Chapter 176: Their Now

Xia Prefecture, Mount Danxia.

Shen Tang was cultivating in the main hall when many disciples rushed in: "Sect Master, Sect Master, many people from down the mountain are here to deliver good news!"

"Good news?" Shen Tang opened her eyes.

The disciples were very excited: "Yes, it's led by the Alchemy Department. They said our Heaven-Traveling Sword Sect has swept both the top scholar and the second-place laureate positions, bringing great honor to Xia Prefecture. Everyone's here to congratulate us! Elder Lu is truly amazing! Even A'nuo is so impressive!"

Shen Tang's eyes were filled with gentle light: "Mm."

Elders like Tang Yunzhong were also delighted: "The benefits of this matter to our Heaven-Traveling Sword Sect's reputation are self-evident. Elder Lu, even far away in the capital, can still assist the sect. He truly is a bringer of fortune."

His original intention wasn't for the sect's reputation... Shen Tang's face slightly reddened, but she said nothing.

Imperial Father must have met him by now. She wondered what their attitudes would be when they met.

Shen Tang knew Lu Xingzhou had no affection for Imperial Father; in fact, he probably harbored hatred after Imperial Father personally crippled her legs. He wouldn't directly clash with Imperial Father, would he...? No, he's such a rational person...

Perhaps he'd gain Imperial Father's attention on the surface, then secretly plot against him... that would be more in line with Lu Xingzhou's style.

But she really worried about a conflict between him and Imperial Father...

"Sect Master, Sect Master?"

The voices around her jolted Shen Tang awake. Seeing the strange expressions on everyone's faces, Shen Tang cleared her throat and regained her composure: "Uncle Zhong, please prepare some red envelopes and distribute them. Thank the elders and folks of Xia Prefecture who brought us this good news on my behalf."

Tang Yunzhong left with a smile.

Shen Tang lazily glanced around: "You've known Elder Lu's capabilities for more than just a day. Who was it earlier who said he was gone, and that Spirit Spring Mountain was empty anyway, so we might as well use it? Will those who said that please step forward?"

"Ahem." Someone awkwardly lowered their head, not daring to speak.

Spirit Spring Mountain and the Huo Residence were theoretically Lu Xingzhou's "private property," merely "leased" to the Heaven-Traveling Sword Sect. Lu Xingzhou hadn't claimed sole occupancy and was quite generous, allowing Shen Tang to make arrangements. However, in the two months since he left, Shen Tang had never assigned any Heaven-Traveling Sword Sect halls to move there, seemingly defaulting to Lu Xingzhou's exclusive use of that mountain. This naturally drew some quiet complaints. With two mountains embracing each other, intentionally leaving one empty seemed senseless.

But the Sect Master was simply too protective of Elder Lu. Sometimes, everyone felt as if the Heaven-Traveling Sword Sect was jointly owned by Shen Tang and Lu Xingzhou...

The place truly belonged to Lu Xingzhou personally, so others couldn't really say anything. Now that Lu Xingzhou had become the sect's public face, it was even harder to voice complaints.

He was not just the Heaven-Traveling Sword Sect's public face, but also Xia Prefecture's. Since its downgrade, Xia Prefecture hadn't produced any top scholars for many years, in any field. And Lu Xingzhou was a native of Xia Prefecture! No wonder the Alchemy Department was overjoyed. Chen Jinnian, who had been promoted to the prefecture level and was Lu Xingzhou's recommender, had gained immense prestige and had been hosting feasts for two days straight.

Shen Tang said calmly: "Instead of constantly staring at someone else's private mountain, why don't you broaden your horizons? Do you think merely occupying Mount Danxia and its twin will allow us to become a first-rate sect? Leaving aside the Fenxiang Mountain branch, just considering the many mountains in Xia Prefecture, what's our next plan? Just because Elder Lu isn't here, does that mean no one can propose a strategy?"

Everyone had come to congratulate, yet they ended up being criticized, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation.

Those who understood her intentions could largely guess that Shen Tang felt Lu Xingzhou was progressing so well that she needed to be equally impressive to match him...

But you're already more than a match! The Heaven-Traveling Sword Sect's breakthroughs in the past few months have been like popping beans. Even Lu Xingzhou would probably be startled upon his return. And you still think it's not enough... How quickly can a sect develop? It hasn't been that long...

