BXBX NOVEL Chapter 72 - 72: Going Together
Little Lingxu Peak, Little Lingxu Building.
Zheng Hai took a sip of Spirit Wine, deliberately showing a look of resentment on his face.
“You’re now an inner sect disciple, but why are you being stingier than before? Inviting me to drink at the Little Lingxu Building doesn’t match your noble status at all.”
“At least it should be the Drunken Immortal Tower on Little Golden Crow Peak, not the Ascending Immortal Pavilion on Azure Dragon Peak.”
Han Yi glared at Zheng Hai annoyedly: “Get lost.”
Zheng Hai quickly withdrew his resentful expression, his face full of laughter.
“But this isn’t bad either, at least you were considerate enough to invite me to drink at Little Lingxu Peak.”
Han Yi put down his wine and let out a sigh: “Damn, why was 1 chosen to be part of the first batch of participants? My luck is so bad.”
Zheng Hai remained expressionless: “Han Yi, who are you grumbling for? Are you secretly pleased in your heart?”
“Tell me, every time you come back from an adventure, isn’t it always with significant progress? The first time, you came back from an official mission down the mountain and your alchemy skill improved dramatically.”
“The second time, you got sent to the front lines, and upon returning, you broke through to the seventh level of Qi Cultivation after a period of isolation.”
“At first, I didn’t believe it, but I realized later that out of all people, it’s you who’s the most mysterious. 1 can’t compare with you.”
Zheng Hai was feeling mixed emotions.
Previously, wanting to emulate Han Yi, he also voluntarily applied for a mission. Unexpectedly, it wasted more than a year of his time, and he regretted it so much that it made him sick.
After returning to the mountain, he reflected seriously on his experience and decided he couldn’t compare himself with Han Yi. He calmed down and focused on his cultivation.
Over the years, he has already broken through to the fifth level of Qi Cultivation, restoring some of his confidence.
“May your words come true.”
Han Yi sarcastically replied.
His trajectory over these years has been mainly on Azure Dragon Peak. Occasionally he would visit Little Lingxu Peak, and coincidentally, every time Zheng Hai was in secluded cultivation. This time before going out, he intentionally wanted to meet Zheng Hai. Coincidentally, he was available, so he invited him for a drink.
The reason he didn’t invite Zheng Hai to the Drunken Immortal Tower was that he feared Zheng Hai might have other intentions. It might be better to visit the Little Lingxu Building and reminisce about the old times.
“By the way, I was at Vermilion Bird Peak yesterday and happened to meet Brother Guan in the main hall. 1 heard that he is also on the list of the first batch of inner sect disciples. Han Yi, why don’t you consider teaming up with him?”
While drinking, Zheng Hai spoke again.
Han Yi’s gaze flickered slightly, but he shook his head gently.
When the list was released, he had already looked at it. In the first batch of disciples, not only was Guan Di from Fuhai Peak on the list, but even Chu Jinmo, who had moved from Small Guanhai Peak to White Tiger Peak many years ago, was also included.
In addition, there were some other acquaintances with whom he had little contact on the list.
However, Han Yi only gave it a thought and then dismissed the idea of teaming up with them.
Over the years, he has been closer to Luo Yunzhou and Yan Ru, as they all were in Azure Dragon Peak. He had almost no contact with others from the inner peaks.
The path to immortality is long, and some people are destined to grow more distant over time.
Why insist on something unnecessary?
As for Zheng Hai, Han Yi’s emotions were also complex. This fellow disciple was the first person to care for him after he crossed over to this world and could be considered a close friend.
But he also knew that as the gap in their cultivation levels grew wider, they would inevitably gradually drift apart.
Occasionally inviting Zheng Hai for a drink was his way of preserving this precious friendship from falling apart too soon.
“No, thank you,” Han Yi refused without further explanation.
Zheng Hai remained silent, continued drinking, and didn’t probe further.
The spirit wine was flowing freely, and after they finished drinking, they went their separate ways.
The third day.
Han Yi went up to White Tiger Peak. As he approached the White Tiger market, he saw that hundreds of people were scattered around a small square outside the market.
In the square, there were three Survive Disaster Immortal Ships docked.
This was a medium-sized transport Immortal Ship, only of supreme artifact degree, one level lower than the magical artifact of a Flying Immortal Ship. However, it was more than enough for transporting them to the Evil Mountain Range.
In fact.
The Xuandan Sect didn’t provide any travel recommendations. They had just announced a new policy. These Immortal Ships were organized by the marketplaces of the three inner peaks to take advantage of a business opportunity.
To take an Immortal Ship directly to the Evil Mountain Range would cost a hundred lower grade spirit stones. The price was quite high, but most of the inner sect disciples chose this way of traveling, as it could save them a lot of trouble.
