Chapter 243

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

"When did you find out?" Shen Yao asked curiously; she felt she had handled things well enough.

Every time she left she would set up arrangements — of course, nothing especially strict.

She never intended to hide it from Ren Chengzhou for long; after all, there were still matters of the Cultivation World to come.

With a smile at the corner of his mouth, Ren Chengzhou poured Shen Yao a cup of warm tea and laid out his analysis.

In short, at first Ren Chengzhou truly did not suspect Shen Yao, but they had experienced too many things along the way, and as Ren Chengzhou's own abilities steadily advanced, he naturally noticed the traces of Shen Yao going out.

He did not expect Shen Yao to admit it so readily; in Ren Chengzhou's view, the traces he had noticed were not enough to point directly to the core of Shen Yao's secret — his words that morning were more like a probe.

Shen Yao smiled, lowered her head, and drank the warm tea in her hand with perfect calm. "Chengzhou observes the finest details. The matter of Li Yuanwai does indeed have some connection to me; to obtain such a technique by chance is truly a heaven-sent opportunity — seeing injustice, one ought to lend a hand."

Her words were somewhat vague; Shen Yao did not lay out her Cultivation World identity in full.

She was waiting — waiting until the three children could stand on their own, and then she would no longer fear any possible contingency.

Apologizing to Ren Chengzhou in her heart, Shen Yao told the story of how Li Yuanwai used evil arts to harm others for his own gain.

After listening, Ren Chengzhou subconsciously reached out and grasped Shen Yao's arm. "Were you injured?"

Shen Yao shook her head. "I merely secretly broke the array Li Yuanwai had set up.

Inside the array there was towering resentment qi; the moment the array broke it burst forth." It was not that simple.

Ren Chengzhou sighed helplessly and instructed her that next time, she must not act recklessly alone.

"We husband and wife are one body; we should advance and retreat together." How could she leave him behind?

Ren Chengzhou had been tormented by a frail body for years; now that he had finally seen a turn for the better, such chivalrous deeds tinged with the miraculous deeply attracted him as well.

Hearing this, Shen Yao nodded, promising that she would never forget Ren Chengzhou in any similar action again — indeed, she would not even wait until next time; right now their whole family of five could go take a look.

"Wu Ming Guan?"

Ren Chengzhou's eyes widened slightly; linking it to Li Yuanwai's background as a laity disciple, he suddenly realized the truth.

Shen Yao had not yet explained, but with Ren Chengzhou's cleverness he could already guess.

Moreover, Li Yuanwai cultivated evil arts, and that long-deserted Wu Ming Guan... thinking deeper, it was terrifying.

The time was set for three days after the incident at Li Yuanwai's Mansion; they hired a local to guide them and rode a carriage straight toward the mountain forest outside the city.

Wu Ming Guan sits on a mountain outside the city; because the mountain is Wu Ming Shan, the Dao Guan took the name Wu Ming.

The three children did not understand the purpose of this trip, but that did not mean they could not read the situation.

Seeing their parents say nothing, they were very cute and obedient — even the noisiest, Yang Zuo and Yang Jue, did not speak.

Not until the carriage stopped at the mountain foot did everyone alight and set off up the mountain.

Up the mountain?!

"Mother, we're going up the mountain," Ren Yangyao's expression was hesitant; it did not feel like a hunt, and this mountain was not one of the few famous mountain ranges of Lin'an City.

"There is a Wu Ming Guan here; today we have come only to pay a visit."

Shen Yao explained a sentence, but did not say this was the opportunity she had obtained at Li Yuanwai's Mansion.

Among those Li Yuanwai plotted to harm were several Daoists of this Guan; he acted originally to prevent secrets from leaking.

Li Yuanwai's evil arts were stumbled upon by chance while living at the Guan; the Guan realized something was wrong and once sent people to warn Li Yuanwai, but in the final struggle Li Yuanwai gained the upper hand, and Wu Ming Guan therefore declined.

Wu Ming Guan is located at the summit of Wu Ming Shan; it is a not-large Dao Guan, and in Lin'an City it has no special reputation — even after Li Yuanwai cultivated there and his fortune rolled in, it still did not affect Wu Ming Guan's desolation.

Until later Wu Ming Guan fell completely into obscurity, and no one sought justice for Wu Ming Guan.

Truly a Guan with a weak sense of presence, yet also a place with a cultivation inheritance.

The group walked for about half a double-hour; the path underfoot grew increasingly flat.

"Mother, it's the Guan!"

Ren Yangzuo pointed forward, his tone excited.

Shen Yao took out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead. "Straighten your outer robe; we're going in to pay our respects."

Even if Wu Ming Guan has no one, the proper etiquette must still be observed — and they came for the inheritance.

Ren Yangzuo gave an "mm" and lowered his head to tidy his somewhat disordered outer robe.

The others did the same; the three little ones did not let their parents help.

"First time visiting and disturbing; please, Daoren, do not take offense. This junior was entrusted by someone."

