Chapter 275: Where Did the Woman Come From

Her heart was deeply shaken.

Medicine, martial arts, physical techniques, comprehension – and now even movement techniques are perfected! Is this truly possible for a human?

Jiang Fan rolled his eyes at her. "How else do you think I got down? Aren't you coming over?"

Yue Mingzhu, as if waking from a dream, ran over. But then she paused, a new thought striking her.

"Wait! You've mastered movement techniques, which means you can cultivate that intermediate-level leg technique, doesn't it? This trip wasn't without its rewards for you, was it?"

In terms of value, an intermediate-level leg technique is far more precious than a late-stage Core Formation explosive jade talisman.

Jiang Fan nodded. "That's right, what about it? You never asked if I knew movement techniques."

Yue Mingzhu was speechless with indignation. What he said was true, but Jiang Fan was simply too much, wasn't he? How could he know everything? As a result, with the same opportunities before them, she could only stare helplessly while he gained!

She even felt pity for him earlier, giving him a defensive magical artifact she was reluctant to use herself. She suddenly felt like a fool.

Immediately, she extended a small hand, gritting her teeth slightly, and said, "Give me back the jade pendant!"

Jiang Fan calmly said, "But you said you'd never regret it. Have you forgotten your own words so quickly?"

"You..."

Yue Mingzhu clenched her fingers tightly, glaring angrily at Jiang Fan. She really wanted to hit him! But as the esteemed Sect Master of the Joyful Union Sect, she couldn't go back on her word.

"Fine, consider it your gain! Consider it payment for saving me and bringing me up." With that, she leaped, jumping onto Jiang Fan's back and hooking her hands tightly around his neck. Her two long, slender legs were also tightly wrapped around his waist. This way, there was no chance of falling. However, her entire body was consequently pressed tightly against Jiang Fan's.

Jiang Fan felt a soft, warm pressure on his back, making him uncomfortable. "Keep a bit of distance."

Seeing Jiang Fan's bashful expression, Yue Mingzhu found it amusing. Not only did she not let go, but she also subtly twisted her chest as if by accident, mumbling in a playful tone: "You've already seen and touched, why care about this now?"

Jiang Fan gritted his teeth. He couldn't say anything more. Talking about taking off clothes for healing would only make things worse. So he simply stopped talking, carried her on his back, and used his movement technique to head towards the mountain peak.

Yue Mingzhu's heart was in her throat. Turning her head to look at the rapidly receding cliff bottom, she dared not breathe, fearing that Jiang Fan might lose his grip and they would both plummet down the sheer cliff.

It wasn't until half an hour later, when she finally saw the mountain peak, that her anxious heart finally settled. Looking at Jiang Fan's focused profile, she couldn't help but say: "You're quite reliable."

Since taking over as Sect Master of the Joyful Union Sect, she had single-handedly borne all the trials and tribulations of the entire sect. The last time she was protected like this was when her master was still alive, but that was a very long time ago. Now, she had repeatedly been saved by this young man and brought back from a desperate situation. This filled her with deep emotions.

As they were about to reach the peak, they might have to part ways. She felt a pang of reluctance in her heart. She asked, "You're probably not a disciple of the Nine Sects, are you? Are you interested in joining my Joyful Union Sect?"

A string of question marks appeared above Jiang Fan's head. "You're a disciple of the Joyful Union Sect?"

Yue Mingzhu frowned. "Do you have an issue with the Joyful Union Sect?"

Among the Nine Sects, the Joyful Union Sect had a somewhat poor reputation. Because their cultivation method, primarily focused on dual cultivation between men and women, was considered by many to be a crooked or evil path. It was normal for Jiang Fan to think this way.

However, Jiang Fan shook his head and said, "Not at all. For the Joyful Union Sect to be among the Nine Sects, it must have been recognized by the other eight sects and the Celestial Secrets Pavilion. It is undoubtedly a righteous sect."

Yue Mingzhu subtly relaxed and said with a hint of pride: "Of course. The cultivation methods practiced by my Joyful Union Sect are completely different from those evil techniques that involve 'harvesting yin to supplement yang'. They are the most orthodox Grand Dao."

She paused. Yue Mingzhu then asked, "So why were you so surprised that I'm from the Joyful Union Sect?"

