Xugeng Escapes

Time flew by during the arduous training, and two years passed in the blink of an eye.

Having stabilized his cultivation, Song Wen left the temporary cave abode.

There were no unusual occurrences on Extreme Yin Island over the past two years, which reassured Song Wen considerably.

The Spiritual Qi on the uninhabited island was scarce, and the Spiritual Qi needed for cultivation had to be replenished entirely by Spirit Stone, which was extremely costly. In just two years, he had consumed tens of thousands of Spirit Stone simply to maintain his cultivation level.

He now understood why high-level cultivators wouldn't easily venture into places with sparse Spiritual Qi.

Upon returning to Extreme Yin Island, Song Wen scanned the island with his Divine Sense and found that everything was as usual.

An Yin tended to the spirit medicine in the spiritual field atop the island. She had successfully Foundation Establishment and was already at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

An Tong is in seclusion in her cave abode, and she has already reached the Qi Refinement Perfection Refining stage.

After contacting the Shadow Gu on the island and confirming that there had been no abnormalities on the island during his absence, Song Wen released all five Shadow Gu and then went to the Spirit Field.

"An Yin, come here, I have some questions for you," Song Wen said.

During the past two years, Song Wen had the Shadow Gu place a sum of Spirit Stone outside the cave abode of An Yin and her sister, so that they could hand them over to the disciples of Limitless Island who came to collect the island's rent.

This led the An Yin sisters to mistakenly believe that Song Wen was in seclusion on the island.

When An Yin saw Song Wen, who had been in seclusion for two years, suddenly appear, she was stunned for a moment, but soon a smile bloomed on her face.

She hurriedly flew out of the spirit field and came to Song Wen's side.

"Senior! You've finally emerged from seclusion."

Song Wen nodded slightly, but before he could speak, An Yin spoke up.

"Senior, I have successfully Foundation Establishment."

Song Wen said, "You did a great job."

An Yin, like a child being praised, smiled even more brightly.

"It's all thanks to your Foundation Establishment, senior; otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to Foundation Establishment."

Song Wen asked, "Has everything been peaceful on the island these past two years?"

An Yin said, "Everything is fine."

Song Wen said, "That's good. I have some things for you to handle."

An Yin asked expectantly, "Senior, what is it?"

Song Wen said, "Go to Limitless Island and purchase some spiritual materials needed for my Alchemy. Also, while you're at it, find out what's been going on on Limitless Island over the past two years."

Upon hearing this, An Yin appeared extremely excited, as it meant she could leave the island.

"Please rest assured, senior, I guarantee the mission will be completed successfully."

Song Wen took out a Storage Bag and handed it to An Yin.

"Here are 50,000 Spirit Stone, and a list of spirit medicine that need to be purchased."

Then, Song Wen asked, "Do you know how to fly on a sword?"

An Yin shook her head. "I haven't practiced sword control techniques, nor do I have a flying sword."

With a thought, a flying boat appeared in front of Song Wen.

"This time, you will first travel by boat to Limitless Island. When you return, I will bestow upon you the art of sword control and the ability to fly."

Then, Song Wen flipped his hand, and Corpse-Nurturing Coffin appeared in his palm.

"You've practiced corpse control techniques, haven't you?"

An Yin said, "I've cultivated."

"Here is a Second-Order Mid-Stage Corpse Puppet; I bestow it upon you for self-defense."

An Yin said happily, "Thank you, senior."

Song Wen said, "Hurry up and refine the flying boat and the Corpse Puppet, and set off as soon as possible."

"Yes, senior."

Half a month later, An Yin, having refined the flying boat and the Corpse Puppet, set off for Limitless Island.

Unbeknownst to her, a tiny, sesame-seed-sized Gu Worm had quietly crept onto the flying boat.

Six days later, she returned safely.

"I'm at the pavilion on the island's summit, come quickly." An Yin had just stepped onto the island when she heard Song Wen's voice.

