54: Zhang Bufan's scheming

Since that day, Di Yan's sword heart became increasingly stable.

Staying by her Revered Master's side, she began a period of hellish cultivation.

Training in the coldest of winter and the hottest of summer, she never stopped, regardless of the wind or rain.

Winter went and spring came; in the blink of an eye, three years had passed.

On this day.

The sun was bright, and the breeze was pleasant.

As usual, Su Quan sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, draped in a loose jade-colored robe, watching the young girl practice her swordplay while writing something in a golden book.

The girl's sword techniques were at times sharp, at times swift, at times violent, and at times domineering.

The variations were endless.

No longer confined to mere swordsmanship, she had integrated her own Concept into it, possessing an extraordinary sword rhyme that felt natural and returned to its original simplicity.

The brilliant sword light was as untraceable as a gazelle hanging by its horns, yet elegant and free.

At only twenty-one years old, her comprehension of the Dao of the sword alone was enough to put many old monsters who had lived for thousands of years to shame. If she were to start her own sect and take in female disciples, becoming an Old Ancestor of a region would be a simple matter.

However, Su Quan couldn't bring himself to be happy.

Because... "She's still too weak!"

Su Quan sighed, finished writing a few characters in the book, then closed it and stood up.

The time remaining on his Burial Heaven Demon Lord Trial Card was less than eighty years.

And to train the young girl into a peak Sword Cultivator who could at least contend with him within eighty years was no small feat!

At the very least, staying by his side in secluded cultivation would definitely not be enough!

Perhaps it was time to send her down the mountain for experience, but what excuse should he use?

"That group of so-called righteous sects are all useless. So much time has passed, and there's no movement at all. They just keep wandering around the base of Yan Quan Peak!"

Su Quan felt a bit speechless.

"Revered Master!"

Noticing the movement, Di Yan performed a graceful sword flourish and then sheathed her sword.

Three years later, her figure had grown taller, finally surpassing Su Quan by about a forehead's height.

Her long, straight legs were pressed together, and her slender waist was so small it could be held in one hand, accentuating the breathtaking curves of her perky buttocks.

She's developed so well!

If this continues, I don't know if I'll be able to control myself!

Su Quan muttered to himself, but his face remained dignified. "Xiao Yan, we've run out of fabric at home. Go down to the village and buy some more!"

"Yes, Revered Master!"

Di Yan nodded in response.

Then she turned and left, her graceful figure vanishing at the end of the mountain path in the blink of an eye... Immortal Town.

It was located less than two miles from the foot of Yan Quan Peak.

Twenty years ago, the name was changed because of rumors that Immortals lived on the nearby mountain.

The town wasn't large, with only about a hundred households, but it was where the Revered Master and disciple did their daily shopping.

"Saint, Holy Son, she's here!"

In a hidden courtyard within the town, a servant rushed in.

"Has the item arrived?"

The man speaking wore coarse cloth clothes and sat in the main hall. His fair face was lightly made up to conceal his handsome features, which were enough to cause the downfall of nations in the mortal world.

It was none other than the Lietian Sword Sect Saint, Zhang Bufan.

"It's here, it arrived the day before yesterday. But there's only one. The Sect Master said this item is extremely precious; if it fails, we'll have to find another way!" the servant said hurriedly.

"One is enough. Who do you think This Young Master is? If I personally take action, a woman will be easily captured!" Zhang Bufan said with extreme confidence.

In fact, it was true.

Previously within the Lietian Sword Sect, by relying on his handsome looks, delicate temperament, superb acting, and his keenly perceptive heart, he had easily made countless female cultivators of the Sword Sect submit to him.

Even the Eldest Senior Sister, known as the Cold-Blooded Killer and the Ice Lotus of Tianshan, couldn't escape his clutches and became his most loyal sycophant.

"Then this item..." the servant asked tentatively.

"You go and place it. You have no cultivation, so that woman won't be suspicious. If This Young Master goes, I might be recognized!"

Saying that, Zhang Bufan took out an exquisitely crafted sachet and handed it to the man.

"It's simple. Just let it lightly touch that woman, and it will be a success!"

"This servant will not fail the Young Master's expectations!"

"Alright, go now!"

Watching the servant's departing back, Zhang Bufan's thin lips curled up slightly into a sinister arc, his eyes flashing with shrewd light.

"Burial Heaven Demon Lord, in terms of cultivation talent, This Young Master is far inferior to you, but when it comes to understanding women, you are far inferior to me!"

"Next, This Young Master will teach you a lesson: sometimes schemes are more important than strength!"

"And..."

Thinking of Di Yan's graceful figure and stunningly beautiful face, Zhang Bufan licked his lips excitedly, a strong desire to possess her welling up in his heart.

"Only such an exquisite beauty is worthy of being This Young Master's dual cultivation dao companion!"

..."Boss, how much are these fabrics?"

"A total of thirty copper coins!"

"Then give me some more white fabric. Revered Master likes wearing white robes the most; I'll make a few more sets for him when I get back!"

"Sure thing, is this enough?"

"That's enough. That makes sixty-six coins in total. Here you go, Boss!"

Soon.

Di Yan walked out of the fabric shop, carrying several bolts of silk and satin in her arms.

She didn't linger and was about to return to Yanquan Mountain when a young man carrying a shoulder pole jogged toward her. His baskets were filled with crops, looking like a peddler out to sell his wares.

He suddenly lost his balance and stumbled toward Di Yan.

A pink sachet fell out of his pocket.

The man tried to pick it up, but the shoulder pole on his back made it quite inconvenient for him to move.

He looked around and then cast a pleading gaze at the young girl.

"Miss, could you please help me put the sachet back into my pocket?"

Di Yan didn't suspect anything and squatted down to pick it up.

A rich fragrance wafted toward her.

"Thank you, Miss! Thank you!" the man said with gratitude.

"It was no trouble at all. You're welcome!"

Di Yan's face was cold as she nodded somewhat aloofly, then turned and walked away quickly.

But she didn't notice that on her right palm, where the skin had touched the sachet, a very faint layer of pink phosphorus powder remained.

In a very short time.

This layer of powder silently permeated through her skin and into her body.

It was as if nothing had happened!

...