Cultivating for Immorality: I Evolved Martial Arts into the Immortal Path – Chapter 139

Chapter 139: Is He Even Worthy of Being Called a Genius?

The banquet was lively, and the aroma of wine permeated the air.

Chu Liang chatted with Qin Yu for a long time, and before he knew it, his wine cup was empty.

He picked up the wine jug, intending to refill it, when suddenly he felt a sensation, as if someone was watching him. He turned his head towards the inner part of the banquet hall.

In the depths of the banquet hall, many Skin Tempering Realm experts were gathered, conversing with each other.

Chu Liang immediately spotted Qin Yuandao, the head of the Qin family.

Qin Yuandao had a gentle expression and a smile on his face, looking like a refined scholar. He nodded slightly at Chu Liang.

Chu Liang cupped his hands in response.

Qin Yu smiled gracefully and said to Chu Liang, “Young Master Chu, my father is very interested in your movement technique. If he asks you about it later, feel free to answer as you wish. My father is easygoing and won’t force you to give up anything.”

“Alright.”

Chu Liang maintained a calm demeanor, unsurprised by this.

The speed he had displayed that day was truly astonishing. It was undoubtedly a ranked movement technique.

Even if Qin Yu didn’t mention it, the other members of the Qin family would have informed their family head, Qin Yuandao, after they returned.

A ranked movement technique, without any restrictions, was right in Chu Liang’s hands. Any Skin Tempering Realm expert would have thoughts about it.

Chu Liang refilled his cup and continued his conversation with Qin Yu.

They shared similar aspirations and found themselves getting along very well.

In the distance, Xu Tian’s gaze grew increasingly colder.

Gao Shi’s chest heaved, his emotions a mix of anger and jealousy, his eyes practically spitting fire.

“This Chu Liang only has slightly better martial arts talent. In terms of looks, family background, and literary talent, how can he compare to me?” Gao Shi gritted his teeth, nearly crushing the wine cup in his hand.

“Young Master Gao, don’t be angry.”

Someone beside him said flatteringly, “This Chu Liang’s reputation is currently soaring. Even the Black Market has granted him an amnesty token. It’s normal for Miss Qin to think highly of him. But talent is just talent. Whether he can even reach the Skin Tempering Realm is still uncertain.”

“Hmm, you make a good point.” Xu Tian’s voice was icy as he nodded in agreement.

Suppressing the killing intent in his heart, he looked at Chu Liang, who was chatting and laughing in the distance, and said to Gao Shi, “The Black Market Master once said… a dead genius is no longer a genius.”

Gao Shi was taken aback and asked, “Xu Tian, what do you mean?”

“Nothing.” Xu Tian smiled coldly. “Chu Liang will definitely participate in the expedition into the mountains. The mountains are full of dangers, and any accident can happen.”

With that, he tilted his head back and drained his wine cup, a sinister glint flashing across his handsome face.

Into the mountains!

He was waiting for this opportunity!

Qi Hai and Law Enforcement Hall Master Liang Han were also waiting!

Many people were waiting. They had their eyes on Chu Liang. Some wanted to know his secrets, while others wanted this genius to perish in the mountains!

“Chu Liang…”

Qi Yue’s emotions were extremely complex. She bit her lip and finally turned away, returning to the small circle of Black Sword Martial Arts Hall disciples, no longer looking at Chu Liang.

The atmosphere of the banquet remained lively, with the host and guests enjoying themselves. Everyone had eaten and drunk their fill.

At this moment, Qi Cang’s voice rang out again, “Everyone, we have come up with a preliminary plan.”

Hearing this, everyone stopped talking and turned their attention to the inner part of the banquet hall, looking at the twenty-plus Skin Tempering Realm experts with their extraordinary auras.

The entire banquet hall fell silent.

Qi Cang’s gaze was weathered, and he surveyed the crowd before continuing, “Seven days from now, we will enter the mountains together. If anyone has any objections to this timing, please raise them now.”

He paused for a moment.

There were still seventeen days until the Demon Heart Fruit ripened.

These Skin Tempering Realm experts had set the date for seven days later, giving everyone a ten-day buffer.

During these ten days, everyone could proceed slowly and steadily into the depths of the mountains, and even if any unexpected accidents occurred, they could adjust accordingly.

