Chapter 49: Success and Failure Are Both Business

Under the pressure of a Great Cultivator of the Condensation Realm, no one dared to move—or rather, no one *could* move.

Having reached such a realm, one possessed the ability to ride clouds and mist. Few ever ascended to this great vessel, so everyone was struck with astonishment, wondering how such a powerhouse could be here.

Fang Xunzuo, however, remained composed. He cast a glance at the pale and terrified Zhao Zhanqian before leading his three brothers toward the upper cabins.

Once the main protagonist departed, the farce drew to a close. The remaining cultivators were filled with doubt, some whispering in groups, others pointing and gesturing, though what they were actually saying remained unknown.

The disciples of the Fenyu Sect were in a daze, yet they understood that a great figure had intervened. Filled with trepidation, they looked toward their senior brother, Fan Shuping, hoping for some form of reassurance.

Zhao Chun had no intention of staying. He cupped his hands toward the brooding and contemplative Fan Shuping, turned, and walked toward the cabins. Just as he entered the door of the middle cabin, he saw Meng Han stepping out with a solemn expression.

The two met face-to-face. Seeing that Zhao Chun was unharmed, Meng Han breathed a slight sigh of relief and asked, "The Condensation Realm cultivator just exerted his pressure; do you know why that happened?"

Zhao Chun nodded and reached out to lead Meng Han back into the room, replying, "I do know a few things and was just about to tell you, Senior Brother. The corridor outside is no place for such talk. Let's go inside first."

There were many Foundation Establishment cultivators on the boat, and the matter of the Purple Silk Jade Branch would soon be exposed. It would likely turn into a spectacle where all sorts of divine abilities were unleashed; however, Zhao Chun and Meng Han had no interest in such things and only needed to stand by and watch.

Once back in the cabin, Meng Han vaguely grasped the gravity of the situation. He did not dare to be careless; even though a small sound-insulating array was already in place, he still cast several spells to prevent others from eavesdropping.

The dispute between the four travelers of Fuqing and the Fenyu Sect disciples was not the main point. Zhao Chun briefly brushed past it before mentioning that inside Fang Xunzuo's jade box sat a flower branch, entirely deep purple like agate. Meng Han’s eyes snapped up, and he exclaimed in shock, "Is it *that* thing!"

Having spent years traveling and training, he had encountered countless rare treasures and possessed an extraordinary memory. Upon hearing the description of the flower branch, he could immediately guess exactly what it was.

Seeing Zhao Chun nod, Meng Han’s breathing grew heavy. He sighed, "It is a pity our cultivation is insufficient. We lack the strength to touch such a treasure and can only watch as others take it."

Zhao Chun advised, "Even if one obtains a treasure, one must be able to keep it. Senior Brother and I are still far from the Profound Division Realm; there may be even better things waiting for us when the time comes."

"You certainly have a broad mind..." Meng Han had briefly succumbed to greed, but he suppressed it within a few breaths. He smiled again and said, "The two of us cannot use it, but there are certainly people in the sect who can. If we can present it to the sect, wouldn't we be able to browse the tens of thousands of classics in the Myriad Treasury Pavilion at will? We could also enjoy the various rarities of the sect to our heart's content!"

"Is someone in the sect about to reach the Profound Division Realm?" Zhao Chun was surprised. Among the four elders, Wu Yunzhang and Ge Xingchao were both in the early stage of the Condensation Realm, while only Li Shu and Qiu Jianying were in the middle stage. Did Meng Han's words imply that one of those two had broken through to the late stage?

"It is Elder Li Shu," he immediately cleared up her doubt, adding, "You were likely in the Three-Part Stone Forest at the time, so you wouldn't know. After Elder Li's breakthrough, he took charge of the sect's upcoming Hundred Sects Assembly. Your third senior brother, Du Fanzhi, is his deputy. They are currently in the height of glory, inviting all inner disciples to banquets. It has been a misery for me and Brother Xu, as we are never afforded a moment of peace."

He leaned in close to Zhao Chun with a dark expression and whispered, "Don't go spreading these words, alright? Your Senior Brother Xu and I cannot afford to offend them..."

"Of course," Zhao Chun promised, then added, "However, the fact that those four were willing to reveal the Purple Silk Jade Branch today means they must have an ulterior motive. They are likely after this, aren't they?"

She pointed her index finger upward, referring to the Condensation Realm cultivator who had made his move.

Meng Han hesitated. "I do not know who that person is. However, as you said, the four from Fuqing are only in the middle stage of Qi Refinement. They must know they cannot keep such an exotic treasure, so they are likely like us—intending to offer the treasure to gain benefits."

In that light, the Fenyu Sect disciples were merely collateral damage, used as a stepping stone.

