After returning to Wujian Pavilion, Gu Pinglin used the Creation Technique to heal his wounds. After two days, the pain was slightly relieved, but the pulse injury was not an ordinary injury after all. It would probably take another half a year to fully recover.
Aggravating the injury to his meridians actually restricted his movements. Now that his cultivation level is less than 50% left, he doesn't have much strength to use.
Duan Qingming never denied the statement of "Duyindi" from beginning to end.
"How can you be sure that this matter will definitely make you and me enemies?"
—This sentence was enough to confirm that he had no intention of attacking the Lingxin Sect. He and the Wanfa Sect had a common goal, which would not directly threaten the Lingxin Sect, and Duyindi just met the requirements.
Just to turn Mount Paektu into a shady place
No, this was not enough to arouse Duan Qingming's interest, and it was far from enough to "conquer" himself.
The Xuanming Sect's spiritual energy is abnormal, could it be related to Qianyang Mountain? Once Qianyang Mountain has problems, the Lingxin Sect, which is also in Qianyang Mountain, will definitely be affected.
This is even more unreasonable. Let alone the authentic Taoist sect, even the demon cultivators also need spiritual energy to cultivate. No matter how foolish Zhan Renjie is, he will not destroy the foundation of his sect and help him build a unique yin land. If the so-called "conquest" is to make himself willing to follow him, then even if Qianyang Mountain becomes a unique yin land, he will not be helpless.
Gu Pinglin thought about it over and over but still could not figure it out, but he could indeed move freely in the Sword King Pavilion. Duan Qingming did not appear again, but Qi Yanfeng and Shi Ling came again.
Qi Yanfeng was invited into the Sword King Pavilion, but Shi Ling did not follow him. Instead, he sat down on a low branch by the road, took out his bamboo flute and started playing it.
Duan Qingming and Qi Wan'er are typical children of aristocratic families. No matter how casually they walk, sit or stand, they always look pleasing to the eye. But it is different with Shi Feng. They have no dignity and no formality. No matter where they sit, they look like they are on a bed. They exude a sense of dissoluteness and are despised by the world.
After two lives, Gu Pinglin has changed his view on many things. He walked over and said, "Congratulations on meeting you again."
The sound of the bamboo flute stopped, and Shi Ling glanced up at him: "Congratulations on what?"
"Congratulations to Miss Qi for getting what she wanted, and congratulations to both of you for returning safely."
"You want to persuade me?"
Gu Pinglin asked back: "What are you trying to persuade?"
Shi-Sheng looked towards the woods in the distance, as if answering, but also as if asking himself: "Is this worth it?"
Gu Pinglin walked to the other side with his hands behind his back, looking at the Sword King Pavilion in the middle of the cliff: "If I ask you this question, I should also ask Miss Qi."
Qi Yanfeng took a bigger risk just for a persistence, abandoning his identity and reputation, devoting himself to the unfamiliar joy of rebellion, hiding from here and there. At least half of her tears were true. Before she entered the inner alchemy realm and had the ability to protect herself, she was more afraid of being abandoned.
"Master Gu is truly as clear-minded as a mirror," Shi Ling smiled and sighed, "Just think of it as repaying a favor."
Gu Pinglin said: "I believe you two must have had other adventures in recent years."
Shi Ling tilted his head to look at him, and said with a half-smile, "He is just a stray dog. If you have anything to say, Master Gu, you can just speak up."
Gu Pinglin bowed and said, "Does Shi Daxiu know about the abnormal spiritual energy in Mount Baitou?"
"Baekdu Mountain?" Shi Ling immediately shook his head. "That place used to be the territory of Zixiao Palace. They have a relationship with the Qi family. We have never been there." He paused and remembered something. "But speaking of abnormal spiritual energy, I have actually seen a place."
Besides Xuanming Sect's Qianyang Mountain and Baitou Mountain, there is actually another one? Gu Pinglin originally thought that since he was the deputy leader of Huanletian Sect and was older than himself, he must have seen a lot, so he asked him about it. Who would have thought that it would lead to such a big news. Gu Pinglin suppressed his shock and asked calmly, "Oh? Where else?"
