Taixuan Sword Sect!

Li Guanqi lightly tapped the void with a finger, and wisps of pitch-black flames eerily surged out from the countless tiny meridians within the man's body! A chill ran down the spines of everyone watching! The flames seeped out from the man's seven orifices, gathered back into Li Guanqi's palm, and were promptly extinguished. The nature of the Yinming Profound Flame was exceedingly bizarre and difficult to guard against. This was one of the reasons why Li Guanqi dared to face three Void Refinement experts head-on. Guo Xuelin gave Li Guanqi an inscrutable look and asked somewhat awkwardly, "Um... young friend, inside Lao Zhao's body and mine... there couldn't be..." The corner of Li Guanqi's mouth curved into a subtle smile. He waved his hand with a chuckle. "How could that be, Senior? Am I that sort of person?" Hearing this, the old man almost blurted out, "Well, you certainly look the part to me." Li Guanqi smiled without a word, merely crooking his finger. Immediately after, flames seeped out from within both the old man and the hook-nosed man. Now, none of them could keep their composure. To think that during that brief clash, Li Guanqi had actually planted such hidden traps within all three of them! Most critically... not a single one among the three had noticed anything amiss. He Yuning was also startled by Li Guanqi's methods. He had not expected Li Guanqi to be so shrewd and calculating. If he had not intervened, who could say how this would have ended! After settling matters here, He Yuning walked out alongside Li Guanqi. Looking at the youth beside him, Li Guanqi said sincerely, "Thank you for this time, Brother He." He Yuning waved his hand and curled his lip. "If you ask me, even if I hadn't shown up, you might not have suffered any losses." Li Guanqi smiled and said nothing, but his gratitude toward He Yuning was genuine. For someone he had merely met by chance, He Yuning had rushed a thousand li just to speak up and stop the fight. It had been a long time since Li Guanqi had felt such goodwill from a stranger. He Yuning suddenly asked, "Brother Li, do you have a place to stay?" Li Guanqi shook his head. After pondering for a moment, he said softly, "I plan to leave right away. Until that bastard is dead, my heart cannot rest." Hearing this, the youth immediately frowned in protest and hastily said, "That won't do! You're already here—no matter what, you have to come by the Taixuan Sword Sect for a visit. "Besides, Cang Lu appearing in Yuntian City means there's a good chance he cares about something around here. "If he hasn't achieved his goal, he definitely won't leave easily. "And even if he did leave, what difference will a few days make? "As a renowned major sect in Zhongzhou, my Taixuan Sword Sect naturally has an intelligence network. It'll be far easier than searching on your own." Li Guanqi thought that his words made sense. These local factions were indeed not to be underestimated. Perhaps he really could locate Cang Lu through the Taixuan Sword Sect! "Very well. Then deference is better than politeness—pardon my intrusion." He Yuning beamed with delight, immediately taking Li Guanqi by the arm as they flew out of Yuntian City. On the way, Li Guanqi asked, "What is your relationship with that white-haired elder?" He Yuning chuckled. "Elder Guo? He's a guest elder in our sect." "Uh... I see. Just a guest elder?" Li Guanqi was at a loss for words, only for He Yuning to whisper mysteriously in his ear, "Our Taixuan Sword Sect is formidable. Across all of Zhongzhou... top three, roughly." Li Guanqi's breath hitched. One had to understand that the Taiqing Domain was unlike the Great Xia Domain, which was fragmented into several continents; it was a single, united whole. Top three in the Zhongzhou region of the entire Taiqing Domain! Such power could only be described as terrifying. He even suspected there might be old monsters of the Mahayana Realm residing within the Taixuan Sword Sect! Before long, He Yuning led Li Guanqi to the tallest peak beneath Yuntian City. From afar, one could hardly appreciate the grandeur of that majestic mountain, but only upon drawing near did its towering magnificence become apparent. Standing before it, Li Guanqi's figure seemed exceedingly tiny. The two flew down to the foot of the mountain, where He Yuning said somewhat sheepishly, "My apologies. The Taixuan Sword Sect has rules—no one may fly when ascending or descending the mountain. Everyone must walk the mountain path." Li Guanqi found this rather intriguing. Even though everyone was an immortal cultivator, they were obliged to walk up and down on foot like common mortals of the marketplace. Li Guanqi waved a hand with a chuckle. "A minor matter, nothing to worry about." With that, the two arrived at a stone staircase and plank path at the base of the mountain. The serene peak was veiled in drifting mists and clouds, resembling an immortal realm. Surrounded by neighboring peaks, the main summit surged into the sky like a coiling dragon taking flight. On either side of the wide stone steps grew exotic flowers and rare herbs, many of which were spiritual plants. Their fragrances wafted all around, refreshing the spirit and gladdening the heart. Along the way, Li Guanqi closed his eyes, focusing his mind to sense the shifting presence of the Taixuan Sword Sect's mountains. A gentle breeze blew, swaying the mists flanking the path. Occasional immortal cranes bearing packs skimmed past them, lending a unique charm to the scene. Feeling the stone steps worn mirror-smooth beneath his feet, Li Guanqi's state of mind naturally settled into calm. It felt as if the restlessness of the world had nothing to do with him. Moved by the feeling, he could not help but laugh softly: "Ascend the mountain here below, to become an immortal up above." Li Guanqi opened his eyes and looked up at the cloud-piercing summit, even higher than Yuntian City, sighing in admiration, "Taixuan Sword Sect... what a fine path of cultivation for the heart." He Yuning was slightly surprised. He had only learned the purpose of this mountain-climbing stairway from his elders, yet Li Guanqi had grasped its deeper meaning halfway up! "Brother Li is a true prodigy." Li Guanqi turned his head and chuckled, "Oho, who knew you were so skilled at flattery, Brother He?" He Yuning burst into hearty laughter. Along the way, the two encountered many Taixuan Sword Sect disciples, all dressed in robes of azure. Whenever they passed by, they would bow to He Yuning, greet him as Young Sect Master, and proceed down the mountain with swords strapped to their backs. Noticing the questioning look in Li Guanqi's eyes, He Yuning smiled and explained, "Descending the mountain for experiential training." Li Guanqi nodded and continued pacing unhurriedly up the stone steps. By the time the two reached the main gate of the Taixuan Sword Sect, the sun was already setting. Li Guanqi paused before the colossal mountain gate, which stood over fifty zhang tall, and bowed slightly. This was his show of respect to the Taixuan Sword Sect. Turning his gaze, he saw two couplets carved on the left and right sides of the stone archway: "Cultivate the Dao before power, let the Dao-heart be the foundation; govern heaven and earth with the sword, uphold the righteous path of immortals!" "Share a common hatred against enemies, unite as one heart; advance diligently in cultivation, and never forget the original aspiration!" Li Guanqi murmured the lines under his breath and asked softly, "These are..." He Yuning declared with great pride, "This is the sect creed of our Taixuan Sword Sect!" Li Guanqi smiled faintly and murmured, "Splendid. "The Taixuan Sword Sect possesses a truly upright character." With that, he followed He Yuning onto the sect plaza of the Taixuan Sword Sect.