June 8, 2023 Author: True Person Treading on Snow
Chapter 91: Graceful Mastery (Seeking Monthly Votes in the Third Update)
Gao Xian elegantly sheathed his sword, the rotating crimson sword light swiftly returned to its scabbard like a bird returning to its nest.
Throughout the entire process, his gaze remained level, his posture upright, displaying a relaxed and effortless mastery.
During the battle, Gao Xian did not dare to be careless.
Now that the battle was over, he finally had the leisure to strike an elegant pose.
Hmm, as the saying goes: Elegance never goes out of style!
What does elegance mean? It means having ample energy and being unhurried.
Looking around, twelve cultivators lay fallen to the ground, slain by the flying swords.
Beneath the big tree, the bandits were all wiped out, bodies strewn across the ground.
In total, it took no more than three breaths to slay twenty-two cultivators.
Just as he calculated, not a single mistake was made.
For some reason, Gao Xian suddenly thought of his panic when killing Lao Wang, his unease when killing Zhu Changsheng, his helplessness and melancholy when killing Yao Qingshuang and the others, his calm composure when killing Ironscale Demon Tiger, and his resolute courage when killing the Black Snake and his followers.
Today, as he wielded his sword against the enemy, he was as calm as still water, analyzing and calculating with the utmost rationality.
This battle was nearly flawless, allowing him to easily achieve victory.
Memories flashed before Gao Xian's eyes, revealing his journey of growth and self-discovery.
In this regard, Gao Xian felt content.
In a little over a year, he had adapted to his new environment and identity.
Tonight's battle was particularly satisfying!
With this in mind, Gao Xian felt a sense of contentment.
The old ghost squatting on a low tree, who was keeping watch, finally got a clear look at Gao Xian.
However, the intense crimson aura in his eyes had not dissipated.
Gao Xian was enveloped in two layers of transparent water-like light, with a mysterious and clear light covering his face.
The old ghost couldn't see Gao Xian's appearance clearly, only able to vaguely make out that he was a man in black.
The appearance of the person was not important; what was crucial was his swift and sharp swordsmanship, like lightning and wind sweeping through numerous cultivators in an instant.
This person's sword was fast but not rushed, strong but not violent, displaying a sense of order in his movements.
As an onlooker, the old ghost could see that this person exuded a calm and confident demeanor, unique to a powerful individual.
The unique charm of a strong individual was truly unforgettable.
"Foundation Building, he must be a Foundation Building cultivator to wield the sword so skillfully, to effortlessly kill so many people..."
The old ghost was exceptionally cunning; he could see the other party's prowess and immediately slipped down from the tree like a big rat, darting into the nearby bushes.
On the other hand, another cultivator sitting beside him was much slower.
He was still staring blankly at Gao Xian, looking at the bodies scattered on the ground beneath the big tree.
Things happened too quickly and were too brutal, leaving this person completely stunned.
In the midst of his hesitation and panic, he saw the man in black raise his hand and a cold light entered his eyes.
"Ah!" Before he could even scream in surprise, he was pierced through the forehead by an ice spike, instantly losing consciousness, his body falling from the tree.
Gao Xian knew that one had escaped, but after killing so many people, he needed to regain his strength and adjust his qi.
The distance between them was far, and if he acted now, it would be too late.
However, it was just an insignificant small fry; even if he ran away, it didn't matter...
Gao Xian didn't pay much attention to it.
The immediate task was to collect the spoils of war and leave this place as soon as possible.
Among the twenty-three cultivators, the richest was naturally Bai She.
His robe and sword looked valuable.
The cyan boots also seemed quite extraordinary.
Gao Xian searched around and found four storage bags, containing over four hundred spirit stones, various low-grade magical instruments, and a few talismans.
Most of these cultivators could be considered quite poor.
Gao Xian had two storage bags, one triangular and one pentagonal, given to him by Yao Qingshuang and the Black Snake.
The triangular storage bag was placed inside the green wooden armor, mainly storing spirit stones and some important personal items.
The pentagonal storage bag was placed outside, mainly containing various miscellaneous items.
Although the harvest this time was considerable, when piled together, it wasn't that much.
Gao Xian packed everything into the pentagonal storage bag.
After checking for any omissions, Gao Xian used his sense of smell technique and shadowless cloak to follow the scent left by the old ghost.
After chasing for a while, Gao Xian found that the old ghost had plunged deep into the mountains, and he didn't know how far he had run.
After some consideration, Gao Xian decided to give up.
A lookout was insignificant.
The other party couldn't recognize his true face anyway.
Gao Xian returned home without announcing his arrival, simply leaping over the wall.
Da Niu's cultivation was too low to notice anything.
Zhu Qiuniang, on the other hand, heard the movement and came out to greet him.
Gao Xian took off the shadowless cloak and smiled at Zhu Qiuniang, "Made a fortune, haha..."
Zhu Qiuniang became nervous instead, "Did you get into a fight with someone?"
"Yes, I killed a few scoundrels from the Red Snake Gang. It was as easy as cutting vegetables."
Gao Xian pulled Zhu Qiuniang into the room and threw all the harvested magical instruments and talismans onto the table, piling them up.
"So many?"
Zhu Qiuniang was truly astonished; this was much more than their last harvest.
She asked, "How many did you kill?"
"Twenty-three," Gao Xian gave the precise number.
"You..." Zhu Qiuniang was not excited; instead, she had a serious expression, hesitating to speak.
In fact, she was angry.
Gao Xian dared to take matters into his own hands against twenty-three cultivators.
This was too confident, almost arrogant.
Gao Xian used to be very cautious and careful, even a bit weak.
She had always tried to correct this flaw in Gao Xian, but he had now gone to the other extreme!
Zhu Qiuniang actually wanted to scold Gao Xian, but upon second thought, she felt it was inappropriate.
