80: map

Now, the night was at its darkest. Mo Xuan's figure was invisible to the naked eye, and he had a Divine Ability to conceal himself. As long as he minimized his magical power fluctuations, he would not be discovered by others.

However, this meant his speed would be much slower. Mo Xuan was not in a hurry, though, as haste makes waste.

He kept a wide berth from the Crescent Moon Sect Disciples guarding the mountain, committing all the terrain and environment he passed through to memory, comparing it with the topographical map recorded on the fragment.

Several hours later, as the night was gradually receding, Mo Xuan calculated the distance, turned his body, and headed towards Muyan Peak.

Muyan Peak.

Mo Xuan suddenly appeared in Zhou Leren's room. Seeing Mo Xuan, Zhou Leren's eyes lit up.

"I've had some success."

Mo Xuan saw Zhou Leren's expectant face and nodded.

"But it will still take some time."

However, before Zhou Leren could speak, Mo Xuan's words took a turn, making Zhou Leren swallow the words he was about to say.

Zhou Leren's expression became helpless again.

Mo Xuan spat out the token and handed it to Zhou Leren, then his figure flickered, returning to the spirit beast pendant.

"Find an opportunity to see if you can locate the map recorded by the Crescent Moon Sect."

Mo Xuan's voice echoed in Zhou Leren's mind.

Although the area he had explored this time was not extensive, he had confirmed that the location recorded on the fragment was indeed within Qianmo Valley.

If he could find a detailed map of Qianmo Valley, the exploration would be much faster.

Zhou Leren nodded, agreeing.

One month later.

Zhou Leren emerged from the Peak Master's hall. For this entire month, Elder Qingshuang had kept Zhou Leren by his side, diligently teaching him, and it was only today that this period concluded.

"Hoo~"

Zhou Leren let out a long breath, feeling a little guilty in his heart. After all, he wasn't genuinely taking Elder Qingshuang as his master, and coming to the Crescent Moon Sect had another purpose.

Although he hadn't been here long, Elder Qingshuang truly treated him as his Personal Disciple, even causing Jing Ya to feel a hint of jealousy.

He could only compensate him later when his strength was sufficient. Zhou Leren suppressed the emotions in his heart, making a firm decision.

If he were truly the illegitimate son of a wealthy merchant, the Crescent Moon Sect might have been his best refuge. Unfortunately, he was a member of the Zhou Family, and for the Family's interests, some things simply had to be sacrificed.

Zhou Leren's steps did not falter as he headed towards Jing Ya's residence. Although he felt a little intimidated by this woman, for the grand plan of his Family, he was unflinching.

"Senior Sister, are you there?"

Zhou Leren's heart pounded, but he still called out softly.

"Oh?"

"Junior Brother, why aren't you staying with Master? How do you have time to come to my place?"

Jing Ya opened the door, leaning against the doorframe, scrutinizing Zhou Leren and asking with a hint of jealousy.

"Hehe~"

Zhou Leren scratched the back of his head, a slightly naive smile on his face.

If it were any other child his age, they naturally wouldn't have understood the implication in Jing Ya's words. However, he had been sparring with the Elders of his Family since childhood, so he was different.

"Cough, Senior Sister, do you have a map of this vicinity?"

Zhou Leren didn't explain, simply changed the subject.

"What do you need a map for?"

Jing Ya merely asked out of casual curiosity, without any suspicion.

"I want to see where my home is located."

A fleeting, almost imperceptible sadness flashed in Zhou Leren's eyes, then vanished, as he explained to Jing Ya.

However, this did not escape Jing Ya's eyes. Looking at the seven or eight-year-old Zhou Leren before her, the hint of jealousy in her heart gradually dissipated, replaced by a touch of pity.

Her eyes softened, and she said gently:

"Of course, there is. It's in the Scripture Pavilion."

"Do you want Senior Sister to take you there?"

Zhou Leren looked at Jing Ya, who had suddenly become as gentle as water, and felt a chill down his spine: Had he overacted?

"Hiss~"

This was nothing like Senior Sister Jing Ya.

Zhou Leren was startled and waved his hands repeatedly:

"No, no..."

"It's just a small matter, I won't disturb Senior Sister's cultivation."

After speaking, he asked for the location of the Scripture Pavilion and quickly departed.

"What a sensible child..."

Jing Ya watched Zhou Leren's retreating figure, secretly conflicted: It seems I should tease Junior Brother less in the future. But then, the little bit of fun I finally found would be gone again... Zhou Leren:? I thank you...

Having obtained the information he wanted, under Jing Ya's gentle yet complex gaze, Zhou Leren took three steps in two, leaving the place without looking back, descending Muyan Peak, and heading towards the Scripture Pavilion.

Outside the Scripture Pavilion, Zhou Leren swaggered to the place.

As an Elder's Disciple, he had to act openly and honestly.

He showed his identity to the Disciple guarding the Scripture Pavilion, explained his purpose, and Zhou Leren entered.

"Hmm?"

Seeing the token hanging from Zhou Leren's waist, the Disciple who was perusing books inside the Scripture Pavilion was startled—it was actually an Elder's Personal Disciple.

Among them were several Disciples who had entered the sect with Zhou Leren. Now, seeing Zhou Leren enter, their gazes were complex, but they did not make any irrational moves.

After entering the sect, their respective statuses became different. Their talents were not high, and although they barely managed to enter the sect, their treatment was vastly different from Zhou Leren's.

Let alone being personally taught by an Elder, they even had to come to this Scripture Pavilion to find some basic Cultivation knowledge themselves.

This Scripture Pavilion contained no Cultivation Techniques or spell formulas, but it had a wealth of common knowledge about the Immortal Realm, including introductions to spiritual items, precious materials, Medicinal Pills, and many strange tales.

Their gazes were complex. When they saw Zhou Leren looking at them, they quickly averted their eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.

As for Jiang Weirou and the Brocade-Clad Youth, they were not here.

Jiang Weirou had become a Disciple under the Xianyue Sect Master, personally taught by the Xianyue Sect Master. As for the Brocade-Clad Youth, he had been taken as a Disciple by Elder Huo Ye, after all, besides Zhou Leren, he was the one who had walked the longest on the Path of Inquiry.

With Zhou Leren's existence, the two of them were exerting all their strength, not wanting to be left too far behind by Zhou Leren. They had been receiving instruction in their respective peaks, diligently Cultivating.

"How boring."

Zhou Leren pouted, no longer paying attention to them. Getting down to business was more important.

He picked up the ancient texts from the bookshelf and read them carefully.

A long time passed.

Zhou Leren's eyes lit up. He held the map in his hand, found the Disciple guarding the pavilion, registered it, and returned to Muyan Peak.

At night, Mo Xuan carefully compared the map Zhou Leren had retrieved from the Scripture Pavilion with the information recorded on the fragment.

Although the two varied in drawing time, style, and level of detail, with the previous exploration, the three combined brought a surge of joy to Mo Xuan's heart. He had a hunch that in a few more days, he would achieve something.

After carefully examining it, Mo Xuan merged into the night, disappearing from sight.

Zhou Leren put away the map, preparing to return it tomorrow.