Chapter 405: One-Year Agreement

As they flew across the abyss, the monk and Zhao Zhao Fusheng made a strange but efficient and wise choice.

The monk summoned the Kong Que Dharma Form again, this time spreading its feathers fully; he carried all the spray tubes while Zhao Zhao Fusheng embraced him from behind, using his own body to block the Sea Maid's attacks. All the Sea Clan's assaults struck Zhao Zhao Fusheng, causing him to spit blood—but paradoxically increased their speed.

The monk activated the spray tubes, and the two shot across the abyss like meteors. The giant mouth reappeared, but was momentarily frozen by the fanned peacock, allowing them to barely reach the opposite shore.

Wei Yuan always felt something was off about their posture; out of caution, he recorded this segment of the imagery.

Wei Yuan landed in a shallow cave, a dead end. Based on the map, he estimated that digging a five-hundred-zhang tunnel forward would lead to a natural cavern—that was the Human Realm.

He immediately unleashed the Golden Light Water Blade Art and began digging, gesturing for the monk and Zhao Zhao Fusheng to follow.

The monk's face remained calm and serene. Zhao Zhao Fusheng, however, wore a troubled expression; after a long sigh, he silently followed.

In moments, they had dug over ten zhang forward, and Wei Yuan's water blade never ceased. The monk and Zhao Zhao Fusheng both showed faint surprise. Zhao Zhao Fusheng suddenly said: "Does anyone have clothing? Could you spare one piece? I won't speak of your great kindness."

The monk silently retrieved a spare monk's robe from his storage treasure. Wei Yuan's storage treasures were numerous—not only his own, but also seven or eight others'. He was busy rummaging when someone else offered advice.

Wei Yuan then unfastened his own magic robe and tossed it to Zhao Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Zhao Fusheng caught it in shock, momentarily at a loss for words. The monk saw this, murmured a Buddhist chant, and retracted his own robe.

The three moved forward in silence. Wei Yuan occasionally swallowed pills to replenish his spiritual energy. The monk handed him a vial of Qi-Replenishing Treasure Pills, whose potency was roughly ten times that of the pills Wei Yuan had been taking. Though the monk and Zhao Zhao Fusheng possessed greater magic power than Wei Yuan, they lacked a digging tool like the Water Blade Art and could offer no practical help.

After a moment, Wei Yuan finally broke through the rock layer and returned to the Human Realm. The Shadowless Flying Weasel suddenly appeared, landing on Wei Yuan's shoulder.

The monk and Zhao Zhao Fusheng turned back to look at the long tunnel, their expressions grave.

Wei Yuan patted the Shadowless Flying Weasel and said calmly: "Once we leave, everything that happened here is over. All grudges are erased. If you wish to compete for something, let us start fresh."

The monk murmured a Buddhist chant; Zhao Zhao Fusheng said: "I, Zhao, am not an ungrateful man…"

Wei Yuan cut him off: "I saved you only because I didn't want two future high cultivators of our human race to perish prematurely at the hands of outsiders. Again: once we leave, this place's affairs are erased. Each man relies on his own ability."

Across the ten-thousand-li mountains and rivers, the hidden dragons and phoenixes silently tore up their drafted documents and began rethinking their proper stances.

The three moved swiftly and soon reached the secret realm's entrance, where the Bao family's reception staff were already waiting.

Moments later, Wei Yuan was led into an elegant side hall, facing Bao Manshan and an unfamiliar elder. Merely by his bearing, it was clear his cultivation surpassed Bao Manshan's.

The Dharma Form cultivator who guided him showed no arrogance before Wei Yuan; a seat had been prepared for him in the hall, placed directly opposite Bao Manshan and the elder.

The elder studied Wei Yuan, stroking his beard: "I never expected Old Man Chunqiu… oh, pardon me—I do have some past grievances with that old rascal; calling him 'rascal' isn't even an insult. Yet I never imagined the old rascal had such luck, gaining such an excellent disciple."

"Thank you, Elder."

The elder said: "Originally, your performance would warrant two requests. But I find you agreeable—not as annoying as Old Man Chunqiu—so I'll grant you an extra request. What do you think, Manshan?"

The last words were addressed to Bao Manshan.

Bao Manshan smiled: "This is a good thing."

Wei Yuan said: "First, I need one year. During this year, let Bao Yun live as she wishes."

"The Immortal Path spans millennia; one year is negligible. Child, you underestimate the Bao family's promises," the elder reminded him.

Wei Yuan said: "One year. That's all."

The elder immediately nodded: "Fine. I agree."

Wei Yuan patted the weasel in his arms: "Can I have it?"

"This creature is wild by nature—it never truly belonged to the Bao family. You may take it. But I must remind you: this is your final request. Choose something truly valuable."

Bao Manshan coughed: "Second Elder, that's too much! You shouldn't remind him like that."

The elder glared at Bao Manshan: "Fine, I'll pay out of my own pocket. Do you have a problem?"

"I have no objection. I merely think Old Man Chunqiu might laugh very happily."

The elder's face twisted instantly.

Wei Yuan forced back a smile: "My third request: I wish to see Bao Yun."

The elder froze: "I never joke with juniors. You may choose another request."

