39 - A Farewell to Mr. Luo

### Chapter 39 The leaves of the large tree swayed with the wind, offering a bit of coolness in the scorching heat. Bai Van and a few others lay slantwise under the tree. Next to them lay a person who was unconscious. As Bai Van fanned herself with a leaf, she grumbled about the oppressive heat, complaining that even as a snake, she couldn't catch her breath. Their clothes were large and loose, making it hard to dissipate heat. Even Qi Daolong and the rest were drenched in sweat. It was already summer, and the weather was stiflingly hot. The journey to the Immortal City was taking much longer than expected. "Ah, so hot. Why has it become so unbearably hot this year?" "Yeah, it's never been this hot before." Bai Van felt like the heat was unbearable. Her injuries had not yet fully healed, and she was feeling increasingly uncomfortable. To make herself more comfortable, she summoned a large cloud that brought some drizzling rain. A gentle breeze and light rain immediately ensued, and Bai Van stretched lazily, feeling incredibly refreshed. "Boss, could you make that cloud a bit larger? We're all suffering here," Xiao Tou said enviously, eyeing the small black cloud above Bai Van that was sprinkling refreshing drizzle. Bai Van glanced at him, then closed her eyes again, thinking to herself, "Does he think my spiritual power grows on trees? I'm injured and still have to take care of you all. Besides, a small rain cloud isn't a particularly rare spell. Why ask me when Qi Daolong and the others can probably do it too?" Qi Daolong and the others chuckled, except for the unconscious Pure Yang disciple who felt uncomfortable under the sunlight piercing through the gaps in the leaves, making him constantly frown. Perhaps due to the discomfort, the Pure Yang disciple finally woke up from the heat. Severely injured, the small sounds and complaints made him think he was dreaming. He turned his head to see a girl comfortably squinting her eyes like a lazy cat. "Boss, it looks like he's awake," Xiao Tou said. Bai Van turned her head and saw a pair of confused eyes staring at her. "Oh, he's awake? Erchun, quickly give him some water and see if he can walk. If he can, we should get moving." Xiao Tou took out some water and fed it to the Pure Yang disciple. After swallowing a sip, he felt much better and couldn't help but recall what happened before he passed out. Scanning his surroundings, he saw a large crater and fragments of green clothing. He confirmed that the maiden from Ephemeral Palace was indeed dead beyond a doubt. "Thank you," the Pure Yang disciple said, knowing these people had saved him. He tried to get up to express his gratitude, his face pale. He hadn't expected the girl from Ephemeral Palace to self-destruct in a desperate bid to take him down with her. Bai Van responded to his thanks with indifference, as she had saved him out of guilt rather than habit. With the Pure Yang disciple awake, they resumed their journey. Seeing the direction they were heading, the disciple asked, "Are you all heading to the Immortal City?" "Yes," replied Bai Van. The Pure Yang disciple nodded. Currently, all his spiritual power was depleted, and he could only follow these people. Trying to gain their favor, he added, "If you want to go to the Immortal City, you can first head to Pingyang. There's a teleportation array there that will save a lot of time and distance." Qi Daolong merely smiled and shook his head, while Bai Van was surprised to hear this, thinking that a teleportation array could make a thousands-mile journey happen in the blink of an eye. Finally, Zhang Daolong explained, "Young friend, you might not know, but we are all itinerant cultivators with no sect affiliation and could never afford the teleportation costs. Walking is the most economical way for us." The Pure Yang disciple realized this, not having expected them to be itinerant cultivators. The teleportation array would cost over a hundred spirit stones per use, and sect disciples could have most of the cost subsidized. For itinerant cultivators, walking was the only viable option. "Oh, I see. My apologies for the misunderstanding." Qi Daolong and Zhang Daolong waved it off, saying it was nothing, but the Pure Yang disciple felt obliged to repay their kindness. Although he had conflicts with Ephemeral Palace, he got along well with others, even if he was a bit inflexible. "I am Zhu Qingshan, a disciple of Pure Yang Palace. If you don't mind, you can follow me to the teleportation array. I need to go to the Immortal City, and I'll cover the travel expenses." Bai Van's eyes lit up. Sect disciples were really wealthy, she thought. She had indeed had enough of this journey. "Thank you, Daoist Zhu," Bai Van said warmly, her demeanor completely different from her earlier indifferent attitude, taking Zhu Qingshan by surprise. With Zhu Qingshan leading the way, they made much faster progress to Pingyang, thanks to his familiarity with the terrain. Upon reaching Pingyang, Bai Van felt like she had truly arrived in the world of cultivation. Most of the cultivators here wore attire specific to various sects, and their demeanors were haughty. Pairs and groups of cultivators paid spirit stones and then went to the teleportation array. Bai Van and her group, looking like country bumpkins entering the city for the first time, found everything novel, especially Xiao Tou, who was startled by everything he saw. “Wow, boss, look! That person is talking without moving his lips!” “Wow, boss, look! That guy is walking without touching the ground!” “Wow, boss, look! That one’s clothes are floating!” The more Bai Van listened, the darker her expression grew. