LAVW – Chapter 40 The Phoenix Courtyard

Although they were leaving, they still had to return to the Xu family first.

It wasn’t because they had left anything behind, but rather to inform Xu Rui, the hostess. Even Xu Miao—Long Ye made sure to explain the reason for their departure to him as well.

For the first time, Shi Qian found himself taking the blame.

The reason? He was simply too attractive.

Though he had no idea what exactly had captivated that eccentric man, You Fang, it seemed there was no way to change it.

After interacting with him, Shi Qian hadn’t noticed any signs that You Fang was a “transmigrator.” And according to Xu Rui’s description, someone who remained dormant for fifty to a hundred years didn’t quite fit the behavior of a reincarnated person either.

As he pondered this, he didn’t even glance at the chubby cat next door, who was getting beaten up but still found the energy to meow threateningly at him.

After thinking it over for a while, he finally found a breakthrough.

You Fang had claimed to be very knowledgeable about spiritual beasts and demon beasts. Was it possible that he had discovered the truth—Shi Qian was a new species in the cultivation world?

After all, there were no Totoro-like creatures in the cultivation world.

Coming back to his senses, Shi Qian realized they had already returned to the Xu family home. The downside of not walking on his own feet was that he often didn’t know where he was.

Shi Qian tugged at Long Ye’s clothing and shared his speculation:

“Squeak Squeak!”

Could it be that You Fang singled me out because I’m different from other treasure-seeking mice?

Long Ye pondered. “But you haven’t shown any unique abilities.”

Unless… the man had a way to detect or discern Shi Qian’s innate divine abilities. Some rare high-level demon beasts did indeed possess this skill, but he had never heard of a human cultivator with such an ability.

Long Ye added, “That means he definitely isn’t a human cultivator.”

They had almost been deceived by You Fang. After all, it was no easy feat for a demon beast to take human form. Transformation pills were as rare as dragons and phoenixes—existing only in legends.

Wang Xingzhi, having understood the situation, asked, “Could he be one of Shi Qian’s kind? Maybe he felt a sense of kinship and wanted to protect him.”

Shi Qian shook his head. “Squeak squeak—”

Regardless of whether he’s my kind or not, he’s definitely not a good person. I can smell danger on him.

Long Ye relayed Shi Qian’s words truthfully.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xingzhi immediately understood why Shi Qian was drawing so much attention.

Not only was he a king-level beast, but he also had an ancestral bloodline resurgence. He could both seek treasure and sense danger—a combination that would tempt anyone.

Just then, Wang Xingzhi’s communication talisman lit up.

He picked it up and listened before announcing the good news: “I sent a message to Senior Brother Gou, and he responded. They’re happy to welcome us.”

Then, Wang Xingzhi turned to Long Ye and said, “The Sword Sect’s once-a-decade recruitment event is approaching. As long as you’re under twenty years old and at the late Foundation Establishment stage, you qualify. Once we leave Ten Thousand Beasts City, why not come with us and try out for the sect?”

This would mean they’d have escorts even after leaving the city.

Long Ye and Shi Qian both nodded in unison.

Shi Qian: “Squeak!”

We must go.

Long Ye agreed, “Of course, we’ll go. Thank you for letting us know, Brother Wang.”

Only Xu Miao looked somewhat downcast. He turned to them and asked in a small voice, “This Sword Sect… is it the same Sword Sect that’s one of the three great sects?”

“Of course,” Wang Xingzhi replied, puzzled by the question. “Are there any other Sword Sects? Any other sects that use swords will usually have ‘Gate’ or ‘School’ at the end of their name.”

If another sect dared to call itself “Sword Sect,” it would be a direct challenge to the true Sword Sect.

Xu Miao was devastated on the spot.

Born frail and sickly, he looked even younger than he was. In reality, he was already past ten years old. Since the Sword Sect’s recruitment only happened once every ten years, by the next round, he would be too old to qualify.

Any other child in his position would probably burst into tears.

However, having endured a lifetime of illness and disappointment, Xu Miao managed to hold it together. He only looked visibly disappointed as he murmured, “So I won’t make it to this year’s recruitment… I’m still not fully recovered.”

“It’s fine. You look young enough—just wait for the next one.” Wang Xingzhi responded gently.

Xu Miao nodded.

But in his heart, he told himself that he might not even live that long, so there was no need to think too much.

