Chapter 61
Recently, the disciples in Kunshan have been very busy.
Firstly, there was the incident caused by Qiao Wan, who arrived in Kunshan from the Demon Domain tens of thousands of miles away. This led to increased focus on the cultivation of disciples in Kunshan.
However, things will pass. The world of cultivation is vast, with ever-changing circumstances. Time will wash away everything, and in a few years, it is estimated that no one will remember a person like Qiao Wan.
After all, Qiao Wan doesn't have much to do with most people in Kunshan. The most important thing now is the Cultivation Conference.
After being slapped by Mei Kangping, this session of the Cultivation Conference in Kunshan must be successful. Not only that, it has to be bigger and better than previous years.
This is causing trouble for the disciples in Kunshan. The Cultivation Conference and the Spring Recruitment of Kunshan are happening at the same time. Not only are the ordinary disciples of Kunshan worried, but even the hidden disciples of Wenshi Hall are also concerned. When the mountain gate opens, there will be even more chaotic people around. Maintaining stability and combating terrorism is not easy. If there was another incident where the demons took advantage of the Xiao family's influence to infiltrate Kunshan, Hall Master Ma, Ma Huaizhen, might just laugh and punish them all.
Hall Master Ma has been in a bad temper lately, and the hidden disciples under him secretly suspect that this might be related to Qiao Wan, but no one has any evidence.
In this situation, nobody expected that Lone Sword Xie Xingzhi would actually come up the mountain.
Lone Sword first went to visit several elders in Kunshan, and then went to Yuqing Peak.
The man stopped in front of Yuqing Palace and asked politely, "Is Yuqing Spiritual Master available?"
The true identity of Xiao He is the demon general Xue Yunchao. Xiao Song and another Daoist disciple are now guarding Yuqing Palace.
Xiao Song had heard of Xie Xingzhi's reputation and felt a bit excited when he saw him from afar. He quickly paid his respects. However, thinking about Zhou Yan's instructions some time ago, he also felt a bit regretful and guilty. Shaking his head, he said, "The master is currently in seclusion and doesn't receive guests these days."
Xie Xingzhi frowned slightly but didn't take it to heart.
After all, he came up the mountain not solely to meet Zhou Yan. It's just that he had a slight acquaintance with Lu Pihan, and it's customary to pay respects.
Since Yuqing Spiritual Master doesn't receive guests, he won't insist and won't give the young disciple guarding the gate any trouble.
Xie Xingzhi asked, "Is your senior brother here?"
After Xiao Song paid his respects again and was about to speak, a soft and gentle female voice suddenly came from behind him.
"The senior brother is currently in the Spirit Flame Tower."
Xiao Song turned around in surprise and saw a petite figure, "Elder Martial Sister Mu?"
Shrouded in the morning light, the young girl walked quickly towards them through a white plum blossom grove in front of Yuqing Palace.
Mu Xiaoxiao stood in front of Xie Xingzhi, her almond-shaped eyes shining with curiosity, "Who is this taoist friend?"
With a lingering voice, a petite and charming figure, and rosy cheeks, Mu Xiaoxiao asked, "Elder martial sister? Why are you here?!"
The girl was wearing a light green robe and standing in the cold wind of early spring, making Xiao Song very anxious.
The young disciple's face immediately turned gloomy, "Elder Martial Sister, why are you out when your injury hasn't healed? When our master comes out of seclusion, he will surely punish me for this."
Mu Xiaoxiao shook her head, unconcerned, "It's alright. In a couple of days, I'll be going to the Qize Mountain in South Huo State with my junior brother Pei to find Taoist Qingya. Once we meet Taoist Qingya and get rid of this toxin, you won't have to worry about me anymore."
Mu Xiaoxiao turned around and faced Xie Xingzhi, bowing politely, "I am Mu Xiaoxiao, Lu Pihan's younger martial sister. And who is this Taoist Friend?"
Xie Xingzhi nodded, "I am Xie Xingzhi."
Mu Xiaoxiao exclaimed with surprise, "Is Taoist Friend the famous Lone Sword?"
Perhaps realizing that she had reacted too strongly, the girl blushed and waved her hand, "I'm sorry. I've often heard others mention Taoist Friend and say that Lone Sword Xie Xingzhi is noble-hearted. Today, seeing Lone Sword in person, I... I was a bit overwhelmed."
"Elder Martial Brother is currently at the Spirit Flame Tower," Mu Xiaoxiao's face still had a hint of redness, but she quickly composed herself, "Taoist Friend Xie just arrived in Kunshan. Let me take Taoist Friend there."
Xie Xingzhi's gaze fell on Mu Xiaoxiao, and a subtle sense of familiarity swept through him.
The girl in front of him felt very familiar.
Especially this face, it gave him a sense of déjà vu.
This feeling didn't make him uneasy.
Xie Xingzhi, who usually had a cold and proud demeanor, softened a bit because of the girl's gentle and cute demeanor, "Please, Taoist Friend Mu."
Mu Xiaoxiao immediately smiled, "Since Taoist Friend Xie knows Elder Martial Brother, you are not only his friend but also mine. Moreover, Taoist Friend Xie is the famous Lone Sword. I am more than happy to guide Lone Sword. It's not troublesome at all."