Shi Ling thought for a moment and said, "Two years ago, we were targeted by Qi's men near Xiyuan Sect and had to enter the Misty Wilderness. The south of the wilderness is connected to Wuyin Mountain. We hid in the mountain for a few months and found that the spiritual energy was abnormal and people from the Demon Realm were lurking. You also know the friendship between Huanletian and those sects in the Demon Realm, so although I found it strange, I didn't find a chance to investigate."
Baidu Mountain, Qianyang Mountain, Wuyin Mountain... Could it be that Wanfamen and Duan Qingming want to create three unique yin places
wrong.
Alone in the shady place!
Gu Pinglin suddenly realized and said in a lost voice: "That's how it is!"
Shi Ling was puzzled: "What is it?"
Gu Pinglin tried his best to remain calm, carefully looking through the map in his memory, pacing back and forth for a few times, and suddenly said, "There is an important matter right now, I hope Brother Shi will not hesitate to help me."
Shi Ling was stunned.
Gu Pinglin bowed to him solemnly and said, "If this is accomplished, Gu Jiu will definitely repay you one day."
Shi Ling restrained his expression, looked at him and considered for a long while, and finally stood up slowly: "What are you going to do?"
Time was running out, Gu Pinglin turned around and said, "Please follow me."
Shi Ling looked at the cliff and estimated that Qi Yanfeng would not come out for some time, so he followed Gu Pinglin to Wujian Pavilion. Gu Pinglin hurriedly wrote two letters, sealed them with the unique seal of Lingxin Sect, and handed them to Shi Ling: "One letter to Bu Shuihan, the guardian of the sect, and the other to Yan Daxiu, the wife of Chen Daodu. Brother Shi, please go to Lingxin Sect and make sure to hand them over to them personally."
It is not easy to get the favor of a sect leader. Shi Ling originally thought it was a difficult matter, but upon hearing this, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief and put away the letter: "Don't worry."
The two of them tacitly agreed not to mention the matter again, and walked out of the Sword King Pavilion while chatting. When Qi Yanfeng came out, they said goodbye and left.
Gu Pinglin stood by the road, watching the two figures disappear. Only then did he realize that his palms were filled with cold sweat without him noticing.
"The fool was able to come back alive, thanks to Master Gu." Someone said from behind.
Gu Pinglin took a calm breath, making sure that there would be no flaws, and then he said, "Shi Ling is finally a man of affection and righteousness."
“It’s also a good trading partner.”
"I did take him to the Mist Sword Pavilion and asked him to send a letter back to the Spiritual Heart Sect," Gu Pinglin turned around and said, "The Sword King Pavilion is well-informed. If you have any doubts, you can investigate. Anyway, you won't believe anything I say, right?"
Duan Qingming stood on the high step.
Gu Pinglin raised his head and looked at his old enemy from his previous life, the real Duan Qingming.
Apart from those overly charming eyes, he still looks vaguely the same as he did fifty years ago.
"You are so confident when you speak, do you think you have won?"
"You feel like you've lost."
"No matter how you pretend to be weak, your mouth is still as aggressive as ever."
"Master Duan is just as eloquent and good at dancing," Gu Pinglin paused, "and he is also very intelligent. It only took Miss Qi half a day to get the Yuxue Sect's skills, and you were able to create a new skill based on it."
"Of course I have already deduced it. Such a crude technique does not require any effort at all," Duan Qingming walked down the stairs. "As you said, I did it on purpose."
The Sword King Pavilion was well-informed, how could they not know that Qi Zhen was in the escort team? He was just playing with people's hearts to see what choice the couple in distress would make. If he could break their fragile feelings, he would be satisfied. Even if he failed, he would not take it to heart.
Gu Pinglin said: "I want to borrow Mist Sword Three."
"No."
