Qi Cultivation Starting from the Repair Panel

Chapter 491: Chapter 331: Movements of the Martial Hall

“Daoist Chu and my Shang Family do indeed have some fate together.”

Noticing Song Lingxue’s gaze, Shang Zuling’s brows slightly raised, a calm expression on his face as he said, “These past few years, Daoist Chu has indeed taken good care of me.”

No sooner had his words fallen than Bai Nian’s expression tightened subtly, quietly stepping back a few steps, the atmosphere subtly changing for a moment.

“These past few years?”

Song Lingxue paused, not turning to look at Chu Zheng, but nodded and said:

“As a descendant of the Shang Family, Cangyun Immortal Monarch has shown great kindness to my husband. Taking care of you is only right. It’s just that my husband never mentioned that you were here, and we weren’t prepared to offer a gift upon meeting. I hope Daoist Shang won’t take offense.”

“True Inheritor Song is too serious; you are now a true inheritor of the Martial Hall, and your status is no longer what it once was. There is no need to prepare any gifts to see me.”

Shang Zuling’s expression remained unyielding, like a still pond: “As for the favors granted by my Shang Family ancestors, they are unrelated to me. Daoist Chu is kind and willing to lend a hand; I will remember this kindness.”

Hearing the word ‘husband,’ Chu Zheng couldn’t help but shake his head, noticing that Song Lingxue was truly angry, he looked towards Bai Nian:

“Gather some things, we will leave this place.”

Bai Nian said nothing more, turning back inside the shop to pack some sundries.

Song Lingxue also remained silent, walking slowly into the shop, her gaze drifting, her eyes scanning every corner inch by inch.

“Daoist Shang, what are your plans next?”

Chu Zheng looked at Shang Zuling, without any pretense, and directly said, “I have joined the Immortal Alliance Punishment Department, and will soon be headed to the frontline battlefield. The conflict in the Lower Heavenly Domain will begin, shall I escort you out first?”

Shang Zuling’s current situation is troublesome, completely different from his, the identity of the Shang Family people is quite sensitive.

With a great war approaching, the best choice for Shang Zuling is to leave this place, go to the Chaos Sea, or into the Great Universe, casually picking a Life Star to hide on, and avoiding this storm.

“I will find an opportunity to leave the Lower Heavenly Domain,” affirmed Shang Zuling. “I have my own plans for that, Daoist Chu should take good care of himself.”

During their conversation, Bai Nian had finished packing and came out.

Chu Zheng without asking further, took out two Low Grade Immortal Treasures, handing them to Shang Zuling:

“Take these for protection, my friend. This is where we part ways.”

He never interfered too much in the choices of others because even his own choices could not be guaranteed to be right.

“The battlefield is full of danger and unpredictability, Daoist Chu, take good care of yourself,” Shang Zuling did not refuse and received the Immortal Treasures.

Her current situation, to leave the Lower Heavenly Domain, indeed required some protective aces to ensure survival before considering the future.

After years of being by Chu Zheng’s side, she had observed that his methods were somewhat mystical; to him, Immortal Treasures were not considered precious.

“I won’t be returning with you.”

Song Lingxue walked out of the shop slowly, speaking softly:

“The Martial Hall wants to withdraw all forces supporting the Immortal Alliance to concentrate on hunting down the remnants of All Heavens. I’ve also received the summons and will return to the Martial Hall soon, and later meet up with other members.”

“When did this happen? Why have you never mentioned this to me before?”

Hearing this, Chu Zheng’s brows slightly furrowed, looking at Song Ling for a long moment before slowly realizing, “Have you made up your mind?”

“I’m going back to the Martial Hall,” affirmed Song Lingxue, and then said, “The Jade Book from before was destroyed; I need a new method of communication.”

The previous Jade Book was made from materials of the Golden Body, employing the techniques of the Incense Fire Divine Path. Now that Chu Zheng had expelled the Incense Fire Divine Path from his body, it naturally couldn’t be used anymore.

However, among the Divine Skills of the Qi Cultivators, there were similar techniques, but relatively speaking, they had a delay – the transmission would take some time.

After a long silence, Chu Zheng produced a piece of Clear Spirit Jade, infusing it with Divine Soul Treasure Blood, for Soul Storage; through it, the Sound Transmission Skill could be used for communication across realms.

“Why not come with me?”

Chu Zheng stepped forward slowly, stuffing the Spirit Jade into Song Lingxue’s hand, his tone deepening.

‘Being together for too long can become tiresome.’

Song Lingxue smiled faintly, tucking away the Spirit Jade and reaching out to hug Chu Zheng, whispering:

‘When we meet again, I will have become stronger, and I will surely be able to help you.’

