Chapter 26: Speaking Again as a Daluo Golden Immortal

Unlike previous live streaming locations, which were in the Zefeng Cave Mansion, this time, Chen Xi chose to stream from a thatched hut near the riverbank.

The walls were about to collapse, and the roof barely kept out the wind. It would not be an exaggeration to describe it as a place with “four bare walls.” There was no furniture to speak of, not even a cushion. It was likely that no other place in the entire Immortal Realm could be more dilapidated than this. Yet Chen Xi couldn’t understand why he chose such a place to live stream.

Perhaps it was out of nostalgia? Seeing the familiar river, some might recall that when Chen Xi first arrived in the Immortal Realm, he seemed to have been a servant fetching water. Or perhaps this was the place where Chen Xi had lived at the beginning of his journey in the Immortal Realm.

However, these thoughts only circled briefly in their minds before being forgotten. Because at that moment, Chen Xi’s live stream had officially started.

He began by removing the heads and tails of freshly caught lake fish and cutting the fish’s back into equal pieces, though leaving the area near the belly intact, as if holding on by a thread. The pieces of fish back naturally scattered across the plate, forming a shape resembling an open peacock’s tail. The fish head rested on the fish tail, surrounded by the fish meat, creating the illusion of a magically transformed, lifelike peacock spreading its tail.

Salt and yellow wine were used as the most natural ingredients to remove the fishy smell. Ginger threads were hidden at the bottom of the plate, thoroughly preserving the fresh taste of the lake fish. After steaming for just ten minutes, the pure, original sweetness of the fish was fully retained.

Scallops, mussels, dried shiitake mushrooms, and shrimp dried by Chen Xi’s special process were all placed in cold water to cook together. In just a short while, a pot of superior seafood stock was ready. The faint oceanic smell, aided by the soaked white rice, simmered over time, transforming into a truly mouthwatering aroma. The stock was then served in a small bowl carved from fire jade. The natural heat of the jade kept the porridge warm, and the longer it stood, the richer the flavor became.

Before serving, a small spoon was used to stir the porridge, and the milk-yellow Yao Zhu, mussels, and red dried shrimp naturally floated to the top. A sprinkle of fresh green broccoli florets completed the perfect presentation of the seafood porridge—its color, fragrance, and taste all perfectly balanced.

A sip of the porridge, followed by a bite of fish, especially with a bit of side dish, was indeed the most fitting meal for this cool riverside atmosphere.

The snow-white fish slices were mild and tender, melting in the mouth, leaving only the tempting fragrance of fish that continuously stimulated the taste buds. The equally mild seafood porridge complemented it with another type of special deliciousness, turning an ordinary meal of porridge and side dishes into a true seafood feast.

The Moonlight Celestial Beast, who normally preferred light flavors, rarely took the initiative to pat its contracted master’s arm in appreciation. However, this time, Chen Xi did not sit down and eat with the Moonlight Celestial Beast as usual. Instead, he adjusted the water mirror and changed the scene to outside the courtyard, as if he had something to say.

“Everyone knows that I just inherited Beast Island,” Chen Xi’s voice clearly came through the water mirror, and almost all the immortals in the Lower Three Immortal Realm could hear it. Chen Xi’s next words were the real point of his broadcast today.

With a gesture, Goudan worked in sync with the Myriad Phenomena Chessboard, shrinking and presenting a complete, proportional map of Beast Island. Chen Xi began explaining the current situation of Beast Island to those watching.

So, was Chen Xi planning to recruit new people to Beast Island?

Some astute viewers vaguely guessed what Chen Xi was thinking. After all, not long ago, when Chen Xi had cut down the Immortal Wuyi, he had made it clear he wanted to expel people. Therefore, to the public, recruiting people was something Chen Xi had to start preparing for.

However, though the theory was clear, implementing it would likely be more challenging. Beast Island’s situation was special, and without the allure of the Beast Island Secret Realm, many people would naturally lose interest. However, Chen Xi’s special status did give Beast Island additional bargaining chips. After all, whether it was beast control or formations, both were rare and highly coveted skills for most low-level immortals.

Thus, perhaps joining Beast Island was a good choice. Listening to Chen Xi’s description of the future of Beast Island, many people were tempted. But then, Chen Xi’s next words shocked them once again, making them wonder if he was going crazy!

