Chapter 72: Was It a Trap?

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Qin Yue said, “Please, Master, speak!”
Ling Jinsong began, “First of all, about the Bamboo Garden—how much do you know?”
Qin Yue replied earnestly, “To tell the truth, I still can’t be sure whether I’m truly an heir of the Bamboo Garden. I grew up with my grandfather, who taught me cultivation and all I know about plants and herbs. Even on his deathbed, he said nothing about it.”
Ling Jinsong asked, “Then how did you catch the attention of the great demon in Demon Beast Valley?”
Qin Yue was somewhat embarrassed. “My grandfather once said that my abilities were enough to make a living in the martial world. After I left home, I met Hu Yan, and she brought me into Jin Kingdom’s Bureau of Bandit Suppression. There was a bounty from Demon Beast Valley, so out of curiosity, I got involved. Because I could identify rare medicinal herbs, I accidentally stole one of Feng Li’s spirit herbs…”
Qin Yue’s account was mostly true, with a hint of fabrication, but to Ling Jinsong, it sounded vivid and genuine, even making him chuckle.
No one outside would ever imagine that Mr. Qin became a favored guest in Demon Beast Valley simply because he once stole a medicinal herb.
Ling Jinsong was finally reassured about Qin Yue’s identity.
Previously, Qin Yue’s attitude toward the people of the Ice Abyss had made him suspect whether this young man knew the truth behind the Bamboo Garden massacre all those years ago—and as fellow wanderers, empathized, thus feeling sympathy for those condemned from the Ice Abyss.
Now it seemed he was simply a kind-hearted, passionate, and impulsive youth.
“In that case, your grandfather may have inherited the Bamboo Garden legacy—or perhaps not. After all, there is more than one agricultural sect in the world.”
Qin Yue nodded, somewhat helpless. “Everyone says so, and I can’t really refute it. Honestly, I have no attachment to a sect that vanished from history long ago.”
Ling Jinsong pondered, gazing at Qin Yue, “Do you wish, someday, to reach the Third Realm and become a true immortal?”
Qin Yue answered without hesitation, “Of course I do!”
Then he sighed softly. “But you may overestimate me, Master. I’m nowhere near achieving perfection in the First Realm, let alone pursuing the Third.”
Ling Jinsong smiled faintly. “Do you know that there were many considered dull and foolish in this world—people whom no one expected much from—who ultimately became immortals?”
Qin Yue was surprised. “Did they have some fortuitous encounter?”
Ling Jinsong replied, “Some did, others simply followed the right person—when one ascends, even the dogs and chickens follow.”
He looked at Qin Yue with gentle eyes. “Yue Mingxi and my eldest son, Ling Kun, have both sought you out, haven’t they?”
Qin Yue nodded.
“Ling Kun, let’s set aside—his few special spirit herbs, even if they evolve, are unlikely to support a climb any higher. But Yue Mingxi’s Enlightenment Tree is quite remarkable; it was once an immortal seed, but fell to the mortal realm and lost its power. This world is not an immortal gate; to restore it is no easy feat.”
Ling Jinsong spoke solemnly, “But here, I possess a truly supreme treasure herb, infinitely close to immortal grade! If you succeed in evolving it, I promise you a share in its future power—and your status in the sect will be unmatched!”
After confiding in me, sharing a trove of secrets from the cultivation world, here comes the grand promise—the ultimate goal, of course, is immortality.
Qin Yue considered this, then rose with a serious expression and cupped his hands. “Thank you for Master’s trust. I will do my utmost!”
Ling Jinsong laughed heartily. “I still owe you a meal. Today, it’s just the two of us—let’s drink until we’re satisfied!”
He smiled at Qin Yue. “Don’t try to fool me with the excuses you gave my silly son. Maybe you truly avoid women, but I’m sure your claim of poor drinking ability is a lie!”
Qin Yue chuckled as well, though inside he grew more cautious; this seemingly youthful elder was a truly cunning old fox—not even trusting his own son, and making no effort to hide from me that he has spies on that side.
“All right, I’ll drink with you, Master!”
The Art of Stealing and Transmuting—what once seemed merely a method for siphoning energy, now revealed endless wonders!

