Chapter Seventy-Six: With Hidden Motives (The Four-Thousand-Word Chapter You Asked For)

Peach of Immortality!

Ji Feichen recalled the reverence for the Peach of Immortality in the myths of his previous life. In legend, the heavenly peach was a fruit of the immortals, granting everlasting life, also known as the Longevity Peach.

“Does this peach orchard possess some mysterious properties as well? Could it also grant immortality?” Ji Feichen’s eyes shone with anticipation as he strode forward.

But just as he reached out to pluck a peach, a sudden suspicion arose, halting his movement.

“If this is truly a divine fruit, why would outsiders be allowed to pick it so casually? Even if I belong to the same mystical order, without knowing my depth or background, would they really let me in here?”

The atmosphere of the orchard was extraordinary—would they really allow outsiders such easy access?

Having spent years among the demonic sects, Ji Feichen was highly suspicious by nature. He quickly abandoned the idea of picking the fruit, prioritizing his search for his lost Bichao Pearl.

He had come through this gate solely to find the precious pearl he’d dropped.

Before long, he found the spirit pearl beneath a peach tree. Not far away, a dragon’s roar echoed; approaching, he saw black dragon energy coiling densely around two skeletons.

When Lingwei Immortal Mansion fell all those years ago, countless demon cultivators and members of the mansion perished within, unable to escape in time. Among them were followers of the Yin Nether Sect.

“This one practiced the ‘Mystic Fiend Demon Dragon Scripture’!” Ji Feichen stepped closer, noticing that the jet-black skeleton still gripped a black staff.

“So, this senior wielded the Demon Dragon Staff?”

Surveying the surroundings, Ji Feichen formed a theory about the cause of death.

“The divine peach is formed from pure spiritual energy—a supreme treasure for immortals, but a deadly poison to demon cultivators. Thus, this person was trapped in the orchard, unable to absorb the demonic energy, and was slowly tormented to death.”

The entire peach orchard exuded celestial energy; ordinary demon cultivators could not survive here for long.

“But the Demon Dragon Staff is quite nice,” Ji Feichen mused, reaching for it. Suddenly, his gaze sharpened, and he smiled. “Senior, let’s not play games. As fellow disciples of the demonic path, do you think I can’t see through your trick? If you want to attempt a soul-possession with your dragon soul, go ahead and try.”

As he spoke, Ji Feichen’s eyes turned pitch-black, a dragon pearl flickering briefly at his brow.

The dragon pearl’s aura was deeply concealed, but after that brief flash, the celestial energy within the orchard stirred.

The skeleton on the ground rattled, a wisp of demonic soul flying into the Demon Dragon Staff.

“Descendant of the Yin Nether Sect? Free me, and I’ll reward you with—” Before he could finish, Ji Feichen dropped the Tower of Nine Heavens Dragon God, collecting both him and the adjacent skeleton.

“Reward me? After seeing my mystical order’s identity, do you really think you can make such offers?” Ji Feichen was blunt, but from this test, he vaguely sensed the orchard’s secret.

“This orchard is saturated with celestial energy; ordinary demons cannot last here, let alone linger for over four centuries with their soul intact. It means the celestial energy here isn’t as concentrated as it seems! Besides, how foolish would he be to lie here in the open? If he feared the pure energy, he would at least have retreated to the edges.”

Ji Feichen pondered, then raised his hand. “Summon clouds, bring rain!”

A shimmering mist arose, and gentle rain fell, passing through countless peach shadows to the ground. Gradually, much of the peach orchard faded away; the brilliant peach trees vanished one after another.

“As expected, most of these trees were mere illusions.”

With Ji Feichen’s intervention, the illusion covering the orchard dissipated, leaving only a few dozen peach trees scattered about. At the edge stood a jade stele, bearing the inscription: “Disciples of the Mystical Order, those who see the true grove are fated; you may take three immortal peaches to aid your cultivation. Trueborn of Lingwei, those who comprehend the genuine art, may take as they wish.”

“Boy, that peach orchard illusion was a trial for disciples of the Mystical Order. If you had let greed overcome you at the start, you would have been expelled,” the demonic prisoner in the tower suddenly spoke. “You walk the demonic path; the fruit is useless to you.”

Ji Feichen smiled, stepped forward, and picked three peaches, sampling one. A surge of celestial energy coursed through him, bringing a sense of clarity and refreshment. However, as a cultivator of elemental energy, Ji Feichen quickly converted the celestial essence into yuan energy, wasting a small portion in the process.

“Indeed, a true treasure of the immortals, formed from pure energy. As a cultivator of elemental energy, I’m not restricted by pure or impure energies and can consume treasures from both paths, but the drawback is I can’t fully unleash the medicine’s power.”

He stowed the peaches and continued to study the orchard. The remaining peach trees stood unevenly, and at the center, something seemed concealed.

“Senior, do you know what lies within this grove?” Ji Feichen asked.