“This time, for recruiting people to Beast Island, only Daluo Golden Immortals will be considered.” His tone was exactly the same as when he had shared the main ingredients for the cat food last time. Chen Xi’s mysterious confidence made the immortals immediately believe that all his requirements were reasonable and would surely be fulfilled. However, the stark contrast with reality made it all seem like a joke.

Chen Xi even divided Beast Island into sections, constantly pointing out which areas were closest to spiritual veins and where the spiritual energy was the mildest. As for his demand for Daluo Golden Immortals, unlike the previous short-term transaction with the cat food recipe and entering the Secret Realm, this time, his request was for them to swear eternal loyalty to Beast Island.

What did loyalty mean? It meant that these Daluo Golden Immortals coming to join Chen Xi had to forsake their old identities, branding themselves with the mark of Beast Island, and even in death, they would carry Chen Xi’s and Beast Island’s names, much like ancient slavery.

At the same time, the promise Chen Xi offered was not related to celestial beasts or formations—two things most coveted by immortals. Instead, it was about the cave mansions of Beast Island.

Chen Xi explained that Beast Island had six cave mansions, the closest to the spiritual veins. Two of them were reserved for the Moonlight Clan, while the remaining four were up for selection. He even specifically described the dilapidated thatched hut from the live stream background as the place with the most concentrated spiritual energy, comparable to the Middle Three Immortal Realm.

Comparable to the Middle Three Immortal Realm? Was he joking with them? All the immortals who heard this couldn’t help but laugh.

“Has Chen Xi started dreaming during the day since he made it onto the Heavenly Dao Ranking? Spiritual veins? There are only two spiritual veins in the entire Lower Three Immortal Realm, both controlled by the two major sects. Even in the Xianji Immortal Domain, they can only guard one fake spiritual vein.”

“Exactly, and if Beast Island really had spiritual veins, why has its spiritual energy been so thin all these years?”

“Heh, that mortal must be playing with us immortals as a joke! To speak so arrogantly is truly laughable.” Several immortals who were friendly with Lingyun’s sect leader couldn’t help but mock him. As for the other immortals, though they didn’t openly curse, they too found it utterly unbelievable.

But Chen Xi didn’t care about the immortals’ opinions. After dropping his bombshell, he closed the live stream.

—

In just a few short hours, Chen Xi and Beast Island once again caused a huge stir in the Lower Three Immortal Realms. At the same time, the news that Chen Xi intended to dismiss all the immortals from Beast Island spread, and more and more people began to think that Chen Xi was foolish and arrogant.

Beast Island, which lacked even immortal spiritual energy, had audaciously asked for Daluo Golden Immortals. If it were in the past, this would have been absurd. However, after Chen Xi had killed Immortal Wuyi and the young sect master of Qingyun Sect, the rift with the two sects had already deepened. The only reason the Sect Master of Lingyun Sect hadn’t moved against him was because Chen Xi hadn’t left Beast Island. If he didn’t quickly consolidate power for self-preservation, it was laughable that he was dreaming in broad daylight.

As expected, ordinary mortals were still just mortals, their narrow worldview still no use even after entering the Heavenly Dao Rankings. They were doomed to perish eventually.

It wasn’t clear who started it, but soon, this rumor spread throughout the Lower Three Immortal Realms. The few Daluo Golden Immortals who had been slightly tempted by the immortals on Beast Island began to lose interest. Meanwhile, the immortals who had been swayed started to become restless. They even thought that Chen Xi would never be able to recruit a Daluo Golden Immortal and that resisting him would be more beneficial.

The entire Beast Island was filled with the tension of an impending storm, and Chen Xi was naturally aware of it. The Moonlight Celestial Beast, rarely showing signs of caution, refused to leave and kept a close watch on Chen Xi. However, Chen Xi wasn’t bothered, instead teasing the beast.

“Are you worried about me?”

“Of course!” Moonlight Celestial Beast responded instinctively, but upon seeing the smile in Chen Xi’s eyes, it turned its head awkwardly and snorted, pretending to be annoyed. “You’re so dumb. Of course, I need to keep an eye on you!”

“Xiao Chen, if you keep acting so awkward, you’ll turn into a twist!”

