Chapter 122 - Entering the City at Night
Chapter 122: Entering the City at Night
Chapter 121
“The Mingyuan Dao Sect is also an immortal sect with ancient inheritances.
“The sect is on an overseas immortal mountain. It’s very beneficial to the aspirant cultivators who cultivate water techniques.”
Chancellor Ge spoke slowly and explained to him.
“I actually wanted him to come to the Luo Sheng Sword School.” Chen Jingzhai smiled bitterly.
“Everyone has their own destiny. The Luo Sheng Sword School might not be suitable for him.” Chancellor Ge hesitated for a moment before saying, “If he really enters the Luo Sheng Sword School, I’m afraid he won’t even be able to become a fellow cultivator.”
Chen Jingzhai was slightly stunned before nodding in agreement.
Ling Wuque only had a three-element spirit root, so it was impossible for him to be classified as a true disciple. If he were to enter the Luo Sheng Sword School, he would have to address Chen Jingzhai as “Master Uncle”.
“It’s extremely normal for aspirant cultivators to split up. If you really want to meet, cultivate hard. When you have attained inner core formation, you can travel the world. By then, why worry about not having a chance to meet?” Chancellor Ge spoke, hinting to him.
“You are right. I was obsessed, although it’s only because Wuque has been my friend since we were young. I can’t help but miss him. It’s not necessarily a bad thing to be here a year too late now.” Chen Jingzhai said with a smile.
Ever since he entered the Aspirant Cultivators Academy at the age of six, he had been secretly screening his peers with precaution. Although Ling Wuque was not perfect, he had a rare temperament, and moreover, he listened to him.
According to Chen Jingzhai’s original plan, they would naturally join the sect together so that they could support each other. Now, it seemed to be completely unnecessary. Moreover, it was not bad for Wuque to enter the Mingyuan Dao Sect.
However, he did not know what kind of scene it would be when they met in the future. Chen Jingzhai did not want to stay any longer. He left behind a bottle containing seven Grade 2 Ningyuan Elixirs for Ge Hongru. Then, he departed with his four maidservants.
The bamboo boat flashed and disappeared into the sky above White Cloud City like a meteor. It was too bright for mortals to see.
“Young Master is too generous!” Hong Yu pouted.
“The old chancellor is a diligent person and needs to be commended.” Chen Jingzhai smiled and played with the two cranes standing on the bamboo shed. “It’s just a Ningyuan Elixir. I have a lot of them, so it’s nothing.”
Although the old chancellor was only a Foundational Cultivator, he had nevertheless taken charge of the management of the Aspirant Cultivators Academy. This bottle of elixirs meant that the old chancellor was not required to side with the Luo Sheng Sword School. However, he would owe them a small favor.
Rogue cultivators like the old chancellor were actually not rich. They needed to earn many resources with credit and contribution. To Chen Jingzhai, a bottle of elixir was nothing. It was fine to give it away, but it was a rare thing for the old chancellor.
In Hong Yu’s eyes, the old chancellor was not a disciple of the sect and there was no value in befriending him. Therefore, Young Master suddenly became the type of person who was stupid and rich to her. Her incessant persuasion that was laced with complaints along the way spoiled his mood.
Chen Jingzhai used the excuse of finding his hometown’s address to quickly speed up the spirit boat. Hong Yu was also called to the bamboo shed to help. Before they knew it, it was twilight. Clouds covered the moon, and the shadows of the trees danced on the ground.
The bamboo boat landed outside the city. Chen Jingzhai and Hong Xiu put away the bamboo boat and flew into the city.
The city guards did not notice their arrival. It was as if nothing had happened. The city was silent except for the night watchmen.
“Is there a curfew in such a small city?” Hong Xiu asked in surprise.
“Small places have curfews. Only big places are brightly lit,” Chen Jingzhai said calmly.
This city was where he was born. It was a small city in the south, near the mountains.
The Pulao Kingdom was extremely vast, with 13 states and 91 counties. After the counties were many small cities. Under the command of each county, there were at least ten small cities, followed by small towns. After the towns were various villages, mostly in the rural areas.
“Do you remember where your house is?” Hong Xiu asked.
“I’ve already found it!” Chen Jingzhai’s gaze was a little strange. “There’s no need to rush to the door. On the other hand, there are actually wandering ghosts in this small city. Is the Dao Cheng Division not doing anything now?”
He activated his divine mind and easily found his home from his memories. However, he also discovered that there was a ghostly aura in the small city.
Now, that, was interesting.
