Rise of the Sword Son-in-Law

Chapter 296 What a Coincidence

"Brothers, our Wind and Fire Squad has gained a new team member," the young man said energetically to the other five.

The five looked toward Xu Ping’an and sized him up.

Xu Ping’an also carefully scrutinized the five before him.

The one with the cultivation of Sixth Rank First Layer Realm was a middle-aged man with stubble and a stern face, around forty years old, sporting a scar that gave him a particularly capable air.

Apart from him, the strongest was a tall woman dressed in a green long dress.

She was not stunningly beautiful, but she had a certain charm.

Her eyebrows were like willow leaves, and she had phoenix eyes and a delicate face.

Her long black hair was adorned with a jade hairpin, emitting a hint of immortal aura.

The woman’s cultivation was not weak, having reached the Fifth Rank Ninth Layer Realm.

However, Xu Ping’an could see that the woman might be concealing her true cultivation, and her strength was likely around the Sixth Rank Seventh Layer Realm.

The other woman was with the one in green; she was slightly shorter in stature and had a somewhat cute appearance.

Her eyes were lively, giving her a witty and spirited look, with a cultivation around the Fifth Rank Eighth Layer Realm.

The other two men, one had a strong and sturdy build, his strength at the Fifth Rank Seventh Layer Realm.

The other was a thin man, also with strength at the Fifth Rank Seventh Layer Realm.

"My name is Zhang Yu, the captain of the Wind and Fire Squad, welcome to the team," the bearded man said with a faint smile to Xu Ping’an.

"Xu Feng," Xu Ping’an said simply.

He did not reveal his real name because the name Xu Ping’an was now too well-known.

Of course, he had not altered his appearance, and in reality, not many knew what he looked like.

"Xu Feng, good name. It seems your cultivation is not weak, have you reached the Fifth Rank Peak?" Zhang Yu asked with a smile, looking very approachable.

"Hmm, I’ve just broken through to the Fifth Rank Ninth Layer Realm not long ago. I still have a long way to go compared to Captain Zhang," Xu Ping’an said calmly.

"You flatter me. You’re still so young; you are bound to have much greater potential in the future. Come, let me introduce you. This is our vice-captain, Song Yan. Her strength is quite substantial; even I might not be her match, and she comes from the Mountain Sea Academy," Zhang Yu said with a laugh.

"Mountain Sea Academy?" Xu Ping’an looked at the woman in green with surprise.

She was actually from Mountain Sea Academy; he did not recall seeing her in the previous competitions.

Of course, it was not surprising, considering she appeared to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old.

As if catching on to Xu Ping’an’s confusion, the woman in green explained, "I did not come with my sect this time. I was practicing with my junior sister when we happened to pass by. By a stroke of luck, we temporarily joined the Wind and Fire Squad."

Xu Ping’an nodded in understanding.

So this woman had also joined the team temporarily.

In that case, it was not surprising she possessed such a level of cultivation.

"I am the junior sister of Sister Song, my name is Li Shuangshuang, and I also come from Mountain Sea Academy," the witty girl said with a smile.

Xu Ping’an nodded with a smile.

This girl seemed to be about a year younger than the woman in green, presumably also beyond the age for participating in the Holy Refinement.

Otherwise, with her level of cultivation, she would certainly make it into the top ten.

"I’m Niu Yuan, thirty-two this year, with a cultivation of Fifth Rank Seventh Layer. I’ve always followed Brother Zhang Yu," the muscular man said.

Xu Ping’an nodded.

This Niu Yuan practiced a form of physical cultivation technique, though the grade of the technique seemed not very high. To have cultivated to such a degree, there must be something special about him.

Of course, while the man’s cultivation was not high, Xu Ping’an felt there was something unusual about him.

"His name is Zheng Yun. He doesn’t talk much, but don’t underestimate him because of his low strength. He is actually an Array Master, and he has a quite remarkable mastery in formations. Some of the great powers’ talented formation geniuses might not even match up to him," Zhang Yu said with a smile.

"Array Master?" Xu Ping’an showed a look of surprise.

Before, he had felt there was something extraordinary about the frail man before him, and now he seemed to understand.

The soul realm of the man before him was strong, as if he had reached the level of ’Heart like a bright mirror,’ and he was at the intermediate stage.

That’s why Xu Ping’an felt a bit peculiar in the presence of this man.

"So, everyone has been introduced, right? Hehe, my name is Li Xuan, and although my cultivation is the lowest, I am adept at the Qimen Dunjia technique. The location of the Heavenly Dragon Marrow was discovered by me," the young man who had brought Xu Ping’an in said with a chuckle.

Xu Ping’an nodded.

At first, he didn’t think much of these people, but now he realized that the few before him seemed to be no ordinary bunch.

"Little Xuanzi, when do we set off?" Li Shuangshuang asked anxiously.

"Wait a little longer, we’re still expecting two more people who are already on their way. These two are not simple; it’s said they come from Heaven Beyond Heavens," Li Xuan spoke.

"Heaven Beyond Heavens? Why would people from Heaven Beyond Heavens join us?" Song Yan asked in surprise.

Xu Ping’an was also somewhat taken aback.

The so-called Heaven Beyond Heavens are some small worlds located above the barriers between the Mortal Realm and the Spirit Realm.

These small worlds are usually extremely mysterious and seldom reveal themselves.

Xu Ping’an had encountered people from Heaven Beyond Heavens in the past, such as Li Xuanqing and Qin Yu.

He had not expected to encounter yet more individuals from Heaven Beyond Heavens this time.

Xu Ping’an was still somewhat curious about Heaven Beyond Heavens.

In the past, as the Immortal Emperor, he had come into contact with some of these hidden worlds.

To him, these hidden worlds always felt mystical.

"How strong are these two from Heaven Beyond Heavens?" Zhang Yu asked, showing a contemplative expression.

"Very strong, one is Seventh Rank, and the other is Sixth Rank Peak," Li Xuan said.

"That strong? With such power, why would they join us? Li Xuan, how could you disclose the news of the Heavenly Dragon Marrow to such formidable figures?" Niu Yuan asked urgently.

"I didn’t tell them. They approached me on their own. I had no choice, but they said they would act according to our orders, and any treasures obtained would be shared equally among us," Li Xuan explained.

"You believe that? If the powerhouses renege, we won’t stand a chance of resisting. Cooperation is based on equality," Li Shuangshuang said.

Li Xuan’s face showed a look of helplessness.

"Alright, since they’re aware of the treasure, it must have been this kid who accidentally leaked it, and they overheard. However, since they’ve said as much, we just have to wait and act together with them. If we leave them behind and they seek revenge, I doubt we could bear it," Zhang Yu said.

The others all nodded in agreement.

Even though they were somewhat worried, they knew there was wisdom in Zhang Yu’s words.

Retaliation from such powerhouses was beyond their capability to withstand.

Song Yan didn’t say anything but showed a look of contemplation.

Clearly, the arrival of these two individuals from the Heaven Beyond Heavens had given her a feeling of unease that she couldn’t control.

Xu Ping’an, on the other hand, wasn’t particularly concerned. In his view, the arrival of these two from Heaven Beyond Heavens might not necessarily be a bad thing.

After all, their destination was likely inhabited by many formidable demon beasts.

"They’re here."

About an hour later, Li Xuan suddenly pointed in a direction and called out.

Everyone looked toward the direction from which the voice came, their faces showing a hint of surprise.

Xu Ping’an also looked at the newcomers, his face reflecting a trace of surprise.

For the newcomers were none other than Li Xuanqing and Qin Yu.

What a coincidence?