Squeak—

The door opened.

An Si dragged his slightly weary body out of the room, a hint of fatigue in his eyes.

Though they were considered legendary Immortals in the eyes of the common people, receiving admiration and reverence, within the Cultivation World, An Si was not regarded as a high-level expert. An entire night spent exhausting Spiritual Energy to nourish his body left him fatigued.

As soon as An Si appeared, a young girl sitting in the courtyard with one hand propped against her chin, dozing off, immediately woke up. Rubbing her drowsy eyes, she had not slept all night either and anxiously stood up to inquire.

"Immortal Master, how is Uncle Qian?"

He waved his hand.

He cast a reassuring glance, and this confident expression unequivocally set Xue Caiyan's mind at ease, causing her legs to weaken, nearly collapsing on the spot. Her vision blurred, lips slightly pale, it was fortunate that Wu Daoxu swiftly reached out to support her, guiding her gently to seat herself on the chair.

"That's good, that's good, thank you, Immortal Master, for your great kindness..."

She showed a heartfelt smile before fainting.

Her constitution was already frail; yesterday, after the torrential rain, she had no time to warm herself properly, and struggled with bed-making and room arrangements all night, worsening her sickness. If not for Wu Daoxu using Spiritual Energy to nourish her body, she might have fainted the previous night.

An Si subconsciously stepped forward to help the girl. In contrast, Wu Daoxu remained calm, reaching out to support the girl, allowing her to rest upon the table.

His expression was somewhat complex.

"Don't worry, she'll be fine."

"Her vitality is depleted but her Primordial Spirit is intact, her vital energy uninjured. With Spiritual Energy protecting her body, a few days of rest will restore her completely. But you, An Daoist Friend, your power of Su Mu, though proficient, is too draining, thank you for your trouble."

"This time, I owe your Ethereal Violet Pavilion a favor. Speaking of which, I still owe you for saving my life last time, and now I owe another favor, leaving me ill at ease."

He couldn't even clasp his remaining hand in thanks, squeezing out a grim smile. Despite his current demeanor being far more composed than the crazed figure tormented by Yin Soul, it retained a semblance of gentlemanly demeanor.

The finesse of Spiritual Energy manipulation showcased the difference in strength between him and An Si, though the latter's expression was somewhat peculiar. If remembered correctly, yesterday, when he and An Xuan rushed outside the city to respond to Jiang Feng while observing from the shadows, Wu Daoxu was still of High Grade Core Formation.

But now...

He was shockingly of Low Grade Core Formation.

Yes, he had dropped in realm.

For anyone, a drop in realm is a heart-wrenching event; moving backward in cultivation is hard to accept. Yet, despite his one-arm condition, he wore an expression of tranquility and acceptance, seemingly willing to accept such an outcome.

"You and I are both cultivators, why be so courteous."

"If it were me witnessing fellow villagers being harmed, I wouldn't stand idly by either. Since I am serving in Qingshui County, I naturally need to ensure the safety of the local people; An had merely exerted a small effort."

"As for the matter of favor, it is intangible, An is somewhat familiar with your Fan Yin Sect, and knows that it was actually two other outer sect Stewards who assisted, having nothing to do with us."

"If Daoist Friend truly feels indebted, then just safeguard the townsfolk for them."

Smiling with clasped hands, showing humility, truly befitting a disciple of a Great Sect, even as an outer sect disciple, adept at diplomatic speech.

He was assigned to come here, his self-awareness was very clear, and merely relying on Wu Daoxu's earlier gesture of supporting Xue Caiyan was enough to demonstrate the gap in strength between the two.

His strength could directly match An Xuan, and perhaps even surpass An Xuan. If a confrontation were to occur, both he and An Xuan might struggle to defeat the opponent. Of course, now Wu Daoxu's body was injured and lacking, making it an opportune moment to strike.

You may have forgotten, but Wu Daoxu was once a genius.

Though his talent wasn't as monstrous as Jiang Feng's, achieving mid-grade Foundation Establishment before thirty, aspiring to high grade, was not inferior. Even if no mishaps occurred later, he would likely reach high grade Foundation Establishment by the age of thirty, already decent as Wild Fox Zen.

Despite Jiang Feng hammering him like a descendant, Wu Daoxu was certainly adept at the same realm, equipped not only with the supreme art of Fan Yin Sect but also his unique path of Ghost Cultivation, but alas...

Now he was half-wasted.

"Sigh."

He sighed.

Casually taking out a thin blanket from the Qiankun Bag and placing it on the girl's shoulders, his expression was complex.

He could guess who sent An Si here.

Ethereal Violet Pavilion is an asset under Purple Cloud Palace; those sisters who saved his life last time were also disciples of Purple Cloud Palace. An Si before him and the newly appointed Pavilion Master, An Xuan, were affiliated with Purple Cloud Palace.

Jiang Feng's acceptance into Purple Cloud Palace was something he had long investigated, knowing this person was under Sword Immortal Sect. In fact, after the battle three years ago, he had already let go of the matter, knowing he had no right to blame another victim. Since Jiang Feng confessed, he chose to believe.

However, subsequent events completely shattered his already unstable mind, coupled with the refining of the Soul Puppet and being invaded by the Yin Soul, twisting his disposition. Upon regaining clarity, he immediately understood his situation.

"It seems the biggest difference between Wu and him is not only in strength but also in mentality. No wonder he's a Swordmaster Peak disciple, Wu pales in comparison, utterly defeated."

He finally recognized reality.

Devoid of dejection, frustration, or anger, only peace remained. Years ago, he wanted to acknowledge this truth, and An Si had no intention to conceal, since Jiang Feng had left Qingshui County early this morning, heading to Dongyue after paying respects to ancestors.

"Though my realm is not high, I know he was forced to sever your arm."

"Your right arm was possessed by an evil soul. Typically, with your realm, you shouldn't have been assimilated, but since this Yin Soul contained something left by someone you knew, it wasn't completely refined. Now your body's assimilation demands its removal, or else you'll become one with it, incurable."

"Divine Soul and Soul Puppet were destroyed similarly, to sever your attachments, allowing you to focus on refining Soul Puppet without being entangled in the past. Regarding his humiliation, it was to foster resentment"

"Upon leaving, he mentioned that in the future, if you wish for revenge, he's always welcome. As long as the innocent aren't harmed, he's willing to accompany. He even encouraged you to cultivate diligently to witness the prowess of Ghost Cultivation."

Slightly nodding.

Doubt absent from his face, having understood the other's intentions upon regaining consciousness yesterday, his expression serious, devoid of joy and sorrow. After An Si conveyed Jiang Feng's words, his expression noticeably relaxed, for any cultivator witnessing someone willing to return from being strayed brings genuine joy.

"Speaking of which, do you have somewhere to go now, Daoist Friend Wu?"

"Me?"

He hesitated for a moment, then shook his head, confused.

His sect was annihilated, the Mountain Gate burned clean by the fire, even if he returned now, what for? But at this time, An Si actively invited him, his face sincere.

"Why not settle in Qingshui County for now, stay a while, how about it?"

Frowning, Wu Daoxu preferred to figure out on his own how to use his abilities to assist the people. But An Si's next words immediately dispelled his thoughts.

"This Miss Xue was a victim of the incident you and your partner sparked within the city when pursuing revenge among cultivators, leading to her family's destruction, wealth scattered. If Daoist Friend wishes to exert a little effort..."

"Perhaps start with Miss Xue."

"What do you think?"

(The story in Qingshui County ends)

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