Chapter 46: Gathering Information
Mingyan looked at the spirit herb in his hand, feeling a surge of gratitude.
Since completing his revenge and being guided to Rain Terrace Blessed Land by Ning Feixuan, he had met many kind people.
Liu Yunfeng, Liu Mengli, Xia Yanming, Huang Feiyan, Huang Junru, Huang Junyi, Yue Qingying…
He had once thought the cultivation world was cruel and unforgiving, a world of constant struggle for survival, but now, it seemed he had been mistaken. Although cultivators did fight fiercely for resources and dominance, there was also warmth and kindness.
He stored the herb in the spatial pouch Huang Junyi had given him. Although he could store items in his Qi Sea, using it in public could reveal his Great Brook Realm cultivation to those stronger than him, attracting unwanted attention.
Mingyan resumed his cultivation.
Two days later, as he was studying the combat techniques in the Wind Spirit Scripture, Yue Wu Xia’s voice echoed in his mind. “Mingyan, come to my cottage.”
He immediately went outside and saw her standing at her door, beckoning him.
Mingyan approached and bowed. “Master.”
“The recruitment is over. Wear this token on your waist. It signifies you’re a disciple of the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sacred Land and my personal disciple. It carries my mark. If any cultivator far stronger than you targets you, my mark will sense it.” Yue Wu Xia’s figure remained blurry, as always, hidden in mist, adding to her mystique.
She flicked her finger, and the token flew to his waist, attaching itself. “Those younger cultivators will only know you’re a disciple of the Sacred Land. Although the news of me accepting you as my disciple has spread, it hasn’t reached everyone yet. So, this token won’t protect you from all dangers. Besides, your own strength is your greatest reliance, not your status.”
“This disciple understands,” Mingyan nodded.
“Your trial is simple. Do you know Nan Ming City?”
“I passed through it on my way here, Master.”
“Recently, an elder reported the appearance of a secret realm a few hundred miles west of Nan Ming City. Go and investigate. You’ll be going alone. I won’t offer any assistance. You’ll have to rely on yourself. I’ve observed you diligently cultivating the Wind Spirit Scripture these past few days. The location isn’t far from the Sacred Land, so other major powers will think twice before interfering. You should be able to handle this, but don’t let your guard down. We can’t completely rule out the possibility of other Sacred Lands getting involved.” Her voice was cold and emotionless, but less so than Huang Junru’s, whose voice was like glacial ice, chilling to the bone.
“Disciple understands.”
“Go. If you find any opportunities, seize them. There’s no need to report back to me.” Yue Wu Xia turned and entered her cottage.
Mingyan returned to his room, packed his belongings, and prepared for his journey.
When he emerged, he found Yue Qingying waiting for him at the edge of the island.
“Senior Sister.”
Yue Qingying smiled, her face unveiled. As she had said, there was no need for pretense between them now that they were senior and junior siblings.
“Junior Brother, be careful on your journey. If you were at my level of cultivation, I wouldn’t be worried, but you’re only at the Great Brook Realm. No matter what, your life is your top priority. Here, take this.” She handed him a small slip of paper. “Open it after you leave the Sacred Land.”
Mingyan looked at the paper and nodded. “Thank you, Senior Sister.”
“Go now.” Yue Qingying smiled at him. She was much warmer and gentler than he had initially thought. He appreciated her kindness and wouldn’t forget it.
“Then, Senior Sister, I’ll be going now.”
“Return quickly. I wish you a safe journey.”
Mingyan bowed respectfully, his token hanging at his waist. “Thank you, Senior Sister.”
He then leaped off the island.
The Holy Master’s Hall was below, only a few dozen meters away. Unable to fly, he adjusted his posture mid-air and landed in front of the hall.
The stone tiles on the ground glowed faintly. Despite falling from such a height, he hadn’t damaged them… and he himself was unharmed, thanks to his strong physique and the protective layer of spiritual energy.