The strong desire that had faded during their time together would once again build tension across the immeasurably distant starscape, like a drawn Strong Bow, waiting for the moment to be released.

The rare moments of their meeting, through the repeated polish of time, would leave behind only the beautiful impressions.

Chu Zheng would only remember her good qualities, and she would do the same.

Chu Zheng took a deep breath and whispered:

“Take care of yourself.”

He had no doubt about Song Lingxue’s ability to do so. In the twenty years they had been apart, without him by her side, Song Lingxue had still managed to survive.

Going to the Martial Hall might even be safer than being with him.

Without another word, Chu Zheng let go and turned around, taking Bai Nian with him, never looking back.

Watching them disappear, Shang Zuling slowly began to speak: “Song Zhenchuan seems to have something she wishes to discuss with me.”

“Yes.”

Song Lingxue nodded, her eyes growing deeper, her tone slightly somber: “You may find me unreasonable or self-sentimental, but if I don’t speak my mind, I will be restless.”

“Please speak freely, Song Zhenchuan.”

The light in Shang Zuling’s eyes undulated subtly. Her stature was already tall, naturally looking down upon most people; this moment her gaze fell as if she towered from a greater height without uttering a word, emanating a sense of superiority.

“The Cangyun Immortal Monarch has shown kindness to Azhen. That is between the Cangyun Immortal Monarch and him. Even if Azhen never gets a chance to repay this kindness, I will find a way to do so in the future. It has nothing to do with you…”

Song Lingxue slightly lifted her head, meeting Shang Zuling’s gaze, her delicate features devoid of expression, she spoke deliberately: “So, I do not wish to see you getting too involved with Azhen, not even in your thoughts.”

“Is that a… threat?”

A faint smile appeared on Shang Zuling’s lips, which, under the serious scrutiny from Song Lingxue, gradually faded:

“I’ve lived until today, including my ancestors, we have never served anyone. Chu Zheng is an exception, but only in terms of his natural talent for cultivation. As for future entanglements with him, I make no guarantees to you.”

This had nothing to do with Chu Zheng. She might be in a tight spot now, but she hadn’t lost her pride, and she would not make any foolish promises based on a few words from others.

“I am not threatening you,” Song Lingxue shook her head:

“He is someone whom even my closest kin have never touched. Therefore… Should you harbor any thoughts before my life ends, I might take pre-emptive action to kill you before certain things truly come to pass.”

Song Lingxue’s expression remained calm, and in her tone, there was no hint of a threat, only the statement of an inevitability.

“You…”

Shang Zuling’s eyes narrowed slightly, then suddenly she sensed something amiss, glancing at the snow-colored battle halberd that Song Lingxue carried on her back:

“Are you trying to provoke me into attacking?”

“Who can predict the future? I have said what I needed to say; you don’t have to take it to heart. If there comes a day when you need help, I’ll assist you if it’s within my power.”

Song Lingxue shook her head slightly and walked away.

Shang Zuling’s brows were tightly knitted as she watched Song Lingxue leave, an inexplicable anger rising in her heart with nowhere to vent.

Before Song Lingxue had spoken, she had already said that her words might be taken as unreasonable or self-sentimental.

The prerequisite was that she had no thoughts of Chu Zheng.

The past five years had flown by like a painting in water, swift through her mind and vanished in an instant.

Her injuries had long been healed, and the Underground Palace was not a place abundant in spiritual energy. Why didn’t she just leave?

Moments later, unable to find an answer, Shang Zuling took a deep breath, her expression returning to its usual calm, and slowly closed the door of her miscellaneous shop.

Why worry about clothes getting wet when the storm has yet to come? It’s just self-inflicted trouble.

The Great Universe is so vast, this farewell today might mean that it’s unlikely for us to meet again in the future.

Just like Song Lingxue had said earlier, there’s no need for her to take these words to heart.

…

…

After leaving the Underground Palace, Chu Zheng informed Bai Nian of the recent events, instructing him to take note.

Apart from the Martial Hall’s destruction of the All Heavens and the Martial Ancestor’s battle where he killed two Beast Ancestors, the imminent great battle in the Lower Heavenly Domain is also a rare event even when delving into ancient history.

In the struggle between paths, there’s no distinction of good and evil; what is contested is the future of the eons and the ultimate destination of Heavenly Fate, unknown to all.

Being living creatures in the present, all we can do is to experience, perceive, and then record truthfully.

Upon returning to the Immortal Alliance Camp, Chu Zheng immediately began preparing all the Immortal Treasures he could use, and some fragments of valuables.

Among them, some had been with him in the Cangyun Realm, still awaiting repair.