Waiting for Yin Gui

After entering the main hall, Xia Wenhui and Blade and Sword Twin Supremes were standing on the left side of the hall. Seeing everyone enter, Xia Wenhui stepped forward and said to Meng Yuqiong with a fawning smile, "Sister Yuqiong, let's wait here until midnight. The area behind us hasn't been entered for a long time, and it's full of snakes, insects, rats, and ants."

Although Meng Yuqiong and Xu Jinyi were both women of the martial world, they still slightly changed their expressions upon hearing about snakes, insects, rats, and ants. The two girls turned their faces to Xu Tianqi, their eyes and expressions clearly stating they didn't want to go further inside. Xu Jinyi, in particular, almost shouted it out. However, no matter what, they still had to give Fifth Brother face and let him make the decision.

When Xu Tianqi saw the pleading look from the beauties, his whole body seemed to soften. He immediately said, "Most of the people who encountered ghosts before were encountered in the main hall. We should be waiting right here. Come, Sister Yuqiong, let's go sit over there."

Seeing this, Xia Wenhui stepped forward and said, "Sister Yuqiong, that area over there is the cleanest place I've observed for a long time, and I've even wiped the chairs clean." He waved a piece of cloth, as if torn from his own clothes, in a showy manner.

Shi Xuan was somewhat impressed by this guy. To chase a woman, he was very willing to humble himself and act subservient, truly embodying the "humble" aspect of the "Pan Lu Deng Xiao Xian" saying. The difference between an Internal Art Master using palm wind to sweep away dust and disregarding his image to tear off his own clothes to wipe a chair lay in the sincerity of their effort.

Although Meng Yuqiong didn't reply out of consideration for Xu Tianqi's feelings, her expression had indeed eased from the tense state she was in upon hearing about the snakes, insects, rats, and ants.

Xu Tianqi glared fiercely at Xia Wenhui, but took no further action. It seemed this guy had little experience in this regard, which explained why, despite his reputation as one of the top twenty young experts in the martial world, he was being outmaneuvered by this clearly less skilled Xia Wenhui.

Fortunately, Xu Tianqi had a good sister. The young girl Xu Jinyi pulled him towards the area where Xia Wenhui and the two elders were, but closer to the corridor. She then gestured for Xu Tianqi to wipe a chair with his sleeve before turning to wave at Meng Yuqiong, "Sister Yuqiong, come over here, it's very clean."

Meng Yuqiong smiled and cupped her hands towards Xia Wenhui, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Xia." She then walked towards Xu Jinyi. Xia Wenhui's face turned even paler behind her.

Since there were only about four or five chairs left in the entire hall, Shi Xuan saw that Xu Tianqi was only focused on showing off and everyone else was treating him like air. He took out a Dust Removal Charm Talisman from his hidden pocket and held it in his hand. He quickly walked a few steps to a spot not far from Meng Yuqiong's chair. With his hand hidden in his sleeve, he directly used his soul power to activate the talisman. Then, pretending to circulate his palm force, he swept it towards the ground. All sorts of debris and dust on the ground flew towards the corridor with a gust of palm wind, instantly revealing a large clean area.

Shi Xuan didn't bother with formalities and sat down cross-legged. The others only turned their attention when the debris and dust flew up. Except for Xu Tianqi, who knew Shi Xuan's background, everyone else was quite surprised. Given Shi Xuan's age, he could at most be an Internal Art Master who had just begun his training. The effect he produced now was comparable to that of a master who had accumulated years of internal energy.

Xu Jinyi's eyes widened. After a long moment, she reacted and stepped forward, saying, "Senior Brother Shi, you lied to me just now! I was even showing off in front of you. You're too wicked!"

Shi Xuan chuckled, "I didn't lie to you. My martial arts skills are indeed no match for Senior Brother Xu."

Xu Jinyi looked enlightened, "Oh, so you're also about to break through the first meridian of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. It's okay, Senior Brother Shi. My Fifth Brother has been traveling the martial world for a long time, and his combat experience is richer than yours. Hey, hey, I was quite proud just now."

The matter of cultivation, except for a very few people, was still unknown to others. Therefore, not only did Xu Jinyi not think in that direction, but judging from the expressions of Meng Yuqiong, Mu Jin, and Xia Wenhui and his two elders, they also accepted Xu Jinyi's explanation. However, everyone's attention was clearly more focused on Shi Xuan.

Shi Xuan thought it was good that they misunderstood, so he said, "Sister Jinyi, I wasn't as capable as you when I was your age."

Xu Jinyi's expression changed from annoyance to joy upon hearing this, "Hehe, it's good that you're telling the truth."

Because Shi Xuan had cleared a large area, Xu Tianqi and Mu Jin also came over and sat down cross-legged. However, Xu Tianqi still positioned himself within half a step of Meng Yuqiong and Xu Jinyi's chairs. He then whispered to Shi Xuan, "By the way, it was rumored years ago on Ganlong Road that Blade Sword Double Kill had opened five meridians of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. After all these years, his cultivation has probably reached a new level. Even if he's not a first-class expert, he's not far from it."

