Jade Pure Sect, Cultivate Diligently Become Immortal Mountain
As Hua Lian exited the cave, Black Hell Chicken ran up to him, "Brother Hua, Master is sending you on a mission? Isn't it dangerous down the mountain? What if someone eats you?!"
Hua Lian just waved his hand, shutting it up, looking at Tian Lianchen, he sent him a voice transmission, "Han Jue sent me on a mission to free disciples from Raincoat Sect, you cultivate, I hope you're at the 7th level when I'm back."
Tian Lianchen nodded with determination, "You can count on me, Master." Instantly closing his eyes, he fell into cultivation to reach his Master's expectations.
Taking out his lotus, Hua Lian stepped on it, flying south. And as he did, he checked his whole status.
{Status}
{Name: Hua Lian}
{Lifespan: 37/2100}
{Race: Mortal}
{Inheritance: Dao Ancestor #Mortal Part}
{Cultivation: 4th-level of Nascent Soul}
{Technique: Primordial Dao Genesis}
{Cultivation Potential: Top-Notch Dao Comprehension, Dao Root}
{Magic: Summon Rain, Water Spear, Windstorm, Absolute Equanimity…}
{Mystical Power: Primordial Sky-Splitting Palm, Heaven-Sealing Myriad-Forms Palm, Void-Drifting Steps, Imitate Heaven and Earth, Violet Dao Mirror Body, Lotus Unity Seal.}
{Equipment: 36th-grade Primordial Dao-Creation Violet Lotus, Jade Slip of Creation, Moon Wail Guqin, Frost-forged Furnace}
{Connate Providence: Dao Ancestor's Full Inheritor, Self-made Son of Heaven and Earth, Blessed by Dao, Reformer of Heavenly Dao.}
{Connate providence:}
{Dao Ancestor's Full Inheritor - You had inherited full teachings of Dao Ancestor, his comprehension, and all his techniques.}
{Self-made Son of Heaven and Earth - You defined your own fate, and are recognized by Heavenly Dao's Providence. You're extremely lucky and are immune to all mortal diseases.}
{Blessed by Dao - Dao Root, your cultivation root surpasses the Six Elements and Eight Trigrams.}
{Reformer of Heavenly Dao - You're born to alter Destiny itself, and as an inheritor of Dao Ancestor, you're the rightful heir of Heavenly Dao.}
Admiring the lengthy status screen, he was pleased, 'I can't believe 16 years have passed.' Patting himself on the back, a prideful grin spread on his face, 'I've accomplished so much.'
He didn't comment on the new providence, as it didn't change anything. He got it when he created Tian Lianchen, 'It should be interesting, I remember Sages were afraid of Fang Liang when they learned he's Dao Ancestor's inheritor.'
Shaking his head, he looked toward the vast blue sky, happily mumbling, "Grace, do you see? Your brother is living a good life, you can move on in peace…" Hua Lian's eyes watered, but he quickly wiped them, "No. She would hate me if I cried even a second more. I cried enough as Noah, now I'm Hua Lian."
Snapping out of his reminiscing, he sat down, cultivating and wielding the lotus, 'In a month, I should reach Vermillion Bird Sword Sect, at that time to make them listen…' He took out Moon Wail Guqin and began to comprehend the Dao.
Flying at a high altitude had its advantages, as he didn't meet many cultivators flying this high. And the ones he met, when they saw his unknown cultivation, avoided him like a plague, only giving him a respectful nod or clasping their hands.
The month of straight flying was boring, but fruitful, as Hua Lian created a spell that used sound to weaken opponents, 'Decaying Melody. Kinda like an AOE attack in games. But with the Lotus Unity Seal, I would be able to kill them in body and soul.'
He also developed a technique Ji Xianshen will use to lure Han Jue in the future, 'Luring Lullaby. Only people of the same or higher cultivation level could hear it.'
As he was nearing the Vermillion Bird Sword Sect, he was stopped by two disciples, a man and a woman, dressed in red robes. They clasped their hands, and the man spoke, "Greetings, Senior, what brings you to our esteemed Vermillion Bird Sword Sect?"
Hua Lian raised an eyebrow, 'Esteemed? Do they think they're strong? Well, in Great Yan, sure, but outside…' Shaking his head, he said, "My business is with Huang Jihao. I have to have a chat with your elder."
