Central Continent, Longwater Valley.
Chu Xingchen swept his spiritual sense across the area, finding the scenery pleasant but nothing particularly remarkable. The spiritual energy fluctuations were weak, and there was little worth noting.
This journey had been relatively relaxed, almost like a sightseeing trip.
After all, no one dared to cause trouble—especially when Chu Xingchen prominently displayed the Tianyan Sect's token at his waist.
Besides, large-scale searches like this naturally felt like admiring the scenery.
In their group, Zhou Ping was no longer just an ordinary mortal. After Cui Hao's thorough guidance, he had learned to recognize all the essential characters.
For now, Zhou Ping didn’t have to follow Cui Hao’s path. Instead, he had chosen a cultivation technique from the Tianyan Sect that suited his spiritual roots.
Now, he had officially stepped onto the path of cultivation—though he was still a fledgling at the second level of Qi Refining.
But with Chu Xingchen leading the way, Zhou Ping’s low cultivation didn’t hinder their progress. The only inconvenience was that Zhou Ping needed frequent and long rests.
Originally, Zhou Ping could have been left behind at the Tianyan Sect, but Chu Xingchen chose to take him along, believing it would broaden his horizons.
Since he had accepted Zhou Ping as a disciple, he wouldn’t cut corners for convenience.
Treating his own people with sincerity was Chu Xingchen’s baseline, not just an abstract principle.
Moreover, these experiences would undoubtedly benefit Zhou Ping’s future cultivation journey.
As for Cui Hao, he was still practicing the [Blazing Heaven and Forged Gold Great Dao Cultivation Technique, Version 1.1].
It wasn’t that Chu Xingchen hadn’t considered alternatives, but after modifications by both Chu Xingchen and Bai Xuanling, the Blazing Heaven and Forged Gold Great Dao wasn’t significantly weaker than the Tianyan Sect’s core techniques.
If Cui Hao switched to the Tianyan Sect’s method now, he wouldn’t be able to change again later.
Bai Xuanling had advised him to continue with this technique for now. Before reaching the Nascent Soul stage, he could still switch if a better option emerged. If nothing superior appeared, he could always adopt the Tianyan Sect’s method later.
For now, the [Blazing Heaven and Forged Gold Great Dao Cultivation Technique] had its merits—at least it left Cui Hao with room to rise.
Cui Hao stood beside Chu Xingchen, gazing at a small waterfall cascading in the distance.
After a moment of contemplation, he pointed at it with a serious expression.
"Master, I think there might be a fortuitous encounter waiting for us over there."
Chen Baiqing glanced at the waterfall, then at Cui Hao. His words likely meant—Master, let’s go play over there!
But she stayed silent, already anticipating how things would unfold.
Chu Xingchen studied Cui Hao’s thoughtful expression before adopting a similarly pensive look and nodding.
"Your suggestion does hold some merit."
Cui Hao sighed gratefully. "Thank you for considering my advice, Master."
Zhou Ping, standing nearby, pursed his lips in confusion. Do immortals always have to speak in circles? Would they suffer divine retribution if they spoke plainly?
This journey had already lasted quite some time for him.
He had seen breathtaking landscapes and witnessed the myriad facets of human nature and the unspoken laws of the cultivation world.
But the most important realization was that the sect leader was an exceptionally kind and charismatic person.
Zhou Ping knew he had been incredibly fortunate this time.
Chen Baiqing wore a slightly exasperated expression. Master spoils his disciples too much.
Still… accompanying him to enjoy the scenery didn’t sound bad.
Just as everyone waited for Chu Xingchen to lead the way, he suddenly retrieved a talisman from his sleeve.
Infusing it with spiritual energy, the talisman dissolved into a streak of light that merged into his fingertip.
---
Blossom Ridge.
Li Yingling lazily tossed a piece of Moon Essence to San Dong before reclining in a flower field to bask in the sunlight.
Given the gap in cultivation, after Senior Uncle Xie had set up the basic preparations, all they could do now was wait for her master to arrive.
Though called a "city," Blossom Town was barely larger than a village, so Li Yingling preferred spending her free time at Blossom Ridge with San Dong.
The little flower spirit was adorable, and after bonding with her, it had become even more amusing.
San Dong was delightfully naive—easy to tease and endlessly entertaining.
San Dong happily embraced the Moon Essence before lying beside Li Yingling, absorbing its lunar energy with a blissful smile.
In just these past few days, San Dong had come to a realization.
No wonder humans are so powerful—they treat treasures like snacks!
The resources Li Yingling had shared with her in this short time surpassed countless winters of San Dong’s solitary cultivation under the moonlight.
And Li Yingling’s words were always so fascinating and full of meaning.
Even the emotional burdens San Dong once carried had been eased by Li Yingling’s advice, making them seem trivial now.
San Dong adored Li Yingling—her voice, her laughter, everything.
Even if Li Yingling never gave her another treasure, San Dong would still want to be her friend forever.
Nearby, Zhang Miaoyu roasted meat for their team leader, whose refined palate had forced her to hone her cooking skills to perfection.
Xie Lingyu sat cross-legged among the flowers, faint traces of Daoist rhythms swirling around her—likely immersed in some profound cultivation.
Li Yingling understood. Senior Uncle Xie was never one to admit defeat—the greater the challenge, the fiercer her determination.
Whether it was competing with her master or the Tianyan Sect’s Daoist resonance, Xie Lingyu would never back down.
So Li Yingling didn’t pressure her to relax.
San Dong, eyes half-lidded in contentment, suddenly spoke hesitantly.
"After you open that… whatever it’s called—the ritual formation—will you leave?"
San Dong didn’t truly understand what a ritual formation was. Her world was confined to Blossom Ridge, and anything beyond it was beyond her comprehension.
Even after Li Yingling’s explanations, San Dong could only vaguely imagine it as something immensely powerful.
But she understood "leaving" all too well.
Though their time together had been short, and their first meeting had terrified her, San Dong disliked goodbyes.
Li Yingling took a deep breath and replied gently, "Would you like to come with me?"
San Dong bit her lip. The outside world frightened her—it was too vast, too dangerous.
Tiny Blossom Ridge was just the right size for her.
When San Dong didn’t answer, Li Yingling chuckled softly.
"Don’t overthink it. My master once said that when faced with a difficult choice, listen to your heart—it will give you the answer."
San Dong didn’t fully grasp the meaning, but she nodded faintly.
Her gaze drifted to the blue sky, where white clouds drifted lazily.
Normally, San Dong wouldn’t dare manifest her true form outside during the day, but with Li Yingling beside her…
Suddenly, her eyes widened.
She nudged Li Yingling urgently and pointed at a streak of light racing across the sky.
"Look! Look! What’s that?!"
Li Yingling smiled.
"That’s my master."