Xu Qi An’s heart suddenly sank. He raised his hand and summoned the sword leaning against the fake mountain, striding towards the red-eyed girl: “Where is he?”
“He’s been brought back to the manor,” Qiu Chan Yi said, leading Xu Qi An out while sobbing. “Ling Yun was brought back by someone. His legs were cut off. We couldn’t summon his soul. Senior Bai Lian said he had unfinished business.”
Xu Qi An’s lips curved into a cold, harsh line.
Passing through the garden along the stone-paved path, they came to a courtyard. As they approached, they heard weeping.
The courtyard was crowded. The main house’s door was open, with Jin Lian, Bai Lian, Chu Yuan Chen, Li Miao Zhen, and others inside. The rest of the disciples stood in the courtyard.
Additionally, Xu Qi An saw an unexpected person: Young Master Liu from Ink Pavilion.
Xu Qi An stepped over the threshold, his gaze sweeping around before landing on the bed. There lay a young man, eyes wide open, face pale, long dead.
His legs had been severed at the knees, the cut clean, indicating the attacker was not only powerful but wielded an exceptionally sharp weapon.
Xu Qi An took a deep breath, keeping his voice calm: “Who did this?”
Young Master Liu bowed and said solemnly: “It was a mysterious young man in a white robe, accompanied by two giants wearing bamboo hats. I heard he had a conflict with a Blue Lotus Daoist from the Earth Sect at Three Immortals Pavilion. One of his giant attendants injured Blue Lotus Daoist with a single slap…”
The restaurant hall was a relatively enclosed space, and the distance between the parties wouldn’t have been too far. Warriors had an overwhelming advantage over other systems, but even if Blue Lotus Daoist was in the lower ranks among Lotus Daoists, the opponent’s strength must have been at least that of a seasoned fourth-rank expert.
Xu Qi An nodded expressionlessly.
Young Master Liu continued: “Afterwards, that person publicly announced a bounty. He took out four magical artifacts at once, declaring that whoever could cut off one of Young Master Xu’s arms would be rewarded with one artifact. For all four limbs, four artifacts. If someone could behead Young Master Xu, they would receive all the artifacts in the entire sword box.”
Li Miao Zhen sneered, “Arrogant and conceited.”
She seemed even angrier than Xu Qi An.
Chu Yuan Chen frowned slightly, analyzing rationally: “From this, it seems that the white-robed young master is targeting you, Ning Yan?”
Heng Yuan put his palms together and shook his head: “Amitabha, this poor monk thinks it’s unlikely. Lord Xu was previously in the capital and only arrived in Sword State today. News couldn’t have spread so quickly, let alone attracted his enemy.”
“Unless that white-robed young master was already in Sword State, but Young Master Liu said the person’s identity was mysterious and not from Sword State. So, he must be after the lotus seeds.”
Master Heng Yuan’s intelligence was still above the baseline, probably on par with Li Miao Zhen.
Daoist Jin Lian looked at Xu Qi An and said gravely: “Do you have any impression of this person?”
“I don’t know him,” Xu Qi An shook his head, then paused and sneered, “But I think I know which faction he belongs to.”
Looking at the various factions across the Nine States and different systems, who could easily produce so many magical artifacts and treat them as worthless?
The Astronomical Bureau could!
But the Astronomical Bureau wasn’t the only one. More accurately, only spellcasters could do this. And it had to be high-ranking spellcasters; only fourth-rank formation masters could forge magical artifacts.
That white-robed young master had the support of high-ranking spellcasters behind him.
Xu Qi An was all too familiar with high-ranking spellcasters not from the Astronomical Bureau.
The luck on me is related to the mysterious spellcaster group, and they originally wanted to deal with me during the tax silver case. That white-robed young master must know about the luck, otherwise, he wouldn’t show such strong hostility towards me.
Is the mysterious spellcaster group finally making their move against me?
Xu Qi An’s breathing quickened slightly.
But he quickly dismissed this guess. Master Heng Yuan was right; this was a chance encounter. That white-robed young master must have coincidentally learned of his presence in Sword State.
Such a high-profile attitude didn’t fit the style of that mysterious spellcaster. It shouldn’t be him manipulating things behind the scenes. It was luck that brought me and that white-robed young master together…
If so, this might be an opportunity for me.
Kill him, summon his soul, and unravel all the mysteries.
