Chapter 229: Black Lotus

Her goodwill visibly faded. She responded perfunctorily, "Oh, Junior Brother Jiang! What a pleasure."

Lu Xinghe was much less subtle. He asked directly, "I heard that you're a disciple without a spiritual root. How could Qingyun Sect assign you a task? Aren't they afraid something might happen to you along the way?"

Jiang Fan smiled, "The sect arranged it; I just follow orders."

Lu Xinghe nodded, "I don't mean anything else, I was just asking. Escorting spirit herbs isn't dangerous work, so it's fine if you join. Just follow my instructions on the way, and don't cause any trouble."

Seeing his bluntness, Qin Caihe added, "My Senior Brother Lu is a seventh-level Foundation Establishment cultivator. He was supposed to undertake a Level 2 mission, but for certain reasons, he's here for a Level 3 mission. With him around, you can rest assured; the mission will definitely be completed successfully."

She highlighted Lu Xinghe's strength, implying that he was their team leader.

Jiang Fan had no objection, saying, "Then I'll be in your care, Senior Brother Lu and Senior Sister Qin. It seems we're still missing one person?"

Just as they were speaking, a female disciple hurried down from the Taishang Sect. She was tall, slender, and delicate. Her features were exquisite, her skin fair, and she had long black hair. Dressed in an apricot-colored long dress, she resembled a delicate butterfly fluttering towards them.

Gasping for breath after only a few steps, her cheeks slightly flushed, she asked, "Excuse me... are you the disciples assigned to the spirit herb escort mission?"

Lu Xinghe, seeing her beautiful and delicate appearance, immediately smiled. "That's us! I am Lu Xinghe, a seventh-level Foundation Establishment cultivator. With me here, Junior Sister, you can rest assured on this journey."

The Taishang Sect female disciple looked surprised. Evidently, she was also shocked to find a seventh-level Foundation Establishment cultivator in the team. A hint of joy involuntarily appeared on her shy face. With him present, this mission was indeed foolproof.

She took out her identification token and said somewhat shyly, "I am Chu Xingmeng from the Taishang Sect. Pleased to meet you, Senior Brother Lu."

Qin Caihe, displeased with Senior Brother Lu's attitude, eyed Chu Xingmeng up and down. True to her name, she looked delicately charming, very much the type men would favor. Qin Caihe said indifferently, "Myriad Swords Sect, Qin Caihe."

Chu Xingmeng politely cupped her hands and bowed, "Pleased to meet you, Senior Sister Qin."

Jiang Fan said calmly, "Qingyun Sect, Jiang Fan."

Chu Xingmeng quickly bowed, "Pleased to meet you, Senior Brother Jiang... Wait!" She suddenly looked up, staring at Jiang Fan with an incredulous expression, her eyes wide as if she had seen a ghost. "You... why are you here?"

The reason she was late was that she had been on the viewing platform, watching that spectacular friendly match! Jiang Fan's invincible figure, single-handedly tearing through the Taishang Sect's elites, was a sight she could hardly forget!

But she had never imagined in her wildest dreams that this person, who she found breathtakingly amazing and believed she would never cross paths with again, being so far above her ordinary self, would actually be joining her on a Level 3 mission? Had there been some mistake?

Her mind was in a mess. Even having a seventh-level Foundation Establishment teammate felt highly unusual to her. Why was Jiang Fan also here?

She hastily pulled out her jade slip and asked, "I-I haven't come to the wrong team, have I?" She couldn't help but wonder if she had indeed joined the wrong team. This team seemed more than capable of handling a Level 1 mission.

Lu Xinghe and Qin Caihe exchanged surprised glances. What was wrong with this woman? She had suddenly become strange after seeing Jiang Fan.

Both of them took out their jade slips, and Jiang Fan also pulled out his. They cross-referenced with hers. Confirming that Jiang Fan was indeed on her team, Chu Xingmeng's mind went blank.

Lu Xinghe asked, puzzled, "Junior Sister Chu, do you know Junior Brother Jiang?"

Chu Xingmeng was a little wary of Jiang Fan. She secretly glanced at him, stammering, unsure whether to speak or not.

Qin Caihe was annoyed by her prolonged silence. She pointed at the spirit herbs on the carriage and said, "Isn't it obvious? Junior Brother Jiang went to the Taishang Sect to collect the spirit herbs and must have met her along the way."