Just as they were thinking this, a few more disciples rushed in from outside: "Sect Master, Sect Master, double happiness has arrived!"

Shen Tang was taken aback: "What is it now?"

"The new Grand Qian Heroes List has been released, and the Sect Master has immediately ascended to the list!"

"Heh..." Shen Tang shook her head: "It's just the bottom of the list. It's nothing to brag about. What kind of good news is that?"

People exchanged glances. Of course it was good news! A newcomer, even if ranked first, was still seen as a "junior" by the public. But formally entering the Heroes List was different; it meant one was a true "master." Not all cultivators of the top three ranks were eligible to be listed; for instance, those whose cultivation was boosted by drugs were generally excluded. Being on the list signified recognized strength.

It was hard to say how many cultivators of the top three ranks there were in Grand Qian, but only three to four hundred made it onto the list. This was the top three to four hundred out of how many people! Was that not enough to boast about? This boost to the sect's reputation was actually greater than Lu Xingzhou becoming the top alchemist.

The disciples, still understanding her underlying desire, a disciple smilingly added: "Sect Master, Elder Lu also made it onto the Newcomers List, ranked eighth! Oh, and on the Alchemist Sub-list, Elder Lu and Miss A'nuo are ranked third and fourth!"

Shen Tang's previously uninterested expression immediately lit up: "Double happiness indeed! Show me the new list."

"..." The disciples handed over the list.

Shen Tang scanned it, her expression subtly freezing: "Where did a young woman from the Pei family suddenly appear from?"

Someone answered: "We heard a rumor about this when we went to the city a few days ago. They say she's Prime Minister Pei's daughter who went missing years ago. And yes, Elder Lu also helped find her."

Shen Tang almost crumpled the list: "I know! Isn't this that little demoness who trespassed on the mountain last time? What's their relationship that he's helping her find her family!"

The disciples exchanged bewildered glances. Was this the main thing a Sect Master should be focusing on when looking at a list?

Forget it, let this sect be doomed.

Shen Tang's gaze, however, fell upon Dugu Qingli's entry, and she murmured to herself, "Qingli is finally going to rise in the world too..."

Northwestern frontier, vast expanse of desert.

A group of people arrived in the border town. Leading them was a young, robust man, surrounded by a band of burly followers. They were in a tavern, asking the town residents: "There are rumors of a tomb appearing in the sand, with ghostly wails echoing everywhere, making travelers afraid to cross... We've come for this rumor. Can you tell us more specific details?"

The tavern patrons all said: "Better not go. A small sect went in recently, and none of them came out."

The burly men pointed at the youth and laughed: "Things that small sects dare not attempt won't trouble us. Do you know who our young master is? He's ranked third on the Grand Qian Newcomers List!"

The patrons were astonished: "Isn't the third place on the Newcomers List a girl named Pei Chuyun? Did he change sex?"

The youth, who had been leisurely sipping his wine, nearly spat it out upon hearing this, choking and coughing uncontrollably.

His subordinates were also quite embarrassed: "Our young master has been third for a year, with countless achievements! As for the Heavenly Jade Sacred Land's direct disciple or the daughter of the Pei family, when has anyone heard of their accomplishments? They're simply relying on their powerful backgrounds to forcefully parachute in and gain fame!"

A tavern patron said: "The Demon Suppressing Division's ranking is still fair; it shouldn't be like that..."

"It used to be fair, but now they've got a young girl as chief editor, who knows? Look at those elaborate judgments; is that ranking or is it putting on a show?"

The patrons didn't argue, clearly sensing that this group was agitated. Wise men don't suffer immediate losses... The Demon Suppressing Division's ranking had maintained credibility for many years, at least for now, and the patrons were still willing to believe in it.

In any case, the identity of this group was now clear: Sha Tianhao, young master of the Yellow Sand Society, originally ranked third among newcomers. After Ye Wufeng's death, he should have moved up to second, but two women parachuted in, causing him to lose even his third place and drop to fourth... He was a pitiful fellow, better not provoke him further.

Sha Tianhao finally spoke: "We're here to solve the desert trade route problem for everyone. Why fuss over these things? Strength speaks for itself; a powerful background doesn't automatically mean competence. The next time we meet those two women, we'll know who's stronger."

"The Young Master is right."

