Chapter 131: The Vast Mountain Range

Ping'an Courtyard.

Upon returning to Silver Maple City, Liu Xiaoxian headed straight to Ping'an Courtyard instead of going to her primary marketplace establishment, the All-Phenomena Pavilion.

Song Zhiqiao sensibly began brewing tea for her master.

Qin Jiyue even shot a meaningful glance at Wen Rongxin, signaling that since their master had returned from Flower-Moon Immortal City, she had undoubtedly brought wonderful treasures for all of them; they should offer flattery where appropriate and put her in a good mood first.

Wen Rongxin understood immediately.

Nowadays, she had gradually learned some social skills from Qin Jiyue and Song Zhiqiao. Aside from practicing her fist techniques, she would also read books in her spare time.

Whenever she encountered problems or matters she did not understand, she would humbly consult others.

This gradually lent Wen Rongxin a refined demeanor, entirely washing away her former aura of an insecure and self-deprecating mortal martial artist.

Liu Xiaoxian said with a smiling expression, "Guess what I brought back for you all from Flower-Moon Immortal City."

Before the three young women could speak, Li Guanxuan, standing nearby, chuckled and said, "Master is always thorough; she must have brought back items perfectly suited for the four of us."

"Exactly, exactly."

Song Zhiqiao nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Liu Xiaoxian rolled her eyes and remarked playfully, "How boring."

With that, Liu Xiaoxian took out the items one by one and slowly introduced them:

"This is Rongxin's boxing manual. I have already found a bone-forging technique for you, and this manual records numerous insights into fist cultivation from various body cultivators. When you have free time, Rongxin, you should study it carefully.

Zhiqiao possesses her family's Foundation Establishment mental cultivation method, so I don't need to worry too much about her; hence, I brought back two second-tier top-grade array diagrams for you, along with relevant insights.

Since my rebellious disciple has a nascent immortal treasure, how could Jiyue not have one? Fortunately, I have accumulated quite a bit of savings over the years, so I managed to find a prototype of a celestial treasure for you—a wind-attribute sword. You will need to figure out a way to forge and shape it later."

At this, astonishment appeared on the faces of all three women.

Especially Qin Jiyue.

The treasure prototype Liu Xiaoxian gave her was exceptionally precious!

Even Li Guanxuan at his current level would find it very difficult to acquire such a celestial treasure prototype.

However, this was also related to Liu Xiaoxian's profession as a merchant. For ordinary cultivators, obtaining a treasure prototype during the Foundation Establishment stage was exceedingly difficult unless they had powerful backers.

"Thank you, Master."

The three women expressed their gratitude in unison and accepted their respective items.

Following this, Liu Xiaoxian produced a sword box, turned to Li Guanxuan, and said, "Your items are already sufficient, but celestial treasures require nurturing and can only be stored in a sword box for now. Doing so will allow you to unleash extremely formidable lethality."

Hearing this, Li Guanxuan nodded slightly.

He had not yet formed his Golden Core and was thus unable to draw celestial treasures into his body for nurturing.

Owning a sword box undoubtedly provided him with a designated vessel to nourish his precious swords.

Sometimes, expressing gratitude was necessary, but at other times, saying thank you only added a layer of distant politeness.

Li Guanxuan looked at Liu Xiaoxian with a smile, his heart filled with gratitude.

Everyone always said the cultivation world was cruel and perilous.

And indeed it was true.

Yet...

In this cruel and cold cultivation world, he had experienced the genuine warmth of care, protection, and human affection.

After chatting for a while longer, Wen Rongxin and Song Zhiqiao got up to prepare dinner in the kitchen.

Qin Jiyue went over to assist.

Li Guanxuan and Liu Xiaoxian also helped by sorting the vegetables.

"How does Master plan to handle Yu Qin's situation?" Li Guanxuan asked.

"Back then, she made her choice, and now I have made mine," Liu Xiaoxian replied calmly.

"I choose to stand by and watch."

"What about Immortal Meishuang's side?"

"Then we shall wait for Immortal Meishuang to come and plead on her behalf in person."

Liu Xiaoxian remained completely unbothered.

What she owed was Immortal Meishuang's favor.

Moreover, that favor had already been half-repaid.

If Immortal Meishuang truly wished to help Yu Qin resolve this matter, she would have to come herself. Yu Qin alone...

Liu Xiaoxian would not buy into it.

Back then, when the Thunder-Fire Sect and the Ink-Water Pavilion jointly blockaded Silver Maple City, Immortal Meishuang not only failed to help, but actually added insult to injury behind the scenes. By what right should she help Yu Qin now?

There was simply no such logic in this world.

This debt could not be settled with just a token gift or two.

"I will leave this matter to Master's own judgment. Next, we will disguise ourselves and head toward the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. Please keep a watchful eye on matters within Ping'an Courtyard, Master," Li Guanxuan said with a smile.

He had no intention of interfering in such interpersonal relationships.

Should Immortal Meishuang arrive and Liu Xiaoxian agree to assist, he could also directly dispatch a letter to Li Guanyuan.

Helping a Foundation Establishment cultivator overcome a crisis was no difficult task for Li Guanyuan.

"Travel safely and mind your safety."

Liu Xiaoxian knew what they were setting out to do, which was why she had made a trip to Flower-Moon Immortal City to prepare numerous items for them. She added:

"Inside Ping'an Courtyard, I will use four puppets disguised to look like you to avoid any slip-ups."

***

Li Guanxuan smiled.

Liu Xiaoxian's mind was exceptionally meticulous; on this matter, he could rest entirely at ease.

After dinner.

Wen Rongxin hurried off to practice her fist techniques.

Qin Jiyue went to tinker with her treasure prototype.

In the inner chamber, only the lithe and graceful Song Zhiqiao and the alluring Liu Xiaoxian remained, the two women forming a striking contrast.

Song Zhiqiao was approaching seventy, yet her figure and face remained like those of a seventeen-year-old maiden, brimming with youthful vitality, playfulness, and cuteness.

Liu Xiaoxian, on the other hand, was the epitome of a fully ripened peach—radiating the vibrant charm and countenance of a woman in her prime. Exquisitely beautiful, she exuded an aura of profound enchantment and delicate tenderness from head to toe.

At times gentle and virtuous, at times poised and graceful.

The trait Li Guanxuan loved most about her, however, was her sharp and capable nature.

Wisps of curling incense slowly drifted through the inner chamber, the temperature rising as the seventeen-year-old maiden and the mature beauty joined forces to suppress an eighty-something sword cultivator who retained the appearance of a youth.

The sword cultivator remained completely unfazed.

With just a single stroke of his finger-sword, he easily subdued the bounding seventeen-year-old maiden, before she