Chapter 57: Tiger Enters the Mountain Forest

Tiger Enters the Mountain Forest

Unknowingly, several months passed. On this day, a flying carriage drove out of Purple Void Heaven. A handsome youth stood at the front of the carriage, his eyes round like a deer’s. He kept looking back into the carriage, chatting and laughing with the person inside, driving the carriage all the way to a small mountain gate. Only then did he jump off the carriage, looking up and saying reluctantly, "Miss Ci, be very careful on this trip. Who knows how many experts are gathered in Hengze Heaven? Moreover, inside the grotto-heaven, external sensing is blocked. If any changes occur, I fear even the True Person won't be able to provide support in time."

A light laugh came from the blackwood flying carriage, "I know. Tian Lu, you are just too wordy. If you are so worried, you might as well go out with me."

Tian Lu laughed, "Miss Ci is on a sect errand, so I shouldn't go. Next time you go out to play, it won't be too late to take me along."

He jumped onto a cloud beside the mountain gate and called out, "A disciple of Purple Void Heaven is going out on an errand. May I ask where the steward is?"

The Profound Heaven Sect was a huge sect with countless members, vassals, and servants. There were naturally rules for entering and exiting. Several stewards hurriedly came out to welcome them, registered Ruan Ci’s name, and watched the flying carriage pass through the great array and go far away. Tian Lu also turned into a stream of light and left. Only then did they chat, "Only ten years after entering the sect, and already going out on an errand?"

"I heard it’s from a distant continent. Reaching Foundation Establishment in ten years is already too fast. To go on an assignment alone like this, Purple Void Heaven is truly heartless."

"These are all rules passed down by the ancestors for many years; we should not talk too much."

Stewards who welcomed guests at the mountain gate were naturally well-informed. Someone said, "This girl is a relative of the Sword Envoy, so she must not lack strange treasures for protection. Moreover, according to sect rules, when a disciple goes out on an errand for the first time, they are not allowed to be accompanied by elders. Over these thousands of years, the rules in the sect have gradually become chaotic, but Purple Void Heaven is the lineage of the Sect Master. Anyone else can break the rules, but the Sect Master’s lineage cannot."

Thousands of years were just a snap of the fingers to Grotto-heaven cultivators, and Nascent Soul cultivators didn't take it to heart, but it was enough for several generations of low-ranking cultivators to pass on. Except for these one or two stewards, the atmosphere of the sect in the past was just a legend to the others. Hearing this, they naturally asked their seniors, "If that’s really the case, why is it that these years, when sect disciples go out on errands, everyone is surrounded by people and looks extraordinary?"

The person speaking laughed, "That is naturally because the Sect Master has no intention of managing affairs—now that the Donghua Sword has returned to the sect, you all just wait a few hundred years. After the Sword Envoy forms the Golden Core, let’s see if the sect still allows such behavior!"

These people were discussing the rise and fall of the various factions of the Profound Heaven Sect behind the great array. Ruan Ci, however, was driving the flying carriage, flying up and down in the clouds, having a great time. She said to Wang Pan, "It’s strange, I used to be a bit afraid of heights. Even when sitting in Tian Lu’s carriage, I was always thinking about how far I was from the ground. Now that I’m driving myself, I don't care at all. I just feel that flying through the clouds, not only left and right, front and back, but also flipping up and down, is the most fun."

Wang Pan curled up in mid-air. No matter how the carriage flipped up and down, its position remained steady in the center. Hearing Ruan Ci say this, it licked its paw and said lazily, "What’s strange about that? You don't trust others, but surely you trust yourself?"

Ruan Ci thought about it and realized it was true. She cheered and rushed left and right in the air, playing around. Since the great change in her family at the age of thirteen, for twenty years, she had never lived a moment without someone else’s arrangements. After joining the Profound Heaven Sect, she was either cultivating in Junping Prefecture or Moon-Catching Cliff. After Foundation Establishment, she officially took a master, and for the past few months, she had been cultivating Dao techniques and talismans in Purple Void Heaven. Even before she was thirteen, she had lived in the Ruan family mansion. The time she had seen the sun in her life, added together, probably didn't even amount to a year. Now, for the first time, she was going out on an errand alone. Although she still brought Wang Pan and had to reach the entrance of Hengze Heaven within the deadline, at least she could be free and easy on the way. Suddenly breaking free from the fence, how could she not be happy? She danced wildly in the air for a day and a night before she was satisfied. She flew into the carriage and smiled, "Pan Pan, guess if anyone followed us out from the sect?"

