AZI Volume 2 Chapter 29

(If only I could rewind time…)

Unknown as to why, but for some reason—Long Hua suddenly regrets giving his name to Bai Wen.

"Lao Long, you're right in guessing that my method of avoiding the city's detection system is something that you are not capable of using. This is because it's directly related to the Gears of Descension."

Raising a sigh, Long Hua is clearly disappointed to find out about this, despite having guessed it beforehand.

Sipping a cup of tea, Bai Wen adds—

"Minor magic like dirt removal magic, and anything that consumes spirit Qi in small amounts is still usable—your sword Qi is one such thing. As for the deployment of large-scale divine arts—well, it's not like it's impossible to cover them up using alternative means."

"Such as?"

"Why not use a magic array that isolates you from the outside world, and prevents your spirit Qi from seething outward? So long as you fight within the confines of this array, you should be able to avoid detection."

"Magic array… Like the one that Nian Tao Tao used on me?"

Thinking of this method in detail, Long Hua does find it to be doable, however—

"Special materials are needed for this."

"Buy them from Lao Zhen then."

"Lao Zhen?"

"New Moon Village's chief."

Raising an eye, Long Hua asks—

"He's also a Ling Yuan family clansman?"

"No, but their family has special permission to do business in the Leng Bing Realm."

"Lao Bai, do I look rich to you?"

"The village should give you some face—if you say I was the one who referred you to them."

(So, it's a question of how big of a face they'll give in response to his name?)

Directing a look of doubt towards Bai Wen, who is refilling his cup, Long Hua asks—

"Nothing is worth more than what is free. What do you want from me?"

More times than not, knowing what the other side wishes to obtain—can bring a better sense of comfort and security to oneself.

"Lao Long, I like how straight to the point you are. In that case, do you have a cultivation method that's designed for the Spirit Assimilation realm?"

"…Is that the realm after Nascent Soul realm?"

"What else could it possibly be?"

Blinking his eyes, an expression of uncertainty appears on Long Hua's face, as he thought—

(...…Strange, I seem to recall the realm after Nascent Soul to be Soul Ascension. …He doesn't seem to be lying, nor would he have any reason to do so, then…?)

(This uncertainty on his face… He really does hail from outside of the Everlasting Spirit Realm. After all this time, I've finally got a lead on where to start.)

Inwardly, a pleased smile appears on Bai Wen's face.

"What's the realm after Spirit Assimilation?"

Asking this question, a feeling of unease wells up in Long Hua's heart.

"Dao Manifestation."

"…After that?"

Hearing this answer, the unease increases in scale—causing Long Hua's expression to darken. Within his head, he already has a guess as to why these realms of cultivation are different from his memories.

"Lao Long, does the name of these realms really matter?"

"Just answer me."

Surprised by the coldness in Long Hua's tone, Bai Wen blinks his one eye. But thinking for a bit, he quickly realizes what the former is concerned about.

"Immortal realm after that."

(So that really is the case…)

Drawing in a deep breath of air, Long Hua turns away from Bai Wen, as he pinches the bridge of his nose.

(The universe is vast. Though they all share the same heaven, each world operates under a different set of laws, and because of this, what we call the Soul Ascension realm here—may be called something different in another land. It is also because of these laws—that time flows differently from world to world; perhaps, one day that will change, but I doubt it will happen any time soon.)

As these words appear in his head, a bitter smile forms on Long Hua's face, as he thought—

(So even if I managed to break out of the Leng Bing Realm… I may not be able to find shizun because I'm in a different world from where he is? Then I'm basically…?)

Realizing that he is basically alone in a foreign land, a headache wells up, causing Long Hua to press a hand to his temple.

(Has life been fun?)

Exhaling a sigh, Long Hua looks up at the gear-filled skies, while recalling this question that came from Nian Yao Yao.

(I suppose, recovering my cultivation base is a change, along with my establishment of a goal. But this goal—currently, proves to be much more difficult than what I had originally anticipated.)

From his fragmented memories, Long Hua can make a rough estimate on just how difficult this task would be to accomplish.

(Spirit Assimilation, Dao Manifestation, the Immortal realm… Neither of these three realms would allow me to accomplish my goal of returning home… I would need to go far beyond them, but it would be impossible to reach those realms of cultivation in this Leng Bing Realm.)

"…"

Glancing at Long Hua—who had a solemn expression on his face, Bai Wen waits patiently for him to emerge from his thoughts.

(In the end…- …My first step is still to get out of this world. Once I'm outside… I'll figure things out then. Although…)

Recalling how calm he had been in the face of death, Long Hua frowns, as he felt there to be something amiss about his own behavior at the time.

"Lao Bai, how would you react in the face of death?"

"Hm? Wouldn't I attempt to do everything in my power to go against it—like any other sane person would?"

Hearing this answer that is spoken with an unusual amount of determination, Long Hua smiles with a light chuckle.

"So, I guess there really is something wrong with me…"

"…? What do you-?"

"You asked me for a cultivation method that's designed for the Spirit Assimilation realm."

Without letting Bai Wen finish his sentence, Long Hua forcefully shifts the topic of their discussion to something that the former would be interested in.