Chapter 86: Departure

Three days passed quickly.

During this time, the five cultivation clans—Gu, Chi, Yu, Yuan, and Shui—sent invitation letters one after another.

After all, it was a Foundation Establishment cultivator extending the invitation, and since Chen Beiwu had yet to join a sect and was still seeking cultivation resources, it wasn’t appropriate to outright refuse. Thus, he accepted and attended several banquets.

At these banquets, the younger generation of female cultivators from the five great clans accompanied the hosts. Among them, beauties were too numerous to count, making Chen Beiwu almost think he had stepped into a Silken Cave.

However, lust was like a bone-scraping knife—Chen Beiwu had no intention of breaking his virginity before reaching Foundation Establishment.

Even when the Gu Clan Foundation Establishment cultivator sent triplet beauties to serve him as maids, he remained unmoved.

“Junior Brother doesn’t like women?” Shu You asked in mild surprise.

Romance between men and women was natural, and cultivation didn’t mean cutting off emotions and desires. Otherwise, the Mirror Moon Sect wouldn’t have inherited dual cultivation methods.

“Of course I like women,” Chen Beiwu said with a candid smile.

“Then why don’t you feel tempted, Junior Brother?” Shu You’s interest was piqued.

The female cultivators sent by the Gu Clan weren’t just beautiful; they had exceptional figures. Even she felt a twinge of temptation just looking at them.

With Chen Junior Brother’s talent, whether for a one-night spring dalliance or taking one for companionship, the Gu Clan likely wouldn’t have objected.

“Liking women and being tempted are two different things.” Chen Beiwu shook his head and didn’t continue the topic.

“In that case, since Junior Brother isn’t interested, I won’t hold back.” Shu You grinned mischievously, her expression even a bit lecherous.

The Gu Clan had backers, and her status wasn’t enough to warrant having the Gu Clan’s Second Miss serve her in bed. But claiming the triplet sisters as maids wasn’t a problem.

“Senior Sister may do as she pleases.” Chen Beiwu smiled faintly.

The Gu Clan, backed by the Mirror Moon Sect, wouldn’t go as far as to force female members into submission. Otherwise, the clan would eventually fall into discord.

If Senior Sister Shu wanted to fulfill her wish, she would likely have to pay quite a price.

As for Chen Beiwu’s goal in attending the banquets, it was simple—to gather information on two Second-Tier spiritual herbs: Moon Dew and Withered Thunder Branch.

Unfortunately, after the banquets, he received one good and one bad piece of news from the Gu Clan Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The bad news was that Moon Dew in the Cangwu Mountain Range had already been sold out, and it would take several years before it could be harvested again.

The good news was that the Gu Clan’s Foundation Establishment cultivator promised to reserve a portion in advance for him.

——

Second month, twelfth day, Southern Wastes calendar.

Today was the day to depart for admission into the Mirror Moon Sect.

Chen Beiwu ended his cultivation early and stepped out of his residence, heading to the center of the market, immediately drawing the gaze of countless cultivators.

When Gu Chun saw him appear, her eyes lit up. She stepped forward several paces, leaving behind the cultivators fawning over her, and greeted him.

“Senior Brother Chen.”

Gu Chun had an extremely deep impression of Chen Zi’ang.

As the only Heavenly Root cultivator in the Moon-Choosing Ceremony, Chen Zi’ang was exempt from skill assessments and could directly enter the inner sect of the Mirror Moon Sect as a sequence candidate.

She, on the other hand, had to refine pills for three days and three nights. Only after successfully producing the Moonlight Pill did she earn the right to meet the Moon-Choosing Envoy and gain direct inner sect entry.

However, even among inner sect disciples, there were differences.

With her Second-Tier Alchemist status, she could receive sect resources and break through to Foundation Establishment in the future—but reaching Golden Core would be forever out of reach.

Unless her alchemy skills could rapidly improve and she reached Third-Tier Alchemist status within a few centuries.

But that was almost impossible!

The Immortal Path was difficult to tread, and the Alchemy Path was even more profound.

