Volume 8, Chapter 487 – She Once Slaughtered Lü Yi’s Doppelgänger (Part 1)

The Jingtian Sect was located deep within the western mountains of the Wuyun Empire. Though not situated along any major trade routes, it sheltered millions of ordinary civilians under its name, its scale comparable to that of an imperial capital. Truly, it was a sect that functioned as its own city.

Though this was Elder Zuo’s first visit to the Jingtian Sect, as an elder of the Immortal Alliance, he was naturally well-informed about such a formidable immortal sect. The current Jingtian Sect was entirely controlled by the Xiao Clan, it was less of a sect and more of a cultivation family.

The reason for this could be traced back ten thousand years, when an immortal emerged from the Xiao Clan. Since then, descendants who inherited his bloodline had risen to dominance, seizing control of the entire sect.

This being Elder Zuo’s first visit to the Jingtian Sect, and given its immense size, it took him quite some time to locate the sect master’s residence after asking around.

“Halt! Who goes there? State your name!”

A disciple at the gate stepped forward, his tone sharp and demanding.

“This old man is Zuo Bo, an elder of the Immortal Alliance. I have urgent business to discuss with your esteemed sect master. Kindly announce my arrival.”

Elder Zuo maintained a courteous tone as he introduced himself. He knew that the Immortal Alliance’s long-standing control over the cultivation world relied on the support of such immortal sects. Moreover, the current Left Protector of the Immortal Alliance hailed from the Jingtian Sect, so as an elder, he had no right to throw his weight around here.

“An Immortal Alliance elder? Zuo Bo?”

The disciple scrutinized Elder Zuo from head to toe, then questioned skeptically, “I’ve never seen you before!”

“The Immortal Alliance has hundreds of elders, and you’re merely an ordinary disciple of the Jingtian Sect. How could you possibly know all of them?”

Elder Zuo’s breathing grew slightly uneven.

“True, the Immortal Alliance does have over a hundred elders, but most of them frequently visit our sect master. Yet, you do seem unfamiliar. Do you have any proof?”

The disciple remained unmoved, extending his hand expectantly.

“You—!”

Being harassed by a mere gatekeeper tested Elder Zuo’s patience, but in the end, he swallowed his anger. He retrieved the elder’s waist token from his robes and handed it over.

“Wait here.”

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After a cursory glance, the disciple tossed the token back to Elder Zuo with blatant disrespect before heading inside to report.

Elder Zuo’s face darkened with fury. ‘Damn cur, acting high and mighty because of its master’s power!’ Had this happened outside, he would have crushed the insolent disciple without hesitation.’

Before long, the disciple returned and led Elder Zuo inside.

After enduring further humiliation, Elder Zuo was finally granted an audience with Xiao Xi, the sect master of the Jingtian Sect.

Xiao Xi was seated in a garden, sipping tea. His complexion was ruddy, his hair jet-black, and his eyes bright and piercing. At a glance, he appeared to be a middle-aged man in his forties. In truth, everyone in the Wuyun Empire knew he was already three to four hundred years old, around the same age as Elder Zuo. The stark difference in their appearances was due to Xiao Xi’s superior cultivation, having reached the late-stage Divine Realm.

“Sect Master Xiao, you truly have quite the reputation. Even a dignified elder of the Immortal Alliance must endure interrogation to see you.”

Elder Zuo could not suppress his indignation. Though this was his first visit to the Jingtian Sect, he had met its sect master before. After all, the Jingtian Sect ranked among the top five immortal sects in the cultivation world.

“Brother Zuo, please, take a seat. I merely hold myself to strict standards. Given the sect’s vast size, as its leader, I must set an example when receiving guests. If those below me follow suit without discipline, how could we maintain order? I hope Brother Zuo can understand.”

Xiao Xi responded without a hint of shame, his expression unruffled.

“Heh, Sect Master Xiao is indeed a most dutiful sect master.”

Elder Zuo gnashed his teeth but refrained from sitting.

“I do my best. Thanks to my ancestors’ blessings, anyone in my position would fare just as well.”

Xiao Xi feigned humility, though the smugness on his face was unmistakable. The “ancestor” he referred to was, of course, the immortal who had emerged from the Xiao Clan.

Elder Zuo felt as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over his head, instantly cooling his temper. Remembering that he was here to ask for a favor, he forcibly swallowed his pride and took a seat with due decorum.

“Brother Zuo, I believe this is your first visit to our Jingtian Sect. What brings such an esteemed guest here today?”

Xiao Xi poured tea while speaking in a tone laced with sarcasm.

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“Sect Master Xiao, forgive me. As you know, unlike the other elders, I was assigned to oversee the remote Western Radiance Dynasty. Not only is it plagued by trivial matters, but returning to the Central Continent requires immense effort. That’s why I haven’t been able to visit you or your esteemed father until now.”

