Encountering Qiaoqian

Like Li Yunfan and Han Li, Song Meng stayed at the Qin residence, while Liu Jing, being a newcomer, took on the task of reconnaissance.

As for Zhong Weiniang, she immediately set off for Nanwu City to seek assistance as soon as the discussion ended.

After three days passed peacefully, Zhong Weiniang returned to the Qin residence with three men and two women.

Two of them were in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and three were in the early Foundation Establishment stage. Li Yunfan was very familiar with one of the early Foundation Establishment female cultivators; it was none other than Chen Qiaoqian.

As soon as these people arrived, they struck up a conversation with Liu Jing in a very warm manner, clearly indicating that they had some kind of acquaintance.

Zhong Weiniang then introduced Li Yunfan and Han Li to the group, and they were all surprised when they heard their names.

"So it's Junior Brother Li and Junior Brother Han! We've heard so much about you two before. You killed dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Demonic Path on the Golden Drum Plain battlefield. You're truly remarkable!" Another female cultivator smiled and said with great admiration.

Zhong Weiniang, Liu Jing, and the others exchanged glances, a hint of pride unconsciously appearing on their faces. After all, these two were their fellow disciples, and they naturally felt proud.

"With Senior Brother Li's strength, dealing with mere demonic cultivators is a piece of cake," Chen Qiaoqian said with a stunning smile, her eyes flashing with admiration as she looked at Li Yunfan.

Although she had made it clear that she would not force Li Yunfan to become her Daoist partner, it did not mean that she would give up. It was just that due to the difference in their aptitudes, she did not want to spend only two hundred years with him, so she had not taken things further.

Now that he has made such a name for himself, she naturally admires him even more and is genuinely happy for her beloved.

Upon hearing Chen Qiaoqian's words, the others all showed surprised expressions, and their gazes towards the two of them held a more meaningful tone.

Zhong Weiniang, in particular, looked at Chen Qiaoqian in surprise, then at Li Yunfan, and immediately understood what was going on, after all, she was all too familiar with that look in his eyes.

So he quickly pulled Chen Qiaoqian aside and began to have a private chat between women.

Although they didn't know what the two were talking about, Chen Qiaoqian's rosy cheeks still made the others speculate, and their gazes toward Li Yunfan became somewhat different.

Li Yunfan could only accept this helplessly; after all, he was a man.

Afterwards, the group greeted Chen Qiaoqian and the others. Although everyone had abstained from grains, since they had come to the secular world, they naturally had to follow local customs and enjoy the food to satisfy their appetites.

After the meal, Li Yunfan ordered the servants of the Qin residence to clear away the banquet, and only then did everyone begin to discuss dealing with the Black Fiend Sect and storming the imperial city.

After Liu Jing reiterated that he would bear the consequences of violating the Seven Sects' prohibition, Chen Qiaoqian and the others finally put aside their concerns and agreed to go together.

After some discussion and at Liu Jing's suggestion, everyone decided to let Chen Qiaoqian and the others rest for a day. On the second night, while the mortals in the imperial city were asleep, they would sneak in and eliminate the demons of the Black Fiend Sect.

Afterwards, Li Yunfan summoned Qin Ping and asked him to prepare some rooms for Chen Qiaoqian and the others, as well as Liu Jing and the others, to stay in.

Qin Ping didn't hesitate at all and quickly went to make arrangements. These two young masters were currently at the height of their power in the Qin family. No matter what requests they made, the head of the Qin family would agree, so he naturally didn't need to ask for any instructions.

When the night was deep and quiet, Li Yunfan suddenly opened his eyes, his lips moved slightly, and then he closed them again, as if everything had happened.

However, a moment later, Han Li quietly left the Qin residence and flew alone towards the imperial city on his magical artifact. Several hours later, he quietly returned to the Qin residence. Apart from sending a message to Li Yunfan via divine sense, he did not disturb anyone else.

The daytime passed quickly, and everyone was already waiting in their rooms, preparing for the upcoming battle.

Inside Li Yunfan's room, Han Li was sitting quietly in a chair, while the old man with the dark face and the other four friends of Mengshan stood respectfully to the side.

"With your cultivation levels, you won't be of much help in this great battle, so there's no need for you to go. You should leave the capital for the time being," Li Yunfan said calmly, taking a sip of tea.

"But senior, how can we back down in the face of battle!" the dark-faced old man hurriedly said.

"Even if you go, what help can you be? This time it's almost all battles between Foundation Establishment cultivators. Aren't you afraid of dying in the imperial city?" Li Yunfan shook his head and said.

"Senior brother is right. This battle is not something you Qi Refining cultivators can interfere with. Joining in on your own will only be a death sentence. I have a few high-grade magic artifacts here. Take one each as a parting gift from us." Han Li continued Li Yunfan's words with a slight smile.

After speaking, he flicked his sleeve across the table, and four exquisite magical artifacts shimmering with spiritual light appeared on it.

Upon seeing these magical artifacts, the Four Friends of Mengshan were overjoyed and repeatedly expressed their gratitude, saying that if they ever needed anything in the future, they should just come to them, as the four of them would be very willing to serve the two.

Li Yunfan and Han Li simply smiled and didn't say anything more, nor did they take it to heart.

One of them was about to leave Yue, and the other would leave Tiannan directly, where there was still a need for them.

After nightfall, Li Yunfan and Han Li got up and went to the hall. They saw that everyone was already ready to go, but their third senior brother Liu Jing was nowhere to be seen.

"Fourth Senior Brother, where did Third Senior Brother go?"

Han Li asked Song Meng, who was sitting to the side wiping a blue longsword, with some surprise.

"Senior Brother Liu said he'd try to persuade Junior Brother Liu again. If he agrees to go with us, our chances of winning this battle will be much greater," Song Meng said without looking up.

Just then, Liu Jing returned from outside with a strange expression, but he did not bring back Wu Xuan.

When one of Chen Qiaoqian's male fellow disciples asked about it, Liu Jing smiled wryly and explained that he hadn't found her at all.

Upon hearing Liu Jing's words, everyone else, including Han Li, was taken aback, while Li Yunfan remained calm.

The group discussed it for a while, but no one could say for sure what was going on, so they stopped worrying about it and prepared to head towards the capital.

Han Li seemed to have some guesses in his heart, but he did not voice his thoughts, as they could potentially affect the morale of the troops.

Just before setting off, Han Li glanced at Li Yunfan, as if seeking an answer from him. Li Yunfan seemed to understand what Han Li was thinking and nodded slightly.

This made Han Li sigh inwardly.