Leave Me Alone! Seriously, Leave Me Alone!

The gains from refining the remnant were unexpectedly intuitive.

After his mana gradually stabilized, Wu Ming carefully sensed the changes. He was shocked to discover that this single refinement was equivalent to three days of arduous cultivation—and not just any cultivation, but the kind where one used the Spirit-Melting Qi-Transformation Art to refine a Red Cloud Essence-Condensing Pill at full capacity.

At first glance, this might not seem like much. After all, a single Essence-Condensing Pill cost a few hundred Spirit Stones and could provide a year's worth of refinement. Three days of progress was merely worth five or six Spirit Stones.

However, even if one spent five hundred or five thousand Spirit Stones to acquire pills for the Nascent Soul or Spirit Transformation Realm, and used the most supreme secret arts to refine them, it would be absolutely impossible to gain three days' worth of cultivation in a single fleeting moment. Such a sudden surge in mana would only result in Wu Ming exploding into a puddle of paste!

Moreover, this increase in mana was remarkably natural and harmonious. The moment it expanded, it resonated with his Inner Landscape Mysterious Spirit, causing them to grow together. At the same time, it boosted his blood and qi, vibrating his bones and muscles, providing a subtle benefit to his physical body as well.

In short, Wu Ming felt as if he had just grinded through three days of daily tasks at the Gujian Sect—except for the lack of a system creation incentive, the improvements to his various attributes were nearly identical!

One day equaling three; such an acceleration multiplier was simply inconceivable. Any faster and he might as well just skip through his entire life! If this could continue long-term and he remained consistent, he might reach Foundation Establishment in three years and the middle stage in five, eventually replacing Si Qinglan of Luohuang Mountain to become the number one immortal of Qiongzhou!

So, what exactly was the origin of this Li Yao remnant and the Red Book?

"I cannot speak of the specific details, and the three of you should not ask. It is enough to know that while we are acting as your guardians, there is such a shortcut on the path to immortality, and the risks involved are minimal."

The three were speechless for a moment. Although Liu Sanlang and Zhang Miao had not absorbed the Li Yao remnant, they could clearly understand everything from the changes in Wu Ming and the text they had just seen in the Red Book.

Such an inconceivable shortcut was naturally a closely guarded secret of Luohuang Mountain.

So...

Yi Yi clapped his hands again and smiled, "In any case, we have explored the Immortal Mansion and divided the spoils, so today's journey ends here. How do you plan to arrange your time afterward?"

Liu Sanlang was stunned. Seeing that Wu Ming did not intend to speak, he hurriedly said, "Naturally, we will follow the Envoy's instructions."

Yi Yi shook his head and said seriously, "Just call me Yi Yi. In fact, I seriously suggest that the Third Young Master use direct titles in the future, rather than those nicknames that might cause confusion with others... As for the rest, we only require strict obedience when we are guarding you. At other times, we will not interfere with your freedom, let alone give orders."

"Whether you want to work hard and intensify your cultivation, or relax your body and mind to strike a balance between work and rest, it all depends on your mood. You could even stay at the White Jade Pavilion and lie flat for a whole day if you wish. Just let us know when you decide to enter the Immortal Mansion."

"However, we are here on a mission, so we cannot slack off for too long... Three days. Within three days, we must explore the Immortal Mansion at least once. That is the only time constraint. Other than that, until the three opportunities to save your lives are exhausted, we will stay by your side and act as your guardians."

After speaking, Yi Yi returned to his relaxed, smiling self.

"Although I have no orders, if you want my advice, I can recommend a few decent taverns in town."

"Haha, I was just about to ask Brother Yi for recommendations!"

After a hearty and luxurious banquet, both host and guests were satisfied and went their separate ways.

After the practical experience in the Immortal Mansion, the cultivators from Luohuang Mountain had clearly built up considerable trust in Wu Ming and his companions. Over the wine table, amidst the clinking of glasses, they shared a fair amount of substantial information.

For instance, the reason for strictly dividing into pairs from the beginning was a lesson learned from numerous tragic cases: once there were too many people talking in a group, everyone's attention would inevitably become scattered. Then, the person with a relatively thin sense of presence would naturally be ignored by everyone... until, in the end, people would suddenly realize, how did a Li Yao get into the group!?

Another example was the show of force during their first meeting, which was actually a helpless move. Having worked as Immortal Guiding Envoys for a long time, they had seen too many overconfident and self-willed people, and too many who held unrealistic fantasies about the capabilities of an Immortal Guiding Envoy... Every time, it inevitably led to tragedy. Therefore, before the initial adjustment, it was better to use the prestige of Luohuang Mountain to make the other party obedient, which would allow both sides to be in a relatively comfortable position afterward.

And for another example...

They also shared some stories about themselves. For instance, Yi Yi was not his real name; Han Gang and He Lu were also code names. It was just that when exploring an Immortal Mansion, concise code names were better than real names.

For another example, although they were not official Immortal Guiding Envoys, they were indeed only a hair's breadth away. However, in a first-rank immortal sect like Luohuang Mountain, that hair's breadth was the difference between heaven and earth. Outsiders only knew that the immortal mountains were high enough to reach the heavens, but they did not know that every person who reached the heavens had climbed up by stepping on the skulls of countless losers.

