard of it.

After all, it was among the top ten sects in Hongshi County.

"Good…" Bai Shangli said: "Surrender your consort to me, and you shall become my direct disciple, a third-generation core of the Xiao Yao Immortal Sect—I guarantee you a lifetime of comfort!"

"Not just comfort—you'll hold high rank and great power within the sect!"

"What do you say?"

Upon hearing this offer, countless cultivators drooled with envy.

A third-generation disciple of the Xiao Yao Immortal Sect?

Something most could never even dream of.

And Bai Shangli, this man, held high rank and great power within the sect—if he became such a master, wouldn't his cultivation flow like fish in water?

"Boy, you've struck gold!" Bai Shangli spoke to He Pingsheng, but his eyes never left Qiao Huizhu—he grew hotter with every glance, even swallowing saliva several times.

This time, He Pingsheng did not bow. He said coolly: "Leave. I have no interest in your Xiao Yao Immortal Sect."

"Elder, cease your unreasonable harassment."

Bai Shangli hissed: "You refuse?"

He Pingsheng said: "Even if you offered me a Great Luo Golden Immortal, I'd refuse!"

"Good, good, good…" Seeing He Pingsheng's firm stance, Bai Shangli gritted his teeth, burning to slap him dead on the spot and drag Qiao Huizhu away.

But he knew the rules of this Jiaoyi Society.

No one was permitted to use force.

Violators would die without mercy.

Bai Shangli said: "Fine, boy. I'll give you one last chance."

"Hand over this girl, let me have my fill, and I'll take you as my final direct disciple!"

"Otherwise, when this Jiaoyi Society closes, it will be your death."

He Pingsheng replied coolly: "Then wait until the Jiaoyi Society ends—we'll settle this by our own merits."

"Heh… you've got guts… good, good…" Bai Shangli said: "I'll be waiting for you."

"Let's go…"

He swept his sleeve and turned away.

Yet Bai Shangli's spiritual sense constantly monitored He Pingsheng.

"Husband…" Qiao Huizhu gripped He Pingsheng's hand and said: "I've caused you trouble… we…"

"Don't fear!" He Pingsheng patted her hand and said: "It's fine—I guarantee your safety!"

He Pingsheng had no right to fight a Golden Core cultivator.

But he had two methods to kill this Golden Core.

The first method: throw the 【Zhan Shen Fa】 into the Ju Bao Pen, then strengthen it into a Heaven-grade spiritual sense technique—he had swallowed the Twin Divine Pills, and his spiritual sense had reached ten thousand zhang in strength; within fifteen days, he would surely master one technique.

Then, with his overwhelming spiritual sense, he could shatter Bai Shangli's mind sea.

The second method: similarly, strengthen the newly purchased third-rank talisman 【Golden Thunder Talisman】 to its peak quality, then trigger it instantly—it could take this Golden Core's life.

Remember, He Pingsheng's spiritual sense now surpassed even the peak of Golden Core, so triggering a third-rank talisman would be swift.

But both methods had one weakness: they required the Ju Bao Pen.

Here, He Pingsheng dared not use the Ju Bao Pen lightly.

Who knew if some hidden master lurked within Skull Mountain?

What then?

There was a way!

Wasn't his spiritual sense already strong?

And it could last fifteen full days.

No problem—once the Jiaoyi Society ends, I'll simply take Qiao Huizhu and fly away on my sword.

Sword-flight speed is tied to spiritual sense strength.

The stronger the spiritual sense, the faster the speed.

Though it consumes much energy, it doesn't matter—I have Golden Bee Holy Elixir to replenish myself at any time.

That Golden Core eighth-layer fool, Bai Shangli, won't catch my speed.

Beyond this, He Pingsheng had a fourth method: first, quickly put distance between himself and Bai Shangli, then remove the Jin Lan Treasure Robe from his own body and drape it over Qiao Huizhu.

Thus, Qiao Huizhu could alter her appearance.

He Pingsheng would restore his true face.

With both their appearances changed, would Bai Shangli still recognize them?

Of course, this required Qiao Huizhu to remain close to He Pingsheng—if she strayed too far, the Jin Lan Treasure Robe would become useless.

After all, this treasure robe had been cultivated by him alone; Qiao Huizhu had not cultivated it.

Precisely because he had so many countermeasures, He Pingsheng was not afraid of Bai Shangli.

He resumed his stall.

…

As dusk neared, someone finally appeared.

The visitor was a female cultivator.

"Fellow cultivator…" The woman, clad in a black Dao robe, bowed to He Pingsheng, then whispered: "Are you certain two Tian Xiang Dou Kou beans can be exchanged for a top-grade spirit weapon shield?"

He Pingsheng said: "I am certain."

"Do you have them?"

"I don't," the black-robed woman shook her head, continuing in a low voice: "But I know a piece of news about Tian Xiang Dou Kou."