The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 527 - 303 Ascender_2

Chapter 527: Chapter 303 Ascender_2

In short, it was the foolish acts that Li Yan had committed in Chang’an, blown up threefold, and someone else’s romantic affairs pinned onto his head, which left Wu Qu stunned.

As for Li Yan, admiration filled his eyes, "I never expected Brother Li to have such a reputation, I am impressed."

"It’s all baseless rumors."

Li Yan shook his head silently, then turned his gaze to the older woman, changing the subject, "This senior from the Golden Swallow Sect, you seem to be quite familiar with Li Yan?"

He had long seen through the woman’s ruse.

She had practiced martial arts, although she had somehow managed to make her calluses disappear, leaving her skin white, delicate, and tender.

But her palm structure and habitual movements could not fool an expert.

Moreover, the aura of Yin Evil Qi lingered around her, and not even the thick scent of her makeup could mask it.

This woman named Yu Mei smiled and waved her hand, causing the two girls to stand up and leave. As they passed by Li Yan, they even threw him a flirtatious glance.

"A couple of little temptresses."

Yu Mei laughed softly, "Young Master Li must not take offense, Wanfang is my sister. I have sent word to her about your slaying of Red Lady."

Wanfang?

Hearing this familiar name, Li Yan was slightly taken aback, "Where is she now?"

Yu Mei laughed, "She is now in the Capital, following an elder of our sect. She is intelligent and has meticulous thoughts, her prospects are boundless."

"That’s good."

Li Yan was contemplative, nodding slightly.

Zhao Wanfang had a tragic childhood, driven by an obsession for revenge.

When he revealed Zhao Changsheng’s whereabouts, his intention was to discourage her, but instead, she became even more determined, plotting step by step.

Yu Mei shook her head with a sigh, "Wanfang is stubborn. She asked me to keep an eye out for news of ’Red Lady’ and to pass it on to Young Hero Li."

"I didn’t expect that before I could even prepare, Young Hero Li had already slain her. I truly admire you for that."

"In truth, the ’Red Lady’ was once the leader of Golden Swallow Sect in Chang’an but secretly joined the Maitreya Sect, causing the death of many sisters. Many elders loathed her to the bone."

Saying this, she stood and gave a deep curtsy, "For this great vengeance avenged, we thank Young Hero Li."

Li Yan’s expression remained calm as he shook his head, "It was merely a coincidence."

Yu Mei grinned, "Since the two sirs have matters to discuss, I won’t interrupt further. I’ll arrange another banquet for the two of you."

With that, she nodded slightly and left with a gust of perfume.

Li Yan watched her departing figure, lost in thought.

Of course, he wouldn’t lower his guard just because of a few flattering words, especially knowing that the Golden Swallow Sect was never easy to deal with.

The silent Wu Qu suddenly spoke up, "Brother Li need not worry. I have been here for quite some time, and I know Yu Mei well. She should have no ties to those demons."

Li Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly, "How can you be sure?"

Wu Qu chuckled quietly, "This Yu Mei was sent here by the Golden Swallow Sect in the Capital. Qu Qiuyan, the head of Wuchang’s Yamen, is very wary of her. Both sides are waiting to catch the other in a fault."

"At times like these, they’d all rather hide than collude with demons."

"But these are just my feelings. How to proceed, Brother Li, is your decision."

Li Yan smiled faintly, changing the subject, "Master Wu, with so many places to stay, why reside in a brothel? Aren’t you worried about idle gossip?"

Wu Qu burst into laughter, shaking his head and downing his glass of wine, "It seems Brother Li, that you are not aware of many things."

"The martial arts world is not so harmonious. The head of the local Divine Fist Association is an old boxing master from Cangzhou, who also has some connection to my family."

"But in Wuchang, where Three Religions and Nine Sects converge, the Divine Fist Association is suppressed by the Jianghu Sects. Prince Wuchang has tried to support them a few times but found them useless, and has grown to disregard them."

"No matter where I stay, it’s nothing but trouble, all about power and profit. I can’t be bothered with such messy affairs, so I chose to hide here and enjoy my freedom..."

As he spoke, he suddenly stopped.

Soon, the door opened and several women entered in succession, accompanied by a young waiter. They replaced all the food and drink on the table and respectfully served both men several cups before turning around to leave and closing the door behind them.

No sooner had they left than Wu Qu immediately stood up, moved to one side of the room, and took out a divine statue from his enormous travel bag.

