Settlement (1)

Shout-out to Emanuel Lucas Duarte de Farias Fárias!

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"For the love of god!"

Ah Yin's ears twitched as she opened her eyes and glanced at an irritated Ja Sun.

"Careful now, you're acting like Erlong when she's going through her bleeding moments."

"You... mean when she's fighting, right?" Ja Sun blinked and sighed deeply.

"You know what I mean," Ah Yin smiled.

They were in a familiar apartment. At this moment, the door to the room was clicked open as Bibi Dong walked in. She wore a loose pink nighty that graced her curves but her hair was entirely disheveled and the morning crust made it clear that when it mattered, Bibi Dong could become a heavy sleeper, too.

"Can you not shout in the morning?" She yawned.

"Sorry," Ja Sun mumbled as he put away one of the rewards. He had gained too many things. Too many. Now, it was time to slowly go through them. Keep what is useful and store away the rest to find possible trading moments. By now, Ja Sun had gone through a lot of written materials. Including the Evil Space Records. But even that was a dead-end since it was written in a completely different language and Ja Sun wasn't bored and free enough to crack down on it. This was the last written record he had analyzed and now he was clear which direction to pursue.

"It's fine, it's fine... did you two pull another all-nighter?" Bibi Dong took a chair and sat down. This was her apartment within the Spirit Hall, something she proposed to share with Ja Sun. To Bibi Dong, it was time to try and get to know her... well...

Glancing at Ja Sun who didn't seem the least bit tired while rolling on the floor covered by lush grass and Ah Yin sitting on the bed cross-legged, clearly meditating, Bibi Dong was slowly coming to realize their habits before they met up with each other.

"Yeah, I had a few things to catch up on," Ja Sun smiled.

"I find cultivation more pleasing than sleeping," Ah Yin nodded.

"How could you say that? I thought... you liked sleeping with me," Ja Sun's expression crumbled.

"Come on, it's early in the morning," Bibi Dong sighed. She had gained another layer of tolerance, something which helped in finding good points about her new suicidal boyfriend.

"She's right," Ah Yin shrugged, "And how can I claim I only like sleeping with you if I haven't compared you with others?" She inquired with a curious expression.

"Sigh, I was right to call you a bitch since the beginning," Ja Sun shook his head.

"Something Liu Erlong would yap while bleeding. Good, go on. Keep acting like that and even if you don't have the same part as us, I'll cut yours to let you bleed out a bit. You know, for authentic discharge."

Bibi Dong's and Ja Sun's expressions froze while Ah Yin closed her eyes.

"Be sure to let me know an hour before leaving," She added.

"Yeah, yeah," Ja Sun groaned and stood up, "Want something to drink?"

"No," Ah Yin replied while spirit energy began to gather around her.

Seeing this, Ja Sun looked at Bibi Dong and grinned.

"What?" She pouted.

"Nothing? Come on, let's have a drink. I want to ask you something," Ja Sun smiled as they left the bedroom.

Once they walked out, Ja Sun took out two glasses from his storage space and a bottle of fruit juice.

The two sat in front of each other as Bibi Dong picked up the glass and observed it suspiciously.

"Come on, now you're just being hurtful," Ja Sun clicked his tongue. Seeing this, Bibi Dong finally smiled and sipped.

"Did anyone find out about Yuanzhen's death?" Ja Sun inquired.

"Not likely. He came to kill Erlong privately and during the havoc... nobody noticed our battle. Honestly, I'm a little flustered. Yuanzhen had three spirit bones. The Spine was the best of the loot and it was given to Erlong due to her past with the clan. The right arm bone is with you, and the skull bone is with me...

Usually, I would have already given the spirit bone to any of the members but..."

"Master said that it's better to try and find spirit bones compatible with us," Ja Sun shrugged, "Anyway, it's not like we're losing these spirit bones."

"Yeah," Bibi Dong sighed. It still felt surreal. To think their strength had already reached such a threshold...

"Yesterday... after supposedly becoming a God, Qian Xunji has disappeared... and Master is taking charge of the Spirit Hall," Ja Sun began, "But we're still being transferred to the Giant's Forest as the protector of the region."

"And?" Bibi Dong inquired.

"And... after seeing that battle through my clone, I think... we should start being a little drastic in our approach of cultivation," Ja Sun frowned, "To tell you the truth, I feel restless. Yesterday, I thought it was because of Yuanzhen. But no... I still do. Like a strange, annoying screech at the back of my head that is trying to overtake me."

"I don't get it," Bibi Dong shook her head. In reality, when Ja Sun held the core of the Three-eyed Golden Lion, he felt this ominous presence. But things were going too well for him to have felt this way.

