Chapter 195: Chapter 195 In the Human World (Part 2)
 

Great Qian Grand Heavenly Master’s Mansion.

Cloud Sun Chief Defender Superior Cao Chengping met with eight newly appointed Guarding Heavenly Masters at the Star Observation Pavilion.

The Superior from Purple Mansion was already very old, his visage withered, skin cracked, white hair falling to the ground, eyes murky and filled with a deathly stillness.

Anyone could tell that he was nearing the end of his life.

Qi Cultivators live a hundred years, Purple Mansion two hundred years, Golden Core five hundred years, Nascent Soul a thousand years.

Although there are various methods to extend life in the world of Immortal Cultivation, it is already remarkable for an ordinary Superior of Purple Mansion to live past two hundred, as cultivating techniques and engaging in battle can both harm one’s lifespan.

For a Superior like Cao Chengping, whose life was not long, to actually serve in the mortal world as a guard was easily associated with two words.

A castaway!

But Cao Chengping was extremely shrewd; he didn’t show the slightest frustration or grievance and appeared very indifferent.

His attitude towards the eight new Heavenly Masters was also very kind.

He earnestly explained the responsibilities and authorities of the Guarding Heavenly Masters to the disciples, as well as important prohibitions.

Immortals are distinct from mortals; as Cloud Sun’s representative in Great Qian, though the power of Guarding Heavenly Master was substantial, it could not be exercised wantonly.

Then, the Superior from Purple Mansion specifically emphasized the importance of collecting spiritual items during their time guarding the area.

There were rewards for turning in spiritual items, including Aperture Opening Pills!

Aperture Opening Pill is a very precious Spirit Pill that helps Qi Cultivators at Great Perfection to break through their mansion.

After consumption, it not only improves the odds of breaking through but also protects the cultivator’s meridians and Dantian.

This way, even if advancement fails, one wouldn’t lose their life.

An Aperture Opening Pill, in the Inner Sect’s Sect Affairs Hall, could be exchanged for as high as ten thousand Merit Points!

And a Qi Cultivator at Great Perfection aiming for mansion breakthrough should prepare more than two Aperture Opening Pills for the highest success rate.

So, hearing that there are Aperture Opening Pills as rewards, many disciples showed eagerness.

For Nobly Clan Disciples like them, although their status was quite prominent, due to reasons of talent and aptitude, it was hard to get a large allocation of resources from their families; receiving one Aperture Opening Pill during their breakthrough was already a blessing from their ancestors.

An Aperture Opening Pill was indeed very precious to them!

Yet, Wang Chen felt somewhat perplexed in secret.

The mortal realm is a Spiritless Land, devoid of the slightest spiritual power from heaven and earth; cultivators who live there long term, without replenishment, will fall in realm.

Why then, are there spiritual items present?

He wanted to ask for clarity, but after Cao Chengping finished explaining, he showed a hint of fatigue and with a flick of his sleeve, said, “You all should stay here tonight, and each of you will take up your posts tomorrow morning.”

Having said that, the Superior from Purple Mansion closed his eyes.

The others couldn’t help but exchange glances.

With Cao Chengping in such a state, no one felt it appropriate to disturb him further, so they followed the lead of the maidservants and left the Star Observation Pavilion to go to their resting places.

Silence soon fell upon the Star Observation Pavilion.

Cao Chengping sat motionless on his meditation cushion, his breath extremely faint, his heart beating only after long intervals.

Half a two hours later, the Superior from Purple Mansion suddenly opened his eyes.

His eyes sparkled with clarity, none of the previous murkiness and darkness, “Come in.”

The room door opened, and a young cultivator came in to kneel down and pay great respects, “Nephew Cao Depeng pays homage to Great-Uncle!”

It was none other than Senior Brother Cao who had come on the same ship as Wang Chen!

In front of Cao Chengping, there wasn’t a trace of his earlier arrogance and insolence; he was extremely respectful and well-behaved.