Wei Yuan said: "To me, this is the most valuable thing right now. As for other worldly possessions, I will acquire them sooner or later—I won't waste this chance on them."

Bao Manshan immediately said: "Agreed. I accept."

The elder glared: "I refuse!"

The elder waved his hand; Wei Yuan suddenly heard nothing. He watched the two senior elders of the Bao family argue fiercely, until Bao Manshan reluctantly yielded. Wei Yuan's hearing returned. The elder said: "You wish to meet Yun Niang? I grant it—as a gift to you. Now make another request. The Bao family's promises are not so frivolous."

Wei Yuan said: "Meeting her is priceless. I need no further request."

"Are you certain? After this, you'll never have such an opportunity again!"

"I have everything I need—only the timing differs. I only ask you to grant this one favor."

The elder studied Wei Yuan deeply: "Very well, very well. I've never been looked down upon by a junior. So be it!"

Bao Manshan snorted, as if he'd expected nothing else.

In another side hall, Zhao Zhao Fusheng faced three elders: "I can add more sincerity from Qiongshan: let the Bao family choose two first."

The three elders remained silent for a long while, offering no reply.

Zhao Zhao Fusheng smiled bitterly: "Even my grandfather might refuse this condition. I can only say I have a seventy percent chance of convincing him. You know the Floating World Dragon Map is primarily meant to pave the way for the next generation. If you take six and I take three, Qiongshan will eventually be swallowed by you. It's better to join the Bao family now. Had the Floating World Dragon Map not demanded such extreme cultivation thresholds and left me no other candidates, the original terms would never have been offered."

In another side hall, the Kong Que Monk said: "If Miss Bao refuses this fate, there are other options. We may substitute Wei Yuan, the disciple. Wei Yuan has deep karmic ties with the Buddha. In our Pure Heshan, the Great Sun Tathagata remains unclaimed. If Wei Yuan dislikes restraint, there is also the Great Joyful King Buddha."

!.

…

A Dharma Form cultivator led Wei Yuan to a quiet courtyard and withdrew.

Wei Yuan gently knocked. The door opened, revealing a smile as bright as spring blossoms and a clear sky after rain.

Wei Yuan looked at her arm—it was frail, utterly out of place with the rest of her body.

Bao Yun lifted her new arm, spreading her fingers like a blooming flower before Wei Yuan: "See? It works now. Brother, don't worry about me. This is just my bad fate—whatever suffering comes, I'll bear it myself…"

Wei Yuan's face hardened: "Speak properly!"

Bao Yun stuck out her tongue, ushered Wei Yuan inside, and they sat in the study.

"Why are you here?" Bao Yun asked.

"A few days ago, I suddenly felt restless—I didn't want to wait anymore. I came to see how you were doing."

"Did the elders allow you to see me?"

"I traded one of my three requests for this." Wei Yuan briefly recounted his recent experiences and revealed all three requests. At that moment, the weasel flew in over the courtyard wall and perched on Wei Yuan's shoulder, its round little eyes curiously fixed on Bao Yun.

"Shadowless Flying Weasel? You tamed it?" Bao Yun was startled.

"No. We merely reached a temporary cooperation out of necessity."

Bringing the pearl into the Ten-Thousand-Li Mountains and Rivers was easy; retrieving it again was nearly impossible. How could Wei Yuan move tens of millions of jin? Both man and weasel were dumbfounded.

The weasel knew it couldn't carry the pearl away but couldn't bear to part with its aura, so it stayed by Wei Yuan's side, fed daily with a small amount of aura drawn by Wei Yuan.

Originally unable to communicate, the entire process became seamless under the guidance of the Beast-Taming Immortal Heart. They quickly reached an agreement, mutually pleased. Meanwhile, the ordinary people within the Ten-Thousand-Li Mountains and Rivers began a new project: studying the language of spiritual beasts.

After hearing the three requests, Bao Yun said: "Brother, you're truly the cleverest…"

Wei Yuan felt deeply uncomfortable and repeated: "Speak properly!"

Bao Yun stuck out her tongue again—this time, she spoke normally: "If you'd asked for something grand, the elders might have brushed you off with lesser offers and refused to grant time. These requests make it impossible for them to refuse—they must agree, giving us a year's buffer. Qiongshan Island will likely raise their offer slightly, but not much; the current terms are already very sincere."

"What terms did they offer?"

Bao Yun explained the Qiongshan Island's conditions, then added: "From the Bao family's perspective, trading a damaged Dao Foundation like me for five children of equal or even superior talent is an excellent deal. I'd accept it myself if I were head of the family."

"I refuse!" Wei Yuan said without hesitation.

Bao Yun looked at him, half-smiling: "On what grounds and with what identity do you refuse?"

Wei Yuan froze.

Bao Yun smiled faintly, stepped forward, and tapped his chest: "Don't rush. You still have a year. Think it through. Come back when you've decided."

Wei Yuan opened his mouth to speak, but Bao Yun pressed her hand over it, hugged him tightly, then pushed him out the courtyard gate.

…

As he boarded the flying vessel, Wei Yuan turned back, gazing at the Bao ancestral lands shrouded in mist. The time was not yet ripe—he still had one year to plan and prepare.

With the bustling, vibrant Ten-Thousand-Li Mountains and Rivers, much can be accomplished in this year.

(End of Chapter)