Chapter 122: Debts Must Be Repaid

The mountain gate of the Cloud Palace Peak is truly magnificent, occupying an entire massive mountain. On a towering stone stele, the three characters "Cloud Palace Peak" are engraved. Even while standing on the cloud ship, Wang Changsheng could feel a unique sword intent emanating from the stele, washing over him.

"It is truly worthy of being called the greatest sect in the Shentian Realm!" Wang Changsheng remarked, looking at the mountain gate of the Cloud Palace Peak in awe.

The strength of the Corpse Refining Sect is not far behind that of the Cloud Palace Peak, but in terms of reputation and the grandeur of its mountain gate, it is leagues behind—not even in the same class. Even the Shangyang Li Clan, which possesses a small world, would logically be considered of higher status, yet even they pale in comparison to the Cloud Palace Peak in terms of the sheer magnificence of their gate. After all, as the self-proclaimed greatest sect in the Shentian Realm, the Cloud Palace Peak certainly puts on an impressive display.

"Deacon Wang is too kind. 'Greatest sect' is merely a boast from the outside world; one knows the reality of one's own house best," Cailing said softly.

In the presence of Wang Changsheng and Li Fusheng, Cailing dared not affirm that the Cloud Palace Peak was the greatest sect. The more she learned about the Shangyang Li Clan and the Corpse Refining Sect, the more she felt their foundations and strength might even exceed those of the Cloud Palace Peak. It was not a matter of the number of cultivators, but the quality of the individuals and their overall cultivation levels.

Crossing the mountain gate, the cloud ship landed on another peak of the Cloud Palace Peak. Once it came to a halt, it occupied the entire mountain. Such a massive vessel immediately drew the attention of many Cloud Palace Peak cultivators.

"Whose ship is this? It's so big. I've never seen such a large cloud ship..."

"It's huge indeed. Even our Cloud Palace Peak’s ships aren't this big, right?"

"Definitely not. I've seen every ship in the Cloud Palace Peak, and they are all smaller than this!"

...

The disciples of the Cloud Palace Peak were abuzz with discussion upon seeing such a colossal vessel. Shortly after, they saw Wang Changsheng and his party disembark.

"Where are these people from?"

The Cloud Palace Peak disciples had never seen Wang Changsheng and the others and were unaware of their identities. However, the sheer size of the ship suggested that their origins were anything but ordinary.

"Is that Li Fusheng?"

"It really looks like Li Fusheng! Why is he here at the Cloud Palace Peak?!"

"It's over, it's over! I need to go back and hide my good wine!"

"Tell the senior and junior sisters to go into hiding—Li Fusheng is here!"

...

As soon as they caught sight of Li Fusheng, cries of alarm erupted from the crowd. Wang Changsheng and the Corpse Refining Sect disciples heard the reactions of the Cloud Palace Peak cultivators and looked at Li Fusheng with perplexed expressions. The patrol guards they had encountered earlier didn't recognize Li Fusheng or the Shangyang Li Clan, so why did so many people here seem to know him?

"Tell me, Li Fusheng, what exactly did you do at the Cloud Palace Peak? Why does everyone look at you as if they’ve just encountered the plague?" Wang Changsheng asked, puzzled.

Li Fusheng didn't react, but Cailing looked embarrassed and said in a low voice, "Daoist Li has quite a notorious reputation at the Cloud Palace Peak. Nearly half of our cultivators have been 'victimized' by him at some point!"

"He's that formidable?" Wang Changsheng asked, looking at Li Fusheng in surprise.

"That goes without saying!" Li Fusheng replied with a proud look. "I wasn't victimizing them; I was helping them! Back when I was a guest here, I was known as a great benefactor. When I left, they were all moved to tears!"

Wang Changsheng rolled his eyes at Li Fusheng's words. He certainly didn't believe him. Someone like Li Fusheng wouldn't help others!

Moved to tears? They were probably just excited to see him leave!

After all, Li Fusheng is from the Shangyang Li Clan. Even if it wasn't public knowledge at the Cloud Palace Peak, the higher-ups must have been warned not to harm him. Otherwise, judging by the reaction of the disciples today, Wang Changsheng felt Li Fusheng might not have left the sect alive.

"Since you're so famous, why were we stopped earlier?" Wang Changsheng asked.

Seeing Wang Changsheng raise this question, Cailing awkwardly explained, "Those patrol guards are outer sect disciples. Many of them are unaware of the situation within the inner sect, and quite a few of them joined the sect already having their own cultivation foundations."

That was the reason for the uneven quality of the Cloud Palace Peak's disciples. Currently, the sect's influence in the Shentian Realm is unparalleled, and many rogue cultivators seek to join its ranks. Thus, many join with pre-existing techniques. Fortunately, these individuals are usually outer sect disciples who must undergo long-term observation and training before entering the inner sect; otherwise, the Cloud Palace Peak would have likely disintegrated long ago.