An Yin arrived at the pavilion and greeted, "Greetings, Senior."

Song Wen asked, "Was the trip successful?"

An Yin said, "The journey was relatively smooth. However, it seems that something major happened within the inner sect of Limitless Island. The entire Shadow City is under martial law, and protective formations have been activated. Only one entrance and exit are open on the north and south sides for cultivators to pass through. Everyone entering and leaving has to be searched."

Upon hearing this, Song Wen frowned.

His first thought was that Limitless Island was investigating the cause of death of Yu Jiao and the other two.

But on second thought, it seemed unlikely.

Yu Jiao and the other two have been dead for two years, so it's impossible for the city to be under lockdown for so long. Besides, the three of them didn't die in Shadow City.

"How long has the city been under lockdown?" Song Wen asked.

"It happened in the last few days," An Yin said.

"Do you know why the city was locked down?" Song Wen asked again.

An Yin said, "According to rumors in the market, Limitless Island seems to have lost some priceless treasure."

Song Wen said, "Lost a supreme treasure? Limitless Island is one of the five major powers in the Sea of Disorder. Who could possibly steal a supreme treasure from Limitless Island?"

An Yin shook her head. "I don't know! There are quite a few speculations circulating in the market, but they are all just hearsay and have no basis."

After pondering for a moment, Song Wen decided to leave the matter alone; whatever happened on Limitless Island was none of his concern.

"Have you bought all the spirit medicine?"

An Yin handed over a Storage Bag. "I bought everything."

Song Wen took the Storage Bag and disappeared into the pavilion.

A month later, Song Wen sent An Yin to Limitless Island again.

According to the message brought back by An Yin, Limitless Island has been unsealed.

As for whether the lost treasure has been found, that remains unknown.

Upon learning of this situation, Song Wen took the pills he had refined that month and decided to personally visit Limitless Island.

As soon as Song Wen arrived in Shadow City, he took out Message Jade Slip and contacted Chu Qian.

Half an hour later, in a private room at the Tide-Listening Pavilion, Song Wen met Chu Qian, who had rushed Chu Qian.

"Extreme Yin, it's been more than two years since I last saw you," Chu Qian said.

"I accidentally obtained a secret technique and secluded myself for a while," Song Wen casually lied.

Chu Qian laughed and said, "I see. I thought I had done something wrong that displeased you and made you unwilling to do business with me anymore."

Song Wen said, "Young friend, you're overthinking it."

As he spoke, Song Wen took out three jade bottles.

"These are my newly refined Golden Jade Pill Qi Spirit Pill. Young friend, please examine their quality."

Chu Qian smiled and said, "The pills refined by Senior Extreme Yin Higher Vehicle always of superior quality, so there's no need for further inspection. Senior, shall we proceed with the transaction at the previous price?"

Song Wen nodded.

After the transaction of the pills was completed, the two chatted for a while, and then Song Wen suddenly asked a question.

"Young friend, do you know why the island was closed off some time ago?"

Chu Qian lowered his voice and said, "The sect has lost something."

"What is it?" Song Wen pressed.

Chu Qian said, "A wooden statue, a wooden statue about half a foot tall."

Upon hearing this, Song Wen recalled the Soul Shackle that sealed Xugeng.

Did Xugeng break free of the Soul Shackle and escape? Or were the Soul Shackle stolen?

Song Wen was more inclined to believe the former theory, as the possibility of the Soul Shackle being stolen from inside Limitless Island was too low.

Despite his turbulent thoughts, Song Wen's face remained impassive. He frowned and asked.

"A wooden statue! I've seen this in the inner sect before. What kind of treasure is it?"

Chu Qian gestured for silence and said, "Senior, it's best not to discuss this item, lest you invite trouble."

Song Wen nodded, then asked.

"Besides this matter, have any other major events occurred on the island in the past two years?"

Song Wen wanted to find out about the deaths of Yu Jiao and the other two; that was what he was truly concerned about.