Mu Wenyan naturally wouldn't refuse this request.
The only thing to determine was when Li Nanyi would be released and when he would head to the nearby Xuanxiao City.
After all, even if they were going to beat him up, they couldn't do it right under his own sect's nose.
They still had to find a discreet little alleyway.
Of course, Mu Wenyan also provided the answer to the question of when he would descend the mountain.
After all, Li Nanyi must have picked up quite a few good things in the Flowing Cloud Secret Realm, and he certainly wouldn't have had time to sell them after coming out.
Because he was punished as soon as he returned.
As for why he was so certain Li Nanyi would go out to sell things, the answer was very simple.
He was poor.
Extremely poor.
It was common knowledge that sword cultivators were all broke.
Back before the demon race was sealed, a rumor was widely circulated throughout the cultivation world.
Finally, to clarify the rumor, the demon race even specifically sought out the Tingfeng Pavilion, which was famous throughout the cultivation world—essentially the equivalent of a modern-day omniscient scholar.
In the communication jade slips commonly used by cultivators and at the Tingfeng Pavilion's permanent announcement locations, the following notice was posted:
"Recently, reports have surfaced of individuals across the cultivation world being robbed by those claiming to be of the demon race. Here, we officially clarify—you impoverished sword cultivators have gone money-mad! To use our name and ruin our reputation... our demon cultivators are not that broke! Everyone, demons and humans alike, keep your eyes open! What kind of demon cultivator is so short on cash?"
Of course, this was surely a sanitized version. It was said that the original words were incredibly foul, so much so that they were censored by the communication jade slips.
Consequently, the reputation of sword cultivators as broke bastards spread far and wide.
Although, it wasn't exactly a lie.
But sword cultivators could never admit it. They felt they weren't lacking money; they just spent a lot, so they weren't actually broke.
However, because the demon race spent so much money to spread the word, the stereotype eventually became firmly attached to sword cultivators.
The two sides had held a grudge ever since.
The only ones happy were probably those at the Tingfeng Pavilion.
After all, they had raked in a lot of money from both sides.
Of course, these were all rumors. After all, the demon race was currently sealed, and from ten thousand years ago, it was said that demons and humans coexisted peacefully. No one knew for sure if it was true or false.
Regardless, it didn't change the fact that sword cultivators were currently penniless, and even the number one sect, the Sword Heart Sect, was no exception.
Of course, this was in comparison to the other Seven Sects.
Having agreed to set off for Xuanxiao City in three days, the three returned to their respective places to cultivate.
Li Nanzhu also hurried to draw more talismans, wanting to see how much money her own talismans could earn in Xuanxiao City.
...
Three days later.
The three first flew to Qingyun City on flying swords, then used the teleportation array in Qingyun City to go directly to Xuanxiao City.
The style of Xuanxiao City was the polar opposite of Qingyun City.
Because of the Five Elements Dao Sect, most cultivators with mixed spiritual roots preferred to settle in Qingyun City. There, the management wasn't as strict or condescending as other sect disciples, giving off a peaceful vibe.
In contrast, Xuanxiao City felt sharp.
From the city walls to the interior layout, the first impression was simplicity.
It wasn't that they were lacking in construction, but overall, there were almost no flashy decorations. Even the plaques on the shops only bore a few simple words, and there were no grand displays at the entrances—almost every house was like this.
Add to that the constantly patrolling Sword Heart Sect disciples, and the sense of security was immediate.
Though there were many street vendors, the overall atmosphere prevented one from feeling rowdy or noisy.
"Xuanxiao City is really different from our Qingyun City."
Even the usually lively Duan Xianxing couldn't help but lower his voice a little.
However, he still quite liked Xuanxiao City. Since many people who came here were sword cultivators, he really wanted to find a place to spar with someone if possible.
Li Nanzhu, however, was a bit worried. Given such an environment, it would be difficult for them to strike a low blow within the city.
If the city wouldn't work, they could only strike on the way back.
But as of now, they hadn't even seen a shadow of Li Nanyi, let alone given him a beating.
The three discussed it and decided that Mu Wenyan would keep an eye on the city gate entrance, while the other two could wander around. Once they spotted Li Nanyi, they would send a message via communication jade slip.
Duan Xianxing and Li Nanzhu readily agreed to this proposal. After all, it was a rare visit to Xuanxiao City, and they both wanted to take a good look around.
Xuanxiao City was indeed an affiliated city of the Sword Heart Sect; it truly had many good things, especially for sword cultivators. In just a short while, Duan Xianxing had bought quite a lot.
Fortunately, Li Nanzhu was watching him this time, so he didn't get cheated.
He wasn't cheated, but Duan Xianxing had once again spent all his money.
Li Nanzhu massaged her forehead helplessly.
"There really is a reason why sword cultivators are poor."
Seeing Duan Xianxing like that, she could already see through all other sword cultivators.
Duan Xianxing gave a cheeky grin. "I can't help it, Little Junior Sister. These items are very effective for Wait a Moment. Once this chance is gone, it won't come back. Of course I have to seize every opportunity."
Fine.
After all, Li Nanzhu didn't quite understand a sword cultivator's obsession with these things.
She was a dharma cultivator.
A brush cultivator, specifically.
Anyway, her Wanxiang Brush was the best; it didn't require her to spend any extra money.
After wandering around some more, both Duan Xianxing's and Li Nanzhu's communication jade slips lit up.
Li Nanyi had actually come!
The two exchanged a glance and quickly headed toward the First Senior Brother's position.
Over here, Li Nanyi had just recently left the Sword Heart Sect. Although his injuries had healed, they still throbbed with a dull pain.
That day, he had finally managed to bring Cang Dongqing back to the sect, but when Ling Xiao saw the heavily injured Cang Dongqing, he had immediately given Li Nanyi a palm strike without a word.
Cang Dongqing had also fainted directly due to her heavy injuries before she could say much.
Li Nanyi felt that it was indeed because he hadn't protected Cang Dongqing well that she was so seriously hurt, so he simply took that strike.
However, he had given Cang Dongqing pills at the time, and on the way back, he clearly felt she was improving. He didn't know why she had fainted again as soon as they returned to the sect.
But he didn't think much of it. After all, his Little Junior Sister was only at the Qi Condensation stage; it was normal to faint from such heavy injuries.
Yet his Shizun had locked him up without asking any questions. If Cang Dongqing hadn't suddenly woken up to plead for him, he would likely have been sent to the Hall of Discipline.
At the same time, he felt a silent gratitude toward Cang Dongqing. Although Shizun had already given her pills for her recovery, he was still very worried about her condition. After all, she hadn't come to see him during the month he was locked away.
This time, he planned to sell some of the items he obtained in the Flowing Cloud Secret Realm to exchange for a better pill for Cang Dongqing. He wondered how she was doing now.
But he never considered that the pills Ling Xiao gave Cang Dongqing could hardly be ordinary. Especially for a genius who could reach level six of Qi Condensation in two months.
Specifically, knowing that Cang Dongqing had originally obtained an opportunity to leap to Qi Condensation Great Perfection, only for her to return as a level eight instead—no matter what, Ling Xiao would not allow such a genius to suffer any lingering issues and would certainly prioritize the best resources for her treatment.
Li Nanyi subconsciously ignored these facts. During this past month, he had nearly been sliced to death by the glares of his fellow disciples. He only wanted Cang Dongqing to get well soon and explain things on his behalf.
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