The Lingxiao Sect was situated in the northwest direction of the Cangxuan Continent, which was hardly a prosperous region. However, precisely because of this, the Lingxiao Sect held absolute authority as the sole major sect there. The Cangxuan Continent was considered a middle world, and those large sects were basically clustered in the southern region, whereas the north was a barren wasteland.
The Lingxiao Sect occupied this rather awkward position. Despite this, numerous disciples from prominent families still sought to enter the sect every year.
For no other reason than the fact that the Lingxiao Sect possessed a “Trial Ground,” within which, rumor had it, lay a “Divine Tomb”!
Should one be blessed by the divine light, they would soar straight to the skies. Even if the probability was one in ten million, it was still worth a try!
And this so-called “divine light” was naturally prepared by the consciousness of this world for Mo Rubai.
Shen Zhiwei rubbed the space between his brows. In this world, every step had to be calculated and cautious, or the result would be death.
“The Trial Ground…” Shen Zhiwei curled his lips into a smile. With a light tap of his fingertip, a soft white light emerged, crystalline and pure as if about to drip. The next instant, that ray of white light was flicked outward, and in an instant, a massive fissure appeared right before Shen Zhiwei.
The spiritual energy in this body was still quite abundant.
Shen Zhiwei pressed a hand to his chest, suppressing a sudden pang of palpitation. He had expended a tremendous amount of energy setting up the array for Shen Ming over the past two days, not to mention that he had drawn over a significant portion of the intensely venomous Yin Qi from Shen Ming’s body.
If he wished to change the fate of “Shen Zhiwei,” he had to save Shen Ming, but he could no longer create karmic retribution through bloodshed. Cause and effect operated in an endless, inescapable cycle; if he kept messing around like this, there was no telling what kind of monster Shen Ming might turn into.
Looking at Shen Ming’s face, Shen Zhiwei simply could not bring himself to abandon him.
Ever since that day, he had randomly chosen a cave to seclude himself in for two days of quiet meditation. Only after the hostility surrounding his entire body had completely subsided did he step out. Today’s weather was fine, and Mo Rubai should have finished his period of kneeling as well.
Shen Zhiwei had not expected that Mo Rubai would genuinely kneel for so long. With such temperament and resolve, he was truly someone destined to accomplish great things.
Cangxuan Town, Lexian Pavilion.
“Someone, bring Mo Rubai here.” Shen Zhiwei waved his hand, directly instructing a young servant to head down. Afterward, he let out a soft sigh.
The Lingxiao Sect was located at the foot of Lingxiao Mountain, and below the mountain lay a bustling town. After merely two days of seclusion, during which he broke into a light sweat, Shen Zhiwei had disdainfully sought out the largest pleasure house in the area, the Lexian Pavilion, to bathe.
Naturally, he had requested a private room.
Music and sensual melodies drifted against his ears, and Shen Zhiwei found the experience immensely relaxing. Cultivators were supposed to be devoid of desires, but since he was not practicing the merciless path, there was no need to be overly harsh on himself.
In his past life, Shen Zhiwei had a particular fondness for such extravagant and colorful luxuries. Now that he had transmigrated into the body of an elder with even better conditions for enjoyment, why not take the opportunity to indulge?
He only left Mo Rubai, who had hurried over from the Lingxiao Sect, completely bewildered.
Try as he might, he could not fathom why Zhenren Lingzhi had brought him to the Lexian Pavilion.
The Lexian Pavilion, true to its name, was a place of hedonism and earthly pleasures. Whenever Lingxiao Sect disciples mentioned this place, they would exchange knowing, suggestive winks and vow to the heavens that they would never set foot in such a place.
Why, then, was the transcendent and ethereal Zhenren Lingzhi currently appearing here?
What shocked Mo Rubai even more was that Zhenren Lingzhi was currently presenting himself in a state of disarray.
This, this, this… how utterly lacking in propriety!
