âYou are saying that this sect token was handed to you by Wan Ye?â
Leng Ran was doubtful.
Xu Ning explained the process of his meeting with Wan Ye to Leng Ran in detail.
Moreover, he talked about many details, including the secrets of the Swallow Heron Sect that Wan Ye had told him before.
âSenior Wan Ye said that the Swallow Heron Sectâs treasury is in your hands. He asked me to come and take it from you to rebuild the sect.â
Xu Ning explained the situation clearly.
After everything was explained, Leng Ranâs expression finally eased.
This was because the details described by Xu Ning were extremely accurate and detailed, and the logic behind everything was completely reasonable. It couldnât be faked.
Moreover, the sect token in his hands was the strongest evidence. âWan Ye is still aliveâŠâ
Leng Ran did not have a close relationship with Wan Ye.
She only knew that after the former sect master of the Swallow Heron Sect, Li Shengmao, gave her the treasury of the Swallow Heron Sect, he told her that the sect token was taken away by Wan Ye.
After Li Shengmao died, Leng Ran had tried to search for Wan Ye.
However, the last piece of news she heard of him was that Wan Ye was being hunted down and had escaped from State Wansheng. She didnât even know if he was dead or alive.
âWan Ye is alive, and he has chosen a successor in the Abyss NorthâŠâ
Leng Ran no longer looked at Xu Ning with hostility.
She had misunderstood Xu Ning before, thinking that Xu Ning was a member of the Red Sea Demon Sect.
The Red Sea Demon Sect was unpredictable. If they were targeted and dragged into some kind of trouble, it would be difficult to escape.
This was why Leng Ran was so afraid of Xu
Ning.
But now that she knew that Xu Ning was a member of the Swallow Heron Sect, it meant he was one of them.
âXu Ning, itâs not that I donât trust you, but I want to know, you came from the Abyss North, so how did you learn the core dao realm alchemy technique of the Red Sea Demon
Lord?â
Leng Ran asked.
âRed Sea Demon Lord left behind a mystic realm inheritance in the Abyss North. I passed the inheritance test, so I obtained the Red Sea Pill Sutra.â
Xu Ning spoke the truth.
Xu Ning could sense that Leng Ran was very sensitive to the Red Sea Demon Sect. If he lied to cover up his secrets, it might cause more unnecessary suspicions. âThe Red Sea Demon Lord left behind an inheritance in the Abyss NorthâŠâ
Leng Ran nodded in deep thoughts and looked up at Xu Ning. âYou were able to pass his inheritance test, so you are indeed talented. It is reasonable that Wan Ye chose you.â
âThe Red Sea Demon Lord is unpredictable, but you still have learned the Red Sea Pill Sutra. Didnât he tell you in the mystic realm to join the Red Sea Demon Sect once you arrive at State Wansheng?â
Leng Ran asked again.
âHe did.â
Xu Ning said, âI obtained a keepsake in the mystic realm. As long as I hold that keepsake, I can join the Red Sea Demon Sect.â
âBut why didnât you go join the Red Sea Demon Sect, but instead take on the responsibility of rebuilding the Swallow Heron Sect? This path is full of obstacles.â
Leng Ran asked this because she wanted to solve her doubts and understand Xu Ningâs attitude.
âI have already told you before that the reason why I was able to advance to the dao realm was because of Senior Wan Yeâs help. Plus, I have already accepted the sect token, so I will naturally not change my mind and join the Red Sea Demon Sect.â
âMoreover, the demonic path is not suitable for me.â
Xu Ning knew that the demonic path in State Wansheng was not the kind of murderous path that was like the demonic path in the Abyss North. Its position in martial arts was similar to that of miraculous alchemy. It took risks on the road of martial arts cultivation, constantly challenging its limits.
For people who had no talent and were willing to take risks, the pure demonic path was indeed the best path to take, but Xu Ning, who had the Martial Arts Panel, had no need to withstand the backlash from the demonic path.