When Xu Rui returned, she saw that her younger brother looked gloomy.

With a simple question, she more or less figured out what had just happened.

Long Ye and the others were unaware, but as his older sister, Xu Rui naturally knew where her brother’s heart lay.

However, she didn’t expose him, just kept it in mind before bringing up the information she had gathered. “I asked around—Director You is extremely domineering. While he won’t outright steal what he wants, he’ll find ways to force others to hand it over willingly.”

“But fortunately, since you’re in Ten Thousand Beasts City with your friends from the Sword Sect and not a local, there isn’t much leverage he can use against you.”

Having a family meant having burdens and weaknesses. If someone exploited those weaknesses, even the unwilling would have no choice but to yield—because their family’s lives mattered most.

Long Ye and Shi Qian, on the other hand, had no such burdens.

As for whether the other party would dig up information and bring disaster upon the Long family in Luofeng Town, Shi Qian thought to himself that Long Ye would probably be secretly cheering them on.

Now that Xu Rui had returned, Long Ye didn’t plan to stay long, lest he drag the siblings into trouble.

Before leaving, Long Ye said, “I have some Star Silver Ores to sell. I’d like to exchange them for some useful items. I might need to trouble you again later.”

Was this really trouble?

Buying and selling—both transactions earned her a commission of spirit stones.

Xu Rui’s smile became even more genuine. “No trouble at all! Leave it to me, and I promise you won’t be at a loss.”

“If you need anything, just come to me.” Xu Rui took out a few communication talismans and handed them to Long Ye. Then, after some thought, she gave one to Shi Qian as well.

Shi Qian accepted it, deeply moved.

This wasn’t just a communication talisman—it was Xu Rui willingly spending spirit stones for him.

It wouldn’t even be an exaggeration to call this true love.

Perhaps sensing their impending departure, Xu Miao mustered his courage and approached the approachable Wang Xingzhi. “Senior Wang, where are you all staying?”

“The Phoenix Courtyard.”

“Then if I have something delivered via the Flying Gang, will you be able to receive it?”

“Of course.”

Curious, Shi Qian inquired about the Flying Gang and was surprised to discover that this gang essentially ran an otherworldly delivery service.

What was the most abundant thing in Ten Thousand Beasts City?

Most likely people.

But the second most abundant? Large numbers of spirit beasts.

Because there were numerous flight training fields near Ten Thousand Beasts City, flying-type spirit beasts were extremely popular within the city.

Many smaller spirit beasts weren’t suited for heavy labor at flight training fields, so in their free time, they pioneered a delivery service within the city. Once this service was launched, it quickly gained popularity due to its impressive speed and efficiency, receiving widespread praise.

Xu Rui was very interested in this kind of business model. “I heard that the Flying Gang wants to expand to other cities, but they’re limited by the fact that other places don’t have as many spirit beasts.”

Shi Qian Squeaked, “Squeak Squeak.”

They could always have humans do the deliveries.

Long Ye dismissed the idea. “Disturbing someone’s cultivation is akin to taking their life.”

Shi Qian wanted to retort—after all, delivering food didn’t interfere with a spirit beast’s cultivation.

Then he thought about himself and silently shut his mouth.

He wasn’t fond of cultivation. Ever since he was reborn as a cub, his patience and self-discipline had taken a nosedive. Even now that cultivation was no longer painful, he only pushed himself when Long Ye nagged him during the day; at night, he just slept soundly.

Unless they had unique hobbies, most spirit beasts and demon beasts preferred roaming freely rather than diligently cultivating.

In some ways, humans were truly terrifying creatures—so disciplined and hardworking.

The current cultivation world was brutal.

Good thing he wasn’t human anymore.

Shi Qian happily leaped onto Xiao Yin’s back, lying at the front to enjoy the view of Ten Thousand Beasts City.

The city prohibited high-altitude flying and excessive speed, making it perfect for sightseeing. Those without personal mounts could hire a ride from the Flying Gang in exchange for spirit stones.

After indulging in the view, Xiao Yin carried them toward a streak of red in the sky.

As they got closer, they realized it was a colossal phoenix tree—so massive that it defied imagination. Its leaves, a mixture of red and gold, painted the scene like a sea of autumn hues. From afar, it truly resembled a cloud of scarlet mist.

Following the tree’s towering trunk upward, they saw numerous courtyards, each inscribed with a name.

