Su Xuan ultimately did not take the Spiritual Stones.
The cloth bag clearly contained Huan’er’s savings.
He was already asking her for a favor. Taking money on top of that—especially money from a foolish girl, even if she offered it willingly—still weighed on his conscience.
“I won’t take the Spiritual Stones. Just be a little nicer to me from now on. You can cover the drinks each time and personally cook two dishes for me.”
Of course, Su Xuan was not completely without conditions. After saying this, he knocked lightly on her head, picked up his clothes, and walked out.
“Then when will you come again? Remember to check the tower first!”
Huan’er froze for a moment as if she had suddenly remembered something. She hurried to the doorway and called out anxiously.
Su Xuan waved his hand without responding.
It was already afternoon. He needed to hurry and prepare a mask or some kind of disguise, then head to the location the system had indicated and find a way to intercept that Inner Core.
Having made up his mind, he quickened his pace.
***
To the west of the Marketplace lay a stretch of continuous mountains. Because their shape resembled the back of a yellow ox, the area was called Funiu Mountain.
After years of development, the areas closer to the Marketplace no longer contained anything valuable. Even the trees had become sparse. As a result, going deeper into the mountains to search for hidden demon beasts and rare natural treasures had become a very common commission in the Marketplace.
This time, someone had discovered a Leopard Demon in the deep mountains that had already gained spiritual intelligence. They were preparing to join forces and kill it.
On the small path leading into the depths of Funiu Mountain, a middle-aged Cultivator walked in front, leading the way with an arrogant look in his eyes. Behind him followed four or five other Cultivators, closely trailing him.
Lin Zhiwei was not wearing the white gauze dress Su Xuan had bought for her. Instead, she had secretly purchased the most common type of training outfit, which covered her graceful figure. She also wore a veil over her face.
Even so, the proud curve of her chest and her overall aura still made her somewhat eye-catching.
“Sister Lin, weren’t you supposed to return to the sect? Why did you come here too?”
While walking, she quietly asked the female Cultivator beside her.
The woman was extremely tall, and her chest was also quite full. She was Lin Chengyun, the same person who had previously tried to bring Lin Zhiwei back to the Luoshui Sword Sect.
However, after only a few days, her originally proud face looked much more haggard, clearly showing she had not been doing well.
“Don’t mention it. I won’t be going back for a while.”
Lin Chengyun sighed and spoke gloomily.
Today had originally been the day she planned to return to the sect.
But a few days ago she encountered Lin Zhiwei, such a talented individual, so she decided to stay a little longer.
What made her even more reluctant to leave was something else.
The night before yesterday, she suddenly sensed an extremely familiar Sword Intent that made her sword heart boil slightly. It was the lost Hidden Sword Style of the Luoshui Sword Sect.
The heart as the sword, the sword hidden within the heart—the true foundation of the sect’s legendary founding ancestor.
Ever since the previous generation’s only master of the Hidden Sword Style—her martial uncle—and his entire family were mysteriously wiped out, no one in the sect had been able to use it.
But she had sensed it in the Marketplace.
And not just once—several times.
‘Martial Uncle might still be alive!’
‘If I can find him and learn even a few moves, I will definitely rank near the top in this trial. Entering the inner sect would not be a problem!’
Unfortunately, each appearance had been instantaneous, vanishing just as quickly, leaving her no chance to make contact.
“What happened? Sister Lin, you look terrible.”
Lin Zhiwei’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
“I…”
Lin Chengyun hesitated, too embarrassed to explain.
For some reason, her house had suddenly been infested with rats. Two of them were unbelievably fast—so fast that even her sword could not catch them.
And she happened to be afraid of rats, leaving her unable to sleep peacefully every night.
This time she had come out to take on a commission, earn some Spiritual Stones, and hopefully find a way to move somewhere else.
“Enough about me. Zhiwei, why are you here hunting demon beasts? Where is your master?”
She stiffly changed the topic.
“Did your master force you to come? Has he shown his true nature again?”
Lin Chengyun seemed to think of something, and her tone rose slightly.
“No, no.”
