In front of him was a one-eyed wolf demon, with strong and powerful limbs, and a hideous scar on its face.

Blood was dripping down.

It clearly regarded Gu Xiu as food, drooling, its single eye staring eerily at him.

Seeing this wolf demon, Gu Xiu couldn't help but frown.

The Tianqi Mountain Range was rampant with fierce beasts, and encountering demonic beasts halfway was normal. However, this area was still the outskirts, and ordinary demonic beasts shouldn't be too powerful.

Yet, this wolf demon exuded the aura of a 2nd-Level Demonic Beast.

The cultivation levels of human cultivators can generally be divided into Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Elemental Infant, Divine Transformation, Void Refinement, and Mahayana.

The cultivation methods of the demon race differ from humans, and their realm divisions are also different in the early stages.

But a 2nd-Level Demonic Beast's strength is already comparable to the Qi Refining Late Stage. Judging by the aura condensed by this beast, its strength was akin to a Qi Refining 8th Level cultivator.

However.

Facing the fierce gaze of this wolf demon, Gu Xiu was not afraid. Instead, he shook his head and said softly:

"Your cultivation is not easy, and you are of no use to me. I don't want to kill you."

Unfortunately.

The wolf demon's intelligence was clearly low. At this moment, a cold light flashed in its eyes, and it suddenly lunged at Gu Xiu.

Seeing this.

Gu Xiu shook his head and could only take out a wooden stick he had picked up along the way.

Condense Qi.

Calm the mind!

The bloodthirsty aura from five hundred years of battles in the Forbidden Land began to faintly emerge.

Although his cultivation was only at Qi Refining 3rd Level, five hundred years of relentless battles had already brought him countless experiences.

What of a 2nd-Level Demonic Beast?

If it blocks the way.

Then it shall be cut down!

Just as the wolf demon was about to reach him, Gu Xiu's entire aura suddenly retracted.

The next moment.

A Red Tassel Spear flew in from afar, landing directly in front of the wolf demon!

If the wolf demon hadn't sensed the danger and stopped in time, it would have been pinned to the ground by this spear!

Gu Xiu turned his head to look.

He saw a woman in a red battle robe appear not far away. Her face was stunningly beautiful, with a hint of heroism in her brows. Her black hair was tied into a ponytail, swaying in the wind, adding a touch of boldness.

After throwing the spear, she quickly rushed over, almost reaching Gu Xiu the moment he saw her.

She raised her hand, and the Red Tassel Spear, with a hum, leaped into her hand.

The woman swung her arm, and the spear immediately blocked between Gu Xiu and the wolf demon.

After doing this, she nodded slightly to Gu Xiu, apologizing:

"Sorry, I was chasing this demon and didn't expect to drive it to the outskirts of the mountain range. Are you hurt, fellow Daoist?"

Gu Xiu shook his head.

He glanced at the jade token hanging from her waist.

It was an extremely ancient and intricate identity jade token, with only two ancient characters inscribed on it.

Tiance!

While Gu Xiu was scrutinizing her, the woman was also observing him, though she was more surprised by his white hair.

But at that moment, Gu Xiu suddenly spoke: "The wolf demon is about to attack."

Hmm?

The woman was stunned and turned her head, just in time to see the wolf demon, which had become extremely vigilant due to her arrival.

It had quietly gathered strength and suddenly released a wind blade at her.

This wind blade was clearly the wolf demon's full strength.

The woman was about to dodge, but thinking of Gu Xiu beside her, she could only grit her teeth and use the spear in her hand to block the wind blade.

Barely managing to block it.

But when she turned back.

She saw that Gu Xiu had already moved to a position where the wind blade couldn't reach him.

This...

Was it a coincidence?

While she was still in a daze, she heard Gu Xiu remind her again:

"It's trying to escape."

The woman turned her head and indeed saw the wolf demon, realizing its sneak attack had failed, turning to flee!

"Hmph!"

"Let you escape once, do you think you can escape a second time?"

The woman snorted coldly, throwing the spear in her hand, and in a flash, appeared in front of the wolf demon.

Three moves!

In just three moves, under the fierce attack of the woman in red, the wolf demon fell to the ground with a crash.

Dying with its eyes open!

Seeing this, the woman instinctively turned back, wanting to see Gu Xiu's reaction.

But...

She saw that her exquisite battle seemed to have not attracted the slightest attention from the white-haired man, who had already turned and left.

In such a short time, he had even walked far away.

What a strange person!

Ye Hongling felt a bit peculiar, hesitated for a moment, but still decided to temporarily leave the spoils and chase after him:

"My name is Ye Hongling, from Tiance Mansion. May I know your name, fellow Daoist..."

"A rogue cultivator."

"A rogue cultivator?" Ye Hongling was somewhat surprised. Gu Xiu had just faced the wolf demon without any panic, even appearing at ease.

This didn't seem like any ordinary rogue cultivator!

However, there are many eccentric people among cultivators, so Ye Hongling didn't ask further, only saying:

"The wolf demon was disturbed because I was chasing it, so as an apology, I offer its body to you."

Gu Xiu was a bit surprised, but in the end, he shook his head:

"I appreciate the gesture, but this wolf demon is of no use to me. Since Miss Ye killed it, it belongs to you."

"This..."

"If there's nothing else, then let's part ways here."