Shi Qian’s eyes widened in awe like a country bumpkin.

No wonder it was called the Phoenix Courtyard—it was built on a phoenix tree!

Flying artifacts weren’t allowed on the giant tree, so Wang Xingzhi stored away Xiao Yin and led Long Ye toward the sect’s rented courtyard. The two figures darted through the tree’s shadows, their voices drifting along with the rustling leaves.

“Since the Little Grandmaster is here, we’re staying in the best accommodations. A good opportunity to broaden our horizons.”

Shi Qian, nestled inside Long Ye’s chest pocket, muttered to himself—no wonder. This place looked expensive.

As for this “Little Grandmaster” Wang Xingzhi mentioned, Shi Qian was momentarily stunned before he finally realized—

Wait, wasn’t this entrance a little too early?

The Little Grandmaster was supposed to be a legendary genius who only appeared after Long Ye had joined the Sword Sect.

This so-called sword-obsessed Little Grandmaster was rumored to have been born within the Sword Cavern, personally carried out by the Sword Sect’s Grand Elder and raised as his daughter. Her talent was unparalleled in the world, and by now, she should have reached the Nascent Soul stage.

Even a boy from a remote town like Long Ye had heard of her. “Could it be the sword-obsessed Little Grandmaster who reached Nascent Soul before a hundred years of age?”

“There’s only one Little Grandmaster in the Sword Sect.”

“But what’s so special about reaching Nascent Soul before a hundred? She’s only sixty now. Although she’s still in the mid-stage Nascent Soul, it’s said that her mental state has already touched upon a higher level. It wouldn’t be impossible for her to undergo the tribulation before a hundred.”

When Wang Xingzhi had last left, the Little Grandmaster had fallen into a deep coma during cultivation, her aura nearly extinguished. The sect’s elders had been deeply worried.

Because of this, the Sword Sect hadn’t competed for spots in various secret realms at the time.

But when he returned from the War Sect’s secret realm, he learned that not only had the Little Grandmaster survived, but she also seemed to have attained enlightenment. Her already monstrous cultivation had soared even higher.

“What a genius!” Long Ye marveled.

Only Shi Qian couldn’t marvel at it.

He was too shocked by the Little Grandmaster’s transformation.

Attaining enlightenment? A higher level of mental state?

This sounded way too much like a reincarnation plot—where the “past life” version of the Little Grandmaster had returned.

Shi Qian hesitated. “Squeak—”

Brother Ye, maybe we should head back.

He would rather go back to face You Fang than confront a possibly reincarnated Little Grandmaster.

Between the unknown and the known, between Nascent Soul and Deity Transformation, the choice was obvious—You Fang.

But he couldn’t say that out loud, and for now, there weren’t any death flags triggering his danger sense.

Shi Qian could only fill in the blanks with his imagination—prison play, gender-swapped forced possession, and other legal gray-area scenarios running wild in his mind…

Long Ye was puzzled. “Brother Qian, don’t you love watching drama unfold?”

Spying on the Little Grandmaster should have been exactly Shi Qian’s thing—why was he suddenly unwilling?

Shi Qian: ?

What do you mean “love watching drama”—it’s called keeping up with tradition!

Having an inquisitive mind and valuing the wisdom passed down from the ancestors—was that a crime?

Shi Qian thought about it, then decisively jumped onto Wang Xingzhi’s head and clung to his jade bamboo hairpin.

“Squeak Squeak.”

No worries, let’s keep going.

After all his wild speculation, Shi Qian realized that, thanks to his efforts, Long Ye was now just an innocent bystander who had done nothing. Maybe, when the possibly-reincarnated Little Grandmaster saw this, she would even find it refreshing. At the very least, she wouldn’t kill him on sight.

Besides, she wasn’t charging in seeking revenge—she was lying in wait. That meant she wasn’t in a state of uncontrollable rage.

That meant Long Ye was safe.

Shi Qian’s safety, on the other hand, was less certain.

Just in case things got messy, he decided to stick with Wang Xingzhi and stay far away from Long Ye. That way, whether the Little Grandmaster had returned with past-life memories or not, he’d be safe.

As for Long Ye… Brother Qian would try his best to save you.

Wang Xingzhi grinned and pulled out a handful of spiritual sunflower seeds. “Here, Brother Qian, these are for you. I didn’t expect to run into you so soon—try them.”