In the martial world, opening the Eight Extraordinary Meridians and achieving the Postnatal Minor Heavenly Cycle is considered being a first-class expert. Opening the remaining eighteen minor meridians constitutes the Major Heavenly Cycle, and one is called a top-tier expert. Once these two bottlenecks are broken through, one's strength and previous realm have a world of difference. As for Grandmaster Experts in the Subtle Realm, that is a breakthrough in a major realm, and the gap with the previous ones is even greater. (The martial world only circulates information about the eighteen minor meridians, and these are only found in the true transmissions of famous sects. Most ordinary secret manuals only have a few, making it impossible to cultivate to become a top-tier expert. However, the "Returning to Truth Scripture" has thirty-six, which shows the preciousness of the "Treasury Records.")

"En, don't worry. As long as they haven't achieved the Major Heavenly Cycle, there won't be a problem. By the way, how is Xia Wenhui's martial arts?" In fact, for Shi Xuan, as long as they weren't Grandmaster Experts in the Subtle Realm, who could sense things subtly and attack from the shadows, even top-tier experts would only suffer losses. Moreover, he still had so many talismans left by Old Daoist Xu, an Soul Departure Realm expert. If a Grandmaster really came, he wouldn't be afraid.

Xu Tianqi chuckled twice and said, "That guy, besides having a thick skin, has no talent for martial arts. His father is the current Patriarch of the Xia Family, a first-class expert. Since childhood, he's used countless precious medicinal herbs, but he only broke through to the Qi Nourishing Stage at the age of twenty-five."

This Xia Wenhui fellow indeed had a thick skin. Seeing that everyone on this side had settled down, he said something to the two elders, moved their chairs over, and all three of them came to this side.

"Sister Yuqiong, I think the scenery over here is very good. You don't mind if I come over and sit too, do you?" Xia Wenhui said to Meng Yuqiong with a smile.

Xu Tianqi immediately stood up and said, "I say, Xia Wenhui, don't be like a persistent leech. You chose that side, so go wait over there."

"Tsk, Brother Tianqi, this place isn't owned by you. Why can't I come over?" As Xia Wenhui spoke, Jian Cong, who had half white hair and a fierce appearance behind him, stepped forward. Then, he silently retreated. With that single step, he crushed a bluestone brick into powder.

Xu Tianqi took a slight breath but still wanted to speak. At this moment, Meng Yuqiong stood up and spoke first, "Everyone, we have other matters to attend to later. Why don't we quiet down now and adjust ourselves in all aspects, conserving our energy."

Seeing that the beautiful lady had come to mediate, everyone could only agree repeatedly. Then they sat down and closed their eyes to meditate. However, when Xia Wenhui and his group sat down, Dao Feng, who had a scar on his face, struck down with his palm. The palm wind was slightly larger than what Shi Xuan had produced earlier, blowing away a lot of dust.

Shi Xuan saw this and secretly grumbled, No matter how strong your wind is, it's not as clean as what I cleared.

Shi Xuan dared not meditate at this time. He first closed his eyes to regulate his breathing and circulate his energy to recover his strength. Then, he used the Clear Wind Bright Moon Illuminates Spirit Observation Method's technique for controlling thoughts to restrain his mind, keeping himself in a state of clarity.

In this state, Shi Xuan found his senses becoming sharper. For example, he could feel Xia Wenhui looking over here with malice one moment, and then hesitating and shifting his gaze the next. It was likely that Xia Wenhui, confident in his side's strength, wanted to do something unfavorable to their group but was hesitant due to other concerns.

This sharp sensation was novel. Xia Wenhui's state allowed Shi Xuan to see the influence of various factors on a person's decision-making. Ultimately, even if a decision was made, it might not be the true intention of one's original heart. In fact, he himself was the same. Although he had learned the method of controlling thoughts using his true nature, he was only following the steps and could not truly see his true nature. He was still influenced by the thought patterns and experiences formed since birth. This influence permeated every action he took. Hence, there was the saying "seeing nature is merit." If one could truly break free from external influences and see their true nature, they would likely have already achieved the Primordial Spirit. Therefore, the path of cultivation was still long and arduous.

Blade and Sword Twin Supremes behind Xia Wenhui were both closing their eyes to meditate. Shi Xuan seized this opportunity and activated a Disaster Aversion and Blessing Invocation Charm Talisman within his sleeve. This talisman was just a general auxiliary talisman, mainly for calming the mind and eliminating Sha Qi. It was perfect for use on Blade and Sword Twin Supremes. Although their Sha Qi had already merged with their souls, unless they cooperated with meditation and performed a large ritual using the power of an altar, it could not be eliminated. For now, it could only be temporarily suppressed. Of course, Shi Xuan only needed to suppress it. Moreover, the Disaster Aversion and Blessing Invocation Charm was a beneficial talisman. Blade and Sword Twin Supremes could only feel that their minds became clearer during meditation, and their energy recovery became faster. At most, they would think that their meditation effect was good and their skills had improved.

Time began to approach midnight. The main hall's gate had long been destroyed. The wind blowing through the hall whistled loudly. Even with everyone's martial arts cultivation, they felt a chill.

Everything was silent, with only the whistling wind. Suddenly, the wind blowing through the hall changed, becoming sinister and filled with cold air. Xu Jinyi and Mu Jin trembled, their teeth chattering.

Suddenly, a white shadow lunged directly at the two women in the center. Xu Jinyi screamed. Xu Tianqi and Blade and Sword Twin Supremes on either side attacked the white shadow, while Xia Wenhui, pale with fright, kept retreating.