World Outer Sect Assembly

"What is it?" Gu An asked, praying it would not be trouble.

He had no desire to be swept into the whirlpool of Outer Sect conflicts.

Li Ya smiled. "Don't you like planting? I heard you mention before that you helped an Outer Sect disciple tend to his Cave Mansion. Now there happens to be an opportunity. The pay is good—manage it for a year, and you'll receive one Mid-grade Spirit Stone and a bottle of Spirit Qi Pills."

Once Gu An heard that, he relaxed. So that was what this was about.

Naturally, he would not refuse anything that could earn him lifespan. He hardly cultivated in his daily life anyway, so he had plenty of time.

He began asking about the employer's identity. Li Ya did not hide it from him—the Outer Sect disciple was Li Ya's friend, and his Cave Mansion was near Outer Sect City.

After Gu An agreed, Li Ya immediately took him there.

Li Ya flew on his sword, with Gu An standing behind him as they rode the same blade. Their figures filled Xiao Chuan, Ye Lan, and the others with longing.

Who would not yearn to fly on a sword?

The tall Tang Yu sighed. "How wonderful would it be if Master could learn a Sword Flight Technique or two from Martial Uncle Li Ya, then teach us?"

Beside him, Su Han, slender and handsome, nodded. Though he had already spent four years in Medicine Valley, he still longed for the Outer Sect deep down.

Not just him—Tang Yu and Zhen Qin felt the same way.

Ye Lan did not say much. She simply pulled Zhen Qin back to the courtyard to cultivate.

Elsewhere.

Above the rolling mountains, Li Ya's sword flew swiftly. He gazed ahead, his black robes fluttering and his hair streaming wildly in the wind, every inch of him radiating carefree, unrestrained grace.

"I've noticed that Medicine Valley has more Handyman Disciples than before. Junior Brother Gu, you should still try not to recruit too many disciples. Put more Spirit Stones into your own cultivation," Li Ya said earnestly.

Although Gu An always claimed his talent was lacking, Li Ya felt there was still hope for him.

He did not want to remain in the full bloom of youth a hundred years from now, while Gu An had already entered his twilight years.

After so many years in the Taixuan Sect, Li Ya had made a few close friends, as well as some friends bound by mutual interests. Yet in his heart, none could compare to Junior Brother Gu.

Junior Brother Gu was the only one who treated him well without seeking anything in return. He did not want to lose such a bond.

Gu An smiled. "Senior Brother Li, don't worry. The reason I recruited more disciples is that the gardens in Medicine Valley have expanded. Every year, I turn in more and more medicinal herbs, and Alchemy Hall has been gradually improving my treatment as well. I won't give up cultivation."

Li Ya smiled when he heard that.

"That's true. You're a diligent lad. You'll always make something of yourself."

"How could I compare to Senior Brother? Your reputation in the Outer Sect is thunderous."

The two began praising each other. Li Ya usually hated such polite flattery, yet for some reason, hearing it from Junior Brother Gu made him inexplicably happy.

Two hours later.

Li Ya sent Gu An back to Mystic Valley, then flew away on his sword.

The moment Gu An landed, two disciples surrounded him—Su Han and Zhen Qin.

They curiously asked where Gu An had gone. He did not hide it from them, but after saying a few words, he sent them away.

Lu Jiujia's departure had greatly stimulated the Medicine Valley disciples, leaving the valley much quieter. Whenever they had spare time, they cultivated in their own rooms, hoping to catch up to Lu Jiujia as soon as possible.

Gu An returned to his room and picked up the Yin-Yang Art to read through it. Starting tonight, Jiang Qiong would teach him spells, and he was greatly looking forward to it.

What cultivator would ever mind knowing more spells?

Besides, Gu An lacked many basic spells.

Late at night, Eight Sceneries Grotto-Heaven.

Beneath the Azure Vine Tree, Jiang Qiong stood in white robes, her black hair loosely draped over her shoulders like an immortal maiden descended into the mortal world. At that moment, however, her peerlessly beautiful face was full of irritation.