"Uh... alright."

Ye Hongling almost instinctively stepped back, watching Gu Xiu nod slightly to her before continuing on his way.

Ye Hongling was puzzled, taking a deep look at Gu Xiu's departing figure.

She felt that this person was quite unusual.

Clearly, he was only at Qi Refining 3rd Level, but his demeanor was anything but ordinary.

Gu Xiu, on the other hand, didn't think much of it.

After sensing Ye Hongling's gaze withdraw, Gu Xiu immediately quickened his pace, traversing through the forest again, running for several hours until he was sure no one was following. Only then did he relax a bit.

It wasn't that he distrusted the renowned Tiance Mansion, but in such desolate wilderness, the most dangerous thing wasn't always the powerful demonic beasts.

The most dangerous thing was people!

Being a rogue cultivator requires the awareness of one.

Trust no one, especially when you can't ensure your own safety, maintaining vigilance of your surroundings is the most correct approach.

Determining his direction, Gu Xiu's journey continued.

...

Meanwhile, as Gu Xiu continued towards Yunxiao City, on the other side, at Qingxuan Holy Land.

Nian Chaoxi hurried back to the sect:

"Master, I wonder what urgent matter requires my immediate return?"

"Chaoxi, you finally returned. Seeing you absent from the sect for so many days, I was worried something might have happened to you," Guan Xuelan said with concern.

"Thank you for your concern, Master."

Nian Chaoxi replied, then asked, "What is the matter, Master? Please feel free to speak."

She was still eager to return to the Tianqi Mountain Range to pursue Gu Xiu.

"I do have an important matter that requires your assistance."

"Please tell me, Master."

"Your Little Junior Brother just came out of the Sword Pavilion. After a month of training there, he has made significant progress in swordsmanship. I plan to gift him a sword, and I hope you can use the Tianji Technique to bless it."

Hearing this, Nian Chaoxi was taken aback: "Just for this?"

"Is there a problem?" Guan Xuelan asked, puzzled.

Is there a problem?

Of course, there is!!!

Using the Sect Master's Urgent Summon just for gifting and blessing a sword!

"Master, I remember that the Sect Master's Urgent Summon is only used for the most critical matters in the sect. Did you... use it just for this?"

Nian Chaoxi's expression was somewhat unpleasant.

Guan Xuelan couldn't help but frown: "What do you mean just for this?"

"Your Little Junior Brother is now the most important person in the sect, the future of our Qingxuan Holy Land."

"Now that he has made progress in swordsmanship, the accompanying sword must be chosen with great care. This is indeed a top priority for our sect!"

This...

Nian Chaoxi took a deep breath, suppressing her anger.

She wanted to loudly reprimand her master.

"You have another disciple who has been missing from the sect for a month. Aren't you worried about his safety at all?"

"He was once the pride of the sect, once the future of the sect, and has contributed immensely to the sect!"

But in the end.

She didn't voice these thoughts.

Because she understood.

In her master's eyes, Gu Xiu and Jiang Xun were as different as clouds and mud. Moreover, Jiang Xun was indeed the focus of Qingxuan Holy Land's cultivation efforts.

Guan Xuelan's words left her with no room for argument.

In the end, after a moment of silence, she softly agreed:

"I accept the task, Master. Where is the sword? I can bless it for Little Junior Brother now."

"No rush, your Second Senior Sister is still crafting it. It should be completed soon."

For the full version, visit pawread dot com.

"Not finished yet?"

"It's not that easy. Your Little Junior Brother's sword is made from countless heavenly materials and earthly treasures gathered by me and your senior sisters. Even though your Second Senior Sister's crafting skills are already perfected, it still requires considerable time and effort."

These words.

Once again left Nian Chaoxi silent.

"Return to your Wen Tian Pavilion for now. When your Second Senior Sister finishes crafting, I will summon you again."

"Also, remember not to leave the sect. You should know better than I do that the blessing of an artifact needs to be performed immediately upon completion. Delaying will significantly reduce its effect."

Guan Xuelan instructed a few more things before waving her hand to dismiss Nian Chaoxi.

Nian Chaoxi hesitated.

She had important matters to attend to, wanting to find Gu Xiu, and she was so close to finding him.

But...

In the end, she could only sigh, bow, and leave the Zongmen Hall.

Perhaps it was the sun outside being too bright.

As soon as she stepped out of the Zongmen Hall, Nian Chaoxi was overwhelmed by the intense sunlight, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

Her eyes even became slightly moist.

Little Junior Brother...

It's not that Senior Sister doesn't want to find you, but she doesn't wish to argue with Master over your matter. It's not because Senior Sister is concerned about herself, but because she's worried...

That Master might take it out on you...

After the last argument with Guan Xuelan, Nian Chaoxi had carefully considered how to persuade her master.

But ultimately, she realized.

Her master was stubborn, not someone easily persuaded by a few words. Speaking up for Gu Xiu might even make her master dislike him more.

"Gu Junior Brother, wait for me, just wait a little longer."

"Once Senior Sister finishes this task, she'll immediately come to find you!"

Nian Chaoxi murmured to herself, but the conversation of a few disciples nearby suddenly reached her ears, stirring up the calm she had tried to maintain.

"Did you hear? The house on Zhuo Peak has been demolished."