A Chaotic World

Rather than stating that the territory of the Nine Suns Sect was located within the Eastern region of Bluenight City, it would actually be more accurate to state that it took up almost the entire Eastern region of the Bluenight City.

This was an area of control so vast that other influences could only dream of possessing!

If it were any other influence in question, the Lord of Bluenight City would never allow such a huge area of his city to be subsumed under others.

However, the Nine Suns Sect had one thing that the other influences within the city did not possess – absolute strength.

In fact, it was rumoured that even the faction under the City Lord was weaker in comparison to the Nine Suns Sect, making the sect the strongest influence within Bluenight City.

Thankfully, they had always had a good relationship with the City Lord's forces, and thus the situation within Bluenight City was still considered stable.

The territory of the Nine Suns Sect was surrounded by tall walls, making it seem as though it was a city within a city. No one from the outside was able to peer into the area within, granting it an additional mysterious aura.

By now, it was already late evening, and the sun was already starting to set.

Lu Tianzi followed the members of Nine Suns Sect as they arrived at the entrance of the sect territory, where two men donning the sect's signature white robes stood guard vigilantly.

"Greetings to Elder Wanglei!" the two men greeted respectfully upon seeing their group.

"Mm," Elder Wanglei nodded in acknowledgement as he led the group past the gate and into the sect grounds.

After passing through what appeared to be a front hall, the group walked past gardens of unimaginable beauty and pavilions of exquisite architecture, venturing deeper into the territory.

Lu Tianzi was still busy marvelling at the beauty of the sect grounds when the group suddenly stopped in their tracks.

Elder Wanglei did not say much, merely giving Nanlan Qianxue a slight nod before walking off alone.

"All right, everyone. Thank you for the hard work today," Nanlan Qianxue turned to the other five members who had gone along to the Beast Hunt. "You can leave to attend to your own matters now."

"Yes, senior apprentice sister!" the five clasped their fists towards Nanlan Qianxue before walking off as well.

Before they left, they could not help but shoot a conflicted gaze towards Lu Tianzi.

In their minds, they were all wondering what would become of this guest whom Nanlan Qianxue invited back to the Nine Suns Sect.

Ignoring the gazes of those five Outer Sect members, Nanlan Qianxue then led Lu Tianzi towards the guest accommodations where he would be staying for the night.

Even though it was just a simple guest accommodation, it was not shabby by any means.

The accommodation was spacious and even had its own open courtyard out in front of the house. In fact, just the courtyard itself took up an area bigger than Uncle Ye's house back in Ivory Rock City.

After showing Lu Tianzi around the accommodation, Nanlan Qianxue, Nanqing Haowen, and Lu Tianzi finally sat down around a stone table at the open courtyard.

"My gratitude for the kind hospitality," Lu Tianzi thanked them for the accommodation.

"There is no need for formalities," Nanlan Qianxue shook her head. "In any case, this humble accommodation is probably not as comfortable as where you hailed from."

"Oh?" Lu Tianzi was surprised by that comment. "Why does Miss Nanlan think so?"

"There is no need to be humble," Nanlan Qianxue gave him a meaningful smile. "That sword strike from before is filled with profundities. No small influence will be able to land their hands on a high level technique like that. That, on top of the fact that even Elder Wanglei was unable to detect your cultivation realm, means that you must have quite the strong backing."

"So that is why," Lu Tianzi nodded in understanding.

Nanlan Qianxue's words did make sense.

Even if it were up to him, Lu Tianzi would probably have analysed it in this manner as well.

However, Lu Tianzi wondered how Nanlan Qianxue would react if she found out that this 'strong backing' was someone who was trapped within a cave chamber, never to see the light of day.

Would she still treat him with such respect then?

"So what powerful influence does Brother Nanlu hail from?" Nanqing Haowen inquired. "I have never seen such a sword technique before. Could it be that Brother Nanlu came from outside of Bluenight City?"

Nanlan Qianxue turned her gaze towards Lu Tianzi as well, eagerly awaiting his answer.

Even though Bluenight City was considered a city, it actually stretched for hundreds of miles on each side. This huge area encompassed within the city made it such that many citizens who lived in the Northern region had never even visited the Southern region in their entire lives.

Martial artists were able to travel much faster and further than non martial artists. But even so, Nanlan Qianxue and Nanqing Haowen rarely got the chance to visit other cities as well.

After all, they were still young.

Most of their time was thus spent on cultivation so as to not miss out on the golden age for martial arts cultivation.

"This…" Lu Tianzi hesitated for a moment, as though he was feeling troubled by the question.

"You do not have to answer the question if you are not feeling comfortable about it," Nanlan Qianxue smiled amiably, trying to repress her curiosity.

