A Mortal's Journey to Immortality: Starting as a Sword-Forging Servant and Ascending to Immorta

One of his trusted men, seeing that he hadn't even brought his sword, couldn't help but speak up.

"Senior brother, the Third Elder's cave dwelling is quite far from here. Would you like me to accompany you there?"

"No need."

"But what if the Third Elder asks who brought up the old story to you..."

Zhang Qian buttoned up his cuffs and turned to look at him.

"I went to see the Third Elder today to report only on what happened in the administrative office."

"Old stories?"

"What old story?"

The trusted aide paused for a moment, then lowered his head.

"Disciple made a mistake."

Zhang Qian didn't linger and left the courtyard.

The secluded retreat of the Third Elder Liu Quan is located in the middle section of Dijian Peak.

Ordinary disciples are not allowed to approach this place on ordinary days, and there are several restrictions along the way. Even though Zhang Qian is the top disciple of Earth Sword Peak, he cannot enter directly.

Upon reaching the outside of the cave, he stopped at the foot of the stone steps and took out his identity jade talisman.

The disciple in charge of guarding the gate checked the jade talisman but did not immediately let them pass.

"Senior Brother Zhang, the Third Elder is currently meditating. Did you submit your visiting card in advance?"

"It happened so suddenly, there was no time to prepare."

"Then please go back first, Senior Brother Zhang. I will inform the Third Elder on your behalf once he emerges from seclusion."

The gatekeeper disciple returned the jade talisman.

Zhang Qian did not go to answer it.

"This matter involves Elder Chen Baichuan of the Weaponry Hall, as well as personnel matters of the outer sect. Are you sure you don't want to go in and inform them?"

The gatekeeper paused for a moment.

He clearly understood the weight of the name Chen Baichuan.

But he still didn't move aside.

"Please wait a moment, Senior Brother Zhang."

The gatekeeper disciple turned and entered through the side gate.

He didn't come out again until half an hour later.

"The Third Elder invites you in."

Zhang Qian took the identity jade token and entered the cave along the stone steps.

Illumination stones were embedded on both sides of the passage, but the light was dim. The further one went in, the stronger the sandalwood scent became, and all outside noise was blocked by the array.

The gatekeeper led him to a stone door.

"The elder is inside, please, Senior Brother Zhang."

Thank you for your trouble.

The stone gate slowly opened.

Zhang Qian entered the quiet room, his footsteps naturally becoming lighter.

Liu Quan sat cross-legged on the stone platform, wearing a loose gray robe, his hands folded in front of his abdomen. His beard and hair were mostly gray, and his face was pale.

Apart from an incense burner, there was only a narrow table placed against the wall in the quiet room.

There was no sword on the table.

After entering, Zhang Qian stopped three zhang away and bowed.

"Disciple Zhang Qian greets the Third Elder."

Liu Quan did not respond.

A section of the sandalwood incense in the incense burner has burned down.

Zhang Qian maintained his bowing posture and did not stand up without permission.

After a long while, Liu Quan finally spoke.

"What is it?"

"Today, while handing over supplies to Dijian Peak at the administrative office, I happened to witness something. I dare not make a judgment on my own, so I have come to report it."

"For matters concerning the administrative office, contact Elder Li."

"This matter is related to Elder Chen Baichuan."

Liu Quan's fingers, which were resting in front of his abdomen, twitched slightly.

The changes are minimal.

Zhang Qian, however, saw it clearly.

He didn't rush to continue, but continued to bend over and wait.

After a few more breaths, Liu Quan slowly spoke.

"What did Chen Baichuan do?"

Zhang Qian straightened up, but still kept his head down.

"Elder Chen stormed into the administration office today in his flying boat, unleashing his power in front of everyone and forcing the disciples to make way. Afterward, he kicked open the stone door of the inner hall and demanded that Elder Li grant a managerial position to an old servant in the abandoned hall."

Liu Quan's eyes remained closed.

"Is a mere steward of a crippled hall worth disturbing my peaceful meditation?"

"If it's just a routine appointment, I naturally won't cause any trouble."

Zhang Qian paused.

