Hearing Xu Qiuhui’s voice outside, Li An knew there was no avoiding this encounter.
If he chose not to show himself, it would only raise further suspicion and attention.
After a moment’s thought, he removed his disguise and reverted to Wei Ming’s appearance.
After all, if he used a new face now, it would mean he’d have to assume a new identity moving forward.
Yet Xu Qiuhui had already met Wei Ming—and had also interacted with his current identity. If “Wei Ming,” who was supposed to be refining the Foundation Establishment Pill, suddenly disappeared while a new Foundation Establishment cultivator appeared… she might immediately sense something was wrong.
Xu Qiuhui was no easy opponent.
If she somehow guessed he had used the Yin-Yang Demonic Furnace Art to alter his appearance, the consequences would be dire.
So it was better to meet her as Wei Ming.
He pushed open the door and stepped out of the secret chamber, expressing his gratitude.
“Many thanks for your hard work, Fellow Daoist Gu.”
Gu Hong had stood guard outside the whole time, and that had given him real peace of mind.
In this life, the only person he could truly trust—for now—was Gu Hong.
Even though Tan Qingxue had once been physically intimate with him and spent years by his side, Li An still didn’t trust her.
“Congratulations on your successful breakthrough,” Gu Hong said with a bright smile. Her expression was light, and the joy in her eyes was genuine.
Li An’s change in appearance surprised her slightly, but with her intelligence, she said nothing and asked nothing.
“Wei Ming’s successful Foundation Establishment owes everything to Fellow Daoist Gu and Alchemist Gu. I will never forget this kindness,” Li An added casually, subtly reestablishing his identity.
Gu Hong understood his intent to conceal the truth in front of Xu Qiuhui. She nodded and said, “Lady Xu is here. Please go meet her, Fellow Daoist Wei.”
…
A short while later—
Gu Hong opened the doors to the Pill Shop. Li An walked out calmly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before giving a slight bow.
“Wei has been fortunate enough to achieve Foundation Establishment. Thank you all for your concern.”
The surrounding cultivators returned the gesture in various ways, but Xu Qiuhui froze in surprise.
It was Wei Ming!?
He had succeeded in reaching Foundation Establishment?
Her heart stirred with disbelief—almost shock.
Hadn’t those two Soulbeast Cores from Wei Ming already fallen into her own hands? How had he gathered enough materials for a Foundation Establishment Pill so quickly?
Unless… he had hidden something back then?
Her eyes narrowed slightly, but her expression remained composed.
“Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Wei Ming. Though it was a few years later than expected, you’ve finally stepped across the threshold. With your success, I can finally be at ease.”
Wei Ming gave a small smile. “Please, Lady Xu, come inside for a chat.”
Xu Qiuhui nodded.
Inside the main hall, Gu Hong played host, preparing tea for Li An and Xu Qiuhui.
Xu Qiuhui smiled lightly. “While I was waiting outside, I was just thinking… Now that Foundation Establishment Pills are appearing again, I must find a way to purchase one. I owe Fellow Daoist Wei a favor from years ago, and this would be the perfect opportunity to repay it. I didn’t expect it to be you who reached Foundation Establishment…”
She sighed softly. “Now that you’ve broken through, how can I ever repay that old debt?”
She had owed several people favors while gathering soul-nourishing materials back then. She’d planned to buy a Foundation Establishment Pill this time to repay one of them.
Of course, to her, Wei Ming had never carried much weight. These were words meant more for courtesy than sincerity.
Li An replied calmly, “You’re too kind, Lady Xu. You once gifted me four thousand spirit stones, and it was precisely those stones that allowed my friend to acquire a rare herb elsewhere—thus paving the way to this breakthrough. We are more than even. If anything, I should be thanking you for your care over the years.”
“Thank you, Lady Xu.”
Hah. Buying a Foundation Establishment Pill to ‘repay him’?
Naturally, Li An didn’t believe a word of it.
Though his tone was measured, Xu Qiuhui felt a strange unease in her heart.
If it had been anyone else reaching Foundation Establishment, she could have openly asked to purchase a pill.
