Chapter 68: Belonging to No Sect?

"Junior Brother Lu looks refined and possesses an extraordinary bearing. Yet, as Junior Sister An mentioned, it seems you have no sect affiliation?"

Ruan Xian looked at Lu Xiao, her tone calm, yet carrying a subtle undertone of interrogation. This was perhaps simply her habit, her speech naturally tinged with such an edge.

"My talent is ordinary, so indeed no sect has been willing to take me in. I am currently preparing for the martial academy's examinations next year, hoping to enter and perhaps secure some good fortune there."

Lu Xiao's reply was quite sincere. This was indeed his current plan, without a shred of falsehood; he merely omitted the difficult predicament he was currently facing.

Hearing this, the corners of Ruan Xian's lips curved into a slight smile. This smile mocked Lu Xiao for lacking honesty—he might have fooled An Yunzhi, but he couldn't fool her.

Ever since the Dragon Blood Body-Tempering Art had surfaced, she considered herself certain of Lu Xiao's true identity. Yet Lu Xiao remained completely dishonest, refusing to speak the truth and still prevaricating about having no sect.

Hesitating briefly, she had no desire to entangle herself further with Lu Xiao, nor did she plan to expose him right at this moment. She would wait for Lu Xiao to continue plotting his "chance encounters" with An Yunzhi, using hard facts to prove to An Yunzhi that her own suspicions were correct.

"Although Junior Brother Lu entered this ruin by accident, since you are here, you might as well try your hand at it. The trials left behind by the Immortal Tianlin are not far away. Perhaps Junior Brother Lu happens to align with the Immortal's intentions, and upon trying, you might directly carry away the supreme heritage."

Lu Xiao looked at Ruan Xian with some confusion, failing to understand the true intent behind her words.

"I happen to have the method for entering the trials here. Please accept it, Junior Brother Lu. You saved Junior Sister An, so it is only right that we offer you a reward; otherwise, continuing to owe a favor would leave us ill at ease. During this time, thank you for taking care of my junior sister. It was my dereliction of duty earlier that failed to protect her well. From now on, I will ensure she remains safe and sound."

Raised in the Marquis of Yonglin's estate, Lu Xiao naturally understood this subtext-laden tone. It sounded like being ill at ease without repaying a favor, but the real meaning was that the debt of gratitude was now settled, and they would be even henceforth—instructing him not to use this kindness to seek any further benefits.

Her subsequent remark that she would protect An Yunzhi safely was actually a warning for him to cease close contact with An Yunzhi. An Yunzhi had no need for his help, and this trial left by Immortal Tianlin was essentially an invitation for him to leave—and never seek them out again once he departed.

The underlying implications were clear to Lu Xiao. It was better to maintain a mutual veneer of civility than to let her speak even harsher words.

"Elder Sister Ruan, what are you saying..." An Yunzhi furrowed her brow, having caught the subtext as well. However, Ruan Xian was domineering and stepped directly in front of An Yunzhi.

Without much hesitation, Lu Xiao reached out and accepted the map. The location marked upon it was presumably the site of the trials left by Immortal Tianlin.

This was the profound foundation of a major sect. While others entered this place clueless and forced to search blindly, these two senior and junior sisters of the Jiuxing Palace had come equipped with a ready-made map; their sect had taken care of all the preparatory work for them.

"Both Junior Sister An and I have already attempted the trials, but we continually found it difficult to crack the puzzles left by the immortal, failing to win his favor. Let me wish Junior Brother Lu good fortune in advance, that you may inherit the immortal's blessing."

Ruan Xian spoke courteously, her words full of well-wishes, though their primary purpose was to dismiss him so that the two parties could part ways.

Seeing this, Lu Xiao did not hesitate further. He offered a parting bow and headed toward the northern direction. Making excuses would only invite suspicion and make them think he harbored ulterior motives.

Lu Xiao could understand Ruan Xian's intentions. How could An Yunzhi, a personal disciple of the Jiuxing Palace, possibly walk too closely with someone like him?

In truth, Lu Xiao cared little for any rewards. When he first chose to save her, he hadn't thought that far ahead. Later, An Yunzhi had taught him a wealth of experience and techniques, and even passed down the Mountains and Rivers Spear technique. In Lu Xiao's view, that repayment was already more than enough.

Today's gift of an opportunity for trial was quite valuable. Lu Xiao had initially thought of declining politely, but reflecting on it, refusing would only convince Ruan Xian that he was insatiably greedy and wanted more. Since that was the case, he might as well accept the gift directly.

Bidding farewell to the two women, he departed from the spot.

An Yunzhi looked as though she wanted to say something, but before the words could leave her lips, Ruan Xian stopped her.

Walking some distance away, Lu Xiao found a high vantage point and sat down, letting his mind wander over the events of the past few days.

It was better that he had left; it spared him further troubles and endless, futile thoughts. He was still mired in his own predicaments and could not even guarantee his own safety. He had no spare time to ponder other matters.

Raising his gaze, his elevated position afforded him a view of most of the terrain across the mountain forest. He looked toward the northwest. According to the map Ruan Xian had given him, the entrance to Immortal Tianlin's hidden treasure vault was located right there.

Aside from the location, the map also bore several hints—speculations on how to gain entry.

This truly demonstrated the difference in resources possessed by a great sect like the Jiuxing Palace, capable of providing such provisions to its younger generation. Disciples of minor sects and small factions had to explore and search entirely by luck upon entering this place, whereas major sects had long since eliminated numerous incorrect answers for their disciples and supplied them with all manner of guidance. This was precisely why practitioners from major sects found it so much easier to seize various opportunities of fortune.

Studying the map, Lu Xiao hesitated before deciding to go and try his luck. Staying here was pointless anyway, and it was rare for him to have access to such intelligence. Even if he failed to secure any fortune, going to take a look would still serve as a valuable experience.

Such ruins and secret realms left by predecessors were not uncommon in this world. Even without good fortune this time, he could still accumulate experience. Secret realms differed from one another, yet they always shared certain commonalities.

However, he needed to remain vigilant. As An Yunzhi had previously mentioned, the closer one drew to the treasured site, the more severe the suppression on one's personal strength became. Even if he was going to try his luck, he had to remain wary of the safety of his surroundings.

Having thought everything through, Lu Xiao set off, preparing to inspect what secrets were hidden within this immortal's treasure vault that even the Jiuxing Palace and the Xuanheng Sect were reluctant to abandon.

Today was the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, and the end of the year was fast approaching. Most people traveling away from home had already returned unless detained by urgent matters, and the major martial sects and academies had likewise entered a one-month holiday.

Of course, those who wished to stay at the martial academy to celebrate the New Year were free to do so; instructors would even bestow a gift to commemorate the occasion. Nevertheless, over ninety percent of the disciples chose to return home for the month-long break.

The plum blossoms in the Western Courtyard of Duke Meng's estate had originally been in full bloom, their fragrance drifting even over the courtyard walls to imbue the entire residence. Meng Xingxue had returned home yesterday and lingered before those blooming branches for a fleeting moment.

After a single night, however, every cluster of winter plum blossoms had completely withered.