Chapter 26: Outer Sect Assembly

"What's the matter?" Gu An asked, praying in his heart that it was not something troublesome.

He didn't want to get involved in the conflicts of the Outer Sect.

Li Ya smiled, "Don't you like planting? I remember you mentioned before that you helped an Outer Disciple manage his cave. Now, there's just such an opportunity. The treatment is good, helping for a year can earn you a mid-grade Spirit Stone and a bottle of Spirit Energy Elixir."

When Gu An heard this, he realized what it was about and breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as he could earn longevity, he wouldn't refuse. After all, he didn't practice much daily and had plenty of time.

He began to inquire about the employer's identity. Li Ya didn't hide anything either, that Outer Disciple was Li Ya's friend, and his cave was near the Outer Gate City.

After Gu An agreed, Li Ya immediately took him there.

Li Ya flew using sword control, and Gu An stood behind him, sharing the same sword. Their figures made Xiaochuan, Ye Lan, and others look on with longing.

Flying using sword control, who wouldn't long for it?

The tall Tang Yu sighed, "If only Master could learn Sword Control Technique from Martial Uncle Li Ya and then teach us, wouldn't that be great?"

Beside him, the slender and handsome Su Han nodded. Although he had been in Medicine Valley for four years, he still longed for the Outer Sect in his heart.

Not only him, but Tang Yu and Zhen Qin also felt the same.

Ye Lan, however, said nothing more and pulled Zhen Qin back to their courtyard for practice.

On the other side,

in the mountains, Li Ya flew very fast; his gaze was fixed forward, his black robe fluttering, and his hair flying messily, exuding a free and uninhibited aura.

"I noticed that there are more servant disciples in Medicine Valley than before. Junior Brother Gu, try to recruit fewer disciples and invest more Spirit Stones in your cultivation," Li Ya said earnestly.

Although Gu An always said his talent was lacking, he still saw hope.

He didn't want a century to pass and still be in his prime while Gu An had already entered his sunset years.

Over the years in the Supreme Sect, Li Ya had a few good friends and some with shared interests, but none compared to Junior Brother Gu in his heart.

Junior Brother Gu was the only one who treated him well without seeking anything in return, a friendship he didn't want to lose.

Gu An smiled, "Senior Brother Li, don't worry. The reason I'm recruiting more disciples is that the garden land in Medicine Valley has increased. The medicinal herbs I turn in every year are likewise increasing, and the Elixir Hall is gradually improving my treatment. I won't give up on cultivation."

When Li Ya heard this, a smile appeared on his face.

"That's true. You are diligent and hardworking; you will surely achieve something."

"I can't compare to Senior Brother. Your reputation in the Outer Sect is so prominent."

The two began to praise each other. Li Ya usually disliked such flattery, but somehow, he was inexplicably happy when it came from Junior Brother Gu.

Two ancient hours later,

Li Ya delivered Gu An back to Mystic Valley and then flew away using Sword Control.

As soon as Gu An landed, he was surrounded by two disciples, Su Han and Zhen Qin.

They were curious about where Gu An had been. Gu An didn't hide it; after saying a few words, he sent them away.

Lu Jiujia's departure greatly stimulated the disciples in Medicine Valley, making it much quieter. Whenever they had free time, they would cultivate in their respective houses, wanting to catch up to Lu Jiujia as soon as possible.

Gu An returned to his room and picked up the Yin Yang Art to start reading. Tonight, Jiang Qiong would begin teaching him spells, and he was quite looking forward to it.

What cultivator would mind having more spells?

Moreover, Gu An lacked many basic spells.

...

Late at night, Eight Scenic Caves.

Under the Green Vine Tree, Jiang Qiong, dressed in white, let her black hair drape freely like a fairy descended to the mortal world. At this moment, her beautiful face was full of annoyance.

"Why are you so stupid? I've told you the breathing technique several times, why can't you remember it?" Jiang Qiong scolded, trying to suppress her anger.

She stood beside Gu An, her eyes fixed on the black qi in his hand.

She was teaching him the Soul Capturing Skill, a technique that could capture souls and was extremely sinister.

Gu An said helplessly, "Martial Master, how long have you been teaching me? Can't you have some patience?"

"No... it's just..." Jiang Qiong suddenly didn't know what to say.

Before recovering her body, she had looked forward to teaching Gu An, as she viewed him as a genius, but the result differed from her expectations.

This kid was too strange.

Teach him the Sword Control Technique, and he would understand it instantly. But teaching him anything else was like showing it to a novice in the way of Immortal Cultivation.

In terms of Sword Dao, Gu An was absolutely the most talented she had ever seen. But the problem was, she wasn't proficient in Sword Dao.

"If I were to master everything easily, would I end up as a servant disciple?" Gu An sighed.

Jiang Qiong held back for a long time and finally said, "You don't have to be so stupid, do you?"

Gu An's hand trembled.

Truly worthy of someone from the Demon Path; her words were so damning!

Gu An's temper flared, "I have my strengths too. In terms of Sword Dao talent, even you may not match me, Martial Master!"

Jiang Qiong, hearing this, suddenly felt amused and asked with a smile, "Then shall we try? We won't use Spiritual Power, but only test our sword moves?"

"Alright!"

Gu An let go of his hands, and the black qi dissipated. He then stood up, ready to teach Jiang Qiong a lesson.

Jiang Qiong moved two steps to the side, raised her right hand, and extended her index and middle fingers together, smiling, "Since we're sparring, let's not hurt each other. We'll use fingers as swords."

