Chapter 217

"Thank you, Dao Brother."

With a flick of his sleeve, Huo vanished along with Xiao Fan.

"If I ever encounter that young fellow who holds your destiny, I shall repay you in kind."

The voice echoed through the void, gradually fading into stillness.

"It would be better if you didn't." Xu Xing sighed.

Huo's gifts are never easily taken.

"Let's keep going," Ning Ruo said.

She could sense that Huo had truly left Ling Yin Fang.

The three walked forward.

Ning Wan Zhu continued speaking about Yuan and Qing Xu.

"Many years ago, Yuan and I were guided by our master to seek out Xiang Yuanjun and ask her to sever the mark Huo left on Yuan."

"Afterward, we were entrusted by Xiang Yuanjun to collect Mo Lin flowers in Qing Xu."

"It was then that Yuan and I discovered Qing Xu contained the weakest point in the Xuan Realm."

Xu Xing's expression remained unchanged, for in those days, Qing Xu indeed was the weakest point in the Xuan Realm.

Ning Ruo, however, fell into thought.

"It must have been from that moment that Yuan began to plan his departure from Qing Xu."

"Indeed, after the Alliance of the Righteous Sects stabilized, he went to Qing Xu and established a laboratory named 'Return Home'."

Return Home…

Ning Wan Zhu opened her palm, and a point of light rose from it, slowly expanding.

It was a strange golden spherical object, its surface encircled by flickering, obscure and profound runes, rotating slowly like a ritual pattern—nine layers deep.

At every instant, every second, it manifested countless possibilities as vast as the ocean of smoke.

Merely one glance at it was enough to burst the spirit of a Qi Condensation cultivator.

At the very center of the nine layers of runes and ritual patterns lay a brilliant golden rhombic crystal.

"This is the key to the 'Return Home' laboratory, and Yuan instructed me to deliver it to you, Elder."

As she watched the slowly rotating runes and ritual patterns, Ning Wan Zhu recalled their final meeting.

When Yuan gave her this 'key,' he had also asked her if she wished to go with him.

…She had refused.

Xu Xing took the golden rune sphere.

"Thank you."

"Elder, you are too kind."

"After the matter of Qing Xu is settled, I will return it to you unharmed," Xu Xing promised.

"Mm."

Ning Wan Zhu did not refuse.

"... After a moment's silence, she asked, 'Elder Jian Zu, do you know what Xiang Yuanjun used the Mo Lin flowers for?'"

This was something she and Yuan had always wondered about.

Unfortunately, since then, they had never seen Xiang Yuanjun again, and thus could never ask.

"I'm also curious," Ning Ruo added. "Elder Xu Dage, do you know? Would you mind telling us?"

"The Mo Lin flowers..." Xu Xing paused, then tucked the golden rune sphere away. "They're an excellent dye material."

Dye?

This answer surprised Ning Wan Zhu.

Yet Xiang Yuanjun was a True Immortal, just like their master…

Even if it was for dyeing, it surely wasn't for ordinary purposes.

She was lost in thought.

"Wan Zhu, since there's nothing else, go attend to your duties."

Ning Wan Zhu paused, then understood.

"Yes, Master."

Now that the important matters were settled, she shouldn't linger here like a third wheel.

Her master hadn't stepped outside in years—this rare outing…

"Then I'll take my leave."

With that, Ning Wan Zhu transformed into a streak of light and flew toward the Inner Sect's Cave Heaven.

Soon after her departure, Ning Ruo looked at Xu Xing: "The Mo Lin flowers… if I'm not mistaken, they're connected to the gift Xiang Yuanjun gave you, aren't they?"

Younger generations hold certain 'stereotypes' or 'filters' about 'Immortals.'

But she didn't.

Moreover, Xiang Yuanjun's method of gathering morning light was the most mysterious.

"Clothing?" Xu Xing: "..."

…………

Several days later.

Stars glittered, the silver moon hung high.

In the elegant courtyard, Chi Jiu Yu was organizing the items he had purchased, placing each one into his storage ring.

Several boxes of Some Some Some Xuanzhu fruit, five Some Some Some Xuanzhu spirit fish, snow mulberry leaf crafts, and more…

It took her a long while to pack everything away.

"Phew! Finally got it all packed."

She stood up and wiped away sweat that wasn't there.

"Auntie, are we really going back right now?"

These past days, Spirit Stones were plentiful—buy whatever you want, and every night there were two very delicious Spirit Fish! Too bad this life ends today.

"You're going back. Not me."

"Huh?!"

"I still have another place to go."

"Where to? Can we go with you?"

Places you go with Auntie are always so interesting!

"You can't go. I'm going to Qingxu—it's not fun at all there."

Qingxu?

Oh! I remember now.

That famous dangerous place in the Central Continent!

Hmm…

She's only Nascent Soul, not even Soul Transformation—going there really isn't suitable.

Even if Auntie can definitely handle herself, she doesn't want to become Auntie's burden! "Oh! We understand."

"By the way, you've been constantly boosting Sister's favor these past days—what did you do to upset her again?"

"I didn't do anything!" Chi Jiuyu scratched her head. "It's just that lately, Master keeps falling silent mid-conversation."

Other than that, everything seemed normal, but she still felt something was off.

Oh dear!

Consider it preventive measures! "And isn't it only right for me to show filial piety to Master?" she declared confidently.

"…" After a few seconds of silence, "I'm sure Sister will sense your filial devotion."

"Of course!" Chi Jiuyu walked out with Xu Xing, chattering all the way. "I'll tell you, Auntie, Xiao Yunlu went to Longxiang Qingtianzong to visit her brother, and Sister…"

Xu Xing pulled out his phone and opened a messaging app.

Fugitive Hehuan Laozu: "Sister, I'll bring Jiuyu back soon."

Guardian Sword Lord: "Understood."

Guardian Sword Lord: "Regarding Qingxu, be careful."

Fugitive Hehuan Laozu: "Don't worry, nothing will go wrong."

Fugitive Hehuan Laozu: "Sister, Jiuyu brought you a lot of gifts."

Guardian Sword Lord: "I know. She already told me."

Hmm…

He glanced at the chattering Chi Jiuyu beside him.

Fugitive Hehuan Laozu: "Actually, Jiuyu is quite thoughtful—every gift she picked for you was carefully chosen."

Guardian Sword Lord: "Hmm…"

Guardian Sword Lord: "Brother, you don't think I'm going to punish her, do you?"

Guardian Sword Lord: "Relax. Her behavior lately has been acceptable—I was just scaring her."

Bie Xuening didn't really intend anything—after all, she never expected Chi Jiuyu to stay quiet.

The previous times she suddenly fell silent were because the conversation had run its course…

But then she noticed that her unruly disciple had become much more well-behaved afterward, so she kept doing it.

Xu Xing: "…"

He glanced again at Chi Jiuyu.

"What's wrong, Auntie?"

"Nothing."

Whatever. This time she deserves it—who else but her for acting so recklessly before?

Second update, two more to go.

(End of Chapter)