Seeking Immortality

"Two Taoist friends, this is my first time coming to Qingxu Sect. Please tell me what the current situation of Qingxu Sect is like. This will also help me prepare for the next sermon."

After the extremely verbose Elder Deng left, Xu Qingfan let out a long breath, then turned to the two Qingxu disciples next to him who were responsible for entertaining, and asked with a smile.

After hearing Xu Qingfan's questions, the two disciples did not notice anything wrong. So they all replied respectfully: "Senior, please ask. As long as the disciple knows, he will tell you everything he knows."

Xu Qingfan smiled slightly and asked: "I have been keeping a close eye on Nanhuang Yiqi since I started cultivating immortals. Therefore, I am ignorant of the masters in the immortal world at this time. Although I met Senior Xuan Lingzi by chance and was fortunate enough to be invited. I went to Qingxu Sect to preach, but I don’t know anything about Qingxu Sect. I would like to ask you two fellow Taoists, who are the world-famous masters in Qingxu Sect now?”

Hearing Xu Qingfan's question, the two Qingxu disciples perked up, and then started talking to Xu Qingfan about the current masters of the "Qingxu Sect". It was obvious that these two Qingxu disciples Like Elder Deng, the disciple is very proud of being a monk of the Qingxu lineage, and his words are full of pride. It seems that having grown up under this "Xuanmen Authentic Sect" all year round, pride in the sect is a characteristic shared by the entire "Qingxu Sect" monks.

So when Xu Qingfan asked this question and paid no trace of compliments, these two disciples really knew everything about Xu Qingfan and wished they could place all the top ten masters in the world of immortality into the "Qingxu Sect". Although the two disciples do not know the specific realm of cultivation and other issues that belong to the individual of cultivating immortals, the most famous monks in Qingxu Sect are well known to everyone in the world of immortality, so the two of them also have a deep understanding of Xu Qingfan. Don’t hide anything. Explain everything to Xu Qingfan.

Originally, Xu Qingfan was not a real loose cultivator in the Southern Wilderness after all. As the deacon elder of Jiuhua Mountain, Xu Qingfan probably knew more about the masters of the "Qingxu Sect" than the two Qingxu disciples in front of him. So this question was originally used by Xu Qingfan to attract others.

But from the introduction of these two Qingxu disciples, Xu Qingfan got some different information. That is why the two Qingxu disciples' respect for an elder named Liu Ziqing was only lower than that of Xuan Lingzi and Huan Lingzi. According to the information Xu Qingfan originally received, Liu Ziqing was just an ordinary elder in the "Qingxu Sect". But he didn't expect that he would have such a high reputation among the "Qingxu Sect".

Thinking of this, Xu Qingfan's heart moved slightly, and then asked: "The two seniors Xuan Lingzi and Huan Lingzi already know something about me, who is this senior Liu Ziqing? It seems that Xuan Lingzi and Huan Ling's status is not at all in the mouths of the two Under the two seniors, I have never heard of it when Qingxu preached.”

Just when Xu Qingfan was asking questions, he suddenly felt a burst of spiritual consciousness sweeping through him, but it passed away in a flash. Xu Qingfan didn't take it seriously when he thought that it should be after a routine investigation by those elders Qingxu. Instead, he smiled and continued to listen to the introductions of these two disciples.

But I heard a Qingxu disciple named Dai Guan reply: "Uncle Liu has always been very low-key. Therefore, he is not well-known in the world of immortality, but in terms of reputation and skill level, he is among the top even among our Qingxu Sect. "

Another disciple named Zhang Pei said: "Yes, especially Uncle Liu's strategic mind is the best in the sect. Take what happened to Qing Lingzi last time as an example, if it weren't for Uncle Liu, there would be no way No one can notice..."

Hearing Zhang Pei's words, Dai Guan's eyes flashed with anger. He glared at Zhang Pei, and Zhang Pei also realized that he said something he shouldn't have said, so he quickly shut up.

Xu Qingfan seemed to suddenly have a strong interest in this Liu Ziqing. He asked some questions about Liu Ziqing one after another. And gradually turned the question to Qing Lingzi.

But I don’t know how that Zhang Pei became the reception disciple of Qingxu Sect. As a receptionist, caution and alertness should be the first priority, but Zhang Pei is a slippery man. He is clearly standing by and using his eyes to stop him. But Zhang Pei turned a blind eye. After a few questions, Xu Qingfan got a lot of useful information.

