Translator: CinderTL
After buying the steamed buns, Xu Sanyan had only 1.5 jin of soul spirit left. This meager amount wasn't even enough to cover his daily consumption, let alone strengthen his divine soul.
That's right, I need to accumulate more soul spirit to enhance myself and prepare for breaking through to the Soul Refining Realm!
As he walked, Xu Sanyan pulled out spirit stones and began absorbing their energy. The "Vitality" on his panel steadily increased.
In a few more days, I should have enough Vitality to reach the Peak Stage of the Dao Seeking Realm.
Suddenly, Zuoqiu Zhen gasped, pointing into the distance and shouting, "Sister! Holy Son! Look!"
Xu Sanyan followed her gaze and saw a massive pavilion standing in a corner of the city. Its towering, upturned eaves and dilapidated appearance stood in stark contrast to its surroundings.
Zuoqiu Hui murmured, "This is... Endless Central City?"
The pavilion from Endless Central City had appeared in this Ghost City. The merging of the two secret realms was happening much faster than the old man had predicted.
Xu Sanyan frowned and gazed into the distance. He pulled out his mother-child stone and sent a message to everyone:
[Gather near that pavilion.]
The pavilion was so large that it was clearly visible even from outside the city walls, so there was no need to worry about anyone missing it.
"Let's go."
Xu Sanyan hurried toward the pavilion, his mind racing. Does the appearance of Endless Central City's architecture mean we can return through this pavilion?
Regardless, they had to investigate and understand what was happening.
It wasn't just them. The native inhabitants had also noticed the pavilion, and many, driven by curiosity, were rushing toward it.
In a corner of East City, Fang Qingge, Luo Changtian, and Mo Xianxian successfully reunited. Luo Qingwei, however, was still some distance away and hadn't yet arrived.
"This place is too dangerous," Fang Qingge said, taking the lead. "I intend to lead our people back. What do you two think?" He had already guessed the significance of the appearance of that pavilion.
Luo Changtian nodded without hesitation. "Agreed. I was just about to suggest the same."
As the eldest disciple of the Harmonious Mountain Praying Dao Sect, he naturally bore responsibility for his sect's disciples. In just one night here, over ten of them had already lost contact. If they didn't retreat soon, the entire group might be wiped out.
Mo Xianxian remained silent, her veil fluttering slightly in the gentle breeze. After a moment's contemplation, she slowly shook her head.
"I'm staying here!"
Her voice was soft but resolute.
Though this place was dangerous, it was also a rare treasure trove for cultivating the divine soul—an invaluable opportunity for cultivators in the Dao Seeking Realm. She was determined to seize it!
She knew that treasures and mystical arts for strengthening the divine soul were always highly prized by sects. Even disciples within their own sects rarely had access to them, let alone outsiders.
Yet here, such treasures were everywhere. From the food sold by street vendors to the casually displayed items on shop counters, everything was extraordinary.
While Shangyin Mountain also had methods for cultivating the divine soul, their effectiveness was minimal and required immense time. Without a stroke of luck, she might never even glimpse the gateway to the Soul Refining Realm.
Since their last battle, Mo Xianxian had witnessed the true strength of the other heavenly prides, leaving her with a sense of inadequacy. Whether it was Fang Qingge, Jingyi, Xu Sanyan, or Qi Liang, their cultivation levels all surpassed hers.
Though she outwardly maintained an air of detached indifference, as if nothing could disturb her composure, deep down, Mo Xianxian remained fiercely proud. From childhood, she had always been the best at everything she did.
Now, she refused to be left behind!
This opportunity was too precious to waste.
Fang Qingge sighed inwardly, refraining from trying to dissuade her. He understood Mo Xianxian's feelings perfectly. If not for the disciples under his care, he too would have stayed to test his limits.
Alas...
Fang Qingge used the mother-child stone to inform the others of the new rendezvous point. He then clasped his hands in a farewell gesture to Mo Xianxian.
"Immortal Maiden, take care."
"You too," she replied.
The groups parted ways. Fang Qingge and Luo Changtian headed toward the pavilion, while Mo Xianxian turned to leave, determined to find a way to acquire soul spirits.
