NOVEL WEB Ch. 27
Li An wasn’t surprised by today’s outcome.
He hadn’t approached Sun Lin to switch sides, but not out of loyalty—it was a calculated choice.
Within the Clear Sun Sect, advantages boiled down to two: higher monthly rations and easier access to core techniques, inheritances, and promotion opportunities.
But neither held much appeal for Li An anymore.
He could now craft Mid Grade First Rank Talismans proficiently and would soon tackle High Grade ones.
Rations were less critical. With his talisman skills, he could live well.
Staying in the sect, he couldn’t show his true talent, forced to hide his work, unable to sell it.
At a market, he’d have more freedom, unnoticed.
As for the sect’s core techniques and inheritances, most didn’t impress him. The Clear Sun Sect’s leader, Master Clear Sun, was slightly weaker than Li An in his past life.
He also had no ambition for promotion or entering the inner sect. Being too close to Core Formation experts wasn’t wise.
Going to the market would let him earn spirit stones more freely!
His only concern was safety.
In recent years, with the Mid Grade Spirit Mine dispute calmed, the sect’s internal and external affairs were stable. As a key sect asset, the market’s safety was assured.
It wasn’t a bad move.
That’s why Li An had let things play out.
Ten days from now, he and Tan Qingxue would leave the Talisman Hall.
He met with Wang Dazhu and Zhao Xianchuan to gather more details about Qingyang Market, preparing thoroughly.
Hearing Li An was sidelined in the Talisman Hall, they sighed but couldn’t help.
…
The day before departure, Li An visited Spirit Plant Mountain.
Three years later, retracing old paths, he recalled six years ago.
Back then, he, Wang Zilin, and Zhang Susu arrived with Fan Jie, each with different hopes.
Now, the scenery remained, but some were gone.
At Spirit Plant Mountain, menials toiled in the fields, casting Cloud and Rain. One man limped.
Wang Zilin.
“Li An? You’re here!” Wang Zilin’s face lit up, hurrying from the field, mud on his pant legs, to greet him.
“Been years. Came to check on you,” Li An said, a flicker of emotion in his eyes. Wang Zilin was still at the First Layer of Qi Refining, his face weathered, looking like a middle-aged man worn by time.
Yet he was Li An’s age, barely in his twenties.
Wang Zilin, thrilled, chatted as they walked.
After Li An left, the new overseer hadn’t skimped Wang Zilin’s rations, targeting newer, unconnected menials instead.
Using the excuse of revisiting old haunts, Li An and Wang Zilin entered the old forest. Li An stepped away to “relieve himself,” retrieving the storage bag he’d buried in stream mud years ago.
Fan Jie’s bag still held four sparkling Fire Spirit Fruits.
Li An transferred them to his own bag, destroying Fan Jie’s, erasing his final trace.
Back in the forest, Wang Zilin waited, reminiscing about their night watch and cave fall survival. He laughed heartily, mood lifted.
“Li An, I’ve kept Susu’s grave tidy these years. Want to visit her?” Wang Zilin’s eyes reddened.
Li An sighed softly, shaking his head. “No need. I’m heading to Qingyang Market. This visit’s mainly for you.”
He handed over two Flame Talismans. “We may not meet again. Take care.”
Li An left.
Wang Zilin clutched the talismans, watching Li An’s back, tears falling.
…
The next evening, back at the Talisman Hall, Li An was training when his door was gently knocked.
Opening it, he saw a stunning face in a pale yellow dress, tall and elegant. She smiled. “Junior Li, long time no see.”
Xu Qiuhui!
With her was Tan Qingxue, looking dejected, her mood still sour.
“Sister Xu, Sister Qingxue, come in—” Li An began.
“How about a chat by Moon Lake?” Xu Qiuhui suggested.
Soon, the three sat in the lakeside pavilion.
“Inner sect news: six months ago, Sun Lin connected with the Zhang family, marrying his sister to them,” Xu Qiuhui said bluntly. “The Zhangs, the sect’s top cultivation clan with multiple Foundation Establishment experts, gave him heavy support.”
“That’s how he got so many contribution points.”
Li An and Tan Qingxue nodded, enlightened.
