Lu Lihua had not expected to find such treasures to pick up in such a remote area. The chaos in the Central Plains had come too swiftly, affecting all the major sects. In the war, too many had fallen—most of all the mid-level disciples.

The past novices had naturally been promoted to mid-level disciples.

However, mid-level disciples were not so easily cultivated. Previously, each major sect would control the size of their sect because cultivation resources were limited, and they could only select disciples with better aptitude for guidance. If sects taught without discrimination, the Cultivation World would have long been in chaos.

It was precisely because of this that during this past year, amidst successive conflicts, so many of the Cultivation World’s upper echelon had perished, let alone the mid-level ones.

In the past, the Cultivation World had experienced turmoil, but not as frequently. Usually, after fighting for a while, everyone would tacitly recuperate. Unlike this time, battles occurred every other day—if not fighting, then they would be en route to battle.

With so many deaths, the major sects had no choice but to urgently replenish their ranks, hence all the major sects had sent people even to this remote area.

Lu Lihua had not been with Guanghan Palace for long, but she already had cultivation, capable enough to stand on her own, especially since Guanghan Palace now had no one else to rely on.

Yet this remote place was indeed lacking in talent.

Especially the "outstanding" juniors from the very proud cultivation families that came out here—what a joke, they were not outstanding at all!

The local cultivation families here couldn’t even compare to Cloud Rain Sect. Just think, although Cloud Rain Sect also dominated a region, they were very clear about their own strength and their position in the Cultivation World. Nowhere near as overbearing as these juniors from the four great families of Annan.

Other sects indeed found some "geniuses" to take back, but Lu Lihua stood by her principles, not recruiting indiscriminately. However, these two girls were indeed remarkable.

No other sect dared to contend with Guanghan Palace for disciples, especially since these two girls had taken the initiative to join Guanghan Palace; naturally, the matter was settled.

To maintain the reputation of Guanghan Palace, Lu Lihua spoke with cool detachment, "You two have made a very wise decision. Come here and register."

Gao Qing was dumbfounded; she was only accompanying Bai Gan and playing along, and yet she was unexpectedly chosen too.

Goodness, aren’t you one of the Five Great Sects of the Central Plains? Is it so easy to enter a sect of the Central Plains? No background check? What if I were an undercover agent?

Gao Qing’s mind was filled with question marks, while Bai Gan happily dragged her to register.

The so-called registration was merely leaving one’s name and receiving a standard disciple token from Guanghan Palace. It wasn’t very valuable and served only as a credential, not too hard to counterfeit.

"Your name sounds like a man’s," Lu Lihua said after glancing at Gao Qing, offhandedly mocking, then asked, "I see you both carrying your belongings; do you have a place to stay now?"

Gao Qing wanted to say something, but Bai Gan simply shook her head, and Gao Qing had to let it go.

"If you don’t have a place to stay, then it’s perfect—I’ll take you to the inn!"

Lu Lihua was already weary of watching others show off their muscles here. Now that she had received two fine disciples, she felt that she had fulfilled her sect’s mission. After all, the sect did not expect to recruit many excellent disciples in Annan—having these two was enough to pass the test.

Bai Gan didn’t look very experienced in the ways of the world, while Gao Qing seemed a bit more astute and mature. Therefore, the key was to find a way to ensure Gao Qing’s loyalty.

With these thoughts in mind, Lu Lihua quickly led them to the Flower-filled Building.

"This is the inn operated by our Guanghan Palace. In such a small place as Annan, our Guanghan Palace has managed to do business even here. You can imagine just how powerful Guanghan Palace is," she said.

The first step in enticing the disciples’ loyalty; showcase the sect’s strength.

Fortunately, Guanghan Palace had much to flaunt. Bai Gan, with a naive expression, said, "Does that mean there are inns opened by Guanghan Palace all over the country? Is Guanghan Palace specialized in running inns?"

Lu Lihua: "..."

God damn it, Guanghan Palace running inns; can’t you be more detailed?

Struggling to maintain her composure, Lu Lihua explained, "Not exactly. These inns were all established by the previous Saintess, Flower Fairy. She was a commercial genius; if not for some accidents, she may have been the richest person in the world."

"The previous Saintess? Accidents?"

Bai Gan almost had "I’m very curious" written all over her face, and it was just the right time for Lu Lihua, who had just graduated from a newbie to a seasoned disciple, to showcase herself. She began to unravel the story of the Flower Fairy in detail.

From a business prodigy to the pair of unequalled beauties, and then to the unmatched wicked duo, Bai Gan and Gao Qing listened with rapt attention, particularly when they heard that the other half of the wicked duo was Lin Yu. Both felt exactly the same.

My word, this Lin Yu, it must be the Lin Yu they had met!

Was this person so notoriously known in the Central Plains?

Thinking back to their attempts at flirting with the husband of this unmatched wicked duo, they couldn’t help but feel thankful to be alive.

Bai Gan also felt much more comforted internally.

Lucky that I had just basked in the light and didn’t lose my little life, how great is that!

"... The Flower Fairy killed many people at the Gan River ruins, and only managed to escape with the help of her sworn brother, Lin Yun. Subsequently, she committed heinous crimes on Pearl Island, after which she disappeared. Naturally, the riches she accumulated for Guanghan Palace were inherited by Guanghan Palace," Lu Lihua explained.

Bai Gan and Gao Qing heard another familiar name.

Well, this Lin Yun must also be the same Lin Yun!

"Hold on, was Lin Yun really the sworn brother of the Flower Fairy?"

"Of course, he was, but only a sworn brother!" Lu Lihua suddenly raised her voice, startling Bai Gan and Gao Qing, who didn’t understand why she was so agitated.

Seeing their expressions, Lu Lihua then explained, "Many in the Central Plains say that Lin Yun and the Flower Fairy have an ambiguous relationship, that they are lovers, which is the greatest slander against Lin Yun!"

Bai Gan: "..."

Gao Qing: "..."

Isn’t this person a bit too enthusiastic when talking about Lin Yun?

If they knew the term ’fanatic fan,’ they would know how to describe Lu Lihua.

After all, when others slander your Saintess’s relationship with a man as ambiguous, shouldn’t you clarify your Saintess’s innocence?

Even though she was a former Saintess.

"You know Lin Yun?"

Bai Gan read into Lu Lihua’s reaction, and Lu Lihua suddenly became shy and somewhat melancholic, sighing wistfully, "At the foot of Cloud Rain Mount when we first met, a pear tree branch burgeoning with spring’s dew, though parted twice without further contact, I’d rather err for him my whole life through."

Perhaps because she was talking to a newbie disciple without much concern, Lu Lihua accidentally revealed her innermost thoughts. She quickly realized that, for various reasons, Lin Yun was now an enemy of Guanghan Palace, but this did not deter her infatuation with Lin Yun; she only needed to be more discreet and not let others know.

"Pretend you didn’t hear that, please. There’s no need to spread these things around, understood?"

Bai Gan and Gao Qing nodded like pecking hens.

What’s with today, everyone they met loved to chat a lot.

However, having only arrived in the Central Plains for a short time, they had learned so much already, making the trip not in vain.

Exchanging a look, they both understood each other’s thoughts, and obediently followed Lu Lihua to the front desk.

Lu Lihua skillfully asked the innkeeper to prepare two rooms and casually inquired, "Has any news come in today?"

"There’s news that the Grassland People have declared their intention to take down Ziyang City as an engagement gift for Lin Yun and the Snow Maiden."

Lu Lihua’s eyes immediately widened.

"We can’t stay in this inn. We must go to aid Ziyang City!"