42: lonely grave

“Reporting to Elder, Junior Martial Uncle Nianyun’s tomb has been found.”

Wang Huan shot up from his seat, his breathing heavy: “Where?”

“Near Shijia Village in Chuan Prefecture.”

“Good.”

Although Xu Nianyun’s tomb had been found, and even the paintings and calligraphy from within had circulated… Wang Huan never believed that Xu Nianyun had died.

In his heart, Xu Nianyun must still be alive!

This was also why he suggested Li Qi become Xu Nianyun’s Disciple.

“Pack your things, we’re leaving.”

Soon, several people hurried out of Taihe Restaurant and headed towards Shijia Village.

At this time, Shu Zhiyou also learned that Li Qi had entered the Pine Crane Longevity Sect, and he congratulated Li Qi a few times.

The few of them used their movement techniques at full speed to travel, and at this point, everyone once again noticed the anomaly on Li Qi’s body.

“Is this… Grass Tread Flight?”

“But is Grass Tread Flight like this? The Grass Tread Flight I’ve seen doesn’t seem to be like this…”

“And others’ Grass Tread Flight isn’t this fast.”

Wang Huan and the other two saw Qi emerge from Li Qi’s feet, allowing him to step on clouds and move with an elegant posture, at an extremely fast speed!

The few of them originally thought Li Qi’s movement technique wouldn’t be too strong, but they didn’t expect his movement technique to be so profound. A mere ordinary [Grass Tread Flight] was actually Cultivated by him to such a level!

And Wang Huan also saw the Dao within it: “So that’s it, it’s Grass Tread Flight performed with White Cloud True Qi.”

“Not only is this child’s White Cloud True Qi incredibly abundant, but he has also Cultivated the movement technique Grass Tread Flight to an extremely profound level… which is why he has such astonishing speed!”

He had originally worried that Li Qi’s Cultivation Technique was limited and that he might not be able to keep up with their speed, but he had completely overthought it.

Li Qi’s current speed might not be as fast as his, an Elder of the True Essence Realm, but it was far superior to Chu Han and Shu Zhiyou!

“What terrifying martial Dao talent…”

Wang Huan praised in his heart, it seemed that as long as he was slightly inattentive, Li Qi could always bring him surprises!

The few of them traveled at full speed, taking only half an hour to reach Shijia Village.

Shu Zhiyou led the way, and everyone arrived at a mass burial ground near Shijia Village.

Here, mounds of earth, both new and old, indicated that many people had been buried recently. In such chaotic times, many places were like this.

After walking a few steps, everyone stopped in front of a solitary small mound at the edge of the burial ground.

A long, thin wooden board was stuck in front of this mound, with four large characters written on it…

…Nianyun’s Tomb!

At this sight, Wang Huan felt a pang in his heart and unconsciously took half a step back.

He also saw a two-foot-wide thief hole (robber’s hole) behind the mound, a pitch-black hole slanting deep into the ground, straight into the tomb!

Wang Huan was even more furious, trembling all over.

“Don’t let me find out which beast did this, or I’ll break his dog legs!”

After calming down, he turned to Shu Zhiyou and asked: “Have you touched anything in this tomb?”

“No.”

“This Disciple strictly followed the Elder’s instructions. After finding this place, I immediately returned and did not touch anything here.”

“That’s good then.”

Wang Huan’s gaze fell upon the simple wooden tablet, remaining silent.

After a long while, Wang Huan said in a deep voice: “I absolutely do not believe Nianyun is dead.”

Saying that, Wang Huan raised his hand and pressed forward, then pulled sharply upwards!

The abundant martial Dao True Essence within his body directly burst forth, forcefully tearing open Xu Nianyun’s tomb!

Holy crap!

Li Qi’s eyes nearly popped out. It was his first time witnessing a True Essence Realm expert act, and he saw what this martial Dao True Essence looked like.

The pure white martial Dao True Essence was incredibly viscous, completely liquefied, soaring in the air like a wave of water!

Just by looking at it, Li Qi could feel the terrifying power contained within!

If a wisp of that martial Dao True Essence landed on him and hit him like that… Li Qi felt he would definitely be severely injured!

“Is this martial Dao True Essence?”

“Amazing!”

Wang Huan didn’t notice Li Qi’s shocked expression. After he tore open the tomb, he saw the empty coffin below, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

No corpse!

He observed carefully and could confirm that the coffin was indeed empty. Aside from some scattered clothes, there were no traces of a corpse having been placed here.

This was the best news!

After digging it open, they found it was merely a ceremonial tomb, which meant… Xu Nianyun must still be alive!

And Wang Huan also let out a long sigh of relief. His gaze sharpened as he carefully examined the surroundings, identifying some hidden and difficult-to-detect traces.

“Trouble… do not worry… half a year…”

“Will return…”

Xu Nianyun had joined the Pine Crane Longevity Sect for many years and knew the secret codes used for communication within the School. Wang Huan also detected some hidden codes left nearby and deciphered some information from them.

“Your Junior Martial Uncle Nianyun is fine, but she has encountered some trouble and cannot return to the School temporarily.”

“But she said she will return to the School within half a year.”

With Wang Huan’s words, Chu Han and Shu Zhiyou also breathed a long sigh of relief: “It’s good that she’s fine. She’s made me worry for so long; I haven’t slept well these past few days.”

And Li Qi also felt a little relieved. He was very grateful to this Xu Nianyun. If it weren’t for her [Cloud Crane Dance Sword] helping him through the weakest Early Stage, he probably wouldn’t have had such a smooth journey.

He had a good impression of this Xu Nianyun, and naturally didn’t want anything to happen to her.

Although Wang Huan said so, he was still a little uneasy.

It was clear that this ceremonial tomb was set up by Xu Nianyun herself, but what kind of trouble… would require a True Essence Realm expert to fake her death to escape?

Xu Nianyun had gotten into some trouble, and although her life wasn’t in danger… it definitely wouldn’t be ordinary trouble!

Wang Huan’s gaze darkened, and he instructed: “Chu Han, we have found Elder Xu’s whereabouts. This matter is of great importance, so you must immediately return to the School and inform the Sect Head.”

“This Disciple understands.”

Then Wang Huan looked at Shu Zhiyou and Li Qi, and slowly said: “Since I’ve decided to bring you into my Pine Crane Longevity Sect… I must make a trip to the Divine Might Army.”

“You two, come with me to Chuan Prefecture City.”