Chapter 301: Xu Yining

She wore the uniform of the Azure Cloud Sect. Among the disciples of the Righteous Thunder Sect, she stood out. Her elegant light blue long dress perfectly accentuated her graceful figure. Her refined, unadorned face was stunning enough to captivate everyone. Amidst the Righteous Thunder Sect disciples, she truly stood out from the crowd.

Several disciples from the Joyful Union Sect couldn't help but notice her. Ji Ruyue's eyes lit up, and she praised sincerely, "What a beautiful junior sister! Even in our Joyful Union Sect, she would be considered one of the top beauties." The Joyful Union Sect was known for its handsome men and beautiful women, yet the woman's beauty before them still possessed an unparalleled, breathtaking quality. Ji Ruyue looked at her repeatedly, growing more fond of her with each glance.

Suddenly, her eyes darted, and she turned to Jiang Fan, asking, "Brother, do you like this junior sister? If you do, how about I play matchmaker for you?" Throughout the journey, Jiang Fan hadn't spoken to them; Ji Ruyue had had no opportunity to befriend him. Now was a good chance.

Jiang Fan didn't know whether to laugh or cry, his voice complex as he replied, "No need. We are not fated to be together."

Ji Ruyue was sharp; she immediately sensed something was amiss and probed, "Does Brother know her?"

Jiang Fan's gaze also became complicated. "Know her? We are far more than mere acquaintances. Had it not been for her declaration, 'I'd rather die than marry Jiang Fan,' back then, our destinies would have taken a completely different path. We *really* know each other!"

Just as Ji Ruyue was about to investigate further, Elder Ling spoke up, "Oh, it's a fellow Daoist from the Righteous Thunder Sect!" She let out a slight sigh of relief. Among the Righteous Thunder Sect group, sitting on the foremost horse, was a bald, middle-aged man with a black lightning mark on his forehead. His skin was pale, and he had no hair anywhere on his body—not even eyebrows! He looked strange, yet the aura he exuded was chilling.

"Ah, Elder Ling!" he chuckled, "I thought some rare treasure had appeared here." He was smiling, but his peripheral vision was fixed on the scattered water droplets on the ground, filled with suspicion. They had been quite a distance away, and from afar, they had clearly seen the miraculous sight of clouds falling. They hadn't expected to find the Joyful Union Sect's convoy upon their arrival.

Elder Ling replied amusedly, "If there were a rare treasure, would I still be waiting for you here? I would have long since fled with it."

"Indeed..." The bald middle-aged man thought for a moment and asked, "Then what happened here just now? Does Elder Ling have any clues?"

Elder Ling gave a wry smile and shook her head. "I wish I knew. Clouds falling from the sky is unheard of. Elder Jin, if you have any leads, please tell us truthfully."

Jiang Fan listened to them playing verbal games. He secretly found it amusing. Neither of them had any clues, let alone would they ever share them with each other even if they did.

Elder Jin also realized he had asked a superfluous question. Unwilling to give up, he rode his horse back and forth through the area of water droplets, searching. Only after the droplets had completely dissipated did he return with a sigh, saying, "It seems it was truly just a natural wonder." He glanced at Elder Ling, then at the six disciples inside the carriage. Elder Jin's eyes darted, and he chuckled, "Is Elder Ling taking her disciples to Myriad Sword Sect for the Sword Forest Enlightenment? I am too. How about we travel together?"

Elder Ling cupped her hands and replied, "I appreciate Elder Jin's kind offer. My disciples are delicate and cannot rush the journey. You go ahead, so we don't hold you back."

Several Joyful Union Sect disciples exchanged glances, showing confusion. They didn't understand why Elder Ling refused. The journey westward was not very safe at the moment; combining the two sects' teams would undoubtedly be safer.

Ji Ruyue, however, knew the situation and whispered, "Don't misunderstand Elder Ling. She's protecting us. That bald man is not a good person."

