Volume Two: Travels in the Qi Kingdom Chapter 117: Two Unconventional Old Men

The head of the Shadow Spirit Sect? Upon hearing this, Zhang Heng’s expression changed briefly, but he quickly composed himself.

Ling Tian, watching from a distance, also relaxed. He had been ready to act just moments ago; if Zhang Heng had lost control, he would have spared no effort to eliminate Ye Wuji right there.

Since Zhang Heng had regained his composure, they now had more time to make arrangements. The Shadow Spirit Sect was no minor force; any move against them had to be carefully planned.

Zhang Heng was no fool. He understood that this place belonged to the Alchemy Pavilion, and he could easily use Wu Hong’s power to kill the sect leader here.

But killing this man served no purpose. The Shadow Spirit Sect would still exist, continuing its wicked deeds. Moreover, Ye Wuji’s death might provoke the sect, causing unnecessary trouble.

Therefore, without absolute certainty, Zhang Heng chose to endure. If he struck, it had to be decisive—rooting out the entire Shadow Spirit Sect.

“Master Ye, please,” Zhang Heng said expressionlessly, handing the spirit elixir to Ye Wuji.

“You know me?” Ye Wuji accepted the elixir and asked.

Zhang Heng’s brief change in expression was immediately noticed by Ye Wuji, revealing just how formidable this man was.

“Well, young man, I have heard of Master Ye’s name and hold great respect for you. That’s why I lost my composure earlier. I hope Master Ye will forgive me,” Zhang Heng hastily explained.

“Haha! You’re quite the smooth talker. No wonder Old Wu favors you,” Ye Wuji laughed, choosing not to probe further since he had never met Zhang Heng before and thus felt no suspicion.

Wu Hong led Zhang Heng around to greet the elder alchemists, pouring spirit elixir for them before returning to his seat.

Zhang Heng respectfully served the elixir, and they all responded kindly.

They had come to build ties with Wu Hong. Originally, Wu Hong was indifferent to them, but the presence of this young man changed his attitude. He even personally introduced them to Zhang Heng. They were all shrewd and understood Wu Hong’s intentions.

Wu Hong held high hopes for this young man.

Everyone silently acknowledged that Zhang Heng must be extraordinary.

“Brother Qi, please,” Wu Hong said as he returned to his seat. Zhang Heng approached Qi Xuan and poured a cup of spirit elixir for him.

“Brother Zhang, thank you,” Qi Xuan bowed before drinking the elixir.

“What about me, Zhang Heng? I want some too,” Qi Sisi urgently called out, noticing Zhang Heng hadn’t poured any for her.

Before Zhang Heng could respond, she snatched the wine pot from his hand and poured herself a cup. Just as she was about to drink, Zhang Heng smiled and said, “Miss Qi, although this elixir tastes sweet, it contains immense spiritual energy. Your delicate body likely cannot withstand it. Drinking it would probably cause your blood vessels to rupture, leading to death.”

“Do you still want to drink it?”

Hearing this, Qi Sisi’s delicate face turned pale, and she hurriedly handed back the elixir and pot to Zhang Heng.

“I don’t want it anyway.”

Zhang Heng was not bluffing. Though Qi Sisi came from the Qi royal family, her cultivation was weak—only at the Pure Spirit Realm, while Qi Xuan had already reached the ninth stage of Nascent Core.

Apart from Zhang Heng, few Pure Spirit cultivators in the world would dare drink such elixir.

After finishing their drinks, the guests took their leave one by one.

They all knew Wu Hong preferred tranquility. The only reason he tolerated their presence so long was because of the young man. Now that Zhang Heng’s purpose was fulfilled, they were superfluous and wisely left on their own accord.

Soon, only Zhang Heng, Ling Tian, and Wu Hong remained in the room.

Once the others left, Ling Tian immediately changed expression and scolded Zhang Heng loudly, “You brat, you’re such a spendthrift! So much spirit elixir—enough to keep this old man going for a year—and you just gave it away. My heart is bleeding!”

“Old man, the rest here is all yours,” Zhang Heng said generously, tossing Ling Tian the half-full wine pot.

Ling Tian caught it with a smile. “Kid, you do have some conscience.”

“Zhang Heng, you know Ling Lao?” Wu Hong asked.

“Yes, Elder Wu. After parting with you, I met Senior Ling Tian on the road. He escorted me to the Qi royal city,” Zhang Heng replied.

“Zhang Heng, listen to me—stay away from him. That old man is no upright fellow. Don’t let him corrupt you,” Wu Hong warned, glancing at Ling Tian with disdain.

Before Zhang Heng could respond, Ling Tian couldn’t help himself and started bickering with Wu Hong.

“You old coot, are you any better? You only know how to fuss over your worthless pills.”

“Old man, at least I teach Zhang Heng alchemy. What can you do? Take him to steal wine?”

“Old guy, you dared to expose me, but who was it who had diarrhea for seven days straight after taking his own pills?”

“Old thing, remember when you got beaten black and blue for stealing someone else’s spirit wine?”

“Old man!”

“Old thing!”

“Old man!”

“Old thing!”

...

Watching these two old men grow more animated in their quarrel, Zhang Heng simply sat aside, sipping the elixir and enjoying their show.

With such irreverent personalities, it was no wonder they were close friends.

After an unknown length of time, both eventually tired and sat down, panting as they drank the spirit elixir Zhang Heng had provided.

“Zhang Heng, what brings you to the royal city?” Wu Hong was the first to return to seriousness.

Ling Tian also ceased his laughter.

Zhang Heng stood, gazing slowly at the sky before saying solemnly, “Elder Wu, I intend to destroy the Shadow Spirit Sect.”

“Young man! Has the Shadow Spirit Sect offended you? Want me to send a few people to teach the sect’s leaders a lesson?”

“Elder Wu, the Shadow Spirit Sect is utterly heartless—they seek to harm over a hundred thousand ordinary people. That’s why I came to the royal city—to find a way to wipe them out.” As he spoke, a trace of sorrow flashed through Zhang Heng’s eyes before turning resolute.

“What’s going on?” Wu Hong asked, alarmed, stepping closer.

“Elder Wu, to the west of Shayan City lies a small town called Xunhuan. It houses over a hundred thousand common folk. When Senior Ling Tian and I passed through, we discovered the Shadow Spirit Sect spreading a dark curse there. Those affected have their entire life essence drained, becoming vessels for the sect’s evil energy. If not for Senior Ling Tian’s timely intervention, the entire town’s populace would have been destroyed.”

“Therefore, I must annihilate them. They must never be allowed to harm others again.”

Zhang Heng detailed the Shadow Spirit Sect’s atrocities to Wu Hong. Now that Wu Hong had advanced to a fifth-rank alchemist, countless high-level cultivators sought his favor. Without Wu Hong’s intervention, even with Zhang Heng’s help, the Shadow Spirit Sect would be doomed.

“Young man! This matter is no trivial affair. Don’t get involved. Leave it to me—I will personally destroy the Shadow Spirit Sect,” Wu Hong said, accepting the responsibility without questioning Zhang Heng, worried about his safety.

Zhang Heng felt deeply moved. Coming from another world, few here treated him sincerely.

Wu Hong was one of them.

“Zhang Heng, young man, Elder Wu is right. Saving the world’s people should not rest on your shoulders alone. We old fellows will handle it. You just focus on your cultivation.”

Zhang Heng smiled, almost forgetting that despite Ling Tian’s irreverence, he was a righteous and trustworthy man.