"You mean you suspect those three Martial Emperor realm experts came for you?" Li Xuan asked Gu Feiyan with a hint of surprise after hearing her words.
"Young Master Li Xuan, to be frank, Miss is a disciple of the Gu family from the Central Domain. Her trip to the Central Domain this time is to return and acknowledge her ancestors," the old man standing behind Gu Feiyan said, bowing.
A flicker of realization crossed Li Xuan's eyes. Rumor had it that many great families had illegitimate children. If these descendants were not weak in talent, the family would send someone to bring them back when they reached a certain age. Of course, those with poor talent naturally wouldn't receive such treatment.
And within every great family, there were inevitably some high-ranking members who did not wish for these disciples to return. Or, it could be that peers of these disciples worried that their return would diminish their own resources and status, leading to widespread clandestine actions.
However, Li Xuan was curious. Was the Gu family really that powerful in the Central Domain?
After all, being able to dispatch three Martial Emperor realm experts was no small feat.
"I assume it's your first time in the Central Domain, Young Master Li Xuan. This old man, though not talented, can explain the power distribution in the Central Domain to you," the old man said with a slight smile, seemingly sensing Li Xuan's confusion.
"Thank you kindly then," Li Xuan nodded, his eyes lit up. Knowing the distribution of power in the Central Domain beforehand might even offer clues about the woman in black.
The old man nodded and began, "The Central Domain has six great Holy Lands. Each Holy Land has at least three Martial God realm experts guarding it. However, these experts are in constant seclusion and will only appear in times of dire crisis for their Holy Land."
"Below the Six Great Holy Lands are the Twelve Sects. Although their strength is inferior to the Six Great Holy Lands, each sect has a Martial God realm expert. If the Six Great Holy Lands remain uninvolved, the Twelve Sects are the top powers in the Central Domain. The Gu family, though not the strongest, is one of these Twelve Sects, the Gu Yan Sect. Below the Twelve Sects are about fifty first-rate forces. Below them, there are over a thousand forces, though weaker. Oh, Young Master Li Xuan, there is an assassin organization in the Central Domain called the Dark Tower. Although it's not ranked among the Central Domain's forces, even our Gu family holds it in fear."
Seeing a flicker of curiosity in Li Xuan's eyes, the old man continued, "It is said that the Dark Tower has twelve floors. The number of assassins on each floor is unknown, but without exception, they are all the strongest of the strong. Especially since these assassins are skilled in assassination, almost no force is willing to provoke the Dark Tower. Over a hundred years ago, an expert who had reached the Martial God realm killed a楼主 of the Dark Tower. In the end, the Dark Tower pursued this expert for five years and killed him. From then on, the name of the Dark Tower resounded throughout the Central Domain."
An expert at the Martial God realm was killed by the Dark Tower. Li Xuan's expression turned grave after hearing the old man's words. However, he soon shook his head with a smile. He had just entered the Central Domain, so it was unlikely he would incur the wrath of the Dark Tower. What surprised him was that, according to the old man, the Gu family's influence in the Central Domain was not low. If Gu Feiyan could safely reach the Central Domain, she might have a chance to become an influential figure in the Gu Yan Sect in the future.
"Senior, besides the Gu Yan Sect, what are the other eleven sects?" Li Xuan asked after some thought.
"Young Master Li Xuan is too polite. This old man is Gu Yifan. Although I am a few years older than you, my strength is not as formidable as yours. If Young Master Li Xuan doesn't mind, you can call me Old Gu," Gu Yifan said with a smile. "The other eleven sects are the Li Huo Sect, Cang Lang Sect, Gui Sect, Xian Men Sect, Wan Jian Sect, Qi Yao Sect, Shen Feng Sect, Wu Liang Sect, Tian Lei Sect, Zhan Sect, and Bai Hua Sect."
"It is worth mentioning that among these eleven sects, the Bai Hua Sect only accepts female disciples. However, to be one of the Twelve Sects, their strength cannot be underestimated."
Bai Hua Sect!
After hearing Gu Yifan's words, Li Xuan's mind involuntarily focused on the Bai Hua Sect. Although Li Xuan couldn't be certain if the Bai Hua Sect was the one that took Li Yao, given that they only accepted female disciples, they were undoubtedly the most suspicious.
"Thank you, Old Gu, for your enlightenment," Li Xuan cupped his fists and bowed to Gu Yifan. Without Gu Yifan's explanation, Li Xuan would have needed much longer to understand the forces of the Central Domain.
"Young Master Li Xuan is too kind," Gu Yifan smiled and then his gaze shifted to Gu Feiyan. Li Xuan's heart stirred slightly. It seemed that Gu Feiyan's主动 approach to him was not purely for thanks.
"Miss Feiyan, if you have something to say, please speak frankly," Li Xuan said with a smile. Given that Gu Yifan had explained the powers of the Central Domain to him, Li Xuan was willing to help with any matters within his capability. It would be best to repay this favor.
Gu Feiyan immediately stood up, bowed, and said, "Young Master Li Xuan, I wish to ask for your protection during the remainder of our journey. Of course, this is only for when we encounter danger. If you agree, I am willing to offer you one hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones. Even if we encounter no danger, you do not need to return this reward."
A flicker of surprise flashed in Li Xuan's eyes. He had underestimated the Gu family's strength. One hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones were equivalent to one million low-grade spirit stones. Gu Feiyan, who was merely a relative of the family sent out, could offer such a generous reward. How much more valuable would the Gu family disciples who grew up in the Gu Yan Sect be?
"Does Young Master Li think it's not enough?" Gu Feiyan asked anxiously when Li Xuan remained silent for a while.
Li Xuan smiled and shook his head. "It's not that it's not enough, but rather that it's too generous. If we don't encounter danger, accepting one hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones from Miss Feiyan for nothing would be too much."
"Young Master Li need not be so modest. In fact, considering your strength in being able to kill three Martial Emperor realm experts, one million mid-grade spirit stones would be readily offered in the Central Domain. If Miss had not yet officially returned to the Gu family, this old man and Miss would certainly not be able to offer only these one hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones," Gu Yifan said with a wry smile.
Li Xuan's expression became somewhat strange. A million mid-grade spirit stones. That sounded quite tempting. Suddenly, an idea flashed through Li Xuan's mind: if he were to run out of money in the future, could he take on bodyguard jobs?
"Young Master Li Xuan?" Seeing Li Xuan spacing out again, Gu Feiyan called out helplessly.
Li Xuan snapped back to attention, a hint of embarrassment on his face. He then nodded, "Uh, sorry, I was lost in thought. Well, Miss Feiyan, I can agree to this matter. However, I must make one thing clear beforehand: if we do not encounter danger, I will not accept these one hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones. Of course, if we encounter an expert beyond my ability to defeat, I hope Miss Feiyan can understand."
A flash of joy appeared in Gu Feiyan's eyes, and she immediately nodded, "Deal!"