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The true essence is not in the “stealing,” but in the “substituting.”
Just this point—after his recent immersion in books and frequent exchanges with Old Yu—Qin Yue was nearly certain that his ability was exceedingly rare in the world.
Whether it was Yue Mingxi, Ling Kun, or even the sect master before him, all needed this power.
And to such figures, they cared little about how their goals were achieved.
Some keep heretical cultivators, some practice forbidden arts—life is as cheap as grass—all in pursuit of immortality.
Yue Mingxi only wants his Enlightenment Tree to evolve; he wouldn’t mind ruining his entire medicinal garden for it.
Ling Jinsong and his son Ling Kun are no different!
They see only what they desire; everything else is irrelevant.
Yet their dreams will never come true through me. He and this mongrel sect are destined never to be family.
Qin Yue would give them not even a taste of success—only let them see hope.
—Just one more step, and you’ll make it!
As sect master, Ling Jinsong personally ordered the meal, so its quality was far from what Ling Kun grumbled about.
Extremely rare spiritual delicacies adorned the table—
Golden Cicada, a superb spirit insect that buries itself deep in the earth for a century before molting. Its “harvesting season” lasts less than a month, and it holds life energy comparable to precious medicine!
Red Blood Locust, which greatly enhances flesh vitality.
Xuanming Scorpion, an exceptionally rare poisonous creature. Properly prepared, regular consumption renders one nearly immune to toxins!
These dishes, Qin Yue had only heard of, never seen. Besides these, other rare mountain delicacies combined both spiritual essence and exquisite flavor.
Only upon seeing the table did Qin Yue realize why the Zhaoyang Sect kept so many exotic beasts and birds…
Ling Jinsong’s wine was even more extraordinary.
Golden amber in hue, poured into a crystal glass, it seemed almost viscous and exuded a tempting aroma.
“This wine is brewed by mountain spirit monkeys, fermented naturally from dozens of different supreme spirit fruits. We tried to replicate it, but never matched the taste, so each year, only a few dozen pounds can be obtained.”
Ling Jinsong raised his glass and said to Qin Yue, “You are young and talented—cultivate and develop within the sect. Someday, when you step into the Third Realm and ascend to the immortal world, I will still protect you as I do now, ensuring your life remains carefree.”
Such fine words, but the reality was simply that he wanted to make Qin Yue his subordinate—his trusted protégé.
Qin Yue raised his glass, stood respectfully, and said, “Thank you for Master’s favor. I’ll drink it all—please, at your leisure!”
No servitude, no sacrifice; the talented young man who hides his edge and keeps his pride in check raises caution.
A bit of arrogance, a few harmless flaws, make others feel safer.
He downed the “Golden Monkey Wine” in one gulp. The cool, sweet liquid flowed down his throat, and a surge of powerful life energy spread instantly through his body.
Though it barely tasted of alcohol, his blood heated up, and his flesh vitality soared!
“Excellent wine!” he exclaimed, pouring himself another.

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Ling Jinsong’s eyes flashed with pain, but his face remained smiling. “If you like it, I’ll send some home with you later.”
“Such generosity, Master—I won’t be shy!” Qin Yue raised his glass. “Come, let me toast you!”
They ate and talked; despite the heavy pressure in his heart, Qin Yue appeared perfectly natural, even taking the initiative to inquire about details of the attack on Tianluo Sect.
“You just spoke of it yesterday—how did it end so quickly?”
Ling Jinsong picked up a golden cicada, chewed slowly, then sighed. “Tianluo Sect underwent a major event a few years ago, splitting from within.”
He set down his chopsticks and gently sipped his wine. “Before, we couldn’t pinpoint its location. This time, after much effort, we finally discovered the exact site of Tianluo Sect’s gate—only for some of their members to inform the immortals in advance.”
“I told you before—even immortals covet many things in the mortal realm. This time, among those from the immortal gates, many are probably only Second Realm human immortals.”
“A sect like Tianluo, with a thousand-year heritage, must have no shortage of treasures—even immortals would be tempted.”
Qin Yue asked, “So they got there first?”
Ling Jinsong nodded, then smiled. “But from the latest news I’ve received, it seems those people didn’t gain much. Several groups acted at once, and though the results were impressive…”
His smile broadened, clearly gloating. “The valuable cultivation resources at Tianluo Sect’s gate were probably moved out long ago. Only the former sect master, the saintess, and some ancient secluded elders remained—and it seems the former sect master and saintess managed to escape. The current female sect master also led her people into the depths of Evil Spirit Stream after fierce battle…”
My unseen master and the saintess escaped? Senior Sister Mu Xingruo is also safe?
The news gave Qin Yue a jolt of spirit, though he outwardly looked regretful. “If some escaped, can it be called the destruction of a sect?”
Ling Jinsong considered. “From one perspective, yes—it’s destroyed. They had a supreme spiritual vein, a small world like ours, but now that it’s been breached, rebuilding would be very difficult. But from another angle, with both former and current sect masters and the saintess escaped, there’s always hope for revival.”
Ling Jinsong murmured softly, “I even suspect this was a life-and-death gambit—a flaw deliberately exposed by the mysterious current female sect master!”
Qin Yue was shocked. “Would anyone really lure enemies to attack their own sect?”
Ling Jinsong replied, “If the rumors from years ago are true and Tianluo Sect split within, perhaps this was the current sect master’s way of clearing out those elders she couldn’t touch herself.”
“Borrowing others’ hands to destroy her own enemies?” Qin Yue thought, Isn’t that exactly what I’m doing now?
Ling Jinsong nodded. “It’s just conjecture, but judging by the outcome, it seems very likely. Otherwise, how could such an ancient sect have nothing of value left? And if she wasn’t prepared, someone as conspicuous as Feng Qianning could never have escaped!”
“These matters are truly complex,” Qin Yue sighed.
“Haha, you are pure and kind—best suited to cultivate quietly under the protection of masters.”
“I’ll rely on you in the future, then, Master!”
“We’re all family…”
They drank and chatted—discussing cultivation, Ling Jinsong spoke of reaching the thirteenth layer of the Void and entering the Micro Realm, while the sect once had a genius who reached fifteen layers. Now, Chu Wanqing had reached the fourteenth, which earned her the title of saintess.
Qin Yue requested a spirit-testing stone, saying he’d strive to surpass the ninth layer; Ling Jinsong gladly agreed.
They drank late into the night. Qin Yue, full and satisfied, departed aboard the sect master’s spirit vessel, carrying a dozen pounds of Golden Monkey Wine and a spirit-testing stone.