Chapter 46

Calling Lu Xiaoding to go out with her, besides not being at ease leaving her in the sect, the more important reason was that she was really very useful. Lu Yaohang learned from her master that the massacre in the village this time was likely the work of evil cultivators.

The disciples who went to investigate the village brought back news that the bodies had no external injuries, but their expressions at death were extremely terrifying, as if they had been scared to death. From the perspective of cultivators, this should have been caused by their souls being taken by something with a terrifying appearance, resulting in such expressions.

However, there had been no reports of evil cultivators appearing in Yun Dan Prefecture. Where did these people come from, and why were they so bold as to kill and take souls? This was what all the sects in Yun Dan Prefecture wanted to know. Especially the largest sects in Yun Dan Prefecture, Yun Jian Sect and Xu Wu Sect, as the leaders of the region, had to eliminate all evil cultivators appearing in Yun Dan Prefecture.

Now, they didn't know who the opponents were, what cultivation levels they had, or even their whereabouts, so they had to send people out to search.

Considering the unknown strength of the opponents, disciples at the Qi Condensation stage were not allowed to go out, as they would be killed if they encountered Foundation Establishment stage evil cultivators. After discussing with the various peak masters, Lian Jing decided to send Foundation Establishment stage disciples out in pairs to investigate the situation.

The decision to send them out in pairs was carefully considered. If they encountered danger, both could fly and escape separately. One could also cover for the other to escape. They were not there to sweep away evil cultivators; the most important task was to bring back intelligence.

Besides the higher chance of survival when escaping, it was more important that two people were less conspicuous and less likely to expose their identities.

According to the rules, Tian Dan Peak should have sent Lu Dan on this mission, but Lian Jing personally chose Lu Yaohang, leaving Lu Dan behind. Although she didn't know if the master's choice was because of the Weeping Sword, Lu Yaohang had no reason to refuse. When Qi heard that they were going out to find evil cultivators, she insisted on going.

Not knowing how dangerous the mission would be, to ensure they could return alive, she decided to bring Lu Xiaoding. As long as she was there, she could always refine life-saving pills. More importantly, she had various medicines with only she knew how to use, which might save their lives in a critical moment.

"Senior Sister, I'm all packed. Who else is going with us?" Lu Xiaoding, who learned the previous day that they were going out, spent the whole night packing. She didn't know how many things she had put in the tripod, and the lid wouldn't close, so she had to tie it with a rope. She dragged the heavy tripod to the Luo Xian Platform and asked Lu Yaohang excitedly.

Lu Yaohang was listening to Yu Xiudan's instructions, as this was her first mission outside, and there were many things she needed to know. Hearing Xiaoding's question, she replied, "It's Senior Brother Bai Zhen from Shi Ai Peak. He will be going with us."

"What, him again?" Lu Xiaoding pouted. That guy was so boring.

Lu Dan, standing nearby, looked at them with envy. This time, he really wanted to go out. He had discovered that his combat skills were too poor, and he couldn't use many techniques. Encountering evil cultivators this time was a good opportunity to improve his combat skills, so he wouldn't miss chances like he did when facing Zhang He last time.

Unexpectedly, this opportunity, which should have been his, was given to Lu Yaohang by the master.

"Master, why is Xiaoding going out? It's so dangerous, and she can't even fly. If we find those evil cultivators, she will just be a burden to Yaohang. It would be better if she stayed in the sect, and I go with Yaohang." He couldn't go, but why could Xiaoding? He steeled himself and asked.

Yu Xiudan understood his thoughts but said helplessly, "I have no choice. If both of you leave, who will manage Tian Dan Peak's affairs? We can't let Xiaolu manage it, can we?"

Managing Tian Dan Peak was something even Xiaolu didn't dare to think about. If she got involved, Tian Dan Peak would be in chaos for half a year. At this moment, he deeply felt that Tian Dan Peak lacked talent and needed to recruit more disciples during the trials. Otherwise, he and Lu Yaohang wouldn't be able to leave, and no one would manage the peak.

"Let's do this. She is going to search for their whereabouts, and she may not even find the enemies. As soon as there is news and we need to act, I will let you go, and I will personally handle Tian Dan Peak's affairs at that time." Yu Xiudan said, giving him some hope. It would be fair if the two disciples took turns going out.

With that said, Lu Dan had to respond, "Yes, Master. But what about Xiaoding? What use is she? She will just be a hindrance."

