Lu An was startled. Xiao Qian? Did I hear that right?
He ignored everyone and ran to the reception room. Bai Sheng stood there, grumbling inwardly.
"You just said I was impatient. Now you're just as anxious."
Of course, he only dared to think this to himself and wouldn't say it in front of Lu An.
In the reception room, Lu An immediately saw the figure that had haunted his dreams. However, Xiao Qian had put on her human skin mask again, reverting to her previous appearance.
"You... you're back."
Before Xiao Qian could respond, Ying Chang and the others arrived.
"Xiao Qian, you left without saying a word."
"Xiao Qian, it's so good to see you again. I missed you so much."
Everyone crowded around, asking about her well-being. Fang Ling even hugged her tightly and asked numerous questions.
Lu An watched Xiao Qian interact with everyone, thinking it would be nice if time could freeze at this moment.
Once the conversation wound down, Xiao Qian spoke, "Lu An, I need to discuss something with you."
Seeing this, the others exchanged glances and withdrew, especially Ying Chang, who had suspected that Xiao Qian was the person from that day with Lu An and now confirmed it.
Soon, only Lu An and Xiao Qian were left in the room. Lu An raised his hand, creating a soundproof barrier, then said, "Are you leaving?"
"What do you think?"
"Everyone misses you."
Xiao Qian was silent for a moment, then sighed, "We are not on the same path."
She took a deep breath and got to the point. "The reason I came is to ask for your help with something."
"Alright."
"Aren't you going to ask what it is?"
"I owe you."
Xiao Qian fell silent again. She had been struggling with how to face Lu An. If it weren't for this mission potentially affecting her chances for the Holy Son position, she would never have come.
"Have you heard of the Water and Sky Dharma Assembly?"
Lu An was surprised. He hadn't expected Xiao Qian to come for this.
He nodded and asked, "Is your request related to the Assembly?"
Xiao Qian didn't elaborate, only saying, "I need you to find a way to participate in the Assembly and bring me into the Da Qi Royal Palace."
The final stage of the Water and Sky Dharma Assembly is a banquet held in the palace. If Lu An were recognized, he would have the chance to enter the palace.
Lu An fell silent. As a killer, Xiao Qian's intentions for entering the palace were obvious. He wasn't worried about her assassinating the Qi Emperor, as the Emperor was at the Nascent Soul stage, beyond Xiao Qian's capabilities.
He was concerned about how Xiao Qian would escape after her mission.
Seeing his silence, Xiao Qian thought he was refusing and frowned. "Forget it, pretend I didn't say anything."
She turned to leave, but Lu An pulled her back and embraced her.
"I'll help you."
He carefully removed Xiao Qian's mask and saw her extraordinarily beautiful face once more. Overwhelmed with emotion, he couldn't help but kiss her.
Xiao Qian was startled and blushed deeply, taken aback by his boldness.
"Umm, umm—"
She struggled briefly, then pushed Lu An away, her face flushed.
"Pah, lecher. Some things never change."
She quickly walked to the door, and once her thoughts settled, she turned back and said, "When the time for the Water and Sky Dharma Assembly comes, I will come find you."
"Also, a reminder: the Su family in Yongning City has hired assassins from Lingxiao Pavilion to kill you. Be careful and don't die before I find you."
With that, she fled without hesitation.
Lu An was alarmed and called out, "I still don't know your real name!"
"Ye Xiao Qian—"
The name echoed in the air.
Lu An muttered to himself, then smiled. However, recalling Xiao Qian's warning, his expression grew cold.
"The Su family really doesn't know what's good for them."
Although two Golden Guards had been recalled after the Lingxiao Pavilion assassination attempt, it didn't mean Lu An lacked protection.
He thought for a moment and headed toward the Three Talismans Sect. The recruitment period had passed, and the crowd had dispersed, leaving it much quieter.
At the Sect's entrance, a young scholar, around fourteen or fifteen, was kneeling with a determined expression. A guard disciple, visibly angry, was scolding him.
"You could kneel until next year, and still not join the Sect. The assessment period is over. Don't ruin the rules for one person!"
Clearly, he had said this countless times, but the scholar remained motionless.
"Don't understand? If you don't leave now, don't blame me for being rude!"
Lu An frowned, noticing the scholar had no cultivation, only appearing to be an ordinary person.
But his spiritual soul was somewhat unusual, inherently stronger than that of a normal person by more than double.
This was a very obscure matter. If he hadn't practiced the Soul Refining Secret Technique, he might not have discovered the anomaly.
He pondered for a moment and approached, asking, "What's going on?"
The guard looked up at Lu An. Seeing his twenty-something appearance, he assumed Lu An was also here to join the sect and spoke curtly, "Stop prying into others' business. Let me tell you, the recruitment period for the sect has ended. No one can enter now."
"I advise you to come back next year. Otherwise, I might have to take action."
Lu An was slightly taken aback and then showed a look of realization. Although he was an elder of the Three Talismans Sect, he had only been here once since the sect was established. So it was understandable that the guard did not recognize him.
Without further ado, he took out a token and handed it over.
The disciple's eyes flashed with confusion. As he took the token, his expression suddenly changed dramatically. "Elder Token! Greetings, Elder Lu."
The token was divided into three areas: red, blue, and gold. The back was engraved with "Three Talismans Sect," while the front had only the character "Lu." It was indeed the Three Talismans Sect's Elder Token!
The scholar was also stunned for a moment, then showed an expression of immense joy, as if he saw hope for entering the sect.
Lu An ignored him and waved his hand, signaling the guard to answer his earlier question.
The guard disciple, not daring to be negligent, quickly replied, "This person wants to join our sect and has been kneeling here for five days. No matter how we try, we can't drive him away."
"If it weren't for his pitiful appearance, I would have taken action long ago."
Lu An nodded and approached the scholar. "What's your name?"
"Zuo Mu."
"Follow me."
Zuo Mu's face lit up with joy, surprised that Lu An agreed so easily. He quickly asked, "Senior, are you going to accept me as a disciple?"
He was thrilled and did not underestimate Lu An despite his youth. In the immortal cultivation world, reaching a certain realm could extend one's lifespan. Even though Lu An appeared young, he might have lived for several hundred years.
Lu An shook his head. "I don't accept disciples."
Zuo Mu's face fell, but Lu An continued, "However, I can give you a chance to join the Three Talismans Sect. If you achieve success in your cultivation in the future, you can come to Lingfu Residence in Guguang County to find me."
He saw that Zuo Mu's spiritual soul was naturally strong, making him a good candidate for Soul Cultivation, so he decided to assist him.
Whether Zuo Mu would achieve success or become his disciple would depend on his own fortune.
Zuo Mu naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity. He eagerly agreed and followed Lu An into the sect.
The guard watched Zuo Mu's back and shook his head silently. "What a stroke of luck. He really got into the sect."
Lu An arrived at the sect's council hall, arranged for Zuo Mu's enrollment with a disciple, and then went to meet Gu Chuanfei.
"Lu An, you've finally arrived. May I ask why you've come?"
Gu Chuanfei poured tea for him and asked.
Lu An took a sip of tea, his eyes growing colder. "I'm being targeted by assassins from Lingxiao Pavilion. They plan to take my life soon."
"I hope the Sect Master can take action personally. This time, I want them to return in failure!"