Translator: Cinder Translations
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"It has been three months since the battle between the human and demon clans at the edge of the Western Region. Have Yin Shuo and Ye Hua's injuries not healed yet?" Song Wen asked.
Zi Yun shook her head. "From what I've heard, it may take years for their wounds to fully recover."
Hearing this, Song Wen felt reinvigorated, his exhaustion from prolonged alchemy dissipating.
The more severely Yin Shuo was injured, the safer Zhu Yin would be.
"Seniors Yin Shuo and Ye Hua are pillars of humanity. I hope they recover soon; otherwise, the future of our people looks bleak," Song Wen said, feigning concern.
Zi Yun responded, "There's no need to worry too much, fellow Daoist. Though we haven't yet been able to form a coalition army to counterattack, the Four Great Powers continue to support one another. Overall, humanity still holds the advantage."
After discussing the current state of the Chaotic Sea, Zi Yun shifted the topic.
"Ji Yin, would you consider joining our Liangyi Sect? If you're interested, I can vouch for you. With your skills, you could easily beco the Vice Peak Lord of the Alchemy Peak."
Song Wen cupped his hands and replied, "Thank you for your kind offer, but I have personal matters that require my attention. I'll reconsider joining your sect in a few years."
Zi Yun nodded, refraining from pressing further, and instead posed another question.
"Joining the Liangyi Sect is, of course, your choice. However, would you mind if I invited An Yin to join?"
Song Wen looked slightly surprised and glanced at An Yin, who stood not far away.
An Yin's expression mirrored his surprise; it was evident this was the first ti she'd heard Zi Yun ntion such a thing.
"Why would you invite An Yin to join your sect?" Song Wen asked.
Zi Yun explained, "An Yin has exceptional cultivation potential and remarkable talent in swordsmanship. I admire her abilities and wish to take her as my disciple."
Song Wen didn't respond imdiately but instead appeared deep in thought. After ensuring that An Yin knew nothing of his secrets, he slowly spoke.
"This is An Yin's personal matter and should be her decision. You should ask her, not ."
Zi Yun smiled faintly and turned to An Yin.
"An Yin, would you be willing to accept as your master?"
An Yin appeared both excited and hesitant.
Song Wen reassured her, "You don't need to overthink this. Becoming Fellow Daoist Zi Yun's disciple would be a blessing for you and your sister. It's a great opportunity for both of you."
Grateful, An Yin bowed deeply to Song Wen. "Thank you, Senior Ji Yin, for your support."
She then knelt before Zi Yun, her movents decisive.
"Bang, bang, bang!"
An Yin kowtowed three tis with crisp and powerful motions.
"Disciple pays respects to Master."
Zi Yun smiled. "Good! Rise."
An Yin stood and moved behind Zi Yun. Turning toward her sister, she saw An Tong watching her with a look of pride and happiness.
The sisters exchanged glances, their mutual joy unspoken but palpable.
"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, on finding such an excellent disciple," Song Wen said.
Zi Yun replied, "I must thank you for allowing this. With An Yin under my tutelage, I will give her my all and not let you down."
After a few more monts of idle chatter, Zi Yun stood to leave.
An Yin bid her sister a reluctant farewell, thanked Song Wen repeatedly, and then followed Zi Yun.
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"An Tong," Song Wen called suddenly.
An Tong, who had been gazing in the direction where her sister disappeared, turned quickly.
"Senior, do you have any instructions?"
"Once An Yin has settled in at the Liangyi Sect, have her gather information about the ongoing situation between the human and demon clans. Though the sect is located in the Central Region, far from the coastal seas and safe from demon invasions, we cannot afford to be complacent. As independent cultivators under the sect's protection, we must stay inford about its internal affairs. Otherwise, we may unwittingly beco cannon fodder."
"I understand and will contact my sister as soon as possible," An Tong replied.
Satisfied, Song Wen nodded and left the cave abode.
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Finding a secluded spot, he changed his appearance, disguising himself as a late-stage Foundation Establishnt rogue cultivator.
