Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 735 - 734: Chen Nuo Helps Tian Peng Become an Immortal
Although Tian Peng was drunk and slurring his words, Chen Gong was there to smooth things over. They managed to clarify everything except for his job.
The Elder Village Chief didn’t understand. It was just a job, after all. What could be so secretive about it? Judging by their demeanor, they couldn’t possibly be involved in some dishonorable scheme.
"Ah, this, I..." Tian Peng was persistently questioned, but he couldn’t tell the truth. He was very frustrated, especially since the Elder Village Chief kept pressing the matter.
Not only was he irritated, but he was also getting so agitated that he felt like hitting someone. So he stood up, cupped his fists towards everyone at the table, and said, "Well then, I’ve had a bit too much to drink, I’m going to change. Enjoy your drinks, everyone."
After Tian Peng left, the people at the table looked at each other, puzzled.
The Elder Village Chief realized he might have pushed too hard, but couldn’t help it. For his daughter’s lifelong happiness, he had to be persistent. Her future depended on them.
Stepping outside, Tian Peng took a deep breath of the fresh air and felt a surge of melancholy.
Here was someone eager to marry off their daughter to him, and she was so beautiful. Yet, for the sake of his own future and the happiness of that woman, he had to painfully refuse.
This made Tian Peng feel profoundly melancholic. He had always been eager to find a suitable match, and now that he had one, he had chosen to refuse. Indeed, fate plays cruel tricks.
"I think that girl is indeed quite desirable, she comes from a good family, her father manages all of Gao Laozhuang, and they have thousands of acres of fertile land. You won’t have to worry about food or clothes. Why don’t you accept her?"
A cool voice echoed from the air. Tian Peng immediately looked towards the direction of the sound but saw nothing.
However, he had long recognized who the voice belonged to. So he took a few more steps outside and called, "Shopkeeper, Shopkeeper, are you here looking for me?"
With a thump, a figure emerged from the dark night. The first thing to come into view was a pair of long legs, stepping in black boots, clad in a deep blue robe, with a piece of Han White Jade hanging at the waist, and above that was Chen Nuo’s incomparably handsome face.
Seeing him, Tian Peng quickly cupped his fists, "Shopkeeper, it really is you!"
"Of course I came looking for you. What else would I be doing in a place like this?" Chen Nuo said.
Tian Peng was pleased, "Shopkeeper, what do you need me for? Is there something you need my help with?"
"What do you think I would need your help with?" Chen Nuo asked.
Tian Peng scratched his head, truly not knowing what the Shopkeeper might need from him. He used to do all sorts of odd jobs around the store; anyone could have done them. There really was nothing specifically that he could do.
"What’s your current level of cultivation?" Chen Nuo queried.
"I’ve just reached the Divided Spirit Realm," Tian Peng answered, rather sheepishly.
His progress in cultivation was indeed slow, primarily because he had two jobs. He had to work during the day and could only practice at night. Therefore, despite the many years he had spent in the mortal realm, he had only achieved the Divided Spirit Realm.
Beyond the Divided Spirit Realm were the Union, Tribulation Crossing, Mahayana Realm, among others. In essence, advancing each realm felt like overcoming a massive mountain. Therefore, the higher the realm, the more time and effort it required.
Tian Peng didn’t have much time, so he had to put in more effort than the average person, but over the years, he had only reached the Divided Spirit Realm.
"Recently, Yang Chan came to visit and brought a Monster." Chen Nuo spoke, "This Monster has a Demon Core. It’s said that if someone at the Mahayana Realm consumes this Demon Core, they have a chance to directly become an Immortal."
"I’ve refined this demon core for you; you have three months to ascend to the Mahayana Realm, then you can take the demon core and become an Immortal."
"Demon Core?!" Tian Peng was astonished, "Shopkeeper, refining a demon core is no trivial matter, let alone one that allows immediate ascension to Immortality which are even rarer."
"It must have taken you a lot of time to refine this demon core; I’m truly moved, Shopkeeper. I’ve never seen anyone achieve such a thing for me before; I’m really overwhelmed with gratitude."
"It only took an hour, not much time at all," Chen Nuo said nonchalantly.
"An hour?!" Tian Peng was utterly speechless at Chen Nuo’s capability.
"Shopkeeper, do you know how long it normally takes for ordinary people to refine such a potent demon core? Even for Immortals, it requires the joint effort of more than three, and even then, it would take at least seven days to successfully refine a demon core."
"I’ve refined a demon core myself in the past; it was from a first-grade spirit beast, and even that took me half a month to refine. Now you’re telling me you only took an hour for this grade of demon core?"
Chen Nuo glanced at him lightly, "What, you don’t believe me or are you trying to say something else?"
"No, Shopkeeper, I admire you. To be able to refine a demon core of that level in just an hour is something only you could do with such ease."
Tian Peng’s eyes were full of admiration, "Indeed, following you is absolutely the right choice. No other Immortals can even compare to the tip of your toe!"
"Enough, there’s no need for flattery," Chen Nuo took out the demon core.
"I suspect you haven’t reached the Mahayana Realm yet either. I’ve found you a place abundant in spiritual power. You’ll stay there for three months and then cultivate up to the Mahayana Realm, after which you can come and claim the demon core."
Tian Peng nodded, "Alright, Shopkeeper. Just wait for me to finish up things here and then I’ll follow you..."
Chen Nuo realized something as he was speaking, recalling that he had yet to ask about a certain matter.
"As for Gao Cuilan, perhaps there really is a fate between you two. You’re leaving just like that, without the slightest reluctance?"
At this point, Tian Peng hesitated, thought carefully, and then said, "Sigh, Shopkeeper, I’ve learned my lesson. When it comes to matters of the heart, one can’t be too forceful, and besides, it’s not suitable for me now."
"I still have so much to do, and if I don’t handle it now, the first person I’d be letting down would be myself. I’d better see to my own affairs first."
"You have a point," Chen Nuo said with a smile, nodding, "But still, think over such matters carefully. And don’t blame me if you end up without a partner later on."
"Don’t worry, Shopkeeper, I’m not that kind of person." Tian Peng was smiling, but inside he felt deeply melancholic; after all, such opportunities did not come by often.
And he actually did like Gao Cuilan quite a bit. If he couldn’t be with her here, maybe she’d end up with someone else in a few days, and by then it would truly be too late for him.
Chen Nuo saw right through Tian Peng’s heart. Although his words were brave, in reality, his thoughts lingered on Gao Cuilan.
However, Gao Cuilan was originally Tian Peng’s fate; convincing him to give her up for cultivation did seem somewhat unfair.
After thinking for a while, Chen Nuo said to Tian Peng, "How about this, go back and tell Master Gao Zhuang that in one year you’ll come to marry Miss Gao. Ask Miss Gao to wait for you for one year. If they truly value your capabilities, they’ll surely agree to have Gao Cuilan wait for you."
