Who Let Him Cultivate Immortality

“It’s you!” Upon seeing the figure responsible for his downfall, the Calamity Sovereign screamed in terror and desperately tried to crawl away.

Daoist Non-Speaker and the Minister of Justice glanced at each other, wondering why this old man was more frightened than they were.

Being intelligent men, they quickly pieced it together: this person must have been chased by Yun Zhi, fleeing all the way to the jail, hoping to use the ominous atmosphere to hide, only to be caught by the two of them.

“If I’m not mistaken, this is the Calamity Sovereign from the middle period of the Great Yu Dynasty. He instigated the riot at the Qingzhou Gathering, commanding two ancient Unity stage cultivators to act out. He forced the State Governor of Qingzhou to use the national fortune and the Supreme Sword Projection to respond, aiming to gather intelligence.”

“Fortunately, my junior brother was alert and noticed something off about the two ancient Unity cultivators. He informed me just in time, allowing me to capture this one.”

“If he had passed on the national fortune and Supreme Sword information to other ancient cultivators, it would have caused great trouble.”

“So that’s why it seemed strange—an unknown Unity-level cultivator suddenly appearing. Turns out he’s another ancient Unity stage!” The Minister of Justice looked at the Calamity Sovereign with gritted teeth.

Daoist Non-Speaker’s usual playful demeanor vanished. The ancient cultivators were indeed one of the great dangers threatening the Great Xia.

Yun Zhi narrowed her eyes slightly. This was the second time she had captured an ancient Tribulation Crossing Stage cultivator. Earlier, she, along with the other four leaders of the Five Great Immortal Sects and the Emperor Xia, had agreed that more ancient cultivators would awaken over time. Currently, it was Unity stage cultivators, but soon it would be Tribulation Crossing Stage experts.

However, based on this ancient Tribulation Crossing Stage cultivator’s actions, it was clear he already knew about the national fortune and the Supreme Sword. He must have awakened long ago.

“It seems many ancient cultivators are hidden in places we don’t know about,” Yun Zhi said coldly, her voice revealing a trace of displeasure. These ancient cultivators, dull and unfit, sought immortality but brought disaster to the world in their scheming and ambition.

The Calamity Sovereign looked like a withered corpse, barely alive and on the verge of death. Seeing his pitiful state, Yun Zhi lightly tapped her finger, pulling his soul out from his body.

It would be much easier to deal with just his soul.

Rather than dragging along his collapsing body, she would simply take his soul back.

Yun Zhi held an invisible chain in her right hand, the other end securely binding the Calamity Sovereign.

“Oh, by the way, Master, Minister, capturing the Calamity Sovereign is a significant accomplishment. I will inform the Emperor Xia about your achievement.” Before leaving, Yun Zhi suddenly mentioned this.

The two men were stunned at first but then overjoyed. Such a grand achievement would be more than enough to secure their release from prison.

They had feared they would miss their chance to get out.

…

“Where should I find another ancient cultivator to take revenge on?” Vice Sect Leader Bone pondered. He never delayed vengeance—it was always immediate.

“You, my friend, are truly noble and righteous, going out of your way to seek out ancient cultivators. I, Sun, greatly admire you!” A hearty laugh full of joy rang out.

(TL Note: His surname is Sun but it doesn’t refer to the actual sun, it’s just spelt the same way just like Sun Wukong)

Vice Sect Leader Bone found the voice familiar. Turning his head, he flinched—it was the State Governor.

The State Governor clasped his hands in respect toward Petrified Bone, his attitude sincere. “I do not know where you are from, nor your esteemed name, but to use the opportunity of the tribulation lightning to severely wound the Calamity Sovereign is a tremendous feat. I must invite you back to my residence, where you will be richly rewarded. Afterward, I will also submit a formal report to the court, recommending you for an award!”

Just like Yun Zhi, the State Governor had been following the Calamity Sovereign. However, he wasn’t as fast as Yun Zhi and had missed most of what had transpired.

When the State Governor arrived, he saw Vice Sect Leader Bone dragging the Calamity Sovereign through the tribulation lightning. The Calamity Sovereign had tried to escape multiple times, but each attempt was blocked by Vice Sect Leader Bone, who seemed to be enjoying the struggle, clearly holding a grudge against him. After the tribulation, Vice Sect Leader Bone tied up the Calamity Sovereign, fearing he might escape.

The State Governor filled in the details in his mind: Vice Sect Leader Bone was a hidden rogue cultivator, undergoing his tribulation in a desolate area. Recognizing the Calamity Sovereign as a villain dripping with bloodshed, Shi used the tribulation lightning to trap him.

“A noble and righteous person!” the State Governor thought, deeply moved. He immediately offered to reward Vice Sect Leader Bone for his heroic deeds.

However, Vice Sect Leader Bone frantically declined. How could he dare to follow the State Governor? If the State Governor found out his true identity, wouldn’t the State Governor get promoted immediately?

That wasn’t something he said; it was written just like that on the bounty board.

“State Governor, you’re too kind. I merely couldn’t stand seeing these ancient cultivators committing crimes with no regard for law and order, so I decided to teach them a lesson. As for any reward, where is the justice in seeking payment for doing what is right? That would be putting the cart before the horse. Farewell!” he said, hurriedly leaving before the State Governor could stop him.

The State Governor watched him disappear, sincerely praising, “Truly a virtuous and reclusive cultivator.”

…

At the Qingzhou Gathering, the two ancient Unity stage cultivators had been captured, their cultivation sealed, and were being guarded in turns by several Unity-level cultivators. The imperial court would soon dispatch the Luoshui Guard to take the two ancient Unity cultivators away, crippling their meridians and locking them in the imperial prison.

Officials worked diligently to restore order. With the State Governor absent, Xia Qun, as the highest-ranking official, sat in the yamen, overseeing and directing the recovery efforts.

While the physical damage was minimal, the event had caused significant psychological impact.

Ancient Unity cultivators, the national fortune, the Supreme Sword projection, an ancient Tribulation Crossing Stage expert, and a mysterious figure who easily subdued such an expert—these were things beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.

Even seasoned cultivators like Lan Ting and her companions were still in shock, struggling to process what had just happened.

As for Lu Yang, he remained unfazed. What was an ancient Tribulation Crossing Stage compared to what he knew? After all, in his mental space resided the First Immortal of the Ancient Era, one of the Top Ten Beauties of Ancient Times, who often casually discussed ancient secrets that involved immortals. By comparison, a Tribulation Crossing Stage expert was hardly worth mentioning.

He overheard some passersby discussing the recent events.

“Thank goodness that expert intervened, or we would’ve been in real danger,” one Golden Core Stage cultivator said, still feeling lucky to be alive.

His companion nodded, the fear still evident in his eyes. “No doubt. But now that you mention it, what did that expert look like?”

“You forgot the appearance of the person who saved your life? Wait, yeah… was it a man or a woman?”

The two exchanged confused glances, unable to recall.

Elsewhere, more people were discussing the battle.

“State Governor was amazing! He withstood a Tribulation Crossing-level treasure all by himself.”

“That’s nothing! The State Governor nearly killed that ancient Tribulation Crossing Stage cultivator. Especially with that sword—it was out of this world!”

“A sword? What sword?”

“Don’t you remember? The sword was… um, what was it made of?”

“Now that you mention it, what weapon did the State Governor use to defeat the ancient Unity cultivators?”

Both were filled with questions, and soon, they completely forgot what had just transpired.

Lu Yang frowned at the scene, recalling the events clearly in his mind: the national fortune, the Supreme Sword projection, Eldest Senior Sister… everything was vivid.

“Immortal, what’s going on here?”