Heading to the Immortal Alliance

When Wang Qi woke from the darkness, he felt a warmth all over his body, as if he had been immersed in hot water, his bones about to melt.

"Where was I..."

His mind was a bit hazy, and then... nauseous?

Wang Qi startled awake. Nauseous? As a cultivator, he should be healthy and strong. Nausea was a negative symptom that only came from cultivating qi incorrectly or from poisoning, either of which could flay a person!

Wang Qi opened his eyes and the first thing he saw was Xiang Qi's face, extremely close.

"Wah!" Wang Qi yelped, recoiling instinctively. Only then did he realize he was lying on a bed.

"Such a strong reaction?" Xiang Qi pulled back when she saw Wang Qi wake up and sat on a chair by the bed.

Wang Qi patted his head and asked, "Where is this? How did I get here?"

Xiang Qi's expression dimmed. "We found you next to Senior Brother Li Ziye's... body. You had fainted there."

Wang Qi finally remembered. He had fainted from mental exhaustion after finishing copying the forbidden Daoist's manuscript. He quickly fumbled over himself. If he were discovered privately copying the manuscript, the consequences would be dire.

Fortunately, Wang Qi soon found the handwritten copy he had tucked into his waist. Luckily, he had remembered to wrap the copy in a piece of cloth before he fainted—this cloth had originally been used by Li Ziye to bundle some miscellaneous items in his storage bag.

"Are you looking for this?"

A slightly hoarse female voice interrupted their conversation.

Wang Qi looked up to see a middle-aged female cultivator holding Li Ziye's storage bag and the jade ring where Zhen Chanzi resided. Wang Qi then realized his ring was missing. Xiang Qi quickly got up to greet her, "Martial Aunt Yan." She then introduced Wang Qi, "This is Martial Aunt Yan Heyi from Ji Yin Valley, the security envoy in charge of this incident."

Wang Qi, having already decided to conceal the fact that he had obtained the manuscript, nodded and said, "Yes, Senior."

Yan Heyi nodded, not returning the ring to Wang Qi. Instead, she nodded to Xiang Qi, "You go outside. I have some questions for this child."

Xiang Qi understood the security envoy's procedures and nodded, walking towards the door. Yan Heyi sat on the chair Xiang Qi had just vacated, her slender phoenix eyes fixed on Wang Qi, "I have just learned the details of the incident from that child Xiang Qi and this old gentleman in the ring. However, due to my position, I must ask you a few more questions."

Police taking a statement, separating me, Xiang Qi, and the old man to prevent collusion.

Wang Qi nodded and said, "You may, Senior. However, may I ask one question first?"

Yan Heyi nodded, "Ask."

Wang Qi cautiously asked, "What happened to the village where I was born?"

A hint of sympathy appeared on Yan Heyi's indifferent face. "I advise you not to know."

Although he already knew the answer, Wang Qi couldn't help but clench his fist. "Then, what about the bodies?"

"Other security envoys have already buried them on-site."

Wang Qi let out a long sigh. Fine, I'll remember this debt too.

Seeing that Wang Qi was still concerned about others in this situation, Yan Heyi's impression of him improved significantly, and her expression softened as she offered words of comfort, "These things are beyond your control. The deceased are gone, and the living must press on. Do not dwell on it too much."

Wang Qi lowered his head and nodded meekly. Although his demeanor was genuine, it was also a way to hide his expression and any potential unnaturalness in his tone.

Yan Heyi said, "Alright, I will ask you some questions now. I hope you will answer truthfully."

"Mm."

"First, please describe the process of the battle between disciple Li Ziye of Myriad Dharma Sect and the disciple of Huang Ji Lie Tian Dao after you were abducted."

Wang Qi honestly recounted the events, omitting only the part where he used Hilbert space to decipher the method to break through to the Heavenly Connection realm. The mathematical level of this algorithm far surpassed what ancient cultivators could grasp, and revealing it would be useless even if it were used against Zhen Chanzi.

Yan Heyi frowned. "There are two issues here. First, why did that Nascent Soul Realm cultivator capture you?"

Wang Qi replied, "The old man in the ring told me that the ancient cultivation lineage I've practiced since childhood comes from Luo Fu Xuan Qing Palace, which is a mortal enemy of Huang Ji Lie Tian Dao. Perhaps that person thought I carried some secret of Luo Fu Xuan Qing Palace."

Yan Heyi continued, "Then there's the other issue. I've already heard from Xiang Qi that you are skilled in mathematics and broke through to the Heavenly Connection realm shortly after deciphering the modern cultivation theories. Your talent is truly extraordinary."

"You flatter me, Senior."

Yan Heyi shook her head. "There's no need for false modesty. Breaking through to the Heavenly Connection realm in half a day with just a bit of ancient mathematical knowledge is already astonishing. However, in that case, judging solely by your Magical Power's aura, you are entirely a modern cultivator. How could that person have identified you as possessing the Luo Fu Xuan Qing Palace lineage?"

This is the question I was expecting!

Trying his best to appear like a Qi Refining stage cultivator who knew nothing, he shook his head and said, "I truly do not know about this."

Yan Heyi nodded, finding no flaws in Wang Qi's demeanor, which perfectly matched the knowledge of an ancient cultivator at the Qi Refining stage. She then asked a few more questions before returning the ring to Wang Qi and preparing to leave.

As soon as the ring was in his hand, Zhen Chanzi's voice reappeared in Wang Qi's mind—Yan Heyi must have used some secret technique to temporarily sever Zhen Chanzi's spiritual sense transmission. The old man chuckled in his mind, "Heh heh, looks like we passed this hurdle."

Wang Qi didn't bother talking to him. Instead, he collapsed onto the bed, his face pale.