"The Wanfa Sect has set its sights on me, and my current abilities are not enough to protect myself."
Duan Qingming said: "Isn't this exactly what you want? I refuse this deal."
Gu Pinglin asked: "You want to kill me?"
"As you said, I can't bear to kill you," Duan Qingming said, "The me who saved you at all costs before now feels strange to me." He looked at Gu Pinglin with interest, his bottomless black eyes flashing with a faint demonic light: "So I'm even more curious, if your soul is completely shattered and there is no possibility of survival, will it be a good thing for me?"
"You're right. Without me, you would have ascended long ago." Gu Pinglin was silent for a moment, "But I'm sorry, I can't die yet."
"Of course, for the Lingxin Sect."
"Why are you doing all this?"
"If you need a reason to do things, it would be too boring," Duan Qingming said indifferently, "but you, cherish this life, Lingxin Sect can't do without you."
Gu Pinglin said: "I cherish this opportunity very much. After all, you can't refine the Moon Tracing Light Scroll with your current cultivation level."
Duan Qingming was surprised: "You are really at your wits' end when you use provocation on me."
"So you have to lend me Mist Sword Three," Gu Pinglin said, "If I leave the valley alone, I will surely die."
"You can stay in the valley."
"I am the leader of the Lingxin Sect. How can I be trapped here?"
"I don't want to fall into your trap and let Wanfamen further misunderstand our relationship and think that Jianwang Pavilion is protecting you. I have already been tricked before."
Gu Pinglin frowned and softened his tone: "You have too many advantages, you must admit that. For you, winning is fun, losing is also fun, why can't you take a step back and make this game more exciting?"
Duan Qingming narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Does this seem familiar?" Gu Pinglin regained his composure. "Showing weakness, and then pushing further, isn't this kind of person hypocritical enough?"
Duan Qingming asked, "You're scolding me in a roundabout way. Is this your attitude towards negotiation?"
Gu Pinglin said: "I have always had this attitude."
Duan Qingming really agreed with his statement. He smiled and turned to the guard not far away and ordered, "Call Wu Jiansan over."
Not long after, a strange man in black came over and saluted Duan Qingming: "What do you want, Pavilion Master?"
It turns out that he is Wu Jian San, but he has a different face.
"The guest specifically asked you to escort him, so you should go with him to Yinlan Villa," Duan Qingming looked at him sideways and said jokingly, "This Sect Master Gu is a man who will take a step forward if he is given an inch. You must remember the sect rules and don't let me down."
Wu Jiansan glanced at Gu Pinglin and said, "Yes."
Yinlan Villa is built on a hillside, surrounded by lush vegetation. The black lacquered gate looks very simple, with orchid leaf and orchid-shaped patterns decorating above the door and on the walls.
This place is far away from the Sword King Pavilion. The two walked for more than half a month and encountered several waves of pursuers on the way. Gu Pinglin's cultivation had not recovered, but fortunately there was Mist Sword Three, also known as Lan Feiyu. Although he had fallen in realm, he was practicing the famous Forbidden Heart Secret Book in the Demon Realm, so it didn't take too much effort to deal with the opponent.
Gu Pinglin stood in front of the steps and looked up at the words on the plaque.
Lan Feiyu walked quickly to the pillar on the right, brushed the marks on it with his fingers, and his eyes showed cruelty.
It’s Jianhen, someone invaded Yinlan Villa.
Both the Heavenly Sword and Silver Orchid swordsmanship are coveted, and have attracted countless villains over the years. Now that they know I'm not here, those people must have started to think about it again. They deserve to die.
Gu Pinglin walked past him and said casually, "Master Li is no longer the same as he was before. I'm sure this person has suffered a lot."
Lan Feiyu woke up as if from a dream, and the hostility in his eyes faded away.
Yes, he is now practicing "The Thirteen Swords of Lan Ting", which is enough to protect the villa. The Li family will surely rise, and he no longer needs to protect himself.
Lan Feiyu put down his hand: "I'll wait for you outside."
