33: Chapter 33 The Shopkeeper's Mixed Feelings!

Sikong Changfeng was silent for a moment.

It wasn't entirely his fault; the City Lord had been sleeping like the dead, and it took him shouting outside for quite a while before anyone came out.

"Besides, Li Hanyi helped us out this time. Shouldn't we go pay her a thank you visit?" Baili Dongjun asked again.

"It's not impossible, but the other party's status is extraordinary. I'm afraid whatever we offer, they won't think highly of it."

Sikong Changfeng pondered.

To be able to help Li Hanyi achieve successive Breakthroughs and reach the Earth Realm in such a short time, this kind of person possessed extraordinary methods.

What would such a Master lack?

Send money? What a joke. If he truly lacked money, countless people would be scrambling to offer it.

The wealthy merchants in the city would jump at such an Opportunity, not even asking for anything in return, just hoping he would accept it.

"Since that's the case, then I shall go. The Thousand-Day Peach Blossom Wine I just brewed the other day can serve as a gift."

Hearing this, Sikong Changfeng couldn't help but swallow.

That was Baili Dongjun's private stash of fine liquor.

Only a few bottles were brewed annually, truly making it the world's foremost fine wine.

"You old drunkard, you're actually willing to part with it?"

"Willing, willing. One must give to receive. Trading a few bottles of wine for the friendship of a Master—I know where the value lies."

"Then why haven't you given him the wind, flower, snow, moon?"

Sikong Changfeng couldn't help but tease.

"I wanted to, but this year's supply was all used as prizes for the Grand Competition."

"..."

The wind, flower, snow, moon was Baili Dongjun's most cherished wine.

Although not as intoxicating as the Thousand-Day Peach Blossom Brew, one cup was equivalent to a year of arduous cultivation. Each person could drink a maximum of three cups; it was a genuine worldly treasure.

"Then I'll go over first and see if that girl Qianluo has returned."

Seeing that Baili Dongjun had made up his mind, Sikong Changfeng said no more and turned to leave.

As soon as he returned to the residence, he saw Sikong Qianluo tiptoeing along the wall, sneaking toward her room.

"Ahem—"

Sikong Changfeng coughed lightly.

Sikong Qianluo was startled violently, her body stiffening, and she stood perfectly straight.

"You still know how to come back?"

Sikong Changfeng said with a stern face.

"Oh, Daddy!"

Sikong Qianluo immediately unleashed her charm technique, sticking close and shaking his arm.

"Alright, alright, stop shaking me. Were you injured this time?"

Sikong Changfeng, dizzy from the shaking, could only compromise and ask.

"No, Master arrived in time and used Sword Control Technique to bring us back to the Martial Arts School."

"Mmm, mmm."

Sikong Changfeng nodded, then his expression changed.

"Sword Control? Is he really someone from Wushuang City?"

Mentioning Sword Control naturally brought up Wushuang City.

Although Wushuang City no longer commanded the awe it once did, it was still one of the four great cities of Northern Li.

Its Sword Control Technique was renowned throughout the world.

"Hmph! How can that flashy sword art from Wushuang City compare to my Master!"

Sikong Qianluo put her hands on her hips. As a member of Snow Moon City, she naturally held no positive feelings for Wushuang City.

Moreover, the image of Su Rui in her heart was currently as towering as a mountain.

"..."

Sikong Changfeng sighed, shaking his head.

"Qianluo, you can't just say things like that carelessly, understand? Otherwise, it will cause trouble for your Master!"

...Hearing her father's words, Sikong Qianluo pouted, wanting to retort.

But thinking of her Master's calm and composed demeanor, she ultimately swallowed the words and nodded lightly.

"Qianluo understands!"

"Good. This time you should understand the dangers of the Jianghu. Snow Moon City is relatively peaceful. If you go outside, where feuds are endless and conspiracies abound, you must be careful everywhere from now on!"

"I know, Daddy. But I want to participate in this Grand Competition!"

"It's fine to try for it."

Sikong Changfeng didn't object to this.

This Grand Competition was meant to be a light sparring match, and with him watching over things, there wasn't too much to worry about.

"That's fine then. The Grand Competition is approaching, and Daddy has important matters to attend to. Don't run around everywhere. If you need anything, come find me!"

"Qianluo knows. I have Master; I don't need to find you!"

Crack!

Sikong Changfeng felt a clap of thunder explode near his ear.

His heart felt as if it had been violently split in two.

His good daughter, whom he had raised for so long, now valued her Master more than her own father after only a few days?

"Hee hee, I was just teasing you!"

Sikong Qianluo said with a mischievous laugh.

"..."

Looking at his cunning daughter, what else could Sikong Changfeng do?

Of course, he had to choose to forgive her.

"I'm going to my room. I have to go to the Martial Arts School tomorrow; Master is going to personally teach me spear practice!"

Before the words faded, she had already run off.

Sikong Changfeng's heart, which hadn't recovered, shattered into pieces again.

Only those who had a precious daughter at home could understand that feeling.

Clutching his chest, he glared at his daughter's retreating back through gritted teeth.

But after a moment, he froze again.

Wait, wasn't he determined to properly discipline this girl?

Good heavens, he had been completely distracted by this clever little imp and forgotten everything.

But never mind.

From Baili Dongjun's description, he could tell that Qianluo's Master was extraordinary.

Qianluo wouldn't be in any danger at the Martial Arts School.

He also knew that he had been extremely busy recently and simply didn't have time to spend with her.

