The two were still speaking when Xing Wu from Beast-Taming Sect came over to greet them.
Xing Wu was the personal disciple of Beast-Taming Sect's sect master, Hu Wankui. He was quite favored and normally very arrogant.
But in front of Shen Zhilan, he behaved politely and refined. Very soon the two were chatting happily.
Lu Xiuhan's face was a bit unsightly, but it wasn't convenient for him to say anything, so he simply called over the other personal disciples participating in this secret-realm training.
Whether it's her supreme-grade water spiritual root, or her cultivation speed, having advanced to Foundation Establishment Stage third layer in less than two months, both were enough to make Shen Zhilan the focus of the crowd.
Shen Zhilan greatly enjoyed such a scene of being surrounded like stars around the moon, until cries of astonishment sounded!
"Human-Faced Lion!"
"The Human-Faced Lion is coming!"
…
The crowd panicked and opened a passage. A beast similar to a Gale Lion stepped forward.
Suddenly, that beast raised its head to the sky and roared. Some people with low cultivation were shaken so badly they felt dizzy, and some even fainted.
Shen Zhilan and the others were also shocked by the buzzing in their ears, and they all summoned their flying swords.
Just as they were standing in formation, ready to fight, a small head popped out from the back of the beast. The figure stood up and it turned out to be a thin and weak little girl.
She waved.
"Yo, everyone's here! You're all doing pretty good, huh!
Let me introduce myself, I'm Feng Xi of Xuantian Sect, and this is our sect's guardian beast, the Golden Maned Suanni.
Since it's our first meeting, it wouldn't be good to come empty-handed, so just now we gave everyone a small gift.
Everyone should've heard of the Suanni's Heaven Shaking Roar, right?
The Suanni's cry has a mind-clearing, spirit-refreshing effect. As long as one's heart holds righteousness, one can feel the benefits of this Suanni's Heaven Shaking Roar."
Feng Xi casually pointed at someone, "This big brother, did you feel it?"
That person hurriedly said, "I felt it, I felt it!
I was originally groggy, but now my mind is so clear, better than taking Awakening Pills!"
Feng Xi asked a few more people, and they all gave firm confirmations, and even praised Xuantian Sect nonstop.
Are you kidding me? If you said you didn't feel anything, wouldn't that be saying you're not righteous at heart? Only a fool would say such a thing!
Feng Xi continued, "Our Xuantian Sect has always taken eliminating demons as our duty. It's just that we do a lot but speak little, so people don't understand much about us.
For example, I risked my dantian shattering to sneak attack the old devil Blood Tiance a while ago. Normally, such heroic deeds should be properly publicized.
But our Xuantian Sect is always low-key, never speaking of it outside.
'When all is done, he dusts off his sleeves and leaves, hiding both merit and fame.'(1)
This phrase is the true portrayal of our Xuantian Sect.
I don't mean anything else but just to let everyone understand Xuantian Sect a bit more. If any of you are considering entering a sect, you might as well consider our Xuantian Sect…"
After hearing her words, people didn't remember anything else, only that she sneak attacked Blood Tiance.
Whether it was the earlier misunderstanding of the Human-Faced Lion, or Feng Xi enthusiastically letting everyone experience the 'Suanni's Heaven Shaking Roar,' they all left a deep impression.
Not to mention the courage and responsibility in sneak attacking Blood Tiance!
Feng Xi's name spread far and wide.
Even Xuantian Sect's reputation rose several tiers!
Shen Zhilan's eyes never moved away from Feng Xi's face, they flickered with shock and doubt.
Standing beside her, Lu Xiuhan gritted his teeth, "This Feng Xi is really good at spouting lies, I've never heard of any Suanni's Heaven Shaking Roar. She must be talking nonsense!
Junior Sister, you didn't feel any mind-clearing effect, did you?"
Shen Zhilan: "…"
Idiot!
How am I supposed to answer that?
If I say I didn't feel anything, and if the Suanni 's Heaven Shaking Roar actually does exist, wouldn't I be digging my own grave?
Her gaze flickered, "Second Senior Brother, I just took an Awakening Pill earlier, so I don't know whether what she calls the Suanni's Heaven Shaking Roar truly exists."
After hearing this, Lu Xiuhan asked Xing Wu and the others, "What about you?"
Xing Wu and the others almost spoke in unison, "We also just took Awakening Pills."
Then, they scattered like birds and beasts.
This Lu Xiuhan must have a hole in his brain, it's better to stay far away from him.
At this moment, people from Xuantian Sect arrived riding their swords.
Xiao Baidao felt a bit of blame toward his little disciple, he had repeatedly warned her and the Golden Maned Suanni not to run too fast. If danger appeared, they wouldn't be able to be rescued in time.
But with a moment of inattention, those two brats rushed ahead.
He would have to find a chance to properly talk to her.
He's thinking about this when he heard his little disciple's crisp voice ring out, "Everyone look, our Xuantian Sect's team has arrived!"
After Feng Xi spoke, she took the lead in clapping.
Once someone leads, others follow. Then more joined in.
Humans ah, all have a herd mentality.
Besides, Xuantian Sect was one of the Four Great Sects, they deserved everyone's applause.
Not to mention, they had just gifted everyone… the Suanni's Heaven Shaking Roar.
For a moment, applause thundered.
Xiao Baidao nearly fell off his flying sword!
What happened before he arrived?
But he's an old hand, after all. After a moment of shock, he immediately put on airs.
With just the right amount of smile, he nodded slightly toward the crowd.
The other people of Xuantian Sect also hurriedly followed, cupping their fists in greeting.
Jun Wen was practically dying of curiosity!
Just what had Junior Sister done?
The sect masters of the other three great sects didn't look so good.
They had never enjoyed such treatment, why should the weakest Xuantian Sect enjoy it?
Baili Muchen whispered a few words to Lu Zhenkuan of Wan Jian Sect and Hu Wankui of Beast-Taming Sect.
The two exchanged a look and nodded.
If they could watch a show and get some benefits, why not?
After a while, Xiao Baidao walked over in small careful steps.
Baili Muchen exclaimed in surprise, "You—you advanced?"
Seeing Xiao Baidao nod, the three sect masters felt even more sour, especially Lu Zhenkuan and Hu Wankui.
Originally, among the four, only Baili Muchen was at Soul Transformation Stage third layer, the other three were at second layer.
Now Xiao Baidao was also Soul Transformation Stage third layer.
This old Xiao Baidao had been way too lucky recently!
Not only had he discovered an upper-grade spirit stone vein, he'd even advanced!
The three offered hollow congratulations, then Baili Muchen said, "Sect Master Xiao, when Feng Xi had her accident earlier, you earnestly begged our Hunyuan Sect to send an elder skilled in formations to assist.
Out of righteousness, I agreed.
The condition I proposed at the time was that you yield most of Tianhen Secret Realm's entry slots, and you also agreed.
Although Feng Xi later came out on her own, our formation elder still traveled back and forth, consuming great effort. Shouldn't you give me an explanation?
How about this, your sect gives up twenty entry slots this time. What do you say?"
Xiao Baidao was shocked and furious. He had sent Baili Muchen a message right after Feng Xi returned. From start to finish, not even two hours had passed. And that counted as back and forth?
And he still dared to ask for twenty slots?
Wasn't this outright robbery?!
Just as Lu Zhenkuan and Hu Wankui were clearing their throats, ready to help Baili Muchen pressure him, Feng Xi scooted over.
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(1): A classic line from Jin Yong's "神雕侠侣", 'The Return of the Condor Heroes'.