Page 63: Returning

Days before the sect's alchemy and martial competition: 78 days

[Yang Jun

Age: 109

Cultivation: flesh tempering layer (5th)

Core grade: High

State: Normal]

[Yang Ruiya

Age: 15

Cultivation: flesh tempering layer (9th)

Core grade: High

State: Normal]

It has been a month since Long Bai stayed in elder Jun's residence. He was even able to enjoy the delicacies of the city with the help of Ruiya who became her guide in the city. While having such privilege, he became the instructor of the two; elder Jun and Yang Ruiya. With elder Jun's wisdom and aptitude in training, he was able to reach 60% of progress before entering the realm of intermediate success. This fast pace was possible because elder Jun kept nagging Long Bai for some sparring session almost everyday. On the other hand, Ruiya has just reached the mastered state of the <flash steps>. This was also thanks to Long Bai's pointers during training. Before elder teaches the <thunder steps>, he decided that she first needs to master the foundation skill before teaching the new one just like he did. Maybe after seeing her having a full grasp of the mastered state, then he will teach the <thunder steps> skill to her.

Aside from such improvements, Yuqi became quite more daring with Long Bai compared with Ruiya who became reserved. Because Ruiya stays on the same compound as Long Bai, adding the fact that she always see him for practice, it is no wonder that she would feel shy and awkward towards him. When she lives with a younger man on close proximity, whom her master treats like his master and also somewhat became her too, such messed up feelings would churn im chaos inside. Ruiya can't still manage to interact casually with Long Bai like before even during break time or casual days. It seemed like the notion of him being the grandmaster has been embedded in her mind.

On that afternoon, Long Bai has announced his departure. Although they insisted to have a grand dinner first, Long Bai strongly refused since it would just make parting more dramatic. With his usual attire and an addition of a cosmic pouch on his waist, he was already well prepared to go. There were only three people who stood in front of elder Jun's residence waving their hands bye at Long Bai whose back became smaller and smaller until his silhouette can't be seen anymore.

After more than a month of staying at mirage island, Long Bai was satisfied with what he gained. aside from settling his debt, he was able to gain a lot of insight about the cultivation world. After hearing a lot of elder Jun's stories, he realized that he is just like a frog who is living inside a deep well. From elder Jun, he learned about the strength of immortals and what they are capable of. In addition, the world is also full of treasures waiting to be discovered. As a cultivator, Long Bai had realized the importance of adventures and encounters. One can't just be confined in a single place if they seek strength for themselves.

Being back at the woods where the cave was at, Long Bai gave the place one last look before entering the entrance and resealing it again. After activating the transport array that leads back to merchant city. Long Bai didn't forget to prepare for the side effects of a sudden short distance travel.

After reaching the other side, Long Bai did not stay too long in the cave. One last thing before he exited the place, he finally fixed the broken concealment array for the entrance of the cave. Although some have already known of its existence, the concealment array will do its job to confuse those who have seen it before. As for those who didn't, they will have less than a single digit of chances to find it, unless they are extremely lucky.

With his current pace right now, it would take not more than a day to be back at merchant city. Since it's like this, he decided to make a silent check up on the village he left before returning to the city. Using the maximum speed of the intermediate success of <thunder steps>, it didn't took him more than a minute to reach the village. Because he didn't want to bother them in their works and training session, Long Bai was satisfied watching them behind the shadows. Of course, no one would be able to detect his silent steps unless there's someone on the Spirit tempering stage who can use their divine sense. Long Bai made sure to check on Feng Shangyuan, the chieftain, Lin Hu, the village marshall, and the kids before leaving. Seeing that they are diligently doing their works, he felt settled and left without a sound. Back on track going to merchant city, Long Bai sped in maximum speed. Since he is returning, he planned to check on alchemist Mo first and have him report important events that took place while he was gone. After that, he will make a visit to his three old family members.

*White Dragon Village

That afternoon, chief Shangyuan was feeling antsy for a reason he doesn't know. Worried that something bad may happen, he roamed the village borders but hasn't seen anything unusual. He even went to Lin Hu and shared his sentiments. Surprisingly, they were feeling the same thing. They don't know why but they thought something serious was going to happen. The feeling of being nervous was attributed with danger or something they were very familiar with.

"Chief, it couldn't be right? He told is he won't be back for a long time. Could this feeling because of him? What do you think?"

"Marshall Hu, I thought about that too. Could he be in danger?"

"Danger? I don't think it is. If there is someone in danger, that would be anyone who would go and fight against him. Don't you agree?"

The two laughed out loud after. Their laughter echoed along the vicinity which sounded like music to the ears of the villagers. It was not that prevalent but the villagers noticed the two becoming closer and closer by the day.

*Yue's place

"Aaaahhhh!

Huf! huf! huf!"

She just broke through the second level of the visceral tempering layer. After giving one last punch towards the dummy in front of her, she was able to stimulate her body to rank up one level. Drenched in sweat, her training clothes were sticking to her body curves making her figure more accentuated. Her helper, the maid who's watching her can't even help but to blush from the sight she is witnessing.

"Lady Yue, since you're done, you should take a bath and change outfit. You are already covered in sweat. What if someone will see you in that state?"

Yue looked at her current state and imagined someone looking at her at that state. Due to her wild imagination, she unconsciously blushed and ran fast towards the bath.

"Sister Wu! What are you saying! Who would visit me at this moment? You should not give me some dirty thoughts! Kyaa!"

Yue almost stumbled while running due to embarrassment. On the other hand, maid Wu was bewildered by lady Yue's sudden change of behavior.

"Lady Yue is acting weird. Did I say something wrong? Hmm."

*Ling Tian and Ah Mu's place

"Ahhh! <plexus stab>!"

<Side parry>! "Keuk!"

"Brother Ling Tian! You've become faster again. My counters aren't reaching you anymore"

"Ah Mu, I may become faster but your defence has become more impenetrable. My stabs and slashes are not landing that much damage on you anymore. In addition, your counters are really dangerous. Brother Long Bai was really thorough when he taught is this martial skill. He was able to give us which part we should be focused on. I really missed that guy."

"That's true, brother. I wonder how we would fare when we will meet and have some mock battle with him? Will we be able to land a hit?" I wonder.

"Ah, by the way. Now that both of us has just reached the 9th level of flesh tempering, I think we can keep up with brother Bai. If not because of the pills he sent us, we might not be able to reach this level. Although we are receiving resources from master, the pills from brother Bai was on a different level. It was three to four times more efficient that is why we seemed to have almost caught up with someone else with a superior core grade. If our sister Yue received the same pills as we do, she must have risen to the next layer already."

"Ah, I hope the four of us can meet again. Our biggest chance will be during the competition. We will join the martial qualifiers while brother Bai will be competing at the alchemy competition."

*Long Bai residence

Alchemist Mo laid on his soft bed due to exhaustion. After making the regular quota of pills for their sales, he spent almost all of his essence and energy for it. After managing the stall alone, he became very busy because of the increase of demands, thanks to Long Bai's good reputation within the alchemy tower. At first, alchemist Mo was joyful but now that he does the work alone with such increased demand, he found himself lacking some rest and time to cultivate.

"Ahh, young master. Please return sooner. This old man may not be able to keep up if this continues. Where are you right now?"