Gu Pinglin did not answer.
Lan Feiyu walked down two steps on his own, then stopped, turned around and walked back.
Gu Pinglin said: "He is the only heir of the Yinlan Li family."
"So what?" Lan Feiyu snorted coldly, met Gu Pinglin's gaze, and said after a while, "I'm just taking a look."
The doorman had noticed the two and came out to inquire. Gu Pinglin explained his identity and the doorman went in to report. Soon a young Yinlan disciple came out to greet them and bowed respectfully: "I heard from my master earlier that Master Gu was mentioned. I didn't know about this. I'm sorry for being rude. Please don't blame me, senior."
Before Gu Pinglin could speak, Lan Feiyu was surprised and asked, "Who are you?"
His question was not polite. The disciple was stunned for a moment, then replied in a gentle voice: "Junior Lu Yin, my master went to the sword tomb early in the morning, and he must be coming back soon. You two may go in and have some tea first..."
Lan Feiyu interrupted him sharply: "Who is your master?"
Lu Yin smiled and said in a good-natured manner: "The owner of Yinlan Manor is my master."
Lan Feiyu's eyes instantly showed murderous intent.
Lu Yin's cultivation was insufficient, but he had good talent. Sensing danger, he instinctively took a step back and looked at Gu Pinglin with half caution and half confusion.
Gu Pinglin roughly guessed the reason and looked at Lan Feiyu with a frown.
Lan Feiyu's expression could not be seen clearly under the mask. He clenched his hands behind his back and said in a cold voice: "I have never seen you."
Lu Yin hesitated for a moment, but still answered cautiously: "I just became a disciple of the master."
Lan Feiyu asked word by word: "Are you his direct disciple?"
This time Lu Yin just looked at him without answering, the answer was obvious.
Lan Feiyu was silent for a while, and suddenly laughed: "In that case, I should go in and congratulate Master Li on having a good disciple." He walked past Lu Yin and stepped into the gate.
Lu Yin looked at Ping Lin anxiously: "Who is this..."
Gu Pinglin had not expected such an accident and shook his head: "It's okay, go in."
Lan Feiyu walked straight to the hall without anyone leading the way, as if he was familiar with everything in the villa. Lu Yin was even more surprised when he saw this, and even looked at Gu Pinglin with suspicion. Fortunately, although he was young, he acted steadily. When he arrived at the hall, he asked the child to serve tea and chat with Gu Pinglin. Lan Feiyu did nothing, standing behind Gu Pinglin in a proper manner, looking like an ordinary guard.
Not long after, the little boy came to report: "The owner is back, please wait a moment."
About a cup of tea later, Li Moqing quickly walked out from behind the screen, bowed to Gu Pinglin and said with a smile: "I didn't know you were coming, I'm sorry for not welcoming you."
Gu Pinglin had already stood up and returned the greeting: "I am sorry for disturbing you by coming here, Brother Li, please forgive me."
The hands hanging by his side trembled slightly, and Lan Feiyu stared at the person in front of the screen.
Li Moqing must have hurriedly changed his clothes before coming out. He wore a white shirt inside, a belt embroidered with small black orchids, a black robe with silver orchid leaves outside, a silver orchid crown inlaid with black jade, and plain white boots. Because his pulse disease was healed and his cultivation improved, he no longer looked sick, and his behavior had the temperament of a family head.
Gu Pinglin's eyes fell on the silver-blue robe.
This silver orchid robe is very special. The orchid leaf pattern on it is embroidered with rare materials, forming a formation that can guide the scattered sword energy and then form a body-protecting sword energy. This silver orchid robe is the symbol of the head of the Li family, but it has not appeared in the cultivation world for hundreds of years. The congenital pulse disease makes the descendants of the Li family walk on thin ice. Now someone finally dares to wear it openly.
Li Moqing met the guest in formal attire to show his seriousness, and did not address him as "Master Gu", which showed that he truly regarded Gu Pinglin as a good friend.