Chapter 930: Not Advisable to Stay Long

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window into the room. Yan Buji slowly woke up and gently rose from the bed. He glanced, still sleepy, at Tu Nuo Duo curled up under the blankets, and a faint smile unbidden appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"It's time to go out and have a look." Yan Buji said softly, then put on his clothes and stepped out of the room.

He arrived in the courtyard; fresh air blew over him, making him feel refreshed and delighted. Xiong Ba Tian stood in the center of the courtyard, smiling. Seeing Yan Buji come out, he warmly greeted: "My friend, did you rest well last night?"

"Not bad, thanks for your concern." Yan Buji replied with a smile, then walked over and sat beside Xiong Ba Tian. Bao Xun stood silently to the side, saying nothing.

Xiong Ba Tian looked at Yan Buji, his expression turning serious. He said solemnly: "Yan Daoist, we have known each other for a long time and understand each other's backgrounds. Back then, we had a lengthy period of friendly cooperation in Luo Huang Prefecture. However, your situation now is somewhat dangerous."

"Oh?" Yan Buji smiled slightly upon hearing this, and asked with interest: "Xiong Daoist, what makes you say that?"

Xiong Ba Tian paused, then continued: "I don't know much about the situation, but as far as I know, the Immortal City here will likely become our demon tribe's next target soon. Therefore… I have come specially this time to invite you, Yan Daoist, to join our demon tribe. What do you think?"

Xiong Ba Tian's tone suddenly became solemn and dignified, starkly different from his usual manner, causing Yan Buji to feel a sense of surprise and unease.

He paused briefly, silently pondering the deep meaning of Xiong Ba Tian's words.

After a moment's thought, Yan Buji decided to ask bluntly to dispel his doubts: "Could it be that the human cultivators at the front line of Flying Sea Valley have been defeated, giving your demon tribe an opportunity to exploit?"

However, Xiong Ba Tian slowly shook his head, as if this answer were far from that simple.

His gaze was like a torch, fixed on Yan Buji, revealing an inscrutable expression.

"I'm not at liberty to elaborate on the specific circumstances,"

Xiong Ba Tian said in a grave tone: "But Yan Daoist, if you have no intention of joining our demon tribe, I advise you to leave this place as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Yan Buji's lips curled slightly, revealing a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

He waved his hand carelessly, quite nonchalant: "Whether I join the demon tribe or not makes little difference to me." Then he took a deep breath and continued: "You should know my past; I once held great authority, but ultimately I realized that cultivation and strength are the fundamental essentials."

"If that's the case, then there's nothing more to say." Xiong Ba Tian rose, smiled, and said: "Yan Daoist, although we have only briefly met now, I hope we each fare well in the future."

"Thank you, Xiong Daoist."

Yan Buji narrowed his eyes and left this place.

Before stepping out of the gate of Myriad Beasts Mountain Villa, Bao Xun hurried up to Yan Buji, smiled faintly, then took out a storage bag from his bosom and carefully handed it to Yan Buji.

Seeing this, Yan Buji raised his eyebrows slightly, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes. He stared at the storage bag in Bao Xun's hand, as if pondering something.

Bao Xun, seeing this, hurriedly explained: "Yan Daoist, please don't be like this. The items in this storage bag are the reward we previously promised you. Although we are humans, we are people of our word. As for having concealed my identity all along, it was not my intention but arose from unavoidable circumstances……"

However, Yan Buji interrupted Bao Xun's words, saying lightly: "No need to say more." His tone conveyed a sense of indifference and nonchalance.

Bao Xun paused, of course knowing Yan Buji's usual conduct—how could he be the sort of righteous person who would unhesitatingly sacrifice his life for humanity?

Yan Buji then said: "I am also not the kind of person who would lay bare his heart and sacrifice his life for humanity." His voice was calm and firm, as if he had long known his own worth.

Bao Xun nodded, indicating understanding. He clearly knew that someone like Yan Buji would never be easily bound by so-called righteousness.

"However," Bao Xun shifted his tone, "since Young Master Xiong, considering our relationship, has let you go, I still hope you, Yan Daoist, will leave this place as soon as possible. After all, this is not a place to linger. If there is no compelling reason to stay, it will likely become very dangerous here soon……"

Yan Buji frowned, nodded and clasped his hands: "Thank you, Daoist, for the information."

Not long after, Yan Buji finally succeeded in contacting Lin Qingli. Seeing Lin Qingli in the Immortal City having lost her backing, that timid, nervous appearance made a complex emotion well up in his heart.

"How can you be so foolish?" Yan Buji narrowed his eyes, stared at Lin Qingli with a torch-like gaze, openly showing his disappointment and dissatisfaction toward her.

Lin Qingli's face instantly darkened; she glared fiercely at Yan Buji and retorted: "Where have you been running off to these past few days? No word at all—how am I supposed to know what to do next?"

Yan Buji helplessly shook his head, inwardly sighing that Lin Qingli was beyond help.

He patiently explained: "Since you dared to betray the Patrol Inspector, not only the Patrol Inspector, but also the Immortal Alliance elders in the Immortal City will be wary of you. After all, they will think you have a powerful 'force' backing you. Yet you yourself know best that your so-called 'force' is merely a façade."

Lin Qingli's brows knit tightly, seeming not to understand Yan Buji's words.

Seeing this, Yan Buji continued: "After you get out of prison, you should immediately go look for trouble with those people, and even directly demand bribes from them. Only then will others believe that your so-called 'force' still exists and is still effective."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingli's face filled with shock, her mouth opened wide as if an egg could fit inside.

Seeing this, Yan Buji sighed and continued: "Think about it—if you don't take bribes, then the people behind you also don't take bribes. So what is their purpose? Obviously, there must be a deep grudge between them and the Patrol Inspector, but not enough for them to attack each other. Therefore, the most likely reason is a struggle for power and profit."

"If it's a struggle for power and profit, how can they feel at ease if your background demands nothing?"

Lin Qingli's face suddenly turned grim, her brows furrowed tightly as if faced with an extremely thorny matter. After long deliberation, she finally grasped the crux of it!