At a street corner, Tu Wanshan peeked out, watching Mo Xianxian depart alone. He glanced back at the distant pavilion, his heart wavering.
He longed to stay and strengthen his divine soul, yet he feared the dangers. Returning to Endless Central City, however, left him feeling resentful.
He knew the importance of cultivating his divine soul; with a sufficiently robust foundation, he could save considerable time when reaching the Soul Refining Realm.
Finally, he gritted his teeth, rose, and followed Mo Xianxian. He refused to give up.
Zuoqiu Shu led her second and seventh sisters toward the northern city pavilion. She had already received a message from her third sister, Zuoqiu Hui, warning that remaining here would continuously drain their divine soul energy, and failure to replenish it promptly could endanger their lives.
She also learned that her third and sixth sisters had once again crossed paths with Xu Sanyan, all this information coming directly from Xu Sanyan himself.
"Ah, what a wretched situation..." Zuoqiu Shu sighed deeply. The debt of gratitude she owed him grew ever deeper.
It had begun in Endless Central City, where Xu Sanyan had looked after her third and fourth sisters. Later, in the alleyway, he had taught them how to escape.
Now, her third and sixth sisters were by his side, even eating the steamed buns he provided, and he was relaying these crucial messages...
What if he demanded something unreasonable? How would she repay this ever-growing debt? If absolutely necessary, she might have no choice but to...
Ah...
Her second sister, Zuoqiu Chen, tall and slender in her leather boots, walked beside her. Noticing her eldest sister's troubled expression, she asked, "What's wrong, Eldest Sister?"
Zuoqiu Shu didn't know how to answer and could only shake her head.
After a moment of silence, Zuoqiu Shu suddenly spoke, "If I... am no longer here, you must take on the responsibility of the eldest sister. Take good care of our sisters and consult with our third sister on important matters. Your temperament is too impulsive; listening to our third sister's advice will serve you well."
Zuoqiu Chen was shocked, sensing that her eldest sister was speaking as if making final arrangements. She quickly pressed, "Eldest sister, what are you saying? Has someone threatened you?"
Zuoqiu Yi, who had remained silent until now, interjected, "Could the holy son of the demonic sect be pressuring you?"
Zuoqiu Chen flew into a rage. "So what if he's the holy son of the demonic sect? The Zuoqiu Clan isn't easily bullied! Eldest sister, don't worry. With our sisters united, we won't necessarily fear those demonic path demonfolk!"
Zuoqiu Shu quickly pulled her back. "Don't be rash! I'm only speaking hypothetically."
Zuoqiu Yi coldly retorted, "Xu Sanyan's strength is so overwhelming that even if all seven of us joined forces, we might not be able to match him."
"Hmph! What does strength matter? At worst, we'll die!" Zuoqiu Chen scoffed, utterly fearless.
"That Xu Sanyan is also a lecherous fiend. He has his eyes on our eldest sister. If she refuses him, he'll resort to any means..."
Zuoqiu Yi was cut off mid-sentence when Zuoqiu Shu clamped her hand over her mouth. Glaring at her second sister, who looked ready to explode with anger, Zuoqiu Shu pinched Zuoqiu Yi hard.
"Shut your mouth right now."
Zuoqiu Chen stomped her foot. "Next time I see him, I'll make him pay!"
Zuoqiu Shu slapped her lightly, torn between amusement and exasperation. "You shut up too! He's helped us countless times. How did he become a villain in your mouths?"
"Then what about Brother Shen?" Zuoqiu Yi retorted, still indignant. Zuoqiu Shen's death had hit her hard; they were close in age and had always been good friends. Yet he had died at Xu Sanyan's hands.
Zuoqiu Shu lowered her gaze, falling silent for a moment before shaking her head. "Forget about that. We're no match for the demonic sect..."
She deliberately avoided mentioning the incident, hoping her younger sisters would forget it and not foolishly provoke Xu Sanyan's wrath.
Since that battle, she had fully grasped the vast disparity in their strength. In truth, she was afraid—afraid of seeing her sisters die before her eyes.
As Zuoqiu Shu rounded the street corner, she froze at the sight of several figures approaching in the distance.
"Xu Sanyan?"
"Third Sister, Sixth Sister?"
"Eldest Sister?"
(End of the Chapter)
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