She moved forward, and Yun Xian was so scared that he leaned back and almost fell into the arms of the eldest senior brother.
As soon as Su Chi picked her up, the elephant's trunk was about to stretch out, but his eyes moved and he didn't stop her.
Yun Xian was hit in the face by the elephant's trunk. He couldn't even open his eyes. His face was wet and instantly turned into ice. "I just said that casually..."
“What are you looking at” without the following “What are you looking at” is incomplete and soulless.
"Check!" Sister Xiang said angrily, "Everyone, take off your weapons!"
She and Brother Rhino seemed to be the leaders of the two patrols at the gate. Yun Xian removed the leader and threw him onto the snow. The Taiping Sword Spirit tactfully slipped into her spirit palace. She looked at the others again.
Ji Rongxue had no weapons at all, so there was no need to remove his armor. Xue Lingxiu was a medical practitioner, but his acupuncture was enough to injure, so his needle box was taken away. The same thing happened with Qi Xingye's Dongji staff, as well as Qiao Lingshan and Su Chi's swords.
"Feng Ye." Yun Xian asked, "Where's your zither?"
Feng Ye was smart: "The last few times I brought it with me, it was not only useless, but it also slowed down my escape. I won't bring it with me this time."
The expressions of the two teams of disciples were solemn and extremely cold.
In reality, this move was of little use to cultivators. If they truly wanted to injure someone, having weapons was secondary. Removing their life-defining magical weapon merely weakened their strength. Of course, the members of the Body Tempering Sect weren't so foolish as to be so naive. Their goal wasn't this, but to intimidate.
The sect is in chaos nowadays, and there are many people who want to take advantage of the chaos to get a piece of the pie, so we have to show our power to others without revealing any flaws.
Sister Xiang quickly checked everyone and looked at the bound Jiang Lancui behind her. She asked suspiciously, "Who is this? Is this Miss Ji's friend? But I remember that this person was not on the list you submitted to the sect."
Ji Rongxue said: "No."
Elephant Man: "If he's not, why are you bringing him in? The sect isn't a place you can just enter casually!"
In fact, Yun Xian felt that she wanted to say "The sect is not your home", but she did not say it out loud because she was forced to maintain a harmonious appearance.
Jiang Lancui still had a silence symbol on her lips, unable to speak, and her heart was in turmoil.
He'd truly believed these people's lies! They'd promised him a way to get in, and he'd thought there was some brilliant plan, some fake identity, but instead, they'd just drag him to the door like a local specialty. What was he supposed to do now?!
Ji Rongxue smiled and said calmly, "This is the assassin I captured who was planning to attack you two brothers. He seems to have some evidence against you, and I'm worried it might harm you, so I brought him back to deal with him personally. I'll just throw him in the death row first. Is there any problem?"
What she said really made it impossible to complain.
Whatever leverage the assassin had, making him disappear from sight was always better than catching him in the palm of his hand. Furthermore, escaping the Body Refining Sect's death row was nearly impossible, and with such strict security, there was no way he could cause any trouble.
Jiang Lan handed the quilt over to the two captains and then stopped moving.
He is not stupid. He knows that he has this unfounded "handle" in his hand and will not be dealt with easily. As for whether he really has the handle... This time, Ji Rongxue kills two birds with one stone.
If he was put in death row and couldn't get out, it would be a good thing as there would be one less assassin who once wanted to kill him.
If he really comes out after being put in death row, it will prove that the people behind him are indeed Qiu Dan and Qiu Zhuo, and then they can use this as an excuse to make trouble.
When being taken away, Jiang Lan raised the corners of his lips slightly under the veil. He thought, but, he was wrong.
He wasn't lying. The person who entrusted him with the task wasn't Qiu Dan or Qiu Zhuo, let alone an elder. As for who it was, let's see if Yun Xian, with his brilliant mind, can figure it out soon.
“…”
The group was stripped of their weapons and thoroughly checked. The unfriendly elephant man snorted and stepped aside. "Go in. Be careful, don't wander around! I'm only reminding you once. Security is tight. If you wander off somewhere and get accidentally injured, it's your own fault."