This was truly doing Shen Zhiwei a grave injustice. He had merely just finished soaking in a bath and was wearing inner garments with nothing exposed, save for a cascade of loose, dark hair flowing freely over his shoulders.
“I wonder why the Junior Uncle summoned me here?”
Mo Rubai offered a formal salute, maintaining a calm expression on the outside while his gaze drifted uncertainly, unsure of where to look.
“Sit over here,” Mo Rubai gestured to the bed beside him, “I will apply medicine for you.”
“What?” Mo Rubai froze. What nonsense was Zhenren Lingzhi uttering?
“Did you not hear me?” Shen Zhiwei repeated impatiently, “Sit over here!”
Mo Rubai wore a somewhat dazed expression, though he quickly regained his composure upon meeting Zhenren Lingzhi’s face.
Soldiers must be met with shields, and water with earth; Zhenren Lingzhi surely wouldn’t do anything untoward to him.
However, when Mo Rubai saw Zhenren Lingzhi half-kneeling directly in front of him, he nearly jumped out of his skin.
Zhenren Lingzhi was really, actually applying medicine for him!
From this angle, he could even see Zhenren Lingzhi’s long, curled eyelashes and his slightly furrowed brow, as if he were harboring some deep concern.
Shifting his gaze a fraction lower, he caught sight of the large expanse of chest Zhenren Lingzhi had inadvertently exposed. Mo Rubai only dared to fixate on those two collarbones…
For reasons unknown, his face suddenly flushed hot. Why on earth did Zhenren Lingzhi deliberately dress like this, making it look as though he were trying to seduce him?
Mo Rubai thought of that flirtatious, strange man he had encountered the other day. The subtle, ambiguous atmosphere between that man and Zhenren Lingzhi had felt distinctly bizarre, though from his perspective, it seemed that the male was the one shamelessly seducing Zhenren Lingzhi.
Still, this also implied that Zhenren Lingzhi was likely a cut-sleeve… Bringing him specifically to this place, could it be solely for the purpose of applying some medicine?
While framing him with false accusations, Zhenren Lingzhi was simultaneously trying to seduce him. What on earth was going on inside that man’s head?
Shen Zhiwei patted Mo Rubai’s lower leg. “Alright, top-quality healing ointment. Just let it soak in.”
“What are you thinking about?” Shen Zhiwei chuckled, eyeing Mo Rubai’s solemn expression. “Since you’re all healed up, accompany your Uncle to a certain place.”
Shen Zhiwei had deliberately called Mo Rubai down here naturally not just to apply ointment, but to strike a bargain with him.
He had applied the medicine for Mo Rubai, so Mo Rubai had to accompany him somewhere in return.
As for whether Mo Rubai was willing or not, Shen Zhiwei couldn’t care less. He had already condescended to apply medicine for him personally; what else could Mo Rubai possibly be dissatisfied with?
Moreover, the “healing ointment” he had just used also served to suppress the Soul Spirit Flower. Otherwise, a flower should have already bloomed on Mo Rubai’s wrist by now.
Shen Zhiwei naturally had no intention of letting Mo Rubai off the hook, but he had other matters to attend to first and would deal with him later.
Mo Rubai showed no dissatisfaction, but instead asked with a hint of surprise, “Where to?”
“The third underground level of the Lexian Pavilion.”
Mo Rubai’s expression changed instantly. The “third underground level of the Lexian Pavilion” had no formal name and was simply referred to by that designation, or sometimes just as “The Third Level.”
The northern region was barren, and certain items could not be acquired even with top-grade spirit stones. Yet “The Third Level” had everything, and what was more, cultivators from the major southern sects would also frequent “The Third Level” to trade goods.
What exactly did Zhenren Lingzhi want to exchange? And why did he need his company?
What did he want to exchange? Shen Zhiwei smiled. Anything that required the protagonist’s appearance would naturally involve people or objects related to the protagonist…