Chapter 353: Clone Doppelgänger

Chapter 353: Clone and Division

A quarter of an hour before the assault on Fuzi Temple erupted.

Days of heavy snow had fallen in succession, transforming this secluded alleyway in the central district of Quan Shan City into something almost pristine.

The thick snow blanketing the signs had dulled the once-vibrant neon lights into a muted haze.

At a height not far above the signage, a petite and adorable golden pixiu darted through the air, its movements programmed with a childlike charm—crouching, leaping, pouncing on the swirling snowflakes. Its snout, with outward-curved tusks, bore no trace of malice, only an expression of endearing simplicity.

Chen Qi, a lone figure, crouched beneath a eave, his entire demeanor lacking the imposing presence of a Daoist master from Longhu Mountain. His hands were tucked into his sleeves as he exhaled white breath in large gulps.

"This wretched weather forcing me out—what a terrible time for cultivation. I’ve truly incurred some grave misfortune."

Though a corner of the eave shielded his head, his shoulders bore a thin layer of crushed snow, indicating he had lingered here for some time.

"Drawing cold air into my belly, shortening my path. My path to immortality is being delayed once more."

As Chen Qi sighed deeply, the silent alley suddenly echoed with the creaking sound of snow being trampled.

The visitor spoke no words, standing rigidly a zhang away.

Chen Qi glanced sideways, his face sour as he muttered, "Why now? Couldn’t you pick a better spot for this meeting? Do you have to choose such a freezing place?"

The other remained silent, ignoring Chen Qi’s grumbling, their expression unchanging.

"Can’t your ‘Wen Sect’ improve these meat-sending messengers? They’ve got the looks but no soul—any outsider would spot the flaw at a glance."

Chen Qi, perhaps recalling some bitter memory, grew more agitated, jabbing a finger at the messenger. "What are you standing there for? Hurry up!"

Cold chased cold, snowflakes layered upon snowflakes.

The alley remained silent.

"Fine, playing this game again, are we? When I become an earth immortal someday, the first thing I’ll do is disband your ‘Wen Sect’!"

Chen Qi’s mouth twitched, and he inhaled sharply, his face contorting like a street performer with a crowd of gossiping women behind him.

"My form sculpted like a crane, beneath a thousand pines, two scrolls of sutras. I seek the Dao, yet words fail me—clouds in the azure sky, water in the vase."

A rather refined Daoist verse, mumbled indistinctly and at a rapid pace.

To an outsider, it would have sounded like a jumble of chirps and grumbles, impossible to decipher.

The messenger’s face finally flickered with vitality, bowing with clasped fists. "Identity confirmed. Fourth envoy of Longhu Mountain’s Wen Sect, Chen Tianzhi."

Chen Qi said nothing, gesturing to the empty ground for the messenger to kneel. As the envoy complied, Chen Qi pressed two fingers together like a blade, touching the spot between their brows.

The blade-like fingers traced slowly along the synthetic skin, splitting it open to reveal a seam. Gradually, a Daoist sigil formed on the envoy’s face.

With the final stroke, the fissure-composed sigil completed, emitting a faint crimson glow.

The envoy seemed freed from some invisible shackle, their expression turning solemn and grave.

"Twelfth year of Jiaqi, internal monthly report from Longhu Mountain. Hear ye, keep this secret, reveal not a word."

"One, the number of missing Daoist practitioners on imperial soil continues to rise, now exceeding three hundred. Among them, Zhejiang Province has fifty-eight, Liaodong Province one hundred thirty-four, Guangdong Province one hundred twenty-seven."

"Next."

Chen Qi’s face darkened; he waved a hand.

"Two, the investigation in the sinner districts has stalled. All our Daoist masters sent to investigate have faced varying degrees of obstruction, with frequent casualties. Special mention to the Wo sinner district—a high-suspicion area, yet progress is slowest, with multiple cases of masters injured or killed. Those investigating there, take heed of your safety and hasten your efforts."

Someone had died.

