“Qingfeng, Yunzhu, you two are ranked second and third among this generation of disciples, yet you’re both going to Bei Juluzhou to hunt demons and gather herbs?
“Tiangong Peak’s Baiyan, Shijian Peak’s Zhuangyang, why are you two also heading to the Juezhang Forest? Is our sect really this stingy with young disciples?”
“That cursed place isn’t a good destination. No one went there the last two times… hmm?”
In the corner of the Wanxiang Hall, a female immortal in a pristine white cloud robe tilted her head, glaring at Lu Qiancha, who stood behind the four dazzling young disciples.
Her expression gradually darkened.
“Tianquan Peak’s Lu Qiancha! What cultivation level are you at? You’re only at the peak Nascent Soul stage, yet you want to go to the Juezhang Forest?”
“Go, go, go! Go to Donghai and fight those shrimp soldiers and crab generals instead!”
The female immortal spoke bluntly and without mercy, but her words made sense—clearly for Lu Qiancha’s own safety.
This woman was Daoist Xuanmo, a disciple of Heavenly Pivot Peak.
Though she appeared barely over twenty years old, she was actually over eight hundred years old, having cultivated into an immortal for nearly six centuries.
Among her generation, she was considered a prodigy, and now capable of handling matters independently.
She was the only escort assigned by the sect to the Juezhang Forest in Bei Juluzhou, showing that her strength was no joke.
Lu Qiancha’s face became solemn.
He cupped his hands respectfully to this famous Xuan Immortal and said, “Master Xuan, I need several medicinal herbs, one of which can only be found in Bei Juluzhou. I must trouble you this time.”
“What herbs?”
Xuanmo curled her mouth in disdain, a trace of annoyance flickering across her delicate face. “I have some relationship with your master. Here, take this and find Elder Xuxuan at Danding Pavilion.”
As she spoke, Xuanmo pulled a jade pendant from her storage ring and casually tossed it to Lu Qiancha.
“The expenses will be deducted from my monthly stipend. Go get the herbs you need. Use your little brain—do you really think Bei Juluzhou is a place you can go?”
“If you die there, I’ll have twenty years of salary docked.”
“Your crybaby Shizun will definitely come to me, bawling and complaining… Ugh, just thinking about it is annoying.”
The three men and one woman standing nearby were somewhat surprised, all their gazes settling on the jade pendant.
An elder’s identity token so easily given to a Nascent Soul peak disciple who wasn’t from the same peak?
“Master,” Lu Qiancha smiled wryly, stepping forward and handing the pendant back to the female immortal, “If I had a choice, I wouldn’t want to risk Bei Juluzhou either.”
“But under the current circumstances, I have no choice. Besides, according to sect rules, you cannot refuse a disciple’s request for an expedition.”
Xuanmo frowned slightly, watching the young disciple bow respectfully before scoffing softly and snatching the pendant back.
“Really… Hey, Qingfeng, Yunzhu.”
The girl in the bright red immortal skirt and the refined cultivator responded in unison, “At your command.”
“If you two have spare energy, help watch over him.”
Xuanmo said grumpily.
“Understood,” Yunzhu replied expressionlessly.
“Master, rest assured.” Qingfeng cast Lu Qiancha a faintly kind look, a gentle smile on his lips. “I will take good care of Junior Brother Qiancha.”
Hearing this, Xuanmo lightly pinched her forehead and scolded Lu Qiancha, “He joined the sect earlier than you and Yunzhu.”
“He’s been cultivating for over sixty years and still hasn’t reached the Transformation stage… Ah, whatever. Considering your Tianquan Peak’s conditions, just keeping up with most disciples is already good.”
“Uh…” Qingfeng looked embarrassed and cupped his hands. “Sorry, Senior Brother Qiancha.”
Lu Qiancha shook his head with a smile, feeling a bit sentimental.
An icy beauty and a big warm guy, these two really looked like a perfect couple…
But that had nothing to do with him.
Afterward, Lu Qiancha thanked Xuanmo and retreated to stand quietly behind the four others, quietly splitting off a sliver of spiritual awareness to check his storage ring.
Having learned from the last mission, this time Lu Qiancha brought most of his belongings.
A small portion was left with his junior sister for protection.
Half a day later, the One-Leaf Lonely Boat slowly lifted off in front of the hall.
Xuanmo stood at the bow with her arms crossed, radiating an extraordinary aura. The young disciples sat or stood at various points along the boat, gazing down at the vast Divine Continent below.
Once the boat flew out of the formation, Xuanmo formed a hand seal, deploying a thin membrane to block the sound of the wind outside.
Then, pointing toward the northwest, the boat began to accelerate.
“Relax, once we leave the sect, there won’t be so many rules.”
Xuanmo yawned, leaning against the boat’s side, her eyes half-closed as she studied the five young disciples behind her.
The farthest from her was Lu Qiancha, sitting at the stern.
He kept a small distance from the others, idly playing with a square Magical Artifact etched with nine-grid patterns on every side.
Baiyan and Zhuangyang sat in the middle of the boat, quietly meditating.
Nearest to Xuanmo was Shangguan Yunzhu, sitting cross-legged just a foot away.
Behind Yunzhu, the refined Qingfeng spoke gently, “Junior Sister, this time I will definitely help you find the Chifeng Grass.”
Hearing this, Shangguan Yunzhu frowned slightly and said calmly, “Qingfeng Senior Brother, there’s no need to worry about me. This is my own cultivation matter; others need not intervene.”
Qingfeng smiled gently. “The more people, the better the chance.”
Yunzhu said nothing and continued meditating, the flames swirling around her growing ever more vivid.
“Heh.”
Xuanmo watched amusedly from the side and raised an eyebrow at Qingfeng.
Qingfeng made a helpless face, then sat behind Shangguan Yunzhu to meditate again.
“Another classic case of one-sided affection and indifferent flowing water.”
Xuanmo shook her head, leaning on the bow and gazing absently at the clouds rolling across the sky.
At that moment, Xuanmo suddenly received a voice transmission from Lu Qiancha: “Master, it seems there’s someone in the clouds behind us.”
“Hm?”
Xuanmo glanced back at Lu Qiancha, then coolly whispered, “The Five Continents and Four Seas are vast, and countless cultivators can fly and teleport. No need to make a fuss. Besides, this isn’t far from our Tianyuan Sect.”
Despite her words, Xuanmo still dispersed her divine sense. After a short while, the boat’s speed gradually slowed, then it hovered in midair without moving.
Xuanmo glanced behind the clouds and called out, “I wonder what business this fellow following us in the clouds has?”
Instantly, the four sitting meditating on the boat opened their eyes, while Lu Qiancha at the stern silently tightened his grip on the Magical Artifact, slowly pouring Ling Power into it.
From behind, a towering figure emerged from the clouds. He looked fierce and imposing, his aura heavy and solemn, with a massive long blade strapped to his back.
“There’s an aura of laws… this man is at least at the Refining Void stage.”
Lu Qiancha observed the man silently, ready to act at any moment.
One li away, the burly man cupped his fists toward Xuanmo and said loudly, “I am the Palace Guard of the Aolai Kingdom in the East Victory Divine Continent.”
“I’m here specially to escort the Sixth Princess. If I have caused any offense, I hope the immortal will not take it to heart.”