Wandering the World, Half a Month Away from Home

"Mo Lingyuan is the founding elder of the Azure Feather Sect—the foremost sect in Search Province!"

"He's also one of only two Nascent Soul Realm cultivators in Search Province. How could he be a sect's reception elder?"

"No, Master once said that when the sect withdrew from the world, all its members went out to gain experience. Could Mo Lingyuan be one of them?"

"That's it. It must be!"

"No wonder Mo Lingyuan possesses Seven-Star Spiritual Wisdom and became the foremost expert in Search Province. He came from our sect!"

In moments, Zhang Xingfeng had reasoned it out for himself. He answered loudly, "Yes, Master!"

[Ding! Congratulations! Zhang Xingfeng and Dongfang Muxue believed the host's fabrication. Mo Lingyuan has become the sect's reception elder and will answer the summons tomorrow!]

[For this fabrication made real, one opportunity gained from accepting Dongfang Muxue as a disciple and one gained when Zhang Xingfeng advanced from an ordinary mortal to the first level of the Qi Refinement Realm have been deducted!]

[The host has one opportunity remaining to make a fabrication about Dongfang Muxue real: accept Dongfang Muxue as a disciple. No opportunities remain for Zhang Xingfeng!]

With this fabrication made real, Mo Lingyuan, Search Province's foremost expert, will answer the summons. The sect should have nothing to fear in Search Province.

And the sect's development as I envision it will begin with him.

Li Moqing pondered this to himself.

He gathered his thoughts and looked at Zhang Xingfeng and Dongfang Muxue. "Go cultivate on your own. I have some important matters to attend to."

"Yes, Master!"

"Understood, Master!"

The Azure Feather Sect.

Within the sect.

In a secluded chamber, a man sat cross-legged, eyes closed in focused cultivation.

His white hair fell over his shoulders, and his long white beard hung down his chest.

He wore a blue robe, with a purple-gold gourd at his waist, giving him the air of an immortal sage.

This was none other than Mo Lingyuan, the Azure Feather Sect's founding elder and the foremost expert in Search Province!

"Hm? Where did that voice in my head come from?"

At that moment, he voiced his puzzlement.

"The Heavenly Mist Sect holds an opportunity for me?"

His eyes flew open. He had no idea what it meant.

That voice could not have appeared for no reason. Could it be the voice of an immortal, sent expressly to enlighten me?

If so, I must follow its guidance. I cannot defy it!

With that thought, Mo Lingyuan channeled his Source Power and sent out a voice transmission.

"Sect Master Jin, elders, this old man has cultivated bitterly for three thousand years, yet I have never broken through to the fourth level of the Nascent Soul Realm. Today, I was fortunate enough to receive an immortal's guidance. I must wander the world to gain experience."

"So, I will leave the sect to travel and train as of today. I leave its management in your hands."

"While I am away, do not seek me out unless it is urgent. Remember that..."

Mo Lingyuan's voice suddenly rang through the Azure Feather Sect's council hall, then slowly faded.

"Wait, was that the founding elder's voice?!"

"Guidance from an immortal? Traveling to gain experience? What's going on?"

"Who knows? Perhaps the founding elder has gained some insight."

"Ah, I hope wandering the world truly helps him break through."

"Indeed. If he doesn't break through soon, I'm afraid he'll pass away. The sect could face upheaval then!"

Mo Lingyuan's voice had faded, but the hall erupted in discussion.

"Enough. Stop talking!"

Jin Pingqi, the Azure Feather Sect's sect master, darkened his expression and silenced them.

"I can sense that the founding elder has already left the sect. Nothing you heard today may leave this hall, or the Starwave Sect may seize its chance to act!"

His warning was grave.

"Yes, Sect Master!"

"Don't worry, Sect Master. We understand!"

Everyone in the hall answered in turn.

The Cloud Offering Sect.

Within the sect.

The sect's council hall.

"Sect Master! Sect Master!"

