Chapter 31

Qian Yu Zhenren listened to Lin Fan's introduction and smiled at the unfinished game on the table. The sect leader and disciples were both cheating in the game, which was fine. She had always been worried that if there was another war between the righteous and the evil, the righteous side, being too rigid, would suffer greatly from the evil side's cunning. It wasn't a bad thing to have a few cunning disciples. She believed the sect leader knew how to teach Lin Fan, what was yin, and what was wisdom. Qian Yu Zhenren asked, "Lin Fan, what do you think?"

Lin Fan replied, "Ximen Shuai's intentions are not what they seem."

"Oh?" Qian Yu Zhenren smiled and asked, "How did you figure that out?"

"Who is Ximen Shuai, and who are the people of the Demon Sect? In the Western Continent, it's the Demon Sect's territory. Ximen Shuai's Bloodshed Sword wasn't taken by the Demon Sect but was stolen by the Purple Pupil Sect. That's a lie," Lin Fan said. "But the Hundred-Eyed Demon Lord must have something Ximen Shuai wants. The reason he lied to me is that I think this thing might also be needed by our Yunqing Sect or me."

"I didn't expect the True One Sect to have such a perceptive disciple," Qian Yu Zhenren nodded. "You're right. I think Ximen Shuai is after the Purple Pupil Sect's treasure, the Thundercloud Amber. The Hundred-Eyed Demon Lord was originally an elite disciple of the Thunder Mountain in the Southern Continent, but he had a corrupt heart. Out of resentment for the sect leader's punishment, he ambushed and killed the sect leader during an outing, stole the Thundercloud Amber, and fled to the Vast Desolate Wasteland. Later, he was taken in by the Purple Pupil Sect. The Thunder Mountain sect leader was no ordinary person. Before dying, he placed a restriction on the Thundercloud Amber, which the Hundred-Eyed Demon Lord has been unable to refine for a hundred years."

Lin Fan asked, "Thundercloud Amber?"

"Yes, this amber is quite remarkable. Driving the amber, the Thunder Spell is incredibly powerful. The Thundercloud Amber is a luxury for one person, but it is a treasure for formations, making the lightning in formations infinitely powerful. Not only the evil sects, but even the righteous and the Demon Sect have designs on the Thundercloud Amber. Ximen Shuai stole the Bloodshed Sword and now has his eyes on the Thundercloud Lake. It seems Ximen Shuai wants to set up an array and open a mountain."

With the Heavenly Demon Bloodshed Array completed and the assistance of the Thundercloud Amber, the Demon Sect would also be wary. Ximen Shuai could find a mountain, open a sect, and establish a school. ... I thought Ximen Shuai, though unscrupulous, still had a touch of elegance, but I didn't expect his thoughts to be so vulgar. What's so good about opening a sect? So many disciples to manage, it's boring.

Qian Yu Zhenren said, "The Vast Desolate Wasteland is not the Nine Dragon Mountains. Evil people abound, with many tricks and great strength. Only two or three out of ten Demon Sect disciples who enter the Vast Desolate Wasteland return."

Lin Fan said, "Does the sect leader mean not to stop me from going?"

"Haha, when has the True One Sect ever cared about the sect leader's wishes?" Qian Yu Zhenren's words had a hint of displeasure. This couldn't be blamed on her. The True One Sect's sect leader had deceived the elixir to help Lin Fan lay the foundation, promising to widely recruit disciples, but then stood them up. Qian Yu Zhenren held a grudge, but the sect leader, being dead, couldn't be bothered. The elixir was already taken, and the disciples could be recruited slowly. If you wanted to hit him, go ahead.

Qian Yu Zhenren immediately realized she had said the wrong thing. The sect leader was her senior brother, and she could tease him, but Lin Fan was a junior and couldn't be spoken to like that. Qian Yu Zhenren coughed, "If you want to go, go."

"Yes!"

"Alright." Qian Yu Zhenren left. Why let Lin Fan take the risk? Because according to the Demon Sect's Demon Lord's flying sword message, the Vast Desolate Wasteland might have a change within the next few decades, and it was uncertain whether another war between the righteous and the evil would break out. Not only Lin Fan, but Qian Yu Zhenren also planned to send young disciples for training. She was currently contacting various prestigious sects to prepare for a martial arts competition, allowing the new generation of disciples to gain more practical experience, observe others' strengths, and see their own weaknesses. The righteous people often seek immortality, with a clear mind and few desires, lacking a strong competitive spirit. This is good during times of stability but bad during times of crisis.

