The journey was a lot more smooth on the White Form Immortal Snake, as Fang Yuan adjusted its speed, knowing that he could not maintain their prior velocity for too long. As it was, even with its reduced speed right now, they were still making excellent time. Both girls looked like they were in much better states once they got off for the evening, and could rest.
"Even if I were a Gu Master," Xiao Die said, "I don't think I would ever want to fly." She stumbled after they landed as if they were standing on uneven ground despite the floor being quite firm.
Fang Yuan had a large amount of experience flying and so this didn't bother him by much, and Bai Ning Bing would never admit feeling sick even if she did.
Fang Yuan removed supplies from one of his storage gu worms.
They had landed near the mouth of a cave which looked secure enough to Fang Yuan, and was perched on an elevation that would make it difficult to reach unless one could fly.
An eagle's nest was present some distance away from them, its mother glaring at them, but it made no moves as they moved inside.
The next day, they ran into an issue - a murder of Night Crows that did not take too kindly to the White Form Immortal Snake. They were led by a measly Thousand Beast King, however, they were used to flying around. Fang Yuan, even with his experience, had difficulty navigating a target as large as the White Form Immortal Snake through the air while also keeping Zhang Xin Ci and Xiao Die safe, and also while minimizing turbulence.
"AIEEEEE!" Xiao Die screamed out as the snake gave way under her, falling for three feet before landing on its back yet again.
Zhang Xin Ci did not have words to deal with the situation. Her Bone Spear felt about as useful as a toothpick against the Night Crows.
Fang Yuan ultimately had to land while the murder passed over their heads. The Night Crows remembered grudges, however, it was clear that they were less confident fighting them outside of their territory, especially as once their feet were planted firmly on the ground, the others, mainly Bai Ning Bing, could fight more freely. The White Form Immortal Snake could now rise in the sky, and swiftly bit off the leader's head, leading to the crows to retreat.
A quick glance at Zhang Xin Ci and Xiao Die told Fang Yuan that they couldn't fly further, at least, not for today. Even after using Doctor Gu's healing, if they were to take flight again, it would only result in another similar episode. And he couldn't completely sever ties with them yet.
"Alright, we'll move on the ground for now," Fang Yuan said, removing the Hundred Li Earthwolf Spider from his aperture. Xiao Die grimaced at the thought of sitting atop its back, but it was better than flying, she felt.
"Fang Yuan, what is this nonsense?" Bai Ning Bing whispered to him. "If they can't keep up, we should just go on ahead without them!"
She couldn't understand why Fang Yuan was treating them with such favoritism. Back when he was with the Gu Yue Clan, she could understand to some extent that he was attempting to maintain his persona as a kind and generous clan head, but what were these two people?
Bai Ning Bing had intended to 'whisper' these things, but both Xiao Die and Zhang Xin Ci could hear her even as they were lounging around attempting to orient themselves once more. Neither of them had the strength to even so much as utter a sound in response to this, however.
The spider moved slowly but surely, its movements steady as they at the very least made some kind of progress. Fang Yuan did not reply to Bai Ning Bing, who simply shook her head.
The spider's speed was slower than that of the snake, and they also had to avoid several things along their journey. Every five li or so, it seemed, they would run into something like an underground water reservoir or the like that they needed to take a detour around. They also could not travel in a straight line for this reason unlike the White Form Immortal Snake, further prolonging the journey.
They rested that night, only for their to be massive storm clouds in the morning which Fang Yuan did not like. Once again, they traveled underground using the Hundred Li Earthwolf Spider. Both Zhang Xian Ci and Xiao Die seemed to be quite happy about this development, though Zhang Xian Ci couldn't help but feel a small pit of worry grow in her stomach.
'Benefactor must have some kind of time-sensitive goals that he wishes to accomplish,' she thought. 'Either that, or some kind of perishable goods or gu worms that need feeding along the journey there. He probably wants to get there as soon as possible, but all of this is slowing him down."
The next day there were clear skies, the storm having passed them overhead while they had traveled underground. The White Form Immortal Snake once again took flight, and this time nothing stopped them until they finally saw Shang Clan City on the horizon.
"This was extremely uncomfortable," Xiao Die complained. "But so fast!" They had left the merchant caravan behind, and it looked like they had actually arrived before it, despite their delayed start. That was mainly because Fang Yuan was not hauling around a massive amount of cargo and people, and also because they could fly.
Tomorrow morning, they would reach the city proper, which they could do atop the Hundred Li Earthwolf Spider, not needing to fly any further.
Both Zhang Xin Ci and Xiao Die were quite pleased to have realized this, their destination finally in sight. It had been a long and difficult journey - they had lost Zhang Zhu along the way, and all of their wares, however, they had also gained several things. Zhang Xin Ci was a Gu Master now, and could cultivate. They had also arrived alive - that was not something that they were thankless for.
However, Zhang Xin Ci's chipper mood vanished the next morning when Fang Yuan said, "And this, is where we part."
Her expression fell. "Part?"
"I'm afraid that we were only accompanying you up until this point," Fang Yuan said. "We have things to do regarding our clan that we cannot involve outsiders in. I'm sure you understand - we will be entering through a different gate as well."
Her face fell, and even Xiao Die looked to be quite worried. They had not mentioned this earlier, but upon reflection, both of them realized that it should've been expected.
"Don't look so down," Fang Yuan said. "You already have a grasp on the basics of Gu Master cultivation. You will be able to learn much in the city, and I'll send you off with enough milk to feed your Bone Spear Gu for some time. I'll even give you a little staring cash." He handed her 20 primeval stones. "Someone industrious can slowly build an empire with that - they say the first Shang Clan ancestor started out as someone who was a wandering peddler."
"Yes, I'm sure to do something with this," Zhang Xin Ci said, taking his gift.
"And this doesn't need to be farewell forever," Fang Yuan said. "Who knows, if fate wills it, our paths may cross again?"
"W-Will you meet with us once before leaving the city?" Zhang Xin Ci asked.
"I will see - we may be here for some time," Fang Yuan said.
There were a thousand things that Zhang Xin Ci wanted to say before they parted their ways - but only two words came out. "Thank you."
As Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing left them, the two walked up to the gate. Tears were forming at the corners of Zhang Xin Ci's eyes.
"Don't worry, Missy, I'm sure that we'll meet them again. Remember what he said?"
"Yes, I do," Zhang Xin Ci said, wondering how so short an encounter could imprint someone like that so deeply in her heart.