Spirit Ruin, Sword Coffin, Blind Swordsman

Chu Xingxian’s face darkened, and he appeared next to Li Guanqi in a flash. Li Guanqi’s eyes widened; he hadn’t sensed the slightest ripple in the space around the old man. Chu Xingxian had only lifted his foot, yet somehow appeared right next to him.

Chu Xingxian snatched the jade slip. “Li Nanting, you bastard! Do you really take me for that kind of man?”

—Yes, that’s exactly what I take you for! Guanqi, that old bastard has plenty of treasures. Ask him for more and put it all on the sect master’s tab.

—You need to watch out for the people you meet out there. And if you get tired… you can come back anytime!

Since Li Guanqi was training outside the sect, he would run into all sorts of people. Unless he reached out first, the sect would never contact him.

The two old men bickered on, but at least Li Guanqi had confirmed Chu Xingxian’s identity and that he bore no ill will.

Li Guanqi broke into a grin. He took off his cloak and bowed respectfully. “I am Li Guanqi of the Daxia Sword Sect. Greetings, Old Chu.”

Chu Xingxian pursed his lips. He looked pleased, though he muttered, “Just like your master. Both of you are so fake.”

Li Guanqi didn’t take offense and only grinned wider.

With a flash of light, a necklace with a green pendant appeared in Chu Xingxian’s hand.He passed it to Li Guanqi and said, “I don’t really have much to give, so this is for you. My most powerful attack is sealed in this pendant. If you’re in danger, you can use this to save yourself.”

Li Guanqi chuckled, accepted the necklace with both hands, and hung it around his neck.

He turned, clasped the old man’s arm, and smiled. “This is only our first meeting, Old Chu. You’re being too generous. Now that you’ve given me something so precious, I don’t know what I could possibly give in return.”

Chu Xingxian shot him a look. “You’ve got thick skin. If your master had been half as shameless in his youth, he wouldn’t still be single.”

Li Guanqi nodded. “Master isn’t single anymore. He’s with Elder Shen now.”

He had spoken casually, but Chu Xingxian’s eyes widened. “Elder Shen? Who?! Shen Lan?!”

Li Guanqi froze. He hadn’t expected Chu Xingxian to know the Daxia Sword Sect so well. “Uh… yes. Shen Lan. Elder Shen.”

Chu Xingxian’s face fell. “Damn you, Li Nanting! Shen Lan… How could she…? Sigh… this is a disaster.”

Li Guanqi’s expression darkened. Judging by his tone, he could roughly guess what was going on. Were they once rivals in love?

Regardless, he knew it wasn’t his place to speak. He waited in silence until the old man calmed down.

Finally, Chu Xingxian looked at Li Guanqi. “Since you’re here, come to the Phoenix Lightning Sect tomorrow. Teach those arrogant brats a lesson. Show them there’s always someone stronger. They strut around as if they own the world.”

Li Guanqi shrugged. Since he had accepted the gift, he couldn’t refuse the request. He nodded. “Alright, I’ll be there tomorrow morning. But how hard do you want me to go? I might not be able to hold back. If someone gets hurt and you complain to my sect master…”

Though he kept his tone light, he was subtly asking Chu Xingxian to set boundaries—or at least promise not to lose his temper if he accidentally went too hard on the disciples.

Chu Xingxian studied Li Guanqi with newfound interest. What had he been through to develop such foresight and tact?

Chu Xingxian waved his hand. “As long as they’re not crippled or dead, do as you like. Even if they’re bedridden for three to five months, it’ll be good for their character.”

Li Guanqi nodded. At least he knew where the line was.

Since the man was a sect master, Li Guanqi decided to test the waters. “Old Chu, I have a request.”

He wasn’t shy about asking, and that made the old man respect him more. Chu Xingxian smiled. “Go on.”

“I need the blood of dragon-elephant beasts. Tier three or four will do.”

Large sects usually stocked such resources. They never knew when a disciple with a powerful mind might emerge, so they kept demonic beast blood on hand for pills and talismans.

Thinking Li Guanqi wanted to refine something, Chu Xingxian laughed. “That’s all? I’ll have it ready for you tomorrow. Treat it as a little payment for your troubles.”

Li Guanqi immediately showered him with praise. “Old Chu truly recognizes talent! No wonder the sect master and my master always spoke so highly of you! It’s an honor to be graced with your presence.”

Chu Xingxian eyed him with amusement. “Are you sure they weren’t cursing me instead? Getting those two bastards to say anything remotely decent about me would be a miracle. Hahaha. Still, I’m not that calculative. I’ll have someone prepare what you need tomorrow.”

Before leaving, he gave Li Guanqi another jade pendant.

Li Guanqi bowed. When the old man was gone, he looked at the pendant in his hand and laughed. “Tsk, tsk. Anyone who doesn’t take advantage of free stuff is an idiot. Anyway, this is between him and the sect master. I’ll let Sect Master Lu Kangnian repay him later.”

Meanwhile, in another inn across the city, Wu Kun was smashing stuff in a rage. He glared at the square seal in his hand, then punched another object.

It was all because of Li Guanqi. He had bid twice for the seal, doubling its price and costing Wu Kun a fortune.

But thinking of his trip to the Phoenix Lightning Sect the next day, Wu Kun forced himself to calm down. He stood and yelled, “Cang Lu! Get my foot bath ready. I’m going to bed. You wanted to go to the Phoenix Lightning Sect, didn’t you? Come with me tomorrow.”

The next morning, Li Guanqi rose feeling refreshed from a night of cultivation. He put on his only set of white robes, gathered his belongings, and departed the inn.

On the other side of the city, Wu Kun and Cang Lu were also setting off, heading for the Phoenix Lightning Sect.