Chapter 1615: The Gift and the Gloom

The young Daoist was a bit surprised that Li Yan still wanted to go. He had made it clear how high the death rate was, and that the man would have to infiltrate Ghost Sound City to achieve his goal. Yet, it seemed almost certain that Li Yan would go.

“Fellow Daoist, one more question. How far is the rotation site from here?” Li Yan had heard it was far, but he needed specifics now that he had a plan.

“From the Broken Army Sect? Extremely far! However, when third-rate cultivators go for rotation, they gather at a second-rate sect and use a super-long-distance teleportation array to go directly to the Moji Dao Sect. From there, they are teleported again to the front lines. So even though the distance is great, according to my master, the one-way trip takes less than a month!”

The young Daoist hadn’t been to the front lines himself, but Chongyangzi had served his rotation when he was at the Spirit Transformation Realm. Thus, the disciple knew the route. Before coming, Chongyangzi had told him these details precisely because he anticipated Li Yan would ask.

“Oh? Teleporting from the Pure Yang Hall takes less than a month…” Li Yan’s dark eyes lit up. He immediately connected the news from Jia Fugui with this report and reached a conclusion.

‘The people Guī Qù Lái Xī is looking for are already searching for those inquiring about them. I am looking for them, too. Regardless of their intent… if I can find the shop directly, it doesn’t matter if I meet that other cultivator. The key is that reaching Ghost Sound City takes only a month! Elder Hao and the others won’t be out for sixty years, and I simply don’t want to wait that long…’

Li Yan asked another question. “Do you know what one does during rotation duty?”

The young Daoist realized his master had guessed correctly. Even after being told how high the risk was, Li Yan was likely going to go.

“Spirit Transformation cultivators usually join the Scout Battalion or become Green-Armored Soldiers guarding the border! A single rotation lasts ten years. If you survive, the Moji Dao Sect rewards you with treasures beyond imagination—techniques, pills, artifacts. They are always items that exceed one’s level and are immensely helpful for advancement!”

“If Senior Chongyangzi helps, can I enter the Scout Battalion?”

“There is some chance. However, even the Green-Armored Soldiers have periods of rest!” The young Daoist answered. He was impressed; his master had anticipated every single one of Li Yan’s questions. He was now certain his teacher knew this man very well.

When the young Daoist left, he had a smile on his face. Li Yan had given him quite a few good things, making the trip well worth the effort.

After seeing him off, Li Yan returned to his hall and began to pace. After much investigation from multiple sources, several pieces of news had finally burst forth all at once.

However, he waited for seven months. Despite his calm nature and discipline, the prospect of finding Guī Qù Lái Xī and sending word to the lower realm made him anxious. He couldn’t go and ask Chongyangzi in person, as that would be rude. He knew that as soon as there was progress, the man wouldn’t delay.

Finally, one day, a disciple brought a jade slip. A sweep of his Divine Sense filled Li Yan with joy. The slip hadn’t been delivered by hand this time but sent via the teleportation array between the Broken Army Sect and the Pure Yang Hall. Now that they were third-rate, they had a direct link for messages and resources.

Chongyangzi was as brief as ever. Only one sentence: “You may depart within five days.”

There was nothing else. Only Li Yan could understand the meaning. It was so cryptic that it didn’t matter if someone else saw it. Li Yan then went to knock on Mu Guyue’s door. While she stared at him with her usual cold gaze, Li Yan grabbed her jade-like hand. This stunned her, and a blush appeared on her face. She had only been in seclusion for a short time. Why was Li Yan being so proactive? Usually, it was she who had to open her heart…

“There’s a chance to find Guī Qù Lái Xī. If we succeed, it might even be easier to reach your tribe across the Northern Pastoral Realm!”

“Guī Qù Lái Xī? Doesn’t that require crossing the Heaven-Slaying Prairie?” Mu Guyue realized she had misinterpreted his excitement and mentally chided herself. But her phoenix-eyes shone; in the lower realm, she knew of that powerful merchant group. Though she hadn’t dealt with them much, she knew they were formidable. Li Yan had already told her about his quest to find them.

