Chapter 83: The Harmonious Union Sect’s Li Tiezhu, Immortal Emperor?

Cultivation partners? Since his reincarnation, all of his emotional connections had revolved around family and friends — he had never once considered that dimension of things.

Instinctively, he felt it seemed a bit complicated, and certainly not part of his current plans.

He automatically filtered out the second half of the sentence about "cultivation partners" and focused his attention entirely on "Honorary Elder" and "access to the archives."

It sounded like an efficient, fair exchange — he lends his name, they provide knowledge. That was perfectly reasonable.

"Just lending my name, and I can read them?"

He confirmed, thinking that the Harmonious Union Sect had quite a straightforward way of doing business. Not bad.

Lianyue noticed that he only cared about the archives and showed absolutely no reaction to the matter of "cultivation partners." She wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or just a little disappointed.

But her smile remained unchanged. "Of course. Senior's reputation precedes you — having your name associated with our Sect is already an immense honor."

That was nothing but the truth. A Nascent Soul Cultivator of boundless potential — the mere association of such a name was itself a tremendous resource and a powerful deterrent.

Si Chen gave a small nod, then asked a few more questions he cared about: "Would I need to visit the Sect often? Would I be required to do specific things, or have restrictions on where I can go?"

Lianyue quickly waved her hand. "No, no! Please rest assured, Senior — an Honorary Elder holds a position of complete distinction, free to come and go as you please."

"Unless… unless the Sect faces a matter of life and death, we would never dare disturb Senior's cultivation over trivial affairs."

She had no intention of scaring off this distinguished guest over such minor details.

Si Chen thought it over briefly and decided the deal was well worth it. Under Lianyue's expectant gaze, he gave a nod.

"If it's really that simple… then alright, I accept."

A surge of delight rose in Lianyue's heart. She suppressed the urge to immediately send a message back to the Sect and maintained her graceful composure. "Wonderful! Lianyue will report this to the Sect at once. Once the formalities are complete, Senior will officially be the Honorary Elder of our Harmonious Union Sect."

* * *

Li Tiezhu had nearly scratched a hole into the table in front of him.

Heishan and Chifeng, on the other hand, had eaten and drunk their fill, leaning back in their chairs with expressions of utter contentment.

"Why aren't they out yet?"

Li Tiezhu craned his neck toward the inner chamber, his mind involuntarily flashing through all manner of indescribable scenes — which he then furiously shook away.

No, no, no — Master isn't that kind of person! And the Harmonious Union Sect is a proper Sect! The foremost righteous sect!

Just as his thoughts were running wild, the bead curtain chimed softly.

Li Tiezhu immediately snapped upright, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

Senior Sister Lianyue was the first to emerge. Her fair cheeks carried a flush of excitement that hadn't quite faded yet.

It was simply because things had gone far more smoothly than expected — far beyond her hopes — and her heart was still racing with elation.

But that rosy flush, falling on the eyes of Li Tiezhu — who had been lost in wild imaginings — meant something else entirely.

He watched, wide-eyed, as the breathtakingly beautiful steward of the Harmonious Union Sect — who had entered the room composed and dignified — emerged with cheeks flushed red, eyes glistening, and even her gait seeming somehow… unsteady?

Then Si Chen walked out right behind her, perfectly composed, no different from when he'd gone in — except for a faint glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes.

That was purely the contentment of having his curiosity satisfied.

But Li Tiezhu's heart sank. It's over, it's over! What on earth had Master been "deeply discussing" in there for two hours?!

His mind instantly played out countless indescribable scenarios, and he felt like he was about to fall apart.

Lianyue had no time to pay attention to the young man's inner turmoil. In high spirits, she smiled warmly at Si Chen, her voice noticeably softer than before:

"Elder Si Chen, please rest assured — once this is reported to the Sect, it will pass with unanimous approval. There is no doubt."

Then she turned to the still-bewildered young women and announced clearly: "Sisters, from this day forward, Senior Si Chen is the Honorary Elder of our Harmonious Union Sect. Come now — greet the Elder!"

The room fell completely silent.

All the young women froze, covering their mouths in astonishment, unable to understand how this strikingly handsome young man had gone in for two hours of conversation and come out as an "Elder."

But Senior Sister Lianyue had spoken, and they reacted at once, gracefully bowing in unison and calling out together:

"Greetings, Elder Si Chen~"

Li Tiezhu's mind completely crashed. The sunflower seeds in his hand dropped to the floor.

H-Honorary Elder?!

Just like that? In two hours? His Master — Si Chen — the third-ranked powerhouse on the Qingxuan Rankings — had become… a member of the Harmonious Union Sect?!

Heishan and Chifeng exchanged a glance. They didn't care much about Elder this or Elder that. Heishan immediately bellowed in his booming voice: "Brother, becoming this Elder — you're not going to split up with us, are you?"

Si Chen looked at them and shook his head. "It's just a title."

The meaning was clear: everything stays the same as before.

Heishan and Chifeng immediately relaxed. As long as they weren't being separated from their brother, he could hold a hundred titles for all they cared.

Si Chen's gaze drifted out the window to the bustling streets of Baihua City. He was genuinely interested in the Harmonious Union Sect's archives.

But for now, there were more pressing matters.

"The food here seems to have quite a distinctive character," he said, pulling his gaze back and turning to Lianyue. "We plan to stay a few more days and try everything. After that, we'll pay your Sect a visit."

Those words were like celestial music to Lianyue's ears, her eyes lighting up brilliantly.

She had only hoped to secure a nominal title — that alone would have been a blessing. She never imagined this newly appointed Elder would be willing to visit the Sect in person!

This was an unexpected windfall, more than enough to earn her a great merit before the Sect Master.

"Since the Elder has such refined taste, Baihua City will certainly not disappoint!" she said, immediately picking up the thread, her smile growing ever more genuine. "All expenses during your stay in the city — please allow Lianyue to fulfill her duties as host."

"Great!" Heishan was delighted. His large, fan-like hand slapped the table with a thud, making the cups and dishes rattle.

He immediately turned to whisper with Chifeng beside him, scheming about which street and which restaurant they should start with.

Si Chen looked over at Li Tiezhu, who was still staring into space with a shifting array of expressions, and asked, "Tiezhu, what's wrong with you?"

Li Tiezhu Shocked back to his senses, glanced at his Master, then stole a look at the smiling Lianyue beside him, and after holding it in for a long moment, finally squeezed out a single sentence:

"M-Master… are you… feeling alright?"

Si Chen gave him a mildly puzzled look. "I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"N-nothing!" Li Tiezhu shook his head like a rattle-drum.

It was only then that Lianyue noticed Li Tiezhu. She asked, "Elder Si Chen, this young man is…?"

Si Chen hesitated for a moment.

In the end, he answered: "My disciple."

Lianyue was briefly taken aback, then it dawned on her — so this Elder already had a disciple!

She smiled at once. "So this is the Elder's beloved disciple! My apologies for not recognizing you sooner."

"Since you are the Elder's disciple, you are naturally half one of our own in the Harmonious Union Sect. Your access within the Sect will be equivalent to that of the Elder's Personal Disciple."

Li Tiezhu was utterly thunderstruck.

Me? A Harmonious Union Sect disciple?!

An image surfaced unbidden in his mind:

On some future battlefield between immortals and demons, Li Tiezhu stood tall and imposing, riding auspicious clouds, pointing a finger at the demonic fiend before him and roaring:

"Demon, cease your arrogance! I am Li Tiezhu, Immortal Emperor of the foremost righteous sect, the Harmonious Union Sect — the Tiezhu Immortal Emperor!"