Chapter 237: The Choice

The immortal residence was vast and boundless.

It was eerily silent, devoid of anyone.

On the black stone stele, a vortex appeared. It grew increasingly profound, and from within the vortex, a woman dressed in palace robes emerged—Sikong Muyue.

She stepped out of the whirlpool, turned around to glance at the stone stele, then her gaze swept from near to far, taking in the surrounding scenery. There was no one else in sight, just her.

It seemed she was the first to enter the ancient cultivator's dwelling.

Sikong Muyue withdrew her gaze, her expression thoughtful. Then, a look of surprise flickered in her eyes. She stretched her right hand forward, palm open. A ball of light gathered in her palm, transforming into a colorful butterfly.

The butterfly fluttered gracefully, circling around her once before flying towards the towering mountains to the west of the stone stele.

Its speed increased rapidly, and within moments, it had flown hundreds of feet away. Sikong Muyue’s gaze flickered, and her figure vanished from sight as she easily followed the butterfly.

After passing several ridgelines, the butterfly finally hovered atop an unassuming mountain peak.

Ancient stone halls, standing in clusters, gave off an air of mystery, but they were now severely dilapidated, with only broken walls and fragments of stone remaining, as if thoroughly scavenged long ago.

The butterfly flew into one of the stone halls and disappeared.

Sikong Muyue followed closely behind, her figure lightly descending in front of the hall. Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from inside, and the elderly man known as Wandering Man hastily emerged, bowing deeply to Sikong Muyue.

"Disciple Wandering Man greets Senior Aunt Sikong!"

The elderly man, with his hair completely white, paid such great respect to a woman who appeared only in her twenties or thirties. To an ordinary person, it might seem odd.

But in the world of immortal cultivation, it was a common sight.

"You’ve managed to pass the trials of the ancient residence so quickly. I must admit, this is beyond my expectations!"

Sikong Muyue's gaze held a hint of scrutiny as she fixed her eyes on Wandering Man. She spoke coolly, "Rumors in the sect say that only you were chosen by Senior Brother Piaoya as his true disciple. Before he passed away, he passed his mantle to you. It seems there may have been some truth to these rumors after all."

Wandering Man did not offer a rebuttal, only respectfully replying, "I apologize, Senior Aunt, for making you wait. I feared that I might delay something important for you."

"This place has been looted many times already. What could be of any use here?"

Sikong Muyue’s gaze swept across the ruins, her lips curling in a disdainful smile. Then, she turned her gaze back to Wandering Man and pondered aloud, "Before Senior Brother Piaoya ascended, he made a promise to me, a promise that I would assist you with all my strength in the future. Yet when you were at the Foundation Building Realm, instead of asking me for a Foundation Building Pill, you chose to participate in sect trials. That truly made me see you in a new light. But now, you've used that promise on this... bewildering matter. There’s only one chance. Think carefully."

After a brief pause, Sikong Muyue, recalling the care Senior Brother Piaoya had shown her in the past, softened a little and added, "If you keep the promise for now, when you reach the Core Formation Realm, come to me, and if you need the rare Snow Spirit Lotus or Iris Flower, I will not go back on my word. I will help you find them."

Wandering Man took a deep breath, his resolve clear. "Thank you, Senior Aunt, for your consideration. I have made up my mind. Please, assist me this time."

Sikong Muyue’s expression grew cold, and she gave a slight nod.

"Come with me."

With that, Sikong Muyue flew deeper into the ancient estate.

Wandering Man hurriedly followed.

...

"Does this mean the golden-armored generals in the passage adjust according to the strength of the intruder?"

Qin Sang, upon hearing about the experiences of Ascetic Yunqiong, muttered to himself in understanding.

Ascetic Yunqiong's cultivation was stronger than his own. What was a difficult challenge for Qin Sang—the golden-armored generals—she would certainly handle with ease.

It turned out that the power of the generals was not fixed.

"I wasn't able to cope well in the corridor. I was no match for the generals and got injured. When I reached the stone platform, I wasn’t cautious enough and startled those strange birds. I didn’t even have a chance to heal, and could only escape for my life. This journey has been full of chaos, and I’m truly ashamed that I’ve made you laugh, Daoist Qin..."

Ascetic Yunqiong’s face turned red with shame.

With her level of cultivation, she should not have been in such a sorry state. She could only admit that she had been too careless, failing to manage the crisis in time. The subsequent chain of events nearly cost her life.

Qin Sang shook his head dismissively, not concerned in the least. His eyes flickered thoughtfully, and with a shift in tone, he asked, "Since you’ve decided not to continue, will you be leaving the ancient cultivator’s estate?"

When he had saved Ascetic Yunqiong, his intention had been to recruit her as an ally. However, after she healed her wounds and pondered for a long while, she had told him she would not be going any further, but would instead return the way they had come and leave through the stone stele.

There was no stone stele on the stone platform they were on. To leave the estate, they would either need to press forward or retrace their steps.

This situation greatly displeased Qin Sang, though his face betrayed none of his dissatisfaction.

Ascetic Yunqiong sighed and smiled bitterly. "I’ve faced so many dangers just now that my thoughts have become restless. My state of mind can no longer calm. If I keep going, I’ll surely become like a frightened bird. In such a perilous place, it would be unwise to continue. Not only would I put myself in danger, but I would also drag you down, Daoist Qin. I truly cannot continue. Fortunately, I’ve gained quite a bit on this journey. I’ll return and reflect carefully. I won’t consider this trip in vain."

Ascetic Yunqiong’s ability to resist the temptation of the treasures within the ancient cultivator's estate and make such a decision was unexpected to Qin Sang, but it was also within reason.

Qin Sang nodded and said nothing more. One could not force a decision; since Ascetic Yunqiong had made up her mind, he could hardly compel her to stay.

Ascetic Yunqiong’s expression grew serious. "The favor you have shown me, Daoist Qin, I will remember forever. Though I have to leave as a deserter, unable to repay your kindness, my heart is uneasy. I can only offer a small assistance. I will give you a portion of the Five-Colored Glass to help you. I wish you a successful return..."

Upon hearing Ascetic Yunqiong’s explanation, Qin Sang learned that she had divided some of the power of the Five-Colored Glass, transforming it into a mass of colorful clouds, which could be used by others.

This portion of the power could detach from the artifact and exist for a short while.

When the time came, Qin Sang only needed to think about it, and he could easily summon the colorful cloud to protect himself, without consuming any of his own spiritual power.

However, this separation of power came from the core of the artifact itself. After dividing it, Ascetic Yunqiong would need to nourish the artifact for two years before it could be restored to its full strength.

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"With the Five-Colored Glass damaged, Daoist, how will you deal with those Firebirds when you leave?"

Qin Sang asked, knowing the Five-Colored Glass was Ascetic Yunqiong’s strongest artifact. Its damage would undoubtedly affect her power significantly.

"Daoist Qin need not worry!" Ascetic Yunqiong said confidently. "Now that I understand the Firebirds' habits, I won’t be as helpless as before. Escaping should not be a problem. If I can’t manage that, then I would have wasted this life."