Mu Guyue knew Li Yan’s goal was to find the association because of his connection to someone of high status within it. But she had no idea that “connection” was actually a certain female shopkeeper! Like the other major powers in the lower realm, the Black Demon Clan suspected the association was backed by the Immortal Spirit Realm. Li Yan explained the situation with the Moji Dao Sect and the Mocha Palace.

Mu Guyue’s expression finally shifted, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You want to infiltrate the Mocha Palace?”

“It’s an option. It’s the fastest way. Otherwise, we can’t cross the prairie. But even if we find them, will they help? Do they have a way out of this realm? Nothing is certain. We must find them first. It might be a wasted trip.” Li Yan nodded. Though excited, he was prepared for failure.

“Rotation duty,” Mu Guyue said simply. She showed no hesitation. Li Yan knew she wanted to return to her tribe in the Sacrificial Nether Realm as soon as possible; her demonic blood made her yearn for her kin.

“Fine. We’ll go find Senior Brother Shangguan now.”

Half a day later, Li Yan and Mu Guyue entered the teleportation array to the Pure Yang Hall. Li Yan hadn’t told Shangguan Tianque the full truth, knowing the man wouldn’t agree. The Broken Army Sect wasn’t strong enough for rotation, and the information was likely confidential. He told Shangguan Tianque that as new Spirit Transformation cultivators, their progress had slowed, and they wanted to travel together for a few decades. Shangguan Tianque simply gave them some advice; everyone knew their relationship, and traveling together was natural. Li Yan also didn’t inform the people in the Earth-Truth Realm, knowing they would be busy for another sixty years.

A flash of white light later, they were gone.

They arrived at the Pure Yang Hall and, after a brief check, went to visit Chongyangzi. The Broken Army Sect’s tokens now granted them passage in most areas of the Pure Yang Hall.

Inside the cave residence, Chongyangzi sat at the head of the room and nodded. “Sit.”

The room was spotless, free of any worldly dust, and the furnishings were simple. Aside from some chairs, there was only a row of wooden shelves holding various colored pill bottles. Chongyangzi was clearly a man devoted entirely to the Dao. His disciples had their own caves and only came when summoned.

“Ting Lan is cultivating in the back. A year ago, she finally broke through to the late-stage Nascent Soul Realm. She is consolidating her cultivation, so I won’t have her come out to see you.”

Li Yan and Mu Guyue exchanged a smile. This was good news. Ting Lan had good talent, but her outgoing nature had hindered her.

“Congratulations to Junior Sister Ting,” Mu Guyue said.

“Yes. I’m telling you this so you don’t think I’m being heartless, keeping her here when you’ve come to visit.” Chongyangzi then produced a storage ring. It wasn’t for Li Yan, but drifted toward Mu Guyue. “This isn’t from me. I think I’ve looked after you enough. This is from Ting Lan. When she learned you achieved Spirit Transformation, she prepared this gift for your advancement and the sect’s promotion. Since she couldn’t attend your ceremony, she insisted you take this as thanks for saving her.”

Mu Guyue moved to refuse, but Chongyangzi cut her off. “I said, it’s not from me! Besides, Ting Lan’s father is very wealthy. She says it’s a gift; if you don’t take it, it just stays with that father of hers!”

Chongyangzi wouldn’t take back a gift. Mu Guyue looked at Li Yan, who was looking down and rubbing his nose. She suddenly realized something, and a rare smile appeared on her face. She reached out and took the ring.

To Chongyangzi, the smile looked like she was happy to have a friend like Ting Lan. But inwardly, Mu Guyue was laughing at Li Yan. She realized why he looked so gloomy. He had likely realized he had suffered a silent loss.

Li Yan had not only saved Ting Lan but had supported her cultivation for years. He had given her countless spirit stones and pills. Even if it was a loan, he should have gotten the principal back! But because he had modified her memory, Ting Lan didn’t remember taking his stones. She didn’t even know she had been his soul slave. She probably thought Li Yan was someone she should be wary of! Seeing Li Yan’s expression, Mu Guyue smiled. It was rare to see this cunning man take such a loss.