CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 63 DANGER - LIN SUQING - DANGER

"Annihilation Sect Artifact Shop? Is this the place?"

Lin Suqing, carrying a longsword, looked up at the gilded signboard and the magic treasure shop that occupied several times the space of the surrounding stores, feeling slightly restrained.

A storefront this large, the magic treasures inside must be frighteningly expensive.

Anyway, just looking is fine. They won’t charge spirit stones for that, right?

Lin Suqing glanced around and noticed that quite a few cultivators had already gathered. She retreated to a corner and quietly waited for noon to arrive.

After all, she was now a genuine mid-stage Golden Core Realm cultivator.

Cultivators of the Nascent Soul and Jumping God Realms were not uncommon in this well-known large city. However, if one were to check, her current cultivation level would be considered above average among the human race here.

That’s how it is for cultivators; the higher you stand, the more visible you are to others.

She tried to calm her heart, but couldn’t stop her master’s warnings, from when she had left the Clear Wind and Moon Sect, from surfacing in her thoughts.

’Suqing, this time you leave the sect, just... just don’t come back!’

’Everyone in the sect knows now that you’re wealthy. They’re practically ready to rob you outright. Heed your master’s words, hurry and leave!’

Lin Suqing bit her lip.

The wealth that the Young Master had given her was now only half left.

This half was her reliance for the future, and the guarantee for her to search for the Young Master’s traces.

These, she absolutely must not let others covet...

Lin Suqing, oh Lin Suqing, you should learn to refuse these unreasonable demands from the elders in the sect.

As the third-ranked cultivator in terms of cultivation level within the sect, she had to start being more assertive!

Yes, starting from this moment, she must never fall behind others, never!

CLANG—

A sudden sound of gongs and drums came from the front of the shop. Lin Suqing was momentarily distracted as streams of light appeared from various parts of the street.

SWISH, SWISH. Dozens of figures appeared out of thin air in front of Lin Suqing, each with a profound and distant aura, wrapped in a mix of clear and turbid air...

"What’s this?"

Lin Suqing quickly took half a step back, not daring to claim that she was the first one there.

After a few more gongs, the time for the opening was nearing.

A figure in luxurious brocade robes stood before the shop, exuding the aura of the True Immortal Realm. He introduced himself as Elder Wang Lishan from the Treasure Hall of the ’Heavenly Annihilating Dark Desire Wind Great Demon Sect.’ He had recently chosen a new Daoist name: Honest Daoist.

Lin Suqing listened quietly, smiling to herself a few times.

The name of this sect was quite interesting. Judging by the cultivation level of this elder presiding over the shop, the sect was probably one of the hundred great demonic sects rumored among the Demon Path—a real wealthy powerhouse.

Not like their Clear Wind and Moon Sect, which was founded not long ago, with no Immortals in the sect. They were luckily relying on a slightly larger neighboring sect to avoid being casually flattened by any passing troublemakers.

She listened as the elder recounted the glorious history of this long-named sect and introduced their opening philosophy. Upon hearing words such as ’fair price’ and ’value for money’, her own eyes lit up.

Then she heard Elder Wang say, "Today, as we inaugurate our store, we have launched many activities to build momentum, but ultimately, these are merely to attract everyone here. We are well aware that magic treasures are the most important companions for those in cultivation, and we know how precious a fitting weapon is. There’s still some time before noon, but I, in my modesty, shall open the door now, so all of you can have a look! All magic treasures on display, all treasures hanging on the walls, are for sale today! Clearly marked prices, honesty for all ages, and the full execution of the discounts you see!"

Elder Wang waved his hand broadly. "Open the doors wide, deactivate the formations!"

The wooden doors throughout the shop were pushed open. Several female disciples of the Black Desire Door in plain white short skirts stepped out, standing quietly in front of the doors with their hands held before them.

Behind them, treasures gleamed and Immortal Light filled the air, with hundreds of magic treasures of various grades on display.

Many cultivators’ eyes brightened at the sight, finding that the treasures here truly were not exorbitantly priced; all were quite conscientious creations.

Lin Suqing clenched her small hands even tighter. She focused on the lower-grade, mass-quantity magical instruments and magic treasures inside. After some calculation, she found that she could actually afford them—using the limited spirit stones provided by her sect, she could buy several decent magic treasures!

