The Grand Outer Sect Tournament?
Geniuses from various sects gathering at Tai Xuan Sect?
Including disciples from Thousand Autumn Pavilion?
Gu An listened with great interest. Such a grand event would surely be spectacular, though he felt a bit worried. Would any cultivators from Thousand Autumn Pavilion use this opportunity to find him and force him to provide information about Tai Xuan Sect?
Chen Li and the others continued their conversation, shifting the topic toward the Inner Sect. Chen Li was very curious about the Inner Sect, wondering what it was like.
Xiao Chenjun gave a brief description: the bustling Inner Sect cities, the profound heritage of the various mountain peaks, and the numerous rich bounties and tasks available. It was like listening to a story for Gu An.
But Gu An still wasn’t tempted.
Inner Sect disciples had to protect the Tai Cang Empire. They weren’t just responsible for slaying demons and monsters within the kingdom but also had to help fend off invasions from other empires. The mere thought of it made Gu An's head ache.
After Gu An finished his work and collected several hundred years of lifespan, he approached Chen Li to bid farewell.
“You do your work quite meticulously. How about also taking care of my cave residence?” Li Xuanyu suddenly suggested.
Chen Li chuckled. "Indeed, he’s thorough and follows the rules. He was recommended by Li Ya, so he’s trustworthy."
Li Xuanyu fixed her gaze on Gu An, awaiting his answer.
With everyone watching, Gu An couldn’t refuse and nodded in agreement.
"Why don’t I take him along to familiarize him with the place?" Li Xuanyu said, rising to leave.
Gu An quickly bowed to Chen Li and Xiao Chenjun before following Li Xuanyu out.
Once the cave entrance closed behind them, Xiao Chenjun smiled and asked, “The feud within the Li family is truly complicated. What do you think—does Junior Sister Li Xuanyu hold any grudge against Li Ya?”
Chen Li shook his head. “That’s unlikely. If there were any animosity, she wouldn’t have spoken on his behalf before. Li Ya would have died at Shi Yang’s hands long ago. Now that Shi Yang has been missing for years, I suspect Li Ya might have killed him.”
Xiao Chenjun raised his teacup, his expression becoming subtle.
...
After leaving the cave residence, Gu An followed Li Xuanyu. The two of them shared a sword but kept a respectful distance from each other.
Standing behind Li Xuanyu, Gu An could catch a faint scent of something refreshing, far more pleasant than the scent on Jiang Qiong.
Though Jiang Qiong had cleaned herself up, that lingering smell of death hadn’t entirely dissipated.
Neither of them spoke, as Li Xuanyu’s cold demeanor discouraged Gu An from striking up a conversation.
Her cave residence wasn’t far from Chen Li’s, and before long, they landed.
Gu An immediately sensed that her cave’s defensive wards were much stronger, and once inside, the rich spiritual energy was palpable.
Li Xuanyu began explaining the origins of the herbs in her cave and how to cultivate them, and Gu An listened attentively.
After a stick of incense’s time, Li Xuanyu handed him a token, which would allow him direct access to her cave. Her offered compensation was the same as Chen Li’s.
For Gu An, harvesting herbs for lifespan was enough, but if he could also earn some spirit stones, he certainly wouldn’t refuse.
He bowed and took his leave.
“Wait, what’s your relationship with Li Ya?” Li Xuanyu suddenly asked.
Gu An stopped and replied, “Li Ya is my senior brother. Naturally, we have a good relationship.”
From her demeanor, Gu An could tell that Li Xuanyu and Li Ya likely had a decent relationship. If there were a grudge, she wouldn’t need to go through him, a servant disciple, to deal with Li Ya, right?
Li Xuanyu didn’t say anything more, only giving a slight nod.
Gu An bid farewell again.
Xu Ruye and Chan Ji landed in the garden, their eyes scanning the herbs. Gu An’s heart tightened.
Was Tai Xuan Sect’s security this lax?
With such a grand event approaching, weren’t there any disciples patrolling the area?
Gu An cursed inwardly, though he understood that to Tai Xuan Sect, Medicine Valley wasn’t of much value. It only grew low-level herbs meant for the Outer Sect.
Chan Ji turned her head toward Gu An and the others, asking, “Who’s the master of this valley?”
Gu An stepped forward and cupped his hands. “That would be me. May I ask what brings you two seniors here?”
Chan Ji gave him a seductive glance and said with a smile, “Little brother, my husband and I are on our way to attend the Grand Outer Sect Tournament at Tai Xuan Sect. We were hoping to rest here for a few days. What do you think?”
Xu Ruye’s gaze shifted to Ye Lan and Zhen Qin, his cold eyes unsettling the two women. Ye Lan frowned and stepped in front of Zhen Qin protectively.
Though Gu An was displeased, he could sense a familiar presence approaching.
He asked, “May I ask which sect you two hail from?”
Chan Ji’s expression turned cold as she was about to respond.
“Why bother talking? What can this Qi Refining ant do to stop us?” Xu Ruye interrupted impatiently.
A terrifying killing intent erupted from him, causing everyone present to feel as though they were standing in an ice cave.
“Are you two from the Wan Yin Sect, here to make an enemy of Tai Xuan Sect?”
A cold voice echoed from above. Everyone looked up to see Li Xuanyu standing on a flying sword, her figure poised like an immortal.
“Li Xuanyu!” Chan Ji hissed through gritted teeth.
Li Xuanyu spoke calmly, “Follow me.”
With that, she turned and flew over the mountain.
Xu Ruye leaped into the air, and the gourd at his waist expanded, quickly transforming into a massive platform beneath his feet. Chan Ji followed, and the two flew off together.
The disciples of Medicine Valley breathed a collective sigh of relief.
“Were they demonic cultivators?” Su Han asked, his face pale from Xu Ruye’s killing intent.
Wu Xin replied, “Yes, the Wan Yin Sect is a major demonic sect, very powerful.”
Xiao Chuan, frustrated, said, “Aren’t we supposed to be a righteous sect? Why would we invite demonic sects to participate?”
The disciples began discussing the matter, still shaken by the encounter. Had Li Xuanyu not arrived, they feared disaster would have befallen them tonight.
Gu An gazed toward the horizon, frowning slightly.
After a moment, he instructed the others to continue preparing for the Spring Festival before heading inside to rest.
As dusk fell, the sky turned a deep crimson.
Gu An stood by the side window of the pavilion. He could sense faint traces of battle far away, about thirty miles from Medicine Valley.
Suddenly, he felt something and swiftly leaped out of the window, vanishing into the forest.
Deep in the woods, the trees were knocked over, and the ground was riddled with cracks. Xu Ruye and Chan Ji stood side by side, smug smiles on their faces.
Standing opposite them were not only Li Xuanyu but also Li Ya.
“The Li family’s ‘Nine Strikes of Supreme Swordsmanship’ is indeed impressive, but your cultivation levels are far too weak,” Xu Ruye sneered coldly. Purple qi swirled around his fingers.
Blood trickled from both corners of Li Ya’s mouth. His right hand, which gripped his sword, trembled. Beside him, Li Xuanyu fared slightly better, but she was still injured.