“Congratulations on making it into the Tai Yan Sect, Fellow Daoist Lonemoon.” Zuo Shuming was smiling at Lonemoon genuinely and admiringly. “I knew that you would get what you wanted.”

　　Got what I freaking wanted alright – you’ve been let go of. What did they get themselves into this sect for then! He had ascended to immortality before after all; how could he be so lousy!

　　Lonemoon pursed his lips and sucked in a deep breath to keep himself from cursing at Zuo Shuming. “Zuo… Fellow Daoist Zuo! What do you plan to do from now on?”

　　Zuo Shuming scratched his head, looking embarrassed. “Well… To be honest, I heard that the Gui Yi Sect is recruiting in about three days at Ping Hua City. Gui Yi Sect is not as reputable as Tai Yan Sect, but it is one of the six main sects here. That’s why I’m going to head over and try out over there.”

　　So you had a back-up plan. You should have told us earlier!

　　“Oh? Is Gui Yi Sect that good?” Lonemoon asked.

　　“Of course,” Zuo Shuming responded, his eyes twinkling. His voice carried some hope as he said, “The Gui Yi Sect does not have as many disciples as the Tai Yan Sect, but there are many core cultivators in the sect. There’s also a ninth-grade alchemist in there. Among all the sects, Gui Yi Sect is quite well-known as well.”

　　“A ninth-grade alchemist?” Lonemoon asked. Was Zuo Shuming a core cultivator?

　　“That’s right.” Zuo Shuming sounded more and more excited. “In Rainbow Light Realm, the only ninth-grade alchemist belongs to Gui Yi Sect. Those from other sects who want to train in pill cultivation are also forced to consult Gui Yi Sect.

　　“Sounds like Gui Yi Sect is not such a bad choice.”

　　“Of course. What’s more, the way the sect treats its disciples is very different. They don’t focus on the spirit roots. No matter the spirit root, those who pass the test will be able to join the sect.”

　　“That good? I think we should go as well.”

　　“Of cour… Huh? Ah!” Zuo Shuming paused mid-sentence, staring at Lonemoon in disbelief.

　　“That’s decided then! How do we get to Ping Hua City?”

　　“No… Fellow Daoist…” Didn’t you just join Tai Yan Sect?

　　“We’re going out of here for the first time, so we’re not familiar with the way. Why not we go over there together?”

　　“That’s alright, but…”

　　“Let’s not delay any longer – we can head off now!”

　　“…”

　　“Oh right, I forgot to introduce you!” He turned around and gestured to the two other people behind him. “These are my companions. This man is Yi Qing. He’s a sword cultivator. This person is…. not important!”

　　Zuo Shuming: “…”

　　Shen Ying: “…” Son of a b*tch!

　　——————

　　Zuo Shuming was frankly quite confused. He could not understand why three people who had already passed the test to get into Tai Yan Sect, and who had a bright future ahead of them, would change their mind and want to join Gui Yi Sect after a conversation with him. Zuo Shuming kept trying to play back the conversation to figure out what he had said incorrectly, that caused the three of them to change their mind and choose Gui Yi Sect over Tai Yan Sect.

　　But no matter how much he tried to explain, the three of them seemed to have set their minds to joining Gui Yi Sect. By the time he got over his shock, they were already on the road to Ping Hua City.

　　Zuo Shuming felt uneasy the entire way. He kept glancing guiltily at the three of them, as if he had just killed their entire families. He did not think that a few words from him would be so influential.

　　“Fellow Daoist Zuo, where do we go next?” Lonemoon pointed at the cross road in front of him.

　　Zuo Shuming looked at them, at a loss for words. A moment later, he pointed toward the left. “Ping Hua City is in the west.” For the umpteenth time, he tried to persuade Lonemoon once again. “Fellow Daoist Lonemoon, do you really want to come with me to Gui Yi Sect? It’s still not too late to return to Tai Yan Sect now.” Don’t do anything stupid.

　　“Which sect do you want to join?”

　　“Of course I have to go to Gui Yi Sect.” But that was only because he failed the recruitment test.

　　“That’s settled then – let’s go!” Lonemoon turned to the left and continued walking.

　　“…” How was it settled? This had to do with their entire career. How could he be so casual about this decision?

　　Zuo Shuming looked like he was about to break down at any moment. Seeing that there was no way to change their minds, he sighed and followed suit. However, he looked as listless as a wilted leaf. The thought of three Fellow Daoists having their bright futures destroyed just because of a couple of words from him made him feel so guilty that he wanted to drown himself.

　　Yet, the other parties did not seem bothered at all. They followed him all the way to Gui Yi Sect, refusing to listen to Zuo Shuming no matter how hard he tried to persuade them to go back. What’s more, in order to match his cultivation level, they did not bother to fly on their swords to the city directly. Instead, they agreed to accompany him to a neighboring city and locate a transportation array that would take them there. Suddenly, he felt like a huge responsibility was being placed on his shoulders. He gritted his teeth. Alright then! If they managed to enter the same sect, he would look out for these three people. He would not let the three of them down.

　　Thus, Zuo Shuming made up his mind to protect the three of them no matter what happened.

　　After leaving the city, the four of them headed west all the way. Since Zuo Shuming was only at the Qi Refinement stage, he was not familiar with flying sword techniques. The four of them relied on their legs to carry them all the way. After a total of six to eight hours, the neighboring city they were headed toward was still nowhere in sight.

　　“Are we still not there yet?” Shen Ying counted the time. It was almost time for dinner. “Can we rest? I’m so tired!”

　　“Rest my ass!” Lonemoon slowed down and turned to look at the lazy sloth. “If you have what it takes, come down from on top of Chef’s back. Then we can talk.” She did not take one step on her own ever since they left the city. Chef carried her all the way. How dare she say that she’s tired?”

　　“Fellow Daoists…” Zuo Shuming stopped and looked at the sky. “Lady Shen is right. It’s getting late. There’s a village in front of us. Why not we take a break for the night and continue our journey tomorrow?”

　　Lonemoon turned and saw that there was indeed a village in sight. There was also a field of spirit grains in front of the village. he nodded, guessing that the village had cultivators inside as well. However, those cultivators’ bodies were probably not of very good quality. He guessed that they were not of high cultivations. Perhaps that was why they had to plant several spirit herbs at the front of the village.

　　Villages like that were normally very kind toward other cultivators. There were also usually places where cultivators could rest. Of course, they would have to pay to rest there.

　　The few of them headed toward the village. Upon entering, they realised that the village seemed to have just gone through some kind of natural disaster. The ground was covered with thick cracks and most of the houses had collapsed. Most of the villagers were now trying to use sorcery to rebuild their houses. The mountain next to the village had also collapsed. Soil was falling into the village, burying a huge patch of the spirit grains.

　　Was it… an earthquake?

　　Zuo Shuming jumped. He went in and asked around. Indeed, there had been an earthquake. Fortunately, the villagers’ cultivation saved them from harm.

　　They rented a small apartment at the front of the village, intending to rest there for the night.

　　Zuo Shuming, however, did not enter the house. “Rest well, Fellow Daoists. I have a few friends from this village. I would like to pay them a visit,” he explained. Then, he walked further into the village and asked anxiously around about his friends’ situations. Two to four hours later, even after the three of them had eaten dinner, Zuo Shuming still did not return.