With this, even if she were to return, she wouldn’t have to face others’ sarcastic remarks...

’Suqing, this time you leave the sect, just... just don’t come back.’

Master’s sigh was still echoing in my ears. Lin Suqing lightly bit her lip, her eyes clearly showing conflict.

The sect had, after all, been good to her. If she had not been taken as a disciple, she would never have had the experiences that followed, nor would she have met that disagreeable, stinky Young Master.

That poisonous tongue, she really wanted to stuff it!

However, once the Young Master had grown, he truly did cut a handsome and dashing figure... She giggled to herself.

CLANG!

Another gong sound pulled Lin Suqing back from her trance. She looked up to see the beautiful female disciples had already entered the shop.

That Elder Wang soared into the air, and the crowd surged directly into the shop before him.

This is bad! Those quality and affordable magic treasures are to be snatched up!

She hurried forward, pushing up a barrier with mana, and steeled herself to squeeze through the crowd.

But!

The street was alight with flashes of movement, with figures employing swift techniques to enter the premises, each even secretly competing, using their own mana to push against one another.

Even those in the upper-middle ranks of cultivators, at the Golden Core Realm, weren’t enough to stand out here!

And even while pushing through...

Lin Suqing found herself inexplicably pushed back dozens of yards. She ended up on the corner of the street, watching the throng of people, a look of utter dismay on her face.

With a deep sigh, she saw a stone bench on the corner. She decided to gather her skirts and sit down. She then stared blankly in the direction of the shop, planning to wait until the crowd thinned before taking a look.

Such a large shop wouldn’t possibly sell out, right?

Then she heard Elder Wang loudly call out, "Due to insufficient stock, we are now initiating limited purchases, with each customer only allowed to buy up to three items! The esteemed guest who just reserved three hundred magic treasures, please come to me, and I will take you to collect your items!"

Three hundred!

Lin Suqing was instantly petrified.

Then she thought, if she didn’t use up the half of the treasure mines she had saved, she wouldn’t be able to fulfill the elders’ request from her sect. She might as well leave the sect altogether.

’I don’t owe them anything.’

Yet even with this thought, Lin Suqing couldn’t help but feel her eyes reddening. She wanted to lift her hand to wipe the corner of her eyes, her lips pouted, and her eyes were already brimming with tears.

If she left the sect, he wouldn’t be able to find her. Would she and he never see each other again in the future?

Even though she had been thinking, thinking about when he would come to the Human Domain, it would be much easier for him to find her sect than to find her, an obscure, little cultivator... truly...

"What are you crying about over here?"

A familiar voice suddenly sounded by her ear. Lin Suqing was startled. She turned her head to look at the figure standing beside her and slowly lifted her head.

First into view were a pair of light-black boots, then the hem of a black robe, the simply tied waist, the mythical beast patterns on the front of the black robe, the scattered buttons, the slender neck, and that masked face which, despite being concealed, she still recognized at a glance...

Is this a dream? Am I dreaming?

Lin Suqing instinctively reached out to pinch the thigh of the person before her, but the figure in front of her immediately took a half-step back reflexively, a waft of cold air spreading out.

This reaction! It’s really the Young Master!

Lin Suqing’s eyes widened, almost letting out a piercing scream, but instead she cried out of sheer joy.

"Young!"

"Master!" Wu Wang decisively cut her off.

"Young!"

"Master!" Wu Wang glared fiercely at her.

Where’s your composure? What about steadiness?

With a wronged pout, Lin Suqing muttered under her breath, Demoted by two generations, it seemed. Her lips moved lightly behind her veil, her voice trembling slightly as she called, "Master~"

Wu Wang raised an eyebrow, casually saying, "Come with me. This is not the place to talk."

Having said that, he glanced around and then strode away.

Lin Suqing quickly got up and hurried after him. Taking a careful look at Wu Wang, she said excitedly, "It really is you! How did you come here! No, I mean... Oh right, I won’t talk now, not talking. I must be dreaming, it feels just like a dream."

Wu Wang frowned upon hearing this.

It seemed that his mask... had been pointless.

