Chapter 113: Storms on the Horizon

In the end, Li Guanxuan was still kicked out by Liu Xiaoxian.

However, judging by their playful banter just moments ago, his master did not seem to resist him. Although Liu Xiaoxian had worn a look of feigned indignation, she made no truly angry gestures, only lightly pinching his waist a few times. It didn’t hurt, nor was it itchy. Instead, it carried the faint, bashful charm of a fairy who had lived for over a century...

As Li Guanxuan left the No. 1 Market and headed toward the No. 3 Market, his mind was still occupied by the amorous scene that had just unfolded. He was now certain that his master held him in high regard—a sentiment that had transcended the bounds of a typical master-disciple relationship, yet hadn’t quite reached that of lovers. *Oh no, my filial piety is gradually becoming corrupted, and her doting affection is following the same path.*

*But I’m not sure if she’s entertaining the idea of dual cultivation with me...* After all, to a woman over a hundred years his senior, such a connection might simply be a means to improve their cultivation, hardly qualifying as a romantic entanglement. If it were to be counted as anything, it would be nothing more than a fleeting affair. And if they failed to reach a state of true spiritual resonance, it might not even trigger the conditions necessary to produce immortal energy.

Li Guanxuan sighed inwardly; this matter could not be rushed and had to be approached with patience. After all, the slickness of a merchant wasn't something one could probe into so easily.

"At this rate, it won't be long before I can discuss that 'nine-figure business deal' with Master in detail..." Li Guanxuan recalled the rosy flush on Liu Xiaoxian’s face and her attempt to feign composure as he left. His filial piety had truly warped. But if it was warped, so be it; with a cheat code like his, it was impossible for it not to change.

***

Upon arriving at the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion in the No. 3 Market, Li Guanxuan paid a visit to Zheng Huangjin. He handed over the "spoils" obtained from the Red Lotus Mountain Range, and the two tacitly followed their usual routine of asking no questions—this was not the first time they had done this. Zheng Huangjin even felt a secret sense of relief; the fact that Li Guanxuan had brought this windfall to him rather than "Boss Liu" suggested that in Li Guanxuan’s heart, the bond of brotherhood still outweighed his ties to his master.

"From now on, stay put in Silver Maple City and live a peaceful life. Take the time to study the method for refining Golden Essence Pills, and don’t wander around aimlessly. If you need any materials, just let me know," Zheng Huangjin said with a solemn expression.

When he heard about what had transpired in the Red Lotus Mountain Range, his first thought had been of Li Guanxuan. And after the Thunderfire Sect’s ancestor, Lei Gongwang, declared that the Li-surnamed sword cultivator hailed from the Daheng Li clan, Zheng Huangjin was certain it was him. Li Guanxuan was the only sword cultivator of the Foundation Establishment stage from the Li clan near the Red Lotus Mountain Range. That was why he warned him not to leave Silver Maple City, let alone act rashly; if there was a problem to be solved, he was to leave it to him.

Li Guanxuan felt a warmth in his heart and smiled. "Don't worry, Brother Zheng. I value my life above all else; I certainly won't be leaving Silver Maple City easily."

Zheng Huangjin nodded slightly. He had known for nearly thirty years just how cautious and risk-averse Li Guanxuan truly was.

Zheng Huangjin continued, "Sect Master Yan Shikui of the Thunderfire Sect has placed a bounty on you. Anyone who finds you and kills you will receive forty thousand spirit stones—ten thousand for locating your hiding spot, and thirty thousand for the kill."

Li Guanxuan paused for a moment, then chuckled softly. "Sect Master Yan is certainly generous."

"While he has other sons besides Yan Mingyao, Yan Mingyao’s talent was the best among them. It’s not just him; even Yan Mingyao’s birth mother is hunting for you." Seeing that Li Guanxuan’s expression wasn't particularly heavy, Zheng Huangjin felt significantly relieved. If this were a problem Li Guanxuan couldn't handle, his expression would be grave. A calm face meant he had the capacity to cope. Zheng Huangjin speculated that with all his hidden cards, even a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator might not be able to do anything to him. To kill him, at least a True Person would have to intervene.

After learning this, Li Guanxuan simply took note of it and didn't pay it much mind. As long as he stayed safely tucked away in Silver Maple City, the people of the Thunderfire Sect would never find him.

Changing the subject, Li Guanxuan asked, "Any news from Qing'an City?" He hadn't forgotten about Sang Shaoxian, the Sect Master of Joyful Mountain.

