Chapter 1034 - Going to See Yu Hua

Wu Bing frowned, weighing Li Guanqi’s suggestion. For years, the Spiritfish Clan had maintained good relations with Heavenly Water Peak. The Fire-Eyed Demon Fox Clan had begun dealing with Heavenly Fire Peak and Pill Peak’s Sun Miao some time after its arrival, and both peaks established good relations with the clan. The Daxia Sword Sect held both clans’ fates in its hands, so it could afford to spare them some resources.

“All right,” Wu Bing said solemnly. “We’ll do as you say, Junior Brother Li. I’ll make the trip there myself later.”

Afterward, Wu Bing looked at Li Guanqi with a sharp gleam in his eyes. “Junior Brother Li, what do you make of Lu Tian’s return?”

Li Guanqi tapped his fingers lightly against the armrest. His eyes narrowed, cold killing intent flashing within them. “I’m afraid the organization Sha founded after taking the name Lu Tian will expand faster than anyone can predict. Everyone has now seen him bring the dead back to life, something they thought impossible. Before long, the Heavenly Demon Pavilion’s name may be known throughout the Six Territories, perhaps reaching the Ethereal Immortal Territory and the ancient clans.”

He leaned forward, a trace of scorn in his voice. “I don’t know what Lu Tian ultimately wants, but I’m certain of one thing: those demonized cultivators will meet a terrible end. Bringing the dead back to life? Heh. Nothing comes without a price.”

Li Guanqi was confident in his judgment. Lu Tian would never give others the core power of an Abyssal Demon for nothing. Even the immortals above would not claim their blessings came without a cost. Whatever Lu Tian wanted in return, he had concealed it so well that no one had uncovered his purpose yet.

After discussing precautions against Lu Tian, Li Guanqi moved on. “The Daxia Sword Sect’s disciples still lack experience. It’s time to send them out to train.”

That single statement settled the matter. The sect’s disciples would venture out to gain experience.

Ling Daoyan and the others, however, couldn’t help but voice their concerns. “The ancient clans have emerged, and people from the Ethereal Immortal Territory show up from time to time. On top of that, there’s Lu Tian. Wouldn’t sending the disciples out now be too risky?”

Li Guanqi shook his head. “Old Ling, we can give them the best resources, but we can’t give them experience in life-and-death struggles while they stay inside the sect. We’ve given them more than enough to put them ahead of others these past few years. What they lack is the chance to fight for their lives. Only by competing with others can they break through the barriers before them.”

No one had much to say against his proposal after that. Once the disciples ventured into the world, some would inevitably die, but the elders knew the risks were necessary.

Li Guanqi left the main hall, and Xi Yunhuai appeared beside him. “That woman hasn’t said anything except that she’ll wait for you. No matter who asks, her answer is always the same.”

“Thank you, Old Xi,” Li Guanqi said.

The old man chuckled and waved a hand. “Tsk tsk. These old bones could use some exercise.”

Li Guanqi smiled. He had never thought of Xi Yunhuai as merely Yu Shan’s clone. If anything, he preferred to think of him as Ji Yuchuan. Still, Xi Yunhuai was his own person, just like Coward Li. Li Guanqi had never forgotten the kindness he had shown him.

Xi Yunhuai looked as though he wanted to say something. Li Guanqi noticed the look in his eyes and asked softly, “Is it about the Heavenly Intelligence Pavilion?”

A gleam flashed in the old man’s eyes, and he nodded. “Yes, but it can wait until you’re finished here, Pavilion Master.”

Li Guanqi nodded, and Xi Yunhuai vanished from the spot.

Li Guanqi shifted his gaze to Yu Hua, who remained pinned and sealed beneath more than a dozen arrays.

Perhaps sensing Li Guanqi’s presence, Yu Hua had long since changed out of her black robes and into an alluring pale-purple dress. Flecks of spirit light shimmered across the ornate fabric, lending it a dazzling beauty. She was undeniably beautiful, her figure full and shapely without being heavy. She was tall, too, only slightly shorter than Li Guanqi.

Yu Hua’s face was somewhat pale. Her divine soul had been damaged, and recovering from such an injury would take some effort.

Yu Hua stood behind the array barrier, smiling faintly as she gave him a graceful curtsy. “Yu Hua, Palace Master of the ancient Xiaoxiang Palace, greets Young Master Li.”

Li Guanqi nodded, his expression unchanged, and tore a hole in the barrier with one hand. His pure white eyes gave nothing away. He stepped inside, and lightning spread from beneath his feet, enveloping the vast sealed space. No one outside could see into it or even sense the auras within.

“Why were you so certain I would save you?” he asked.

Yu Hua gave a bitter smile and shook her head. “Until you extracted the demonic worm from my divine soul, I wasn’t certain at all. But I would rather take a chance than become that man’s puppet and plaything.”

She sighed in relief and smiled brightly. “It looks like my gamble paid off.”

Neither her words nor her demeanor swayed Li Guanqi. He shook his head. “Those reasons alone aren’t enough to convince me.”

Cold killing intent spread through the space. Before Yu Hua’s eyes, the world turned into a boundless sea of blood where vengeful souls endlessly howled and struggled to break free. The vision filled her with dread. Her face drained of color, sweat beaded on her forehead, and her heart raced under the crushing pressure. Though she and Li Guanqi were in the same cultivation realm, their strength was worlds apart.

Yu Hua’s legs buckled, and she sank to one knee before Li Guanqi. He looked down at her, his eyes seeming to see straight into her thoughts. She dared not hide anything from him.

With her hair slightly disheveled, Yu Hua lowered her head and bit down hard on her lip. A moment later, she gritted her teeth and said, “Xiaoxiang Palace has always followed news concerning you closely, Young Master Li, and we’ve been careful to avoid any conflict with you. When Zhao Pei summoned me, I had no idea what he wanted, let alone that people from four other factions would be there! And when Lu Tian suddenly appeared, I realized there was no way out. I had no choice but to follow his lead!”