Lin Suqing chattered incessantly by his side, moving from his left to his right, and then from his right back to his left. In just a hundred steps from the street corner to the back door of the Annihilation Sect Tavern, she had already uttered dozens of sentences.

If this were an assembly of Fairy Immortals in their menopause, wouldn’t it be earth-shatteringly chaotic!

Wu Wang pondered briefly in his heart and decided to knock down her arrogance a peg. "Cough, I have now found a Dao companion."

Lin Suqing was startled for a moment, then her face broke into wild joy, her veil barely containing the upwards curve of her lips. "Really? You can touch now? Or did you meet someone touchable? Is she from the human race? Which clan is she from? Young Master, you’ve finally done it! Really, truly? Where is she, can I meet her?"

Lin Suqing actually teared up, covering her mouth as she wept softly. "The heavens are blind!"

"Huh?" Wu Wang’s blood pressure rose.

"No, I mean the heavens have opened their eyes! I got too excited and misspoke, misspoke!"

She was not only incoherent but also suddenly felt a sense of gratification, like a farmer whose prize piglet had finally learned to find the best cabbages.

The Young Master has truly grown up!

The back door opened on its own. Yang Wudi and Zhang Moshan appeared behind Wu Wang and Lin Suqing, accompanying them inside.

It was only then that Lin Suqing realized that there had always been several shadows around her and the Young Master, all of whom had profound cultivation levels.

What was happening?

When she parted with the Young Master in the West Sea, it seemed that he had followed a revered figure. Could it be that he had taken that figure as his master?

And what was the identity of this revered figure?

"Sect Master."

"Sect Master!"

The few people bustling in the courtyard stopped their tasks and greeted Wu Wang with a fist-and-palm salute.

Wu Wang nodded with a smile and led Lin Suqing into the six or seven-story tavern. They stepped onto the ’square automatic flying device’ beside them, which took Lin Suqing to the top floor enveloped by a formation.

Once off the flying device, four beautiful women wearing rainbow-colored gowns bowed their heads to greet him, all with the cultivation of the Nascent Soul Realm.

"Greetings, Sect Master."

"Hmm, go about your business."

Lin Suqing was somewhat dazed. Her eyes reflected the ornate and elegant decorations as she stepped on the jade stone floor that seemed sprinkled with starlight. Wherever she looked, she could see one after another secluded elegant chambers.

A curtain was lifted in one chamber, and an elder with fiery red hair and a silver-haired youth emerged.

The elder said warmly, "Sect Master, you have returned."

The youth smiled, "Sect Master, who is this person?"

"Let me introduce the two Elders," Wu Wang smiled and gestured for Lin Suqing to step forward from behind him. "She is somewhat of a teacher to me and also my housekeeper for six years. Her name is Lin Suqing. She doesn’t have high cultivation, but she was the one who led me here to the Human Domain."

Mao Aowu didn’t overthink it and laughed, "So it’s Fairy Lin. We must thank you for leading the Sect Master, otherwise I may not have had the fate to meet him! HAHAHA!"

The Grand Elder, however, appeared contemplative and showed Lin Suqing a kind smile.

"Come in for a drink."

Wu Wang called out and led Lin Suqing inside. The four of them took seats around a round table, with several fair-skinned and beautiful female disciples responsible for pouring wine and serving dishes.

Lin Suqing only felt dizzy and confused, completely unaware of what she had heard or seen.

Sect Master? What Sect Master?

Isn’t the Young Master just the Young Master? How did he become a Sect Master?

The people she had been seeing along the way... all exerted a Dao Realm pressure on her!

The elder and youth sitting here now felt like two great mountains, too close to see their peaks.

What was the Young Master talking about with them?

Increasing the supply for the shops, getting in touch with refining masters ahead of time, and when the Elder returning from the Northern Wilderness with the treasure mine is back, directly mass-producing the magic treasures that sold the most this time...

"Young Master," Lin Suqing found an opportune moment during Wu Wang’s discussion with the Grand Elder and asked softly, "Who are these two seniors?"

The Grand Elder chuckled, "I am the Grand Elder of the Annihilation Sect, and I have been given the title of the Blood Hand Demon Lord thanks to all my fellow cultivators."

