Chapter 537: Chapter 509: Harboring Ulterior Motives

When Li Fan found Sister Zhao, she was watching a sparring match between Qin Shou and the disciples from the Moonlight faction.

Brother Qin’s cultivation skills were truly remarkable, with a hand exuding a yellow divine light, capable of both offense and defense.

Even when matched against a perfect stage nascent soul cultivator as a mid-stage nascent soul practitioner, he still managed to hold his own.

Moreover, his stamina was incredible, and he maintained his composure even during continuous battles for hours on end.

Among Zhang Wangshuang’s disciples, none could defeat him.

Furthermore, Qin Shou had been very respectful towards Zhang Wangshuang, either drawing the matches or only scoring a hard-fought victory after a prolonged battle.

The disciples of Sister Zhao, despite their losses, held no grudges against Qin Shou. On the contrary, they admired his conduct and character.

Even Sister Zhao herself, after witnessing Brother Qin’s manner, had sparkling admiration in her eyes.

Having spotted this from afar, Li Fan secretly cursed, “Good thing I arrived just in time, or I would have lost my footing.”

Immediately, he discreetly approached Sister Zhao, gently taking her delicate hand in his.

Startled, Sister Zhao looked at the suddenly appearing Li Fan but made no attempt to free her hand.

“Is this Brother Qin from the Mountain Lian sect? He’s impressively strong! I wonder when I’ll be able to reach his level,” Li Fan remarked in a somewhat envious tone.

Sister Zhao had initially worried that Li Fan might feel jealous after hearing rumors, but it seemed she had fretted needlessly.

For some reason, despite feeling somewhat relieved, she also felt a tiny sense of disappointment in her heart.

She did not let it show, however, offering him a gracious smile and comforting him, “Your dedication to cultivation is rare among our peers. We’re all taking steps in the same direction. It wouldn’t be difficult for you to match Brother Qin’s pace someday.”

Li Fan remained silent, subtly shaking his head and sighing under his breath.

Seeing this, Sister Zhao could not help but grow puzzled, and quickly asked through telepathy, “What’s wrong? Did you encounter any problems while in seclusion?”

Li Fan then slowly explained, “Originally, in my seclusion, I wanted to break through to the Golden Core stage in one go. However, whenever the thought emerged, my spiritual sense would go haywire, warning me of impending calamity if I were to proceed.”

Sister Zhao frowned as she listened. After considering for a moment, her expression eased, replying, “The process of forming a Golden Core cannot be forced. Your intuition likely isn’t wrong; it just isn’t the right time yet.”

“Mmm, that’s what I thought as well,” Li Fan replied, nodding his head.

Suddenly, he changed the subject, “Ever since joining the sect, I haven’t left the mountain for many years. The world of cultivation is vast and infinite, yet I’ve always been stuck within the sect. This feels like trying to build a car without ever leaving the house. Since I’m facing a bottleneck in my cultivation, I plan to go down the mountain in search of an opportunity to break through.”

“Junior brother, you…” Sister Zhao looked surprised. She tried to dissuade him immediately, “Outside the sect is not as peaceful as it is within. Not to mention the monstrous beasts running rampant, even other cultivators are not easy to get along with. For the sake of Spirit Stones and cultivation Techniques, they are capable of anything.”

“Even among the disciples of the Great Taoist Sect, there are cases of people disappearing mysteriously when traveling outside…”

Interrupting her, Li Fan’s eyes were determined. “I’ve already made up my mind, Sister Zhao. You don’t have to persuade me anymore. The path to immortality is long and arduous. If I can’t even muster this little bit of courage, how can I accompany you on the journey ahead?”

Hearing such a candid confession from Li Fan provoked a blush on Sister Zhao’s face, her grip on his hand becoming even tighter.

At the same time, Qin Shou, who was on the verge of another victory in the arena, glanced over. When he saw the loving look in Sister Zhao’s eyes for Li Fan, his concentration faltered. He was thrown off balance and almost defeated by his opponent.

A shadow flashed across his eyes. Qin Shou forcibly turned his gaze back to the fight in the arena.

However, by the time he had finally turned the situation around and secured victory, Sister Zhao and Li Fan had already left, their whereabouts unknown.

Although Qin Shou put on a calm smile, jealousy was already burning inside him.

Seven days later, Li Fan left the Great Taoist Sect to find his opportunity to achieve the Golden Core stage.

Fearing for Li Fan’s safety, not long after his departure, Sister Zhao followed him down the mountain, claiming her reason to be seeking her own breakthrough opportunity.

The intent was so clear that anyone could see it. However, Zhang Wangshuang, her master, did not prevent her. Instead, he gave Sister Zhao a [Compass of Celestial Secrets] that could point her in the direction of an opportunity at a crucial time.

After leaving the sect, using the previously agreed upon contact method, Sister Zhao quickly found Li Fan.

After using the Heavenly Mechanism Compass, the two traveled southwest, crossed the continuous mountains, and came to a ruin buried deep within a dense jungle.

They decided to rest for the day and explore the ruins the next day.

That night.

“Sister Zhao, did you notice anything unusual? It seems like someone has been following us all this way?” Li Fan feigned sleep, quietly communicating his concerns to Sister Zhao.

After a brief silence, Sister Zhao replied, “You might be overthinking this. I haven’t noticed anyone following us.”

Li Fan was certain, “My instincts are usually accurate. Sister Zhao, do you remember that day at Daqing Mountain? The day when the bandits attacked the village. It was because I had a sudden unsettling feeling that you took me out to play and relax. That’s how we survived the calamity.”

“This time, my instincts are telling me the same thing.”

Upon hearing this, Sister Zhao became somewhat convinced.

“What do you plan to do about this?”

Li Fan snorted, “We’ll draw the snake out of its hole.”

The next day, just as they were about to set out, they got into an argument over a trivial matter.

The quarrel was intense, with Sister Zhao even saying spiteful words like, “All your achievements today are thanks to me, and yet you dare to raise your temper at me?”

Li Fan’s expression was grave as he turned around and walked into the ruins alone.

Sister Zhao, in her anger, did not follow him immediately.

At this moment, an inconspicuous flying insect followed Li Fan into the ruins.

When Li Fan was fighting a monstrous beast inside, a sword light attacked him from the shadows.

It almost killed him on the spot.

At the critical moment, a cool moonlight emitted from Li Fan’s body.

In the vague light, the graceful figure of Sister Zhao could be vaguely seen.

However, her stunning face was now full of chilling murderous intent.

After a fierce explosion, Qin Shou was forced to reveal his identity.

“Brother Qin, it was you?!” The real Sister Zhao and her moon shadow clone surrounded Qin Shou as she expressed disbelief.

“Killing one’s fellow disciple is strictly forbidden! Why did you do this, Brother Qin?”

Seeing that his plan had been exposed, Qin Shou didn’t bother to pretend anymore.

He spoke obscenely, staring at Sister Zhao with undisguised lust in his eyes.