62: Returning to the clan, a bunch of lunatics

When Jiang Yan returned to the small hut, he informed Fang Wanrou about what had happened outside.

In truth, Fang Wanrou had already overheard the conversation between the two, but the fact that Su Chen chose to tell her meant he had no intention of deceiving her.

“Senior Brother Su, when are we leaving?” Fang Wanrou asked, voicing her primary concern.

“We leave in the morning,” Jiang Yan said seriously.

This was his plan after meeting Ye Qingfeng. Since such a formidable powerhouse had appeared, staying here to farm experience would lead to exposure sooner or later. Thus, it was better to avoid trouble; of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing was the best.

Hearing Su Chen's answer, Fang Wanrou didn't ask further. She leaned against the window, looking outside through a crack.

Jiang Yan didn't know what Fang Wanrou was thinking at that moment, but he understood why she had asked about their departure.

‘It seems in the future, I should still bring male Disciples along.’

The morning light was faint.

Jiang Yan and Fang Wanrou walked out of the small hut. After glancing around, the two began picking up the remains of the evil anomalies on the ground.

“Senior Brother Su, these are the remains collected over the past few days.” Fang Wanrou brought a large bag to Jiang Yan.

“You keep them. I said before that if you came out with me, I would help you improve your cultivation,” Jiang Yan said with a smile.

Hearing this, Fang Wanrou was delighted. But holding onto so many remains herself felt... whatever, her purpose for coming was cultivation resources anyway.

Before Fang Wanrou could finish her internal monologue, Jiang Yan shouted, “Let's go. Once we're back at the Sect, focus on your cultivation. I don't want my subordinates to be so weak.”

Hearing Su Chen's words, Fang Wanrou feigned tears in her eyes. “Thank you, Senior Brother Su.”

Jiang Yan walked ahead, shaking his head slightly. Though he wasn't a great philanthropist or even a particularly good person, he would look after those willing to walk the same path as him.

As for who would eventually stop and who would continue with him, only time would tell.

In the afternoon, Jiang Yan and Fang Wanrou finally reached the Xuan Yin Inn.

This inn was unique, built specifically for the Xuan Yin Mountain Range, and its distance from the range was kept at a very subtle balance.

Jiang Yan took out two horse tokens and handed over an ingot of gold.

The attendant checked the horse tokens and, seeing no issues, took the gold and stamped the back of the tokens to indicate delivery.

The inn received many guests like Jiang Yan every day.

If storing a horse, the inn would give the guest a token; to retrieve the horse, a storage fee had to be paid.

Xuan Yin Inn did not accept silver, only gold and Spirit Stones.

Storing horses required gold, while staying at the inn required Spirit Stones, and the prices were extremely exorbitant.

Two days later, Jiang Yan and Fang Wanrou arrived at the market. After returning the horses, they headed back to the Sect.

Jiang Yan didn't go to the Spiritual Object Hall; instead, he went straight to Blood Heavy Peak upon his return.

It wasn't that he had important business at Blood Heavy Peak, but rather that he had given all the remains to Fang Wanrou.

As for himself, he only kept the remains of a third-rank White Shadow Demon.

This remain was a new discovery, and he planned to talk to Li Yi after returning to the Qingyun Sect.

“Oh, Ninth Junior Brother is back,” Yin Duo greeted with a smile.

Hearing Yin Duo's words, Jiang Yan reacted instantly.

“Who died?”

“The old ninth, Shi Xiu,” Yin Duo said helplessly. “Killed by a Blood Son from the Blood Refining Cave.”

“Was the old ninth that guy's servant?” Jiang Yan asked.

“Yes.” Yin Duo nodded, then smiled. “I am too.”

Jiang Yan's expression froze for a moment before he nodded. “How long until the Blood Son Competition?”

“Three months from now,” Yin Duo answered, then asked with a cynical expression, “Is Junior Brother planning to save Senior Sister?”

Jiang Yan smiled and said, “If I can save you, great. If not, we'll be servants together.”

“Oh, I got excited for nothing.” Yin Duo lightly punched Jiang Yan. “However, it seems you don't need to compete for a Blood Son spot today, because from the look of things, your position as a Blood Son is already secure.”

“Not necessarily.” Jiang Yan glanced at Liao Yuan and Xiao Muying, who were cultivating. “In two months, I still have a Life-and-Death Battle.”

Hearing Jiang Yan say this, Yin Duo remembered what Third Senior Brother told them when he returned.

“Old ninth, if you die, I'll have the third brother avenge you,” Yin Duo said with a firm gaze.

