Who let him join the Sword Sect?!

The Loose Cultivators do not have the inheritance of sects, with the exception of a few who have followers or have become friends by chance.

Most of them roam alone, and even if they know some acquaintances, it's generally just to the extent of meeting for a drink.

But after the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion's Underground City was established, things changed somewhat, because the dungeons had an extremely high reservation queue, many Loose Cultivators formed temporary teams to not waste time and ventured together.

Some people were incompatible, and their teams disbanded after just one time.

However, some who got along well became acquaintances, then friends.

Due to their seamless cooperation within the Underground City, some even tried to take their relationship a step further.

For instance, going on actual adventures to Secret Realms to seek treasure.

Some, however, turned against each other over interests, splitting and parting ways, completely disbanding.

Yet, some were destined to be brothers for a lifetime, with their friendship becoming even more unbreakable.

Such as Fuli Lian, Xin Jiangning, Monk Hai, and Aze's group.

Although they have not cleared all levels yet, they hold the current highest record in the Underground City.

Aze, short in stature, hails from a tribe of the Western Barbarians, possessing infinite strength.

Monk Hai, from the east, not of the orthodox Buddhist Sect, claims to come from a small temple, is not averse to drinking or eating meat, and is proficient in Pill Formulas and medical principles, being an excellent healer.

Xin Jiangning's master is unknown, but his swordsmanship rivals that of an average Sword Sect disciple, with rumors of a Sword Sect Elder wanting to break norms to recruit him, though he gracefully declined.

Though the team might appear odd, each member is a master, but the real reason for the team's fame is the girl named Fuli Lian.

Fuli Lian's cultivation is entirely from the true teachings of the Celestial Sect, but she denies any connection, and no one from the Celestial Sect has ever bothered her, making her identity more mysterious.

The gossip section of Thousand Mechanism Town's tabloid once held a beauty contest, and Fuli Lian came in second, right below the overly popular Fuji.

Many men had shown favor to her, including some disciples from sects who fancied themselves as charming, but they were coldly rejected.

Currently, the most discussed topic in Thousand Mechanism Town's tabloids is who will capture the heart of this ice beauty.

Underground City, Heavenly Cave Tomb, the third-to-last stage.

Fuli Lian raised her hand, and a formation appeared at her feet. Scattered light balls dispelled the surrounding darkness, locating the puppet hidden within the shadows.

"It's fake," Fuli Lian reminded, while casting a spell, dispersing the formation at her feet. The Celestial Sect's Cold Light Spell was completed. The light balls transformed into chilling light spears, piercing the puppets.

The puppets, turned into paper talismans, pinned to the ground as the dust settled.

At the same time, the true enemies leaped down from the top of the cave: two Golden Core Realm Black Armor Sword Spirits, crashing toward Fuli Lian's location.

Fuli Lian did not move; she continued to maintain the Celestial Sect's spell.

Prepared, Xin Jiangning and the others rushed forward, blocking the attack and buying time for Fuli Lian.

Aze's skin took on a rocky texture, using his giant axe to unleash Divine Techniques, he swept away the sword in the Black Armor Sword Spirit's hand. Monk Hai appeared behind the Sword Spirit, delivering a palm strike.

Xin Jiangning alone faced another Black Armor Sword Spirit. Though it was difficult, he managed to stall it for a moment longer.

"Alright," Fuli Lian said.

Receiving the signal from their comrade, the three retreated simultaneously, and the intricate array spread from Fuli Lian to the Black Armor Sword Spirits' feet...

"Can they pass?" Fuji asked, hiding in the control room with Zhang Ze as they observed the four attempting the challenge.

"They'll have to, one way or another. At worst, we give them a little help," his eyes flickered between Xin Jiangning and Fuli Lian, "Besides, we must get the phone out."

Fuji nodded, continuing to watch.

Half a two-hour passed, and the two Sword Spirits stopped moving, collapsing backward as per the set program, making flamboyant sounds and uttering mysterious last words, entering the defeat calculation phase.

"My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror, and what I do is just."

Finishing the lines Zhang Ze set, a jade plate popped out from the chest of a Black Armor Sword Spirit, the proof of passing the level.

