Chapter 18: Absolute Spiritual Rhinoceros
Upon hearing Xu Zhengyang’s confusion,
Pei Zhen then timely explained to Xu Zhengyang,
“Spirit Canal’s Chen family rebuilt on the ruins of a body-cultivation sect, forming an immortal cultivation clan. Though that body-cultivation sect had long been reduced to ashes, its ruins nonetheless retained a ‘Spirit-Prohibiting Formation’.
This formation can isolate from heavenly and earthly spiritual energy, creating a prohibition zone spanning up to a hundred miles.
Within this forbidden realm,
no matter how high your cultivation, you cannot draw even the slightest bit of spiritual power—as if you were a mortal!
Precisely because of this, the Spirit Canal Chen family took advantage of this special locale to rear a spirit beast called the ‘Absolute Spiritual Rhinoceros’.
This Absolute Spiritual Rhinoceros is cunning by nature and timid in disposition; it only lives within the expanse of cut-off spiritual energy.
If even the tiniest ripple of spiritual energy appears around it, or if it is startled,
it will immediately feign death and enter dormancy — not waking for at least ten years!
The specialty product of the Chen family, is the horn of this Absolute Spiritual Rhinoceros.
That item is quite wondrous.
If an alchemist mixes even a bit of ground Absolute Spiritual Rhinoceros horn powder when refining pills, it can boost the success rate of all pills below Tier 2 by thirty percent!
Because of that, this item has always been an important tribute to our True Essence Sect.
Next month is the annual mating season of the Absolute Spiritual Rhinoceros.
If the Chen family cannot deal with that Tier 1 peak spirit beast before its mating period,
I'm afraid our sect will be unable to receive their tribute of spirit-rhinoceros horn next year.
Although the Chen family patriarch does possess late Foundation Establishment cultivation and could be considered a local powerhouse, he himself is not a body-cultivator, so even entering the forbidden zone is useless.
That’s why, when that Tier 1 peak spirit beast escaped into their domain, the Chen family patriarch, though powerful in cultivation, had no means to act and could only stand by helplessly.
With no choice, the Chen patriarch had to seek our help.
Since our True Essence Sect receives tribute from the Chen family, when problems arise, naturally we must step in to resolve them.”
Having said so much in one breath,
Pei Zhen raised the tea cup and took a sip, then continued,
“Ah Zheng, you’ve also been cultivating the Mysterious Mechanism Art. Since that’s the case, you and your junior brother Yang should take a trip there.”
Xu Zhengyang was not like Yang Hong, who would puff himself up and put on a brave face.
This matter clearly already exceeded his abilities, so Xu Zhengyang resolutely refused,
“Master, please forgive me! I have trained in the Mysterious Mechanism Art for only a little over a month—my foundation is shallow, my cultivation still weak. If I recklessly move to subdue a demon beast, I’m afraid I would jeopardize the mission! It would be a small matter if I died. But if, due to my lack of skill, I bring shame upon the sect, even if I were to die ten thousand deaths… I could not escape blame!”
“Ha ha ha ha!”
Pei Zhen heard this and laughed heartily, then said,
“It’s rare that you have such self-awareness.”
Pei Zhen deliberately emphasized the four words ‘self-awareness’ heavily.
He then glanced proudly at Chen Qiang before continuing to Xu Zhengyang,
“Spirit Canal’s Chen family is a matter of great importance—they naturally won’t send only young disciples like you. To resolve that Tier 1 peak demon beast discreetly, without alerting the herd of Absolute Spiritual Rhinoceros,
there are very few people in all of Qingzhou who can accomplish this. It just so happens…”
“Your Uncle-Master Chen has that ability. I’ve already discussed it with your Uncle-Master Chen. This time, he’ll take you along. On the road, if you encounter any problems in martial cultivation, feel free to ask your Uncle-Master Chen for guidance!”
