Chapter 664 - Reunion (V) (Patreon)

Two days, not even that.

After years of thinking he was dead, we spent two days together before it was time to part. It was clear that he didn't want to say for too long, though it wasn't clear as to why. Maybe he was on his way to kill another Elder, maybe he wanted to go flirt with Jin Hua, or maybe he was pretending the whole time and was about to go kill her for bringing us together.

That's about as likely as me becoming the strongest cultivator ever, in that it's not gonna happen. Still, I can't help but feel a bit bummed out. And, judging by the look on his face, even if I ask... he isn't going to tell me the truth. So, I'll just let it slide.

"When you get to the island," he said. "Be careful. I've heard quite a few unsavory tales of the place as well as its owner. Supposedly, young, talented people have a knack for disappearing in that place, and the disappearances being blamed on the war."

"Hm."

"Always keep the third eye open, especially if you plan on traveling to the island's center," he continued like an old grandpa. "I hear that it's completely covered in concealment and illusionary formations, and that even Emperors might struggle to break out of them quickly."

"Hm."

"The island's owner also has Seven Sacred Protectors, I hear. They're responsible for guarding the island as well as keeping the peace because each of them commands some hundred or so cultivators. Even the weakest is at least in the Inner World Realm. If you can, try not to be noticed by them. Since it's in the season and because of the mess up north, there will likely be thousands of sects' disciples and their protectors running around, so just blend in with them."

"Hm."

"The island is divided into three major regions: Southern Song, Eastern Tiger, and Western Silence. There is also the so-called Great Tomb, a place where the three regions intersect and where the portal to the Infernal Realm is. That area is extremely guarded from what I hear and you can only go there with a special token. Most ordinary visitors are confided to Southern Song as it is also the safest area. Even so, it's composed of three independent cities that, though under the island's lord, are in constant contest for resources."

"Hm."

"Do you know how to say anything but 'hm'?"

"I thought I was being given a lecture so, as a proper student, I was listening carefully."

"Haah," he sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Anyway, whatever you do, stay clear of Western Silence. Do you know why it's called that?"

"I imagine it's because it's eerily silent and there's a horrible story attached to it? Like one of those Seven Protectors is a sadistic maniac who enjoys killing anyone who comes into their territory?"

"..."

"Er, I'm sorry, Dear Elder. What I meant to say was: I've got absolutely no idea why it's called Western Silence. Please, enlighten me!"

"... tsk. How that loose tongue of yours hasn't gotten you killed, I might never know." you know what? Kind of fair. It has gotten me into a pickle once or twice... or thrice... or--alright, never mind. "It's called that because of the plant native only to the island, Silent Amaranth. Its unique property is that it swallows all sound and feasts on it, transforming it into its essence. Supposedly, the island's alchemist use it as a main ingredient for their somewhat legendary Blood-Cleansing Pill. If consumed in unprocessed form, however, it's quite a potent toxin. On top of that, as there's very little else to do in the entire region, most just avoid it. As should you, too."

"Will do, Dearest Elder."

"Lastly," he said, ignoring me. "Eastern Tiger. If Southern Song is the island's beating heart of living, Eastern Tiger is its upper echelon. It's where most of the island's elites reside, where most of the workshops are, and where special guests stay. It's unlikely you will be able to enter, but in case you do, be mindful of everyone. Even ordinary servants might be guards in disguise. Starting trouble there is equal to begging for death."

"I am quite known to do that accidentally."

"Which is why I mention it."

"You still worry as much as you did back then."

"No."

"Oh?"

"I worry about a hundred times more."

"... oh."

"You were quite a coward back then," he said. "But now... you're less of a coward. And that scares me."

"We should leave before this coward makes sure you can't ever leave."

"Ho ho, scary," he chuckled. "Promise me you'll be careful, okay?"

"... I promise," I said. "Promise me you'll learn and teach the arts I gave you properly. When we meet the next time, I want both of you to be masters of at least one."

"Hm. Little Qi," he grabbed my shoulder and smiled. "Thank you for living on."

"... good luck," I said. "Make the bastards pay."

"I will. Stay safe on the island. And please, please, just be low-key for once in your life."

... alright, that kind of pissed me off. Don't you know I tried to be low-key every time, huh? It's not my fault that I'm surrounded by protag auras that make it impossible! Okay, it's kind of my fault since I keep collecting them apparently, but still... ugh, whatever. Let's just go. The island awaits.

**

Yun Qi watched a strange chariot ascend into the sky and shoot forward like a falling star, disappearing over the horizon in the matter of seconds. The winds remained blowing for quite some time after while he stared at the distant dot that wasn't there any longer.

"You regretting not joining them?" Jin Hua asked, stepping up next to him.

"Why? Did you want to?"

"Are you insane?" she scoffed. "I wouldn't last a month with those monsters. But why did you not want to join them? You yapped on about them so much I was certain you'd glue yourself to them and never let go."

"Hm," he hummed for a moment, stroking his beard. "I thought I would. Any time I'd imagine coming across them, I thought I'd immediately do everything in my power to help them and usher them forward. But... they don't need help. Least of all mine," he chuckled somewhat bitterly. "They're all flying, Hua. He's given them all wings, and they're flying free. That's all I had to see."

"... flying? To me it looked more like they're carving up the world in their journey of terror." she said. "Rather than warning them about the island, I'm fairly certain we should warn the island about them."

"You think so?" he glanced at her, frowning.

"You've seen them playing around, drinking, eating, and laughing," she said. "I saw them surviving. Though they might not be strong enough to outright conquer the island, they are not so weak as to be conquered by it. Besides, the depths of that man's pouch... no, wait: it has no depth. It's endless. Did you notice the bird that was with them?"

"Ah, yes. It was quite cute. I wonder if it's his pet?"

"... it's a Phoenix."

"Hm?"

"A Phoenix."

"..."

"And I'm fairly certain that the little strange girl is a descendent of God of Death or something," she said, shuddering. "Not to mention that freak he calls his Eldest Disciple. My bones are telling me to sooner face an army of a thousand people in the Imperial Realm than him. It's a collection of monsters that would have every sect weeping and begging to join them."

"Let's circle back a little," he said, his eyebrows twitching. "Did you just say a Phoenix? As in... a Divine Beast?"

"One and only."

"... you're right," he said. "We wouldn't last a month with them."

"Since you made a big stink about it, we can't even go to the island anymore. How are we going to hunt those two?"

"With patience," he said. "Besides, we'll be quite busy for a few years regardless."

"Busy with what?"

"Studying. Lots and lots of studying."