Chapter 157: The Invitation

"I didn't expect Brother Liang to be so formidable. It really makes this junior sister look at you with new eyes!"

Nangong Xiaomei looked at Liang Yan, who had stepped out of the arena, and said with a chuckle.

Liang Yan smiled in return and said, "You'd better stop making fun of me. I think your opponent seems to be no ordinary person."

"Her!"

Nangong Xiaomei glanced at a figure not far away and shook her head, saying, "I was never her match to begin with. Running into her is just my bad luck."

The person not far away seemed to sense something. Almost simultaneously, she turned her head and looked over at Nangong Xiaomei.

That person wore blue court robes and was none other than Mingyue of the Water Reverence Pavilion.

The two women's gazes met, and both smiled faintly, seemingly acquainted for a long time.

"It seems that this time, only you will have to rely on yourself to fight for a top-three spot in the Fragrance Sect." Nangong Xiaomei turned her head back and said to Liang Yan again.

"I will do my best," Liang Yan said, rubbing his chin.

............

The subsequent matches progressed very swiftly. Li Huan's match was practically a one-sided crushing defeat, while Nangong Xiaomei, after a fierce and intense clash, ultimately suffered a narrow defeat against Mingyue of the Water Reverence Pavilion.

With this, all three rounds of dueling had concluded. Chu Shi, standing on the high platform, swept his gaze over the four advancing individuals and thought to himself, "In the end, the four who advanced still hail from our four major sects."

A look of satisfaction crossed his face as he announced in a loud voice, "The four victors of today's duels are Ma Yuan of the Qishan Sect, Li Huan of the Blood Saber Gate, Mingyue of the Water Reverence Pavilion, and Hao Chou of the Fragrance Sect."

"The four of you may return to rest for a day. At noon the day after tomorrow, the rankings will be decided right here. The top three will receive the tournament's reward: one Spirit-Refining Pill!"

Having made his announcement, Chu Shi cupped his hands toward the other three individuals on the platform, then stepped down from the high platform and left with his disciples from the Qishan Sect.

The remaining cultivators, knowing that today's show had concluded, immediately dispersed in groups of three or five, leaving the competition venue.

At this moment, Nangong Xiaomei walked toward Liang Yan and said to him:

"Congratulations to Brother Liang on advancing to the top four! With your current strength, fighting for a top-three spot should not be much of a problem. However, Brother Liang must be careful of this person named Li Huan. Although he is narrow-minded and vengeful, his strength is truly extraordinary! I am afraid he might try to kill you during the competition."

"Hehe, rest assured, Junior Sister Xiaomei! If this Li Huan truly harbors malicious intentions, I will make sure he has no way back!" Liang Yan said indifferently.

"It is good that you are confident. If by any chance you are no match for him, you can directly forfeit and admit defeat. After all, for cultivators like us, life is the most important thing. Only by staying alive can you obtain what you desire," Nangong Xiaomei said persistently, still looking worried.

Hearing this, Liang Yan felt a warmth in his heart and thought to himself, "The Pine, Bamboo, and Plum trio all have distinct personalities. Yue Xiaotou is cold on the outside but warm on the inside, Li Xiaosong is carefree and bold, while this Nangong Xiaomei turns out to be a rare, thoughtful, and considerate person."

By now, he already regarded the people of the Fragrance Sect as friends, so he immediately cupped his hands and bowed, saying:

"Thank you for your concern, Junior Sister Xiaomei. I shall act according to my capabilities!"

Nangong Xiaomei smiled and nodded, saying no more.

At this moment, Li Xiran also walked over to them, and the group set off together, hurrying back to the Treasure Pavilion in Luocheng.

That same night, Liang Yan sat cross-legged on the bed, practicing Qi circulation and silently replenishing the spiritual power he had lost during the day's duels.

By the evening of the next day, Liang Yan finished his cultivation and stood up. At this moment, he looked spirited and radiant, showing not the slightest trace of fatigue.

