HCB #288 - This is not taking the royal family into consideration.
#288 - This is not taking the royal family into consideration.
"Dean, you're going alone to complete the mission? Is your sect being a bit stingy?"
Under a clear sky, the three of them flew on their swords.
Chen Changfeng said, voicing his thoughts.
Standing beside Gu An, he seemed somewhat indignant.
Gu An glanced at him and said, "Ordinary people don't need to be sent, and those who are too strong would take control from me.
They want me to be in charge, so it's best not to send other disciples.
After all, you two are already participating."
"What is the Dean's mission?" Zhang San asked curiously.
Gu An handed him a simple document.
At least to let them understand what they were going to do.
In addition, as soon as they left the sect, he completely unlocked the restrictions on the two of them.
Which meant that Chen Changfeng's early-stage Nascent Soul cultivation was completely released.
Zhang San's early-stage Void Refinement cultivation was also no longer suppressed.
Logically speaking, with a powerhouse like Zhang San having all his restrictions removed, he could probably kill a Golden Core cultivator in a single breath.
But Gu An actually hoped that he would make a move.
That way, he could also take action.
Of course, in an instant, he would put Chen Changfeng to sleep.
However, Zhang San seemed to sense something, and currently had no intention of making a move.
Still a bit too complacent.
So, for safety's sake, he still left a mechanism in place. As soon as the other party attacked him, the Eight-Tone Formation would activate.
And then they'd talk.
"Building an academy? I've heard of this, but since they brought treasures with them, how could they be easily stolen?" Zhang San asked, puzzled, looking at the document.
"It's not impossible, so my mission is to resolve this matter.
Regardless of who took the items, just make sure everything proceeds smoothly," Gu An said.
"What does the Dean plan to do?" Zhang San asked.
Since they came out, they naturally had to listen to the person in front of them.
In fact, Zhang San was extremely curious as to why the other party dared to release all of his power directly.
If he attacked, the other party would die in an instant.
Was it stupidity or confidence?
He couldn't figure it out.
But if it were him, he definitely wouldn't dare to do that.
A mid-stage Golden Core cultivator daring to let a Void Refinement cultivator move freely was an extremely dangerous thing.
Especially since this Void Refinement cultivator was a prisoner and had no loyalty to speak of.
"First, we'll investigate the situation, and then ask if it was someone from the Azurewood Sect who did it," Gu An paused and said, "If it is, then the problem is quite significant.
If it isn't, then the problem is even bigger, because we won't be able to find the items.
They might not be willing to talk nicely."
Half a month later.
Skywave City.
Gu An stood in front of the city, watching people flying in and out on their swords, feeling quite emotional.
This was a city full of cultivators.
"Because they started building the academy here, many families and sect forces have begun to settle here.
Magical treasures, pills, talismans, and other related industries have begun to emerge.
Gradually making this place prosperous.
Everyone believes that this place will become a large city in the future, a gathering place for countless cultivators.
The resources will be much more abundant than in other places.
Currently, the good locations here have already been purchased by sect forces.
Being able to purchase a property here is not easy.
The original ordinary people have been gathered in a certain area," Zhang San said.
"Does Senior Zhang have any plans to buy a residence here?" Chen Changfeng asked curiously.
"No, those who want to buy are mostly rogue cultivators. Cultivators like us with sects don't need to live here permanently.
Although the resources here are good, the sect isn't bad either.
Of course, there are also many people who don't have much future in the sect.
Coming here can actually earn more resources.
So they would want to stay here," Zhang San said, looking at the city below.
Gu An looked at the city and landed on the ground, saying, "Let's go in. The sooner we complete the mission, the sooner we can go back."
When you're away from home, where is as safe as the sect?
Especially for Gu An.
He had the merit points bonus in the sect, making him even safer.
Others would only dare to make small troubles for him.
Serious injuries or other things would have to bear the pressure from the Merit Hall.
Which direct disciple would dare to offend the Merit Hall casually?
Unless they were those True Disciples, whom Gu An naturally kept at a respectful distance.
When entering the city, Gu An and the others were stopped.
"Entering the city requires three spirit stones," the guard asked, looking at Gu An and the others.
Gu An slightly raised his head and looked at the people flying on their swords, saying, "Don't they have to pay?"
"Those are disciples of sects, so they can naturally enter and exit freely. If you are disciples of large sects such as the Heavenly Sun Sect, Spirit Flower Valley, or Heavenly Wind Palace, you can also enter and exit freely. After all, because of their alliance, this city can achieve this kind of prosperity," the guard replied.
Gu An thought for a moment and said, "Is the Azurewood Sect okay?"
Hearing this, the guards were stunned.
Some were fearful, and some were angry.
After hesitating slightly, they still let them pass, "The Azurewood Sect is also on the list."
Thus, Gu An stepped in.
