Chapter 9: Third Elder
Chapter 9: Third Elder
Several hours later, on a desolate mountain hundreds of miles away from the Tang Family, Tang Xingchi and Tang Huaxi were leisurely chatting there.
Not far from the two, Tang Jinbiao was curled on the ground like a stray dog, shivering constantly all over his body.
Although no wounds could be seen on his body, it was clear that he had suffered a great deal of torment.
“Aah… aah…”
Tang Jinbiao kept moaning, but apart from making hoarse sounds, it was impossible to hear what he was saying, clearly the “credit” of Tang Huaxi and Tang Xingchi.
“Hmph, keeping such trash in our Tang Family is just a waste of resources,” Looking at Tang Jinbiao’s painful state, Tang Xingchi spoke without showing any emotion. “It’d be better to sell him directly to the Corpse Dao Sect to be refined into a corpse. But looking at his body, it’s too weak—at best, it can only serve as fodder for those Corpse Kings.”
“Huh?”
After hearing Tang Xingchi say that, a hint of disgust flashed across Tang Huaxi’s face. He spoke as if displeased: “Xingchi, don’t talk like that from now on. Right now, it’s only us two brothers, so naturally nothing matters much. But if outsiders hear it and report it to the Elders, your life wouldn’t even be enough to pay for it. The Corpse Dao Sect belongs to evil heretics—how can they compare to our Tang Family? Besides, although Tang Jinbiao is useless now, Third Elder can withstand the wrath of his parents. Don’t forget, he has an older brother!”
“Tang… Tang… Tang Ni!”
Upon hearing Tang Huaxi’s words, Tang Xingchi trembled involuntarily and spoke Tang Ni’s name with fear.
“Hmm, it’s good that you still remember,” Tang Huaxi said with some pride on his face. “If Tang Ni hadn’t transcended early, what would those so-called geniuses of the Divine Wind Continent amount to? Compared to Tang Ni, they are like the glow of a candle next to the radiance of the full moon. Even those old monsters who have lived for thousands of years are nothing in front of that person. Hmph, it’s like they wasted their years on a dog’s life!”
After all, Tang Ni was also part of the Tang Family. Although there were many internal conflicts, facing someone of the same generation who was far stronger didn’t cause jealousy but admiration.
As the saying goes: If someone is inferior to you, you look down on them; if someone is like you, you compare yourself to them secretly; if someone is just a little better, you envy them; but if someone is far superior, you only worship them.
“But tell me,” After a while, Tang Xingchi’s face relaxed somewhat, and he voiced his doubts. “Did Tang Ni truly succeed in the Tribulation Transcendence? That Heavenly Tribulation was too terrifying—I was knocked unconscious immediately and saw nothing.”
“I don’t know either,” Tang Huaxi said with lingering fear. “But I guess he probably didn’t succeed, since the Heavenly Tribulation’s power was too great. I heard the Great Elder and some Soul Refinement old monsters watching from afar couldn’t withstand the pressure. Everyone fainted, and afterward the Great Elder looked displeased. He kept the matter quiet—Tang Ni likely perished. After all, he was only fifteen then, and his cultivation level was merely at Core Formation Stage. If I’m right, even the Great Elder couldn’t handle a hint of that Heavenly Tribulation without risking his life.”
“Indeed,” Tang Huaxi added. “Even the Great Elder couldn’t withstand that Heavenly Tribulation!”
Just then, an aged voice came from the distance.
“Greetings, Third Elder!”
“Hail, Third Elder!”
Upon hearing the voice, Tang Huaxi and Tang Xingchi jolted to attention and bowed respectfully.
“Hmm, rise,” said the elder, descending gracefully before them. “This time, you two youngsters did well to bring this waste out without alerting his parents. You did a good job. This vial contains two Foundation Building Elixirs as your reward.”
The elder was clad in gray robes and appeared only about forty, with an authoritative air. But his old voice betrayed his true age as a centuries-old being.
