40: leave

Father, Zhou Liye is gone!

Zhou Liyue's face was anxious. Seeing Zhou Kaiding, she spoke quickly before he could even ask.

As she spoke, she handed the letter in her hand to Zhou Kaiding.

Zhou Kaiding's expression changed upon hearing this. He immediately took the letter and opened it.

"Father, Mother."

"By the time you read this letter, I will have already left."

"Please forgive your son's unfilial behavior and sudden departure."

"In recent years, your son has Cultivated day and night, tempered his physique, practiced swordsmanship, and never slacked off in the slightest."

"But even so, I can feel that my strength has begun to stagnate."

"My master told me that human power has its limits. Without Cultivation talent, unable to absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi for one's own use, even Cultivating for a lifetime is not as good as a Cultivator at the Qi Refining First Layer."

"Although I agree with Master's words, I am unwilling."

"I am unwilling to work hard my entire life only to be surpassed by others who Cultivate for a few years. I am unwilling to hide behind you my entire life. And I am even more unwilling to live such a cowardly life!"

"I do not want my life and death to be controlled by others. I want to control my own destiny."

"The books say that there is always a way out; the Great Dao has fifty, Heaven derives forty-nine, and one is escaped."

"I believe that this vast and boundless world must contain that sliver of hope."

"I will find another path, a path that does not require talent but still allows one to constantly grow stronger."

"Therefore, your son has left."

"Do not worry, do not search."

"Liye."

By the end, Zhou Kaiding's hand, holding the paper, trembled slightly.

His consciousness spread out, and sure enough, Zhou Liye's figure was no longer in the Zhou Family.

Although Zhou Liye's personality had become somewhat sullen since the spirit-testing, in recent years, besides training martial arts more diligently, he had shown no intention of leaving home.

Now, to suddenly leave this letter and depart without saying goodbye, Zhou Kaiding found it hard to believe.

"Go fetch your elder brother."

Suppressing the various thoughts in his mind, Zhou Kaiding instructed Zhou Liyue.

Zhou Liyue responded and quickly left the door to find Zhou Licheng.

After Zhou Liyue left, Zhou Kaiding took the letter and quickly found Lin Muwan.

He handed the letter to Lin Muwan and said:

"Ye'er has left."

Lin Muwan was stunned, somewhat unable to understand Zhou Kaiding's meaning, but she still took the letter.

After reading it, Lin Muwan's expression changed drastically. She felt as if a stone was pressing on her heart, making it difficult to breathe.

Seeing Lin Muwan's distressed state, Zhou Kaiding quickly said:

"Don't worry. Ye'er must have left while we were resting at night. He has no Cultivation, and it has only been one day. If we split up to search, we might still make it."

"Yes, yes, yes, there's still time, there's still time."

Upon hearing this, Lin Muwan seemed to find her backbone and her spirits lifted slightly.

He brought Lin Muwan to the main hall, where Zhou Liyue and Zhou Licheng were already waiting.

Zhou Licheng already knew the cause of the matter and looked anxious.

Seeing the two, Zhou Kaiding wasted no words. He waved his right hand, and a phantom formed by Spiritual Qi appeared.

It was the shape of Jade Moon Peak.

"There are four main directions from Jade Moon Peak."

"One leads to the Lake Heart Island Market. This direction can be ruled out."

"One goes to Hanyan Town."

"One goes to Yingyang Commandery."

"And one leads to Qianmo Valley."

"You two go search in the direction of Hanyan Town. If you don't find him by nightfall, return immediately."

Originally, their Cultivation was too low. Although it was within the surrounding area, he was still worried, but now he couldn't afford to consider so much.

The two did not hesitate upon hearing this and immediately set off.

"Wait a moment." Lin Muwan suddenly spoke, calling out to the two.

"Be extra careful."

Lin Muwan said to the two.