"But that old handyman named Zhou Lingxuan has no cultivation, his meridians are blocked, and his lifespan is almost over. He does not meet the requirements for being appointed as a manager of the sect at all."

Elder Li pointed out to him that this matter violated the clan rules and refused to handle it for him.

Elder Chen smashed the desk in the administration office on the spot and threatened Elder Li with the threat that the artifact hall would stop supplying standard magical artifacts and identity tokens, forcing Elder Li to make an exception.

Liu Quan finally opened his eyes.

Zhang Qian's body tensed up immediately.

He thought he was already used to the imposing presence of Golden Core cultivators.

But Liu Quan simply sat there, and the circulation of his internal energy slowed down. He also felt a stinging discomfort in his back, as if the slightest movement would bring down a sword.

"Did you see it with your own eyes?"

"There were dozens of disciples present at the office at the time, and even more people in the square outside. If the Third Elder has any doubts, he can ask anyone to verify this."

"Elder Li agreed?"

"I agreed."

"Since the affairs office has already processed it, it means Elder Li has approved of the matter."

Liu Quan closed his eyes again.

"What brings you here, old man?"

Zhang Qian's heart sank.

The Third Elder did not get angry, nor did he even ask who Zhou Lingxuan was.

If he had followed up his old grudges and cursed Chen Baichuan, things would have been simpler.

The calmness of the situation made Zhang Qian hesitant to continue with his original line of reasoning.

He quickly adjusted his wording.

"This disciple dares not question Elder Li."

"Elder Li was forced to concede under pressure from the Weapon Hall cutting off supplies. Elder Chen, relying on the Weapon Hall's control over the sect's magical artifact supply, interfered with the Affairs Office's decisions based on the hall's interests. If this precedent is set, I am truly worried."

Liu Quan did not respond.

Zhang Qian had no choice but to continue.

"The abandoned hall is indeed inconspicuous. It is usually responsible for receiving waste from various halls, and there are not many people vying for the position of manager."

"But no matter how inconspicuous it may be, it is still a formally established hall of the sect. The hall manager has the power to arrange miscellaneous tasks, hand over supplies, and report to the Enforcement Hall. His identity is recorded in the sect's roster, and he receives the sect's monthly salary."

"Today, Elder Chen can forcibly appoint a manager to the abandoned hall for the sake of a mere mortal."

"If he takes a fancy to someone else tomorrow, can he also place them in the administrative office and among the stewards of each peak?"

Liu Quan tapped his knee lightly with his fingers.

Zhang Qian caught this action, and his voice carried a hint of heartache.

"The Weapon Forging Hall is responsible for weapon crafting and already controls the needs of all the halls within the sect. If they extend their reach into the personnel matters of the outer sect, who can keep them in check?"

"This disciple is of limited seniority and dares not speak ill of the elders."

"But if no one intervenes, what will the disciples below think?"

"It doesn't matter if your cultivation level is insufficient or your qualifications are lacking. As long as you can get close to an elder, you can bypass the sect rules and directly obtain an official position."

"If this continues, won't the sect's rules and regulations become mere decorations?"

The only sound in the quiet room was the faint crackling of burning sandalwood.

Zhang Qian stopped.

Having said all that, saying anything more would make it seem like he had ulterior motives.

Liu Quan has yet to respond.

Zhang Qian maintained a respectful posture, but beads of sweat gradually appeared on his forehead.

For the first time, he felt that time was passing so slowly.

After a long while, Liu Quan finally spoke.

"That old handyman, do you have a grudge against him?"

Zhang Qian's back tensed instantly.

"Why does the Third Elder ask that?"

"answer."

"I have indeed met him several times."

Zhang Qian did not deny it.

If Liu Quan sends someone to investigate, his past grievances with Zhou Lingxuan will be exposed. Denying them now would only diminish the weight of everything he said before.

"This person had a past relationship with the Holy Maiden Liu Yanran of the Heavenly Realm when he was young. I once warned him because I couldn't stand him harassing the Holy Maiden."

"Later he went to the abandoned hall, and his disciples had no further contact with him."