Though they had been apart, Wang Xingzhi had still stockpiled spiritual sunflower seeds with Shi Qian in mind. Some were even specially selected by his senior brothers and sisters—extremely high-quality and diverse in variety.

“Squeak Squeak.”

Thanks, Wang-xiong.

Shi Qian freed a paw, grabbed an unfamiliar new variety of spiritual sunflower seed, stuffed it into his storage necklace, then popped one last seed into his mouth.

As the crisp crunch of munching filled the air, Long Ye—being the logical thinker he was—was still trying to piece things together.

He wasn’t too concerned about Wang Xingzhi’s actions. After all, his sister had left, and now her brother had arrived—just another passing traveler.

What caught his attention was Shi Qian’s odd behavior.

They had been talking about the Little Grandmaster of the Sword Sect when Shi Qian suddenly wanted to turn back. When asked why, Shi Qian jumped onto Wang Xingzhi instead and changed his mind.

Did he have some connection to the Little Grandmaster? But why would he avoid her?

Long Ye had never even met someone like that.

Unable to make sense of it, he scratched his head and set the mystery aside. If there really was something to uncover, it would soon reveal itself.

Now distanced from Long Ye, Shi Qian felt wrapped in a sense of security. Even the sunflower seeds tasted better.

He was even getting excited, looking forward to the fateful meeting between the man and the woman.

If the Little Grandmaster really had returned with memories, Long Ye’s path to power would be in jeopardy. But there was nothing Shi Qian could do about it. He could only brace himself for future debt in whatever system he was entangled with—and enjoy the front-row seat to the drama.

As he anticipated the chaos to come, Wang Xingzhi used a token to unlock the doors of the treetop courtyard.

The doors, made of phoenix wood, were a shade deeper than the leaves on the massive tree. Beyond them lay a jade-carved Cloudview Platform, where layers of mist curled around the edges, making it feel like they stood among the clouds.

Behind it loomed towering palace structures, lavish and imposing, yet none as striking as the massive phoenix tree that dominated the space.

An immensely powerful aura radiated from the tree, instilling awe and submission.

Shi Qian looked up and saw a woman dressed in black sitting on an extending tree branch.

Her eyes were closed in meditation. She wore no adornments, her pale complexion stark against her dark robes. Dressed in men’s attire, her beauty was both androgynous and captivating.

Before her, a longsword hovered, exuding a chilling, murderous aura.

Suddenly, the sword trembled, emitting a resonant hum. A surge of spiritual energy exploded outward, sending a rain of phoenix leaves cascading down. But before they could touch the ground, they were obliterated into nothingness.

A whole tree, bald in an instant.

Wang Xingzhi whispered, “Looks like the Little Grandmaster is having another enlightenment.”

Shi Qian, staring at the murderous powerhouse, clung even tighter to Wang Xingzhi’s hairpin, refusing to come down.

He turned his head to glance at Long Ye—only to find that Long Ye had also closed his eyes and was standing still.

Shi Qian quickly patted Wang Xingzhi’s head and Squeaked to get his attention.

Wang Xingzhi checked and, realizing what was happening, quickly set up a protective formation around Long Ye. Then, turning back, he picked up Shi Qian and placed him in his palm, whispering, “Don’t disturb him—he’s having an enlightenment too. A great opportunity.”

Then, with a tone of envy, he sighed, “Everyone’s having their breakthroughs—I want one too.”

Shi Qian nodded, signaling that he understood, then jumped down from Wang Xingzhi’s hand.

Wang Xingzhi’s hand was too small—it felt unfair to stay there.

Shi Qian strolled around on his tiny legs, occasionally glancing up at the Little Grandmaster on the tree and then at Long Ye.

This scene wasn’t nearly dramatic enough.

Two cultivation maniacs, both having epiphanies at the same time? Boring.

A waste of all his previous tension and excitement.

But maybe he could pick up some useful information about the Little Grandmaster’s “enlightenment.” Hopefully, he was just overthinking things.

Yet before he could even step into the palace, a strange energy surged through him—he was about to break through, too.

Wang Xingzhi blurted out in shock, “Brother Qian, you’re having an enlightenment too?”

Shi Qian, still mid-step, looked up at him. “Squeak Squeak.”

Wang-xiong… does this look like enlightenment to you?

I’m walking on all fours.