Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Qu Shuang City.
“Invincible Sect?” The immortal in charge of registration looked through the book in his hands and glanced at the three people standing in front of him. Finally, he blurted, “You.. really want to establish a sect and set up an abode?”
“Yes!”
“Just the two of you Earth Immortals and a…” the immortal scanned Shen Ying from head to toe but still could not figure out her cultivation level. His eyes widened, and disbelief was written all over his face. It was obvious that he thought they were being silly.
There was nothing strange about the fact that they wanted to establish a sect, but doing so would require them to pay at least two hundred top-grade immortal stones each year. This was not much to any normal sect, but it is a lot to normal cultivators. This meant that only people from rich families or who had the right connections would think about establishing a sect. Such people would also be Mystic Immortals at the very least.
Of the three people standing in front of him, two had just ascended to become Earth Immortals. There were even remnants of the Lightning Tribulation aura about them. The last one was not even an Earth Immortal. Obviously, she was only here because they brought her along. Yet, the three of them were looking to establish a sect. They must be so rich that they can’t find any other way to spend their money.
“Are you… sure?” He asked them once more.
The corners of Lonemoon’s mouth twitched as he nodded once again. “Yes!” He reached into his robe and took out a bag of immortal stones, handing it over to the immortal. “Thank you, Immortal Friend.”
The immortal received the immortal stones and once again, shot the three people a look as if they were out of their minds. Then, he filled up the book in his hand and summoned a seal, muttering something under his breath. He flicked the book and the words suddenly jumped out of the page, flying onto the huge immortal wall behind him. They saw a flash of light and suddenly, the name “Invincible Sect” appeared on the wall, right next to the names of all the other sects. Their name took up just a small space on that huge brick wall.
“Alright, remember to come back and pay your dues each year,” the immortal reminded them. He quickly added, “If you run out of immortal stones, you can come back and cancel the registration any time.”
“Thank you,” Lonemoon said as he bowed politely. He grabbed Shen Ying and Yi Qing by the sleeves and pulled them out.
This was the first time he encountered financial problems in his two lifetimes. Initially, he thought that they would be able to find a huge stash in the Qing Tong Immortal Abode, given that so many immortals resided there. But after they dug through the ground, they found out that Xun Li was nothing but a broke bastard.
There were less than a thousand immortal stones stored in the secret storage – that was only going to last them for two years. They could not figure out how Xun Li managed to stay in power as the Abode Master. He must have spent all his immortal stones on nurturing his immortal meridian.
Lonemoon’s head started to hurt. Many of them made it to the immortal realm, but all of them were considered as scum in there. Not one of them had the skills to earn a living – even the spirit herb, which was the most valuable among them all earlier, was considered rubbish when compared to the immortal herbs. They had hoped that Bitao would be of use to them since he has proficiency at refining pills, but later they found out that his pill refining skills were at the novice level in the immortal realm. The disciples in their sect were only good at eating – no one would want to take them in for free, much less buy them over.
They had no choice but to look for all ways and means to earn immortal stones! Lonemoon surveyed his surroundings. Qu Shuang City was considered a small immortal city, but it was huge in terms of space. Compared to the cities of the aristocratic families in the lower realm, Qu Shuang City is a few times larger. If they looked hard enough, they would surely find business opportunities.
“Let’s split here!” He suggested as he looked around the street. He faced the person beside him and instructed, “Yi Qing, you’re good with weapon refinement. Go and find out about immortal weapons; find out how much the raw materials would cost and how sales are carried out.”
“Okay,” Yi Qing replied and nodded.
“Leave the rest of the industries to me. When we meet, we can consider which industry would be most profitable for us. We will gather again in four hours at the entrance of the city. Shen Ying, you can follow…”
Lonemoon turned around subconsciously and found that there was an empty space where Shen Ying had been standing. She was gone without a trace.
“Hey, where is she?”
Yi Qing: “…”
Holy shit! How did that directionless rat get lost while walking next to two other people?!
——————
In a dark alley beside the three main roads.
Over ten men in black robes gathered in the corner of an alley, avoiding the crowd. The leader of the group was giving instructions in a hushed tone, “Once the sun sets, we can carry out our plan. Remember that we are only looking for people. Once you find them, capture them and take them away.”
The group nodded.
“The City Lord has this place heavily guarded. This is a map – remember where you are supposed to search.” With a flick of his wrist, a hologram of a map appeared on the man’s palm. He showed the map to each person in the group and continued, “Wait for my signal before you act. Have you memorised it?”
“I haven’t!” Shen Ying raised her hand slowly.
The leader paused and turned to glare at her. He pushed the map nearer to her face and said impatiently, “You can’t even remember this? Hurry up and memorise it! Who even brought you on this mission?”
“You did!” She looked down at the black robe on her body. He was the one who had pulled her along with him when they were at the gate.
The man hesitated and scanned her from head to toe. He was trying to recall where he had met this person before, but he could not remember. Brushing the matter aside, he pointed to a spot on the map and said, “Hey, you will enter from here later on. The person we’re looking for should be in the courtyard. Do not go into the main house. None of us Earth Immortals will be able to handle the people in there.”
“Oh…” she nodded. And then?
“Remember not to alert anyone else,” he continued. “Once you find the person, retreat. Everyone will meet again in the black forest outside of the city. Someone will receive us.”
“Yes!” Everyone responded in hushed tones.
The leader glanced at the quickly darkening sky and said, “It’s time!” He conjured a seal with his two hands. Within seconds, a transportation array appeared below their feet.
In a blink of an eye, they found themselves in a courtyard. The leader distributed immortal talismans and explained, “This will help to hide your aura. As long as you have this, the Stygian Immortals will not be able to spot you. Let’s set out!”
They all nodded and hid around the courtyard.
The intruder, Shen Ying: “…” Who exactly are we looking for? Should I clarify this with them first?
She looked around her and chose a random direction to set off in. Just as she started to walk, she was pulled back by someone.
“Wait, come back!” The leader was pulling her back and pointing toward his right. “You are supposed to go this way. What’s the matter? Didn’t you study the map several times? Remember not to alert anyone else!”
“Er, actually I’m not- “I’m not one of you, Shen Ying wanted to explain.
The man’s expression changed as he interrupted her, “Someone’s coming! Stick the talisman on yourself and move!” He ran and hid himself from sight
Shen Ying: “…”
She could almost feel Father Niu’s rage!
She looked down at the black robe she was wearing and made a mental note to wear brighter colours the next time she went out so that she would not be mistaken for wearing the uniform of some other criminal organisation.
Of course, something else is more important at the moment – where exactly am I?
Where’s the team? They captured her but didn’t bother to take her along with them?
Shen Ying sighed and turned around to walk out of the arch door on her left. Forget it, I will look for the person myself. She hoped that Father Niu would not cut down her food allowance because of this. From what the person said earlier, she should be fine as long as she didn’t alert…
“Who are you?” Shen Ying heard someone ask just as she walked through the door.
She heard swooshing noises and saw over ten swords formed from Immortal Qi pointing directly at her face.
Shen Ying: “…”
She lifted up the talisman in her hand and stuck it on her chest.
The person: “…”
What’s the point of sticking an Aura-Concealing Talisman on yourself now? Do you think I’m blind?