Ch. 41
Two hours later.
Ten miles outside the market district, Li An found a secluded forested mountain and opened his storage ring.
With a flash of light, Gu Hong appeared amidst the trees.
She wore a bright yellow long dress, tall and elegant, carrying a mature beauty. The moment she breathed the real world’s air again, she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with emotion.
“Daoist Gu, here is some travel money I prepared for you.”
Li An handed her a storage pouch.
Inside were pills, spirit stones, and a few basic magic tools.
Gu Hong didn’t refuse. She accepted the pouch and looked deeply at Li An. A swirl of complex emotions flickered through her eyes.
“Daoist Li, thank you.”
She spoke sincerely.
Li An smiled. “Daoist Gu, it’s far more dangerous outside the market. I must return quickly. Please be careful. This area is patrolled by Clear Sun Sect disciples. You can ask them to escort you out. Oh, and please keep my involvement a secret.”
He didn’t want anyone knowing he killed that demonic cultivator and rescued Gu Hong.
Gu Hong nodded. “Rest assured, Daoist Li. I won’t breathe a word of this.”
She paused. “Daoist Li, I’m returning to my sect, Tempered Moon Valley. You’re welcome to write or visit me anytime.
A life-and-death bond—Gu Hong will remember it always.”
Li An replied with equal sincerity, “A life-and-death bond—remembered for life.”
…
Gu Hong left.
Li An quickly changed his appearance and returned to the market.
…
Soon after, he arrived back at the talisman shop.
Everything went smoothly. No one noticed he had ever left the market.
“Next, I need to settle in and cultivate steadily…”
At this point, Li An was in the best shape of his life.
No longer worried about spirit stones—he now had over a thousand.
As for magic treasures, he had obtained a High-Grade First-Rank chainmail armor from that demonic cultivator. Though slightly weaker than the Thornmail Armor, it was still a treasure.
There was also a High-Grade First-Rank parasol—it was a rare offensive-defensive hybrid. When opened, it could instantly fire three hundred flying needles. Once deployed, it could also serve as a spiritual shield.
In terms of pills, he had three Spirit-Rush Pills left in reserve.
And when it came to talismans, he consistently maintained about ten High-Grade First-Rank Talismans on hand, slowly replenishing the supply.
“Li Lang, you’re back? What do you want for dinner tonight?”
Tan Qingxue walked over, dressed in light robes, her waist slender and alluring. Compared to half a year ago, she had grown even more mature and enchanting.
“I want to eat you.”
Li An pulled her into his arms.
“No… not in broad daylight, the door’s still open.”
…
Time flew.
In the blink of an eye, five years passed.
Li An cultivated steadily and finally broke through to the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining.
He and Tan Qingxue had now lived in the market district for nearly ten years.
Li An was now thirty-eight. Tan Qingxue was older—forty-four.
In these five years, Li An hadn’t stepped outside even once.
During this time, he received a few letters—mostly from outer sect members Wang Dazhu and Zhao Xianchuan.
Wang Dazhu, after years of odd jobs, finally became Master Yu’s official apprentice and began learning artifact crafting. He’d made some progress, and his cultivation had reached the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining three years ago. He showed signs of rapid growth and even had hope of becoming a official disciple and breaking into the inner sect.
Li An guessed some bloodline in Wang Dazhu’s body had likely been awakened.
Zhao Xianchuan’s cultivation had slowed. He only broke through to the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining two years ago—just slightly ahead of Li An.
Moreover, Zhao Xianchuan had given up on pursuing the inner sect. He found a Dao companion in the outer sect and was planning to have children.
In truth, under normal circumstances, both Li An and Zhao Xianchuan were now at their peak.
Given their spiritual root aptitude, they might only advance one or two more small realms before halting. So while their vitality was still at its strongest, starting a family was the logical path.
Spreading their bloodline, raising children. Though they’d live decades longer than mortals, it would still all end in dust.
And at this stage, the children born would have better spiritual roots.
In fact, over the past six months, Tan Qingxue had started consciously working toward that goal. But she hadn’t gotten pregnant.
