Chapter 326: Rewarding the Qingyun Sect Disciples

The person he most wanted to see at this moment was Liu Qingxian. He wondered about the aftermath of the Giant Sect disciples stealing her Swift Wind Pearl. Had she, in a fit of anger, sought out the Giant Sect to reclaim it and been injured?

To his disappointment, it wasn't Liu Qingxian who arrived. Instead, it was several Qingyun Sect disciples led by Grand Elder Feng Guzen.

He didn't recognize most of them. The only one he had some acquaintance with was Nie Yunxi, the Senior Disciple Sister of Heavenly Sword Peak. Of course, that encounter hadn't been pleasant.

Nie Yunxi had been confined for a month, but with the opening of the Sword Forest, Li Qingfeng had released her early. She was allowed to participate, hoping to break through her current cultivation realm. She was, in essence, serving her penance, and thus appeared cautious, daring not to make any mistakes.

Suddenly, she vaguely sensed someone staring at her. Turning her head, she saw an unfamiliar masked figure, clad in a loose robe, with two swords strapped to their back. A guqin was also slung diagonally across their waist. The person appeared very mysterious.

She frowned, a look of vigilance on her face. But then, her expression changed, and she exclaimed, "Junior Sister Xu?" She couldn't believe she was seeing Xu Yining!

Hearing the call, Xu Yining, who had been sulking about Shadow Guard Number One and was somewhat distracted, paused. She looked in the direction of the voice and was immediately overjoyed, "Senior Disciple Sister!" She quickly ran over. Having been away from the sect for so long, how could she not be happy to suddenly see an old acquaintance?

The two women chatted animatedly for a long time. Learning that Xu Yining's journey had been quite eventful and difficult, Nie Yunxi felt a pang of concern. "Let your travels end here," she said. "After the Sword Forest, come back to the sect with me. Our master has been very worried about you."

Hearing this, Xu Yining's eyes reddened, and she nodded silently, "Okay." However, she immediately realized something. This meant her journey with Shadow Guard Number One was coming to an end. Although their time together was short, the various thrilling experiences made it unforgettable for her.

"Senior Disciple Sister, let me introduce you. This is my friend." She waved at Jiang Fan, "Come here, I'll introduce you to my Senior Disciple Sister and our Qingyun Sect disciples."

Jiang Fan's mouth twitched. *Do I really need you to introduce me?* He walked over, looking at the tired faces, some familiar, some not. He also noticed that their cultivation levels were lower than those of other sects. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. The Qingyun Sect truly had it tough.

He fumbled in his sleeve and produced a bottle of supreme-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, which he no longer needed. "Greetings, fellow disciples. I'm Xu Yining's friend. A small gift for our first meeting." He opened the jade bottle and flicked the pills, one by one, to the elite disciples present.

Nie Yunxi also received one. She picked it up, examined it, and was stunned. "Is this a Foundation Establishment Pill? How is it different from normal ones?"

Feng Guzen had initially disdained interfering in the disciples' affairs. But upon seeing the pill, his eyes widened, and he exclaimed in astonishment, "A supreme-grade Foundation Establishment Pill?"

"What?" The Qingyun Sect disciples turned pale with shock. "This was actually a supreme-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, something only thought to exist in legends? One pill was equivalent to the effect of several regular Foundation Establishment Pills! This was an invaluable treasure!"

Even Xu Yining was dumbfounded. Not to mention where these supreme-grade Foundation Establishment Pills came from, why would he just give away something so valuable? She hurriedly tugged on Jiang Fan's sleeve. "Are you crazy?"

Jiang Fan smiled and said, "Since they are your fellow disciples, they are also my friends." With that, he placed the remaining seven or eight Foundation Establishment Pills from the jade bottle into her palm. "The rest are for you."

Xu Yining held the light jade bottle, but her heart felt heavy.

As the Senior Disciple Sister of Heavenly Sword Peak, Nie Yunxi had seen her share of the world. Yet, she was still utterly astounded by Jiang Fan's generosity. Supreme-grade Foundation Establishment Pills given away like candies? She asked incredulously, "Junior Sister Xu, which sect's esteemed disciple is this young master?"

Xu Yining couldn't answer for a moment. She wanted to know Shadow Guard Number One's true identity more than anyone.