"Fellow Daoists, please, this way!" Cailing led them to a large hall, which, judging by its scale, appeared to be a side hall of the sect.

"Let's go!" As they reached the entrance, Wang Changsheng noticed Li Fusheng hesitating.

"What's wrong with you?" Wang Changsheng stopped and looked at him.

Li Fusheng looked awkward. "How about... how about you go in first, and I'll come along in a bit?"

"What's going on?" Wang Changsheng demanded.

"I have some old friends here at the Cloud Palace Peak; I intend to pay them a visit first and then join you!" Li Fusheng said. "Besides, it's your Corpse Refining Sect visiting the Cloud Palace Peak, and it has nothing to do with the Shangyang Li Clan!" He turned to leave as he spoke.

"Li Fusheng, you stand right there!"

Just as Wang Changsheng was feeling confused, a harsh voice rang out from behind him. Hearing it, Li Fusheng increased his pace as if to flee.

"Li Fusheng, if you dare run, I will hunt you to the ends of the earth!"

Wang Changsheng was stunned—who would dare speak to Li Fusheng like that? He turned around and saw a figure slowly walking toward them, her face veiled with sheer fabric, her steps light and graceful.

Li Fusheng stopped and slowly turned around, giving the woman an embarrassed look.

"Caiyun... long time no see..." Li Fusheng asked tentatively, "I heard... I heard you were in deep seclusion?"

"Senior Sister!" Cailing bowed to Caiyun.

Caiyun nodded slightly at Cailing and then turned her gaze to Li Fusheng, saying coldly, "Li Fusheng, did you think I was in deep seclusion, which is why you dared to come to the Cloud Palace Peak?"

Her tone was icy. Wang Changsheng suspected there was a significant grudge between the two.

"No... no... we're friends, aren't we?" Li Fusheng said with a forced smile. "I'm nothing but happy to see you!"

"Very well," Caiyun said sternly. "Since you're here, are you going to pay back the spirit stones you owe me?!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Changsheng understood immediately. No wonder Li Fusheng wanted to run as soon as he reached the side hall—he had a creditor here! Indeed, given his personality and status, if Caiyun weren't his creditor, he wouldn't be so afraid to face her.

"Cailing, did you bring me here on purpose?" Li Fusheng glared at Cailing, who was hiding to the side and giggling.

"Why are you being fierce to Cailing?" Caiyun snapped. "Debts must be repaid—it is only right!"

Li Fusheng was speechless, but when he caught sight of Wang Changsheng, his eyes lit up.

"Oh no." Seeing that look, Wang Changsheng knew something was wrong. Li Fusheng was definitely up to no good.

"Caiyun, I'll pay, of course I'll pay! Look, I brought my good brother here, and he'll pay for me!" Li Fusheng said with a grin. "Let me tell you, my brother has nothing if not an abundance of spirit stones. This is just a small matter for him!"

Wang Changsheng's expression darkened. Li Fusheng kept winking at him, and Wang Changsheng could hear his telepathic message: "Daoist Wang, do me a favor. If you help me pay this off, I, Li Fusheng, will follow your lead from now on!"

"How many spirit stones?" Wang Changsheng asked via telepathy.

"Not much... not much... one million..." came Li Fusheng's stuttering reply.

"What?!" Wang Changsheng couldn't help but exclaim out loud, ignoring the presence of others.

"Who is your brother?" Wang Changsheng said sternly, looking at Li Fusheng. "I have no such brother as you!"

He then bowed to Caiyun. "Daoist Caiyun, I am not related to this man. Debts must be repaid—that is the natural order of things. Since Li Fusheng owes you spirit stones, he should pay them. I despise those who borrow money and refuse to return it!" He put on an expression of extreme indignation, as if he truly looked down upon Li Fusheng's lack of integrity.

"Wang Changsheng, you!" Li Fusheng roared at the reaction.

Wang Changsheng shot him a look of disdain. If it had been a few thousand or even tens of thousands of spirit stones, he might have helped, but one million? Even if they were low-grade spirit stones, it would pain Wang Changsheng to part with such a sum at once. Even with Li Fusheng’s promise to follow his lead, Wang Changsheng wouldn't take it seriously; given Li Fusheng's character, he wouldn't be surprised if the man went back on his word.

"With such a huge amount, no wonder he wanted to run!" Wang Changsheng muttered to himself. Even if he himself were the one owing so many spirit stones, he would run the moment he saw his creditor. He was truly baffled—what on earth had Li Fusheng done to end up owing Caiyun one million spirit stones?