01-10

1

Chapter 1

 

"Clang!"

 

 

On the Water Cloud Sect fighting arena, under the gaze of the crowd, Canglan sword let out a mournful cry. Finally unable to withstand the continuous and uninterrupted attacks from its opponent, it broke cleanly into two segments.

 

The entire arena was silent. The only sound present was the crisp clanking sound of the broken sword falling to the ground. At this time, it still glowed with a faint blue light, which reflected on Wen Xuan's paling face.

 

Barely minutes later, even this blue light dissipated. However, its opposition still remained brilliant and glimmering. A human figure was enveloped in the glow of the spiritual tool. Holding a folding fan that shone with an imposing spiritual light, the person tilted his head and smiled smugly: "Shixiong, you let me win."

 

With the sound of these words, the disciples watching the battle finally responded to what happened. A buzz of discussion instantly rippled outward.

 

"He won?" "Luo shixiong won against Wen shixiong!" "Who would have thought, Wen Shixiong really lost just like that....."

 

 

"What's so surprising? Who doesn't know, Wen shixiong joined 5 years earlier than Luo shixiong and established his foundation 5 years earlier. However, in terms of yuan gathering, he lagged behind Luo shixiong for a total of 5 years. If you want to talk about innate talent or abilities, he hasn't been Luo shixiong's opponent for many years already. He's just been avoiding direct battle all this time. Now, there's finally a victor."

 

"Ai, so that's the case......"

 

These words traveled into Wen Xuan's ears, unmistakably distinct, as if he was receiving resounding slaps over and over across his face.

 

Wen Xuan inhaled, his complexion recovering slowly nevertheless. Taking a moment to calm his mood, he gave Luo Qingquan a brief hug: "Luo shidi, we haven't compared in many years. As expected, your abilities have progressed vigorously. Shixiong is humbled. I will be relying on your strength to represent our sect in the big fighting tournament between the 7 mystical sects in 3 years."

 

Done speaking, he brushed off his sleeve, picked up the broken sword on the ground, and walked off stage.

 

 

A loss... was a loss. He wasn't someone who couldn't stand to lose. Not to mention, this was only a competition between Water Cloud Sect's inner disciples, in order to determine the leader of the team that will join the big fighting tournament between the 7 mystical sects. For the inner disciples, his shidis, to be so capable, he should be happy.

 

However, even though he already walked to the edge of the stage carrying his broken sword, Luo Qingquan didn't plan to let him

 

off.

 

The youth's clear and bright voice cut through the air, extremely ear piercing: "Since you're completely no match for me at all, do you really not feel ashamed to continue sitting in that head disciple position?"

 

A snapping sound, Wen Xuan only extended one foot off when he stiffened upon hearing those words. He had no choice but to withdraw it again.

 

 

That's right. Wen Xuan was this generation's head disciple for the Water Cloud Sect. He already sat in this position for over a dozen years. He never imagined there'd be someone fighting him for it.

 

Without any other choice, he turned around: "I don't think this is the place for the two of us to discuss this topic."

 

As he spoke, his gaze looked passed Luo Qingquan to the Sect elders currently sitting above, watching over the match. Minus the dozen of elders who were all only in yuan gathering stages, within the sect, there were a total of 3 elders at the Golden Core stage. The sect leader, Jizi Ang was sitting calmly in the middle, twisting the small beard on his chin and muttering to himself.

 

"Sect leader, martial uncle." Luo Qingquan bowed politely, while his expression was still full of the same cruel arrogance: "Wen shixiong entered the sect the earliest. Originally I shouldn't covet his position. But the head disciple should represent the face of the sect. Since Wen shixiong's strength is inadequate and can't

 

 

maintain this face, then it's logical and proper to change to someone else."

 

He really dared to say it! Even such a calm and collected person like Wen Xuan inevitably felt somewhat indignant upon hearing it. However, he also didn't retort. After all, today he...... to put it unpleasantly, really was beaten so badly the entire time that he couldn't lift his head at all. Otherwise, it wouldn't have gone so badly that even his sword broke.

 

Yet following Luo Qingquan's words, those disciples who were observing the battle naturally exploded again.

 

"Nicely said, Luo shixiong!" "That's how it should go! The person who obtains the way of Dao should be first. Why cling to the order of when someone joined the sect!"

 

These two voices howled exceptionally loud and clear. Wen Xuan glanced over with the corner of his eyes and recognized that those two disciples were the closest to Luo Qingquan the last few years.

 

Perhaps because they saw the Sect Leader remain silent without taking a side, those two voices yelled louder and louder. Within moments, anyone within 800 li could hear it. The people who joined in the yelling grew in size as well. Eventually it became like a chorus, as if trying to pass on the will of the public.'

 

 

"The person who obtains the way of Dao should be first!" "Requesting the sect leader to reselect the head disciple position!" "That's right. How can a good-for-nothing ride on top of everyone's head?"

 

"Don't be too excessive!" Finally, some disciples who favored Wen Xuan couldn't bear it and started a dispute.

 

Once this dispute started, it was complete chaos. Both sides opposed each other tit for tat. Instantly, the sound of cursing and swearing erupted.

 

"What's so excessive? Those who are capable deserve it. Shouldn't it be like this?" "Bullshit! Is victory everything? Wen shixiong has done so much for the sect all of these years, were you guys blind!" "You're the one talking nonsense!"

 

 

As the curses flew, some people even rolled up their sleeves and were just seconds away from advancing from verbal to physical disputes.

 

Jizi Ang was still over there muttering to himself.

 

As for the other two gold core elders. One was a big bellied old man who was currently chuckling nonstop. The other was a good looking female cultivator who had her brows furrowed. Their opinions clearly weren't in agreement.

 

In anycase, none of them looked like they planned to deal with the chaos below. Luo Qingqian held his head up higher and puffed out his chest more, and was currently feeling smug from all of this momentum.

 

"Outrageous!" In the end, the person who yelled this word, was Wen Xuan.

 

Brows furrowing tightly, he faced the group of disciples below the stage. His voice was extremely sonorous, confident and

 

 

experienced, like the roar of a flood, and instantly subdued everyone.

 

Some people were even startled and stunned from this reprimand. Because at this very moment, more disciples who stood on Wen Xuan's side joined the battle. Gradually they were turning the tides to their favor and was just about to hold those people under Luo Qingquan's flag down on the floor and beat them up. To be chided like this so suddenly, they actually felt rather wronged.

 

"Look at where you guys are right now." Wen Xuan softened his tone, but his voice still remained clear: "The sect leader and other elders are still here, yet you've caused such a pandemonium. Is this right?"

 

As soon as these words were said, several people all lowered their heads in shame.

 

Of course, the ones who were willing to listen were all the disciples who favored Wen Xuan. For them to withdraw from the battle at this moment only made those under Luo Qingquan's flag feel complacent.

 

 

However, Wen Xuan's eyes swept over like cold lightning. He walked down the stage step by step and stood before the two people who yelled the loudest earlier.

 

"Zhao shidi" He called out one of the two.

 

This person didn't expect Wen Xuan would actually recognize him and instantly felt somewhat humbled.

 

"Last month's cultivation review, I remembered you fell back a lot. It was practically too appalling to witness." Wen Xuan immediately added: "If you continue like this, I'm afraid you won't be able to remain an inner disciple by the end of the year review."

 

Instantly, this person's face turned white.

 

"And also you, Feng shidi." Wen Xuan looked toward the other person: "You took Qi shishu as your teacher. At that time, you swore you wanted to learn how to cultivate spiritual pills from him. Yet this month... no, these entire three months, how many times have you gone into the alchemy room?"

 

 

"What's it to you?" All of the sudden, this Feng shidi's complexion was also extremely unsightly. However, he still said stubbornly: "What rights do you have to get involved?"

 

"Of course it concerns me. As long as I remain in this position, be it you guys' cultivation or other studies, I have a right to ask." Wen Xuan put his hands behind his back, thin lips pressing together lightly: "If you guys don't feel the inclination, make it clearer earlier. There are many people who need those chances even more than you."

 

This Feng shidi finally got reprimanded into silence as well, lips white and trembling.

 

Finally, Wen Xuan walked step by step back on stage, leaving behind some words: "The person who obtains the way of Dao should be first-- I hope you can remember your own words and keep in mind what you should be doing at all times. Don't spend

 

 

time delving into some shady methods all day, and end up delaying your own cultivation and ruining your fundamentals."

 

By the time he walked back onto the stage, the crowd below were all quiet. The prior clamor was gone without a trace.

 

As he stood in front of Luo Qingquan again, Luo Qingquan's originally extremely smug face was clearly no longer looking so well.

 

"Luo shidi." Wen Xuan said: "Whether or not the head disciple position should be reselected, you could have brought up anytime when you visited the sect leader. But you just had to do it in front of everyone...... Seeing the chaos just now, were you pleased?"

 

2

Chapter 2

 

Hearing this inquiry, Luo Qingquan inevitably used strength and squeezed the high quality folding fan so tightly in his hand that it made creaking noises: "Wen shixiong, aren't you getting too involved here? I can bring it up whenever I want. Don't tell me there's a rule or something."

 

"That's exactly it." Wen Xuan stated coolly: "When you talk and do things, you only consider yourself. You've never even considered the effect it would have on the sect, right?"

 

"You......" If that holding fan wasn't top quality, it would have definitely been snapped in half by Luo Qingquan.

 

"So what? You, who lost to me!" He flipped open the holding fan with a loud 'pa,' and pointed the fan at Wen Xuan: "What rights do you have to criticize me? If you're not satisfied with this result, we can compete again!"

 

Wen Xuan shook his head.

 

Luo Qingquan was already clouded by fury. If this continued, he would only look more disgraceful.

 

"Alright alright." At this time, the big-bellied gold core cultivator finally spoke up chuckling to mediate: "Wen shizhi's words are reasonable. Qingquan, you really were too reckless."

 

This old cultivator's name was Luo Tiancheng. He's Luo Qingquan's teacher as well as his great uncle.

 

When Luo Qingquan heard these words, he instantly sobered a lot. Hastily taking a deep breath, he suppressed his heart full of fury.

 

"However, it's not a bad thing for young people to be determined and dauntless in forging ahead." Elder Luo smiled and looked at the two people to his left: "Sect Leader shixiong, Lin shimei, what do you think?"

 

The good looking woman scoffed coldly: "Your family's disciple wants to snatch Wen shizhi's position. No matter what, we should wait until Chu shixiong returns to discuss this, right?"

 

Elder Luo smiled, his gaze landing on Jizi Ang: "Sect Leader shixiong?"

 

Jizi Ang squeezed his beard. After muttering to himself for so long, he finally expressed: "Even if Chu shixiong isn't here. We all saw what happened at the scene. Although Luo shizhi is strong physically, on the contrary, he wasn't as proficient in controlling the crowd as Wen shizhi."

 

"That's indeed the case." Elder Luo acknowledged with a smile: "There's still much that Qingquan has to learn."

 

Receiving this reply, Jizi Ang muttered to himself for a while again, then looked down. Seeing Luo Qingquan, he made his final statement: "Luo shizhi, you won the inner disciple contest so you can pick out a cultivation method and a spiritual tool from the sect. This is what you deserve. Head over to Thousand Treasures Pavilion and Ten Thousand Spiritual Hall anytime. As for the other thing, there's no need to mention it here anymore."

 

Luo Qingquan grinded his teeth but couldn't do anything else but lower his head: "This disciple understands."

 

"En......" Jizi Ang nodded his head in satisfaction.

 

Then, this sect leader made some closing remarks. Getting up and waving his sleeve, he indicated that this year's inner disciple competition has concluded and left with the other elders. Below the stage, the disciples who came to watch the battle scattered one by one, quietly and orderly, without causing any further trouble.

 

Wen Xuan couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.

 

Luo Qingquan also finally lifted his head. His face, however, was full of dissatisfaction. As soon he opened his mouth, it was a cold laugh: "Shixiong, what a nice plan."

 

Look at how he made it sound, like Wen Xuan's actions before was completely in order to show off in front of the Sect Leader.

 

Wen Xuan rolled his eyes at him, then left with the broken sword in his arms. He didn't bother to argue with the other, and also didn't have anything to argue about. Even if they bickered, his treasured sword can't be unbroken. He might as well spend the effort seeing if his Canglan sword could be fixed.

 

However, he didn't even get a chance to return to his dwelling before he received a transmitted message from the Sect Leader, calling him over.

 

Wen Xuan originally thought that the Sect Leader planned to comfort him privately, in order to prevent the relations between Luo Qingquan and him from completely collapsing, and felt that this was rather superfluous.

 

However when he arrived, he saw within the spacious empty hall, only Jizi Ang sat in the middle. The Sect Leader's entire person was enveloped in the seemingly large Sect Leader robes, making him gain a sense of loneliness and exhaustion that was not seen in front of the crowd before.

 

"Xuan-er." The sect leader called him closer and asked him an unexpected question: "In these years, have you felt resentful?"

 

Resentful? What's there to resent?

 

Wen Xuan swallowed and was momentarily speechless.

 

"Back then, you were so brilliant and unparallel. To fall to such a step today, you must be resentful." The sect leader looked at him profoundly.

 

That's right. Ten years ago, when Luo Qingquan was still struggling in the foundation establishment stage, Wen Xuan was Water Cloud Sect's one and only genius, who had an outstanding innate talent that was matchless.

 

Pressing his lips together, Wen Xuan couldn't resist recalling those pastoral times. After a long while, he said: "How can life always go according to one's wishes? Compared to many on the same path as me, I'm fortunate enough to be able to reach where I am today. Although I also want to advance further, in face of destiny, no one is to blame."

 

"Oh child, there's no need to undervalue yourself like this." The sect leader sighed and grabbed Wen Xuan's hand, patting him on the back of it: "Fighting strength isn't everything. Cultivation is fundamental. You recently marched into the yuan gathering stage. As long as you can steady your heart and polish yourself, your cultivation will eventually advance."

 

Saying this, the sect leader placed a bottle of medicinal pill into Wen Xuan's hand and said earnestly: "As for the other things, no need to take it seriously. Just ignore it."

 

This was a bottle of top quality pill to help with stabilizing yuan. It's a necessity for stabilizing the boundary between the stages. Squeezing this bottle in his hand, Wen Xuan momentarily felt touched.

 

It wasn't until he left the big hall and felt the cold wind blowing across his face that he became much more clear headed. Alright, actually the Sect Leader really did end up consoling him privately in order to stop him from arguing with Luo Qingquan in the future.

 

Shaking his head, Wen Xuan sighed. Rubbing the pill bottle for a moment, he put it into the storage pouch on his waist to accompany his broken sword.

 

Speaking honestly, instead of this bottle of pill, Wen Xuan wanted to ask the Sect Leader if he could help him fix his sword even more. Unfortunately the Sect Leader's meaning was clear enough. This pill was a subtle hint-- since you can't fight, you should just focus on cultivating. What do you need those fighting tools for?

