“An opportunity to enter Kunlun Sect and cultivate?”
Inside the tavern, plump Old Ma sat at a table by the window. His stout and short fingers fondled a jade token he held in his hand. After a short moment, with a peculiar look on his face, he asked Lu Chen.
Sitting opposite him, Lu Chen raised his head to gulp down a cup of wine. Then, he shrugged and replied, “At least that’s what he said.”
Old Ma harrumphed and stared fixedly at Lu Chen, “Don’t play the fool with me. I don’t believe that you are unable to tell the underlying meaning behind those words.”
Lu Chen smiled without answering.
Old Ma ignored him and continued, “The world operates in such a way. Look at the mortals in Clear Stream Village. They are willing to toil for their entire life just for that slim and fleeting chance. How could such an opportunity be presented to you so easily?”
Lu Chen replied, “Perhaps Hong Chuan is a disciple of a reputable sect, so the opportunity to check one’s roots isn’t that difficult for him.”
Old Ma mocked, “That is Kunlun Sect, one of the top sects in the Immortal Alliance. Although it isn’t as prosperous and powerful as it used to be, a skinny camel is still larger than a horse. No matter what, it isn’t something a trashy sect like the Thousand Autumn Doors is able to match up. Do you believe that if a Kunlun fundamental disciple were to come here, even the sect leader of Thousand Autumn Doors would have to welcome hims presence personally?”
Lu Chen smiled, “Look at what you’re saying. You look down on Thousand Autumn Doors a little too much.”
Old Ma sneered, his expression spelled out his contempt for that shabby sect. However, he suddenly recalled something and turned to look at Lu Chen, “Right, at this point, exactly what position does that fellow hold? If he is just a fundamental disciple, he would have to be one of the elites of the Kunlun Sect to ensure an opportunity for you to verify your roots. It seems to make a bit of sense this way.”
Lu Chen frowned. He contemplated for a moment before saying, “Hong Chuan’s fundamentals as a cultivator are extremely solid. However, it is true that his level of cultivation isn’t very high. Judging from it, he should still be a Lianqi realm disciple and has yet to breakthrough the fundamental stage.”
Old Ma shook his head and said, “That shouldn’t be it. For a giant like Kunlun Sect, they would bound to have countless disciples under them. If he is just an ordinary Lianqi realm disciple, then he shouldn’t have that much influence, unless there’s someone backing him. Oh, does he have any high-ranking elders in his family in the sect or does he have a respected teacher?”
Lu Chen pondered over it and smiled, “I think you’re right. Other than this opportunity, he even says that even if I do not have any talent for cultivating, he is able to ensure that I would be able to stay in Kunlun Sect as a menial disciple. To be able to say such words, he must have a certain level of influence in Kunlun Sect.”
“Pah!”
Old Ma slammed the table suddenly. A dissatisfied look appeared on his name as he howled, “Damn it! You fellows always contain those teachings and inheritances internally within your circles, that’s why heroic figures like me who lack talent and background are unable to succeed in life!”
Lu Chen coughed and reminded him, “I have never been to Kunlun Sect, so how can I contain the teachings you speak of?”
Old Ma harrumphed. He glanced at him and said, “You are all from the same flock!”
Lu Chen burst into laughter. Then, he raised his head to gulp down another cup of wine before replying with a smile, “Anyway, it is impossible for me to go there.”
Old Ma was taken aback by his words and an expression of discomfort flashed past his face. He sighed, “It is really such a pity. You had such great roots back then, yet you were ruined by the diabolical ‘Curse of Black Flames’.”
Lu Chen’s eyelids drooped. Then, smiling, he stood up and walked over to pat Old Ma’s sturdy shoulders. “It’s fine. Anyway, I have been living as a mortal for more than a decade and I am already used to it by now.”
Old Ma opened his mouth, only to shut it again. Lu Chen stretched his back. Keeping the jade token, he walked toward the door and bade Old Ma farewell, “I had been busy the whole of last night. I am returning now to catch up on my sleep.”
Old Ma didn’t have the intention to stand up to send him off. He solemnly stared at the man as he walked out from the tavern and into the distance. From afar, his back view seemed to be a little lonesome.
※※※
The weather was fair and the Clear Stream Village started to grow lively. Lady Ding Dang ,who liked sleeping in, woke up early yet again today and dressed up. Her beautiful face attracted many gazes as she walked through the village. Some of the gazes were in envy, some in lust, some in greed and some in jealousy. However, she did not bother herself with any of them.
She had encountered many of such gazes before. At the very least, in this village, she didn’t fear them. A thousand Spirit Stones might be a faraway goal, but it was no longer an unreachable one to her. As long as her luck proved to be good, she could be accepted by those immortals in the Thousand Autumn Doors. Hmph hmph! Those smelly guys in the village, those pitiful bugs who wished to unclothe her with their gazes despite being so stingy. Also, those jealous ladies who were hypocritical. They would all be ants beneath her feet then.
At this point, she couldn’t help but be shrouded by a slight floating sensation. A slight smile crept onto her face as she surveyed the village in disdain. She thought with vile intentions, ‘at that moment, all of you will be kneeling before me, begging me. However, I will definitely not enlighten any of you. Un, the Li gongzi at the opposite stream isn’t bad, I find him quite satisfactory, so I can enlighten him for a bit. Also… that fellow Lu Chen. He may be a lustful jerk who always tries to take advantage of me whenever we meet, but his nature is not bad. So, I will enlighten him then as well.’
Gongzi -> ~Gentleman
Ding Dang thought delightfully in her mind. Then, she suddenly spotted Lu Chen walking over from the opposite direction. She stopped subconsciously and raised her hand to gesture him over, thinking in her heart, ‘smelly man, my mood is good today so come over and say a few jokes to make me happy. I have decided that I will enlighten you in the future.’
However, Lu Chen seemed to be deep in thought today. His eyes were fixated on the path in front, with a musing look on his face. He didn’t notice Ding Dang’s gesture and walked right past her.
Ding Dang was taken aback. The next instant, she felt angry and stared hatefully at Lu Chen’s back. She ground her teeth and thought, ‘this smelly man, it is indeed impossible to support mud across the wall. Next time when I have become an immortal, no matter how you beg me or kneel before me, I will not enlighten you anymore.’
She turned around and raised her chin just like a proud peacock, refusing to look at Lu Chen any longer. At this moment, she suddenly noticed a group of girls gathering at the opposite bank of the clear stream. Who else could be standing in the midst of the crowd other than Li gongzi?
Gongzi -> ~Gentleman
Ding Dang’s heart pounded. Ignoring Lu Chen, she grabbed her silk skirt and rushed over to the opposite bank of the clear stream.
…
A skinny camel is still larger than a horse (瘦死的骆驼比马大)
TL: It means that given in size, even though it may not be as prosperous as it is now, it still possesses the might normal sects are unable to match up to.
Enlighten (渡化)
TL: I used this a few times. It does mean enlighten but in this case, it is to enlighten them to become cultivators.
impossible to pull mud across the wall. (烂泥扶不上墙)
TL: Means if that person is hopeless, no matter how much you try to help him, it is to no avail.
Lianqi (Fundamental Stage)
TL: Literally means Training of one’s breathing.
StarveCleric 
Thanks for the chapter!
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