"So…" Liu Tao smirked smugly. "That's even more reason for me to go with you. You're someone who appears to have a First Realm Cultivation on the surface but actually has a Sixth Realm Cultivation. If we really run into an 'accident,' it might very well stop being an accident."
Chen Qingyang gave her another thumbs-up. "So you were planning on using me all along. It sounds perfectly reasonable. In that case, I'll come find you in half a month, Senior Sister. We'll set off for the Upper Purity Temple together."
Liu Tao was quite satisfied and smiled happily. "It's a deal."
Chen Qingyang had come this time just to let Liu Tao know and leave her some Elixirs, but now he had gained a companion.
'That's fine too,' he thought. 'Having a familiar face on the road will make it less lonely.'
...
It was already evening when he went up the mountain.
Before long, he saw the small, four-story building bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun.
One taste and you want more, as they say. Ever since benefiting from their "Dual Cultivation," Yun Ci would wait for Chen Qingyang every day. After they met and exchanged simple pleasantries, they would quickly get into the right state.
This continued for seven days before they finally stopped.
At this moment, the Master stood by the window, wearing a long dress. She let the wind blow against her face, her long hair dancing lightly.
The cool moonlight fell upon her delicate face. One could say she was like the moon, and the moon was like her—the two blending into one.
After quietly listening to what Chen Qingyang had to say, she didn't speak. She remained silent for about a quarter of an hour before finally turning her head. "Come here."
Chen Qingyang didn't understand, but he stood before her.
He saw Yun Ci extend a slender, jade-like hand. A brilliant light emerged within it, revealing a five-inch-long small sword. Its entire body was crystal clear, like quartz or perhaps solid ice.
"Keep this with you. Do not store it in your Universe in the Sleeve, and do not give it to others. As long as it's not someone whose Cultivation is higher than mine, any full-force strike against you will be blocked by it…"
She added one last sentence, "Mm, consider this my repayment for saving my life!"
Looking closely, its Qi Mechanism was contained within, heavy like the abyss; its power was surely not to be underestimated. A Magical Treasure capable of blocking a full-force strike from a Foundation Establishment Master was exceedingly rare. No matter the life-saving debt, this should be enough to repay it.
Chen Qingyang was touched, but also a little afraid. He worried this thing might be like the Bronze Small Sword, reporting everything back to its master.
He didn't have many secrets left, but the thought still made him uncomfortable.
How could a person as clever as Yun Ci not know what he was thinking from that slight hesitation? "Don't worry," she said. "This is a gift from me to you. It will have no connection to me from now on. You just need to remember not to give it to anyone else."
Without another word, she thrust it into Chen Qingyang's hand. It was cool and icy to the touch, but after he tucked it into his clothes, it seemed to grow faintly warm.
"Does this sword have a name?"
Yun Ci said, "This Magical Treasure was born from my Daoist Technique and was completed by my Daoist Technique. It doesn't have a name. If it must have one… call it Yun Ci."
'Yun Ci!'
'What a casual name, yet so fitting.' He truly hadn't expected her to give him something so precious.
This item was different from the Li Guang Jade Talisman. That was something his master had once used but no longer needed. This sword, however, was something that should have accompanied her for the rest of her journey.
Chen Qingyang wasn't one to refuse. In front of her, he carefully tucked the sword away. "Don't worry, I will always keep this sword safe. I will also always remember the kindness you've shown me by gifting it today. I'll be gone for three months at the fastest, half a year at the slowest. I'll be back soon," Chen Qingyang said, taking the initiative. But Yun Ci didn't say anything more and turned away again.
It wasn't until Chen Qingyang said he was taking his leave that she looked at him and said, "Mm. Be careful."
...
For the remaining few days, Chen Qingyang didn't cultivate. Instead, he spent all his time in Cyan Jade Valley practicing Alchemy.
He prepared some Dongming Upper Mansion Pills, which were for selling; he also prepared the Green Fall Elixir of Longevity and sent Hong'Er to deliver it to Sun-piercing Peak to repay a favor.
Finally, he prepared some Poison Pills and Qihuang Replenishing Truth Pills as a precaution. Now that he had the Universe in the Sleeve technique, he could hide quite a few things.
