Chapter 165 Did I Really Go to the Wrong Sect?
Li Xingtian ignored Zhang Yuanshan's nonsense.
What does it mean to be expelled from the sect?
The relationship between himself and his master was undoubtedly good.
Besides, if he were really expelled, there should be a reason, right?
Li Xingtian's gaze fell upon the slowly operating protective mountain array, which was now emitting a faint yellow light. As the light flowed, seemingly non-existent runes would occasionally flash by.
Clearly, this slowly operating protective mountain array had not been fully activated, but even in this state, it exuded a strong sense of pressure.
This was undoubtedly a high-level protective mountain array.
It was far better than the somewhat crude protective mountain array that his master had initially set up.
However, high-level also meant expensive.
When he went to the Central State, his master should have given him at least half of the sect's spirit stones.
There was no reason for his master... to be able to afford this level of protective mountain array.
Could it be that his master had become wealthy?
Li Xingtian rose and flew to the entrance of the sect, looking inside, and immediately felt a sense of confusion while also feeling uncertain—was this his own sect?
His gaze first suspiciously scanned the surroundings, and after confirming there was no problem, he looked inside the gate.
Could it be that he hadn't paid attention to time and had actually been away for over a decade?
How had the sect changed so much?
The simple sect from before he left was now completely renewed to the point that Li Xingtian barely recognized it.
Except for the main hall that his master had always longed for, which remained unchanged, everything else was completely different from Li Xingtian's memory of the sect.
The sect had become so magnificent! So prosperous! It looked so formidable.
The most striking change was the sect's pond, which had changed the most, with the addition of a very stylishly shaped rockery, which could be considered truly tasteful.
Besides being aesthetically pleasing, the rockery by the pond seemed to have other effects, with the ethereal spiritual mist and occasionally flashing spiritual light.
The fish in the pond had also changed from ordinary mortal fish that were caught and roasted for eating to good-looking spirit fish.
Li Xingtian took a few more glances and recognized the surfacing spirit fish.
It was a species unique to the Central State, called the Purple Spirit Fish, unique in being particularly rare and particularly expensive.
It was said that these fish could condense some luck, and all major sects would raise some in their sects.
Li Xingtian felt that even if his master had spirit stones, he wouldn't buy this thing and be taken for a fool, right?
At this moment, a speculation emerged in Li Xingtian's mind.
Could his master have sold the sect's address for spirit stones?
Zhang Yuanshan also came to Li Xingtian's side, his gaze also appreciatively examining the extremely stylish sect layout before them.
He looked at Li Xingtian beside him and said with envious tone: "Brother, you're being too modest. If your sect is considered monotonous and simple, wouldn't many sects be living in garbage dumps?"
After all, every rogue cultivator has a dream of a perfect sect.
Zhang Yuanshan was no exception.
The definition of rogue cultivators in the Central State was somewhat different—cultivators whose sect addresses were not in the Central State were all called rogue cultivators.
The reason for this definition was also quite simple: in the eyes of Central State sect disciples, sect cultivators from other states were just as easy to bully as those truly unaffiliated rogue cultivators.
However, although that was said, the atmosphere in the Central State was actually much better than in other major states.
The closer one got to the eighteen immortal gates of the Central State, the better the public security.
Secondly, the true cultivation talents from other major continents would also travel to the Central State to pursue the Great Dao after reaching a certain level of cultivation.
Cultivators from the same continent would also huddle together for warmth.
Therefore, although rogue cultivators had a hard life, it wasn't to the point of being worse off than dogs.
Li Xingtian still didn't respond to Zhang Yuanshan.
Because at this moment, he was somewhat uncertain whether the sect before him was still his own...
But soon, he confirmed that this was still his own sect.
He saw Ning Qianqian holding a shovel, walking towards them with a vigilant gaze.
Li Xingtian called out: "Qianqian! It's me!"
After hearing the familiar voice, Ning Qianqian hurriedly ran over.
In just a moment, Ning Qianqian saw the two people standing at the sect entrance. She did not rush to open the protective mountain array but instead asked cautiously:
"Brother Li?"
Li Xingtian finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the sect hadn't moved, it was fine. He said with relief:
"Are Master and the others still in the sect?"
Ning Qianqian did not answer immediately, recalling the trusting look Chu Xingchen had given her when he left, telling her to watch over the sect.
