Chapter Seventy-Seven: Meeting Li Xiran Again

“Fellow Li!”
“Little Uncle!”
Two voices rang out at the same time, though “Fellow Li” was called out by Liang Yan, while “Little Uncle” was spoken in unison by Song, Zhu, and Mei, the three maidens.
The newcomer was dressed in black, with raven hair, cheeks like peach blossoms, and eyes bright as stars—it was Li Xiran, whom Liang Yan had met once before.
Previously, she had joined forces with Liang Yan and the Monkey King in battle, slaying the formidable Red-Faced Demon, and should have been gravely wounded. Yet now, her expression was calm, her aura full, spiritual energy abundant—there was not the slightest sign of injury.
Moreover, her eyes shone with spiritual radiance, a clear indication that her recent rise in power made it difficult for her to restrain her spiritual energy.
Most intriguing of all, a young golden-crowned spirit monkey sat upon her shoulder, scratching its head and twitching its ears, its lively gaze darting about mischievously.
“It seems she had some other encounter at the Monkey King’s place,” Liang Yan mused. “Yet Miss Li is so stern, while this little monkey is impish and restless. Their contrast—one still, one lively; one upright, one eccentric—becomes ever more amusing the longer I look.”
Li Xiran first nodded to Liang Yan. “Brother Liang, we meet again.”
Then she turned to Uncle Gou. “Your Tanshan Sect conducts itself despicably—one face in public, another behind closed doors. I’ve long heard of it. I suspect that old ancestor of Tanshan is no better. Sooner or later, I’ll rid the world of him.”
She paused, then barked, “As for you, there’s still time to turn back. Release my two junior disciples at once, and I’ll let the past go.”
Liang Yan inwardly clicked his tongue. This woman was only at the sixth level of Qi Refining, yet she threatened to slay an elder in the Gathering Essence Realm. Was it boldness or ignorance?
Such audacious words, however, did not provoke Uncle Gou’s anger. His face remained corpse-like, but his eyes bore into Li Xiran, as if he’d discovered something extraordinary.
Li Xiran, uncomfortable under his gaze, frowned, “What, do you know me?”
The question seemed to startle Uncle Gou. He trembled slightly, shaking his head like a drum.
“No! No! I don’t know you, girl! I have nothing to do with you!”
“Then will you release them or not?” Li Xiran pressed.
Uncle Gou was taken aback, as if recalling that the young master had just been slain by this woman. He muttered, “This is trouble... it’ll be hard to explain when I get back... Ah, unlucky child! Such bad luck!”
Liang Yan observed his odd demeanor, noting he didn’t resemble a bodyguard or servant, but rather an old man troubled by inconvenience. Suspicion grew in his heart. Yet this person’s strength was unfathomable; even if all present joined forces, they might not best him. For now, it was best to watch and discern his intentions.
Though he thought so, not everyone in the scene shared his caution. Suddenly, a blade flashed white as frost—Li Xiran drew her sword and struck, crying, “Since you refuse to repent, then stay here!”
“What a foolish girl, she’ll ruin everything!” Liang Yan was alarmed, but in the blink of an eye, he saw Uncle Gou did not grow angry. He merely tapped his toe, sliding right past the blade’s edge.
Li Xiran’s swift strike could not touch even the hem of his robe.
“Trouble, trouble! Old Gou can’t be provoked, but can’t I slip away?” Uncle Gou muttered, making a sign with his right hand at his waist, while his left hand secretly pointed at Yue Xiaozhu behind his back.
A fierce wind arose, blinding everyone and silencing their voices. In just a blink, calm returned.
When eyes reopened, Uncle Gou, the six Tanshan Sect disciples, and Fan Xunmei’s corpse were gone—vanished without a trace.
No one noticed that, as the wind blew, a wisp of black energy slipped from the gale and stealthily entered Yue Xiaozhu’s body—even she didn’t realize it.
Uncle Gou left as he pleased; none present could stop him. Even Li Xiran noticed the subtlety, frowning, “Who exactly is this man?”
As she spoke, she lifted the restriction from Yue Xiaozhu and Li Xiaosong, but her gaze drifted to Liang Yan, clearly seeking his opinion.

