CHAPTER 78: CHAPTER 77: THE SELF-RELIANT AND STRONG LIN YIRU (SEEKING INVESTMENT, SEEKING FOLLOWERS)

After adopting the Flood Dragon Xuan Qi as his godfather, the Demon Beast Hong Yuan began to follow by Xuan Qi’s side, receiving his tutelage.

Hong Yuan not only assisted Xuan Qi with the construction of the Black Dragon Palace but also listened to Xuan Qi’s explanations on how to manage a territory and how to cultivate.

"Guangqiao, once you reach the cultivation of a Third Stage Demon, you must hasten to shape your own Human Tao Body. Only then can your cultivation proceed more swiftly.

The current Heavens and Earth favor the Human Tao; the era that belonged to us Demon Cultivators has long passed. If you do not wish to cultivate in human form, then you must wait for a revolution of the Heavens and Earth, a time when the Great Taoism of demons flourishes once again."

These words from Xuan Qi fully enlightened Hong Yuan. He now understood why those great demons all transformed into various bizarre human forms. It wasn’t that this territory wasn’t spacious enough for everyone to show their true monstrous form.

Thus, the Demon Beast Hong Yuan silently listened to the teachings of the Flood Dragon Xuan Qi, accumulating the power to soar to the heavens, the power to transform into a flood dragon.

The situation wasn’t just slightly good, nor moderately good, but immensely favorable!

***

While the Demon Beast Hong Yuan was thriving, the human Hong Yuan was also quite at ease.

Ever since cultivating the Myriad Silence Origin Skill to the Minor Accomplishment Stage and refining the Innate Ability of the Myriad Silence Realm, the tight string in Hong Yuan’s heart had relaxed.

Now, apart from his daily essential cultivation practice, Hong Yuan spent the rest of his time painting, studying Worms, and occasionally watching matches at the Yenwu Hall, thoroughly enjoying himself.

At this moment, Hong Yuan was heading to Green Creek Restaurant, unable to resist the persistent and grand invitations from Le Congsheng and Tang Baiwei.

Qingmu Tavern, located in the Waxia Outer City of the Phoenix Creek Sect, was a rather famous establishment.

The interior was lavishly decorated, with guests who were either rich or noble, and served regional delicacies from all over the Daxuan Dynasty.

A simple meal here started at one hundred Energy Stones. The reputation of Qingmu Tavern was even beginning to rival that of the foremost Phoenix Creek Tavern. Rumor had it that Qingmu Tavern was backed by someone with the Phoenix Creek True Transmission!

As soon as Hong Yuan entered the Waxia Outer City where Qingmu Tavern was located, Le Congsheng and Tang Baiwei came to greet him.

"Yuan!"

"Brother Hong."

Both were smiling broadly, very happy and excited about Hong Yuan’s arrival.

Hong Yuan was too busy. No matter how often they tried to find him, it was hard for Hong Yuan to commit to a specific time for their gathering. Fortunately, his pressing matters were finally concluded.

"Brother Cong Sheng, Bai Wei..." Hong Yuan also returned the young couple’s smiles.

Although Hong Yuan wasn’t much interested in love, he still had a certain respect for those truly in love.

He had simply seen too many strange things on the internet in his previous life, making it hard for him to believe love would happen to him. Yet, even so, Hong Yuan firmly believed in the existence of true love.

On Greenstone Avenue, the three of them happily chatted about their recent activities as they made their way to Qingmu Tavern.

Outside the restaurant, it was noisy and bustling, with the cries of street vendors echoing intermittently. Inside, the restaurant was equally bustling with numerous patrons and travelers.

The first floor of Qingmu Tavern was mostly occupied by Formal Disciples; occasionally, Cultivating Disciples of the Phoenix Creek Sect would also dine there. The upper floor was for high-class guests, most of whom were Cultivating Disciples.

In the upper area, numerous screens were arranged to form semi-private booths, separating the esteemed guests.

Upon taking his seat, Hong Yuan subconsciously began to gather information about his surroundings and identify potential escape routes.

Suddenly, a somewhat familiar voice came from the northwest.

Hong Yuan’s ears twitched slightly, and his thick eyebrows rose a bit.

It was Lin Yiru’s voice. Not only hers, but also those of Zhao Gonghe and Yang Sen!

