Supreme Emptiness

At this moment, the person he most wanted to see was Liu Qingxian.

He wondered how things had turned out after she was robbed of the Gale Pearl by the Giant Sect disciples.

Had she, in a fit of rage, gone to demand its return and been injured as a result?

To his disappointment,

the newcomer was not Liu Qingxian,

but rather a few disciples from the Green Cloud Sect led by Great Elder Feng Guchan.

Most of them, he did not recognize.

Except for Nie Yunxi, the senior sister of Heavenly Sword Peak, with whom he had had some interactions.

Of course, they were not pleasant ones.

Nie Yunxi had been confined for a month, but now that the Sword Forest was opening, Li Qingfeng had released her ahead of time.

He allowed her to participate in the event, hoping she could break through her current realm.

Thus, she was being very cautious, afraid to make any mistakes.

Suddenly, she vaguely felt someone was watching her.

When she turned her head, she saw a masked person she didn't recognize, wearing a loose robe and carrying dual swords on his back.

He also had an ancient zither slung across his waist.

He looked very mysterious.

She frowned, showing a look of vigilance.

But then, her expression changed, and she exclaimed: "Junior Sister Xu?"

She could hardly believe it, she'd actually seen Xu Yining!

Hearing the call,

the No. 1 Shadow Guard, who was in a bad mood and absent-minded, paused.

Looking towards the voice, she was overjoyed: "Senior Sister!"

She hurried over.

Having spent so much time outside the sect, she was naturally overjoyed to see an old acquaintance.

The two women chatted for a long time.

Upon learning that Xu Yining's journey had been quite tumultuous, she felt a pang of heartache: "Let this journey end here."

"After the Sword Forest, come back to the sect with me."

"Master has been very worried about you all this time."

Hearing this, Xu Yining's eyes reddened and she nodded silently: "Yes."

But she soon realized,

this meant her journey with the No. 1 Shadow Guard would come to an end.

Though the time they spent together was short, the experiences were thrilling and hard to forget.

"Senior Sister, let me introduce you to my friend."

She beckoned Jiang Fan: "Come over, let me introduce you to my senior sister and our Green Cloud Sect disciples."

Jiang Fan's mouth twitched.

Is there really a need for your introduction?

He walked over, looking at the tired faces, some familiar, some not.

Then he sensed their cultivation levels, which were lower than those of the other sects.

He couldn't help but feel a silent admiration.

The Green Cloud Sect really had it rough.

He fumbled in his sleeve and took out a bottle of top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills that he no longer needed.

"Greetings, senior brothers and sisters; I am Xu Yining's friend."

"This is a little gift for our first meeting."

He opened the jade bottle and flicked the pills to the elite disciples present.

Nie Yunxi received one as well.

She examined it and was stunned: "Is this a Foundation Establishment Pill? Why does it look different from the usual ones?"

Feng Guchan originally had no intention of interfering in the disciples' affairs.

But when he saw the pill, his eyes widened in shock: "A top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill?"

What?

The Green Cloud Sect disciples were in astonishment.

This was the legendary top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill?

One of these was worth several regular Foundation Establishment Pills!

This was a priceless treasure!

Even Xu Yining was stunned.

Never mind where the top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills came from, how could he just casually give away such valuable items?

She hurriedly tugged on Jiang Fan's sleeve: "Are you crazy?"

Jiang Fan smiled and said: "Since they are your senior brothers and sisters, they are my friends too."

He then placed the remaining seven or eight Foundation Establishment Pills in her hand.

"The rest are for you."

What?

Xu Yining held the light jade bottle, feeling a heavy weight in her heart.

Nie Yunxi, as the senior sister of Heavenly Sword Peak,

had seen quite a bit of the world.

But she was still incredibly shocked by Jiang Fan's generosity.

Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, casually given away like candy?

She couldn't believe it: "Junior Sister Xu, which sect's distinguished disciple is this gentleman?"

Xu Yining couldn't answer right away.

More than anyone, she wanted to know the true identity of the No. 1 Shadow Guard.

At this moment,

another group arrived.

It was the Desires Sect disciples led by Ling Jinghu.

