263: Chapter 263 Black Fiend Shadow Chasing Order

The Dragon Ape shook its head smugly, pushed off with its hind legs, and lightly leaped onto Ye Tian's right shoulder. It skillfully found a comfortable spot to crouch and even reached out a small paw to pat Ye Tian's ear.

Then, it turned its head to look at the shocked Hou Xiaojie. It actually extended its tiny paws, mimicking a human by placing them on its hips, and lifted its chin with a proud, "Look at you, totally stunned, aren't you?" expression.

“...”

Hou Xiaojie's lips twitched. He suddenly felt that after this monkey's Awakening, its personality seemed a bit... punchable?

Ye Tian couldn't help but smile, though his heart felt a sense of relief.

Being able to freely control its size and aura was for the best; it would save them countless troubles.

He sensed for a moment; although the Dragon Ape's aura was currently weak, he could feel that the close connection between them had not diminished.

The Dragon Ape's combat power was likely hidden beneath that seemingly harmless mini body and the right claw mark.

“Well done.”

Ye Tian praised.

“Brother Ye, have you finished adjusting your breathing?” Jing Wutian's voice came over.

He, Sikong Changhe, Zhao Qing from the Governor's Mansion, and the others had also finished their recovery and walked over. Their eyes flickered slightly when they saw the "familiar" golden-furred little monkey on Ye Tian's shoulder, but none of them asked any questions.

Clearly, they had all guessed something, but the strength and mystery displayed by Ye Tian and this Dragon Ape made them wisely choose that silence is golden.

“Thank you for your concern, Brother Jing. I am no longer in any trouble.” Ye Tian stood up and cupped his hands.

“What does Brother Ye plan to do next? These newly appeared stairs...”

Jing Wutian looked toward the deep, downward-sloping passage.

Ye Tian also looked at the stairs; the chaos bead had no reaction to that place.

He pondered for a moment and said, “As for the opportunities here, this Ye has already gained much.”

“These stairs might be the exit.”

“This Ye intends to leave now.”

Jing Wutian and the others exchanged glances. They had each gained something here as well; though not as much as Ye Tian, they could be considered to have a full harvest.

“Brother Ye has a point. The time limit for this core area is almost up, and it is indeed time to find a way out. We are willing to go with Brother Ye,” Jing Wutian said.

The others also nodded one after another.

At that moment, the group no longer hesitated. Led by Ye Tian, they stepped onto the downward stairs one by one.

The stairs wound down, seemingly bottomless, with smooth stone walls on both sides engraved with simple sword patterns.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, light appeared ahead.

Stepping out from the stairs, they found themselves on an open-air stone platform. The edges of the platform were shrouded in mist, and the outline of Cangya County could be seen in the distance.

They were already on a high peak somewhere in the Jianming Mountains. The entrance to the stairs behind them slowly closed and vanished, leaving only a smooth rock wall.

“We're out!”

Sikong Changhe let out a long sigh of relief.

It was now afternoon; the sunlight fell, and the breeze brushed against their faces, making it feel like a lifetime had passed.

Looking back, the entrance to the Ancient Sword Mansion Ruins had long since disappeared.

But the increased aura and the treasures obtained by everyone clearly told them that it was not a dream.

“Brother Ye,”

Jing Wutian solemnly cupped his hands to Ye Tian. “During this journey together, this Jing has benefited greatly.”

“If you have some free time in the future, please come to the Jing Family for a visit. I will certainly welcome you with the utmost hospitality.”

This was a formal invitation to establish a friendship.

“Ye Tian, remember to find me for a drink when you come to Cangya County in the future!”

Sikong Changhe patted Ye Tian's shoulder hard.

Zhao Qing from the Governor's Mansion also stepped forward and handed over a token. “Little Brother Ye, this is a Guest Elder token of the Governor's Mansion. Although it holds no real power, it can save you some trouble when traveling within Cangya County.”

“The Governor also highly appreciates you, Little Brother Ye. If you have any needs, you can go to the Governor's Mansion with this token.”

This was a show of goodwill and an attempt to recruit him.

Ye Tian thanked them one by one and accepted the token.

He did not intend to join the Governor's Mansion, but having more friends meant more paths; this token might be useful at some point.

After the pleasantries, the group parted ways.

Jing Wutian, Sikong Changhe, and the others returned to their families.

Zhao Qing of the Governor's Mansion led his people back to the city to report.

In the blink of an eye, only Ye Tian, Hou Xiaojie, and the Mini Dragon Ape yawning on Ye Tian's shoulder remained on the stone platform.

“Senior Brother, where are we going now? Back to the Liuli Xuan Sect?” Hou Xiaojie asked.

Hearing this, Ye Tian thought for a moment, took out the map he had bought earlier, and pointed to a spot on it, saying, “No, we're going here!”

“However, before we head back, let's return to the city once to replenish supplies and gather some news.”

Ye Tian said.

He needed to know if there had been any changes in the outside world during the days he was in the ruins.

Furthermore, he was always thinking about the clues for the Taichu Sword Scripture. Perhaps he could find some related traces in the city, and also see if he could purchase more detailed maps of the Northern Region or even the True Spirit Continent to determine the general location indicated by the clues.