“Deal.” Jiang Yan said with a smile, “Just for those words, I can't die in that battle, and I have to save you too.”

“What, have you taken a liking to Senior Sister?” Yin Duo teased.

Jiang Yan looked Yin Duo up and down and shook his head decisively. “I don't like flat plains.”

“Su Chen! You're asking for it!” Yin Duo clenched her small fists and pounded on Jiang Yan wildly.

Seeing this, Jiang Yan laughed and ran toward Revered Master Fang Yu's room.

With a gentle knock on the door, Fang Yu's voice came from inside:

“Come in.”

“Disciple pays respects to Revered Master,” Jiang Yan said respectfully.

Fang Yu turned around and nodded slightly. “It's good that you're back. I hope you can improve your strength over the next two months.”

“Rest assured, Revered Master, this Disciple will not let you down.” Jiang Yan cupped his fists.

Fang Yu waved his hand. “Alright, go and Cultivate.”

“Yes, Disciple takes his leave.”

Jiang Yan exited the room and sat cross-legged in the middle of the training ground.

“First Senior Brother mentioned you this morning,” Liao Yuan said.

Jiang Yan was puzzled, not understanding what Liao Yuan meant.

“You met Ye Qingfeng, didn't you?” Liao Yuan asked.

Hearing this, Jiang Yan understood what was going on.

Yun Tianze was Ye Qingfeng's servant. Although only a low-level servant, Ye Qingfeng still gave these people some hope and didn't even take resources from them.

“I met him,” Jiang Yan replied simply.

“According to First Senior Brother, Ye Qingfeng said you are very interesting and have great potential,” Liao Yuan said.

Jiang Yan didn't respond. He couldn't quite figure out what Ye Qingfeng was up to.

Moreover, the meaning behind Ye Qingfeng's words was clearly intended for First Senior Brother to pass on to him.

“People Ye Qingfeng takes an interest in usually end up as his servants. So, watch out for the Blood Sons who have been around for one to two years,” Liao Yuan warned.

“Are they planning to move against me during the one-year Blood Son Defense Battle?” Jiang Yan asked.

“It's very likely. After all, he is the only one in the Sect with twelve consecutive Blood Son victories. Many people want to curry favor with him, including some Blood Sons with fewer than seven wins,” Liao Yuan said.

Jiang Yan nodded, indicating he understood, but another doubt arose.

“How many Sect Master candidates are there in the Sect?” Jiang Yan asked.

“One,” Liao Yuan replied.

“Has it always been one? Or...”

Before Jiang Yan could finish, Liao Yuan interrupted, “Aside from the Sect Master, there has only ever been one candidate.”

Hearing this answer, Jiang Yan truly admired Ye Qingfeng a bit.

A person who knowingly walks into a tiger's den is either stupid or incredibly courageous.

Of course, Jiang Yan believed Ye Qingfeng was more of the latter, as the man gave off a rather sinister vibe.

“Alright, your Second Senior Sister will be coming over in a bit. I'm leaving first.”

With that, Liao Yuan stood up and left the training ground.

Jiang Yan was speechless. Why were so many things happening the moment he returned?

But before he could figure it out, a fragrant breeze appeared beside him.

Xiao Muying sat down cross-legged. “Old ninth, did you see Su Qingyan at Bright Moon Mountain?”

“Second Senior Sister, how did you know?” Jiang Yan was very surprised.

“She is my Revered Master,” Xiao Muying said.

Hearing this, Jiang Yan's eyes twitched. His mind was in a mess; he couldn't understand what had happened in the meantime.

‘What's going on? Are these Blood Sons bored? Why is every single one of them targeting me?’

“She is a seven-win Blood Son from Blood Sword Peak,” Xiao Muying reminded him, then added, “She wants to see you.”

“Huh? She wants to see me?” Jiang Yan pointed at himself.

“Yes, she had someone send word to me before you returned,” Xiao Muying said.

“Why see me?” Jiang Yan looked bewildered. “Can I not go?”

“You can, but tomorrow you'll become the old eighth,” Xiao Muying said calmly.

Jiang Yan's mouth twitched violently. Fine, she used the calmest words to deliver the most ruthless threat.

‘This psycho Sect doesn't have a single normal person!’

“Fine, I'll go to the meeting.” Jiang Yan agreed helplessly, then asked, “When and where?”

“At the Xu hour tonight, at the entrance of the Blood Sword Pool.” After saying this, Xiao Muying stood up and left the training ground.

Jiang Yan was quite speechless. He really wanted to know what was going on in the head of that icy beauty, Su Qingyan.

He had only hung out with her team for two days. Why was she targeting him?

‘A bunch of psychos!’