But after a few questions. The disciple named Zhang Pei finally realized something was wrong. He also gradually began to become silent. Seeing the expressions on the two disciples' faces getting darker and darker, Xu Qingfan knew he couldn't ask any more questions. Otherwise, it would arouse suspicion, so he just pretended not to care and smiled, but suddenly turned around and asked: "So, this Senior Liu is really amazing. So what are the places in Ronghua Mountain where Qingxu Sect is located? The scenery is beautiful, can you enjoy it? ”

Hearing that Xu Qingfan finally changed the subject, the two disciples breathed a sigh of relief, and then hurriedly explained the scenery of "Ronghua Mountain" to Xu Qingfan. Although Xu Qingfan seemed to be listening carefully with a smile, he was deeply troubled in his heart. Meditate.

After Zhang Daiguan introduced the scenery of "Ronghua Mountain", Xu Qingfan asked again: "The two Taoist friends introduced the scenery of the front mountain, so what is the scenery of the back mountain?"

Hearing Xu Qingfan's question, both Zhang and Daiguan showed embarrassment on their faces. Among them, Daiguan hesitated for a long time and said: "We ordinary disciples don't know the scenery of the back mountain, because only the elders can enter there. , so I cannot answer the senior’s question, so please forgive me.”

Xu Qingfan smiled slightly and expressed that he didn't care. Then he asked the two disciples some other unimportant questions and let them leave.

But what Xu Qingfan didn't know was that after Zhang Pei and Guan left the private courtyard where Xu Qingfan lived, Dai Guan immediately turned to Zhang Pei and accused him: "Senior Brother Zhang, although as a junior brother I don't I should say it to you, but how can you tell outsiders about Qing Lingzi? Have you forgotten the orders of Xuan Lingzi and Huan Lingzi?"

Zhang Pei didn't take Dai Guan's accusation seriously, but there was a strange look on his face. After a long time, he said: "Do you think I am the kind of person who doesn't know the importance of things? It was Master Liu who suddenly told me just now." "Yin, let me reveal some information about Qing Lingzi and Qingxu Sect to Senior Xu."

"What?" Dai Guan asked in shock.

Zhang Pei smiled bitterly and said: "I don't know the specific reason. Now we should go back and recover as soon as possible. Uncle Liu wants us to tell him in detail all the questions and reactions that Senior Xu just asked."

Hearing Zhang Pei's words, Dai Guan also showed a solemn look on his face. Without saying anything more, he followed Zhang Pei and flew towards the top of "Ronghua Mountain" in a hurry.

Seeing the two disciples responsible for entertaining go away, Xu Qingfan frowned and fell into deep thought.

Just now, after his probing, Xu Qingfan already had a rough understanding of the current situation of "Qingxu Sect".

Of course, these understandings are extremely superficial. Even if Xu Qingfan wanted to ask about that in-depth information, the two disciples who were only responsible for the reception would probably not know it. And if the question is too deep, doubts will inevitably arise in the hearts of these two Qingxu disciples.

But even so, Xu Qingfan still learned some very useful information. For example, through Xu Qingfan's continuous spying, he learned that in the process of overthrowing and imprisoning the previous head Qing Lingzi of the "Qingxu Sect", the man named "Liu Ziqing" "Elder Qingxu played an extremely crucial role from beginning to end. It was Liu Ziqing who first discovered that what Qing Lingzi cultivated was different from other elders of the "Qingxu Sect". It was this Liu Ziqing who united the other elders. Qing Lingzi was overthrown in the name of "keeping his own secrets". After Qing Lingzi was overthrown, the two giants Xuan Lingzi and Huan Lingzi were tied. However, because their reputations and skills are equal, they have been unable to decide who should be the next leader of the "Qingxu Sect". But with Liu Ziqing's reputation in the Qingxu Sect, as long as he clearly expresses his support for one of the two, that person's hopes will definitely increase. Judging from the admiration Zhang Daiguan and Liu Ziqing have for Liu Ziqing's mind, Liu Ziqing should not be able to understand the harm that the leader and Xuan Lingzi and Huan Lingzi would do to the "Qingxu Sect" side by side, but Liu Ziqing has never been able to understand Any reaction would be intriguing.

Because of this. Xu Qingfan couldn't help but feel wary of this Liu Ziqing. If all this was done by Liu Ziqing unintentionally, that's it. If it was said that Liu Ziqing did it deliberately, then Liu Ziqing could control the entire "Qingxu Sect" situation in his own hands without leaving a trace. Turning one's hands to make clouds and turning one's hands to make rain would be too scary.

