Chapter 37 (2/2)

With the latest cultivation methods as well as his 12 Spiritual Meridians, his cultivation improved by leaps and bounds. Three months quickly passed him by, with Lingtai Mountain welcoming the intense heat of July. The Senior and Junior Sisters had all started wearing thinner clothing. When dusk approached every day, the fragrance of plum blossoms would permeate the mountain. It was a beautiful scenery indeed.

Out of the blue, a sword radiance crashed into his courtyard. It was Xiao Chen’s flying sword that had made its return. He was already in the Lv 6 Qi Refining Realm now and Luo Shangyan had already passed him the mental technique for entering Lv 7 Qi Refining Realm.

The only problem was that the Spiritual Qi in the Sky-gazing Gorge was no longer sufficient for him. He needed to go somewhere with an abundance of Spiritual Qi or he would be hard pressed to make any dramatic improvements in his cultivation. Even though there was only one level of difference between Lv 6 and Lv 7, their gap was like heaven and earth. Being in Lv 6 meant he was in the middle stage, while being in Lv 7 meant he was in the later stage. It was as if there was a great chasm between them.

Meanwhile, no major incident took place in Three Pure Sect in the past three months save for Sect Leader, Perfected Immortal Zixu, has yet to return after leaving to investigate the Soul-consuming Evil Flower. Neither had he wrote a letter to the sect. These days, heavy fog would often shroud Lingtai Mountain as the five Elders strengthen the defensive formation near the mountain gate.

Similarly, Xiao Chen had also written a letter home and learned that his grandfather had also not returned. It was the same over at the Sanctum of the Arcane Spring. The three moguls of the Human World seemed to have vanished into thin air.

“You’re back, Young Master?” The door opened with a creak and Lil Ruo walked out of the house. “Xiao Wan’er and Xiao Han came to find you earlier in the afternoon.”

Xiao Chen frowned. “Why did they look for me?”

“I don’t know. They left after seeing that you weren’t around.”

“Hm, I understand.” Xiao Chen nodded and looked up. He saw black clouds enveloping several of the peaks as if it was signaling something.

Early next morning, Xiao Chen was preparing to go out when two sword radiance in the sky landed and transformed into two people dressed in green and red respectively.

“Hehe! Brother Xiao Chen!”

Xiao Wan’er ran over to him, almost bouncing and skipping happily as she did. She was dressed in a refreshing red dress today and her elegance appearance was incredibly attractive. Meanwhile, Xiao Han continued wearing his cold poker face.

It had been three months since they last met. Xiao Chen said with a chuckle, “Why are you two here?”

Xiao Wan’er giggled as she made a spin around him. “You got taller again, Cousin Brother. How’s your cultivation? I myself have entered Lv 3 Qi Refining Realm, you know,” she said with a smile.

Xiao Chen smiled wryly. “How can I compare to you people who are in the Inner Gate? I’m still at Lv 1.”

“Ah? Why would it turn out that way…” A regretful expression crossed Xiao Wan’er’s face.

Xiao Chen chuckled. Being in the Inner Gate, these two were able to cultivate in a place with abundant Spiritual Qi. Moreover, their aptitude was decent as well. Xiao Han’s cultivation had also reached Lv 4 Qi Refining Realm. Xiao Chen smiled and asked, “Well, why are you looking for me?”

With a grin, Xiao Wan’er came close to him and whispered into his ears. Xiao Chen shook his head with a smile. It turned out that Xiao Wan’er had gotten bored staying up the mountain and had been looking to go outside and play.

Thus, the three of them sneaked down the mountain and arrived at the great valley where they had the first round of the examination. This time, the Elders had even employed the use of Sight-obscuring Formation and the entire place was left deserted. It looked incredibly thrilling.

Xiao Wan’er said happily, “Cousin Brother, you’re still unable to operate a flying sword, right? It’s fine. I’ll bring you over! Hehe!” She unsheathed her flying sword and landed on it with a light jump. She extended a hand to Xiao Chen. “Come! Don’t be scared!”

Xiao Chen shook his head with a smile and grabbed onto her hand. He jumped with ease. When he landed, the blade immediately trembled and sank considerably. Xiao Han frowned. “Will you be okay? If you fall, I won’t be able to save you.”

“Hmph! Stop looking down on me!” Xiao Wan’er snorted. She swiftly performed some seals and her sword flew unsteadily toward the other side. Xiao Han cautiously flew next to her, not daring to leave them behind and flying over by himself.

When they reached the center of the valley and the power of the formation became weaker, Xiao Wan’er became a little nervous. She said quietly, “Don’t be scared, Brother Xiao Chen. Hold my waist.” She then released her grip on Xiao Chen’s hand and began to use both of her hands to cast a spell.

Xiao Chen wrapped his hands around her slender waist and found her skin to be very soft and smooth. Instantly, a burst of fragrance assailed his nostrils. When they almost reached the other side, the blade of the sword abruptly shuddered violently. Xiao Wan’er was so startled that she yelped.

Xiao Chen secretly poured True Energy into the sword at once. “Your flying sword is manipulated by your heart. Just think of what lies below as a flat ground and you’ll have nothing to fear.”

Moments later, they finally reached the other side safely. Xiao Wan’er grinned and said, “I’m great, aren’t I, Brother Xiao Chen?”

“Yep.” Xiao Chen nodded with a smile.

The three of them immediately headed for the nearby Lingtai Town. On their way there, their cheerful conversation was punctuated by easy laughter. They were not as reserved as they were in Three Pure Sect. Xiao Chen said, “Oh right, how are your lives in the Inner Gate?”

“How else do you think our lives would be? Those Senior Brothers and Sisters would order us around just because of their seniority. They don’t respect us in the slightest! It’s so infuriating!” Xiao Wan’er said, fuming.

“Especially that Wen Qingyu and Mo Yu! They… Sigh!” Xiao Wan’er heaved a heavy sigh before looking at Xiao Chen. “Cousin Brother, how nice would it be if you can defeat them? We wouldn’t have to be bullied all the time…”

Xiao Chen did not reply. After they arrived at the town, they took a tour around the place and entered a tavern for their meal when afternoon rolled around. Just as they were having their meal, a green-clothed girl suddenly walked in with a little bottle gourd in hand. They watched her put the gourd down on the reception desk with force and said loudly, “Shopkeeper, fill this gourd up! I want the best aged Shaoxing wine!”

She drew the attention of everyone inside the tavern but it was not because her voice was too loud. Rather, she possessed a peerless beauty. She wore a bluish-green dress that hugged her slender waist snugly. Her exceptional beauty made her look unlike someone of this world.

Moments later, the shopkeeper forced a smile. “What’s this bottle gourd of yours, young lady? Even after we pour two large jars of the wine inside, it doesn’t seem to be filling up.”

“Stop with the nonsense! Keep going! Eight more jars and it’ll be full!”

Xiao Chen wore a solemn expression. Just a moment ago, he detected a wisp of Demonic Qi!