Shen Yao performed a salute, and from her sleeve took out a letter already yellowed with age.

The letter rested in her palm, and a passing breeze gently lifted it and carried it away.

Simultaneously, the main gate, which should have been tightly shut, creaked open a crack.

Ren Chengzhou was fine — he had been mentally prepared and thought nothing of it — but the three children were each surprised, mouths agape and eyes wide as if they had never seen the world.

Shen Yao sighed helplessly, pushed open the gate, and signaled the others to follow; she had a mission on her shoulders.

Ren Yangyao wanted to ask his birth mother about the letter — Wu Ming Guan was empty yet everywhere revealed strangeness; could this world truly be as the immortals said, where one can cultivate, question the Dao, and attain longevity?

At present, three-year-old Ren Yangyao was not sensitive to the word "longevity," but he had heard that the Imperial Grandfather, before his passing, had once done such a thing.

Wu Ming Guan's appearance was very dilapidated; they had anticipated as much before entering, but the interior condition was much better than expected — including the main hall used to enshrine the patriarch, aside from the fallen dust being somewhat thick, no other problems could be seen.

Shen Yao simply took up the water buckets in the corner with Ren Chengzhou to fetch water and clean; even the three children were not idle, doing whatever they could within their strength.

Splash—

Clear water entered the basin; soaking the cut handkerchiefs, Shen Yao patiently cleaned the main hall spotless.

Because Wu Ming Guan is not large, including the front hall and rear hall, altogether there is not much space.

In about an hour, the entire Dao Guan was completely renewed, even the fallen leaves on the ground were gathered and sent to the stove.

Without any other test, the Changsheng Jue appeared before the Patriarch's Dharma Image.

"This is the Wuming Guan's inheritance?" Ren Chengzhou looked at the thing Shen Yao was holding in her palm, his tone slightly surprised.

"We brought a package when we went up the mountain, we copied it out, and left enough silver money, just waiting for a destined person, then the Wuming Guan can be restarted."

As for letting them find people themselves? First, they are not Daoists at all, and have no intention of switching cultivation methods; moreover, the Dao Guan has a spirit and will choose people itself, so their meddling would instead be superfluous.

Turning to the Pian Dian to finish copying the Changsheng Jue, Shen Yao returned to the Main Hall, placed the original properly, and conveniently added the agreed-upon silver money.

Not only did Shen Yao have this opportunity, Ren Chengzhou and the others also obtained corresponding benefits.

Methods for making protective talismans and other runes, several magic techniques transmitted in dreams, by the time the family of five came down from the Wuming Guan, everyone had gains.

The Changsheng Jue Shen Yao obtained was naturally the best, but unfortunately the requirements to cultivate this Jue are quite high; Shen Yao and Ren Chengzhou both cannot cultivate it, while Ren Yangyao and the other two already have similar methods, so it would be bad to give them up.

"So the Changsheng Jue can only lie in the space gathering dust; this is a method that can lead to the path of immortality."

The System felt pity for the Host; clearly she could go further up, yet limited by aptitude, she can only gaze at the ocean and sigh.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao didn't feel anything about it; she doesn't care whether she can cultivate or not; anyway she has a lot of time afterwards, and is not obsessed with longevity.

Returning from the Wuming Guan, Shen Yao found time to go to the Government Office with Ren Chengzhou.

Briefly explained the matter of the Wuming Guan, and left enough silver money at the Government Office to ensure that when there are people at the Wuming Guan, they can be supported.

As for whether this money would be embezzled privately by the Government Office? The people here are all sharp operators; they don't have the audacity to want to offend Royal clansmen.

Ren Chengzhou's reputation might not be very useful in Jingcheng, but taking it out to use in a Prefecture City far from Jingcheng, there is absolutely no worry of problems.

After the miscellaneous matters were settled neatly, Shen Yao and Ren Chengzhou rested well and continued north.

However, because of the Li Yuanwai matter, Shen Yao's subsequent actions did not leave Ren Chengzhou aside; the two simply acted together avoiding people, until their movements were discovered by the three children Ren Yangyao.

The three Ren Yangyao smoothly joined in, and the action personnel thereby increased to five people.

Mountain forests and wilderness, fields and farmlands, bustling towns; wherever there were legends of the miraculous, there were the figures of their family of five.

Relying on the various major and minor events encountered daily, the three children's cultivation progress was rapid.

By the time they left the north and headed toward the West, the three Ren Yangyao were already able to skillfully use several simple magic techniques.

They were all cultivation methods provided by the System side; it was just because of Spiritual Energy reasons that casting was not as smooth and natural as in the Cultivation World.

However, as their own cultivation realm increased and spiritual power reserves grew, some simple magic techniques could also be used at will.

"Not bad, this Yin Cao is becoming increasingly proficient; going out in the future we won't have to worry about having no fire to use."

As they left the north and entered the West, looking at the boundless grassland before them, their bodies became increasingly sensitive to the Spiritual Energy they could sense.