In the lower cabins of the great ship, the Fenyu Sect disciples sat together, unaware that they were being used by someone with intent, and were instead consumed by anxiety elsewhere.

"What should we do? The Water-Green Thousand Mountain Vase was bestowed by an Elder, and it must be returned upon our return to the sect. Now that it is lost, we will surely face heavy punishment..." The disciple speaking had a trembling voice; the mere thought of the sect's disciplinary methods left him pale with fear.

Zhao Zhanqian glared at him, appearing relatively unfazed.

The Elder mentioned by that disciple was her mother. It was not easy for cultivators to conceive offspring, so her parents doted on her excessively. Upon returning, she might not even be punished, but as for the others, it was hard to say.

Fan Shuping let out a long sigh and promised, "The vase was originally for my use, and you all were merely traveling companions. I do not wish for you to suffer undeserved calamity. I, Fan Shuping, will take full responsibility for this matter so that none of you are held accountable."

The disciples were deeply moved, praising his righteousness. However, Zhao Zhanqian asked worriedly, "Then... do we still go to the ruins?"

The room fell silent. Their journey was intended for the ruins of the old sect, but they knew their cultivation was low and only intended to test themselves in the outer layers. Having been granted the protective vase by an Elder, they had felt secure enough to travel.

Now that the vase was lost and the protection gone, following Zhao Zhanqian's question, they all began to lose heart.

It was Fan Shuping who persuaded them: "We will reach Fangjing Mountain soon. It would be a great pity to turn back now. Let us proceed according to plan and only explore the outer layers. If anything changes, we leave immediately. I still have several lightning talismans on me to defend against external enemies."

He held considerable prestige among the disciples. Though others hesitated slightly, they eventually nodded in agreement, preparing to explore the ruins.

While Fan Shuping was depressed, Fang Xunzuo was overjoyed.

Today's farce had been orchestrated by him, aimed at presenting the treasure to secure a good future for the four brothers.

The four had obtained the Purple Silk Jade Branch in Fuqing Lake. It was because they possessed a spiritual object that they had been able to smoothly reach the middle stage of Qi Refinement. Later, after killing a sect cultivator and obtaining the spiritual herb *Baiguan* from his body, they realized how precious the object in their hands truly was.

After learning the utility of the Purple Silk Jade Branch, their initial ecstasy was replaced by growing worry, fearing that if others found out, it would bring death upon them.

It wasn't until a month ago, when they caught wind of a rumor that Chi Song, a provider from a rogue cultivator city, intended to return to the Eastern Region from the Southern Region, that they conceived the idea of offering the treasure.

Although Chi Song was in the late stage of the Condensation Realm, his lifespan was nearing its end. He had searched for treasures without success, and his trip to the Southern Region was specifically to compete for a treasure that could extend his life. Unexpectedly, he had been defeated by an Elder of the Lianyin Sect and was returning to the Eastern Region in a battered state on a ship, providing Fang Xunzuo with the perfect opportunity.

No longevity treasure could be as precious as the Purple Silk Jade Branch. Chi Song had secretly rejoiced, thinking himself the chosen one; amidst the darkness, a fortuitous opportunity had been waiting for him here.

Fang Xunzuo performed the formalities and presented the jade box, which was handed to Chi Song by an attendant. As Chi Song opened it, he already knew whether the branch was genuine, but seeing the treasure before his very eyes still caused his Dao heart to waver slightly.

He had been trapped in this realm for perhaps a hundred years; finally, there was a chance to test the power of the Profound Division Realm.

"This item is extremely rare. For you all to offer such a treasure, you deserve a great reward." Chi Song knew that the four of them must have a request. He was currently in high spirits, and as long as it was something he could provide, he would not be stingy.

Fang Xunzuo was not greedy; he knew that securing Chi Song as a great patron was more important than anything else. He quickly led his brothers to bow: "We have long heard of Senior's great reputation. If we could join your sect, it would mean that my three brothers and I could finally end our days of instability. We would be eternally grateful!"

Chi Song hesitated for a moment. Looking at their mediocre talent, he felt some reservations, but being as proud as he was, he could not bring himself to refuse at this moment. He sighed, "Your sincerity is noted. I also pity that you have been wandering for so long; the path of cultivation is not easy. I shall accept the four of you as my entry-level disciples. Come, cultivate under my guidance..."

The disciples were not truly sincere, and the master did not truly feel pity; it was merely a performance. However, Fang Xunzuo and his brothers were moved to tears, kowtowing one after another and calling him "Master."

Although entry-level disciples were under the tutelage of a direct disciple rather than being true personal disciples, it was still more formal than being registered disciples. The four of them did not dare hope to be Chi Song's personal disciples; having a master in the Profound Division Realm was already far better than anything they had experienced before.

Both sides achieved what they wanted, and both were extremely pleased.