Setting Out

This is why, for countless years, the Nether Blood Moon Clan has tried numerous methods but has been unable to break this "curse."

The poison had long become a part of them; the poison was them, and they were the poison; they were interdependent and would die together.

Lin Chen listened quietly, and his mind gradually became clear.

The opportunity Master spoke of was indeed related to the Nether Blood Moon Clan, but what exactly was it? Was it to allow him to cure the Moon-Eroding Nether Poison?

Or... Just as he was thinking, he saw Dugu Bo look up at him, his eyes filled with a deep meaning.

"Do you know why I made you investigate the Moon-Eroding Nether Poison for so long?"

Lin Chen shook his head, waiting for the rest of the story.

Dugu Bo suddenly smiled, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said mysteriously, "No rush. We'll set off for the Star Luo Empire tomorrow. Once we've personally arrived at Sinking Moon Valley and met Ye Mingshang, we'll know what this opportunity is. But whether it works out or not still depends on your abilities."

After Dugu Bo finished speaking, he stood up to take his leave. With a flick of his green robe, he was already at the courtyard gate.

"Pack your things well tonight, we'll leave first thing tomorrow morning." He waved without turning around, his voice drifting back on the night breeze, "No need to say much to the academy, I've already spoken to Meng Shenji."

As soon as he finished speaking, he disappeared into the night, leaving only a few fallen leaves swirling in the wind at the courtyard gate.

Xiao Wu hugged the soft pillow. "Brother Lin Chen... are we really going on a long trip?"

"Yes, of course I'll go. Let's go to bed early tonight; we need to travel tomorrow."

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

A thin mist shrouded the Heaven Dou Royal Academy like a light veil, and the poplar trees beside the training ground were still covered with morning dew.

Beside the side gate of the academy, there was an inconspicuous blue cloth carriage. The carriage was not large, and it was pulled by two ordinary strong horses. It looked like a common caravan's vehicle.

Dugu Bo changed into a drab, coarse cloth long gown, and his face was covered with fake wrinkles. He was hunched over, looking exactly like an old cart driver.

If it weren't for his familiar scent, even Lin Chen almost wouldn't have recognized him.

"Master, your outfit..." Lin Chen raised an eyebrow.

"It's better to keep a low profile." Dugu Bo lowered his voice, deliberately making it a little hoarse. "The journey is long, and the closer we get to the border of the Star Luo Empire, the more spies the Spirit Hall will have. Let's go quietly and try not to cause trouble."

Lin Chen lifted the carriage curtain. The carriage was cushioned, and Xiao Wu crawled in first, peering out the window with a look of curiosity. Lin Chen followed closely behind, and just as he was about to lower the curtain, he heard hurried footsteps approaching from afar.

Then a familiar voice rang out, not loud, but with a penetrating, bell-like quality. "Grandpa! Where are you going?"

Lin Chen turned his head and saw Dugu Yan running towards him. She had changed into a neat outfit, her long hair was tied in a high ponytail, and her face was flushed from the journey. She ran to the carriage, put her hands on her hips, and glared at Dugu Bo with her chin up.

"Oh, Grandpa! You've secretly taken Lin Chen and Xiao Wu out for training again! I could let it go last time, but this time you're trying to leave me behind?"

She was fuming, her cheeks puffed out slightly, clearly harboring a lot of grievances.

"Nonsense." Dugu Bo frowned, his face hardening. "We're not going sightseeing; we're going on serious business, and it's very dangerous. You stay here and train at the academy. When we get back, I'll check if you've made any progress."

"No!" Dugu Yan retorted, refusing to budge an inch. "What important matter can't I go on? I've cleared all the poison out, and my poison skills have improved significantly. If something really happens, I might even be able to help! Why can Lin Chen go but I can't?"

"How can you talk like that!" Dugu Bo glared, his beard bristling. "How can that be the same? We're going to take care of important business. With your skills, you'd only cause trouble."

Dugu Yan walked straight to the carriage and refused to move. "I don't care where you go, I'll go. If you don't take me, I'll sneak off and follow you. If I get lost and encounter danger, let's see if you regret it!"

She was spoiled by Dugu Bo since she was a child, and she was willful and stubborn. Once she made up her mind, nothing could change it.

Dugu Bo was speechless, his face turning pale and then red.

I can't bear to scold her; I'm even less likely to hit her. If I really leave her alone at the academy, given her personality, she might actually dare to secretly follow me to the Star Luo Empire, which would be even more dangerous.

He rubbed his temples, looking at Lin Chen with a helpless expression.

Lin Chen smiled and said, "Master, let's take Senior Sister with us. It'll be good to have someone to look after us on the road. And who knows, she might even make a breakthrough if she goes."

Xiao Wu quickly nodded, leaning against the car window, "Yes, yes, yes! Let Elder Sister Yan come along, she can keep me company on the way!"

Dugu Bo sighed, and finally softened.

"Alright, alright, I'll take you." He glared at Dugu Yan, annoyed. "Let me make this clear: you have to do as I say on the way. No running around, no touching anything, or I'll have someone bring you back immediately."

"Okay, okay!"

Dugu Yan immediately beamed with joy, all her previous sullenness vanished, and she nimbly climbed onto the carriage, winking triumphantly at Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu smiled and moved a little further inside. The two girls huddled together, chattering away. They talked about whether they would encounter anything fun on the way, or if there was anything good to eat. It was quite lively.

Dugu Bo shook his head. "Giddy up—" With a gentle flick of the whip, the carriage slowly began to move.

The wheels rolled over the stone path in the early morning, making a soft, rumbling sound, and drove out of the academy along the path by the side gate.

Inside the carriage, Dugu Yan was still asking all sorts of questions out of curiosity. "Grandpa, where are we going? What kind of mysterious place is this that requires us to disguise ourselves?"

"You'll know when we get there," Dugu Bo's voice drifted in from outside.

"Tch! I'll ask Xiao Wu." Dugu Yan pouted and turned to whisper in Xiao Wu's ear.

The blue cloth carriage traveled along the southwest official road. The scenery on both sides of the road gradually changed from the flat and fertile fields on the Heaven Dou City to the rolling hills. The tall poplar forests were replaced by clumps of dark green dwarf pines. The wind carried the cool breath of the mountain streams, making the carriage curtains flutter gently.

Inside the carriage, Xiao Wu and Dugu Yan sat side by side by the window, with an oil paper spread on their laps, upon which were laid slices of dried venison, candied kumquats, and pine nuts. They ate with relish, taking turns, and every now and then they would lift half of the curtain to peek outside, their eyes filled with curiosity.

Dugu Bo sat in front of the carriage, wrapped in a gray cloth headscarf, slowly waving a riding whip in his hand. He seemed relaxed, but his eyes always sharply swept over the merchants and Soul Master passing by on the roadside, and his aura was tightly concealed.

"Is that Jialing Pass?" Xiao Wu peeked out, her eyes wide.

"Hmm." Lin Chen also lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked over.