In addition, Xu Qingfan also learned some extremely important information from the expressions and tone of these two Qingxu disciples. That is the mysterious back mountain of prosperity.

According to the information obtained by Xu Qingfan from Jiuhua Mountain, although the "Qingxu Sect" claims to be the authentic Xuanmen, there is still a place of imprisonment inside the gate called "Quelan". Those imprisoned inside may be traitors within the sect or scum in the world of immortality. The two Qingxu disciples just now told Xu Qingfan about the scenery of the entire front mountain of "Ronghua Mountain". Xu Qingfan did not find any place that matched the "quelan". And the back mountain that ordinary disciples are not allowed to enter. But it is the most likely location of the "quelan".

According to the Mahayana stage, Qing Lingzi's level of strength is only a thin line apart, and it is even higher than Xuan Lingzi and Huan Lingzi. If you want to detain Qing Lingzi with confidence, then the "fence" with many restrictions and personally arranged by Master Qingxu should be the most suitable place.

There is also the cave of Zizhen Immortal. When Zhang, Dai and Guan introduced the scenery of the front mountain of "Ronghua Mountain", they did not mention those taboos. As Zizhen Immortal, he should not be allowed to be idle during his retreat. The only thing is to be close, but Zhang Dai and Guan did not mention it, which means that the retreat of Zizhen Immortal is most likely also in the back mountain.

"So, the focus of my next actions should be Ronghua Back Mountain?"

Xu Qingfan thought secretly.

Although the goal was achieved, Xu Qingfan could not get excited no matter what. The Ronghua Back Mountain was actually a taboo of the entire "Qingxu Sect", so it should be guarded by Elder Qingxu all year round, and those Qingxu Sect Elder Xu has been cultivating immortals for hundreds of years, and his realm has at least reached the real elixir stage. With Xu Qingfan's cultivation in the middle stage of Xu elixir, it is simply impossible to sneak in silently, although Xu Qingfan has the "body transformation" The magical power of "wind", but the nature of the "desolate wind" is so special that it is difficult for people not to notice it.

What's more. After the conversation with the two Qingxu disciples just now, although Xu Qingfan understood a lot of information, he always felt that something was wrong.

After thinking hard for a long time, Xu Qingfan's body suddenly shook slightly, and then he thought of the key point.

The two Zhang Daiguan were obviously disciples of the "Qingxu Sect" who were responsible for entertaining. As entertaining disciples, their cultivation level may not be high, but they must be very cautious and alert. Talking too much is a big taboo. You should know what to say and what not to say. As one of the six holy places, "Qingxu Sect" will not choose a talkative person to receive its disciples. So in this case, the continuous leaks made by Zhang Pei seem too unusual.

Thinking of the sudden sweep of divine sense before Zhang Pei let out the secret, Xu Qingfan originally thought that it was a routine investigation by Elder Qingxu, but now thinking about it, it was probably the moment when the divine sense swept over that someone told Zhang Pei something. So Zhang Pei suddenly became so careless, right?

Thinking of this. Xu Qingfan smiled bitterly and murmured softly: "I didn't expect that I was extremely careful, but in the end I was still calculated. As an unrelated casual cultivator, I suddenly became so interested in the affairs of Liu Ziqing and Qing Lingzi. Now in the hearts of Xuan Lingzi and others, the suspicion must have become greater, right?"

"But although I was calculated, there are also benefits. At least I can be sure that there must be something fishy about the matter of those elders Qingxu overthrowing Qing Lingzi. At least there must be something fishy about the issue of Zizhen Immortal. Otherwise, they would not spy on me so much at this time."

After a soft sigh, Xu Qingfan shook his head slightly and put aside the frustration in his heart. After all, things have already happened. Since depression cannot turn back time, we can only put aside depression and try our best to find a way to remedy the situation. Moreover, for Xu Qingfan, he came to Qingxu Gate under suspicion, and he got some useful information. So it is not unacceptable to increase suspicion.

I learned a trick from Liu Huaxiang before. When analyzing things, we should focus on three points. The first is to fully analyze the known information in our hands. The second is to analyze our own advantages and disadvantages under the situation. The third is to put ourselves in the opponent's shoes and fully analyze the opponent's mentality. In this way, we can come up with various possible countermeasures and the success of various countermeasures.

It must be said that Liu Huaxiang has a great influence on Xu Qingfan. At least many of what Liu Huaxiang taught him before have become Xu Qingfan's habits unconsciously. Based on the information he got from Wan Yusheng, "Qingxu Preaching", and the Zhang Daiguan, Xu Qingfan concluded that he had three advantages and one absolute disadvantage.