From elders to disciples, their attire was distinct and luxurious, instantly becoming the center of attention.

Feng Guchan's gaze shifted from Jiang Fan to Ling Jinghu.

He took the initiative to greet: "Elder Ling, long time no see."

Ling Jinghu's strength was a notch higher than his own.

And since the Desires Sect ranked among the top, Feng Guchan made sure to lower his stance.

Ling Jinghu smiled: "Elder Feng, it's been a while... Oh!"

Suddenly,

she noticed Jiang Fan, and her face lit up with a warm smile as she greeted him: "Sir, you are here too!"

Well, it made sense that Jiang Fan, being a Green Cloud Sect disciple,

would naturally be with the Green Cloud Sect.

However, seeing him still masked, seemingly not wanting to reunite with the Green Cloud Sect,

she wisely chose not to reveal him.

"Elder Ling." Jiang Fan cupped his hands and asked: "Have your injuries healed?"

Ling Jinghu hadn't the heart to use the Revitalizing Pill she had received.

She replied cheerfully: "Thanks to your fortune, I've recovered almost fully."

This scene,

left Feng Guchan and the Green Cloud Sect disciples utterly stunned!

The Great Elder of the Desires Sect was chatting with the No. 1 Shadow Guard as if they were equals?

Moreover, Elder Ling even cast a sidelong glance at Feng Guchan.

As if that wasn't enough,

Ling Jinghu looked at Xu Yining, who stood beside Jiang Fan, with a kind expression:

"Miss Xu, do you have the qualifications to enter the Sword Forest?"

Xu Yining's expression dimmed, and she responded with a bitter smile: "I'm afraid not."

The qualifications to enter the Sword Forest were obtained from the Myriad Swords Sect by the sects.

Not a single one extra.

Feng Guchan couldn't take her into the Sword Forest.

She could only wait outside.

Ling Jinghu smiled gently: "Then come with us to the Desires Sect."

"We had a disciple who perished on the way, so there's an open spot."

"You can enter as a disciple of the Desires Sect."

What?

Feng Guchan said: "That wouldn't be right, would it?"

Wouldn't that mean accepting a favor from Ling Jinghu?

Ling Jinghu laughed: "What's the harm?"

"Since Miss Xu is his friend, this little favor is nothing."

She was doing it for the sake of the No. 1 Shadow Guard!

Feng Guchan was shocked and cupped his hands towards Jiang Fan: "Young friend, may I ask who your master is? Perhaps I know him."

As a Great Elder, he had interactions with many people from different sects.

He was very curious about which sect would have a disciple with such prestige.

Jiang Fan rolled his eyes, thinking, isn't my master the very Green Cloud Sect Master you've been competing with for decades?

"I'm just a loose cultivator," Jiang Fan replied casually.

Then he turned to Xu Yining and said: "Hurry and thank Elder Ling."

Xu Yining was overjoyed and repeatedly thanked Ling Jinghu.

Originally, she had only come to the Myriad Swords Sect to join in on the excitement, with no plan to enter the Sword Forest.

Unexpectedly, Ling Jinghu, for the sake of the No. 1 Shadow Guard, gave her a great opportunity.

The slight annoyance she had felt towards the No. 1 Shadow Guard earlier instantly vanished.

At this moment,

someone tugged at her sleeve.

She turned to see Nie Yunxi, her eyes burning with undisguised envy.

"Junior Sister Xu, how did you meet such an important person?"

Seeing the envious looks on Nie Yunxi and the other Green Cloud Sect disciples' faces,

she couldn't help but feel a little proud and whispered: "He is a friend I met in Lonely Boat City."

So they were old acquaintances.

Nie Yunxi became even more envious, looking at the No. 1 Shadow Guard who could chat equally with two Great Elders.

She couldn't help but sigh: "Junior Sister Xu, you are truly fortunate."

"To meet such an outstanding person."

"And he values you so much."

She recalled hearing rumors about Xu Yining, Jiang Fan, and Xu Youran.

She vaguely remembered hearing that Xu Yining seemed to have some regrets about the past engagement.

She advised: "Junior Sister Xu, this No. 1 Shadow Guard is far superior to Jiang Fan by more than just a little."

"You must seize this opportunity."