Chapitre 13: Chapter 13 Leaving Yunmu City

No matter how lively it is outside, it all has nothing to do with the third branch of the family.

The third branch was very calm.

The husband and wife both went into seclusion.

Before going into seclusion, Xie Shen pulled Xie Jiuniang aside and whispered, "My daughter, your grandfather says there are some strangers in the city with somewhat suspicious behavior, and there might be something brewing. Don't go out for fun when it's not necessary, and if there's anything, wait for your mother and me to come out of seclusion, understood?"

"Understood. I wish you success in achieving Foundation Establishment soon," Xie Jiuniang said obediently, nodding her head, which eased Xie Shen's mind a great deal.

Therefore, during the days her parents were in seclusion, Xie Jiuniang activated the formation every day and did not set foot outside the house.

However, she did meet Xie Siniang in secret a few times.

Xie Jiuniang gave her all the Qi Nourishing Pills she didn't need and also urged her to diligently practice cultivation, hoping she would join a Great Sect this year.

Xie Siniang did not take too much advantage of her and gave her a big handful of Spirit Talismans.

Some were drawn by herself, and some by her father.

After thinking it over, Xie Jiuniang decided to accept the Spirit Talismans. It wasn't that she was short of talismans, but she knew that Xie Siniang would feel relieved only if she accepted them.

At the same time, the arrival of Xie Siniang also brought with it the latest gossip about Xie Ying.

Nowadays, Xie Ying had people following her wherever she went, and many people were trying to curry favor with her. Additionally, Xie Ying had made some new friends, reportedly from large cultivation families.

Xie Jiuniang pondered thoughtfully.

Had those people already started to approach Xie Ying?

In fact, it would be best to leave Yunmu City now to avoid some people's prying eyes. However, being young and leaving a note to depart on her own would undoubtedly worry her parents.

Better to wait for her parents to leave seclusion before discussing it.

Even if she didn't leave now.

When the various sects start recruiting disciples, she'll have to leave anyway.

Knowing that her time in the clan wouldn't be long, Xie Jiuniang set her sights on the Xie Family's library. An ancient family naturally had its exceptional aspects.

Arriving in front of the library, she presented the family's Disciple Token, and the Elder guarding it checked it before letting her through.

The rules of the library stated that the books inside could only be read and memorized, not copied or taken out. In the Qi Cultivation Stage, one was only allowed to borrow books from the first floor. Xie Jiuniang had no objections to this, as the collection of books on the first floor alone numbered in the tens of thousands.

The library was rich in books, with a variety of categories.

Most of them were centered on Cultivation Techniques and Techniques, with the four arts of alchemy, instruments, formations, and talismans as supplements, in addition to various miscellaneous studies, such as planting, treasure appraisal, beast taming, Gu insects, puppetry, and mechanical techniques, and so on.

Xie Jiuniang browsed through them briefly, and surprisingly, there was even a book on Corpse Refinement. After opening and reading it, she learned it was about refining beast corpses, similar to puppetry technique.

There were also many books on medicine and poison.

Even Star Divination was included!

She couldn't help but pick up a book introducing star divination and began to read it seriously. She didn't intend to learn it but only wanted to understand it first to know how to prevent others from divining her fate.

For several days in a row.

Xie Jiuniang did not leave the library, and whenever she was hungry, she would take a Fasting Pill.

"Jiuniang!"

Xie Ying exclaimed in surprise.

Xie Jiuniang's elegant brows furrowed slightly as she reminded, "Elder sister, mind the surroundings."

Xie Ying seemed to realize the inappropriateness and showed an apologetic expression on her cool face. She walked up to Xie Jiuniang, spoke softly, "I'm sorry, I was just too surprised to see Jiuniang. I went to see you several times before, and He Xiang said you were in seclusion."

Xie Jiuniang did not want to deal with her.

There were other clan members on the first floor, but no one would speak openly to avoid disturbing others.

Xie Jiuniang transmitted her voice directly using Divine Sense, "If elder sister has something to say, please speak frankly."

Xie Ying transmitted back using the same method, "Jiuniang, I'm going to the sect earlier than planned. Tianxu Sect specially sent someone, and we'll be departing tomorrow. Fortunately, I got to see you before leaving; I've always wanted to bid you farewell in person."

"Oh, congratulations," Xie Jiuniang offered her congratulations indifferently.

Xie Ying pursed her lips and chuckled lightly, "All this, thanks to Jiuniang's blessing."

"It's good that you know."

"Uh? ...How are we supposed to have a conversation like this?"

Xie Ying had left.

Knowing that there were outsiders in the residence, Xie Jiuniang was even less willing to leave the library.

The library was protected by a powerful formation, inaccessible to non-clan disciples. In there, she didn't have to worry about being investigated by outsiders.

...

Three months later.

An inconspicuous carriage left Yunmu City.

The driver was Xie Shen in disguise.

In the carriage were Mo Lan and her daughter Xie Jiuniang, dressed in ordinary people's clothes, concealing their cultivators' aura. This was thanks to the top-quality Breath Concealment Talisman that Xie Jiuniang had drawn.