A figure rushed into the hall. Qin Tingjian called out at the top of his voice.

"Tingjian, why are you shouting?"

Lin Shanghai frowned as he asked.

"Sect Master, it's unbelievable! Near the Burial Sky Green Plains in the Seeking Dao Mountains, there's an incredibly magnificent sect—the Heavenly Mist Sect!"

Qin Tingjian answered in haste, his pupils still trembling with shock.

"The Heavenly Mist Sect? Why has no one ever mentioned it?"

"I went to the Burial Sky Green Plains five years ago. I saw no sect there—not even a single person."

"Tingjian, could your eyes have deceived you?"

Lin Shanghai raised an eyebrow, doubtful.

"Sect Master, my eyes did not deceive me. There truly is a sect near the Burial Sky Green Plains!"

"It stretches farther than the eye can see and rises straight into the clouds!"

"I looked again and again to be certain!"

Qin Tingjian answered with utter conviction.

"Hmm..." Seeing how certain Qin Tingjian was, Lin Shanghai pondered for a moment. "Very well. It's late. Go and rest. Tomorrow, I'll visit the Burial Sky Green Plains myself and take a look."

"Yes, Sect Master!"

The Southern Domain of Qitian.

The Dongfang Family.

The family council hall.

"Patriarch, something terrible has happened! Muxue has run away from home!"

Dongfang Shengxiong, an elder of the Dongfang Family, reported anxiously, his brows knitted tight.

"How could this happen? Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on her?"

Dongfang Huayu, patriarch of the Dongfang Family, looked at him reproachfully, then asked, "Do you know how long she's been gone?"

"I'm afraid it's been... half a month..."

Dongfang Shengxiong stammered.

"What? Half a month?"

Dongfang Huayu was furious. "What good are you people? She's been gone half a month, and none of you noticed?"

"Patriarch, you can't blame us!"

"It was all Elder Feng Lian's doing. She used an Illusory Transformation Golden Talisman to create a likeness of Muxue, making us think she was still with the family. That's why we didn't notice!"

"And as you know, Patriarch, an Illusory Transformation Golden Talisman lasts a long time—especially in the hands of Elder Feng Lian, who cultivates illusions and talismans."

"By the time we realized we'd been fooled, it was already too—"

Dongfang Shengxiong hurried to defend himself.

"I don't need your excuses!"

"I don't care how you do it. Send people out at once and find Muxue within three months, before her eighteenth birthday!"

Burning with anger, Dongfang Huayu cut Dongfang Shengxiong off and gave the order.

"Yes, Patriarch!"

Dongfang Shengxiong answered solemnly.

"And keep this quiet. When you search for her, let no one notice. Otherwise, the Dongfang Family will be in grave danger!"

Dongfang Huayu warned him.

"Yes, Patriarch!"

Dongfang Shengxiong turned into a streak of light and departed.

The Starwave Sect.

Within the sect.

A secret pavilion.

"Founding Elder, our informant in the Azure Feather Sect reports that Mo Lingyuan has suddenly left the sect for reasons unknown."

"He says he's going to enter the world to gain experience, and he's forbidden the Azure Feather Sect's members from summoning him."

Feng Yangu, sect master of the Starwave Sect, reported to its founding elder, Shen Xinghu.

With a sinister grin, he said, "Founding Elder, this is our sect's chance to swallow the Azure Feather Sect whole!"

"It is indeed an opportunity that comes once in a thousand years!"

Shen Xinghu nodded.

"But I am at a crucial point in breaking through to the third level of the Nascent Soul Realm. For now, I cannot attack the Azure Feather Sect."

"And those old fossils in the Azure Feather Sect are still formidable. You cannot stand against them with your strength alone."

"Hmm..." Shen Xinghu pondered for a moment, then furrowed his brow. "We must not rush this."

"Yangu, tell the informant not to act rashly. Have him report any developments at once!"

He gave Feng Yangu the instruction.