The second storage bag contained rewards from the Demon Suppression Division: thirty thousand low-grade spirit stones, a purple sand jade pen, fifty portions each of five-hundred-year-old cinnabar and five-hundred-year-old black dog blood, one hundred and eight formation foundation stones refined from Foundation Establishment demon cores, and a purple-grade cultivation technique, the 《Spirit Turtle Manual》.
“You have performed a miraculous feat. Normally, we should hold a grand celebration for you, but since Huiyuan is still at large and there are those who still covet that evil treasure, I must ask you to accept this quiet treatment for now.”
Empress Cao patted her hand. Her palm was warm and carried a faint scent of soapberry.
“You were originally a fourth-class demon suppressor under the Arrest Division of the Northwest Circuit. Now that Ningxue Ancestor of the Qingjing Sect is personally overseeing the Northwest, it would be inappropriate to promote you to Arrest Commissioner there.
I have discussed this with my Senior Sister. We have decided to promote you to a Second-class Demon Suppression Inspector. The rank is equivalent to a Commissioner, but you will not be subject to the orders of the Northwest Circuit...”
“I thank Your Majesty for your kindness. However, I wish to seek the path to heaven. While staying in the Demon Suppression Division would provide me with the protection of my seniors, I would be like a rootless tree or a caged beast. Over time, I fear the state of mind I held when I questioned Qinglong would be erased.”
Nan Zhi rejected Empress Cao’s proposal with a neither humble nor arrogant demeanor.
“Although the Demon Suppression Division has cleared my name, Qinglong was, after all, killed by... The Qingjing Sect is currently in the wrong, but if someone with ill intentions tries to investigate evil arts like the Mayfly Wood in the future, it will surely bring trouble to the Demon Suppression Division.
Now that I have this token to enter the secret realm, I intend to travel north to the Northern Seven Islands. Once my cultivation is successful and I have shattered my core to form a nascent soul, becoming a Nascent Soul cultivator, I will personally capture Huiyuan to settle the score for what happened on the Yin Yang Road.”
Hearing this, the wisteria in the flowerpot swayed its branches and curled them into a fist-like shape, as if cheering her on.
“You child, you seemed so quiet, yet you harbor such great ambitions.”
Upon hearing this, Empress Cao looked at Nan Zhi with even greater respect.
“In that case, I will not force you. It is a pity that Senior Sister Miaoyun left for the South Sea yesterday, so she could not meet you.
Before she left, she did leave a few instructions, telling you to practice this 《Spirit Turtle Manual》 well. However, you are a rogue cultivator with no sect. Even if you have gained some opportunities, you should still join a sect if the chance arises.
Not only would you have fellow disciples to look after you while traveling, but the legacies and secret techniques of the great sects are things many rogue cultivators cannot reach even in half a lifetime.
For example, the three secret techniques of the Qingjing Sect: the 《Great Dao Deduction Record》, the 《Five Elements Heaven-Mending Manual》, and the 《Immortal Grade Free-and-Easy Method》. Or the Wuwei Sect’s 《Bodhi Purity Manual》 and 《Golden Immortal Lotus Wondrous Art》...”
Empress Cao gave her earnest advice like a concerned mother, but Nan Zhi’s eyes shifted subtly.
Inside her system inventory, three cultivation manuals were lying quietly.
The 《Great Dao Deduction Record》.
The 《Five Elements Heaven-Mending Manual》.
The 《Mayfly Shaking the Heavens Art》.
The first two were rewards refreshed after Nan Yi’s death, and the latter, the 《Mayfly Shaking the Heavens Art》, was what she had found in Daoist Qinglong’s personal storage bag.
She, an outsider, currently held two of the Qingjing Sect’s secret techniques.
If the people of the Qingjing Sect found out, they would likely mobilize the entire sect to hunt her down.
At that time, it wouldn't just be one Ningxue Ancestor coming for her.
After all, cultivation sects placed the highest importance on the legacy of their disciples.
Cultivation resources within a sect were first allocated to the personal disciples of the various elders and masters. As long as these people didn't die, betray the sect, or cause trouble, they were essentially the pillars of the next generation and the future sect leaders and elders.
Next were the inner sect disciples, who were the sect's elite with impressive talent. Occasionally, an exceptionally outstanding one might be chosen as a personal disciple.
Finally, there was the massive base of outer sect disciples, various laborers and servants, and the small sects that existed as subordinates to the main sect.
These people might never even touch the edge of becoming a true disciple until the end of their lives, yet they were willing to serve.
Compared to sect disciples, rogue cultivators suffered even more, unless they had a cheat like Nan Zhi.
For an immortal sect to establish itself, it had to have something to rely on.
The Qingjing Sect, for instance, relied on those three secret techniques to stand tall in the four provinces. Anyone who could access these arts was surely a highly loyal and valued true disciple.