After deciding, the two men and the ape used their movement techniques and headed toward the city of Cangya County.

Ye Tian's cultivation had greatly improved, and his speed was far beyond what it was when he arrived; however, to take care of Hou Xiaojie, he did not use his full strength.

The Dragon Ape crouched on Ye Tian's shoulder, curiously looking around and occasionally reaching out a small paw to catch a passing butterfly. It seemed very happy to see the sunlight and mountains again, completely forgetting its previous "this seat" demeanor.

About half an hour later, the tall, dark red walls of Cangya County were in sight.

People were still coming and going at the city gate, and the guards stood solemnly.

However, when Ye Tian and Hou Xiaojie approached the city gate, they found a crowd gathered in front of a bulletin board to one side, pointing and discussing a newly posted notice on the wall.

“Tsk tsk, the Liuli Xuan Sect has really provoked a tough customer this time...”

“The Blood Blade Sect might be gone, but the Shadow Calamity Tower behind this Black Fiend is a very troublesome existence!”

“The wanted poster has even been put up in our Cangya County. It seems this guy named Ye Tian has really offended the Shadow Calamity Tower badly...”

“I heard the Shadow Calamity Tower issued a 'Black Fiend Shadow Pursuit Order.' There's a huge reward for providing clues, and anyone who takes his life can get an Earth Rank Cultivation Technique or a treasure of the same rank...”

Hearing keywords like "Ye Tian," "Liuli Xuan Sect," "Shadow Calamity Tower," and "wanted poster," Hou Xiaojie's expression changed, and he looked at Ye Tian nervously.

Ye Tian frowned slightly and squeezed into the crowd without a word.

On the bulletin board, a portrait was prominently posted. Although the drawing wasn't perfectly accurate, the look in the eyes and the charm were seventy to eighty percent similar to his!

Beside the portrait was sharp text stamped with a ferocious ghost-head seal; it was indeed the Black Fiend Shadow Pursuit Order from the Shadow Calamity Tower!

Wanted Subject: Liuli Xuan Sect Disciple, Ye Tian.

Crime: Brutally murdering the Sect Leader of the Blood Blade Sect, a subordinate of the Shadow Calamity Tower, and provoking the dignity of the Shadow Calamity Tower.

Reward: For providing definite clues, a reward of 30,000 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.

For his head: Reward of one Earth Rank Low Grade Cultivation Technique or a treasure of the same rank, and one reasonable request may be made to the Shadow Calamity Tower.

The discussions around the bulletin board buzzed, and greed appeared in the eyes of many.

An Earth Rank Cultivation Technique!

A promise from the Shadow Calamity Tower!

For the vast majority of Cultivators, these were irresistible temptations!

“Senior Brother...”

Hou Xiaojie's face turned pale as he whispered.

Ye Tian's eyes were cold, and he understood everything.

This must be Yun Zhiying's doing!

Or rather, it was the revenge of the "Black Fiend" branch of the Shadow Calamity Tower.

Xue Wuya was nothing more than a pawn, but the Shadow Calamity Tower clearly did not intend to let it go at that.

Once this wanted poster was out, he immediately became a target for everyone. Traveling in the future would likely be filled with constant trouble.

He silently backed away, turned from the crowd, and walked toward the outside of the city.

“It seems we can't stay here. Let's get out of the city first!”

Ye Tian whispered to Hou Xiaojie.

Walking onto the official road outside Cangya County city, Ye Tian led Hou Xiaojie and the Dragon Ape, who had returned to its mini form, toward the northeast.

Since he had decided not to return to the sect for the time being, he planned to head north of Cangya County to another large city, "Yunni City," located by the "Falling Star Lake," to continue his tempering.

It was said that Yunni City had a developed trade and was well-informed, with water routes leading deeper into the Northern Region. Perhaps he could gather more information about the Taichu Sword Scripture clues and also temporarily avoid the heat of the Shadow Calamity Tower's wanted poster around Cangya County.

He no longer deliberately maintained his disguise of the eighth layer of the Ningyuan Realm, but instead stabilized his aura at around the first layer of the True Martial Realm. This was not overly conspicuous but would also prevent harassment from some low-level Cultivators.

After his experiences in the Ancient Sword Manor, although Hou Xiaojie had not broken through to a major Realm, his Heart-Nature and experience had grown significantly, and he silently followed behind Ye Tian.

The Dragon Ape still crouched on Ye Tian's shoulder, looking harmless to humans and animals alike, only occasionally rolling its golden eyes to alertly scan the surroundings.

About a hundred miles away from Cangya County, the official road gradually entered a Maple Forest.

It was late autumn, and the maple leaves were like fire, painting the entire forest. The scenery was quite beautiful, but there were few pedestrians on the road, making it feel somewhat lonely.

Suddenly, a waft of fragrant wind drifted into Ye Tian's nose.

The fragrance was elegant and rich, like orchid yet not orchid, like musk yet not musk. At first sniff, it was refreshing, but upon closer inspection, it held a strange, soul-stirring allure that pierced straight to the heart.