Sha Tianhao placed a gold ingot on the table: "Enough idle talk. Who here has seen that so-called tomb? If you can lead the way, there will be a generous reward."

This immediately sounded less like solving trade route problems and more like grave robbing. Such "ancient tombs" seemed to pose little harm, at least not to the townspeople, and didn't interest stronger cultivators much. They were perfectly suited for small sects or these newcomers to gain experience and explore.

Under the promise of a heavy reward, brave men emerged. The same patrons who had just advised "better not go" immediately had someone stand up: "I've seen it."

Sha Tianhao said: "You saw it and returned safely. Does that mean there's no danger around it?"

"I was caught in a sandstorm at the time, and a strange person saved me. By the time I regained consciousness, I was already outside the town."

"Strange person?"

"A strange woman with white hair and blue eyes, as cold as ice. I suspect she's a demon... a demon... a demon..."

As he spoke, he started to stutter, his eyes wide as he stared towards the town's entrance.

A figure slowly emerged from the sandstorm, returning to the border town.

People gazed intently, seeing a young woman with white hair and blue eyes, a long sword on her back. She wore only coarse cloth garments, tattered from prolonged combat, and faint traces of congealed blood were visible. Yet, the sand and blood had failed to stain her skin, which remained translucent and crystalline like ice.

Her blue eyes fixated on the speaking patron, chilling him to the bone.

Many people rose, hands on their blades: "Where did this monster come from?!"

The young woman's eyes swept over them, her gaze revealing no emotion.

Sha Tianhao raised a hand to stop his subordinates, whispering: "Doesn't seem like a demon; no demonic aura."

The young woman spoke calmly: "There's no need to go to the desert anymore. The ancient tomb has been destroyed, and the accumulated sand demons and scorpion spirits have been slain. The illusion has collapsed, and this path is now clear."

After speaking, she also entered the tavern: "Three pots of clear water and some meat, please."

Sha Tianhao's gaze fell on the pendant at the young woman's waist. It was ancient and solemn, giving off a distinct archaic feel. His heart stirred slightly, and he suddenly blocked the young woman's path: "According to you, Miss, you were the one who breached the tomb in the sand?"

The young woman gave him a strange look: "What does that have to do with you?"

"Shouldn't those who witnessed it get a share of what you obtained from the tomb, Miss?"

The young woman repeated: "What does that have to do with you?"

After speaking, she didn't bother to respond further, took her drinks and meat, and walked away.

Sha Tianhao blocked her again.

With a "clang," a cold glint burst forth, and an icy mist suddenly rose.

Everyone's vision blurred; the young woman had already passed Sha Tianhao and was outside the tavern.

A bloodstain on Sha Tianhao's chest rapidly expanded, and blood spurted out like a fountain.

"Young Master, Young Master!" His subordinates rushed forward, fumbling to apply medicine and bandages. Someone sternly called out to the young woman's retreating back: "Who are you, dare to state your name! The Yellow Sand Society will surely have its revenge!"

"My name is Dugu Qingli. I am not a demon. Remember that." The young woman didn't look back, slowly walking towards the yellow sand.

The burly men, who had intended to seek trouble, suddenly stopped, staring blankly as the young woman's back disappeared into the distance.

This name had been ringing in everyone's ears lately... The newcomer who parachuted to second place, the direct disciple of Heavenly Jade Sacred Land, the only apprentice of the world's number one, Ye Tinglan—was it her?

The Yellow Sand Society will surely have its revenge? Revenge on what, their mother?!

The group didn't dare utter another word, silently tending to Sha Tianhao.

Sha Tianhao's face was pale, whether from his injury or from fright, no one could tell. The tavern patrons secretly watched him, their expressions inscrutable.

"Once you meet those two women who parachuted in, you'll know who's stronger?" Well, now they certainly knew; he couldn't even block one of her moves.

The Demon Suppressing Division's rankings, it seemed, were indeed not arbitrary...

Dugu Qingli walked to the town entrance, but then, as if only just realizing something, she paused and asked, "You've heard my name?"

Immediately, a tavern patron shouted: "Miss, you've been in the desert so long, you probably don't know you've already entered the Newcomers List, ranked second!"

"Second... Who's first? Shen Tang?"

"Uh, it's Qi Tuizhi, Young Master of Lingtian Pavilion."

The young woman said nothing more, disappearing into the sandstorm.