The statue had three eyes, with a piercing gaze. It was dressed in a luxurious, red and gold robe, with a jeweled crown on its head, long hair draped over its shoulders, and hands holding gold bricks, a Fire Wheel, and other Magic Artifacts, exuding a severe and formidable aura.

It was Emperor Huaguang.

Emperor Huaguang, also known by his given name as Ma Lingyao, was commonly referred to as Prince Ma among the folk. Not only Martial Arts practitioners worshipped him, but many people in cities had Divine Temples dedicated to Prince Ma, where citizens worship night and day.

This statue was clearly not a mundane object.

Wu Qu pinched a spell, bowed three times after casting a spell, and then lit three incense sticks in front of the statue. A majestic Astral Bane Energy immediately enveloped the whole room.

Li Yan had seen this Magic Method before; it was used to prevent detection by Divine Skills.

After completing these preparations, Wu Qu returned to his seat at the table, smiling and said, "The matter I wish to discuss with Brother Li is secretive, better to be cautious, lest we be overheard."

"Oh?"

Li Yan became interested, "What is it that Master Wu wants to discuss?"

Wu Qu didn’t rush to answer but shook his head and said, "Wuchang is currently in a tumultuous time. Does Brother Li know why I do not wish to get entangled with them?"

Li Yan replied, "Why is that?"

Wu Qu’s expression became serious, "Because for me, there are things of greater importance. The power struggles of the secular world are but fleeting clouds."

"We Cultivators battle through thorns; if we indulge in these distractions, when will we have time to glimpse the Dao?"

A chill ran through Li Yan’s heart. "An Ascender?"

Wu Qu’s behavior was somewhat odd. He seemed to come from a prominent family and indulged in the secular world, but there was an inexplicable sense of detachment.

Li Yan had his suspicions ever since their time on Gui Mountain.

Wu Qu sighed and shook his head, "I’m not yet qualified."

"Those called Ascenders are a very special group of people. They may be astonishingly talented or come from famous families, traveling through Famous Mountains and rivers, hiding in wildernesses, practicing righteous Dao, or walking the evil path..."

"My cultivation level is limited, and I cannot yet make contact with them."

"However, I do know a bit about them. Among these Ascenders, there are many factions. They sometimes fight to the death upon meeting, usually in remote mountains, unknown to outsiders."

"Their factions are mostly related to the path of their cultivation."

"There are Ascenders from the Proper Xuan Sect with extraordinary status within their sects. They all have connections with each other, and once someone is recognized and has an Ascension Opportunity, the Xuan Sect will fully support them, establishing Divine Temples and Sealing God ceremonies in various places."

"Of course, most people at best become Ghost Immortals or Earth Immortals, hiding in Cave Heaven Blessed Lands and spiritual acupoints. First, they fear the Heavenly Rules; second, they serve as the foundation for the Sect, emerging to lend a hand at critical moments..."

"These Ascenders are known as Hidden Immortals."

"Then there are those from side-door Magic Veins. They cultivate in various places, forming an alliance with each other, offering mutual aid, sometimes righteous, sometimes evil."

"These Ascenders are known as Mountain Immortals."

"But the most numerous are another group of people. Regardless of their background, they have all, for various reasons, taken the evil path to longevity and are scattered throughout Divine State, not much different from demons."

"These individuals are also key targets of suppression by the Proper Xuan Sect and the court. We call them ’demons’!"

Li Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly, "We?"

Wu Qu nodded and said, "To be honest, I too have joined an organization consisting mostly of Martial Arts practitioners, most of whom are from the pugilistic world."

"No matter the sects in Divine State, once they reach this level, they seldom get involved with affairs of the Jianghu and travel everywhere."

"To be honest, although Elder Zhang Xiaoshan has entered the state of Dan Strength, his advancing age and depleted vigor have left him without potential, and since he is not from the Xuan Sect, he has not been recruited by our organization."

"We are neither the Proper Xuan Sect nor do we practice Martial Arts in a way that can ward off disasters and pray for blessings, so the court does not recognize us. Therefore, we can only rely on ourselves."

"Brother Li, I wish to invite you to join our association. What do you think?"

Li Yan, after listening, pondered and asked, "Master Wu, what is this organization called?"

Wu Qu was silent for a moment before shaking his head, "I cannot say for now, but there is something I can reveal to Brother Li."

"In our organization, there are quite a few living Yin messengers!"