 

This logic sounded so reasonable, and the Sect Leader even humbled himself to make this kind of subtle suggestion. Accordingly, Wen Xuan should show him respect. However, 'just ignore it' was something that's easily spoken, but hard to do.

 

Especially at the moment, when the news of the morning competition was still hot. As soon as Wen Xuan came out, he could hear some sect disciples discuss how he lost to Luo Qingquan everywhere he went.

 

"At that time, Luo shixiong used Flying Snow and pushed Wen Shixiong into the corner. Wen shixiong quickly held up his treasured sword and did his best to block this technique. Pi pi pa pa ping ping pang pang, he blocked for a long time, then kacha! Wen shixiong's sword broke! He didn't even manage to fight back at all!"

 

Just look at how he described it, even with sound effects, like he was narrating a story.

 

Passing over them, Wen Xuan heard this excited, lively voice, and really didn't know how to feel inside.

 

"I've always heard those shixiongs talk about how impressive Wen shixiong was back then, now it looks like he really isn't much." "Yea yea. Luo shixiong is much more impressive, with real strength to back him."

 

"You can't say it like that though. All these years, Wen shixiong has been rushing about for the sect. Maybe it dallied his own cultivation, who's to say."

 

"That's right. Since all of those shixiongs say the same, then Wen shixiong must have been extremely powerful back then." "Ai, then how did he end up like this? Don't say it's all because he's been doing stuff for the sect. I don't believe it."

 

Cultivators already had keen senses. It just happened that Wen Xuan's 5 senses were even more sensitive than those of his same cultivation level. Even after flying quite a distance away, these words continued to travel into his ears.

 

He couldn't help but think: That's right. How did I end up like this?

 

Whenever he thought about this, it made his heart fill with trepidation and anxiety. Wen Xuan shook his head and headed straight out of the Water Cloud Sect's inner domain into the outer sphere.

 

He knew a shidi that was rather proficient in refining weaponry, who was sent back to the outer school because his cultivation was developing too slowly the last two years. Now was a good time to check up on him and, along the way, ask if his sword could be saved or not.

 

When he reached the outer sphere, at first, he had hoped this place could be quieter. Since only inner disciples were allowed to observe that battle.

 

However, he was too naive. The news between the inner and outer schools of the Water Cloud Sect must have passed unobstructed. The other sphere was also spreading that annoying thing all over. However, because none of them saw the event in person, there were all sorts of rumours. Details were added to the story to make it even more exaggerated and thrilling, really making Wen Xuan speechless with the creativity of it all.

 

Unfortunately, the creativity was only used in the descriptions of the battle itself. The discussion afterwards remained the same.

 

"Wasn't Wen shixiong pretty strong back then? How did he fall to such a step now?"

 

Wen Xuan heaved a long sigh and could only do his best to ignore the cacophony as he flew quickly towards the direction of his shidi.

 

"Because of his cultivation method."

 

At this time, this was said quietly. Yet, it also traveled to Wen Xuan's ears, making him halt in his travels and turn his head to look.

 

His auditory sense was very powerful, so he was capable of hearing very far. This distance was blocked within a mountain range. Glancing over, he couldn't see the speaker at all. Deliberating momentarily, Wen Xuan grinded his teeth and

 

changed the direction of his cloud, heading off in search of the place where he heard those words.

 

Cultivation method. He couldn't possibly ignore someone who was able to accurately bring up these two words.

 

Not long afterwards, he saw two figures in an empty area in the mountains. He quickly descended. When he saw clearly the two people's appearance, he paused. This was a youthful girl in her prime and a middle aged man. But the words he just heard, Wen Xuan was very clear, sounded like it was the voice of someone between a teenage boy and young man. Definitely not from the two people before him.

 

That middle aged man saw Wen Xuan and naturally froze briefly. Moments later, his face color changed as he started to tremble all over. He hastily rolled to the ground while grabbing the girl to kneel down with him and said in a shaky voice: "Wen..Wen..Wen shixiong, what are you doing here?"

 

As soon as he spoke, Wen Xuan could tell that he was the person asking the question before.

 

In other words, the person who answered should be nearby. Thinking this, Wen Xuan quickly moved his gaze away from these two people and planned to thoroughly look around.

 

"Big brother Zhao, you can get up. He came to find me." At this time, a voice traveled over from behind him. Wen Xuan heard clearly, this voice was the same as the person who answered before.

 

He turned around, and only saw a big tree behind him, along with the little cabin hidden behind the tree.

 

In front of the cabin was a young man in green, who was currently leaning against the door smiling.

 

3

Chapter 3

 

This young man was probably 17-18 years old, with red lips and white teeth. When he smiled, it was like flowers blooming in Spring, extremely good looking. However, the first words he said with that smile really made people feel bewildered: "Shixiong, you really made me wait for quite a long time."

 

Wen Xuan felt his mouth twitch as he examined this person more closely: Do I know you?

 

He was a very responsible head disciple. He even had a slight impression of outer disciples like the middle aged man with Zhao as his surname. However, this one in front of him must be new. Looking at him repeatedly from all angles, Wen Xuan couldn't recall him at all. This must really be their first encounter.

 

Immediately, Wen Xuan ignored this overly familiar greeting and said: "I passed by just now and heard your conversation, discussing me?"

 

The young man nodded his head magnanimously: "That's right."

 

Wen Xuan immediately stiffened his entire face: "Who gave you guys the nerve!" Being the head disciple for so long, he already developed the proper demeanor. When he brought out this aura, he could be very intimidating. His voice just sounded, when a 'putong' sound landed. The one with the surname Zhao, who just stood up, got so scared by Wen Xuan's words, he knelt down again. Grabbing the girl next to him so abruptly, they both almost hit their heads on the ground kowtowing.

 

The young man still remained unfazed. His eyes even narrowed as he smiled, as if he could tell that Wen Xuan was only acting fierce, but was actually soft at heart.

 

Wen Xuan didn't bother with him. He turned and looked at the brother and sister: "Just this once, I can pretend I didn't hear anything. But if you guys dare to keep speaking rubbish outside in the future, there won't be a next time."

 

The middle aged man with the surname Zhao promised repeatedly. After Wen Xuan nodded his head, this person grabbed his sister and scrambled off.

 

Clearing away the miscellaneous people, Wen Xuan turned around again, and saw the youth already retreated inside the cabin.

 

"Come in and sit for a while?" The youth held out his hand and beckoned, looking rather hopeful.

 

...... how did this person establish such familiarity on his own?

 

Wen Xuan secretly cursed while he stood at the entrance: "Stop pretending to know me. I haven't even criticized you for the nonsense you spoke earlier."

 

"If it were really nonsense,” the youth raised an eyebrow: "then why did you come specifically to find me, shixiong?"

 

"What, are you saying you can give me an underlying reason?" Wen Xuan snapped back.

 

"Of course I can." The youth nodded.

 

Expression turning solemn, Wen Xuan stood where he was and waited for a long while. However, after saying these words, the youth closed his mouth tight. He only looked over with a pair of big, shiny eyes and did not look like he had plans to continue the rest of his explanation.

 

"...... What reason?" Wen Xuan reluctantly asked.

 

The youth brightened up as he smiled, then backed into the cabin again. Patting on the back of a chair in front of the table, he said: "It's better to come in and chat. Some things... I think you wouldn't want others to hear."

 

He even made it sound so serious!

 

Wen Xuan's mouth twitched again before he finally walked in without any other choice.

 

Fortunately, the room was arranged very clean and relaxing, with a faint scholarly appearance. It was just a bit simple and crude.

 

After Wen Xuan settled down, the youth, instead, went to fetch the hot water that was pre-boiled on the side and started to steep tea in an unhurried manner. Wen Xuan just watched him, wanting to see what trickery he was up to. After a while, the youth finally poured a cup of tea and offered it before Wen Xuan.

 

Wen Xuan took a whiff. The aroma was actually pretty refined and fragrant.

 

They were within the Water Cloud Sect boundaries. This youth before him was only in the Qi refining stage. Wen Xuan was also not afraid he put something in the tea. So, he followed nature and took a sip. After swallowing this sip, Wen Xuan couldn't help but be stunned.

 

"Taste pretty good, right?" The youth said while looking at him.

 

It wasn't just pretty good. The tea was Wen Xuan's favorite Jade Spring tea leaves from Tai mountain. The water was Wen Xuan's favor clear spring water from Rao Mountain. Even the temperature and tea steeping method was perfect to his liking. This one sip made him reluctant to part. Wen Xuan couldn't resist continuing to drink the rest.

 

Staring at him closely, the youth saw that he liked the tea and smiled even more brilliantly like the sunlight. A cluster of red flowers were practically about to sprout on the top of his head.

 

"The tea is not bad." Wen Xuan coughed, but had to remind him: "but I'm not here to sample tea. Don't think doing this will let me forget your nonsense ear......"

 

"Cultivation method." At this time, the youth promptly stated, finally ready to talk business: "If it wasn't for your cultivation method, when you broke through into yuan gathering stage, you should have at least gained enlightenment over several techniques suitable to use in the yuan gathering stage. Isn't that right?"

 

Wen Xuan's words halted mid-sentence. The rest was instantly swallowed back down.

 

It's true. The moment at which a cultivator breaks though the boundary between stages, they are most spiritually intune and aspired. It's a time when the cultivation method they've learned is most understandable. Most of the time, they can gain one or two techniques out of it.

 

"For a kid who's merely in the qi refining stage, you sure know a lot." Wen Xuan expressed.

 

"I know plenty. For example, Luo shixiong's Flying Snow technique, I know, came from this." The youth said smiling.

 

To many cultivators, the techniques they gain during a breakthrough are custom made for each individual. Therefore, they're often stronger than techniques learned through other methods, with formidable power. For Luo Qingquan to have that level of strength, half of the reason was indeed derived from his Flying snow technique.

 

"I also know that shixiong, you...... didn't.” The youth continued to say.

 

Ever since Wen Xuan and this guy met each other, he always had a mischievous smile. However, at this moment, he withdrew that smile. For the first time, his face looked solemn: "When you went from foundation establishment into yuan gathering stage, you didn't gain any technique or skill at all...... right?"

 

Wen Xuan put down his tea cup. Placing it on the table, it made a thumping sound.

 

Up to now, everything this youth said really didn't count as a secret within the Water Cloud sect. Nevertheless, even though it's not a secret, it's still not something that a new outer disciple, who was only in the qi refining stage, could easily find out. This made Wen Xuan's gaze gain some inquiry and caution.

 

However, the youth withstood his inspection, looking into his eyes without any evasion.

 

In reality, ever since the two of them met, this youth's gaze remained focused on Wen Xuan, fixed and relentless. At this moment, he looked even more unrestrained, enough to make Wen Xuan feel strangely out of sorts.

 

Moments later, it was Wen Xuan who first looked away and feigned a natural smile: "Here I thought you were going to say something else."

 

"Was what I said wrong?" The youth continued to look at him with fixed eyes.

 

"No. You're very correct. One reason why I have landed in such a laughable state right now is indeed because of this." Wen Xuan shrugged: "But so what? Is being unable to gain enlightening only

 

because of the cultivation method? In just the Water Cloud Sect alone, 30% of cultivators that experience breakthroughs end up just like me. Is it all the fault of our cultivation methods?"

 

"Of course not. That's all because their natural aptitude is mediocre. Their chances of enlightenment are poor." The youth answered.

 

"If that's the case......"

 

The youth decisively interrupted him and added firmly: "But what does 'mediocre natural aptitude and poor enlightenment chances' have anything to do with you, shixiong?"

 

Wen Xuan's words petered out as he couldn't resist mumbling inwardly to himself: is this a covert form of flattery?

 

However, his thinking was too naive, because he heard the youth say subsequently: "An innate top quality water root. If this could be called mediocre natural aptitude, wouldn't that be an enormous joke?"

 

Wen Xuan's hands shook violently, bumping into the tea cup and spilling the water inside.

 

If he can only be considered doubtful before, now, he was completely astonished.

 

Top quality water root. This was an extremely rare spiritual root. There's 5 different elemental spiritual roots. In terms of strength, it can be categorized from rank 1 to 10. Only the purest water root with no impurities can be considered a pure water root. And only a fully rank 10, pure water root can be considered a top

 

quality water root. Even in a million people, it'd be hard to find one.

 

The only people who knew Wen Xuan had a top quality water root were himself, his shifu, and the Water Cloud sect leader. There really wasn't a fourth person.

 

"Who told you?" Wen Xuan can no longer remain unperturbed and uncontrollably raised his voice.

 

"No one told me." The youth smiled, narrowing his eyes again: "I don't need anyone to tell me. As long as it's related to you, shixiong, I know it all."

 

"You....." Suddenly hearing this, Wen Xuan naturally can only feel angry and think it was absolutely absurd.

 

However, the youth completely didn't understand how to stop while ahead, and continue to escalate and ask: "If I said... before we encountered for the first time today, I've already seen you in my dreams countless times, that's why I understand so many things related to you, shixiong...... Would you believe me?"

 

Wen Xuan abruptly stood up and grabbed this guy by the collar, yanking him over the table. Glaring at him from an extremely close distance, he asked: "Who told you?" He didn't believe it.

 

Undoubtedly, this was something impossible to believe.

 

The youth saw his face brimming with fury and suspicion. The gaze that's been gathered on Wen Xuan all this time finally, unprecedented, dimmed slightly: "I guessed it."

 

Guess...guessed?

 

Stunned, Wen Xuan relaxed his grip.

 

"That's right. I guessed." The youth said: "Shixiong, for you to go from qi refining to foundation building, you used not even half a year right? And once you hit foundation building, you spontaneously awakened 3 different water techniques. Really too impressive. Therefore I thought, you must have the legendary top quality water root. But for you to go from foundation building to yuan gathering stage, it cost you a total of more than 30 years. You didn't even receive any enlightenment during the breakthrough. That's simply impossible. So it must be the cultivation method at fault."

 

No way. Did he really guess it?

 

Listening to those words, Wen Xuan felt even more incredulous.

 

"However, top quality water roots are really too rare. Originally, I wasn't very confident either." The youth shrugged: "So I said it as a test. In the end, shixiong, your reaction told me that my guess was actually correct."

 

appear Tere,

 

Wen Xuan's mouth twitched, all of the sudden feeling like he didn't know if he should laugh or cry. Alright, looks like no matter what the truth was, his loss of composure already made him fall into the trap.

 

Meanwhile, after the youth finished speaking these words, he lowered his head. The previous happiness and excitement from his self established familiarity completely disappeared without a trace.

 

"Sorry, I was too startled just now......" Wen Xuan calmed down. Seeing the other like this made him feel rather regretful, so he couldn't resist but offer an apology. Then he asked: "The words you said just now, have you mentioned it to others?"

 

"Never." The youth shook his head. His voice was extremely quiet, clearly still in a downcast mood.

