Xiao Man stood at the entrance of the Spirit Snake Sect's驻点.
"I am Xiao Qin, seeking an audience with the esteemed elder of the Spirit Snake Sect."
The disciples guarding the gate couldn't discern Xiao Man's cultivation, knowing that this person's cultivation must be higher than theirs. If they were from Wuji City, they could potentially become inner disciples of the Spirit Snake Sect. They dared not neglect her and immediately went to report.
"Xiao Qin?" The responsible elder was a woman named Sikong Mo, the head of the Spirit Snake Sect's recruitment for this grand gathering, and a Golden Core stage cultivator. "I will not see her."
"Elder, this Xiao Qin is the leader of those who entered from the Land of No Return, and her strength is extraordinary."
"Entered from the Land of No Return?" A glint flashed in Sikong Mo's eyes. "Please invite her in."
The moment Xiao Man saw Sikong Mo, she felt that this woman's eyes were filled with worries, and her brows were etched with sorrow: "Xiao Qin greets the esteemed elder."
At the first glance of Xiao Qin, Sikong Mo couldn't help but exclaim, what a beautiful youth: "I heard you entered from the Land of No Return?"
"Replying to the esteemed elder, yes."
"You are truly remarkable. Entering Wuji City from the Land of No Return, and in just one year, your cultivation has reached the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Such talent is rarely seen." Sikong Mo praised sincerely but did not forget Xiao Man's purpose: "Are you here at the Spirit Snake Sect to join us in advance?"
Xiao Man shook her head and denied: "I am here to express my gratitude to the esteemed elder."
"Gratitude?" Sikong Mo was puzzled. This was their first meeting, and she hadn't helped her in any way. Could it be that someone under her command had helped her? "For what reason do you express gratitude?"
"To thank the esteemed elder for saving my friend." Xiao Man looked into Sikong Mo's eyes and calmly uttered two words: "Xiang Jian."
Sikong Mo's pupils contracted sharply, but her expression remained unchanged: "You must be mistaken, I do not know the person you speak of."
"The elder's brows are full of worry, likely concerning something. I am not talented, but I am a pharmacist, and perhaps I can be of assistance." Xiao Man did not rush to explain. Xiang Jian was at the Spirit Snake Sect, as the Hou brothers had said. However, from the flustered look in her eyes just now, it was clear that Xiang Jian was indeed here. As for why she was unwilling to admit it, there were probably some secrets involved that could not be spoken.
"Thank you, but the Spirit Snake Sect has its own pharmacists."
Xiao Man smiled frankly: "If that is the case, I will not disturb the esteemed elder any further. Please inform my friend that I am staying at the City Lord's Mansion, and I will come whenever he needs me. I bid farewell."
Sikong Mo watched Xiao Man's retreating back, her eyes filled with gloom. She couldn't fathom Xiao Man's intentions, nor did she dare to trust Xiao Man easily. After Xiao Man left, Sikong Mo remained in silence. Sudanshuwang.com
"Someone, come."
"Elder, what are your orders?"
"Go and investigate this Xiao Qin. In just one year, she has become a Foundation Establishment cultivator. I have never seen such a talented person. In one year, from no qi cultivation to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, this speed is comparable to a monster. You know, many people may never be able to establish their foundation in their entire lives."
"Does the elder think highly of this Xiao Qin?" the disciple inquired. "This Xiao Qin, I have also heard of her. As soon as she entered Wuji City, she was wanted by the City Lord's Mansion. She brought those who entered with her from the Land of No Return to cultivate in the Roland Mountain Range. Everyone thought they would surely die, but in just half a year, all eight of them advanced to the seventh stage of Qi Refining. The Seven Great Sects all thought highly of them and wanted to recruit them, especially this Xiao Qin. She even completed all the missions issued by Wuji City and earned a fortune."
"So, Xiao Qin is indeed capable?"
"Very capable. I heard that the City Lord's Mansion deliberately made things difficult for people from the Land of No Return. For three consecutive triennial assessments, the questions were all to obtain a Dragon Spirit Bamboo, which led to no one entering from the Land of No Return for nine years. But this time, Xiao Qin directly brought nine people in and filled all the spots. Moreover, this assessment had no fighting; they just walked in!"
"It is said that in every assessment, people from the Land of No Return would engage in a brutal battle, and those who entered Wuji City emerged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood. They did not?"
"It's not that they didn't, but that Xiao Qin didn't!" the disciple interjected. "It is said that Xiao Qin came from the Eight Desolations and unified the Land of No Return upon her arrival, becoming the boss there. The people she brought in were all carefully selected."
"Wait, you said eight people entered the Roland Mountain Range. Where did the other two go?"
"These two, one joined the mercenaries in Wuji City, and the other entered the City Lord's Guard."
"Did these two betray Xiao Qin?"
"It wouldn't be considered betrayal. It is said that from the beginning, Xiao Qin only had six people with her, three of whom were impostors. The six people she kept by her side were her true confidantes."
Sikong Mo waved her hand, signaling the disciple to leave. After a long while, Sikong Mo entered the inner room and looked at the person lying on the bed, unconscious, her brows furrowed: "What should I do?"
Sikong Mo sat by the bed: "What must I do to save you?"
Sikong Mo sighed repeatedly. When she found Xiang Jian, he was already severely injured. She used a pill she carried to protect his heart, but she could not save him, nor could she reveal his whereabouts. However, letting him lie there like this was not a solution.
"Perhaps, I should try it." Sikong Mo said abruptly. "To make you willingly follow her, she must possess extraordinary abilities. I hope you haven't trusted the wrong person this time."
As Xiao Man walked out of the Spirit Snake Sect, Hou Wu and Hou Liu were waving from a distance. Xiao Man walked over: "Any news?"
Hou Wu pulled Xiao Man to a secluded spot: "Boss Xiao, we investigated the Silver Moon Tower but found no trace of Xi Wen or Qi Hong. If they were in the city, they wouldn't escape our eyes. This means these two are not in the city."
"Not in Wuji City, then they must be in..."
"The Roland Mountain Range."
"And the Land of No Return."
"Impossible. How could they go back to the Land of No Return? They must be in the Roland Mountain Range," Hou Wu retorted. It was difficult to enter Wuji City, so how could those who entered go back to the Land of No Return?
"Do you know how to get to the Land of No Return?"
"Boss Xiao, please don't do anything rash. Only those who have committed grave offenses are banished to the Land of No Return."
"Can't I go in myself?" Xiao Man asked curiously.
"No," Hou Liu chimed in. "The Land of No Return has a barrier. Those inside cannot get out, and those outside cannot get in, unless the barrier is opened. The right to open the barrier is held by the City Lord."
"Can't the Seven Great Sects open the barrier?" Xiao Man asked curiously.
"Of course not. If the Seven Great Sects could open the barrier, what would be the use of the City Lord's Mansion?" Hou Wu said with a smile. "This is also why the City Lord's Mansion has stood strong."