87: Chapter 87 Forget-Worry City

[ You closed your eyes slightly, and through the master-servant contract, you finally figured out what was going on with this mother and son. ]

[ In short, the son had gone out to seek the Dao of immortality, but upon his return, he happened to run into his mother being beaten to death by a bully. ]

[ The mother had waited for many years just to see her son one last time; her obsession was hard to dispel, and she refused to leave, coincidentally possessing the extremely rare Yin Spirit Physique. ]

[ The young man also wanted to keep her by his side, which eventually led to the scene before you today. ]

[ However, as his power grew day by day, to satisfy his selfish desires, the young man actually constantly drove his mother to devour living souls to strengthen herself. ]

[ He only knew how to forcefully seize and plunder, letting her consume them crudely. He could neither remove the resentment within the living souls nor give her enough time to refine them. Over time, her consciousness was gradually eroded by the malignant Qi until she completely lost control. ]

[ As for the qinghuang blood essence, it was one of the most intensely yang and fierce energies in the world. Mere resentment would burn away upon touching it, and it even took the opportunity to awaken her long-dormant true consciousness. ]

[ You gazed at the woman before you. After her consciousness recovered, the malignant Qi between her brows had mostly faded, unexpectedly revealing a hint of gentleness. ]

[ After pondering for a moment, you spoke: ]

[ "The past is like smoke, and there is no need to dwell on it. Now that you have gained a new lease on life, this seat bestows upon you the name Youyi." ]

[ "Thank you, Master." ]

[ Youyi's face showed a look of being moved, while her eyes carried a trace of complexity. ]

[ In fact, she should have resented this new master, but deep down she could not generate even a shred of hatred, feeling only a sense of relief and liberation. ]

[ Youyi gazed at the pool of blood in the distance, yet her heart remained largely tranquil. After more than a decade of endless pain and torture, now there was only bewilderment and a hint of indescribable complexity left. ]

[ Perhaps, just as the Master said, the past was like smoke, and there is no need to dwell on it. ]

[ "Go and bury him." ]

[ You waved your hand. Regardless of what the other party was thinking in her heart, the matter was already settled. Immediately, you turned your gaze to Han Xuan, who was standing trembling to one side. ]

[ "Fellow Daoist Han, this seat has a business proposition here. I wonder if you are willing to take it?" ]

[ Han Xuan's face showed a bitter expression. With others as the cleaver and chopping board and oneself as the fish and meat, how could there be any choice? Thus, he respectfully bowed to you. ]

[ "Senior can just decide." ]

[ The corners of your lips lifted slightly; you just loved dealing with such smart people. ]

[ You leaned in close to his ear and whispered for a moment. Shortly after, Han Xuan looked at the breathtakingly beautiful face close at hand, and unyieldingly swallowed hard a few times. ]

[ "Senior, are you sure you aren't joking with this junior?" ]

[ "Is there any need?" ]

[ You glanced at him disdainfully, powerful spiritual energy swirling in your palm—that was a power far surpassing Qi Refining cultivators. ]

[ "Th-that... that is definitely possible." ]

[ Han Xuan shrank his neck and gritted his teeth as he nodded fiercely. Since he couldn't resist, he could only honestly accept it and enjoy it. ]

[ You raised your hand to pinch his chin, looked him up and down, and then nodded in satisfaction. ]

[ "Mm... Not bad. His looks can temporarily rank third." ]

[ The Hehuan Sect had an unwritten rule: anyone without a dao companion would be directly assigned someone by the sect to form a contract upon entering. Since that was the case, rather than being passively controlled, it was better to bring one in yourself. ]

[ With the cleverness of this brat Han Xuan, he at least wouldn't hold you back. ]

[ In this simulation, you were not planning to contact Su Yu. After all, standing behind him was the late Jindan stage old demon, Zicha. You could fool Jindan cultivators for a moment, but not for a lifetime. ]

[ What you practiced was far too messy and miscellaneous, and you had quite a few treasures on you. In long-term interactions, flaws would definitely be revealed. ]

[ On the contrary, being at the bottom layer made it easier to hide your capacities and even more advantageous for you to act calmly and smoothly. ]