Elder Zuo offered a polite apology. The “esteemed father” he mentioned was Xiao Xi’s father, the current Supreme Elder of Jingtian Peak. His cultivation had reached the third layer of the Heavenly Tribulation Realm, a level even higher than Lü Dao’s.

“Elder Zuo has endured much hardship.”

Xiao Xi offered a perfunctory compliment.

“Serving the Immortal Alliance is no hardship.”

Elder Zuo clasped his hands respectfully toward the side.

The two then engaged in idle chatter. Xiao Xi knew Zuo Bo wouldn’t visit without a purpose, but since the elder wasn’t in a hurry, why should he be? So he refrained from asking.

As time passed, Elder Zuo finally lost his patience and tentatively inquired, “Where is your son? I haven’t seen him yet.”

“Elder Zuo has business with my son?”

Xiao Xi seemed surprised.

“Not exactly business. Given that your son is one of the top geniuses in the cultivation world today, I naturally wished to witness his brilliance while I’m here.”

Elder Zuo deflected.

“Brother Zuo flatters me. He’s just a junior, what brilliance could he possibly have? I’ll summon him at once.”

Xiao Xi immediately understood and took out a Thousand-Mile Communication Tube to call for his son.

Before long, a young man in his late twenties entered the pavilion. Tall, slender, and handsome, he carried himself with refined elegance, resembling a younger version of Xiao Xi. He looked less like a cultivator and more like a pampered young master from a wealthy family.

“Little Dian, let me introduce you. This is Elder Zuo of the Immortal Alliance.”

Xiao Xi introduced the young man, his son, Xiao Dian, one of the Nine Great Monsters of the cultivation world. His cultivation surpassed even Lü Yi’s, and his youthful appearance was due to the immortal blood flowing through his veins, which allowed him to cultivate with minimal effort.

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“Greetings, Elder Zuo!”

The young man saluted respectfully with clasped fists, his demeanor a stark contrast to Lü Yi’s arrogance.

“Your son truly lives up to his immortal lineage, not only extraordinarily talented but also refined and courteous. Brother Xiao, you’ve raised an outstanding heir.”

Elder Zuo praised sincerely. Compared to Lü Yi, Xiao Dian’s conduct was indeed far superior.

“Thank you for your kind words, Elder Zuo. I, too, am immensely proud of him.”

Xiao Xi made no attempt to conceal his admiration for his son.

“He is indeed outstanding. I wonder which fortunate young lady will have the honor of marrying him someday? By the way, how old is he now? Is he betrothed?”

Elder Zuo seized the opportunity to probe.

“Twenty-eight. As for marriage, we’ll let nature take its course. Cultivators must prioritize cultivation, marriage is a necessity only for mortals.”

Xiao Xi replied noncommittally.

“True, but finding an exceptional partner can yield benefits beyond mere arithmetic. Sometimes, one plus one can be greater than two.”

Elder Zuo offered his own perspective.

“I understand that logic. But as you know, Brother Zuo, there are only a handful of families in the cultivation world with immortal bloodlines. Among the younger generation, only nine have achieved a bloodline purity of ninety percent or higher, and of those, six are male, and only three are female. The gender disparity makes competition fierce. How could he possibly stand out?”

Xiao Xi sighed, his frustration genuine.

“If competition is too fierce, why not broaden his horizons?”

Elder Zuo asked leisurely.

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“Broaden his horizons? What do you mean, Brother Zuo?”

Xiao Xi frowned in confusion.

“To be frank, Sect Master Xiao, in my years as an Immortal Alliance elder, I’ve traveled to many places and encountered numerous outstanding young women. Among them, the one who left the deepest impression was the current top immortal seedling of Yongning Province in the Western Radiance Dynasty, Cheng Hongling.”

Elder Zuo seized the moment to begin his sales pitch.

“Cheng Hongling?”

Xiao Xi and his son exchanged glances, both looking blank.

“Brother Zuo, did I hear correctly? A backwater like the Western Radiance Dynasty has a female cultivator who left such an impression on you?”

Xiao Xi’s tone was dubious.

“I know Sect Master Xiao looks down on cultivators from such remote regions. But if I were to recount her achievements, you might be in for a shock.”

Elder Zuo deliberately paused for effect.

“What achievements?”

Xiao Xi pressed curiously.

“Not long ago, at the Evergreen Conference, this very woman slew Lü Yi’s first doppelgänger.”

Elder Zuo enunciated each word clearly.

“What?! Elder Zuo, are you referring to Lü Yi?!”

For the first time, Xiao Xi’s composure cracked.