Zhu Xian: The way of heaven collapses, and I only have one sword!

Chapter 17: The Soul Devouring Rod Turns into a Fire Stick?
Chen Qiye gently placed the re-refined Soul Devouring Rod beside Zhang Xiaofan. Although Zhang Xiaofan had not yet regained consciousness, the pain on his face was gone.

The gray monkey approached cautiously, and looked at the soul-devouring rod that exuded a refreshing aura with curiosity. It squeaked twice, as if expressing its doubts.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhang Xiaofan's fingers moved slightly, and then he slowly opened his eyes and looked at his palm. He saw that the skin on his right palm was completely intact, and apart from being a little pale, there was nothing unusual.

Zhang Xiaofan couldn't help but feel puzzled, secretly complaining in his heart: "Just now, a large amount of blood gushed out from my palm, but how come there is not even a trace of it? Was it all a nightmare?"

"Xiaofan? Are you stupid?" Chen Qiye raised his hand and waved it in front of Zhang Xiaofan and said.

Zhang Xiaofan snapped back to his senses, his gaze fixed on Chen Qiye's face, then looked at the Soul Devouring Rod beside him that was emitting a strange luster, his eyes filled with confusion: "Brother Qiye, what...what is going on? I remember I seemed to have fainted."

Chen Qiye looked calm as he explained to Zhang Xiaofan half-truthfully, "Anyway, that's what I saw when I woke up. That stick should be your magic weapon."

Zhang Xiaofan was stunned when he heard this. He picked up the Soul Devouring Rod, nodded, and said, "But I'm only at the second level of the Jade Purity Realm now. I can't control this rod at all."

Chen Qiye patted Zhang Xiaofan on the shoulder and said, "Go back first. I'll stay at Dazhu Peak for a while. I'll teach you how to wield this stick. But do you want to give it a name? Calling it 'stick, stick' all the time is a bit unseemly."

Zhang Xiaofan looked at the Soul Devouring Stick in his hand, frowned slightly, and fell into deep thought: "Let's call it a fire stick."

Chen Qiye was slightly startled, then smiled and said, "Fire stick? Xiaofan, let me tell you, your naming skills need some practice."

Zhang Xiaofan scratched his head and said with a simple smile, "Brother Qiye, I really can't think of a better name. Anyway, it looks just like a fire stick now, so whatever comes to mind will do."

Chen Qiye shook his head helplessly, but said no more.

"Brother Qiye, let's go quickly. It's getting late." Zhang Xiaofan said hurriedly.

"Well, let's go." As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Qiye grabbed Zhang Xiaofan's collar with one hand and grabbed the gray-haired monkey with the other. He circulated spiritual power throughout his body and instantly turned into a stream of light and flew towards Dazhu Peak.

Along the way, the wind was whistling, and Zhang Xiaofan closed his eyes tightly, feeling this unprecedented flying experience.

Elsewhere, in front of the Shoujing Hall on Dazhu Peak, Tian Buyi paced back and forth, his brow furrowed and a hint of anxiety on his face. This morning, his worthless seventh apprentice had gone up the mountain to cut bamboo, but even now, after dark, he was still nowhere to be seen.

Su Ru had gone out to search early in the morning, and now he had sent out his disciples one after another. But there was no sign of him on Dazhu Peak, and the surrounding area was hilly and densely forested. Finding him was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Moonlight shone on the mountain road of Dazhu Peak, stretching Tian Buyi's figure out into a long shadow. He stopped and looked up at the night sky, his brow furrowed, his uneasiness growing stronger.

"Master!" A shout broke the silence of the night, and Song Daren hurried over with several fellow disciples.

"Master, we have searched all the nearby mountains and forests, but still haven't found our seventh junior brother." Song Daren gasped, his face full of anxiety and guilt.

Tian Buyi waved his hand and said in a low voice: "Keep looking."

Everyone responded and turned to leave. At this moment, a streak of light flashed across the sky, and Chen Qiye appeared in front of everyone with Zhang Xiaofan and Xiao Hui.

Tian Buyi looked up and saw that it was Chen Qiye who had returned with Zhang Xiaofan. He was a little surprised and seemed curious about why he appeared in Dazhu Peak.