From the Xuandan Sect to the Evil Mountain Range, if they were to travel on their own, they would have to pass through Nanyang County, Luofeng County, and Huaibei County. These counties were vast territories and it would take at least half a month to reach their destination, even if they traveled day and night at the speed of the seventh level of Qi Cultivation.
Wasting valuable time is one thing, but the main concern is the danger it involves.
On their way, they might encounter hostile cultivators from the Blood God Sect, robbing cultivators or demonic cultivators. Any of these could cause great trouble.
They might even die without accomplishing their mission.
Oh, Brother Han.”
Suddenly, a serene and gentle voice echoed from the side.
Han Yi turned to look and saw Chu Jinmo, a woman with a graceful figure and a warm smile on her face, carrying a silver long sword, and walking towards him.
“Sister Chu.”
Han Yi responded with a smile.
Speaking of which, he hadn’t seen Chu Jinmo for many years, and the last time he saw her was before the Great Immortal and Demon War had begun.
However, after all these years, Chu Jinmo remained as gentle and warm as he remembered.
Only, Chu Jinmo’s attire had changed a bit.
Previously, Chu Jinmo didn’t carry any magical weapons.
But now, she carried a long sword behind her back.
Han Yi couldn’t help but take another glance at the silver hilt of the sword and quickly shifted his gaze away.
Chu Jinmo noticed Han Yi’s gaze but didn’t explain. Instead, she softly said:
“I saw your name on the list earlier and learned that you have already advanced to the late stage of Qi Cultivation and entered the Inner Peak.”
“Congratulations, Junior Brother.”
Han Yi thanked her graciously.
“Junior Brother Han, are you… going alone this time?”
Chu Jinmo looked a bit surprised, noticing that Han Yi had no companions with him.
Everyone knew that this trip to the Evil Mountain Range would inevitably be dangerous.
Therefore, grouping up and traveling together had become the mainstream choice. Those who traveled alone, like Han Yi, either had great confidence in their abilities or simply couldn’t find companions and had no other choice.
Chu Jinmo’s impression of Han Yi remained that of a talented Alchemy disciple who had returned from an external assignment.
Moreover, Han Yi had been invisible in Sect events like Cave Heaven trials, Inner-Outer Peak competition, and the joint competition with the Yuan Beast Sect.
He seemed to be prefer secluded cultivation, and his combat capability appeared unremarkable.
This was how Chu Jinmo overall viewed Han Yi.
“Would you like to join us, Junior Brother Han? There are a few Senior Brothers from White Tiger Peak. They know the way. This journey may be dangerous, but it’s definitely safer to travel together than alone.”
Chu Jinmo gestured towards a group of five young men standing about thirty meters away, all of whom were wearing the dark blue robes of Inner Sect disciples.
She intended to repay Han Yi for a favor she owed him. Years ago, she invited Han Yi to sell pills to their fellow disciples on Small Guanhai Peak. He did not refuse then, so this time, this could be seen as repaying that favor.
Seeing Chu Jinmo and Han Yi look over, the five young men glanced back with a nod.
Han Yi returned the gesture, then shook his head at Chu Jinmo, “Thank you for your kindness, Sister Chu…”
“Hmm…”
“Actually, thank you for the invitation, Sister Chu. 1 think I’ll take you up on that offer. I’ll be counting on all of you for this trip.”
Originally, Han Yi wanted to decline. He initially believed that he could be low-profile and thought he was powerful enough to not fear even rivals at the ninth rank of Qi Cultivation, so he could travel alone.
But as the words reached his throat, he paused and agreed instead.
He agreed because he suddenly realized that he, with the seventh order of Qi Cultivation, amongst a crowd of eighth and ninth order cultivators, would certainly be the least conspicuous.
Even if they encountered danger, the enemies would first target those with high cultivation levels. Those with lower levels could be easily crushed and wouldn’t be the first priority, thereby giving him more time to react.
Why wouldn’t he be up for it?
Wasn’t this the essence of the low-profile and life-cherishing approach he had always pursued?
At that moment, his thoughts shifted slightly.
If everything went smoothly, he could let his fellow eighth and ninth level brothers pave the way, he could easily hunt a seventh-order evil beast. That would guarantee his success in the trial.
Oh, the thought of it makes him happy.
He had to admit that his previous thoughts were too narrow.
Of course.
This was also an attempt.
After all, he wasn’t sure if the Senior Brothers would allow him to join their team.
After all, Han Yi, being at the seventh level of Qi Cultivation, was considered weak, and those five who Chu Jinmo referred to as Senior Brothers should be higher than the seventh level.
Why would they want to bring a burden?
If it were him, he certainly wouldn’t be willing to.
But he thought trying didn’t hurt.
The speed at which Han Yi changed his mind left even Chu Jinmo somewhat surprised. She could tell that Han Yi initially intended to refuse but for some unknown reason, he agreed in the end..