 

Upon seeing this, Wen Xuan reached down and touched his storage pouch. He felt the pill bottle that the Sect Leader gave him...... unfortunately that yuan stabilizing pill wasn't useful for qi refining. After a long time, Wen Xuan finally found a spiritual tool and fished it out of his pouch.

 

"This light cloth is something I used in the foundation building stage. Now I have no use for it. Why don't you take it." Wen Xuan put it on the table and pushed it in front of the youth: "It can block most qi refining attacks. Even when you reach foundation building, you can use it."

 

The youth abruptly lifted his head again. Looking at this light cloth, his eyes were shining bright. The top of his head practically started blooming flowers again.

 

"As for your words just now......" Wen Xuan coughed: "I hope you......"

 

"I know. Shixiong, don't worry." The youth grabbed the light cloth in his hands and caressed it fondly, looking reluctant to let go. Don't even mention how happy he looked: "I never told anyone before and I definitely won't tell anyone in the future either. I will definitely help you keep this secret."

 

"As long as you know." Wen Xuan nodded, then said: "But I still hope you can......"

 

"I understand, shixiong. You still can't trust me so you want me to make a vow?"

 

When Wen Xuan heard these words, he was just about to reply, but then discovered something didn't seem right. The tone that the youth used to say these words wasn't right. This kind of words, the other unexpectedly said them with enthusiasm.

 

"Actually, making a vow isn't safe enough. Why don't we just make a contract?" The youth's spirit was high, as if he grasped a once in a blue moon opportunity as he continued quickly: "What kind of contract would be best? Written contract? Spiritual contract? Why don't we just make a blood pact!"

 

Blood, blood pact? Wen Xuan jumped in surprise.

 

What was a blood pact? That's a contract created from one's essential blood. It made the person making the contract completely dependent on the contract owner. Even their life could be determined with just one word from the other party. This was the most severe form of contract amongst marriage contracts. Under normal circumstances and even in dire straits, very few cultivators would willingly bind themselves using a blood pact.

 

Yet the youth before him...... in the brief moment while Wen Xuan froze stiff, already bit his own thumb and started to force out his essential blood!

 

4Chapter 4

 

"No no no, a blood pact is not necessary." Forehead full of cold sweats, Wen Xuan hastily stopped him.

 

He really got scared. Gaining a blood pact freely might look like a very beneficial thing, but that's a thoughtless mindset. For someone as responsible as Wen Xuan...... what a joke. If he really made someone set up a blood pact just like this, wouldn't he have to be accountable for the other person for the rest of his life?

 

"You only need to make the most common oath and promise you won't expose this. That's all." Wen Xuan emphasized: "The most common."

 

The youth held up his bitten finger and confirmed pitifully: "The most common?"

 

Wen Xuan nodded repeatedly.

 

The youth turned his gaze back on the drop of blood that already seeped out on the tip of his finger and quietly clicked his tongue, actually looking extremely disappointed.

 

What the heck are you disappointed about? More sweat gathered uncontrollably on Wen Xuan's forehead. He completely didn't understand this guy at all.

 

Good thing, under Wen Xuan's specific request, the youth didn't continue to take things so seriously. He made a face, slightly cleaned up the wound on his finger, then raised three fingers to the sky in a proper stance and said obediently: "I, Jian Yi, swear to the heavens that if I expose even one word from our conversation today, then let me be struck by lightning and die an unnatural death."

 

This vow was really very severe... but in comparison to a blood pact, it was only a trifle. Wen Xuan couldn't resist letting out a big breath of relief.

 

Since the other already promised like this, his goal for this visit has been reached. No longer desiring to remain, Wen Xuan decisively got up and said his goodbyes. He only tentatively said politely: "Jian shidi, I really inconvenienced you today."

 

That's right. Through this vow, Wen Xuan finally learned this youth's name. Jian Yi, how unique and easy to remember.

 

Done speaking, he cupped his hands and turned to leave.

 

"Shixiong," Jian Yi immediately called to him: "You knew already? That there's a problem with your cultivation method......"

 

 

Wen Xuan's footsteps slowed and he couldn't resist halting briefly where he stood.

 

"The cultivation method you're using right now, who gave it to you?" Jian Yi continued to ask.

 

Wen Xuan turned his head, the smile on his face carried a hint of distance: "This has nothing to do with you right?"

 

Jian Yi pressed his lips together, wanting to establish a connection but stopped himself. Right now, he and Wen Xuan, were only strangers that met for the first time, that's all.

 

"Shixiong." He lifted his head again and expressed with an unparalleled confidence: "You will come find me again."

 

Wen Xuan laughed dryly, secretly saying to himself, what the heck, and ignored the other completely as he finally pushed open the door and headed out.

 

Upon standing outside, Wen Xuan looked at the color of the sky and discovered that he actually dallied here for half an hour already. Promptly calling forth his cloud, he flew out of this little mountain peak in a flash.

 

According to reason, he should go find that weapon refining shidi immediately.

 

But in actuality, he went to the Records Hall for the outer sect first. He decided to investigate the youth that was named Jian Yi. After all, this youth really gave him a very strange feeling. As if underneath the youth's self established familiarity, a deep,

 

unclear motive occasionally surfaced, completely unlike that of a normal outer school disciple. It made him impossible to not care.

 

"Wen shizhi, how come you have time to come here today?" The Elder in charge of outer sect duties came over and politely greeted him.

 

Wen Xuan returned the courtesy then briefly explained why he came and asked the Eder for the outer disciples' registry.

 

As for just how much he could find from this registry, and considering the mystery behind Jian Yi, Wen Xuan really wasn't too confident that he'd find anything. But he just wanted to give a tentative try, that's all.

 

However, when he casually flipped through the registry, it really...... recorded everything up to eight generations.

 

Jian Yi, was born in Jiufeng city, east of Water Cloud Sect. His ancestors survived through collecting spiritual medicinal herbs. After picking several generations of spiritual herbs, his father finally managed to save enough money to open a small herb shop. Unfortunately good things don't last forever. Two months prior, his dad died of a severe illness. That shop was occupied by a relative, which led to Jian Yi packing his things and leaving Jiufeng city to join the outer school of the Water Cloud Sect.

 

This record was actually pretty detailed. It included when Jian Yi was born, what his father and mother's names were, where he grew up, when did his father open that shop, what's the name of that herb shop, and who it belonged to right now, all recorded thoroughly.

 

 

But...... that's it?

 

A normal son of a normal herb shopkeeper from a normal spiritual city?

 

Wen Xuan flipped through the registry in his hand in surprise and looked at this segment about Jian Yi several times. The more he read it, the more he felt it hard to believe. He practically wished he could find a flower between the words and lines. However, no matter how hard he looked, that really was everything.

 

"Wen shizhi," Outside, the Elder in charge questioned: "Is there something off with this kid from the Jian family?"

 

"Kid from the Jian family?" Wen Xuan was startled: "Do you know him, shishu?"

 

"Barely, I guess. When his dad was still alive, I bumped into him around Jiufeng city while picking herbs before."

 

Alright. There's even a witness. Looks like that guy really did live in Jiufeng city and was, without a doubt, the son of a small herb shop owner.

 

Wen Xuan still felt somewhat dazed.

 

Was he too suspicious? For Jian Yi to say those things, did he really just guess it?

 

And the reason why Jian Yi was so strangely enthusiastic in making a blood pact, was it really only because of... his self established familiarity?

 

...... self established familiarity was really too scary.

 

Wen Xuan shook his head and finally closed the registry in his hand before letting out a long sigh.

 

Alright. It's only a single encounter with an outer disciple. Who knows if they'll meet again in the future. It's better not to worry about it for the moment. Wen Xuan said his goodbyes with the Elder on duty and finally went to find that weapon refining shidi.

 

Speaking of weapon refining, actually in the inner Water Cloud Sect, there's an Equipment Refining Hall. However, that area was under Elder Luo's control. If it wasn't absolutely necessary, Wen Xuan really didn't want to go.

 

The shidi that he was looking for right now was acquainted with a famous and influential weapon refining family in this North Ning Continent.

 

This weapon refining family has a huge reputation. If others wanted to ask them for help, it wasn't enough to just hand over spiritual stones. They still needed to obtain a token that was distributed by the clan. This shidi just happened to have rescued a younger generation from this clan a few years ago. Therefore, he obtained this token. The reason why Wen Xuan made this trip was just to see if he could borrow the token for a one time use.

 

However, when Wen Xuan reached the location and just finished explaining why he came, that shidi immediately sighed: "Ai, shixiong. You came too late......"

 

As it turned out, a few days ago, this shidi got impulsive and made a bet with someone, then ended up losing, and just happened to have lost this item.

 

"Who did you lose it to?" Wen Xuan asked urgently.

 

"The one living on the east side of the mountain, that... that, what's his name......" This shidi didn't stay in the outer sect for too long. It was clear he didn't recognize everyone. Even after stuttering for a while, he couldn't get anything out and still didn't remember the name. However, he remembered where the person lived and immediately pointed out the direction for Wen Xuan.

 

Wen Xuan followed the pointed direction in search. Half away, he already felt something was a bit off. How come this direction looked a bit familiar?

 

Moments later, he returned to the familiar little mountain peak and saw that familiar little cabin. A familiar looking youth stood in front of the cabin, face full of anticipation, clearly waiting for something.

 

Mouth twitching, Wen Xuan took advantage of the fact that Jian Yi hadn't seen himself yet, and swiftly turned around.

 

He didn't even know why he was running. In any case, he just suddenly felt that going to the Equipment Refining hall was actually not that impossible to accept.

 

When Wen Xuan returned from the outer sect back to the inner sect, it was already nightfall. He rested for a night before heading off to the Equipment Refining Hall the next day.

 

Elder Luo had a total of six students studying under him. This Equipment Refining Hall was usually managed by his 3rd discipline. However, occasionally, his other disciples would also switch places.

 

Wen Xuan just entered the Equipment Refining Hall when a harsh arrogant voice sounded by his ear side: "Shixiong, what a coincidence."

 

That's right. What unfortunate luck, why did it have to be this much of a coincidence. The person overseeing the Refining hall today just happened to be Luo Qingquan.

 

 

Wen Xuan took the two pieces of Canglan sword out of his storage pouch and placed them in front of him: "Can it be fixed?"

 

Luo Qingquan scanned it and jeered: "This lousy sword, do you really plan to continue using it?"

 

Wen Xuan didn't reply. Being fellow disciples all these years, he already knew that if he wanted to interact harmoniously with this guy, the trick was only two words: Ignore him.

 

Over here, Luo Qingquan waited left and right, but couldn't get a response no matter what. As expected, beginning to feel bored, he ended up picking up the two pieces of the broken sword quietly. Staying next to Elder Luo's side for so long, it's unclear how much weapon refining skills he's learned, but at least he had the insight. A moment later, he raised his eyebrow and revealed a somewhat amused expression.

 

"So?" Wen Xuan finally stopped ignoring him.

 

 

Only to hear Luo Qingquan say unhurriedly: "It can still be fixed."

 

"Oh?" Wen Xuan's eyes instantly lit up.

 

"Don't get too happy.” Luo Qingquan continued to say: "First, you need a top quality black gold ore."

 

Fixing spiritual weapons needed corresponding materials. Wen Xuan naturally knew this. He didn't have any of this black gold ore in hand, but has saved plenty of contributions for the Sect. He definitely had enough to exchange for one at the Hundred Items Hall.

 

It just happened that the Hundred Items Hall was next door to the Equipment Refining Hall. Wen Xuan took back his broken sword and ran directly over.

 

Very surprisingly, Luo Qingquan actually followed behind him and also accompanied him to the Hundred Items Hall. The entire trip, Luo Qingquan had a strange smile on his face, as if he was waiting to watch some amusing show.

 

Wen Xuan didn't bother with him. When he reached the Hundred Items Hall, he explained why he came. However, the answer that he received made him flabbergasted.

 

"There's no more?"

 

"That's right." The disciple at the Hundred Items Hall nodded: "Originally we had 13 black gold ores in stock. Yesterday morning, a discipline just happened to exchange and take them all. New materials won't arrive until next month."

 

Next month? Didn't that mean he wouldn't be able to use his sword for an entire month?

 

Wen Xuan froze for a while. Suddenly turning his head to the side, he saw Luo Qingquan's smile grow wider. Clearly, the other already knew about this. This Luo shidi was really twisted inside. Whenever he saw Wen Xuan lose out, he'd feel happy.

 

"What do you think, shixiong?" Luo Qingquan had a malevolent expression: "My clan has plenty of this thing. Do you want me to give you one? As long as you beg me earnestly and sincerely, I might consider it!"

 

 

Wen Xuan expressionlessly turned his head away and asked the disciple from Hundred Items Hall: "Do you know which shidi exchanged for them?"

 

That person flipped through the records, then made a surprised sound: "It was an outer disciple."

 

Within the Water Cloud Sect, the outer disciples can also use Sect contributions to exchange for items at the Hundred Items Hall, however, it was about 30% more expensive for them than for an inner disciple. To be able to exchange for 13 black gold ores all at once, that person could be counted as somewhat rich.

 

For some unknown reason, Wen Xuan suddenly had an ominous feeling.

 

Basking in this unpleasant premonition, he heard helplessly as the disciple from Hundred Items Hall said the following.

 

"His surname is Jian."

 

 

5

Chapter 5

 

Under the warm Spring sun, a young man reclined under the shade of the tree, smiling like blooming Spring flowers: "Shixiong, you let me wait for quite a while again."

 

Wen Xuan abruptly halted his footsteps. He felt like he needed to carefully straighten out the situation before him.

 

One hour prior, he learned that the black gold ore he needed was all carried off by this guy. Then...... no, he didn't immediately come searching over here. Instead, he went to the sect's plaza to try his luck.

 

In the plaza, there's always disciples setting up booths in order to exchange items. There's even a Mission Slate fixed in the corner of the plaza. This Mission Slate was a flat stone shaped spiritual tool that allowed disciples to pick up Sect missions for contribution points. At the same time, if any disciples require help, they can pay a small amount of contribution points as a fee

 

to use this Mission Slate to issue personal commissions. It's another means of business transaction.

 

That's right. On this Mission Slate, Wen Xuan discovered a personal commission. The content requested cultivators foundation building stage or above to form a team in order to search for spiritual herbs. The reward just happened to be one black gold ore. At that time, Wen Xuan even thought he was just too lucky. What an unexpected recovery from an impossible situation! He immediately accepted this personal commission.

 

Then, a spiritual light floated out of the Mission Slate, and guided him to the location of the client of this commission.

 

......

 

that's why he would appear here and once more see the youth before him.

 

Wen Xuan froze where he stood and watched wide eyed as the guiding spiritual light flew towards Jian Yi and sank into the jade slip in the guy's hand.

 

"Shixiong," Jian Yi put away the jade slip and walked in front of him all smiles: "When are we leaving?"

 

Alright. Alright. If the first time and the second time was a failure, then the third time's the charm. Wen Xuan capitulated.

