Chapter 1368: Infinite Thunder Sect

Chapter 1368: Chapter 1368: Infinite Thunder Sect

After making up his mind, Pei Yan went upstairs to take a shower. Three days of being immersed in cultivation had left a considerable smell of sweat on him. Meeting Xiang Zixiong was one thing, but visiting the Infinite Thunder Sect to learn their ways without tidying oneself up might be somewhat disrespectful. Half an hour later, Pei Yan was done showering and changed into a new set of clothes. After informing his sister of his whereabouts and letting her know that if he didn’t return, he would be at the Infinite Thunder Sect learning, he set off.

Walking down the Immortal Palace’s main road after leaving the Investigation Bureau Villa, Pei Yan could clearly sense a hint of desolation. All sects were busy investigating internal issues, and disciples guarding the Immortal Palace Villa and stationed at the Immortal Palace Guard were prioritized for probing. The once arrogant disciples patrolling the Immortal Palace were nowhere to be seen, concentrating instead at the Immortal Palace Guard for investigation. Currently, the security of the Immortal Palace was entirely managed by the Six Guards. According to information revealed by Xiang Zixiong, this would become a norm in the future, with the Six Guards stationed long-term at the Immortal Palace, and forming a tighter yet balanced defense system with the disciples of the Immortal Palace Villa and the Embroidered Robe Envoys.

The Six Guards patrolling the street hesitated to either stop or let Pei Yan pass upon his appearance. Pei Yan’s reputation and image were soaring as details of the incident slowly came to light. As the target pushed to the forefront by Lin Ruxue, she spared no effort in having the Embroidered Robe Envoys exaggerate and spread Pei Yan’s contributions, creating a frenzy about him in people’s eyes: a figure much treasured by His Majesty the Spirit Emperor, with a stubborn temperament who avenges grudges and repays kindness, bold yet meticulous and ruthless—a reputation of madness forming in people’s view. Some admired him, some envied him, and some wished to tear him apart. Yet, constrained by his strength, no matter their mindset, anyone who wants to continue living peacefully on the Daoist Plane can only greet Pei Yan with a smile, given his reputation for holding grudges.

Pei Yan didn’t care how others saw him; he even wanted people to have this impression of him. He didn’t come to the Daoist Plane to make friends; that task was more suited for Mei Simiao. While he and Delacuri were enemies, they shared a common attitude in how they dealt with foes. Pei Yan aimed to build an image of being a villain, so that anyone eyeing his world or family would think carefully before acting, considering whether they could withstand Pei Yan’s wrath afterward.

Despite fearing Pei Yan, a squad leader among the Six Guards mustered up the courage needed for duty and stopped him. Faced with the leader’s trembling inquiry, Pei Yan did not make things difficult, quickly explaining his destination. Unfortunately, the Immortal Palace was still under lockdown, and even agents from the Investigation Bureau needed the token delivered temporarily for these three days to move around within the palace.

Nobody had reminded Pei Yan of this matter, and he was considering the usefulness of the token previously bestowed upon him by Lin Ruxue, which allowed control over the Six Guards. The squad leader across from him was quite perceptive; he believed no one dared to impersonate Pei Yan’s likeness to cause trouble within the palace during this crucial time. Weighing his options, he proactively proposed to escort Pei Yan to the Infinite Thunder Sect, thus avoiding conflict and awkwardness with Pei Yan while fulfilling his duty.

Pei Yan didn’t reject the proposal, and with hands clasped behind his back, he proceeded under the escort of two squads of guards to the front of the Infinite Thunder Sect Villa. Not yet at the gate, Pei Yan spotted Situ Maocai at the villa entrance eagerly awaiting him. Situ Maocai promptly dropped his previous arrogance and greeted him warmly.

The Six Guards squad leader, seeing the two starting to exchange pleasantries, knew his duty was complete and turned back to continue his patrol duties. Trotting alongside Situ Maocai into the villa, Pei Yan joked after exchanging some formalities, "Elder Situ, could it be that you can also foretell things, already knowing today I’d come to visit?"

"I know nothing of foretelling; I’ve been ordered by Senior Brother to wait specifically for you, one day if you don’t come, I’ll wait one day, one month if you don’t come, I’ll wait one month. Luckily, Pei Xiaoyou came swiftly, sparing me from such dreary waiting." Situ Maocai, walking ahead, responded with rare self-deprecation.

"Uh! Elder Situ, this, this really makes me flattered; what qualities do I possess for you to wait here for me alone! It was my thoughtlessness not to notify your sect beforehand of my intended visit." Pei Yan’s words were half polite, half sincere. He was confident in his abilities but hadn’t grown arrogant enough to believe he could have someone of such high status as Elder Situ eagerly await him at the door for three days. Though he knew such words from the other were also just courtesy.

Situ Maocai waved dismissively, saying, "Everyone has seen your methods and strength clearly. Whatever others may think, I, Situ Maocai, am impressed and convinced, no boasting here. At your age, this old man couldn’t have achieved a fraction of what you have, regardless of your confrontation with Liu Sanjian’s thirty moves. Just your successive strikes at White Deer Institute made you famous enough worldwide, worth the three days of waiting for this old man."

Sighing with a bitter smile, Situ Maocai said, "Furthermore, I don’t have anything else to do now but wait for you. The entire sect is conducting internal investigations. Haha! My temperament clearly doesn’t suit such tasks. Moreover, my senior brother intends to take on the offending matters personally, thus assigning me this job to extract myself from it."

Pei Yan nodded; Murong Longxiang was indeed thoughtful. These investigations tend to offend people, while rooting out spies, the various unspeakable matters among sect alliances are bound to emerge. Usually, such a thankless job falls to a Grand Elder of the sect, but Situ Maocai might escalate the situation in his search, thus it was more reliable for Murong Longxiang to handle it himself, displaying the good relations between the two brothers.

"Should I visit at such a time, might that be inappropriate?" Pei Yan cautiously ventured.

"No worries! They conduct their investigations while you learn yours. Didn’t I say so? My job is simply to ensure you learn the reward bestowed by His Majesty the Spirit Emperor." Situ Maocai responded leisurely, leading Pei Yan through the courtyard toward the villa’s depths.

"Alright! Elder Situ, how should I learn the Thunder Observation Eight Techniques? Will you personally teach me?" Pei Yan asked curiously. He felt that the Thunder Observation Eight Techniques couldn’t be recorded in writing as a book for instruction. Had it been so, Murong Longxiang would have handed him the manual like Liu Xuanji did back then. This technique, unlike a Heart Method, needed to be observed in use, with imparted guidance to grasp its essence.