Chapter 214: Departure

Page 1 of 3

Ultimately, what Yang Yan lacked most was still strength.

After refining the Luo God’s Tears one after another, and after repeatedly escaping unscathed from the formidable enemies he had encountered recently, Yang Yan’s strength had surged dramatically. The energy of the Tiger-Headed Black-Ice Python that had shot into his body in the street had also contributed greatly to his advancement. He had now reached the peak of the fourth level of the Spirit Communion Realm. With such strength, he could already be considered a genius among the younger generation of the Flying Cloud Empire.

Because of this, Yang Yan had inevitably developed a trace of arrogance. After all, with his current power, dealing with ordinary sects in Jinheng City—or even throughout Jin Province—such as the former Zhang Family, would be as easy as raising a hand.

Yet when he personally confronted the three great powers of the empire, he truly felt his own helplessness. The strength he had once been proud of, the capital that enabled him to battle peak Spirit Communion experts, was as weak as an ant before the three great powers. Any three ambassadors casually dispatched by them possessed strength comparable to his own, to say nothing of the three immense sects standing behind them.

And Yang Yan was merely a lone individual. To contend with the three great sects of such a vast empire by himself was little more than a fool’s dream.

Under this pressure, his desire for strength had reached its absolute peak. He had already made a secret decision: once this matter was settled, he would enter seclusion and completely refine the energy within the seal.

No one spoke as they hurried toward the scene of the incident. The three ambassadors were the first to accelerate, while Yang Yan followed behind them at a neither-near-nor-distant pace.

That young man was astonishing. At such a tender age, he had already reached the fourth level of the Spirit Communion Realm. Even while the three of them traveled at full speed, he had followed them without appearing the least bit hurried. Looking across the younger generation of their sects, there were probably no more than five people who could surpass him. Such cultivation talent was practically monstrous. More importantly, his attainments in artifact refinement far exceeded those of his peers.

As they flew through the air, the handsome man from the Wind Cloud Pavilion was secretly startled. The two ambassadors from the Profound Heaven Hall and the Martial Dao Sect beside him had evidently noticed the same thing. Though they remained outwardly impassive, even the slightest changes in their expressions did not escape the eyes of the handsome middle-aged man.

By now, the three men had each formed their own plans. After learning what had happened within the Sacred Spirit Tower, they had secretly sent people back to their respective sects to report everything to their superiors. Naturally, Yang Yan’s information had been included as well. After all, the potential displayed by the winner of the artifact refiners’ competition was enormously tempting to the three great sects. An artifact refiner with extraordinary potential could be worth far more than a cultivator whose talent was merely above average.

However, while Yang Yan’s cultivation talent and skill in artifact refinement were both exceptional, genius was the one thing these great sects lacked least. Compared with the legendary supreme treasure known as the Spirit-Absorbing Relic, the value of a single genius required careful consideration.

After all, possessing the Spirit-Absorbing Relic was equivalent to giving the profound old monsters within those sects another means of preserving their lives. The attraction that such a treasure held for those ancient experts was naturally immense.

Of course, the final decision would depend on the orders issued by their superiors. It was not something the three of them could determine.

Just as the three men were about to reach the vicinity of the Forest Sea, the sound of something tearing through the air rang out in the distance. Moments later, five or six figures came flying toward them.

The three ambassadors were startled at first. The spiritual energy within their bodies surged rapidly, and they prepared to enter battle at any moment. But after seeing who was approaching, they dispersed the immense spiritual energy covering their bodies. The newcomers were Frank and the others.

The six men looked rather battered. Their clothes were torn in numerous places, and the spiritual energy radiating from them fluctuated wildly, sometimes powerful and sometimes weak. The fierce battle they had just endured had clearly consumed a great deal of their strength. Fortunately, none of them bore any obvious injuries. The Tianlong Empire had sent one peak Spirit Communion expert to capture Yang Yan, and with five against six, the Tianlong Empire had naturally been at a disadvantage.

“Greetings, three ambassadors!”

Frank and the others slowed to a halt before the three men and bowed respectfully.

The five peak Spirit Communion experts behind him also cupped their fists toward the ambassadors.

Although they had never thought highly of the three men, they could not dispense with the superficial courtesies required by etiquette.

The three ambassadors nodded slowly at Frank and the others. The handsome man from the Wind Cloud Pavilion then spoke first.

