Translator: CinderTL
What a small world it was! No one had expected to run into each other here.
Xu Sanyan tilted his head, his gaze lingering on the tall girl beside Zuoqiu Shu, particularly drawn to her long, striking legs. Paired with her black boots, they appeared even more slender and straight.
I like this one too, he thought.
The Huai Lake Seven Heroes—each one more beautiful than the last.
Zuoqiu Chen met Xu Sanyan's gaze without flinching, her eyes blazing with indignation. "You're Xu Sanyan? The holy son of the demonic sect?"
Zuoqiu Shu discreetly pinched her sister's arm, signaling her to be quiet. Turning to Xu Sanyan with a polite smile, she offered a slight bow. "Greetings, holy son. My sister has a straightforward nature. Please forgive her bluntness."
"Hmm, are you heading there too?" Xu Sanyan pointed toward the distant pavilion.
"That's right," Zuoqiu Shu nodded. "We're hoping to find a way back to Endless Central City."
"Then we can travel together."
Xu Sanyan strode forward without waiting for their consent.
"Tch..."
Zuoqiu Chen's expression soured, but she held her tongue. She pulled Zuoqiu Hui aside, and the two sisters whispered behind him, occasionally gesturing and pointing. Xu Sanyan, however, overlooked their rudeness, attributing it to their striking beauty.
"Are you also returning, holy son?" Zuoqiu Shu asked, keeping pace slightly behind him.
"No, I have other matters to attend to," Xu Sanyan replied, glancing sideways at Zuoqiu Shu. Though a smile played on his lips, she felt no warmth, only a chilling indifference.
The group of six hurried onward, encountering numerous people along the way—Xu Sanyan's own subordinates, members of the Zuoqiu Clan, and even disciples from the Praying Dao Sect and Source Worship Sect.
Zuoqiu Hui glanced back at the four figures trailing behind them, a knot of unease tightening in her chest.
Among the four, three were disciples from the Harmonious Mountain Praying Dao Sect, while the remaining one belonged to the Source Worship Sect. Their presence behind Xu Sanyan felt jarringly out of place.
She remained oblivious to the true reason: the Demonic Seeds.
Whenever Xu Sanyan encountered disciples from other sects at the Foundation Establishment stage, he would imprint them with Demonic Seeds, reserving them as soul spirits to exchange at Old Ghost's brokerage firm.
As his cultivation level advanced, the number of Demonic Seeds he could wield had increased from the initial five to around ten.
He had already implanted three: one in Maid Meng Zhuer, another in Xiang Tan, and the last in Junior Sister Zhao.
Though Junior Sister Zhao had signed her confession and been sent to the imperial prison for her "public meals," she remained alive, preventing the Demonic Seed from dissipating.
Surprisingly, the Demonic Seed in Xiang Tan had also persisted, confirming her continued survival.
Adding these four trailing figures, the total count now stood at seven.
Suddenly, a surprised voice called out from the side, "Xu Sanyan?"
Xu Sanyan turned his head and greeted them with a cheerful smile, "Brother Fang, Brother Luo, what a pleasant surprise!"
It was Fang Qingge and Luo Changtian, followed by a group of people.
"Indeed, a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to see you here," Fang Qingge replied, his expression neutral, showing no hint of animosity. His gaze shifted slightly to Zuoqiu Shu. "Greetings, Immortal Maidens."
Fang Qingge didn't comment on the Zuoqiu Clan's alliance with the demonic sect. It was their choice, and they would bear the consequences themselves. It was none of his concern.
But...
"Junior Brother Liu, what are you doing over there?" Fang Qingge frowned slightly, glancing at his junior brother behind Xu Sanyan.
Luo Changtian also noticed his junior brother and narrowed his eyes. "Thank you for looking after them, Brother Xu," he said, his tone hardening. "Come here at once!"
Xu Sanyan's smile widened as he turned to the four disciples. "Go on, your senior brother is calling you."
The four disciples, their eyes vacant, hurried toward their senior brothers.
Fang Qingge observed their expressions, feeling a faint unease, but didn't press the matter. He gave a slight bow and turned to leave.
"Farewell."
Xu Sanyan stared intently at their retreating figures, watching them until they disappeared into the distance.
"Let's go. We should take a look over there too."
West City,
Lin Fan frowned, staring at the glistening substance on Huan Xi'er's fingertip, a wave of discomfort washing over him.
"Could you stop picking your nose? You're a Dao Seeking Realm expert—why would you even have something as filthy as boogers?"
Huan Xi'er casually wiped his finger on his robe, his tone light.
"I saved it up specially. You wouldn't understand. The surprise of finding a massive booger, combined with the relief of digging it out... it's more satisfying than consuming an Immortal Elixir."
Lin Fan couldn't comprehend this. Who would be surprised by finding a massive booger?
He shook his head, realizing he was arguing with a madman.
Just then, a weak voice echoed in Lin Fan's ear—the senior cultivator residing within his longsword.
"Leave the city. Head south..."
Lin Fan froze. Leave the city?
He didn't doubt the senior's words, but...
Had the senior overlooked his cultivation level?
In this world teeming with demonic ghosts, even the weakest among them surpassed his cultivation level. Leaving the city now would be suicidal.
There was no government oversight beyond the city walls.
Lin Fan moved his lips, whispering, "Senior... I'm only at the initial stage of Foundation Establishment."
After a long pause, a voice echoed in his ear, "...It's fine. With me here, you'll be safe. Go."
Lin Fan hesitated, glancing at the senior's weak and listless appearance. Could he really rely on him?
Sigh...
With a final sigh, he turned and walked toward the city gate.
"You're going the wrong way," Huan Xi'er said, grabbing his arm.
"You go ahead. I have something to take care of," Lin Fan replied, shaking his head.
Huan Xi'er didn't press further, casually slinging an arm around Lin Fan's shoulder. "I'll come with you."
"You're not even going to ask where I'm going?"
"Wherever you go, I go too. Aren't we friends? Besides, with your cultivation level so low, I can't just let you wander off alone." Huan Xi'er shook his head, the two topknots on his head swaying with the motion.
Both of them possessed pure, innocent hearts, their genuine kindness drawing them together. After spending time together, they had already come to regard each other as true friends.
Though Huan Xi'er was a bit simple-minded, Lin Fan never looked down on him. Instead, he used his meager soul crystals to buy steamed buns, which they shared.
Though Huan Xi'er was simple-minded, he knew who genuinely cared for him. He never looked down on Lin Fan's low cultivation level, treating him as an equal.
Their friendship was built on sincerity and honesty, free from any ulterior motives. Despite their brief acquaintance, they felt like old friends.
Lin Fan pressed his lips together, deeply moved. After a moment's thought, he shook his head. "I'm leaving the city. The situation outside is unclear and too dangerous. You shouldn't come with me."
"Let him go," the old man's voice echoed in Lin Fan's mind again.
Lin Fan paused, a sudden unease creeping into his heart.
Though young, he wasn't foolish. The senior residing within the Black Sword had indeed helped him greatly, but...
His motives weren't pure.
Though the senior had never acted against him, Lin Fan could sense a sinister undercurrent.
This vague feeling was difficult to articulate.
Yet he had received too much kindness from this senior. Given his own character, he couldn't bring himself to repay kindness with ingratitude. Even if the senior's request was difficult, he couldn't bear to refuse.
But no matter what, he refused to involve his friend.
(End of the Chapter)
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