Chapter 96: The Turtle and Snake Demons

Clear Wind Cottage stood in a garden where every leaf and blade was a vivid green, a striking contrast to the dead peach tree beside it.

Seated beneath that tree, Jiang Chen looked over the two old men before him, one fat and one thin, one white and one black, a faint, appraising light in his eyes.

The Black-and-White Elders were famous martial grandmasters, both long celebrated in the martial world. Their greatest claim to renown was that they had once joined forces to slay a Qi-Refining demonic cultivator.

While Jiang Chen studied them, they in turn studied him in silence. As fellow grandmasters, and at such close range, they could faintly sense the terrifying force hidden beneath his seemingly slender frame, a power like a flood or ferocious beast lying in wait. In terms of vital energy alone, it even seemed to surpass their own.

"The rumors are true after all. This Sect Master of Peace is not only a Qi-Refining sword cultivator, but also a martial grandmaster."

In that wordless exchange of glances, countless thoughts passed through the minds of the Black-and-White Elders. One of the main reasons they had so quickly resolved to come to the Peace Sect was precisely because Jiang Chen himself was a martial grandmaster. Only such a person could truly offer them hope of using martial arts to step into the immortal path.

"Sect Master Jiang, while traveling in the mountains earlier, we happened upon three Green Mist Deer. These beasts follow the ways of wood and water, and wherever they pass, grasses and trees flourish in abundance. Most peculiar indeed. The sight delighted us, and after some effort we brought them here as a gift, hoping the sect master will be pleased."

The short, plump White Elder seemed born with a smile on his face as he spoke first.

At that, Jiang Chen gave him a longer look.

The Green Mist Deer were a rather rare type of demon beast. Though not especially formidable in battle, they were gentle by nature and could aid the growth of spiritual plants, so many cultivation families were eager to raise them.

"You have shown great thoughtfulness. I like this gift very much."

With a smile of his own, Jiang Chen did not refuse and accepted the offering. As for their claim of having happened upon the deer by chance, it was pure nonsense. In the wilderness, the odds of encountering a demon beast were not that high to begin with, much less one like the Green Mist Deer. Clearly, they had come prepared, knowing that the Peace Sect was searching for beasts of this sort.

Seeing this, the Black-and-White Elders both let out a silent breath of relief. They were not afraid of Jiang Chen accepting gifts; they were afraid of him refusing them. Once the gift was taken, the matter that followed would be much easier to discuss.

"Sect Master Jiang, I understand that the Peace Sect possesses a hide-wearing mystic art. We two have long yearned for the immortal path and wish to obtain two pelt hides at the Qi-Refining level. For this, we are willing to pay any price. We beg Sect Master Jiang to grant our wish."

Seizing the moment, the Black-and-White Elders bowed deeply to Jiang Chen, their sincerity absolute.

The world knew that the two of them had once joined hands to kill a Qi-Refining demonic cultivator, proving their martial arts to be profound beyond the ordinary. Only they themselves knew that before they had even made their move, that demonic cultivator had already been gravely injured.

Even so, the battle had been exceptionally hard-fought. In the end, they had succeeded in slaying the fiend, but both had paid a heavy price.

Precisely because of that, they had come to feel the helplessness of martial arts all the more keenly, and had begun to seek the hidden mysteries of the immortal path.

Hearing their words, Jiang Chen was not surprised. After all, the hide-wearing art was exactly what most attracted martial artists to the Peace Sect. It was bait he had deliberately cast into the water.

And seeing that Jiang Chen did not refuse at once, a spark of hope arose in the hearts of the two elders. But at that moment, Jiang Chen shook his head.

Their hearts sank.

"Qi-Refining demon beasts are rare. The Qi-Refining hides you seek, I do not have."

Jiang Chen did not hide the truth. At present, the Peace Sect did indeed have some Spirit-Perception demon beasts, but not a single Qi-Refining one.

Hearing this, the Black-and-White Elders, whose hearts had already sunk into the abyss, suddenly felt as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun. They had thought Jiang Chen had found their request too excessive and therefore unwilling to agree. They had never imagined this would be the reason.

