135: Chapter 135 The Return Journey

The next day, Li Changsheng went to the Mission Hall.

He found Deputy Hall Master Wu and explained the situation.

Deputy Hall Master Wu listened, was silent for a moment, then spoke.

"You want to take leave to return home?"

Li Changsheng nodded.

"It's been five years since I've returned. My elders at home are getting old; I should go back and see them."

Deputy Hall Master Wu looked at him, his gaze deep.

"It's not just to see your elders, is it?"

Li Changsheng didn't hide anything.

"There's a demon Seal in Qinghe Town, and there have been some unusual movements recently. I want to go back and check it out."

Deputy Hall Master Wu nodded and stamped the document.

"Approved."

"Is one month enough time?"

Li Changsheng replied.

"It's enough."

Deputy Hall Master Wu handed him the document, then suddenly lowered his voice.

"Recently, the border of Yunzhou has been unstable. The Blood Fiend Sect is gathering there, and it's said they have big plans."

"Be careful on your way back."

Li Changsheng's heart tightened, and he nodded.

The Blood Fiend Sect gathering at the border?

This was the first time he had heard such news.

After leaving the Mission Hall, he went to find Liu Qingchen.

Liu Qingchen was brewing tea in the courtyard. Seeing him, he poured him a cup.

"I heard you're going back home?"

Li Changsheng nodded.

"Zhou Yuan is going to Qinghe Town; I'm worried."

Liu Qingchen was silent for a moment, then said.

"Do you know about the Blood Fiend Sect's matter?"

Li Changsheng said, "I just heard about it."

Liu Qingchen looked at him, his gaze solemn.

"It's not just the border."

"The other major Sects have also received news that the Blood Fiend Sect might be making a move."

"The Jinyang Sect, Medicine King Valley, and Qingxin Pavilion are all secretly investigating."

He paused, then continued.

"You must be careful on your return this time."

"Qinghe Town isn't too far from the border. If the Blood Fiend Sect makes any moves, it might be affected."

Li Changsheng nodded.

"I will be careful."

Liu Qingchen took something from his embrace and handed it to him.

It was a jade talisman, pale golden all over, with Sword Qi faintly flowing within.

"Golden Core Sword Qi."

"Although my Master refused to sell you a Talisman Treasure, this Sword Qi is my own."

"Take it, just in case."

Li Changsheng was stunned.

"Senior Brother Liu, this..."

"Take it."

Liu Qingchen pressed the jade talisman into his hand.

"You are saving Qinghe Town with a kind heart. It's not in vain that I risked my life to escort you all when I brought you to the Qinglan Sword Sect back then."

"Besides, I don't want to see anything happen to you."

Li Changsheng gripped the jade talisman, a warm current surging in his heart.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Liu."

Li Changsheng then went to the market and bought a qingyun shuttle.

This qingyun shuttle was not cheap, costing a full five thousand Spirit Stones.

The Spirit Stones he had obtained from liquidating the items in the Storage Pouch he acquired after killing the Blood Fiend Sect Disciple in the Secret Realm were now almost all used up.

He also bought some Medicinal Pills and other items to take back for his Family's use.

Three days later, Li Changsheng, Li Changqing, Shi Tiezhu, and Li Xiaocao gathered at the Sect entrance.

Shi Tiezhu was now at Qi Refining Level 7, and the profound iron staff at his waist was polished brightly.

He grinned.

"Brother Changsheng, we can finally go home!"

Li Xiaocao had also grown quite a bit, with two small buns in her hair, and her small face was full of excitement.

She tugged on Li Changsheng's sleeve, chattering away.

"Brother Changsheng, how tall do you think the persimmon tree at home has grown? Can we pick persimmons yet?"

Li Changsheng rubbed her head and smiled.

"Yes, you can. I'll pick them for you when we get back."

Li Changqing stood to the side, watching this scene, a faint smile on her lips.

Li Changsheng took out a qingyun shuttle, the one he had just purchased.

The four of them boarded the qingyun shuttle and flew towards Qinghe Town.

Behind them, the Qinglan Mountains gradually receded.

Ahead lay their hometown, which they hadn't seen in five years.

