145: Death of Xue Hu

The next day.

After much hesitation, Liu Xuan still decided to go to the mountain peak to pay his respects to True Person Xiao first. No matter what, he currently held the status of a Core Disciple, and Xiao Changfeng was his Grandmaster. It would be improper not to visit him upon his return.

Moreover, Xiao Changfeng having ulterior motives towards him was just his speculation; it wasn't certain if it was true.

A Golden Core True Person!

If Xiao Changfeng truly intended to do something to Liu Xuan, whether he went to visit or not would make no difference.

Although that was the case, Liu Xuan still felt very apprehensive as he approached the mountain peak.

His cultivation had broken through to Late Qi Refining Stage, and his Body Refining Realm had broken through to the eighth level; his progress was too exaggerated!

Ordinary methods simply couldn't hide this level of cultivation from a Golden Core True Person.

"Stop right there!"

As he neared the mountain peak, a white-haired elder flew through the air and blocked Liu Xuan's path.

Liu Xuan stopped and looked at the man in confusion.

The white-haired elder cupped his hands in greeting towards Liu Xuan, "I am Xiao Yuanshan. Greetings, Talisman Master Liu!"

"The Immortal Master Old Ancestor is currently in secluded cultivation. No one is allowed to disturb him, so please return!"

Liu Xuan was a Core Disciple and highly regarded by Xiao Changfeng, so Xiao Yuanshan's attitude was very polite.

'Secluded cultivation?'

"Senior Brother, do you know approximately how long Grandmaster's secluded cultivation will last? Junior Brother has been away for a long time, and I want to avoid being disrespectful by not paying my respects in time."

Liu Xuan cupped his hands in return and asked.

"No one can know the Immortal Master Old Ancestor's affairs. You can come back and check after some time," Xiao Yuanshan thought for a moment and said.

"Thank you for the information, Senior Brother. I'll take my leave!"

Liu Xuan turned and flew down the mountain.

'Secluded cultivation?'

True Person Xiao, a Golden Core Cultivator whose Lifespan was nearing its end, what kind of secluded cultivation was he doing? Could he still break through his cultivation?

Breaking through minor Realms had almost no impact on Lifespan. Even if he broke through to Middle Stage Golden Core, the time of his impending death would not change.

But True Person Xiao was different. He was actually only over eight hundred years old. Normally, he would have over a hundred years left to live, but his impending death was brought forward due to injuries.

If he broke through to Middle Stage Golden Core, he might be able to mend his Origin injuries and restore his normal Lifespan.

As far as Liu Xuan knew, Xiao Changfeng's inability to break through was due to damage to his Golden Core Origin. If he could break through, his impending death wouldn't be brought forward. Logically, this was a dead end, not so easy to resolve.

Liu Xuan did not return to the Talisman Master's Small Courtyard but instead flew towards the Nameless Daoist Temple to pay respects to his Revered Master, Lin Qingyun.

His main reason for returning this time was Lin Qingyun's summons. The Talisman letter hadn't specified what the matter was, and Liu Xuan was quite curious as to why his Revered Master wanted to see him.

Arriving at the entrance of the Daoist Temple, the Formation recognized Liu Xuan's aura, so he walked straight in without needing to announce himself.

"Come to the Talisman Quiet Room to see me!"

Shortly after stepping into the Daoist Temple, a Divine Sense transmission sounded in Liu Xuan's ear.

Upon reaching the Talisman Quiet Room, Liu Xuan bowed to Lin Qingyun, who was seated at the head, "Disciple Liu Xuan greets Revered Master!"

"Dispense with the formalities!"

"Your aura is pure and strong. Has your cultivation advanced again?"

Liu Xuan had restrained his aura, but he hadn't deliberately made any other disguises or concealment. Ancestor Qingyun didn't immediately see his Late Qi Refining Stage cultivation but could feel that his demeanor had improved.

"I was fortunate enough to make a small improvement, nothing worth mentioning!"

"Revered Master summoned me back. Is there something important you wish to instruct?" Liu Xuan redirected the conversation.

"You rascal!"

Lin Qingyun smiled and shook his head, "You even guard against your Revered Master! With your meager cultivation, are you afraid this old man will be jealous of you?"

"Revered Master misunderstands!"