No war means danger!

...

At the Seven Mile Pavilion, Ximen Shuai looked at Lin Fan from side to side. Lin Fan said, "I'm wearing underclothes."

"Tch!" Ximen Shuai stepped on an ancient sword and rose, and Lin Fan summoned a bamboo sword to ride. Ximen Shuai asked, "Where are your talismans and writing brush?"

This time, Lin Fan was dressed in a green Daoist robe, with a green jade Buddha knife slung diagonally on his back, wrapped in cloth. He had a few gold leaves and loose silver in his pocket, and nothing else.

Lin Fan smiled, "A year has passed, there must be some progress."

"Oh?" Ximen Shuai said, "I'm looking forward to it... This knife, did you get it from the Nine Dragon Mountains?"

"Nonsense, the Nine Dragon Mountains have no treasures."

"Ha ha." Ximen Shuai didn't press the issue. "Have you refined it?"

"Why are you so talkative? By the way, my sect leader has a letter for you."

"..." Ximen Shuai took the letter, opened it, and read it. The general meaning was, you invited my disciple to the Vast Desolate Wasteland, and I agreed, but if you harm my disciple, Yunqing Mountain will not let you off. Ximen Shuai sneered, "Qian Yu Zhenren is a great master, how can she look down on the Demon Sect so much?"

Ximen Shuai always considered himself the true heir of the Demon Sect. He was the last disciple of the former Demon Lord, so he had the courage to say this. The Demon Sect had never taken serious action against Ximen Shuai, partly because expelling the Demon Lord at the time was somewhat against the rules. However, if the Yunqing Sect's sect leader said this, it was likely they would really pursue him.

Ximen Shuai said, "We will first head to Little Eastern Continent, then to Central Continent, then southwest to Cloud Continent, bypassing the Ten Thousand Mountains, and finally to Western Continent."

"Ten Thousand Mountains?" Lin Fan was puzzled. The Ten Thousand Mountains were a triangular area between the Cloud Continent, Central Continent, and Southern Continent, a vast area with the mysterious Poison Dragon Sect, which was neither righteous nor evil. The Ten Thousand Mountains were also home to many monsters and were one of the forbidden areas designated by the Yunqing Sect, where disciples were not allowed to enter without the sect leader's permission. The Demon Sect also had this rule. Lin Fan asked, "Why go around the Ten Thousand Mountains?"

"To visit an old friend," Ximen Shuai said. "I originally planned to find the top young disciple of your sect, but why is he always in seclusion?"

Lin Fan knew Ximen Shuai was talking about Gu Yan and asked, "Top young disciple?"

"You're a frog at the bottom of a well. The prestigious sects and the Demon Sect are discussing holding a martial arts competition for young disciples. The Nine Palaces' Dragon Seeking Palace is the Demon Sect's eyes and ears. They have unique methods for controlling flying swords, making them incredibly fast and skilled at gathering intelligence. Last month, they submitted a report to the Demon Lord, listing the top young disciples of the prestigious sects and the Nine Palaces. Gu Yan is the top young disciple of your Yunqing Sect."

Lin Fan became interested and asked, "What about me?"

"Who are you?" Ximen Shuai looked down on Lin Fan and said, "In the end, they listed the top eight, with Gu Yan ranked seventh, which is a bit of a face for your Yunqing Sect."

"Tch, does the Demon Sect have the right to rank us?" Lin Fan sneered. "Besides, can young disciples compare to the older generation?"

Ximen Shuai looked at Lin Fan. "I agree with your first point. The current Demon Sect is a usurper and has no right to rank. But for the second point... a master is a master, even if young. Take your sect's Gu Yan, for example. Although he won't be a match for the Immortal Concealment Sect's old immortals or the sect leaders and sect masters, there are many older people in the Yunqing Sect, but only a few can match him. Gu Yan is like a rising sun, while they are setting. In less than ten years, Gu Yan will certainly have the qualifications to open a sect and establish a school."