Eternal Life: I Have the Favor System

Chu Lingguang and Guo Wei breathed a secret sigh of relief after convincing Jiang Ruhong to have the Jiang Family eliminate Chen Liang. Of course, they knew they couldn’t let their guard down.

Chen Liang had successfully retrieved the Necromancy Charm.

The Power of the Necromancy was something even Foundation Establishment experts feared, so Chu Lingguang and Guo Wei couldn’t afford to provoke it lightly. For safety’s sake, they made a special trip to the Hall of Criminal Law to make inquiries. They learned that while duels were permitted within the sect, fights to the death were strictly forbidden.

So, if Chen Liang wanted to plot against them, he wouldn’t dare do it openly. He would have to use Jiang Ruhong like last time, killing them with the Necromancy Charm and framing Jiang Ruhong for it.

Perhaps Jiang Ruhong had seen through this as well, which was why he had sided with Chu Lingguang and Guo Wei and chosen to break with Chen Liang.

With this layer of security in place, Chu Lingguang and Guo Wei focused all their attention on cultivation.

With his Qi Condensation Technique and Qi Manipulation Technique values both at Perfection, Chu Lingguang’s cultivation progressed at a blistering pace. He advanced a full level roughly every two months.

Jiang Ruhong had already sent the Communication Jade Scroll back to his family.

He had also received a reply. However, within the Profound Celestial Sect, not even the Jiang Family could threaten Chen Liang’s life.

Fortunately, the Jiang Family thought very highly of a promising seedling like Jiang Ruhong. They paid a hefty price to successfully bribe Steward Zhou into transferring Chen Liang away. Chen Liang would be sent to the mortal world to help manage the Profound Celestial Sect’s business interests there.

「Two months later.」

Without realizing it, Chu Lingguang’s cultivation had also reached the sixth level of Qi Refining.

When Chen Liang was being transferred, Chu Lingguang, Jiang Ruhong, and Guo Wei stood together, watching him depart from a distance.

"Once he enters the mortal world, he’ll find out just how terrible it is to offend our Jiang Family."

Jiang Ruhong sneered.

"Just what kind of power is your Jiang Family in the mortal world?"

Guo Wei asked curiously.

"I wouldn’t say we rule with an iron fist, but it’s close. It’s just a shame my father’s status in the Jiang Family isn’t high—he’s only from a side branch. Otherwise, when I joined the Profound Celestial Sect, I would’ve at least been able to become an Inner Sect Disciple."

Jiang Ruhong said with a serious expression.

Chu Lingguang and Guo Wei were stunned.

The son of a disciple from a side branch could become an Outer Disciple in the Profound Celestial Sect. It was clear just how powerful the Jiang Family’s status was in the mortal world.

’Perhaps the Profound Celestial Sect’s business interests in the mortal world are also closely related to the Jiang Family.’

"I’d like to ask you for a favor."

Chu Lingguang said.

"We’re friends now. Just say what’s on your mind."

Jiang Ruhong said, clapping Chu Lingguang on the shoulder.

"I have a friend who’s also in the Profound Celestial Sect. I’d like you to help us find him. His name is Yan Zhen. Like us, he’s from the Great Yuan. He was personally brought here from the Great Yuan by an expert from the Profound Celestial Sect."

"He has a Water, Fire, and Earth Tri-Element Spiritual Root. His aptitude is extraordinary; he’s a once-in-a-century genius."

Chu Lingguang explained.

After entering the Profound Celestial Sect, he and Guo Wei had been constantly trying to get news about Yan Zhen. Unfortunately, it was as if Yan Zhen had vanished. No one within the sect seemed to know he even existed.

"A Tri-Element Spiritual Root."

"That truly is a once-in-a-century genius."

’If we could befriend someone like that, wouldn’t our Jiang Family...’

"Don’t worry. Leave it to me. I’ll handle it for you."

Jiang Ruhong’s eyes lit up.

"Alright."

Chu Lingguang cupped his fist.

"Chu, Steward Zhou is looking for you."

Just then, a young man who hadn’t been in the sect for long came over and spoke respectfully.

"Where is he?"

"Please follow me, Chu."

Chu Lingguang was very surprised.

In all his time in the Profound Celestial Sect, neither he nor Guo Wei had ever had any contact with Steward Zhou, aside from matters related to their cultivation.

"Greetings, Steward Zhou."

A short while later, Chu Lingguang followed the young man to a mountaintop within the Profound Celestial Sect.

The young disciple bowed and withdrew.

Steward Zhou stood with his back to Chu Lingguang. Compared to before, Steward Zhou had grown much taller. He had changed from a small child into a fifteen or sixteen-year-old youth.

This was due to a transformation from a Magic Technique.

"Come out!"

Steward Zhou said.

Chu Lingguang couldn’t help but look around, and his expression instantly froze. The person Steward Zhou had summoned was none other than Chen Liang. ’Wasn’t he sent away to manage the Profound Celestial Sect’s business in the mortal world? Why has he suddenly appeared?’

’Did the Jiang Family fail to persuade Steward Zhou? Or was the Steward just putting on an act?’

Chu Lingguang had a bad feeling and couldn’t help but raise his guard.

"HEH HEH HEH!"

Chen Liang chuckled sinisterly at Chu Lingguang.

"Jiang Ruhong has the Jiang Family’s protection, so I can’t touch him. But what are you and Guo Wei? How dare you plot against me?"

Chen Liang sneered.

"Steward Zhou, what is the meaning of this?"

Chu Lingguang asked.

"I’ve drawn up a combat agreement with the sect on your behalf. The fight will be right here!"

Steward Zhou waved his hand, and two sheets of paper flew out.

The papers landed in the hands of Chu Lingguang and Chen Liang.

The contents were simple: A fair duel. Life and death are decided by fate.

Upon receiving the paper, Chen Liang infused it with a strand of his own Spiritual Power and pressed down hard with his hand, leaving his Palm Seal.

Then he held up the paper and looked at Chu Lingguang.

"I don’t accept."

Chu Lingguang said.

"It’s not up to you."

Steward Zhou sneered. With a wave of his sleeve, a powerful surge of Spiritual Power enveloped Chu Lingguang’s body. The Spiritual Power tightened, immobilizing him completely.

Chu Lingguang felt an unprecedented pressure. He sensed that his life and death hung on Steward Zhou’s every thought.

This feeling of being completely at someone’s mercy was unbearable.

He stiffly raised his hand.

"Fine. I’ll do it myself."

As he watched his hand being forced toward the paper, Chu Lingguang relented. Steward Zhou was a Foundation Establishment expert; even if it was just the Human Dao Foundation Establishment level, it wasn’t something a sixth-level Qi Refining cultivator like him could resist.