Translator: CinderTL
Xu Sanyan gazed at the collapsed wall, as if Chang Yulian had flung open her doors, inviting him inside.
If he so desired, he could cross over at any moment and spend a night of passion with her, riding her body with unrestrained abandon.
But he dared not.
He couldn't shake the feeling that the Chang Family was scheming something, whether coveting his treasures or lusting after his body—or perhaps both.
Xu Sanyan shook his head, dismissing these thoughts, and began considering his next destination.
Since the conclusion of the Hundred Saints Secret Realm, Xu Sanyan's situation could be described as "a child carrying gold through a bustling market." Countless individuals sought to track him down and seize his treasures.
Moreover, he had killed many people and made enemies of numerous factions. Among those most eager to find him was Venerable He Yu, whose son, Tu Wanshan, had died by Xu Sanyan's hand.
Despite the perilous circumstances, Xu Sanyan had reaped considerable rewards from his journey. Not only had he successfully broken through to the Initial Stage of the Soul Refinement Realm, but he had also acquired three invaluable treasures.
The most precious of these was undoubtedly the secret realm fruit. Even his superficial exploration had yielded profound benefits.
Second in value was the jade slip containing insights into the heavenly dao. Its worth rivaled even that of the secret realm fruit.
He understood less than one-thousandth of the jade slip's contents. Recently, he had been too busy to study it, but once this matter was resolved, he planned to dedicate time to fully comprehend it.
The final treasure was the Nether Phoenix.
This creature not only aided in condensing his divine soul but also enhanced the power of soul-based mystical arts, imbuing them with the properties of yin fire. Moreover, the yin fire continuously refined his divine soul, purging impurities and making it more solid.
These three treasures were his greatest gains.
Xu Sanyan rummaged through his storage pouch when he suddenly spotted a vibrant color in a corner. Reaching in, he pulled it out and couldn't help but twitch his lips.
It was a red toenail. He brought it closer to his nose and detected an indescribable odor.
This item was none other than the toenail of the Yaotian Holy Sect's great elder.
He wasn't sure why he had kept it, but after a moment's thought, he decided to keep it anyway. It didn't take up much space.
Tossing the nail back into the storage pouch, he pulled out a soul crystal and began absorbing its energy. Since breaking through to the Soul Refining Realm, he could actively draw soul power from soul crystals to strengthen himself.
As soul power surged into his divine soul, the yin fire burning within began to refine it, purging impurities from the soul power.
While cultivating, he pondered his next steps.
The night passed quickly.
Xu Sanyan had consumed another soul crystal, leaving him with seven remaining.
At that moment, a sound came from the adjacent room. Xu Sanyan looked up and saw Chang Yulian already awake, sitting at her dressing table applying makeup.
Their eyes met through the bronze mirror. Chang Yulian smiled softly, her expression gentle and beautiful.
"Good morning, young master."
"Good morning."
They exchanged simple greetings without further conversation.
Xu Sanyan pushed open his door and tilted his head to gaze at the sky. The weather was slightly overcast, suggesting rain might be on the way.
Chang Yulian finished her preparations and glanced timidly at him. She clasped her hands, bent her knees slightly in a curtsy, and said, "This humble servant will send someone to repair the wall immediately. If the young master has no pressing matters, perhaps you would like to take a stroll outside to avoid the dust."
Xu Sanyan nodded slowly. "That would be fine. I also wanted to ask Uncle about something. Would now be a convenient time?"
"It should be. I'll lead the way, young master," Chang Yulian replied with a smile.
"Thank you for your trouble."
Xu Sanyan turned to pick up the secret realm fruit. The two of them walked out, Chang Yulian leading the way.
As they left the courtyard, Xu Sanyan glanced back with a hint of curiosity. He had never ventured behind the village before, but as a guest, he hesitated to ask.
Noticing his gaze, Chang Yulian explained, "The village's rear section is mostly inhabited by elders and children. There's nothing particularly noteworthy there. However, if the young master is interested, I'd be happy to show you around later."
Xu Sanyan waved his hand repeatedly. "There's no need. I'm already deeply indebted to your hospitality and wouldn't dare trouble the host further."
True secrets were never displayed openly, and places harboring such secrets would never be shown to him. Thus, there was no point in sightseeing.
He would simply wait for his injuries to heal before leaving to find a safe place to retrieve the secret realm fruit. By then, Xun Ancai would have undoubtedly been longing for him.
Xu Sanyan held a special affection for Xun Ancai. Her mind was pure and simple; once she cared for someone, she devoted herself entirely, without a trace of pretense.
If Xu Sanyan trusted anyone, it was Xun Ancai. Though they had known each other for only a short time, they had already forged a deep "friendship."
Of course, this was relative. If Xu Sanyan's trust in others was zero, his trust in Xun Ancai was 0.1—on a scale where the maximum value was 10,000.
Yet there was no denying that Xun Ancai had achieved a breakthrough, becoming the first to surpass zero!
Xu Sanyan was the kind of person who would never trust anyone but himself—absolutely no one!
As he pondered this, they arrived at the reception hall. Xu Sanyan sat down quietly to wait while Chang Yulian went to summon Old Master Chang.
Xu Sanyan gazed admiringly at the portrait hanging on one side of the hall.
It depicted a graceful woman veiled in a gauzy fabric, leaning against a railing as she gazed into the distance. Her eyes held a hint of sorrow, like a caged canary longing for the boundless freedom beyond its gilded bars.
Though he wasn't an art connoisseur, Xu Sanyan could sense the artist's exceptional skill. The brushstrokes conveyed the painting's atmosphere with remarkable clarity—a truly remarkable feat.
"Has your injury improved, Nephew?" Old Master Chang strode into the hall, his face wreathed in a warm smile.
Xu Sanyan returned the smile, his face brimming with gratitude. "Thank you for your concern, Uncle. I'm mostly recovered."
Both men recognized the other's shrewdness. Though an undercurrent of rivalry simmered between them, neither was willing to openly confront the other.
"My daughter mentioned you wished to speak with me, Nephew?" Old Master Chang settled into the head seat, his gaze steady.
"Indeed, Uncle. I have some matters I'd like to seek your guidance on."
"Please proceed."
Xu Sanyan paused thoughtfully before speaking slowly, "As a newcomer here, I feel like a rootless wanderer. I seek a stable place to cultivate the immortal dao. Do you have any recommendations, Uncle?"
Old Master Chang stroked his beard thoughtfully. He understood the meaning behind Xu Sanyan's words: the young man was seeking a patron, whether by joining a sect or aligning himself with a powerful faction.
"Nephew, your exceptional talent and profound cultivation level offer you many options," Old Master Chang said. "Apart from Sui Xin Temple, no other power would turn you away. Rest assured, you'll find a suitable path."
Xu Sanyan nodded. Though he had no intention of becoming a monk, he couldn't help but ask, "What makes Sui Xin Temple different?"
Old Master Chang chuckled, a peculiar smile playing on his lips. "Heh... because Sui Xin Temple doesn't accept outsiders."
"Huh?" Xu Sanyan blinked in surprise. Doesn't accept outsiders?
How does their lineage continue?
If that's the case, shouldn't their sect have died out long ago? How could they still be one of the Three Great Sects of the Chaotic Cloud Mountains?
Sensing his confusion, Old Master Chang's smile deepened mysteriously. "Sui Xin Temple calls itself a sect, but it's essentially a family. Those monks don't abstain from marriage."
"In other words," Old Master Chang revealed, "Sui Xin Temple is actually a sect founded by several allied families. It includes both men and women who intermarry, take wives, and have children."
(End of the Chapter)
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