Volume 2 Chapter 13

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Volume 2 Chapter 13: Meeting

After Xu Qingfan completed all this, he couldn’t help but feel exhausted. The continuous summoning of so many exotic plants, especially the final conjuring of four Whomping Willows in one breath, had consumed a great deal of his Spirit Qi.

But despite the significant consumption of Spirit Qi, the results were remarkable. Xu Qingfan’s surprise attack not only temporarily trapped the leading mutated demon beasts, but also caused the ordinary mutated beasts’ attacks to become chaotic and sluggish. With the added protection of four Rock Golems and four Whomping Willows surrounding them, the numerous mutated beasts were unable to pose an immediate threat to the group.

Seeing that these mutated beasts couldn’t pose a threat for now, the four cultivators breathed a slight sigh of relief and walked over to Xu Qingfan.

Earlier, Xu Qingfan had suddenly appeared and used extraordinary techniques to help them fend off the mutated beasts. In a short time, he surprisingly weakened their attack, which amazed them. They thought he must be a master in the late stage of the Lingji Stage. But now, upon seeing him, he turned out to be an ordinary-looking young man in the early stage of the Lingji Stage. Despite his scholarly demeanor and calm expression, he was far from what they imagined. They couldn’t understand how someone at his level could so easily weaken the beasts.

"I am Lv Ziqing of the Qingxu Gate. Thank you for your assistance. My brothers and I will be forever grateful," said the refined young man, leading the group as he approached Xu Qingfan. Xu Qingfan was surprised that it wasn’t the oldest and most skilled elder who spoke for the group, but rather this gentlemanly young man named Lv Ziqing, apparently the leader of the four.

Lv Ziqing had an excellent demeanor, elegant and composed. Even after battling the beasts for a long time, he remained calm and spoke sincerely, generating goodwill among those around him.

"I am Xu Qingfan of Jiuhua Mountain. Greetings to the fellow brothers of Qingxu Gate. With the strength of Senior Brother Lv and your group, you could have defeated these beasts on your own. What I’ve done is merely a small contribution," Xu Qingfan replied with a gentle smile.

What Xu Qingfan said was true; with the strength of the elder and Lv Ziqing, defeating the beasts was just a matter of time. Xu Qingfan’s earlier intervention was effective partly because Lv Ziqing and the others had drawn most of the beasts’ attention, allowing Xu Qingfan to act freely. Otherwise, if Xu Qingfan had to face them alone, those few beasts alone would have kept him busy for quite some time.

Upon hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, Lv Ziqing didn’t argue but simply smiled and said, "So it’s Senior Brother Xu of Jiuhua Gate. Regardless of the circumstances, we are deeply thankful for your help today."

"Senior Brother Lv is too modest."

In this desolate area on the edge of the Southern Wasteland, with beasts roaring endlessly around them, Lv Ziqing and Xu Qingfan spoke with ease and confidence, leaving others in admiration of their composure.

After exchanging pleasantries, Lv Ziqing began introducing the three people around him to Xu Qingfan one by one.

"This is my senior, Shang Nianyao," Lv Qingshang respectfully introduced the elderly man dressed in simple attire to Xu Qingfan, clearly showing great respect for him.

Hearing Lv Qingshang’s introduction, Xu Qingfan quickly clasped his hands and respectfully said to the elder, "I am Jiuhua Xu Qingfan. It’s an honor to meet you, Senior Brother Shang."

However, when faced with Xu Qingfan’s polite greeting, Shang Nianyao seemed indifferent. He merely nodded slightly at Xu Qingfan before turning his attention back to the surrounding mutated beasts.

Seeing Xu Qingfan’s awkward expression, Lv Ziqing hastily explained to Xu Qingfan, "Please don’t mind, Senior Brother Xu. Senior Brother Shang has had a speech impediment since childhood and doesn’t intentionally neglect anyone. I ask for your understanding."

Upon hearing Lv Qingshang’s words, Xu Qingfan suddenly understood why Lv Qingshang spoke on behalf of the group instead of Shang Nianyao, who was the strongest. It turned out that Shang Nianyao was mute by birth. Feeling relieved, Xu Qingfan smiled gently and said, "Senior Brother Lv, there’s no need to explain. I won’t be upset over this."

After observing that Xu Qingfan’s words seemed genuine, Lv Ziqing felt reassured and continued with the introductions. Pointing to a young girl with a graceful appearance, he smiled and said, "This is Martial Sister Xu, Xu Xiurong. She is acknowledged as the most talented at Qingxu Gate."

Xu Xiurong, standing ahead, had a delicate and ethereal demeanor, exuding an air of purity. Though not as stunning as Dongfang Qingling whom Xu Qingfan had seen before, she possessed an endearing charm. Her right arm was injured, and her face was slightly pale, likely due to her wounds.

If Dongfang Qingling was a rose under the blazing sun, captivating with her brilliance and engendering a desire to possess her, then Xu Xiurong was like a morning dewdrop on a lily, evoking fondness yet sparking a sense of protection that discouraged any harm.

Upon hearing Lv Ziqing introduce himself, a faint blush appeared on Xu Xiurong’s cheeks, but she did not voice any objections. She simply curtsied slightly to Xu Qingfan and softly said, "Hello, Senior Brother Xu."

Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz.

After speaking, Xu Xiurong looked up to see Xu Qingfan staring at her, and her cheeks blushed a little more.

Seeing Xu Xiurong’s shyness, Xu Qingfan couldn’t help but shake his head slightly. He had no doubts about Lv Ziqing’s claim that Xu Xiurong was the top talent of Qingxu Gate. Despite appearing to be only in her early twenties, her cultivation level had reached the late stage of the Inedia Stage, surpassing even Feng Qingtian and Jin Qinghan, whom Xu Qingfan had seen before. Her talent was truly extraordinary.