“There are actually wandering ghosts in the city?” Hong Xiu said in surprise. “The Dao Cheng Division is under the emperor’s orders to capture demons and exorcise ghosts to ensure peace. How can they allow ghosts to enter the city?”
“Let’s go take a look!” Chen Jingzhai said. He grabbed her hand and disappeared on the spot. With an earth escape spell, the two of them appeared in front of a temple.
The temple was at the end of the street in the western area of the city. It looked like it had been built some years ago. The incense offerings seemed to be very prosperous. Before they entered, they could smell the burning smell of incense and ingots.
The temple was not small. It was large and quiet and the smell of incense burning was strong.
Chen Jingzhai pushed the door open and entered. The first thing he saw was the clay statue inside.
It was not related to Taoism or celestial beliefs. It turned out to be a divine temple. There were many cultivators in the Pulao Kingdom. But even if they built temples, they would not worship divine spirits. Chen Jingzhai was suspicious that such a temple was in this small city that he called his hometown.
“Show yourself!” Hong Xiu shouted. At the same time, she made a soul extracting seal. This seal did not have a rank, but it emitted a lot of power in her hand. In the clay statue, a phantom was immediately forced out by the soul extracting seal. It floated in front of them, unable to maintain a normal human form. Half of its body was surrounded by thick black fog. Its facial features were unclear.
“Is this a soul remnant?” Hong Xiu said hesitantly.
“Looks like someone is providing for them.” Chen Jingzhai smiled. “Just ask it and we’ll find out.”
He disappeared instantly and grabbed the temple attendant out of the bedroom. The poor temple attendant was still sleeping. When the cold wind blew, he was so frightened that he lost control of his bladder when he opened his eyes. Partial shadows floated, and the spirits and ghosts were eerily cold. The temple attendant was frightened and trembled as he begged for his life to be spared.
Chen Jingzhai asked the temple attendant about the situation and sent him back to his bedroom when he was done. The temple attendant was only a mortal. He did not even need to use a spell to make him tell the truth. The temple attendant fell asleep on the bed. After waking up, he would forget.
“Young Master?” Hong Xiu asked. “What do we do next?”
“According to the temple attendant, this is an offering approved by the Dao Cheng Division. We don’t have to interfere.” After Chen Jingzhai finished speaking, he waved his hand and stuffed the soul remnant back in. “It’s just a simple offering. There are no traces of evil techniques, so it’s not appropriate for us to take action.”
“There’s no blood aura, only incense. It can indeed be ignored,” Hong Xiu said softly. “But if we leave it alone, I’m afraid something will happen.”
Chen Jingzhai shook his head. “The people of Pulao Kingdom gather their incense and the entire city worships this temple. Without a special opportunity, it’s impossible to recover the soul remnant with the power of incense alone. Since there’s the endorsement of the Dao Cheng Division, there must be something we don’t understand. There’s no need to cause trouble.”
“Yes!” Hong Xiu nodded and took his hand. Chen Jingzhai used the earth escape spell and disappeared. When they reappeared, they were already in front of the Chen residence. The front door of the mansion was closed. Lanterns hung high, their lights dim. The Chen residence was the largest mansion on the entire street.
“Is this your house, Young Master?” Hong Xiu was curious. “It’s quite imposing.”
“When I was chosen as an aspirant cultivator back then, my family was well to do,” Chen Jingzhai said softly. “Father only had such a mansion after he became the provincial magistrate. It seems like they’re doing well.”
He had no special feelings for his parents in this life. After all, he had the memories of his previous life. Once he was six years old, he was in the Aspirant Cultivators Academy and had no feelings or attachment for his family.
If it were any other aspirant cultivator, they probably would not even look for their families when they left the mountain. Becoming an immortal at the age of six meant cutting ties with the world. Just like how Chen Jingzhai looked at the door of the mansion at this moment, he only felt that it was unfamiliar and foreign to him.
“Are we going in?” Hong Xiu asked.
“There’s no need to alarm them,” Chen Jingzhai said indifferently. “I didn’t intend to reveal my whereabouts on this trip. After taking a look at them, I’ll leave. This would be the best for everyone.”
“What are you going to do?” Hong Xiu asked curiously.
Severing mortal ties was something no cultivator could avoid. Immortal sect cultivators would either return to their family or embrace the Great Path and cut ties. Hong Xiu wondered if there was anything different about Chen Jingzhai’s choice.
“Just wait here.” Chen Jingzhai disappeared on the spot.
Hong Xiu pursed her lips. She tapped her foot and flew into the mansion.
She stood on the roof and sensed that Chen Jingzhai had appeared in the bedroom.