Lastly, he met with the True Dragon again and clearly explained his plans to leave. It took the full seven days to get all these preparations in order.
Another day passed.
When the sky had just begun to brighten, he was at the Four Golden Peaks Golden Summit. He met up with Liu Tao, left the Tai Xu Sect, and headed southeast.
After traveling for several hundred li, they emerged from the vast mountains and entered a stretch of fertile fields, which marked their official departure from the sect's territory.
With Liu Tao along, their speed wasn't particularly fast. It wasn't until the tenth day that they finally reached the borders of the Da Li Kingdom.
The sights along the way were indeed prosperous and bustling. The administrations in the various prefectures and county offices were clean and efficient, the village elders were just and principled, and the common people lived and worked in peace and contentment.
To them, the matter of Immortal Cultivation was the stuff of legends. Very few even knew of longevity, but this didn't hinder their prosperity.
It was true that the farther one was from an Immortal Sect, the better the lives of the common people. In places close to an Immortal Sect, seeking immortality became the only way out.
As it presided over this entire land, the Tai Xu Sect ruled over more commoners than there were stars in the sky. The number of Disciples it recruited each year had reached a saturation point. They had long since adopted a policy of using up one batch and discarding them for the next, so there was no need to come here to recruit Disciples.
Three days later, the two rested for a night at an inn in the city. Just outside this city, deep in the mountains, stood a Daoist Temple named Upper Purity, which was where Xuanwei Master resided.
The common people held this Daoist Temple in high regard, claiming there was a living Immortal inside. Within a thousand-li radius, there were numerous worshipers who made Sacrificial Offerings.
"According to my memory, the Six Southeastern Sects are a full thousand li from here. We're still far from them. If we want to go travel, we'll probably have to wait until this assignment is over," Liu Tao said to Chen Qingyang in the inn.
"It's not easy to get a chance to come out. It would only delay us by a month or two at most. What do you think, Senior Sister?"
Liu Tao replied, "Of course we can. If an elite of the Cyan Bamboo Peak Inner Sect like you has time, how could I not?"
Seeing her mock him again, Chen Qingyang fell silent.
Liu Tao laughed. "I'm just complimenting you!"
"Forget it. You should compliment me less in the future. It's getting late. Let's head up the mountain to the Daoist Temple."
"Mm."
They left the inn and walked along the street.
Chen Qingyang stopped for a moment and looked around. He saw the sky full of twinkling stars, from which faint wisps gathered and descended upon the southern mountain.
This was Nandang Mountain. 'There must be an Array built here,' he thought. 'Otherwise, besides the Ningzhen Immortal Mansion and a few other specific locations, there's no way there would be even a trace of Spiritual Qi in the entire Da Li Kingdom.'
They left the city and used their Wind Control Technique, arriving in moments.
The Daoist Temple wasn't on the mountainside but nestled at its foot. It was magnificent and immense.
Even before reaching the main gate, there stood a True Martial Hall where the True Martial Divine Spirit was worshiped. Today was the first day of the lunar month, and the incense was burning strong.
Further ahead, on a path paved with bluestone, worshipers came and went in an endless, shoulder-to-shoulder stream. The two of them proceeded on foot.
When they reached the entrance, they asked a Little Daoist Child. Upon hearing the words "Tai Xu," he immediately led the two toward the rear courtyard.
This area was devoid of worshipers and instantly felt quiet and cool. The Daoist Child chattered on, "...Yesterday, many Immortals from other Immortal Sects also arrived. The one in the lead is a tall man. I heard his surname is Yao. He's the Chief Steward here. Everyone who comes must see him…"
As he was speaking, they arrived at a courtyard. Chen Qingyang looked up and saw that the man with the surname Yao was none other than Yao Jingzhi!
Chen Qingyang instantly realized this was no coincidence.
'If Liu Tao could use her connections to insert herself into this trip, then Yao Jingzhi could definitely find a way to get me assigned to the same place as him.'
'He lost face last time, and now he wants to use me as a stepping stone to get closer to Master Miaoyou. This definitely won't be good.'
'Fortunately!'