Everyone, including Fuli Lian, breathed a sigh of relief.

These two Sword Spirits seemed to have been strengthened, and compared to before, many spells were ineffective against them, occasionally casting Taoist Techniques from Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Without their ample preparation and the experience from previous failures, they wouldn't have defeated the two Sword Spirits.

Xin Jiangning stepped forward to retrieve the passing evidence from the Sword Spirit, and with the nod of his comrades, he spoke to the air.

"We are returning, challenge complete."

Thanks to Zhang Ze's generosity, the latter five stages of the Underground City could be saved upon the second attempt, continuing from there next time.

Now, everyone was drained of Spiritual Qi and strength, with no intention of continuing.

Generally, at this point, Fuji would appear to lead them out.

If anyone was hurt, Fuji would bring two cat-like Thousand Mechanism Puppets, which would push a cart to carry out the injured.

They waited for a while but did not see Fuji. Instead, a headless staff member came out.

Fuli Lian and the others felt a chill.

In the Underground City, besides challengers, there are only two types of people: Fuji and the cultivators from the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion. Usually, when the cultivators come out, it's to fix something or to impose a fine.

It's said one of the headless ones is the most fearsome, issuing half of the violation tickets.

Zhang Ze also knew the reputation of this alias, so he waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, don't worry, I'm here to deliver rewards."

First, he distributed the prepared cards one by one, then offered a Secret Manual of Cultivation Techniques to the four, and finally, he took out four boxes, "Special reward, latest product from the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, just open and see."

They received the boxes and took out the contents.

Inside was a palm-sized jade plate, smooth on one side, with engraved patterns of exotic beast totems on the other. The ones for Xin Jiangning and the others were black, while Fuli Lian's was white.

"What is this?" Xin Jiangning asked.

"You can call it a phone or a little walnut," Zhang Ze explained to the four.

Hearing it, they exchanged incredulous glances, realizing how useful it was.

Perfect for solving their communication difficulties. Before, they thought of buying more Sound Transmission Jades, but dismissed the idea as foolish.

After being led out of the Underground City, Fuji emerged from the ground beside Zhang Ze, "Will those two really succeed?"

"I guarantee it, my eyes are as good as a ruler. Besides, I'm a master of online romance," Zhang Ze confidently replied.

Fuji, not understanding these matters, stopped thinking about it. Instead, she made a request, "I also want a few of those little walnuts."

"Sure, Lily should have the latest tri-fold model, just go get it," Zhang Ze casually replied.

But Fuji shook her head, "No, it's too precious because I need quite a few."

Zhang Ze, curious, thinking Fuji might be gifting them, asked, "How many do you want?"

"Hmm... a hundred to start with!" Fuji calculated and said, "Don't worry, I have money, I'll buy them myself."

Zhang Ze, "?"

Money wasn't the issue, Zhang Ze was just curious why Fuji needed so many phones.

Seeing Zhang Ze's confusion, Fuji immediately explained.

"I want to create a group chat to talk to myself. Otherwise, it's troublesome sometimes, like now I really want a pancake, but I'm here while I'm at the night market, so with a little walnut, I can just let myself buy it."

Looking at Fuji's happy expression, Zhang Ze suddenly remembered a phrase.

"Quit the group; it's full of my alternate accounts."

...

Fox Butterfly Restaurant.

Xin Jiangning and the others added each other as contacts, and after creating a group chat, each returned to their own room.

Using Divine Sense, Xin Jiangning controlled the little walnut, checking its built-in features to become familiar with its use. He clicked on the icon called the Document Book and found a Secret Manual was inside it.

It seemed to have been pre-stored by someone.

Opening the Secret Manual, Xin Jiangning saw several passages appear on the little walnut's screen.

"Don't let waiting become regret, if you love her, courageously express it."

"Do you want to be a hero for a second, or a coward for a lifetime?"

"Zhang's Spring and Autumn Annals, Love Chapter, Guiding you to success, helping you soar."

In another room, Fuli Lian, too, looked at the little walnut in her hand, lost in thought.

There seemed to be no online romance guide in her version; she was merely staring at Xin Jiangning's name in her contact list.

Uncertain of what she was waiting for.