Because Li An had tightly sealed his Source. No matter how many tricks she used or how much effort she put in—it was all in vain.
Have a child? Follow the path of a clan-style cultivation?
Li An wasn’t interested.
In his past life, he had managed a Core Formation–level cultivation clan, with many wives and children.
But it only scattered one’s focus and eroded the Dao heart!
Especially for people like Zhao Xianchuan—perhaps they were already reaching the peak of their lives and had to start preparing for the next generation.
But Li An still had limitless potential. With the help of the Life-Nurturing Immortal Forging Art, he could live hundreds of years longer in the Qi Refining stage than people like Zhao Xianchuan.
If it took grinding slowly, he would grind his way forward.
He had also received an unsigned letter. It contained only a few simple lines:
“I’ve returned. No need to worry.”
“If anything happens, just send a letter. I will respond without fail.”
Li An, of course, knew the letter was from Gu Hong.
She was extremely cautious, afraid of causing trouble for Li An. The letter had been routed through several places before reaching him—simply a gesture to show her stance.
She would never forget his great kindness.
Li An was very satisfied with that. The most perfect outcome—no one knew he was the one who saved Gu Hong. It was a hidden favor and a hidden trump card.
At the same time, unrest continued to grow within the Grand Dawn Dynasty. The Yin-Yang Demon Sect was gaining more power.
Within the Clear Sun Sect, a secret order was issued:
Any disciple who discovered cultivation techniques related to the Yin-Yang Demon Sect was to destroy them immediately.
Anyone found secretly cultivating them would be executed without mercy.
Li An made some inquiries and found that the Yin-Yang Demon Sect had been actively spreading the Yin-Yang Demonic Furnace Technique within the Grand Dawn Dynasty over the years!
Even in Market District, some disguised demonic manuals had been discovered and exposed.
Li An paid close attention and investigated in secret. He found that the version of the Yin-Yang Demonic Furnace Technique being spread by the sect was incomplete—many key parts had been cut out, far from the level of a Mysterious-Rank technique.
The incomplete versions still allowed for improvement in spiritual roots and cultivation, but the progress was slow—and there was no content related to the Shifting Body Art.
Clearly, the Yin-Yang Demonic Furnace Technique was a sacred manual of the Yin-Yang Demon Sect. They would never just hand it out like cheap cabbage.
Still, even the cut-down version was extraordinary—equivalent to a Mid-Grade Yellow-Rank technique. For many cultivators at the bottom, it was irresistible. After all, a technique that improved one’s spiritual roots and cultivation was enough for people to throw everything away for.
Because of this, the number of demon followers grew, and public order across the Grand Dawn Dynasty deteriorated rapidly.
There were even rumors that the three major sects might reignite war. Apparently, there had been new disputes over the distribution of Mid-Grade spirit mines.
In short, the outside world was no longer peaceful.
Even within the market, the growing tension could be felt.
Thus, Li An felt even greater urgency. The memory of the demon sect’s attack on the market years ago was still fresh.
Only by becoming stronger was there a way forward.
“Li Lang, time to rest.”
That night, Tan Qingxue entered the room wearing a snow-white dress. She casually wrapped her arms around Li An’s neck and sat on his lap, gently lifting her skirt to reveal her beautiful legs wrapped in white silk stockings.
“Li Lang, that thing you talked about… white silk… is this it?”
She exhaled softly beside his ear. “I want to give you a child… okay?”
…
In the blink of an eye, another eight years passed.
In those eight years, Li An finally perfected the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining and was ready to attempt the Sixth Layer.
During this time, news came from the inner sect—
Xu Qiuhui had successfully build her Foundation!
Li An had expected this. Tan Qingxue was overjoyed.
…
Three months later, early in the morning—
The talisman shop’s door was suddenly knocked on.
Li An opened it and was momentarily stunned by the person standing outside.
“Master Talisman Li, it’s been years. I hope you’ve been well?”
Xu Qiuhui wore a pale yellow long dress, still as radiant as ever. She smiled slightly.
…
(End of Chapter)