Although their relationship was close, she couldn't speak to Gao Xian so directly; it would hurt their feelings too much.
Even if it was for Gao Xian's own good, she couldn't be so direct.
After her body underwent changes, Zhu Qiuniang became more direct in her interactions, but Gao Xian was different.
Suppressing her anger, she spoke in a gentle voice, "Ah Xian, this is too risky... We only have one life, and it's not like they came looking for trouble with you. You don't need to take such risks!"
"Yes, I was a bit impulsive. Thank you for your advice, Qiuniang."
Gao Xian nodded with a smile.
He knew this time was a bit risky, and Zhu Qiuniang's strong reaction was mainly out of concern for his safety.
It was all for his own good.
There was nothing more to say; he could only accept the advice obediently.
Zhu Qiuniang said softly, "I'm not scolding you; I'm worried about your safety. With your current swordsmanship and spells, very few Qi Refining cultivators can match you. However, facing a group alone is still too risky.
"The Red Snake Gang has support from other sects behind them.
If you encounter a Foundation Building cultivator, what will you do?"
Zhu Qiuniang sighed, "Foundation Building demonic beasts and Foundation Building cultivators are not the same.
There's a vast difference between the two.
Ah Xian, no matter how high your spell and swordsmanship are, you still can't compare to a Foundation Building cultivator.
"If you really encounter a Foundation Building cultivator, you should run as far as you can..."
Gao Xian was indeed unfamiliar with Foundation Building cultivators.
Seeing Zhu Qiuniang speak so seriously, he became more serious, "Qiuniang, I'm not being arrogant; it's just that the situation forced me to take action..."
He explained the cause and effect of the matter, and although Zhu Qiuniang still felt it was unnecessary to take such risks, she also acknowledged Gao Xian's decisiveness.
In terms of results, this matter was exceptionally well done.
It not only saved the Zhou family but also prevented chaos in the Feima Assembly.
Although a small fry had escaped, Gao Xian's identity had not been revealed.
That was enough.
Zhu Qiuniang didn't want to dwell on these disappointing words.
She picked up a white robe from the table and examined it carefully, "A top-grade first-tier robe, containing the sharp Gold Scale Sword inside, which can transform into a sword shield all over the body, or into thousands of sword scales to kill enemies. A good item, worth at least fifteen hundred spirit stones."
She then picked up the White Snake Sword, and after pulling out the blade, a chilling cold light shone, causing Gao Xian, who was watching, to feel a chill in his forehead.
"Such pure Gold Scale power, this sword should be made of white gold, possibly fused with a bit of Geng Metal essence, a top-grade first-tier item worth over a thousand spirit stones."
Zhu Qiuniang said to Gao Xian, "This sword is a grade higher than the Frost Sword. You can keep it for yourself. This Scale Sword Robe is also very good, keep it as a backup..."
Weapons and robes would wear out over time, so wealthy cultivators would keep two sets as backups.
Gao Xian nodded; he didn't lack spirit stones now, so there was no need to rush to sell them.
The weapons and robes left by the White Snake were all top-quality items that were hard to come by even with money.
Keeping them as backups was a good idea.
However, he did not agree with Qiuniang's evaluation of the Frost Sword; he felt that the Frost Sword contained a mysterious power that other top-grade weapons could not compare to.
Among the remaining magical instruments, the best one was the Blue Lotus Belt.
Zhu Qiuniang couldn't discern its origins, but she could see that the Blue Lotus Belt's formation was quite exquisite, and it also had its own storage space.
Gao Xian felt that the Blue Lotus Belt was similar to his Blue Lotus Crown, with similar lotus patterns and a similar aura hidden within.
He couldn't figure it out for a while, so he put the Blue Lotus Belt away for now.
Finally, Gao Xian forcibly erased the spiritual imprints on the four storage bags, and upon opening them, he harvested nine hundred and thirty spirit stones.
Among them, the White Snake's bag alone contributed over five hundred spirit stones.
In addition, there were some magical instruments, elixirs, and basic cultivation spell manuals.
Gao Xian glanced through them; they were filled with secret codes, and the Cloudy Mountains and Misty Veils were inscribed with unknown content.
Zhu Qiuniang reminded him, "Personal secret technique scrolls are usually recorded with special codes. It's difficult for outsiders to decipher.
"This is also a form of anti-theft measure.
It's not necessary for outsiders to try to figure it out."
Gao Xian selected some useful talismans, picked up a few exquisitely crafted magical instruments, and handed the rest to Zhu Qiuniang.
"Qiuniang, please handle these for me, and you can keep twenty percent as a handling fee."
Zhu Qiuniang nodded, "Alright, I'll take care of it.
After a rough estimate, it should fetch around fifteen hundred spirit stones."
"I've made a big profit again, haha..."
Calculating his earnings from this time, Gao Xian was very satisfied. His risky move had not been in vain.
Zhu Qiuniang said with some emotion, "The Red Snake Gang had carefully planned to lure Li Shuanglin away, intending to do something big, but you ruined their plans.
You really are the nemesis of the Red Snake Gang.
She then reminded, "The Red Snake Gang has support from other sects, and they have many people. We can't afford to provoke them. Be cautious and don't reveal your tracks."
"Qiuniang, I heard a secret from the White Snake!"
Gao Xian beckoned Zhu Qiuniang to come closer, "Come here, don't let others hear."
Zhu Qiuniang obediently leaned in, but Gao Xian intended to discuss business, but seeing her delicate earlobes and exquisite jawline, he couldn't help but be tempted and gave her a few nibbles.
Gao Xian became more excited as he played around, intending to tease Zhu Qiuniang, but she covered his mouth with her hand and said seriously, "Speak business first!"
(End of this chapter)