"Me neither," Ja Sun smiled, "But this is the first time I have felt this way and something tells me that I shouldn't avoid this sense of warning but make preparations."

"Yu Yuanzhen is dead, this has affected the balance of the seven upper clans. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan supports the Heaven Dou Empire and the Clear Sky Clan supports the Star Luo Empire. If seen rationally, the situation couldn't be better for Spirit Hall. Ordinarily, master's disappearance would have caused a civil war to break out within the organization but for reasons unknown to us, Grandmaster decided to step in and take charge temporarily...

This has given us a chance to plan out our actions before confronting master about... things that distract me. I don't know why you would feel weird in such an opportune moment."

"I get that," Ja Sun pursed his lips.

"Still, being drastic shouldn't equate to being destructive. If we can have more opportunities like yesterday where the death of a clan leader only brought us benefits without any consequences, I don't see why we cannot take part in it," Bibi Dong smiled, "And... Erlong still isn't satisfied. Last night, before going to her room, she asked me to poison your food. Just the normal stuff, food poisoning and all."

"Hah? I thought she forgave me for taking the kill," Ja Sun traced his chin and wondered.

"Apparently not," Bibi Dong shrugged, "Who told you to cross Erlong's path? Even if she isn't mad... well, she's crazy enough to rile herself into getting angry again."

"That's... so stupid," Ja Sun whined.

"Not more stupid than going out of one's way to antagonize her," Bibi Dong emphasized with a chuckle.

"Oh, and they wanted me to ask you when can they exchange the immortal herbs in their hands for spirit bones?" Bibi Dong questioned.

She was the only one without a proper reward since her master simply upped and vanished. But she was granted a rather useful spirit bone that even Ja Sun wanted.

"Well, after we settle in the Giant's Forest, I will reveal the little wealth I have accrued over the period of time," Ja Sun smiled, "What about you, my very beautiful, honest, kind—"

"I will only trade the 70000-year-old Clone Devil's Right Leg Bone for two spider-type bones above 40000 years or the definitive assistance in subduing the Death Spider Emperor for my seventh ring," Bibi Dong smiled.

"Come on, I don't have too many spider-type bones," Ja Sun grumbled.

"Why not just trade the ones you have?" Bibi Dong inquired curiously.

"... I'm keeping them for collection."

"Get out of here," Bibi Dong sneered.

"To think you wouldn't even share good things with your lover," Ja Sun sighed.

"I learned that from you," Bibi Dong snorted.

"Someone must be better," Ja Sun pestered.

"I'm right behind you. Become better and I'll follow your footsteps," Bibi Dong smiled before standing up and walking towards Ja Sun. Easily pecking his forehead, she giggled and left.

"You know what we should do to know each other better?" Ja Sun suddenly questioned.

Bibi Dong was already close to her room and she looked back.

"Bathe together!" Ja Sun grinned.

"Sure, if you trade a Spirit Bone worth over 500 years of age," Bibi Dong smiled.

"Nah, it's not that worth it," Ja Sun waved his hand.

"Listen here, you piece of—" Bibi Dong's lips twitched.

"We still have that arrangement, right?" Ja Sun smiled and Bibi Dong blushed. She knew what he was referring to. As the act of lending her the dress during the ceremony, Bibi Dong accepted some 'payments' due later and was asked to pay 'interest' too that would accumulate until she is ready. Seeing that smug grin, Bibi Dong couldn't help but hurriedly shut her door.

"What a waste of juice... didn't even finish it," Ja Sun glanced at her glass and sighed.

"Ah, I completely forgot asking her about the strange meditation manuals," Ja Sun leaned back with a sigh.

---

"We're here!" Tang Yuehua smiled brightly. Everyone got out of the carriage as they found a group of spirit masters already waiting for them.

"For crying out loud, why couldn't we just hire a coach?" Xie Xan got out from the outer seat.

"And why was I forced to sit beside him?" Ja Sun mumbled.

"I guess, with the two of you arguing non-stop, that line filled with annoyance should be mine," Oscar yawned and got up from the middle of the driver's seat.

"Serves you right," Erlong mumbled.

"I heard that," Ja Sun shot her a glance.

"That's why I spoke out loud," she snorted in return.

"Mind yourself. We should present ourselves well in front of outsiders," Bibi Dong frowned.

"But they are Yuehua's family. So, are they really outsiders?" Jun'er tilted her head.

"Partial outsiders," Hu Lana mumbled.

"We were told that there is a forest. All I can see are mountains," Ah Yin frowned as she looked at the rocky mountains.

"Tsk, tsk, the forest is within one of the valleys. Don't you remember we went to a similar location back then?" Ja Sun added.