Nan Zhi guessed that Danxia must have been a personal disciple of the Qingjing Sect back then, which was why she had the chance to practice those two arts.
Without considering the consequences, once she reached the Great Circle of the 《Great Huanzhen Manual》, she might consider practicing those two arts while still keeping the 《Moon-Worshiping Breathing Method》 as her primary technique.
She would just have to be extremely cautious to avoid being wanted by the entire cultivation world again.
As for the 《Mayfly Shaking the Heavens Art》 that Qinglong had created?
It was an incomplete technique. Practicing it would only turn one into a giant bug. Such an evil technique...
Well, she would keep it. It might come in handy one day.
Nan Zhi’s hamster-like habit was acting up again.
She then asked Empress Cao about exchanging military merit for a Mirage Pearl.
The latter was very straightforward and made an exception for her, ordering someone to fetch a thousand-year-old Mirage Pearl from the treasury.
“Although this item can create illusions, it is not very useful against those with Golden Core cultivation, so it has been gathering dust in the treasury.
When you head north to the Northern Seven Islands, you can go with a peaceful mind. There will be people to look after your family.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Nan Zhi took the Mirage Pearl and saw that it was indeed a flawless white spirit pearl.
Looking closely, it had a warm glow and felt warm to the touch, though it was oval-shaped, looking much like a white-skinned duck egg.
Back then, she had decided to join the Demon Suppression Division precisely because she coveted a Mirage Pearl.
Who would have thought that coming to Bianjing to investigate a case would lead to so many subsequent events?
“This was exchanged with your military merit anyway. I will wait for the day you shatter your core to form a nascent soul and become an ancestor of your own, then return to be a Demon Suppression Commissioner.”
Empress Cao chuckled, covering her mouth. Her gaze toward Nan Zhi was filled with tenderness, as if she were looking at someone else through her.
“In this mortal world, one must cut ties when they should. Otherwise, as time goes on, you will not be able to extricate yourself.
I only hope that when my life is near its end, I can drink the wine of your Ascension Feast. That way... that way, I will know that such a free and unrestrained way of living truly exists in this world.”
Nan Zhi’s heart stirred. She looked up at this Demon Suppression Monastery and suddenly realized that this place was not far from the imperial palace. A short carriage ride would lead to those thick red walls and green tiles.
The imperial family does not cultivate immortality.
This was not just a joke.
Wasn't Empress Cao also trapped in this Bianjing by the mortal world and her family responsibilities?
But this was the path she chose.
The Dao she chose to walk.
“I have a friend, Wanniang of the Qu family. She once stayed with me in the small tower of the Demon Suppression Monastery. Later, her grievance was settled, and she should have gone to reincarnate.”
Nan Zhi nodded in agreement. Before leaving, she thought of Wanniang and hesitated before asking:
“I wonder if she... if she left any letters when she departed?”
Wanniang was her first friend in this game world. When Nan Zhi was being hunted by Huiyuan, everything changed suddenly. She had only returned to the real world after forcing the Qu family case to its conclusion.
With the old case settled and her wish fulfilled, Wanniang must have gone to reincarnate early on.
Nan Zhi sighed. Farewells were always silent, especially between close friends.
Hua Xijian was like that.
And so was Wanniang.
“Wanniang of the Qu family? Are you talking about that little ghost cultivator friend of yours?”
Empress Cao was somewhat surprised and couldn't help but ask in confusion:
“Did you not go to see her after you entered the monastery? Since the Qu family case was settled, she has been staying in the small tower of the Demon Suppression Monastery, brewing wine behind closed doors.
Originally, she did not show herself to others. It was only when she heard you were being wanted and hunted that she risked possessing a demon suppressor to appear before the monastery, saying she was going to find you.
Later, that ghost cultivator was sealed in the tower by Senior Sister Miaoyun, who refused to let her out.
She has been cursing from inside the tower every day since then, throwing things out in all sorts of ways. She’s made many of the little demon suppressors cry!
Senior Sister Miaoyun didn't give any specific instructions before she left yesterday. I suppose she wanted you to decide for yourself.”
Nan Zhi: “...”
Wanniang didn't go to reincarnate?
So, where exactly did she get this strange stereotype that a soul would turn into a beam of light and ascend to heaven in satisfaction once its wish was fulfilled?!
She bid farewell to Empress Cao and turned to leave in a hurry, her steps becoming faster and lighter.
In the end, she was practically running, a cheerful smile on her face.
“Wanniang, Wanniang! Get ready, we’re going on a long journey! Your wish to taste all the world's fine wines and write the 《Commentary on the Wine Classic》 is about to come true!”
Empress Cao leaned against a plum tree, smiling as she watched the young girl run off. Her eyes were full of warmth.
Go on and run.
Go on and fly.
There is no place in this world that can trap you.
From now on, the sky is high and the sea is wide. The path of immortality is long, and it has only just begun.
Rate on N.U.
