Ten Thousand Yin Sect, Xu Ruye

The World Outer Sect Assembly?

The outer sect geniuses from all major sects are gathering at the Taixuan Sect?

That includes disciples from the Thousand Autumn Pavilion?

Gu An listened with great interest; such a grand event would surely be spectacular, though he felt a bit of concern. Would any cultivators from the Thousand Autumn Pavilion seize the opportunity to find him and force him to provide intelligence on the Taixuan Sect?

Chen Li and the other two began chatting about other matters, with the topic gradually shifting to the Inner Sect. Chen Li was very interested in the Inner Sect, curious about what it looked like.

Xiao Chenjun gave a brief description: the bustling cities of the Inner Sect, the various peak legacies with their profound traditions, the rich bounty of missions, and so on. Gu An listened as if he were hearing a storyteller.

However, Gu An still felt no longing for it.

Inner Sect disciples also had to defend the Great Cang Dynasty, not only slaying demons and devils within the realm but also helping the dynasty fend off invasions from other dynasties. Just hearing about it gave him a headache.

Once Gu An finished his work and harvested several hundred years of lifespan, he approached Chen Li, prepared to take his leave.

"You are quite meticulous in your work; why not manage my Cave Abode as well?" Li Xuanyu suddenly spoke up.

Upon hearing this, Chen Li laughed immediately: "This lad's work is indeed satisfactory, and he is very disciplined. Plus, he was recommended by Li Ya, so he is trustworthy."

Li Xuanyu stared at Gu An, waiting for his answer.

Under the gaze of everyone, Gu An found it difficult to refuse, so he nodded in agreement.

"You two brothers continue your conversation; I will take him to learn the way," Li Xuanyu said, then rose and left.

Gu An hurriedly bowed to Chen Li and Xiao Chenjun before following in Li Xuanyu's footsteps.

Once the gates of the Cave Abode were closed, Xiao Chenjun asked with a smile: "The grudges of the Li Family are truly complex. Tell me, do Junior Sister Li and Li Ya actually have a vendetta?"

Chen Li shook his head: "How could they have a vendetta? If they did, she wouldn't have spoken up for Li Ya back then. Li Ya would have died under Shi Yang's hand long ago. Now that Shi Yang has been missing for several years, I even suspect he was killed by Li Ya."

Xiao Chenjun raised his teacup, his expression becoming subtle.

After leaving the Cave Abode, Gu An followed Li Xuanyu as she departed. The two rode the same sword, yet maintained a respectful distance.

Standing behind Li Xuanyu, Gu An could smell a distinct, clean fragrance, much more pleasant than the scent on Jiang Qiong.

Although Jiang Qiong had already washed herself clean, that stench of a corpse had not completely vanished.

The journey was silent; Li Xuanyu's temperament was too cold, causing Gu An to be too lazy to speak.

Her Cave Abode was not too far from Chen Li's, and it didn't take long for them to land.

Gu An could clearly feel that the restrictions around her Cave Abode were stronger, a sensation that became even more intense after entering.

What rich spiritual energy!

Li Xuanyu began to explain the origins and cultivation process of the herbs within the Cave Abode, and Gu An listened attentively.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Li Xuanyu handed him a token. Through this token, he could directly open this Cave Abode, and the terms she offered were the same as Chen Li's.

For Gu An, harvesting the lifespan of the herbs was enough; if he could also earn Spirit Stones, he certainly wouldn't refuse.

Gu An cupped his hands in a salute and took his leave.

"Wait, what is your relationship with Li Ya?" Li Xuanyu suddenly asked.

Gu An stopped and turned back, saying: "Li Ya is my senior brother, so naturally, our relationship is good."

He could tell that Li Xuanyu and Li Ya likely had a decent relationship. If they were enemies, she wouldn't be trying to scheme against Li Ya through a handyman disciple like him, would she?

Li Xuanyu said nothing more, merely giving a slight nod.

Gu An took his leave once again.