[ Under the premise of not knowing how much lifespan you had in this lifetime, you decided to play it safe and steady. At least you would first figure out the intelligence and opportunities within the Hehuan Sect, plotting and moving only afterwards. ]

[ As for the issue of cultivation techniques, that was precisely the main reason you brought Han Xuan along. He was both a dual-cultivation partner and would serve as your ostensible shield. ]

[ Seeing him agree so readily, you were in a good mood, so you actively guided Yin Qi to help his sister cleanse her meridians. ]

[ With you, a great Foundation Establishment cultivator, taking action, it took only half an incense stick's time for the young girl to slowly open her eyes. Looking at the stunningly beautiful woman before her, her expression was filled with bewilderment. ]

[ "Call her sister-in-law." ]

[ You pinched the young girl's cheek, your tone carrying a hint of teasing. ]

[ "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" ]

[ Hearing this, the young girl's expression changed drastically, and her voice even began to tremble. ]

[ "How could my brother find such a good-looking dao companion? I must already be dead, wuwuwu..." ]

[ Han Xuan, who had originally walked over with a concerned expression, instantly turned dark in the face and raised his hand to give the girl a fierce rap on the head. ]

[ "Bang~!" ]

[ "Ouch!" ]

[ The young girl cried out in pain, and when she looked up and saw her older brother, she immediately cried even harder. ]

[ "Brother, why did you die too?!" ]

[ ... ]

[ One month later. ]

[ You and Han Xuan stopped in front of a small city. On the mottled stone plaque, the three characters "Wangyou City" were still faintly discernible. ]

[ After the two of you stepped into the city, you immediately attracted frequent glances from all around. ]

[ A talented man and a beautiful woman were naturally eye-catching; after all, the essence of every world was just a giant face-judging game, especially within this city belonging to the Hehuan Sect. ]

[ This time, you did not overly conceal your appearance, merely suppressing your transcendental demeanor as a Foundation Establishment cultivator. After all, the one you were following now was none other than Han Xuan, a powerful cultivator at the eighth layer of the Qi Refining Stage. ]

[ As long as your special constitution wasn't exposed, with him holding down the fort in this kind of newbie lobby, the two of you, being cultivators in the Late Qi Refining Stage, could practically walk sideways. ]

[ After all, in the Demonic Path, only with conflicts could there be a massive amount of resources. ]

[ You came to this place precisely to participate in the once-every-three-years disciple-recruitment ceremony of the Hehuan Sect. ]

[ Within the Hehuan Sect, cultivators who cultivated step by step from mortals to the Late Qi Refining Stage could directly enter the Four Immortal Islands. ]

[ Cultivators who entered with pre-existing cultivation were required to serve the sect for three years before gaining the opportunity to land on the islands. ]

[ Only those with Dual Spiritual Roots or above could directly enter the Four Immortal Islands; otherwise, everyone else had to go to the bottom layer to fight and kill for it. ]

[ As for the giant blood lotus on the higher layer, it looked purely at cultivation; only powerhouses of the Jindan realm could occupy a place there. As for those immortal second-generations... knowing how to be reborn well was also a kind of talent. ]

[ In comparison to these rules, the Tianxuan Sword Sect was truly a blessed land for cultivators. ]

[ Yet born in the territory of the Demonic Path, mortals rarely had the chance to choose. Even if you were given a lifetime, it would be difficult to walk out of the Demonic Path's sphere of influence. ]

[ After entering the city, you planned to find an inn to settle down first. The disciple-recruitment ceremony would not take place for about ten days. ]

[ "Wait!" ]

[ Before you had taken many steps, a pomaded, greasy-faced man in brocaded clothes, leading three burly men with strong auras, blocked your path. ]

[ Raising his eyelids, he pointed his finger straight at you with a disdainful tone: ]

[ "Brat, this young master has taken a fancy to this chick. If you know what's good for you, get lost right now." ]

[ Hiss~ ]

[ You couldn't help but gasp a breath of cold air in your heart; as expected of the Demonic Path's territory, the folk customs were truly this rustic and honest. ]

[ You instantly switched to a pitiful expression, your little mouth pouting slightly as you moved a few steps closer to Han Xuan and grabbed his arm. ]

[ "Brother Han Xuan~ This person is scared..." ]