"No, it is fine. This is not a big secret anyway," Lu Tianzi shook his head, as though he had finally made a huge decision. "The fact is that my background is not as illustrious as you imagine. My Master is a hermit who closed himself off in the wilderness, not vying for fame or power. After having learnt from him since young, my Master suddenly asked me to leave and explore the world, treating it as a way to temper my martial path. According to his wise teachings, only then will I have greater accomplishments in the future. It is embarrassing to say this, but right now, I am actually far poorer than most other unaffiliated martial artists."

Lu Tianzi's words stumped the duo before him as they took a quick glance at each other.

"May I know your Master's name?" Nanlan Qianxue pressed further, trying to obtain as much information as possible.

There were many peerless characters who decided to wholeheartedly pursue the path of cultivation, unwilling to involve themselves with secular matters. If Lu Tianzi's words were true, then his Master could be a powerhouse whose might far surpassed her imagination!

Even if she was not able to recognise the name of such a character, perhaps the knowledgeable elders within the sect could enlighten her on the true identity of this mysterious Nanlu Tianzi.

"My Master is a very private person, such that he instructed me never to reveal his name to outsiders," Lu Tianzi shook his head. "In fact, he never wanted me to reveal his existence to others at all. The only reason why I am telling you two about this is because I feel a certain affinity between us, nothing else. Otherwise, even if it were Elder Wanglei from before, I would not have said a thing."

Both Nanlan Qianxue and Nanqing Haowen were astonished by Lu Tianzi's words.

To think that not even a day had passed and he already treated them as such close companions…

Seeing that the duo had fallen into silence, Lu Tianzi grinned in his heart.

Unlike when he had to hide his presence from Hu Yuanbo back in Ivory Rock City, it was indeed much easier when he could just say whatever he wanted without the slightest concern.

In any case, it was not like he was completely lying, and it would be also be extremely difficult for anyone here to verify his words.

"Since that is the case, we won't ask any further," Nanlan Qianxue nodded.

"What are Brother Nanlu's plans going forward?" Nanqing Haowen asked.

"This… I am thinking of searching the land for a suitable organisation to join. This is a harsh world that is difficult to survive in alone. Only by being part of a group will I be able to obtain the necessary resources and facilities to further improve myself. When I finally attain a sufficient level of strength, I will then be able to return to my Master and show him the achievements of his only disciple. Hopefully he will be proud of me then," Lu Tianzi turned his gaze towards the sky in melancholy.

"If that is the case, then you don't have to look any further. Why don't you just consider joining our Nine Suns Sect?" Nanlan Qianxue hesitated for a moment before suggesting.

"Join the Nine Suns Sect?" Lu Tianzi turned around to look at Nanlan Qianxue before shaking his head. "The Nine Suns Sect is the top influence within Bluenight City. How can the selection of its members be that simple?"

"Hahaha! If that is what Brother Nanlu is worried about, then fret not!" Nanqing Haowen was obviously happy with how the direction of the conversation had shifted. "With Brother Nanlu's strength, there is no way that you will fail the admission into the sect! On top of that, even though Nanlan Qianxue here might seem like a cold and emotionless girl, but she is actually quite highly regarded by the elders. If she puts in a word or two, things will become even easier for you!"

Nanlan Qianxue shot Nanqing Haowen a cold glare before turning back to Lu Tianzi, "I dare not guarantee any easy passage. But there is something that I dare guarantee, and that is your talent will definitely not pale in comparison to many of our members. It is just a pity that this year's selection test is already over. But as long as you are willing, I can ask the elders in the sect if they will be agreeable to holding a separate selection test just for you! I would think that they would be prone to agree."

"If that is the case, then I will be more than grateful!" Lu Tianzi clasped his fists towards the two.

"It is settled then," Nanlan Qianxue smiled in satisfaction. "Well then, I will be returning to handle some administrative matters. There are still reports that I have to submit regarding this Beast Hunt and I will likely need a while to finish those. Nanqing Haowen, can you be trusted to show Nanlu Tianzi around in the meantime?"

"Leave it to me! Who else can be trusted if not me?" Nanqing Haowen laughed before turning to Lu Tianzi. "I will be leaving for now then. Have a good rest for the night and I will be back early tomorrow morning to show you around the place!"

"I am in your care then!" Lu Tianzi sent the duo away with a smile before returning into his assigned house.

He fell into bed with a big grin plastered across his face.

In the end, everything went just as planned!

As long as there really was a separate selection test held for him, Lu Tianzi was confident that he would be able to pass it.

After all, while everyone believed that he was an Advanced Essence Building realm martial artist, his true cultivation realm was at the Essence Condensation realm!

Even if he was unable to display his full prowess due to locking away his Spiritual Essence cultivation, since he had already come into contact with the world laws, the strength he possessed was still not something that other Primary Essence Condensation realm martial artists could come close to!

Now, all that was left was to clear the test and start enjoying the resources of the Nine Suns Sect!