Peerless Divine Doctor in the City of Flowers
Chapter 734: I’m Here to Take Someone

Chapter 734: Chapter 734: I’m Here to Take Someone

A helicopter, roaring as it broke through the clouds, flew towards the towering mountains in the distance.

The mountain gate hidden in the mist appeared exceedingly imposing and powerful.

This place was a famous tourist attraction, so even on a weekday, climbers were lined up like ants in a column.

They climbed from the foot of the mountain to the top, some with hands pressed together, muttering something under their breath.

Soon, the helicopter landed on a platform at the peak of the mountain.

Before the rotor blades could stop spinning, Lin Fan was already pulling Xu Zhi Rou by the hand, quickly running out of the cabin.

Xu Zhi Rou gave the pilot a thumbs-up, and then the helicopter swiftly ascended, disappearing into the misty mountains.

As the helicopter faded into the distance, several people who had been waiting hurried over.

They were the External Court Sect Leaders who had received notice from the Dragon Emperor, followed by several elders.

"Sect Leader, hello."

Lin Fan glanced at the Sect Leader, who appeared to be in his fifties.

However, from the energy fluctuations emanating from his body, it could be seen that he was no more than a fifth-grade Martial Cultivator.

Those following behind him were even weaker, suggesting that the strength of the External Court really wasn’t very formidable.

Even Xu Zhi Rou as she was now would be enough to defeat them.

"I have already received the Dragon Emperor’s notice, but once the message reached the Inner Court, there was no response... I’m really not sure what to do."

The Sect Leader said apologetically to Lin Fan.

As the person in charge of the External Court, his authority was only recognized there.

Any executive in the Inner Court held more power than he did, so when it came to matters within, he was completely helpless.

"No problem, I’ll go in and talk to them myself."

Lin Fan had come this time with no intention of giving up easily.

Whether the Inner Court sent a notification or not didn’t matter, he was here to take someone with him, not to negotiate.

"Well... let’s go inside and talk."

The Sect Leader felt somewhat embarrassed when he heard this, as the matter of entering the Inner Court still wasn’t up to him to decide.

But now that the guest had arrived, he couldn’t very well just send him away.

So, he could only lead the two of them into a somewhat modest house.

Throughout the External Court, the eye could see only bungalows, which held a certain rustic dignity.

Each of the time-worn buildings was kept quite clean.

Being located at the peak of the mountain, resources here were not abundant.

Yet this place, which appeared to be a spiritual retreat, attracted many disciples.

In the External Court, there were over five hundred people cultivating year-round.

Their goal was to be chosen by the Inner Court, which would grant them entry to the Martial Artists’ Hall of Fame.

The Sect Leader led the two of them all the way to the main hall.

Attendants had already prepared tea and brought it over.

"Please!"

The Sect Leader smiled as he lifted his teacup.

Lin Fan would naturally not reject his courtesy and also took a sip.

"This tea is quite good. I’ve heard from the Dragon Emperor that you, Sect Leader, are a connoisseur of tea. I’ve also brought a gift for our meeting, a box of Da Hong Pao from the ancient trees of Wuyi Mountain."

Lin Fan smiled as he took out a small box the size of his palm from his chest and placed it on the table.

Upon hearing this, the Sect Leader’s face showed a look of surprise.

This ancient Da Hong Pao tree had long ceased to be harvested, so the remaining tea on the market is more precious than gold.

For someone who enjoys tea, this is nothing less than a priceless treasure.

"You are overly courteous; I truly don’t deserve such a gift," he said.

The Sect Leader picked up the box, gently lifted the lid, and indeed a fragrance of tea wafted out.

And those few grams of tea leaves were a true treasure; he would never bring himself to drink them.

"There’s no need for such words. A fine sword is gifted to a hero, and besides, I have imposed on you with my visit. It’s only appropriate to bring a gift for our meeting. I just don’t know what the inner sect might need that I could arrange to have sent over—as long as it allows me to meet with Zhao Jiaqi."

Giving gifts before taking action was Lin Fan’s habit. Now that the gifts had been given, it was time to take care of business.

"I arranged for someone to pass the message to the inner court this morning. If all goes well, we should have news by tomorrow. So, for tonight, I must ask you both to stay overnight. As soon as I receive a reply, I will inform you immediately," the Sect Leader said.

His words piqued Lin Fan’s curiosity.

"May I ask, is there a great distance between the inner and outer sects?"

"Not at all, not at all. It’s just through the woods in the back. However, it is protected by an ancient array, which only leads outsiders astray," the Sect Leader explained hurriedly.

Such a martial cultivator’s sect, situated deep in the mountains, naturally had protective formations against the invasion of enemies.

Those who did not possess the correct method would not be able to enter.

"Oh... And what about the secret sect?" Lin Fan continued to inquire.

"The secret sect is the inner circle within the inner sect. As to its exact location, I am not aware, but it is certainly amongst these rugged mountains. Residents of the secret sect rarely show their faces. To my shame, as someone managing the outer sect, I’m merely doing odd jobs and have never met them. What I know are but legends."

The Sect Leader sighed with embarrassment.

In terms of ranking, he was just a minor figure tucked away in the corner, completely unaware of the internal affairs.

It was like a small third-level company, set up by a conglomerate, to which the head office was but a minor concern.

"I see, that is indeed intriguing. But I’m curious, Zhao Jiaqi hasn’t been here long, so how did she get selected by the secret sect? Have you heard any rumors?"

Lin Fan always felt there was something odd about this matter.

Zhao Jiaqi’s talents were mediocre; she was no elite.

Even if it was on the Dragon Emperor’s account that she entered the inner sect,

But for the secret sect, which requires real strength, wouldn’t this threshold be too low?

"I really don’t know about that... I’m afraid only by entering the inner sect would one be privy to such information. However, there has been something recently—I don’t know if it’s related."

After a moment’s thought, the Sect Leader said, "Just a few months ago, several groups of people arrived all of a sudden. Each group’s attire clearly identified them as high-level martial artists, and each group always included a young woman. They were directly received by the inner sect, while I just caught a glimpse from the side. My curiosity got the better of me and I tried to inquire, but I was rebuffed, so I don’t know what transpired."

"But last month, two groups left, still seen off by someone from the inner sect. Only, when they left, I didn’t see those young ladies. Due to the difference in rank, I couldn’t ask more questions. But judging by the courtesy the inner sect showed these people, I suspect these young women might have something to do with the secret sect."

"It’s strange that such a large number of young women were kept behind," Xu Zhi Rou said, frowning slightly as she looked towards Lin Fan.

At that moment, he too seemed to realize something.

"Is it possible that they were selecting brides for the secret sect?" Lin Fan mused, rubbing his chin. The secret sect members were human and naturally needed to continue their lineage.

Therefore, matters of marriage and matchmaking were inevitable, and the outside women probably had some connection with Zhao Jiaqi.

"That being said, if Miss Jiaqi has truly married into the secret sect, that would be a joyous occasion!" the Sect Leader said with a chuckle upon hearing the speculation.

In his view, since Lin Fan and Xu Zhi Rou appeared intimate, it was unlikely they had any romantic relationship with Zhao Jiaqi.

But Lin Fan suddenly laughed.

"If that’s the case, your Shura Sect will be quite lively, won’t it!"