Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Upon emerging, Li Hao spotted a procession of figures converging in a single direction.
Hmm?
‘Did something happen?’
Li Hao was puzzled and even more curious. He moved in the direction these people had gone.
After traversing a distance, Li Hao’s gaze alighted upon a familiar silhouette. It belonged to a woman clad in a resplendent red gown, her appearance exuding a particularly breathtaking allure.
Her form was gracefully contoured, her entire being radiating a keen and remarkable charisma. Regardless of her location, she invariably seized the spotlight. Furthermore, her presence commanded respect and created a palpable distance.
She was like an iceberg, giving off a chill and keeping people a thousand miles away.
She was like a fairy from the Nine Heavens who had descended to the mortal world.
He was fated with this woman in red.
Wasn’t this their second encounter? The initial instance had been when he implored her assistance in navigating to the forbidden area. And now, it marked their second crossing of paths.
Indeed, Mu Hongluan’s cultivation had seemingly surged since their prior meeting. Her true strength eluded Li Hao’s perception; she likely bore a concealed treasure that obscured her aura.
Li Hao remembered the woman’s name, Mu Hongluan.
It was a beautiful name, just like her.
At present, Mu Hongluan strode ahead, entirely oblivious to Li Hao’s presence.
Unhesitating, Li Hao quickened his pace, following in her wake.
“Senior Fairy…”
He approached Mu Hongluan and called out, struck by a positive impression of her character. She exuded a goodness that resonated with him.
In response to Li Hao’s voice, Mu Hongluan paused and turned, her gaze locking onto him.
Throughout her time at the Tianxing Sect, she had maintained an isolated existence, rarely interacting with anyone. Of course, the disciples dared not approach her for flirtations; none had ever dared address her by that appellation.
No… he seemed to have.
“Huh? It’s you?”
Mu Hongluan’s brows knitted as she pivoted her gaze toward Li Hao. Startled, she voiced her surprise, scrutinizing him in the process.
Wasn’t he the individual who ventured into the forbidden area situated behind the mountain? His memory was deeply etched in Mu Hongluan’s mind.
She recollected that at the time, she had anticipated mere spectacle. To her astonishment, however, he had truly embarked on that journey.
After three years, she found herself unable to fathom the depths of the young man before her. Nevertheless, an intuition whispered to Mu Hongluan that the individual standing before her was far from ordinary; he exuded an extraordinary and potent aura.
How was that possible?
“Last time, did you go into the forbidden area?”
Mu Hongluan could not help but ask Li Hao, wanting to confirm.
“Yes.”
Li Hao nodded.
When Mu Hongluan heard Li Hao nod, her heart skipped a beat.
“Have you been inside the forbidden area for the past three years?” asked Mu Hongluan again immediately.
“Huh? Has it been three years?” Li Hao was stunned when he heard Mu Hongluan’s words.
“What else could it be?” said Mu Hongluan calmly.
Li Hao was shocked. Had three years truly elapsed? In essence, had he slept for that entire duration?
“I think so. By the way, Senior Sister Mu, where are you going? What are you doing?” said Li Hao again.
Li Hao’s question caught Mu Hongluan off guard. Given her esteemed status within the Tianxing Sect, coupled with her familiarity with certain aspects of the forbidden area, she couldn’t help but view Li Hao in a different light. To her, his three-year sojourn within the forbidden area seemed indicative of an auspicious opportunity.
Mu Hongluan could not help but think more highly of Li Hao.
“The Immortal King’s cave dwelling has manifested, and the sect is dispatching personnel to investigate. Numerous individuals aspire to accompany the sect, yet the available slots are limited…”
Mu Hongluan gave Li Hao a simple explanation of the situation. Li Hao immediately understood.
Whenever the Immortal King’s cave dwelling manifested, the sect would invariably send exploratory teams. Esteemed elders would lead these endeavors. but vacancies were scarce. As hearsav went. obtaining entrance to the cave dwelling required possession of its secretive key.
Moreover, the cave dwelling imposed a stipulation: only cultivators beneath the realm of fifth-grade Golden Immortals were eligible for entry.
The keys that the Tianxing Sect had amassed could admit a mere eleven immortal sect disciples.
Evidently, some of these disciples had come to compete for a slot, while others merely sought amusement.
“Who is that guy? He’s actually talking to Senior Mu…”
“You, low-ranking disciples, dare to make advances toward Senior Mu.”
“Isn’t it true that Senior Mu never engages in conversations with men aside from Senior Qin Tian?”
When the disciples from the Tianxing Sect in the vicinity witnessed the interaction between Li Hao and Mu Hongluan, they erupted in surprise.
Mu Hongluan was the personal disciple of the Tianxing Sect’s Sect Master. Her striking appearance and formidable cultivation rendered her a figure of elevated status within the Tianxing Sect. The nobility of her position was beyond dispute. Yet, here she was, conversing with a servant disciple in such close proximity. This deviation from expected decorum was evident to all, evoking jealousy and raised eyebrows from those who observed.
At this moment…
“Look, it’s Senior Qin Tian!”
“Speaking of the devil.”
“Senior Qin Tian is also here. One less spot to go to the immortal king’s cave abode this time.”
More exclamations echoed through the crowd as all eyes shifted towards a young man dressed in a black robe, making his approach.
The individual in the black robe exuded an air of extraordinary distinction. Although he lacked the overt handsomeness of Li Hao, his features were certainly handsome enough. Moreover, his demeanor projected an imposing and serene quality.
The black-robed young man strode directly toward Li Hao and Mu Hongluan. His gaze remained fixed on Mu Hongluan, scarcely acknowledging Li Hao’s presence.
When Mu Hongluan saw the black-robed young man coming over, she took the initiative to greet him, “Eldest Senior.”
The man before her was none other than her Eldest Senior, the senior disciple of the entire Tianxing Sect. As the eldest personal disciple of MO Tianxing, the Sect Master of the Tianxing Sect, he held a preeminent position.
Although he appeared young, his age exceeded a hundred years. Of course, in the context of cultivators, this age was relatively youthful.
Cultivators, after all, enjoyed protracted lifespans. Assuming all went well, living several hundred or even a thousand years was not an issue.
“Master and the others are already waiting. Let’s proceed quickly! The emergence of the Immortal King’s cave abode this time is a monumental opportunity. We must seize it,” Qin Tian said directly to Mu Hongluan.
“Yeah,” Mu Hongluan nodded in response.
Then, Qin Tian turned around and walked forward. From beginning to end, he did not look at Li Hao.
Ignored! He was completely ignored!
As if this servant disciple standing before him held no significance in Qin Tian’s eyes.
Then, Mu Hongluan followed.
Observing the scene, Li Hao’s eyes narrowed. Nonetheless, a faint smile surfaced on his lips.
“I’ve been ignored… Hehe…” muttered Li Hao, but his heart skipped a beat.
This young man garbed in black robes carried an evident air of pride. Such pride seemed innate, radiating from his very essence.
However, he did have the right to be arrogant.
Li Hao could not see through this guy’s exact cultivation, but he felt a huge threat from him.
Qin Tian was likely also a Golden Immortal expert, but his exact level of achievement remained obscure..