36: New Neighbors

He sped along, and in the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he returned to the area where the Utility Disciples lived.

Still uneasy, he circled back a few times to make sure no one had noticed him before daring to return home.

"Husband, you're back so soon?"

"I'll go cook right away."

Zhang Qingxiao took out some Yao Beast ribs and a large piece of Yao Beast meat, let Zhou Yun cook them, and then returned to his room to begin recovering his spiritual power.

His recent Sword Flight had exhausted most of the spiritual power within his body.

While recovering his spiritual power, Zhang Qingxiao kept thinking about what had just happened.

"The Li family Foundation Establishment cultivator mentioned by those two Guiyuan Sect Cultivators must be the Li family Old Ancestor who runs the Li Family Pill Shop in the market."

"Should I warn the Li family?"

"Forget it, I shouldn't get involved in this kind of matter to avoid bringing trouble upon myself."

He was just an ordinary Utility Disciple; the survival of the Sect didn't really have much to do with him.

His relationship with the Li family was only for business; there was no special connection.

There was absolutely no need to get himself into trouble for the sake of the Li family.

Besides, the Li family held a high status in the Chang Sheng Sect; if he were to rashly go and report this, they might not even believe him.

Zhang Qingxiao kept comforting himself.

After lunch, he went to Luo Fei's residence, took out more than half of the Yao Beast meat he had hunted today, and asked him to sell it.

After chatting briefly, he wandered around on the road.

Yet his mind kept dwelling on what happened that morning.

"Husband, you don't seem like yourself today. Did you run into any trouble?"

Zhou Yun asked tentatively when they were going to sleep at night.

"No!"

"It's just that so many things have happened this year, I'm just feeling a bit sentimental."

Zhang Qingxiao didn't intend to tell Zhou Yun about the morning's events, so as not to make her worry.

"Husband, you have indeed changed a lot this year."

"Ever since you started Alchemy and Body Refining, you seem like a completely different person."

Zhou Yun didn't think too much about it; after all, his changes over the past year were indeed quite significant.

Now that their life was getting better and better, Zhou Yun felt happy and delighted from the bottom of her heart.

As they talked, Zhang Qingxiao's hands began to wander.

After they shared an intimate moment, he felt much of his irritation dissipate.

Early the next morning, Zhou Yun and Liang Qiaoer began cleaning the room.

Zhang Qingxiao and Zhou Quan sat in the courtyard chatting.

Since the New Year was tomorrow, Zhou Quan had completely put aside his work and was preparing to enjoy two days of leisure.

After chatting with Zhou Quan all morning and wandering around in the afternoon, Zhang Qingxiao still felt restless and agitated.

Especially when he thought about how Li Wanqing had clearly seen that he was borrowing her influence, yet she had agreed without hesitation to take him away, allowing him to temporarily escape danger, he felt even more annoyed.

In the evening, Zhang Qingxiao ate a few bites, changed his clothes, told Zhou Yun, altered his appearance, and came to the market.

The market at this time was brightly lit and bustling with activity.

After walking around twice, he arrived in front of the Li Family Pill Shop.

Although the New Year was almost here, the Li Family Pill Shop was not closed.

Zhang Qingxiao hesitated again and again, but still walked into the shop and bought several dozen portions of medicinal herbs.

Then, he calmly placed a note on the counter and left the Li Family Pill Shop as if nothing had happened.

"I have done what I can. Whether the Li family takes this matter seriously is no longer my concern."

Walking on the way home, Zhang Qingxiao felt much more relaxed.

After confirming that no one was following him, he found a secluded spot, changed back to his original appearance, and returned home.

He slept very soundly that night.

Early in the morning, he even discussed the eighteen martial arts with Zhou Yun.

Today was the New Year, and the whole family put on new clothes.

The sound of firecrackers outside rang out continuously.

Zhang Qingxiao pulled Liang Qiaoer, who had just come out of the bedroom, and they set off firecrackers in the courtyard.

At noon, Zhou Yun prepared a table full of food, and everyone gathered around, full of the festive spirit of the New Year.

In the evening, he took Liang Qiaoer and Zhou Yun to the market, played until late at night, and then returned home.

After the New Year, life became plain again.

Zhang Qingxiao would occasionally go to the market to buy medicinal herbs, and he hadn't heard of anything happening to the Li family.

It must have been the note he left that had played a role.

Although the Li family was fine, the situation within the Chang Sheng Sect was becoming increasingly tense.

The Sect would often send Foundation Establishment Stage Elders to the several Spirit Stone mines controlled by the Chang Sheng Sect to confront the Cultivators of the Guiyuan Sect.

In three months, three Foundation Establishment Stage Elders of the Chang Sheng Sect had died, and two had been seriously injured.

Having no other choice, the Chang Sheng Sect had to abandon two of the Spirit Stone mines and guard the one closest to the Chang Sheng Sect's mountain gate, which had the most Spirit Stones.

Seeing that the situation of the Chang Sheng Sect was getting worse, Zhang Qingxiao had been constantly stockpiling supplies during this period.

After this period of development, Luo Fei's territory had doubled again.

It had become the largest force in the nearby area.

After the controlled area became larger, various troubles came knocking one after another.

During this time, Zhang Qingxiao intervened twice to help Luo Fei solve two major problems.

After more than three months of Cultivating, his Realm was steadily growing, and his Cultivating progress had reached 60/100; in another two months, he would be able to Breakthrough to the sixth level of Qi Refining.

As the situation of the Chang Sheng Sect became more and more tense, Zhang Qingxiao became even more diligent in his Cultivating.

One day, while he was Cultivating, the courtyard gate was suddenly knocked on.

When Zhang Qingxiao saw that the person was a strange female Cultivator, he frowned slightly.

"Fellow Daoist, I am your new neighbor, Yu Yan. Please take care of me in the future."

As Yu Yan spoke, she took out an exquisite gift box and handed it to Zhang Qingxiao.

"So you are the new neighbor. It's a pleasure."

Zhang Qingxiao looked the female Cultivator up and down and felt that her appearance and temperament were outstanding; she did not look like an ordinary Utility Disciple.

He couldn't help but feel vigilant. After accepting the gift box, he laughed it off and said.

After a brief chat, Yu Yan said goodbye and left.

"Husband, who was that?"

Zhou Yun walked out of the room and asked curiously.

"A new neighbor, she said her name is Yu Yan. I don't know where she comes from."

"I'm going to Luo Fei's place. You and Liang Qiaoer should be careful at home."

Zhang Qingxiao always felt that this female Cultivator named Yu Yan was not quite right, so he prepared to have Luo Fei inquire about her identity.

"Mm, I know. Husband, come back early."

Zhou Yun didn't think too much about it and took the gift box Zhang Qingxiao handed over back into the room.

After arriving at Luo Fei's residence, Zhang Qingxiao briefly explained the matter of Yu Yan.

"Recently, there have indeed been a few strangers entering the area where we Utility Disciples live."

"According to the investigation of my subordinates, these people's identities are unknown, and it is very likely that they are not Utility Disciples of our Chang Sheng Sect."

"Brother Zhang, should I have someone drive this Yu Yan away?"

Luo Fei briefly stated the situation he had learned and asked somewhat uncertainly.