Chapter Twelve: Disguise

Yingxue’s whip carried no magical power, yet as a mid-grade magical weapon, had Ge Qian not cultivated the Mountain Shifting Art, that single lash could have left him a cripple with broken bones and torn muscles. Spoiled and willful, Yingxue always struck with ruthless force; in her eyes, anyone being punished here was nothing but trash. Even if she accidentally beat him to death, no one would pursue the matter. As for whether he was willing, she simply didn’t believe it. Having struck him, she still intended to gather herbs.

“Stop right there. Don’t think that just because you’re powerful, you can do whatever you want. I’ve already said, let me help Senior Sister pick the herbs. Elder Cui has said no one is allowed inside. I really have no choice!” Ge Qian pushed himself up from the ground and spoke.

“Don’t try to intimidate me with Elder Cui’s name. Let me tell you, you’re just useless trash, and I’m a genius of the Celestial Star Sect. Even if I kill you, no one will care, understand? Move aside, or I won’t hold back,” Yingxue snapped, her brows raised and almond-shaped eyes wide, clearly furious.

Lu Xin watched with a look of disdain, his manner detached and unconcerned.

Ge Qian’s heart tightened. The witch’s words made a cruel kind of sense—the elders of the sect wouldn’t care whether he lived or died. But if he just let this go, then he’d have suffered that beating for nothing.

Yingxue flicked her wrist; the Tiger Whip howled through the air. Ge Qian braced himself, channeling his energy. Even before the whip struck, he felt his skin burn as if scorched by oil and fire—this blow was clearly much stronger than the first.

In the blink of an eye, Ge Qian appeared not to dodge, and as the whip landed, tearing his flesh, he let himself fall to the ground, feigning unconsciousness.

This way, even if Elder Cui investigated, he couldn’t be blamed for dereliction of duty—he had been beaten unconscious while defending the herb garden with his life.

Sure enough, seeing Ge Qian lying motionless, Yingxue cursed, “Useless fool, acting tough with me? You deserved this beating!”

“Junior Sister, your whip skills have improved again—striking just right, not killing him but stopping him from interfering with our herb gathering, and teaching him a good lesson. I’m thoroughly impressed!” Lu Xin flattered her eagerly.

Yingxue laughed. “Senior Brother, you always know what to say. Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s go pick herbs!”

With that, she strode toward the garden.

“Stop!” came a voice. “You young ones grow more insolent by the day. Do you still have any respect for me as an Elder?” It was Elder Cui.

He emerged from his cave, hands clasped behind his back, strolling over. The oppressive force of a Foundation Establishment cultivator bore down unrestrained, pressing upon Yingxue and Lu Xin.

To reach Foundation Establishment was to truly lay the groundwork for the path of cultivation—one’s lifespan doubled, attaining two hundred years. To use an analogy, the Qi Absorption stage was like a babbling child, while Foundation Establishment was the invincible prime of youth. The difference was immense. This pressure, rooted in the soul, struck terror within. The once arrogant and overbearing Yingxue and Lu Xin now lay prostrate on the ground like mud.

If a Qi Absorption disciple was disrespectful to one in Foundation Establishment, it was a grave crime; Foundation Establishment cultivators could kill Qi Absorption disciples at will—such was the right of the Celestial Star Sect’s elders.

Though even a dog’s life might depend on its master, this herb garden’s elder was eccentric and unpredictable, impervious to reason or persuasion.

At the brink of life and death, Yingxue’s haughty temper vanished without a trace; Lu Xin, even more so, regretted not staying home cultivating instead of seeking trouble here.

Lu Xin, ever slippery, kowtowed repeatedly. “Elder, we know our mistake. We won’t dare again. Please, be magnanimous and forgive us!”

“Hmph. So you still expect a next time? Let me tell you, don’t ever come to my herb garden again!” Elder Cui declared.

“Yes, yes, we know our mistake and won’t return. Please accept our apologies,” Lu Xin said hurriedly.

Elder Cui’s eyes narrowed. “You two know very well whom you should be apologizing to, and it’s not me.” He glanced at the “unconscious” Ge Qian.

Cold sweat broke out on Ge Qian’s forehead; he dared not move, terrified his little ruse would be discovered.

Lu Xin had no choice but to go over, lift Ge Qian up, and pry open his mouth to stuff in a Minor Rejuvenation Pill, muttering inwardly at his rotten luck. He was loath to use such a precious healing pill, worth more than two Bone Cleansing Pills and life-saving in critical moments, yet now this worthless fool was getting it for free.

Elder Cui watched with a half-smile. Lu Xin cursed inwardly—today he’d let this bastard profit, but there would come a day when he’d repay the debt. Yingxue’s murderous gaze bore into Ge Qian; if not for Elder Cui’s presence, she would have whipped him to death on the spot.

Ge Qian, unsure what pill had been forced upon him, thought it wasteful for such minor wounds, so he swiftly hid it under his tongue.

Slowly opening his eyes, he got up and said, “Elder, this disciple is incompetent, unable to protect the herb garden. Please punish me.”

“What are you two waiting for? Apologize and be gone!” Elder Cui addressed Lu Xin and Yingxue.

Lu Xin signaled to Yingxue—a real hero knows when to retreat, and Elder Cui couldn’t guard the garden forever. There would be opportunities for revenge.

He cupped his fists to Ge Qian. “It’s all our fault. Junior Sister’s just a little impatient, no malice intended. Your dedication to duty is admirable. I apologize.”

Ge Qian smiled calmly. “A misunderstanding, nothing to dwell on.”

Yingxue, reluctant and stiff, muttered, “Sorry, Junior Brother.”

“No trouble at all,” Ge Qian replied, though he smiled bitterly inside. He knew he’d made enemies of these two disasters and would have to be constantly wary. Should his strength improve, he would not let them off.

“In recognition of Elder Hong crafting a furnace for me, Ge Qian, go and gather the herbs as listed for them,” Elder Cui said after a moment’s thought.

Ge Qian dared not delay and hurried off. Yingxue finally breathed a sigh of relief—at least the old man had given her master some face, or she’d have faced punishment upon her return.

Soon, Ge Qian returned with a sack full of spirit herbs and handed it to Yingxue. She snatched it, glaring venomously at him, and then she and Lu Xin bowed to Elder Cui before slinking away from the garden.

Elder Cui said, “Ge Qian, after observing you this past month, I’ve found your aptitude average, but your mind is meticulous, you’re hardworking, and above all, responsible. I am about to enter seclusion to study alchemy. You will tend the herb garden for six years, until I emerge. Do you accept?”

Ge Qian hadn’t expected this outcome and immediately promised to do his utmost.

Elder Cui continued, “As a reward for your stewardship, I will teach you the art of alchemy. This jade slip contains alchemical techniques. How much you can comprehend depends on your own fortune. Some of the lesser spirit herbs here may be used for your practice. And this low-grade cauldron is yours.”

With that, he tossed the jade slip and cauldron to Ge Qian. For the first time since entering the Celestial Star Sect, someone had looked past his reputation, let alone imparted him a true path.

Ge Qian fell to his knees, tears in his eyes. “Master, allow your disciple to pay his respects!”

Mortal Path to Immortality, Chapter Twelve: Disguise—End of Update!