"Having cultivated this technique, the second junior brother’s personality changed greatly, but his strength also suddenly increased. Even the senior brother was no match for him. The second junior brother thought that with his increased strength, the sect leader would favor him. However, the sect leader eventually found out about his cultivation of the evil technique. Heartbroken, the sect leader decided to nullify his powers. But before the sect leader could act, the second junior brother had already received the news. This news completely consumed his mind with evil, leading him to fall into the path of demons. On that night over a decade ago, the Lingxiao Pavilion was awash with blood! The senior brother died a tragic death, and the second junior brother fled in fear of punishment."
At this point, Su Mu paused, turning to see everyone holding their breath and listening intently, which greatly pleased him. He continued, "In a single night, the sect leader’s hair turned white. The loss of his two most promising disciples—one dead and the other turned to evil—was a devastating blow."
"From then on, the sect leader secluded himself, rarely seen by anyone. The world believed he had given up and was broken in spirit. However, a few years later, the sect leader re-emerged, traveling a great distance to personally capture his second disciple and seal him in the Dragon-Confined Gorge!"
Yang Kai’s heart suddenly stirred, recalling the last words of the mysterious Eleventh Elder.
"I didn’t come to see the treasures; I came to see a person!"
To see what person? Undoubtedly, the one sealed in the Dragon-Confined Gorge.
Could this Eleventh Elder be...
Su Mu continued, "But after this incident, the sect leader was unable to advance beyond the Divine Traveling Realm, remaining at this stage. With his heart knot unresolved, he could never find peace in his life."
After the story, everyone sighed deeply, feeling sorry for the Lingxiao Pavilion’s sect leader and cursing the second disciple who had turned to evil.
Yang Kai’s emotions were also in turmoil. Could the Eleventh Elder really be the one? If Su Mu’s story was true, the old man was very likely the one.
At this moment, a lively commotion came from ahead. Yang Kai looked up and saw a large clearing in the dense forest, bustling with people like a huge market. Disciples from the three sects gathered there, with various stalls displaying all kinds of goods, making it a feast for the eyes.
There were even dozens of wooden huts, built simply, some large and some small. The smaller ones were for living, while the larger ones provided shelter from the elements, capable of accommodating many people.
Since it was a sunny day, the disciples from the three sects had set up their stalls in the clearing.
The Black Wind Market was truly a hidden paradise.
"Alright, we’re here," Su Mu said, mainly bringing Yang Kai to this place so he would know about it and could come for transactions if needed.
"Not bad, this place," Yang Kai said, looking at the bustling crowd with excitement.
Su Mu smiled, "Of course. Here, you can find anything a low-level martial artist desires. And there’s no need to worry about safety. High-level experts from the three sects maintain order here. See those small wooden huts? That’s where our Lingxiao Pavilion disciples are stationed. My sister is in one of them."
"Your sister?" Yang Kai glanced at him, suddenly remembering that Su Mu had mentioned his sister was a core disciple when he came to cause trouble last time. Core disciples were the future hope of the Lingxiao Pavilion.
Su Mu immediately became wary, "I’m warning you, don’t even think about my sister."
Yang Kai laughed.
Su Mu added, "But even if you did, you probably wouldn’t have the ability."
"Is your sister that strong?"
"Of course. She’s at the True Essence Realm, third level. Few among the younger generation can match her."
Yang Kai was impressed. For a young disciple to reach the True Essence Realm was quite rare. Beyond the True Essence Realm was the Divine Traveling Realm, the current realm of the sect leader.
"Why are you only at the Body Tempering Realm if your sister is so strong?" Yang Kai asked, puzzled.
It seemed to hit a sore spot, and Su Mu’s face turned sheepish. After a long moment, he said, "I’ve been a bit too playful. But don’t worry, I’ll train harder in the future. I can’t let a probationary disciple like you surpass me."
Yang Kai nodded slightly, seeing that the hardships of the past few days had ignited Su Mu’s competitive spirit.
"Come, I’ll introduce you to my sister. With her protection, it will be easier to act in the Black Wind Market."
At the mention of meeting Su Mu’s sister, everyone’s expressions became serious, and even Su Mu straightened his clothes and brushed off the dust.
It was clear that Su Mu was afraid of his sister, or perhaps he respected and admired her.
"What’s your sister’s name?" Yang Kai asked Li Yuntian in a low voice.
"Su Yan!"
A good name, but he wondered what kind of person she was.
Soon, they arrived at one of the wooden huts. Yang Kai looked up and saw that not only this hut but also the others nearby had plaques with the Lingxiao Pavilion’s name, indicating that these were the stations of Lingxiao Pavilion’s experts.
Su Mu was a bit nervous, taking a deep breath and carefully walking up the steps. He then raised his hand gracefully and knocked lightly, his voice meek like a kitten, "Sister, I’ve come to see you."
Li Yuntian and the others tried hard not to laugh, their shoulders shaking, and Yang Kai found it hard to suppress a smile.
Su Mu, sensing the group’s amusement behind him, couldn’t help but glare back.
"Come in!" a somewhat cold voice called from inside, clear and refreshing like a mountain stream.
Su Mu beckoned to the group and stepped inside.
Inside the hut, Yang Kai quietly looked around. The room was even simpler than his own, with nothing inside. However, once inside, the outside noise was completely blocked, making it very quiet.
The hut must have some special properties to achieve this effect.
As he was examining the room, Su Mu suddenly let out a pained cry. Yang Kai looked over and saw Su Mu crouching on the ground, holding his head in a pained manner. In front of him, a woman in a snow-white dress with a cold expression sat on the ground.
She had beautiful black hair styled in a cloud bun, crescent-shaped willow eyebrows, long and bright eyes, a delicate nose, slightly red cheeks, and small, cherry-like lips. Her skin was as smooth and tender as honey, and her figure was graceful and slender, incredibly alluring.
However, her aura was extremely cold, lowering the temperature of the entire hut.
She was sitting cross-legged on the ground, looking at Su Mu coldly. This was Su Yan, no doubt.
"Do you know why I hit you?" Su Yan asked.
Su Mu shook his head, but seeing the hidden menace in his sister’s eyes, he quickly nodded.
"Tell me why," Su Yan’s voice was soft but had an unresistable quality. Yang Kai understood why Su Mu was so afraid of his sister. Anyone would find it hard to deal with such a sister, even if she was a stunning beauty.