Jiang Fan couldn't help but glance at Xu Yining. A hint of worry welled up in his eyes.

Ji Ruyue's voice dropped even lower as she said, "He is Jin Yunlie, the Grand Elder of the Righteous Thunder Sect! He has twice embarked on missions with powerful cultivators from other sects, only for everyone else to be wiped out while he alone returned alive. Since there were no witnesses left, the matters were left unresolved."

Upon hearing this, everyone felt a chill. Only then did they understand why Elder Ling had refused the invitation without hesitation. This Jin Yunlie had a notorious record! If everyone else was wiped out once and only he miraculously survived, one might attribute it to extreme luck. But for it to happen twice? Could it still be luck?

Jiang Fan grew even more worried. Given how despicable this man was, was Xu Yining truly safe traveling with his group? He had promised Li Qingfeng that if he ever encountered Xu Yining outside the sect, he would take good care of her.

As if sensing Jiang Fan's gaze, Xu Yining looked over. But once she looked, her eyes couldn't leave the mask on Jiang Fan's face. She rubbed her eyes, wondering if she was dreaming, and murmured, dazed, "Shadow Guard Number One?"

No one knew how much she missed Shadow Guard Number One. The one who taught her movement techniques on the Dragon Ascent Path. The one who saved her life from the Branch Master of the Blood Bat Palace. The man she admired and felt drawn to. She couldn't believe she had met him here!

Jiang Fan was slightly surprised. He thought everyone had forgotten about this Shadow Guard Number One mask. Yet, after all this time, Xu Yining still remembered. Since that was the case, he simply jumped down from the carriage with a broad gesture and smiled, "Long time no see, Xu Yining."

Hearing the familiar voice and confirming that this was indeed Shadow Guard Number One, tears quickly welled up in Xu Yining's eyes, turning into sorrowful drops that streamed down her cheeks. She dismounted, clutching her skirt, and threw herself into Jiang Fan's embrace.

Jiang Fan was momentarily stunned. "You are...?" Before he could even finish asking, Xu Yining was already crying profusely, "Where did you go? I went back to Solitary Boat City, but I couldn't find you anywhere."

Only she knew how many times she had missed Shadow Guard Number One since arriving at the Azure Cloud Sect. Especially whenever she felt wronged, she would recall Shadow Guard Number One's kindness towards her. This time, she had been outshone by Xu Youran and Chen Sining. Feeling sad, she returned to Solitary Boat City, hoping to see Shadow Guard Number One again, then compose herself and start anew. But the Dragon Ascent Path had long been closed. The familiar steps were, at some unknown time, covered in dust, and a few small spiders quietly spun their webs in the corners of the walls. On the street where he had saved her, the old woman selling pastries was still there, and children still chattered around the old man making sugar figures. Everything felt as if it were just yesterday. Only Shadow Guard Number One's presence was gone. It turned out that while things remained the same, people had changed. Vast as the world was, there was no longer a path for her to return. That's why she had traveled far and wide.

Listening to Xu Yining, who was crying louder and louder in his arms, Jiang Fan was momentarily at a loss. In his ten years at the Xu mansion, it was the first time he had seen Xu Yining cry so sorrowfully. After a moment of hesitation, he gently patted her back and said, "Don't cry anymore. Your master, Elder Li, is very worried about you."

Hearing this, Xu Yining's tears subsided slightly, and she looked ashamed. "My impulsive departure has caused trouble for Master. Once we return from Myriad Sword Sect, I will go back to the Azure Cloud Sect."

Jiang Fan felt relieved. He glanced at the Righteous Thunder Sect disciples and said, "Stay with me from now on. It'll be good to have someone looking out for you."

Xu Yining smiled through her tears, wiping them away as she nodded repeatedly, "Okay!" This was exactly what she had longed for.

"Junior Sister Xu, are you just leaving like this?" However, a handsome disciple with a dignified demeanor, standing next to Jin Yunlie, raised an eyebrow. "Don't forget, we saved your life!"