Chapter 296: Do You Also Have Someone You Desire to Protect All Your Life?
Chapter 296: Do You Also Have Someone You Desire to Protect All Your Life?
In Yunji Town, there was an inn of moderate size.
The inn’s sign was simple, simply bearing the name “An Inn.”
Normally, the foot traffic was not heavy, and the innkeeper was content with a leisurely life.
However, in recent days, faint sobbing sounds were often heard in the rented rooms on the second floor late at night.
The sound was neither human nor ghost, but distinctly eerie, sending shivers down one’s spine.
Fortunately, knowing that their patron was the Tai Xuan Sect, the townspeople were not panicked; they simply reported the matter truthfully.
At noon, a slender figure appeared before the inn.
She was dressed plainly in grey linen, her face obscured by a veil, making her emotions impossible to discern.
Mu Sanniang stood by the inn’s entrance for a short while.
Gazing at the place where she and her younger brother had stayed for two nights, she was lost in thought for a moment.
She remembered it was the first good night’s sleep they had after escaping the snowstorm.
It was also the first time she had actively “seduced” her brother…
Thinking of this, the young woman’s cheeks felt warm.
Fortunately, the veil concealed her blush, preventing any embarrassment.
Speaking of which, her brother had grown up.
He was no longer as naive as he used to be…
Today was also the day they had agreed upon. She wondered when her brother would arrive…
Lost in thought, Mu Sanniang suddenly snapped back to reality and no longer delayed, walking inside.
She had to handle matters quickly to return and reunite with her brother.
If she made him wait for too long, it would be a dereliction of her duty as an older sister.
The matter of the haunted inn was not a significant problem.
Mu Sanniang was not new to descending the mountain; she had done so multiple times in the past seven years.
She briefly inquired about the specifics and soon used her術法 to apprehend the stray ghost.
The ghost was semi-transparent and exuded a strong Yin energy, making it invisible to ordinary people in daylight.
It knelt at the young woman’s feet, showing signs of fear and supplication.
But Mu Sanniang remained expressionless and struck with her sword.
The ghost let out a piercing shriek and contorted.
Its faint will to survive drove it to flee wildly, attempting to escape the seemingly harmless young woman before it.
Its speed was not slow, and in the blink of an eye, it darted towards the forest.
Mu Sanniang frowned slightly, her expression filled with confusion.
This ghost had clearly only just coalesced and possessed little killing power. How could it have such speed?
She hesitated for a moment before choosing to pursue it.
Using the ‘Divine Steps’術法, the young woman’s posture became nimble. In just a few leaps, she was about to catch up, yet she was always just a bit short.
As they chased and fled, the surrounding scenery receded rapidly.
Unconsciously, Mu Sanniang suddenly stopped.
The terrain ahead was familiar to her.
It was a small stream about a meter wide, its gentle murmur audible, the water clear to the bottom.
Following the stream upwards, one could see the ancient Heavenly Stairway Stone Tablet.
However, the ghost’s escape route was downstream…
Mu Sanniang was not a fool. She had by now regained her senses and sensed something was amiss.
How could an ordinary ghost possess such abilities?
Not to mention running blindly under the scorching sun during the day, but this speed, always maintaining a slight lead, looked suspiciously like a deliberate ruse, as if luring her in this direction.
Realizing this, the young woman did not rashly proceed, relying on the defensive artifact her brother had given her.
Instead, she turned around and prepared to return to report the matter to the sect.
But at that moment, an ancient divine sense suddenly echoed in her mind.
“Young girl, do you wish to become stronger?”
Mu Sanniang’s body turned rigid.
Immediately, the aged voice spoke again.
“I can feel the fervent beating of your heart.”
“You too have someone you desire to protect all your life, don’t you?”
…
…
Tai Xuan Sect, Inner Sect.
Two hours later.
Chen An lay in his Cave Mansion, his consciousness gradually returning.
He opened his eyes.
Looking around, there was no change within the Cave Mansion; it seemed as if nothing had happened.
Yet, the faint fragrance that tickled his nose served as a reminder of everything they had just experienced.
He only regretted that his cultivation was insufficient and his stamina had given out, preventing him from lasting until the end.
Thinking of this, the young man’s expression became tinged with sadness and indignation. He felt impure, no longer Sanniang’s good younger brother.
He could only sigh helplessly.
In fact, Chen An had considered resisting.
As soon as Jiang Qiuchi had first come to harass him, he immediately sought out his Master.
That is, the Sect Master of the Tai Xuan Sect, Dao Xuan Zhenren.
Initially, upon hearing that his disciple had suffered such humiliation, Dao Xuan Zhenren was furious and swore to avenge him.
But when Chen An uttered the words “Jiang Qiuchi of the Great Heaven and Earth Yin-Yang Harmony Sect,” the man’s expression suddenly became nuanced.
He coughed lightly, scrutinizing Chen An, and revealed a look of sudden realization.
Then, after contemplating for a moment, Dao Xuan Zhenren produced a small booklet and handed it to the boy.
The booklet was not thick, only about a finger’s length, but its material was peculiar. It didn’t feel like paper but more like a smooth river stone.
On the cover of the booklet were the nine characters: “Yin-Yang Union Cultivation Technique.”
Chen An was shocked.
Why would the Sect Master of a renowned great sect secretly possess such an improper cultivation technique?
Seemingly bothered by his disciple’s strange gaze, Dao Xuan Zhenren’s old face twitched, and he adopted a teaching posture.
“Little An, as cultivators, we should not be fixated on the surface. Sometimes, a seemingly muddy swamp may hide a different kind of scenery in its depths.”
A moment of silence.
“So, what does this have to do with that vixen I encountered?”
Hearing the boy’s question, Dao Xuan Zhenren stroked his beard and laughed heartily.
“Do not panic. Such good fortune is something others would beg for.”
“Do you know how many young admirers Jiang Qiuchi has?”
“Every one of them is a heavenly prodigy and a rising star from both righteous and demonic paths. Yet, it is unexpected that she would take a liking to a little doll like you.”
Dao Xuan Zhenren’s smile deepened as he said this.
He lowered his head and murmured, “Actually, it’s not entirely impossible. For cultivators, ten years is but a fleeting moment. It’s not a problem, not a problem.”
Chen An, listening beside him, felt increasingly uneasy and couldn’t help but interrupt.
“Wait, Master, I think this is a very big problem!”
Dao Xuan Zhenren glanced at him and then kicked him away.
“Alright, this matter is entirely beneficial and harmless to you. Just cultivate with peace of mind.”
“You need not fear it conflicting with my Tai Xuan Sect’s secret techniques, as this is the unique aspect of the Yin-Yang Union Cultivation Technique.”
After sending the boy out of the Cave Mansion, Dao Xuan Zhenren’s face showed a hint of hesitation as if he had just remembered something.
He took several steps forward, only to stop himself.
Then, steeling himself, he prepared to depart.
However, before leaving, he went into the depths of the Cave Mansion, picked up his long sword, and slung it over his shoulder.
He then tidied his Daoist robe, ensuring it looked unrestrained and ethereal, before riding his sword out.
Returning to reality.
Chen An rested for a short while, feeling his body’s senses gradually return.
He sat up and straightened his blue robes.
The wisp of pure spiritual energy within his body had grown stronger.
The young man put his thoughts aside and prepared to head to the Outer Sect again.
However, as he moved, a piece of crimson cloth slowly fell from his body.
Chen An froze and caught it in his hand.
It was a corner of the young woman’s red dress, torn at some point.
He didn’t think much of it and casually tucked it into his embrace.
