Chapter 660 Arriving at the City of No Night

"This is for you." Wen Qingye nodded. "With this, you can appear in human lands without any reservations. Barring a few exceptionally special beings, no one will discover that you’re a Zombie."

"Thank you!"

A look of immense joy appeared on Feitian’s face when he heard Wen Qingye. He slowly accepted the Buddha Beads, turning them over and over in his hands.

His dream, after all, was to be an ordinary human, to live in the lands of the Human Race. But he knew he was a Zombie, possessing a fiendish nature. If that nature ever erupted, he would become a terrifying force of absolute destruction. Moreover, he was the kind of being the Human Race would stop at nothing to eliminate.

Wen Qingye saw the childlike expression on Feitian’s face and couldn’t help but smile.

Feitian finally looped the string of Buddha Beads around his wrist. He looked Wen Qingye straight in the eye and said, "If you’re ever in any kind of trouble, just tell me. I, Feitian, will help you, no matter the cost."

"Deal."

Wen Qingye gave a firm nod. In truth, his original intention was to ask this Flying Corpse for help. With the creature’s power, he could undoubtedly sweep across the entire Eastern Profound Domain.

Wen Qingye never imagined that this unintentional act would one day save his life during the gravest crisis he would ever face.

Feitian went on to tell Wen Qingye how he survived in the mountains and how he used to sneak into human kingdoms. But now, with the Buddha Beads Wen Qingye had given him, he would no longer have to sneak around. He could go openly.

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, night had fallen.

Feitian looked at Wen Qingye with a hint of anticipation. "Why don’t you meditate here? It’s very safe."

Wen Qingye didn’t refuse. He nodded and said, "Alright. With the Cold Ice Flood Dragon handling things, I have plenty of time."

Then, Wen Qingye sat down cross-legged on a stone.

’You’ve got some serious nerve, kid. Do you have any idea what that is? It’s a Zombie, one of the most malevolent things in existence. Forget the fact that it could kill you if its fiendish nature flares up; if anyone else found out you were consorting with a Zombie, they wouldn’t let you off the hook either.’

Just then, Qingg Ruo’ai’s voice sounded in Wen Qingye’s mind.

"It doesn’t matter," Wen Qingye replied, unconcerned. ’As long as my actions are just and my heart is true, what does it matter if he’s a Zombie?’

Seeing Wen Qingye’s resolve, Qingg Ruo’ai’s lips parted slightly, but she held back whatever she was about to say.

Meanwhile, Wen Qingye had already entered a state of cultivation. He regulated his breathing as the Longevity Technique began to circulate. His cultivation had reached a bottleneck; all he needed was a slight push to break through once more.

One cycle.

Two cycles.

.....

Thirty-six cycles.

Feitian, meanwhile, found a corner and sat down, gazing endlessly at the Buddha Beads Wen Qingye had given him.

「The next day.」

A sliver of light pierced the gloom of the dark, damp cave.

Wen Qingye slowly opened his eyes and then slowly rose to his feet.

"Are you leaving?"

Seeing Wen Qingye get up, Feitian emerged from his corner and asked.

Wen Qingye nodded. "Yes. There are some urgent matters back at the Sect I must attend to, so I have to go."

"Alright, then."

Feitian nodded, a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

For the first time in his long existence, he didn’t feel lonely. He simply felt... good.

Wen Qingye smiled faintly. "Fate has a way of bringing people together. I’m sure we’ll meet again."

"Good. I’ll be waiting for that day." Hearing Wen Qingye’s words, the corners of Feitian’s mouth curled up, a faint smile appearing on his rigid face.

With that, Wen Qingye left Feitian’s Cave Mansion. The miniature Cold Ice Flood Dragon on his fingertip transformed into a blue whirlwind and burst forth.

Wen Qingye leaped into the air, landing squarely on the Cold Ice Flood Dragon’s back, then turned to look at Feitian.

"I’m leaving. You should go back inside."

The Cold Ice Flood Dragon threw its head back, its body streaking into the distance like a blue arc of light.

Feitian stood there watching as Wen Qingye, hands clasped behind his back, and the Cold Ice Flood Dragon disappeared from sight. Only after a long time did he finally turn and leave.

...

「Three more days passed.」

The Royal City of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty. A towering wall, stretching for hundreds of zhang, stood there, giving off an impression of utter indestructibility.

This was the seat of the leading power among the Seven Great Ancient Countries and the largest dynasty in the Eastern Profound Domain. As such, the Royal City of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty was also the most prosperous city in the entire domain.

It was no exaggeration to say this one Royal City occupied as much land as the entire Dayan Dynasty. The city connected to the Mingzhu Strait, and along its Eternal Night Riverbank, countless pleasure barges and painted boats plied the waters. Year-round, it was a scene of song, dance, and revelry—a ten-li stretch of glittering splendor known to all as the City of No Night.

At the city gate, several guards stood solemnly, their eyes cold and impassive. Despite their stern presence, the gate bustled with an endless, lively stream of people coming and going.

Wen Qingye gazed at the city before him and couldn’t help but sigh in awe. The sheer scale of the city was a testament to the power of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty. The Imperial City of the Dayan Dynasty paled in comparison to this City of No Night; the gap between them was immense.

He slowly walked into the Royal City. The very air had a unique charm, carrying the faint scent of rouge and the clean fragrance of teahouses.

Moreover, countless masters moved through the crowds, all of them doing their utmost to conceal their cultivation, making them indistinguishable from the ordinary people around them.

Wen Qingye took out a map. Following its directions, he slowly made his way toward the Celestial Profound Sect’s gathering point.

The Royal City was truly bustling, its streets filled with a deafening clamor.

As Wen Qingye walked through the crowd, he suddenly spotted two familiar figures.

’Is that them?’

Up ahead, two graceful figures emerged from the crowd. Although both wore veils, their captivating auras were impossible to conceal.

Every movement of one woman exuded an intoxicating charm capable of bewitching the world. The woman beside her had a much softer aura, that of a gentle and demure beauty.

These two were none other than Guu Hongxiu and her handmaiden, Wan’Er.

Many people in the crowd turned to stare, a peculiar gleam in their eyes.

Wen Qingye certainly hadn’t forgotten Guu Hongxiu. He still planned to use his "Wu Qiren" identity to get her to investigate the Taiyi Pavilion’s movements and find information on Zhang Xiaoyun.

He couldn’t risk revealing his true identity now.

Last time they met, Wen Qingye had been wearing a mask, so he wasn’t afraid of being recognized as he walked past them now.

He slowly walked past Wan’Er, their shoulders nearly brushing.

"Wait!"

Suddenly, a woman’s sharp cry reached Wen Qingye’s ears.