Upon hearing this, Chen Qi’s face began to darken.

"Three, Baiyu Capital has formally issued a notice to the Confucian New Donglin Party, demanding they lift restrictions on the sinner districts and allow Daoist sects to reinforce their ranks."

"Next."

Chen Qi rolled his eyes—this kind of bureaucratic maneuvering was unlikely to yield results.

"Four, the next round of immortal examination for reserve candidates will commence in March."

"Skip."

As a full immortal, Chen Qi had no interest in this news, dismissing it with a wave.

"The monthly report has been read. Now for private messages."

"Speak."

The envoy did not immediately respond, instead contorting their features into an expression of fury before shouting, "Chen Qi!"

The sudden outburst startled Chen Qi.

"What are you up to in the Wo district? Not a single clue found yet? Let me tell you, Baiyu Capital has spoken—whoever uncovers the culprit will earn a substitute earth immortal position! Consider the weight of that."

"Many of the older cultivators have their eyes red, restless and eager. Though the New Donglin Party is meddling, delaying their entry into the sinner districts, some shameless old relics may sneak in secretly."

"So keep your wits about you. Don’t treat every Daoist master as a confidant—beware of knives in the back! If I hear of your betrayal, you’ll never follow me in cultivation again. I can’t afford to lose face!"

"Personal information relayed. Any reply needed?"

The envoy suppressed their anger, reverting to their lifeless demeanor, awaiting Chen Qi’s orders.

"No reply."

Chen Qi had no mind to craft a response, his gaze lowering as he sank into thought.

This monthly report held little new for him.

Rather, his master’s message struck him deeply.

"A substitute earth immortal position—has Baiyu Capital’s elders lost their minds? At this juncture, they’re creating trouble for their own?"

In Chen Qi’s view, this so-called "position" was no reward but a fresh slab of flesh thrown into a cage teeming with starving beasts.

Originally, the Daoist masters sent to investigate the Wo district had come out of duty, united in purpose, needing only guard against open threats, not hidden daggers.

But now Baiyu Capital had thrown this into the mix, complicating an already tangled situation.

After all, immortal positions were limited—one spot per radish. And for substitute positions, considerations were many: not just rank, but also one’s merits and reputation within the Daoist hierarchy.

Thus, in Baiyu Capital, those who could become earth immortals were none other than the strongest, most seasoned veterans.

This move by Baiyu Capital seemed to offer young practitioners like Chen Qi a chance to prove themselves, to rise to fame.

Yet Chen Qi understood clearly—it meant not only confronting the Four Great Companies but also guarding against fellow Daoist masters of his own rank.

Was this not lifting a stone to crush one’s own foot? Did they have to watch them tear each other apart to embody the Daoist creed of "Fifty paths of the Great Dao, forty-nine of Heaven’s mystery, leaving only a thread of life"?

"Have these Daoist elders been addled by their yellow millet dreams to make such absurd decisions?"

As Chen Qi cursed under his breath, the envoy at the alley’s mouth suddenly turned, their eyes fixed on him.

Chen Qi felt the gaze, turning with a puzzled frown.

"Huh?"

The envoy sneered, their voice ringing clear: "You ‘Dou Sect’ brat, even daring to curse a messenger? You think you can disband our ‘Wen Sect’? Dream on!"

"Hey, I’ve got a temper."

Chen Qi’s brow arched, anger flaring as he rose abruptly from beneath the eave.

But before he could teach the insolent envoy a lesson, a figure materialized at the alley’s entrance, seizing the envoy by the throat.

Pfft!

The head and spine of the fallen were both extracted from the chest cavity, and the splashing synthetic blood fell onto the snow, indistinguishable from one another.

Chen Qi Shen gazed upon the unfamiliar face before him, his eyes settling on those seemingly familiar eyes.

"Let me introduce myself, my name is Songshan."

The newcomer held the fallen head, bowing slightly.

Chen Qi Shen's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the figure before him, a cold smile suddenly forming. "A clone of Nong Xu?"