Departure

As Mo Daolin led the way, he spoke to Mo Changge and the others. "The green glow on these stone walls comes from a kind of fluorite. It helps snakes breed. When I first found this place, more than a dozen Qi Refining Stage demon snakes had made their home in the cave, and the mortal snakes were even more numerous than I could count."

"Later, I went to the Lineage and brought back several experts. Together, we killed the snake king in the cave, then relied on Xiao Yu to keep the other demon snakes in check. Only then did we take over this spirit land. Oh, right, Xiao Yu is the black snake beside me. Don't be fooled by how pretty she is. She's actually very fierce!"

Hearing that, Mo Wen took a good look at the Black Jade Snake King, but still couldn't see what was pretty about her.

"Granduncle, where did all those demon snakes you mentioned go? How come I can't see a single one?" Mo Qingquan asked curiously. He was the youngest of the surviving Mo Clan members, and more curious than the rest.

"I was afraid you'd be sickened by the sight, so I had Xiao Yu drive them into the snake nest. Normally, apart from going out to hunt, these snakes spend most of their time in this tunnel. They're packed together, everywhere you look. You wouldn't like the sight," Mo Daolin explained with a smile. He valued these few remaining juniors of the Lineage.

Mo Qingquan couldn't help picturing the scene, and immediately felt like throwing up. He quieted down at once and stopped looking around.

Everyone picked up the pace after that. In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, they emerged from the tunnel into an underground cavern roughly a li across.

The cavern had its own ecosystem, with plenty of rare flowers and exotic herbs growing alongside small animals. At its center was a natural fire well, from which earth fire constantly erupted more than a zhang high, illuminating most of the cavern as brightly as day.

"There's a first-tier superior-grade Spirit Vein beneath this cavern, enough for all of us to cultivate. I put those wooden huts together on a whim, so they're pretty crude. If you don't like them, you can make your own." Mo Daolin pointed to the roughly built huts nearby, looking a little embarrassed.

After a bloody battle and a headlong run of several hundred li, the Mo Household was exhausted in both body and mind. They all wanted to rest before discussing anything else. Without standing on ceremony, they each chose a wooden hut and moved in.

Mo Wen shut the door, sat on the ground, and began reviewing the day's events for anything he might have overlooked. Since transmigrating, this was the first time he had been in danger, and he had even killed people.

Honestly, he really had felt uncomfortable at the time. An ordinary person who had never even killed a chicken had suddenly slain more than a dozen living people like himself with a single sword strike. It would have been abnormal if he hadn't reacted at all!

Fortunately, the original owner of this body had killed before, and after absorbing his memories, Mo Wen had gained a certain ability to bear it. On top of that, he had been desperate to save people and had needed to intimidate their enemies, so he hadn't shown fear on the spot!

All in all, I did pretty well today. I avoided being discovered by the Foundation Establishment cultivators and saved Mo Changge and the others. I basically achieved what I set out to do.

I've done all I could for the Mo Household. No matter what Mo Changge and the others think of me, at least my conscience is clear, and I've done right by the original owner.

As for how we deal with each other from now on, that depends on their choice. As for a talisman inheritance, at worst I'll have to put in some effort later. I'll find one eventually!

Having thought everything through, Mo Wen turned his mind to cultivation. Everything was an illusion; only strength was real and true! If he were a Golden Core True Person, the Mo Household would probably have welcomed him into Jingxiu Mountain long ago and let him take whatever he wanted!

For the next few days, Mo Wen cultivated in the wooden hut without stepping outside once. He was waiting for the Mo Household's decision, hoping for an outcome that would make everyone happy.

On the fifth day after they entered the cavern, Mo Changge finally came.

"Sixth Brother, Changge requests an audience."

Mo Wen opened the door and let Mo Changge in to talk.

"Sixth Brother, I..." Mo Changge opened his mouth, shame appearing on his face.

Mo Wen smiled faintly and said in a calm tone, "It seems I should leave."

"Sixth Brother, I have no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment now, and I can't keep those boys in line! They say the Spiritual Qi in Dragon Snake Cave is thin and they're afraid it'll hold back your cultivation," Mo Changge said dejectedly.

"Typical of the main branch. Nothing unusual about that," Mo Wen said contemptuously.

"Sixth Brother, did you really mean it when you said you were going to Azure Luan Immortal City that day?" Mo Changge changed the subject.

"Yes. I heard long ago that cultivation resources are plentiful there, and that even Rogue Cultivators have a path to advancement. I want to see it for myself."

"You were the farsighted one, Sixth Brother. If it were up to me, we'd all go to Azure Luan Mountain City. It'd be much better than hiding in this hole in the ground!"

"Everyone has their own aspirations. You can't force them." Mo Wen chuckled, then added, "Why don't you come with me to Azure Luan Immortal City? You might find a pill that can rebuild your foundation."

A flicker of interest crossed Mo Changge's eyes, but then he let out a long sigh. "With the Mo Household in its current state, I can't put my mind at ease!"

"With a temperament like yours, I'm afraid you're bound to suffer for it someday," Mo Wen said.

"It doesn't matter. If I can see the Mo Household regain control of Jingxiu Mountain in my lifetime, I'll be satisfied. Oh, right, those boys still have some sense of shame. They put together three gifts to thank you for saving their lives." Mo Changge took three jade boxes from his Storage Bag and opened them one by one.

Mo Wen looked closely. They contained a Second-Tier Low-Grade spirit sword, a bottle of Yellow Dragon Pills suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators, and a thin booklet.

Mo Wen opened the booklet and found that it recorded the methods for drawing seven Second-Tier Low-Grade spirit talismans.

"At least they put some thought into it." Mo Wen accepted the three gifts without ceremony and put them away.

"Sixth Brother, those families will certainly be looking everywhere for traces of you. You must be extra careful!" Mo Changge said earnestly.

"You too. Unless it's necessary, you'd best not leave Dragon Snake Cave," Mo Wen cautioned. If everything went smoothly, he would return here after reaching Foundation Establishment.

"I'm leaving!" Mo Wen stepped out of the wooden hut and immediately saw the Mo Household members standing in the distance.

He walked straight up to Mo Daolin and said, "Uncle Daolin, sorry to trouble you to escort me out."

Mo Daolin nodded without saying anything.

"Sixth Brother, once I reach Foundation Establishment, I'll come see you in Azure Luan Immortal City!" Mo Changying said affectionately.

"All right. I hope you reach Foundation Establishment soon." Mo Wen nodded and smiled. Mo Changying had good aptitude, and with a Foundation Establishment Pill, the chances of reaching Foundation Establishment would be very high.

Not a trace of guilt showed on Mo Qingyun's face as Mo Qingyun cupped both hands. "Sixth Uncle, may you have a smooth journey and may your immortal path stay evergreen!"

"My abilities are limited. The Mo Household will have to rely on you young people from now on."

Mo Qingquan and Mo Qingxiao were young, after all. Embarrassed, they offered a few words of well-wishing before retreating to one side, crestfallen.

Led by Mo Daolin, everyone saw Mo Wen out of Dragon Snake Cave.

Mo Wen waved to them and drifted away.