"Lu Dan, what do you mean by that? I'm very capable, you know." Lu Xiaoding was upset. What did he mean by 'what use is she'? She was very useful. She put her hands on her hips and said angrily, "If I hadn't tampered with Zhang He last time, would you have waited to cut off his leg and fight him fairly?"

"Indeed, it was you. I was wondering why he suddenly started convulsing. We are sword cultivators; how can we do such despicable things? Don't do that again. Even if we win, it must be fair and square." Lu Dan said righteously, as if he had suffered, not Zhang He.

Lu Xiaoding turned to Yu Xiudan and said, "Master, don't let this guy go out. He will definitely do something suicidal."

"Lu Xiaoding!" Lu Dan shouted angrily. This guy was spoiled by Lu Yaohang.

"Shouting when you can't argue, Senior Brother, you won't get any girls to like you. You need to be calmer." Lu Xiaoding wasn't afraid of him and continued to say infuriating things.

Yu Xiudan couldn't stand it anymore. As the eldest disciple of Tian Dan Peak, Xiaoding always made him furious. Seeing no one else around, he sighed and said, "Lu Dan, I have a reason for letting Xiaoding and Yaohang go."

"Oh?" Lu Dan was skeptical. What reason could there be for Xiaoding to go out? To die?

"Where there are evil cultivators, there are many ghostly artifacts. If the souls in the artifacts are destroyed, they will escape. If we can absorb some of these souls, it might make up for the missing part of Xiaoding's soul. If she gains a spirit vein as a result, she can cultivate with you." Yu Xiudan lowered his voice, as it wasn't good for others to hear. After all, those were human souls.

Lu Dan looked at him in surprise, not daring to believe that such a kind master would think of using human souls to replenish Xiaoding's soul. This completely changed his image of the master. He said excitedly, "Master, taking someone's soul is something the heavens will not tolerate. How can we do this? We can't let Xiaoding absorb those things. What if there's something strange inside and it ruins her?"

"It's just picking up what's left. They are already dead, and if we don't use them, they will just dissipate. Do you want to see Xiaoding stay like this, aging and dying in a hundred years while we continue to live well?" Lu Yaohang countered for the master. This shouldn't have been told to him, as his rigid attitude would only ruin things.

"That's not what I mean. We can use soul-nourishing items instead of human souls. I will work hard to earn crystal fruits to make Xiaoding a proper person." Lu Dan said seriously, and it didn't seem like he was just saying it.

Lu Xiaoding and the others were stunned, no one spoke, and the atmosphere was awkward. After a while, Yu Xiudan suddenly said, "Xiaoding, do you have enough crystal beans for the journey? You can't sleep in the wild every day. Remember to rest well in towns and don't rush too much, or you'll exhaust yourselves and be unable to fight when you encounter enemies."

"Yes, I remember, Master." Lu Yaohang nodded. This was valuable advice. Beginners like them often got too excited about achieving something and ignored their physical condition.

She bowed to Yu Xiudan and said, "Master, I'm leaving. Don't worry." Then she looked at Lu Dan, who realized no one was paying attention to him, and said, "Master always focuses on alchemy. Help him more, and I'll take care of Xiaoding." After that, she called Lu Xiaoding and stepped on the Weeping Sword, flying to Taiyi Peak to meet up and allocate patrol routes before setting out together.

Seeing Lu Yaohang take Xiaoding away, Lu Dan said anxiously, "Master, how can you agree to this? Xiaoding will blame us in the future."

Yu Xiudan shook his head, patted his shoulder, and said, "Lu Dan, not everything in this world is black and white. You don't understand now, but you will one day. I just hope that day comes not too late."

"Master, no matter what this world is like, in my eyes, black is black, and white is white." Lu Dan shouted loudly. He hated the so-called gray the most; such people were the most terrifying in the world.

At the entrance of Taiyi Hall, the Foundation Establishment stage cultivators ready to set out were waiting for the master to assign routes. They found their companions and greeted them in advance to support each other on the journey.

"Senior Brother Bai Zhen," Lu Xiaoding, carrying the large tripod, immediately saw Bai Zhen standing alone, away from the crowd. After a few years, he had become more reserved. Four swords were flying behind him, and he was at the early Foundation Establishment stage but could control three swords. If he reached the Golden Core stage, he would probably have six or seven swords.

She always found the disciples of Shi Ai Peak, who cultivated multiple swords, interesting. Each of them could control several swords, which they carried on their backs. Although they were said to be very powerful in sword formations and could split one sword into many after reaching the Nascent Soul stage, they looked like porcupines in daily life.

Even though they kept the sword spirits in their bodies, they could just store the swords as well, making them look much neater.