Just then, another group arrived. It was the disciples of the Joyous Union Sect, led by Ling Jinghu. From the elder to the disciples, their attire was vibrant and luxurious, making them the center of attention the moment they appeared.

Feng Guzen's gaze, which had been on Jiang Fan, immediately shifted to Ling Jinghu. He respectfully cupped his hands in greeting. "Elder Ling, long time no see." Ling Jinghu's strength was slightly superior to his. Moreover, the Joyous Union Sect was a top-ranked sect, so Feng Guzen deliberately lowered his posture.

Ling Jinghu smiled. "Elder Feng, you're looking well... Oh!" Suddenly, she saw Jiang Fan and immediately beamed, taking the initiative to speak. "Young Master, you're here too!" Indeed, Jiang Fan was a Qingyun Sect disciple. Naturally, he would be with the Qingyun Sect now. However, seeing the mask still on his face, it seemed he didn't want to be recognized by the Qingyun Sect. So, she wisely didn't expose him.

"Elder Ling," Jiang Fan cupped his hands. "Have your injuries recovered?" Ling Jinghu chuckled, "Thanks to your great fortune, Young Master, I'm about eighty percent recovered."

This scene left Feng Guzen and the Qingyun Sect disciples utterly astonished! The Grand Elder of the Joyous Union Sect was actually chatting amicably with Shadow Guard Number One, as if they were peers? Furthermore, Elder Ling even gave Feng Guzen a cursory glance, showing less importance.

That would have been one thing. What made them completely lose their composure was this: Ling Jinghu glanced at Xu Yining, who was standing beside Jiang Fan, and even showed a gentle expression: "Miss Xu, do you have the qualifications to enter the Sword Forest?"

Xu Yining's expression darkened, and she gave a wry smile. "I'm afraid not." The qualifications for the Sword Forest were all requested by the sects from the Myriad Sword Sect. There wasn't even one extra spot. Feng Guzen couldn't bring her into the Sword Forest either. She could only wait outside.

Ling Jinghu smiled slightly and said, "Then you can join my Joyous Union Sect. One of our disciples perished on the way, leaving an empty spot. You can enter as a disciple of my Joyous Union Sect."

Feng Guzen said, "Isn't that inappropriate?" Wouldn't that mean owing Ling Jinghu a favor?

Ling Jinghu laughed, "What's the big deal? Since Junior Sister Xu is the Young Master's friend, what's a small favor like this?"

It was actually because of Shadow Guard Number One's influence! Feng Guzen, with a look of shock, cupped his hands towards Jiang Fan and asked, "Young friend, may I ask who your master is? This old man might have some acquaintance with him." As a Grand Elder, he had connections with figures from various sects. He was very curious which sect's disciple could command such respect.

"I am a rogue cultivator," Jiang Fan casually replied, giving a perfunctory answer. He then turned to Xu Yining. "Why don't you quickly thank Elder Ling?"

Xu Yining was incredibly surprised and repeatedly thanked Ling Jinghu. Originally, she had only come to Myriad Sword Sect to join the fun, with no intention of entering the Sword Forest. She never expected that Ling Jinghu, again due to Shadow Guard Number One's influence, would grant her such a great opportunity. The slight resentment she had previously harbored towards Shadow Guard Number One instantly vanished.

At this moment, someone tugged on her sleeve. She turned her head and saw Nie Yunxi, whose eyes sparkled with an undisguised envy. "Junior Sister Xu, where did you meet this noble young master?"

Seeing the undisguised envy on Nie Yunxi's and the other Qingyun Sect disciples' faces, she couldn't help but feel a little smug, whispering, "He's a friend I met back in Solitary Boat City."

"So, they were old acquaintances." Nie Yunxi grew even more envious, looking at Shadow Guard Number One, who could converse with two Grand Elders as if they were peers. She couldn't help but sigh with emotion, "Junior Sister Xu, you really have good fortune. To meet such a dragon among men... And he clearly values you greatly." She recalled the rumors about Xu Yining, Jiang Fan, and Xu Youran. She had vaguely heard that Xu Yining seemed to regret the old marriage engagement. So she advised, "Junior Sister Xu, this Shadow Guard Number One is far, far stronger than Jiang Fan. You should really seize this opportunity."