Since departing from Jingcheng, the people who had followed them all the way had by now mostly left.

Especially when they each revealed some abilities far beyond ordinary people, Ren Chengzhou consciously cut off contact with others.

Now those by their side are all trusted servants who know their roots; this also lets them act more freely.

"Matters of magic techniques cannot be rushed; tonight we continue advancing facing the direction the wind blows from; the place we want to find should be arriving."

Shen Yao came over holding a map, her finger pointing to their current position.

Entering the Northwest Land, it is a boundless grassland, and the grassland is not safe and peaceful; various wild beasts that frequently appear also keep them maintaining extremely high vigilance.

"Is there really the legendary Illusion Spirit Land?" Ren Chengzhou raised his head to look; the others were already busily preparing dinner matters.

"Herders have had rumors, and the grassland wolf packs have mutated; it is not man-made."

The mutated wolves are several times taller than the original grassland wolves; they had just arrived and suffered greatly before managing to kill them.

Shen Yao even discovered a Yin Dan about to undergo Demonic Transformation inside the grassland wolves' bodies.

These various unusual manifestations are also the main reason they chose to go deep into the Northwest Land.

The Illusion Spirit Land is the herders' name for the depths of the grassland. The reason is that the already mutated wild beasts all originate from the depths of the grassland.

The herders suffered quite a lot on these mutated wild beasts, and thus moved away from the grassland outward.

Before Shen Yao and the others entered, the government had dispatched troops to encircle and suppress them; unfortunately they were all methods of treating symptoms not the root; the grassland is still ravaged by these mutated wild beasts, and herders suffered heavy losses.

Lowering her head, discussing over the unfolded map, until bursts of food fragrance came from the distance.

Putting away the map in hand, the two came to the laid-out table and sat down.

"Mother, this time son wants to try," hearing Father and Mother's conversation, Ren Yangzuo was eager to try.

Ren Yangjue looked at Second Young Master like this, and likewise used a pair of bright sparkling eyes to look at Shen Yao.

Shen Yao didn't speak, just calmly pushed the food forward a bit, "Eat your fill first then talk about other things," the children's height doesn't even reach her waist, yet they are already impatiently wanting to try; there is still cultivation to do.

After eating and drinking their fill, Ren Yangzuo and Ren Yangjue were unwilling to give up, each hugging one of Shen Yao's arms acting spoiled.

Ren Yangyao followed behind the two younger brothers, first quietly discussing with Father Ren Chengzhou, finding it wouldn't work, then turning to Mother here.

Shen Yao:...

Facing three pairs of bright sparkling eyes, Shen Yao only felt a splitting headache.

"Scout the bottom first; if the danger is not great, you three act, Father and Mother will hold the line."

If the danger is very strong, then only we can act; the three little ones must prioritize ensuring their own safety.

The three little ones felt somewhat disappointed at this; they also want to show off.

Such small people not yet grown up, yet already have the idea of acting chivalrously; this was unexpected by Shen Yao.

Later when they returned to the Cultivation World, the three little ones simply carried forward acting chivalrously; Shen Yao only realized belatedly, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

But those are all later matters; currently there are only some signs and nothing has happened yet.

Night light like water, silver radiance sprinkling the entire grassland, seemingly like continuously flowing brilliant light.

Several speeding carriages ran on the grassland, facing the direction the wind blows from, advancing rapidly all the way.

Shen Yao lifted the curtain beside her, her gaze looking toward the distant place where white mist was rising.

Spiritual energy grew increasingly dense, and speculation about the Illusion Spirit Land deepened.

Perhaps Ling Cao grew there? There was also the possibility of a spirit source of plants and trees.

In places where plants and trees flourished, the probability of a spirit source of plants and trees appearing would increase.

Shen Yao thought she would encounter it when she was in Bei Fang, because there were many mountain ranges and dense forests there.

As a result, after slaying several demonic snakes, Brave Tigers, wolves, and other wild beasts, she gained nothing.

Arriving in the Northwest Land, she unexpectedly felt a sense of Willow Dark Flower Bright.

"What's wrong? Is something amiss outside?" Ren Chengzhou pulled Shen Yao's wrist, speaking with concern.

"None, I just feel..." Shen Yao had just wanted to speak when she heard a sudden vibration outside; the speeding carriage was forced to stop, and the entire carriage tilted upward because the horses raised both hooves.

Shen Yao and Ren Chengzhou instinctively held onto the door handles beside them, and by the way reminded the driver not to act rashly for the time being.

Rumble, rumble rumble—

The sounds echoed one after another, causing the items inside the carriage to shake and tumble along with it.

Shen Yao and Ren Chengzhou lifted the door curtain and jumped out of the carriage, each holding a sword in one hand and forming a hand seal with the other, standing one in front and one behind, protecting the three carriages behind them.

White mist in the distance had already spread over, and pairs of scarlet eyes flickered among them.