 

Heaving a long sigh, he finally accepted his destiny and started to confirm the commission's details with Jian Yi: "So you scouted out spiritual herbs you needed in a mountain forest area. But because you lacked the strength, you didn't dare to advance further. That's why you requested help from a cultivator who's foundation building stage or above. As long as I accompany you to search

 

around that forest area, it doesn't matter if we find the spiritual herb or not. In the end, you will still give me the black gold ore?"

 

"Yep yep." Jian Yi nodded his head repeatedly, eyes curving like the crescent moon. Don't even mention how happy he looked.

 

Wen Xuan didn't know what to say to him. Say he's extremely cunning with deep schemes to have connected all those factors in such an elaborated plan. Yet, at the same time, everything was done so obviously that it was really hard not to suspect him. However, to say he's frank and simple...... Wen Xuan really couldn't force that out of his mouth.

 

Shaking his head, he ended up saying nothing at all and only asked for the location of the forest area. Then, with a swing of his sleeve, he wrapped up Jian Yi in a cloud and took off.

 

Without a flying sword, Wen Xuan's speed at the moment can't be counted as fast. But he was still a yuan gathering cultivator. Traveling a thousand li in one day was still possible.

 

A little past noon, the two appeared before a verdant mountain range. This mountain range was called Fallen Phoenix Ridge. Running from east to west, it separated the entirety of North Ning Continent and West Ming Continent and branched outward with countless segments. The objective of the two people's trip this time was in one of its segments.

 

The entire trip Jian Yi's mood was exuberant: "This is the first time someone brought me into the sky. The scenery is really beautiful."

 

Wen Xuan didn't answer.

 

Jian Yi continued to say: "Shixiong, did you ever come here before? I heard that on the other side of this Fallen Phoenix Ridge are all territories belonging to the spiritual beasts."

 

Wen Xuan still didn't reply.

 

Jian Yi paused slightly, then persevered in trying to converse with Wen Xuan: "After we parted ways yesterday, shixiong, you......"

 

Wen Xuan abruptly stopped his cloud and threw him down. The movement was definitely not gentle. Jian Yi staggered as he landed, and prevented himself from falling with great difficulty.

 

"We're here." Both hands behind his back, Wen Xuan said these words with a cold face. At the same time, he swiftly scanned the area in all directions, looking rather cautious and prudent.

 

Wen Xuan suspected there would be some kind of a trap here, however, there was nothing.

 

Then, he turned his gaze towards the little road heading deeper into the mountain forest. Standing at this entrance, he could feel an abundant spiritual energy from the mountain. It really was a good place for spiritual creatures and plants to grow.

 

Wen Xuan finally believed 80% of Jian Yi's words just now and started walking towards the heart of the forest.

 

He only focused on his steps, not even looking behind him once. That guy will catch up with him anyways.

 

"Shixiong......" As expected, Jian Yi silently followed behind him for a long distance before he couldn't resist asking in a low voice: "Are you angry?"

 

Wen Xuan asked back expressionlessly: "What do you think?"

 

"Because I schemed to get close to you?" Jian Yi asked again.

 

Wen Xuan's footsteps couldn't help but pause briefly. The other's calm acknowledgement made him rather speechless.

 

This pause allowed Jian Yi to catch up. Standing next to Wen Xuan, he said: "It's true. I did many things in order to get close to you. I told you before that you'd come find me again. However, you're the one who decided to find me in the end. What this proves is that you are really unsatisfied with your current situation. Isn't that right?"

 

Wen Xuan shifted his gaze over and looked at Jian Yi's face: "What do you want to say?"

 

“A sharp sword." The young man's voice was crisp and resounding, like the collision between gold and jade: "Shouldn't break."

 

When hearing these words, Wen Xuan's hands abruptly stiffened. He uncontrollably touched his side, where his flying sword normally hung, but now only had an empty scabbard remaining.

 

A sharp sword... shouldn't break.

 

After a long time, Wen Xuan smiled. He never imagined a qi refining stage young man that he just met not long ago would actually say this kind of words to him.

 

"But it already broke." He reigned calm and replied.

 

"But you know it shouldn't break." Whenever Jian Yi said something that made himself pleased, he always liked to raise the tip of his brows: "That's why you came to find me."

 

Wen Xuan remained where he stood.

 

Oh right. The reason why he would be squeezed so tightly in another's hands by a piece of black gold ore, from the beginning, was only because he wanted to fix that sword of his. If it weren't for that, no matter how many fancy maneuvering Jian Yi accomplished, it wouldn't have anything to do with him.

 

After thinking this, Wen Xuan shook his head and then started walking again, heading down this small path deeper into the mountain forest.

 

Jian Yi remained behind him, matching his pace step by step.

 

Moments later, they walked deeper in the mountain forest. The mountain path gradually disappeared. Yet the two people remained silent. This silence was almost like before, but they both knew. Experiencing that short little conversation, the atmosphere between them has completely changed. They were actually both waiting for the other.

 

"Who made the sword break?" "What's your purpose in the end?" Suddenly, the two people spoke at once.

 

Wen Xuan couldn't help but freeze. On the other hand, Jian Yi started grinning ear to ear, as if he was elated by their silent congruity.

 

"Shixiong," He said: "Looks like I was quicker by a split second." He was indeed quicker by a split second. Wen Xuan couldn't deny that. But he really wasn't too happy to answer the question that was asked.

 

Who made the sword break? Of course, it was Luo Qingquan who broke Canglan sword yesterday morning. However, Wen Xuan knew that this wasn't the answer the other wanted, because he wasn't even asking about that Canglan sword.

 

"No one made the sword break." After a long time, Wen Xuan replied: "It's just the will of Heaven."

 

"I just know you'd say something like this." Jian Yi shook his head.

 

"It's the truth."

 

"Then who exactly gave you the cultivation method you're using right now?" Jian Yi asked again.

 

Wen Xuan frowned. Yesterday, Jian Yi already asked this question before, but he didn't answer. And the reason why he was unwilling to continue getting involved with this guy afterwards, was mainly because of this. He really didn't want to continue perseverating on this issue.

 

"Since you already know there's something wrong with your cultivation method. Then shouldn't you spend some time suspecting the person who gave you the method?" Jian Yi seemed like he was unaware of Wen Xuan's displeasure: "Maybe, he did it on purpose......"

 

"Enough!" Wen Xuan couldn't resist shouting at him to stop: "Don't be too excessive!"

 

Jian Yi shrugged, not intimidated at all, and only looked at him straight on. This gaze was extremely calm, so serene it was a bit strange. As if he actually knew the answer already, but was only waiting for Wen Xuan to say it outloud himself.

 

Under this gaze, Wen Xuan's two hands curled into fists, clenching, relaxing, then clenching again. After a long time, he finally spat out: "The Sect Leader......"

 

Both of Jian Yi's eyes light up. These words, he waited a long time

 

"When the Sect Leader shishu gave me this cultivation method, he already told me the issue within it." Grinding his teeth, Wen Xuan explained word by word: "I was the one who chose to cultivate it."

 

Jian Yi's expression shifted slightly. The corner of his lips turned into a smile that was not quite a smile.

 

"Hurry up and put away your unreasonable conjunctures." Wen Xuan couldn't understand his response and grinded his teeth unconsciously: "There's no reason for the Sect Leader shishu......"

 

He only spoke halfway when abruptly, his expression turned apprehensive. He whipped his head around to look straight ahead. That direction led to the deepest part of the mountain forest, the place where Jian Yi said there'd be precious spiritual herbs. Wen Xuan originally thought that this was only an empty lie that Jian Yi created blindly without much consideration. However, in that instant just now, he suddenly felt a dangerous aura coming from that direction.

 

"Roar!" The roar of a demonic beast followed immediately, scaring away the birds and animals in the forest.

 

"This......" Wen Xuan extended his spiritual energy to probe. Instantly, his face color changed: "A level 3 demonic beast!"

 

A level 3 demonic beast was approximately equal to a yuan gathering cultivator. Not to mention, because demonic beasts have rough skin and thick meat, they often were more difficult to deal with than yuan gathering cultivators.

 

If it was before, maybe Wen Xuan could have given it a try. However, at the moment, he had no sword so he couldn't bring out his full strength at all. To be honest, if Jian Yi's commission didn't only request help from a cultivator of foundation building stage or higher, Wen Xuan wouldn't have accepted it so decisively.

 

"You knew about this guy already?" When Wen Xuan asked these words, he was somewhat gnashing his teeth in anger.

 

Jian Yi nodded his head.

 

If you knew about this guy already, then why did you write foundation building and up! If a foundation building cultivator really came together with him, they probably would have both died so completely, not even scraps would be left!

 

Wen Xuan was so pissed...... he turned around and started walking off.

 

"Ai... shixiong......" Jian Yi hastily grabbed the corner of his sleeve: "Don't you want to try killing it? The thing this guy's guarding must be something really good."

 

"If you want to, then first give me the black gold ore. After I fix my sword, I'll come back to kill it immediately." Wen Xuan firmly tugged back on his sleeve: "Or else who knows who will be killing whom here!"

 

With this tug and pull, the loud rumbling noise came closer and closer. Soon after, that demonic beast roared again and in mere moments, it was already nearby.

 

The next second, the thing poked its head out of the forest. It's a four legged demonic beast that was covered completely with black armor. Eyes that were as big as copper bells glared at the two people. A low snarl came from its throat, clearly extremely unfriendly. The fangs that extended out of its mouth were practically 8 zhang long. Skewering three people in one go would still leave plenty of space on it.

 

Face color changing, Wen Xuan altered his path and swiftly moved to protect Jian Yi behind him.

 

"Shixiong......" Jian Yi still pulled on the corner of his sleeve and said softly behind him: "You answered my question just now, but I didn't answer yours yet.”

 

What kind of time was this! Still babbling on and on! Wen Xuan didn't even bother to pay attention to him.

 

"You asked me what my purpose was," Jian Yi answered spontaneously: "Actually, I just wanted to get close to you, that's

 

all."

 

Yea! But the question is why do you want to get close! At a time like this, Wen Xuan still had to silently urge him for a quicker answer, it's really......

 

"And the reason I wanted to get close to you is because I want to......" When saying this point, Jian Yi's right hand moved up Wen Xuan's sleeve and touched the palm of Wen Xuan's hand.

 

"Treat you well." He answered with these three words.

 

As Wen Xuan froze, Jian Yi grasped his hand and switched from behind him to in front of him.

 

Facing a level 3 demonic beast, Jian Yi didn't flinch at all.

 

He rotated a rather unremarkable bracelet on his right wrist, and pulled out a talisman from inside it.

 

6

Chapter 6

 

Wen Xuan's gaze scanned across the bracelet and landed on the talisman, then couldn't help but feel surprised.

 

Originally he thought this should be a talisman with formidable strength, a trump card. But in actuality, it was only a blank talisman.

 

A so-called blank talisman, as the name implied, was a talisman that hasn't been instilled with any magic yet. Completely empty, without any strength at all, just a hollow receptacle. This receptacle actually wasn't easier to manufacture than any of the other talismans. Its cost was not low either. However, to pull it out in the middle of a battle was clearly no help at all.

 

Just as Wen Xuan thought this, Jian Yi held the blank talisman out in front of him.

 

"Shixiong," Jian Yi turned his head back and sincerely requested: "Please lend me your aid."

 

Wen Xuan pretty much instantly understood what he planned to do, yet couldn't help but question if he misunderstood: "Do you mean......"

 

"Back then, shixiong was praised all over West Ning for your perfected Ice Blade technique. This shidi has been yearning to see it for a long time." Jian Yi said smiling.

 

He really meant this? Wen Xuan only felt it was absurd.

 

Ice Blade was only one of the most common water skills. Foundation building cultivators often used it. Back then, when Wen Xuan broke through into the foundation building stage, one of the 3 skills he obtained was this Ice Blade technique. When he summoned it, it was stronger than others by several degrees. Not to mention, Wen Xuan loved to use it frequently. After many years of employing it, its strength increased more and more and eventually became one of Wen Xuan's top skills back then.

 

Nevertheless, it was only a foundation building skill. The methods of blocking this skill in the yuan gathering stage were really too many to count.

 

"It'll only be a waste." Wen Xuan said.

 

Jian Yi didn't reply this time and only smiled as he continued to hold the blank talisman before Wen Xuan's eyes.

 

Wen Xuan hesitated for a moment, then looked at the black armored demonic beast. The growls coming from its throat continued as it stared unblinkingly at the two of them, as if it was getting ready to confront some formidable enemies.

 

Facing these two unfamiliar cultivators that intruded on its territory, it actually chose not to charge forward, but rather, wait in stalemate.

 

This stalemate made Wen Xuan hesitate to act recklessly. Even with the slightest movement of his finger, the beast might raise its body full of armored scales, bend its back, and get ready to pounce as soon as Wen Xuan raised his hand. A deadlock was even more nerve-wracking than getting attacked directly.

 

Unable to do any else, Wen Xuan sighed. His finger drew a line in the air. Spiritual energy instantly emerged from his fingertip and buried into that blank talisman. Although it was a hopeless technique, for a shidi that's only in the qi refining stage, having this technique was better than having nothing at all.

 

What he didn't expect was that the instant the blank talisman stored this Ice Blade skill, Jian Yi smiled faintly, left his side, and immediately moved around and headed towards that spiritual beast's lateral side.

 

"You......" Wen Xuan's complexion changed as he immediately yelled: "Are you trying to die! Come back!"

 

He really wanted to grab the guy back, but if he moved at all, that demonic beast would move as well.

 

If he didn't move, unexpectedly, that demonic beast also remained where it was, not even sparing Jian Yi a single glance.

 

"Shixiong, don't worry." Holding that talisman, Jian Yi had a composed expression as he stood steady to the lateral side: "It has an unnatural fear towards you."

 

That's right. Wen Xuan also discovered. This intense fear was somewhat strange, yet Wen Xuan also didn't feel surprised. Since he was old enough to remember, whenever demonic beasts saw him, many acted just like this.

 

"Shixiong," Jian Yi continued to ask: "Do you recognize this kind of demonic beast?"

 

Wen Xuan looked at this demonic beast's ferocious appearance, then swept a glance at the center of its forehead: "3-eyed black armor beast. Of course I recognize it."

 

Jian Yi nodded: "Since you know it, then that makes things easy."

 

A 3-eyed black armor beast. This 3rd eye referred to the shiny raised scale on the center of its forehead, which was shaped like a 3rd eye. At the same time, this shiny scale was the location of its fatal weakness.

 

"Stop messing around." Wen Xuan furrowed his brows and warned: "It's not that simple."

 

Although it has a weakness, for this kind 3-eyed black armor beast cultivated to a yuan cultivating level and became a level 3 demonic beast, it has its own method to protect this weak point. In brief, it can generate a 'substitute eye' on its body. In desperate moments, it can move its weak point away from that shiny raised scale and hide it in this 'substitute' eye.'

 

"No worries." Jian Yi smiled, not in the least concerned: "I already know about this move...... don't we have two people here?"

 

Two people?