Wang Pan had already slept twice in the carriage. Hearing this, it stretched and said, "Wang True Person snatched the Hengze Heaven errand for you; someone in the Profound Heaven Sect must be suspicious, so it’s not strange for them to follow and see you—but they can rest assured now. How could a madwoman from the Southern Barbarians like you be the Donghua Sword Envoy?"

Ruan Ci didn't sit properly in the carriage, lying on the chair with her legs inverted against the carriage wall, as if she couldn't vent her free and easy mood otherwise. Hearing this, she also laughed, "True, true. I am a wild girl from the Southern Barbarians, and because I am a relative of the Sword Envoy, I was lucky enough to join the Grotto-heaven sect. I was also cultivated as a protector of the Sword Envoy, and I have sharp weapons like the Sword Qi Jade Wall to protect me. If I’m not arrogant, who is? I should be even more presumptuous."

Wang Pan glanced at her and said, "If you want to make trouble, make trouble, don't find excuses for yourself."

Ruan Ci turned over and floated in the air just like it, resting her chin on her hands, her little feet kicking, looking quite playful. Her eyes were shining, as if she were brewing many bad ideas. Wang Pan glanced at her and said, "If you are punished by the True Person when you return to the mountain in the future, don't blame me for not reminding you—you just left Purple Essence Mountain and are still within the True Person’s sensing range. If he pays attention, he can probably see whatever you do now."

As soon as the words fell, the cat’s eyes flashed, and Ruan Ci was already sitting cross-legged in the carriage. Only then did Wang Pan land on the seat cushion and say, "Now that you are a disciple of Purple Void Heaven, the cause and effect between the two sides are deeper. Even the Donghua Sword cannot hide too much in front of your master. I advise you to be more honest. You are the True Person’s disciple; even if others have rewards, they are all sent to the True Person. If you are too unruly, the True Person has plenty of ways to deal with you."

Ruan Ci said, "I have always been the most filial and respectful to my master, don't you dare frame me."

She also complained to Wang Pan, "It’s hard to come out, why do you keep mentioning people who spoil the fun?"

Wang Pan had just said the True Person could sense it, and she said Wang True Person spoiled the fun. Wasn't this going against Wang Pan? Wang Pan was about to get angry, but Ruan Ci smiled and pointed to the top of her head. Her head was shining with green light. Except for the Heart-Cleansing Mantra, because she was not near Wang True Person and did not hold it, the other three major mantras were lingering with mantra power. Wang Pan hummed, bent its body, and stretched greatly, saying, "Fine, fine, fine. Let’s not mention those things in the sect. Just tell me how you are going to Hengze Heaven."

Ruan Ci said, "Tian Lu has already given me a copy of the Central Continent’s mountain and river terrain map. I’ve seen it. From Purple Essence Mountain to the Precious Cloud Sea where Hengze Heaven is located, if I use my escape speed and avoid all dangerous places, I can arrive in three months of traveling day and night. As long as we arrive within half a year, the time is ample. Arriving early might not be a good thing, so there’s no need to rush. Isn't it good to walk slowly?"

This was clearly still being playful, but Wang Pan didn't object, saying, "It should have been like this. It’s hard for you to come out, so you should see more of the world in the Central Continent. But I’m asking you, are you still going to ride this blackwood flying carriage?"

Ruan Ci was slightly startled, and only then did she react, "Is the shape of this carriage unique to the Profound Heaven Sect?"

"That’s natural. Who in the Central Continent doesn't recognize the Profound Heaven Sect’s blackwood flying carriage?" Wang Pan sneered, "In many places, having a flying carriage is enough to bluff and deceive. If you want to show off the prestige of a flourishing sect disciple, just ride this carriage. I guarantee that no matter where you go, there will be plenty of people who want to get to know you."

Ruan Ci didn't say a word and immediately put away the flying carriage, "Then forget it. If there are plenty of people who want to get to know me, there will be plenty of people who want to send letters to the Profound Heaven Sect. It’s hard to come out once, I want to eat well and play well. Whoever stops me, I will kill them."

After Foundation Establishment, she could actually control Qi to travel, and her speed was no slower than driving a carriage, just not as comfortable. Flying across the clouds, looking down at the beautiful scenery for thousands of miles, was also quite free and easy. Wang Pan jumped onto Ruan Ci’s shoulder and laughed, "What you said is very pleasant, and has the style of our Central Continent cultivators. Not bad. You just remember one thing: Profound Heaven Sect disciples never kill each other. Except for fellow disciples, who can't be killed? Then again, if someone wants to kill you, they are not Profound Heaven Sect disciples, so there is no one who cannot be killed."