Seeing him silent with no sign of wanting to explain, the others didn’t press further.
Young Master Liu said: “Afterwards, that white-robed young master caught Ling Yun, cut off his legs, and told him to crawl back. I wasn’t present at the time, but when I heard the news, I rushed over immediately.”
At this point, Young Master Liu showed an angry expression:
“I saw Ling Yun crawling on the street, leaving two long trails of blood. He was already barely conscious but still trying to crawl… That white-robed young master was walking beside Ling Yun, holding a cup of plum wine, smiling and watching the spectacle, not allowing anyone to help Ling Yun.”
“Ling Yun crawled until he died just outside the town. Only after that white-robed young master left did I… did I dare to approach and bring him back… I’m sorry.”
Li Miao Zhen gritted her teeth.
Daoist Bai Lian’s pretty face was as cold as frost. She had already heard this once but still couldn’t hide her anger.
“Senior Jin Lian, has our Tian Di Hui fallen to such a state? Anyone can trample on us,” Daoist Bai Lian lamented. “Ling Yun was a child we watched grow up.”
Daoist Jin Lian looked at Xu Qi An and said gravely: “We can’t summon his soul, and his eyes won’t close. Do you have anything to say to him?”
Xu Qi An walked to the bedside and silently looked at Ling Yun for a while, then said softly: “You completed your mission.”
He reached out and brushed Ling Yun’s face, closing his eyes.
Xu Qi An felt as if struck by lightning.
Daoist Jin Lian consoled: “For Daoist disciples, death is not the end. We will nurture his soul. He’s just accompanying us differently now.”
Xu Qi An did not comment and looked at everyone:
“So now the situation is very dangerous. The Martial Arts Alliance, Earth Sect, Huai Wang’s spies, and this suddenly appearing character – his strength is unknown, but his two attendants are at least peak fourth-rank. And we can expect him to have many magical artifacts.”
“Tomorrow, even with the enhancement of formations, can we few resist so many experts?”
This question had been pondered by those present, and the conclusion was disappointing.
Previously, everyone had been immersed in anger over Ling Yun’s fate and hadn’t mentioned it.
A look of worry flashed in Daoist Jin Lian’s eyes.
“Have all disciples leave the courtyard. I have an idea…” Xu Qi An said in a low voice.
Everyone immediately looked at him.
Daoist Bai Lian went out and dispersed the disciples in the courtyard.
After the door closed, Xu Qi An slowly said: “Since the home field advantage has been compressed, rather than waiting for the enemy to gather tomorrow, why not take the initiative and divide and conquer?”
Meeting everyone’s gaze, he said solemnly: “Let’s attack, after dusk, let’s attack!”
Daoist Bai Lian hadn’t expected him to say such nonsense and blurted out:
“That won’t work. We need to protect the lotus seeds. How can we attack the town? Besides, the town is now full of experts. Without the enhancement of formations, you can’t possibly defeat them.”
Abandoning the home field advantage and attacking the enemy camp was suicide.
Xu Qi An said: “That guy deliberately made such a big commotion and humiliated Ling Yun, isn’t it just to lure me over? He must know my background and understand my temperament.”
Whether it was beheading a superior in the past, single-handedly stopping the rebels in Yun State, or later beheading the Duke, all were enough to show that Xu Qi An was an impulsive and aggressive warrior.
That guy’s actions during the day were either due to his inherent personality or an attempt to lure him into a trap.
“So you’re still going?” Li Miao Zhen frowned.
“I said we should attack, but I didn’t say we should fight in the town,” Xu Qi An sneered.
“What do you mean by that?” Chu Yuan Chen was stunned.
Xu Qi An didn’t answer directly but analyzed:
“Tomorrow, the forces gathered in the town will launch a major attack, and we’ll have to bear all the pressure. The experts from the Martial Arts Alliance, Earth Sect, Huai Wang’s spies, and that newly appeared little bastard. Because of this, even with the enhancement of formations, we might not be able to win.”
“But what if we divide the enemy in advance?”
…
A quarter of an hour later, Xu Qi An left the courtyard to see that the Tian Di Hui disciples hadn’t dispersed but were gathered outside.
Qiu Chan Yi, with red-rimmed eyes, stepped forward. The young girl’s face was filled with expectation: “Young Master Xu, you… you will avenge Ling Yun, right?”
Xu Qi An nodded silently.
