Spectating the Angsty Romance of the Master and Disciple from the Sect Next Door Chapter 95

The reason Qingxiao Peak had only the two of them was that Lan Ci and Ning Zhufeng had vanished without a trace at some unknown point, slipping away much faster than Qi Lingzi and the others.
Li Jin’an didn’t need to guess what Lan Ci and Ning Zhufeng would do out there; it was either stirring up mischief and wreaking havoc or plundering resources to rapidly elevate their cultivation realms. Regarding the ravings she heard on Gusheng Peak, Li Jin’an had two theories. But whether Lan Ci and Ning Zhufeng gained future memories or plot content from the Heavenly Tome, these two wicked brats would not let go of such an immense opportunity. They would certainly ruthlessly scavenge for resources, hoping to contend with her and, ideally, kill her completely to force Xie Huaixue.
What else could be in those two wicked brats’ minds besides this?
Even knowing this, Li Jin’an chose to let them be.
Firstly, she wanted to wait for the secrets behind Lan Ci and Ning Zhufeng to reveal themselves. Just like the Heavenly Demon Clan behind Ning Zhufeng; if the Heavenly Demon Clan was truly skilled in time and prophecy arts, then it would be unwise for her and Xie Huaixue to act proactively against them, as it would easily alert the enemy unnecessarily. Yinyue Monarch had investigated for so long and only found faint traces of the Heavenly Demon Clan. Li Jin’an didn’t think she could be more patient and meticulous than Yinyue Monarch. So, there was no rush; she would wait for them to inevitably show themselves before catching them all in one net.
Secondly, who said you couldn’t get the desired information without leaving your abode?
Her and Xie Huaixue’s spiritual bonding ceremony was the best place for networking. All the righteous path cultivators who could come had come, even more completely gathered than during the Three Realms War. Even without leaving, news could find its way to her ears.
For example, news of Futu Valley and Ming Xuan.
Speaking of Futu Valley, the first word that came to Li Jin’an’s mind was “unlucky.”
Futu Valley was initially just a minor, obscure sect in an unknown small domain. That was until a brilliant and ambitious sect master, similar to Jingting Dao Lord, emerged. Single-handedly, she directly led the entire sect into the ranks of the Nine Great Immortal Sects, enjoying boundless prestige for a time. However, during a major battle with the Demon Clan, Futu Valley’s high-level forces went to Three Realms Mountain, leaving the interior vulnerable. Evil cultivators seized the opportunity, slaughtering all the young cultivators. With a complete lack of new talent, the lineage was directly broken.
Futu Valley completely fell out of the ranks of the Nine Great Immortal Sects, its position taken by the Spring Rejuvenation Valley, a group of easygoing medical cultivators who never vied for anything.
From then on, the righteous immortal sects of the cultivation world no longer allowed their young disciples to roam freely. They wouldn’t keep them under constant surveillance, but they also wouldn’t carelessly send them out as before and expect them to return on their own. The last event to have such a shocking effect was Qi Lingzi, Tan Yanyi, and Ling Qiu’s retaliatory activities in a secret realm, which almost led to the self-destruction of their entire sect.
Futu Valley fell silent, with few rumors circulating. Then, Li Jin’an read in the Heavenly Tome about Futu Valley’s Grand Elder, Ming Xuan, defecting to become Lan Ci’s obedient lackey, sent wherever she commanded.
This was a bit disgraceful, wasn’t it?
Could a dignified Grand Elder of a first-rate sect really become a lackey so shamelessly?
Futuo Domain was by the sea, far from Ringing Jade Domain, so it was normal for news not to circulate easily. But no matter, Li Jin’an had a well-informed friend whose business extended even to the demon realm: Shang Dangge.
On a bright spring day, Jiang Fengmian, Jie Yunjin, and Shang Dangge arrived at Qingxiao Peak with gifts to visit, and Li Jin’an enthusiastically received them.
Li Jin’an feigned politeness, “You came all this way, why bring gifts? You shouldn’t have.”
Jiang Fengmian: “…”
Jie Yunjin stated plainly, “Didn’t you say that anyone who came without a gift would be treated as an unwelcome guest?” Otherwise, why would I spend money again, after sending so much dual cultivation wine? I’m not a rich household.
Shang Dangge: “You’re more shameless than I am. I concede.”
Li Jin’an diligently handed the gifts to Xie Huaixue, then haughtily lifted her chin and pursed her lips, “Don’t concede yet. At least I don’t charge people money when it’s raining or sunny. Birds flying over Commercial Domain even lose a layer of skin.”
Shang Dangge: “Do not slander my reputation. Those were my shallow thoughts when I was young, never put into practice.”
“It’s not far off. Commercial Domain forbids cultivators from flying through the air, forcing them to take your spiritual boats instead. Black-hearted merchant.”
Other large domains first had the territory and then the domain lord, with the position of domain lord even rotating, leading to fierce struggles for the title. Commercial Domain was different. Before the Shang family took control of Commercial Domain, the Shang family was already the Lancang Continent’s most famous financial magnates, with countless businesses under their control. However, due to their immense wealth, they were susceptible to the covetous eyes of evil cultivators and rogue cultivator groups. So, the previous generation’s Shang family head spent a fortune to buy Commercial Domain.
They successfully leveraged their extraordinary wealth to push the Shang family into the ranks of the Nine Great Immortal Sects, vividly demonstrating the truth of “wealth can move gods.”
Futu Valley and the Shang family displayed two different ways to enter the ranks of the Nine Great Immortal Sects: either produce an peerless genius or possess wealth so dazzling it couldn’t be refused.