He didn't expect to actually be able to enter.
But they also didn't investigate their identities.
Perhaps the prestige of the Demonic Sect made them afraid to act rashly.
Afterwards, Gu An and the others quickly arrived at the depths of the city, where there was a huge building taking shape.
It should be the location where the academy was being built.
Just by looking at it, Gu An felt that it contained endless changes.
Not only that, but there were also spiritual veins surging beneath the earth, occupying a favorable location.
It was indeed a good place.
It was reasonable for a city to become prosperous because of this place.
Even if it wasn't for building an academy, this place wouldn't be ordinary.
Afterwards, Gu An found the Azurewood Sect's station.
There were strong people guarding the surroundings, and formations covered the area, preventing people from entering and leaving at will.
When Gu An arrived, they were already aware.
He didn't care, but met with the people of the Azurewood Sect.
There were three people in total.
Three Nascent Soul cultivators.
A burly middle-aged man, a young fairy, and a slightly disheveled young man.
The middle-aged man was named Shi Ke, from the Right Front Yard, and was the person in charge of building the academy this time, with late-stage Nascent Soul cultivation.
The young fairy was named Shi Wanyi, sent by the Main Yard to mediate and communicate with other sects, with early-stage Nascent Soul cultivation.
The slightly disheveled young man was named Xie Sanlu, from the Right Yard, and was responsible for planning the formation arrangement and construction details, with early-stage Nascent Soul cultivation.
Gu An looked at the three of them and respectfully saluted, "Greetings, Seniors."
From the cultivation level of these three, they were all people he needed to respect.
Their positions were also stronger than his.
If it weren't for the Merit Ranking and the support of the Six Yards' leaders, he wouldn't be a match at all.
Especially since he was only a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator.
Of course, it was precisely because he was the leader of a yard that even though he was a Golden Core cultivator, the people he brought out were not comparable to these people.
At this time, the three of them looked at Gu An, and then at the two people behind him.
Shi Ke questioned, "You are the chief person in charge of this mediation?"
"I am," Gu An nodded politely, "So I hope the three seniors can cooperate."
"What is your position? And what is your cultivation level?" Shi Wanyi from the Main Yard asked.
"Leader of the Second Team of the Back Yard, mid-stage Golden Core," Gu An said truthfully.
Xie Sanlu from the Right Yard frowned, "Leader of the Second Team of the Back Yard? Mid-stage Golden Core? Isn't this a joke? Why did the Main Yard send you over? Those people will definitely be even more excessive after hearing this."
Before Gu An could say anything, a voice came from outside.
"Fan He of the Heavenly Sun Sect has heard that the person in charge of the Azurewood Sect has arrived and hopes to meet and communicate with him," a deep voice came.
Nascent Soul Perfection.
Very strong.
It seems that it's not strange to have a Return to Void Realm person in charge here.
This gave Gu An a headache.
"They're here," Shi Ke and the others said, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Gu An wasn't surprised, but instead said, "Let them in."
Zhang San silently put on his mask and said, "Please come in, the three of you."
Soon, three people arrived at the door.
All of them were young people who looked quite young.
The leader was a man, with two women beside him.
Their eyes carried a hint of戏谑 [xì xuè - mockery, teasing].
"Who is the person in charge?" Fan He asked.
Gu An stood in the middle, looking at them and said, "It is I."
"Golden Core?" Fan He was stunned for a moment, then said angrily, "What? Does the Azure Wood Sect think it's invincible and doesn't take other sects and the royal family seriously?
To actually send a Golden Core cultivator over?
Are you trying to fool us?"
Gu An sighed inwardly, his weak cultivation was indeed a troublesome matter.
He should have hidden his cultivation before coming.
That would have been better for everyone.
"A mere Golden Core, you don't even know who you're facing," Fan He said, releasing his aura: "Kneel!"
In an instant, a vast aura erupted, making everyone feel suffocated.
Shi Ke and the others were somewhat fearful, as if they had experienced such pressure before.
Gu An sighed in his heart and said, "Let this fellow cultivator calm down."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang San stepped out, directly arrived in front of Fan He, and then waved his hand.
Pa!
A crisp slap was heard.
The originally terrifying pressure instantly disappeared, and Fan He even took three steps back, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.
He looked at the masked man in shock.
Then came anger.
But before he could open his mouth, the other party came in front of him again and grabbed Fan He's neck.
In an instant, the aura on Fan He's body began to dissipate, and his vitality was collapsing.
Terror, fear, trepidation.
Unable to breathe.
Fan He trembled all over, wanting to beg for mercy but unable to speak.
The two fairies on the side finally reacted and were about to attack.
But a great terror arose from their hearts, and a majestic force suppressed them.
Boom!
The two were directly suppressed by the force and knelt on the ground.
Ka cha!