Mu Xiaoxiao blushed on her cheeks, her eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.
Just like any young girl in the cultivation world, she couldn't hide her excitement and shyness when seeing a renowned genius.
"If Xie... Taoist Friend Xie doesn't mind, you can call me Xiaoxiao."
Mu Xiaoxiao smiled beautifully, the morning sun shining on her face, without a trace of vigilance or wariness in her gaze.
Xie Xingzhi's expression relaxed slightly.
In his mind, the image of Qiao Wan from Youxian Town, who seemed fragile on the surface but was actually cunning and detestable, inexplicably appeared again.
Thinking of Qiao Wan, Xie Xingzhi's brows furrowed, his face turned cold, and he snorted.
Compared to that rude girl, the gentle and kind attitude of the girl in front of him undoubtedly calmed his heart.
But seeing Xie Xingzhi's furrowed brow, the girl may have misunderstood something. Her face turned red and she looked embarrassed as she said, "I...I didn't mean anything by it."
"It seems that I was too abrupt." Mu Xiaoxiao bit her lip, her eyes glistening with tears, and her face blushed deeply. "Because my master and senior brothers all call me that...Taoist Friend Xie, you and my senior brother are friends, so when I see you, it feels like seeing an older brother."
Xie Xingzhi didn't reply, and Mu Xiaoxiao's eyes became slightly red.
Seeing the delicate and tender girl, her eyes slightly red, Xie Xingzhi felt uneasy. His brow furrowed deeper, but considering the girl's feelings, he softened his expression and forced out a word, "Xiaoxiao."
The girl immediately smiled, her brows and eyes curved, and happily called out, "Big Brother Xie!"
"Big Brother Xie, aren't you going to Spirit Flame Tower? I'll take you there right away."
Mu Xiaoxiao's face looked a bit sickly, but her spirits were high. She talked about all the trivial matters concerning herself along the way.
Her voice was clear and gentle, flowing like a mountain stream. "In a few days, I'll be going to South Huo State."
"When the poison in my body is cured by then, I can prepare for this year's fellowship gathering like the other elder martial sisters and brothers."
Mu Xiaoxiao asked curiously, "I wonder if Big Brother Xie will participate. Big Brother Xie has profound cultivation. If he participates, I wonder how many disciples from Kunshan will have the joy of seeing him and gain inspiration."
They arrived in front of Spirit Flame Tower like this.
Mu Xiaoxiao stopped walking and said, "Since Martial Sister Qiao Wan...after that, Senior Brother often comes to guard Spirit Flame Tower. Big Brother Xie, please go in."
Ever since Qiao Wan disappeared, Lu Pihan often came to Spirit Flame Tower to look around.
The flames inside the tower could be extinguished, but only a few disciples from Kunshan knew about it. When Qiao Wan used to work for Ma Huaizhen, she once stood guard in Spirit Flame Tower and knew how to extinguish the restriction.
The dim yellow flame that belonged to Qiao Wan had already been extinguished.
No matter how much pain there was, after more than ten days, it should be calm.
He had lost countless loved ones and friends.
Lu Pihan looked away.
Qiao Wan was just one of them.
She wasn't the first, and she wouldn't be the last.
Lu Pihan furrowed his brow and coughed a few times.
She was someone he had raised himself, and he didn't believe that she would disappear so easily.
If Qiao Wan really wasn't dead, perhaps leaving the mountain would be a good thing for her.
In the days to come, he would wait at Spirit Flame Tower, waiting for the day when that dim yellow flame would light up again.
As soon as Xie Xingzhi arrived, Lu Pihan left Spirit Flame Tower and returned to Yuqing Peak, preparing tea.
In these past few days, Zhou Yan had hardly left Yuqing Peak. He usually didn't come down the mountain much, and now he stayed in his cave cultivating and seeking enlightenment. Everything on Yuqing Peak, big or small, fell onto Lu Pihan's shoulders, just as before.
Through the swirling mist, Lu Pihan looked calmly and said, "I have asked other disciples to find information about my younger martial sister. In less than two days, the register of Kunshan disciples born in Dongshang Country's Yongze Mansion will be sent over."
The cultivation culture in Dongshang Country has a strong emphasis, even common people are eager to send their children to cultivate immortality. Even if they can't achieve it, they can still find a good job after doing some miscellaneous tasks.
The disciples of Kunshan Sect in Yongze Mansion are even more numerous.
Upon hearing this, Xie Xingzhi fell silent for a moment and thanked him sincerely, "Thank you."
On the way here, he also heard some news about Qiao Wan.
It is said that Lu Pihan had a younger martial sister named Qiao Wan who jumped from Taixu Peak and disappeared without a trace.
Lu Pihan was willing to make time and effort under these circumstances. He will always remember this kindness.
Xie Xingzhi did not touch the tea on the table, his expression cold, "Condolences for your younger martial sister."
Maybe it was because he had been thinking about Qiao Wan these days, Lu Pihan suddenly realized that the man in front of him faintly resembled Qiao Wan.