After thinking for a moment, he looked at Zhang Xiaofan and the gray-haired monkey lying on his shoulder. Seeing that Zhang Xiaofan was alright, Tian Buyi finally felt relieved, but the fury on his face remained undimmed. Zhang Xiaofan's heart was trembling, and he lowered his head, not daring to move. But the gray-haired monkey, somewhat confused by the situation, repeatedly reached into his hair.

Chen Qiye looked at Zhang Xiaofan and smiled faintly, then stood up and respectfully saluted Tian Buyi, saying, "Qiye greets Uncle Tian."

Tian Buyi nodded slightly: "Master Brother, how are you doing recently?"

"Master is fine as usual, nothing is wrong." Chen Qiye nodded and briefly told Tian Buyi some of the things that happened today.

Tian Buyi rolled his eyes at Zhang Xiaofan and said coldly, "As a Qingyun disciple, you were actually bullied by a monkey. If this gets out, I'll be completely disgraced by you."

Zhang Xiaofan's face flushed red, he didn't dare to say a word, and lowered his head.

Although Tian Buyi harshly reprimanded Zhang Xiaofan, his worry turned into a subtle sense of relief when he saw that Zhang Xiaofan was safe and sound. He waved his hand and said to Chen Qiye, "In that case, you can stay at Dazhu Peak."

"Thank you, Uncle Tian." Chen Qiye nodded and said.

"Qi Ye, if I'm not mistaken, you have already reached the ninth level of Yuqing Realm, right?" Tian Buyi glanced at Chen Qiye, stroked his beard and said.

Chen Qiye nodded slightly and replied respectfully, "Master Tian has a good eye. Qiye has indeed reached the ninth level of the Jade Purity Realm by chance."

A glint of approval flashed in Tian Buyi's eyes. "It's really not easy to reach this level at the age of sixteen. You are indeed worthy of being the Sect Leader's favorite disciple."

Song Daren and the others on the side looked at Chen Qiye with admiration and envy in their eyes. Zhang Xiaofan also looked up at Chen Qiye. He had originally thought that Chen Qiye was at the fourth level of the Jade Purity Realm, but he hadn't expected that his strength was already at the ninth level. Such talent was truly outrageous.

At this moment, Su Ru and Tian Ling'er happened to return. Tian Ling'er spotted Zhang Xiaofan standing in the crowd, her eyes instantly reddened. She quickly ran over, raised her hand and patted Zhang Xiaofan on the shoulder, crying, "Xiaofan, where have you been? You've been worrying us so much!"

Seeing Zhang Xiaofan safe and sound, Su Ru felt relieved, though she still looked at him with a hint of anger. When she noticed Chen Qiye, a flicker of surprise flashed across her eyes, but she quickly regained her gentle smile and said softly, "This must be the master's disciple, Chen Qiye. He's truly a handsome man with extraordinary cultivation."

Chen Qiye hurriedly bowed to Su Ru and said earnestly, "Master Su, thank you for your praise. Qiye is truly unworthy of it."

Tian Buyi briefly explained today's events to Su Ru. After hearing this, Su Ru looked at the Soul Devouring Rod in Zhang Xiaofan's hand, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes: "This rod looks a bit strange. I wonder where it came from."

Zhang Xiaofan scratched his head and said a little embarrassedly, "Master's Wife, I named it a fire stick because it looks like the one we use for burning fires at Dazhu Peak."

Everyone couldn't help but smile after hearing this.

Tian Buyi said sternly, "Whatever this stick is called, since it's with you, you must study it carefully from now on and don't disgrace it. Qiye, since you'll be staying at Dazhu Peak for a while, please help this kid out and help him improve his cultivation as soon as possible. Don't act like a loser all day long."

Chen Qiye nodded in agreement: "Uncle Tian, ​​don't worry, Qiye will do his best."

After returning from Yougu, another half month passed. Zhang Xiaofan had been a member of Qingyun Sect for three years, and his bamboo-cutting career had also come to an end. During this time, Chen Qiye also thoroughly perfected and recorded "One Sword Frosts the Fourteen States."

(End of this chapter)