Xiao Yu Long observed the middle-aged man, a look of surprise in his eyes. "This person is the Sect Master of the Sheng Wu Sect?"
Although the middle-aged man looked very young, Xiao Yu Long felt a powerful aura emanating from him, as if the man was concealing his true cultivation.
Hearing Xiao Yu Long's words, the middle-aged man looked up, his gaze falling on Xiao Yu Long. He nodded slightly, "Indeed, you are Xiao Yu Long, aren't you?"
"That is I!"
Xiao Yu Long cupped his fists in a salute, speaking respectfully.
"Very well, no need for formalities. Since you have come to see me, you must have something important to discuss. Speak, what is it?"
The middle-aged man said with a smile.
"It's like this, after I left the mess hall just now, I met Senior Brother Zhou Yan on the road. He asked me to look after a friend for him!"
Xiao Yu Long said.
"Zhou Yan?"
The middle-aged man was momentarily stunned upon hearing the name.
Zhou Yan was his eldest disciple. They often sparred, exchanged cultivation techniques, and shared experiences, maintaining an excellent relationship.
However, he wondered why Zhou Yan would ask Xiao Yu Long to look after his friend.
Still, the middle-aged man didn't question Xiao Yu Long further. He simply smiled and said, "Since that is the case, I will grant you this favor. This friend's name is Lin Yu Xin, correct? You can bring her to my chambers. Furthermore, I may not be leaving Sheng Wu Peak for the next few days. I hope you can take good care of her!"
"Rest assured, Senior, I will absolutely not let anything happen to her!"
Xiao Yu Long vowed earnestly.
"That's good. Alright, you may leave now!"
"Thank you, Senior!"
Xiao Yu Long bowed in thanks, then turned and walked towards the door.
...
Zhou Yan descended the stairs and followed a small path to a small wooden house.
"This is the Sheng Wu Hall!"
The old man on guard pointed towards the wooden house not far away and said to Xiao Yu Long.
Zhou Yan nodded, then approached the wooden house and gently knocked.
"Thump!"
A muffled sound, and the door of the wooden house immediately opened. A young man, about twenty years old, poked his head out from inside. Seeing Zhou Yan outside, his face lit up with joy. "You're finally here! I've been waiting for you day and night!"
Zhou Yan heard this, smiled, and asked, "Waiting for me for what?"
"Waiting for you to bring me a delicious breakfast!"
The young man said with a playful grin. He then grabbed Zhou Yan's arm and pulled him inside the house, closing the door behind them.
"This Lin Yu Xin is quite pretty. I suppose she's your girlfriend!"
The young man chuckled.
Zhou Yan immediately shook his head and explained, "Where would I find a girlfriend!"
"Haha, a child who doesn't know how to lie, I knew it!"
The young man laughed heartily and then took out a pill from his embrace, handing it to Zhou Yan. "Here, here, this is a pill I just refined, called the Qi Gathering Pill. Taking this pill will double your strength! Moreover, it will increase your breakthrough speed by ten percent!"
"Really?"
Hearing the young man's words, Zhou Yan's eyes widened, his face filled with excitement.
The Qi Gathering Pill was a high-grade, first-tier pill, incredibly valuable on the market. Even core disciples of major sects might not possess one. Yet, this young man could produce one.
"Of course it's real. This Qi Gathering Pill was meticulously refined by me. It's also the first time I'm attempting to refine it!" the young man said with a proud grin.
"You're truly amazing!"
Zhou Yan praised him, then took the pill handed to him by the young man. After consuming half of it, he felt a burning pain in his dantian.
"Hmm?"
Zhou Yan's expression changed as he felt a surge of powerful yuan qi within him.
"As expected, a high-grade, first-tier pill!"
Zhou Yan thought to himself.
"Hehe, but the effect of my Qi Gathering Pill is still quite evident. My current strength has already reached the early stage of the Martial King realm. Within a month, I will reach the peak of the Martial Emperor realm, and then I can attempt to break through to the Martial Sovereign realm!"
The young man said with a smile, his eyes flashing with excitement.
Hearing that one could reach the Martial Sovereign realm from the early Martial King realm, Zhou Yan's mouth twitched. He asked with disbelief, "How, how is that possible?"
Early Martial King reaching Martial Sovereign?
Was this a joke?
Zhou Yan considered himself a genius, but he was only at the early Martial King realm now, still a long way from the Martial Sovereign realm. Yet, this young man achieved it with just one pill. This was too outrageous!
As expected of a disciple of the Sheng Wu Sect, truly extraordinary!
"I also didn't expect that a seemingly ordinary pill would have such a heaven-defying effect!"
"Hehe, this is just the first attempt, the effect is certainly not the best. You will gradually adapt to it later!"
The young man smiled. After speaking, his expression suddenly turned serious as he looked at Zhou Yan. "You must not forget your current identity, a disciple of the Sheng Wu Sect. If the Sect Master discovers your cultivation, not only will you lose your life, but your master will also not be spared!"
"Yes, I will be careful!"
Zhou Yan nodded, a solemn expression on his face. He knew that his current strength truly could not be exposed!
"Alright, it's about time. You can leave now. I need to refine a batch of medicinal liquid, which will likely take half a day!"
The young man waved his hand, then took out another bottle of pills and placed it on the table before continuing with his alchemy.
"Yes!"
Zhou Yan nodded and then left the Sheng Wu Sect, returning to the academy.
"Hoo!"
Upon returning to the academy, Zhou Yan took a deep breath and then walked towards the foot of Sheng Wu Sect's mountain.
He arrived at the wooden house where Lin Yu Xin was staying and gently knocked on the door.
The wooden door opened, revealing a delicate and pretty face. Lin Yu Xin looked at Zhou Yan with confusion.
"You, are you looking for me for something?"
Zhou Yan was taken aback, then quickly recovered and smiled wryly, shaking his head. "I just wanted to ask, when can we leave the Sheng Wu Sect?"
Hearing this, Lin Yu Xin pondered for a moment and slowly said, "This matter is probably not something I can decide. I dare not make the decision myself!"
Zhou Yan sighed and nodded, "Then please tell your master that I have an urgent matter and must leave the Sheng Wu Sect immediately!"
"Okay!"
Lin Yu Xin nodded.
"Then I'll be going back now!"
Zhou Yan nodded again, then turned and left.
Watching Zhou Yan's retreating figure, Lin Yu Xin's brows furrowed slightly, a look of worry on her face.
She did not know who Zhou Yan was, nor what grievances he had with Xiao Yi Feng. However, Zhou Yan's willingness to help her seek revenge filled her heart with gratitude.
Moreover, Zhou Yan was her savior.
This fact made Lin Yu Xin even more grateful.