Unfinished Business, Must Still "Endure"

Gao Hui then took out a map from his storage bag and spread it on the table.

This was a map of an area centered around White Stone Town. He pointed to a darker, sunken area south of White Stone Town.

"This place is within Fengling Town's territory. Not long ago, a group of tomb robbers dug out an entrance to an ancient underground tomb. The entrance has a restriction that ordinary people cannot break through. It looks unusual, and preliminary judgment suggests it's the ruins of a prominent family from ancient times."

"Fengling Town, after their investigation, felt they couldn't handle it themselves, so they spread the news to other towns, hoping we could assist by sending cultivators to explore the ancient tomb together."

"You know the current situation of the eight towns in Wangyue, Patriarch Yang. Not many families can dispatch cultivators. Although there are some risks, I think this is an opportunity."

Yang Lingqing fell into thought upon hearing this.

Gao Hui was someone Yang Guanfeng had vouched for as trustworthy before he left.

The Yang family and White Stone Town had evolved from a purely transactional relationship to an alliance. Therefore, Yang Lingqing had no doubts about his news or his motives.

However, who to send would still need to be discussed with Elder Yu.

"May I discuss this with my elders at home before replying to you, Town Chief?" Yang Lingqing asked.

"No problem. I will set off with my people in three days. If the Yang family decides, just have someone find me in White Stone Town."

After Gao Hui left, Yang Lingqing found Elder Yu and informed him of the matter.

"Gao Hui is right. At this time, many families cannot send people. It is indeed a good opportunity."

Elder Yu said, "Lingqing, in your opinion, who is suitable to send?"

Yang Lingqing thought for a moment and said, "Lingrui and Zhao Qi."

"Lingrui..."

Upon hearing Yang Lingrui's name, Elder Yu hesitated.

Because of the child's outstanding talent, he was reluctant to let him venture out into danger.

"I understand Ancestor Yu's concerns, but you also know that a cultivator's strength is not solely based on their realm and cultivation," Yang Lingqing said. "If one only stays home to cultivate and does not experience trials and tribulations, their path to the Great Dao may be difficult."

"That's true. Alas... I'm getting old. I've become so worried and hesitant," Elder Yu sighed.

That evening, after Yang Lingrui finished his cultivation, Yang Lingqing told him about it.

Upon learning that he could go out and explore, Yang Lingrui became quite excited.

"That's great! I've been feeling restless lately and wanted to go out for a walk. This ancient tomb sounds like a good destination."

Elder Yu had also notified Zhao Qi. The next morning, after Yang Lingrui paid his respects to Chen Yang, he and Zhao Qi set off for White Stone Town.

His cultivation realm was concealed to the Second Level of Qi Gathering, making it impossible for cultivators below Essence Condensation to detect any anomalies. It served as a safeguard.

As the Yang family's treasured heirloom, Chen Yang also subtly lent a hand. He separated two small pieces of his consciousness and used them to protect the sea of consciousness at the crown of their heads.

This was the only way he could currently assist the Yang family outside his consciousness's coverage. The rest would depend on them.

Upon arriving at the town entrance, a cultivator at the Second Level of Qi Gathering from the Town Chief's mansion was already waiting. Seeing them, he stepped forward.

"Welcome, fellow Daoists. Please come into the town."

This was Yang Lingrui and Zhao Qi's first time in White Stone Town. The former rarely went out due to his constant cultivation, while the latter had waited outside the town with his family for three days and three nights without being able to enter.

But from another perspective, not being able to enter the town was a good thing, otherwise, they might have died during the city's destruction.

One could only say that fortune and misfortune are unpredictable.

"Lingrui is here. And this must be Immortal Master Zhao Qi. Please come in!"

Gao Hui welcomed the two into his residence. Two other cultivators were already inside.

Seeing them enter, they both stood up and paid their respects.

"Greetings to the Yang family's esteemed cultivators."

These two, like Zhao Qi, were only at the First Level of Qi Gathering. This showed the impact of the Dynasty's conscription of personnel on various families.

Let alone those at the Qi Gathering Mid-stage, White Stone Town as a whole couldn't even produce anyone at the Second or Third Level.

The Third Level of Qi Gathering that Yang Lingrui displayed was already something many families could only dream of.

"This person's aura is so strong. He must be at the Third Level of Qi Gathering."

"To send out a cultivator at the Third Level, their family must have other powerful experts. It's said the Yang family is powerful, and today I've seen it."

The two thought to themselves.

"Alright, now that everyone is here, please be seated."

Gao Hui then informed everyone about the route of the journey, the current intelligence on the ancient tomb, and various other matters.

The ancient tomb was still a ten-day journey from White Stone Town. Gao Hui planned for the four of them to rendezvous with the cultivator teams from Willow Leaf and Qinghe tomorrow before setting off together.

This way, with more people, they could look out for each other on the road.

That evening, Gao Hui visited Yang Lingrui.

"Lingrui, your cultivation speed is truly enviable."

"Haha, Town Chief Gao knows as well. It's all thanks to the spirit liquid at home that Lingrui has achieved this," Yang Lingrui said with a laugh.

Gao Hui shook his head, "Alas, you can't say it like that. Even with spirit liquid, it still needs to be refined. This is all the result of your own cultivation."

Yang Lingrui chuckled upon hearing this and then asked, "I'm actually curious. White Stone Town has been rebuilt, and the situation within the Dynasty has stabilized. What are your plans for the future, Town Chief Gao?"

The plans he was referring to were not about the future development of White Stone Town, but about Gao Hui himself.

"Sigh..."

Mentioning this, Gao Hui couldn't help but sigh.

"It's difficult. A Dynasty is different from a sect. Many times, it's not about talent, but about background, connections, and seniority. I, Gao Hui, lack all three. After submitting the report for the town's reconstruction, there has been no news."

"How can this be?"

Yang Lingrui was a little surprised. "With my family's help, the construction period was more than halved. And yet there's no news?"

"Yes, I thought this matter would bring about a turning point, but reality is what it is. They know you have no backing, so since you can do the work, they'll just let you do more. As for promotion, I'm afraid it will only be possible when I gain more age and seniority."

Gao Hui stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the moon in the sky.

"Lingrui, sometimes I truly envy you. We are both cultivators, so you should understand how agonizing it is to suppress your cultivation and make no progress."

Yang Lingrui couldn't help but sigh as well.

The word "agonizing" revealed the hardships Gao Hui had endured over the years.

But was his Yang family any different?

For the past fifty years, the Yang family in Willow Leaf City had struggled bit by bit, their situation even more dire than the Liang family's later on.

If not for that day on the Fish Ridge River when a young man jumped into the water and saved a cultivator, the Yang family would have been "boiled down" into a pot of meat soup by now, to be divided and devoured by others.

Life is better now. The Yang family seized a few opportunities and, like a flood dragon riding the wind, leaped to become a top force between the two towns.

However, compared to true giants like the Dynasty, sects, and great families, the Yang family was as naive as children playing and fighting in the streets.

There was still a long way to go in the future, and they would have to continue to "endure."

Until when?

Yang Lingrui pondered deeply, his thoughts eventually focusing on himself.

"Safety, safety. Be vigilant even in times of peace."

Yang Lingrui silently recited in his heart. "Essence Condensation is not yet achieved, and great undertakings are not yet accomplished. We must not become complacent. We must continue to be diligent, we must be cautious..."