First, according to Wan Yusheng, not all Qingxu elders agree to overthrow Qing Lingzi. They believe that Qing Lingzi must have his reasons for hiding his secrets. After all, Qing Lingzi has been operating in the "Qingxu Sect" for so many years, and his connections and reputation are absolutely not to be ignored. And some of these elders took Qing Lingzi's direct descendants and escaped from "Ronghua Mountain", while the other part fell into silence. What is the attitude of these elders who chose to remain silent now? Do they still support Qing Lingzi? If so, then Xu Qingfan can take advantage of it.

Second, compared to Xu Qingfan's certainty that the "Qingxu Sect" has something fishy, ​​the people of the "Qingxu Sect" are still unsure of Xu Qingfan's purpose at this time, so there will inevitably be hesitation in their actions.

Third, although Xu Qingfan doesn't know much about the "Qingxu Sect", the "Qingxu Sect" knows nothing about Xu Qingfan. For example, Xu Qingfan's magical power of "turning into wind" and Xu Qingfan's various magic tools can play an unusual role at critical moments.

These three points are what Xu Qingfan can use in the next few days.

But compared with these advantages, Xu Qingfan's disadvantage is more obvious, that is, Xu Qingfan is in the "Qingxu Sect" at this time, and is at an absolute disadvantage in strength. Once he is found out, one or two elders from the "Qingxu Sect" can suppress him. And in the "Qingxu Sect", those Qingxu elders can monitor Xu Qingfan at will without any scruples. Xu Qingfan can't do anything.

Although all the known materials in his hands have been analyzed, and the pros and cons of him in the current situation have been found, Xu Qingfan still can't find a corresponding countermeasure. First, Xu Qingfan doesn't know Liu Ziqing's character. So he can't guess what Liu Ziqing thinks in the current situation. Second, in the face of absolute strength disadvantages, Xu Qingfan suddenly found that he couldn't think of any countermeasures to deal with it.

I remember Liu Huaxiang once told Xu Qingfan that strategy can only be used when the strength is not much different. Xu Qingfan now deeply understands this point. At the same time, he feels a little regretful in his heart, thinking that he might have made a wrong move by accepting the invitation to "Qingxu Gate" this time.

"Now that things have come to this, we can only take one step at a time and deal with it randomly. There is still a chance to see who Liu Ziqing is. Then find a countermeasure."

As he said, Xu Qingfan walked back to his room, first took out the "Earth Mirror" from his sleeve, and then pinched his fingers. After a while, under Xu Qingfan's drive, the "Earth Mirror" suddenly appeared with a hazy light. Through the light, Xu Qingfan appeared. In the "Earth Mirror". There are three spots of light around the center, which are green, blue and gold respectively.

After a moment, Xu Qingfan took back the "Earth Mirror" and murmured, "This Qingxu Sect is really full of restrictions. The Earth Mirror can originally detect the surrounding situation within a hundred miles, but here the distance it can detect is less than three miles. However, this Qingxu Sect actually sent three elders of the Solid Dan Stage to monitor me at the same time. Should I feel honored?"

then. Xu Qingfan stopped thinking about anything else, sat cross-legged on the bed, and slowly closed his eyes. He began to meditate and rest his mind. Since meeting Xuan Lingzi a few days ago, Xu Qingfan has been constantly analyzing and scheming. These things are not what Xu Qingfan is good at. At this time, his mind is really tired. So after discovering that he couldn't get any more, Xu Qingfan simply started to cultivate himself so that he could be in a better condition to deal with the incoming prying eyes.

at the same time. On the top of "Ronghua Mountain". In the "Qingxu Hall" where all the elders gathered.

"Pa"

Liu Ziqing gently closed the folding fan in his hand, with a soft smile on his face. He asked Dai Guan and Zhang Pei in front of him: "Oh? Are these the problems Xu Qingfan had at that time?"

"Yes, since Uncle Master told me to come back and report, the disciple has written down Senior Xu's questions one by one, and I am sure there will be no mistakes." Zhang Pei hurriedly bowed and replied, but Liu Ziqing's expression did not change. He just kept playing with the folding fan in his hand, his voice was still soft, and he asked again: "Then Xu Fan's reaction after hearing the information you deliberately leaked, did you miss anything just now?"

Dai Guan replied respectfully: "There is nothing missing. On the way here, I have checked it carefully with senior brother Zhang Pei several times."