Ji Rongxue led everyone into the door.
The dark iron, stained with snow, seemed even colder, just like the cold, hard stone walls of the building within the gate. No matter how you looked at it, it certainly looked like a military barracks.
Yun Xian shook his head as he walked and said, "Miss, the architectural style of the Body Strengthening Sect isn't very good. If you become the Sect Leader in the future, you must renovate it."
"Indeed." Xue Lingxiu pondered, putting it in his perspective. "Extremely cold places with little sunlight can easily cause depression. Constantly facing this bleak, monotonous life only exacerbates the situation. Over time, it can easily lead to trouble."
"That's not my fault." Yun Xian scratched his head and said, "Why are all the corners here sharp? Shouldn't they have been rounded when they were built? Otherwise, it would be terrible if someone fell and hit their head."
Xue Lingxiu: “…”
Who else but you would wrestle on flat ground? ! Feng Ye? ! !
Qi Zhiye didn't seem particularly impressed by the place either. Indeed, having just arrived from the Buddhist sect, they arrived at the Body Strengthening Sect. The two sects were a match made in heaven. Even in winter, the Buddhist sect's lotus pond remained warm as if in spring, thanks to formations. The snow falling on the lush branches created a unique charm. And then there were those good-tempered disciples Yun Xian loved to bully. Aside from being forced to eat vegetarian food, there were no downsides there. As for the Body Strengthening Sect, it was truly unbelievable. Within a ten-mile radius, you couldn't find a single person with a friendly attitude.
Ji Rongxue explained the divisions within the gate to everyone. Everywhere was filled with formations and heavily guarded. It seemed the elephant-man at the gate had been right. Don't run around, as it could easily lead to trouble.
Yun Xian asked, "Does the Body Tempering Sect also have inner and outer disciples?"
"Yes." Ji Rongxue said, "The cultivation method practiced by outer disciples is incomplete. After entering the inner sect, the sect will give the last page of the fragments."
"What are the conditions for entering the outer gate?"
"Become a personal disciple of the Body Tempering Sect for three years and pass the assessment to be promoted to the inner sect."
Yun Xian said: "This is it."
In plain English, it meant three years of military service for the Body Forging Sect, followed by a selection based on merit. It was, admittedly, quite cunning. With this big carrot dangling from the front, disciples flocked to the sect, all believing they would be among those successfully promoted to the inner sect. Regardless of whether they made a profit or not, the Body Forging Sect never lost out.
"...Big Brother." Yun Xian transmitted his voice, "Looking at it this way, it seems that Jian Ge doesn't even have this kind of mechanism."
Su Chi looked down at her and said, "I can't afford it."
So true. Jiange even raises its own geese for improved food supply, which is more economical. Every newcomer to the mountains experiences a life-or-death struggle with geese; it's considered standard training.
Yun Xian wanted to ask, "Big Brother, since you're so wealthy, could you please show some love and kindness?" But that was too shameless, and even she couldn't bring herself to say it. Forget it, it's better to rely on yourself than on others. She could earn more on her own. But Su Chi, as if he had learned to read minds, said, "I once asked Master why you've been closed off for so many years. If I miss this opportunity, I might never come back again."
"Hmm." Yun Xian asked, "What did he say?"
Su Chi said, "He said, there are so many sword cultivators in the world, why should we be confined to the Jiange? The sword manual created by the founder of the Jiange has been passed down to this day, with changes, extensions, and inheritances. The Jiange has long had a semi-master relationship with everyone."
Yun Xian said silently: "My dad is giving me chicken soup again..."
It must be said that what he said made sense. There weren't too many people in this world who wielded swords. Cultivating a free and spontaneous life was the essence of their cultivation. They didn't really need to be confined to the Sword Pavilion. Or, if Yun Lang wanted to, he could act like the Body Tempering Sect or the Sword Sect, but he simply didn't want to, lacking the ambition to dominate the world.
...Of course, Yun Xian felt that a little was still needed. At least, every generation needed a little. Every generation of Jiange's leader had never had the ambition to dominate the world, and now... I won't say more, because it would only bring tears.
The group walked forward for a long distance, and finally, a familiar face came.