But Wei Ming…
She had once robbed Wei Ming of his Soulbeast Cores, and already had bad blood with Li An. Asking him for a Foundation Establishment Pill now would only further offend him. It wasn’t worth it.
After all, Li An was no longer the weak Qi Refining cultivator who could be toyed with at will.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind.
“Right—where is Alchemist Gu?”
Gu Hong answered immediately, “My master exhausted himself refining the Foundation Establishment Pill and is currently resting. He cannot receive guests right now. I ask Lady Xu for her understanding.”
Xu Qiuhui nodded. She knew about Gu Songxi’s health. He didn’t have many years left. Refining a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills would have taken a heavy toll.
Still, one thing nagged at her…
Why would Gu Songxi help Wei Ming refine a pill?
Over the years, Gu Songxi and Gu Hong had rarely refined Second-Rank pills—partly to avoid drawing Zhang Deyi’s displeasure, and partly due to Gu Songxi’s failing health.
So how had Wei Ming convinced Gu Songxi to risk his remaining lifespan—and potential trouble from Zhang Deyi—to help him?
And why would Wei Ming seek out Gu Hong and her master specifically?
It was clear they had known each other long before this.
Which meant Wei Ming… was not some nameless nobody.
Even more thoughts began to surface in her mind.
“Alchemist Gu hasn’t acted for years. For his next move to be this impressive… Fellow Daoist Wei must be blessed with deep fortune.”
Her tone betrayed nothing, merely offering a polite remark before saying, “With your successful Foundation Establishment, I offer a small gift—please accept it.”
As she spoke, she retrieved an item.
A Second-Rank Talisman Brush… along with forty sheets of Second-Rank Talisman Paper!
Li An’s heart skipped slightly, but his face revealed nothing. He simply showed mild confusion.
“I’m not well-versed in the way of talismans…”
Xu Qiuhui’s eyes flickered slightly—she hadn’t seen the reaction she wanted from him. She smiled.
“I’ve long known that the path of formations and talismans share certain commonalities. In time, I’m sure this brush will be useful to you.”
Li An smiled as well. “Such a generous gift—I’m unworthy. But since you insist, I’ll humbly accept.”
“If you ever need anything in the future, Lady Xu need only speak.”
A show of goodwill.
“You know, Fellow Daoist Wei… you remind me of someone.”
As she spoke, Xu Qiuhui casually observed Li An with careful eyes.
“He was a junior brother of mine. Years ago, he killed the soul-hunting Horse Face of Death at Bright Sun Market District and received a Foundation Establishment Pill as a sect reward…”
Li An feigned surprise. “You must mean that… that Black-Hearted Talisman Master? I think I heard of him years ago—vaguely familiar.”
“Yes.”
“He was extremely cautious and meticulous. Truth be told, I escaped the disaster at the Clear Sun Sect thanks to a letter he sent…”
Years ago, Li An had slain “Horse Face of Death” at Bright Sun Market District and emerged the final victor. That had left a deep impression on Xu Qiuhui.
Since then, she had been quietly observing him, often through Tan Qingxue, trying to track his movements.
During the Clear Sun Sect’s fall, Li An had written to Tan Qingxue, asking her to search for Second-Rank talisman materials at the Liuyang Market.
Xu Qiuhui had secretly followed her, hoping to investigate Li An further.
But by sheer chance, she’d ended up avoiding disaster.
Later, she learned that Wang Dazhu, who was close to Li An, had also left thanks to a letter from him…
At that point, she had already begun to suspect something.
Now, seeing Wei Ming before her, those suspicions began to stir again…
Especially since both Li An and Wei Ming had suffered similar injustices. Li An’s Foundation Establishment Pill stolen, and Wei Ming’s Soulbeast Cores robbed.
And the calm, measured demeanor Wei Ming displayed now—it felt all too familiar.
“Just like how I owe Fellow Daoist Wei a debt… I also owe that junior brother a great favor.”
She sighed softly.
“Fellow Daoist Wei—do you know him? His name is Li An.”
…
(End of Chapter)