18

CHAPTER 50
The Awakening Opportunity
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Cheng Liang had intended to feign ignorance, but decided against it. He simply asked directly.

"Master, are you aware of the Ling Mountain Tournament in a month? I imagine that young lady Chen Meng will surely attend, correct?"

"You mean… killing her on the tournament grounds?"

Pei Ling smiled without answering, merely slipping a small object into Cheng Liang's hand and giving him a wink.

Cheng Liang stared at the object in his palm, his face frozen in shock. This…

"This is cheating, isn't it?"

Cheng Liang stared at Pei Ling in disbelief. The woman before him seemed transformed—she wasn't like this before!

"To combat evil that stops at nothing, how can ordinary means suffice?"

Inside Lingxian Hall, Xu Zhanfeng was led by Ye Qinghan to the Main Hall.

He tremblingly knelt and performed the grand bow. Only after Ye Qinghan signaled him did Xu Zhanfeng raise his head.

"Rise. Let's discuss business. It must be inconvenient for you to continue acting in this form. Since you've joined Lingxian Hall, the items on the table beside you are yours."

Su Cheng, engrossed in calligraphy practice, spoke casually as Ye Qinghan beside him also motioned for Xu Zhanfeng to rise.

Xu Zhanfeng hadn't fully processed Su Cheng's words yet, but upon catching sight of the several immortal artifacts on the table, he froze in shock before hastily kneeling again, attempting to decline.

"Since the Master has given them to you, accept them. Just serve the Master diligently from now on." Ye Qinghan, with the composure of a Su family daughter-in-law, smiled to ease Su Cheng's awkwardness.

Ye Qinghan knew her master was awkward in such situations, so it was up to her to speak up.

Xu Zhanfeng bowed deeply once more: "Thank you, Master! Thank you, Grandmistress! Zhanfeng will not betray Lingxian Hall, nor the kindness and trust shown by the Grandmaster and Grandmistress!"

"Henceforth, you shall serve as steward of Lingxian Hall. Should you require anything, seek out Qinghan directly—no need for formalities."

Su Cheng still didn't turn his head. It wasn't that he was aloof; he genuinely didn't know how to face a charred corpse banging its head on the ground before him…

When Su Cheng had taken Ye Qinghan under his wing, she had performed only one formal bow. Ye Qinghan understood propriety well; unless she was cultivating or sleeping in, she would come to pay her respects at fixed times each day, bowing deeply.

But even Su Cheng found this level of fervor somewhat overwhelming…

What Su Cheng didn't know was that Xu Zhanfeng's initial reverence stemmed from fear for his own life. But now, his fervor was genuine—he was truly moved…

Indeed, with the First Lady showing such reverence toward the Master, the Old Master truly was a god descended from heaven. Those two hundred taels! They weren't given in vain! It was a newcomer's value-packed perk!

After that, Ye Qinghan led Xu Zhanfeng into the courtyard, not wanting him to disturb her master's calligraphy practice. After all, her master's handwriting had improved significantly these past few days!

At least it was far superior to his earlier cursive script!

"This is the immortal medicine your master prepared for you. After consuming it, within an hour, you will be able to reshape your physical body."

Ye Qinghan pointed to the small vial on the table. As usual, even the container itself was of the highest celestial grade, radiating potent spiritual energy and Taoist essence!

"Here is the steward's jade pendant. Take it. Otherwise, I'll have to come fetch you every time, which is rather troublesome."

Xu Zhanfeng gazed at the jade pendant, which bore a striking resemblance to his late grandmother. Were it not for his eyes being unable to shed a single tear, he would likely be weeping bitterly at that moment!

However, this jade pendant lacked the authority to access Wan Yue Pavilion's treasures. Beyond granting entry to Lingxian Hall, its functions were limited to communicating with Ye Qinghan and storing a few rare treasures.

"This is the blade your master gave you. Throw away that useless junk you have—it's practically worthless."

As Ye Qinghan spoke, she summoned a decapitation blade from the jade pendant, towering nearly as tall as herself. Its blood-red blade gleamed with terrifying sharpness, sending a chill down one's spine.

【Dragon Abyss God-Slaying Blade (Immortal Grade, Supreme Quality)】

Xu Zhanfeng watched coldly as Ye Qinghan tossed the blade to him. His emotions were beyond words, leaving him utterly speechless.

"The celestial treasures needed for cultivation are inside the jade pendant. If you run out, come find me. The rest of the items are yours to sort through."

At the same time, within the Lingxian Hall, Su Cheng received a system notification.

【Congratulations, Host. Number of Villainous Forces under your command +1】

【Xu Zhanfeng, possessing the cultivation level of a Fusion Stage cultivator, has been accepted as an attendant of Lingxian Hall. System rewards as follows.】

[Mysterious Technique (Xu Zhanfeng) ×1, System Points ×10,000, Host Cultivation +5.]

【Lingxian Hall upgraded to Lv2. Lingchi Hall now upgradeable, unlocking alchemy furnace and sword forging furnace blueprints.】

【System Store upgraded to Lv2, Library Hall unlocked.

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