Under the alias "Wei Ding," Song Wen traveled to Four Symbols City and rented a cave abode in Phantom Gorge.
The Cave Abode on Sky Vault Peak was humble, but it still belonged to Zi Yun.
Between Song Wen and Zi Yun, although there was a level of mutual trust, it was always important to remain cautious. Therefore, Song Wen decided to rent a separate cave abode for himself.
As for the cave abode on Sky Vault Peak, he decided to let An Tong stay there temporarily.
Phantom Gorge Mountain, located just beside Sky Vault Peak, was only ten miles away. However, the spiritual energy on Phantom Gorge Mountain was noticeably weaker compared to Sky Vault Peak.
Because of this, the rental prices on Phantom Gorge Mountain were much lower, and most of the tenants were Foundation Establishnt cultivators.
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Five days later.
Cave Abode No. 17 on Phantom Gorge Mountain.
After recovering his composure, Song Wen opened his eyes and took out a jade slip.
This jade slip was a communication jade slip from Xing Mo. It had been fourteen years since their last eting, and Xing Mo had already reached Four Symbol City. Song Wen intended to inquire about Xing Shan's current cultivation level.
If Xing Shan had already reached the peak of Foundation Establishnt, Song Wen would fulfill his promise made years ago.
[Brother Xing, are you well?] Song Wen sent the ssage.
Dozens of miles away, nestled on the green mountainside, was a small courtyard.
Inside one of the rooms, an elderly man, with a gaunt face, sat cross-legged.
His skin was withered, deep lines marked his face, his eyes were sunken, and his hair was graying. His back was slightly hunched, and he appeared to be in the twilight of life.
This old man was Xing Mo. In just fourteen years, he had transford from a middle-aged cultivator to soone who looked on the verge of death.
Xing Mo's eyes held a deep sorrow, as if burdened by so unresolved matter.
Suddenly, he felt a jolt in his storage ring.
He took out the jade slip, and as he read the ssage, the sorrow on his face vanished, replaced by joy.
[Fellow Daoist, you've co to Four Symbol City!] Xing Mo replied, sowhat unexpectedly.
Realizing he had acted too eagerly, he quickly added:
[My daughter and I, as well as Shan Yue, are all fine.]
[Has your daughter reached the peak of Foundation Establishnt?] Song Wen's ssage ca again.
[She reached the peak of Foundation Establishnt a year ago.] Xing Mo replied.
[Since that's the case, when do you plan to begin refining the Obstruction Breaking Pill?] Song Wen asked.
Xing Mo hesitated for a mont.
Starting to refine the Obstruction Breaking Pill ant his life would be coming to an end.
Before Song Wen had contacted him, he had been awaiting his arrival with hope. But now that Song Wen had truly arrived, he felt reluctant and conflicted.
He had an attachnt to the world, but more than anything, he was concerned about his daughter. He wondered if she would succeed in her cultivation, whether she could face the dangers of the cultivation world alone, and if she could evade the vicious gaze of the evil cultivators...
A flood of such thoughts surged within him, almost overwhelming him. But soon, he beca clear-headed again. His current physical condition no longer allowed him to delay.
Rather than letting ti consu the last vestiges of life in his body, it was better to use what little strength he had left to secure a bright future for his daughter.
[If you're having trouble making up your mind, take a few more days to think it over. I should be lingering near Four Symbol City for a few more days.]
Seeing that Xing Mo had not replied imdiately, Song Wen sent another ssage.
Although most cultivators viewed life and death indifferently, it took extraordinary courage to willingly embrace death.
Song Wen never doubted Xing Mo's determination to "beco the pill," but he also understood how difficult it was to make such a decision.
[Thank you for your understanding, fellow Daoist. Please begin refining the pill as soon as possible.] Xing Mo replied.
[Have you made up your mind?] Song Wen asked.
[Yes, I've decided.] Xing Mo responded.
[Then, in three days, co to Cave Abode No. 17 on Phantom Gorge Mountain. I will refine the pill for your daughter.]
(End of the Chapter)
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