NOVPUBWang Ba was momentarily taken aback.
But he immediately understood the wariness in his master’s heart.
Staying by his side, he feared the reoccurrence of that incident from West Sea Country.
Although he had now stepped into the Immortal Ascension stage, no one knew what the acting sect master was thinking.
And he wasn’t entirely at ease with the idea of returning to the sect either.
Thinking of this, Wang Ba wanted to offer more reassurances, but Yao Wudi was adamant: n𝚘𝚟𝚙u𝚋.co𝚖
"Now that the Primitive Demonic Sect and our sect have allied, it’s unlikely that people from the Demon Sect will attack you again. Set out in a couple of days and go to Sen State, An State, or to the south—to Fanyu, Hailing, or Heichi, any of these places will do!"
"Traveling will broaden your horizons, and that’s good for you."
With no other choice, Wang Ba could only nod.
"Yes, Master."
…
Ghost Market, Stage II palace.
"Brother Wen, I hear you were looking for me?"
Wang Ba poured a pot of tea with graceful movements for Wen Yong, who was flattered by the gesture and gently tapped on the table in response.
His eyes held a touch of complexity as he looked toward Wang Ba.
The two had worked together in the past, and more than thirty years later, their statuses had undergone a complete reversal.
He knew that, given their past friendship, this was probably his only chance to ask for help.
After a slight hesitation, he said respectfully:
"Yes, Senior, Wen Yong does not wish to die an old man in bed. I am willing to take the risk, hoping to one day stand by your side."
"Brother Wen, you are being too formal. What’s this ’Senior’ talk? You and I are companions in adversity… But since you’ve made up your mind, that’s an easy matter."
Wang Ba sipped the warm tea gently.
He then casually took out a storage bag that he had prepared earlier, pushed it across to Wen Yong, and spoke in a soft voice:
"Once you’ve decided on a time, just mention it to Shang Li. He will arrange a place for you to make your breakthrough."
Upon hearing Wang Ba’s words, Wen Yong trembled with emotion, cradling the storage bag in his trembling hands.
He then looked up at Wang Ba, lifted the storage bag above his head, and said with a shaky voice:
"Wen Yong, thanks for the great kindness of the Senior!"
Wang Ba quickly set down the teacup, "What are you doing? Are you being too formal now, friend, or have you decided you no longer recognize this friend?"
His tone was teasing, in the manner of old friends.
Wen Yong was momentarily lost for words.
Having fled from Yan State and Song State, with his family fortune exhausted and his wives and children gone, he had lost the spirit for cultivation.
Yet the appearance of Wang Ba had given him one last ray of hope.
He knew that with his current state, the likelihood of achieving the Golden Core was very slim.
Yet Wang had not hesitated one bit.
He truly did not know how to respond to such deep comradeship.
All he could do was nod earnestly: "Wen Yong will not let you down, friend!"
"Then I’ll be waiting to come over next time to enjoy tea with you," Wang Ba said with a smile.
Wen Yong said no more but gave a solemn bow, drank the tea, and then departed.
Watching Wen Yong’s retreating figure, Wang Ba couldn’t help but sigh softly.
He knew the chances for a breakthrough were next to none.
Yet, he still wanted to help, betting on that possibility.
Not for any other reason.
But so when he looked back, he would still have familiar friends by his side.
Life’s journey is long, and if one must walk it alone, how lonely would that be?
Soon, Li Yingfu quietly came to his side and raised his hand:
"Right Enforcer, everyone is ready."
Wang Ba nodded, finished his tea in one gulp, and then stood up.
"Let’s go. It’s my first time visiting Sen State, and I hear it’s quite lively there now. Let’s join in the fun!"
…
The sky was clear and cloudless.
Beyond the rolling mountains that marked the border between Chen State and Sen State lay an endless sea of dark, lush greenery.
It seemed as if the entire world consisted only of the azure sky and the deep green land, akin to a thick blanket of vegetation.
A chariot hurriedly flew through the sky.
But the "horses" pulling the chariot were not horses at all; instead, a Triangular Rhino clad in bumpy armor. The charioteer seemed to be constantly in flux, as if made of flowing water.
Soon a voice emerged from inside the chariot:
"Lou Yi, where are we now? How far from Wanzhou School?"
The coachman quickly pulled on the reins, and the Triangular Rhino halted in mid-air.
Then the coachman took out a map, looked at the indistinguishable forest below, and hesitated slightly:
"We should be in Mengbei County of Sen State... From Wanzhou School, let me see... it should still be about seven or eight thousand li."
"Should be?"
The voice inside the chariot seemed somewhat dissatisfied.
The carriage curtain was swiftly lifted.
A middle-aged cultivator looked out with a slight frown.
"Enforcer Li."
The charioteer, Lou Yi, quickly stood up.
Li Yingfu hummed in response, then looked past Lou Yi into the distance.
Nothing looked out of the ordinary.
But when his Spiritual Sense swept over, he found that beneath the forest seemed to be infused with a special power, continuous and unbroken, which resisted his probing.
Li Yingfu’s brow furrowed once again.
Meanwhile, another warm voice came from the carriage:
"Enforcer Li, it is said that ninety percent of Sen State is embraced by trees, so it’s normal not to spot our exact location at first glance. As long as we’re on the right path, there is no worry."
"Let Lou Yi continue."
Li Yingfu nodded, then turned to Lou Yi and said in a stern voice:
"The boundaries of Sen State are rather peculiar; my Spiritual Sense can’t even penetrate these forests below. I’ve heard that Sen State is full of all sorts, so we need to be cautious."
