Upon hearing this, Xu Taiping was stunned.

He had thought that getting three items would be quite good, but who knew Lin Buyu would get five at once.

Longyuan and Chengying seemed equally surprised, circling around Lin Buyu before exclaiming with emotion:

“No wonder Junior Martial Uncle said you are a person of great fortune.”

Lin Buyu remained calm as ever.

“Perhaps our chance to enter the Tai Xuan Hall this time was thanks to Buyu,” Xu Taiping thought to himself after hearing Longyuan’s words.

“Regarding everything that happened inside the Tai Xuan Hall, you two must not reveal it to outsiders. If anyone asks about the origins of your techniques or treasures, just say they were obtained in the secret realm. Otherwise, it may bring disaster,” Longyuan reminded them.

“Rest assured, Senior Longyuan, we will not disclose this matter to the outside world,” Xu Taiping replied earnestly.

Lin Buyu also nodded in agreement.

“Let’s go, we’ll take you two out,” Longyuan emitted a sword hum, signaling Xu Taiping to grasp the sword hilt.

Chengying did the same, flying to Lin Buyu’s side.

Just as they were about to control the swords and leave, a wisp of black gas, as thin as a hair, inadvertently entered the Ghost-Sealing Talisman in Xu Taiping’s palm.

“Hiss…”

Xu Taiping couldn’t help but shiver.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Buyu asked Xu Taiping.

“Nothing, it’s probably just the excessive loss of blood energy,” Xu Taiping shook his head, then gripped the hilt of Longyuan Sword and glanced at Lin Buyu beside him, “Let’s go.”

…

Above the ruins of the Tai Xuan Sect’s immortal mansion.

Longyuan and Chengying carried Xu Taiping and Lin Buyu, flying side by side through the sky.

Looking down.

The continuous ruins below, and the dilapidated grand palaces on the mountain peaks, all testified to the former glory of this sect.

At this thought, Xu Taiping suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of desolation.

“Even such a powerful sect can be obliterated in the river of time. Is the immortality that cultivators pursue truly attainable?” He couldn’t help but recall the letter left by the young disciple in the cellar.

“Below,” Lin Buyu suddenly transmitted to Xu Taiping through her jade bracelet.

Xu Taiping looked down upon hearing this.

Against the howling wind, he saw a small building on the mountain peak below.

It was the Listening Wind Pavilion where they had stayed a few days ago.

At first, Xu Taiping thought Lin Buyu was just reminding him that they were passing over the Listening Wind Pavilion, until he saw two Flying Zombies sitting at a table in the courtyard that once grew human-headed flowers, eating a meal. Only then did he understand what Lin Buyu wanted him to see.

Xu Taiping turned and smiled at Lin Buyu.

Lin Buyu also rarely showed a slight smile.

…

On the fourth day back at the Qingxuan Sect.

Inside the stone building of Qi Yue Pavilion.

After spending four whole days, Xu Taiping finally stabilized his blood energy and mostly healed his injuries.

However, he hadn’t been solely focused on healing these past few days.

Upon returning, he, Lin Buyu, and several Senior Sisters from the Sixth Peak went to the Merit Hall together.

Due to the significant commotion in Cloud Dream Marsh this time, their appearance sparked much discussion, and even elders from the Hall of Seven Laws came to inquire about the ruins of Cloud Dream Marsh.

Fortunately, Peak Master Meng of the Sixth Peak and their Peak Master Zhao shielded them from most of the chaos, allowing him to return to Qi Yue Pavilion to heal in peace.

Overall, his trip to the immortal mansion ruins with the Sixth Peak was quite fruitful, and neither the Merit Hall nor the Hall of Seven Laws could find any fault.

Especially after seeing the pile of Dragon’s Teeth Fruits and the various weapons and treasures brought back from the ruins, those who had complaints were left speechless.

According to the Qingxuan Sect’s rules, the items brought back from the ruins would be submitted and converted into merit points as rewards for each disciple.

Because Xu Taiping had a habit of picking up things in the ruins, even submitting only a small portion would earn him at least two to three hundred thousand merit points.

This was an unexpected delight.

Of course, his greatest gains were the treasured saber and blade manual gifted by Duan Tianya, and the three treasures obtained in the Tai Xuan Hall.

“The gains from the immortal mansion ruins can wait to be sorted. The urgent matter now is how to deal with the Blade Ghost’s revenge tonight.”

Thinking of this, Xu Taiping raised his hand and looked at the Ghost-Sealing Talisman in his palm.

Previously, Duan Tianya had used two blade intents to keep the Blade Ghost in the Ghost-Sealing Talisman in check for a while. However, after he used the talisman to devour the demonic energy from a demonic weapon and a demonic cultivator, the talisman’s backlash intensified.

Today, the Ghost-Sealing Talisman had two large bloody openings.

Whenever he opened his palm, blood energy would seep out, accompanied by an intense killing intent.

Without a doubt, this killing intent was released by the Blade Ghost.

“Such heavy killing intent, tonight will be tough,” Xu Taiping closed his hand and let out a long breath.

According to Fairy Lingyue, on the fifteenth of each month when the Ghost-Sealing Talisman loosens, the Blade Ghost won’t break the seal but can pull him into its blade realm.

As for what happens after being pulled into the blade realm, isn’t it obvious?

“The Blade Ghost’s obsession is with the blade. Tonight, I’ll try to compete with it in blade skills. Although I will surely be outmatched, practicing with such an entity for a night, even if it’s one-sided slaughter, will surely yield some benefits.”

Xu Taiping thought to himself.

Regarding the blade, he had thoroughly read Duan Tianya’s Demonic Severing Blade over the past few days.

Although there were many parts he didn’t understand, he had gained some insights. If he could compete with the Blade Ghost tonight, it might come in handy.

“I should inform Baiyu and Ping’an, just in case anything unexpected happens, so they can respond accordingly.”

With this in mind, he patted his cheeks and stood up.

Although according to Fairy Lingyue’s letter, with the Ghost-Sealing Talisman, even if dragged into the blade realm, his life wouldn’t be in danger.

But it’s always good to be prepared for any eventuality.

However, if he could survive the Blade Ghost’s ordeal tonight, and digest some of the gains from the immortal mansion ruins, he wouldn’t be so helpless when facing the Blade Ghost next month.

…

Nightfall.

Inside the stone building.

Xu Taiping took out the Grass Returning Elixir he obtained from the cellar and swallowed it.

Although the Grass Returning Elixir is meant to enhance cultivation speed, it also strengthens spiritual power and blood energy.

After taking the Grass Returning Elixir, Xu Taiping also consumed a dose of Eight Treasures Powder and a Qi Preserving Pill, then placed the Spring Tiger saber on his lap and sat cross-legged.

He wanted to use the Severing Water blade, but after helping him once, Severing Water refused to come out of its sheath.

“I’ve done everything I can. Come on, Blade Ghost, let’s see how you torment me.”

Xu Taiping let out a long breath, then looked resolutely at the bright moon outside the window.

“Boom!…”

As if in response to his words, a heavy killing intent spread from the Ghost-Sealing Talisman in his palm.

At the same time, an old, angry roar echoed in his ears:

“Thief, come in and face your death!”