Chapter 46: Journey

Inside Juxian Pavilion.

Chen Zhao exchanged cups and glasses, his lips twitching slightly as if transmitting a secret message.

"Fang Zijing has already moved—he can't touch us for now, but he might target the Su Family instead; we must prepare early."

To him, the Su Family was a small treasury and could not collapse.

He received guest-elder stipends, "dividends" from Su Muqing, and was also interested in the Su Family's sect ruins.

"I've already sent a secret letter to the Su Ancestor; don't worry, younger brother."

Su Wanyao nodded slightly.

My uncle has been placed under house arrest, my father is at Qi Refining Twelfth Layer, and the family head is with the Su Ancestor—internal troubles are temporarily absent...

Only external threats remain.

There are still about five months until Fang Zijing's release, and roughly nine months until the Su-Fang marriage alliance.

Time waits for no one; we must resolve this quickly.

Chen Zhao feigned intoxication and had Xin Tong escort him back to his room.

On the soft bed, Chen Zhao held two cultivation manuals, his expression grim.

He had planned to switch manuals immediately upon advancement, but neither suited him.

"The Golden Seal Chanting True Scripture requires a Metal Spirit Root; the Dragon潜诀 given by Elder Zhang demands an Earth Spirit Root—I lack both."

He could only seek exchanges within Juxian Pavilion, but Foundation Establishment manuals weren't something you could just obtain.

"The sect's scripture library has manuals,"

Xin Tong, holding Xiao Bai the cat, rolled over to his feet,

"but... Outer Sect Disciples can only access the first floor, which holds only Qi Refining manuals—about as useful as health-preserving exercises."

About as useful as health-preserving exercises... better skip it.

Chen Zhao sighed lightly.

He already relied on pills for cultivation; repeatedly switching manuals might shatter his foundation.

One month later.

Chen Zhao refined several Quenching Essence Pills, stabilizing his foundation and strengthening his body to Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

He stretched, catching sight of a few snowflakes drifting onto the windowsill—Xin Tong lay sprawled atop them, fast asleep.

Beneath her lay a stack of intelligence reports sent by Su Muqing.

Chen Zhao flipped through them briefly, his frown easing.

"Fang Zijing has long been denied Su Family resources and now suspects Su Muqing's father of double-dealing; meanwhile, Su's father is pressing for a marriage to ease the pressure."

He patted his Storage Bag, unable to suppress a smirk.

Why is it so full?

Chen Zhao continued reading.

The final page of the report was an invitation.

"Su Wanyao's father invites me to assist in Alchemy for a year; upon completion, I may make one request of the family head?"

He stroked his chin and cast a divination.

The journey holds no great danger—perhaps I can even enter the sect ruins.

Chen Zhao felt a quiet thrill.

Outer Sect Disciples may be stationed at affiliated families, but the Su Family is highly independent; this trip requires reporting to Discipline Hall.

This secures sect support, including aid from fellow disciples and even Elder assistance.

These are privileges of Outer Sect Disciples.

Yet, in his memory...

Xin Tong's plea: intercepted by Discipline Hall; Yuhua Lou's distress call: Fang Zijing arrived...

Fortunately, Chen Zhao's status within the sect is no longer what it was.

Now, he is truly a "member inside."

Not long after.

He returned from Discipline Hall, clutching a Jade Tablet given by Elder Zhang.

It could be used for communication and defense, blocking up to two attacks from below Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

"Younger brother, the world is vast—could you watch over it for me?"

Zhang Sifan chased after him, holding a recording stone.

Chen Zhao smiled and did not refuse.

"If you wish to tour the myriad worlds, why not join me?"

This journey permits two companions, but Zhang Sifan has other duties and cannot accompany him.

In the end,

Chen Zhao brought Xin Tong along and had Su Muqing "pretend" to follow him home under the excuse of helping her father.

As for Liu Chen and Su Wanyao—one was Pavilion Master, the other was Manager—they were both too occupied.