He tossed a green jade vial to Tang Huaxi, who caught it excitedly. Tang Xingchi trembled beside him. Both knelt again. “Thank you, Third Elder, for bestowing the medicine. In the future, when we succeed in Foundation Building, we will repay your kindness generously.”
“Hmm, fine,” Third Elder nodded, speaking earnestly. “These Foundation Building Elixirs only boost your chances—they don’t ensure success. Rely on yourselves, for personal strength is the foundation. We cultivators defy heaven to seize life. Elixirs help, but their power is external—it limits our own growth.”
After all, though not his blood grandsons, they shared the same ancestors, so he felt a guardian’s affection for them.
If a powerful person heard this from the elder, they’d be shocked speechless.
Of course, maybe Third Elder was just reciting words without real understanding—like school kids reciting poems but not grasping the meaning.
“‘Only one’s own strength is fundamental!'”
“‘Are elixirs merely external forces?'”
Hearing this, Tang Huaxi and Tang Xingchi fell into deep thought. For years, they had practiced Spells, skipping Body Refining. They had always seen Body Refining as for low-born people with no Spiritual Root who must struggle to survive. Now, Third Elder’s words planted a question in their minds.
“In the early ancient times, nearly everyone practiced dual cultivation of body and magic. At that time, the cultivators’ combat strength could only be described as terrifying. However, dual cultivation of body and magic was incredibly difficult. In those ancient times, the spiritual energy of the world was abundant, and rare treasures were countless. Cultivators back then had the conditions to pursue dual cultivation of body and magic, naturally resulting in extremely fearsome prowess.
As time passed, however, the world’s energy gradually began to dwindle towards exhaustion. Furthermore, the Path of Immortal Cultivation itself is immensely difficult? Even countless talented individuals devoted their entire lives of passion and fervent effort solely to the study of Daoist magic, often struggling to achieve any significant attainment. How could they spare even more time for Body Refining? Therefore, you two need not worry. You should simply focus diligently on mastering the cultivation arts you have already begun to study. After all, we no longer live in the ancient era.
Although our Tang Family possesses the resources and the capability to allow its disciples to practice dual cultivation of body and magic, doing so would merely squander those resources. Because this very notion was conceived and attempted by many outstanding talents countless years ago, yet the ultimate result was always the same—all ended up drawing water with a bamboo basket; their efforts proved completely futile.”
Seeing the thoughtful expressions on their faces, the Third Elder seemed worried they might stray down a misguided path and proceeded to explain further. However, once an idea takes root in the subconscious, no matter how much one explains afterward, the effect remains limited.
“Yes, we understand, Grandfather Elder.”
Tang Huaxi and Tang Xingchi both nodded in agreement, yet a trace of the idea had undeniably imprinted itself upon their minds. Perhaps it was just one careless remark from the Third Elder, but it planted a demonic barrier within their hearts.
“Very well, head back now. This matter concerning the waste, this old master will handle it personally. It is not suitable for you both to watch.”
Seeing their demeanor, the Third Elder allowed a barely noticeable cold smile to touch the corner of his mouth before his expression turned solemn as he spoke.
“Yes, we understand, Grandfather Elder!”
Hearing the Third Elder’s command, Tang Huaxi and Tang Xingchi naturally dared not linger any further. They immediately summoned their Flying Swords and shot through the air back towards the direction of the Tang Family.
“Heheh!”
Watching as the two disappeared beyond the horizon, a satisfied smile finally spread across the Third Elder’s face. With a flick of his large sleeve, he scooped up Tang Jinbiao from the ground. Then, he transformed into a streak of Escape Light and streaked off in the exact opposite direction Tang Huaxi and Tang Xingchi had taken, his speed many times faster than theirs. In the blink of an eye, he vanished completely from sight.