Profound Heaven Sect disciples never kill each other; this was also clearly written in the sect rules. Once violated, they would be expelled immediately. But Ruan Ci was assassinated next to her cave dwelling the day after opening her meridians, so she thought this rule had been abandoned. Just as Wang Pan mentioned it, she asked it. Wang Pan said, "Internal fighting in the sect does exist, and it is even open and aboveboard, so as to stimulate disciples to cultivate upward. But sending Foundation Establishment assassins to deal with you can only be said to have crossed the line that everyone tacitly agrees on. It is also because of this that the Dragon-Stinging Heaven in the Pot was severely reprimanded and defeated. The opportunity to go to Hengze Heaven to compete for Jade Dew was forced to be given to the Sect Master’s lineage after that. Come to think of it, it is only right and proper for you to go. You snatched the opportunity back, if you don't go, who will?"

It added, "Things can happen once, but not twice. The Dragon-Stinging Heaven in the Pot has already been punished once, so even if there is probing, they won't dare to go too far. Besides, how the sect fights internally is the Profound Heaven Sect’s own business. This time, competing for the Hengze Jade Dew involves a lot, so the sect will naturally be united against outsiders. You are going out on an errand this time, so there won't be much resistance in the sect. Even if someone follows to spy, they are just following to see. You made such a scene for a day and a night, they probably all retreated. On the contrary, other flourishing sects, if they know you are the Sword Envoy’s cousin, might want to remove the Sword Envoy’s wings in advance to prevent the Sword Envoy from growing too fast, and might give instructions to their disciples."

Hearing this, Ruan Ci felt even more relieved. Her reliance was not the Donghua Sword. After all, although she had the Jade Wall to protect her body, her cultivation was only at the first layer of Foundation Establishment. Those eighth or ninth layer Foundation Establishment cultivators, when facing her, could still suppress her in terms of magic power. However, she had Wang Pan following her. Although this cat claimed that she would never help, she believed that if Ruan Ci was in mortal danger, she would not sit idly by. Cultivators could never calculate everything. Even though she knew many people were plotting against her in the dark, Ruan Ci didn't take it to heart and said excitedly.

"From Purple Essence Mountain to the Precious Cloud Sea, what scenery can I enjoy along the way, and what markets can I visit? I should enjoy all the delicious and fun things along the way."

Wang Pan said, "So many people want to deal with you, aren't you afraid at all?"

Ruan Ci smiled, "What’s there to be afraid of? I understand now. If someone wants to deal with you, it means you might be useful to another group of people. Being missed by many people is better than no one caring about you. If no one takes you seriously, in the Langhuan Zhou Heaven, it is truly thousands of difficulties to take a step forward."

Wang Pan stared at Ruan Ci for a while, nodded, and didn't speak. Ruan Ci said, "What are you thinking about?"

Wang Pan said, "I say this, maybe you won't like to hear it—I am thinking, Xie Yan’s vision is really not bad at all. The Sword Envoy she chose looked like a little girl who didn't understand anything, but in twenty years, she has already revealed her true colors. It turns out she is really like her."

Ruan Ci smiled slightly and said casually, "It’s not good to talk nonsense about this in the sect. Otherwise, Master will have to drink a vat of tea. Sister Xie rebelled and left the sect, causing the Sect Master’s lineage to suffer great vitality. If I do it again, I don't know if the Profound Heaven Sect’s Sect Master will be replaced."

Wang Pan imagined it for a while and couldn't help but tremble slightly, warning Ruan Ci, "Don't learn from Xie Yan. What she can do, you may not be able to do. Not everyone can rebel and not die. The Donghua Sword is ultimately just a Grotto-heaven spiritual treasure; it can't stop a Grotto-heaven True Person from attacking with all his might. If that day really comes, and all the Profound Heaven Sect’s Grotto-heaven True Persons come out, no sect in this world can protect you."

This was actually a doubt in Ruan Ci’s heart. The Profound Heaven Sect had many Grotto-heaven True Persons. When Xie Yan rebelled, she was only at the Nascent Soul cultivation level. Although the Donghua Sword had infinite wonderful uses and the protection of the Yanshan Demon Lord, two fists could not defeat four hands. The Profound Heaven Sect was the three pillars supporting the sky, and its strength was firmly suppressing Yanshan. How did Xie Yan live safely for three thousand years? Hearing Wang Pan say this, she knew there must be a story behind it. She didn't ask in detail. After all, although Wang Pan’s mouth was loose, she now knew Qin Fengyu, whose mouth was even looser, and there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.

