Investigating the Qingyuan Sect

As dawn broke, Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing, both physically and mentally exhausted, returned to the estate. Fortunately, their astonishing display of strength during the first month of the arena competition meant no one had yet chosen to challenge them. They would not need to defend their positions for another two days.

Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing proceeded directly to the back room. The spiritual energy here was rich, and servants would not disturb them, making it the ideal place to discuss the sect’s hidden secrets.

“Actually, Senior Ye Yan likely had no intention of killing me. Most probably, he was merely using my life to threaten you.”

After roughly an hour of travel, Su Hanxing’s emotions had calmed. He finally released Chi Qiu just before they disembarked from the flying boat. Though Chi Qiu now appeared perfectly composed, seated on a meditation cushion in the back room, the lingering blush on her earlobes betrayed the turmoil within her.

“This concerns your life, Little Chi. Even with the smallest probability, I dared not gamble.” Su Hanxing gazed at Chi Qiu’s faintly reddened earlobes, the gravity on his face having completely vanished. Su Hanxing’s mind was presently filled with the soft sensation of Chi Qiu in his arms from their earlier embrace, and the faint, lingering complex floral fragrance that always emanated from her.

“I simply felt that if he truly intended to take my life, there would have been no need for such an elaborate display, summoning a longsword to rest against my neck.” Chi Qiu nodded, fully understanding Su Hanxing’s perspective.

“Hanxing, what do you plan to do next? Are you truly going back to the Tianyan Sect to investigate this ‘Xiao Qi’ that Ye Yan mentioned?” Chi Qiu, recalling Su Hanxing’s earlier promise to clear Ye Yan’s name, asked with a hint of worry.

“It’s certain we won’t find any clues within the Tianyan Sect regarding this matter. So many years have passed; even if there were traces back then, they would undoubtedly have been erased by now.” Su Hanxing shook his head, continuing, “Moreover, if things truly happened as Senior Brother Ye Yan described, then investigating this within the Tianyan Sect would be far too perilous.”

Seeing that Su Hanxing had no intention of investigating within the Tianyan Sect, Chi Qiu nodded in agreement. “It is indeed extremely dangerous. It would be better not to expose this for now and to start our investigation elsewhere. However, there is one matter that greatly concerns me,” Chi Qiu added, her brow slightly furrowed.

“What could trouble Little Chi so much?” Su Hanxing inquired, raising an eyebrow.

“The Qingyuan Sect.” Ever since the incident with Chai Niang, Chi Qiu had been curious about this. How could a minor sect, with only two Dharma Manifestation Realm cultivators, provoke two top-tier sects like the Heart God Sect and the Tianyan Sect? It had led to them joining forces to completely annihilate the entire sect.

“This matter is indeed quite bizarre and warrants a thorough investigation.” Su Hanxing nodded softly. The Heart God Sect and the Tianyan Sect had harbored resentment towards each other for a long time, yet they managed to reach an agreement on this issue. There must be a significant secret involved.

“Furthermore, Senior Brother Ye Yan’s dao companion’s younger sister was killed when the Tianyan Sect annihilated the Qingyuan Sect. There might well be some connection between the two events. Coincidentally, the arena competitions will continue for the next eleven months, and I doubt many will dare to challenge us. We should seize this opportunity to go directly to the former site of the Qingyuan Sect and investigate.” Su Hanxing grew more excited with each word. By the end, he had risen to his feet, seemingly eager to depart immediately.

“The arena matters are of no consequence. Even if someone takes our platform, we merely need to reclaim it within the eleven months. However, regarding the Qingyuan Sect, the sooner we go, the better.” Chi Qiu remained seated on her meditation cushion, analyzing slowly.

Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing immediately found themselves in agreement. They quickly decided to leave the Imperial City and search for the former site of the annihilated Qingyuan Sect.

“While we’re out of the city, we can also take care of some other matters.” Su Hanxing took a few steps to Chi Qiu’s side, a smile gracing his lips.

“What other matters do you have to resolve?” Chi Qiu tilted her head, asking with some confusion.

“Not my matters, Little Chi, but yours.” Su Hanxing gently tapped Chi Qiu’s head, his tone remarkably gentle.

“My matters?” Chi Qiu was even more perplexed now.

“Little Chi, don’t you need nine types of spiritual plants with innate Dao patterns to aid in rebuilding your physical body? Now that we’re leaving the Imperial City, we can search for them among the mountains and rivers.” Seeing that Chi Qiu still hadn’t recalled, Su Hanxing took the initiative to explain.

I almost forgot about that! I originally planned to search after the Heavenly Martial Assembly ended. It’s a good opportunity to look for them along the way now, but we mustn’t delay our main objective. Chi Qiu suddenly realized, touched that Su Hanxing still remembered this matter, and nodded in gratitude.

Only after reconstructing her physical body could she safely advance to the Dharma Manifestation Realm. And only as a Dharma Manifestation Realm expert could Chi Qiu roam freely within Daqi, unburdened by the worry of powerful sects or aristocratic families attempting to abduct her.

“However, there’s no immediate rush for this. It’s not too late to depart once all our other miscellaneous affairs are handled.” Chi Qiu advised, seeing Su Hanxing’s eagerness, as if he wished to leave at once.

Chi Qiu’s lack of urgency stemmed from two reasons. Firstly, the lingering trauma from the incident with Ye Yan had not yet faded, and she wished for some time to recover. Secondly, Su Hanxing still needed to arrange for the Tianyan Sect disciples in the Imperial City to return to their sect. Otherwise, if other Tianyan Sect disciples were to visit later and find Su Hanxing absent, reporting it to the sect would undoubtedly cause trouble.

“You go ahead and arrange the Tianyan Sect disciples in the Imperial City. I’ll head to Qibao Hall to inquire about the Qingyuan Sect’s sect master—or rather, information about the Qingyuan Sect. What do you think?” Chi Qiu asked, tilting her head slightly as she looked at Su Hanxing.

Qibao Hall, as the largest treasure trading establishment within Daqi, sold not only physical rare artifacts and spiritual plants but also intelligence regarding sect secrets. However, its prices were extraordinarily high, far beyond the means of ordinary individuals.

“Little Chi speaks wisely. Tomorrow, I will go to the Imperial City and settle my junior brothers.” Su Hanxing nodded in strong agreement after hearing Chi Qiu’s words. “However, Little Chi, the intelligence at Qibao Hall is incredibly expensive, and you…”

Su Hanxing paused, his words trailing off. He raised an eyebrow slightly, meeting Chi Qiu’s brilliant golden eyes, the unspoken meaning clear between them.

“This…”

Chi Qiu had only known that Qibao Hall sold information, but she had no idea of its cost. Now, even Su Hanxing, a scion of a wealthy major sect, described the prices as ‘extremely expensive.’ Given Chi Qiu’s own financial standing… Chi Qiu certainly didn’t want to sell off her precious items and spiritual plants just for intelligence on the Qingyuan Sect.

“Then I’ll wait for you at home. Once you’ve settled the other Tianyan Sect disciples, we can go to Qibao Hall together.” Chi Qiu declared decisively.

Since the price is so exorbitant, let Su Hanxing pay for it.

After all, his family possesses vast wealth and resources. These funds and Spirit Pills are likely nothing more than a drop in the ocean to him, so why should I bother spending my own?

“Hahaha, since we’ve decided, let’s rest for a while then.” Su Hanxing burst into laughter. He reached out and ruffled Chi Qiu’s head, thoroughly disheveling her usually smooth, ink-black hair.

Chi Qiu shot Su Hanxing an annoyed glare, swatting his unruly hand away. She then rose and slowly, leisurely, exited the back room.