Sage of Humanity

Lu Ye was very skeptical that Xie Yunhan claiming to only be at Level 7 was deliberate.

Otherwise, how could someone who stayed in Fox Fairy Valley for twelve years only have such a low level of cultivation?

Days slipped by, and life in Fox Fairy Valley was extremely peaceful. Apart from patrolling around with Xie Yunhan and maintaining the Formation, Lu Ye had nothing else to do.

After the initial days of busyness, the following time became exceedingly leisurely.

Almost every day, Lu Ye would contact Yuechan to inform her of Li Baxian's current situation, so she wouldn't worry.

Over these days, Lu Ye also learned much news from Xie Yunhan.

The number of cultivators in Fox Fairy Valley was not small, with over eighty individuals, among whom fifteen were Cloud River Level 9 cultivators.

Such a formidable force was comparable to the number of cultivators in a large Class A Spirit Ground. Lu Ye once tried to feel out Xie Yunhan about why the Fox Demon had gathered so many cultivators. It couldn't possibly be just for playing house like little children.

However, since it involved the Fox Demon, Xie Yunhan didn't dare to say much, only that Lu Ye would understand in time.

The cultivators of Fox Fairy Valley would send out groups daily to scout for talent. To "scout for talent" simply meant searching for cultivators, and then having the Fox Demon bewitch and bring them back to implant them with the Psyche Secret Technique, to be used by the Fox Demon.

But this was the deep reaches of Great Wilderness Mountain, with few signs of cultivator activity on typical days, so no new members had joined Fox Fairy Valley for some time.

One day, after returning from drinking with Xie Yunhan, Lu Ye saw from afar two figures crisscrossing, with flying swords darting through the Void.

Moving closer, he saw that it was Li Baxian and a woman sparring and exchanging swordsmanship.

The woman was the same one named Yu who had previously been guarding the entrance to the Fox Demon's sleeping quarters, presumably called Yu Daiwei, also a Cloud River Level 9 cultivator. She had said before that as a fellow sword cultivator, she would find time to spar with Li Baxian.

These past few days, Lu Ye had been mingling with Xie Yunhan and had no idea when his Senior Brother Li had become acquainted with this woman.

One at Cloud River Level 5 and the other at Cloud River Level 9, if they were truly fighting, Li Baxian certainly wouldn't stand a chance, but since they were only sparring, the fight was lively and animated, attracting many passing cultivators to stop and watch, commenting amongst themselves.

The atmosphere in Fox Fairy Valley was harmonious, with cultivators from all over the Nine Provinces and from both major factions, bound by the Psyche Secret Technique, becoming like family. Such sparring among peers was naturally not forbidden.

Lu Ye also joined the crowd to watch for a while, but since he knew little about swordsmanship, all he saw was the two of them weaving between their flying swords in a dazzling display, which was quite a sight to behold.

Suddenly, an idea struck him.

He practiced saber skills, but had never had someone instruct him in this art because no one in the Righteous Blood Sect cultivated saber skills. Although he had learned quite a few saber skills from the Mad Saber Sect, what the Mad Saber Sect provided were all very basic things.

Xia Liang was from the Mad Saber Sect, and the saber skills he cultivated undoubtedly contained the essence of the Mad Saber Sect. During their previous fight, Lu Ye had already felt tremendous pressure from the unusual angles Xia's saber strikes came from, which showcased the saber's fierce sharpness even with his grievous injuries.

If he were to seek out Xia Liang for a spar now... Xia probably wouldn't refuse, right? Perhaps he could even impart some of his experience in the saber art?

Under normal circumstances, such a thing could never happen, but since he was affected by the Fox Fairy's Psyche Secret Technique, it might be possible.

With this thought, Lu Ye immediately headed in the direction of Xia Liang's residence. In no time, he arrived in front of a building and called out loudly, "Is Fellow Daoist Xia there?"

As his voice fell, after three breaths, the second-floor window opened and Xia Liang's face appeared, their gazes meeting. Frowning, Xia Liang asked, "What do you want?"

The only impact of the Psyche Secret Technique planted by the Fox Demon was loyalty towards the Fox Fairy, without damaging the cultivator's own nature.

There had been much enmity between the two previously, and even though they had both joined Fox Fairy Valley, this had not changed Xia Liang's view of Lu Ye. However, due to the Fox Demon's orders, he would no longer attack Lu Ye.

Lu Ye clasped his fists and said, "I've come to seek advice from Fellow Daoist Xia on saber skills!"

Xia Liang's eyebrows raised in utmost surprise, "You're seeking advice on saber skills from me?"

"Yes, I hope Fellow Daoist Xia would be generous in teaching me."

Xia Liang looked intently at him for a long while, his knitted brows eventually relaxing as he curved the corners of his mouth into a meaningful smile. "Fine!"

Leaping down from the building, he flew ahead and said, "This isn't a good place to spar, come with me."

Lu Ye followed him, observing Xia Liang's aura, it seemed that his previous injuries had mostly healed.

Shortly, they arrived at an open space where Xia Liang turned around to face Lu Ye, summoned his long saber, and with a burgeoning aura, he said concisely, "Come, show me what you've got!"

Lu Ye clasped his fists, "Please instruct!"

As the words fell, the Move-Like-The-Wind technique was empowered. With a stomp on the ground, Lu Ye charged toward Xia Liang like a bolt of lightning. As he closed in, the Boulder Mountain Saber burst forth from its sheath, and a fiery red blade light slashed down from above.

Confronted with this formidable strike, Xia Liang merely raised his saber to meet it.

With a booming sound, Lu Ye felt an overwhelming force sweep forward from in front of him, causing his right hand holding the saber to go numb and his grip to nearly break.