Managing Cave Abodes for outer sect disciples was not strenuous; he generally only needed to go once every half month or month. Gu An felt he could take on a few more jobs.

His career tree was becoming increasingly lush. The Eight Sceneries Grotto-Heaven and the Mystic Valley were the main trunks, and as he branched out, his lifespan would continue to grow.

He would strive to reach a lifespan of one hundred thousand years as soon as possible!

The winter snow melted, and the new spring arrived. On the eve of twilight, the Mystic Valley began to decorate with lanterns and streamers.

In front of the pavilion, the youngest, Zhen Qin, squatted on the ground. While cutting paper, she whispered: "Master, what is the meaning of the Spring Festival?"

She was nine years younger than Gu An, with a sweet face, large eyes, a petite figure, and a gentle personality. Even Lu Jiujia, Xiao Chuan, and the others were very fond of her.

"When I was young, I heard an old man say that the Spring Festival represents the beginning of a brand new year, bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new. Every year at this time, people exchange blessings. Since the Medicine Valley has no festivals worth celebrating, let's establish the Spring Festival," Gu An said, sitting to one side while weaving a lantern.

Not far away, Wuxin, Xiao Chuan, and Tang Yu were hanging lanterns and pasting red paper, Ye Lan was preparing food, and Su Han was inspecting the various gardens.

Upon hearing this, a look of anticipation appeared on Zhen Qin's face.

The idea for the Spring Festival was something Gu An had suddenly thought of a few days ago. Hearing everyone in the Medicine Valley talking about their respective hometowns, he couldn't help but think of his own home on Earth during his past life. Since it happened to be the new year, he decided to establish the Spring Festival as the first festival of the Mystic Valley.

In the future, he could arrange other festivals to make life in the Medicine Valley less monotonous.

He just wondered if there were any other transmigrators from Earth in this human world?

Gu An thought silently. The reason he claimed he heard about the Spring Festival from an old man was precisely to keep his guard up.

Just then, Gu An's brows furrowed slightly. He caught two breaths that made him uncomfortable approaching the Mystic Valley, now less than ten miles away.

Both individuals were at the Foundation Establishment realm, though their auras reeked of a thick, bloody stench.

They had killed many people!

With the World Outer Sect Assembly about to begin, could it be that Demonic Path cultivators had come to pay a visit?

Gu An prayed silently, hoping the pair would not enter their Medicine Valley.

However, his fears were realized; the two flew straight toward the Mystic Valley, and in no time, their figures appeared on the mountaintop, overlooking the Medicine Valley.

They were a man and a woman, both dressed in deep purple robes. They possessed an eerie, wicked air, and even in broad daylight, they looked like malevolent ghosts.

The woman had a seductive figure, her face painted with dark makeup, her fingernails as long as sharp talons. She covered her mouth and chuckled, "Xu, we aren't far from the Taixuan Sect's outer sect now; why not rest here for a while? We can also probe the handyman disciples here for information."

The man standing beside her was burly with a cold, stern expression, wearing a purple crown. Embedded in the crown was a ruby that resembled a scarlet vertical eye.

"A bunch of Qi Refining insects—what could we possibly learn from their mouths?" the purple-robed man said coldly.

He hailed from the Ten Thousand Yin Sect and was named Xu Ruye. He had brought his cultivation partner, Chan Ji, to attend the World Outer Sect Assembly.

Chan Ji laughed, "You know how those Taixuan Sect fellows are; they lack real strength but love to bully others with numbers. If we arrive too early, we'll surely be pestered by trouble. Waiting here is fine."

Upon hearing this, Xu Ruye found it reasonable, so he leaped down, with Chan Ji following closely behind.

Gu An looked up and immediately cast a lifespan inspection.

[Xu Ruye (Foundation Establishment realm, 9th layer): 67/389/920]
[Chan Ji (Foundation Establishment realm, 7th layer): 74/370/605]

It appeared they were both geniuses.