“Frank, what is the situation?”

“Once those people from the Tianlong Empire were exposed, they not only failed to restrain themselves but attempted to capture Yang Yan outright. They had six peak Spirit Communion experts as well. However, after sending one of them to pursue Yang Yan and Xue Qing, their overall strength was greatly reduced. We held the upper hand during the battle. Not long ago, though, they suddenly seemed to sense something and withdrew without the slightest hesitation. Although we outnumbered them, they resisted fiercely, making it difficult for us to stop their retreat. They have most likely already returned to the Tianlong Empire’s territory.”

Frank gave a concise account of what had happened, but his gaze swept toward Yang Yan with a hint of doubt. Seeing that Yang Yan remained completely unharmed, the astonishment on his face became even more pronounced.

The three ambassadors were likewise somewhat shocked. Yang Yan had not previously mentioned that a peak Spirit Communion expert had pursued him. Their gazes immediately turned toward the calm young man.

“The peak Spirit Communion cultivator who pursued me was killed by me,” Yang Yan said mildly. “I thought it was such a trivial matter that there was no need to report it to the three ambassadors.”

He spoke as though he were recounting something entirely unrelated to himself. Yet the moment those words left his mouth, every person present revealed unconcealed astonishment.

They had witnessed Yang Yan’s talent and attainments in artifact refinement during the competition. But such outstanding refinement talent could not provide him with much assistance in actual combat. Earlier, the three ambassadors had sensed that his strength was roughly at the peak of the fourth level of the Spirit Communion Realm, and they had been deeply astonished that someone so young could reach such a realm.

Still, they had never imagined that he possessed the formidable combat power necessary to kill a peak Spirit Communion expert. Judging from the state in which he had returned to the Artifact Refiners’ Guild, his aura was somewhat unsteady and he had clearly expended a great deal of strength, but he had suffered no apparent injury.

That meant Yang Yan had killed a peak Spirit Communion expert without sustaining the slightest wound, then returned to the Artifact Refiners’ Guild as though nothing had happened.

Even the three ambassadors, with all their composure and experience, felt an unreal sensation—as if they were trapped in a dream.

Having seen the supreme geniuses of their own sects, they had always believed that, at least within the Flying Cloud Empire, no member of the younger generation could surpass those so-called geniuses. Thus, whenever they encountered a young cultivator from elsewhere who possessed decent talent, they usually treated him with disdain. Compared with the disciples of their sects, those so-called geniuses seemed almost laughable.

But Yang Yan’s appearance had completely overturned their understanding and created a jarring contrast. Even now, they found it difficult to believe that he had truly defeated a peak Spirit Communion cultivator.

Frank was equally dumbfounded. He, too, found it hard to believe. Yet the peak Spirit Communion expert had indeed gone to capture Yang Yan and Xue Qing. No one else had been present at the time, and Frank knew Xue Qing’s strength better than anyone. She had only just entered the first level of the Spirit Communion Realm and would never have been capable of concealing such a matter from him.

Moreover, the five peak Spirit Communion experts from the Tianlong Empire who had remained behind to fight Frank had suddenly sensed something shortly after Yang Yan and Xue Qing left, and had then decisively withdrawn.

Combined with Yang Yan’s words, the truth was now clear. That must have been the moment when Yang Yan killed the peak Spirit Communion expert pursuing him.

If that was the case, then once the pursuer had fallen, the five men battling Frank would naturally have realized that their mission had become impossible. Since capturing Yang Yan was no longer feasible, they had no intention of dying here for nothing. They had therefore chosen to withdraw into Tianlong territory and make further plans.

Page 2 of 3

At this thought, the layers of mist surrounding Frank’s mind finally began to clear. He had no choice but to believe that Yang Yan was telling the truth.

“This boy is truly a monster,” Frank exclaimed inwardly, and a trace of relief immediately followed.

Fortunately, he had recruited Yang Yan before the young man revealed the full extent of his strength. Had Frank waited until Yang Yan displayed his true power before extending an invitation, the result would certainly not have been as favorable.

Frank also believed the promise Yang Yan had made earlier: as long as Yang Yan remained alive, the Flying Cloud Empire’s Artifact Refiners’ Guild would never fall.

