Chapter 36: Yan Huaixuan, Didn’t Expect Me to Come Up Too?

Chapter 36: Yan Huaixuan, Who Would Have Thought I'd Make It Up Here Too?

"You know, very few people can sense spiritual energy in a tangible form."

Hearing this, a faint smile tugged at the corners of Shen Lian's lips. "That's good to know."

Before he knew it, Shen Lian had been cultivating until evening.

He could feel that he had easily broken through to the third level of Qi Introduction, and would soon be able to step into the Condensing Truth realm.

But Shen Lian also knew not to be greedy—cultivation required steady, solid progress.

And this principle was something—

Shen Lian's eyelashes trembled slightly. He slowly opened his eyes, only to find that a figure had unexpectedly appeared in the room.

Without any need for doubt, Shen Lian knew the person was not an illusion.

His expression immediately turned grim. "Yan Huaixuan!"

The man standing before him—who else could it be but Yan Huaixuan?

Ling Yun was also shocked. "It really is him. I thought I must have been seeing things earlier."

When they were on the crane earlier, it had vaguely caught a glimpse of Shen Lian's figure.

But it quickly told itself that was impossible—given the state Shen Lian was in back then, surviving at all would have been a stroke of luck.

How could he possibly be cultivating now, of all things?

Yet here Shen Lian was, standing right in front of him.

And they'd been here for a while now.

They'd also seen how fast Shen Lian cultivated—he was incredibly talented, with spiritual energy being sucked into his body at a terrifying pace.

Shen Lian quickly put his cold mask back on, with a sneer. "What, Yan Huaixuan, didn't expect to see me up here?"

Yan Huaixuan probably never imagined that the person he'd tossed aside would now be worthy of breathing the same air as him.

Yan Huaixuan's tone was indifferent. "Why are you in the Tianheng Sect? Entangled with Tianheng disciples?"

Hearing the first part, Shen Lian's expression soured.

This was so like Yan Huaixuan—always cold and aloof, as if no one in this world could affect him, forever looking down his nose at everyone.

No matter how much Shen Lian lost his cool, Yan Huaixuan could always remain calm.

Just watching him make a fool of himself.

But at the latter part, Shen Lian burst out laughing. He curled his lip, locking eyes with Yan Huaixuan. "If I didn't get tangled up with them, how else would I get into the Tianheng Sect?"

He added, all provocative, "Oh right, how could I forget—the Immortal Master hates low-class behavior like mine the most, right?"

"So, you here to take care of me now?"

Shen Lian asked, but he didn't actually think Yan Huaixuan would kill him.

After all, this was still the Tianheng Sect, and there were people in the next room.

No matter how ballsy Yan Huaixuan was, he couldn't just kill someone here.

Sure enough, Yan Huaixuan replied, "I won't kill you. I'm just warning you—whether it's other sects or other factions, stay away from the Tianheng Sect."

"Zheng Huifeng is the most likely to make it into the Main Sect this time. He's naive, probably not your type."

Shen Lian smirked. "He's not my type? Then why don't you recommend a few who are?"

Yan Huaixuan paused, his eyes going cold. "Do you have to take the crooked path? Even after ascending to the upper realm, you still won't cultivate properly?"

At those words, a hint of red crept into Shen Lian's eyes.

"How I cultivate is none of your damn business."

Yan Huaixuan frowned slightly when he heard a knock at the door. "Shen Lian, it's me, Zheng Huifeng. You still cultivating?"

He glanced at the door, his figure slowly fading out. Before he left, he didn't even spare Shen Lian a glance. "Take care of yourself. Since you've been given a second chance, don't go down the wrong path again."

Shen Lian stared at the spot where he'd disappeared. "What a sanctimonious hypocrite."

With that, he pulled himself together and opened the door. "Senior Zheng."

To his surprise, Zheng Huifeng was holding a food box. Seeing Shen Lian, he looked a bit embarrassed. "Sorry about this. It only hit me tonight that you might not have reached the fasting stage yet, so I went to Qingshan City to grab you some food."

Seeing the food box, Shen Lian froze for a second, then smiled. "Thank you, Senior Zheng."

Zheng Huifeng met his smile and couldn't help his ears turning red.

But the next second, Zheng Huifeng caught on. He stared at Shen Lian. "You're already at the third level of Qi Introduction?"

Shen Lian nodded. "It must be because the Tianheng Sect has such rich spiritual energy that my cultivation's been twice as effective. I have Senior Zheng to thank for that."

Zheng Huifeng waved his hand, looking at Shen Lian with a touch of admiration. "Not at all, you're overthinking it. Other disciples stay here just like you, but none of them cultivate as fast. You've got real talent."

A thought suddenly struck Zheng Huifeng. "Do you belong to a sect? Would you like to... join the Tianheng Sect?"

Shen Lian's eyes brightened. "Of course, I'd be glad to."

As for Yan Huaixuan—well, once he was done recruiting, he'd head straight back to the Main Sect, a million miles away from him.

Zheng Huifeng, upon hearing the answer, immediately said, "Perfect timing—the recruitment ceremony is about to begin. I'll submit your name along with the others. There's still half a month, so cultivate well."

"Alright."

After watching Zheng Huifeng leave, Shen Lian closed the door, looked at the food box, and gently opened it.

Little did he know, outside, a figure was standing not far off.

Those cold eyes watched Zheng Huifeng's retreating back—the man was clearly in a good mood, his steps light and quick.

Then those eyes shifted, landing on Shen Lian.

His pale, snow-white face was all smiles, watching Zheng Huifeng for a long time before reluctantly closing the door.

Ling Yun couldn't help saying, "This Shen Lian's got some real skill. Master, back then you—"

Before he could finish, Yan Huaixuan cut him off coldly. "Ling Yun, have I ever asked you what you actually taught Shen Lian back then?"

Ling Yun clammed up. "Master..."

But it noticed that the pressure radiating from Yan Huaixuan was clearly at rock bottom.

Yan Huaixuan glanced at the tightly shut door, then swept out, flicking his sleeve.

After finishing his meal, Shen Lian holed up in his room for about half a month. Luckily, Yan Huaixuan never came looking for him.

Shen Lian threw himself into his cultivation and quickly hit the Condensing Truth realm.

Zheng Huifeng kept bringing Shen Lian meals at first, but then Shen Lian claimed he'd already reached the fasting stage.

When Zheng Huifeng heard that, he was a little bummed, but could only nod and say, "Alright."

He knew Shen Lian had caught on and was politely giving him the brush-off.

But Zheng Huifeng wasn't one to hold a grudge—he stayed laid-back. "Shen Lian, tomorrow's your sect entrance exam. You've gotta pass it."

Hearing it was the entrance exam, Shen Lian couldn't help but crack a smile.

"Alright."

Shen Lian was more than ready. At least a few thousand people would be taking the exam with him, but only a hundred would make the cut.

He had total faith in himself.

But what he hadn't counted on was an extra examiner showing up.

He looked at the person sitting at the exam table.

A flicker of unease crossed Shen Lian's face.

The others exchanged confused looks, wondering why a simple entrance exam for new disciples would bring the Main Sect's unrivaled genius here.

Yan Huaixuan took a leisurely sip of tea. "I've heard rumors that some folks are restless and impatient, can't focus on their cultivation, and instead go down shady paths, trying to schmooze their way into the Tianheng Sect."

Hearing that, every examiner felt a twinge of guilt.

So this guy had come to keep an eye on them?

Shen Lian heard those words, which might as well have had his name written all over them.

He stared at Yan Huaixuan, but the man merely lowered his head to sip his tea, as if oblivious to his gaze.