Seven different voices reached Hong Yuan’s ears intermittently.

Although due to the noisy environment Hong Yuan couldn’t discern the specifics of their discussion, he faintly heard repeated phrases like "Li Jianxiang," "entering the top ten," and "I want to rely on myself."

After casually listening for a while, Hong Yuan found it boring and continued to gather information from others.

About ten meters away from Hong Yuan, a small group, obscured by a screen, was engaged in an intense discussion about how Lin Yiru could defeat Li Jianxiang.

Yang Sen tentatively suggested, "Yiru, how about we go find Zhu or Elder Lin?"

Lin Yiru flatly refused, "Hmph, one must learn to be self-reliant and strong. Without them, I can still make a name for myself in the Sect!"

Her words made several people nearby secretly sneer, especially two female disciples. In a corner hidden from Lin Yiru’s sight, one of the female disciples, who had her head lowered, quietly rolled her eyes.

So what if your father is an Elder? I don’t even have family elders to rely on. That damn bitch, she really knows how to act!

"It’s said that Li Jianxiang is arrogant and conceited, always accepting challenges from anyone. So why not send someone to test his strength?" Zhao Gonghe tentatively proposed.

While Lin Yiru seriously contemplated this, the others in the group showed subtle expressions and silently lowered their heads.

Li Jianxiang was a second-tier, early-stage Martial Artist, wielding the Nine Heavens Sword technique with exceptional ferocity. He never held back against challengers, always fighting to kill. Who would be willing to pay such a heavy price for you, Lin Yiru?

"Does anyone want to..." Lin Yiru raised her head and looked around, only to find that everyone who used to enjoy her company was now looking down, ignoring her questioning gaze.

Zhao Gonghe was also frightened by Li Jianxiang’s frenzied battle demeanor. However, when he saw Lin Yiru pouting angrily, he recalled Hong Yuan’s considerable standing in the eyes of their master and senior martial brothers.

Zhao Gonghe gritted his teeth and said heavily, "Yiru, since it was my suggestion, I’ll go!"

Lin Yiru’s expression brightened, but she then hesitated, "Brother Gonghe, your injury—"

"It’s okay. We’ll meet tomorrow at Qingmu Tavern as usual, and I’ll tell you the specifics about Li Jianxiang," Zhao Gonghe said softly.

When he saw the look of approval on Lin Yiru’s face, Zhao Gonghe instantly felt that his sacrifice was worthwhile.

It’s just getting beaten half to death. No big deal!

「Time passed swiftly.」

In the twilight, when Lin Yiru returned to the White Frost Stone House, she found her father and Wushang waiting for her.

In the study, Lin Daoyan spoke indirectly, with Zhu Wushang chiming in at opportune moments.

After nearly a quarter of an hour, they finally got to the point. With their true motive revealed, they wanted to teach Lin Yiru how to deal with Li Jianxiang.

"Yiru, the Nine Heavens Sword that Li Jianxiang uses is—"

"I’m not listening, not listening, I don’t want to hear it, AHHH!!"

Lin Yiru covered her ears and ran away quickly.

Since none of you wanted me to participate in the Sect competition from the start, I will make a name for myself honorably, relying on my own strength! In the future, people won’t first think of me as Lin Daoyan’s daughter, but by my own name—Lin Yiru! It’s just defeating Li Jianxiang. Hong Yuan managed it with Xu Haisheng. I, Lin Yiru, can do it just the same!

"Xiaoru, Xiaoru..."

"Yiru..."

Master Lin Daoyan and Zhu Wushang reached out, calling for Lin Yiru, but she only ran faster. Just as Zhu Wushang was about to use a movement technique to catch her, Master Lin Daoyan stopped him.

"Wushang, what stage has Yuan reached in his cultivation?" Lin Daoyan suddenly asked.

"Yuan? He borrowed ten thousand Energy Stones from me last time to buy medicinal food for cultivation. His cultivation level should be approaching the mid-Second Stage by now," Zhu Wushang reported respectfully.

Having received the recent details about Hong Yuan, Lin Daoyan gave Zhu Wushang a meaningful look.

Zhu Wushang understood, nodding in agreement.

He knew that if the situation became serious, they would have Hong Yuan step in to save face for Lin Yiru.