Previously, Cao Feng had suggested to Sang Shaoxian that Qing'an City was a barren place and that he would be better off developing his power nearby. He argued that if he grew strong enough, he could eventually form a True Core or Golden Core, so why waste his efforts on his old territory? But Sang Shaoxian had only smiled, secretly continuing his preparations to fight his way back. From this, Li Guanxuan could tell that the ancestor of Joyful Mountain must have revealed many secrets regarding the Velvet Flower Spirit Tree to Sang Shaoxian before dying. That was why Sang Shaoxian remained relentless in his search.

When the topic came up, Zheng Huangjin’s expression turned slightly grave. "The Sect Master of Falling Moon Valley has successfully formed a False Core."

Li Guanxuan was surprised. That woman had actually succeeded? Although it was only a False Core with merely forty percent of the spiritual power of a True Core, for a sect master currently in a precarious position, extending her life by a hundred years brought many variables. It might even allow Falling Moon Valley to produce another True Person.

"That woman is truly not to be underestimated," Li Guanxuan remarked with admiration.

"Indeed..." Zheng Huangjin sighed, his tone filled with respect. "She sold her soul to the demons in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains in exchange for the method to form a False Core. Once she succeeded, she immediately gravely injured the Sect Master of Joyful Mountain, then purged the Absolute Kill Tower to intimidate the surrounding forces. Now, Sang Shaoxian has had to flee back to Silver Maple City. With Cao Feng protecting him, he shouldn't be in any immediate danger."

*Demons...* Li Guanxuan thought of Chen Yinshan’s current state. Chen Yinshan was still stable for now, but Li Guanxuan worried that once the old man successfully formed his core, he might turn into a complete demon—a creature devoid of morality, emotion, or empathy, driven only by self-interest.

"If she sold her soul to the demons, the demons will come to collect one day. She probably won't live long," Li Guanxuan said.

Zheng Huangjin nodded slightly, speculating, "She likely bought herself fifty more years. After fifty years, everything she is will belong to the demons."

*Fifty years...* Li Guanxuan fell silent. In fifty years, even if he wasn't a Golden Core True Person, he would at least be at the peak of Foundation Establishment. By then, he could easily dispose of Sang Shaoxian, the potential threat, without any remaining worries. In a way, the Sect Master of Falling Moon Valley had even done him a favor.

"By the way, Brother Zheng, could you help me look for four people? Their names are Li Guanding, Li Guanwu, Li Guanping, and Li Jianlin. If you encounter them, please look after them for me." Li Guanxuan bowed solemnly. The five of them had come to the Immortal Ruins to seek their fortune years ago. Although they were all scattered now, he still wanted to find them if he had the chance. After all, it was he who had proposed coming to the Immortal Ruins. He needed to know their fates, one way or another.

"Very well," Zheng Huangjin nodded. Since getting to know Li Guanxuan, he had learned much about the Daheng Li clan, a family of sword immortals. He knew well that the probability of survival for any descendant sent out for training was extremely low. However, since Li Guanxuan had asked, he would help look for them; it was merely a small favor.

***

After Liu Xiaoxian departed for the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, Li Guanxuan spent his days at the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion in the No. 1 Market, guiding first-grade talisman masters, and his nights at home practicing dual cultivation—a simple, consistent routine.

Half a year later, Cao Feng sent someone to invite Li Guanxuan to the City Lord’s Mansion. When Li Guanxuan received the invitation, he wasn't surprised. He knew that after returning from the Red Lotus Mountain Range, Cao Feng would definitely find a time to see him.

"Brother Cao." Li Guanxuan arrived at the study in the City Lord’s Mansion and greeted Cao Feng with a polite bow.

"There's no need for such formalities between us." Cao Feng waved his hand, personally pouring tea, and said, "I asked you here to discuss the Thunderfire Sect."

Seeing that Cao Feng was getting straight to the point, Li Guanxuan didn't feign ignorance. "With my current alchemy skills, I haven't been able to refine a high-grade Golden Essence Pill yet. It will take at least thirty years to succeed."

He knew that what Cao Feng cared about most was the high-grade Golden Essence Pill. Only such a pill would allow him to form a Golden Core and rank among the True Persons.

"Thirty years..." Cao Feng placed a cup of tea in front of Li Guanxuan and nodded slightly. "That’s not too long. Besides, I can't find any other alchemist willing to refine pills for me, so I have to rely on you."

"Rest assured, Brother Cao. Since I promised to take care of this for you, I will certainly fulfill my commitment," Li Guanxuan smiled.