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore and snapped, “Can you stop calling me for every little thing?” “Oh.” Zhu Qingshan led Bai Van and the others over, then handed some spirit stones to the array guardian, saying, "There are five of us. I'm Zhu Qingshan of Pure Yang Palace. Here's my waist token." Bai Van noticed that the Pure Yang Palace waist token was a bamboo slip with only the characters for "Pure Yang" inscribed on it. Identity verification relied on spiritual inscriptions, a feat only Nascent Soul cultivators could manage, making counterfeiting difficult. After verification, the array guardian diligently recorded their appearances. This strict practice ensured that anyone who needed to use the teleportation array could be easily traced. It was Bai Van’s first time using a teleportation array, leaving her particularly anxious. Only Zhu Qingshan remained calm. Watching the array operator inlay spirit stones into the array’s groves, Bai Van suddenly felt a void beneath her feet. It was as if she had entered a time tunnel, unable to see anyone else around her. The dizzying speed made her feel nauseous. When the ground reappeared beneath her feet, Bai Van felt wobbly. Qi Daolong and the rest felt just as unstable, staggering out of the array. Only Zhu Qingshan stood calmly outside the teleportation array, watching the bustle around him. Stepping out of the array, Bai Van looked at the large market in front of her. Cultivators passed by closely, occasionally flying on magical beasts overhead—it all told Bai Van that she had truly stepped into the Immortal City. The market streets and shops didn’t sell snacks or food. Instead, they were filled with shops selling spiritual herbs and crafting materials. It was rare to find eateries, and the prices inside made most cultivators hesitate since the ingredients were all spiritual items, making the cost of dining and cultivation exceedingly high. Looking at this orderly place, Qi Daolong and Zhang Daolong spoke first, "Now that we've arrived in the Immortal City, our journey with Miss Bai ends here. If fate permits, we shall meet again." Feeling a sense of loss, Bai Van had expected to spend a year or more traveling with them but hadn’t anticipated reaching the Immortal City so soon due to the teleportation array. A wave of regret washed over her at their parting. "Till we meet again." After exchanging farewells, Bai Van watched her two familiar companions merge into the crowd, never to be seen again. Turning to Zhu Qingshan, she thanked him, “Thank you, Daoist Zhu, for escorting us. You’ve saved us over a year of travel and effort.” “No need to be so formal. I was merely repaying the favor of your rescue. However, now that we are in the Immortal City, I’m afraid I can’t assist you any further. If you need my help, just mention my name at Pure Yang Palace.” “Thank you.” With mutual bows, they parted ways. Once Zhu Qingshan was out of sight, Xiao Tou wiped the sweat off his forehead. "Boss." Seeing Zhu Qingshan gone, Bai Van also felt a wave of relief, bearing some guilty conscience. "Let's go. We have some exploring to do." Bai Van looked up at this unfamiliar place, occasionally seeing a few mortals among the crowd, but they were all servants. The only one who didn’t look like a servant was Xiao Tou, dressed in black and standing out conspicuously. Shortly after Bai Van and the others left, a familiar figure appeared in the teleportation array: dressed in pale green with a flute hanging from their waist. "Boss, where are we going?" Xiao Tou asked as Bai Van aimlessly wandered left and right, not knowing where to go. Finally, she spotted an inn sign and led Xiao Tou there. As they entered, it was bustling with activity. Cultivators sat in small groups, sipping tea, while those working as attendants were all at the Qi Refining stage. With poor talents, their cultivation prospects were bleak, leaving them to work in this little inn. Bai Van approached the counter and discovered that the inn didn't accept coins for lodging, only spirit stones. This meant that everything here required spirit stones. "Innkeeper, how many nights can one spirit stone pay for?" This innkeeper was not as servile as a mortal world innkeeper. With one glance, he could tell Bai Van was a poor itinerant cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage, accompanied by a strange mortal. He replied coolly, "One spirit stone covers only one night." "What!" Bai Van’s eyes widened in shock. A single spirit stone for one night was too expensive. Even if she pooled all her spirit stones, she had only about sixty, which meant she could only stay for two months at most without food or drink. What would she do afterward? Beg? "Isn't there any discount?" "We do not offer discounts," the innkeeper responded. Feeling the inn was too expensive, Bai Van decided to leave with Xiao Tou. She forgot, however, that Xiao Tou had a penchant for stealing. In a place as crowded as this, his hands began to itch. Xiao Tou knew well that this place was different. The people here were cultivators, and the pouches on their waists were hard to steal from. Wealthy individuals seldom used storage pouches, preferring other items for storing their treasures, making it hard for him to find targets. As Bai Van continued to see only shop after shop, an idea struck her: she could find a temporary job that provided food and accommodation, thus avoiding the need to stay at the inn. She instructed Xiao Tou to search for shops hiring staff while she looked elsewhere. She found a spiritual herb shop hiring, but they required someone who could identify herbs, which Bai Van couldn't do. The only spiritual herb she had ever seen was Zhu Guo. Next, she went to a crafting shop, but they needed someone with deep spiritual power and crafting experience, both of which she lacked. They didn’t even bother responding, probably judging that her small limbs couldn't handle a hammer. Finally, Bai Van asked a restaurant if they needed someone to serve dishes, but they dismissed her for being too young and plain. After inquiring at various places to no avail, Bai Van felt defeated. Why was life for cultivators equally difficult? Cultivators were supposed to transcend worldly troubles, but once material interests were involved, everything became mundane. Only the top cultivators who were detached from material concerns could pursue the path without distractions. Sitting in front of a bookstore, Bai Van stared blankly at the passing shoes until a pair of clean white shoes stopped in front of her, blocking her view. The owner of the shoes made her frown until she looked up and saw a familiar figure in pale green attire with a flute at their waist. The person's elegance was undeniable. "Ah, it's you!" Bai Van exclaimed, too excited to speak. He Yi Man had planned to inquire about the wilderness but hadn't found anyone with information. She thought of going to the bookstore to find out more. Unexpectedly, as she approached, she heard Bai Van’s exclamation and saw the same girl from before. Her previously irritated mood lightened significantly. "So, it's Miss Bai." "Are you here to buy books?" Bai Van asked curiously, eager for conversation. "Yes." "What kind of books?" "I'll decide inside." "Oh, let me accompany you then." Noting Bai Van’s sudden enthusiasm, He Yi Man didn't refuse and walked into the bookstore, with Bai Van quickly following. The bookstore in the Immortal City was vast, with many floors. Once inside, a staff member approached to guide them based on their needs. Following He Yi Man, Bai Van enjoyed her time there, observing He Yi Man peruse historical records while a book on spiritual herbs—《The Complete Record of Spiritual Herbs》—caught her eye. The book was thick and heavy, but Bai Van couldn't resist. To survive in the Immortal City, she had to work hard. While He Yi Man continued her search, Bai Van, nearby, focused intensely on her book. Blessed with a photographic memory—a common enhancement for Foundation Establishment cultivators—she absorbed the contents quickly. As pages rustled, Bai Van was both amazed by and envious of the miraculous properties of spiritual herbs. The time passed swiftly in the bookstore as she lost herself in the book's wealth of knowledge. By evening, He Yi Man had selected two books and noticed Bai Van engrossed in her reading. "Miss Bai, do you like spiritual herbs?" she asked. Still deeply absorbed, Bai Van nodded, feeling captivated by the herbs' potential and complexities. He Yi Man called over a store clerk, "I'll take these two books and the one that the young lady is reading." "Certainly," the clerk replied. Bai Van, snapped out of her concentration, was taken aback to hear that He Yi Man was buying her book as well. "Since Miss Bai likes it, you should buy it. I must leave now," He Yi Man said, before heading downstairs to pay and leaving, much to Bai Van's delighted surprise. Clutching 《The Complete Record of Spiritual Herbs》, Bai Van went to the counter to inquire about its price. "How much does this book cost?" "Miss, this book is typically sold for two hundred spirit stones," the clerk replied. Gasping, Bai Van couldn't believe the book's outrageous price—two hundred spirit stones were enough to cover a year of lodging. She