Chapter 97: The Entwined Turtle and Serpent

In the Clearheart Cottage, Jiang Chen and the Black and White Elders spoke at length, their conversation warm and congenial.

Though Jiang Chen was a Qi Refinement cultivator, he held no trace of the usual disdain that orthodox immortal cultivators felt toward martial artists. The three of them sat together and debated the martial path, and all three came away enriched. What delighted Jiang Chen most was that the Black and White Elders possessed their own insights into willpower and the soul.

“Our sect master excels in both martial and immortal arts. We are truly in awe.”

“Our Peace Sect is inclusive and boundless, teaching without distinction and cultivating the great Dao together to build a realm of peace. It indeed has a vast heart. We have only just joined the sect, yet have contributed nothing. This Tortoise-Serpent Profound Art records the martial learning we have accumulated over the years. Though it cannot compare with immortal techniques, it is still of some use. We are willing to offer it to the sect to strengthen our foundation.”

Moved by what they felt, the Black and White Elders each took out a booklet and placed it before Jiang Chen.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen said nothing more and accepted them directly.

“According to you, the Tortoise and Serpent demons were both of the water element. Our Peace Sect has a Qi Refinement inheritance called the Surging Wave Art, which draws on the qi of river tides. You may study it for reference; it should be of some help. If there is anything you do not understand, you may also ask me.”

Knowing what the Black and White Elders wanted, Jiang Chen spoke plainly.

Hearing this, the two elders did not offer any more thanks. They merely kept Jiang Chen’s trust and generosity in their hearts.

“You both once joined Quicksand as well. Do you know how many martial grandmasters there are in it?”

His tone gentle, Jiang Chen changed the subject.

At those words, the Black Elder frowned, while the White Elder sank into thought.

“Replying to the sect master, Quicksand has branches in all twelve prefectures of the Southern Jing Kingdom. There are many grandmasters, but their connections with one another are not close. I do not know the exact number of martial grandmasters, but there should be several dozen at least. However, most of these grandmasters already belong to other factions; they merely keep a name on Quicksand’s rolls. Lone figures like us are exceedingly rare.”

Guessing roughly what Jiang Chen intended, the White Elder gave his answer.

Jiang Chen nodded thoughtfully. Several dozen martial grandmasters sounded like many, but spread across the twelve prefectures of the Southern Jing Kingdom, each prefecture would only have a handful.

“I do indeed intend to draw in more martial grandmasters to help flourish the Way of Peace. But this cannot be rushed; it must be done step by step. If you have the chance, keep an eye out as well. If you can find suitable candidates, our Peace Sect’s rules will grant you no small contribution.”

He did not hide his thoughts.

The Black and White Elders solemnly nodded. Since they had joined the Peace Sect, they naturally hoped it would prosper. Besides, this matter would also benefit them. It was only that they themselves were not very confident about recruiting martial grandmasters.

They did in fact have contact with a few, but those few were all cultivated by various powers. Poaching such corners would not be easy.

Seeing their reaction, Jiang Chen smiled in satisfaction and nodded. Every undertaking is hardest at the beginning. With the Black and White Elders as a breakthrough, recruiting martial grandmasters was at least possible.

Not long after, under Wang Yuan’s guidance, the Black and White Elders chose a cave dwelling on Mulberry Fish Isle and formally took root within the Peace Sect.

The moment they stepped out of Clearheart Cottage, the two of them felt a weight lifted from their shoulders and exchanged a smile. Earlier, when they had dealt with Jiang Chen, they had indeed been sincere and composed on the surface, but there had been some element of performance to it. Only at this moment did their joy come truly from the heart.

“Not bad.”

The Black and White Elders shook their heads and headed toward their dwelling. Though newly arrived, after their time with Jiang Chen they held a very favorable impression of the Peace Sect.

Public opinion of the Peace Sect was highly divided. Some longed for it; others despised it, believing that rather than an immortal sect, it was more like a martial arts school and lacked the proper bearing of an immortal faction, full as it was of muddy mortal airs. But to them, such a Peace Sect was perfectly suited.