Tiedan hurried over with a group of disciples. His expression was not good, and he even looked a little worried. "Miss."
Behind him were familiar faces who had followed him during the Four-way War. It seemed that this was Ji Rongxue's true power within the Body Forging Sect. Tiedan's gaze passed behind Ji Rongxue, and upon seeing the group, he couldn't hide his surprise: "Just... just them?"
Ji Rongxue said calmly, "That's enough."
Tiedan: “But…”
Ji Rongxue: "Quality is more important than quantity. They are more reliable than anyone else."
The two of them went back and forth, as if engaged in some kind of riddle. Yun Xian had been walking for a long time, her legs aching, and she was bored. She couldn't help but feel the dampness of her shoes and socks, making her feel quite uncomfortable. But she saw no change in the expressions of the others, as if she was the only one experiencing this problem. So she whispered, "Lingshan, are your shoes soaked?"
"I'm in." Qiao Lingshan whispered, "It's so uncomfortable, but there's no place to change."
Everyone said they had gone in, but Yun Xian asked Xue Lingxiu, "Brother Xue, are your socks wet?"
"What kind of nonsense are you asking?" Xue Lingxiu frowned and said, "No."
Yun Xian: “…”
How is that possible? Why is Brother Xue the only one whose shoes haven't gotten wet? But come to think of it, wasn't Brother Xue a bit shorter than Miss Ji before? Now, how come they look evenly matched, or even taller? Could it be...!
Don't let the evil be small. Yun Xian pulled everyone into the sound transmission array, and issued a group announcement in a sly voice, saying in a deep voice:
"Everyone, I discovered that Brother Xue was secretly wearing insoles."
Xue Lingxiu: “?!”
Everyone wanted to laugh but didn't dare to. They immediately tightened their lips and took deep breaths.
Master Xue, it turns out that you...
"What do you mean by insoles?! It's just that the soles of these shoes are a little thicker!" Xue Lingxiu's veins twitched as he angrily argued, "...Yun Xian!! Come here and die!"
Yun Xian ran away: "It's okay! It's just a small matter! We all understand!"
"Understand...what?!" Xue Lingxiu almost blurted out vulgar words, and said angrily: "I think you really haven't been beaten up for three days!!"
Everyone thought that you said this as if you had ever hit her.
Yun Xian was happily being chased around when he stumbled and fell flat on his butt on the ice. His head hit the corner of the wall, swelling up to the height of a bun. He cried out in pain, "Big Brother!"
Su Chi helped her up and looked at Xue Lingxiu quietly.
A moment later, Xue Lingxiu gloomily treated her head and said, "I'll just throw you to death!"
Tiedan, who watched the whole process quietly from the side: "..."
Ji Rongxue: “…”
"Miss, I understand you like your friend." Tiedan said with difficulty, "But it seems really unreliable."
The disciples behind him nodded in unison.
Ji Rongxue's lips twitched: "It's just an accident."
Maybe...
"After crossing this iron bridge, you will reach the martial arts training ground."
Yun Xian wounded himself, finally relenting and following Ji Rongxue. Beneath their feet lay a cracked ice sheet. The water was cold, and a number of animals were nestled in the ice. Most of them looked like turtles, each one of them seemingly countless years old, lying motionless in the water.
Even the names of places in the Body Strengthening Sect were practical. While others would call it "Tianjiao Peak" or "Bai Zhan Mountain," they simply called it the Training Field, which was quite simple.
"Of course, it has a nickname." Ji Rongxue said, "The disciples all call this place 'Facing the Wall Platform'."
"Facing the Wall?" Xue Lingxiu wiped the ointment from her fingertips with a handkerchief and frowned, "What's the deep meaning behind this..."
The words stopped abruptly.
The last time they sneaked into the Sword Sect, they reprimanded the outer sect men in the training ground for their uncivilized behavior of not wearing shirts. However, the number of female cultivators in the Body Strengthening Sect was half and half male cultivators, and they all practiced the flesh-tempering techniques that required the Wind Blade Frost Knife. Therefore, the situation in the training ground was a little more complicated than that of the Sword Sect.
