99: Chapter 99: The Hidden Trump Card of the Green Snake Clan
[Ding, killed an Early Golden Core stage Cultivator]
[Dao Cultivation +25, evolution points +50]
[Obtained Materials, tiancheng cloth x1]
[tiancheng cloth] An extremely rare material, crafted from Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, created by nature itself, and impossible for humans to Copy. Every piece of tiancheng cloth has its own unique texture and comes with its own unique skill, making it one of a kind in the world.
Xu Qing beckoned, and the green flood dragon ring returned to his hand.
Elder Chen's face was also a bit stiff.
"This Snake fought my way out from among the Yao Beasts."
"Living until now, I have come to understand one truth."
Xu Qing extended a finger as white as a scallion and parted his lips slightly.
"Setting a tiger back to the mountain..."
"...will lead to endless trouble."
Although Xu Qing remained as still as a mountain and his expression was calm.
His entire body was tense; the Xiliang Sword inside him was constantly releasing Sword Qi, and the green tail white hair sword and Jade Ruyi were ready to be summoned at any moment.
Demonic Qi surged continuously within his body.
The pressure Elder Chen exerted on him was far greater than that of the deceased Elder.
Moreover, his Dao Cultivation was much deeper, nearing five hundred years and the Golden Core Middle Stage.
"Why must the Maiden do this?"
"Now that such a thing has happened, this Sect will surely restrain Elder Yang and never let him harm the Maiden again."
Elder Chen sighed and shook his head, a bitter smile on his face.
"This Snake only trusts myself."
"I naturally have immense trust in your Sect's character and promises."
"But This Snake will never place my life in the hands of others."
Xu Qing said so.
Hearing Xu Qing's firm tone, Elder Chen also understood Xu Qing's thoughts.
In any case, Xu Qing had already killed Yang Ling; the die was cast.
It wouldn't be right for them to fuss over a dead man with Xu Qing.
Besides, Yang Ling had brought this upon himself.
Arrogant and overbearing, he had even tried to kill someone.
Since he kicked a steel plate and was killed instead, it seemed no one was to blame.
He could only blame himself.
"Sigh, I will report the matter truthfully to the Sect."
"However, the fault lies with Elder Yang Ling, so the Maiden need not worry."
Elder Chen beckoned, and from where Elder Yang Ling had turned into green smoke, a golden Talisman flew toward him.
On the golden Talisman, it was marked with [Gold-999].
"Damn, I really want that golden core imprint!"
Although Xu Qing already had a golden core imprint, he still really wanted this one.
It was like a license plate number.
Xu Qing naturally wanted a lucky number.
Although there was no difference in rank or value among golden core imprints—only the serial numbers differed.
"Sigh, Gold-999 was originally Elder Xu's imprint."
"Elder Xu was indeed worthy of respect; this golden core imprint has been tarnished."
Elder Chen looked at the imprint and sighed deeply.
The Sect's golden core imprints and nascent soul imprints are passed down from generation to generation, with each imprint representing a succession of inheritors.
Behind every imprint is a story.
The number of golden core imprints and nascent soul imprints determines a Sect's foundation.
"Elder Yang's Storage Pouch shall serve as an apology for offending the Maiden."
"But as for this golden core imprint, the Xuanyun Sect naturally cannot give it to the Maiden."
Xu Qing hadn't expected to get a golden core imprint in the first place.
Even though he really wanted that number 999.
"Elder Chen may dispose of it as he sees fit."
Xu Qing already had the benefit he wanted most.
He had absorbed over sixty years of lifespan, fully replenishing the lifespan he had consumed during this period.
Once his lifespan reached four hundred and fifty years—his current lifespan limit—absorbing more would not increase it further.
This was not unexpected for Xu Qing.
If the Lisheng Green Snake could absorb infinite lifespan, wouldn't that mean immortality?
That is the end of the path of cultivation.
