The Demonic Cultivator In Zombie World

Chapter 192: Duan Fengxian

Duan Que's expression shifted rapidly. He had always known that the Celestial Sound Zen Temple held disdain for heterodox Buddhist practices, but he hadn't expected them to escalate to such an extent—to the point of drawing blades immediately.

Gritting his teeth, Duan Que stepped between Yuanming and Chu Xuan.

"Master Yuanming, in these troubled times, it is better to avoid additional conflicts," Duan Que advised. "Moreover, both Master Huikong and yourself are endowed with considerable virtue…"

Yuanming's smile was ambiguous, and Chu Xuan remained silent, his hands secretly readying a spell. If Yuanming insisted on a confrontation, Chu Xuan would not hesitate to send them both to meet the Celestial Sound Buddha in the Western Paradise.

Of course, killing them would certainly blow his cover, making it impossible to remain in Righteous Dao City or assist the cultivators entering the Deity Transformation Cave in collecting corpses. Unless absolutely necessary, Chu Xuan would not initiate a fight. He was acutely aware of where his true interests lay.

The standoff continued, and just as Duan Que began to sweat from his forehead, Yuanming sheathed his ringed sabers and turned to leave. "You should feel fortunate; your virtue has saved your life today."

The two monks from the Celestial Sound Zen Temple gradually moved away and eventually disappeared from sight. Duan Que finally exhaled in relief. The tension had been so high he feared they might start fighting right then and there.

Duan Que managed a helpless smile. "Master Huikong, the Celestial Sound Zen Temple is known for its domineering ways; please don't take it personally."

Chu Xuan smiled and brought his hands together in a prayer gesture. "The Golden Dragon Temple promotes forming good connections; how could I possibly blame them?"

Duan Que sensed there was something deeper in Chu Xuan's words but couldn't pinpoint what it was, so he let the matter drop.

Chu Xuan watched the now-vanished figures of the two monks from the Celestial Sound Zen Temple, his expression as still as an ancient well. The first he would slay when the time came would be this Yuanming and the monks from the Celestial Sound Zen Temple.

Chu Xuan and Duan Que returned to Righteous Dao City. Duan Que still had duties to fulfill and soon left the city again. However, given his somewhat lax attitude towards his duties, he would likely find another cool spot to continue exploring the hundred fighting postures of naked men and women.

The monks from Celestial Sound Zen Temple and the Duan family continued their search outside for the demonic cultivator. It was common knowledge that a demonic cultivator, steeped in evil deeds, could not enter Righteous Dao City; the very act of trying would expose and eliminate him. They were convinced that the egregiously wicked demonic cultivator must still be outside the city.

Yet, despite scouring the land within a two-hundred-li radius of Righteous Dao City, disturbing many Nether Crocodiles in their caves in the process, they still could not find any trace of the demonic cultivator.

"This scoundrel really is cunning."

After listening to the reports from his junior brothers, Yuanming scoffed coldly.

"Senior brother, what do we do now? Should we continue the search?" one of the monks from the Celestial Sound Zen Temple inquired.

After a moment's thought, Yuanming responded, "At dawn tomorrow, secure the temporary market. Keep a close watch on everyone. The demonic cultivator might not show up himself, but it's possible he might send someone else to sell his goods on his behalf. Anyone selling demonic pills or talismans must be detained for questioning."

"Yes!" his subordinates replied.

Of course, they were mistaken. The demonic cultivator they assumed was hiding in a cave outside the city, steeped in evil deeds, had already nonchalantly walked into Righteous Dao City.

Back in his dwelling after his return, Chu Xuan immediately traveled to Blue Star, summoning the core leadership of Black Blade. He distributed several inferior physical cultivation techniques among them.

These techniques varied; some specialized in defense, others in offense, some in speed, and others focused on vitality maintenance. He intentionally withheld the advancements of these techniques, distributing only enough to reach the tenth level of body refinement.

