Chapter 430 - 236: Borrowing a Blade
Chapter 430: Chapter 236: Borrowing a Blade
"Junior Brother, this is too valuable!" Sun Tao was astonished when he saw that Xu Yang had given him a Gathering Essence Pill, and he immediately refused.
Xu Yang smiled. "It’s not that valuable. Senior Brother, you just haven’t adapted to your new status yet. In the Inner Sect, a Gathering Essence Pill is nothing special."
He knew Sun Tao hadn’t yet shifted his mindset, still thinking Gathering Essence Pills were as precious as they had been in the Outer Sect. He didn’t realize that Inner Sect Disciples almost never used them for cultivation, as they were hardly effective at that level.
Of course, this was mainly because back when Sun Tao was an Outer Disciple, he had to risk his life in the Yunling Mountain Range for a whole month just to get a single Gathering Essence Pill, which was why he considered them so precious.
Hearing this, Sun Tao finally accepted it.
After closing the courtyard gate, the two of them descended Li Fire Peak. By the time they arrived at the reserved restaurant, Qiu Wenjie, Tian Li, Zhang Yong, and Xu Qing were all there.
Xu Qing happily got up and pulled Xu Yang to sit down next to her.
Xu Yang’s gaze swept over them. He noticed that Qiu Wenjie and Tian Li hadn’t changed much, both still at Minor Achievement in Gang Qi Cultivation. Zhang Yong, on the other hand, looked much more spirited than before.
The food and wine were served quickly. The group ate for over two hours before parting ways.
On the way back to Li Fire Peak, Xu Yang learned from Sun Tao that Zhang Yong seemed to have some talent with Exotic Beasts and was now doing quite well on Beast King Peak.
Although he wasn’t as dazzling as Lu Ren, he wasn’t an insignificant presence either. He had made a small name for himself on Beast King Peak.
The next day, while Xu Yang was cultivating the Unmoving Bright King Body, a knock came at his courtyard gate.
He got up, opened the door, and saw Hong Lei standing there with a smiling man.
"You must be Junior Brother Xu?" the man spoke first, looking at Xu Yang with a gentle expression.
Hong Lei quickly prompted, "Junior Brother Xu, this is our Second Senior Brother, Tian Kuan. Hurry and invite Second Senior Brother inside."
Only then did Xu Yang realize this man was Elder Huoyun’s second disciple, Tian Kuan. He had always known of him but had never met him, as Tian Kuan was said to be stationed outside the sect year-round.
"So it’s Second Senior Brother who has graced me with his presence! Please, come in!" Xu Yang said with a smile, inviting Tian Kuan and Hong Lei into the courtyard and pouring them tea.
Tian Kuan and Hong Lei sat down, smiling.
"I heard long ago that Master took on a genius disciple. Seeing you today, Junior Brother Xu, you truly are a dragon among men, with an extraordinary bearing," Tian Kuan said with a laugh.
Xu Yang shook his head. "Second Senior Brother, you flatter me. I am hardly a dragon among men, just lucky enough to have a bit of talent."
He grew inwardly vigilant. ’To lay on the flattery right after we’ve just met... he must be up to something.’
’Logically, since Tian Kuan is my Second Senior Brother and has been away for so long, I should be the one visiting him. But he came to find me instead. None of this feels right.’
Sure enough, after a bit of small talk, Tian Kuan revealed his purpose for coming.
"I discovered a Spirit Medicine in the Yunling Mountain Range, but unfortunately, the Exotic Beast guarding it is too powerful for me to handle. I heard that you, Junior Brother, even killed the Tuo Dragon of Moon Lake, so I’ve come especially to ask for your help!" Tian Kuan said, cupping his fists.
’Just asking me to help him kill an Exotic Beast with empty words? He’s got some nerve.’
’Even the Outer Disciples know to offer something when they ask for help. We may be disciples under the same master, but this is still incredibly shameless.’
’Besides, if I remember correctly, when I reached Marrow Cleansing Minor Achievement and was accepted by Elder Huoyun as an Inner Disciple, all of his other Inner Disciples sent congratulatory gifts. Even Gao Lin sent one. Some who weren’t even in the Purple Sun Sect had gifts delivered on their behalf.’
’Even Guan Du, the Blood Lotus Sect’s mole, made a gesture. The only one who did absolutely nothing was this Second Senior Brother, Tian Kuan.’
"Apologies, Second Senior Brother. I just returned from Moon Lake and was planning to enter seclusion for a while. I can’t go out for the time being. I hope you can understand," Xu Yang refused with a smile.
’It wasn’t just that Tian Kuan’s invitation came with no reward. Even if it had, I wouldn’t be interested.’
As soon as these words were spoken, the smile on Tian Kuan’s face froze. He never imagined that Xu Yang would refuse to help with such a small matter. ’It’s just joining forces to kill an Exotic Beast. Does he really expect me to give him half of the Spirit Medicine?’
Hong Lei frowned. "Junior Brother Xu, a trip into the mountains with Second Senior Brother will only take ten days to half a month. It won’t delay you that much."
Xu Yang almost laughed out of anger. ’So ten days to half a month doesn’t count as time now?’
’In ten days to half a month, your cultivation will go nowhere. In that same amount of time, my cultivation can improve significantly.’
’Of course, the main thing is that I can’t stand people I barely know who just want to take advantage of me. Do they take me for some greenhorn who’s too worried about face to say no? As if I’d grab my sword and risk my life for them just because we’re "fellow disciples."’
All that could be said was that both Hong Lei and Tian Kuan had completely misjudged him.
’If it’s something I don’t want to do, I wouldn’t give face to Gao Lin, let alone Tian Kuan.’
"Senior Brother Hong, you should know that I only applied to return from Moon Lake because my cultivation has reached a critical juncture. Ten days to half a month might not be a long time, but it’s a delay I can’t afford right now," Xu Yang said.
He still didn’t turn hostile; he didn’t want to make the situation too ugly.
If Tian Kuan and Hong Lei continued to pester him after such a clear refusal, then they couldn’t blame him for not giving them any face.
Tian Kuan was also someone who could change his expression in a flash. He immediately broke into a smile again. "Since Junior Brother Xu doesn’t have the time, I won’t insist. However, I heard Master gave Red Blood to you, Junior Brother Xu. I wonder if you could lend it to me?
With Red Blood, we can deal with that beast even without your help, Junior Brother Xu."
Xu Yang had a sudden realization. So they thought the reason he was able to kill the Tuo Dragon of Moon Lake was due to the power of the Half-Spirit Weapon, Red Blood.