Seeing that Ji Feichen had eaten a peach and lived, the demon was doubtful. “You’re not one of our Yin Nether Sect, are you?”

“Of course I am. My grandmaster sent me here for treasure, so I focused on cultivating elemental energy, avoiding the duality of pure and impure energies,” Ji Feichen lied smoothly. “I’m from the Kan Ming Hall branch. Need me to recite a few lines from the ‘Mystic Fiend Demon Dragon Scripture’ as proof?”

He recited a few incantations, and the demon seemed unconvinced. “What’s the state of the Black Line now? Is Master Luo Yang still in charge?”

Luo Yang was the secular name of the Kan Ming Hall’s head. Master Luo Yang? Ji Feichen’s eyes flickered. “That’s right. My teacher is Black Flow. Since you entered over four hundred years ago, you must know him and Elder Heichi?”

“Black Flow’s disciple?” The demon sneered. “You cultivate the Demon Dragon Scripture to avoid his ‘Mystic Nether Demon Canon,’ don’t you? Back then he tried to force me to practice the Black Demon Canon—fortunately, I escaped in time.”

Ji Feichen’s expression grew odd. “So you’re also one of his disciples?”

“Hmph! It’s hard for us cultivators to achieve true enlightenment, but advancing to the Transcending Mortal realm isn’t so difficult. Our sect values diligent practice, so new disciples emerge every decade or so. The grandmaster had six batches of disciples: Mystic, Ocean, Nether, Ghost, Black, and Void. Though we’re of the same line, centuries separate each generation. Are any of the earlier ones still alive? Our master took many disciples in his time; by my reckoning, I’m of the ‘Cheng’ generation.”

“‘Cheng’? That would be his second batch. Elder Heichi participated in the immortal-demon war, and Black Flow is even older. Yet as of now, Black Flow has only two disciples of immortal rank—excluding myself. Given my experiences, that’s peculiar.”

“There can’t be many immortal disciples left with our master. Even if he and the grandmaster ate these peaches, it wouldn’t be enough. So, how many are there now?”

“Counting me, three in total,” Ji Feichen quickly fostered some camaraderie. “How should I address you, senior brother?”

“Call me Tiancheng. I was trapped here, harmed by pure energy. Had you not come, I would’ve soon been forced into the Nether Reincarnation.”

Both harbored their own secrets and tacitly avoided mentioning Tiancheng’s earlier attempt at soul-possession.

Ji Feichen asked, “Do you know what’s hidden in this grove?”

“I’m not certain, but the orchard’s layout fits the Eight Trigrams and Nine Palaces—it’s a special formation, aligned with profound principles,” Tiancheng replied after some hesitation. “It’s said the Lingwei Sect’s founder was gifted a celestial peach, from which he grew a tree, later cultivating an entire orchard. This must be it. But where is the original mother tree?”

Ji Feichen mused, “Legend holds the Lingwei Sect’s guardian treasure is a peachwood sword. They must have grown the mother tree from the peach, then planted the orchard with its fruit. As for the mother tree, after bearing fruit, its celestial essence exhausted, leaving only a millennium-old heartwood for the peachwood sword. And the sword… nowhere nourishes it better than the orchard.”

He took out the Nine Clouds Mystic Crystal Plate to calculate the formation’s paths.

The formation was inscrutable, but the crystal plate revealed a safe route.

With the Nine Heavens Mystic Gold Dragon God Tower in hand, Ji Feichen navigated skillfully into the grove’s depths, finding a patch of grass now yellowed from demonic pollution.

“It seems there’s more Lingwei arrangement here,” he observed, considering how to activate the restriction. “I can purify demonic energy, but since the sect’s defenses are so well-layered, they wouldn’t force me to expend effort myself.”

He rummaged through his leopard pouch, producing a Water Spirit Pearl—the Demon-Purifying Divine Water Pearl he had retrieved earlier. Launching the pearl into the turf, the withered grass instantly revived, demonic energy swept away, revealing a Tai Chi pattern.

At that moment, Ji Feichen separated the Nine Heavens Mystic Gold Dragon God Tower from the outside world, so the demon Tiancheng was unaware of his moves.

Stepping onto the Tai Chi diagram, he was instantly transported to another space. The Lingwei Sect had anticipated the fall of their mansion and set up layers of defenses accordingly. When Ji Feichen opened his eyes again, a dazzling red glow greeted him, emanating from a golden-red wooden sword.

The sword was embedded within a series of spirit formations, next to a jade stele: “He who wields this sword inherits the lineage and becomes master of Lingwei.”

Ji Feichen frowned. “I have no interest in the Lingwei Sect. Is the peachwood sword all there is here?” He glanced around and noticed, in the corner of the space, a jade tree.

The tree was a deep blue-green, branching into nine forks, with a golden-blue banner hanging from it.