However, Xu Qingfan thought that although Xu Xiurong’s talent was remarkable, she was too easily flustered and her personality too gentle. Even a simple greeting left her blushing for a long time. While such a personality might be acceptable for secluded cultivation within the sect, it was too risky for ventures outside. With her late stage of the Inedia Stage cultivation, she should have been able to protect herself in battles against mutated beasts. Her injury was likely related to her shy and gentle nature.

Despite these thoughts, Xu Qingfan still cupped his hands in salute to Xu Xiurong and said, "Greetings, Martial Sister Xu."

"This is Hou Wanjun, Junior Brother Hou," Lv Ziqing continued, introducing the burly man standing behind him.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Xu, for your assistance." The large man had a formidable appearance, with blood staining his back, yet his expression remained calm. Surprisingly, his voice was soft.

"You’re welcome, Junior Brother Hou," Xu Qingfan replied with a salute.

After the introductions were made, Xu Qingfan asked Lv Ziqing, "Senior Brother Lv, how did you encounter these beasts?"

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s question, Lv Ziqing sighed bitterly, "Three months ago, three of my fellow disciples from our sect went missing while training in the Southern Wasteland. The sect then sent two more disciples to search for them, but they too disappeared without a trace. Finally, our sect dispatched four of us along with a martial uncle to investigate. Little did we know, martial uncle spotted someone suspicious and went to follow them. As soon as he left, these beasts appeared and attacked us. Martial Sister Xu and Junior Brother Hou were caught off guard and got injured."

"Oh? How long has your martial uncle been gone?" Xu Qingfan asked.

"It’s been almost an hour now." As he spoke, Lv Ziqing and his companions showed worried expressions, clearly concerned for their martial uncle’s safety.

"Senior Brother Lv, don’t worry. Your martial uncle is highly skilled and well-versed in his arts; he should be fine," Xu Qingfan reassured with a faint smile.

Just as Lv Ziqing wanted to say something, deafening roars of beasts echoed through the air, and the five of them couldn’t help but look outside. They saw the few demon-possessed lower-level demon beasts had broken free from the vine nets and charged at them once more. They were fierce, their eyes slightly bloodshot, showing that the Bloodsucking Vine had injured them quite a bit, stirring their anger.

Seeing the demon-possessed lower-level demon beasts break free from his vine nets so quickly surprised Xu Qingfan, who murmured, "These demon beasts are quite formidable."

Lv Ziqing frowned and sighed, "Yes, these unfamiliar demon beasts must be at least at the late stage of the Inedia Stage, making them tough to deal with."

As they spoke, the mutated demon beasts charged closer. With their advance, the other mutated beasts attacked more fiercely. When Shang Nianyao’s Rock Golem got entangled by the low-level mutated demon beasts, relying solely on the four Whomping Willows to withstand the endless mutated beasts seemed insufficient. Left with no choice, they returned to their positions to fend off the beasts’ attacks.

Lv Ziqing continued to wave his folding fan in sync with the wind-type Spirit Qi within him, sending countless sharp wind blades towards the attacking beasts. These wind blades were even sharper than a God Weapon’s sharp iron, and soon the approaching beasts howled in agony, leaving the ground covered with bodies.

Shang Nianyao, though silent, caused the earth to tremble under his control. Sharp spikes of earth suddenly erupted from the ground, piercing the mutant beasts who couldn’t react in time, proving more destructive than Lv Ziqing’s wind techniques.

Hou Wanjun, despite his large and powerful stature, surprisingly used water-type techniques. The technique he performed, "Raging Waves Strike," was more powerful than even Dongfang Qingling’s had been. Xu Xiurong specialized in wood-type techniques and, though pale-faced facing the ferocious mutant beasts, continued to cast "Falling Leaves Technique" to attack the charging beast herd, showing impressive strength as well.

Observing the powerful techniques displayed by the four disciples from Qingxu Gate, Xu Qingfan couldn’t help but admire them in his heart. Lv Ziqing and Shang Nianyao’s strength could only be rivaled by Jin Qinghan and Feng Qingtian from Jiuhua Gate. Although Hou Wanjun and Xu Xiurong were not quite at their level, they were by no means weak. Qingxu Gate truly deserved to be one of the six great Holy Lands of cultivation, with talent emerging even beyond Jiuhua Gate.

Just as Xu Qingfan prepared to join the battle, the piercing cries of eagles echoed across the sky, causing a slight pain in everyone’s ears. Looking up in the direction of the sound, they saw three huge black eagles leading countless black birds swiftly towards them.

The number of these black birds was almost as great as the mutated beasts on the ground. Especially the leading eagles, whose formidable presence exceeded that of the mutant demon beasts below. They were clearly a type of mutant demon beast as well. Their wings darkened the skies of the Southern Wasteland.

Seeing the sudden arrival of enemy reinforcements, the expressions of the five people in the field turned grim, knowing a tough battle was imminent. Earlier, there were some flying creatures among the mutant beasts attacking them, but not many, and no low-level mutant demon beasts. Thus, the pressure was not too great. But now, with so many mutant flying creatures appearing, they not only had to deal with the ground beasts but also fend off aerial attacks, making the situation far more perilous.

Just as the swarm of black birds was about to overshadow them, a deep, resonant voice suddenly echoed across heaven and earth.

"Do not fear, I have arrived."

As the first word was spoken, it seemed like the speaker was far away, but by the time the voice fell, an impressive elderly man, tall and with white hair, had already appeared among the people. Surprisingly, the Whomping Willow Xu Qingfan placed around showed no reaction!