Xie Shen had become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Mo Lan was still at the Ninth Level of Qi Cultivation; after taking Marrow Cleansing Pills, her cultivation had greatly improved.

After taking the Marrow Cleansing Pill, Xie Jiuniang's cultivation had risen to the Sixth Level of Qi Cultivation, and she hardly cultivated thereafter, soaking herself in the library almost day and night, focusing on taking notes.

In three months, she had almost finished reading all the books on the first floor.

In the meantime, she took advantage of the newly acquired knowledge to secretly craft various items—mixing new with old—including a rusty Broken Sword, damaged Beast Skin, a lantern with broken horns, beads, Stone Elephants, and more. Some clearly shone with the light of treasures, while others seemed mundane.

She properly stored all these items.

They might come in handy at any moment.

That is until her parents emerged from closed-door cultivation.

Xie Jiuniang had expressed a desire to depart early, not wanting to travel with the clan's people.

There was still half a year until the Sect started recruiting disciples.

In this life, after deep consideration, she had chosen to go to Tianxu Sect again.

One of the reasons was that Xie Ying was in Tianxu Sect.

According to Star Divination she understood, highly cultivated individuals often chose to avoid direct divination and instead approached it obliquely—not calculating for the person of interest directly, but deducing the broader scope from smaller concerns.

For example, merely divining the general direction of the Child of Destiny. If it weren't for Tianxu Sect's location, wouldn't it be informing others that the Child of Destiny wasn't Xie Ying, but someone else?

Moreover, choosing other Great Sects wouldn't help avoid the situation.

For instance, Wu Yu was with Minghua Sect, and the Gongsun Family was in Chiyang Sect, so it made more sense to go to a familiar place like Tianxu Sect.

Of course, most importantly, she knew of several opportunities that she must go to Tianxu Sect to obtain.

After discussing with her husband, they immediately decided to accompany their daughter on her departure, fantasizing about which Sect their daughter would join and then settling in that Sect's Fangshi to live and do some small business.

This way, they wouldn't have to be apart from their daughter and could even see her often.

Xie Jiuniang was naturally happy about this.

She too didn't want to be separated from her parents, and once she secured those opportunities, she would help her parents improve their Spirit Roots and aptitude. Thus, her parents wouldn't leave her early as they had in her previous life.

The carriage gradually distanced itself from Yunmu City.

The family of three was unaware that there was someone on the city wall watching them depart.

People were still watching the Xie Family in Yunmu City, and although they thought they were being discreet, the upper echelons of the Xie Family had long been aware.

If the enemy doesn't move, I don't move.

The Clan Leader of the Xie Family watched for a long time, unable to discern the purpose of these people, who each belonged to forces the Xie Family could not afford to provoke.

It was so troubling that he had lost several hairs over it.

Thus, when the family of three proposed to leave quietly, the Xie Clan Leader did not stop them and even actively helped cover for them.

When clan members inquired, the response was that they were simply going to visit their maternal relatives.

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Chapitre 14: Chapter 14 Seeking Opportunities at Wanfo Temple

"Daughter, why take a detour to Wanfo Temple?" Xie Shen was somewhat puzzled.

Mo Lan pursed her lips and smiled, "Just go if I tell you to go. It's Jiujiu's first time going out. What's wrong with being a bit curious?"

"Just like Mom said, I want to broaden my horizons. Whether it's fun or not is secondary. Later when I talk to people, I'll also be someone who has visited Wanfo Temple." Xie Jiujiu blinked her innocent large eyes and casually made up a reason.

A doting look flickered in Mo Lan's smiling eyes.

The family left Yunmu City far behind, and after confirming that no one was following them, they switched their carriage for a flying vessel.

The flying vessel was a small boat, spacious enough for three people.

The predecessor of Wanfo Temple was the once flourishing Buddhist Sect.

During its heyday, the Buddhist Sect was a top force in the Cultivation World. Subsequently, when the Demon Clan invaded, the Buddhist Sect served as one of the primary combat forces. In the final decisive battle, the Demon Clan was defeated, but almost all the strong members of the Buddhist Sect fell, nearly causing the teachings to be lost.

As time passed, the Buddhist Sect gradually vanished, turning into what is now Wanfo Temple.

The main hall of Wanfo Temple is the former Heritage Hall of the Buddhist Sect.

Every Buddha Cultivator in the Cultivation World would visit this place once in their life.

It is said that a young monk once had a sudden enlightenment while offering incense in Wanfo Temple.

From then on, he underwent a complete transformation and soared to the heavens, becoming the renowned Divinity Transformation Buddha Cultivator—Spiritual Hidden Venerable.

On ordinary days, some cultivators also come here to sightsee, hoping to stumble upon some fortunate opportunity.

There is a small town at the foot of Wanfo Temple, quite prosperous with teahouses, inns, and Fangshi, various shops lined up, and personnel maintaining public order.

Wanfo Temple opens on the first and fifteenth days of each month. Today is the twelfth, still three days away from the fifteenth.

Xie Jiujiu spoke up, "Dad, Mom, let's go to the inn first."