“Rise.”

Cao Chengping extended his hand in a lifting gesture, “Do you know why I arranged for you to go to Pingbo City?”

Cao Depeng was extremely careful, “This nephew does not know, please enlighten me, Great-Uncle.”

Cao Chengping stood up and said, “Pingbo City borders the sea to the east. Though it is a Prefectural City, it is a gathering place for the three seas’ rare treasures, among which are many spiritual items.”

“I don’t care by what means, but you must secure these spiritual items at all costs, do you understand?”

Cao Depeng hurriedly replied, “Your nephew understands.”

“Actually, you don’t understand.”

Cao Chengping shook his head. “This matter is related to the rise and fall, the very existence of our Cao Clan. Although you are only responsible for a small part of it, there is no room for any slip, do you understand?”

He spoke the same sentence, but this time with a tone both stern and fierce, making the atmosphere in the Star Observation Pavilion suddenly become extremely somber.

Cao Depeng’s back was instantly drenched with sweat, as he once again knelt on the ground: “Your nephew understands!”

“Go then.”

Cao Chengping waved his hand dismissively. “If you encounter any problems, don’t be afraid, I am here for you, so go ahead and do as you please.”

Cao Depeng trembled, “Yes.”

After sending his nephew away, Cao Chengping couldn’t help but shake his head.

The Cao Clan, truly not as good as previous generations, hardly a few decent heirs among them.

But at such a precarious and crucial moment, he had no other choice.

Meanwhile, when Cao Depeng returned to his own residence, there were already five people waiting for him.

In front of these fellow disciples, he immediately perked up: “Don’t worry, everyone. As long as we do our jobs well once we arrive, our grand uncle will take care of us!”

These Inner Sect Disciples were from various Immortal Cultivation families; some were affiliated with the Cao family, others were allies.

Their status was not as high as Cao Depeng’s, so they formed a small group with him as the leader.

After receiving Cao Depeng’s assurance, a few disciples beamed with joy: “Lucky to follow Senior Brother Cao!”

“Senior Brother is generous!”

“Indeed.”

As for their flattering and fawning, Cao Depeng accepted it all, saying with a smile, “Alright, enough of that.”

He asked, “Does anyone know the origins of that Wang Chen fellow?”

One of the disciples hesitated before replying, “I only know he is from Sunset Peak, but for the specifics, we’ll need to send a message home for help with the investigation.”

“Forget it.”

Cao Depeng frowned, “As long as he doesn’t interfere with our affairs, there’s no need to bother with him.”

“But if he doesn’t know his place…”

A fiendish gleam flashed in his eyes, “Among the one hundred twenty-six prefectures of Great Qian, we won’t miss just one Guarding Heavenly Master!”

Cao Depeng spoke with murderous intent, and those around him nodded in unison, with nobody thinking there was anything amiss.

Someone asked, “What about Fei Xinghe?”

“Fei Xinghe?”

Cao Depeng snorted with disdain, “What use is that waste? If I tell him to go east, would he dare to go west?”

“Remember, our opponents are the ones who come in the second batch.”

“We must unite, otherwise these three years will be wasted!”

The crowd took oaths and swore allegiance, declaring their loyalty to Cao Depeng and promising to stand united for a common cause.

The more Cao Depeng listened, the happier he became. He clapped his hands and said, “Come on, let’s go to the best tavern in Qian Capital and savor the flavor of the mortal world, to see the unique spectacles of mundanity!”

In fact, none of them were truly interested in the tastes of the mortal world or its spectacles.

After all, with the difference between Immortals and mortals as vast as daylight to darkness, what attraction could the Spiritless Land hold for Cultivators?

But with Cao Depeng being so enthusiastic, who would be so tactless as to spoil the mood at this moment?

Therefore, they all followed suit and, surrounding him, left the Qian Capital Grand Heavenly Master’s mansion.

————

The second update is here.