Before the dam, Luo Chen stood with his hands behind his back, silently watching Steward Yan and his group descend the mountain.
Soft footsteps sounded behind him, followed by a woman's uneasy voice.
"Are you leaving?"
"Yes."
Luo Chen answered softly.
He had already accepted Steward Yan's invitation, but there was no rush to depart. He would have to wait until matters at Qingshan Tobacco House were settled; only when Steward Yan returned at year's end would they head together to Remnant Immortal City.
By rough calculation, there were still at least five or six months left.
Behind him, Jing Lan opened her mouth, but in the end, she could only let out a soft sigh.
She knew this had been destined to happen sooner or later. From the moment he began asking about the outside world, even going to Qingshan Town, it had already been inevitable.
But she had not expected that day to come so quickly.
After that, she would have to...
"When the time comes, you'll leave with me."
His voice was calm, yet carried a tone that brooked no doubt.
Jing Lan froze, then delight emerged on her face.
She did not refuse. Instead, she answered heavily, "All right!"
"Take stock of the things Steward Yan sent over. Pick out what is useful, and distribute any excess among the villagers."
"All right!"
Luo Chen no longer watched Steward Yan and the others leave. He turned around, smiled at Jing Lan, then entered the house.
"Great Art of Power Assimilation?"
Luo Chen opened the small booklet and studied it carefully.
Only after a long while did a thoughtful look appear on his face.
Rather than a Cultivation Method, this was more accurately described as a secret art.
Its purpose was not combat, nor was it cultivation. Instead,