Chapter 133: with translation of chapter title

In the following days, Yan Buji and Tian Liang seemed to become a pair of ageless friends. They often gathered together, either playing chess, tasting tea, or chatting idly.

They sat by the window, sunlight streaming through the panes onto the board, casting shadows of the black and white pieces. Yan Buji and Tian Liang focused on the game, pondering their next move. Their conversation was sparse, yet every remark was a respect and appreciation of each other's wisdom.

Sometimes they would set the pieces aside, brew a pot of hot tea, savor the aroma while chatting about their life experiences and insights. Yan Buji listened as Tian Liang recounted past stories, feeling the wear of the years; Tian Liang, in turn, saw youthful vigor and energy in Yan Buji.

"Ji Bu, your chess skill isn't lacking; I suppose you've spent a lot of diligent study," Tian Liang said with a smile.

"I did learn before, but I've never faced a master like Brother Tian before; I gladly admit defeat," Yan Buji said with a faint smile, placing his piece to concede.

"Hahaha, tea, tea."

Yan Buji sipped his tea and laughed, "Brother Tian, you've seemed completely untroubled these past days; if Fellow cultivator Hu fails, you..."

"I've already given my utmost effort; success or failure now depends on Heaven's will," Tian Liang sighed, yet his face showed no anxiety, only calm composure.

Yan Buji felt a stir; from his observations these days, Tian Liang, though aged, was in fine spirits. Moreover, his actions were orderly and his words flawless, not the demeanor of someone near death.

First, perhaps he is certain that Hu Xian can refine a Break Mutant Pill to help him wear away the Mutant Force's erosion;

Second, perhaps he still has a fallback, and asking Hu Xian to refine the pill is merely a safeguard.

Yan Buji does not believe anyone can face death calmly; living beings seek life, not death. Choosing between the petty survival of life and the grandeur of death is hard to judge, but Tian Liang is certainly not the type to sacrifice life for principle!

Speaking of it, Tian Liang was subtly probing Yan Buji's background; although he had brushed it off as being from the mountains, it seemed the other party had already begun a covert investigation.

Yet to trace his movements would require going back a year, and this fellow unlikely possesses such an extensive information network.

Yan Buji didn't feel like offering consolation, but merely smiled and chatted about some recent happenings nearby.

"There's a small Ascension Conference in the Gendo region; if Ji Bu wants to go, you can set out early," Tian Liang said with a smile.

"The Ascension Conference... is a cultivator trade fair organized jointly by the major forces of the Gendo region?" Yan Buji asked in surprise, having heard the conference comes in large and small versions, the small one being open specifically to cultivators below the Golden Core stage.

"Exactly, this Ascension Conference isn't in the mountains; it's held on the Xiasan grassland where mortals gather, within the Huang Du of the Gendo Imperial Dynasty. Departing from there requires a one- to two‑month journey, and it will commence in the latter half of this year, so leaving now isn't too late," Tian Liang said with a smile.

Yan Buji nodded, "I see, then I really want to go and see."

"Hmm, if you wish to go, how about I arrange for you to travel with a caravan from the Wang family?"

"A Wang family caravan... not impossible, but isn't Brother Tian not going?"

Tian Liang smiled and shook his head, "I won't go; I have no time to join the fun right now."

"Alright, then I'll head over first," Yan Buji rose, clasped his hands, and said, "Thanks, Brother, for the arrangement."

no.

Since Tian Liang has made arrangements, perhaps I should go and take a look.

Though I'm unclear what Tian Liang is scheming, Yan Buji remains very interested in the Ascension Conference.

However, as long as the other side can't discern my true strength, a misjudgment will inevitably cost me.

Soon, under Tian Liang's arrangement, Yan Buji left the market and reached the Wang family caravan.

"You are Ji Bu? I am Wang Wen of the Wang family."

"Fellow cultivator Wang, this is something Brother Tian gave; take a look?" Yan Buji produced the credential Tian Liang had given him; Wang Wen chuckled but did not take it.

"Since Brother Tian arranged this, we naturally trust it. However, Fellow cultivator Ji is not a guest invited by our Wang family; please refrain from acting independently or inquiring about our affairs during the caravan journey. Naturally, any trouble on the road will be handled by our people, no need for you to intervene. If you're uneasy, you may leave at any time during the trip."

no.

Yan Buji glanced at the ten wagons of various sizes; though he didn't know their cargo, he assumed that since they were heading to the Ascension Conference, they must be carrying some specialties.

The Wang family nearby is a mid‑level cultivation clan, not comparable to the Hu family's great alchemy clan, but it's said they have a Spiritual Stone vein!

Looking at these Wang family cultivators, each is at least at the mid‑stage of Qi Refinement, and among the wagons there are faint signs of a few late‑stage Qi Refinement cultivators, which made Yan Buji somewhat wary.

Yet the Wang family isn't some evil sect, and Tian Liang couldn't possibly order them to attack me, could he?

I haven't offended him... but if that were the case, facing a few late‑stage Qi Refinement cultivators, Yan Buji thought fleeing would be rather difficult.

no.

Yan Buji himself isn't exactly a good thing, how could he fear others' conspiracies?

Stepping into a wagon, Yan Buji froze for a moment, seeing four cultivators seated there, who promptly offered him a seat upon his arrival.

"Fellow cultivator, are you also heading to the Ascension Conference?" a young cultivator asked with a smile.

Yan Buji smiled, nodded, and sat down: "Yes, I've cultivated alone for a long time and have never seen the world. Hearing that the Ascension Conference is starting, I wanted to go and see it."

The youth laughed loudly, "Haha, indeed. How can we scattered cultivators afford so many resources? Don't we have to work for others to earn some Spiritual Stone to get by?"

"Work? Were you hired by the Wang family?"

no.

"I'm not; I'm the tavern owner in the market, and Brother Tian arranged for me to go take a look," Yan Buji said with a smile.

The youth was taken aback, then nodded, "So that's it; it seems you have no Spiritual Stone worries then."

no.

"We scattered cultivators originally wanted to see the Ascension Conference too, but the journey is far. Fortunately a nearby clan plans to send a caravan, so they recruited some hands, earning Spiritual Stone while ensuring the caravan arrives safely—a win‑win."

Yan Buji instantly understood his meaning.

It seemed these scattered cultivators were being used as cannon fodder; if trouble arose on the road, they'd likely be the ones to take the front.

Even if the journey remains peaceful, a few scattered cultivators can be given some Spiritual Stone to send them on their way.

For the Wang family and them, the destination is the same anyway, so it's no loss.

Yan Buji, however, took a different tack; he had no reason to intervene.