The wind blew, and their robes fluttered.

Li Changsheng glanced back, then withdrew his gaze and looked into the distance.

His roots were there.

And the dangers he had to face.

The morning mist had not yet completely dispersed when four streaks of Sword Qi swept in from the direction of the Qinglan Mountains, cutting across the sky.

Li Changsheng sat at the very front, followed closely by Li Changqing, Shi Tiezhu, and Li Xiaocao.

Five years had passed, and his skill in piloting the shuttle was already proficient. The shuttle pierced through clouds and mist as if it were traveling on flat ground.

"Brother Changsheng, how much longer until we arrive?"

Li Xiaocao called from behind.

Li Changsheng looked back at her and smiled.

"At this speed, we'll arrive by evening."

Shi Tiezhu grinned.

"Xiao Cao, if you're tired, just take a nap. I'll wake you when we arrive!"

Li Xiaocao glared at him.

"I'm fourteen now, I'm not a child!"

Li Changqing chuckled beside them, saying nothing.

She gazed at the gradually clearing world ahead, a trace of complex emotion in her eyes.

Five years.

When she left, she was still an ignorant girl who had just embarked on the path of cultivation. Now, she was a Sword Cultivator at Qi Refining Level 8.

And that small village, that small town, those relatives—were they all doing well?

The wind blew, and their robes fluttered.

The four continued their journey.

After flying for about an hour, a continuous mountain range appeared below.

The mountains were steep, the forests dense, and occasionally a few beast roars echoed from the deep valleys.

Li Changsheng slowed down, his gaze sweeping over the area below.

He recognized this mountain range; it was called "Wohu Ridge," the last natural barrier between Qinghe Town and the outside world.

After crossing Wohu Ridge and flying for another half an hour, they would see Qinghe Town.

Just then, his brows furrowed slightly.

In the forest below, several figures were moving.

Those people wore various clothes, some blue, some gray, with weapons and Storage Pouches hanging from their waists, clearly Cultivators.

"Something's happening."

He said in a low voice.

The four immediately became alert, slowing down and slowly descending.

Through the gaps in the tree canopy, they saw the appearance of those people clearly.

There were five people in total: three at Qi Refining Level 7 or 8, and two at Qi Refining Level 6.

They were searching for something in the mountain forest, their movements skilled and their cooperation tacit.

"They're Loose Cultivators."

Li Changqing said in a low voice.

"Or from which Sect?"

Li Changsheng observed carefully for a moment, then shook his head.

"They don't look like Sect members."

"Sect Disciples usually have unified uniforms. These people are dressed haphazardly, so they should be Loose Cultivators."

Shi Tiezhu scratched his head.

"What are Loose Cultivators doing here? There's no Spiritual Vein in this place."

Li Changsheng didn't answer, just watched quietly.

The Loose Cultivators searched for a while, seemingly unable to find what they wanted. They gathered to discuss for a few moments, then headed in another direction.

After they had gone far, the four ascended again.

"Strange."

Li Changqing frowned.

"Has there been any activity around here recently?"

Li Changsheng thought for a moment and said.

"Perhaps the news about the Blood Fiend Sect has spread. The border is unstable, and Loose Cultivators are also starting to move around."

Li Xiaocao was a little worried.

"Brother Changsheng, will we encounter danger?"

Li Changsheng shook his head, took out the Golden Core Sword Qi jade talisman from his embrace, and waved it in front of her.

"Don't worry, with this, we won't be afraid even if someone from the Foundation Establishment Stage comes."

Li Xiaocao finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The four continued flying.

After another half an hour of flying, a sound of fighting suddenly came from ahead.

Li Changsheng frowned and signaled everyone to stop.

He closed his eyes to perceive, and the perception ability of the Evergreen Plant Truth Scripture quietly circulated.

A moment later, he opened his eyes.

"Three li ahead, someone is fighting a Yao Beast."

"It should be a person at Qi Refining Level 8, fighting three Iron-backed Azure Bears in the Late Stage of Tier 1."

Li Changqing asked.

"Should we go take a look?"

Li Changsheng thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Let's go take a look."

"Everyone, be careful."