Xie Xingzhi and Qiao Wan have no resemblance in their features, but there was a strange sense of familiarity.
Lu Pihan's withered fingers touched the teacup, and a ridiculous thought suddenly came to his mind.
He remembered that Qiao Wan was also from Dongshang Country's Yongze Mansion and had an older brother whom she had been separated from since childhood.
Could Xie Xingzhi have some connection with Qiao Wan?
But as soon as this thought arose, Lu Pihan suppressed it.
Mei Kangping had already made it clear that day that Qiao Wan was born in the Demon Realm. Regardless of anything, she should not have any connection with Xie Xingzhi.
While Lu Pihan was lost in thought, Xie Xingzhi unusually spoke up, his voice low and cold, "I thank your younger martial sister with the last name Mu for guiding me earlier."
Lu Pihan was slightly surprised, "You met Xiaoxiao?"
Thinking of the girl who was frail but beautiful, Xie Xingzhi paused and said, "You have a good younger martial sister."
**
In the deep and dense forest, the trees cast shadows that blocked the sunlight.
Suddenly, a pink figure rushed out from the bushes, followed by a ferocious black bear-like creature.
The black bear was large and had several vines growing on its back.
Qiao Wan held a pot of honey and dodged left and right under the attacks of the "tree bear," tears streaming down her face.
In order to escape the pursuit of the Xiao family and those deep enemies who loved her deeply, she had entered the territory of the demons. But she still underestimated the strength of these demon beasts.
Qiao Wan jumped high and low in front, while the honey badger sat behind, watching coldly.
This was the road that they must pass through on the journey of cultivation.
Since he promised to teach this person cultivation, he would do as he said.
As a honey badger, Jia Yin believed in a simple and brutal principle.
And that is to fight.
He achieved his current strength through countless battles, big and small, gradually forging it.
If Qiao Wan doesn't fight, then he will hit her head.
As the Demon Emperor, the honey badger didn't hesitate to use his people as tools for others to train on.
Qiao Wan was used to running away when she couldn't win, finding opportunities as she ran, using a sneaky strategy like flying a kite. But now, she couldn't defeat the "tree bear" and decided to take out her iron hammer from the vine cover and run as fast as she could.
But she was stopped before she could run three miles.
She was stopped by a honey badger.
The honey badger had a cold look in its eyes and kicked Qiao Wan back with its foot.
The jar of honey in her hand flew high up in the air and was caught by the honey badger with a jump.
Qiao Wan turned into a shrimp shape and slammed into the vine, feeling sad and angry inside.
"Crack!"
Even though she had jumped to the bone-refining stage, her skin was not thick and her foundation was not strong enough. When the honey badger kicked her, she didn't have time to put on a layer of bone armor. The vine whipped her back, causing her skin to tear.
On the other side, in Kunshan, the girl smiled and laughed happily.
But Qiao Wan shed tears and bravely fought the monster.
The honey badger sat down calmly, holding the jar of honey.
Teaching others was something new and interesting for the honey badger.
In the past, he would never have talked to these cultivators in the Qi Refining stage.
But now, the decisive Demon Emperor found himself a bit confused.
These cultivators were not as weak as he had imagined.
As one of the top powers in the cultivation world, Jia Yin was used to not finding opponents. Even so, he had never thought of cultivating an opponent for himself, as he didn't have that much time.
But now, Jia Yin was somewhat uncertain.
But it was just a moment.
When Qiao Wan finally arrived with her bloody hammer, the honey badger had only drunk half of the honey.
The honey badger raised its eyes and looked at her coldly and arrogantly.
There was still honey on its mouth hairs!!
There was still honey on its mouth hairs!!!
Is this how demons behave?!
Seeing the honey on the honey badger's mouth, Qiao Wan became furious. She snatched the basin and drank from it in one breath. But before the bottom of the basin was visible, a claw snatched it away.
Qiao Wan glared and snatched it back: "Glug, glug, glug!"
The honey badger, full of killing intent, snatched it back: "Glug, glug, glug!"
The basin of honey was completely eaten by a human and a demon.
It was so unfair.
After drinking, Qiao Wan covered her throat and squatted on the ground doubting life silently.
Unfair.
Too unfair.
She never wanted to eat anything sweet again in her life.
Qiao Wan and Jia Yin rested during the day and travelled at night.
After all, they had to consider the honey badger's lifestyle.
After drinking the honey, Jia Yin quickly dug a hole and went inside to meditate and heal.
Jia Yin was more injured than Qiao Wan had imagined. Despite suffering multiple setbacks in his cultivation, he still carried on with his injuries and played a game of chase with her. After losing interest, he decisively crushed her bones with a palm strike. Now, he had to hurry to South Huo State to kill someone. His strength and mentality were truly abnormal.
While Jia Yin was healing, Qiao Wan did not disturb him. She found an empty space and practiced her newly learned bone refinement technique.
They walked and rested, and finally arrived at Qizawa Province in South Huo State.
As they entered the territory of Qizawa Province, Qiao Wan was thinking about how to approach the Cen family when a perfect opportunity presented itself.
The Cen family in Qizawa Province was a prominent cultivation clan, and the news of them hiring servants had attracted many people's attention.