 

As soon as Wen Xuan heard, he knew what the other had planned and the word 'ludicrous' instantly hung on the tip of his tongue.

 

A wind suddenly rose in the forest.

 

Making use of this gust, Jian Yi tapped the tip of his foot on the ground and abruptly charged towards that beast. He squeezed that Ice Blade talisman tightly in one hand. Both of his sleeves swayed and puffed up with this movement, making him look like a moth flying towards the flame.

 

"Come back!" This time wen Xuan was really so terrified that his face turned white. Completely disregarding the demonic beast's possible reaction, he quickly rushed forward in an attempt to stop the other.

 

But Jian Yi's movement was really too fast. He even used a Light Weight technique on himself. Not even in a blink of an eye, he was already next to the demonic beast!

 

That demonic beast roared and swung its robust tail. The tail, which carried a sharp edge, looked like it was just about to cut Jian Yi in half across the waist.

 

He's nuts, he's really nuts...... Wen Xuan watched this scene wide-eyed and only felt a chill travel from his back to the top of his head.

 

He wanted to do something, but the front two clawed feet of the demonic beast started swinging towards his head, forcing him to evade.

 

As he dodged, the sharp tip of the demonic beast's tail already sliced through Jian Yi's clothes.

 

However, a moment before this, Jian Yi lightly tapped his toes on the ground, and utilized the effects of the Light Weight technique to leap up, lightly and quickly. Body extending, his figure pulled long in the air in a beautiful arch. The swipe of the demonic beast's tail this time only sliced through his clothes, brushed across his skin, and was narrowly avoided.

 

If Jian Yi was any quicker or slower, he would have been cut in half. This leap was extremely timely and extremely dangerous. Wen Xuan practically had cold sweats from fear.

 

However, Jian Yi still didn't flinch away from this close encounter. He already had no means of retreating anyways. The palm of the youth pushed off the ground, and his entire person bounced up again. Without even the slightest hesitation, he continued to dart forward like an arrow, the tip of his fingers almost touching the demonic beast's black scales.

 

Looking at the two fingers holding the talisman between them, Wen Xuan knew what Jian Yi wanted to do.

 

The 3-eyed black armor beast has a fatal weakness. This weakness was either in the shiny scale on the center of its forehead or hidden inside the 'substitute eye' on its body. As long as the two of them can strike the two spots at the same time, logically, they were certain to hit it.

 

"Idiot!" Wen Xuan can only curse.

 

Logically speaking, this plan looked good. However, the exact location of the substitute eye was different on every 3-eyed black armor beast. Without knowing where the substitute eye was, attempting this would only lead to death!

 

The demonic beast pawed the ground with its two front legs, kicking up dirt and fallen leaves. Repeatedly missing its target made it fume with rage. As it roared loudly, its mountain like body shook furiously. From its mouth, it spat out an acidic liquid.

 

Wen Xuan quickly moved out of the way. This acid didn't injure him, but completely separated him away from Jian Yi. Under this chaotic situation, Wen Xuan practically lost sight of Jian Yi's figure. In the very end, he only saw the demonic beast's enormous body crushing down on the youth, as if trying to get rid of this little nobody first.

 

What other choice did Wen Xuan have? Nothing.

 

In a flash, a blue light appeared out of the tip of Wen Xuan's finger.

 

Ice Blade technique, its speed was incredible. In all of the skills, its speed can count as top 10. Wen Xuan's Ice Blade was even quicker, like lightning. One moment, it just appeared out of the tip of his finger, the next, it already hit the demonic beast ruthlessly in the center of its forehead.

 

Wen Xuan prayed that this demonic beast didn't have a chance to shift its weakness yet.

 

But the moment the Ice Blade touched that shiny scale, Wen Xuan knew. His prayer was for naught. The Ice Blade looked like it struck armor and with a 'clang' sound, stopped advancing.

 

He really couldn't be rescued?

 

As Wen Xuan's heart turned to dust, a blue light flashed under the demonic beast's stomach. It was the talisman.

 

In the split second between life and death, at the same time that Wen Xuan acted, Jian Yi used that talisman, summoned an Ice Blade, and ruthlessly struck the abdomen of the demonic beast from bottom up.

 

So his plan was a pincer attack from two sides...... nevertheless, what exactly was the possibility of actually hitting the substitute eye?

 

However this time, when the Ice Blade touched the demonic beast's abdomen, with a 'puchi' sound, it firmly penetrated right through.

 

Wen Xuan heard this sound, his face full of anxiety instantly disappeared and changed into incredulous astonishment. A gush of blood violently sprayed out from the demonic beast's abdomen, and immediately turned the ground red.

 

The last roar of the demonic beast was extremely miserable.

 

Then, its huge body quickly collapsed. Such a heavy thing hitting the floor caused a huge rumbling sound. It didn't even struggle the slightest as it died thoroughly in an instant.

 

Wen Xuan watched it stunned, momentarily still unable to understand what just happened.

 

Just...just like that, they really hit the target?

 

That accurately?

 

After freezing briefly, Wen Xuan's expression changed again. Finally reacting, he immediately yelled loudly: "Shidi!"

 

He saw clearly that the moment the demonic beast died, Jian Yi was just under his stomach. Wen Xuan quickly rushed over and circled the beast's huge body to the other side. Sure enough, he saw the red tinged corner of a robe exposed on the outside. But the other's entire body was crushed tightly under the demonic beast.

 

Wen Xuan quickly used a transport technique to move away this corpse, revealing the youth that was currently laying with his eyes closed in the middle of a pool of blood.

 

"Jian shidi!" Wen Xuan reached out and pulled the young man from the blood bath, finally noticing at this time that his own limbs were ice-cold.

 

He accompanied a fellow disciple from his own sect on this journey together. He should have protected the other well, but instead, he watched helplessly as the other fell into this kind of circumstance. He really failed his duties spectacularly.

 

After examining the youth all over and making certain that he didn't suffer any serious injury, and that the blood all over his

 

body was from being sprayed by the beast's blood, Wen Xuan finally was able to let out a breath of relief.

 

It was also at this time, the youth's thin long eyelashes trembled as he finally returned to consciousness.

 

Originally, Wen Xuan had both hands around Jian Yi's shoulders, holding him up. Upon seeing this, he quickly let go and dropped the other on the ground again, getting up and putting 8 zhang between them.

 

Blinking, the youth slowly recovered from his initial daze after just waking up. Gradually, he took in the sight of that demonic beast's corpse. Staring at it and looking at it for a long time, he suddenly let out a wild laugh: "Ahahaha! I did it! I really did it!"

 

After laughing for an entire moment, he finally realized that Wen Xuan was watching him coolly from the side. Hastily shutting up and reinstating the calm and composed look he had before, he said indifferently: "A level 3 demonic beast... wasn't that impressive."

 

Pretend. Keep pretending.

 

Coldly examining him, Wen Xuan discovered the tips of the youth's fingers were faintly trembling and couldn't help but sneer: "And here I thought you didn't know fear."

 

7

Chapter 7

 

Jian Yi lifted his faintly trembling fingers and held them in front of his eyes to take a look. Then he smiled while shaking his head.

 

"Of course I know fear." He said in a low voice: "Shixiong might not believe me but this was actually the first time I've seen blood. En...... other's blood."

 

Even after he slowly stood up from the ground, the trembling of his fingers remained uncontrollable. Jian Yi silently clenched that hand into a fist, expression dimming slightly.

 

Wen Xuan saw this appearance of his and couldn't help but soften his tone: "Since you know fear, then don't do such dangerous things in the future anymore."

 

Jian Yi lifted his head: "What shixiong is saying... is that I should hide behind you?"

 

This question made Wen Xuan momentarily speechless. There were an entire two stages of difference between them. Wasn't the answer obvious?

 

Yet Jian Yi stated resolutely and without hesitation: "I devised every method possible to have you accompany me for this trip, it's not so you can protect me."

 

Oh right. Wen Xuan almost forgot. The reason why they encountered such a dangerous situation was completely because of this kid's schemes.

 

"Then why exactly?" Wen Xuan furrowed his brows: "To take it so far, you should have a purpose right?"

 

Jian Yi lowered his head. He wanted to pat off the dust on his clothes, but then discovered he was covered in blood stains, and couldn't help but make a grimace. Then, he said: "I already stated my purpose before."

 

To...treat him well?

 

Wen Xuan naturally remembered these words. When he first heard these three words before, other than surprise, Wen Xuan inevitably felt a bit touched inside, like a warmth flowed past. But he already cultivated for a few dozen years. He wouldn't so easily trust anyone just over three simple words.

 

"Up to now, I have two goals as to why I brought you here to kill this guy." Jian Yi smiled again and explained in detail: "One is because I want you to see my performance."

 

Why?

 

"Your performance?" Wen Xuan couldn't help but raise his eyebrow: "But the only thing I saw was how audacious you were, as well as what extreme luck you have."

 

"Luck is a type of strength itself." Jian Yi boasted shamelessly, then pointed out: "And plus...... How do you know it was all luck?"

 

Wen Xuan froze.

 

"To say the least, I really do have excellent fortune." Jian Yi circumvented this topic. He stood beside the corpse of the demonic beast and reached out to touch its hard scales, then mentioned: "Right now I'm only in the qi refining stage."

 

Wen Xuan could hear the meaning behind these words. His expression instantly became a bit more serious. Everything that this youth did today didn't seem too extraordinary. But adding the prerequisite that he was only a qi refining cultivator, then it can be considered extremely astonishing.

 

"Where I'm right now, my cultivation level, my performance, are all only a start. I definitely can go even further." Qi refining stage, this was the beginning of cultivation. It represented a limitless potential.

 

Speaking to this point, Jian Yi turned his head and looked directly into Wen Xuan's eyes: "Does this kind of me have any qualifications to stay by shixiong's side?"

 

Acting as if his life depended on it, was it only for the purpose of getting close? Wen Xuan furrowed his brows. He wanted to

 

answer but couldn't help but hesitate somewhat: "Do you mean...... like a follower?"

 

Jian Yi paused for a moment, then nodded his head: "Yes. Like a follower. Can I?"

 

"If you're asking whether you are qualified or not, of course you're qualified. But right now, I......"

 

"Alright.” Jian Yi smiled, shaking his head. He didn't need any buts. He knew, they still needed more time.

 

appear here

 

"Let's keep walking, shixiong. Towards the direction where this big guy came from." Smiling, he scooted next to Wen Xuan's side, making himself familiar again: "Let's go look at my second goal."

 

"That spiritual herb?" Wen Xuan asked as he started walking.

 

Jian Yi smiled but didn't answer, looking all mysterious.

 

They followed the trail left by the demonic beast as it came through. Walking not too long, a cave appeared before their eyes. The inside of this cave was very humid. Even standing outside at the entrance, there was a cool pleasant feeling.

 

Walking inside a little bit, a layer of tender green herbs appeared on the ground as expected.

 

Jian Yi swept his eyes across them and reported their name: "Jianling grass." This Jianling grass was a foundation building level material needed in many medicinal pills under the yuan gathering stage. However, the source was rather limited. So the

 

supply often doesn't meet the demand in the market. Its price was hefty.

 

Yet Jian Yi didn't let his gaze remain on these herbs for too long. He continued to walk forward, footsteps light and fast.

 

The deeper they traveled, the darker the cave was. Some fluorescent fungus began appearing on the stone walls, like the stars in the sky.

 

"Hanxing mushrooms." Jian Yi softly recited again.

 

If Jianling grass could be considered a costly foundation building level herb, then this Hanxing mushroom was rare and precious. Especially since the Water Cloud Sect cultivation methods used water as base. People flocked to these kinds of spiritual herbs that grow in dark, damp locations in droves. Even one of these mushrooms can be exchanged for hundreds of contribution points in the sect.

 

There's at least a dozen in this place. Yet Jian Yi still only glanced at them, walked past, and continued deeper into the cave.

 

Was there even better things inside? Wen Xuan couldn't help but become curious, a strange sense of anticipation growing in his heart.

 

There was ample spiritual energy in this cave that this demonic beast lived in. As they went deeper in, the spiritual herbs grew more numerous, breeding like flies. Jian Yi only recited their names, looking very familiar in this matter. Worthy of being the son of a herb shop owner.

 

Walking to the end, a blue ice fruit actually appeared before their eyes.

 

Wen Xuan couldn't help but stare. This was something used during the yuan gathering stage, and even in the core formation stage. A good item for calming the mind and resisting qi deviations. There were less than 10 of these in the entire Water Cloud Sect. If Wen Xuan were able to pick a few of these, he could directly exchange for a new flying sword.

 

Unfortunately, Jian Yi was the one who found this place. Wen Xuan was only accompanying Jian Yi on this trip in exchange for a piece of black gold ore.

 

Shaking his head and sighing, Wen Xuan looked over again and saw Jian Yi still only scanned past this herb, footsteps not even hesitating as he walked briskly by.

 

What the heck do you want then! Wen Xuan strangely felt somewhat indignant.

 

He indignantly followed the other for a while longer. The road before them gradually became not as damp. He suddenly halted. Ahead of them, the spiritual energy felt somewhat abnormal, containing a trace of a spell array.

 

"Jian shidi......"

 

His warning didn't even have a chance to leave his mouth when Jian Yi stopped.

 

Wen Xuan practically let out a breath of relief: Finally, you're willing to stop.

 

He walked next to Jian Yi's side and looked in the direction of Jian Yi's gaze, wanting to see just what made this guy stop. As soon as he saw clearly, his complexion changed abruptly.

 

Incredulously, there's actually a teleportation array here. Why would there be a teleportation array in a place like this?

 

"Shixiong," Jian Yi turned his head and looked at him in anticipation as he asked: "Let's go in?"

 

"Only if we're insane." Wen Xuan answered succinctly.

 

He carefully walked forward and cautiously circled around the teleportation array once, examining it meticulously. It looked like it's been here for some years. Its design didn't match anything Wen Xuan knew. Even the spiritual energy surrounding it carried an ancient feel. Nevertheless, it was made extremely meticulously. The material and craftsmanship were both top quality. It could probably still operate.

 

"An antique teleportation array." Wen Xuan made his conclusion.

 

Antique, meaning more than a hundred thousand years ago, before the big battle between immortals and demons. At that time, human cultivators and demonic beasts worked together and completely expelled demonic cultivators out of this continent. It was also in that big battle that the natural order of North Ning continent was destroyed. Even now, the area hasn't recovered its vital energy. The spiritual energy here was worse by a degree than other places.

 

In ancient times, the cultivators of North Ning were much stronger than now. The teleportation array in front of them was probably left behind by one of those big figures.

 

To be able to find this kind of thing during their trip, Wen Xuan could hardly believe it.

 

"We should report this to the sect quickly." As he spoke, he got up and got ready to walk outside. However, he noticed that Jian Yi remained where he stood.

 

Jian Yi didn't speak, only tilted his head and smiled at Wen Xuan.

 

Wen Xuan took in a deep breath. Alright. This smile reminded him. This teleportation array before him was first discovered by this shidi of his.

