23: Autumn River Night Hunt!

The next morning, the sun was just right.

Chen Meng was sweating profusely in the courtyard, performing a set of Fierce Wind Palm techniques with powerful force, the strong winds she generated causing the fallen leaves in the courtyard to swirl.

Li Qing, meanwhile, was in a corner, holding a rag and unhurriedly wiping the long saber on the weapon rack.

Chen Meng had grown accustomed to this feeling.

She had been observing Li Qing for several days.

Aside from being unambitious and a bit frail, he was quiet and well-behaved, never causing trouble.

This also saved her a lot of annoyance.

Just then, a noisy sound of footsteps and laughter came from the courtyard entrance.

Chen Meng stopped her palm stance and frowned slightly as she looked over.

Who was making such a racket at her courtyard gate?

Just as she was about to tell Li Qing to go check.

Lu Yunfei walked in with three or four Senior Brothers, all wearing Inner Sect Disciple robes, striding confidently.

He wore a well-fitted blue martial uniform with a jade pendant hanging from his waist.

His long hair was tied up with a silver hairpin, and a gentle smile graced his face, making him appear heroic and extraordinary.

"Junior Sister Chen, you are truly diligent, starting your Cultivation Technique so early in the morning."

Lu Yunfei's voice was very magnetic. He walked up to Chen Meng, his gaze sweeping over her cheeks and neck.

What a beauty!

"I see that Junior Sister's Fierce Wind Palm has improved significantly since you joined the Inner Sect. Your palm winds are sharp and already quite formidable."

"Senior Brother Lu, you flatter me."

Chen Meng cupped her fists happily.

"These are just some crude skills, not worthy of grand occasions."

Lu Yunfei's smile remained.

"Junior Sister, why be so modest? Your talent is among the best of all the Disciples."

He then changed the subject, getting straight to the point.

"By the way, Junior Sister, in three days, the Martial Arts Academy will hold the Autumn River Night Hunt."

"This is a tradition for our Inner Sect Disciples, held once a year. I wonder if Junior Sister is interested in participating?"

The Disciples following Lu Yunfei also chimed in.

"That's right, Junior Sister Chen, the Autumn River Night Hunt is very lively, and you can hunt many Vicious Beasts!"

"The Materials harvested can also be exchanged for contribution points, which can be used to redeem Medicinal Pills and Cultivation Techniques. It's a rare Opportunity!"

Chen Meng shook her head upon hearing this.

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brothers, but my cultivation is still shallow, and I'm afraid I would only be a burden to everyone, so I won't join in the fun.

Although she wanted to go, she knew her own strength best.

She had just entered the Inner Sect, at the Late Stage of Body Tempering Realm.

She had always heard about the dangers of the Great River.

Going with such strength would be too dangerous!

Lu Yunfei immediately patted his chest, making a grand promise.

"Junior Sister, what are you saying!"

"With me here, I will surely protect your safety!"

"You only need to stay by my side, and I guarantee you'll be unharmed and still share in many benefits."

His words were sincere, and his eyes were full of confidence.

He had been in the Inner Sect for three years and was nominally the Great Master of the Inner Sect.

His strength was naturally beyond doubt.

He was currently at the Middle Stage of Condensing Essence Realm.

He was only one step away from the Late-stage Condensing Yuan Realm, the second Realm of Martial Dao!

This time, he intended to use the Autumn River Night Hunt to obtain resources.

Breakthrough!

Then pass the Martial Arts Academy's assessment to become a Personal Disciple.

Only Personal Disciples could receive the full and dedicated guidance of the Academy Master!

Of course, he also wanted to win the beauty's heart!

In the Great River, as long as he didn't enter some dangerous areas.

Even if he encountered a Vicious Beast that had just entered the second rank, he could retreat safely!

Moreover, he also had his Family's Late-stage Condensing Yuan Realm elder with him.

Safety was assured!

Protecting Chen Meng's safety without a hitch.

In the corner, Li Qing, who was wiping his saber, paused slightly.

Great River, hunting Vicious Beasts?

His heart suddenly tightened.

Inner Sect Disciples going to the Great River to hunt?

This was no laughing matter.

