Chapter 67: Qingyun Sect Elder Arrives

A high-grade Pulse Rejuvenation Pill!This... this can only be refined by at least a three-star Soul Master!That young man is actually a three-star Soul Master?He was utterly dumbfounded. A three-star Soul Master was a prominent figure only found in the Heavenly Secret Pavilion! Could that young man truly be one? If he hadn't witnessed it with his own eyes, he would never have believed that a three-star Soul Master could be so young!

For a long time, his shock did not subside. Knowing it was unsafe to linger, he quickly departed. As he passed Xu Ganglie's corpse, he sighed, "Your death was no injustice at all! That was a three-star Soul Master, a level where practitioners are often unfathomable. To lay hands on him, you truly had a death wish!"

Not long after, he returned to the Qin family. Qin Changsheng, leading a group of clansmen, knelt in welcome, "We humbly welcome Old Master back!" It turned out he was the Qin family's Old Master, Qin Wenyuan, a true one-star Soul Master. There was no trace of a smile on his face. Instead, he wore a stern expression and questioned, "Why is business so sluggish? What exactly have you been doing?" Before returning to the mansion, he had specifically visited the Qin family's various shops and found their business to be very poor, far worse than before.

Qin Changsheng tearfully reported, "Old Master, you don't know the half of it. The Chen family invited a formidable Soul Master who has taken most of our business. I heard that Soul Master is even preparing to train a group of Soul Master apprentices for the Chen family, specializing in refining low-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, intending to cut off the Qin family's livelihood." Hearing this, Qin Wenyuan's expression darkened. "Train Soul Master apprentices and cut off the Qin family's livelihood? What arrogance! I'll go see for myself who this esteemed person is!" Qin Changsheng was secretly overjoyed and asked again, "Old Master, how do you plan to deal with him?" Qin Wenyuan narrowed his old eyes and said, "Isn't he recruiting talented individuals to train as Soul Master apprentices? I'll simply answer the call and see what abilities he possesses!"

At the Xu Manor, Jiang Fan had just returned when he found the residence completely transformed. Everyone was busy. Xu Yining had also changed into a brand new outfit. She, who usually went without makeup, had now lightly applied some to prepare for what she considered the most important day in her eighteen years of life. Jiang Fan was surprised and wrote, "What's this?" Xu Yining initially didn't want to bother with Jiang Fan, but she couldn't resist her good mood. What's more, she wanted to show off in front of him. "Elder Li is arriving at our Xu family today."

Jiang Fan was slightly startled and wrote, "Wasn't it supposed to be in a few days? Why the sudden change of schedule?" Xu Yining also looked puzzled. Li Qingfeng had previously announced his arrival for five days later. But for some unknown reason, he had suddenly changed the time and rushed to the Xu family. After some thought, she guessed, "It must be because I broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm. Elder Li is probably very pleased and wants to accept me into the Azure Cloud Sect earlier." This... seemed plausible. However, Jiang Fan felt something was off. Which elder of the Azure Cloud Sect wasn't incredibly busy? Most matters were arranged in advance; why would the schedule suddenly be disrupted?

"Xiao Fan, you're back?" Xu Youran, holding a rag, asked in surprise, "Where have you been these past few days?" Seeing her doing the servants' work again, Jiang Fan immediately became furious and wrote, "I told you to cultivate, what are you doing?" Xu Youran glanced at Xu Yining beside her and whispered, "I only stopped cultivating just now. Xiao Fan, honestly tell me, what exactly was that liquid you gave me? Also, what level is this new cultivation technique? Why have I broken through again? I'm already at the eighth layer of Qi Condensation." Her face showed unease. This cultivation speed was simply too fast, as if she had divine assistance.

Jiang Fan's mouth twitched. In the entire world, only this "silly girl" would worry about cultivating too quickly. With the effects of the high-grade Qi Condensation liquid and the Profound-grade high-level cultivation technique, it would be difficult for Xu Youran not to advance rapidly. He didn't explain, but instead took out a Mortal Cleansing Pill, handed it to her, and wrote, "Take this."