After a moment, the banquet hall remained silent. No one voiced any objections.

Qi Cang continued, “The demons are ferocious. If we fight separately, we will inevitably suffer heavy losses. In this battle, we must unite and work together.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Compared to the demons, this was humanity’s greatest advantage.

No matter how many conflicts there might be normally, when it came to a conflict between races, almost everyone would stand united against the external threat.

“Everyone, after you return, form your own teams. Each team must have at least ten members, and the leader must have no less than Three Strands of Qi and Blood.”

Qi Cang said to the crowd, “Three days from now, come to the Martial Alliance and submit your team member lists to me. I will make further arrangements at that time.”

Hearing this, everyone responded, “We will follow Alliance Leader’s orders!”

◈◈◈

At least ten people per team—this was the standard form of the Martial Alliance’s demon-hunting teams.

Song Zhong and Wu Neng’s teams were both like this.

Afterward, Qi Cang mentioned some other precautions and had someone bring in a screen. On the screen was a map of the mountains surrounding the county town.

The map marked the territories of the seven ranked Great Demons and many smaller demons.

“Everyone should have this map, but you must be aware that the depths of the mountains are already in chaos. Those seven Great Demons have left their respective territories and are fighting each other. You could encounter them anywhere.”

He paused, his aged gaze lingering on Chu Liang for a moment.

He pointed to a location on the screen and continued, “Previously, Chu Liang encountered two ranked Great Demons fighting at this location, the Porcupine King and the Azure Eagle King.”

“What?”

Many people were surprised and turned to look at Chu Liang.

To encounter two ranked Great Demons fighting and still survive?

It should be known that ranked Great Demons had a far greater perception of their surroundings than human martial artists of the same rank. They were especially sensitive to the aura of humans and could detect them from a considerable distance.

Chu Liang must have been discovered at that time, yet he managed to escape.

What kind of heaven-defying luck was that?

Facing everyone’s gazes, Chu Liang remained calm and nodded slightly, confirming Qi Cang’s words.

Seeing this, the crowd couldn’t help but feel shocked and also a little envious.

“Even two ranked Great Demons couldn’t take him down. He truly is a genius, favored by the heavens, with luck far surpassing ordinary people. He won’t die easily.”

“Perhaps those two ranked Great Demons were fighting too fiercely at the time and had no intention of chasing him.”

“Alas, the heavens are unfair. If I had his luck, would my martial arts path be so difficult?”

Many people sighed in their hearts.

Especially the young talents from the county town. They believed they were not much worse than Chu Liang, just lacking a bit of luck.

“Everyone…”

Qi Cang spoke again, drawing everyone’s attention back to him.

He pointed at the map and continued to talk about some things that needed attention, speaking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

After that, representatives from various forces in the prefectural city spoke up, introducing their identities.

Although the four noble families were not present, they had servants relaying information about the banquet to them.

◈◈◈

On the side of the Martial Alliance, the most luxurious courtyards were the resting places for the four noble families.

Night had fallen, and the moon was hidden.

A servant hurried into the courtyard and reported to the young masters of the noble families, “Qi Cang and the others have finished their discussion…”

The servant’s voice was clear, and he repeated Qi Cang’s words verbatim, without missing a single word.

He also described the various reactions of everyone present.

“That Chu Liang encountered two ranked Great Demons fighting but escaped unscathed, shocking everyone present.”

“Oh?”

A young master from one of the Count families showed some interest and said, “Who is this Chu Liang? If he is truly a genius, it might be worth befriending him.”

“One of the most outstanding individuals among the younger generation in the county town, hailed as an extraordinary genius, a Heaven’s Chosen.” The servant replied.

“How many strands of Qi and Blood does he have?”

“On the surface, he has Two Strands of Qi and Blood, but it is rumored that he has already condensed Three Strands.”

“Only Three Strands? An extraordinary genius? Heaven’s Chosen?”

The young master from the Count family had a strange expression. He couldn’t associate this level of strength with the word “genius.”

The others also showed obvious disappointment.

“I told you long ago, the water in this small place is too shallow to produce a true dragon.”

“Forget it, let’s not have too many expectations for this small county town.”