"Why are you so stupid? How many times have I explained the method of circulating qi? Why can't you remember it?" Jiang Qiong snapped, suppressing her anger.

Standing beside Gu An, she kept her gaze fixed on the black qi in his hand.

She was teaching him the Soul Capture Technique, a sinister art capable of seizing another's soul.

Gu An said helplessly, "Martial Ancestor, how long have you even been teaching me? Could you be a little more patient?"

"It's not... it's just..." Jiang Qiong suddenly did not know what to say.

Before recovering her body, she had looked forward to teaching Gu An. In her eyes, he was a genius, but reality differed from what she had imagined.

This brat was far too strange.

Teach him the Sword Flight Technique, and he understood it at a touch. Teach him anything else, and he was like someone who had just stepped onto the path of cultivation.

When it came to the sword, Gu An was absolutely the greatest genius she had ever seen. But the problem was, she was not skilled in sword arts.

"If I could learn everything so easily, would I have ended up as a Handyman Disciple?" Gu An sighed.

After holding it in for a long while, Jiang Qiong finally said, "But you don't have to be this foolish, do you?"

Gu An's hand trembled.

As expected of someone from the Demonic Path—her words were too damn hurtful!

Gu An's temper flared. "I have my own strengths too! If we're talking sword talent, Martial Ancestor, you might not even be my match!"

Jiang Qiong immediately laughed. "Then shall we try? Neither of us will use spiritual power. We'll spar using only sword moves."

"Sure!"

Gu An relaxed his hands, and the black qi dispersed. He rose to his feet, ready to teach Jiang Qiong a lesson.

Jiang Qiong moved two steps to the side, raised her right hand, and extended her index and middle fingers together. Smiling, she said, "Since this is a spar, let's not hurt our harmony. We'll use our fingers as swords."

Gu An nodded, placing his left hand behind his waist and holding his right hand before him.

Jiang Qiong narrowed her eyes. For some reason, the instant Gu An raised his hand, she felt inexplicably uneasy.

What is wrong with me? Why am I being intimidated by a Foundation Establishment brat?

Jiang Qiong cursed herself for becoming useless, for losing the lofty arrogance that once looked down upon all beneath heaven.

She immediately thrust two fingers toward Gu An. The moment she moved, she displayed the speed of the Golden Core Realm.

Gu An swept the two fingers of his right hand across hers, as though flicking a sword, knocking her arm aside.

Jiang Qiong's gaze sharpened. With a shift of her feet, she slipped past Gu An's side like a ghost, her two fingers stabbing like a sword toward his ribs.

Gu An turned, his two fingers pointing downward as he struck down upon the back of her hand. A sharp pain made her instinctively withdraw.

The two moved and shifted beneath the tree, countering every move with another.

Jiang Qiong's attacks were fierce and sharp, while Gu An moved as naturally as flowing clouds and running water.

After thirty moves, Gu An clearly sensed that Jiang Qiong was growing anxious. He deliberately revealed an opening, allowing her to strike his abdomen, then clutched his stomach and staggered back.

Jiang Qiong did not press her advantage. She straightened, staring at Gu An with blazing eyes.

Gu An wore a pained expression, but her gaze frightened him.

What kind of look was that?

It was as though she wanted to devour him whole.

Jiang Qiong took a deep breath. "Good, good, good. I still underestimated your comprehension of the sword. Your sword moves just now had no fixed form, yet every move was simple and direct, aimed straight at your opponent's weaknesses. You are a swordsmanship prodigy rarely seen in a hundred years. With a fine teacher, you will surely one day become famous throughout the world as a sword cultivator."

Gu An shook his head. "Forget becoming famous throughout the world. If that happened, lots of people would definitely come looking for trouble. I hate fighting most of all, much less killing."

Jiang Qiong froze for a moment, finding it rather amusing.

It was her first time encountering such a cowardly genius.

"This Martial Ancestor was too hasty. I shouldn't have scolded you. Come, continue practicing the Soul Capture Technique. Though you are suited to the sword, there are some spells you must master so that you are prepared for anything," Jiang Qiong said, beckoning him over.