Jiang Fan turned his head to look at her, dressed in a red skirt with an unadorned face, and said: "Because the Joyful Union Sect disciples I know seem quite different from you. They are either dissolute or dressed in captivating, vibrant clothes."

In contrast, Yue Mingzhu's attire was relatively modest, and her demeanor was not as frivolous or unrestrained as that of other female disciples from the Joyful Union Sect.

Yue Mingzhu suddenly understood and chuckled, "Oh, so that's what you meant. It seems you don't really understand the Joyful Union Sect."

Jiang Fan said, "I'd like to hear more."

It had been a long time since Yue Mingzhu had a good conversation with someone like this. Resting her chin on Jiang Fan's shoulder, she relaxed her body and mind, saying: "Our Joyful Union Sect cultivates the heart. In life, moments of fulfillment are rare; regret and helplessness are common."

Jiang Fan immediately resonated with her words. Ever since he could remember, he had wandered with his father, and later lived under someone else's roof for ten years. Moments of joy were exceedingly rare.

Yue Mingzhu continued, "Cultivating martial arts is also a difficult and tedious endeavor. Therefore, we need to maintain a positive and optimistic heart, so that our cultivation can yield twice the results with half the effort. Seeking all kinds of joy is the best way to achieve this."

"This..." This was the first time Jiang Fan had heard such a perspective. But he had to admit, with a joyful mindset, cultivating martial arts would indeed be easier.

"The joy between men and women is the easiest to obtain, which is why many disciples seek pleasure in this way. However, some disciples seek higher forms of joy, such as finding true love, achieving fame, or upholding justice and eliminating evil."

Jiang Fan suddenly understood. The joy between men and women was merely one type of "joy" sought by the Joyful Union Sect; it was simply chosen by many disciples because it was easy to achieve. Yue Mingzhu must belong to the second type of disciples.

"I've certainly misunderstood the Joyful Union Sect," he nodded.

Yue Mingzhu blinked her bright eyes and asked, "So, do you want to join my Joyful Union Sect? With your talent, and cultivating your heart properly, your achievements would be truly remarkable."

Jiang Fan said straightforwardly, "I already have a sect. I appreciate your kind offer."

"He has a sect?" Yue Mingzhu wasn't surprised at all. It would be strange if such a prodigious disciple didn't have a sect. However, she was curious about what formidable sect could nurture such a disciple. Her eyes flickered slightly, and she asked, "Which sect are you from? Could it be one of those Divine Sects from beyond the realms?"

Jiang Fan was so prodigious, yet she had never heard of such a person in the lands of the Nine Sects. He could only be from those legendary great sects and grand academies.

"Divine Sects from beyond the realms?" Jiang Fan was momentarily stunned, his mind still pondering what place that was, when they had already reached the edge of the cliff. He composed himself, immediately exerted force with his feet, and leaped up. Only when his feet landed did he feel a deep sense of security. He let out a long sigh of relief: "Finally, we're back."

The moment he landed, Yi Lianxing and the other two ran over.

"Junior Brother Jiang!"

"Junior Brother Jiang!"

"Senior Brother Jiang!"

The three girls were overjoyed. Seeing Jiang Fan return safely, their anxious hearts finally settled. But soon, Qin Caihe noticed something was amiss. She gazed in surprise at the red-skirted girl on Jiang Fan's back and exclaimed, "Junior Brother Jiang, who is this? How did he go down and come back carrying a woman?"

Yi Lianxing and Chu Xingmeng were also a bit bewildered. Where did this woman come from?

Jiang Fan said, "This is Yue Mingzhu, a disciple of the Joyful Union Sect." Saying this, he looked at Xie Liushu, who was not far away: "Your junior sister, come and claim her."

"Junior sister?" Xie Liushu and the others were feeling uneasy. So when Jiang Fan returned, they didn't have the heart to go forward. Suddenly hearing him mention a junior sister, they couldn't help but be stunned. Was there a female disciple named Yue Mingzhu in the Joyful Union Sect?

Xie Liushu walked over, asking with a puzzled expression, "Which junior sister?"

However, when she clearly saw the graceful and beautiful young face peeking out from Jiang Fan's back, her entire being felt as if struck by lightning.