Given the strength and potential the young man had now displayed, accomplishing that would not be difficult.

The atmosphere fell into an eerie silence because of Yang Yan’s indifferent words. The three ambassadors were still visibly shocked, and their expressions shifted repeatedly, sometimes revealing deep thought.

If Yang Yan’s combat power had been no greater than that of an ordinary fourth-level Spirit Communion cultivator, it would have been enough to attract the attention of the three great sects, but not enough to make him indispensable. After all, although the younger generations of their sects who could rival Yang Yan in cultivation talent were not as numerous as cabbages in a field, they were by no means rare.

But the present situation was entirely different. Yang Yan had killed an ordinary peak Spirit Communion expert while possessing only fourth-level cultivation. Moreover, he appeared not to have exerted much effort. The combat strength he had displayed far exceeded his actual cultivation.

The three ambassadors asked themselves honestly: none of the geniuses in their respective sects could accomplish such a feat.

“We must send this news back to our sects as quickly as possible.”

The same thought arose in all three minds.

“Three ambassadors, since those people from the Tianlong Empire have fled, perhaps we should return to the Artifact Refiners’ Guild and discuss our next move,” Frank said, breaking the silence.

The three men hesitated briefly before nodding. Without further delay, they turned and flew back in the direction from which they had come.

When the group returned to the Artifact Refiners’ Guild, many of the disciples had already heard fragments of what had happened. They had gathered together, waiting for Yang Yan and the others to return, and the moment the group appeared, they were surrounded.

Frank clearly had little time to deal with them. He waved his hand and sent them away, after which several people entered the guild’s meeting hall.

Yang Yan had never liked joining a crowd. He knew that the three great sects would now be discussing how to resolve the incident. Although he had joined the Artifact Refiners’ Guild, he was still only a disciple of the younger generation and had no qualifications to participate in discussions involving the three great sects.

When Yang Yan stopped walking, the three ambassadors glanced in his direction. In the end, they said nothing and proceeded inside.

After watching their backs disappear, Yang Yan stood still for a moment before turning toward a nearby resting chamber. Since they had shared danger together, he intended to check on Xue Qing’s injuries.

“Senior Brother Yang Yan is here!”

As Yang Yan stepped into the room, a young man cried out joyfully. The many disciples gathered around the bed immediately made way for him.

When Yang Yan reached the bedside, he discovered that Xue Qing had already awakened. Her complexion was still extremely pale, but she appeared to be out of danger. Qing’er was also sitting beside her, which surprised Yang Yan slightly.

He had never expected that, in only a few days, the two girls would somehow have formed a friendship.

Women were truly a strange species. The bond between two of them could be forged by something as simple as a single sentence, a gesture, or even a glance.

“Young Master Yang Yan, you’re back! Were you hurt?”

Upon seeing him, concern appeared on Qing’er’s face, and she hurriedly asked the question.

“I’m fine.”

A warm current flowed through Yang Yan’s heart. He smiled faintly at Qing’er.

“How are your injuries? Are you feeling better? I’m sorry. The situation was too urgent at the time, and I had no choice but to injure you by mistake…”

Before he had even reached the bed, Yang Yan spoke with a trace of apology.

Xue Qing, whose face was somewhat pale, had just begun to say something when she noticed the dozens of wide eyes surrounding the bed. She immediately fell silent and cast a meaningful glance at the others.

The disciples of the Artifact Refiners’ Guild understood at once that the three of them had something to discuss. Though reluctant to leave, they stuck out their tongues playfully and filed out one after another.

Only after everyone else had departed did Xue Qing turn her complicated gaze toward Yang Yan.

“If you had not intervened, I probably would not have survived.”

There was not the slightest hint of reproach in her voice.

She was right. The circumstances had been far too urgent. If Yang Yan had hesitated even for a moment, Xue Qing’s fate would have been far worse than merely suffering minor injuries.

Page 3 of 3

Yang Yan nodded, but he was also somewhat astonished by the strength of Xue Qing’s soul.

An ordinary first-level Spirit Communion cultivator could never have awakened in such a short time after being caught in the aftermath of the Lion-Tiger Beast King’s roar, even if the impact had been relatively minor. Yet Xue Qing had managed to do so.