 

"Your goal wasn't some spiritual herbs at all." Wen Xuan turned his head and looked at the long road they walked through. Then he reached out and pointed at the teleportation array before them: "It's actually this."

 

Jian Yi nodded his head: "Obviously."

 

As he said this, he already picked up his foot and stepped into that teleportation array. He pulled out a few spiritual stones from his bracelet and carefully inlaid them in the four corners of the teleportation array, clearly getting ready to activate it.

 

"Jian shidi!" Wen Xuan hastily grabbed his elbow: "Do you know what you're doing?"

 

"Shixiong, this array can only transport one person at a time." Jian Yi lowered his head to look at the hand holding his elbow and answered superfluously: "Let me go first. I'll wait for you on the other side. Just come over quickly."

 

"Do you know what's on the other side?" Wen Xuan warned him with an unsightly look: "What if......"

 

Jian Yi decisively interrupted: "Of course I know."

 

Wen Xuan froze. His hand also inevitably loosened. Instantly this guy struggled free.

 

Alright. Alright. This kid really knew too many things. He can't be judged using normal methods.

 

"There's good stuff over there." Never guessing Jian Yi's next words would be this. Wen Xuan practically didn't know if he should laugh or cry.

 

"Since you discovered this place, logically I have no reason to stop you." Wen Xuan sighed and attempted one last persuasion: "But you're a disciple from my Water Cloud Sect. I really don't want any mishap to happen to you. Although this teleportation array is here, we don't know where it connects to and whether there's danger on the other side or not. Also, it's been here for so long, we don't even know if the transport will be stable. It's better to report to the sect first, then let the sect send people over to investigate. If there really are good stuff there, I will definitely persuade those shishus to leave a portion for you."

 

Jian Yi stubbornly shook his head: "I don't want other people to know about the things on the other side and I definitely don't want to give it to others to distribute."

 

"You......" Wen Xuan turned speechless by the other's reply. Finally he took a step back with furrowed brows: "Alright. Humans will die for riches, just as birds will die for food. I can't stop you." A shidi with such potential, what a real pity.

 

"But I will still report this thing to the Sect." Done speaking, Wen Xuan turned and got ready to leave this cave the same road they came in.

 

However, Jian Yi said behind him: "Shixiong, you're not going together with me? I will wait for you."

 

"Not going." Wen Xuan stated firmly: "I cherish my life."

 

"If you don't go," Jian Yi's fingertip touched the bracelet on his wrist: "The broken sharp sword might never be fixed." As he finished speaking, he pulled out an item and placed it outside of the teleportation array.

 

It was a piece of black gold ore.

 

The pupils of Wen Xuan's eyes contracted abruptly as he looked directly at the other, as if trying to figure out the meaning behind his words, and what he was thinking inside.

 

"Shixiong," Jian Yi activated the teleportation array. In the gradually lit up white glow, he said: "If you want to change, then follow me. I won't let you feel disappointed." The white light dissipated and the figure on the array disappeared.

 

However, the words he left behind rolled nonstop in Wen Xuan's head.

 

That broken sword...

 

If you want to change...

 

Wen Xuan closed his eyes tightly, took a deep breath and then opened his eyes again. Then, he walked in front of the teleportation array and picked up the black gold ore. Putting it in his storage pouch, he easily turned around and headed back.

 

However, after walking two steps, he stopped again.

 

Finally obtaining this black gold ore, he already accomplished his goal for this trip. He only needed to return and he can have someone fix his Canglan sword for him.

 

But that broken sword...the other sword that broke a long time ago...... was that something that could be changed with a single black gold ore?

 

In order to change, Wen Xuan already did his best. Weapons, techniques, cultivation methods, medicinal pills, anything that could raise his strength even the slightest, he attempted. But in the end, it was a useless effort.

 

He thought about the two sentences that Jian Yi left behind again. These two sentences seemed to echo in his head, impossible to get rid of.

 

If you want to change......

 

Alright. Currently, this shidi already did so many inconceivable things. Adding another one really didn't count much at all. To believe or not believe him was just a big gamble. That's all.

 

In the end, Wen Xuan still turned around and finally stepped into that teleportation array. He took out spiritual stones from his storage pouch and inlaid them at the four corners of the array.

 

In the white light that appeared, Wen Xuan said mockingly to himself: "Humans will die for riches, just as birds will die for food."

 

8

Chapter 8

 

After the white light dissipated, another cave appeared before Wen Xuan's eyes that's even deeper than the one before. The spiritual energy was even thicker here, hanging in the air without dispersing. This cave didn't look like it was connected to the outside world at all. He was surrounded by stone walls beside and behind him. There was only one path forward.

 

Wen Xuan steadied his state of mind, lifted his foot to step out of the teleportation array and instantly stepped on something with a kacha' sound.

 

He lowered his head to look and saw a jade amulet. A big part of it was buried in the dirt, looking rather archaic. When he picked up this jade amulet from the ground and blew away the dust covering it, he discovered that the outer layer of spiritual light surrounding it actually didn't fade away with the passing of time. A light even lit up the surrounding instantly. Clearly, it was something valuable.

 

The instant Wen Xuan touched this jade amulet with his divine sense, a message appeared in Wen Xuan's consciousness.

 

The words on the top row: In perceiving the Will of Heaven, I feel the lightning tribulations imminent. The success or failure of a millennium of cultivation is at hand.

 

Reading this clearly, Wen Xuan's heart trembled with excitement. So this was an item left behind by an elder that was about to go through heavenly tribulations? If you must know, no one has gone through heavenly tribulations in North Ning continent for tens of thousands of years now.

 

Continuing to read, there's another row of words: I have no regrets for this world, other than the fact that I've never been able to encounter a fated disciple who can inherit all my knowledge. So I carved this cave and left my worldly possessions here for a fated person to take and use as they wish.

 

Such a huge pie suddenly falling from the sky. Wen Xuan took in a cold breath to calm himself. He suppressed the huge wave of shock rolling inside his heart and squeezed this jade amulet. Calling back his divine sense, he started to follow this only path forward.

 

Jian Yi arrived one step ahead so he should be waiting ahead.

 

Wen Xuan didn't walk too many steps. He turned a corner and sure enough, he saw the youth waiting there.

 

There was a barrier currently blocking the two people's path. Smooth as the surface of a mirror, there was a faint decorative design circulating around it. Jian Yi had one hand held up before

 

him, fingers bent. With a solemn expression, he was currently analyzing something in front of this barrier. A drop of cold sweat rolled down the young man's forehead displaying that this was no easy task.

 

At the same time, his other hand was held behind his back, closed tightly into a fist. Hearing Wen Xuan's footsteps, he finally relaxed his five fingers and unfurled this hand.

 

Wen Xuan was somewhat surprised: This kid actually dabbled into knowledge about barriers?

 

Remaining quiet to avoid causing a disturbance, he first examined this barrier. Wen Xuan's cultivation these many years have been on a very orthodox path. Talismans, arrays, pills, weaponry, he only has a general understanding, but never studied them deeply. In front of this barrier before them, he can only discern from the energy it gave off that its strength was probably something that required a yuan gathering cultivator to deal with. Specifics about how to deal with it, that he didn't know.

 

Just as he was pondering, on the other side, Jian Yi suddenly let out a long exhale, finally stopping his calculations.

 

"How is it?" Wen Xuan asked him.

 

Jian Yi shook his head with a gloomy expression, head lowerling like a withering little cabbage.

 

Wen Xuan smiled, not surprised. This kid was only in qi refining. He's also young. Even if he dabbled into barrier techniques, it'd only be a few years. If he wanted to unlock a barrier like this, he was still too inexperienced.

 

"Shixiong," Jian Yi lifted his head again: "You really did follow me over." Saying this, both of his eyes lit up again.

 

Wen Xuan coughed dryly to slightly cover up his awkwardness, then held up the jade amulet: "When you arrived, did you notice this?"

 

Jian Yi lowered his eyes and scanned it, not answering but rather questioning in response: "Shixiong, do you believe the words in it?"

 

"Hard to believe it." Wen Xuan.

 

"Because this huge benefit appeared too easily?" Jian Yi asked, smiling.

 

Wen Xuan nodded and stated firmly: "There must be a trick within."

 

Hearing what he said, Jian Yi continued to smile. His smile, however, gained a slight hint of fond exasperation: "Shixiong, this temperament of yours, I don't know if I should call you cautious or paranoid...... yet, you clearly have this kind of temperament, but......" He stopped halfway here and shut his mouth.

 

Wen Xuan couldn't resist asking: "But what?"

 

"You trust others easily." Jian Yi finally finished the rest of his sentence.

 

Wen Xuan felt like he was abruptly slapped in the face. He wanted to say something, but really couldn't figure out what to say. He practically didn't want to bother with this shidi anymore. Yet unfortunately, this place was completely empty with only the two of them present.

 

He can only continue to discuss with Jian Yi: "Are you saying you believe in this jade amulet?"

 

"Believe it or not is one thing," Jian Yi retorted: "Now that you've already seen this jade amulet, if you went back empty handed like this, would you be willing to accept that?"

 

Alright. Wen Xuan couldn't help but admit. He really wouldn't be satisfied. If he resigned that easily, he wouldn't have followed Jian Yi through the teleportation array and arrived here in the first place.

 

The two people turned their heads and looked towards the barrier together. No matter what, they must get rid of it first.

 

But if the person who left this barrier was the same person who left the jade amulet, then what's his goal for leaving the barrier? To prevent other people from going forward? Or was this a test for the 'fated person'? Wen Xuan gathered an Ice Blade in his hand. While he pondered these questions inside, he deliberated on if he should try striking the barrier.

 

Meanwhile, Jian Yi rested a moment and has already recuperated. He moved the jade bracelet on his wrist and pulled out a magic tool from it.

 

This was a palm sized disk that had a carved pattern on it. Wen Xuan didn't have a chance to take a close look. Jian Yi immediately slammed it face down his own palm, revealing only its completely vacant backside. Even looking simply at this reverse side, Wen Xuan could see this magic tool's inner splendor. It was clearly a top quality tool.

 

Jian Yi held down on this tool and started calculating again. His other hand moved behind his back and clenched into a fist, same as before.

 

This time wen Xuan discovered some was off. Jian Yi's spiritual energy was magnified by this magic item, and dispersed a mysterious aura into the air. Wen Xuan has seen others analyze and inspect barriers before, but it didn't look like this at all. However, he's seen a similar aura before. Cultivators have high retentive memories. Even for things he's only seen once, Wen Xuan could still recall it from his memories-- this was when he was still in the foundation building stage. While he was traveling outside, he happened to encounter a well known prophet reading the Will of Heaven.....

 

This kid wasn't analyzing the barrier! He was reading the Will of Heaven!

 

Wen Xuan's face expression made a huge change. He wanted to put a stop to what was happening, but caught sight of the cold sweat that covered Jian Yi's forehead. It was apparent that the other was at a critical juncture of his reading. A time like this, should never be interrupted.

 

Moments later, Jian Yi suddenly clenched tightly onto his magic tool. His other hand moved from behind his back to in front of

 

him. He pointed at an area on the barrier with his finger: "Shixiong! Attack here!" At this moment, his face was completely red. A trickle of blood was even seeping out from the corner of his mouth.

 

Wen Xuan didn't dare to hesitate. An Ice Blade flew over, fast as lightning, and landed at the place Jian Yi pointed at. Instantly there was a ding, like the sound of a wind chime. A ripple appeared on the surface of the barrier, which extended into a crack that grew bigger and bigger. Not long afterwards, it broke into a big gap.

 

This reading of Jian Yi, was effective so far.

 

Wen Xuan felt slightly amazed inside. He turned his head to look at the other. Jian Yi just happened to spit out a mouthful of blood, looking completely unsteady on his feet. Yet this kid was still calculating, trying to deduce something.

 

"Jian shidi!" Wen Xuan was both anxious and mad. Picking up his foot, he was just about to rush over.

 

"Stay where you are!" Jian Yi immediately yelled: "Don't move!"

 

Wen Xuan froze. He looked to the side with the corner of his eyes and saw the big gap that appeared on the barrier actually didn't continue to enlarge, but rather looked faintly like it was restoring. This discovery made him clench down on his jaw, no longer daring to act recklessly. If they fail at the last minute, the effort that Jian Yi spent prior would be wasted.

 

"Shixiong," Leaning against the stone wall, Jian Yi said: "Walk two steps left."

 

Wen Xuan followed his instructions without any other choice.

 

He couldn't resist thinking, clearly he was higher in strength than this kid by two stages, yet ever since the start, he was always the one listening to this kid's words.

 

"Shixiong," Jian Yi adjusted his breathing: "Take a step back."

 

When he finished saying this, Wen Xuan obediently moved a step.

 

"Right there!" Jian Yi called, "Watch out!"

 

Wen Xuan just raised his guard when he saw a light flash through that opening gap. In a blink of an eye, it flew in front of his eyes. This unknown thing was incomparably swift. Coincidentally, or maybe not, the place that Wen Xuan stood at this moment, just happened to block this thing's path.

 

Without needing anymore instructions from Jian Yi, Wen Xuan already knew what to do. He used spiritual energy to protect both of his hands and firmly captured this thing.

 

Falling into his hands, that thing still bounced around nonstop, unbelievably lively. This was a ball of light about the size of a thumb, looking actually very soft and cute. Yet, it emitted a cold and sharp aura all over. Even though Wen Xuan used spiritual energy to protect his both hands, it still cut into him somewhat painfully.

 

Wen Xuan quickly directed more spiritual energy over and wrapped this ball of light up tightly, layer by layer.

 

On the other side, Jian Yi finally let out a long breath of relief. Wiping away the blood at the corner of his mouth, he quickly started to readjust his qi circulation.

 

Meanwhile, Wen Xuan trapped that ball of light for a while. The ball of light continued to move around nonstop, incessantly struggling to escape. Wen Xuan couldn't help but get annoyed and instilled some sharp intentions into his spiritual energy, which transformed into whips that began hitting the thing ruthlessly.

 

In the end, this ball of light was really something that liked bullying the weak and capitulating to the strong. After being beaten up, it instantly became well-behaved. Its bothersome behavior before instantly disappeared without a trace, now only knowing to cower in Wen Xuan's palm, trembling.

 

Afraid it was only pretending to be obedient, Wen Xuan didn't dare to stop his attack, and whipped ruthlessly two more times.

 

After these two hits, that ball of light cried and then started to reach out with its own divine sense. Probing into Wen Xuan's spiritual energy, it started making contact with Wen Xuan's divine sense on its own.

 

Divine sense!

 

Wen Xuan was dumbfounded. If you must know, he cultivated all these years. Other than items that Sect Elders used, he's never seen anything else that had divine sense.

 

Whenever a magic tool gains sentience, it transforms from a magic tool into a divine tool, and its power increases exponentially. However, normally magic tools rarely gain

 

sentience and normally, cultivators rarely encounter divine tools. For Wen Xuan to catch one so casually, it's really a luck that defied natural order.