"Can I really rest easy? What if you run out of Silver Maple City for some reason? I’ll be finished then," Cao Feng rolled his eyes, annoyed. "To put it bluntly, I invited you here today to persuade you not to run off for these few decades. Even if you want to leave, you must wait until I or Liu Xiaoxian successfully form our Golden Cores. Otherwise, the minions of the Thunderfire Sect won't let you go, and those eyeing that forty-thousand-spirit-stone bounty will be even less likely to spare you."

*So he was worried about me running around aimlessly...* Li Guanxuan smiled helplessly. "Brother Cao, you worry too much. I value my life more than anything; I would never do something so reckless."

"Is that so?" Cao Feng glanced at him. "Then what about those two evil cultivators? One of them is even a demon... Let me warn you, a demon is not a demonic cultivator, nor is it an evil cultivator who has lost control in a fit of rage. The stronger a demon becomes, the more extreme it gets. They are capable of anything. Do not view them through the lens of a normal person, or you’ll die without even knowing how!"

Cao Feng’s face was grave. "I tell you this because I hope you will draw a line between yourself and that demon. I don't want Wuji’s own sister to die, nor do I want you to die before I get my hands on that high-grade Golden Essence Pill."

Li Guanxuan spoke frankly, "My relationship with that person is exactly the same as yours with Qin Wuji."

"..." Cao Feng fell silent for a moment, then sighed deeply and waved his hand. "Fine, fine. You’re a man of loyalty, but you should still be careful." He knew he couldn't dissuade Li Guanxuan. If Qin Wuji were to become a demon one day, Cao Feng asked himself, he would also do everything in his power to help him, even knowing it would offend a Golden Core True Person.

"Thank you for your concern, Brother Cao," Li Guanxuan said from the heart.

"I have already prepared the main and supporting herbs for the Golden Essence Pill. Whenever you feel ready, just have your wife come to me," Cao Feng said.

Li Guanxuan nodded slightly. It was still too early for the Golden Essence Pill. He needed to raise his cultivation to the seventh level of Foundation Establishment first. Only then would he have a chance to elevate his alchemy skills to the third-grade level. Only at the third-grade level could he refine the Golden Essence Pill.

***

Peaceful Garden, evening.

After returning home, Li Guanxuan informed his wives and concubines about his visit to the City Lord’s Mansion and warned them not to go out unless necessary.

"Since the incident in the Red Lotus Mountain Range, the Thunderfire Sect has extended its reach here. They have even started plotting against Shanggu City," Qin Jiyue mentioned during dinner.

Song Zhiqiao asked with concern, "Is that also to find you and your husband?"

Li Guanxuan picked up a piece of beast meat for Wen Rongxin and smiled. "Looking for us is just a side objective. Besides, they won't find us. For the Thunderfire Sect, plotting against Shanggu City is their true goal."

Shanggu City had a prime geographical location and bordered the three great immortal dynasties. If they could seize it, the Thunderfire Sect’s future development would grow rapidly. Even their ancestor, the True Person Lei Gongwang, still had hopes of reaching the Nascent Soul stage. Moreover, the current City Lord of Shanggu City, Luan Pei, was only at the late stage of Foundation Establishment and had not reached the peak, meaning he couldn't devote all his resources to forming a Golden Core for the time being.

Qin Jiyue saw the worry in the eyes of Wen Rongxin and Song Zhiqiao and comforted them, "There is no need for concern. During our trip to the Red Lotus Mountain Range, my husband and I hid our identities and auras. True Person Lei only knows the sword cultivator is from the Daheng Li clan, but he doesn't know of my husband's existence."

After all, Li Guanxuan had kept a very low profile over the years and rarely acted. Even when he did, he never revealed his Profound Azure Sword Intent. The battle in the Red Lotus Mountain Range was the first time he had ever displayed it.

"In a few more years, I will be able to attempt Bone Forging," Wen Rongxin said softly. By then, she would be capable of assisting Li Guanxuan.

"Cultivate with peace of mind. Don't let external disturbances affect your state of mind. Leave everything to Jiyue and me. Your current tasks are to focus on Bone Forging and Foundation Establishment," Li Guanxuan said.

Wen Rongxin and Song Zhiqiao nodded.

Qin Jiyue added, "Since Silver Maple City has grown and strengthened, many demonic cultivators have come to this spirit city. The Black Rain Sect, the Phantom Pole Sect, and the Star Luo Valley have all established bases within a hundred miles of Silver Maple City... It seems everyone has their eyes on the fat piece of meat that is Shanggu City."

Li Guanxuan narrowed his eyes. "In fifty years at most, if the current City Lord of Shanggu City, Luan Pei, still hasn't formed a Golden Core, his centuries-old foundation will likely have to be handed over to others."