One person and one cat chatted while flying. Unknowingly, they flew for another seven or eight hours. Wang Pan asked Ruan Ci to stop and rest, saying, "You made such a scene before, flying for more than ten hours without stopping. You know that driving the carriage depends entirely on your magic power and spiritual intent. The way you shuttled like a madman consumes a lot. Now you have been flying in the clouds for so long. Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators, even if their magic power is enough, their spiritual intent is exhausted. Since we are at the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment, we should act like the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment. Otherwise, if it spreads back to the sect, older cultivators will calculate the time and know something is wrong."

Ruan Ci had been fighting with the Donghua Sword for a long time before opening her meridians. During the Qi Refining stage, her Jade Pool was several times wider than ordinary cultivators. Now after Foundation Establishment, her magic power was like the sea, and her spiritual intent seemed endless. At this time, she still had plenty of room to spare, but Wang Pan’s words made sense. She landed on a mountain top and smiled, "Is there a cultivation market nearby? I didn't see it in the clouds just now. If there is a mortal city, I will go and see it. I came to the Central Continent but haven't entered a city yet."

Wang Pan said, "How can there be a mortal city nearby? Within a radius of thousands of miles, the most prosperous is the nine countries under Purple Essence Mountain. After leaving the nine countries, it is poor mountains and bad waters, with miasma everywhere, and demonic beasts that can't be killed. Let alone mortals, even small sects can't stand firm. Seven thousand miles to the west is where the Golden Wave Sect’s mountain gate is located. There is a cultivation market at the foot of the Golden Wave Sect. Do you want to go and see?"

Ruan Ci asked curiously, "I have heard of this Golden Wave Sect. It seems to be on good terms with our Profound Heaven Sect. The spiritual energy in the Central Continent is so abundant, why don't the cultivators join hands to remove the miasma? This way, they can each get many spiritual veins."

"The place occupied by the Profound Heaven Sect is enough for the sect members to live in. Even if the miasma is removed, the land obtained is nothing more than for mortals to live in. But what do they want so many mortals for? Besides, the Central Continent is the continent where the conflict between the clear and turbid Qi of the Langhuan Zhou Heaven is the most intense. Miasma is born at any time, earthquakes are frequent, and there are demonic beasts that can cross space cracks at any time to prey on cultivators. Some areas are naturally more dangerous than others and are not suitable for establishing a sect, but they are good places for cultivators to practice."

Wang Pan’s ears moved and it said, "Look at that bamboo sea under the mountain, isn't it? I don't know which sect’s disciples are out practicing, coming here to kill demons and eliminate demons, but they are being chased by demonic beasts and running around. They are already coming toward us."

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Little Ci ran out to harm the world~~~~

Today for lunch I ordered spicy bullfrog. This dish is still better in a restaurant; the rest of the dishes are made at home~ Happy, happy! I also bought a selenium sand watermelon, eating watermelon in the afternoon!

*Earthly Fiend Seventy-Two Transformations* has a great writing style. I just started reading it, it has a bit of a *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio* flavor, looking forward to it.

. Thanks to the little angels who cast overlord votes or irrigated nutrient solution for me between 2020-08-15 12:05:51 and 2020-08-16 11:58:42~

Thanks to the little angel who cast a hand grenade: Just Look (1);

Thanks to the little angels who cast landmines: 19457940 (2); Da Nuo Xiao Ze, Wonderful Fairy, Yu Wanyao, Time’s Delusion, Xie Xie Xie Qingyuan, True Sword Must Kill kira, Half-Acre Square Pond, La La La (1);

Thanks to the little angels who irrigated nutrient solution: Yue Xia Yu (84 bottles); Lazy Cancer Late Stage (60 bottles); I Love Wang Erde (30 bottles); Hetong, Zhifeng, Good Audience, pink (20 bottles); Yan Qing, Zhou Zhou (10 bottles); Sandwich Cookie (6 bottles); sidewalker, Mango Grape Longan (5 bottles); Laughing to Death (3 bottles); Scenery, Laura, Open it, I count 123 (2 bottles); La La La, baby Leyao, Chao Sheng Wu Guyou, PandaL (1 bottle);

Thank you all very much for your support, I will continue to work hard! ===== CHAPTER 62 =====