"So, this is Fengyun City," Liu Yan finally reached the city after seven days of traveling. Because the city had killed a lot of cultivators, she thought this city would be amazing.
But after observing it from the outside, the city wall looked a bit worn out and it didn't look grand at all. Liu Yan couldn't help but furrow her eyebrows. "I can't let my guard down. Even if she had asked us to escort her, she might use that opportunity to kill me. Let's see what she's got for me…"
After confirming her decision and mission, she entered the city. The process itself wasn't troublesome, especially since she only needed to show the token of the Iron Mountain Sect to prove her identity and receive special treatment.
However, Liu Yan noticed something was off. Normally, a cultivator would be a kind of problem to the city, and the guards would react a bit surprised and annoyed.
To her surprise, the guards in this city didn't have any change of expression as though they had known everything about her.
In fact, she noticed there were two people standing not far from the gate, observing her.
"Hmm?" Curious, Liu Yan approached these two people and asked, "Do you know about my arrival?"
"Pardon? Do you need any help, esteemed cultivator?" The two guards were confused and ignored her question as though she was narcissistic.
"I'm from the Iron Mountain Sect. Your city requests my help in order to escort another cultivator of my sect."
The two guards looked at each other before shaking their heads. "Our apologies, esteemed cultivators. The main office hasn't briefed us about this situation. Do you want us to guide you to the government office?"
Liu Yan became confused. These two guys observed her as though they had known about everything, yet, they actually claimed that they weren't expecting her.
Unfortunately, Liu Yan didn't turn around and notice the dim light coming out of the stone. In fact, due to the placement, unless they were aware of the crystal, they wouldn't be able to find it easily even if they turned around.
Ultimately, Liu Yan waved her hand and said, "Guide me to the government office. I'm here on behalf of an elder, so I expect the administrator who requested my presence to meet me."
"Understood. I shall convey your will. Please follow me." One of them stepped forward while extending his hands, politely guiding her through the crowd until they arrived at the government area.
After conveying the guards about the situation, it didn't take too long for the East District Administrator to come out.
"Welcome to Fengyun City, Miss Liu Yan. Thank you for coming." The East District Administrator cupped his hands politely.
Liu Yan gave a simple nod before saying, "So, where is she?"
"I can tell you her location right away, but I think you should be aware of the situation first."
Liu Yan realized that it would be better to know what Li Xue had done first before visiting her. So, she decided to accept his invitation. "Alright."
"Please follow me." The East District Administrator guided her to his office.
On the main path, Liu Yan couldn't help but look around, wondering if they had something special. Unexpectedly, there was actually a young man standing on the second floor of the right building.
When their gazes met, the man politely cupped his hands.
Liu Yan couldn't help but nod, not realizing something was wrong with the fact that this man greeted her. After all, normal people would think she was just another person to enter this building. Yet, this man actually recognized her identity, especially without her wearing the official clothes of the Iron Mountain Sect.
Once they entered the East District Office, she was briefed about what truly happened, including the fact that Li Xue had killed eleven cultivators.
Those cultivators included Xiao Jun, the mastermind of the whole situation.
The news dumbstruck Liu Yan. When Li Xue came to this city, the measurement crystal stated that she was a 7-Star Qi Gathering Stage Expert. But when she returned, they got a new reading.
Liu Yan didn't expect that despite being heavily injured at first, Li Xue managed to recover and even make a breakthrough.
With that information alone, it was clear that Li Xue was a talented cultivator.
Unfortunately, they didn't know how the first two people got killed by Li Xue. They only knew that Hao Yu had given them Li Xue's exact position, but they died mysteriously without a fight.
The second attempt was witnessed by a lot of witnesses, so they could explain it clearly. But the third attempt was miserable due to the traps.
Liu Yan would never think of utilizing a trap to kill fellow cultivators, especially mortal traps. After all, cultivators were stronger than normal people. The East District Administrator believed the same until he was told about the placement of the traps that changed everything.
After getting all this information, it was time for Liu Yan to head to the inn to confront Li Xue.
Obviously, the Administrator had told the guard to stand by near the inn as something unpredictable might happen.
On the other hand, Liu Yan was still pretty confident. She had the help of her teacher, so Li Xue wouldn't be able to kill her easily.
When she reached Li Xue's room, she knocked on the door and said, "Junior Sister Li Xue, I am Liu Yan, the disciple of Elder Ren. It appeared that you've requested my master to escort you back to the sect, so here I come. Open the door."
Liu Yan couldn't help but place her hand on the sword's handle, ready to strike if Li Xue launched a sneak attack.
But to her surprise, Li Xue opened the door normally. She even smiled at her and said, "Welcome, Senior Sister Liu Yan. I have been waiting for you."
Unfortunately for her, Liu Yan was in complete shock. Her body froze, her jaw dropped, and her heart beat rapidly.
She simply couldn't believe what she saw from Li Xue. In less than a month, Li Xue actually recovered from her injuries and broke through two small realms. Yes, the Li Xue in front of her was actually a 9-Star Qi Gathering Stage Expert, only one level below her.