Chapter 30

In the blink of an eye, it was time for Chun Chou and Ling Wuji to leave.

Chun Chou still remembered the scene he had seen in that dream, and a sense of unease lingered in his heart.

Although, after spending a long time in Canglan City, he had roughly guessed some truths about his adoptive parents, the bond of upbringing still remained. He firmly believed that even if someone had acted back then, it couldn’t have been his adoptive parents. As for his younger brothers and sisters, there was at least some affection between them.

Chun Chou had to go and see how his younger siblings were doing now.

And also, whether the “markings” on their bodies hid any other secrets.

Therefore, even though Ling You held onto Chun Chou’s hand, wanting him to wait and go to Guiyuan City together, Chun Chou refused.

Though Ling You was about the same age as Chun Chou, he was somewhat shameless and fond of acting spoiled. Clutching Chun Chou’s hand, he said, “Look, I followed what you taught me, and now I’m also a second-rank spiritual planter. Wouldn’t it be perfect for us to go to Guiyuan City together? We can sign up and compete together. From now on, we’ll be spiritual planter brothers—helping each other out, hahaha!”

Chun Chou: “……”

Speechless, he pulled his hand back and said, “You’ll definitely take the teleportation array—you can reach Guiyuan City in an hour.

“We’ll have to make the trip on foot… well, just walk.” Obviously we won’t be as fast as you, so we have to leave earlier.”

Moreover, he still had things to do. If he went ahead early, he might not need to go through the competition to find out how to contact his younger siblings in the Qianyuan Sect. That way, he could learn about them sooner and put his mind at ease.

Ling You glanced at the donkey cart behind Chun Chou and Ling Wuji, as well as the dozen or so pots of spirit herbs covered up on it, and twitched at the corner of his mouth. Who brings so many spiritual plants while traveling? But then he thought about how Chun Chou had no family, not even a surname, just like himself. Fortunately, he still had the City Lord’s care, but Chun Chou, as a spiritual planter, had neither family nor elders to support him. Naturally, he could only carry the spirit herbs he cultivated with him.

Reluctantly, Ling You said, “Once you get there, you must contact me. I’ll be staying at the Tianzi Courtyard of Yue Lai Inn. You must, must come find me.”

Chun Chou: “…Alright.”

After all, though Ling You was clingy, he was also generous.

As soon as Ling You advanced to a second-rank spiritual planter, he immediately brought Chun Chou a “big gift” and became very close to him.

Originally, Chun Chou neither liked nor disliked Ling You. After transmigrating, the only people he was close to were his family—and then Ling Wuji. Although Ling Wuji never said it, Chun Chou understood that he was a bit petty and didn’t like seeing him get close to others. Chun Chou didn’t mind and didn’t get too close to anyone else anyway.

But Ling You was likable, so Chun Chou let him get close. Even if Ling You approached him because his aptitude was clearly poor yet his rank as a spiritual planter rose so quickly, Chun Chou didn’t care. No matter the initial reason, as long as there was sincerity later, it could still be a good beginning.

Ling Wuji, however, glanced at Ling You a few more times, lowering his eyes in thought, as if pondering something.

As Chun Chou was about to leave with the escort caravan, Ling You grabbed his hand one last time and said, “You must be careful on the road. Even though you’re traveling with the escort team, take good care of yourselves. See you in Guiyuan City! When the time comes, I’ll definitely beat you!”

Only then did Chun Chou smile faintly. “Don’t worry.” After a pause, he added, “I’ll definitely beat you.”

Ling You: “…” Even when leaving, you can’t say something nice!

Both Chun Chou and Ling Wuji were only at the Qi Refining stage. Chun Chou had to carry over a dozen pots of spirit herbs, and Ling Wuji was in a wheelchair—though it didn’t affect his combat ability at all, others would still underestimate them upon seeing this.

Thus, the two entrusted themselves to an escort agency.

The escort agency already had a convoy heading to Guiyuan City. The goods they were transporting were valuable, so there were many escorts, including several Foundation Establishment cultivators accompanying them. During the journey, they also took on small side jobs, such as escorting a few families to Guiyuan City—perfectly acceptable.

The convoy placed the valuable goods at the center, followed by the families under protection. Each family had its own carriage, driven by their own people. Only Chun Chou and Ling Wuji used a donkey cart.

The escort team: “……”

However, seeing that Chun Chou was a second-rank spiritual planter, and though Ling Wuji was in a wheelchair, his cultivation at such a young age was impressive, no one said anything. Especially since the little donkey looked like an ordinary spirit beast but was extremely clever—it could follow the convoy on its own without needing guidance—so naturally, no one had any objections.

This escort agency had been recommended to Chun Chou by Steward Bai. He said the agency had a strong reputation, and its members were reliable. Unless they encountered serious danger, they would not abandon the small, casual jobs they took on. However, if they really did end up being abandoned, it might not necessarily be a bad thing for them.

Steward Bai’s tone at the time had been rather meaningful.