The woman was the one to speak this time, "Why? Did he offend your junior, so you came to avenge him? Elder Huang always wins fair and square."
Hua Lian couldn't be bothered and started to play Luring Lullaby, seeing him play, but hearing no sound, both disciples were apprehensive. That's when they saw fifteen elders and their Sect Master arrive.
Tang Han had a sword floating on each of his sides, and his aura was sharp, almost rendering Hua Lian's music useless. But Moon Wail Guqin was a Sixth-grade Numinous Treasure, and although Hua Lian wasn't a Soul Formation cultivator, his comprehension and abilities were.
Realizing he couldn't silence the guqin's sound, Tang Han frowned, "What business does a Junior like you have with my Vermillion Bird Sword Sect?" Elders were also shocked, as their Sect Master couldn't stop the strange man playing guqin.
While still playing, Hua Lian calmly answered, "I don't have any with your Sect, I'm here to talk with Huang Jihao."
Hearing his disciple was mentioned, Tang Han slowly gripped his sword. "What sort of talk?" he said, sending a sound transmission to all the elders. "On my cue, attack with your strongest attack. I can't see through his cultivation."
Seeing all of them 'secretly' reaching out for their sword, Hua Lian lowered his guqin, "I just want information on Raincoat Sect, nothing else. My Master sent me on a mission to help my fellow Sect members."
Many of the elders now looked toward their Sect Master, while Tang Han fell deep in thought, ignoring their gazes, 'Maple Leaf Vallay has been destroyed, that only leaves Jade Pure Sect, but to have such a disciple… Wait-' He remembered a new rising figure, "Your Master should be Deity Slaying Elder of Jade Pure Sect."
Seeing Hua Lian nod, many elders had strange expressions, while thinking the same, That backwater sect has such an expert? While Tang Han looked enlightened, 'No wonder, the disciple is such an expert, his Master must be an ancient figure. No wonder Jihao'er lost.'
He let go of his sword and sincerely said, "I apologize for not welcoming you properly. I'm Tang Han, Sect Master of Vermillion Bird Sword Sect. And who might the junior be?"
With a slight bow, Hua Lian clasped his hands and introduced himself, "My name is Hua Lian. Does this mean I can talk to Huang Jihao? I must be on my way, as my Sect members are experiencing torment."
Tang Han nodded, signaling to one of the elders, "Call Jihao'er to the meeting hall." He looked at Hua Lian, "Let us go to the meeting hall and wait there."
Nodding, Hua Lian put the lotus in his soul, and followed them in. The Sect was befitting of the title of the strongest sword sect of the Great Yan. The cultivators flew left and right, but when they saw Tang Han and all the elders, they quickly bowed with reverence.
But seeing an ordinary-looking man next to their revered Sect Master sparked curiosity in them. And many wondered, Who's that? As they entered the spacious hall, Hua Lian could vaguely hear the murmuring of the disciples outside.
A male voice said, "I don't see anything special about him. He's probably a mortal, he's also ordinary-looking."
Hua Lian's brow twitched, 'Did that idiot not see me fly down from my lotus?' Exhaling, he calmed down, 'Am I really getting annoyed at an insignificant person?'
Sitting on the main mat, Tang Han gestured at the mat opposite to him. Elders were shocked, as this gesture would mean Hua Lian had equal status with their Sect Master.
Also knowing that, Hua Lian was hesitant, "Senior Tang, this…"
Tang Han waved his hand, "I insist, your Master is an expert of equal or greater strength than I, it's only natural to show respect." Hua Lian looked for a moment, and then sat down, his opinion of Tang Han rising.
A servant came over, bringing tea and some spirit fruits. Taking the teapot, Tang Han poured the tea into Hua Lian's cup, "I received this tea from my Master for achieving Soul Formation at 540 years old." A proud smile spread on his face.
Taking the cup, Hua Lian praised, "A fitting testament to your genius, Sect Master." While inwardly thinking, 'I'm not great at exchanging pleasantries.'
Laughing, Tang Han also drank the tea, giving him an appreciative nod, "Junior Hua is honey-tongued indeed." The elders looked at each other, confused, Why was the Sect Master talking like this to a junior?
