Departure

Bamboo Charm Cottage.

After hearing Xu Yuan's brief account, Bi Qiong's face filled with concern.

"Clear Sand River—water demons causing trouble—and local forces that may harbor ill intentions? Senior Brother, this journey is fraught with danger. You must be careful."

"It's nothing. I know my limits," Xu Yuan said. "The spiritual energy in the outer city is inferior to that of the inner city. In a while, I'll take you to my residence over there. Go into seclusion, stabilize your talisman seed, and comprehend the inheritance."

"Also, I've already spoken to Workshop Master Yun. He'll look after you to some extent. And keep that jade talisman safe. If anything urgent happens, you can use it to send me a message or activate its protective spiritual light."

Bi Qiong nodded obediently. Things were no longer as they had been back then. They were no longer in the mine caves; Xu Yuan's cultivation and experiences far surpassed her own. Whatever he said, she only needed to listen.

After making the arrangements, Xu Yuan brought Bi Qiong back into the inner city. With the offering elder's token, they passed through without obstruction and arrived at Emerald Mist Peak in the eastern district.

Emerald Mist Peak was not truly a perilous, towering mountain, but a stretch of gently sloping hills rich in spiritual energy. More than a hundred independent cave residences and courtyards were scattered across it in an orderly fashion, widely separated from one another, with restrictions blocking sight and divine sense probing between them, ensuring excellent privacy.

Cave Residence Number Seven of the A Class stood on a sunlit platform halfway up the mountain, with an open view of several spiritual peaks in the core area of Jade Dragon Palace visible in the distance.

The cave residence came with its own restrictions.