What a jerk! After barely holding back a laugh, Chen Xi was immediately slapped with an annoyed claw by Moonlight Celestial Beast, who was clearly embarrassed. Chen Xi just hugged the cat tightly, whispering into its ear, “Don’t tell anyone. I have a plan.”

Don’t tell anyone? So, only telling me? Moonlight Celestial Beast, originally struggling to push Chen Xi away, paused instinctively and stopped its movement. When it noticed Chen Xi’s face so close, its body stiffened for a moment and unconsciously leaned in.

It was just too close! This bondmate was so clingy, it was actually a bit annoying.

Chen Xi, looking at the beast’s proud little expression, couldn’t help but smooth its fur but the deep, contemplative look slowly spread across his eyes.

Beast Island had a secret. Before the system upgrade, he truly couldn’t manage it. But after the system upgrade, it became easy. Chen Xi glanced at the growing popularity value and casually allocated most of it to the crafting branch of the talent tree.

Some people with limited vision were destined to be slapped in the face. As for the Daluo Golden Immortal, if the information given by Beast Island was correct, Chen Xi believed someone would soon come knocking on his door.

Meanwhile, in the Immortal Palace, Emperor Qing Yang’s face tightened as he looked at the scene in the water mirror. He instinctively adjusted his posture, a faint blush flashing across his face as he saw the closeness between Chen Xi and Moonlight Celestial Beast.

Emperor Qing Yang felt that recently, the secrets between him and Chen Xi seemed to be growing too many.

But, he quite enjoyed it.

—

As the sun set and the silver moon rose, the day passed in an instant, and the time for the immortals to leave Beast Island was drawing near, with only a few more hours remaining.

Chen Xi’s actions were swift. After the evening meal, the list of island personnel was finalized and sent through the water mirror to the individual recipients.

Just as everyone had guessed, except for a few wandering immortals, all those with sect affiliations were completely removed. It seemed as though Chen Xi had some special sensing ability, his judgment was incredibly accurate. Even Qingyun Sect disciples, who had been assigned by the Sect Master of Lingyun Sect as spies and had no official titles, were caught.

As a result, nearly 95% of the low-level immortals on Beast Island would be sent away. The slightly higher-ranked ones had already been excluded. When carefully counted, even including Chen Xi, there were fewer than ten people left on Beast Island. Those low-level immortals, who had gathered together to discuss countermeasures, began to grow increasingly anxious.

“Think about it. If we all leave, aren’t you the ones left behind to do all the work? Beast Island has many immortals to take care of. Who will have the time to understand the Heavenly Dao?”

“Exactly, are we going to stay here our entire lives as lowly slaves?”

“But if we leave, who knows what will happen when we return? Lord Lingyun Sect doesn’t seem easy to deal with. We might not survive.”

The immortal who had been leading the persuasion began to brainwash others once again, but this time, unlike before when he was relatively polite, he now did so openly and without concealment, even trying to make others feel the same way he did.

Normally, such unsubtle instigation wouldn’t be effective, but in the current state of fear and confusion, it became a guiding light for these low-level immortals. In just a few words, he became the pillar of support in everyone’s eyes.

At the same time, a message from someone’s communication talisman was released, further igniting the tension to its peak.

It was a conversation between two inner disciples of Qingyun Sect.

“I heard from a senior brother in the Law Enforcement Hall that the sect master has already made arrangements for the immortals sent back from Beast Island.”

“What kind of arrangements?”

“Execution,” the first disciple’s voice lowered even further, carrying a hint of mystery. “The sect master said that once they return, they will be secretly executed. After all, they have been away from the sect for many years, who knows if they have ill intentions? And the sect’s relationship with Chen Xi is now like water and fire—what if there are any ungrateful spies among them?”

“True, but it sounds a bit pitiful…”

The conversation stopped there.

These immortals had already been trembling with fear for some time, and now that the final outcome was clear, the tension was unbearable. The person, seizing the moment, added more fuel to the fire: “Chen Xi is just a mortal. No matter how powerful his formations are, with so many of us, what’s there to fear? Besides, he keeps talking about Daluo Golden Immortals, but it’s impossible for him to find any helpers. He’s already isolated. With so many of us, what’s there to be afraid of? If we really go back to the sect as he wishes, there’s no place for us to be buried!”

“Right! When things are unjust, they make a sound—let’s hit him hard!”

“Kill Chen Xi, and Beast Island will be ours!”