Lu Xinghe thought for a moment. Although he found the reason somewhat far-fetched, it wasn't important, so he didn't bother asking further. He cast a solicitous glance at Chu Xingmeng and said, "Junior Sister Chu, the journey to the Spirit Beast Sect is long. I've prepared a special mount for traveling. If you don't mind, please join us." He pointed to a spirit beast tied under a tree not far away, which resembled a horse but was not quite one. It was twice the size of an ordinary horse and had a wide, soft saddle on its back, capable of seating four people simultaneously.

Chu Xingmeng nodded. Then, she immediately realized that the terrifyingly powerful Jiang Fan was also here. She hastily asked, "What about Senior Brother Jiang?"

Lu Xinghe, however, had no intention of letting Jiang Fan ride his spirit beast. He had rented it for three hundred crystal stones. Completing this mission successfully, even with Jiang Fan along, would be a huge favor to him. There was no way he would let Jiang Fan enjoy a spirit beast he had paid for himself.

Jiang Fan said calmly, "I won't be using it. I need to escort the spirit herbs." He was a little speechless. Since his duty was to escort the spirit herbs, why would he arrange for a separate spirit beast? If everyone rode the spirit beast, who would watch the herbs? Although there was almost no risk on this journey, what if something happened?

He leaped onto the back of the carriage horse.

Given Jiang Fan's status, if he wasn't indulging in comfort by riding a spirit beast, how could Chu Xingmeng bring herself to? She lowered her head and said, "Senior Brother Jiang, I'll join you." She then leaped onto the back of the last carriage horse. She and Jiang Fan, one in front and one behind, together guarded the three carts of spirit herbs.

Lu Xinghe's expression stiffened. Qin Caihe seized the opportunity to taunt him, "Junior Sister Chu would rather endure the bumps with Junior Brother Jiang than be with you! Your enthusiasm is entirely wasted on her! Hehe!"

Lu Xinghe's expression worsened. He shot Jiang Fan an ill-tempered glance, then leaped onto his spirit beast and snorted lightly, "Junior Sister Chu is young and doesn't know the dangers. Does she really think the entire journey will be peaceful?"

"As far as I know, a group of bandits is entrenched along the border between the Taishang Sect and the Spirit Beast Sect. Their leader, Black Lotus, is a master with cultivation reaching the ninth level of Foundation Establishment!"

Hearing this, the taunting expression on Qin Caihe's face gradually disappeared, replaced by a look of gravity. She had heard of this bandit group; its members were all outcasts from major martial arts families and the Nine Sects. They possessed powerful cultivation and profound techniques. Each one was a formidable and difficult opponent. Especially Black Lotus, who was once a favored prodigy of the Taishang Sect. She was expelled from the sect for stealing cultivation techniques from the Scripture Repository. After becoming a bandit, she gathered outcasts from various forces across the Nine Sect lands, making her extremely powerful.

Even cultivators at the first or second level of Core Formation would have to think twice if they encountered them, as two fists are no match for four hands. Thinking of this, Qin Caihe shrunk her neck, no longer daring to feel jealous. She said weakly, "Senior Brother Lu, thankfully you're with us this time; otherwise, I wouldn't dare take on this mission."

Lu Xinghe secretly smiled. He had only told half the truth, leaving the other half unsaid. Black Lotus's area of activity was vast, and the possibility of them encountering her was minuscule.

Several days later, they smoothly arrived at the border of the Taishang Sect. Beyond the mountains ahead lay the territory of the Spirit Beast Sect.

Over the past few days, during their journey, Jiang Fan successfully cultivated the 'Roaming Dragon Palm' to its final level. Its power was no weaker than the second form of 'Heavenly Cripple Finger,' 'Purple Qi from the East.' If he were to compete in palm techniques with Hua Xiangchen again, the energy-consuming approach would be useless against him, as one palm strike would be enough to decide the outcome!

*Neigh!* Suddenly, the leading horse seemed startled, rearing up its front legs sharply and neighing loudly. Jiang Fan stumbled, nearly falling. His heart sank. He immediately dismounted, hid behind the horse, and narrowed his eyes, scanning his surroundings!