Having someone to guide her was quite good.

Furthermore, since he could help Li Hanyi improve rapidly in a short time, perhaps Qianluo could also achieve a Breakthrough as a result.

...

The next morning.

The news of Li Hanyi defeating the several major martial arts schools in the city had already spread widely.

While everyone marveled at her strength, they also developed a strong interest in the Martial Arts School she belonged to.

Many young talents who had come to participate in the Grand Competition rushed to the vicinity of the Martial Arts School, wanting to investigate.

It was rumored that Li Hanyi's strength had advanced by leaps and bounds only after entering this Martial Arts School.

These geniuses, all believing they were no worse than her, naturally wanted to find an Opportunity.

However, the Martial Arts School had only opened its doors once since dawn.

It was someone sent by Snow Moon City, along with Sikong Qianluo, delivering yesterday's thank-you gifts.

After the people left, the Martial Arts School never opened again.

Some disbelievers stepped forward to provoke, but as soon as they shouted out, they were scared into Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering by a sudden Sword Intent.

This made the crowd even more curious, and they waited for the Martial Arts School to open again.

The taverns near the Nameless Martial Arts School were packed solid for the entire day.

The proprietor had mixed feelings.

He was happy because business was booming, earning him a fortune; he was worried because all the customers were people from the Jianghu.

He had heard that two tables of customers at the neighboring tavern had a verbal disagreement that morning and started fighting, completely demolishing the entire building.

Fortunately, his establishment remained relatively peaceful.

By a window table, Ximen Chuixue sat alone, a few small dishes and a pot of clear wine before him, sipping slowly, his gaze occasionally drifting toward the Martial Arts School.

It was true that he had come to participate in the Grand Competition.

But he was already fully prepared and needed no further practice. It was the Sword Intent that suddenly emanated from the Martial Arts School that day that deeply shook his heart.

He was currently struggling with a Bottleneck in the Way of the Sword, so he had specifically come seeking a chance for a Breakthrough.

And he felt that the Opportunity was right before his eyes.

At another table not far away, two young women sat talking.

"You always call me a demoness, but I only come from the Demonic Path. I haven't done anything wicked."

Wanwan spoke gently, as if trying to persuade.

Shi Feixuan was momentarily speechless, unsure how to reply.

"The Demonic Sect is the Demonic Sect. Even if you aren't committing evil now, you certainly will in the future!"

Shi Feixuan's expression was cold; she had clearly learned about the trouble Wanwan caused yesterday by using her identity.

"If you want to condemn someone, you can always find an excuse!"

Wanwan looked aggrieved, her eyes slightly red, causing several young men nearby to feel sympathetic.

If the person sitting opposite her wasn't Shi Feixuan, whose temperament was comparable to hers, someone would have surely stepped forward to champion her cause.

"You know the ways of the Demonic Path. Your Master is a mass murderer. I don't believe you can remain pure forever!"

Shi Feixuan's tone was firm, still unwavering in her stance.

"Forget it, say what you will. For now, while we are in Snow Moon City, let's put our grievances aside. Since you can sit here, someone from Snow Moon City must have already spoken with you."

Shi Feixuan nodded slightly, stopping the argument. Her gaze shifted past the window to the old gatehouse of the Martial Arts School.

On the mottled plaque, the characters "Martial Arts School" were vaguely discernible.

...

Inside the compound, Su Rui naturally understood that this was a rare Opportunity.

Many young talents were gathered outside, but the number was a bit too large.

This grand gathering of Snow Moon City was both for selecting talent and an Opportunity for him to choose disciples.

However, before that, he first had to help Sikong Qianluo and the others improve their strength.

Sikong Qianluo had good talent, but she was still young; Mu Liangyue and the others had been trained as assassins since childhood, mastering techniques of slaughter.

Although their strength had greatly increased after mastering the Blink Sword Technique, their Realms had never managed a Breakthrough.

Mu Liangyue and the other two were only one step away from the Vajra Mortal Realm, so Su Rui decided to use this Opportunity to help them break through the Bottleneck.

He still had some leftover Internal Energy recovered from the Sea-Absorbing Sacred Heart Curse, which was just enough to lend them a helping hand.

The four were led into the training room one after another and only emerged after a long time.

As soon as they walked out the door, their faces still held a lingering blush.

Sikong Qianluo couldn't help but ask curiously:

"What was Master doing inside?"

Mu Liangyue lightly patted her cheek, trying to suppress the heat rising on her face.

"Master helped us achieve a Breakthrough to the Vajra Mortal Realm."

Sikong Qianluo pouted upon hearing this.

At that moment, Su Rui's voice came:

"Qianluo, you come in too."

Sikong Qianluo's eyes lit up, and she hopped into the room.

Not long after, she also staggered out, followed closely by Su Rui.

"You are different from Hanyi; I directly pushed her to the Peak of the Diamond Realm.

For you, I helped clear your Bottleneck. Next, you must rely on yourselves to adapt to this Realm."

"Yes!"

The four women responded in unison and bowed respectfully.

Su Rui nodded with satisfaction.

"Do not take this grand gathering lightly. I feel this one will be livelier than previous ones."

"Master, many people have arrived. My father said there are not only people from our Northern Li, but also from Great Tang, Great Song, and Great Qin. I heard the one from Great Qin is a child, only this tall!"

Sikong Qianluo gestured with her hand to her waist.

Su Rui: ...

Mu Liangyue and the other two women: ...

Only reaching her waist?