Chapter 402: Great Elder

Chapter 402: The Grand Elder

“So I’ve heard from Master Zhuge that you have already ascended the steps of Cangqian three times? May I ask if this is true?”

Hearing these words, Li Huowang looked coldly at the young man before him. “So what if I did? And if I didn’t? What business is it of yours?”

“So it’s true then?!” Xia Risheng immediately knelt on one knee, his expression extremely agitated. “I greet the Grand Elder!”

The moment he knelt, Li Huowang stood up and moved aside. “I’m not some Grand Elder. You’ve mistaken me for someone else!”

“You are! You truly are! Only one who has ascended the steps of Cangqian three times using the *Great Thousand Record* can be the Grand Elder of Aojing Sect!”

“At your level now, you no longer need the *Great Thousand Record*—you may offer your own flesh to the master directly! This is the ultimate symbol!”

The other spoke with great excitement, sending chills down Li Huowang’s spine. He had known little of the Aojing Sect before; he never imagined there was such a thing.

“You’re mistaken. Zhuge Yuan tricked you. I have never performed the Cangqian Ascension!”

Saying that, he didn’t wait to see if the man believed him, and with forced composure, Li Huowang walked away.

“What’s going on? Isn’t the Cangqian Ascension ritual one where you endure double suffering in exchange for power from Bahu? According to this person, this ritual is some kind of status symbol within the Aojing Sect?”

Li Huowang knew well that the so-called Grand Elder was actually a fake, played by the Seat-Forgetters.

Regardless of whether there were higher-ups above the Grand Elder, the title itself carried significant weight in the Aojing Sect.

“And now I can do without the *Great Thousand Record* and directly sacrifice myself to Bahu? What does this mean? Does it mean I’m growing closer to Bahu?”

Li Huowang didn’t think this was a good thing. The Cangqian Ascension seemed to carry hidden dangers that weren’t mentioned in the *Great Thousand Record*.

After thinking it over, Li Huowang decided to give it a try. He glanced toward the others in the distance, then entered a nearby grove and began stripping off his red Daoist robe.

“Li Sui.” Li Huowang held the bronze coin sword horizontally, and Li Sui’s tentacles wrapped around the hilt, reaching behind to slice through the newly grown skin on Li Huowang’s body.

More tentacles reached out, entwining around the *Great Thousand Record*, which was nearly embedded into his flesh, and yanked it free.

Ignoring the pain, Li Huowang gripped the left corner of his index finger nail and tore it upward. With a sharp *whoosh*, a deep blood mark appeared on a tree trunk three zhang away—a trunk as thick as a bowl.

“Could it really be done without the *Great Thousand Record*?” Li Huowang was momentarily speechless.

“Is this a good thing? It probably is, right?” Standing still, Li Huowang stared blankly at the distant tree, which slowly toppled over with a creaking sound.

The old problem hadn’t been solved, and new ones had emerged. This made Li Huowang feel utterly exasperated.

But to try to undo this benefit, he found himself reluctant to do so.

At least now he had no weakness. The incident where Peng Longteng had stolen the *Great Thousand Record* and robbed him of his blood-flesh divine ability would never happen again.

“Let’s take it one step at a time. First, get rid of the trouble with Xin Su. Everything else can wait. Why does life have to be so exhausting?”

After a brief rest, Li Huowang continued traveling with the group.

Their guide was the old man Qin. They seemed to avoid being noticed, choosing secluded paths.

Li Huowang didn’t mind. His task was to guard Zhuge Yuan and wait for the Seat-Forgetters’ rabbit. He wasn’t afraid of delays.

However, the young man named Xia Risheng seemed not to believe Li Huowang’s denial, and his attitude toward him had completely changed.

“Grand Elder! Please sit here!” Xia Risheng entered the dilapidated roadside inn first, wiping the bench and table with his sleeve, respectfully inviting Li Huowang to sit.

As soon as Li Huowang sat down, Xia Risheng quickly poured tea for him, then intercepted the waiter and personally ordered dishes.

His strange behavior made Li Huowang feel deeply uncomfortable. He didn’t need nor want anyone to serve him like a servant.

“What exactly do you want?” Li Huowang asked impatiently.

“I don’t want anything! Grand Elder, it’s my blessing to serve you!”

Xia Risheng acted very humble, adding silently to himself, “If I could just learn how to perform the Cangqian Ascension successfully, that would be even better!”

“Fine, so I’m the Grand Elder, huh? Alright, now the Grand Elder wants you to get lost! Don’t show your face before we reach the capital!”

“Y-yes, sir!”

Seeing Xia Risheng finally leave, Li Huowang felt somewhat relieved.

He glanced at the Miao woman sitting with her companions and thought inwardly, “Strange. It’s been so long, and the Seat-Forgetters haven’t shown any movement. This doesn’t match my earlier expectations.”

According to his earlier guess, when Zhuge Yuan appeared openly in the streets, the Seat-Forgetters would swarm him like flies to dung.

But since the incident on Xing Island when they disguised themselves as him, the Seat-Forgetters had remained silent. The only encounter they’d had was with a low-ranking soldier who had fully revealed his identity.

“Could it be that they think a minor attack won’t harm Zhuge Yuan and are instead planning something bigger?” Li Huowang couldn’t help but imagine the worst.

If he were afraid, Li Huowang, now alone, wouldn’t fear much. His only worry was whether Beifeng might be involved.

“If the fortune-teller was killed, Hongzhong Baiban would come. For the sake of killing Zhuge Yuan once and for all, Xiao Si Xi and the others should also come, right?”

Just as Li Huowang was pondering this, Zhuge Yuan returned and sat beside him.

“Brother Zhuge, where did you go just now?”

“Oh, I went to buy a carriage from the inn and set it up inside. Made sure Old Qin would be more comfortable lying in it.”

“You did all that yourself? Brother Zhuge, how did you meet Old Qin?” Li Huowang poured tea for him.

“When I was in Youdu, I saw Old Qin playing chess under a tree. His style was bold and open, winning each game honorably. I couldn’t help but approach and make his acquaintance.”

“So that’s how you met?”

“What do you think, Brother Li? I never care about a person’s status or position. I simply follow fate and personal liking.”

“Brother Zhuge, you’re truly genuine. Respect.”

“Isn’t friendship supposed to be like that? I think many people today overthink things too much, which is why they can’t find true friends. Speaking of which, these days…”

At that moment, the waiter carrying a tray approached, saving Li Huowang from further nagging.

“Your food’s here～ stir-fried lamb, three treasures of the earth, stir-fried water celery, and a eight-treasure duck. Enjoy your meal, gentlemen.”

(End of Chapter)