marveled at He Yi Man's generosity and wealth, regretting that such a capable and kind girl was merely a mortal. Carrying the book, Bai Van returned to a spot to wait for Xiao Tou, who soon came running, looking anxious. He dragged Bai Van to a secluded corner where he finally let go of her hand. "Did you steal something again?" Bai Van asked. Xiao Tou's guilty expression made Bai Van furious. "If you're going to steal, don't drag me into it. This is the Immortal City; getting caught won't just send us to a jail but could lead to punishment by the Heavenly Dao Alliance or personal vendettas." Lowering his head, Xiao Tou knew better but couldn't always resist the urge. The Immortal City had strict rules; if lawlessness prevailed, chaos would ensue. Without cultivation, Xiao Tou would face severe consequences if caught, which was why Bai Van tried to guide him to a straight path by finding legitimate work for him. Frustrated by his indiscretions, she walked away. Passing a spiritual herb shop, Bai Van noticed they were hiring a garden keeper who could make clouds and rain. The pay was three spirit stones a month, with food and lodging included. Cloud summoning was Bai Van’s specialty. She had thought her skills were trivial, but today they proved useful. Entering the shop, the herbal aroma hit her. A clerk greeted her, "Are you here to buy spiritual herbs?" "No, I'm here for the job. I saw on the sign that you're looking for a garden keeper. I can summon small clouds and rain, so I came to apply." The clerk, surprised, examined Bai Van and politely said, "Please wait a moment. I'll get the head innkeeper." Xiao Tou, left behind, looked dejected. Seeing Bai Van inside the herb shop, he walked away, pondering what to do with the stolen storage pouch in his hand. The head innkeeper led Bai Van into the backyard and then sat down, motioning for Bai Van to sit as well. However, since Bai Van was there to seek employment, she didn’t dare to be so casual. "You can cast the Small Rain Cloud Spell?" "Yes," Bai Van replied. "Show me," the head innkeeper said. Bai Van took a deep breath and conjured a large cloud in her hands. As she poured more spiritual energy into it, the cloud grew larger and darker until it started drizzling. The head innkeeper nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Alright. If you don’t mind, you can start today. I can take you to the garden right away." Thrilled at the prospect of starting immediately, Bai Van eagerly agreed. The sooner she started, the sooner she could save on spirit stones for lodging. "Really? That’s great. But I have someone with me. May I bring them along?" "Of course." "Please wait a moment," Bai Van said before running out to find Xiao Tou. She looked everywhere but couldn’t find him, growing increasingly anxious. Where could he have gone? Was he so angry that he ran off? Just when Bai Van thought Xiao Tou wouldn’t come back, she spotted him in the crowd, cautiously making his way toward her. "Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you everywhere." "Boss, I returned the stolen items," Xiao Tou replied hesitantly. Relieved, Bai Van felt he was finally learning. "Good, that’s the right thing to do. I found a job guarding a garden. Do you want to come?" "I’ll go wherever you go, Boss." With Xiao Tou in tow, Bai Van returned to the inn. The innkeeper was ready and waiting. In the small courtyard stood a large White Crane preening its feathers, its red beak strikingly beautiful, especially when it meticulously groomed its tail feathers, its long neck forming a graceful arc. "Since the herb garden isn’t within the Immortal City, I’ll take you there myself," the head innkeeper said, motioning for them to climb onto the White Crane’s back. The soft feathers felt like silk and retained a gentle warmth. Bai Van realized this was one of the mounts she had often seen flying above the city. Carefully, she climbed on. Once everyone was seated, the head innkeeper commanded, "White Crane, take off to the herb garden." With a cry, the White Crane, previously lying down, stood up on its legs, spread its massive wings, and began to flap them. With a long, loud call and a powerful push off the ground, the crane took flight, startling Bai Van, causing her to grab the bird's feathers tightly. As the flight stabilized, Bai Van watched as they ascended higher and higher, the once vast Immortal City gradually shrinking below them. From the sky, she noticed that the Immortal City was a floating island, surrounded by mighty rivers below. She wondered which path they would have taken if they had come on foot. The White Crane circled the Immortal City once, offering Bai Van a breathtaking aerial view of the city's landscapes, and then gracefully flew towards their destination, the herb garden. The scenic beauty of the Immortal City from above left her in awe. --- **Previous Chapter** **Table of Contents** **Next Chapter** --- **Home** **Desktop Version** **Library** **Popular Novels**