Gu An immediately went over and continued practicing the Soul Capture Technique.

After their spar, Jiang Qiong's attitude had indeed improved greatly. She spoke softly and gently, even giving him goosebumps from time to time.

And so, every night, Gu An came to Eight Sceneries Grotto-Heaven to learn spells from Jiang Qiong. As soon as a spell appeared on the Attribute Panel, he began cultivating the next one.

Jiang Qiong thought he had suffered a setback and did not force him. In any case, she knew many spells.

Being able to teach a junior while recovering from her injuries was rather interesting to her as well.

Besides that, Gu An visited the Outer Sect disciple's Cave Mansion once every month to tend to the medicinal herbs within.

At year's end, winter snow drifted through the air, blotting out the sky and covering the earth.

Wearing a straw rain hat, Gu An climbed to the middle of the mountain and arrived before a Cave Mansion. Just as he was about to take out his token, he suddenly sensed something.

There were people inside!

More than one person, at that!

Gu An immediately wanted to leave, but the voices inside the Cave Mansion abruptly fell silent. If he left now, it would prove that he could see through the restrictions and detect what was happening inside.

He could only press his token against the mountain gate, which then opened.

He stepped into the Cave Mansion, passed through the tunnel, and entered the stone chamber. When he saw three people inside, he paused in surprise, then hurriedly bowed. "My apologies. I did not know Senior had returned. I shall not disturb you any longer."

With that, he turned to leave.

The owner of the Cave Mansion was named Chen Li. He looked to be in his early forties and carried the refined air of a scholarly gentleman. Raising a hand, he smiled. "No need. Do your work, and we'll have our conversation."

Hearing this, Gu An could only turn back and bow again before walking toward the medicinal herb garden nearby.

Gu An noticed the other two people, a man and a woman. The woman was none other than Li Xuanyu, whom he had fought before.

The man was not Shi Yang, but someone else. He was graceful and handsome, like a gentleman who had stepped out of a painting. Even men would be stunned by his looks.

Li Xuanyu looked at Gu An. She had clearly recognized him, but she did not speak.

Gu An quietly checked the handsome man's lifespan.

[Xiao Chenyun (Golden Core Realm, First Layer): 58/621/1508]

Golden Core Realm, First Layer!

An Inner Sect disciple?

Once Chen Li saw Gu An begin harvesting the medicinal herbs, he turned to Li Xuanyu and Xiao Chenyun, sighing. "The World Outer Sect Assembly is about to begin, and this time it is being hosted by the Taixuan Sect again. The pressure on us is great."

Xiao Chenyun smiled. "What is there to fear? There are plenty of geniuses in the Outer Sect. Even if those sects and schools join forces, it will be difficult for them to suppress the Taixuan Sect. Within the Great Cang Dynasty, the Taixuan Sect is the strongest."

Chen Li shook his head. "I heard that the Outer Sects of the Ancient Hao Sect, Heavenly Absolute Sect, and Thousand Autumn Pavilion each have dual Spirit Root geniuses. They deliberately held back their cultivation realms, waiting for this Outer Sect Assembly."

He paused, looking resentfully at Xiao Chenyun. "Junior Brother Xiao, why didn't you wait before breaking through? Your master should have known about this."

Xiao Chenyun smiled. "Senior Brother Chen, the World Outer Sect Assembly is held at least twice in a hundred years. How can cultivators like us care so much about victory and defeat? Besides, the Taixuan Sect has geniuses bursting forth every year. Don't worry, the burden will not rest upon you alone."

The three chatted and laughed about the Outer Sect Assembly. Most of the time, Xiao Chenyun and Chen Li spoke, while Li Xuanyu occasionally added a few words.

Thanks to Seeking Great Freedom for donating 333 Qidian Coins, Little Love for donating 100 Qidian Coins, and reader 20221202214910450 for donating 100 Qidian Coins~~

How did everyone spend Children's Day? Although it is Children's Day, it feels like everyone is wishing each other happiness, haha.