Chapter 40: The Plan to Leave (Please Add to Favorites)

As the immortal energy coursed through his limbs and bones, Li Guanxuan felt that everything was falling into place naturally. There was no need for him to forcefully push or break through; all unfolded with effortless ease.

The Yin Linking Vessel was the first to open, swiftly followed by the Yang Linking Vessel. An even more formidable power than before surged through Li Guanxuan’s body, and he could distinctly sense his strength increasing rapidly.

Even the meridians that had been opened were now broader and more capacious; immortal energy flowed through them in an endless current, nourishing his flesh in return.

“This time, the immortal energy is far greater than before… Could it be because of the heart-to-heart with Jiyue?” Li Guanxuan pondered deeply.

The warmth and intimacy of the immortal energy this time was sixfold what he had experienced in the past. Evidently, harmony between husband and wife was truly important.

If, in the past, he had tried to strictly restrain Qin Jiyue and forbade her from her undercover pursuits, perhaps this moment of open-heartedness would never have come.

He knew well that Qin Jiyue possessed the rare Wind and Sword spiritual roots. A woman like her could not be subdued by the authority of a husband alone; he could only allow her to make her own mistakes, learn from them, and gradually impart to her the wisdom of caution, hoping she would comprehend the true meaning in time. That was the right way.

After all, as the saying goes, where there is oppression, there is resistance.

Besides, not every woman was as gentle and considerate as Wen Rongxin. Female cultivators with strength would naturally have their own ambitions—nothing could be more normal.

“According to what Zheng Huangjin said, a crisis may befall the area near Qing’an City in four or five years… This isn’t a place to stay for long. I must find a new place to settle down.”

That warning echoed in Li Guanxuan’s mind.

Moreover, this time Qin Jiyue had left Fallen Moon Valley, handing all of her undercover network over to the Valley Master. This would allow the Valley Master, when beset by enemies, to wield this hidden force against the other sects.

He knew well that most of the agents Qin Jiyue had cultivated were embedded at the Qi Refining level throughout the various factions—a network so dense it was nearly impenetrable.

But all of this was no longer his concern.

For him now, the most important thing was to choose a good destination and ensure a safe arrival.

“It’s now the second month of the year. Flying boats, formation disks, magic tools, talismans… To prepare all these things, the earliest we could be ready would be the end of this year, and at the latest, the middle of next year…

Perfect timing, really. By then, the Xuanjin Flying Golem should also be complete. With a peak ninth-layer Qi Refining golem capable of flight, I’ll feel much more secure.

And with Jiyue’s cultivation, as long as we don’t encounter a Foundation Establishment master, there shouldn’t be any major problems.”

Of course, the central region of the Immortal Ruins was out of the question. Too many powerful figures resided there, and the competition for resources was fierce; peace would be impossible. It was best to find some secluded corner in the northeast and remain there until Foundation Establishment.

Li Guanxuan began to devise his plan for leaving.

He spread out the map of the Immortal Ruins.

Qing’an City lay in the northern reaches, a poor and desolate region, mostly a haven for wandering cultivators at the lowest rungs.

In the northeastern Immortal Ruins, however, there was a city called Shanggu Valley City that seemed promising.

Built against the mountains and occupying a second-tier spiritual vein, its lord was said to be a peak Foundation Establishment master. Well-governed, and trading with both the Great Heng and Great Zhou dynasties, Shanggu Valley City had developed steadily for years without any fierce conflict.

Of course, the cost of living there wasn’t low; renting a residence in the outer city would cost at least five hundred lower-grade spirit stones.

Li Guanxuan considered his assets—about sixteen thousand lower-grade spirit stones in total. Moving there would be no issue.

Moreover, with its thriving commerce and strict governance, talismans, pills, and golems would likely fetch an even better price.

“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Shanggu Valley City will be our destination. I’ll discuss it with Rongxin and Jiyue, so they can begin making preparations. Qing’an City is no longer a place we can stay.”

He spoke to himself quietly. In truth, he also feared the Valley Master of Fallen Moon might throw all decorum aside and raze Qing’an City to find Qin Jiyue.

If that happened, he would have no choice but to take his wives and hide in the Myriad Forms Pavilion.

No matter how powerful Fallen Moon Valley was, they wouldn’t dare destroy the Myriad Forms Pavilion’s banner.

“Before that, my skills and abilities must reach the top tier. Only then will I have the confidence to settle down in Shanggu Valley City.”

With his goal set, Li Guanxuan began to draw talismans.

For him now, every first-grade talisman he created was of superior quality, with a high success rate. The ones he sold to Myriad Forms Pavilion fetched seven or eight more spirit stones apiece than before.

Talismans were his source of income; he had never forgotten that.

Moreover, while his strength was still lacking, possessing a large number of talismans meant he had many means of both survival and attack.

The next day.

Li Guanxuan shared his plan to leave with Wen Rongxin and Qin Jiyue.

Wen Rongxin had no objections; for her, home was wherever her husband was.

Qin Jiyue, understanding his reasons for leaving Qing’an City, nodded silently.

“It’s not just because of Fallen Moon Valley. The main reason is Qing’an City is becoming unstable,” Li Guanxuan explained openly. “Manager Zheng of Myriad Forms Pavilion told me that in four or five years, a crisis may strike here. He advised me to leave as far away as possible.”

“Is that true?” Qin Jiyue’s heart trembled.

No wonder Li Guanxuan had urged her to leave Fallen Moon Valley; it wasn’t just concern for her safety—he had long planned to leave Qing’an City.

Li Guanxuan nodded slightly. “Zheng told me this after he succeeded in Foundation Establishment. Besides, I’ve lived near Qing’an City for too long, and my rapid advancement might arouse suspicion. It’s best to leave early and start anew elsewhere.”

“I’m also worried Fallen Moon Valley might come for me. I’ll stay home and cultivate diligently, striving to reach the ninth level of Qi Refining before we depart,” Qin Jiyue agreed.

Wen Rongxin glanced at Qin Jiyue, her apricot eyes filled with a hint of surprise, sensing her sudden growth overnight.

“Sister, why are you looking at me like that?” Qin Jiyue, a little embarrassed, clung to Wen Rongxin’s arm and spoke coquettishly.

“I’m just happy,” Wen Rongxin replied, gently stroking Qin Jiyue’s hand and nestling her head against her, smiling tenderly. “With your help, our husband will have a much easier time. In the future, we’ll attain immortality together and never be parted.”

“Of course.” Qin Jiyue pouted proudly. “If there were no women keeping things in order at home, who knows how much trouble our husband would be in?”

“Yes, yes…” Li Guanxuan shook his head helplessly. Suddenly, he heard a knock at the door and rose to answer it.

The two women began chatting about which clothes were the prettiest and what they needed to bring before leaving.

“Fellow Daoist Song? Is something the matter?” Li Guanxuan opened the door to find his fellow townsman, Song Zhiqiao, standing outside, a trace of puzzlement on his face.

Hearing the name, Qin Jiyue’s fox-like eyes narrowed, and she whispered a warning,

“Sister, you must be careful with this woman. She’s shrewd and calculating, and knows how to win a man’s favor. Don’t let her steal our husband’s heart…”

…

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