An immortal, eternal, and free celestial—how could such a thing be achieved so easily?
"The Maiden only needs to wait three more days for the Grand Competition."
"However..."
Elder Chen recalled the scene he had just witnessed, where Xu Qing pinned Yang Ling down with his tail.
And then the scene of him slapping him senseless.
"I hope the Maiden can show mercy; after all, they are just juniors."
He already viewed Xu Qing as a peer.
Before, it was only because of the status of the West River Maiden, but now it was due to the recognition of Xu Qing's strength.
"As expected, those who can become legitimate gods are all freaks."
Looking at Xu Qing, Elder Chen couldn't help but think of the Gaoyuan Kingdom's only River God.
"This Snake is quite curious about your Sect's Prodigy Disciples."
Xu Qing had not yet fought a Prodigy of the same rank.
He had fought many Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Central Region across ranks, and it was a gang fight.
Except he was the one being ganged up on.
"Compared to the Maiden, they naturally cannot be considered Prodigies."
"However, the number one person below the Golden Core stage in our Sect, the School's Eldest Disciple, Xu Huafan—the Maiden should pay close attention to him."
Elder Chen seemed to remember something and gave a word of advice.
"Xu Huafan?"
Xu Qing was stunned for a moment.
Was this his namesake in this other world?
"Yes, Xu Huafan is skilled in saber techniques and transformation arts."
"He also knows the Five Elements techniques."
"In particular, he is hiding a special skill, a trump card he prepared for the Sect's Grand Competition."
"It's called the Five Directions Divine Beasts Five Elements Wheel, a Formation that summons the phantoms of the five beasts to fuse the power of the Five Elements."
"It should give the Maiden a surprise."
Just like that, Elder Chen leaked Xu Huafan's trump card to Xu Qing.
"Elder Chen, you're just going to tell This Snake the trump card someone else prepared?"
Xu Qing felt that Elder Chen was being a bit dishonest.
Although it was very kind toward him.
"The Maiden is right. Please don't tell anyone else; after all, it is Xu Huafan's hidden trump card."
Elder Chen said this.
It made Xu Qing feel something was a bit off.
"Who did Elder Chen hear this from?"
"Elder Hu. He and Xu Huafan's Revered Master are good friends."
"Speaking of which, Elder Hu seemed to have told me not to spread this matter."
Elder Chen explained.
Thinking about it this way, it was likely reliable.
However, he felt that within a certain circle, this trump card seemed to have already spread.
"Then Maiden, this Elder takes his leave."
Elder Chen flew away.
Afterward, the Xuanyun Sect indeed did not cause trouble for Xu Qing.
After all, Xu Qing was in the right regarding this matter.
He waited until the third day, the day of the Sect's Grand Competition.
Only then was Xu Qing approached by a Disciple and led to the Xuanyun Sect's Training Ground.
The Training Ground looked like a flattened mountain peak. Above the churning sea of clouds, Disciples were competing with each other.
In the very center was a massive Arena, covered by a transparent Formation flowing with runes.
It looked like an inverted bowl.
Xu Qing's arrival immediately attracted many gazes.
After all, his half-human, half-snake appearance was truly eye-catching.
Besides him, another person also attracted many gazes.
That person wore a tight-fitting black robe, carried a long saber and a short saber on his back, had a cold expression, and had both hands wrapped in bandages.
His long hair was disheveled, even covering his left eye.
He seemed... full of chuunibyou vibes.
"Ah, it's Senior Brother Xu!"
"Senior Brother Xu is here!"
"Let me tell you a secret, Senior Brother Xu has prepared a trump card this time."
"It's called the Five Directions Divine Beasts Five Elements Great Wheel, a Formation that gathers the phantoms of the five Divine Beasts and fuses the power of the Five Elements. Its killing power is immense!"
Hearing the comments of the Disciples around him, the corners of Xu Qing's mouth twitched.
"The Hidden Trump Card"