No one is without clothes, but everyone wears very little and is treated equally.
Xue Lingxiu could still remember that her clothes were accidentally torn in the secret realm. She had seen this kind of scene before. She turned her head away with a "swish" and faced the wall.
Yun Xian really wanted to take a few more looks, but seeing that everyone turned their heads away as a courtesy, she couldn't look any longer and could only turn her head away reluctantly.
"There's no deep meaning." Ji Rongxue said, "It's just a literal meaning."
There were mostly outer disciples in the martial arts training ground. They were all very happy to see Ji Rongxue and said excitedly:
"Miss! You're finally back! Do you know how I've been spending the past few months?"
"Is that Yun Xian behind? What a coincidence, we meet again. Come and play more!"
"This seems to be the first time the young lady has brought a friend home..."
Although they all addressed her as "Miss," their tone was completely different from the one at the door. Whether they were sincere or not was obvious. Even earlier, someone had been referring to her as "Miss" with a hint of sarcasm. According to seniority, she was indeed the headmaster's only daughter, so calling her "Miss" was certainly correct. However, considering her background, the title didn't quite make sense.
Ji Rongxue nodded and greeted everyone. Although her face still had that cold expression and no change could be seen, the enthusiasm of the disciples in the martial arts training ground was not affected at all.
"What are you making so much noise for?!" The commotion inside the venue was quickly noticed. Someone came out from the other end and said in a stern tone, "Have you never seen anyone before? You're making so much noise, there's absolutely no discipline!"
He was an old man with tiger eyes and very small pupils, looking a little scary.
Ji Rongxue said, "Third Elder."
"Xiao Ji," the Third Elder turned around, looking neither kind nor approachable, even somewhat hateful. He said with a stern face, "Your two brothers have been waiting for you up there for a long time. You haven't come back in so long, go and catch up with them."
“…”
As expected, enemies often meet on a narrow road.
There was only one road leading to the exit of the martial arts training ground, and it just happened to be blocked in front. Yun Xian saw the two people who were in a tense atmosphere there through the ice and snow.
It has to be said that even if Yun Xian had never learned the art of physiognomy, he could tell at a glance that these two people were completely different from Ji Rongxue.
According to the trash illustration Ji Rongxue provided, the one on the left was probably the biggest loser, Qiu Zhuo. Qiu Mo had given him this name out of deep affection, hoping he would excel and succeed the headmaster. But now, he was already 28, rounding up to 30, and still looked like a mediocre potato, mediocre in every way and unremarkable.
He probably knew he was mediocre, especially when compared to Ji Rongxue, where mediocrity looked even worse. But knowing didn't mean admitting it—he kept his anger bottled up all day, his eyes bulging with sinister intent, looking like he was about to explode at any moment, like a tornado potato.
"Miss." Yun Xian asked sincerely, "Is the technique he practices the Flounder?"
"..." Ji Rongxue said: "Snow Lion."
The one on the right was that useless little guy, Qiu Dan. Perhaps Qiu Mo realized he couldn't rely on his eldest son, so he changed his parenting style for his youngest. Qiu Dan clearly adopted the style of being scheming, calm, and collected. He seemed slightly better than Qiu Zhuo, but not by much. His impatience was written all over his face, and he wished he could strangle Qiu Zhuo right next to him and then kick Ji Rongxue across from him.
We are of the same root, so why are we so eager to fight each other?
As Yun Xian thought about it, he began to crave fried potatoes again. Alas, these days at the Buddhist temple, my appetite has been bland.
"I heard you captured an assassin?" Qiu Zhuo lost his temper and spoke first, "Are you so kind as to bring him back for us to deal with?"
Ji Rongxue said: "If you don't want to, you can let him go now."
Qiu Dan sneered and said, "I never thought you'd dare to come back now, and bring such a large group of messy people with you. I advise you, if you don't want to get involved in trouble, just leave after attending the funeral. Not everything you want can be yours."
Yun Xian, the leader of the mess: "..."
Just say what you want to say. I haven't offended you, so why make personal attacks?
"Two brothers." The two men were arguing with each other, but Ji Rongxue remained calm and said, "You are not really doing this for the good of the Body Strengthening Sect."
