White Deer Institute

White Deer Institute...

The Grand Xia Empire sprawled across a vast and seemingly boundless expanse of land. Its territories and cities were too numerous to count, all divided into nine immense regions, collectively referred to as the Nine Continents.

These Nine Continents bore distinctive names: the Green Continent, Azure Continent, Spirit Continent, Ginkou Continent, War Continent, Wind Continent, Demon Continent, Yan Continent, and the Moon Continent.

Among these Nine Continents, four of them – the Green Continent, Spirit Continent, Yan Continent, and Demon Continent – formed the outermost corners of the Grand Xia Empire, with the Green Continent being the closest to Chu.

On the other hand, the Ginkou Continent, Moon Continent, and War Continent were positioned in a triangular alliance, situated at the very heart of the Grand Xia Empire.

The Moon Continent stood out as the most thriving and prosperous among them all. It was a land where experts were as common as the clouds, and the most formidable individuals had congregated there.

The Pill Emperor Hall, one of the transcendent powers in the Moon Continent, boasted a rich history that spanned countless eras. Its status and influence had remained unshaken, even in the face of turmoil that rocked the Grand Xia Empire. Among all the transcendent powers within Chu, the Pill Emperor Hall held the esteemed fifth position.

Perhaps in terms of sheer might, the Pill Emperor Hall didn't necessarily rank fifth. However, its uniqueness and reputation as an entity that remained untouched even during the chaos between transcendent powers made it impossible for anyone to underestimate the Pill Emperor Hall.

Situated within the heart of the Moon Continent, the Pill Emperor Hall occupied a central region. This area was adorned with ancient pavilions and buildings that exuded an air of majesty and celestial grandeur. Passersby couldn't help but direct their gaze toward it, their faces filled with envy and admiration.

Every so often, young male and female cultivators would emerge from the Pill Emperor Hall, their faces radiating an air of pride and a hint of arrogance, a testament to their elevated status.

Within the Pill Emperor Hall, nestled amidst its grandiose structures, stood a towering platform. On this platform, a solitary figure now stood, gazing pensively at the horizon.

Clad in pristine white, she exuded an icy demeanor. Her stunning beauty had the power to leave people breathless. Her presence carried an air of sanctity, as though she were a deity, and merely laying eyes upon her would be considered sacrilege.

However, behind those captivating eyes, happiness seemed absent. Instead, a subtle sadness and profound loneliness lingered.

"Junior Sister, Master has summoned you. She wishes to teach you the Moon Qi Technique, enabling you to infuse your own Qi into the pill-making process," a youthful figure nearby called out.

"Understood," replied the peerless beauty, her tone laced with an unwelcoming chill that could push people away.

Standing behind her, Jing Yu's emotions were a complex mix upon hearing her voice. In his eyes, admiration and longing were evident, but after spending time with this extraordinary beauty, he had learned to hide these feelings.

Since her awakening from unconsciousness, her demeanor had grown increasingly frigid with each passing day. Her temperament had undergone a significant shift compared to when Jing Yu had first met her. Guided by their Master, she had seemingly attained enlightenment, emanating a sense of purity and sanctity that made even looking at her feel like an act of impiety.

Jing Yu had come to realize that the girl before him was now beyond his reach, and any attempt to court her would be in vain.

Was she still holding onto thoughts of him? Perhaps, over time, her memories and love for him would fade away, dimming with the passage of days. After all, they no longer inhabited the same world.

During this period, numerous representatives from various transcendent powers had subtly indicated their desire to propose marriage to Luo He. The names they dropped were all those of influential figures capable of shaking the foundations of the Grand Xia Empire.

Having relayed the messages, Jing Yu silently departed.

The beautiful young woman remained stationary, her robes gently swaying in the breeze. Her eyes were enchanting, yet they also bore the weight of heart-wrenching solitude.

...

The Moon Continent sprawled expansively, with its cities housing populations nearly ten times larger than those in Chu.

In the eastern city of the Moon Continent, the streets teemed with a constant flow of people. Amid the urban hustle and bustle, three figures stood, their eyes brimming with curiosity and excitement.

In the center of the trio, a snowy puppy rested in a young man's arms. Even the pup seemed eager, its eyes gleaming with anticipation as if it couldn't wait to explore this new world.

"Wow, this place is incredibly prosperous. Compared to here, Chu's Royal Capital feels like a backwater village," remarked the plump individual on the left, squinting as he scanned the crowd for beauties.

"Indeed, as much as I love Chu, there's no denying the difference," concurred the muscular young man on the right, his sentiments rooted in the undeniable reality that Moon Continent far surpassed their homeland.

"Hey Boss, the women here look absolutely delicious. Their quality is on a whole different level compared to our Chu beauties," the rotund fellow exclaimed, excitedly tugging on the central figure's arm. "Look at that stunner in the jade green skirt over there. She's got long, slender legs and a voluptuous figure. She's perfection personified. I wouldn't mind sacrificing some years of my life just to be her friend."

