Chapter 636 - 44: Lifelong Companions_2

The situation up ahead differed somewhat from what they had encountered before.

It was a young female cultivator ambushing a group of tall and rugged barbarians.

According to Ning Sujin, the female cultivator was merely at the late Foundation Establishment stage, while the opposing group had two Fake Pill cultivators, clearly a case of striking a stone with an egg.

"Let’s watch and see," Li Ji’an’s interest was slightly piqued.

The two then quickened their escape speed, and a moment later, the opposing group was within Li Ji’an’s Divine Sense range.

At that moment, the female cultivator was already engaged with the opposing group, the battle was intense.

However, the opposing group clearly did not regard the female cultivator seriously; they surrounded her and allowed a burly man to duel her one-on-one.

The burly man was also at the late Foundation Establishment stage, wielding an axe, appearing very fierce.

The female cultivator was soon at a disadvantage within a hundred moves.

In desperation, she summoned a jade flute.

Instantly, the sound of the flute, soothing and entrancing, spread out.

Initially, the flute music was melodious and rhythmically captivating.

The next moment, the music turned into a murderous blade.

Though the rough man was on guard, he was still injured by the sound waves transformed from the flute music.

For a moment, the female cultivator gained the upper hand...

Li Ji’an’s gray eyebrows moved slightly upon seeing this.

This early part of the flute music was not unfamiliar to him.

In his previous life, while in Golden Splendor Immortal City, Duanmu Qin often used it to cleanse his state of mind; it was indeed a relaxing musical therapy composition.

However, the latter part of this flute music was something Duanmu Qin never played.

After closely observing the female cultivator’s attire.

Li Ji’an recognized her identity from a musical note mark on her clothing.

"A cultivator from Celestial Sound Pavilion?"

Back when the Two Domains Demon Sect invaded the Celestial Cyan Domain, Celestial Sound Pavilion was the first to be attacked by Yellow Heaven Domain.

Just like Dongli Sect, it was one of the first sects whose Dao Field was overrun.

Afterward, the sect’s disciples scattered and fled.

However, Li Ji’an once heard a rumor that Celestial Sound Pavilion was not actually overrun by the demon cultivator coalition of Yellow Heaven Domain, but rather, at a critical moment, the Pavilion Master of Celestial Sound Pavilion reached an agreement with Joyful Union Sect.

Ultimately, Celestial Sound Pavilion relocated its entire sect to Yellow Heaven Domain, becoming the only sect among the major sects of the Celestial Cyan Domain to preserve its strength completely.

"Husband, why are these people so tall and wild?" Ning Sujin asked curiously as she stared at the group of barbarians.

"These are the local inhabitants; according to records, Yellow Heaven Domain was sparsely populated thousands of years ago. Especially in the northern Icefield region, only this type of race existed.

Later, when Joyful Union Sect retreated from the Central Ten Domains, they found this place and discovered the Tier Four Spirit Vein Dao Field..." Li Ji’an explained patiently.

Ning Sujin nodded slightly, finding it quite different from the landscapes she grew up with in the Immortal Dynasty.

"Husband, shall we help them or not?" Shortly after, the battle situation changed again.

Although the female cultivator’s Sound Dao Technique was masterful, rendering the barbarians’ attacks ineffective, its offensive power was insufficient to pose a fatal threat to the barbarians.

Subsequently, the barbarians no longer feared her Sound Dao attacks and charged her with their physique, sacrificing a few more wounds to close in, leaving the female cultivator without any advantage and forcing her to dodge clumsily.

Very soon, the female cultivator was struck by a gust-carried axe, falling to the ground with her shoulder blade bloody and mangled.

"If you wish to save her, then do so. These local barbarians primarily rely on their physique; the highest Dharma cultivators they have are at most Fake Pill, and their physique can at most compare to the Early Period of Tier Three. I can handle it," Li Ji’an responded with a slight smile.

"Alright!" Ning Sujin nodded, immediately launching a Primordial Spirit Slash.

Of course, at this moment, her intention was only to frighten them away rather than kill, so she used very little Primordial Spirit Power.

After all, she wasn’t sure what the entanglement between both parties was, saving the female cultivator’s life was enough.

"Ah!" The next moment, the barbarian with an axe approaching the female cultivator suddenly held his head and cried out.

Afterward, the rest of the group also suffered injuries to their Seas of Consciousness.

"It’s something filthy, run!" The Fake Pill among the barbarians shouted something similar in a bizarre accent and then fled.

The female cultivator on the ground looked hopeless at first but now looked incredulous.

