Chapter 8

"Figured out the cultivation technique... how many more?!"

Bai Jin’s mouth and tongue went dry, and she emphasized, “Junior Brother Lu... don’t joke with me, or I’ll be angry!”

“How could I? I wouldn’t deceive you, Senior Sister!”

Lu Bei looked aggrieved and recited the “Sitting Meditation Breathing Technique” in front of Bai Jin: “The Dao is silent, beginning from nothingness, containing the wondrous one within...”

As he finished, Bai Jin stood there in shock, her usual aloof demeanor replaced by a look of astonishment.

“Senior Sister, I also have the ‘Qi Cultivation...”

“No need.”

Before Lu Bei could continue, Bai Jin raised her hand to interrupt. After calming down, she reached out and grabbed Lu Bei’s wrist.

After a thorough examination, Bai Jin fell silent again.

Lu Bei’s body indeed showed traces of spiritual energy circulation, but the cultivation time was too short to discern any remarkable qualities of the technique. Lu Bei had said he had comprehended it from the Daoist scriptures, and if so, this was the most suitable technique for him to practice at this stage.

Thinking about the advanced cultivation techniques she had brought from Dasheng Pass, Bai Jin felt a deep sense of loss. Perhaps Master Mo had entrusted Lu Bei to her, and she had not fulfilled her responsibility.

Further reflection made her realize that if Lu Bei had practiced the techniques she brought, it would have been a grave mistake, harming Lu Bei for life.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt ashamed. Bai Jin realized that Lu Bei’s talent was astonishing, and she was not the right person to teach him.

“Junior Brother, pack your things and come with me to Lingxiao Sword Sect,” Bai Jin said solemnly.

“Now?!”

“Yes, immediately,” Bai Jin said firmly.

“I don’t have a problem, but what about the Lingxiao Sword Sect? The Sect Master... well, you know,” Lu Bei shrugged, repeating his earlier point that the relationship was not complicated.

It wasn’t easy to hitch a ride with the Lingxiao Sword Sect.

Bai Jin was momentarily speechless. If the Sect Master asked about Lu Bei’s background, how would she answer?

Lies would be full of holes, and the truth would be even worse. How did she know about Master Mo’s death, and why was she willing to guide Lu Bei’s cultivation? Who had instructed her?

The answer was obvious. When the Sect Master found out, his face would turn green, and he would vomit several taels of blood.

Thinking of this outcome, Bai Jin shook her head. Some things were better left unknown by the Sect Master.

Bai Jin could guess the result, and Lu Bei, who could piece together the triangular relationship with a few words, could also guess. He enjoyed watching the drama but did not want to be the center of it, especially when his life was at risk.

Lingxiao Sword Sect was not an option, at least not now.

“Junior Brother, I will return to my sect and discuss this with my master. Uncle Mo’s cultivation ended, and you, his disciple, are left outside. Lingxiao Sword Sect cannot stand idly by and let you be bullied...”

Bai Jin thought for a moment and had a plan. She first took the small box containing Mo Buxiu and said, “I will take you to Dasheng Pass. There, I have a good friend. You can stay at her place for a month or so. I will explain the situation to my master, and she will talk to the Sect Master... In short, wait for my good news.”

“Can’t I wait at Jiuzhu Mountain?”

“No.”

Bai Jin shook her head decisively. “The cultivation sects at Jiuzhu Mountain are mixed and varied. Spending too much time with them will be detrimental to your future cultivation.”

From Bai Jin’s perspective, her junior brother had exceptional talent and would one day be renowned. Such a promising disciple should not be left at Jiuzhu Mountain.

He would be corrupted!

“I will follow Senior Sister’s arrangements.”

Lu Bei was secretly pleased. Players who chose their main profession would be placed in various parts of the Nine States Continent. Those with good luck would be directly placed at a cultivation sect, while those with bad luck would appear in nearby towns.

It wasn’t really a matter of good or bad luck. Being born at a sect saved the time of seeking a cultivation opportunity, but ordinary people entering deep forests without guidance were better off being born in a town to familiarize themselves with the new world.

Moreover, towns had the Huangji Sect, the best choice for beginners. The Wu Zhou government had become increasingly unstable in recent years, and both the central and local governments were expanding their military forces. The Huangji Sect was no exception, welcoming all talented new members.

