Chapter 1685: Preparing for the Journey (Part One)

Once everyone was gathered in the courtyard, Li Yan didn’t hesitate and spoke to the group.

“I didn’t descend to the lower realm alone this time…”

The calm in Zhao Min and Gong Chenying’s eyes vanished, replaced by a cold glint. Li Yan had said there were ‘unpleasant things’ to discuss. They immediately thought he was going to use Wei Zhongran to pressure them into accepting the demoness. But with Wei Zhongran’s hatred for the demon race, Li Yan was seeking his own death! Did he think he could force everyone to agree just because of his cultivation? It was too late to stop him now.

“…I once saved the life of that person’s disciple twice, so he assisted me in returning to the lower realm this time. Traveling from the Immortal Spirit Realm to the lower realm is even more dangerous than ascending; you will understand this once you go there…”

Li Yan looked at them calmly, emphasizing the debt of gratitude. In the cultivation world, a debt of life was the hardest to repay.

“…That person came to find me yesterday, asking when we would be returning. He will likely leave in a few days. His cultivation is immense—he is already a Void Refinement powerhouse. He is far more experienced than I. So yesterday, I asked him to take a look at Junior Sister Bai’s injury. I had a bad feeling about her prolonged unconsciousness. He confirmed that her Sea of Consciousness has been severely traumatized.

Furthermore, the magical treasure that hit her contained a binding force. Her defense was too rushed to withstand a Spirit Transformation cultivator’s blow. Although she survived the lethal strike, that binding force has permeated her Sea of Consciousness. While pills can stabilize her mind, she will not wake up until that force is removed!”

As he spoke, Li Yan looked toward the courtyard gate.

A figure appeared there—a middle-aged man with his hands behind his back. He nodded to the group and vanished as quickly and silently as a ghost.

Wei Zhongran’s pupils constricted. Zhao Min and Gong Chenying also felt their auras flicker. They hadn’t sensed any danger; a man had suddenly appeared where there was no one before. If Li Yan hadn’t looked that way, they wouldn’t have known. Even after he appeared, their Divine Senses showed nothing but empty air.

‘So strong!’ Wei Zhongran thought. He believed that while he couldn’t defeat a Spirit Transformation master, he could at least escape. But that man had been standing right there, and his Divine Sense saw only the wall. This was the level of the mysterious person who had sealed the sect. But then he remembered Li Yan saying the man was at the Void Refinement realm—a stage most had only heard of. His understanding of heavenly laws was beyond their reach. The man seemed proud, only appearing for a split second before vanishing.

“Is there a cure for Junior Sister Bai?” Zhao Min’s cold voice rang out. It was the first time she had spoken in days. She felt a weight lift; Li Yan wasn’t trying to do anything reckless regarding the demoness.

“Yes. A celestial herb called ‘Hazy Moon Purity,’ but it only exists in the Immortal Spirit Realm. That senior has some leads,” Li Yan replied.

He had to bring Dong Fuyi into the picture to facilitate their ascension, so he had to implement his plan step by step. Dong Fuyi had to appear under a different identity to make things seem logical.

“You intend to take Junior Sister Bai to the Immortal Spirit Realm? But carrying others during ascension makes the heavenly laws even more fierce. Even if they are in a storage space, the danger increases manifold!” Gong Chenying said, her brow furrowing.

“That is true. Neither I nor the Chimera Emissary have a way, and I doubt any other lower-realm master could wake her. But that senior is willing to help me; he has deep research into spatial laws. After discussing it with him, we have a good chance of success.”

Li Yan offered the explanation he had prepared. With Dong Fuyi’s power, taking all of them would be no problem.

“Te-Teacher… is leaving the lower realm as well?” Li Zhaoyan stood there, dazed. She hadn’t realized her teacher’s injury was so severe that she had to leave the mortal realm.

Zhao Min looked at her daughter’s face and felt a pang of reluctance. She began to hesitate about her own ascension. But the thought of being separated from Li Yan again was equally unbearable.

“You intend to take Zhaoyan with us?” Wei Zhongran was the calmest. Li Yan had let her listen for a reason; surely it wasn’t just to make her sad.

“Master is wise. I invited that senior down specifically so he could help me take as many people as possible to the Immortal Spirit Realm. Junior Sister Bai’s situation was an accident,” Li Yan nodded. Li Zhaoyan, who had been pale, froze in place.

“How certain are you? You are taking two people who cannot face the laws themselves,” Gong Chenying said gravely.

Wei Zhongran and Zhao Min looked at him. They didn’t think it was possible; they had studied ascension for years. All records said a single person had the best chance; carrying any other living being usually led to total failure.

Li Yan held up three fingers.

“I found an ascension node to the Cangxuan Realm while I was in the upper realm. I wanted to tell Master and Ancestor Mo Qing that you can ascend with us. With your help, the chances are much higher—at least thirty percent, perhaps even more. I’ve discussed this with that senior, and with his spatial laws, it is achievable.”