“How should I know?”
Liang Yan shrugged, “But one thing’s certain: this person is unfathomable—not your typical bodyguard or servant. Whether he’s truly a disciple of Tanshan Sect is still in question.”
Li Xiran nodded. “No matter, it’s Tanshan Sect’s own affair—not ours. Fortunately, he holds no murderous intent toward us.”
Liang Yan inwardly grumbled, “Indeed. Just now, who was it that poked the hornet’s nest? Luckily, he overlooked it, or the consequences would’ve been dire.”
He kept these thoughts to himself. Seeing the women safe, he cleared his throat, ready to request the “Drunken Fragrance.”
But before he could speak, Nangong Xiaomei beside him raised her red sleeve, sending a small black sandalwood box flying toward him.
“Take it!”
Liang Yan instinctively caught it, and upon inspection, exclaimed with delight,
“The Drunken Fragrance!”
“You risked your life, Young Master. Xiaomei is deeply grateful. Now I hand over the Drunken Fragrance to you as a token of thanks,” Nangong Xiaomei smiled.
Liang Yan never expected she would so readily gift him the Drunken Fragrance, and for a moment felt awkward.
“Miss Xiaomei, you’re too generous. Let’s keep things fair. Let me buy the Drunken Fragrance from you—can we settle it with spirit stones?”
Before Nangong Xiaomei could reply, Li Xiaosong interjected, “Oh, who knew the sour-face could be so proper? If that’s the case, we won’t take your money. Just let us have Fan Xunmei’s Lan Feng Bag and those magical books—deal?”
Liang Yan hadn’t expected this turn and was caught off guard, but at this moment, his life was the most important, so he sighed,
“As you say. But may I ask for the calligraphy you purchased from Jade Fate Pavilion earlier? It’s of great use to me.”
“Hmm...”
Li Xiaosong hesitated.
Li Xiran spoke up, “Xiaosong, Young Master Liang fought beside me and is pure-hearted. If that calligraphy isn’t of much use, give it to him.”
Li Xiaosong stomped her foot, “Fine! I originally meant to gift it to Master, but since Little Uncle says so, I’ll grant you this favor.” She pulled out a scroll and tossed it to him.
Liang Yan caught it and unrolled it—sure enough, it was the counterfeit “Cloud Pavilion Collection.”
“Ha! Scented Fragrance Sect is indeed forthright. May our paths cross again someday.”
With the Drunken Fragrance and the calligraphy in hand, Liang Yan’s heart surged and he was about to take his leave, when Li Xiran called,
“Wait!”
“What is it, Master Li? More advice?” Liang Yan smiled.
“I dare not call it advice. I merely wish to invite you to the River Luo Tournament in half a year.”
“The River Luo Tournament?” Liang Yan was puzzled.
“Yes. It’s jointly hosted by the four southwestern sects of Zhao, to encourage Qi Refining disciples to improve. Disciples of each sect will duel on stage, two at a time. The top three will be awarded a Purification Pill by the organizers.”
“A Purification Pill!”
Liang Yan was surprised. The Purification Pill was famous among Qi Refining cultivators. Most who reach the seventh layer must purify their mana to advance to the eighth, and the Purification Pill is essential for breaking through the second threshold.

Although Liang Yan coveted the Purification Pill, he remained calm, “Since it’s a tournament hosted by your four sects, why invite me—a disciple of Chess Star Pavilion?”
“Though you’re from a major sect, you’re only a menial disciple, so resources must be scarce. We’re friends now. You helped me fight the Red-Faced Demon; this time, I help you. Isn’t that fair?” Li Xiran looked at him with clear eyes.
Liang Yan blushed, rubbed his nose, and thought, “She’s so forthright—she really says whatever’s on her mind.”
Had it been anyone else, he might suspect sarcasm, but from Li Xiran, he sensed only genuine goodwill.
“Since Fellow Li is so kind, I’ll gladly accept.” Liang Yan smiled.
“Good. When the time comes, you’ll go on stage as a temporary disciple of Scented Fragrance Sect. Your abilities are impressive—even I must admit defeat. Perhaps you’ll earn us some honor.” Li Xiran said.
“Ha! Master Li, you jest! Then, in half a year, we’ll meet again at River Luo!”
Liang Yan laughed heartily, cupped his hands to the women, mounted his horse, and rode away.
Li Xiran and the three maidens watched him depart in silence. Suddenly, Li Xiaosong cried,
“Oh no! He’s riding our horse!”
Yue Xiaozhu: “.........”
Li Xiaosong puffed her cheeks, her face full of indignation, “He tricked us even as he left! Next time I see him, I’ll...”
But before she finished, she let out a low cry. Her body flashed white, shrinking rapidly until she became a small white beast, lying on the ground.
Nangong Xiaomei lovingly picked her up and gently stroked her fur, speaking softly,
“Your cultivation isn’t enough. Master forbade you from leaving the mountain, but you insisted on coming. The Shape-Shifting Pill lets you take human form, but it won’t last long.”
The white beast spoke in human tongue from her arms, “The mountain is too dull. That grumpy old Master lazes about and loves to tease his disciples. I don’t want to stay there. This was a rare chance—I had to follow Sister Mei down the mountain.”
Nangong Xiaomei, Li Xiran, and Yue Xiaozhu exchanged helpless glances.
“Now that our task is done, let’s return to the sect.” Li Xiran mounted her horse, leading the women down the official road.

..........

Under the moonlight, a lone horse sped along the road, bearing a grey-clad youth.
It was Liang Yan.
“This Scented Fragrance Sect is truly strange,” he mused on horseback. “Senior Brother Zhuo warned me before leaving the mountain that its disciples favored unorthodox arts—Song, Zhu, and Mei certainly fit that description. But Li Xiran’s Tiger-Dragon Divine Power is clearly a Daoist technique, orthodox and upright—not some ‘unorthodox path.’”
“Moreover, Li Xiaosong, though only at the second layer of Qi Refining, could see through the calligraphy’s secret; and when Fan Xunmei threatened them with his Gathering Essence rank, the three women remained unperturbed. All these clues suggest Scented Fragrance Sect is far more than a small sect.”
His thoughts swirled as he rode, then he shook his head,
“Liang Yan, these are not your current concern. Your priority is to protect your own life!”
He glanced down at his storage pouch and muttered,
“Now that ‘Monkey Spirit Wine’ and ‘Drunken Fragrance’ are in hand, only the last item remains—Heavenly Treasure Copper Coin!”