Volume One: City Under the Clouds Chapter 58: Farewell, Part II

Hearing Du Gu Bai’s words, Zhang Heng was overjoyed. No matter how much he knew, in essence, he was just a small cultivator lacking true power. But with Du Gu Bai’s Heart-Guarding Sword protecting him, he could easily slay any cultivator beneath the Heavenly Origin Realm.

“Thank you, senior,” Zhang Heng was about to kneel in gratitude. Du Gu Bai, however, lifted him from afar and spoke gently, “Zhang Heng, it is I who should thank you.”

“Though you are but a minor cultivator in the Body-Refining realm, you gave me a peerless scripture capable of enlightening one’s mind. You aided me in breaking through the tribulation, and even saved my life under the thunder of the Heavenly Dao. Your kindness to me is immense.”

“You are intimately familiar with the Dragon Burial Abyss, knowing the layout of spatial turbulence and the distribution of countless treasures. There is nothing you do not know; every rare fruit, exotic beast, you can describe in detail. You even drew the attention of the Heavenly Dao’s tribulation lightning, surviving two world-destroying bolts unscathed. The events that happen to you are nothing short of miraculous. Regardless of your cultivation, you are undoubtedly the most extraordinary person in the entire cultivation continent.”

“Well, the many secrets you possess—I know you won’t reveal them to others. I shall not pursue them either. You have aided me many times; I will not forget. If you encounter trouble in the future, simply summon me with the Heart-Guarding Sword. I will come and resolve the matter for you.”

Zhang Heng no longer protested. “Thank you, senior.”

All he had done was for Du Gu Bai’s favor; now, with this promise, his efforts had finally borne fruit.

Du Gu Bai continued, “Since matters here are settled, I shall take my leave.”

With that, he departed, taking Yan Xueqing with him. A voice echoed from the void.

“Zhang Heng, I have great hopes for you. Cultivate well; one day you will stand atop the continent.”

Watching them leave, Zhang Heng was hardly surprised. Du Gu Bai, having broken through to the tribulation realm, naturally had much awaiting him.

But why the hurry? Did spending time with Qian Mu Yun infect him with her impatience?

Zhang Heng didn’t care whether they could hear him. He shouted loudly after them, “Miss Yan, you must wait for me!”

Just then, the system’s voice sounded.

Ding, congratulations to the host for completing the task. Task reward ‘Mystic Concealment Boat’ has been issued. Please accept it from the system.

But at that moment, Zhang Heng had no mind to pay it any heed. He knew that if he delayed any longer, Qian Mu Yun and Murong Qingxue would soon depart.

He hurried again to the spirit lake.

There, he saw Qian Mu Yun and Murong Qingxue standing together, aura swirling around them, clearly not ordinary mortals. Their presence inspired awe, making others reluctant to approach. Was this what an ordinary person felt upon seeing people from the Holy Land? The gap was truly insurmountable.

After a pause, Zhang Heng strolled forward confidently. He was a transmigrator, after all, not an ordinary cultivator. He believed that one day, he too could move mountains and rivers with a thought, shatter the heavens with a single wrath. For now, however, it was best to remain humble. Approaching, Zhang Heng said with a flattering tone, “Sister Mu Yun, Miss Qingxue, are you both leaving now?”

Murong Qingxue nodded. Qian Mu Yun, impatient, replied, “Little brother, can’t you move faster? I’ve waited for you so long.” Her voice was full of temptation.

Zhang Heng knew well they were purposely waiting for him. Otherwise, Qian Mu Yun would have already traversed the void, taking Murong Qingxue with her.

Wasn’t the farewell supposed to be full of melancholy? What are you doing, Holy Land big shot?

Zhang Heng grinned, “Sister Mu Yun, I’ve helped you so much. Aren’t you going to show some gratitude?”

Qian Mu Yun glanced at him, puzzled. “Little brother Zhang Heng, isn’t this a bit inappropriate right now?”

Zhang Heng felt exasperated and didn’t bother with her further.

At this, Qian Mu Yun grew serious. “Little brother Zhang Heng, I know what you want.”

She took something from her ring and tossed it to him. “This is the cultivation method of the Aurora Phantom. Take it and practice well.”

A manual? Qian Mu Yun had given him the Aurora Phantom’s technique—something Zhang Heng had not expected. For others, it would be a supreme treasure, but for him, it was useless.

He possessed an omniscient system; cultivation methods were the least of his worries.

Du Gu Bai had offered a promise. Zhang Heng had originally wanted one from Qian Mu Yun as well, but thinking about it now, he let it go. This lady’s mind truly worked in mysterious ways.

Zhang Heng accepted the manual and pretended to be thrilled, “Thank you, Sister Mu Yun. I won’t let your kindness go to waste. I’ll cultivate this method well and try not to disgrace you.”

“That’s best. Then we’re square, aren’t we?” Qian Mu Yun laughed smugly.

Zhang Heng couldn’t be bothered with her.

He knew that, despite what she said, this lady was a person of true character. If she was willing to spare a group of unfamiliar cultivators, she certainly wouldn’t treat Zhang Heng, who had helped her, poorly. If he were ever in peril, she’d likely be the first to arrive.

Zhang Heng looked at the silent Murong Qingxue beside him. With a sigh, he said, “Miss Qingxue, all feasts must end. Don’t be too sad.”

Murong Qingxue smiled serenely, her gaze profound. “Young Master Zhang, this won’t be the end between us, will it?”

“Why do you say that, Miss Qingxue?” Zhang Heng replied with a smile.

He certainly wouldn’t let things end so abruptly with her. What puzzled him was that Murong Qingxue, born with an innate spiritual body, was usually indifferent to all things. Why say this now?

“Young Master Zhang, you are a true prodigy. Perhaps your pace of growth will surpass mine,” Murong Qingxue replied calmly.

“Miss Qingxue, you flatter me. In most ways, I’m not lacking, but when it comes to cultivation, I might well be the worst in all the world,” Zhang Heng laughed at himself.

Ah, partings come sooner or later; dragging them out is most annoying.

Zhang Heng took something from his ring and handed it to Murong Qingxue, saying casually, “Miss Qingxue, here is a scripture. It’s not much, but when you have free time, read it. It will soothe your mind.”

What he offered was the Buddhist holy scripture, the Prajna Sutra, from Earth. Frequent recitation could dispel distractions and clarify the mind.

Murong Qingxue practiced the Exquisite Saint Method.

That method required one to be free of desire, clear in all six realms. Yet cultivators were flesh and blood; how could they be devoid of emotion? Excessive obsession is itself a form of desire.

Thus, this scripture could help Murong Qingxue.

“Thank you, Young Master Zhang,” Murong Qingxue said solemnly.

Qian Mu Yun approached, dissatisfied. “Little brother Zhang Heng, don’t be biased now. Don’t you have something for your sister?”

Sister, you’re a major figure of the Exquisite Holy Land. Shouldn’t you be the one giving me things? Why are you asking a mere Body-Refining cultivator for gifts?

But he replied, “Sister Mu Yun, you’ve reached the tribulation realm now. I doubt anything I have would interest you.”

Qian Mu Yun chuckled, then leaned close and whispered in his ear, “Little brother, there are some things on you that I still very much want.”