Chapter 141: No More Bragging!

The room above the secret passage was occupied, not by a cultivator, but by an ordinary mortal. At this moment, the woman was fast asleep, and the passage lay directly beneath her bed.

Yan Shu slipped into the courtyard, knocked out both the maid and the woman inside with a single blow, moved the woman onto a small couch, and tucked her in. Only then did she beckon Xiao Jihan into the room.

Xiao Jihan felt around under the bed for a moment until a soft click echoed. The entire bed slowly shifted, revealing a narrow passage beneath that could accommodate one person at a time. The two exchanged a glance and descended one after the other.

The passage was pitch black. Xiao Jihan reached out and conjured a ball of flame, instantly bathing the corridor in light. Seeing the fire in his hand, Yan Shu recalled that the protagonist possessed four elemental attributes: fire, wood, wind, and a rare, unique light attribute.

Yes, it was much like the "holy light" that illuminates the earth. While Western holy light was said to dispel darkness and bring light to humanity, Xiao Jihan’s light attribute was capable of purging demonic energy. In the original book, however, this attribute had never been put to use. Yan Shu had initially assumed it would serve a grand purpose later on—perhaps the protagonist would use it to save the world during a demonic invasion. As it turned out, that never happened; the protagonist simply ascended, and the story concluded. Yan Shu couldn't help but feel the author had forgotten the plot hole they had dug.

The passage grew wider as they went deeper, and it was not very long. Soon, they saw a faint glow ahead. Xiao Jihan extinguished his flame, suppressed his aura, and moved forward silently, with Yan Shu following close behind.

At the end of the passage was a secret chamber with a closed door, from which the light was leaking. Yan Shu and Xiao Jihan positioned themselves on either side of the door, listening to the voices within.

"Big Brother, we’ve obtained so many spirit stones this time—enough to squander for a while. Shouldn't we retreat now?"

"Third Brother, you’re too timid! How many spirit stones is this? Only one hundred and fifty medium-grade ones. Divided among the four of us, that’s barely thirty-something each. What can you do with thirty? You couldn't even get into the third floor of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion!"

"Second Brother is right. Since we’re already here, let’s go for something bigger! The Xuantian Sect’s decennial recruitment is starting soon. Surely many cultivation families will be sending their disciples."

"I’ve heard that the Xuantian Sect is particularly popular this year. Peak Master Yan Shu of Wushang Peak is protected by the Heavenly Dao. She wasn't supposed to be in the Fantian Secret Realm, but the Heavenly Dao struck her with lightning, forcing her inside. She then gained great opportunities and stayed there for a full ten years!"

Hearing this, Yan Shu instinctively looked at Xiao Jihan. Sure enough, his favorability rating had dropped by one point.

Favorability: 42 (Affection)

Immediately after, Xiao Jihan’s voice echoed in her mind: "Shu'er, didn't you enter the Fantian Secret Realm for my sake? Why does it seem like what they are saying is different from what you told me?"

Yan Shu: ...

She had been struck by lightning in full view of many people; denying it now was impossible.

"That..." Yan Shu blinked. "That was my master’s 'Lightning-Induction Technique.' The Fantian Secret Realm requires one to lower their cultivation, and that was the lightning summoned for that purpose. Who knew people would misunderstand? Hehe."

Xiao Jihan remained noncommittal. He knew Yan Shu had secrets, and he had even wondered if such a technique truly existed. However, he had witnessed her summoning heavenly lightning when she helped him refine his spiritual roots at the Medicine King Valley, which had dispelled his doubts. Hearing it again now, he felt a strange sensation, but upon reflection, her explanation seemed to hold water. If it wasn't a technique to draw lightning into the body, then many things would become too unsettling to contemplate. He preferred to believe it was indeed her technique.

Thus, Xiao Jihan asked no more and focused on the conversation inside. Yan Shu let out a silent sigh of relief. She dared not imagine his reaction if he knew that her previous "selflessness," her "rescue," her "sacrifices," and her "vows to live and die together" were all forced upon her by circumstances. A -99 kill-intent surge would be unavoidable, and she might even get to experience the joy of a -100. Thinking of this, she shuddered. No, she had to keep her mask firmly in place!

Inside the room, the conversation had shifted to the rumors circulating throughout the cultivation world: that Peak Master Yan Shu of the Xuantian Sect was blessed with great fortune and divine protection. There were even whispers that as long as one could become her disciple or receive her guidance, she could help refine even the most mediocre of spiritual roots.

The best example was her only personal disciple, Xiao Jihan, who had started as a mediocre four-attribute root and was now at the Golden Core stage. Consequently, many were planning to send their disciples to the Xuantian Sect. Being her direct disciple was ideal, but otherwise was fine too; after all, her divine favor would surely bless the entire sect, and sect disciples could always receive some pointers. This was the so-called "being close to the water to get the moonlight first."

Yan Shu was stunned. This world was too surreal; their imaginations were even wilder than hers! She couldn't help but send a telepathic message to Xiao Jihan: "How did these rumors spread? It's terrifying. If they keep inflating them, I won't be human anymore—I'll be a deity!"

Xiao Jihan raised an eyebrow. "I think eighty percent of these rumors are true. My spiritual roots were indeed refined by your help, and you are indeed blessed by the Heavenly Dao—you told me so yourself. As for the blessing of the sect..."

"For one thing, the Xuantian Sect won't be short of spirit stones anymore. The rumors only have two errors: first, I am not at the Golden Core stage, but the Transformation stage; second, asking you for advice doesn't guarantee an answer, because you don't understand it either."

Yan Shu: ...

His logic was impeccable; she had no rebuttal.

After a moment, Yan Shu asked, "Why do I feel like these rumors were spread by my Third Senior Brother?"

Xiao Jihan’s lips curled into a smile. "Why do you say that?"

Yan Shu frowned, explaining, "Third Senior Brother was there when I entered the Fantian Secret Realm. Only you, me, and my four senior brothers know that your roots were refined and your cultivation soared. The person who spread this didn't reveal your true cultivation, but chose a 'Golden Core' level—impressive yet plausible—which clearly comes from good intentions. Most importantly, this sounds like something only Third Senior Brother would do."

Xiao Jihan nodded. "It was indeed him. Before he spread the word, he even asked me if I agreed to have the news about the root refinement and the surge in cultivation made public."

"Since when did you and Third Senior Brother get so close?" Yan Shu eyed him suspiciously. "Have you two been doing something shady behind my back?!"

Xiao Jihan’s lips curved upward as he silently mouthed two words: "Guess."