Chapter 49

Chapter 49: Free Movement in the Outer Sect

However, the person Ji Ziling currently hated to the bone was Chen Ansheng.

As long as she could drag him out and make this sly little man propose some conditions, what would it matter?

At worst, she would punish him after the matter was accomplished.

“You speak.”

Ji Ziling replied flatly.

Li Xiuyuan said, “Reporting to Miss, that bastard ordered me to help him purchase the materials or techniques he needs at any time. As an outer sect disciple, it’s very inconvenient for me to move about, and it may delay the timing of getting the jade token. Moreover, the senior brothers of the outer sect have a strong opinion of me because of yesterday’s incident. I’m afraid I can’t avoid some nuisances, so…”

At this point, Li Xiuyuan fell silent.

Ji Ziling’s expression hardened, saying, “Do you think I will elevate you to an inner sect disciple?”

Li Xiuyuan feigned panic and replied, “I wouldn’t dare! How could I let the young lady tarnish her own reputation because of me? I only hope that when I purchase materials in the ordinary area, I won’t be obstructed, what do you think?”

Ji Ziling resumed her usual demeanor; such words showed that this sly kid was sensible.

If he truly dared to bring up becoming an inner sect disciple, she might have to break a few of his bones on the spot.

It wasn’t because Ji Ziling couldn’t, but rather that she despised greedy people who tried to take more than their due, especially cunning individuals like Li Xiuyuan.

Given that he still had some value to use, Ji Ziling coldly said, “I will give instructions on this matter. As for the places outer sect disciples can go, you will have free passage.”

“Thank you, Miss. I shall take my leave,” Li Xiuyuan bowed and stepped back under Chen Ansheng’s control.

“Junior Sister, since you hate that Chen Ansheng so much, why not let that outer sect disciple named Li poison him to death?”

As soon as Li Xiuyuan left, Murong Yan’s figure appeared in the pavilion.

“Senior Brother, you’re here,” Ji Ziling greeted with a smile, then said, “Killing him would only make it easy for him. Once I catch that brat, I must torture him severely, to make him wish for death but cannot achieve it to vent my hatred.”

“Junior Sister, you—” Murong Yan sighed and shook his head, “He’s just an ant. You’d better not get too entangled with him, or it might delay your cultivation.”

“How could that be?” Ji Ziling replied with a nonchalant look, “That scumbag Li Zhengyang has caused my father and mother to be at odds for many years, and even some unspeakable rumors have spread among the other three caves. If I can’t deal with him, taking on his brother can also relieve some of my pent-up frustration and help with my training. Don’t you think so, Senior Brother?”

“Suit yourself,” Murong Yan knew that Ji Ziling wouldn’t give up until she achieved her purpose and stopped persuading her. He then asked, “By the way, Junior Sister, I asked you to inquire about the position of chief disciple. Have you done it?”

“Not yet. My mother is so protective of that wretched dog; I’m quite angry with her. Let’s talk about it in a few days.” When it came to this topic, Ji Ziling became furious, questioning why her own mother would favor that man’s brother, making her somewhat doubt the truth of those rumors.

A complex light flickered in Murong Yan’s eyes; he was quite displeased but said nothing more.

…

Northwest of the bamboo forest, in the old residence.

Success!

With just a few words, he had tricked that evil woman.

This made Chen Ansheng feel very pleased inside.

With Li Xiuyuan as a puppet who could roam freely in the outer sect, purchasing materials and retrieving techniques would no longer be difficult for him.

Most importantly, he could control the outside situation without stepping out and wouldn’t have to worry about safety—multiple benefits in one.

“Let’s first check the library.”

Chen Ansheng had heard that various immortal caves had enormous treasure troves of books that ordinary people couldn’t even imagine.

There were various texts; for an ordinary person, just getting a chance to glimpse them would be a great fortune.

Chen Ansheng controlled Li Xiuyuan’s body, first returning to the outer sect to report before heading to the library.

Upon entering, the few white-clothed disciples who had been waiting to see Li Xiuyuan’s “theatrical performance” were immediately dumbfounded.

This kid, how did he return without a scratch!

“Junior Brother Xiuyuan, did the young lady not make things difficult for you?” one asked in surprise.

Li Xiuyuan, hands clasped behind his back, replied indifferently, “What? You seem to wish for me to be dealt with by that woman? Too bad to disappoint you. Not only did she not dare to make things difficult for me, but after learning my identity, she also granted me privileges, allowing me to move freely in the outer sect, and no one can obstruct me. Are you convinced?”

A few were taken aback.

This kid is quite arrogant; he must be bragging.

Given the young lady’s personality, how could she let him off easily and grant him privileges? It was extremely unreasonable!

“Don’t believe me? Just wait and see; the orders will come down soon,” Li Xiuyuan leisurely turned and added, “No wonder you’ve been muddling about in the outer sect for over a decade, still doing menial work. You lack foresight; a rotten wood cannot be carved.”

The others exchanged glances, pondering if they should flatter this kid a bit.

If he really was telling the truth, offending him would make their lives difficult in the future.

Thinking of this, they quickly approached with winks:

“Junior Brother Xiuyuan, this is a fine wine gifted to me by Elder Jiu for some work I did for him years ago. Since we hit it off, I’m giving it to you.”

“I have half a bottle of Blood Opening Relaxation Pills that I received while serving Elder Gu during a banquet; I rarely use it. Consider it a gift for our first meeting, and I hope you’ll take care of me in the future.”

“Li Bro, this is damaged armor I found while executing a task; please accept it.”

Li Xiuyuan accepted them all without rejecting anything.

Once it entered Li Xiuyuan’s pocket, it naturally became Chen Ansheng’s.

Not long after, an outer sect elder personally issued a decree: in non-restricted areas of the outer sect, no one is allowed to obstruct Li Xiuyuan.

The disciples who had flattered Li Xiuyuan first were overjoyed, secretly thinking they had to treat this fellow well from now on.

For the next hour, Li Xiuyuan received numerous gifts, both openly and discreetly.

These items might not be considered wealth for cultivators who had been in the spiritual cave for years.

But for the destitute Chen Ansheng, it was a windfall.

…

In the outer sect library.

With Li Xiuyuan’s vision, Chen Ansheng stayed for several hours.

He browsed through basic techniques, character biographies, regional travel notes, and “The Record of the Boundless Worlds,” among others.

The “Record of the Boundless Worlds” was actually a miscellaneous record documenting the experiences of various ascendants in their respective cultivation realms, totaling over one hundred thousand entries.

For someone in the Fourth Immortal Realm, with exceptionally strong mental strength like Chen Ansheng, scanning through one hundred thousand narratives was completed in less than a quarter of an hour without missing a word.

Among them, there were many lower realms he found very intriguing.

“Once I deal with the Cloud Dragon Realm, I’ll go treasure hunting in these worlds!”

Having made up his mind, Chen Ansheng continued searching through books. The library had countless texts, and adding more knowledge could never be a bad thing.

After several more hours, even Chen Ansheng felt mentally fatigued and somewhat weary before leaving the library.

After that, he went to the trading area outside Qian Yue Cave.

The variety of goods here was incredibly rich, from weapons and treasures to pills and talismans, and the quality was notably better than that of the outside markets.

“Why are you here!”

Just as he arrived in the trading area, a pale hand pressed down on Li Xiuyuan’s shoulder.

Turning around, he saw Zhong Li, whose expression was cold.