 

No. He didn't catch it casually.

 

Wen Xuan turned his head and saw Jian Yi who was still recuperating in the corner. As the matter stood, how could he not know by now, the reason he was able to capture this divine tool was completely dependent on the reading that this shidi made by placing his life on the line moments prior.

 

At this time, Jian Yi looked a bit stronger than before, but his face still remained extremely pale white.

 

He became aware that Wen Xuan was looking at him, and opened his eyes. Seeing the scene before him, his face instantly lit up with delight: "Shixiong, you caught it?"

 

Wen Xuan nodded. Then he looked at the ball of light in his hands. A hint of reluctance flashed across his eyes, but then he firmly took it and walked towards Jian Yi: "This divine tool...... is your......"

 

"You caught it. You really caught it!" Jian Yi completely didn't hear what Wen Xuan said. He already forgot himself in his excitement, just missing tilting his head up and laughing boisterous: "I succeeded...... I just know, I really succeeded again......"

 

Not knowing if he should laugh or cry, Wen Xuan said: "You're the one who caught it."

 

Jian Yi finally returned from his utterly elated mood and looked at Wen Xuan for a moment. After understanding his meaning, Jian Yi smiled faintly: "I probably can't accept it right now."

 

Wen Xuan's footsteps paused. He furrowed his brows. This was actually a big problem.

 

"Why don't you chat with it first, shixiong?" Jian Yi continued to say.

 

Wen Xuan did as the other suggested, not even reflecting for a second on why he was being this obedient.

 

Right now, that ball of light was extremely well behaved. Wen Xuan questioned it using his divine sense. It immediately spilled its circumstances like pouring out a bag of beans. Looks like Wen Xuan actually got happy too early. Although this ball of light was a divine tool, it received heavy injuries sometimes in the past. Then it was imprisoned here for all these years. By now, it had already degenerated back to a magic tool strengthened equipment that had divine sense. Wen Xuan really didn't know what to do to restore its strength.

 

This news seemed rather disappointing, but at the same time. If this wasn't the case, it probably wouldn't have been subdued so easily by Wen Xuan.

 

Exchanging some more, Wen Xuan's eyes instantly lit up. This guy was actually a flying sword. Recalling its cold sharp aura from before, Wen Xuan thought that this truth was actually pretty reasonable. However, since it regressed into this appearance, it can only be considered a sword precursor.

 

Not only was it a flying sword, it was an extremely water inclined flying sword. It just happened to be compatible with Wen Xuan's top quality water root, like it was practically custom made for him.

 

And because of this compatibility, this sword precursor didn't reject recognizing Wen Xuan as its master. However, if Wen Xuan wanted to hand it over to other people, then it might not be too willing.

 

Of course, honestly speaking, even if it were willing, now, Wen Xuan was the one reluctant to part with it.

 

Who would have imagined, there'd be an item so compatible with him in this world.

 

"Shidi," Wen Xuan sighed. When he looked towards Jian Yi again, his gaze carried a hint of shame and guilt: "Then I'll just......"

 

Jian Yi smiled and urged: "Shixiong, hurry up and accept it."

 

Since the divine tool already agreed, this taming ceremony wasn't much trouble. Wen Xuan placed his finger between his lips, bit down and retrieved a drop of blood, then dropped it onto the ball of light. The ball of light abruptly lit up and then flew out of Wen Xuan's hand and started floating around Wen Xuan's side.

 

The second this ceremony completed, that barrier shook violently and started collapsing spontaneously.

 

Wen Xuan watched it for a moment, then shook his head and walked to Jian Yi's side.

 

"Shixiong, how is it?" Jian Yi smiled rather smugly: "I haven't disappointed you yet, right?"

 

Wen Xuan didn't say anything, only abruptly grabbed his wrist.

 

Startled, Jian Yi hastily pulled his wrist back, but was no match against Wen Xuan's strength.

 

That wrist was trembling in Wen Xuan's hand. Feeble, it shook uncontrollably. There were two rows of very clear fingernail marks in Jian Yi's uncovered palm.

 

This was the left hand that he liked to place behind his back. These two rows of fingernail prints, one was placed when Jian Yi was waiting for Wen Xuan. The other was also placed by himself when he was calculating just now. Because of nervousness, the two rows of nail prints were pressed down very forcefully.

 

"Did you think I wouldn't notice this little gesture of yours?" Wen Xuan sighed lightly: "Why do you always have to put on a tactical, scheming look? Clearly, you're very insecure inside."

 

That's right. Jian Yi was indeed very insecure inside. He was actually very nervous. It's true just now. It's true back then when he was facing that level 3 demonic beast. Although he knew the situation a bit more than others, and had more control over the outcome, he was also gambling, placing his life on the line for these gambles.

 

Wen Xuan looked at the imprints on Jian Yi's palm, then recalled that time when the other narrowly escaped from under the demonic beast's body, the light uncontrollable trembling of his fingers.

 

This incredible shidi of his, would actually also have a moment like this. His frailty was real, so real that it was kind of cute.

 

"To do something to this point, do you really not want anything?" Wen Xuan looked at him, asking.

 

Pressing his lips together, Jian Yi lowered his head. His two round eyes spun as he was clearly considering his words.

 

Wen Xuan instantly lost interest. He didn't want to hear what kind of words the other would fabricate after this consideration.

 

He let go of Jian Yi's hand: "Forget it. Pretend I never asked." If this kid really had some other motives, he will know them sooner or later anyways.

 

Then Wen Xuan straightened up and looked towards the path that was no longer blocked. This journey's harvest was already extremely big. The danger waiting ahead was unknown. Go back or continue. This was a question. He then looked at Jian Yi again, waiting for the other to choose.

 

With the support of the wall, Jian Yi stood up, clearly looking like he wished to continue.

 

But reading the Will of the Heaven really used up too much effort. After taking a mere step, he began to stagger, almost falling over. Good thing Wen Xuan stood beside him and quickly held him up.

 

"Thank you, Shixiong." Leaning against Wen Xuan's arm, Jian Yi grabbed onto Wen Xuan's elbow and thanked him in an extremely light voice.

 

Somewhat reluctant to part from the warmth of Wen Xuan's arm, he delayed standing up just a little.

 

However, because of this, Wen Xuan assumed that Jian Yi really couldn't even stand up properly at all. Bending down, Wen Xuan looped his other arm under the youth's knees. Under this kid's flabbergasted and stunned gaze, Wen Xuan picked him up and placed him within his arms.

 

"I'll bring you over to take a look. If there's anything off, then we'll run immedia... What's the matter with you?" Speaking halfway, Wen Xuan became aware of Jian Yi's extremely shell shocked expression, like he saw a ghost or something.

 

Being looked at by Wen Xuan, Jian Yi refocused. His head instantly turned outward, his line of sight landing in some unknown corner.

 

Wen Xuan saw the change in his expression and felt even more odd than before.

 

...... kid, why is your face red?

 

9

Chapter 9

 

Wen Xuan froze for a moment before realizing that this kid was probably embarrassed. He couldn't help but reflect that his action was rather thoughtless and expressed: "If you're unwilling, I can put you back down."

 

"No, no need." In the end, it was Jian Yi who panicked: "I'm not unwilling." After saying this, his face turned redder.

 

Shaking his head in exasperation, Wen Xuan can only carry him and continue to walk forward.

 

At first, Jian Yi's body was somewhat stiff. It took him a moment to relax. He lowered his eyes and looked at the five clean white fingers holding onto his side. Then, he lifted his hands and lightly touched those fingertips.

 

He glanced at Wen Xuan. However, Wen Xuan didn't have any reaction at all to this little movement of his, like he didn't mind at all.

 

However, Jian Yi didn't dare to be more impudent and silently retracted both of his two hands, laying them well-behaved over his own stomach.

 

The more they traveled forward, the darker the inside of this tunnel became. It gradually became hard to discern the other's expression. Only the two people's breathing could be heard.

 

"Shixiong, did you know," Jian Yi suddenly wanted to say something: "Your story... I've read it since I was little."

 

Wen Xuan's footsteps paused. He was surprised, but carefully calculating their ages, it actually matched up pretty well. The year when Jian Yi was born just happened to be when Wen Xuan reached the peak of his foundation building stage. It was his most high-spirited, all powerful period.

 

"I read your story growing up." Jian Yi added extremely seriously.

 

Was he a faithful admirer? Wen Xuan laughed involuntarily.

 

After laughing, he couldn't help but sigh: "So it's like that."

 

If Jian Yi was really a faithful admirer, and read those impressive stories about him while growing up, only to watch helplessly as he deteriorated year by year into the circumstances he was in nowadays, then many of Jian Yi's actions and words could be explained clearly. Thinking this, Wen Xuan couldn't help but soften his tone: "Is that why you want to treat me well?"

 

"Yep." As Jian Yi answered, he became aware of Wen Xuan's change in attitude, and couldn't help but become happy and delighted: "Shixiong, you're willing to trust me now?"

 

Hearing these words, Wen Xuan inevitably fell silent. This silence wasn't only because he was pondering how to answer. But even more so, he was reflecting on his own unreasonable suspicions before. That's right. This shidi of his was really an incredible kid. Although some of his words and actions could be explained now, there were even more unexplainable aspects. Who knew how many things he was hiding in his heart. Nevertheless, on the path of cultivation, who didn't have one or two secrets of their own? No matter what, up to now, Jian Yi didn't express any ill intentions towards him. Didn't do any detrimental thing to him. On the contrary, he helped Wen Xuan in all respects, and took careful consideration of his needs.

 

Furthermore, the twinkling ball of light that was circling around Wen Xuan and protecting him right now, was something that Jian Yi helped him obtain after risking his own life.

 

"For you to do this much, if I am still unwilling to trust you, wouldn't I be ungrateful?" Wen Xuan said jokingly. Then he straightened his expression and earnestly said: "Jian shidi, your kindness today, I will remember forever in my heart. From today on, as long as you don't forsake me, I definitely won't forsake you either."

 

At this very moment, even if it were pitch black before his eyes, Jian Yi still would have felt it was bright.

 

"If there's anything you want, don't hesitate to ask." Wen Xuan seized the opportunity to say again: "Since I obtained something

 

of yours, whatever you want, as long as I can get it, I will definitely obtain it for you."

 

"What if I only want to stay by shixiong's side?" Jian Yi directly asked.

 

Wen Xuan didn't know if he should laugh or cry: "How's that hard? As long as you really want to, with your skills, entering the inner school will come naturally when the conditions are right. Behind the scenes, I can only think of ways to give you a push at most."

 

After entering the inner sect, Jian Yi would have the opportunity to see Wen Xuan everyday. Although this was still very far from his ultimate wish, the road must be paved step by step. Jian Yi couldn't help but become delighted.

 

However, Wen Xuan continued to state: "but this can't count as repayment. It simply isn't enough to return today's favor. Since you're a disciple of the Water Cloud Sect, entering the inner school and contributing to the sect is something that'll eventually happen. Do you really have no other request?"

 

Sect. Why's it about the sect again?

 

"I only want to strive for you." In Wen Xuan's arms, Jian Yi squeezed his hands into tight fists and couldn't hold back from expressing: "Not for some sect."

 

However, Wen Xuan didn't perceive the coldness in these words. He only explained while smiling: "Helping me is the same as helping the sect. It's the same thing."

 

After these words, the originally nice atmosphere dissipated.

 

Jian Yi shoved Wen Xuan in the chest and struggled out of his arms, jumping directly onto the floor and stomped forward on his own with a turn of his head.

 

"Jian shidi!" Wen Xuan called anxiously, but then discovered that the youth's footsteps were steady. Clearly, he already recovered his strength a while ago. Wen Xuan just didn't know why he was so angry. In Wen Xuan's eyes, the other's fury really seemed to have come out of nowhere.

 

It wasn't until after walking several steps that Jian Yi turned his head again and said viciously: "Is that sect really that good in your eyes?"

 

Wen Xuan finally understood why he was angry, but at the same time, became even more confused.

 

Furiously walking several more steps again, Jian Yi suddenly slowed down. Pacing back and forth where he stood and hesitating momentarily, he grinded his teeth, then walked back with a crestfallen head, apologizing weakly: "Shixiong... sorry, I shouldn't have gotten angry towards you....... I only, only......" In the end of this apology, he started stammering and hiding a word block.

 

Wen Xuan glanced at him. This kid was hiding his left hand behind his back again, squeezing it into a fist and digging viciously into his skin with his nails again.

 

"I'm only discontent." While saying these words, Jian Yi gnashed his teeth furiously. The tips of his fingers dug so tightly into his skin, they almost drew blood.

 

Discontent? The implications behind this word were too much. Wen Xuan really couldn't figure it out at this moment.

 

However, since the other already apologized, he didn't insist on getting to the bottom of things. He only sighed, looked Jian Yi in the eye and said earnestly: "The sect treats me very well."

 

Jian Yi abruptly lifted his head and looked at him stunned. Moments later, he lowered his gaze again. The dark look flashed across the bottom of his eyes.

 

"Maybe the thing with my cultivation method gave you a misunderstanding." Shaking his head, Wen Xuan walked next to Jian Yi: "Actually, my cultivation method isn't perfect and has a very big deficit, but...... you know as well, I have a top quality water root. A top quality water root sounds good on the surface, but actually...... Ever since I reached my peak in the foundation building stage, I haven't been able to find any cultivation methods that are suitable for this root. If Sect Leader shishu didn't go through great pains to help me find the one I'm using right now, I probably would have died at the end of the foundation building stage."

 

Following beside him, Jian Yi listened melancholically, not saying a single word.

 

"As for the other people in the sect, the elders are nice. The other fellow shidis and shimeis are also nice. Even though occasionally

 

there are disagreements and not everyone is harmonious with each other, but most of the time, they treat me pretty well."

 

Wen Xuan continued to say: "Not to mention, I have no father or mother. I've been living in the sect since my youth. The sect is my family. The elders in the sect all watched me grow up. The shidis and shimeis are like my siblings."

 

Listing these things, a figure appeared in Wen Xuan's head. This figure seemed to be enveloped completely in a millennium of frost. Although Wen Xuan knew that this was the person that he should respect and thank the most in the Water Cloud Sect, when he thought of that man, he still couldn't resist shivering: "As for my shifu...... although he's never shown any interest in me all these years, back then, he saved my life and gave me a place to stay. He's my benefactor."

 

Hearing to this point, Jian Yi finally couldn't help but reveal a hint of annoyance: "These things, I already know."

 

"Really?"

 

"As long as it's related to Shixiong, I know all about it." Jian Yi raised his voice, expressing a youthful impudence and stubbornness: "I already said this before. Did shixiong think I was merely boasting with empty words?"

 

"I was wrong there." Wen Xuan couldn't help but be amused and apologized naturally.

 

"You'll understand sooner or later." Jian Yi suppressed his voice and mumbled these words vaguely.