For a moment, a thread of joy actually rose in their hearts. Since Jiang Chen had said as much, it only proved that he was seriously considering the matter.

"Sect Master Jiang, we also know that Qi-Refining demon beasts are scarce. However, we happen to know the whereabouts of two such beasts: one turtle demon and one serpent demon, both with early Qi-Refining cultivation. Yet even joined together, the two of us could only contend with one of them, and have no way of dealing with them."

"If Sect Master Jiang is willing to lend us your aid, we will serve you unto death."

His words were full of resolve. The White Elder made his position clear. Though he was a martial grandmaster and possessed a few treasures, there was little that could truly move a Qi-Refining grandmaster, and nothing that could be exchanged for a Qi-Refining beast hide. In truth, the most valuable thing he had was himself.

When the Peace Sect deliberately spread the word among the Flowing Sand Bandits, he had already understood that the sect intended to recruit martial grandmasters. He had keenly sensed an opportunity in this.

As a martial grandmaster, his standing was not low. Quite a few powers had tried to recruit him before, including even some cultivation sects, but none of them could offer what he wanted.

Though the Black Elder said nothing, his manner made everything clear. He obviously shared the same thoughts as the White Elder.

At their words, Jiang Chen's eyes showed a trace of surprise. From the moment they presented him with the Green Mist Deer, he had known they were prepared. He simply had not expected them to be so thoroughly prepared.

"The purpose of the Peace Sect is to cultivate the great Dao together and build a world of peace. I welcome all men of the Dao. However, do you two know the flaw in the beast-hide art? Even hides from the Spirit-Perception level still retain lingering beastly remnants. At the slightest carelessness, they may erode the mind. Those at the Qi-Refining level are only more dangerous. Even a martial grandmaster who has cultivated divine intent may not be able to withstand it."

Jiang Chen did not immediately answer, but instead turned the question back on the Black-and-White Elders.

To this, the two elders showed no sign of retreating. On the contrary, their resolve only deepened. They were seasoned old hands. Since they had decided to join the Peace Sect and obtain beast hides, they had not come on a whim. Before coming, they had already investigated the Peace Sect as thoroughly as possible, and the beast-hide art had been a matter of utmost importance in their inquiries.

They knew the flaws of beast hides all too well, and Jiang Chen's attitude only strengthened the conclusions in their hearts, convincing them they had not come to the wrong place.

"Though death may come, we will have no regrets. We beg Sect Master Jiang to grant our wish."

The two elders folded their hands and bowed together to Jiang Chen, remaining in a deep bow for a long time.

Looking at them, Jiang Chen's expression seemed slightly moved.

"Very well. Since that is the case, from this day forward you two shall be the protecting elders of the Peace Sect."

With a soft sigh, Jiang Chen looked at them and gave his answer.

For the current Peace Sect, two martial grandmasters were indeed of considerable value. As for Qi-Refining demon hides, they were precisely what he had wanted to try in the first place. For ordinary Qi-Refining cultivators, wearing a Qi-Refining beast hide could indeed strengthen their combat power to a degree, but it would also taint their true qi, making the gain somewhat not worth the cost. Martial grandmasters, however, were different.

Once successfully clad in a Qi-Refining beast hide, a martial grandmaster could, to a certain extent, wield the abilities of a Qi-Refining demon beast, and his strength would certainly increase. He could even rival some Qi-Refining cultivators. Most importantly, martial grandmasters had cultivated divine intent, and their wills were tenacious. In resisting the erosion of lingering beastly remnants, they had a natural advantage.

Hearing this, the gloom in their hearts vanished in an instant. The Black-and-White Elders exchanged a glance and immediately knelt together.

"Greetings, Sect Master!"

Their voices were loud and ringing, and within them was joy they did not attempt to conceal. The Black-and-White Elders promptly changed how they addressed him.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen also smiled. From this day on, the Peace Sect finally had two people who could actually be put to use.