Thus, the power structure of the Nine Great Immortal Sects was completely formed: Dao Sect, Sword Sect, Divine Mechanism Sect, Lingjing Sect, Spring Rejuvenation Valley, Jinggu Tan Family, Wennan Lan Family, Commercial Domain Shang Family, and Yue Li Jiang Clan.
Jiang Fengmian hailed from the Yue Li Jiang Clan, though she was from a collateral branch of a collateral branch’s direct lineage. In any case, she was quite distant from the main branch, unlike Lan Ci, who couldn’t be found within a thousand miles, yet somehow managed to be connected in the later stages of the Heavenly Tome’s plot, as if to find an excuse to send resources to Lan Ci.
As for the Lingjing Sect, which had a low sense of presence, it was considered an old, established force in the cultivation world. It wasn’t as strong as the Dao Sect or Sword Sect, but it had never fallen out of the ranks of the Nine Great Immortal Sects.
They were a typical group of idlers who contributed little but loved to gossip. In the past, Li Jin’an and Xie Huaixue’s gambling matches and the current forbidden books were all instigated by them. Relying on being one of the Nine Great Immortal Sects of the righteous path, Li Jin’an, even if she wanted to kill them, had to leave them alive, so they acted recklessly.
So, although there were only a few of them, four of the Nine Great Immortal Sects were actually represented. Any casual conversation among them would revolve around recent events in the cultivation world and the latest news.
Unfortunately, the three weren’t discussing these matters; instead, they were collectively speaking ill of Li Jin’an to her face.
No, that wasn’t quite right. It was more like a grievance meeting for the victims.
Jiang Fengmian delivered a lengthy complaint: “…Not only did I have to be a messenger between them, but I also had to help them babysit their children. Honestly, Jijin’s three disciples are one more troublesome than the last, all little devils. After raising them for a few days, I made a decision that went against my sect’s rules: I will never take a direct disciple. Anyway, I have elder and younger sisters, so I’ll just let them carry on the sect’s legacy!”
“She made you a real-life communication paper crane? That’s not bad. When I was only three years old and not yet a mature merchant, my mother took me to the Sword Sect as a guest. That year, Jijin Sword Sovereign, who was over two hundred years old, swindled me out of everything I owned, not even sparing the jade ornaments I wore. Oh, right, she also didn’t forget to draw up a contract proving that I willingly gave her the money.”
Shang Dangge calmly recounted the past events that led her to become a black-hearted merchant.
Back then, she was a simple, naive child who loved beautiful people. Coupled with her mother’s enthusiastic praise of the Sword Sect’s genius sword cultivator before their trip, she was easily swayed by Li Jin’an and followed her. Before she realized it, all she had left was the clothes on her back.
Among the many reasons Shang Dangge became a qualified merchant, Li Jin’an played an indelible, indeed, meritorious role.
Jie Yunjin was also calm. “It’s alright. After meeting Jijin and Qingxiao, I just stopped being human.”
Meaning, there were barriers to being both human and demon.
Seeing Li Jin’an remain silent, letting them vent their miserable experiences of being swindled, Jie Yunjin sincerely asked, “You called us here not just to earn a second gift payment and show off your companion, right?”
Otherwise, she couldn’t think of any serious business Li Jin’an would have.
At this moment, Li Jin’an was slumped against Xie Huaixue, whispering secretively, occasionally exchanging smiles.
Watching the two single people and one snake felt incredibly awkward. Even though they had witnessed the two bond, seeing them so affectionate still felt somewhat strange.
Too lovey-dovey.
Where was the arrogant defiance that would draw a sword at the slightest disagreement? Where was the calm composure of someone unfazed by collapsing mountains? So it was all fake, wasn’t it?!
It truly seemed that those who were indifferent to love before became even more fickle once they found a companion.
Actually, Jiang Fengmian, Jie Yunjin, and Shang Dangge weren’t very familiar with each other. But it didn’t matter; as long as they all shared Li Jin’an and Xie Huaixue as friends, they could become familiar just by complaining about them.
“Aren’t you all chatting quite well already? Do I still need to entertain you?” Li Jin’an pursed her lips, then got to the point. “I just wanted to ask if you had any news about Futu Valley.”
Xie Huaixue looked up at her. Huh?
Before they came, Li Jin’an hadn’t mentioned wanting to ask about Futu Valley. She had only said that not showing off your companion after finding one was like wearing brocade robes at night—simply inhuman.
Xie Huaixue couldn’t let her own companion be called inhuman, so she accompanied her to meet their old friends.
Li Jin’an understood her gaze but still grinned at her, attempting to muddle through.
Xie Huaixue’s eyes were clear, and she lightly swept her gaze over Li Jin’an’s smiling face, saying nothing, yet conveying everything.
“Uh, how about tonight, you’re on top?” Li Jin’an privately transmitted to Xie Huaixue, making a slight concession, as if it pained her immensely and was unbearable.
Actually, she just talked a good game.
Position is position, but who says being on top always means being dominant?
Li Jin’an didn’t think so.
The dominant position in dual cultivation could not be lost. Li Jin’an was incredibly shrewd in this aspect.
Xie Huaixue lowered her eyelids, also transmitting, “Not good.”
Hearing her companion’s voice, which was cool yet tinged with a hint of shyness, Li Jin’an narrowed her eyes, immensely pleased, and cheerfully declared, “And so it was settled.”
Across from them, Jiang Fengmian silently gazed at the heavens.
Jie Yunjin had already blurted out her complaint, “Although you two genuinely don’t treat us three seriously, you could perfectly well continue transmitting. There’s no need to speak your private conversations out loud; we don’t want to know.”
Shang Dangge smiled, “Didn’t you want to ask about Futu Valley? Ask away. For the sake of our many years of acquaintance, I’ll charge you ten top-grade spiritual stones for one question. I’m not responsible for any errors or omissions.”