685: Chapter 684: Walking Together 685: Chapter 684: Walking Together The three from Ying Platform gradually approached and could still faintly sense the residual aura of the Daoist.
However, since a Tongtian Realm cultivator’s aura does not form a celestial phenomenon, it was not as conspicuous as that of a Golden Core Upper Cultivator.
But one thing was true: this man, as white as jade, had become a figure of the past.
Xiang Anshi’s expression was unchanged; to him, this was perfectly normal.
If he were in the same situation, he would kill as well, unwilling to leave such a concern for himself—why bother himself with such disgust?
Nevertheless, jokes still need to be observed.
“Hou Bro, I’m telling you, if you had to change your appearance, even if I were a cultivator from Mirage City, I wouldn’t want to see you.”
Hou Niao smiled faintly and responded, “I apologize for disrupting your enjoyment.”
Xiang Anshi was profound, “What is there to be ashamed of?
Being able to witness the renowned Demon Sect swordsmanship of the continent is a fortune for us.
Even that fleeting glimpse earlier is enough to make this trip to the continent worthwhile.”
He didn’t ask about Tang Yan; their relationship wasn’t at that level yet.
Some things are better left unspoken, as the other party couldn’t answer them; too cursory an answer feels dismissive, while a detailed one might involve secrets of their respective sects.
Yet, he was growing more interested in this Sword Cultivator.
Just that move earlier was stunning, and he was still pondering it: what would he do if he were in that situation?
It didn’t seem easy, did it?
And it seemed somewhat different from the Quanzhen Sword Techniques he had learned about from his sect’s records?
He was a peer to Hou Niao, so there were some things he couldn’t say.
Now, it was up to his two junior sisters; their straightforwardness, even if a bit excessive, wouldn’t seem too abrupt.
Despite facing this cold-blooded Sword Cultivator, Nie Yingnan was fearless.
“Daoist Hou, must it be this way?
You can’t decide a person’s life or death based on assumption.
He might do certain things, but in fact, he did nothing.
I think you should at least give him a chance.”
Hou Niao sneered, “Give him a chance?
Who gave me a chance?
This is the Cultivation World.
His mistake lies not in taking stand for others, but in offending those he should not have; if a cultivator doesn’t know his own limits, he won’t get far on this path.”
“Everyone has the potential to make mistakes, why not give a chance to correct them?
If he can achieve what he claims, that could actually be a meritorious deed.”
You see a meritorious deed, I see a hidden danger.
Our views differ, and so do our actions.
We all wish for a better world, thus you promote good while I punish evil.
Where’s the right or wrong in that?
My punishing might be wrong; he might truly repent and amend.
But your promoting might not be right, for he could be deceitful at heart.”
“You Daoist Hou might also make mistakes.
What if people refuse to forgive you?” Nie Yingnan was quite stubborn.
Hou Niao was unconcerned, “But I have limits, so people might still forgive me.”
There’s no concrete standard.”
Hou Niao looked at her seriously, “No, let me tell you what limits are!
Even if I am wrong, I won’t run away, but that Daoist ran.
Because he knew he had no limits.”
Xiang Anshi laughed off to the side, “Ha ha, my brother Hou, don’t mind.
My junior sister is out from the continent for the first time, she’s been rather spoiled at Ying Platform and can be stubborn in arguments.
Please, don’t be bothered by her.”
Hou Niao didn’t mind, “It’s okay.
Reasoning knows no realm.
If one is willing to really discuss and argue, that means they have limits, and they can be friends.”
Xiang Anshi laughed heartily, “Junior sister, did you hear that?
That’s an open-minded attitude!
You should read less of those rigid books; they can make one foolish.
One trip in the Jianghu, and you’ll understand everything.
Don’t come at me with the crooked logic of ‘thieves have their ways,’ a thief is a thief.
If you’ve got the guts, steal; if you don’t, you’re done for.
Where is there so much rationale?”
Hou Niao’s impression of these three was still favorable.
The female cultivator was a bit dense, but a sect that could produce such disciples couldn’t be too bad; and a Xiang Anshi who wholeheartedly defends his junior sister couldn’t be all wrong.
He wasn’t a hedgehog, pricking anyone he meets.
Having already offended too many in the mainland Cultivation World, he didn’t want to make enemies with the overseas sects as well.
Flipping through the spoils in his hands, he found one and opened it… two female corpses slid out.
“This is why he had to die; actually, it’s very simple.
If he was truly as he claimed, these two women wouldn’t have died; what was he hiding?
What was he afraid of?
Enough to resort to murder to silence others?”
This time, even Nie Yingnan didn’t contradict him.
Xiang Anshi didn’t dwell on this anymore, “Brother Hou, are you staying in Mirage City permanently?
We should get closer in the future.
I’d love to test your swordsmanship at some point.
It’s a rare opportunity.”
He spoke naturally, and Hou Niao knew he meant no harm.
For any real cultivator, the joy in encountering unique skills was normal; Xiang Anshi wanted to learn his swordsmanship, and he was also curious about the remarkable aspects of the Ying Platform tradition.
It was beneficial for both sides.
The essence of skills is not static; training in isolation is the most foolish way.
The meaning of interaction is to improve oneself, and skills can only be advanced continuously through real combat, growing increasingly stronger.
However, “I have long admired the Ying Platform tradition, but regretfully, I’m not staying here for long and will soon leave to travel around the continent with my wife, and meet some friends along the way.”
Xiang Anshi was not put off, “We three came to the continent for business and to open trade routes, partly, but also to gain a finer understanding of the mainland Cultivation World.
Unfortunately, we have no friends here.
If possible, could we join you, Brother Hou?”
Hou Niao smiled, “Of course, but there are some things I should say upfront.
My reputation on the continent isn’t good, and I have many enemies; this journey might be…”
Xiang Anshi was unconcerned, “No matter, traveling and fighting along the way is even better.
I was worried everyone would be too polite, making the trip meaningless.
With you attracting animosity, Brother Hou, this journey won’t be boring.”
The two made agreements and took their leave.
Both saw profitable opportunities in each other, important for personal reasons; power dynamics behind them also played a role.
The Shan Sect wasn’t very well-connected in the continent, and only sort of with the Demon Sect; Ying Platform, isolated overseas, was even more so.
They both needed to find more allies, hoping to survive longer in a chaotic world.
In probing, they tried to move forward.
Nascent Transformation masters had their own circles, and Golden Core Upper Cultivators had their networks.
Normally, such matters wouldn’t concern mere Tongtian Realm cultivators, but the position of a True Disciple brought unique expectations.
They represented the future.
Though not a True Inheritor, Hou Niao’s capabilities left Xiang Anshi amazed; in the tradition of the Ying Platform, as long as you are capable, nothing is impossible.