บท 103: Chapter 103: Departure
Lu An's heart stirred. While the Extreme Secret Realm could provide insights into the Dao of Extremes, it required planting a spiritual mark, which might not be a good thing.
Moreover, the Three Talismans Dao Sect's foundation was still shallow. Competing with other forces would only hinder the sect's development.
After a moment of contemplation, he said slowly, "Uncle Gu, Senior Mo, in my view, we should not interfere with the Extreme Secret Realm. If others want to fight over it, let them."
Gu Chuanfei and Mo Xuan exchanged glances and asked, "Isn't it a pity to give up like this?"
Lu An shook his head and continued, "The secret realm is under the governor's control; it won't be easily given to others. Moreover, as far as I know, Senior Mo has already reached the threshold of Core Formation. It would be a waste to neglect it because of this matter."
"Uncle Gu also needs time to digest the insights gained from the secret realm. This is a good opportunity to improve further."
"While others are fighting amongst themselves, our sect should focus on its own development. This is the best chance for the Three Talismans Dao Sect to advance."
Both agreed with Lu An's reasoning and nodded in approval.
"As for the Grand Elder…"
"I'll send a message to my master. He will likely agree with this approach."
"Good, then it's settled!"
While they were discussing the details of the future, Ying Chang and his wife walked in from outside.
Lu An looked up and saw a familiar figure behind them. His mouth curved into a slight smile.
He quickly went up to greet them and asked, "Xiao Qian, why are you here?"
He had previously agreed with Xiao Qian to go to the Shui Tian Dharma Assembly together after obtaining the quota. Since this matter couldn't be mentioned to others, he pretended to be surprised.
Ye Xiao Qian gave him a reproachful look and withdrew her hand subtly.
She still had the appearance of a maid, with burns covering half her face, giving her a rather fearsome look.
But no one else seemed to notice, only showing the warmth of friends meeting.
"Lu An, when are you planning to set off?"
Ye Xiao Qian asked after greeting everyone.
"Right now. Are you ready?"
Others were somewhat surprised. Was Lu An planning to take Xiao Qian to the capital?
Fang Ling stepped forward and said, "Xiao Qian, you've just arrived and are already leaving? I thought you'd stay a bit longer."
"No, I'm going too. I don't feel comfortable letting you go with Lu An alone."
Ye Xiao Qian laughed softly, while Lu An's forehead developed a few black lines.
"Senior Fang, the Talisman Hall only permits one companion. I can't bring you along."
Fang Ling was about to speak again when Ying Chang pulled her back and said, "Your sister-in-law was just joking. Don't take it seriously."
Then he looked at Lu An with a meaningful smile.
Lu An shook his head helplessly; it really was hard to explain.
After bidding farewell to everyone, he took Ye Xiao Qian to the Talisman Hall.
Once they were alone, he asked through sound transmission, "What do you intend to do in the Great Qi Palace? Can you tell me?"
"Are you worried I might drag you down?"
Lu An shook his head slowly and said sincerely, "The Great Qi Palace is not like Yongning City or Guguang County. There are many Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators there, far beyond what you can handle."
Ye Xiao Qian, seeing his serious demeanor, felt playful and said, "This mission is very important. I never planned to come back alive, so you don't need to worry about me."
Lu An stopped in his tracks and frowned, "No, in that case, I might have to withdraw my promise to take you into the palace."
"You want to back out?"
Lu An raised an eyebrow and retorted, "What if I do? This matter is non-negotiable."
Ye Xiao Qian stared at him coldly, but Lu An stood his ground, meeting her gaze.
Suddenly, Ye Xiao Qian burst into a laugh. "You're such a fool. How could I do something so reckless?"
"The target of this mission is just a Foundation Establishment cultivator. With my strength and a surprise attack, I can take care of him quickly."
"And I've already prepared a concealment artifact and an escape route. It's absolutely foolproof."
Lu An, hearing this, relaxed slightly and took her hand, leading her to the Talisman Hall.
Ye Xiao Qian tried to pull her hand away a couple of times but eventually let him lead her, feeling a strange sensation in her heart.
Together they arrived at the Talisman Hall, where the others had been waiting.
Lu An looked around and immediately spotted a familiar figure.
He took a step forward and slightly bowed. "Friend Yuan has also reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Congratulations!"
"It seems you've come to Yongning City to obtain a quota from the Array Hall?"
The person was none other than Yuan Zong, the guest who served Li Ziyou. He had previously set up the Qi Gathering Array for Lu An, and the defensive array for the Spirit Talisman Residence was also arranged by him. His skills in formations were indeed exceptional.
Seeing Lu An, Yuan Zong was both surprised and delighted, and quickly came forward to greet him. With a long journey ahead, having an acquaintance was naturally a pleasant thing.
The others also turned their attention towards Lu An and his companions.
"This is Lu Jinqiu from Guanghan County. I was fortunate enough to obtain a quota from the Artifact Hall. You must be Lu Daoyou. I've heard so much about you."
Upon entering the city, he had already heard of the Three Talismans Dao Sect's great reputation, and the rumors about its mysterious abilities made him very eager to join the sect.
Lu An's name had, of course, spread along with the sect's reputation. As a personal disciple of a Nascent Soul cultivator, an elder of the Three Talismans Dao Sect, a cultivator at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, and a second-tier talisman master, any of these titles were not to be underestimated.
Therefore, he also wanted to make a connection.
Another person was a woman who, although her expression was aloof, was exceptionally beautiful.
"Li Li, from the Dan Hall."
Lu An looked at her a bit longer and was about to bow when he suddenly heard a sound transmission.
"Hmph, the master was right. No man is worth a damn."
He turned around and saw Xiao Qian with a blank expression, as if nothing had happened.
Lu An's lips curled slightly, and he responded playfully through sound transmission, "Jealous, are we?"
Xiao Qian, with her face covered by a mask, could not show her true expression, but her ears turned red, and she ignored him.
Lu An chuckled and shook his head.
He scanned the others present and noticed that, except for Yuan Zong, each person had a maid. In that sense, he wasn't so out of place.
As for whether these maids were there to serve tea and water or to ease their troubles, it was beyond his concern.
After greeting the two Dao friends, Lu An went to the side of the Talisman Hall Master.
"Hall Master, when do we depart?"
"We are about to leave. This journey may take up to half a year, so we must be thoroughly prepared."
"Didn't you say there are some peculiar people who raise beasts and cultivate spirit insects besides us four halls?"
"They will be setting out from another route and will not be traveling with us."
Lu An realized that, although they were all cultivators from Yongning County, their connections with the four halls were not very close.
Once the hall master confirmed that there were no issues, he gathered everyone in front of him.
"I will personally lead this journey. With my late-stage Core Formation cultivation, as long as no Nascent Soul cultivators intervene, I can ensure your safety."
"Since the territory of the Great Qi Kingdom is vast, I plan to head to Wanrenzhou City first, and then take a large teleportation array directly to the capital. Do any of you have objections?"
Seeing that everyone agreed with this plan, he summoned a jade boat, performed a spell, and the boat rose into the air, gradually enlarging.
The boat had five compartments, just enough for two people per compartment.
He took the foremost compartment and said, "Choose your rooms and prepare to set off!"
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