Cultivators have many methods, and it's hard to avoid some illusionary tricks. Not wanting to make a mistake, she said with a slightly apologetic tone:
"Before the Sect Master left, he instructed me to be careful with everything... Could Brother Li prove your identity?"
Li Xingtian thought for a moment and replied: "At the dilapidated temple, when Eldest Martial Sister was giving you a bath, I remember you seemed to..."
"Okay, I know you must be Brother Li!"
Ning Qianqian quickly interrupted, first walking out of the array, then leading Li Xingtian and Zhang Yuanshan into the sect.
As soon as Zhang Yuanshan stepped inside the sect's protective mountain array, he could sense a very high-quality and vast amount of spiritual power.
Without a doubt, based on this spiritual power content, the sect where Brother Li resided must also be a prominent sect in the Southern Jambudvipa.
Li Xingtian walked into the sect, looking at the greatly changed sect, and suddenly felt a sense that the world had changed.
Master... how did he suddenly become so rich?
The three of them walked and talked.
Ning Qianqian said with an apologetic smile: "The Sect Master and the others are not in the sect right now, but a letter arrived a few days ago saying they would be back soon."
"If Brother Li is in a hurry, you can wait a few days. If it's urgent, you can go to Fallen Ridge in the Black Tortoise Country. The Sect Master and the others are all there now."
Hearing this, Li Xingtian glanced sideways at Zhang Yuanshan.
Zhang Yuanshan quickly said: "I'm not in a hurry. Besides, I've already prepared to cough up blood while cultivating to the Nascent Soul, so waiting is fine. Let's not trouble your venerable master."
"Then Brother Zhang might as well stay in our sect's guest rooms..."
Li Xingtian stopped mid-sentence, looking at Ning Qianqian and asking in a low voice: "Our sect still has guest rooms now, right?"
The sect had changed so much, what if they had demolished the original guest rooms?
Zhang Yuanshan looked at Li Xingtian with a strange expression. Why did Brother Li seem so unfamiliar with his own sect?
Could it be that what Brother Li said about a deep bond between master and disciple also had to be interpreted in reverse?
Ning Qianqian quickly nodded and walked to Zhang Yuanshan: "Of course, we do. I'll take you there, Immortal Master Zhang."
Zhang Yuanshan quickly cupped his hands and said: "What Immortal Master? Just call me Old Zhang. I'll trouble you to lead the way, young lady."
However, as soon as the words fell, before Ning Qianqian could speak, Zhang Yuanshan turned to look back.
Li Xingtian also turned around.
They saw two junior cultivators from the Chain Qi Stage, a man and a woman, walking from the sect entrance.
The four pairs of eyes met.
Li Xingtian looked at the two and understood that these were the new disciples Master had mentioned.
His new junior brother and junior sister.
Lin Luoyu and Cui Hao's gazes swept over the three people in front: Ning Qianqian and two unfamiliar men.
Seeing Ning Qianqian's slightly humble posture, the two were not fools and understood that one of the two men was their Second Martial Brother.
Cui Hao glanced at Zhang Yuanshan, who had a kind face and looked a bit like a good-natured person. This man was a bit older, looking even older than their own master.
He then looked at the younger man, Li Xingtian, whose expression was cold and who seemed to carry an innate aura of killing intent.
This man looked like a ruthless person not to be trifled with.
Cui Hao thought about it. His own Second Martial Brother was someone who could even use talismans incorrectly.
He was the not-so-bright Second Martial Brother mentioned by Eldest Martial Sister.
Between these two, judging by their appearance, Zhang Yuanshan was undoubtedly more like their Second Martial Brother.
Cui Hao and Lin Luoyu exchanged a glance. Obviously! They both realized who their real Second Martial Brother was.
The two quickly walked towards Li Xingtian and the others, who had stopped in place.
Li Xingtian watched them approach and was about to take out the gifts he had prepared for them from his spatial ring.
He saw Cui Hao and Lin Luoyu cup their hands together toward the nearby Zhang Yuanshan and say:
"Second Martial Brother, hello!"
Li Xingtian, who was about to take out the gifts, froze. He looked dumbfounded at his junior brother and sister, who were bowing to the person beside him.
Have I... really gone to the wrong sect?
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