Chapter 379: Farewell
Xia Ruins, Celestial King Hall.
Upon seeing Hui Zhi again, Zhang Yuan was taken aback.
In just a few months, this Chief Mage seemed to have aged decades, sitting cross-legged on a support, looking like a flickering candle in the wind, ready to go out anytime.
In Zhang Yuan’s perception, the other party had reached the brink of exhaustion!
Zhang Yuan couldn’t help but ask, "Palace Master, what happened?"
"Nothing."
Facing Zhang Yuan’s inquiry, Hui Zhi smiled placidly and replied, "I, a poor Daoist, am just getting old."
Zhang Yuan fell silent.
Since the other party didn’t want to say, he couldn’t very well push for details.
But certainly, during his absence, many things must have happened in Xia Ruins!
"You don’t need to concern yourself with those matters."
As if Hui Zhi had seen through Zhang Yuan’s thoughts, he waved his hand and said, "Just focus on your own tasks."
Zhang Yuan nodded, "I understand, Palace Master, the matter has been resolved."
Hui Zhi was gratified, "Very well."
He handed over a brocade box to Zhang Yuan, "This is what you deserve."
This Chief Mage obviously had prepared in advance.
Zhang Yuan curiously took the brocade box and, under the other’s indication, opened the lid.
Inside lay a dark golden Dragon Pattern Token.
Underneath the token was a letter, along with a thick stack of gold notes!
Hui Zhi explained, "This is your credential for cultivation in Upper Scenic Celestial."
Upper Scenic Celestial is one of Daoist School’s four Ancestral Courts, where elites from across the world are qualified for cultivation.
There, one can enjoy the Spiritual Qi of Grotto Heaven Blessed Land and study profound Daoist Skills and Martial Arts!
However, the qualification to cultivate in the Ancestral Court is extremely precious, and such opportunities may not come by in a border branch like Xia Ruins Celestial King Hall in decades.
Hui Zhi had held this credential for decades.
But never used it.
Now he gave it to Zhang Yuan, as a reward for his feat of slaying White Wolf!
"Celestial Being possesses an Undying Body, Xia Ruins is no longer suitable for you to stay long."
Hui Zhi said solemnly, "Upper Scenic Celestial will protect you well, no need to fear trouble from the Celestial Beings."
This Celestial King Hall’s Chief Mage thought very deeply.
Although White Wolf was a target wanted by Celestial Beings, belonging to the same clan infighting.
Now that White Wolf died at Zhang Yuan’s hands.
Not to mention the issue of possible revenge, will other Celestial Beings treat Zhang Yuan as a meritorious individual?
Not necessarily!
Perhaps they would even see Zhang Yuan as a dangerous character that must be eliminated swiftly!
This is not an unfounded speculation!
Because the temperament of Celestial Beings is notoriously unpredictable, and often they act without regard due to their Undying Body.
Hui Zhi was not aware that Zhang Yuan could completely destroy the Divine Soul Consciousness of Celestial Beings.
Which is indeed the nemesis of their Undying Body!
He was giving Zhang Yuan advice based on his understanding.
And also reminding Zhang Yuan not to go after Dongfang Mingyue’s bounty.
Too dangerous!
"The current Xia Ruins is no longer safe for you!"
This was the most crucial issue.
The day after Zhang Yuan left Xia Ruins, Celestial Beings from the Duanmu clan arrived at Ruins City.
Although they were just a dozen people, they significantly changed the landscape of Xia Ruins and directly disrupted the power balance.
Now the Yan Family, along with several large families in Ruins City, have completely pledged allegiance to the Duanmu Clan.
Since Zhang Yuan killed Yan Wushuang, he has long been seen as a thorn in the side of the Yan Family.
In such circumstances, leaving Xia Ruins is the best choice for Zhang Yuan!
Zhang Yuan couldn’t help but ask, "Palace Master, do you know the purpose of the Celestial Beings coming to Xia Ruins?"
He learned from Dongfang Mingyue that the Celestial Beings from the Duanmu clan were coming to Xia Ruins.
But he had no idea of their reasons for coming.
Although Xia Ruins is prosperous, it is far from Daqian, a real Border Desolate Land.
What possible interests could make these Celestial Beings come such a long way to cause trouble?
"I’m not quite sure either."
Hui Zhi shook his head, a thoughtful look in his cloudy, old eyes, "It’s said for treasure hunting, lately they’ve been digging quite a few tunnels in Ruins City, causing a mess."
Treasure hunting? Digging tunnels?
Zhang Yuan couldn’t help but feel a stir in his heart!
He nodded and did not continue to ask.
"Go."
Hui Zhi waved him off, "Leave now, don’t come back!"
Zhang Yuan tucked the brocade box into his bosom, then respectfully saluted the white-haired Daoist.
He knew very well that this parting meant no chance of reunion.
This Chief Mage hadn’t many days left.
Zhang Yuan bowed thrice and then got up to leave the Celestial King Hall.
Though he carried a hint of lingering resentment in his heart, he never lost his vigilance.
He immediately noticed the "tail" following him.
Zhang Yuan returned to the Celestial King Hall this time without disguises, using his true appearance.
The moment he arrived, it was probably reported immediately!
Now it’s not just Xia Ruins that’s unsafe, even the Celestial King Hall is no longer a place of goodwill for Zhang Yuan.
The reason he could leave safely was entirely because Hui Zhi was still alive.
Certain people feared the consequences!
As for the trackers behind him, Zhang Yuan didn’t pay much attention.
He moved through the bustling streets, suddenly darted into a nearby alley, and swiftly got rid of them.
When Zhang Yuan reappeared, he had already changed his appearance and disguise.
This time, Zhang Yuan used Chen Zian’s true appearance as a base and applied further disguises.
Ensuring that even the ones most familiar with Zhang Yuan wouldn’t recognize him standing before them!
Zhang Yuan took a stroll near his home.
No surprise, his residence in Ruins City was already under surveillance.
At least a dozen spies lurked around!
Zhang Yuan did not alert these sneaky people and, after circling, went into a nearby teahouse.
An hour later, he came out again.
In this teahouse, Zhang Yuan heard many pieces of news.
True, false, a mix of both.
If you talk about the most important news, firstly, it’s that under the Yan Family’s lead, many families in Xia Ruins formed an alliance and dispatched elite forces to the Great Dream Marsh to deal with the Barbarian invasion.
This event was sensational, discussed most by the tea patrons, with some rumors being quite bizarre.
Then Zhang Yuan heard another piece of news.
Half a month ago, a conflict broke out between the Duanmu Celestial Beings and the Celestial King Hall.
The former actually wanted to dig a tunnel in front of the giant tower, which was stopped by Hui Zhi.
The specifics of the situation, ordinary people couldn’t comprehend, nor dared to discuss it openly, only whispered it in private.
If not for Zhang Yuan’s sharp senses, he wouldn’t have heard these words.
He already understood.
Why Hui Zhi would be in such a state.
It was undoubtedly harmed by the Duanmu Celestial Beings!
Though internally raging with anger, Zhang Yuan had not lost his reason.
Zhang Yuan knew very well, with his current strength, seeking revenge for Hui Zhi was obviously still far off.
He still needed to become stronger, much stronger!