The Su Family is far; riding spirit beasts would take exactly seven days.

The route passes through spiritually barren lands where Qi recovery is too slow; Flying Boats drain heavily, and Qi Refining cultivators cannot sustain them long.

Chen Zhao approached Yang Xiao and purchased three mid-grade spirit steeds.

Light snow fell; Han Hu remained unfrozen.

The carriage could not traverse the ice, so they detoured, skirting Fulong Mountain.

Chen Zhao gazed out the window.

The miasma in the middle layer was faintly visible, and countless cultivators came seeking fortune.

"Many from Shanlian Immortal City must take this path if they wish to join Tiankui Sect."

Su Muqing leaned against the opposite window ledge, playing with a shard of ice.

Shanlian City?

The mortal royal house did not record immortal lands; Chen Zhao knew nothing of this city.

Seeing his confusion, Su Muqing spoke up:

"The Su Family monopolizes this region. Our ancestor was extraordinarily gifted, defeating all other clans—only the Ma and Duan Families remain on good terms with us, yet their strongest are no higher than Qi Refining."

"But the Su Family gradually declined until ten years ago, when a rainbow-crystal vein was discovered beneath the Su Family Ancestral Hall, restoring our wealth."

So it was another tale of a python swallowing a dragon.

Chen Zhao nodded in response.

The mountain road jolted; occasionally, robber cultivators ambushed travelers, but upon seeing the Tiankui Sect's emblem, they respectfully stepped aside.

In less than half a day, they would leave Fulong Mountain's territory.

Suddenly, a boy leapt from the roadside, flying to block the carriage, followed by a mindless cultivator.

Su Muqing had no intention of intervening, but when she glanced out the window, she activated her Beast Control Tablet and ordered the horses to stop.

"Young brother, this man is of great importance—please intervene…"

She turned back, preparing to plead.

But Chen Zhao was already gone.

Only the whistle of swordwind echoed—within two breaths, Chen Zhao had returned to the carriage, his white robe still dry.

He placed the old man and boy in the corner and handed them each a Qingxin Pill.

The middle-aged man looked sorrowful, Qi Refining Sixth Layer, dressed similarly to Duan Bo; the boy, Qi Refining Third Layer, dressed like a noble youth.

Now, beneath the cleansing spirit breath, they were out of immediate danger.

"Duan Family?"

Chen Zhao raised an eyebrow.

Su Muqing stood frozen.

She had feared Chen Zhao's blade might strike down the old man.

Yet he had deduced the man's identity with astonishing speed.

"One is the Duan Family's youngest son, Duan Yu; the other is his uncle, Duan Ziheng—also my childhood Guardian."

"Had he not saved my life twice, I would never have reached Tiankui Sect."

She nodded slightly, her eyes shimmering with emotion.

At the same time, the two in the corner slowly stirred awake.

Duan Yu brushed off his robes and glanced around.

He was sixteen, his demeanor slightly immature.

Seeing Su Muqing, he immediately wore an admiring expression and exclaimed:

"Was it Sister Mu Qing who saved us? Years have passed—your cultivation has grown even deeper; I didn't even see your swordstrike!"

Su Muqing cleared her throat.

Her gaze drifted away.

Duan Ziheng bowed deeply to Chen Zhao, clasping his fists, then offered a Storage Bag.

"Thank you, Elder, for saving us. A small token, unworthy of your grace—this nephew is foolish; I beg your forgiveness."

"Idiot, use some sense!"

Duan Ziheng pulled Duan Yu close, pinched his ear, and forced him to apologize to Chen Zhao.

The boy finally understood, bowing repeatedly, his face filled with fear.

"No matter. Youthful impulsiveness is understandable."

Chen Zhao nodded with a smile.

He glanced at the Storage Bag—about ten Low-grade Spirit Stones.

He quietly slipped them to Xin Tong.

Xin Tong, who had been half-asleep, instantly perked up and snuggled against Chen Zhao's chest.