The loud, spirited voices echoed throughout the immortal palace. It was the madness after long-suppressed frustration, the unwillingness and despair hidden behind the silence. At this moment, these immortals had completely lost themselves, following the instigator into the abyss. They even forgot that Chen Xi had killed Immortal Wuyi three days ago, right in front of them.

No, maybe some still remembered, but the desire to survive and the hope of luck made them forget their caution, only wanting to act recklessly and take the final gamble.

“Your subordinate has not failed you. Everything has been arranged,” the instigator, observing the wild reactions of the low-level immortals losing their rationality, recorded everything with his communication jade talisman and forwarded it to the Sect Master of Lingyun Sect. He then mingled among the immortals, closed his eyes to rest, and planned to lead the group to break out forcefully the next morning and take Chen Xi’s head.

As for Qingyun Sect, the Sect Master of Lingyun Sect had also made preparations, intending to take Beast Island in one fell swoop.

What they didn’t know was that every move they made had already been seen by Chen Xi. The reason he hadn’t acted against them yet was simply that he planned to let them play into his hands, using them as an example to intimidate others.

Moreover, their assumption that Chen Xi had no one under him was far from the truth. Although there were fewer people coming to seek Chen Xi, there were indeed some. However, these individuals, in the eyes of outsiders, were somewhat troublesome. But Chen Xi didn’t care, in fact, he thought it was for the best.

In Chen Xi’s eyes, there were no permanent friends, but interests could last forever. Those who were bound to him by interests were more trustworthy than those with pure backgrounds.

It’s quite a coincidence that these two Daluo Golden Immortals were introduced by the Daoist Ming Ling of the Xianji Immortal Domain. One is a spell cultivator, the other a sword cultivator, both famous in the Lower Three Immortal Realms. As for why they were willing to bow their heads, the reason is very practical.

The spell cultivator sought help because his celestial beast fell ill, and after searching everywhere for famous doctors and spending all his wealth, he still couldn’t find a cure. As for the sword cultivator, he had a grudge against the Sect Master of Lingyun Sect, who had issued a kill order across the Three Domains, making him a hunted target. At present, Chen Xi, the Lord of Beast Island, was the only person he could turn to for refuge.

Chen Xi didn’t waste time with them and directly signed a contract, following the previous live broadcast arrangements to take them to the agreed-upon residence before hastily preparing to leave.

“Master,” the sword cultivator couldn’t help but call out to him, “I heard Beast Island is deserted. Do you need us to do anything?”

“No need.”

“Then what about the celestial beasts?” the spell cultivator quickly followed up with the question.

Chen Xi glanced at him and smiled reassuringly. “There’s a way.”

Perhaps because Chen Xi seemed so calm and collected, the two men, who had originally been anxious, found themselves feeling unexpectedly more at ease. However, what they didn’t know was that Chen Xi was rushing back simply because Goudan had sent him a message, saying that if he didn’t return soon, the Daoist Ming Ling might be in danger.

Danger to his life? Should he bring along the two newly arrived Daluo Golden Immortals?

That was Chen Xi’s first reaction, but Goudan’s response was hesitant, and after a long silence, he couldn’t get to the point. He specifically emphasized not to bring anyone else.

Could it really be a real emergency? Thinking of his house full of kittens, Chen Xi suddenly felt a jolt of panic, and without bothering to explain anything to the two Daluo Golden Immortals he had just met, he was eager to return to the Zefeng Cave Mansion immediately.

The sense of crisis hung over Chen Xi’s mind, and the Myriad Phenomenon Chessboard was activated at the same time. However, as soon as he stepped into the cave, this sense of crisis turned into something tangible. He saw sitting on the ground in the house none other than Li Qianling, the sect master of the Qingyun Sect’s Law Enforcement Hall, also known as the “Asura.” He seemed to be facing some trouble, his brow furrowed deeply, and a murderous aura filled the entire Zefeng Cave Mansion.

However, when Chen Xi clearly saw what Li Qianling was holding, he was a bit confused.

Because Chen Xi realized that what Li Qianling was repeatedly fiddling with was actually the firefly cage he had given to the Daoist Ming Ling. As for the Daoist Ming Ling, who Goudan said was in imminent danger and needed him to come back to save him, the person wasn’t even here.

So, could someone tell him what exactly was happening in the Zefeng Cave Mansion?