Holding Tang Jinbiao, the Third Elder raced onwards. After a full four or five hours, a vast, pitch-black forest appeared ahead, seemingly endless. On the far, hazy horizon, indistinct, towering mountain ranges could faintly be seen. The bases of these mountains appeared dark, while portions midway up already turned stark white. As for their peaks, they were entirely obscured, utterly hidden within the clouds.
“Finally here!”
Spotting the mountains in the far distance, the Third Elder didn’t hasten further. Instead, his gaze fell upon a not-too-large lake below. His altitude was so great that the lake initially seemed no bigger than a palm. Yet, as he descended, the lake grew larger and larger. When he was merely a hundred paces away, it became clear the lake spanned a full five miles in every direction—truly a significant body of water.
“Open!”
Just as the Third Elder was about to enter the lake’s surface, he extended his right index finger towards it and uttered a command. Instantly, a swirling vortex appeared on the water.
Without a moment’s hesitation, the Third Elder enveloped himself in a shimmering white Protective Spirit Light, grabbed Tang Jinbiao tightly, and plunged into the vortex. They entered without a single sound.
As soon as the Third Elder vanished beneath the lake, the vortex began to slowly seal itself. The churning surface quickly calmed, restoring its placid stillness as if nothing at all had occurred.
Anyone present underwater would have witnessed the Third Elder, gripping Tang Jinbiao, plummeting rapidly towards the lakebed at an astonishing speed. Remarkably, the lake waters seemed to part and flow smoothly around them as if alive.
Within moments, the Third Elder reached the lakebed. Before him stood a stone beast statue, roughly resembling a Lion. Yet a closer look revealed details that contradicted this: its feet ended in hooves like an ox’s, densely covered with overlapping scales.
The sight of the stone beast visibly eased some of the tension that had lingered on the Third Elder’s face. He raised his right hand once more. A stream of pure white spiritual energy shot from his fingertip, pouring directly into the statue.
The stone beast instantly began to glow with an intense, blinding white light. This brilliance enveloped both the Third Elder and Tang Jinbiao completely. Just as suddenly as it had appeared, the brilliant light vanished—and with it, the two figures disappeared.
The Third Elder and Tang Jinbiao had transported inside the stone beast, its interior forming a surprisingly spacious palace hall, vastly differing from its seemingly modest exterior.
The moment they arrived inside, however, the Third Elder’s expression darkened dangerously. He unceremoniously threw Tang Jinbiao onto the hard stone floor.
“Hmph! Cease this charade of playing dead!” he snapped coldly.
“Oww! That hurt like hell!”
Thudding heavily onto the ground, Tang Jinbiao, who had indeed been feigning unconsciousness, couldn’t help but cry out in pain. Disregarding propriety, he simply sat up, clutching himself, and glared at the Third Elder.
“Do you know why I brought you here?”
Seeing Tang Jinbiao’s brash lack of fear, the Third Elder initially frowned in displeasure, though the expression quickly smoothed away as he asked in an unnervingly calm tone.
Sht! What kind of lousy luck is this? Finally manage to transmigrate, and instead of becoming some spoiled young master genius scion of a mighty clan with incredible fortune, I land smack in the middle of perpetual rotten luck! Bough a lousy watch last year!
Tang Jinbiao’s heart pounded with terror. He was acutely aware that this person before him could snuff out his life with little more than a flicker of intent. The fact the Third Elder hadn’t acted yet implied some constraint or hidden motive. After all, just a hostile glance from Tang Huaxi or Tang Xingchi had been enough to make him vomit blood, never mind the unfathomably powerful Third Elder standing before him.
Yet, inwardly, he cursed his situation countless times. Outwardly, he managed to say, “Your… your grandson does not know, Esteemed Third Elder. May I inquire as to your purpose in bringing me here?”
“Heh. Do you truly believe I wouldn’t dare kill you?”
Spotting the fleeting hint of slyness in Tang Jinbiao’s eyes, the Third Elder let out a bark of angry laughter, his demeanor shifting dangerously once more.