Chapter 194: Doesn’t This Explain the Problem?

Chapter 194: Chapter 194: Doesn’t This Explain the Problem?

"According to reliable sources, the Peak Master of Purple Bamboo Peak will be returning to his family. Junior Brother Liu will probably leave with him."

Yang Haichen nodded, then directly stated his true purpose. Both of the men before him owed Junior Brother Liu Spirit Stones. Since his master had told him about the Peak Master’s departure, and Junior Brother Liu himself seemed keen on acquiring more Spirit Stones, he felt it was only natural to give them a reminder.

Of course, it was just a reminder. If these two senior brothers didn’t want to repay the Spirit Stones quickly, Yang Haichen couldn’t do anything about it. However, he would have to distance himself from them afterward.

"Then I’ll have to pay Junior Brother Liu a personal visit."

Ren Xunchun immediately looked over. He didn’t have plans to advance to the Meridian Passage Realm yet, and it would take a long time to become a True Disciple. Most of the Ren Family’s current resources were tied up in their industries, so they couldn’t produce over two hundred thousand Spirit Stones at a moment’s notice. As for not repaying the debt, he had never even considered it.

Compared to the debt of saving his life, this amount of Spirit Stones was insignificant. Besides, if he failed to repay them, he would have no future in Purple Cloud Valley, and the entire Ren Family could be silently erased.

Loose Cultivators can afford to be careless with their reputation, but it’s different for cultivators from a family. In the Cultivation Realm, credibility is very important, especially for a family.

"It’s best to do it before the festival ends. Junior Brother Liu’s reason for coming to the Imperial City was likely to handle the relationship between those two junior sisters and their families."

Xie Xichen spoke slowly. This had been his previous speculation, but now it seemed to be fact. At today’s festival, Junior Sister Ji Suyao, a princess of the Royal Family, didn’t even make an appearance. That alone was enough to prove it.

"Got it. I’m heading back to the Ren Family first."

Ren Xunchun nodded and said nothing more. He would not leave his debt to Junior Brother Liu unpaid. As for everything else, it was no longer important.

"Where did you get this information?"

After Ren Xunchun left, Xie Xichen couldn’t help but look over. When he was chosen as the next True Disciple for the Law Enforcement Hall, he had heard his master say that to cope with potential crises, Purple Cloud Valley would focus on cultivating its True and Inner Sect Disciples.

That was precisely why he was able to become part of the True Inheritance Reserve, just waiting for the right time to officially become a True Disciple.

"My master leaked the information. He’s already begun taking over the affairs of Purple Bamboo Peak. There’s a ninety percent chance it’s true."

Yang Haichen didn’t mind revealing this at all. Xie Xichen was a disciple of the Law Enforcement Hall; he knew better than anyone what couldn’t be leaked. Therefore, there was no need to worry about him spreading secrets.

He hadn’t thought much of it when his master first mentioned it. But on second thought, ever since leaving Fire Dragon Valley, the amount of Spiritual Cuisine Junior Brother Liu had been selling had clearly increased. He was also pursuing Magic with greater interest. All of this had been hinting at something for a while now.

The one hundred servings of Spiritual Cuisine he produced not long ago made the issue even clearer. Junior Brother Liu, the Second Grade Spirit Chef, was probably leaving too.

"Then it’s almost certainly true. I need to make some preparations as well. If we keep owing Junior Brother Liu the Spirit Stones he’s due, it’ll be hard to get by in Purple Cloud Valley. Who knows, we might even have to rely on Junior Brother Liu for help in the future."

Xie Xichen nodded. He then recalled a question that had unintentionally surfaced after he became part of the True Inheritance Reserve: every year, Purple Cloud Valley produced new True Disciples, but very few of them died in service. So why were there not more True Disciples visible within Purple Cloud Valley?

What was once a question now seemed to have a clear answer, thanks to the information from Yang Haichen. Still, he would need to verify if his thoughts were correct.

"Senior Brother, have you heard of the Mo Family?"

Yang Haichen couldn’t help but ask. As far as he knew, he had never heard of the Mo Family. He was certain that the Mo Family was not a Cultivation Force from the Great Xia Dynasty or any of the surrounding dynasties.

"No. But the Peak Master is returning to his family—doesn’t that say it all? That man could have become the Sect Leader."

Xie Xichen shook his head and walked straight out of the room, leaving Yang Haichen sitting there, lost in thought.

The clamorous day of gongs and drums finally came to an end. Though the Great Xia Imperial City was still somewhat lively on the sixteenth of October, it didn’t affect Liu Chen’s daily life.

From morning until afternoon, people came to the estate one after another. But upon seeing the tightly shut gates, most left directly, while a few lingered for a while before leaving with a sigh.

In the afternoon, the Magic Veins in Liu Chen’s eyes decomposed and reassembled before finally, slowly dissipating.

[Transformation Technique: Unique]

The first Intermediate Magic from the Secret Manual gifted by his master’s wife had successfully evolved to become ’Unique’. After casting the Transformation Technique, as long as Liu Chen’s Spiritual Power was not depleted, the technique’s effect would not be dispelled, even if he were injured and unconscious.

Cultivators of the Same Tier would be unable to see through it. Combined with his previous Eye-blocking Technique, his disguise as the Hundred Ghosts Elder would be perfectly convincing. However, the ’Hundred Ghosts Elder’ persona was not suitable for long-term use. Liu Chen planned to create a more plausible Loose Cultivator persona for himself.

’I can finally be a Loose Cultivator in peace. But I still have to avoid running into stronger Loose Cultivators.’

Liu Chen shrugged, feeling a sense of relief. With the Transformation Technique and Eye-blocking Technique, he could at least leave the Great Xia Dynasty safely and head straight for his intended destination, the Black Feather Dynasty.

The Black Feather Dynasty had accepted Loose Cultivators before, so it was Liu Chen’s first destination. If it was suitable, he would continue his cultivation there. If not, he would use it as a stepping stone to other regions.

’Engraving Technique... a Magic specifically invented to process official documents. The Great Xia Royal Family really is thorough.’

In the rear garden, Liu Chen examined the Secret Manual in his hands. Junior Sister Suyao had brought it to him earlier. This was the Magic he had suggested he wanted to obtain from the Emperor of the Great Xia. And it was the Magic Liu Chen would cultivate next.

’Returning to the Mo Family isn’t a plan that I will definitely follow through on. If I can’t go back, then the insights from the Magic I’ve evolved to "Unique" will be my way of repaying my debt of gratitude. I certainly can’t give these things directly to Master, but leaving them for my two junior sisters is a good idea.’

’If I don’t return to the Mo Family, it’ll be a parting gift. If I do return, it’ll be an early present for my junior sisters. They’re quite interesting. I think I’ve gotten used to being around them.’

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"What did you want to see me for?"

In an estate near the Ye Family’s residence, Ji Suyao couldn’t help but ask as she looked at her parents sitting in the courtyard. This was the estate her parents had bought to prevent her from always staying at the Ye Family’s home.

Even though they had bought it, Ji Suyao still preferred to live with the Ye Family. But since it was bought, they had no intention of getting rid of it. Her parents almost never came here, which was precisely why Ji Suyao was worried.

’After all, Senior Brother is a hot commodity right now. I don’t want my parents trying to use him for something. It would put me in an impossible position.’

"We just came to see you, of course."

Lady Ji smiled and pulled Ji Suyao into her embrace. Beside them, Ji Ming was silent. He was still thinking about why his father had suddenly gone into seclusion.