Supreme Emptiness

Chapter 326: Chapter 326 Rewarding the Green Cloud Sect Disciples

At this moment, the person he most wanted to see was Liu Qingxian. *He wondered how things had unfolded after the disciples of the Giant Sect took the Gale Pearl from her.* *Had she, in a fit of rage, gone to confront the Giant Sect and ended up injured?*

To his disappointment, the person who arrived wasn’t Liu Qingxian.

Instead, it was several Green Cloud Sect disciples, led by Great Elder Feng Guchan.

Most of them were unfamiliar to him, except for Nie Yunxi, the senior disciple of Heavenly Sword Peak. He had interacted with her in the past.

Needless to say, it wasn’t a pleasant experience.

Nie Yunxi, who had been confined for a month as punishment, was now released early by Green Cloud Sect Master Li Qingfeng due to the opening of the Sword Forest.

She was allowed to participate, aiming to break through her current cultivation realm.

She was essentially working to atone for her mistakes.

Thus, she appeared cautious, wary of making further missteps.

Suddenly, she vaguely sensed someone staring at her.

When she turned her head, she saw a masked man she didn’t recognize. He was dressed in a loose robe, carrying two swords strapped to his back, and a slanted ancient zither at his waist.

His appearance was deeply enigmatic.

She furrowed her brows and adopted a vigilant posture.

But then, her expression changed abruptly as she exclaimed, “Junior Sister Xu?”

She couldn’t believe her eyes—she was actually seeing Xu Yining!

Upon hearing the call,

Xu Yining, who had been distracted and annoyed with No. 1 Shadow Guard, froze.

Following the voice, she looked over and instantly became delighted beyond measure: “Senior Sister!”

She hurried over.

After spending so much time outside the sect, to suddenly see an old compatriot was a thrill beyond words.

The two women chatted animatedly for a long time.

Nie Yunxi, upon learning of Xu Yining’s tumultuous journey, couldn’t help but feel sympathy. She said, “It’s time to end your wandering.” “After the Sword Forest trial, come back to the sect with me.” “Master has been very worried about you all this time.”

Hearing this, Xu Yining’s eyes reddened, and she nodded silently, “Alright.”

But then, she became acutely aware that this also meant the end of her journey with No. 1 Shadow Guard. *Though their time spent together had been brief, their perilous and unforgettable experiences made her cherish those moments deeply.* “Senior Sister, let me introduce you to my friend.”

She waved at Jiang Fan, calling him over: “Come here—I want to introduce you to my senior sister and the other Green Cloud Sect disciples.”

Jiang Fan’s lips twitched slightly. *Did they really need her to introduce him?*

He walked over, gazing at faces—some familiar, others not—marked by weariness.

As he sensed their cultivation realms, which fell short compared to those of other sects present, *he couldn’t help feeling a pang of sympathy for the Green Cloud Sect.*

From within his sleeve, he fished out a bottle of top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, long since unnecessary to him. “Greetings, senior brothers and sisters. I am Xu Yining’s friend,” he said. “This is our first meeting, so I’ve brought a small token of friendship.”

Opening the jade bottle, he flicked the pills one by one toward the elite disciples present.

Nie Yunxi received one as well.

Upon examining it closely, she froze: “Is this a Foundation Establishment Pill? Why does it look different from the usual kind?”

Feng Guchan, who typically refrained from meddling in disciples’ affairs, was drawn to the scene upon seeing the pill. His eyes widened in astonishment as he exclaimed, “Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill?”

What?

The Green Cloud Sect disciples were utterly stunned.

This turned out to be the legendary top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, said to exist only in rumors!

Each pill was as effective as multiple ordinary Foundation Establishment Pills combined!

This was an incredibly priceless treasure!

Even Xu Yining was completely dumbstruck. *Where did such top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills come from? And why was he giving something so valuable away so casually?*

She urgently tugged at Jiang Fan’s sleeve: “Are you crazy?”

Jiang Fan smiled faintly and replied, “Since they are your senior brothers and sisters, they are also my friends.”

With that, he placed the remaining seven or eight pills into her palm. “Take the rest—they’re yours.”

What?

Xu Yining held the lightweight jade bottle, yet her heart felt heavy.

Nie Yunxi, as the senior disciple of Heavenly Sword Peak, had seen much in her time.

Yet she was completely floored by Jiang Fan’s generosity. *Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills being handed out like candy?*

She asked incredulously, “Junior Sister Xu, who is this gentleman? Which sect does he belong to?”

Xu Yining was momentarily unable to answer. *More than anyone, she wanted to know the real identity of No. 1 Shadow Guard.*

Just then, another group arrived.