"Oh," Ah Yin nodded.

"Ehm... good to see you, Eldest Brother," Yuehua gave a forced smile as she bowed towards Tang Xiao. The small group of Clear Sky members did not look well. Their glares daggered into others except for Yuehua.

"I'm glad that it was a smooth ride," Tang Xiao smiled and then waved his hands. To his action, the squad of clansmen gave way and revealed a small village a few dozens of meters away.

The carriage was taken over by one of Tang Xiao's men as they took care of the 10-year-old spirit horses while Tang Xiao began introducing the clan. Whatever the clan must have gone through after Qian Xunji's disappearance, they still decided to honor the deal. Qian Xunji's and Redstar's strength had carved the minds of the viewers too deeply and even if Qian Xunji had not appeared and only a day had passed, numerous reports stated that the Bishops all over the continent were crazily claiming Qian Xunji to be the next god. But strangely... the Spirit Hall was acting too graciously. They did not make use of this burst in reputation to hit down on the two empires ad the seven clans but the rumors regarding the Patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan already made the higher-ups of the various clans cautious of the Spirit Hall and a little fearful.

"I welcome you all the outpost of the Clear Sky Sect. The main clan cannot be used to host outsiders, for that, I apologize but there are many subsidiary clans situated within the mountain range and the entire area is controlled by the sect as a whole," Tang Xiao began. He then began going through other public information already explained by Bibi Dong but they didn't interrupt him. After all, Tang Xiao was also introducing the locals to the group which would help them in settling down.

During the entirety of it, again, Tang Yuehua was welcomed incomparably warmly while others could only accept the cold treatment. In the continent, animosity didn't arise out of concepts of good or bad but usually, it arose from the consequences of rivalry.

Soon, Tang Xiao led the group around the base of the first mountain of the range and then began to introduce various powers that subordinated themselves to the Clear Sky Clan and their territories. The group from the Spirit Hall had arrived at the location in the morning but by the time they reached their intended destination, it was already nightfall.

The Giant's Forest, true to its name, was an expansive spread of greenery consisting of trees taller than ten meters right from the outer ring of the forest! Despite the forest being formed in one of the valleys of the sect, the forest felt like a small green mountain by itself due to the trees in the core region being taller than 150 meters and their canopies far-reaching, looking like the goal of ambitious trekkers that wished to climb this green mountain.

"Right, we created this temporary cottage for you guys to stay in. This entire valley and the forest within, from this point forward, belong to the Spirit Hall. Remember to use the routes I explained to transfer your personnel so that you don't accidentally intrude on other sect member's territories and you can take the next week to completely set your defenses around the forest before we start sending our members for their breakthroughs," Tang Xiao exhorted the group before smiling and leaving. He had already discussed many things with Tang Yuehua in their journey so she didn't want to keep him busy any longer, too.

Once the members of the Clear Sky Clan left, Bibi Dong and others began to set personal tents instead of staying within the cottage that made Yuehua grumble slightly at the lack of trust.

"It's not about trust... until the Supreme Pontiff returns, we are to fend for ourselves. And even if you aren't hurt, by yourself, you cannot guarantee our safety. So, it is better to remain cautious until we settle our base here firmly," Bibi Dong smiled and explained.

"I'll take the guard duty," Ja Sun spoke up at this time and everyone looked at him weirdly.

"Also... I have something to read," he cracked a smile. His plan was simple. He will take the night duty and let the Nightmare's Fantasy scout the region. This way, he would have taken one responsibility without being bothered at all, and then in the morning, he could excuse himself from any more tasks to continue with his work.

Seeing Ja Sun volunteering, others had no objection.

"Hey, why don't we sleep together like old days?" Hu Lana grinned and the other's expression turned bleak.

"What?" She inquired as Xie Xan hurriedly shook his head.

"It's..." Ah Yin spoke up, "We would rather not hear you... letting out weird noises while sleeping so..."

"Everybody snores!" Hu Lana emphasized.

"Well, you moan..." Erlong mumbled and Hu Lana's eyes widened.

"I do?"

"Just a bit," Jun'er nodded and Hu Lana glared at Xie Xan fiercely, "It's all your fault!"

"Considering the stories we have heard... you might be the one at fault for getting pregnant..." Ja Sun traced his chin.

"That's it! Little Yin, Sister Dong, no personal satisfaction for Ka-ul for the next month!"

"Sure," Ah Yin shrugged before entering Bibi Dong's tent, too lazy to pitch her own.

"Hey!" Ja Sun and Bibi Dong gasped at the same time. One in annoyance and one with embarrassment.