This meant that the larger the city, the more suitable tasks there were for beginners.

Lu Bei was unsure if Jiuzhu Mountain counted as a beginner area, but neighboring Langyu County was likely one, and Dasheng Pass was definitely a beginner area.

Lu Bei had not encountered any tasks at Jiuzhu Mountain, and the few NPCs he had interacted with, including Bai Jin, were all NPC interactions, which had left him quite discouraged.

Dasheng Pass was an opportunity. If he still couldn’t take on tasks and earn experience there, he would have to...

Endure a bit longer until the server opened.

If everything still failed, he would have to consider courting his senior sister and let the rich woman take him under her wing.

——————

Dasheng Pass is located in Dongqi County, Ningzhou. It is the county seat and capital of Dongqi County, protected by a dangerous mountain and a formidable pass. In the early days of the Wu Zhou dynasty, the first emperor defeated the enemy here, expanding the territory eastward by 800 miles. He then renamed the pass “Dasheng Pass.”

Similarly, the dangerous mountain was renamed Dasheng Mountain, and the county was renamed Dasheng County. Due to the fame of “Dasheng Pass,” the county is often referred to by this name.

Dongqi County borders Dongyang County, and Dasheng Pass is about 400 miles from Langyu County. According to Bai Jin’s plan, they would arrive quickly, so they set off hurriedly without waiting until dawn.

Before leaving, she went to Sijing Peak, first rubbing Ding Lei into the ground and then generously paying double the price to have the Yuhua Sect’s renovation completed within two months.

Ding Lei: “...”

He said nothing, clutching the silver note tightly and nodding to indicate he could complete the work on time.

Lu Bei nodded in approval, recognizing the power of money, a lesson he had learned well as a player. From an NPC’s perspective, it made even more sense.

In the night sky, a sword beam led the way.

A three-meter-long sword light carried Bai Jin and Lu Bei, slicing through the wind and clouds with a whistling sound. A hazy white mist surrounded the sword, making it stable and unaffected by the wind.

Lu Bei sat cross-legged, his eyes fixed on the back of the person in front of him, slowly sliding down from the slender waist to a prominent area.

Bai Jin: “...”

Cultivators have keen senses, and she had long noticed the gaze from behind. Thinking that her junior brother was not a rude person and that it was not intentional, she did not say anything at first.

However, it became increasingly bold.

Indeed, Jiuzhu Mountain had a detrimental effect, and it was a wise decision to take Lu Bei away early.

After a while, Bai Jin felt uneasy under the fixed gaze, frowned, and turned around to say something. However, she saw Lu Bei sweating, his eyes fixed on the front.

“Junior Brother, what’s wrong?”

“Acrophobia.”

“...”

“Acrophobia!!”

“Uh... I’ll fly faster, we’ll be there soon.”

...

West of Dasheng Pass.

Amidst the surrounding trees, numerous pavilions and courtyards were visible.

Lu Bei, pale-faced, followed Bai Jin, and when they landed, he firmly refused her outstretched hand.

This was his last bit of stubbornness.

Dasheng Pass was the largest base of the Huangji Sect in Ningzhou, with security far surpassing that of Jiuzhu Mountain. To avoid unnecessary trouble, Bai Jin lowered the sword beam early and led Lu Bei to her friend’s residence on foot.

Lu Bei supported this, thinking that walking was good. The heavens had given humans two legs, not two wings, to remind them to walk properly and not always think about flying.

Moreover, it gave him time to recover, so he wouldn’t spill his guts as soon as they reached the door.

Ding ding ding!

At a large residence, Bai Jin knocked on the copper ring. A moment later, an old man with a lantern came to open the door.

“Miss Bai, the lady is waiting in the hall. Please follow me.”

“Thank you.”

Bai Jin nodded and led Lu Bei inside, her face covered with a white veil, her standard appearance when going out.

Walking through the front courtyard, Lu Bei met Bai Jin’s old friend in the hall.

In terms of appearance, she was a woman in her thirties, with a plump figure and a refined demeanor, though she lacked the ethereal quality of Bai Jin.

“My dear senior sister, why... are you here again?”