After the two elders left, Jiang Chen opened the Tortoise-Serpent Profound Art they had left behind. This profound art was divided into two parts, one for the Mystic Tortoise and one for the Profound Serpent. Both were grandmaster-level martial arts and featured a combined-strike technique, quite extraordinary indeed.

“Though these two are not as physically formidable as Iron-Made Butcher, their talent is remarkable, and they have a measure of fortune as well.”

As the various subtleties of the Tortoise-Serpent Profound Art surfaced in his mind, Jiang Chen thought of what the two elders had said earlier and could not help but sigh at their experiences.

Back then, the two had fought a wicked cultivator. Although they succeeded in slaying him, they themselves were injured by the cultivator’s arts, to the point that murderous thoughts became difficult to suppress, and at times they even showed signs of falling into demonic frenzy. In order to restrain their injuries and also to pursue the immortal path, they gave up fame and power and withdrew into the mountains and forests.

It was then that they unexpectedly discovered the pair of demon beasts, the tortoise and the serpent. The two demons had fought each other in the mountains for many years and occasionally descended the peaks to ravage the local wild folk, feeding on them as prey. At that time, the elders had already been touched by demonic corruption. Provoked by the sight, they fought the two demon beasts to vent the murderous intent in their hearts.

Fortunately, the tortoise and serpent were at odds, each regarding the other as a mortal enemy. The two elders joining forces was enough to contend with them. In the course of that battle, the pair found an excellent way to discharge their murderous impulses. Once they had cleared their minds, they simply settled near the demon mountain and would occasionally battle the tortoise and serpent.

Over time, by observing the forms of tortoise and serpent, they refined the martial arts they had accumulated and created the Tortoise-Serpent Profound Art. At the same time, they also devised a secret technique of spiritual intent, using it to suppress their murderous thoughts and completely eradicate the hidden danger within themselves.

“This Tortoise-Serpent Coiling contemplation studies the true forms of tortoise and serpent. It accords with the principles of motion and stillness, and it has the wondrous ability to calm the spirit and clear the mind.”

Jiang Chen’s gaze fell upon the final secret art in the Tortoise-Serpent Profound Art, and his eyes flickered.

The Tortoise-Serpent Profound Art itself, though quite subtle, was of little real use to him. What was remarkable was this final secret art, for it had, without intent, already touched upon changes in the soul.

To the Black and White Elders, this Tortoise-Serpent Coiling was merely a method for quieting the mind, its only purpose being to help them suppress murderous thoughts. But to him, it was a brand-new soul technique.

“This world truly never lacks genius. Even mortals possess their own wisdom.”

With a soft sigh, Jiang Chen put the Tortoise-Serpent Profound Art away.

“I once comprehended the principles of motion and stillness, so cultivating this Tortoise-Serpent Coiling should pose no problem. Still, I ought to make a trip to that demon mountain and see those tortoise and serpent demons for myself.”

Looking into the distance, Jiang Chen made up his mind.

At that moment, Wang Yuan came to report that the Black and White Elders had already settled in, and had also brought over the three Green Dew Deer they had presented.

“Sect master, should we spread word of the two elders joining the sect?”

With his eyes lowered, Wang Yuan asked.

After a moment’s thought, Jiang Chen shook his head.

“For now, no. Luo Qiao’s Qi Refinement cultivation reaching the minor-success stage was beyond my original expectations. Now that he is dead, our Peace Sect’s reputation is already large enough. There is no need to stir up further waves at this time. Let everything proceed naturally.”

His tone calm, Jiang Chen intended for both the Peace Sect and himself to settle for a while.

Though fame has no shape, it is indeed a sharp weapon. Used well, it can bring the Peace Sect many benefits; used poorly, it will also invite countless troubles.

Hearing this, Wang Yuan bowed and acknowledged the order.