Chapter 1344: Farewell, Han Xiaoxiao

"Brother Xu Nian, why did you buy a defensive spirit array?"

Luo Bing asked curiously.

For immortals, a spirit array is of little use.

Xu Nian smiled, looking at the wooden plaque in his hand, and said, "This isn’t a defensive array pattern of a top-grade spirit array; this is a sword array of a mid-grade immortal array level. That shopkeeper didn’t recognize it, thought he got a bargain, but actually, I’m the one who gained a bargain."

"A mid-grade sword array?" Luo Bing was shocked.

Thus, it really was Xu Nian who scored a bargain, and a big one at that.

"Someone mentioned before that you can find treasures at these stalls, and it turns out to be true. But for the mid-grade immortal array to be inscribed on wood is truly rare. Brother Xu Nian, how did you recognize it?" Luo Bing asked with curiosity.

"I’ve studied formations, artifact refining, and alchemy before. Among these, I’m best at artifact refining, followed by formations, and lastly alchemy. Therefore, I can naturally discern this sword array." Xu Nian laughed.

This sword array is indeed very similar to restriction runes, and it’s difficult for anyone not versed in formations to see.

Xu Nian has Emperor Ye Tian’s training to thank for cultivating such a keen eye.

"Brother Xu Nian, you’re really amazing, to be proficient in so many things." Luo Bing expressed admiration.

Xu Nian chuckled.

His current formation skills are barely enough to set up low grade immortal arrays.

If it were really a mid-grade immortal array, without these array patterns, he wouldn’t be able to set it up.

After all, with these array pattern runes, when he executes it, he just needs to imprint it with immortal essence.

"Hey, have you heard? Tianjian Sect’s recruitment has started, and there’s a registration point right here in Giant Sword City."

"Really? That’s the Tianjian Sect of the Nine Great Immortal Domains. The recruitment conditions must be extremely strict."

"Of course, I’ve heard that there’s no hope below Heavenly Immortal; even if you’re a Heavenly Immortal, you must be a genius. Not to mention anything else, the registration fee alone is terrifyingly high, ten mid-grade immortal essence stones."

"Ten, and mid-grade immortal essence stones?"

...

Xu Nian and Luo Bing walked down the road, overhearing the discussions of cultivators nearby.

Luo Bing frowned.

Ten mid-grade immortal essence stones?

That’s indeed quite a hefty expense.

"Let’s go, I’ll take you to register." Xu Nian smiled.

"But I used up all the immortal essence stones you gave me." Luo Bing hesitated.

"Don’t worry, isn’t it just ten mid-grade immortal essence stones? It’s not a huge amount, the key is you joining the Tianjian Sect." Xu Nian chuckled.

"Brother Xu Nian, why don’t you join Tianjian Sect with me?" Luo Bing suggested.

"That won’t do, I’ve already apprenticed under Taichu Immortal Emperor of Shendang Mountain, how could I join another sect?" Xu Nian laughed.

Luo Bing’s face fell upon hearing that.

Then, Xu Nian took her directly to the registration location.

Currently, the registration point was already overflowing with people.

A long line was queuing up.

Upfront, a young man and woman were in charge of the recruitment registration.

"Junior Sister Xiao Xiao, let me handle this recruitment, you can rest on the side." The young man said fawningly to the woman beside him.

His eyes were full of admiration for the woman in front of him.

Being sent out for this recruitment wasn’t easy, he had to plead with his master for a long time before getting consent.

Just to be able to spend time with this Junior Sister Xiao Xiao.

Ever since Junior Sister Xiao Xiao joined Tianjian Sect, he had been pursuing her.

But she always ignored him, which made him very anxious.

"No need, these are tasks assigned by Master, I can handle them myself." Han Xiaoxiao replied coldly.

She was always averse to the young man’s pursuits but had no choice.

He’s the grandson of a Tianjian Sect elder, offending him would surely invite the elder’s suppression.

"Huh?" Xu Nian immediately saw Han Xiaoxiao in charge of the recruitment.

He didn’t expect to meet her here.

Even more surprising was that Han Xiaoxiao had joined Tianjian Sect.

Of course, Xu Nian also noticed that Han Xiaoxiao’s cultivation had reached the peak of Heavenly Immortal.

She had only ascended for sixty-plus years, yet she reached the peak of Heavenly Immortal, that cultivation speed was definitely high talent.

"Brother Xu Nian, do you know her?" Luo Bing naturally grew a little vigilant.

"Yes, she’s from Tianlan Star like us, but she’s from the Tianlan Continent and was a disciple of the Spirit Rhinoceros Sword Sect, probably ascended forty years earlier than you." Xu Nian smiled.

"Oh!" Luo Bing responded, feeling somewhat let down inside.

Because when Xu Nian mentioned Han Xiaoxiao, his eyes were very gentle.

That gaze made Luo Bing feel uncomfortable.

Xu Nian did not approach Han Xiaoxiao but silently queued up.

Soon, Xu Nian and Luo Bing reached the front of Han Xiaoxiao.

"Who’s registering?" Han Xiaoxiao glanced at Xu Nian and Luo Bing, not recognizing Xu Nian.

After all, Xu Nian had changed his appearance and demeanor.

"She’s registering, her name is Luo Bing." Xu Nian pointed to Luo Bing and said.

"Place your hand on this Immortal Testing Stone." Han Xiaoxiao pointed to the stone beside her.

Luo Bing did as told, and soon a splendid light erupted from the stone, along with a sharp Sword Qi.

"Sword Immortal? And at the late-stage Heavenly Immortal?" Han Xiaoxiao was somewhat surprised.

She was also a Sword Immortal.

That’s because she joined Tianjian Sect very early on.

Generally, for a loose cultivator, it’s extremely difficult to acquire a Sword Immortal Technique.

"Sword Immortal? That might give you a shot at passing our Tianjian Sect tests. You should reveal your true appearance, right?" said the young man.

"Is revealing the true appearance a registration requirement?" Luo Bing asked, frowning.

This is Giant Sword City; revealing her true appearance would expose her identity immediately.

That would spell trouble.

"Registration doesn’t require it, but this young master wants to see it. Display your appearance or I’ll cancel your registration." The young man huffed coldly.

"You!" Luo Bing shouted in anger.

Xu Nian’s brow also furrowed deeply.

"Brother Tang, this recruitment task is my responsibility; I hope you don’t cause trouble." Han Xiaoxiao immediately said coldly.

"Junior Sister, I’m doing this for the good of the sect. Don’t you find it suspicious that someone unwilling to reveal their true appearance?" The young man surnamed Tang said.

Han Xiaoxiao, upon hearing this, turned her gaze to Luo Bing.

"I’ve offended some people and am being hunted, so I can’t reveal my appearance. Please do me this kindness, Fairy." Luo Bing pleaded.

"In that case, it’s fine, just hand over ten mid-grade immortal essence stones, and you can participate in the assessment in Tianjian City a year later." Han Xiaoxiao handed Luo Bing a token.

Xu Nian didn’t hesitate and offered up a thousand low-grade immortal stones.

Xu Nian and Luo Bing were then prepared to leave.

"Hold on, who said you could leave? I won’t stop you from registering, but you can’t just disregard the matter of you killing the Qingxuan Sect Elder." The young man named Tang blocked Xu Nian and Luo Bing’s way.

His early-stage Profound Immortal power burst forth, intensely pressing downward on Xu Nian and Luo Bing.

Xu Nian immediately took a step forward, shielding Luo Bing behind him.

He bore the brunt of the pressure.

His gaze at the youth was filled with anger.