The disciples bowed in salute.
In a private residence in the small town, Miss Rong Rong sat on a small wooden stool in the courtyard, resting her chin on her hand, and staring blankly at the sky.
“What are you worried about?”
A soft, charming voice came from behind.
Rong Rong quickly jumped up from the stool and lowered her head: “Madam.”
Xiao Yue Nu nodded slightly. Her autumn water-like eyes swept over Rong Rong, and she smiled: “Since coming back, you’ve been inquiring about that young master’s identity everywhere. Have you taken a fancy to him?”
Rong Rong was stunned and shook her head with a bitter smile.
“It seems you have taken a fancy to him.”
“No, it’s not…”
Just as Rong Rong was about to explain, Xiao Yue Nu’s words left her speechless: “I’m talking about Xu Qi An.”
Rong Rong said in a voice as thin as a mosquito’s buzz: “It’s not like that either. This disciple just admires him, looks up to him, that’s why I’m worried about him.”
Admiration knows no gender.
For example, Young Master Liu from Ink Pavilion, who had a very good relationship with her, also greatly admired Xu Yin Luo.
Xiao Yue Nu nodded: “That white-robed young master has a mysterious background. His two attendants are extremely powerful, among the top ranks even in Sword State. He hasn’t revealed his strength, but it shouldn’t be weak.”
Rong Rong was deeply worried: “I can sense that many people have been tempted by those magical artifacts. Xu Yin Luo might be in danger tomorrow.”
“Provoking such a powerful and extravagant enemy, danger is inevitable. However, Xu Yin Luo is also quite strong and has the Vajra Body technique to protect him. Although he’s no match for those two attendants, escaping shouldn’t be a problem,” Xiao Yue Nu comforted.
Being able to keep his life would be good enough.
…
After dusk, at an inn in the small town.
Chou Qian, in his white robe and jade belt, stood by the window with his hands behind his back. Two giants sat at the table, one silent, the other advising in a deep voice: “Young Master, doing this will disrupt the plan. This is not allowed.”
Chou Qian sneered: “You should understand my situation. Doing nothing will only make things more difficult for me. But if I can capture Xu Qi An and bring him back…”
“All threats and covetousness will disappear like smoke, and no one will be able to shake my position again.”
The Left Envoy continued to advise: “A person with great luck will always turn misfortune into fortune. Even that person can only go with the flow, otherwise, he would have died long ago. Why would he need you to take action?”
Chou Qian frowned, somewhat displeased: “Luck isn’t omnipotent. Otherwise, why would anyone cultivate? Everyone would just fight for luck.”
He turned his head, glancing at the setting sun in the west, and clicked his tongue: “It seems I underestimated him. He didn’t take the bait. Hmm, it’s also possible that his companions stopped him.”
As he was speaking, there was a knock on the door of the guest room, and then it was pushed open.
Chou Qian frowned and turned around to see an extremely handsome young man standing at the door, a sword at his waist, his cold gaze sweeping over the three of them.
Looking at this guy who had disguised himself, Chou Qian’s face broke into a vicious smile: “Xu Qi An!”
“It’s me!” Xu Qi An nodded, giving an affirmative answer.
“You came after all.”
Chou Qian smiled as if his plan had succeeded: “I analyzed your personality – impulsive, domineering, intolerant of any slight. I openly provoked you in town and killed that Earth Sect disciple. With your personality, you definitely wouldn’t be able to bear it.”
“I guessed as much,” Xu Qi An nodded, again giving an affirmative answer.
“But did you guess that the Earth Sect’s demonic cultivators and Huai Wang’s spies have already surrounded the entire inn?” Chou Qian’s smile carried the confidence of someone in control of the situation:
“A senior once told me that everyone’s personality has a weakness. If you can grasp it, you can deliver a fatal blow.”
Several powerful auras converged, approaching the inn.
The smile on Chou Qian’s face grew even wider.
“You did indeed grasp the weakness of my personality.”
Xu Qi An, who had been expressionless all along, broke into a cold smile: “You clever fool.”
As his words fell, a figure in white suddenly appeared in the room, accompanied by a low chant: “The sea ends where the sky becomes the shore, at the pinnacle of techniques, I am the peak.”
He stomped his foot, and an array of patterns lit up on the ground, quickly covering the entire guest room.
In the next moment, everyone present disappeared without a trace.