Mao Aowu laughed, "Mao Aowu here, the Sect Master’s big brother and a Grand Elder of the Annihilation Sect, also serving at the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion."

Lin Suqing fell silent for a while.

Wu Wang smiled and continued to chat with the Grand Elder, giving her time to digest the information.

After a moment, Lin Suqing gently searched through her storage bracelet and pulled out a thick booklet. She flipped through it for a while and quickly found a painting.

She looked down at the painting, then up at the elder before her, then back down at the painting.

Lin Suqing tugged on Wu Wang’s sleeve, held her breath, and sneakily handed the booklet to the Young Master, her little face ashen.

Wu Wang looked down at it, and his eyes lit up as well. "Grand Elder, you’re quite famous, having modestly undersold yourself before. You are ranked eighteenth among the current masters of the Demon Path."

"Oh?"

The Grand Elder accepted the booklet with a smile, glanced at it, and chuckled. "That’s just some fanciful rankings made by meddlers. It’s all pointless if I don’t break through to the Transcendent level. If I do break through, I won’t be listed in these books anymore."

Wu Wang was puzzled. "Our Great Demon Sect has top experts like the Grand Elder and rising Heavenly Immortals like Brother Mao, so why is our ranking so low?"

Mao Aowu rubbed his forehead and murmured, "We didn’t give gifts to those folks who arrange the rankings."

The Grand Elder candidly said, "Our sect previously lacked surplus cultivation resources, so we have not taken in many disciples; but now, with the Sect Master’s guidance, reaching the top thirty is just a matter of time."

"So that’s how it is," Wu Wang pondered for a moment. "In the future, we need to manage our livelihood, and such vanity titles are necessary too. Bribing them a bit shouldn’t be a problem."

Lin Suqing, sitting nearby, had been stunned for a while and began to feel uneasy, whispering, "Young Master, maybe, maybe I should stand instead."

"Just sit," Wu Wang said indifferently. "Now that I’ve found you, you will continue your cultivation by my side. Besides, I’ll have a place to stay in the Human Domain. Also, what were you crying about?"

Lin Suqing blinked and laughed. "I wasn’t crying... Ah, right, I was just too happy to see Young Master, and my Dao heart was a little unstable."

Wu Wang took off his mask and placed it aside, then looked at Lin Suqing again. "Did you get bullied when you went back to the sect?"

"No, everyone was very kind to me," Lin Suqing smiled. "I’m now in the Golden Core Realm, who could bully me?"

"Bring out the storage magic treasure I gave you before. Let me see."

Lin Suqing’s eyes pleaded. "But isn’t that my reward?" She insisted, "Young Master, I really wasn’t mistreated."

"How much is left?"

"There’s still, still more than half..."

Wu Wang’s eyes widened. Does the Clear Wind and Moon Sect eat treasure mines like meals?

Half of the total value of various treasure mines on Lin Suqing’s person could sustain the Annihilation Sect for twenty or thirty years!

"Yang Wudi!"

At Wu Wang’s call, the bald muscular man immediately dashed out from behind the door curtain.

But Wu Wang soon realized that this soft-hearted woman also felt affection for the sect; sending a few True Immortals to teach them a lesson might not be the best solution.

He turned to Mao Aowu, already having a plan in mind. "Brother Mao, please accompany me on a trip. Let’s go pay a visit to this Clear Wind and Moon Sect!"

Mao Aowu stood up and bowed with a fist. "Following the Sect Master’s orders!"

The Grand Elder stroked his beard thoughtfully. He was somewhat unfamiliar with the sect’s name, but if the Sect Master was this angry, it might be a formidable faction.

"I will go back and mobilize our forces. Please be patient, Sect Master. If necessary, I can invite some friends to come and lend support."

"There’s no need for such trouble, Grand Elder," Wu Wang said. "We need you to stay here to avoid troublemakers. Just let Brother Mao come with me. We’ll pressure them in the name of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, and this shouldn’t cause any unnecessary disputes. Today, I want to see if these Immortal Sects are still reasonable!"

Lin Suqing opened her mouth, glancing at the group of Demon Path experts exuding a slight aura around her. She couldn’t help but cock her head, a small, struggling soul appearing by her lips.

It’s... it’s all over now.