Liu Xuan explained, "Disciple is mainly afraid that if I appear too much of a Genius, Senior Brother Zhao Qing will know and his Dao Heart will shatter, affecting his cultivation path."

Zhao Qing, who had just entered from outside, looked bewildered, "Junior Brother, I am indeed not as good as you, but don't look down on me so much!"

"Dao Heart shattered?!"

"What? Have you forged your dao foundation?"

"More or less!" Liu Xuan said calmly.

"Tsk ~"

Zhao Qing glanced at Liu Xuan dismissively.

"Alright!"

"Let's get to the main point."

Lin Qingyun interrupted the bickering between the two Senior and Junior Brothers, looking at Liu Xuan with a serious expression:

"The main reason I called you back this time is to inform you of a major event that happened not long ago."

"Xue Hu is dead!"

Liu Xuan's heart trembled!

"Is it Foundation Establishment Ancestor Xue Hu?"

Lin Qingyun nodded, "It's the Xue Hu who previously destroyed the Chen Family in Yongning. You should have met him."

"Xue Hu, who was stationed in Gumu County next to Yongning, was killed a month ago by a Golden Core True Person named Li Xuanxuan."

"True Person Xiao was furious and personally went to the Heavenly Sword Sect, annihilating half of the Li Family clan, which caused an uproar in the Upper Sect. The matter was finally settled when the Upper Sect's higher-ups intervened."

"Ah?"

Is True Person Xiao that fierce?

Seeing Liu Xuan's confusion, Lin Qingyun continued to explain, "True Person Xiao's Lifespan is nearing its end, and his combat power is formidable. Once he acts without restraint, no Golden Core True Person is willing to provoke him."

Liu Xuan nodded. With his Lifespan nearing its end, he wouldn't fear death in a fight and could unleash moves that would result in mutual destruction at any time. Indeed, no one would dare to provoke him.

But that's not right! True Person Xiao had always acted gently, and not long ago, he fully assisted Wang Qiao in Core Formation. He definitely cared about the Xiao Family, so why would he make such an extreme move?

Also, why did that True Person Li Xuanxuan inexplicably kill Xue Hu? Causing trouble is one thing, but killing a Sect Foundation Establishment Disciple? True Person Xiao would definitely retaliate.

Why would you force a Golden Core like Xiao Changfeng, whose Lifespan is nearing its end, when there's no need? If you push him too hard, he truly can do anything.

"Alas!"

"After True Person Xiao did this, the Xiao Family will inevitably face crazy retaliation in a few decades. I'm afraid no one will be able to escape."

Lin Qingyun couldn't understand why True Person Xiao suddenly became so extreme.

Could it be that the approaching death near his impending end made him go mad?

What's the point? He's going to die anyway, so what if he vents? In the end, his own clansmen will have to pay the corresponding price with their lives.

"Is True Person Li Xuanxuan the next Sect Master designated by the Sect in advance?" Liu Xuan asked.

Liu Xuan had a general understanding of the situations of the Red Pine Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect and could guess a little about this True Person Li's intentions.

Behind the turmoil that had occurred in the Red Pine Sect in recent years, besides local families resisting taxes, there was also a mysterious force causing trouble from within.

Now it seemed very likely that this was the will of this True Person Li.

Lin Qingyun nodded, "He was before, but whether he will be in the future is unknown."

"After this incident, the Upper Sect's higher-ups were furious, and they might replace him."

"After this matter, True Person Xiao has completely lost all restraint, and no one dares to provoke him anymore. The Sect's turmoil is likely to subside."

"However, it might also usher in even greater retaliation and turmoil. While you are in Yongning, remember not to act carelessly. Stability is paramount in everything."

Lin Qingyun cautioned.

"Disciple understands!"

This matter was neither good nor bad for Liu Xuan. Regardless of how the higher-ups changed, it was best to stay in Yongning and develop peacefully.

After cautioning Liu Xuan, Lin Qingyun felt dispirited and sighed:

"It's a pity for Junior Brother Xue Hu. He was sincere, and his relationship with Revered Master was quite good. He became a sacrifice for no reason."

"Li Xuanxuan used the killing of a Foundation Establishment Disciple as an excuse, and merely based on personal speculation, he killed someone in retaliation. How wronged!"