 

Wen Xuan didn't hear him clearly and was just about to inquire more when he saw Jian Yi's footsteps suddenly halt. Wen Xuan lifted his head and looked forward.

 

Ahead, there was finally a bit of light that appeared before the two people's view.

 

The two instantly tossed their earlier dispute to the back of their minds and picked up their pace. A moment later, they turned a corner and saw before them another layer of barrier. In front of this barrier was a jade platform. On the jade platform was a delicate groove. From the shape, it was probably the location where the divine sword precursor was placed before.

 

Next to the groove there was also a jade slip. Wen Xuan picked it up for a look. It was actually some secret techniques that could be used with this sword precursor, specifically left behind by the original owner of this place.

 

Wen Xuan attentively read downwards. Upon reaching the end, both of his eyes widened in shock.

 

At the end of this jade slip, this person recounted a bit, explaining that he cultivated with a water root and spent his life collecting water cultivation methods. He had countless top quality manuals as well as some hard to find manuals that were practically extinct, all of which were left in this place along with that sword precursor.

 

"Shixiong. That Sect Leader gave you a cultivation method that allowed you to reach the yuan gathering stage. Even with such huge deficits, it made you remember this favor." At this moment, Jian Yi asked him: "If I said, behind this barrier is a cultivation

 

method that you can use with your top quality water root that is flawless and capable of advancing your cultivation to an even high level, what would you do?"

 

Wen Xuan took in a deep breath and steadied his trembling hands, forcing himself to calm down: "No matter how many water style cultivation methods there are behind this barrier, it doesn't necessarily mean we will find one that a top quality water root can use...... wait!" He suddenly realized: "How did you know?"

 

Jian Yi didn't read through the jade slip in Wen Xuan's hands yet. For him to say these words, he naturally didn't rely on the knowledge in this jade slip.

 

"You recklessly read the will of Heaven again?" Wen Xuan asked, bewildered.

 

Jian Yi smiled but didn't answer. He only took out the disk from his jade bracelet and pressed it into his palm again. Standing steady in front of the barrier, he raised the hand with the disk forward.

 

Very clearly, in order to resolve this second stumbling block, he was ready to repeat his earlier performance again.

 

Through the aura emitted by this barrier, one could tell that the strength of this barrier already reached late yuan gathering stage. It was even harder to break than before. Even the Will of Heaven will be harder to decipher.

 

But no problem.

 

Jian Yi thought inside. He was more reliable than anyone beside Wen Xuan, more worthy of his trust. He must let Wen Xuan become aware of this fact.

 

"Ridiculous!" Wen Xuan rushed forward and yanked violently on that right hand of his, loudly yelling at him to stop: "Do you not want to live?"

 

"It's okay, shixiong." Jian Yi attempted to break free: "I know my limits."

 

"Know your limits? If you know what these words mean, you wouldn't have done those things before."

 

"But behind this is the thing you need the most." Jian Yi sighed and said in a bewitching tone: "Don't you want to seize it as soon as possible?"

 

Of course. Of course Wen Xuan wanted to open this barrier as soon as possible, like a hundred claws were scratching at his heart. But he was even more aware of how dangerous it was to read the Will of Heaven. Not to mention, Jian Yi already ended up in that kind of state before over the same kind of thing.

 

Wen Xuan frowned and got ready to say something when he suddenly paused.

 

Just at this moment, the spiritual energy inside this cave which should have been empty without another soul, suddenly fluctuated.

 

Jian Yi also seemed to perceive this and hastily turned his head to look at where they came from.

 

"It's the teleportation array." Wen Xuan declared, the color of his face changing: "Someone passed through that teleportation array."

 

Not even a moment later, as if confirming his words, a huge striking sound traveled over from the road they came from. Clearly, it was someone using magic to attack something.

 

The two quickly turned around and went back. Speeding along the entire way, they arrived to look at the place where they came from. Apparently the barrier that they broke down before raised up again. Now it was blocking two newcomers. A man and a woman, wearing the disciple uniforms of the North Penglai Sect.

 

Wen Xuan glanced at Jian Yi who was behind him and, surprisingly, saw Jian Yi's face was also full of a strange astonishment. Clearly he didn't anticipate this happening either.

 

When Jian Yi saw that man and woman, his face color became extremely unsightly.

 

"This quick?" Wen Xuan heard him mutter in an disgusted tone.

 

10

Chapter 10

 

Wen Xuan slowed his pace slightly. After Jian Yi caught up to him, he asked: "What's going on?"

 

Jian Yi heaved a long sigh and said in a gloomy tone: "The protagonist entered the stage."

 

Protagonist? What the heck?" Wen Xuan's mouth twitched: "What does that mean?"

 

"Just... things have become complicated now......"

 

Alright, just the fact that things have become complicated, Wen Xuan can agree absolutely.

 

Looking at the uniforms the man and woman were wearing, Wen Xuan already knew that this was going to get messy. The North Penglai Sect was only a branch sect from the Penglai Cultivation Sect of the Central Sheng Continent. Yet it's listed as one of the 7

 

mystical sects in the North Ning Continent, and were rivals of the Water Cloud Sect.

 

He shook his head and went for a closer look. These two people he actually recognized. They were both from the same generation as himself and were rather well known.

 

The woman wore a gold flower hairpin on her head. Skin fair and pretty, at the corner of her eye was a beauty mark. This was the legendary Xue Binger. This Xue BingEr was the daughter of a certain elder from the Penglai Cultivation Sect, who deliberately placed her in their North Sect to gain worldly experience. Her identity and status was definitely not ordinary. Although she was only in the foundation building stage, she's been carefully sheltered by her entire Sect since she was small. The amount of magic tools and talismans she carried was countless. Adding on her arrogant and unreasonable personality, she was an extremely troublesome figure.

 

As for the man. His headful of black hair was bound by a black jade hair crown. His appearance was average. Throw him in the middle of a crowd and he'd probably be unrecognizable. This person Wen Xuan has met before. His name was Qin Shiyu. He's a recently well known genius figure. It's said that his starting strength really wasn't anything impressive, but every year, the speed of his improvement was godly. Gradually he climbed from the lowest level of North Penglai Sect into the position of a core disciple. He was an expert in battle, undefeated for many years. A few years ago, he entered the yuan gathering stage and became even more dazzling.

 

In normal circumstances, Wen Xuan wouldn't even try to provoke either of these two people. But at a time like this, they were about to meet face to face. It's probably not going to end well.

 

The cave shook violently. After another huge rumbling sound, the two people broke through the barrier with brute force. At this time, they finally noticed the two people on the other side. For a brief moment, they were surprised as well.

 

Qin Shiyu cupped his hands and greeted Wen Xuan, expression vigilant: "Cultivator Wen."

 

"Water Cloud Sect's cultivator Wen?" Xue BingEr wasn't so composed and instantly yelled in surprise: "Why would you be here?" Then, she remembered something and her expression changed again: "The demonic beast outside, so it was Cultivator Wen's work?"

 

"Jian shidi and I killed it together." Wen Xuan answered.

 

Those two people finally shifted their gazes on Jian Yi who was standing by Wen Xuan's side. Xue BingEr found that he was only qi refining and instantly had a scornful look. However, Qin Shiyu examined Jian Yi carefully.

 

"Thank you, cultivator Wen, for helping us get rid of that problem." Then Xue BingEr said to Wen Xuan: "But I was the one who discovered this area. I was only obstructed by that demonic beast so I went back to ask Qin shixiong for help, that's all. Who would have thought, in such a short time, it would have been snatched away first by cultivator Wen." When she said these words, she clearly used a resentful tone.

 

Wen Xuan didn't even answer when Jian Yi scoffed: "You brat. Your reputation isn't high, yet your tone of voice is sure mighty. You discovered this place first? That teleportation array is placed at the deepest part in the demonic beast's cave. You couldn't even deal with the demonic beast so how could you have discovered this place?"

 

"Jian shidi!" Wen Xuan hastily spoke up to stop him and pushed the other behind him: "Don't be rude."

 

However, that Xue BingEr already became so pissed off that she was seething with rage: "Are you guys deliberately trying to steal my stuff here?"

 

Wen Xuan furrowed his brows and secretly said to himself: this girl was indeed very arrogant and unreasonable, the rumours weren't fake.

 

He stopped paying attention to Xue BingEr and turned his gaze to Qin Shiyu. Qin Shiyu has been looking at Wen Xuan this entire time. Within the four people present, one was qi refining, one was foundation building. Only the two of them were yuan gathering. To fight or work together, clearly would be decided by the two of them.

 

Wen Xuan hesitated for a moment and then stated: "We encountered another barrier in the back, even more troublesome than the one you guys just broke through. Cultivator Qin, I remember you just reached yuan gathering recently. If it's only you and Miss Xue, the barrier in the back might not be so easy to break through."

 

Narrowing his eyes, Qin Shiyu examined Wen Xuan up and down: "What cultivator Wen means is you want us to join forces?"

 

"That is my way of thinking." Wen Xuan nodded: "There should be enough things inside for us to each take whatever we need."

 

Yet Qin Shiyu smiled and shook his head: "I believe a mere barrier isn't enough to make me join force with others." These words he spoke with ample confidence, carrying an aura like he considered the entire world was beneath him.

 

"Qin shixiong's right." That Xue Bing Er also scoffed: "If we worked together with these kinds of avaricious villains, who knows if we'll get stabbed in the back."

 

Even if Wen Xuan had a good temper, his face still darkened at a time like this: "Since that's the case, it's up to cultivator Qin and I to 1v1 and figure out a victor then?"

 

"There's clearly four people here." Qin Shiyu said: "Why not 2v2?"

 

2v2? That Xue BingEr was foundation building over there. Over here, Jian Yi was only Qi refining! Wen Xuan never thought this person was the type who'd make use of every single advantage and couldn't help but laugh in anger: "Those two younger generations......"

 

"In a battle between enemies, who'd be concerned if the strong was bullying the weak?" Qin Shiyu said righteously and with conviction.

 

He just finished speaking when he made two hand seals in succession and instantly threw out two fireballs. One flew towards Wen Xuan, the other, shockingly, flew towards Jian Yi.

 

"Outrageous!" Gnashing his teeth, Wen Xuan quickly moved to protect Jian Yi behind him. Two Ice Blades appeared one after the other and extinguished both of the fireballs. The divine sword precursor also flew out of his sleeve and hit the qi blade that Qin Shiyu hid behind the fireballs.

 

Jian Yi made some seals with his hands and returned a few wind blades over. However, the two people on the other side really weren't concerned with qi refining wind blades, which can easily be evaded by stepping to the side. Xue BingEr even took out her magic tool at the same time.

 

No one could have imagined. Jian Yi's wind blade wasn't any regular wind blade. It was some branch technique he learned from some unknown source. It didn't really have much use, but it can turn in midair. Instantly, it streaked past Xue BingEr who thought she had properly evaded already, and made a cut on her fair white cheek.

 

This was really an insignificantly small injury, but it just had to land on the face of a beautiful woman.

 

Xue BingEr instantly screamed sharply and was so angry she shook all over: "You bastard! You dare... you dare!"

 

Jian Yi made a face at her, turned around, and ran off. Overwhelmed by anger, Xue BingEr seized her own magic weapon and chased after him immediately.

 

Wen Xuan was already engaged in an intense battle with Qin Shiyu. With the strength of his new divine sword precursor, Wen Xuan managed to hold his ground and not lose outright, but he was basically helpless to stop the other. Qin Shiyu saw this, smiled, and even had extra energy to say to Wen Xuan: "How tragic for that Shidi of yours."

 

Less than a minute, those two people already ran off without a trace. But for the foundation building Xue BingEr to face off against a qi refining stage cultivator, Qin Shiyo naturally didn't worry.

 

On the other hand, Wen Xuan was somewhat worried about Jian Yi. Yet he's seen Jian Yi's abilities before. The other can even handle a level 3 demonic beast, so he probably wouldn't lose so easily to the hands of that girl. The top priority, Wen Xuan calmed his heart, was to properly deal with the battle before him.

 

Qin Shiyu used fire primarily. When he used his techniques, flames poured out of him all over, forcing Wen Xuan to retreat, step by step. However, Wen Xuan was by no means weak. As he did his best to endure, he recalled the secret techniques that accompanied the divine sword precursor that he read moments prior.

 

Many of those skills utilized the sword in rather strange and creative fashions. For example, one technique Real Illusion, used the light of the sword to create an illusion. In the battle, the reality and illusion transforms, and the sword light and illusion can exchange positions anytime, ever changing. Appropriate use of this technique can always achieve strange effects.

 

The battle between them already made Wen Xuan become more familiar with that divine sword precursor. He searched for an opportunity, wanting to test out this skill.

 

But just at this moment, boom! There was a huge sound behind them.

 

Wen Xuan and Qin Shiyu both froze and couldn't help but stop their exchange.

 

"Ah--!" The fearful cry of a girl pierced through the air and traveled, with that huge sound, to the ears of these two people.

 

"Shimei!" Qin Shiyu's face color turned immediately. Instantly, he couldn't bother with what was happening over here. Wrapping himself in flames, he dashed over.

 

Wen Xuan also grabbed his sword, stepped on the sword light and flew over rapidly.

 

Very quickly, Jian Yi and Xue BingEr's figures appeared before their eyes. The ground before them was charred black. There was a distinct area where an explosion had occurred. The smell of smoke permeated the air.

 

Xue BingEr laid in the middle of the charred area, unconscious. Her appearance was wretched, her clothes shredded. Her fair white face was covered by smoke and dust. Even some parts of her hair were burnt off.

 

Jian Yi stood to the side. Flicking his fingers, he tossed a used up talisman to the floor. The expression on his face was leisure and composed, as if he just did some insignificant, little thing.

 

Wen Xuan examined the situation before them, feeling extremely surprised inside. He knew this kid was strong, but never thought the other would be this strong.

 

"Bing Er......" Qin Shiyu mumbled, before finally responding properly. He landed his gaze on Jian Yi, expression ruthless, as if he wanted to devour him whole: "You brat......"

 

Wen Xuan moved and blocked resolutely in front of Jian Yi.

 

"Shixiong," Jian Yi rubbed against Wen Xuan's side, feebly pulling on Wen Xuan's sleeve and blinking his big eyes, saying: "The way that person is looking at me, so ferocious. I'm so scared."

 

As soon as he said these words, over there, Qin Shiyu almost wanted to throw up a mouthful of blood.

 

Wen Xuan's mouth also twitched. He just got ready to say something, but felt Jian Yi taking the chance to press something into the palm of his hand.

 

It's a tiny tiny broken jade.

 

As long as it's jade, it can be used to record messages. Wen Xuan held this broken jade and skimmed through it. The expression on his face instantly changed slightly.

 

This broken jade actually listed every single one of Qin Shiyu's techniques in it. Each was described in extensive details. Even when Qin Shiyu preferred to use which skill was annotated. Some of the writing was sloppy and even some of the wording was confusing. Clearly, it was just written recently in a hurry.