Chapter 65: The Sister Who Cares Deeply for Her Brother (Please Continue Reading)

Arriving at Shanggu City, Li Guanxuan happened to possess a local identity token, allowing him to enter directly through a separate passage. Today’s gate guard was Zuo Xiao. When he saw Li Guanxuan approaching, his eyes first lit up with joy, and he immediately let him bypass the queue.

“Brother Zuo,” Li Guanxuan greeted with a smile and cupped his hands, feeling a surge of relief within. Now that he had entered Shanggu City, he was truly safe.

Zuo Xiao returned the gesture, asking excitedly, “Brother Li, are you planning to settle down in Shanggu City?” When Li Guanxuan left the city before, he had left Zuo Xiao a letter, explaining that he was moving to Silver Maple City with his wives and would rarely return. Zuo Xiao had felt a pang of regret; as a city defense soldier, it was rare to befriend such amiable cultivators in the late stages of Qi Refinement. Moreover, Li Guanxuan was a skilled talisman master—a rarity indeed.

Zuo Xiao himself was only at the fifth layer of Qi Refinement. Traveling over two thousand li to Silver Maple City was simply unrealistic.

“No, I’m just here to deliver some talismans to Manager Liu at Myriad Phenomena Pavilion and to visit you. I didn’t expect to run into you here,” Li Guanxuan replied with a smile.

Manager Liu? The nearby soldiers who had been eavesdropping felt a jolt—was it that Manager Liu, at the peak of Foundation Establishment from Myriad Phenomena Pavilion?

“Hahaha... How long will you stay? You must join me tonight for a few drinks—we won’t leave until we’re drunk!” Zuo Xiao laughed heartily.

“Of course, no problem. I’m heading to Myriad Phenomena Pavilion now, but I’ll see you tonight,” Li Guanxuan nodded, smiling. Then, realizing Zuo Xiao might have used up his protection talismans, he discreetly handed him ten top-grade protective talismans before bidding farewell.

Zuo Xiao stared blankly, looking down at the ten talismans in his hand, utterly dazed.

One top-grade protective talisman was worth forty low-grade spirit stones... Ten amounted to four hundred.

Recently, during a patrol, he had been caught in a cultivator duel. Were it not for the fine talisman Li Guanxuan gave him, he would have been gravely injured. For city defense soldiers, a serious injury meant lingering ailments, and their fate was inevitable—collecting compensation and returning home to await death.

During his recovery, someone else would surely take his position, and he would gradually lose his livelihood.

Yet, thanks to that incident, Zuo Xiao gained insights and broke through to the fifth layer of Qi Refinement.

All of this was due to Li Guanxuan’s talisman.

“This debt... is enormous,” Zuo Xiao put the talismans away, gazing at Li Guanxuan’s departing figure and murmured to himself.

...

Li Guanxuan had just arrived at Myriad Phenomena Pavilion in Shanggu City when he unexpectedly ran into Song Zhiqiao.

“Brother Li!” Song Zhiqiao beamed as she saw him, quickly trotting over. “What brings you to Shanggu City?”

“And why are you here?” Li Guanxuan was equally surprised.

“Manager Zheng sent me here to gain some experience. He said Manager Liu would teach me some business skills, so I’ve been studying here for a month...” Song Zhiqiao spoke softly, head lowered, but then looked up with delight. “I thought it would be ages before I saw you again, Brother Li, but you’re here! What a coincidence!”

“Indeed, it’s quite unexpected,” Li Guanxuan replied.

“Why did you come alone? Where are Sister Qin and Sister Wen?”

“They’re at home.”

“Oh~ You must be exhausted from traveling so far, Brother Li. I feel so sorry for you, but I’m not qualified to do anything about it yet.”

Li Guanxuan was momentarily speechless, then said, “No need to worry about that just yet. Take me to see my master—I have something for her.”

“Master? Who is your master?”

“Manager Liu Xiaoxian.”

Song Zhiqiao was stunned. She hadn’t expected that Manager Liu would become Brother Li’s master.

A background at the peak of Foundation Establishment...

Brother Li is truly on the rise! Song Zhiqiao could almost envision Li Guanxuan returning to the Li family in Yongning Prefecture of Da Heng.

As long as he succeeded in Foundation Establishment before sixty, he would surely return to the Li clan!

“Sister Wen and Sister Qin are so fortunate to have found such a capable cultivator as Brother Li. Unlike me, always alone,” Song Zhiqiao sighed, her pretty face tinged with melancholy. Seeing Li Guanxuan’s gaze, she forced a smile. “But it’s fine. I’m used to being alone. It’s just a little tiring sometimes.”

Li Guanxuan was at a loss for words, even wondering if Qin Jiyue’s decision had been the right one. If Song Zhiqiao entered the Li family, would trouble arise?

Seeing Li Guanxuan silent, Song Zhiqiao spoke timidly, “I’m sorry, Brother Li. I shouldn’t have brought my bad mood to you. It’s my fault... But I don’t know who else to confide in. You’re the one I know best.”

“No need to worry. Our families have been close for a thousand years. Away from home, it’s only right that I look after you,” Li Guanxuan replied with a smile.

Song Zhiqiao brightened, “Brother, you’re so good to me. I also hope to find a Dao companion as gentle, considerate, and talented as you.”

“If you don’t bring him up soon, I’ll show you what I can do.” At that moment, Liu Xiaoxian’s voice reached them. She had waited long enough. From the moment Li Guanxuan stepped through the pavilion’s doors, she knew he must have brought Foundation Establishment Pills for her. But why deliver them personally...?

Liu Xiaoxian was puzzled.

Song Zhiqiao’s delicate frame trembled, and she quickly bowed in apology. “Sorry, Manager Liu, it’s my fault. I haven’t seen Brother Li in so long and couldn’t help chatting a bit more.”

“I’ll count to three... One.”

As Liu Xiaoxian’s voice sounded again, Song Zhiqiao hurriedly led the way, guiding Li Guanxuan to the top floor.

Li Guanxuan sighed inwardly; only his master could subdue this green tea sister... Perhaps Brother Zheng was so exasperated by her that he sent her to Shanggu City.

Stepping into the room, Li Guanxuan composed himself, only to see Liu Xiaoxian, her golden hair shining, watching him with a playful smile. He thought to himself—this is bad.

He’d forgotten that his master could read minds!

A cultivator at the peak of Foundation Establishment—their divine sense likely enveloped the entire pavilion.

“Manager Liu, I’m to blame. Please don’t punish Brother Li. If you must, punish me,” Song Zhiqiao entered the room, full of remorse, willingly taking responsibility.

“Go brew some tea,” Liu Xiaoxian instructed coolly.

“Yes,” Song Zhiqiao obediently walked to the tea table.

Li Guanxuan’s expression was odd; perhaps his master kept her for her excellent tea skills.

Liu Xiaoxian interrupted his thoughts, “Speak—what brings you here?”

Li Guanxuan took out two small bottles, placing them on her desk. “Four Foundation Establishment Pills, of superior quality. They should increase the chance of successful Foundation Establishment by thirty percent. Please examine them, Master.”

“Thirty percent?” At his words, Liu Xiaoxian was stunned. Her chest heaved slightly, and her enchanting golden eyes filled with disbelief.

...

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