Qin Wentian promptly rolled his eyes at the fatty's words. Some things never change, especially with this incorrigible glutton.

The beautiful girl, whom the fatty had been ogling, suddenly shot them a disapproving glare, her furrowed brows making it evident that she wasn't pleased. The fatty, in response, hurriedly covered his mouth with his hands, then whispered to his companions, "Geez, she has super hearing..."

"Hey there, lovely lady, I was just complimenting your beauty and expressing a desire for friendship, nothing more," the Fatty insisted with a deadpan expression.

"Nothing more, huh? Do you dare to have any other intentions?" The young woman's expression soured. She found the fatty's gaze uncomfortably lecherous, as it lingered on her with an almost predatory hunger.

"I apologize for him; he's not very articulate," Qin Wentian interjected apologetically. The young woman's frosty demeanor softened a bit as she observed Qin Wentian's handsome face, his noble bearing, and his overall dignified presence. She muttered, "I really can't stand the way this fatty is looking at me."

At that very moment, Fan Le's wandering eyes fixated on her chest, a fact she promptly noticed.

"You pervert!" The young woman blushed, stamping her foot before turning to leave.

"Fatty, you better stop causing trouble," Qin Wentian chided, rolling his eyes. Fan Le was really pushing the boundaries this time, openly ogling her chest like that.

"Boss, my eyes just have a mind of their own," the Fatty retorted, showing no signs of remorse. In fact, he grumbled, "That lady was only at the second level of Yuanfu. What trouble could she possibly cause us...?"

"You..." Qin Wentian couldn't help but shake his head in exasperation. He had nearly forgotten that Fan Le possessed the ability to sense the cultivation levels of others. Fan Le must have deliberately chosen that young woman earlier just to stir up trouble.

Qin Wentian's demeanor had undergone a significant transformation compared to his past self. His finely chiseled features no longer held a trace of youthful innocence, and his long, ebony hair cascaded over his shoulders. If someone wasn't intimately familiar with him or hadn't seen him in the last six months, they might struggle to recognize him.

"Let's start by getting a map," Qin Wentian suggested, leading them into a shop specializing in map sales. Emerging with a detailed map of the Moon Continent, they opened it up and began studying it as they continued walking. Their attention was drawn to the central region of the Moon Continent, an expansive area filled with halls, pavilions, and grand structures.

Emblazoned on the map above that central region were three imposing characters – Pill Emperor Hall.

Qin Wentian sighed. The distance from this eastern city to the Pill Emperor Hall was relatively short, but it was not a journey he could undertake easily. Given his current strength, even if he attempted to visit, the guards would likely deny him entry.

Moreover, he wished to avoid drawing the attention of the Hua Clan. With his transformed appearance, there was a chance that Hua Xiaoyun wouldn't even recognize him. Within this vast territory, he had no intention of venturing into the western city where the Hua Clan resided. Meeting someone from the Hua Clan would be anything but straightforward. Even if he were exceptionally unlucky, he had no other option but to rely on Qing`er and temporarily leave the Moon Continent.

However, he was reluctant to leave. The sole reason for his visit to the Moon Continent was none other than Hua Xiaoyun.

"Hua Clan," Qin Wentian muttered, his eyes narrowing as he fixed his gaze on the western city outlined on the map. A chilling determination gleamed in his eyes. He was resolute in his intention to make Hua Xiaoyun pay for his past actions.

"Boss, where are we headed?" Fan Le tugged on the map, curiosity in his voice.

Qin Wentian pointed to a particular location marked on the map. "This place."

"The White Deer Institute!" Fan Le's surprise was evident. While he had been taken aback when Qin Wentian initially decided to visit the Moon Continent, he understood Qin Wentian's unwavering character. He wouldn't rest until Hua Xiaoyun was brought to justice. However, Fan Le couldn't help but feel puzzled. Qin Wentian's response seemed to suggest he had known where he wanted to go for a while. It was clear that his journey to the Moon Continent was driven by more than just a desire for revenge against Hua Xiaoyun.

Fan Le's curiosity got the better of him. "What is the White Deer Institute?"

Qin Wentian shrugged. "I have no idea." Fan Le rolled his eyes at the vague response. What did that even mean?

"Anyway, let's get going." Qin Wentian stashed the map away, a faint smile in his eyes. While he truly didn't know what kind of place the White Deer Institute was, he had received a map when Diyi passed him the Azure Emperor token. One of the marked locations on that map was the White Deer Institute in the Moon Continent. This indicated that the 'hidden' Azure Faction of the Azure Emperor Palace had chosen the Moon Continent as their sanctuary for centuries. Yet, in all those years, the true extent of the 'hidden' Azure Faction's existence and influence remained shrouded in mystery.

Qin Wentian had no idea whether even the members of the 'hidden' Azure Faction within the White Deer Institute were aware of the other branches or their members. Several thousand years was a long time, and they had likely become accustomed to their new identities.

The White Deer Institute would be Qin Wentian's first contact with the 'hidden' Azure Faction. He knew he had to tread carefully.