“Is this the Nine Heavens Azurecloud Mingwei Demon-Subduing Banner Tu Shan spoke of?” Ji Feichen stepped forward, reaching for the banner. It leapt into his hand in a flash of golden light, imparting its lore.

Indeed, this was Lingwei’s final trump card—a relic to activate the immortal formation and annihilate evil. Nine Demon-Subduing Banners guarded the mansion, having flown to nine key locations upon its fall. Only by unlocking each predecessor’s seals could one recover them.

The Lingwei Demon-Slaying Sword was a sect treasure, forbidden to outsiders. But the banner was an ancient artifact, left for a worthy successor.

Having taken the banner, Ji Feichen noticed the jade tree beneath it.

“This tree seems completely devoid of spiritual energy. But to hold the Demon-Subduing Banner and be kept here, it can’t be ordinary.” He tried to collect it as well, but the tree was heavy as a mountain—not even his leopard pouch or other storage artifacts could hold it. Only the Nine Heavens Mystic Gold Dragon God Tower managed to contain the jade tree.

This confirmed Ji Feichen’s suspicion. “This tree is certainly a treasure—even if it’s good for nothing else, I could always throw it at someone.”

As the jade tree entered the tower, Tiancheng’s face changed dramatically. “The boy has claimed the Ninefold Jade Tree?”

After the mansion’s fall, Tiancheng had risked entering the orchard solely to find that tree. In fact, the demonic sect’s assault on Lingwei was partly motivated by it.

Tiancheng’s expression shifted, but ultimately he dared not act. His soul returned to the Demon Dragon Staff as he reconsidered his next move. “The tree is marvelous, but useless to me now. Without a physical body, what good is breaking the demonic blood curse with the Ninefold Jade Tree?”

Having secured the jade tree, Ji Feichen returned to the peachwood sword.

He bowed respectfully. “Younger generation Qinghong of Yunxiao Pavilion, I already have my own inheritance and dare not covet your precious treasure. But with demons infiltrating the immortal mansion, may your spirits lend me the sword to vanquish evil.”

The sword’s aura flickered, then stilled.

Ji Feichen repeated his request; the sword moved twice. On the third plea, it transformed into a beam of crimson light and flew into his hand. Inscribed upon its blade: “Slay three demons, and the bearer shall be recognized.”

Overjoyed, Ji Feichen gave thanks, then departed with the sword.

Exiting the Azure Cloud Gate, he soon came upon Zhang Yuanchu, embroiled in battle with members of the Radiant Sun Demon Sect.

Zhang Yuanchu had just ascended to immortality; his Dao Fruit and Divine Aspect were yet unrefined, leaving him at the initial ‘Dao Establishment’ stage. Seeing Ji Feichen, he called out, “Brother Qinghong, lend a hand!”

He was fighting the Demon Envoy of the Seven Birds Division from the Radiant Sun Sect.

“Scattered Immortal Qinghong?” The envoy took note, but before he could react, a chill swept his neck—the peachwood sword had neatly severed his head.

Zhang Yuanchu was astonished, hurrying to Ji Feichen’s side. “Brother, what was that? One strike, one kill—hardly the act of a newly ascended immortal!”

“It’s the Lingwei Sect’s inherited immortal sword.” Ji Feichen gazed thoughtfully at the weapon. “This sword is truly formidable.”

“The Demon-Slaying Sword of Lingwei?” Zhang Yuanchu peered closer. The sword shone with iridescent light, unmarred by blood, exuding a chilling aura.

“Isn’t that the Lingwei Sect’s immortal sword? Brother, are you about to inherit their legacy?”

“I have my own tradition and am not kin to Lingwei. Rather than worry about them, I’d prefer to restore my own lineage,” Ji Feichen replied with a sigh. Zhang Yuanchu took the hint. “The elders say Qinghong’s legacy is an ancient Dao tradition, a branch of the Supreme School. It seems true. Taixuan Palace’s words can’t be taken at face value.”

When they’d entered, Taixuan Palace had warned everyone about Qinghong, claiming their divinations showed he was closely tied to the demonic path.

“But our Moral Order has investigated Brother Qinghong’s origin—utterly shrouded in mystery. Why should Taixuan Palace claim otherwise?” Seeing Ji Feichen wield the Demon-Slaying Sword, Zhang Yuanchu was convinced he had no connection to the demonic path. “If he did, why would the immortal sword of Lingwei accept him?”

Thus, he invited Ji Feichen to accompany him and join the other disciples of the mystical order.

Ji Feichen accepted with a smile, plotting inwardly, “Time to build my reputation again. This time, both Qinghong and Ji Feichen must appear together, completely dispelling any suspicion the order might hold about me. If I can engineer a misunderstanding—get accidentally injured by a fellow disciple, then clear my name… yes, the effect will be even better.”

Zhang Yuanchu, an honest soul, had sworn never to kill as part of his Dao Fruit vows. In Ji Feichen’s presence, he was bound to be led in circles.