Their kneecaps shattered on the spot.
And Fan He was lifted up, like carrying a dead man.
"Alright," Gu An slowly said.
He felt that if it continued, Zhang San would really kill someone.
He was here to solve the problem, not to kill people.
One less person meant one less clue.
Hearing this, Zhang San hesitated, but finally threw the man on the ground.
Only then did he retreat behind Gu An.
Gu An glanced at Zhang San, feeling that the other party was not so obedient, but he could still be used to some extent.
So he didn't bother too much.
After all, the other party was neither his subordinate nor his servant.
It would be a problem if he were too obedient.
He should try not to let Chen Changfeng do anything, and then just say he was useless and drive him away.
At this time, there was an eerie silence in the room.
After Zhang San made a move, everyone else with ulterior motives restrained their thoughts.
A Return to Void Realm Completion cultivator was almost strangled to death like that.
"You, the Azure Wood Sect is really something, bullying us like this," Fan He said through gritted teeth, looking at Gu An as he recovered.
But as soon as he finished speaking, a figure appeared in front of him.
Pa!
Pa pa!
Chen Changfeng slapped the other party twice, then kicked the man out and said, "How dare you speak to our Dean like that?"
Gu An:
Are you putting on a show?
His original intention was to seek peace, but unfortunately, these people didn't seem to want to talk peacefully.
"What does the senior want to say this time? Also, I am the main person in charge sent by the Azure Wood Sect this time.
I wonder what the senior's opinion is?" Gu An asked calmly, looking at the other party.
Fan He looked at Gu An warily, and finally said, "I just want to tell you that time is running out.
If you can't give an answer this month, then don't blame us for not being reasonable.
At that time, your sect will definitely have to give an explanation, the thing was stolen here.
Besides your Azure Wood Sect, there is no one else."
Gu An nodded slightly, and then said, "There are still half a month left, so I won't bother the senior to worry, also, I just lost three thousand spirit stones, I wonder if the senior has picked them up?"
"What do you mean?" Fan He was a little stunned.
"Zhang San, can you help me ask?" Gu An looked at the person next to him and said.
Seeing this, Fan He looked terrified, and immediately said to the person coming over, "I, I picked it up."
In the end, the three of them gave three thousand spirit stones.
Only then did they leave with injuries.
After collecting the spirit stones, Gu An turned to look at Shi Ke and the other two and said, "I'm sorry for startling the three senior brothers and sisters."
The three of them breathed a sigh of relief in their hearts, just now they thought that the person in front of them was going to ask them if they had picked up the spirit stones.
If asked, how should they answer?
If it was just a Golden Core cultivator, they naturally wouldn't take it seriously.
But this Zhang San...
A Return to Void Realm expert.
This made people fearful.
They never expected that a Return to Void Realm expert would listen to the other party so much.
Could it be that the person in front of them has a great background?
Although they had occasionally heard of Gu An's name, they didn't take it too seriously.
After all, he was a Golden Core cultivator, and he looked so old.
Either he relied on time to accumulate his cultivation, or he relied on some opportunity to advance at the last moment.
Having an opportunity and an identity had nothing to do with them.
It would not pose any threat to their future.
So they paid less attention.
But they didn't expect that the one who came was actually this person, and he also brought a Return to Void Realm expert.
"Tell me about the specific situation, and also tell me about the people they suspect," Gu An said, "I hope the three senior brothers and sisters can understand that if I don't handle it well, everyone will not benefit.
If the sect blames us, no one can escape.
The top priority is to solve the matter here first."
"We'll prepare and give it to junior brother tonight," Shi Ke said.
Hearing this, Gu An didn't say anything.
Afterwards, he rested in the place they arranged.
In the room, Gu An looked at Zhang San and said, "Does senior have a feud with that person?"
"No," Zhang San took off his mask and said, "I just think that the Dean is from the Demonic Sect, so he should be biased towards the Demonic Sect when taking action."
Gu An looked at the person in front of him, did not ask any more questions, but instead said, "Go investigate the situation here, and also investigate the people of the Azure Wood Sect."
"Just let us go out to investigate like this?" Zhang San was a little stunned: "Dean really doesn't treat us as outsiders."
Gu An didn't say anything more.
As soon as they left, Gu An took out the Draw a Circle on the Ground as a Prison, and began to study.
He felt that he would soon learn it.
This mission was not so easy to handle.
Whether it was really taken by the people of the Azure Wood Sect or not, there were many troubles.
He also never thought of investigating it little by little.
It's been so long, how could he possibly find out?
How much ability he had, couldn't he know?
So, he should still improve his cultivation.
One force breaks ten thousand laws.
Now he needed to know the specific situation.
It was best to know how strong they were.
If the strongest was only in the early stage of the Return to Void Realm, it would be easy to handle.
If not, then it would be quite troublesome.