Back in Xianghua Village, the atmosphere was charged with joy and relief as Li Taixing and the rescued villagers arrived. The villagers rushed out, eager to reunite with their loved ones.
"Father!"
Tang Caidie, her face streaming with tears, rushed to her father, throwing herself into his arms. "Woooo, Father, you're finally back!"
Tang's father hugged her tightly, his own eyes brimming with emotion. "Caidie.."
Around them, other villagers were reuniting with their families, weeping and embracing. The scene was filled with heartfelt joy, a moment of peace after so much chaos.
Li Taixing stood back, watching the touching reunions with a slight smile. 'Looks like my mission here is complete,' he thought, readying himself to leave.
He cupped his hands and called out to the crowd, "It seems my work here is done. I must return and report to my sect."
Before he could turn to leave, the village chief, supported by a child, hurried over with his cane in hand. "Mr. Li, please don't leave just yet!" he called, his voice heavy with gratitude.
Li Taixing turned. "Is there something else, Village Chief?"
The village chief, catching his breath, spoke, "You saved us all. We want to express our thanks. Please, stay for a meal with us."
Li Taixing shook his head with a gentle smile. "There's no need. I only did what any righteous man should do. My duty is to bring peace to the innocent."
His refusal to accept any reward only deepened the villagers' respect. As he prepared to leave, the villagers fell to their knees, bowing deeply in his direction. "Thank you, Immortal Li!" they called out, their voices filled with heartfelt emotion.
From within the crowd, Tang Caidie watched him depart, a mixture of admiration and longing in her eyes.
---
Back at Xuantian Sect's Scarlet Peak Mountain, Li Taixing returned, expecting to see his Master, Wang Xuanwu. But as usual, the peak was quiet, and his Master was nowhere to be found.
'Master said she's guarding the mountain, but she's always gone somewhere. What exactly is she doing?' Li Taixing thought, exasperated.
Returning to his room, he opened the dimensional space bag, eager to inspect the treasures he had looted from Dulong Village. There were various weapons, gold, silver, and an assortment of jewels. His eyes were immediately drawn to the Qingyue Sword, the most valuable item of his haul.
The sword was exquisite—sharp, deadly, and gleaming with a powerful energy. Upon further inspection, he discovered it was a high-grade spiritual weapon, an item that far outstripped the crude weapons used by the bandits. 'They had no idea what they possessed,' Li Taixing mused, amused at the bandits' ignorance.
But as he continued to sift through the rest of the loot, his excitement faded. The other items were fairly standard—nothing special beyond the usual spoils.
"Seems like the Qingyue Sword is the best thing I got from this venture," Li Taixing said, slightly disappointed. He devoured several Spirit Stones to replenish his energy and then called upon his system.
[Host: Li Taixing
Gender: Male
Age: 18
Realm: Martial Dao Grand Great Master
Identity: Direct disciple of the Fifth Elder of Xuantian Sect
Skills: Tai Chi Sword Art, Seven Injuries Fist
Special Abilities: Psychokinesis, Royal Flying, Teleportation
Spiritual Roots: No attribute (no restrictions on cultivation types)
Rank: First rank (can be improved through taking pills)
Evaluation: With the system's aid, even a talentless person can become a child of destiny.]
Nothing had changed in his stats. The real gain, aside from the Qingyue Sword, was his deeper understanding of his own strength.
"With my current power, dealing with mortals is easy," Li Taixing thought, but a sliver of doubt crept in. 'But I've never fought an immortal cultivator before. I need to find one to measure my true strength.'
His thoughts were interrupted when he sensed a presence near Scarlet Peak Mountain.
Outside the mountain barrier, an Inner Sect disciple had arrived, sent to deliver a message. "Fifth Elder, the Sect Leader summons you," the disciple called out, frustration tinging his voice. After several minutes with no response, he muttered to himself, "Why is it always so hard to find her?"
Just as the disciple was about to give up, Li Taixing appeared.
"Oh, it's you," the disciple said, recalling that Li Taixing was Wang Xuanwu's new disciple. He couldn't help but look at Li Taixing with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. 'Why did Wang Xuanwu take on a disciple with such weak spiritual roots? She could've chosen someone much more talented…'
"Senior Brother," Li Taixing greeted him politely, "Is there something you need from my Master?"
The disciple blinked, momentarily distracted by his musings. "Ah, yes. The Sect Leader has requested a meeting with the Fifth Elder. Please inform her when she returns."
"I will," Li Taixing replied.
The messenger nodded and flew off, leaving Li Taixing alone once more.
Returning to his room, Li Taixing sat down to think. 'Master is so elusive. Next time I see her, I should ask her for more cultivation techniques… And I need to find out how to enter the Body Refining realm.'
That night, when the moon was high in the sky, Li Taixing finally heard someone entering the peak. It was his Master, Wang Xuanwu, sneaking back onto the mountain as if she were trying to avoid being noticed.
Seeing her at last, Li Taixing stepped out. "Master, you're finally back," he called out.
Wang Xuanwu looked up, startled. "Ah, you're back too?"
"Mm."
"Did you complete the mission?"
"Yes, I did."
"Good job," she praised him absentmindedly, but before she could slip away again, Li Taixing stopped her.
"Master, two things. First, the Sect Leader wants to see you. Second, can you give me some books on Body Refining techniques? I want to understand more about cultivation while you're… absent."
Wang Xuanwu raised an eyebrow, sensing the frustration in his tone, but she nodded. "Fine, I'll see the Sect Leader tomorrow, and I'll find you some books. Anything else?"
Li Taixing smirked. 'Maybe I can finally get some training done while she's away again.'