It wasn’t until three breaths later that she suddenly understood.

"Thank you, Senior, for saving my life. Junior Duanmu Fei expresses my deepest gratitude!" She kneeled suddenly, kowtowing continuously in gratitude.

"Duanmu Fei?" Li Ji’an, who was about to bypass her with Ning Sujin, suddenly paused his steps.

Duanmu Qin had once weathered storms with him, sharing hardships and wonderful memories.

He also greatly admired Duanmu Qin’s heart and character.

Duanmu Qin also held many secrets within her.

Now, she had been gone from the underground teleportation array beneath the Great Marsh Mountains for over a hundred and eighty years.

Uncertain of whether she had reached the so-called other Cultivation Realm.

Thinking of this, Li Ji’an led Ning Sujin to Duanmu Fei’s side.

Upon seeing the two elders approaching, Duanmu Fei began fervently kowtowing in thanks again.

"Thank you, Senior, for saving my life."

Noting her reddened forehead and her lack of magical protection while kowtowing, Li Ji’an nodded silently.

"Stand and speak," he used his magical power to gently lift Duanmu Fei up.

"Yes, Senior." Duanmu Fei finally raised her head, looking at the elderly couple before her.

"Are you a disciple of Celestial Sound Pavilion?" Li Ji’an asked directly.

"Reporting to Senior, Junior is a True Disciple of Celestial Sound Pavilion, Duanmu Fei," Duanmu Fei replied truthfully.

"What does the surname Duanmu signify in Celestial Sound Pavilion?" Li Ji’an inquired further.

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Fei looked slightly disappointed.

Earlier, when she heard the elder mention Celestial Sound Pavilion, she thought he might be an old acquaintance and hoped that he could help with Celestial Sound Pavilion’s current difficulties.

But the elder unexpectedly inquired about her surname, showing little concern for Celestial Sound Pavilion’s plight.

She quickly concealed her disappointment and hurriedly replied, "Reporting to Senior, the Duanmu surname is an ancient lineage within Celestial Sound Pavilion."

Upon hearing this, Li Ji’an appeared thoughtful.

In his past life, when he became an elder of Biyun Sect, he had heard talk of an ancient True Pill Elder from Biyun Sect with the surname Duanmu.

It was said that she had intricate ties with Celestial Sound Pavilion.

Eventually, she even returned to Celestial Sound Pavilion due to a conflict with another True Pill Elder.

"Do you know Duanmu Qin?"

"Duanmu... Qin?" Duanmu Fei hesitated, lifting her head slightly, a peculiar look flashing across her face.

"An elder named Qin is indeed in my ancestry. Does Senior refer to her?"

Li Ji’an stroked his goatee and said, "If she were still alive, she would be over two hundred years old now. She, too, is skilled in the flute sounds you just displayed."

"That would be my great-aunt," Duanmu Fei responded without hesitation.

"Oh? Could you elaborate?" Li Ji’an nodded slightly.

"Yes, when I was young, I often heard elders in the family warning: never be as willful as great-aunt Qin..." Duanmu Fei then recounted all she knew about Duanmu Qin.

Upon hearing this, Li Ji’an finally understood.

It turned out that back in Biyun Sect, Supreme Elder Duanmu was a restless person. After leaving Celestial Sound Pavilion due to insufficient Sound Dao talent, she ventured into the world.

By chance, she joined Biyun Sect.

She later achieved Core Formation, becoming a True Pill Elder of Biyun Sect.

However, during a joint hunt with another True Pill Elder for a late Second Tier demon beast, she discovered a jade talisman and jade pendant by accident.

Disputes arose over benefits afterward.

Eventually, Elder Duanmu hid the jade talisman that recorded ancient messages for descendants and returned to Celestial Sound Pavilion.

During this time, she searched the area repeatedly for that underground relic but found nothing.

Later on, Duanmu Qin’s generation was especially keen on that jade pendant.

In the end, she willfully left Celestial Sound Pavilion, focusing on finding that opportunity.

While lying low in Golden Splendor Immortal City, she developed a bond with Li Ji’an.

She eventually succeeded in entering that underground relic, obtaining the long-desired Core Formation Spirit Treasure, Qiuli Water, and even stepped onto the teleportation array that led to another Cultivation Realm.

"Senior, do you know my great-aunt?" Duanmu Fei asked tentatively.

Li Ji’an nodded, "Indeed, Taoist Friend Duanmu and I have an intimate connection."

"I beg Senior to save the Duanmu family!" Upon receiving confirmation, Duanmu Fei immediately knelt again, touching her forehead to the ground pleadingly.