Hearing this, Xu Zhengyang stared blankly at Pei Zhen, thinking to himself, ‘What’s going on? Isn’t Master on bad terms with Elder Chen? Why would he let me go out with Elder Chen? Isn’t he afraid that…’
Chen Qiang seemed to notice the confusion in Xu Zhengyang’s heart.
He snorted coldly and then patiently explained, “Hmph, your Master just gave Divine Mechanism Peak’s Fire Chamber’s shares to our Mysterious Mechanism Peak—thirty-six portions. For the sake of these Fire Chambers, if you have any questions about martial cultivation, just ask me. As long as it’s something I know, this old man will answer everything without holding back!”
Pei Zhen smiled slightly and gave Xu Zhengyang another reassurance, saying, “Elder Chen has just sworn by his Dao Heart. Just follow him without worry. Aside from answering your questions, after dealing with the Tier 1 peak demonic beast in the Chen family’s forbidden zone,
half of the Tier 1 supreme Blood Pill refined from its flesh and blood will be yours.”
“Master…”
Xu Zhengyang was deeply moved upon hearing this.
He hadn’t expected that, for the sake of his cultivation, Pei Zhen would set aside his pride and reconcile with his old rival, Chen Qiang.
He had even voluntarily ceded part of the Divine Mechanism Peak’s earth-fire spiritual vein.
Thinking of this,
Xu Zhengyang immediately made a solemn promise to Pei Zhen, “This disciple will not let Master down!”
“Mm.”
Pei Zhen nodded, then took out a storage pouch and handed it to Xu Zhengyang, saying, “Your Uncle-Master Chen is about to depart. I’ve already prepared everything you’ll need for the journey. Take it.”
“Thank you, Master!” Xu Zhengyang said.
After receiving the storage pouch, Xu Zhengyang swept it with his divine sense.
Inside the storage pouch,
besides stacks of common talismans, there were also standard pills such as Fasting Pills and Detoxification Pills.
In addition to that,
Pei Zhen had even packed things like a tent, fresh water, and firewood for Xu Zhengyang...
Everything that Xu Zhengyang might need,
Pei Zhen had stuffed it all in there!
Although the items in this storage pouch weren’t valuable, they clearly demonstrated Pei Zhen’s deep care and affection for Xu Zhengyang.
“Master…”
Even though Xu Zhengyang had lived two lives, he couldn’t help but choke up a little at this moment.
Then,
Xu Zhengyang solemnly said to Pei Zhen, “This disciple will train diligently and strive to break through my realm as soon as possible, taking up the burden of the Divine Mechanism lineage and repaying Master’s kindness!”
“Foolish child.”
Pei Zhen smiled and stroked his beard, saying, “With that resolve, no matter how far you go in the future, your Master will be content.”
“Hmph, a grown man acting like a little girl!”
Seeing this, Chen Qiang said sourly, then interrupted the touching moment between Pei Zhen and Xu Zhengyang gruffly, “There’s no time to waste. That Chen family patriarch is probably already getting impatient. Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go. We’re setting off right now!”
As he spoke,
Chen Qiang smacked Yang Hong on the back of the head in frustration and led the way out of the Divine Mechanism Palace.
“Master, why did you hit me?” Yang Hong asked in confusion.
Seeing Yang Hong’s clueless face and thinking of Xu Zhengyang again...
Chen Qiang grew even more frustrated and said with a tone of helpless disappointment, “Hurry up and follow!”
“Oh, okay.”
Yang Hong quickly jogged to catch up behind Chen Qiang.
The current situation was just like when Xu Zhengyang in his past life had been seconded to another department.
In this kind of situation, the most important thing was not to offend the new leader.
So when Xu Zhengyang saw Chen Qiang getting annoyed, he didn’t dare waste time and quickly bid farewell to Pei Zhen, saying, “This disciple takes his leave!”
“Mm.”
Pei Zhen nodded and gave Xu Zhengyang one final reminder, “As long as the green hills remain, there’ll be no shortage of firewood. Always remember, in all things, your life takes precedence!”
“Mm.”
While chasing after Chen Qiang, Xu Zhengyang turned his head and replied, “This disciple will remember!”