Xu Yining, standing nearby, saw it. She couldn't help but ask curiously, "Jiang Fan, what good stuff are you giving my sister now?" Jiang Fan turned his head and handed her a note: "You want some too?" Knowing her place, Xu Yining snorted, "Who cares about your stuff? I'll soon be an Azure Cloud Sect disciple; what could you have that the Azure Cloud Sect doesn't?" Jiang Fan wrote, "That's for the best. I wouldn't give it to you anyway." Xu Yining immediately became so angry her chest heaved and she bit her silver teeth. For some reason, she was now becoming increasingly bothered by Jiang Fan's attitude, even though she used to treat him as if he were invisible.

Xu Youran said, "Xiao Fan, don't you have another one? Give it to your sister." "And be given charity by Jiang Fan again?" Xu Yining said angrily, "I don't want it! It's probably not good anyway. Sister, you'd better not eat random things; you might get an upset stomach!" Xu Youran felt a headache coming on. She wondered what was wrong with her sister. Why was she constantly squabbling with Jiang Fan lately? For the past ten years, they had gotten along quite well, each minding their own business, hadn't they? Looking at the pill in her palm, she swallowed it without the slightest hesitation.

Jiang Fan looked expectant: "How do you feel? Do you notice any changes in your body?" Xu Youran shook her head in confusion. "No." After a brief thought, Jiang Fan was relieved. The Mortal Cleansing Pill improved the quality of one's spiritual root, not physical attributes. Therefore, even if there was a change, her body wouldn't outwardly show it. A treasure that could make a dying branch leader die with unresigned eyes certainly wouldn't be bad.

"How are your preparations coming along? My master will be here any moment!" A clear voice drifted in from outside the door. Zhong Qizhen strode in quickly. Xu Yining's eyes lit up. She scurried forward and respectfully greeted, "Senior Brother Zhong." Zhong Qizhen gazed at Xu Yining, whose face was captivating and figure alluring, and couldn't help but feel a flicker of desire. He had first met her half a year ago when he accompanied Li Qingfeng to Lone Boat City to assess Xu Youran. At that time, he had been struck by Xu Yining's beauty, and the memory was still fresh. Half a year had passed, and seeing her again, he still found her stunning.

"Junior Sister, are all your preparations complete?" Xu Yining nodded. "Please point out any shortcomings, Senior Brother Zhong." Zhong Qizhen's gaze swept around. He nodded slightly. "It's quite clean; there are no issues." Just then, he noticed Jiang Fan. He couldn't help but ask, "Who is this?"

Xu Yining said unhappily, "He's my sister's fiancé, Jiang Fan." "He's Jiang Fan?" A hint of hostility emerged in Zhong Qizhen's eyes. In the past, relying on Zhu Jianshen's offerings, he received several fire spirit pearls annually, but now that Zhu Jianshen was dead, everything was gone. This Jiang Fan was undoubtedly implicated in Zhu Jianshen's death. "Junior Sister Yining, is Master's venerable presence something just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can behold? This Jiang Fan looks like a shady character; get rid of him." Xu Yining frowned. Although she disliked Jiang Fan, why was he considered a shady character? But considering Li Qingfeng's imminent arrival, she could only ask Jiang Fan to bear a little inconvenience: "Jiang Fan, please go to the back courtyard. Don't come out today." Jiang Fan stared at Zhong Qizhen for a moment, then left without a word.

Xu Youran was about to follow, but Xu Yining stopped her. "Sister, you should stay here. What if Elder Li takes a fancy to you?" Zhong Qizhen sneered. Jiang Fan was no good, and his fiancée was no better. "Make her leave too!" Xu Youran had no intention of staying anyway. She gave Zhong Qizhen a cold glance, then linked arms with Jiang Fan and walked away. It was then that Zhong Qizhen noticed Xu Youran's breathtaking beauty. He couldn't help but secretly regret it. Xu Yining's sister was actually more beautiful than her? Truly, a beautiful flower wasted on a pile of cow dung!

Just then, a flying beast swooped down, landing in the center of the courtyard. Standing atop it, with hands clasped behind his back, was a blue-robed middle-aged man with an immortal-like demeanor and a refined, scholarly appearance. His entire being exuded a daunting aura. Xu Zhengyan, leading the entire clan, immediately welcomed him respectfully. "The entire Xu family humbly welcomes Elder Li!" Li Qingfeng dismounted, his gaze quickly sweeping through the Xu family members. He briefly paused at Xu Yining before his eyes moved on, focusing on the female family members. After a quick scan, he couldn't help but frown slightly and softly muttered, "Which one is the Xu Youran that the Young Sect Master spoke of?"