Translator: CinderTL
"Boy, you'd better ensure the Heart of Tara remains perfectly intact until this Giant Flying Ship lands. Otherwise, I'll make you wish you were dead," the middle-aged female cultivator said coldly, her voice like ice.
Simultaneously, a chilling, oppressive aura erupted from her body.
A flicker of surprise crossed Song Wen's eyes.
As the cultivator unleashed her aura, her Spiritual Power signature became unmistakably clear.
She was cultivating the Longevity Technique!
Song Wen's expression grew grave, as if intimidated by her imposing presence. He clasped his hands in a respectful bow and asked, "May I inquire, Senior, are you affiliated with the Veiled Moon Hall?"
"I am not currently a member of the Veiled Moon Hall. However, my sole purpose in traveling to Cloudveil City is to join their ranks," the cultivator replied, a hint of arrogance surfacing on her face.
Since advancing to the Divine Transformation Realm, her cultivation had stagnated.
Having heard of the Veiled Moon Hall's prestige and learning that they recruited cultivators practicing the Longevity Technique as Outer Sect Stewards, she had spared no effort, spending vast quantities of spirit stones and precious treasures to successfully switch to the Longevity Technique.
This had left her financially strained, unable to even produce seven hundred high-grade spirit stones.
Her current predicament was only temporary. Once she successfully joined the Veiled Moon Hall, her status would rival that of a Void Refinement Stage cultivator.
At that time, everyone present, including the dozen or so Divine Transformation Stage cultivators, would treat her with utmost respect.
Moreover, while she had originally cultivated Orthodox Path techniques, she had also practiced several Blood Dao secret arts, which had depleted her Blood Qi. As a result, she needed to regularly consume rare natural treasures that replenished Qi and nourished Blood to sustain her physical body.
This was especially true after she switched to the Longevity Technique, which inherently promoted health and longevity. Her depleted Qi and Blood clashed with the Longevity Technique, making cultivation extremely difficult and progress slow.
She feared that the Veiled Moon Hall might underestimate her due to this deficiency and reject her application.
That was why she was so determined to acquire the Heart of Tara.
"So Senior is about to join the Veiled Moon Hall," Song Wen said, rising to his feet and bowing respectfully toward the middle-aged female cultivator. "This junior's eyes failed to recognize Mount Tai. I apologize for my earlier offense and humbly request Senior's forgiveness."
The dispute between Song Wen and the female cultivator had already captured the full attention of everyone in the hall. Most of them looked down on her strong-arm tactics.
For a dignified Divine Transformation Stage cultivator to publicly bully a junior over a few hundred high-grade spirit stones was truly disgraceful.
When news spread that the female cultivator was about to join the Veiled Moon Hall, envy flickered in some eyes, while others frowned slightly.
Sensing the gazes around her, the female cultivator's arrogance deepened. She glanced disdainfully at Song Wen, a cold smile playing on her lips.
"Boy, regretting it now? A little late for that. You were so arrogant earlier, completely disregarding me. Do you think a mere apology will make up for your insolence?"
Song Wen bowed deeply, his voice humble. "Senior is right to scold me. I was indeed reckless earlier."
With that, he moved swiftly, bending low as he hurried to stand before the female cultivator. He presented the jade box containing the Heart of Tara with both hands, adopting a fawning, servile posture.
"Please accept this Heart of Tara, Senior. I beg your forgiveness for my earlier impudence."
The Middle-Aged female cultivator's lips curled slightly, barely suppressing her smug satisfaction. She felt immensely pleased, secretly rejoicing that her decision to join the Veiled Moon Hall had been so wise.
If she hadn't cultivated the Longevity Technique, giving her the qualifications to join the Veiled Moon Hall, how could she have forced this junior to grovel so abjectly? How could she have earned the respect of the other Divine Transformation Stage cultivators present?
The middle-aged female cultivator raised her hand to accept the jade box from Song Wen, opened it, and examined the Heart of Tara inside.
"Since you're so sensible, I'll spare you this time," she said.
"Thank you for your generosity, Senior," Song Wen replied. "This junior will never forget your great kindness."
"What's your name?" the female cultivator asked.
"This junior is Ye Hua," Song Wen replied. "May I ask for Senior's esteemed name?"
"Shi Man," she replied.
"So you're Senior Shi Man," Song Wen said, bowing deeply again. "This junior intends to stay in Cloudveil City to cultivate. I humbly request Senior's guidance."
"That depends on what use you can be," Shi Man said. "Not just anyone catches my eye. If you lack the skills to serve me, you'd best abandon this notion now."
Song Wen's face lit up with joy. "Rest assured, Senior," he said eagerly. "This junior will serve you with utmost loyalty."
Shi Man nodded in satisfaction and gestured to the empty chair beside her. "Sit down."
"Thank you for the honor, Senior," Song Wen said, his voice trembling with gratitude. He sat down sideways, only half his buttocks touching the chair.
Shi Man glanced at the pitch-black cloak Song Wen wore.
"Remove your cloak. With me here, there's no need to hide your face."
Flattered by Song Wen's praise, Shi Man seemed to have already appointed herself as the Outer Sect Steward of Veiled Moon Hall, convinced that all the divine transformation stage cultivators present would show her due respect.
"This..." Song Wen hesitated slightly.
"What! Do you not trust me?" Shi Man's tone carried a hint of displeasure.
"I wouldn't dare," Song Wen replied hastily, removing his cloak to reveal a face concealed by an iron mask.
"Take off the mask too," Shi Man commanded, her voice imperious.
"Yes!" Song Wen removed the mask as well.
With the cloak and mask gone, Song Wen's deliberately displayed peak nascent soul cultivation and the aura of a corpse dao cultivator immediately radiated outward.
Shi Man studied Song Wen for a moment before asking, "I've cultivated for many years and frequently visit Phoenix Feather City and its surrounding areas. Yet I don't recall ever seeing you before?"
Song Wen replied humbly, "This junior's cultivation is meager. I've always secluded myself in remote regions, focusing on arduous cultivation and rarely venturing into the outside world. Recently, I've been trapped at the peak nascent soul bottleneck, unable to find the opportunity to advance to the Divine Transformation Stage. This forced me to leave my secluded retreat and travel to Cloudveil City in search of a breakthrough."
After speaking, Song Wen leaned slightly closer to Shi Man.
"Senior, after joining the Veiled Moon Hall, could you inquire on my behalf? I also wish to join."
Shi Man's eyes flashed with disdain. "So that's why you approached me. But a Nascent Soul Stage corpse dao cultivator like you? Joining the Veiled Moon Hall? Wait until you reach the Void Refinement Stage before discussing such matters."
The bodies and spiritual power of corpse dao cultivators are saturated with Corpse Qi, which is incompatible with the Longevity Technique's spiritual power. This incompatibility makes it impossible for them to switch to the Longevity Technique, hence Shi Man's dismissive remark.
Song Wen replied, "Junior's talent is meager. I only aspire to reach the Divine Transformation Stage someday. The Void Refinement Stage is far beyond my reach. I know I can never become an Outer Sect Elder like you, Senior. I would be content to serve as an Outer Sect Steward."
Song Wen tried to continue ingratiating himself with Shi Man, but others interrupted. Several Divine Transformation Stage cultivators in the hall had regained their composure and began approaching Shi Man to engage in conversation.
In another corner of the hall, Ye Bing watched from afar as Song Wen exerted every effort to flatter Shi Man. A faint unease stirred within her, sensing that "Gou Jun" was likely plotting some new scheme.
(End of the Chapter)
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