“What price did you pay?” Wei Zhongran asked. People didn’t help for free, and a debt of gratitude had limits. He had wanted to ask Li Yan about ascension nodes; since Li Yan was back, they could avoid their old, dangerous node.

“Some supreme-grade spirit stones and refining materials. Master, I’ve already handled the payment; you need not worry,” Li Yan said without hesitation.

“I didn’t expect that after joining Little Bamboo Peak, I wouldn’t be the one guiding your cultivation, but rather the one benefiting from your efforts!” Wei Zhongran sighed. They were all shocked; ‘some’ supreme-grade spirit stones? Wei Zhongran only had three on him. Li Yan’s ‘some’ must be a great deal. Such stones were incredibly rare. The refining materials likely weren’t any less valuable. But he wouldn’t refuse the chance; his goal was the Malevolent Spirit Sect in the Cangxuan Realm.

“It is only right. Furthermore, there is Min’er and the others!” Li Yan bowed to him.

Zhao Min and Gong Chenying fell silent, their gaze toward Li Yan shifting.

“Father… you say I… I can ascend to the Immortal Spirit Realm with you?” Li Zhaoyan asked, her voice sounding ethereal.

Li Yan smiled. “Of course. But I don’t know if you’re afraid? It is dangerous. But as long as I live, you and your mothers won’t die. Not a single one of you!”

“I… I want to be with you and my mothers, my grandfather, and my teacher. To ascend early is a dream most could never hope for!” Her face broke into a sweet smile, and the gloom that had hung over her vanished.

“And you two? Do you have any objections?” Li Yan looked at Zhao Min and Gong Chenying. His words still echoed in their hearts: ‘As long as I live… not a single one of you!’

“If you are certain, then so be it,” Zhao Min nodded. She chose to trust him. Gong Chenying remained silent; she wouldn’t agree, but she wouldn’t oppose it, given it concerned Zhaoyan’s life.

“Master!” Li Yan looked at Wei Zhongran.

“Heh… if a Spirit Transformation master and a Void Refinement senior say they have a chance, then I’ll take that gamble. I want to see just how fierce the laws of ascension are! When do you plan to leave?” Wei Zhongran agreed. He seemed gentle, but he shared the madness of the Little Bamboo Peak line.

“Within half a month, if you have no other preparations. I have a few things to settle with the senior.”

“Very well. I will tell Ancestor Mo. We are ready; we just need to sharpen our focus. You should do the same!” Wei Zhongran stood up, acting with his usual decisiveness. He turned toward where Dong Fuyi had been and bowed deeply. “Thank you for your help, Senior!”

Zhao Min, Gong Chenying, and Li Zhaoyan followed suit.

“Very well. Aside from repaying a debt, this is a transaction. I will do my best,” a faint voice drifted into their minds. They still couldn’t sense him. This made them feel even more secure. Once Wei Zhongran left, Li Yan looked at the three women.

“Prepare everything in half a month and adjust your states. I will be handling some things with the senior.”

He turned to leave. His plan was set, and the tasks involving Gu Jiuqi were just an excuse. With Feng Hongyue here, the sect was safe.

“Husband, wait. There are things we need to discuss. Zhaoyan, I think you should go to the Wood-Flow Gate and explain the situation to Yu Niang. Bring her here to see Bai Rou so she knows the truth. Tell her your teacher will be staying here for us to treat her. And tell her that if the Wood-Flow Gate faces any trouble, she can seek out Li Wuyi. I will speak to your uncle to ensure he takes care of them. Also, take whatever your teacher might need from the Wood-Flow Gate!”

Zhao Min looked at Li Yan, then at her daughter. Zhaoyan agreed and immediately flew off. She seemed much lighter and happier, like a bird released from a cage.

Once she was gone, Zhao Min and Gong Chenying walked toward the inner room. Li Yan guessed their intent and followed. Once inside, Gong Chenying spoke.

“Min’er and I have discussed this. Mu Sha is of your blood. As long as you are certain of his identity, he must enter the Li family! Whether his name is Li Sha or Mu Sha is for you to decide; we will follow your lead. And the fact that you confessed about Mu Guyue shows you aren’t trying to deceive us.

We won’t block Mu Sha, and we won’t stop Mu Guyue either; Mu Sha wouldn’t want to see his mother mistreated. But if she stays with us, there will be conflict. You know why. Forget Min’er; how would you even pass the Master’s scrutiny?

Mu Sha’s birth was an accident; once the Master knows, he might be resigned to it, but he won’t blame you, given the circumstances. But he won’t accept Mu Guyue. You cannot imagine how many of his friends and brothers died at the hands of the demons while guarding the Yin-Demon Cliff.

But you said one thing: we are ascending to the Cangxuan Realm, and she wants to return to the Black Demon race. If that is true, then we can accept this, as we won’t have to see her for the time being. We must settle the matter of Mu Sha first and let the Master accept him step by step!”

Li Yan looked at them. Zhao Min’s resistance had clearly faded compared to the day he confessed. He knew Gong Chenying was the one who had mediated the situation.