Jiang Yuechu was not one to dawdle.
Since she understood Thirteen Wu's meaning, she no longer stood on ceremony and solemnly cupped her fists in thanks.
Thirteen Wu narrowed his eyes, enjoying the gesture, but grumbled, "Alright, alright, enough with the empty formalities."
He turned his head to look at his Disciple standing silently to the side.
"Ziyu."
Wang Ziyu looked up. "Master."
"That place is far away, separated by more than half of the Eastern Region's territory. Without someone familiar with the way to lead, it would be a hassle... You shall accompany this girl on this journey."
Hearing this.
Wang Ziyu fell into hesitation and said in a low voice, "Master... in your current state, how can your Disciple leave?"
Thirteen Wu said irritably, "If something really happens, what damn use would you be staying here? Scram, scram, scram! Don't be an eyesore here, it's annoying just looking at you... Without you, your Master might even live a few years longer..."
"..."
Wang Ziyu looked helpless.
He wanted to say more.
But the young woman's voice rang out: "The Immortal Master's help this time is something this Junior will remember in her heart... If there is a need in the future, I will certainly give my all."
Thirteen Wu waved his hand and closed his eyes.
"Save those words for later... Now, take this kid and get out of here quickly."
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly, saying no more.
She turned and led the way out.
Her black robe traced an arc in the night, her footsteps on the bluestone slabs crisp and audible.
Wang Ziyu took one last look at the old Daoist.
The Old Daoist Priest seemed to have fallen asleep, his breathing so weak it was almost undetectable.
The young Daoist boy clenched his teeth, his eyes misting over.
Ultimately, he turned around and quickly followed the figure ahead.
A moment later.
The old Daoist was left alone in the courtyard.
Moonlight passed through the broken roof ridge, falling into the weeds and illuminating a scene of desolation.
The rattan chair creaked.
Thirteen Wu slowly opened his eyes, looking at the empty courtyard gate, and suddenly murmured, "The Eastern Region is so large, yet from here to there, it turns out to be only the distance of a single turn... Where the heart is at peace, there is home. And home is family, right?"
He looked down indifferently at his own body... tugging at his thin Daoist robe as if it could ward off the chill of late autumn.
"Right?"
A self-mocking smile touched the corners of his mouth.
"Perhaps, it is..."
...
Yujing Tower.
The Solitary Peak.
This place should have been buffeted by bitter winds, but now rolling heat waves overflowed from the mountain.
The sea of clouds was baked until it dissipated completely; not a hint of moisture could be seen for dozens of miles around.
An illusory Primordial Spirit curled up in the center of the Immortal Cave.
Junior Sister Xu's face was deathly pale, her eyes hollow and vacant.
She stared blankly at her nearly transparent hands, that smear of crimson moonlight in the depths of her memory still impossible to shake off.
Until steady footsteps rang in her ears.
"Keep your mind focused, do not think of it anymore."
Junior Sister Xu's delicate body trembled.
She jerked her head up to look at the man standing before her with his hands behind his back.
The man wore a red robe, his face as handsome as carved jade, with a faint red glow hidden around his body.
His eyes, deep as an abyss, were watching her gently.
"Senior Brother Wang..."
The long-suppressed terror erupted at this moment.
Junior Sister Xu's illusory Primordial Spirit prostrated on the ground, murmuring, "Junior Brother Liu is dead... he died right in front of me... Qingluan Mountain is completely destroyed, everything Senior Brother planned... is gone, it's all my fault... all my fault... if only I were more useful..."
Wang Canglan slowly crouched down.
He reached out and gently placed his hand on Junior Sister Xu's forehead.
Under his hand, her originally damaged Primordial Spirit actually began to stabilize.
"It's alright."
Wang Canglan's tone was gentle, and a smile appeared on his lips. "You have already been very impressive. To be able to preserve your Primordial Spirit and return from the hands of such a Devil Head is already a great fortune."
"Senior Brother..."
Junior Sister Xu could no longer endure it, throwing herself into Wang Canglan's arms and sobbing like a frightened small animal.
Wang Canglan gently stroked his Junior Sister's long hair, his expression full of pity.
However.
At an angle Junior Sister Xu could not see.
In the depths of his pupils, two clusters of flames were dancing frantically, and a malevolent aura arose.