Lin Zhiwei instinctively defended Su Xuan.
“I came on my own. My master taught me some sword techniques, so I wanted to try them.”
After speaking, she remembered the difference in treatment between herself and her junior sister. A trace of bitterness appeared as she silently added in her heart:
‘Even though he was just brushing me off with something useless.’
“Sword techniques?”
Lin Chengyun frowned and looked Lin Zhiwei up and down.
She noticed the most ordinary sword in Lin Zhiwei’s hand and that there was not even the slightest aura of a sword cultivator around her.
“This is ridiculous! What could he possibly teach you? And you—how could you dare?”
Lin Chengyun suddenly grew irritated. The master misled his disciple, and the disciple overestimated herself. The two of them truly were a perfect match.
“Stay with me later. If there’s any danger, I’ll protect you!”
She grabbed Lin Zhiwei’s arm and spoke through clenched teeth, already planning to properly teach Su Xuan a lesson after this was over.
“Thank you, Sister Lin. I feel like I’m actually pretty strong. This trip is just for training.”
Lin Zhiwei thought for a moment.
Previously, she had killed Wu Renyou, a Level 5 Qi Refinement Cultivator, with a single strike. Although that attack had exhausted her greatly, having such a trump card should mean she was not weak.
“Why are you so stubborn? This isn’t a game. It’s dangerous!”
Lin Chengyun had no idea where Lin Zhiwei’s confidence came from and felt speechless. Regardless, she decided she would definitely protect her when the time came.
Perhaps if Lin Zhiwei saw her sword cultivation skills, she might even be willing to return to the sword sect with her.
Thinking of this, her eyes brightened as she made up her mind.
“That’s right! Little sister, demon beasts are very dangerous. You can follow me too!”
Behind them, a young man who had been secretly listening for a while rolled his eyes and stepped forward.
The two women turned to look.
The young man had greasy hair and delicate features. His clothes were a flashy pink, deliberately styled to resemble a scholar’s attire. Yet he possessed none of a scholar’s refinement and instead appeared frivolous.
Lin Zhiwei and Lin Chengyun exchanged a glance and silently turned their heads away, ignoring him.
The young man was Zhao Zicheng. His cultivation level was concealed, and throughout the journey his eyes had never left the two women.
As a seasoned veteran, he could naturally tell that although both women were disguised, they were definitely beauties—especially the one wearing the training outfit. Calling her one in ten thousand would not be an exaggeration.
As long as he performed well in front of them, playing the hero in a rescue…
Thinking of this, he pretended to be serious and continued mysteriously, ignoring their indifference.
“You probably don’t know this, but that Leopard Demon is said to be only Level 6 Qi Refinement. But in reality…”
The two women exchanged another glance. Information about the target was still somewhat appealing.
“If you’re going to talk, then talk. If not, stop wasting words.”
Lin Chengyun spoke bluntly without any courtesy.
Zhao Zicheng chuckled and replied.
“From what I heard through some rumors, that Leopard Demon once bit a Level 8 Qi Refinement Cultivator to death. I estimate it’s at least Level 8.”
Because demon beasts possessed tough bodies and often had innate abilities, once they gained intelligence they were generally much stronger than cultivators of the same level.
“I may not be particularly talented, but dealing with a Level 8 demon beast is still within my ability. If you two run into danger, just come find me!”
He patted his chest proudly, expecting looks of shock and admiration.
To his surprise, neither woman reacted much at all. The awkwardness was written all over his face.
“Oh. Thanks for the reminder.”
Lin Chengyun replied casually before turning around and continuing to walk. Her sword cultivation level was roughly Level 6 Qi Refinement, but in terms of actual combat strength, she was definitely above Level 8. She was not afraid at all.
Although Lin Zhiwei’s expression remained calm, it was her first time venturing out and the danger was far beyond her expectations, leaving her somewhat uneasy inside.
Her right hand tightly gripped the sword hilt. Her left hand slipped into her clothing and held the dagger.
No matter what, she needed to try becoming independent.
Since her master had brushed her off, she had to prove something to him.
‘Even without him, I am still a genius.’