Xu Ningâs answer satisfied Leng Ran.
âThis Wan Ye really has a good eye in picking a successorâŠâ
At this moment, Leng Ran had completely acknowledged Xu Ning.
âIn this case, I will give you the Swallow Heron Sectâs treasury.â
A round bead appeared in Leng Ranâs hand.
The appearance of the bead reminded Xu Ning of the bead that was finally formed by the Demon Beast Scroll. âThis is a spatial secret treasure called the Hidden Moon Bead. It is an independent space that can allow living creatures to enter and leave.â
Leng Ran said, âAll of the Swallow Heron Sectâs foundation is hidden inside.â
âHidden Moon Bead? Living creatures can enter and leave?â
This Hidden Moon Bead was similar to the Demon Beast Scroll.
âWhen Li Shengmao gave me the Hidden Moon Bead, he told me to wait a hundred years. If Wan Ye can find a suitable successor, I can then hand it over. If not, he will let me deal with the things inside.â There was a look of reminiscence in Leng Ranâs eyes as well as a hint of sadness.
Xu Ning remembered that Wan Ye had mentioned that Leng Ran had a complicated past with Li Shengmao.
This was one of the reasons why Li Shengmao gave the sectâs treasury to Leng Ran. âI have always kept it as a treasure, and with that hundred-year period coming to an end, I thought that Wan Ye had died overseas. I didnât expect you to come.â Leng Ran placed the Hidden Moon Bead in Xu Ningâs hand. âNow, itâs returned to its rightful owner.â
After handing the Hidden Moon Bead to Xu Ning, Leng Ran looked relieved.
A very important and heavy burden seemed to have been lifted off her heart.
âThank you, Senior Leng.â
Xu Ning bowed to Leng Ran again.
âGenerally speaking, the treasury of ordinary sects is not very rich.â
Leng Ran said, âAfter all, in State Wansheng, where the competition for martial arts is so fierce, maintaining the operation of a sect requires a lot of resources. But the Swallow Heron Sect is different. In the past, the Swallow Heron Sect was a large sect. Its first sect master was a high level master in the seventh stage of the dao realm. After a long period of accumulation, its reserves are relatively abundant.â
âYou can use the resources in Hidden Moon Bead to complete the rebuilding of the Swallow Heron Sect. However, the prerequisite is that you have to grow quickly. After all, martial arts strength is the foundation here.â
Leng Ran encouraged him while also warning him.
âUnderstood, Senior Leng Ran.â
Xu Ning responded. âOh yeahâŠâ
Leng Ran seemed to remember something. âDid Wan Ye tell you about the plan to rebuild the Swallow Heron Sect?â
âNot yet.â Xu Ning said, âSenior Wan Ye said that after he was chased away from State Wansheng, he didnât understand the situation in State Wansheng anymore. Thus, he asked me to find you and ask you to guide me.â
Leng Ran smiled when she heard his words. She thought for a moment and said, âGo to the Cheng family in State Guqing Guanghe Canton and find Cheng Zengtao.â âCheng Zengtao from Guanghe CantonâŠâ
Xu Ning remembered this place and name. âSenior Leng, he isâŠâ
Xu Ning asked.
âCheng Zengtao was a core disciple of the Swallow Heron Sect when it was disbanded a hundred years ago. He was also Li Shengmaoâs personal disciple, and he is loyal to the Swallow Heron Sect to this day. If it werenât for Li Shengmaoâs strict expulsion, he would have died with Li Shengmao.â
Leng Ran said, âEven after the sect was disbanded and after he returned to his hometown, he kept thinking about the rebuilding of the Swallow Heron Sect. Over the past hundred years, he came to me many times to ask if there was any news of the rebuilding of the Swallow Heron Sect, but he always returned disappointed.â
âIf you had not appeared, I would have decided to give this Hidden Moon Bead to him the next time he comes.â
Leng Ran was very certain about Cheng Zengtao.
