DEPARTURE

Next day morning.

Itachi was dressed in a fashion similar to Itachi's anbu uniform in Naruto, he had his hair held back into a pony tail. And put his katana into the sheath which was on his back. Just when he came out of his house he noticed Ning'er and Ziyun holding each other hands in his courtyard and waiting for him.

For a second he felt his heart miss a beat looking at them, he smiled and walked towards them. Both of them had specifically dressed up and were looking beautiful, almost like they were going on vacation instead of an exploration.

Itachi said "good morning my princesses, you both look gorgeous." He kissed the both of them on their foreheads. Both the girls blushed at his complement and his actions. After which the trio made their way towards the library.

….

The Library.

Chen Linjian, Nie Li, Shen Yue and the bunch were already waiting in the library.

Shen Yue frowned and asked "brother Chen whom are we waiting for?" he had seen Nie Li in their group, he was already angry at Chen Linjian to allow that trouble maker to come as well and now he was made to wait for others. He was truly angry now.

Shen Yue had already learnt that he wouldn't be able to beat Nie Li with bronze rank, so after seeing him here, he secretly told his family members to send some silver rank demon spiritualists behind them. He wanted so badly to kill that bastard who had made sacred family a big joke.

Chen Linjian was about to answer, when he say three people enter the library talking and laughing happily. He was stunned at first when he saw two girls holding hands with the boy on either side, he couldn't help but shake his head and smile wryly. He turned towards Shen Yue and pointed his hands towards the new comers.

Shen Yue followed his gaze towards the direction and was similarly stunned, then he got angry, the anger didn't last long though as fear came right after it. He turned his head away and didn't dare face them.

All the people who had come here, were stunned too. They had never seen such a scene before. The boy was pretty handsome, the girls beside him were also beautiful. It was like a painting. But what caused them to be stunned was the boy had dressed up like he was going to a fight, which was normal considering they were about to go exploring. But the girls had specifically dressed up like they were here for a vacation.

Nie Li watched the trio and was feeling cold. He had tried to talk with Ye Ziyun on multiple occasions but she would always distance herself and coldly reject him. He too turned his head away, he couldn't bear watch the girl that was suppose to belong to him was with another boy. But he swore that he would make Ye Ziyun his.

Chen Linjian waved his hands and joked "look who's here, Itachi brother you sure are pretty lucky." And raised his thumbs towards him.

Itachi had come in contact with Chen Linjian in his childhood, he also had a good impression of him and the Divine family. Even though they didn't meet each other regularly both had mutual respect for each other.

Ning'er and Ziyun looked a bit embarrassed because of Chen Linjian's words. But they still held Itachi's hands as before.

Itachi gave him a look and asked "Eh brother Chen, are you feeling jealous?"

Chen Linjian knew he wouldn't be to get out of this without getting a beating from Itachi if he doesn't clear the embarrassing situation he created, so he changed the topic "*cough cough* you guys are already late, come let's get going."

Itachi nodded his head and the trio joined the group. Itachi sensed a gaze on him, he turned towards it and saw that it was Nei Li, he smiled at him and turned back. He didn't want to confront him, if doesn't pester Ziyun then both of them could happily walk their own path, but if he does then Itachi would show no mercy to him too.

Nie Li looked at the boy who had stolen Ziyun from him, just as his gaze fell on him the boy turned back and smiled at him. 'What does that smile suppose to mean? Is he trying to provoke me?' Nie Li thought.

Chen Linjian had brought a total of 28 people for their trip to Ancient Orchid City Ruins, Shen Yue brought 7, and Nie Li was alone. Adding on Itachi, Ning'er and Ziyun they totalled forty one.

All thirty five people prepared some essential items such as food, camping tents, and hunting crossbows before setting off.

Their adventure this time is done secretly, so it was very low-profile, telling others that they are going to the mountain valley to practice. Little did Chen Linjian know that his adventure had already been made way into the City Lord's ears courtesy of Itachi.

Itachi didn't bother with Nie Li anymore and was enjoying his time with the girls. Even though they were together most of the time, they would spend that time cultivating or Itachi would teach them about inscriptions, alchemy, languages and much more. So the trio were actually enjoying the walk, talking and joking with each other.

The group of people left Glory City, advancing forward on a rugged path on St. Ancestral Mountains.

The trip to Ancient Orchid City Ruins would take about five to six days of travelling. It's still possible that they would be subjected to Demon Beasts attacks when camping in the wild.

The strength among these 37 people is relatively decent. Six have reached silver rank and the rest are all mostly above 3-star bronze rank. Therefore within the group only Nie Li and Shen Yue's strength are the weakest. But because nobody else knew the strength of the trio, Ning'er and Ziyun were also considered as weak by others, but nobody said anything because of the monster between them.

After travelling for over 10 hours the group walked through the rugged mountain road. Nearing into evening the group arrived at a wide flat land. Chen Linjian glanced at the surroundings. With those tall trees the place would still be quite hidden and said "Today, we'll be camping here!"

Itachi nodded his head and made a camp big enough for the three of them. And the trio went inside without saying any words.

The others saw this scene and opened their jaws unconsciously. Chen Linjian shook his head and went inside his camp. Nie Li found a rather remote area and camped right below the tree's shade.