Doing so was not only to avoid danger but also due to Qiu Jue and Xue Ying’s reasons.
Lightly dropping from the treetops, Li Tan quietly approached the inner gate. At this hour, the inner sect of Tianlang Sect was very quiet. Most disciples were inside their rooms, diligently cultivating. The few guards assigned to patrol were chatting and dozing off out of boredom. Thus, with the aid of spiritual perception, Li Tan’s infiltration was extremely simple.
Approximately half an hour later, Li Tan had already familiarized himself with the inner sect’s terrain and basic architectural layout.
There was the “Xingyu Department,” responsible for maintaining order, the “Lingyao Department,” which cultivated alchemists, the “Qidian,” where treasures and artifacts were forged, and the “Jiguanchu,” which specialized in crafting arrays and talismans. All these formed the inner sect’s headquarters, collectively responsible for guiding cultivation.
In short, it was a diverse and complex system, covering various aspects of cultivation. The medicinal herbs Li Tan required were found within the territory of the Lingyao Department.
Located at the back mountain, the area was surrounded by fences and protected with arrays. Within the fence, beneath the soft night sky, countless medicinal plants swayed gently in the breeze.
Undoubtedly, this was the Lingyao Department’s herb garden.
Li Tan cautiously scanned the entire garden with his spiritual awareness. There were only three or four disciples guarding it, and they were clearly distracted.
This made things easier.
Relying on the Moye Steps, Li Tan skillfully bypassed the guards and sneaked into the garden. Looking around, he quickly collected the necessary herbs into the Huangta, and even took the opportunity to grab some other rare herbs. After all, these herbs would be provided to the Son of Heaven, the one shouldering the future of humanity. Plus, it was for the good of their Supreme Elder. Surely, the Tianlang Sect disciples would be very willing! Thinking somewhat shamelessly, Li Tan felt no psychological burden at all, easily playing out a scene akin to Grandma Liu’s visit to the Grand View Garden, while the guards remained completely unaware of what had transpired.
With the herbs gathered, Li Tan was about to head back when his mortal body let out a protesting growl.
Seemed like he was getting hungry. He needed to find something to eat. The cafeteria was surely empty by now. Where else could he find food?
Li Tan hesitated slightly. At this hour, there was genuinely nothing to eat. Even though the entire garden was filled with medicinal herbs, he still felt it would be a waste to use them for hunger. However, at that moment, a chicken ran past him.
Where did this chicken come from?
Li Tan’s eyes lit up. He quickly grabbed the chicken and covered its beak to prevent it from squawking. Upon closer inspection, he understood the chicken’s origin.
This was no ordinary chicken. It was a breed raised by the Tianlang Sect within the herb garden, primarily fed on medicinal herbs. Thus, its meat was extremely delicious and beneficial for cultivation.
How much exactly did it benefit cultivation?
Li Tan actually didn’t care much about that. What interested him more was the former aspect—the delicious meat. In his memories from his past life, he had occasionally eaten it a few times, and the taste was indeed quite good.
Hehe, it’s your honor to be eaten by me.
Li Tan quickly left the herb garden with the chicken in hand. On a nearby mountain not far from the inner sect, he used a rusty sword to gut and clean the chicken with water. Then, he ignited his cultivation flame to start a fire and began roasting the chicken. Soon, the savory aroma filled the air as the meat cooked to perfection, looking irresistibly delicious.
Eating it was even more delightful.
After a satisfying meal, Li Tan was about to head back and contemplate treating the madness illness. However, suddenly, a faint sound of footsteps echoed nearby.
Li Tan quickly discarded the chicken bones and hid behind the nearest large tree, cautiously glancing toward the source of the sound. He saw a male disciple dressed in inner sect attire sneaking forward a few steps before stopping.
Li Tan’s breakthrough into innate cultivation made him different from ordinary people. At this distance, even without spiritual power, he could see clearly. Upon closer inspection, he was instantly surprised.
The person in front of him was actually Liu Yong! Why would Liu Yong come to this place late at night?
Li Tan felt intrigued and decided to stay a little longer to see what mischief Liu Yong was up to.
Liu Yong seemed to be waiting for someone, but the other party didn’t arrive. As time passed, he gradually lost his initial nervousness, leaning against a tree trunk, his eyes filled with gloominess. He muttered softly, “Damn it, really having a bad year. Zhang Chenghuan didn’t even acknowledge me once, but she paid so much attention to that pretty boy named Li Tan.” His tone was clearly filled with jealousy.
“Li Tan didn’t even do anything, yet with just his looks, he managed to enchant that girl completely. How annoying.” These were likely words he would never dare to say in front of others. Alone, however, he cast aside all inhibitions, venting his grievances in a torrent.
Li Tan, however, couldn’t agree. Indeed, he possessed a remarkably handsome face, but his abilities were equally matched with his looks, okay?
It was evident that Liu Yong’s mind was quite dark. While waiting alone, he continuously muttered complaints, criticizing everyone from top to bottom, including Zhang Zhi.
About the time it took to burn an incense stick, accompanied by the rustling of leaves, a black figure descended from above, landing beside Liu Yong. With a cold and emotionless voice, it said, “Report the situation.”
Liu Yong’s previous gloomy expression instantly vanished, replaced by a nauseatingly flattering smile. He began recounting Zhang Zhi’s actions and recent events within the Tianlang Sect to the figure.
Watching from the shadows, Li Tan’s gaze sharpened, and his expression grew serious.
There was no mistake—he was certain that this sudden black-cloaked figure was a member of the Heipao Organization.
This confirmed Li Tan’s previous suspicions: Liu Yong had a connection with the Heipao members and was conspiring something sinister, likely nothing good.
Instantly, his spiritual awareness scanned over the black-cloaked figure. The flow of qi was very obvious, indicating cultivation at the peak of the innate realm.
Should he attack and capture him for questioning?
No, if captured, the figure would likely commit suicide, revealing nothing and only alerting the enemy.
Suppressing his inner impulse, Li Tan ultimately chose not to act. After some time, Liu Yong and the black-cloaked figure parted ways and left separately.
That’s enough for today, Li Tan thought, turning around and heading toward the bamboo forest. However, at that moment, footsteps rapidly approaching from behind echoed louder and louder.
Li Tan halted, turned around, and saw the same black-cloaked figure slowly approaching him, coldly asking, “You’re not from the inner sect, nor are you from outside. Why are you here?”
Both the inner and outer sects of the Tianlang Sect wore uniform clothing, with only the servant disciples being an exception. Upon seeing Li Tan, the black-cloaked figure quickly deduced from experience and his aura that Li Tan might possess innate cultivation, directly ruling out the possibility of him being a servant disciple and firmly concluding he was “not from the Tianlang Sect” and “none of your concern.”
Li Tan casually replied with a sentence, his mind rapidly analyzing the potential problems he might face next and their optimal solutions.
However, the black-cloaked figure seemed to have no intention of giving him time to think. With a swift motion, he unsheathed his sword. Under the moonlight, the blade’s cold gleam reflected a sharp, silvery light.
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