He had the most say about the dangers of the Great River.

Lu Yunfei might be fine, but the group behind him had just entered the Inner Sect and were all at the Late Stage of Body Tempering Realm, just like Chen Meng.

Wouldn't going in be like offering themselves up as food?

As far as he knew, the Martial Arts Academy's annual large-scale hunting events were usually attended by older Inner Sect Disciples.

Many of them were Personal Disciples.

These people generally had Condensing Essence Realm strength.

Even with such strength, casualties occurred every year.

He pricked up his ears, his movements of wiping the weapon becoming increasingly slow, focusing all his attention on the conversation over there.

Seeing Chen Meng still hesitating, Lu Yunfei threw out another bombshell.

He raised his voice, ensuring everyone in the courtyard could hear clearly.

"This night hunt is no ordinary matter; even the Academy Master himself will personally come to the riverside to observe!"

"If any Disciple performs exceptionally and is favored by the Academy Master, they might even be taken as a Personal Disciple!"

"This is a heaven-sent Opportunity, Junior Sister, you absolutely must not miss it!"

"The Academy Master will also go?"

Chen Meng's breathing quickened a bit, and her previously firm refusal began to waver.

She had been in the Martial Arts Academy for a year, but had never received special attention from the Academy Master.

She hadn't had any contact with the Academy Master even after entering the Inner Sect; all her assessments were conducted by the old Academy Master.

If she could use this Opportunity to show her face before the Academy Master, it would be of immense benefit to her future Martial Dao path.

But she truly lacked confidence in herself.

"But, I'm really worried I'll become a burden to everyone."

Seeing that there was a chance, Lu Yunfei immediately struck while the iron was hot.

"Junior Sister, trust me!"

"I, Lu Yunfei, keep my word; I will safely bring you back!"

"This time, my Family elders will also be accompanying us."

"This is both a trial and an Opportunity. On the path of Martial Dao, if you don't strive, you will fall behind others!"

These words made Chen Meng's blood surge.

Yes, the path of Martial Dao was inherently like sailing against the current.

She looked at Lu Yunfei's confident and sincere face and finally made up her mind.

"Then, I'll trouble Senior Brother Lu to look after me."

"Good!"

Lu Yunfei's face revealed a triumphant smile, as if victory was already in his grasp.

He and Chen Meng agreed to meet at the Martial Arts Academy's entrance in three days, then contentedly prepared to leave with his group.

Before leaving, his gaze seemingly inadvertently swept over Li Qing in the corner, with a hint of scrutiny and disdain.

Just a frail Attendant.

Lu Yunfei mused, he would find an excuse to send this annoying fellow away when the time came.

Then he could enjoy some private time with Junior Sister Chen by the river under the moonlight. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Lu Yunfei and his entourage left grandly.

The courtyard returned to quiet, and Chen Meng was a little excited.

Firstly, Senior Brother Lu was taking such good care of her.

Secondly, the Academy Master would also be there.

What if she performed very poorly? Wouldn't that make the Academy Master look down on her?

"Senior Sister, you seem to have something on your mind?"

A slightly dull voice came from beside her.

Li Qing had walked over at some point, still holding the rag.

Chen Meng glanced at him, sighed, and thought that Li Qing, after all, wasn't a cheap Attendant.

He could be considered a companion.

Without thinking, she spoke her thoughts aloud.

"I'm thinking about the night hunt in three days. I both hope to seize this Opportunity and fear that my strength is insufficient and I'll drag others down."

After she finished, as if to cheer herself up, she added.

"However, it's good that Senior Brother Lu will be there."

"He's warm-hearted and strong, so following him should be much safer."

"Senior Brother Lu is truly a good person!"

Li Qing forced a simple, agreeable smile, nodding repeatedly.

"Yes, yes, Senior Sister, good people are blessed by heaven; everything will go smoothly."

He offered comfort with his words, but his mind was racing.

This Chen Meng really had a love-struck brain.

He could sense what Lu Yunfei was planning from three feet away!

Three days later.

The Autumn River Night Hunt.

The location was by the Great River, the specific section was unclear, but the range was definitely near Jiangling City.

It seemed he had to prepare in advance.