It was the disciples of the Desires Sect, led by Elder Ling Jinghu.

Their flamboyant and opulent attire made them the immediate center of attention.

Feng Guchan’s focus shifted from Jiang Fan to Ling Jinghu.

He stepped forward and greeted her with cupped hands: “Elder Ling, it has been a long time.”

Ling Jinghu’s strength exceeded his, and as the Desires Sect ranked among the top sects, Feng Guchan tactfully lowered his stance.

Ling Jinghu smiled and replied, “Elder Feng, I trust you have been well… Oh!”

She suddenly spotted Jiang Fan and immediately brightened, addressing him enthusiastically, “Young Master, you’re here as well!” *It made sense—since Jiang Fan was associated with the Green Cloud Sect, he would naturally be among them.*

However, seeing that his face was still masked, she deduced he wasn’t eager to openly identify with the Green Cloud Sect.

Thus, she wisely refrained from exposing him. “Elder Ling,” Jiang Fan said, cupping his hands in greeting, “has your injury healed?”

Ling Jinghu had never been able to bring herself to use the Revitalizing Pill he had gifted her.

She laughed lightly and said, “Thanks to your blessing, I’ve nearly recovered fully.” *This exchange left Feng Guchan and the Green Cloud Sect disciples in utter shock!* *Was the esteemed Great Elder of the Desires Sect conversing with No. 1 Shadow Guard as though they were peers?*

Furthermore, Ling Jinghu glanced toward Feng Guchan with subtle disdain.

If that wasn’t enough, what completely shattered their composure was this:

Ling Jinghu turned to Xu Yining, standing beside Jiang Fan, and offered a warm smile: “Miss Xu, do you have the qualifications to participate in the Sword Forest trial?”

Xu Yining’s expression dimmed as she smiled bitterly: “I’m afraid I don’t.”

Sword Forest participation required qualifications petitioned by the sect from Myriad Swords Sect.

Not a single extra could be granted.

Even Feng Guchan couldn’t bring her into the Sword Forest.

She could only wait outside.

Ling Jinghu smiled faintly and said, “In that case, why not join the Desires Sect?” “One of our disciples perished on the way here, leaving behind an empty slot.” “You could participate as a member of the Desires Sect.”

What?

Feng Guchan objected, “Wouldn’t that be improper?” *Wouldn’t that mean they owed Ling Jinghu a favor?*

Ling Jinghu laughed and said, “What’s the harm?” “If Junior Sister Xu is a friend of the young master, then helping her with such a trivial matter is nothing at all.” *Clearly, it was all done out of respect for No. 1 Shadow Guard.*

Feng Guchan was in utter disbelief. He cupped his hands toward Jiang Fan and said, “Young friend, may I ask who your master is? Perhaps I may have had dealings with him in the past.”

As Great Elder, he had connections with prominent figures from various sects.

He was intrigued—what kind of sect disciple would command such respect?

Jiang Fan rolled his eyes. *My master? Isn’t your nemesis, the Green Cloud Sect Master, my master?* “I am but a loose cultivator,” Jiang Fan replied dismissively.

Then he turned to Xu Yining and said, “Why aren’t you thanking Elder Ling yet?”

Xu Yining was overjoyed and repeatedly expressed her gratitude to Ling Jinghu.

Initially, she had merely come to Myriad Swords Sect to spectate, never intending to enter the Sword Forest.

Unexpectedly, Ling Jinghu gave her this incredible opportunity—all because of No. 1 Shadow Guard. *Any lingering frustration she’d held toward him immediately dissolved.*

At that moment, someone tugged at her sleeve.

When she turned to look, she found it was Nie Yunxi, whose eyes burned with curiosity and admiration, her face betraying an undeniable envy. “Junior Sister Xu, how did you meet such an extraordinary gentleman?”

As Xu Yining took in the expressions of Nie Yunxi and the other Green Cloud Sect disciples, brimming with barely concealed envy, *her heart swelled with a trace of pride.* She whispered softly, “He’s a friend I made back in Lonely Boat City.”

So, it was an old acquaintance.

Nie Yunxi grew even more envious, looking at No. 1 Shadow Guard, who could converse as equals with two Great Elders.

She said with a hint of awe, “Junior Sister Xu, you truly have remarkable luck.” “To encounter such a man of extraordinary talent—someone who clearly holds you in such high regard.”

Recalling the rumors about Xu Yining and Jiang Fan, as well as Xu Youran, she vaguely remembered hearing that Xu Yining expressed some regret over her earlier engagement.

She advised, “Junior Sister Xu, this No. 1 Shadow Guard is leagues ahead of Jiang Fan.” “You must seize this chance.”