âAfter finding Cheng Zengtao, he can help you rebuild the Swallow Heron Sect.â
âI seeâŠâ
Xu Ning remembered this.
âSenior Leng, now that I have the Hidden Moon Bead, I wonât stay for long.â
After explaining everything, Xu Ning was ready to bid farewell.
âWait.â
Leng Ran waved her hand and a small table appeared in front of her, filled with paper, ink, and paper. She wrote a letter and handed it to Xu Ning. âGive this to Cheng Zengtao and take out the sect token, then he will know everything.â
Xu Ning took the letter from her. Xu Ning was full of thanks for Leng Ran.
âGo ahead.â
Leng Ran waved her hand. âIf you really have any problems, come find me.â Leng Ran made a final promise.
âSenior Leng Ran, farewell.â
Xu Ning bowed deeply. âXuewen.â
Leng Ran hollered outside.
Pei Xuewen quickly entered the house upon hearing her summon. âMasterâŠâ
Pei Xuewen glanced at Xu Ning secretly.
âSend him out of the Faint Bamboo Forest.â
Leng Ran said.
âYesâŠâ
Pei Xuewenâs heart skipped a beat. She thought to herself, âCould it be that Xu Ningâs aptitude is insufficient, or maybe he is performing poorly? Master is not willing to accept him as a disciple?â
Pei Xuewen was puzzled, but she didnât dare to ask.
Thus, she took the initiative to lead Xu Ning out of the room.
After Xu Ning left, Leng Ran suddenly sighed.
âIn any case, Xu Ning is involved with a character like the Red Sea Demon Lord. I wonder what kind of changes will happen in the futureâŠâ
On the other side, Pei Xuewen sent Xu Ning out of the bamboo forest.
Just as they were about to part, Pei Xuewen stopped Xu Ning.
âXu Ning, your alchemy aptitude is excellent. Even if you are not accepted as a disciple by Master, you will definitely be able to achieve something in the path of alchemy.â
Xu Ning was a little surprised. Pei Xuewen was actually encouraging him. âThank you very much.â Xu Ning cupped his fists and left the bamboo forest.
Soon after Xu Ning left, the second assessment was over.
Ten disciples had passed the second assessment and were selected as in-name disciples of Leng Ran.
Zheng Yiqing, who was with Xu Ning, was quite lucky to pass the assessment.
They were brought to Leng Ran.
âMaster, these are this yearâs in-name disciples.â
Pei Xuewen said.
âGao Zhice, you are here too.â
Leng Ran knew Gao Zhice. âSenior Leng.â
Gao Zhice bowed respectfully, but his expression was a little unnatural.
âYou seem to have something to say?â
Leng Ran noticed that Gao Zhice was hesitant. âSenior Leng, I want to know why you didnât take Xu Ning as your disciple?â
On the way to see Leng Ran, they learned from Pei Xuewen that Xu Ning had been driven away by Leng Ran.
Although Gao Zhice felt that Xu Ning was a strong opponent, he also felt that he should have stayed in the bamboo forest.
Gao Zhice also planned to continue sparring with Xu Ning in the future.
Pei Xuewen frowned. She felt that Gao Zhice was being rude to her master.
She was about to stop him, but then she saw Leng Ran smile and take the initiative to answer. âItâs not that I donât want to accept him as a disciple, but I donât have the qualifications to teach him. I will never be able to be on par with the master alchemist behind him.â
âWhat!?â
The room suddenly fell silent.
Gao Zhice was stunned, his eyes full of shock.
Pei Xuewen suddenly realized.
No wonder Xu Ning was so calm before leaving. It was not that his master did not want to accept him, but the master alchemist behind him made Leng Ran feel that she was far inferior.
âXu NingâŠâ
Instantly, all the core disciples and in-name disciples in the room remembered this name.
This person was likely to be a famous figure in the future.