Gu An stood up, and Zhen Qin could not help but follow his gaze. The moment she saw Xu Ruye and Chan Ji, she was so frightened that she hurriedly hid behind her master.

Xiao Chuan, Wuxin, and Tang Yu also noticed the arrival of the two Demonic Path cultivators and immediately dropped what they were doing to run toward Gu An.

Xu Ruye and his companion landed in the garden, their gazes sweeping over the medicinal herbs, which made Gu An's heart tighten.

The security of the Taixuan Sect was truly appalling!

With such a grand event approaching, how could they not dispatch disciples to patrol?

Gu An cursed inwardly, though he understood that the value of the Mystic Valley to the Taixuan Sect was negligible; the herbs grown here were low-tier and served only the outer sect.

Chan Ji turned her head to look at Gu An and the others, asking, "Who is the valley master here?"

Gu An stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "I am. May I ask what business brings the two seniors here?"

Chan Ji cast a flirtatious glance at Gu An and asked with a smile, "Little brother, my husband and I are here to attend the Taixuan Sect's World Assembly. We'd like to rest in your valley for a few days. What do you think?"

Xu Ruye's gaze shifted to Ye Lan and Zhen Qin behind Gu An. His cold, sinister eyes made both women uneasy. Ye Lan frowned and stepped in front of Zhen Qin.

Gu An was displeased, but he sensed a familiar aura approaching.

He asked, "Might I ask which sect or faction you two hail from?"

Chan Ji's expression turned cold, and she was about to speak.

"Why waste breath on him? If we want to stay, does he really think his Qi Refining 5th layer cultivation can drive us away?" Xu Ruye said impatiently.

A terrifying killing intent erupted from his body, causing everyone present to turn pale, as if they were trapped in a frozen cellar.

"Do the two from the Ten Thousand Yin Sect wish to become enemies with the Taixuan Sect?"

A cold voice drifted down from the sky. Everyone looked up to see Li Xuanyu standing on a flying sword, riding the wind like an immortal.

"Li Xuanyu!" Chan Ji said, enunciating each word through gritted teeth.

Li Xuanyu said, "Follow me."

With that, she turned and left, quickly disappearing behind the mountain peak.

Xu Ruye leaped up, and a gourd at his waist flew out, rapidly expanding until it landed beneath his feet. Chan Ji jumped up to land behind him, and the two departed on the gourd.

The people in the Medicine Valley let out a sigh of relief.

"Were those two Demonic Path cultivators?" Su Han couldn't help but ask, his face deathly pale from Xu Ruye's killing intent.

Wuxin replied, "Yes, the Ten Thousand Yin Sect is a major power within the Demonic Path, possessing immense strength."

Xiao Chuan said indignantly, "Isn't our Taixuan Sect a righteous sect? Why would they invite Demonic Path sects to come?"

The disciples began to discuss the matter, all of them lingering in fear; had Li Xuanyu not appeared, a catastrophe might have befallen them tonight.

Gu An looked toward the horizon, frowning slightly.

Afterward, he told everyone to continue preparing for the Spring Festival while he returned to his room to rest for a while.

Dusk descended, and the sky turned a deep crimson.

Gu An stood before the side window of the pavilion. He could already feel the tremors of a battle in the distance—it was very faint, likely thirty miles away from the Mystic Valley.

Suddenly sensing something, he vaulted over the windowsill and quickly vanished into the mountain forest.

In the forest far away, trees were toppled and scattered, and the ground was covered in shocking fissures. Xu Ruye and Chan Ji stood side by side, wearing expressions of contempt.

Standing opposite them was not only Li Xuanyu but also another person—none other than Li Ya.

"The Li Family's Nine Astonishing Swords are indeed powerful, but your cultivation is lacking," Xu Ruye laughed coldly. His right fingers twitched, threads of purple energy swirling around his fingertips.

Blood stained both corners of Li Ya's mouth, and the hand holding his sword was trembling. Li Xuanyu was in a similar state, though her injuries were less severe than Li Ya's.

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