He looked up at the floating island, which seemed hazy and indistinct, as if invisible to others, only visible to those Yue Wu Xia allowed.
Mingyan turned and continued his descent.
Along the way, he encountered several disciples who seemed to recognize him and looked at him curiously, but no one approached him. He simply smiled and continued down the mountain, eventually leaving the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sacred Land.
Two days later, Mingyan arrived at Nan Ming City.
Since the secret realm was near Nan Ming City, he decided to gather information here first.
He wore the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sacred Land token, but it was different from ordinary disciples’ tokens and didn’t attract much attention. The cultivators in Nan Ming City weren’t particularly powerful or well-informed.
Only a few recognized his identity and found his Great Brook Realm cultivation strange.
A Sacred Land disciple with a special token, yet only at the Great Brook Realm? Wasn’t that odd? If he was accepted into a Sacred Land and even had a special token, he must be a disciple of an elder or someone important. He should at least be at the Yin Tomb or Yang Tomb Realm by now. They assumed he was concealing his true cultivation level.
Mingyan, unaware of this, noticed a few people looking at his token. Although Master Yue Wu Xia had said it wouldn’t protect him from all dangers, it would certainly deter some trouble.
Being a Sacred Land disciple carried weight. Since he was alone on this mission, he would utilize every advantage he had… He wasn’t foolish.
He ordered a pot of wine and listened to the conversations around him.
“I heard that genius from the Wan Xu Blessed Land in the east, who just reached the early Yang Tomb Realm, has also arrived… Nan Ming City hasn’t made a statement yet. I wonder what they think about this secret realm.”
“What can they do? They probably don’t want to compete. This is a big deal. I heard even some Sacred Lands are involved. The Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sacred Land might even send disciples to investigate. If you’re not at the Yin Tomb Realm, don’t even bother. There might even be Holy Sons and Holy Maidens at the Qi Sea Realm competing for it.”
“Other Sacred Lands are involved? This place is so close to the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sacred Land. Aren’t they afraid of offending them?”
“Afraid of what? They’re all Sacred Lands. The Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sacred Land won’t start a war just because someone else obtained the treasures from a nearby secret realm.”
“That’s true…”
Mingyan’s eyes flickered. So, other Sacred Lands were involved. And it seemed he would be facing disciples stronger than himself. This wouldn’t be easy.
He remembered the slip of paper Yue Qingying had given him and took it out, unfolding it.
“Master is fond of a spirit flower called the Tranquil Half Moon. If you encounter any during your trial, bring some back for her.”
Tranquil Half Moon? Mingyan memorized the name. His senior sister was trying to help him improve his relationship with their master, even telling him about her preferences…
The characters for “Tranquil Half Moon” looked slightly different from the rest of the note, written in Yue Qingying’s elegant handwriting, but these four characters were even more beautiful… Did she also like this flower? He should bring some back for her as well.
Mingyan put away the note, continued drinking, and listened for more information.
“…What kind of treasure is it?”
He hadn’t heard the first part of the conversation. He listened intently.
“No one knows for sure. I heard it might be something left behind by a Rotating Core or Human Gateway Realm cultivator. If that’s true, it’s no wonder the Blessed Lands and Sacred Lands are interested.”
“Why would a Sacred Land be interested in something left behind by a Rotating Core or Human Gateway cultivator? Don’t they have plenty of their own?”
“If it’s a valuable treasure, wouldn’t it be attractive to ordinary disciples? Not everyone is a Holy Son or Holy Maiden, pampered by the Sacred Land. Ordinary disciples have to fight for their own opportunities. And if it’s something left behind by a Human Gateway cultivator, there might be unexpected surprises, even enough to tempt a Holy Son or Holy Maiden.”
“…I still don’t understand what kind of treasure it is…”
Mingyan finished his wine and left the tavern. A few people noticed his departure, exchanged glances, and followed him.
Leave a Reply