Liu Ziqing nodded with satisfaction, waved his folding fan, and said to Dai, Guan, and Zhang Pei: "You can retreat."

After hearing Liu Ziqing's words, Zhang, Dai and Guan hurriedly bowed to the elders present and then stepped back.

As soon as Zhang, Dai and Guan disappeared from the "Qingxu Hall", Huan Lingzi hurriedly asked Liu Ziqing, "How is it? Did Junior Brother Liu find something?"

Liu Ziqing's eyes moved slightly, then shook his head, and said with a chuckle: "It's just a few words of dialogue, what can be discovered from it? It just increased the possibility that Xu Fan came for Qing Lingzi's matter from 20% to 40% That’s it. But Xu Fan seems to be very curious about me, so as long as I visit Xu Fan later and have a few words with him, I can decide on the possibilities. "

Huan Lingzi asked again: "Do you mean that the purpose of Xu Fan's coming here can be determined?"

Liu Ziqing shook his head and said: "We can't be sure, but we can know whether the possibility that Xu Fan is spying on Qing Lingzi is more than 50% or less than 50%." "Only 50%?" Huan Ling Zi frowned and asked.

But he saw Liu Ziqing playing with the folding fan in his hand, opening and closing it again, his voice became softer, and he said calmly: "In dealing with this kind of matter, the 50% possibility can already let us decide a lot of things."

Xuan Lingzi, who had been concentrating with his eyes closed before, suddenly slowly opened his slightly closed eyes and asked softly: "The decision you mentioned is to detain Xu Fan, right? But Junior Brother Liu, can you Have you considered that Xu Fan is here just under the orders of his elders? If you find that Xu Qingfan has not returned, are you afraid that his teachers will come to visit you? You know, Nanhuang is very close to the Kuxiu Valley."

Liu Ziqing said seemingly casually: "Indeed, considering Xu Fan's age and cultivation, there is about a 70% chance that he will be instigated by others, and a 30% chance that he is a monk in the Valley of Penance. But as long as he is detained After he gets up, we can have many means to get him to tell who is behind it. Then I will naturally have many countermeasures to deal with. What's more, compared to the suspicion that has become more serious, it is more important to find out who is behind it. , isn’t it?”

After hearing Liu Ziqing's words, all the Qingxu elders sighed silently. They naturally knew what Liu Ziqing's method was to ask Xu Qingfan to reveal the mastermind behind the scenes. The "Qingxu Sect's" understanding of the mind and soul was comparable to the world of immortal cultivation. On top of that, there are naturally many ways to torture the mind, soul, and spirit, making the tortured person miserable without leaving any traces on the body. It's just that these methods are too cruel, so the Qingxu Sect members will never use them easily.

But at this time, the elders could not think of any other method. Compared with the voice of the master, they could only resort to any means, so they acquiesced to Liu Ziqing's idea.

But when Liu Ziqing saw that all the Qingxu elders agreed with his approach, there was a hint of sarcasm in his eyes, and then his face became solemn, and he bowed to Xuan Lingzi and Huan Lingzi. , said in his mouth: "Well, senior brother Xuan Lingzi, senior brother Huan Lingzi, junior brother, I will go to meet with Xu Fan for a while. What to decide next, I ask the two senior brothers to wait until I come back to make a decision."

Xuan Lingzi and Huan Lingzi both nodded silently.

But when Liu Ziqing walked towards the "Qingxu Hall", he seemed to suddenly remember something, turned around and said to some Qingxu elders: "No matter what the result will be after I spy on Xu Fan this time, please, brothers." Don’t meet Xu Fan secretly from now on, okay?”

The Qingxu elders Liu Ziqing asked were the same Qingxu elders who had always supported Qing Lingzi before.

After hearing Liu Ziqing's rude words, the faces of these Qingxu elders all showed anger. However, noticing the looks in Xuan Lingzi and Huan Lingzi's eyes, they had no choice but to respond.

Seeing the helpless reactions of these elders Qingxu seemed to be a kind of enjoyment for Liu Ziqing. He chuckled and continued to walk slowly outside the "Qingxu Hall".

Soon after Zhang Peiguan and the other two left, Xu Qingfan made some plans and began to meditate and rest. Just when his mind was about to fall into emptiness, his body suddenly shook slightly, and he felt that someone was walking slowly towards him.

"I am Qingxu Liu Ziqing, and I would like to see Brother Xu. Can I use my sword?"

Then, a soft voice sounded outside Xu Qingfan's door.