"Are you tired, Daughter, and want to rest?" Looking around at the bustling, thriving scene of vehicles and horses, Mo Lan couldn't help but remark, "This place is even more prosperous than I heard."

Xie Shen looked up towards the direction of Wanfo Temple's summit, his eyes filled with longing, "Of course. This place is after all the former site of a Sect. It's hard for us cultivators to find opportunities, so why not come to a well-known, safe place like this? What if my luck strikes and I gain the legacy of a Buddhist Sect predecessor by offering incense at Wanfo Temple?"

"Is that what you think, Dad?" Xie Jiujiu was surprised, "Oh, you want to become a monk and don't want a wife anymore? Does Mom know?"

Hearing this, Xie Shen immediately panicked and hastily explained, "No, no! I was just making an analogy. Your mother is beautiful, intelligent, gentle, and generous. Marrying her is the blessing of my past eight lifetimes…"

Mo Lan looked at him, her expression a mixture of amusement and bemusement.

Xie Jiujiu's lips twitched, her father's will to survive was very strong.

What followed was her mother dragging her father by the ear, a mixture of scolding and pleading for mercy.

Ever since leaving Yunmu City, Xie Jiujiu had seen too much of this. She never knew her parents interacted like this privately; their relationship was incredibly strong. Suddenly, she somewhat understood her mother's death and her father's final decision...

They found an inn and rented an elegant private courtyard.

There were two guest rooms, a large hall, as well as a tea room, washroom, and storage room. The yard had a small garden with some aesthetically pleasing plants and trees.

This small courtyard was enough for them, though the price was far from cheap.

It cost eighty-eight Spirit Stones per day, and it was merely a common mortal courtyard with self-provided formation. Even in Yunmu City, one Spirit Stone was considered expensive.

Mo Lan paid the rent with a pang of regret, following her daughter's advice and renting it for three days.

It shouldn't hurt, they already possessed a fortune of five hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

She didn't know what her daughter aimed for by coming here, but as the saying goes, a mother knows her daughter best. Respectfully, since her daughter didn't want to disclose it, she and her husband pretended they didn't know. They also wondered what their daughter had encountered in the past three years that had forced the cheerful child to mature, yet seemed to carry a burden onward...

Mo Lan deeply regretted thinking about this.

She despised the main family to death.

The people of the main house are no good at all!

Jiujiu had no idea that her parents had been noticing her occasional odd behavior; the main house was also unwittingly blamed.

Over the next two days.

The couple was amazed to see their daughter, who usually split her time between studying and cultivating, wandering around early in the morning and particularly fond of visiting the small stalls in Fangshi.

She checked out every stall.

The vendors were used to it, as many people were looking for bargains.

No matter how the others marketed their goods, embellishing extravagantly, Jiujiu remained steadfast and never bought a thing.

Xie Shen was puzzled. "What is our daughter looking for?"

"My opportunity," Jiujiu sighed. "Why haven't I come across something that captures my heart and makes me want to buy it at first sight?"

Aren't I the favorite of Heavenly Dao?

They say that the Child of Destiny gathers this world's great fortune in one body and often just by walking a few steps, one could find ancient relics. Now it's her turn, and after two days...

Nothing at all!

Indeed, relying on oneself is better than relying on others.

Jiujiu had specifically chosen this time to come to Wanfo Temple, aiming for an opportunity that Lin Wangchen had received in his previous life.

On the morning of the third day.

Jiujiu got up early and went with her parents to offer incense.

They ascended the steps with a devout heart.

The Buddhist Sect was established to save the common people from decline, and the sacrifices of countless predecessors should not go unnoticed; truly, their merit was boundless.

They finally reached the summit.

Suddenly, she saw a majestic Buddhist treasure hall standing resolutely between the verdant green mountains and the heavens.

In the spacious square in front of the grand hall, there was a giant golden bell at the center.

Besides that, it was a sea of people.

The sun hadn't even risen yet, and there were already so many people?

Xie Shen, towering like an iron tower, kept guarding his wife and daughter, while Mo Lan went to buy incense.

Jiujiu suddenly said, "Mom and Dad, there are too many pilgrims; let's not cram in with them. Let's walk around the temple grounds first."

"Alright, it's not crucial to be the first to offer incense; any time is the same," Mo Lan, now completely devoted to her daughter, complied with whatever her daughter suggested.

Pretending to stroll casually around Wanfo Temple, Jiujiu led her parents towards the back mountain until they stood before a small pond.

The water in the pond was shallow and crystal clear.

Standing on the shore, one could clearly see the fine pebbles at the bottom and occasionally spot a silver fish darting by.

Lin Wangchen had said in his past life that he had obtained a palm-sized golden Buddha statue in Xiaoshui pond. During the Golden Core Stage, while he was out on a sect mission, he was chased by a Nascent Soul Ghost Cultivator, and it was said that it was this Buddha statue that saved his life.

The specifics of the time or how he had acquired it were not detailed, only the mention of Xiaoshui pond.

Jiujiu used her Divine Sense to search but found nothing?

That shouldn't be right.

Could the golden Buddha statue also block the Divine Sense from detecting it?

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