“The situation’s set now, no changing it. You’ll head to the market, but if there’s a chance later, I’ll help you return,” Xu Qiuhui said calmly, offering a promise.
She had the capital to make the promise. At the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, with Foundation Establishment in sight, she’d wield significant influence, especially with inner sect connections.
“I called you to discuss the market,” she said gravely. “The three sects’ fight over the Mid Grade Spirit Mine has cooled, with talks ongoing, but demonic cults are resurging across the Grand Dawn Dynasty, hitting many areas.
A year ago, a demonic cultivator brazenly abducted a female cultivator outside Liuyang River Market. Her master, a Second Grade alchemist, made it a sect priority, but the culprits remain at large.
My sources say these demonic cultivators are from the old Yin-Yang Demon Cult, practicing the Yin-Yang Demon Cauldron Method, targeting high-grade spirit root cultivators as cauldrons.”
She paused, eyeing Tan Qingxue. “That’s your main threat there. Demonic cultivators are cunning. Consult Junior Li in trouble, got it?”
Her bond with Tan Qingxue was deep, or she wouldn’t say so much.
Tan Qingxue, grateful but daunted, nodded.
“Junior Li, Qingxue’s naive. If she offended you in the Talisman Hall, please don’t hold it against her,” Xu Qiuhui said. “At the market, look out for her.”
She handed Li An a snow-white talisman brush. “This High Grade First Rank brush is a small token from me.”
Li An was stunned, protesting, “Such a grand gift, I can’t accept! Please take it back, Sister Xu!”
Tan Qingxue froze. Wasn’t that brush meant for her? Why give it to Li An?
Xu Qiuhui smiled. “Junior Li, our friendship will last long. A small gift—don’t mind it.”
Li An’s heart stirred.
Xu Qiuhui was bound for Foundation Establishment. This bond… he had to accept.
“Then I’ll take it. Thank you!” He received the brush with both hands.
“Junior Li, you must have things to pack. I’ll chat with Qingxue…” Xu Qiuhui hinted.
Li An took his leave.
After he left, Tan Qingxue blurted, “Sister, are you mad?”
Her face was full of confusion.
Li An, average talent, Third Layer, unremarkable in talismans—why did Xu Qiuhui value him so much?
A fleeting thought: Did Xu Qiuhui… like Li An?
She dismissed it. Impossible!
“Qingxue, when will you grow up?” Xu Qiuhui sighed. “At Spirit Plant Mountain, I gave him a tip, half-saving his life.
In the Spirit Beast Mountain Range, he saved you, repaying my favor. With how you treated him, at the market, he’ll likely keep his distance, not caring if you live or die.
This brush might soften his view, maybe owe a favor… I don’t know.”
Tan Qingxue’s mouth fell open. “What? He saved me in the Spirit Beast Mountain Range?”
“Sister, what are you talking about? What’s it got to do with him…”
Her eyes were wide, as if she’d seen a ghost.
Xu Qiuhui said, “Qingxue, you’re too naive. Why did he ‘slip’ off that cliff? Why did the ape chasing you suddenly turn back…”
Tan Qingxue looked blank.
Were they connected?
“I visited the Spirit Beast Mountain Range,” Xu Qiuhui said, revealing bottle shards in her palm. “Found this near the ape’s lair.”
“Purge Poison Pill bottle shards?!” Tan Qingxue gasped.
“Yes, and not where you said you tossed the bottle.”
Xu Qiuhui didn’t elaborate, saying, “The ape’s herb wasn’t taken, and Qingyuan’s bags were untouched. He didn’t do it for loot. Why risk so much, can’t you see? He’s a man of deep loyalty.”
Tan Qingxue felt struck hard.
Li An saved her?
Recalling past events, emotions surged—gratitude, relief, guilt…
He’d hidden his skill, endured slights without complaint, and even after she and Cao Zhiruo abandoned him, he repaid evil with good, doing something so grand…
Young and impressionable, she was overwhelmed with emotion!
Li An’s image in her heart transformed.
How could there be such a sincere, virtuous person?
She also felt a pang of envy for Xu Qiuhui. Li An’s actions stemmed from his feelings for her…
Pity his talent didn’t match. Otherwise, he and Sister Xu might’ve been a divine couple?
Xu Qiuhui… was so lucky!
…
(Chapter End)