Chun Chou immediately understood—if someone foolish enough came to rob the escort convoy, their target would be the valuable goods being transported. People like them were of little importance to the robbers.

Putting that aside.

Chun Chou and Ling Wuji traveled with the escort team for a full month. Along the way, they encountered two groups of bandits, but none of them were particularly capable, and the escort team quickly dealt with them. No one else dared to target such a large escort agency, so after a smooth journey, they arrived at the vast Guiyuan City a month later.

The escort team’s squad leader specifically came to greet Chun Chou and told him which inns in the city still had small courtyards available—places suitable for spirit herb cultivators, reasonably priced as well. He had no ulterior motives; he simply felt that making friends with a second-grade spirit herb cultivator was better than making an enemy. Besides, the inns he recommended… well, he did get a tiny “commission.”

This last point didn’t matter much to Chun Chou. As long as the price was fair, he and Ling Wuji could stay anywhere in Guiyuan City.

After asking around, they found that Guiyuan City was especially lively at the moment. As the number one sect on the Guiyuan Continent, the Guiyuan Sword Sect was hosting a grand competition for rogue cultivators and disciples of smaller sects. Outstanding talents might even be exceptionally admitted into the sect, so countless people flocked there.

Even those who had no intention of joining a major sect came for the valuable rewards.

After spending an afternoon checking various inns, Chun Chou and Ling Wuji found that the one recommended by the escort captain was indeed the most suitable in terms of price, size, and location. The two exchanged glances and drove their donkey cart straight there.

When they checked in, the innkeeper smiled and said, “Rest assured, honored guests, our inn is absolutely fair and no one will dare disturb you. Our owner is related to an outer disciple of the Guiyuan Sword Sect. With that connection, no one would dare cause trouble for our guests.”

He looked very proud.

Indeed, even an outer disciple of the number one sect on the continent was something worth boasting about.

Although Guiyuan City shared its name with the Guiyuan Sword Sect, it was merely a city at the foot of the sect’s mountain. For ordinary people, entering the sect was almost impossible. Only disciples from other sects on missions or those personally invited by members of the Guiyuan Sword Sect might have a chance. As for ordinary people and rogue cultivators, only an invitation from an inner disciple would give them any hope.

And for common folk, even contacting someone from the sect was extremely difficult.

Chun Chou and Ling Wuji listened to the innkeeper praising the Guiyuan Sword Sect to the heavens. They exchanged a glance but said nothing, simply following a waiter to their courtyard.

The courtyard wasn’t large—just a two-story bamboo building and about twenty square meters of front yard—but it looked quite elegant.

They settled in temporarily, planning to rest for the night and start asking around the next day about how to contact Xie Fusheng and the others.

Xie Fusheng, with his single metal spiritual root and innate sword physique, should… be easy to find, right?

Not to mention Xie Yaoyao and Xie Changnian—they also had single spiritual roots. Three siblings surnamed Xie, all with single roots and from the mortal realm—Chun Chou refused to believe that now that he was in Guiyuan City, he still couldn’t find any news about them.

Guiyuan Sword Sect

When Xie Fusheng came out from his master’s quarters, his face was filled with shame.

He happened to run into one of his master’s outer disciples. The man slung an arm over the ten-year-old boy’s shoulders and laughed, “What’s wrong, junior brother? Did Master scold you? Come, don’t be afraid—tell your senior brother. I’ll treat you to some wine!”

Xie Fusheng immediately refused, “No wine. My elder brother said we’re not allowed to drink before we come of age.” Then he pressed his lips together and fell silent.

The outer disciple, named Qin Feng, found it amusing. “Your elder brother is interesting. You’re already cultivating, yet he still keeps such a tight rein on you.”

Still, he pulled Xie Fusheng along. “Alright, no wine—tea then. But why do you look so pale? You’re only ten, and after just one year in the sect, you’ve already reached the eleventh level of Qi Refining. Is the Master still not satisfied? That’s rare.”

Xie Fusheng didn’t want to speak at first, but when his elder brother was mentioned, he couldn’t help but think of Yaoyao, who had been traded to the Alchemy Sect with a large number of pills and treasures, and of Changnian and Youyou, who had gone missing. His emotions churned, and he finally spoke.

“Master hopes I will establish my foundation as soon as possible.”

Qin Feng froze. “But you’re only ten! Once you establish your foundation, unless you obtain some supreme treasure or reach the Nascent Soul stage to reshape your body, you’ll be stuck in that appearance forever. How can that work? If you remain in a child’s body, many sword techniques won’t suit you. It’s not worth the cost.”

Xie Fusheng knew all this.

But his master had spoken earnestly, saying that the Guiyuan Continent was facing grave dangers, and that one should prioritize the world and raise one’s cultivation as quickly as possible. As for being stuck in a child’s form… what did that matter compared to the greater good?

Xie Fusheng did not want this. Nor did he know whether this “greater good” included his siblings. But when his master sighed deeply, he didn’t know how to refuse.

If only… his elder brother were here.

When he couldn’t make a decision, his elder brother would surely help him.

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