Xia Liang, however, stood unshaken. His long saber continued with its momentum, chopping down and immediately sending Lu Ye tumbling away.

The disparity in cultivation was too great; even though Xia Liang had let him attack first, Lu Ye still suffered a significant disadvantage.

Fortunately, Xia Liang had no intention of killing him. Otherwise, a few more follow-up strikes would have either left Lu Ye dead or crippled.

On the day that Lu Ye managed to drive Xia Liang to a desperate plight, nearly killing him, it was because Xia Liang had been severely wounded. As a disciple of the Mad Saber Sect and someone who had once ranked within the top ten of the Spirit Stream Ranking, Xia Liang was undoubtedly a cultivator of exceptional talent. A Cloud River Level 9 like him was not someone that the current Lu Ye could hope to contend with.

Landing in a disheveled heap, Lu Ye couldn't stop himself from retreating backward until he finally steadied his stance, then he charged forward once again.

Gaining experience in the Mirage Realm could indeed enhance his ability to kill enemies, but how could it compare to the benefits of sparring with a top-notch saber user like Xia Liang?

With every exchange, every time he was repelled, Lu Ye gained insights. The angle of Xia Liang's strikes, the timing of his attacks, the rallying of spirit force... All these aspects were incredibly beneficial to Lu Ye, even though Xia Liang was only aiming to teach him a lesson.

Lu Ye felt increasingly certain that coming to spar with Xia Liang had been the right choice.

If Xia Liang could just give him some guidance on the cultivation of saber skills, that would be even better.

However, despite Xia Liang's unwillingness to deal a killing blow due to the influence of the Fox Demon's Psyche Secret Technique, resentments towards Lu Ye still lingered in his heart. Asking him to instruct Lu Ye in the cultivation of saber skills was undoubtedly unrealistic. Their current sparring was only because Xia Liang wanted to vent his pent-up resentment.

While the two were exchanging blows, Zhou Yuntian showed up uninvited at Xie Yunhan's residence.

Among everyone in Fox Fairy Valley, Xie Yunhan had been there the longest—a full twelve years—without equal. Likewise, he was the oldest among them.

Yet when it came to who was most favored by the Fox Fairy, Zhou Yuntian undoubtedly held that distinction. He was essentially the steward of the entire Fox Fairy Valley, handling both significant and trivial matters. On regular days, the Fox Fairy secluded herself in her own sleeping quarters, rarely showing herself.

In the room, the two sat opposite each other, clinking their glasses and making merry.

Zhou Yuntian's visit to Xie Yunhan was mainly to inquire about Lu Ye. As one of only two array cultivators in the entire Fox Fairy Valley, Zhou Yuntian naturally took an increased interest.

"Brother Xie, how is Fellow Daoist Lu's achievement in the Array Path?" After a few cups of wine, Zhou Yuntian revealed the purpose of his visit.

"A peerless genius!" Xie Yunhan did not skimp on his praise.

Zhou Yuntian was momentarily taken aback, as there were several array cultivators previously recruited by Fox Fairy Valley whom Xie Yunhan had not regarded highly. Although Xie Yunhan's own cultivation wasn't particularly high, his accomplishment in the Array Path was significant, or else he would not have had the capability to maintain the formations of Fox Fairy Valley.

Thus, Zhou Yuntian was momentarily stunned upon hearing such a high evaluation of Lu Ye.

"Brother Zhou, Brother Lu's accomplishment in the Array Path far surpasses mine. Although my cultivation has not seen much advancement over the years, I've spent considerable time on the Array Path. I dare say that, at the Cloud River Realm level, there wouldn't be many who could outdo me unless they come from a big sect specializing in the Array Path. But Brother Lu's talents in this field are truly admirable. Let me put it this way—give me another ten years, and I still wouldn't match up to Brother Lu in this aspect."

Having become familiar with Lu Ye, Xie Yunhan had asked to learn about the Array Path from him. Lu Ye, without much reservation, shared his knowledge, bringing significant benefits to Xie Yunhan.

Zhou Yuntian's eyes lit up with cautious inquiry, "Brother Xie, aren't you exaggerating a bit? I know your accomplishment in the Array Path. Is Fellow Daoist Lu really as formidable as you say?"

Xie Yunhan shook his head, "You're not an array cultivator, so you wouldn't understand. But I can assure you I haven't exaggerated at all. In fact, I feel that Brother Lu hasn't fully demonstrated his abilities in the Array Path, probably because he doesn't want to dishearten me."

"If that's the case... have we not stumbled upon a treasure?" Zhou Yuntian asked, his expression animated.

Lu Ye's Level 4 cultivation didn't amount to much in the eyes of Fox Fairy Valley. However, if his proficiency in the Array Path was as prodigious as Xie Yunhan claimed, it would be a true asset to Fox Fairy Valley.

"Speaking of which, even if Brother Zhou didn't come to see me today, I was planning to look for you," Xie Yunhan added.

"Brother Xie means to say..."

"The next time we take action, let Brother Lu take charge of array setup, and I'll assist. Perhaps then we'll have a chance of success!"

"I will need to report this to the Venerable One for her decision. However, if that happens, Brother Xie, you..."

Xie Yunhan raised his hand, "As long as it can help the Venerable One succeed, it doesn't matter who leads and who assists. Having been in Fox Fairy Valley for so many years, would I, Xie Yunhan, not see the bigger picture?"

"Indeed, indeed, everything is for the sake of aiding the Venerable One's success." Saying so, he swiftly stood up, "This matter is of great importance. I'll go to the Venerable One now and inform her of this good news. She will surely be delighted."