Chapter 62: Du Xian Sect 20 Part 1

The fierce sword momentum failed to approach Wei Luoheng. The Chijun Sword blazed with fire throughout its body and blocked the Zhenliu Sword with a resounding clang.

Lu Yun Ting’s eyes widened, seemingly in disbelief. “Shizun…”

Xun Ji withdrew the Chijun Sword and coughed lightly. “Enough. Our guest is here—there’s no need for fighting and killing.”

Wei Luoheng’s eyes curved into smiling crescents. “The world speaks of Jiyang Zhenren of Du Xian Sect as aloof and unapproachable, and his disciple Yunting Lord as mild-mannered and courteous. Yet upon meeting you both, it turns out to be the complete opposite.”

“I see Lord Luo Heng as a paragon of virtue as well, as expected of the Tian Yan Sect Young Sect Master.” Xun Ji smiled too. “My foolish disciple was reckless. I hope Lord Luo Heng can forgive him.”

Fine, he was a man—whatever. The important thing was to swindle the Latent Spirit Jade out of him!

“Shizun, this man speaks honeyed words with impure intentions. How can you treat him so amiably?” Lu Yun Ting’s expression grew even uglier. “The world says Wei Luoheng excels in the Asking Heaven Divination Path, even sealing his own mouth for it. But look at his glib, oily tongue—how does he resemble someone devoted to cultivation?”

“Yunting Lord, you’ve wronged me.” Wei Luoheng said innocently. “In the past, silence greatly aided my cultivation, so I kept my mouth shut. But now I’ve been stuck at Late-Stage Golden Core for so long. I’ve finally encountered a breakthrough opportunity, so naturally I must seize it. Sealing my mouth is no longer important.”

“Oh?” Xun Ji grew curious. “Lord Luo Heng has encountered a breakthrough opportunity?”

In the original text, Wei Luoheng was only mentioned in passing as a once-in-a-generation cultivation genius whose talent rivaled Lu Yun Ting’s, or even surpassed it slightly. However, being overly precocious was not a good thing. He cultivated the Asking Heaven Divination Path, where all his thoughts revolved around practice. The faster he advanced, the greater the toll on his body.

Lu Yun Ting had only broken through to Nascent Soul ahead of schedule because Wei Luoheng had infused him with spiritual power. Wei Luoheng, on the other hand, had reached the threshold of Nascent Soul Formation with his own talent, but his body could no longer support such astonishing speed—it was nearly depleted. In the original story, this Tian Yan Sect Young Sect Master did not appear at the Immortal Alliance Conference. His sister Wei Qianqian had led the charge for vengeance on their father’s behalf, likely because this Eldest Young Master—whose cultivation outstripped his peers but whose body was as fragile as paper—might keel over from excessive emotion before revenge could even be had.

“Indeed.” Wei Luoheng’s brows and eyes softened with gentleness as he gazed at Xun Ji past Lu Yun Ting. “My opportunity… is Jiyang Immortal Lord.”

“Me?” Xun Ji was surprised. “I can help you break through?”

“Flattery and filthy intentions!” Lu Yun Ting said coldly. “Don’t even think about tricking Shizun into helping you cultivate!”

Wei Luoheng chuckled helplessly. “It’s not that I need the Immortal Lord’s help with cultivation. I once divined for myself, and the hexagram showed a romantic tribulation in my fate. If I can pass it, the Great Dao will be unobstructed. If not…”

He trailed off, but Xun Ji understood. So this guy wasn’t actually a brainless fan of Jiyang Zhenren—he had simply divined that his romantic tribulation involved Jiyang Zhenren. That was why he chased after him so eagerly, hoping to form a proper bond. After all, if he failed to catch up, his cultivation path might end right there.

“Absurd!” Lu Yun Ting sneered. “Your tribulation has nothing to do with Master. Master would never pass some romantic tribulation with a lecher like you.”

Wei Luoheng looked aggrieved. “But just now, the Immortal Lord clearly said he wanted to form a Dao companion bond with me…”

“Ahem.” Xun Ji quickly blocked Lu Yun Ting, who was charging forward with the Zhenliu Sword in hand. He spoke earnestly, “Forming a Dao companion bond is a major matter, after all. We should consider it carefully.”

Earlier, Xun Ji had needed something from him to survive and had hoped Wei Luoheng would sneak out the Latent Spirit Jade. But now the situation was reversed—Wei Luoheng needed him to survive and pass his romantic tribulation.

With the initiative in his own hands, there was no rush to form any Dao companion bond.

“Immortal Lord, are you going back on your word?” Wei Luoheng grew anxious, his face suddenly paling. A thread of glaring blood spilled from the corner of his lips, and his body swayed as he toppled over.

“Such dramatics!” Lu Yun Ting had no intention of helping him up.

For a moment, Xun Ji suspected it was a bitter ploy too, but the more he looked, the more off it seemed. He sidestepped Lu Yun Ting and supported the man. “What’s wrong, Lord Luo Heng?”

Wei Luoheng quickly tapped several acupoints on his body, pulled out a pill, and swallowed it. His complexion finally eased somewhat. He gave a wry smile. “This body of mine… it’s hard to sustain. I’m afraid it won’t last much longer. Heaven is unfair, making people unequal from birth, yet Heaven is also too fair—extreme wisdom must come at a price.”

Xun Ji had known he was fragile like paper, but he hadn’t realized it was this severe.

Xun Ji thought for a moment, then took a book from his Storage Pouch and handed it over.

“What is this…” Wei Luoheng took it, staring blankly at the cover. “I’ve never seen this script before.”

The cover bore a single word in ornate script—Snake.

“Ahem, the cover doesn’t matter. As long as you can read the contents.” Xun Ji said, “This is a Transformation Technique. Your problem stems from your cultivation advancing beyond your body’s limits, creating an immense burden. I thought perhaps changing your body might alleviate it.”

This was a copy of the Snake Transformation Technique he had idly transcribed from the System’s reward. Now he gave it to Wei Luoheng as a favor, lest the man croak before handing over the Latent Spirit Jade.

Wei Luoheng stared blankly for a moment, then his expression turned solemn and serious. “The Transformation Technique is a secret art lost since ancient times. For the Immortal Lord to give it to me so readily—this great kindness… I don’t know how to repay it.”

“You’re too polite, Lord Luo Heng. If you insist on repaying me, why not lend me that item we discussed earlier for a look?” Xun Ji seized the chance and hinted desperately.

“You mean the Latent Spirit Jade?” Wei Luoheng agreed straightforwardly. “Very well. If the Immortal Lord wants it, it’s yours! By the time of the Immortal Alliance Conference, I will personally deliver the Latent Spirit Jade.”

Xun Ji was overjoyed. “Lord Luo Heng is truly straightforward. Then I shall await your visit at Du Xian Sect.”

A smile tugged at Wei Luoheng’s lips. “I’ll come early… to see the Immortal Lord sooner.”

He reached out, as if to clasp Xun Ji’s hand, but the icy sword hilt smacked the back of his hand with a sharp crack.

“Since the talk is done and the gift given, Shizun, we should return to Du Xian Sect.” Lu Yun Ting’s voice was frigid.