Painting of the Nine Immortals

Chapter 326: Competing to Win Over

Translator: Tatienne Editor: Rundi

The Sun hung high in the sky, draping down an endless amount of light.

On the vast ocean floated six men with drastically different temperament and a beautiful lady in blue.

It was Ling Xian, Yan Ning Zhi, and the five completion leveled cultivators who lent a helping hand.

"Thank you, everyone, for helping me."

Piggybacking Zi Dong Lai’s body, Ling Xian formed a fist with one hand and cupped it with another to show his respect. He smiled from the bottom of his heart. "If the few of you didn’t rush in to help me, I would be a dead man by now."

"You are being polite. Based on what I saw, you are not an idiot who rushes into a fight if you knew death was the only way. Even without our help, you would’ve had the ability to get away." The elderly man stroke his beard as he revealed a warm smile.

The studious-looking man flapped his fan with a faint smile. "I think so too. Based on the skills you displayed during the battle, you definitely had other cards up your sleeves. You could’ve gotten away, perhaps even injure them greatly."

"Seniors, you must be kidding me. I am a mere foundational cultivator, where do I find the strength to hurt completion leveled ones?" Ling Xian grinned lightly, purposely displaying a smile like he wasn’t hiding anything from them.

In reality, however, the elder and the studious-looking man were not wrong. He had an ace he didn’t play. An ace he acquired when he reached the undefeatable realm of the foundational level.

This ace was almighty powerful. However, upon use, it damages the summoner’s physical body, which was why he chose not to use it. If these five didn’t jump out to help, he could’ve found his own way out of the battle.

If he never had this move up his sleeve, he would’ve left with the others instead of coming back to guard the door. He wouldn’t have risked his life to fight for Zi Dong Lai’s dead body against Li Jian Yi and Ning Wu Ji.

"Haha, stop being so modest. You fought against four completion powerhouses today, how can you call yourself a mere foundational cultivator? How insane of a foundational cultivator are you?" The elder in white laughed. The way he looked at Ling Xian was full of admiration.

The studious-looking young man was the same. He found it difficult to hide how much he appreciated Ling Xian and said with a grin. "Someone as overbearing as you… in my three hundred years of life, you are the first one I’ve seen."

"Exactly. There’s a nickname in the Taoism community for someone like you, we call them ‘victor’." The middle-aged man from the Qing Ming softly beamed. "The meaning of this is that these people have conquered the foundational level and are undefeatable."

"You are all flattering me." Ling Xian softly smiled. His expression was delicate like the cloud and not at all arrogant.

Seeing this, the five completion powerhouses found themselves admiring Ling Xian more and more. They all nodded at the sight of him and heightened their evaluation of him.

"Not too proud, not too hot-tempered, his mentality is mature and collected. He really is extraordinary."

The grey-haired elder stroke his beard with a grin. "If this were anyone else, with the achievement of being a victor and battling against four completion leveled cultivators, their tails would be perked up to the sky. Yet you are still so calm as if you don’t care about this at all. This mentality is not something anyone can attain."

Ling Xian bitterly smiled. "Seniors, there is no way you are here just to praise me."

Hearing this, everyone was startled but quickly began to laugh.

"It’s my fault. I am old. Seeing someone who could be sculpted makes me speak too much. Especially someone like you, who is so out of the ordinary, I really cannot stop myself from commenting."

The elder shook his head and said, "Okay, no more useless words. Let me introduce myself, I am Yan Tian Nan. I am Yan Ning Zhi’s third granduncle."

"I am Yu Qing Shuang, I am an Elder of the Wu Ji House." The studious-looking man played with his fan.

The middle-aged man concealed a grin and said, "I am the Elder of the Qing Ming House. My name is Lin Tian."

"There is no need for me to tell you my name. Everyone calls me Aunt Hua on the islands," The grey-haired elder beamed kindly.

The last completion leveled cultivator was hidden under a thin layer of white fog. It was hard to see this person’s visage and build. But, this person’s eyes and gaze remained clear. They were so cold it was easy for this person to send a shudder down everyone’s spine.

"There is no need for you to know my name either. When the time is right, you’ll naturally know." The person spoke slowly. The voice was scratchy, and it was hard to tell whether this person was a man or a woman.

"Senior…" Ling Xian frowned slightly. He was about to comment, but before he could speak out, he was interrupted by the mysterious person.

"There is no need for questions. You also do not need to thank me. Helping you was a mere coincidence on my part." The person threw this statement and then disappeared before everyone. Only the white fog remained.

"Uh…" Ling Xian was stunned.

Sensing Ling Xian’s confusion, Yan Tian Nan waved around his hand, "Don’t pay attention to that person. That person has always been mysterious and has always lived alone. Nobody even knows that person’s gender on the islands."

"Then… okay…" Ling Xian smiled helplessly. He wanted to thank that person because no matter what, that person lent a helping hand. This was a favor he had to return.

"Ok, let’s get back on topic."

Yu Qing Shuang suddenly spoke and wiped the smile off his face. "Ling Xian, let me ask you, are you willing to join the House of Wu Ji? Whether you want to become an Elder or be named a direct descendant. Whatever you want, just speak, and I will fulfill your request."

"Huh?"

Ling Xian frowned. But before he could answer, the man named Lin Tian beat him to it. He pushed away Yu Qing Shuang and stated his promises.

"What the hell is the House of Wu Ji? Ling Xian, don’t listen to him. Come to the House of Qing Ming. Techniques or weapons, or even women, whatever you want I will give."

Before his voice even trailed off, Aunt Hua made even grander promises.

"Ling Xian, don’t go to them. Come to the House of Cang Hua. I can fulfill whatever you want."

Instantly, Yu Qing Shuang’s face darkened. "Are you two trying to fight against me?"

Lin Tian sneered, "Hmmph, yes. So what? You think the House of Qing Ming is scared of you or something?"

"The House of Cang Hua is not afraid of you either," Aunt Hua said with beaming eyes.

The three of them represented the top three political forces on the 36 islands. With their equal capabilities, none of them could win or hurt the other. Therefore, Lin Tian and Aunt Hua were not at all afraid of Yu Qing Shuang.

"YOU!"

Yu Qing Shuang’s face was heavy like water as a terrifying Qi seeped out of him. "You want to fight?"

"Sure. Who’s scared of you anyway?" Lin Tian did not back down.

Aunt Hua did not speak. But the energy she released made her attitude clear.

Watching the three completion leveled cultivators about to fight because of him, Ling Xian shook his head helplessly. He had no idea why he was so attractive in these people’s eyes. Enough for these three to make such big promises and even start a fight.

He was a little proud of himself but more than that he felt helpless.

"Aye… how troublesome."

Ling Xian silently sighed and slowly said, "Seniors, can you listen to me for a second?"

Instantly, three different gazes shifted to him.