One Month Later
Qingzhu Residence
Rip...
Xu Taiping tore off a page from the almanac on the wall, revealing a new one — July 9th, which indicated: "Suitable for hosting guests, avoid traveling."
"Time flies... it's been almost a month since Lingyue sister fell into her slumber," he muttered, stretching lazily.
"The demon tiger's injuries must have healed by now, right?"
Thinking of the demon tiger, which had been eyeing him with malicious intent, Xu Taiping's gaze turned sharp.
Since breaking through to the Opening Gate Realm, the childishness that once lingered on his face had disappeared completely, replaced by the sharpness of a cultivator. If he did not deliberately suppress it, even his every movement could give ordinary people an inexplicable sense of pressure.
"If it comes, I won't be afraid of it."
He clenched his fist and looked out the window with determined eyes.
Although only a month had passed, Xu Taiping had spent nearly every waking hour cultivating. After breaking through to the Opening Gate Realm, he had been able to avoid food for up to half a month without harming his body and could use meditation to replace sleep. This effectively doubled the amount of time he had for cultivation.
In comparison, other cultivators who could only practice for three or four hours a day were nowhere near his level.
During this period, Xu Taiping had almost mastered the Ice Breath Technique that Lingyue had taught him. He had also made significant progress in the martial art Qing Niu Fist, and for example, the Charging Bull Formation which he could only complete with a dozen punches before, he could now unleash all 108 punches with considerable power.
In addition, he had purchased a Seven Killing Blade to make up for his lack of mid-range attack power, and he was nearly proficient with it. With the flying sword he had obtained from the ghost and the remaining Qi Gathering Pill, Xu Taiping now had the means to defend himself against the demon tiger at least.
Knock, knock, knock...
Just as Xu Taiping was about to get some water and wash up, someone suddenly knocked on the gate of Qingzhu Residence.
"Is the Taoist of Qingzhu Residence here? We are disciples of the Fifth Peak of Qingxuan Sect, and we have something to inquire about."
A pleasant voice, that of a young woman, called from outside.
"Fifth Peak disciples?" Xu Taiping's heart skipped a beat.
He remembered that before, the younger sister of Liu Qingmei, as well as Lu Chen, who had killed her, were both disciples of the Fifth Peak.
"Excuse me, is the Taoist of Qingzhu Residence here?" the girl asked again.
"Here..." Xu Taiping started to respond but was cut off.
Bang!
Before Xu Taiping could reach the front courtyard to answer, the gate was suddenly kicked open.
The protective barrier of Qingzhu Residence only blocked demons, not people.
"An outer sect loose cultivator, why bother being polite with him?" A tall and handsome young man walked in cursing, after kicking open the gate.
"Yo, you're in the courtyard, huh?" Upon seeing Xu Taiping standing in the middle of the courtyard, the young man raised his chin arrogantly and glared at him.
Xu Taiping didn't say anything but quietly stared at the young man. He wasn't intimidated by the powerful aura emanating from the young man; instead, he recognized his face.
That's right, this person was Lu Chen, the Fifth Peak disciple who had killed Liu Qingmei.
"Why are you silent? Are you up to something shady?" Lu Chen sneered when Xu Taiping didn't speak, trying to accuse him.
"According to Qingxuan Sect's rules, anyone who forcibly enters another's residence will be expelled if they are an outer sect disciple. Inner sect disciples will get a warning and be confined for three months."
Xu Taiping's eyes flickered with disdain for Lu Chen, but he kept his expression calm as he locked eyes with him.
"You're threatening me? You, an outer sect disciple with no name, dare threaten me, Lu Chen?" Lu Chen snorted coldly, and his eyes flashed with murderous intent.
"If you don't leave my residence right now, I'll report this to the higher-ups."
Xu Taiping took out a communication talisman.
This talisman had been sent by Lie Feng Hall after a meal, a gesture made to appease Jiu Shu.
"You dare!" Though Lu Chen was still acting tough, his eyes flickered nervously. It was clear that he feared the sect's rules.
Xu Taiping wasn't afraid of Lu Chen, partly because he knew that Qingxuan Sect's rules were strict, especially for inner sect disciples. Repeated violations would definitely lead to expulsion from the Five Peaks.
"Lu Shige!" At this point, the young woman beside Lu Chen pulled him back and then turned to Xu Taiping with an apologetic expression.
"Please, little Daoist, calm down. Lu Shige is just a bit impatient. He means no harm."
Xu Taiping glanced at Lu Chen, who had a cold expression, and then at the beautiful young woman beside him. He silently put away the communication talisman.
Seeing Xu Taiping's expression soften, the young woman smiled slightly and quickly added, "I will compensate for the damages to your gate. However, before that, I have a question for you."
"What do you want to ask?" Xu Taiping calmly looked at her.
"I'd like to ask, in the past six months, have you seen a woman around here who looks somewhat like me? She's a little taller and has longer hair than me..."
The young woman described the appearance of the person she was looking for, gesturing as she spoke.
"She looks something like this. Little Daoist, have you seen her?"
After finishing her description, the young woman looked anxiously at Xu Taiping.
Lu Chen, on the other hand, stood silently, his eyes locked on Xu Taiping, as if he were more concerned about Xu Taiping's answer than the young woman was.
"In the past six months, I did encounter a woman," Xu Taiping said, glancing subtly at Lu Chen.
Upon hearing this, Lu Chen's eyes instantly flashed with murderous intent, and his hand instinctively moved toward the sword hilt at his waist.