The title of foremost member of the Flying Cloud Empire’s younger generation of artifact refiners had not been bestowed upon her without reason. Moreover, after spending five days cultivating within the Sacred Spirit Tower, she had gained benefits beyond the imagination of ordinary people. Although she had not possessed Yang Yan’s means of entering the legendary seventh level with Elder Yang’s assistance, the rewards she had obtained from five days of cultivation on the fourth level were still extraordinary.

“How is the situation now?” Xue Qing asked after the two remained silent for a while.

“The people from the Tianlong Empire have withdrawn. The three ambassadors are currently discussing their next move with President Frank,” Yang Yan replied.

“What are you planning to do next?”

Xue Qing did not seem particularly concerned with his answer. After a brief hesitation, she changed the subject and asked him directly.

Yang Yan’s expression grew solemn. After a long silence, he finally spoke slowly.

“I came here to tell you that I’m leaving Dalin City.”

The moment he finished speaking, Xue Qing’s expression changed dramatically. She struggled upright in bed.

“Are you in such a hurry? Although you defeated that peak Spirit Communion expert, it clearly was not easy. Why not recuperate at the Artifact Refiners’ Guild for a few days before leaving?”

Xue Qing spoke hurriedly.

Looking into the girl’s earnest, expectant eyes, Yang Yan paused for a moment before slowly shaking his head.

“There are things I must take care of. My original plan was to leave Dalin City as soon as I came out of the Sacred Spirit Tower. I’ve already delayed long enough, and I cannot remain here any longer.”

Yang Yan had his own reasons. He had already seen through the intentions of the three great powers and could guess at the actions they might take. If he stayed, he might receive the protection of the Artifact Refiners’ Guild. Out of consideration for Frank, the three great sects might refrain from doing anything to him.

But he could not hide in the guild for the rest of his life.

Besides, doing so would place Frank between the three great sects and force him into an impossible predicament. Yang Yan could not bring himself to burden someone else with such trouble. In the end, this was something he had to face himself. Running away would never solve the problem.

Since no one else could change the situation, and since he could not evade it forever, he would face it himself.

“Then, Young Master, when are we leaving?” Qing’er asked, her beautiful eyes glancing reluctantly toward Xue Qing on the bed.

“Now.”

Yang Yan’s answer was simple and direct. He had never liked dragging matters out.

During the days he had spent with the brothers of the Artifact Refiners’ Guild, he had found in them the long-lost feeling of home. When he calmed down and thought about it, remaining here and living among them might actually have been a pleasant choice.

That, however, depended on his first completing everything he carried in his heart and upon his shoulders. Only then could he set down his burdens, cast off his weariness, and do whatever he wished without further concerns.

But for now, he had to leave.

“Xue Qing, please tell President Frank that I am grateful for his recognition and trust. The promise I made to him will never change. And you—take good care of yourself.”

Once he had finished speaking, Yang Yan showed no further hesitation. He rose and strode toward the door.

Seeing the young man suddenly rise and leave, mist gathered in the girl’s beautiful eyes as she sat upon the bed. Qing’er sighed softly, patted Xue Qing on the shoulder, then stood and followed Yang Yan.

After leaving the Artifact Refiners’ Guild, Yang Yan and Qing’er immediately set off toward Jin Province. Neither of them spoke along the way. Each carried thoughts of her own, and under the resulting silence, their pace was remarkably swift. Before sunset, they had already traveled far from the guild.

Yang Yan took a map from his Cosmos Pouch and studied it, then let out a faint sigh of relief.

More than half a year had passed since he left the Azure Profound Sect. During that time, aside from a few special circumstances, he had been rushing from place to place at breakneck speed. Now, he was less than one-third of the total journey away from Jin Province.

At the thought that he would soon return to the place where he had grown up, and to his father’s kind and benevolent face, Yang Yan could not help feeling a surge of inexplicable joy.

To shorten the journey, Yang Yan and Qing’er deliberately chose remote paths whenever possible. They traveled through wind and open country, often sleeping beneath the stars.

Yang Yan felt somewhat apologetic about making a girl like Qing’er endure such hardships with him, but she did not mind in the slightest. She was not a delicate or overly fussy girl. Her resolve was even stronger than that of many men. Otherwise, she would never have abandoned the relatively peaceful life of a mercenary group to roam the world with Yang Yan.

End of Chapter

Recommended: Awakening of the Witch Doctor — mobile reading.