Superhumans on Blue Star had been stuck at level nine for a long time, with all seeking ways to ascend to higher echelons but never finding the right path. Chu Xuan's gifts were like opening doors to a new world for them.

Black Blade initiated a massive body refinement campaign. It wouldn't be long before these physical cultivation methods would spread across Blue Star. Eventually, Blue Star might transform into a planet dominated by muscle-bound giants.

Among billions of humans, Chu Xuan believed there would be one or two extraordinarily talented individuals who might deduce the further stages of these physical cultivation methods. By then, he would personally teach them more advanced techniques.

...

As various powers converged, the atmosphere in Righteous Dao City grew increasingly tense. The five forces—Majestic Sword City, Celestial Sound City, Feather Transformation City, Lei Family City, and Righteous Dao City—had all gathered, making the already crowded city even more chaotic. Fights and killings occurred frequently.

But on this day, the discussions about who would enter the cave finally bore fruit. Chu Xuan did not know who had made concessions and who had taken the lead. Like Duan Que, he stood atop the city walls, watching as a throng of cultivators entered the Great Chasm.

Leading the charge were the Nascent Soul cultivators from the five major forces, followed by a not insignificant number of False Soul cultivators—about ten. Behind them were numerous Golden Core cultivators, some from sects and others family retainers.

As for those lesser Golden Core cultivators from smaller sects, sorry, there was no place for you. Just wait outside. After we've had our fill, maybe we'll leave you some scraps!

However, the five major forces did not mobilize all their resources. Each faction kept two late-stage Golden Core cultivators outside to oversee things, guarding against any unforeseen circumstances.

In the end, only those within the circle had a share of this cake. As for those outside the circle, they were left to their fate.

Chu Xuan and Duan Que, having seen enough, decided to head back to their dwelling. However, just as they were descending from the city walls, they encountered Xiao Fengxian. Accompanying him was a striking figure.

Chu Xuan took a moment to remember—she was the woman he had seen earlier with a companion named Liu Zhuo, named Jin Chan. Now, however, Jin Chan was affectionately entwined with Xiao Fengxian, and there was no sign of Liu Zhuo.

Xiao Fengxian, noticing Chu Xuan and Duan Que, wrapped his arm around Jin Chan's slender waist and laughed heartily, "Fellow daoist Huikong, why didn't you venture into the Deity Transformation cave?"

Duan Que, seeing him approach, felt somewhat awkward. Chu Xuan smiled, "My abilities are modest, so I chose not to take the risk."

Xiao Fengxian chuckled lightly, "What a pity, that is a cave of a Deity Transformation powerhouse. Surely there are treasures like the Spirit Breaking Spike, and yet you aren't tempted?"

Chu Xuan gave a non-committal smile, "Aren't you also absent from the cave, fellow daoist?"

Shaking his head, Xiao Fengxian corrected him, "Fellow daoist Huikong, you are mistaken about one thing—I no longer bear the surname Xiao."

Chu Xuan blinked in surprise. Xiao Fengxian declared solemnly, "I have been adopted as a righteous son by the patriarch, and from now on, my name is Duan Fengxian!"

Chu Xuan glanced at Duan Que, who responded with a wry smile and nodded. He whispered to Chu Xuan, "I don't know what got into our patriarch's head, but he insisted on adopting Xiao Fengxian as his righteous son."

After a brief pause, Duan Que added in a low voice, "Our patriarch has a penchant for handsome men…"

Chu Xuan clicked his tongue. So that was it. Quite the play indeed.

Xiao Fengxian, still smiling, advised, "Gentlemen, it's not a good habit to communicate telepathically in front of others. I might not hear it, but it's best not to do so."

He then looked at Duan Que, "Right, my great nephew?"

Duan Que managed another forced smile, "Yes, greetings, sixteenth uncle."

Given the family rankings, Xiao Fengxian, now equated to the Duan family head Duan Cang, indeed held the position of his uncle.