The two nodded in agreement, each took out a Divine Movement Talisman, stuck it on their legs, activated their magical power, and went down Jade Moon Peak together.

"Wan'er, you go search towards Qianmo Valley."

Seeing the two leave, Zhou Kaiding said to Lin Muwan again.

As for the remaining direction of Yingyang Commandery, Zhou Kaiding had traveled it several times and was familiar with the route, so it was best for him to go.

The two rushed out of the Zhou Family, descended Jade Moon Peak, and didn't even have time to say goodbye to Mo Xuan.

However, with Mo Xuan there, there was no need to worry about Zhou Lihai and Zhou Linuo at home.

The two arrived at the foot of the mountain, separated, and quickly ran off, activating their magical power.

Zhou Licheng followed the road straight ahead, his consciousness spreading out, scouting the surroundings.

In his heart, he was constantly thinking about where Zhou Liye might have gone.

Unfortunately, the letter did not mention his destination.

As time passed, Zhou Kaiding's heart also sank continuously.

Along the way, he had scanned all the Mortals on the road, and there was no sign of Zhou Liye at all.

At dusk, Zhou Kaiding looked at the vast road ahead, his expression complex. There was no need to continue forward.

At his speed of the Qi Refining Level Seven, he had already covered more than a Mortal could walk in a month.

Searching further would only be a waste of magical power.

Just as Zhou Kaiding and his wife were leaving Jade Moon Peak.

At the peak of Jade Moon Peak.

A boy of about fourteen, carrying a bundle and holding a treasured sword, stood under a giant tree, bowing to a large black snake climbing the tree and saying:

"Thank you, Uncle Xuan, for your help."

The black snake extended its ferocious snake head and nodded.

This person was indeed Zhou Liye, who had left the letter and had 'departed'.

The young man's face strongly resembled Lin Muwan's, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, an extraordinary demeanor, though slightly silent.

But the young man's eyes were firm, glowing with light, and within them seemed to burn an unyielding flame.

Zhou Liye naturally knew that by himself, even if he could hide from his parents and descend the peak,

at the speed of his Mortal body, he couldn't even compare to Zhou Licheng, let alone the higher Cultivation of Lin Muwan and Zhou Kaiding.

He would probably be found in a short amount of time.

Therefore, Zhou Liye came up with this plan to lure the tiger away from the mountain.

However, to implement this strategy, he needed someone to help cover for him.

And their Cultivation had to be no less than Zhou Kaiding's.

Zhou Liye had merely come to the peak to try his luck with Mo Xuan.

He wasn't confident, after all, Mo Xuan was his father's close friend.

He just didn't expect Mo Xuan to agree to help.

"Uncle Xuan, then I'll be leaving. If I achieve anything in the future, I will definitely come back to thank you again."

Mo Xuan nodded. As Zhou Liye turned to leave, he suddenly left the giant tree and came before Zhou Liye.

Zhou Liye's heart sank, thinking that Mo Xuan had gone back on his word. He sighed inwardly, realizing he would have to think of another plan.

Mo Xuan circulated his magical power, his body shook, and a black snake scale fell off. Controlled by Mo Xuan's magical power, it was sent before Zhou Liye.

Zhou Liye then realized he had misunderstood Mo Xuan.

With some apology on his face, he quickly took the scale.

The scale bore mysterious patterns, like a dark flower.

Mo Xuan flicked his snake tail, pointed at the scale, and then pointed at Zhou Liye's chest.

Zhou Liye understood, placed the scale on his chest, and then bowed to Mo Xuan again before turning and leaving.

Mo Xuan watched Zhou Liye's departing back.

He sighed softly in his heart, wondering if this was the right or wrong thing to do for Zhou Liye.

He also felt guilty towards Zhou Kaiding and his wife.

However, Zhou Liye's attitude was resolute, his goal firm, and he embodied the spirit of many people from past lives who were unwilling to accept their fate.

Mo Xuan ultimately chose to help him.