To become a Second-Tier Alchemist, her cultivation level was already behind that of Earth-Grade Root cultivators of the same age. It was hard to gain the sect’s attention, let alone become a Third-Tier Alchemist.

But Chen Zi’ang was different!

A Heavenly Root cultivator was the favored child of the sect.

The Golden Core path she desperately desired, Chen Zi’ang could easily achieve.

Yet envy was just envy. When a yet-to-rise golden opportunity stood before her, there was only one choice.

Neither fawn too much nor offend—just keep up appearances.

“Junior Sister Gu.” Chen Beiwu nodded slightly.

Though she was older, her Qi Refining level was one stage lower than his.

This title of “Senior Brother” was something he could accept.

“Senior Brother Chen!” Shi Botao greeted respectfully, but his eyes never left Gu Chun.

Chen Beiwu was slightly surprised.

The son-in-law selection event had ended days ago, yet Shi Botao still hadn’t given up on pursuing Gu Chun and had even proactively joined the Mirror Moon Sect.

“Long time no see, Senior Brother Chen.” Wei Xuesong smiled warmly and greeted as well.

Chen Zi’ang had not used any concealment artifact during the Moon-Choosing Ceremony and had revealed his true face. The name was the same.

It was no surprise that Wei recognized him, so Chen Beiwu didn’t pretend otherwise.

“Senior Brothers Shi and Wei have higher cultivation realms than I. I don’t deserve to be called Senior Brother.” Chen Beiwu smiled awkwardly but politely.

In the Southern Wastes, strength was respected over age. According to custom, he should address the two as Senior Brothers.

“There’s no need to be modest, Senior Brother Chen. In this Moon-Choosing Ceremony, you deserve to be respected above all.” Wei Xuesong shook his head.

Chen Zi’ang had exceptional talent and limitless immortal prospects.

For newly admitted disciples hoping to thrive in the Mirror Moon Sect, it was wise to align themselves early.

After all, the Mirror Moon Sect had rules and laws, unlike rogue cultivators.

In such a vast sect, the prestige of a peak Qi Refining cultivator couldn’t compare to a sequence candidate.

‘What a pity the timing was off. If my master had taken the opportunity, I could’ve at least sipped the soup after he ate the meat, and maybe my spiritual root aptitude would’ve improved.’ Wei Xuesong sighed inwardly.

If his master hadn’t been in seclusion, Chen Zi’ang would’ve long been turned into a human pill inside a cauldron.

Now that Chen Zi’ang had caught the eye of the sect's upper echelon, if Wei dared make a move, his master might flip sides immediately and refine him into a human pill instead—just to avoid being dragged down by his own disciple.

“Whoosh!”

At that moment, a streak of rainbow light suddenly shot across the sky above Hidden Mist Market, revealing a streamlined ten-zhang-long flying boat.

Then, from the stern of the boat, surging liquid spiritual mist sprayed out, forming a boarding ramp in midair.

‘Finally, it’s time to depart!’

Chen Beiwu activated his spiritual power, and the jade slip in his hand emitted a soft glow, teleporting him onto the cloud boat.

——

Inside the private cabin on the cloud boat.

Senior Sister Shu sat at the tea table, leisurely pouring two cups of spirit tea.

“Please have some tea, Junior Brother.”

At her side, a beautiful maid immediately lifted the tray and served the tea to Chen Beiwu.

Looking at the three identical-looking sisters before him, each with a distinct temperament, Chen Beiwu couldn’t help but comment, “Senior Sister certainly knows how to enjoy life.”

“What’s the matter? Regretting it now?” Shu You chuckled teasingly.

Chen Beiwu shook his head and asked the important question, “Senior Sister, how long until we reach the sect?”

“Hidden Mist Market is a million li away from the sect. If we relied solely on the cloud boat, it would take a hundred days.”

At this, Shu You changed her tone. “However, Biyuan Market has a mid-sized teleportation array set up by the sect. It’ll only take us two days to arrive.”

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