Fortunately, he had discussed countermeasures with the old man beforehand. Zhen Chanzi, being an old fox, was familiar with human affairs even if he couldn't comprehend modern cultivation. With his help, concealing certain matters wouldn't be difficult. And after passing this hurdle, the Immortal Alliance wouldn't pay too much attention to him.

Suddenly, Yan Heyi, who had reached the door, turned back and asked, "Why is your face so pale?"

Wang Qi took a deep breath and told the truth, "I don't know why, but I feel extremely nauseous. I assume it's from cultivating qi incorrectly or from an injury."

A hint of a smile appeared on Yan Heyi's face. "It's common for people to feel this way on their first time on a flying ship. Just endure it."

"Flying ship?"

Zhen Chanzi said, "Kid, haven't you realized you're on a flying artifact yet?"

I can't believe it, my motion sickness from cars, boats, and planes in my previous life hasn't been cured in this one...

Wang Qi lay pale-faced on the railing of the flying ship, sadly thinking that if he got airsick on a flying sword in this life, his life would truly be ruined.

This flying ship was currently heading towards Xinyue, where the Immortal Alliance headquarters was located. Yan Heyi, as the security envoy for the surrounding area, considered both Li Ziye and Xiang Qi her subordinates. With an ancient cultivator appearing in her jurisdiction and Li Ziye dying in the process, she had to go to the Immortal Alliance headquarters for reasons of duty and logic. Xiang Qi became a security envoy as part of her sect's trial period. Now that her trial period was over, she was supposed to report back to the Immortal Alliance. And according to Immortal Alliance regulations, rogue cultivators who unexpectedly obtained ancient cultivation inheritances must be guided into the modern immortal path. Therefore, she brought Wang Qi along as well.

This flying ship, belonging to Immortal Alliance, is a standard model for Grandmaster-level security envoys. It's specifically designed for long-distance travel, escorting Foundation Establishment Realm and Golden Core security envoys. The ship is about four zhang long and one zhang wide, with no sails. Unlike conventional boats, it features two large, metallic-looking wings at the stern.

To Wang Qi, this ship felt more like a small yacht, especially its interior. The rooms were more than necessary for a transport vessel. Judging by this, Immortal Alliance was definitely treating luxury cars like public buses.

Wang Qi's injuries weren't severe for a cultivator; he could walk after some treatment. However, he suffered terribly from seasickness. To alleviate his discomfort, Wang Qi decided to stay outside on deck, enjoying the breeze to clear his head.

Zhen Chanzi sighed, "You're as miserable as a dying dog on a flying ship. You'll be at a disadvantage in future sword fights."

Wang Qi buried his face in the ship's railing, letting out a long sigh to hide his tears. "How much further is it?"

Xiang Qi's voice suddenly chimed in, "About five days."

Wang Qi looked up. Xiang Qi was standing on the railing, gazing into the distance. The high-altitude wind whipped her red robes, making her look like a celestial being descended to earth.

Wang Qi gave a sheepish grin. "Senior Sister Xiang... you're here."

Xiang Qi nodded, then suddenly sighed. Wang Qi, not one for many words in either of his lives, found no topic to broach and pretended to watch the scenery from the railing.

Xiang Qi suddenly asked, "Did Senior Brother Li leave any last words?"

Wang Qi carefully chose his words and recounted Li Ziye's dying words. He added at the end, "He said... if anyone ever solves Xi's Twenty-Three Calculations or the Pearl Question in the future, to remember to burn a copy for him."

Xiang Qi pouted. "What? Still thinking about those problems even at death's door? No wonder Myriad Dharma Sect disciples are always called 'low EQ' and mocked as 'Myriad Dharma wants a partner'."

Wang Qi pondered for a moment before asking, "Have you known each other for a long time?"

Xiang Qi's voice was faint. "Three years. We're old friends. Three years ago, I came to Immortal Alliance as a security envoy for a sect trial mission and was assigned to this area. He was working here to gather rare materials for refining his Natal Magic Treasure."

"The area we were in was relatively peaceful. Our main tasks were suppressing Demon Race in the mountains and managing passing rogue cultivators. Although the daily patrols were troublesome, they were also quite easy. The security envoys in this region are all disciples from Immortal Alliance sects, and we got along well."

"However, Senior Brother Li was just too much of a good person. He believed whatever anyone said and didn't even get angry when we tricked him into revealing the girl he liked. Sometimes, we'd happily fantasize about the future together... like solving Xi's Twenty-Three Calculations or challenging the chief disciple of Misty Palace again."

At this point, Xiang Qi sighed. "It's precisely because he was such a pushover... If he hadn't listened to me and gone back to the Immortal Alliance branch immediately, perhaps he wouldn't have died..."

Wang Qi interrupted, "Even I could tell they were prepared. Even if you had taken me to the Immortal Alliance branch, they would have likely intercepted us. If we had fallen into a trap, we might have died even more miserably."

Xiang Qi sighed softly. "But, he might not have died. Just for that 'might have,' I owe him a lot."

Wang Qi tentatively asked, "Senior Sister? I think you're starting to sound like a bitter woman."

Xiang Qi let out a chuckle. She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "It's not that serious. It's just sad when a friend is gone."

Wang Qi rested his head back on the railing and asked, "Do cultivators observe funeral rites?"

Xiang Qi shook her head. "Security envoys who die in the line of duty have their own burial places, or they might be interred in the Myriad Dharma Sect's cemetery. According to regulations, we need to report to the Xinyue main altar, and it's unlikely we'll make it in time—and besides, you seem to have forgotten, the Immortal Alliance's unified entrance trial is approaching, and you need to prepare."