Qiu Zhuo asked, "What do you mean?"
"If you really want the best for the sect, you should give up your position to someone else," Ji Rongxue said coldly. "Even the greatest foundation can be ruined overnight by fools. Didn't father teach me that? Hasn't he taught you, too?"
Qiu Zhuo was furious: "You——"
He had really misjudged him. This guy had been able to pretend before, but now that the Sect Leader was dead, he refused to even pretend and had directly torn his relationship apart!
The atmosphere was heavy and tense, and it looked like a potential conflict was imminent. Yun Xian and Qiao Lingshan nervously cracked melon seeds in the back while chatting through the voice transmission array:
"As expected of someone from the Northern Territory, you skipped the sarcastic part. Are you going to take action next?!"
"The master just passed away, and several descendants are already fighting each other. This is ridiculous. The Body Strengthening Sect is a major sect, why would it go to this..."
Before Xue Lingxiu could finish her words, she saw three lions suddenly appear on the snowy plain. Two of the snow lions were large and well-maned, appearing to be two or three times larger than the brown lion. They roared and snarled, and instantly engaged in a fight!
Qiao Lingshan was so scared that she dropped her melon seeds. Su Chi was quick to catch them and put them away.
This was beyond the comprehension of Xue Lingxiu, a Southern Boundary native. A real fight? Aren't they afraid of getting out of control?
Yun Xian said: "Miss, I'm here to help you——"
Two against one, how shameless! And there are mixed-haired lions, how noble are these two?
During the fight, Ji Rongxue took the time to wag his tail at her, meaning, don't come over, I'm very relaxed.
Everyone could only gather nervously together, cracking sunflower seeds and analyzing the battle situation. But it was too chaotic. The two snow lions were also biting each other. At this time, the three elders in the back heard the commotion and quickly rushed over with gloomy faces: "You are outrageous!!"
Yun Xian originally thought that he would take action to separate the three lions, but unexpectedly, after the third elder roared the above, he stood aside and did not move.
Seems like he's waiting for them to produce results.
Perhaps, there are some unwritten rules within the bodybuilding sect? Third parties are not allowed to intervene in fights?
But no matter what, the fight happened.
A quarter of an hour later, the outcome of the battle was clear. Ji Rongxue's fur had been ripped out in two tufts, his ears were bitten and bleeding, and his face was scratched, but he had fought with flying colors. He bit Qiu Zhuo's hind leg, causing blood to splatter. Qiu Zhuo roared and his voice was deafening, likely due to the intense pain. Qiu Dan attempted a sneak attack, but his face was lashed by his thick tail, forcing him to close his eyes. Ji Rongxue kicked him in the abdomen, instantly sending him ten feet away, and he retreated, spitting blood!
The two snow lions lay paralyzed on the ground, unable to get up. On the vast snowfield, only the brown lion stood proudly, howling towards the sky, like a horn announcing victory.
The Third Elder's expression suddenly turned stinkier than dog shit.
Ji Rongxue turned back into a human again, her face still bleeding and her ear cracked. She wiped her face nonchalantly, looked at the bright red blood on her hands and the long white hair embedded in her nails, then quietly walked to Xue Lingxiu and sat down.
Xue Lingxiu: “…”
How come this kid's medical skills are becoming more and more proficient?
"Miss, your cultivation seems to have improved again." Yun Xian exclaimed in astonishment: "However, it seems that these two people have been able to fight with you for so long, which is actually quite good. At least calling them trash is a bit inappropriate..."
The Third Elder rushed over and helped Qiu Zhuo and Qiu Dan to their feet. Qiu Zhuo had transformed back into a human form, blood gushing from his right leg, instantly staining the glacier red. His eyes widened in anger, foaming at the mouth, and convulsing, he was on the verge of death. "A female cultivator... how could a female cultivator... how could her cultivation progress so quickly! Impossible... absolutely impossible... she must have hooked up with someone outside... taken some banned drugs... you're all taking shortcuts! Impossible!"
Yun Xian: "Where did this loser come from? How can he speak human language?"
Ji Rongxue: “.”
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