Gu An nodded, placing his left hand behind his waist and his right hand in front.

Jiang Qiong squinted. For some reason, when Gu An raised his hand, she felt inexplicably nervous.

"What's wrong with me? How can a Foundation Establishment disciple scare me?"

Jiang Qiong cursed herself inwardly for losing the arrogance she once had.

Immediately, she raised her fingers and thrust towards Gu An, using Core Formation speed.

Gu An parried her fingers with his own, like flicking a sword, pushing her arm aside.

Jiang Qiong's eyes narrowed, her steps shifting like a phantom past Gu An's side, and her fingers, like swords, pointed at his ribs.

Gu An turned, his fingers pointing downward, stabbing, and hitting her hand back, causing her to feel a sting and withdraw instinctively.

Under the tree, they moved around, countering each other's moves.

Jiang Qiong's attacks were fierce, while Gu An's movements flowed smoothly.

After thirty moves, Gu An noticed Jiang Qiong getting anxious, so he revealed a flaw, allowing her to strike him in the abdomen. He then clutched his stomach and staggered back.

Jiang Qiong didn't press the attack. She stood up, her eyes intensely staring at Gu An.

Gu An pretended to be in pain, but her gaze terrified him.

What kind of look was that?

It felt as if she wanted to eat him whole.

Jiang Qiong took a deep breath and said, "Good, good, good. I've still underestimated your Sword Dao comprehension. Your moves just now, though lacking form, were simple and direct, targeting your opponent's flaws. You are a Sword Dao genius rare in a hundred years. If you had a good mentor, you could surely become famous as a Sword Cultivator in the future."

Gu An shook his head, "Being famous is out of the question. If that happens, many people will come looking for trouble. I hate fighting, let alone killing."

Jiang Qiong was stunned, finding it very amusing.

It was the first time she had met such a cowardly genius.

"It's my fault for being impatient and scolding you. Come, let's continue practicing the Soul Capturing Skill. Even though you're suited for Sword Dao, some spells are essential to have, just in case." Jiang Qiong beckoned.

Gu An immediately moved closer to continue practicing the Soul Capturing Skill.

After some sparring, Jiang Qiong's attitude improved greatly, speaking kindly and occasionally giving him goosebumps.

Thus, Gu An visited the Eight Scenic Caves every night to practice spells with Jiang Qiong. Once he mastered a spell to the point of appearing on his attribute panel, he would start practicing the next spell.

Jiang Qiong thought he was discouraged, so she didn't press him. After all, she had many spells to teach.

While healing, she found it quite enjoyable to mentor a junior.

Besides, Gu An went to the cave of the Outer Disciple once a month to look after the medicinal herbs.

...

At the end of the year, with snowflakes flying, covering the sky and blocking the sun, Gu An, wearing a bamboo hat, climbed the mountainside and arrived at a cave. Just as he was about to take out his token, he sensed something.

There were people inside!

Not just one person!

Gu An immediately wanted to leave, but the voices inside the cave stopped abruptly. If he left now, it would prove he could penetrate the restriction and detect what was happening inside the cave.

He could only press the token on the mountain gate, causing the gate to open.

He stepped into the cave, walked through the path, and reached the cave chamber. When he saw three people inside, he was stunned and quickly bowed, "Sorry, I didn't know the seniors had returned. I'll leave at once."

With that, he turned to leave.

The cave's owner, Chen Li, appeared to be in his early forties with a scholarly and elegant demeanor. He raised his hand and said with a smile, "No need. Do what you need to do, and we'll continue our conversation."

Hearing this, Gu An could only turn back, bow again, and then head towards the herb area not far away.

Gu An noticed the other two people. One was a woman who was none other than Li Xuanyu, whom he had previously fought against.

The other was not Shi Yang but another man, refined and handsome, like a nobleman from a painting. Even a man would be amazed at his appearance.

Li Xuanyu recognized Gu An but didn't speak.

Gu An secretly scanned the handsome man's life span.

[Xiao Chenjun (Core Formation Realm, First Layer): 58/621/1508]

Core Formation Realm, First Layer!

An Inner Sect Disciple?

Chen Li noticed Gu An starting to pick herbs and turned to look at Li Xuanyu and Xiao Chenjun with a sigh, "The Outer Sect Grand Tournament is about to start, and this time it's hosted by the Supreme Sect. Our pressure has increased."

Xiao Chenjun smiled, "What's there to fear? The Outer Sect has many talents. Even if sects and factions join forces, it's hard to surpass the Supreme Sect. In the Taicang Dynasty, the Supreme Sect is the strongest."

Chen Li shook his head, "I heard the Ancient Sky Sect, Heavenly Extinction Sect, and Thousand-Autumn Pavilion each have Dual Spirit Roots geniuses in the Outer Sect, deliberately holding back their realms, waiting for this Grand Tournament."

He paused and looked at Xiao Chenjun thoughtfully, "Junior Brother Xiao, why didn't you wait a bit before breaking through? Your master should have known."

Xiao Chenjun laughed, "Senior Brother Chen, the Outer Sect Grand Tournament happens twice within a century. As cultivators, how can we be so mindful of winning or losing? Moreover, the Supreme Sect produces talents every year. Don't worry, the burden will not be solely on you."

The three chatted and laughed about the Outer Sect Grand Tournament. Most of the conversation was between Xiao Chenjun and Chen Li, with Li Xuanyu occasionally joining in.