Though his aura seemed as warm as jade, it revealed a sinister and terrifying nature.
A frog in a well cannot know the vastness of heaven and earth... The great catastrophe of this world was approaching, and he had studied painstakingly, not hesitating to use dreams to enter the Dao, all to mend the deficiencies of heaven and earth and find that silver lining of survival.
The path Wang Canglan wanted to take was the path of saving the world, yet now his way was blocked by a wild girl who knew nothing but slaughter and brute force.
How was this merely blocking a certain Wang's path?
It was clearly blocking the path of all living beings in this world...
After a long time.
Wang Canglan finally withdrew his hand.
"Junior Sister, rest well here. There is Blazing Fire Essence within the Immortal Cave; use it to reconstruct your Physical Body."
"When you emerge from seclusion, Senior Brother will take you to the top of Pure Yang Pavilion to watch the sea of clouds."
Hearing this.
Junior Sister Xu nodded ignorantly.
Looking at her Senior Brother's still ethereal face, the panic in her heart dissipated by more than half.
Wang Canglan did not stay any longer. The moment he turned and walked out of the Immortal Cave, his warmth vanished instantly.
His face was cold and hard, and with a wave of his large sleeve, he transformed into a brilliant red rainbow and soared into the sky.
The red light drew a long, narrow trail in the sky.
But after flying a thousand zhang, his path was blocked by a figure.
Wang Canglan stopped and calmly gave a salute to the elder.
"Master."
True Man Zhuge looked at his most prized Disciple, his expression full of helplessness. "You're mad... have you forgotten the Pure Yang Fire inside you? In your current condition, what can you do by going? You're nothing more than a mayfly; why bother fighting for this..."
Wang Canglan slowly raised his head and interrupted, "Master."
True Man Zhuge frowned. "Hmm?"
"Actually, I'm not doing this for revenge."
Wang Canglan shook his head. "Junior Brother Liu dying outside was due to his own lack of skill."
"Qingluan Mountain being destroyed can only be considered a failure in my planning."
"A mere ant, even if she accidentally ruined my layout, how could she be worth me risking my life?"
True Man Zhuge looked puzzled. "Then what are you going for?"
Wang Canglan raised his hand, flames flickering at his fingertips. "The 'Nine Revolutions Pure Yang Golden Canon' has reached the ninth transformation, and the Pure Yang Qi is burning my internal organs... Without an Extreme Yin object to harmonize it, the result will be self-immolation."
"I originally thought of taking the path of dream Reincarnation, but now that the medicine storehouse is destroyed, that path is no longer viable."
He turned his head to look at the now-closed Immortal Cave far below.
"Actually, I had arranged a backup plan from the beginning. I intended to use Xu Ling'er as the harmonizing object... but she is my Junior Sister after all. Watching her come all this way, I always had a bit of reluctance in my heart."
At this point, a flash of softness appeared in Wang Canglan's eyes.
"But it doesn't matter; now there is a better candidate."
"In terms of talent, that woman is likely above Xu Ling'er. To be able to cultivate to such a level, her essence blood will be my best medicinal catalyst."
"If I can take her essence blood, refine her Divine Soul, and mend the flaws in my Cultivation Technique..."
True Man Zhuge fell silent for a while.
As Wang Canglan's Master, how could he not know his plans?
But in True Man Zhuge's heart.
Only Wang Canglan alone was his true Disciple.
Whether it was the one named Liu or the one named Xu...
They all existed only for Wang Canglan.
With this thought.
The old man stepped aside, clearing the path.
"In that case, go then. However, in your current state, you only have one chance to strike... If it fails, the Pure Yang Fire will erupt instantly. You must think carefully about the risks involved."
But to True Man Zhuge's concern.
Wang Canglan gave a proud smile: "Master, do not forget who I am."
After saying that.
He stayed no longer, letting out a furious roar that pierced through heaven and earth.
The red rainbow tore through the clouds, shooting towards the distance.
"..."
True Man Zhuge stood in place, watching the receding figure.
After a long time.
He laughed in spite of himself.
Indeed.
He really was worrying too much...
If Canglan struck with all his might.
Below the level of a Chess Player, who could possibly be his match?
"When Canglan returns this time, I suppose he will be able to step into the realm of a Chess Player..."
The old man tucked his sleeves together, his figure slowly dissipating in the wind.