Chapter Nineteen: Sudden Calamity

“This!” The three loose immortals, Yang Qingtian and his companions, exchanged glances, each understanding the others’ intentions. They were deeply tempted by Shen Kai’s invitation. Like the three sect leaders, these immortals all wished to relocate their sects to this beautiful and prosperous land. Establishing good relations with the locals would be of immense help for their sects’ migration.

“What do you two think?” Yang Qingtian finally asked, since Meng Jun and Ling Yunfei had remained silent.

“I don’t see a problem with going, but Senior Qin told us to wait here,” Meng Jun said hesitantly. Among the three, he feared Qin Shuang the most.

“Master Lei, you can contact Senior Qin. Should we inform him about this?” Ling Yunfei stepped forward, gently asking Lei Shan.

“If you want to go, go ahead. I’ll stay here and wait for Brother Qin,” Lei Shan replied without even looking up, still seated.

“In that case, Master Lei, when Senior Qin returns, could you please tell him that we’re waiting for him in Lotus City?” Yang Qingtian also approached and spoke softly.

Their deferential attitude towards Lei Shan made Shen Kai look upon Lei Shan and his group with newfound respect. He finally understood why a few mortals could mingle with these cultivators—it turned out there was an even more formidable ‘Senior Qin’ behind them. Judging from Yang Qingtian’s respect, this ‘Senior Qin’ must be, at the very least, an immortal of the Celestial level.

Having figured it out, Shen Kai also walked over with a cheerful smile to invite them. No matter who they were, anyone backed by an immortal could not be underestimated. “Master Lei, you could also wait for Senior Qin in Lotus City. I’m certain he won’t blame you for it.”

“Thank you for your kindness, but Brother Qin instructed us not to go far. If they wish to go, let them. I’ll pass along the message when he returns,” Lei Shan replied with a slight smile. Shen Kai was so courteous that Lei Shan couldn’t treat him as offhandedly as he did Yang Qingtian.

“In that case, thank you, Master Lei. Once Senior Qin arrives, please invite him to the city to join us,” Yang Qingtian and his companions exchanged glances and finally made their decision.

“Master Lei, when Senior Qin returns, please be sure to invite him to Lotus City. Shen Kai will be waiting at any time.” Shen Kai was quite satisfied to have their acceptance; if he could also bring along the immortal behind these mortals, it would be perfect. The loss of a few items would be nothing in comparison.

Thirteen cultivators followed Shen Kai to Lotus City, and peace returned to the forest. Lei Shan and his five companions remained seated, quietly awaiting Qin Shuang’s return.

Lei Shan had no idea that, at this very moment, more than twenty new pursuers had appeared behind Qin Shuang—and these were far more powerful than those cultivators led by Su Yuxing.

Just as Shen Kai led Yang Qingtian and the others away from Lotus Forest, a faint figure darted into the woods.

This was Situ Jian, the son of Lotus City’s deputy lord. He had cultivated for over forty million years and now, having reached the late stage of the Great Ascension, was only a little over ten thousand years from transforming his true essence into immortal essence and becoming a true immortal.

In these final years, Situ Jian didn’t seclude himself. With a low-grade immortal weapon already in hand, he was preparing to forge immortal armor, so that when he ascended, he would have a full set of immortal equipment.

In these woods, a place for cultivators to gather resources and train, there was a material that Situ Jian absolutely needed. Long ago, he had informed all the city’s cultivators that no one was to touch this material—he would collect it himself.

Half an hour later, Situ Jian stood raging before a small stone spire, furiously slashing his immortal sword. The red silk stone he had long coveted had just been taken. Judging by the marks, it had only recently been harvested.

His sword slammed against the remaining stone, the violent explosion failing to drown out his furious roar. “Who? Who did this?”

Not far away, Lei Shan and his companions looked up slightly. Situ Jian’s disturbance was considerable, and his furious cries made his anger all the more palpable.

Situ Jian’s rage was intense. That material was essential for his immortal armor, and among the surrounding cities, only this place had it. Every cultivator in Lotus City knew that the stone was reserved for him, yet now, at the moment of harvest, someone had taken it right under his nose. It was tantamount to a public slap in the face.

“Whoever it is, if I find you, I’ll kill you myself!” Situ Jian seethed. After inspecting the traces and estimating the time the material was taken, he began searching the forest.

He hoped, perhaps in vain, that the bold thief might still be nearby.

“Oh? A few mortals?”

Soon, Situ Jian located Lei Shan and his group. In his fury, he didn’t hesitate—he sent a sword beam slashing toward them. The six, quietly sitting, never expected calamity to befall them so suddenly.

Boom!

With an explosive crash, Lei Shan and his five companions stood bloodied. Lei Shan himself fared a little better, but the others were missing arms or had shattered legs. An attack from a Great Ascension cultivator wielding an immortal sword was far beyond what mortal bodies could endure.

“Who are you? Why attack us?” Lei Shan shouted in fury, gripping the jade Qin Shuang had given him, ready to crush it at any moment.

Boom!

Another thunderous explosion. Lei Shan’s body was sent flying dozens of meters, and as he soared through the air, he crushed the jade in his hand.

“Hm? They survived two of my strikes?” Only now did Situ Jian’s anger subside a little as he realized these mortals had withstood one slash, and even after the second, one was still alive, though barely. It was a miracle, but a miracle that only he would ever know, for soon this survivor would die by his sword.

“Let me end your suffering,” Situ Jian muttered, shaking his head. He had never seen mortals endure two of his attacks.

Bang!

The ground trembled violently. This time it was Situ Jian who was sent flying. Qin Shuang, face dark with anger, glanced at the motionless Situ Jian on the ground, then instantly appeared at Lei Shan’s side, pressing an immortal pill into his mouth and channeling immortal energy to heal his wounds.