And for yet another example...

When Wu Ming and the other two returned to the White Jade Pavilion under the cover of night, Liu Sanlang could not help but sing a melodious Immortal Wandering Tune. Zhang Miao hummed the melody in accompaniment by his side, looking quite spirited.

Wu Ming nodded. "Then I won't disturb the two of you from forming a band for life."

After saying this, he went to find a quiet room, preparing for his evening study session.

He hadn't read the Human Emperor Scroll supplementary textbook today yet. Since his mana was currently surging, he should be able to memorize a few more characters... and then he could brew a new type of human logic that Zheng Lingxi could also understand, looking for an opportunity to send it back for the senior sister to critique.

Seeing that Wu Ming was about to leave, Liu Sanlang hurriedly stopped his singing and gave a wry smile. "Having encountered such a joyous occasion today, Brother Wu, you don't even plan to take a break?"

Wu Ming asked curiously, "When one encounters a joyous occasion, shouldn't one celebrate by adding an extra session?"

"..." Liu Sanlang was momentarily speechless, finally sighing, "Brother Wu, this temperament and diligence of yours truly deserve any immortal fate! Compared to you, we are truly too slack."

"That's not the case. You didn't harvest any Li Yao remnants today, so there was no need for you to celebrate like me."

"..."

"So, if we encounter a similar situation tomorrow, just use my Dharma Sword to land the finishing blow."

Liu Sanlang was startled by these words. "This..."

Wu Ming smiled. "I'll head to my evening study session now. See you tomorrow morning."

Watching Wu Ming's calm figure gradually walk away, Liu Sanlang remained silent for a long time, only offering a deep bow, his hands almost touching the ground.

Then, he heard Zhang Miao whispering to herself on the side, "Don't mind me, as long as you two are doing well, that's better than anything..."

Liu Sanlang nearly collapsed to his knees.

While the three of them entered the courtyard, returning to their respective rooms—some filled with deep emotion, some unable to contain their excitement, and some settling down for quiet study...

Not far behind them, several cultivators from Luohuang Mountain were clicking their tongues in wonder at what they had just seen.

Han Gang whispered in praise, "Good lad, he even dared to yield his Taiyi Dharma Sword! With such a temperament, it is no wonder he could become a Zhuoquan Dao Seed!"

Yi Yi chuckled and said, "That sword has already developed a spirit and recognized its master; yielding it temporarily is of no consequence."

Han Gang turned his head and asked, "Then, if it were you, would you yield it?"

Yi Yi pondered for a moment, then shook his head with a laugh. "Even if Liu Qi were to mortgage his fiancée to me, it would be absolutely impossible! After all, even with spiritual items, there is always the possibility of someone breaking their oath to seize the treasure... Even with a one-percent risk, I don't really want to take it on."

He Lu then said, "Could it be that he feels: with us here, we would never condone the Liu Family in resorting to trickery or force?"

Han Gang asked, "But on what grounds would he trust us?"

He Lu replied, "Even if he doesn't trust Luohuang Mountain, he has already entered the Immortal Mansion with us, which is equivalent to staking his life and livelihood on us. What is there to trust or not trust anymore?"

Han Gang asked again, "Then if it were you, would you trust someone enough to hand over your dharma sword?"

He Lu also pondered for a long time, then said dejectedly, "Absolutely impossible!"

Han Gang said, "So, when it comes down to it, this child's character is exceptional. And the bond of trust between these three is also extremely precious. By all logic, these three should have been mortal enemies, yet now they act as if they share life and death."

He Lu smiled. "Heh, children always act with simplicity."

Han Gang asked, "Then would you prefer the world to be simpler, or more complex?"

He Lu fell silent at once.

Yi Yi suddenly clapped his hands and said, "I get it. You mean to say: it's rare to encounter three such commendable youngsters in this remote place, so as adults, we should show some gesture?"

Han Gang nodded. "Tomorrow, I intend to take them to Qingjing Lake."

Yi Yi was stunned. "...?"

He Lu was also astonished. "That lake is a top-tier danger zone in the outer perimeter! Even for us alone, it is not without risk, let alone bringing three children along?"

Han Gang said, "We can just set up the Five Extremes Mysterious Steel Array."

Yi Yi also looked shocked. "Do we have to go that far?"

Han Gang said coldly, "Otherwise, do you really intend to spend ten years in this backwater playing bodyguard to a bunch of foolish sons from wealthy local families?"

After saying this, Han Gang took out a blood-colored jade tablet. "I am willing to bet on this one."

The other two immediately had nothing more to say.

Yi Yi clapped his hands and shook his head. "...Since you've put it that way, do we even have a choice? Fine, Qingjing Lake it is. After all, there isn't much time left to spend with those three little ones."

Many thanks to Cai Bu Shi Qi Yue for the character tip! Thanks to Xie Xie Ni 23tv, Book Friend 20230404214320799, Chuan Feng Yi De Dao Cao Ren, Er Ri Jiu Ge, Ting Ge Hu Yu, and Ling Jian Pai Qian Ren Shou Xi Ou Yang Shang for the tips!

Book fan group: 1046475706