"Speaking of which, if I successfully obtain the Spirit-Refining Pill and trade it for the recipe of the Sword-Nurturing Pill, I can begin having someone refine the pills for me. This manual of *The Minor Three-Talents Sword Art* contains detailed methods for condensing a sword embryo. As long as I persistently take the Sword-Nurturing Pill, one day I will be able to step into the 'Sword Embryo Stage'."

As he thought about this, he took out an exquisite small box from his storage pouch, lifted the lid, and inside lay a pile of golden-yellow fine sand.

"This Galaxy Sand is a precious material for weapon forging. If I add an ounce and a half of it to my Still-Radiant Sword, its power will surely increase greatly. It's a pity that I don't know how to forge weapons myself; it seems I will still have to find someone to help me craft it."

Thinking of this, Liang Yan could not help but let out a soft sigh. As a rogue cultivator now, he neither knew how to refine pills nor how to forge weapons. Even with so many precious resources on hand, he could only stare helplessly, which was truly exasperating.

Just as Liang Yan was thinking this, he suddenly raised his head, glanced toward the outer courtyard, and said with a smile:

"Why have you changed your temperament today, actually knowing how to wait outside?"

As he spoke, he stood up and pushed open the door to his room. Outside the courtyard stood a young girl with twin buns tied on her head, who was none other than Li Xiaosong.

She had changed into a new set of clothes today, and her little face was flushed pink, looking remarkably cute.

"Senior Brother Liang displayed immense might yesterday, defeating three opponents in a row with such formidable strength. I, Xiaosong, cannot lack proper etiquette either!" Li Xiaosong cupped her two pink little hands together in front of her and spoke with a pretentiously mature tone.

"Cut the act!" Liang Yan said unhappily. "What troublesome matter is it this time? Out with it already."

Hearing this, Li Xiaosong immediately giggled and said, "You're as smart as ever, you grumpy face! There is an underground gathering of cultivators in Luocheng tonight, and I want you to come with me!"

"A gathering of cultivators?" Liang Yan frowned slightly, but realization dawned on him instantly.

There were as many as thirty-two cultivators just participating in the tournament, and these cultivators had not come alone; many were accompanied by fellow sect brothers and sisters.

Right now, there were probably several hundred cultivators in Luocheng. Since they had gathered together, it was inevitable that some underground gatherings would pop up for the purpose of mutual exchange.

"Why look for me? Isn't Junior Sister Xiaomei around?" Liang Yan asked.

"Don't even mention it. Sister Xiaomei disappeared somewhere early this morning, and even the Junior Martial Uncle has vanished. Looking around the entire Treasure Pavilion right now, you are the only cultivator left. Can you bear to watch a minor like me go alone to this kind of gathering? If I were to meet with any misfortune, wouldn't you feel guilty inside?"

Li Xiaosong fired off a rapid barrage of questions, leaving Liang Yan massaging his forehead in a headache-inducing manner.

"Besides, if I happen to spot the materials for the Sword-Nurturing Pill at this gathering, I might just leak a hint or two beforehand, who knows?" Li Xiaosong added.

"Deal!"

This time, Liang Yan did not hesitate at all. He swung the door shut behind him and said to her, "What are you waiting for? Let's go!"

Seeing this, Li Xiaosong was slightly stunned, then cast him a sidelong glance and said, "I thought you were a man of upright character, but it turns out you're just someone who won't scatter the hawk until he sees the rabbit!"

"Hehe, we're even. Didn't I previously think you were an innocent and cute little girl?" Liang Yan chuckled, taking the lead and walking toward the courtyard exit.

"I am本来就是!" (Translator's note: maintaining the natural flow: "I am one, naturally!")

Li Xiaosong puffed out her cheeks in a huff while quickly following behind him, disappearing together with Liang Yan's figure around the corner of the Treasure Pavilion's corridor.