Translator: CinderTL

Song Wen suddenly remembered that in the Lower Realm, Fayan of the Mixed Yuan Temple had used a cultivation technique to feign death for many years when his lifespan was nearing its end. He had ultimately extended his life and improved his cultivation by sacrificing his juniors.

"Could Jia Hongyu be planning something similar?" Song Wen wondered.

He stood outside the barrier for a moment, observing Jia Hongyu’s stillness. There was no sign of awakening. Song Wen turned and left without attempting to attack the barrier.

This place was rarely visited by humans but was rich in Spiritual Qi, making it an ideal location for closed-door cultivation and breakthroughs.

Forcing his way through the barrier now would only attract the attention of Jia Hongyu and the Jia Clan, offering Song Wen no benefit.

Two years later.

Outside Great Tan City, on Auspicious Jade Mountain, a giant flying ship hung suspended in the air. Bai Wei’s graceful figure stood at the ship’s prow.

Song Wen, cloaked in a black hooded cloak, descended from the sky and landed on the ship’s prow.

"Senior Bai, I apologize for keeping you waiting," he said.

Bai Wei examined Song Wen from head to toe before nodding slightly. "Follow me into the ship tower."

The two entered the ship tower one after the other.

After the ship tower door closed, Song Wen removed his hood, revealing his true appearance as Gou Jun.

Bai Wei, meanwhile, produced a jade bottle from her sleeve.

The jade bottle floated through the air and stopped in front of Song Wen.

"This is the Heavenly Astral Body Integration Pill. Please examine it," Bai Wei said.

Song Wen grasped the jade bottle, channeling his spiritual power to release the restriction on it.

Simultaneously, his gaze and divine sense penetrated the bottle.

Inside, a golden pill, roughly the size of a walnut, lay peacefully at the bottom. Nine purple veins, like living creatures, flowed across its surface, constantly shifting and swirling.

Song Wen put away the jade bottle, clasped his hands in a respectful bow, and inclined his body slightly. "Senior Bai, thank you for your help."

Bai Wei said, "You don’t need to thank me. This Heavenly Astral Body Integration Pill is a promise I made to you in Luyang City, when you saved my life. Besides, you also healed my divine soul and Sea of Consciousness, and later saved that girl Mengyu. In the end, I owe you this pill. If you ever need my help in the future, just ask. As long as it’s not too difficult, I’ll do my best to assist you."

Song Wen pondered for a moment before looking up at Bai Wei and speaking.

"Senior Bai, I actually have something I’d like to ask for your help with right now."

Bai Wei was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting Song Wen to actually have a request.

"Go ahead, tell me."

"I’d like to ask you to protect me while I break through to the Body Integration Stage," Song Wen said.

"Didn’t you already ask Wang Qiuyue to do that?" Bai Wei asked.

A flicker of surprise crossed Song Wen’s eyes. He hadn’t expected Wang Qiuyue to have already told Bai Wei.

But it was fine. It saved him the trouble of explaining.

The reason Song Wen had asked Bai Wei for help even after asking Wang Qiuyue was that he wasn’t entirely confident in Wang Qiuyue’s ability.

Furthermore, having an additional Body Integration Stage cultivator as a guardian would naturally make the endeavor more secure.

"Senior Wang’s strength is formidable, but my acquaintance with her is still shallow. If you, Senior, could lend your assistance, it would give this junior more confidence."

"Are you implying that our bond is already quite deep?" Bai Wei stared directly at Song Wen, her gaze piercing like a blazing torch, with sparks seeming to dance within her eyes.

"This junior believes... our bond is far from shallow," Song Wen replied.

A smile curled at the corners of Bai Wei’s lips.

"Very well. I accept your request for guardianship. When do you plan to attempt your breakthrough?"

"I intend to try as soon as possible," Song Wen said.

"Why the rush?" Bai Wei seemed surprised. "Wouldn’t it be better to spend a few more years cultivating, solidifying your foundation before attempting the breakthrough?"

"I’ve been in closed-door cultivation for the past two years, but my spiritual power hasn’t changed in the slightest. There’s been no progress, no consolidation. Continuing to wait like this would only waste my time and lifespan. Rather than that, I’d rather take a gamble. Cultivation is inherently an act of defiance against the heavens; there’s no such thing as a foolproof plan!" A resolute aura of determination suddenly erupted from Song Wen’s body.

Bai Wei’s eyes flickered, a complex expression passing through them.

"I didn’t expect you, at the Peak Void Refinement stage, to still possess such sharp vigor. The longer one lives, the more one seeks stability. Among Void Refinement cultivators, few possess your boldness. Perhaps you truly can break through in one go."

"Thank you for your kind words, Senior," Song Wen replied.

"Where do you plan to cultivate in seclusion for your breakthrough?" Bai Wei asked.

"Near Hongcang City in the Ashen Star Plains," Song Wen answered.

"Why such a remote location?" Bai Wei asked, her face puzzled.

Song Wen explained, "As a demonic cultivator, my aura will inevitably leak during my breakthrough. If I cultivate too close to Great Tan City, it might attract trouble."

Bai Wei nodded, clearly agreeing with Song Wen’s reasoning.

"When do you plan to depart?"

"The sooner, the better, of course. But it depends on your and Senior Wang’s arrangements."

Bai Wei said, "I have no pressing matters at the moment and can leave anytime. I’ll ask Wang Qiuyue about her plans. If all goes well, let’s meet here again in three days."

"Then I’ll leave it to you, Senior," Song Wen said.

The flying ark pierced through clouds and mist, streaking across the sky like a shooting star.

On the deck, Bai Wei and Wang Qiuyue sat around a low table.

Hovering above the table was a floating teapot.

Beneath the teapot, a wisp of crimson flame danced, keeping the water inside constantly boiling and sending up wisps of steam.

Wang Qiuyue downed a cup of scalding Spirit Tea, smacked her lips, as if savoring its lingering aftertaste.

"Gou Jun is quite fortunate. As a rogue cultivator, he managed to enlist two Body Integration Stage cultivators like us to protect him."

"Gou Jun saved my life. Protecting him is merely repaying that debt," Bai Wei replied.

Wang Qiuyue couldn’t help but glance at Bai Wei across the table.

She had only made a casual remark, yet Bai Wei had been so quick to explain, which seemed somewhat defensive.

Wang Qiuyue was about to say something else when Song Wen emerged from the ship tower behind them.

"Senior Bai, we’re almost there. Please put away the Giant Flying Ship to avoid being spotted by the Jia Clan. If they see someone entering their forbidden grounds, it could cause unnecessary trouble."

Bai Wei had been piloting the ship the entire journey, while Song Wen had remained in the ship tower, meditating in seclusion.

Upon hearing this, Bai Wei waved her hand.

The Giant Flying Ship immediately began to shrink, becoming only a few dozen feet long before Bai Wei stored it in her storage ring.

"The Jia Clan is just a Void Refinement Stage family. Why be so cautious? Even if they saw the ship, they wouldn’t dare stop a Body Integration Stage cultivator’s vessel. Besides, they’d likely assume we were just passing through and wouldn’t suspect we were headed to Lan Yuan Mountain," Wang Qiuyue said.

"Gou Jun’s advancement is at stake. It’s better to be cautious," Bai Wei replied.

While the two women were speaking, Song Wen had already descended into the dense forest below and was heading toward Lan Yuan Mountain.

(End of the Chapter)

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