Half an hour of unimportant chatter passed, and Hua Lian's patience was slowly thinning; the elders had already left the two to chat. That's when Huang Jihao entered proudly, 'Elder notified me someone important is looking for me, I hope it's not another offended senior.'
When he saw a man sitting opposite his Master, he was confused, 'To be able to sit across Master, he must be a Senior. Ugh…' Disdainful look flashed in his eyes, 'I just hope Master won't have to compromise like the last time.'
Seeing him enter, Tang Han called, "Jihao'er, come, greet Junior Hua. You should know his Master." Hua Lian also stood up, clasping his hands, but saw disdain in Huang Jihao's eyes, 'Proud much?'
Huang Jihao clasped his hands and reluctantly bowed, "It's an honor to meet Senior Hua."
Seeing his disrespectful greeting, Tang Han was about to scold him, when Hua Lian spoke, "No need for Senior title, even my Master is your Junior." A small smile spread on his face, "I do have to know, how was it being sent flying?"
Stopping in his tracks, Huang Jihao connected the dots, "Wait, you're that person's disciple?" And seeing Hua Lian nod, he mumbled, "No wonder…" Snapping out of it, he crossed his hands, "So why are you here? A rematch?"
Hua Lian's brow twitched, 'Why is everyone looking for a fight in this world? Han Jue is right; here, there's always fighting.' With a sigh, he responded, "I'm only here to get information on Raincoat Sect, nothing else."
Huang Jihao playfully raised his brow, "And if I don't cooperate?" Seeing Hua Lian frown, he continued, "How about a sparring session?"
Almost laughing out loud, Hua Lian nodded, "If that's what it takes to get the information, then sure." He looked at Tang Han for his approval.
Knowing his disciple's temper, Tang Han said, "If both of you agree, then follow me." Both of them nodded and followed, with Hua Lian deciding on how to win without killing Huang Jihao.
As both of them followed Tang Han to the private sparring grounds. Hua Lian was torn, 'Should I use 36th-Grade Violet Lotus or not? It would be an overkill.'
As they arrived, Huang Jihao stood opposite Hua Lian, while Tang Han activated a protection array, "No killing blows. This is a spar, not a life-and-death match."
Huang Jihao took out his sword, and, learning from his mistake with Han Jue, he attacked first, 'Like Master like disciple, don't let them have a chance to attack.'
Sending out the Sword Qi, it shrieked through the air, arriving before Hua Lian in a breath. Using Void-Drifting Steps, Hua Lian phased through it easily.
Taking out Moon Wail Guqin, Hua Lian began to play his new spell, 'Decaying Melody should do the trick, I just weaken him enough so he falls unconscious.'
However, what he didn't expect, Huang Jihao tapped his sword, sending a sound of his own. Sound energies collided, destroying each other into still silence.
Huang Jihao smiled, "What now?!" He took out another sword and sped toward Hua Lian, who sighed, 'I didn't want to use this…' He gathered Violet Qi, sending a palm strike, which grew 2 meters in height.
Huang Jihao slashed his swords, trying to cut through the palm strike. But it was futile, the palm strike passed through his swords and landed on his chest.
Spirit Qi collapsed on itself, shrinking and sealing Huang Jihao into a marble. Tang Han quickly disabled the array, hurriedly arriving near the marble, "What did you do?!" He was even more shocked that he couldn't release the seal, 'What is this? That even I, a 7th level of Soul Formation cultivator, can't do anything.'
Hua Lian slowly came up to him, picking the marble and crushing it, and Huang Jihao's body appeared. Looking at his unconscious body, Hua Lian remarked, "He should wake up in a day or two, given his cultivation."
Tang Han sighed in relief, 'Good thing I showed him respect, he's probably stronger than me. Then about his Master…' Shaking his head, and while looking at his disciple, he mumbled, "Jihao'er, you never stood a chance."
Jade Pure Sect, Cultivate Diligently Become Immortal Mountain
Waking Han Jue from his cultivation was a system message.
[Tang Han developed a favorable impression of you. Current favorability: 2 stars.]
Checking the profile, he wasn't impressed, 'Sect Master of Vermillion Bird Sword Sect, 7th level of Soul Formation. No connate providences, pretty ordinary.'
Closing his eyes, he went back to cultivation, 'I have to reach Mahayana as soon as possible, then I wouldn't have to worry about Xiao'e and the Demon Taming Sect.'