Zanxing weighed it and found it was indeed much lighter than the previous iron staff.

“This is a mid-grade magical artifact. If Little Junior Sister doesn’t like this one, the remaining staff in our tower are all low-grade magical artifacts.” Jin Feicui asked: “So…”

“I’ll take this one.” Zanxing held the staff in her hand. Unless it was a high-grade magical artifact that could be hidden within the body and summoned when needed, mid and low-grade magical artifacts could only be carried on one’s person. This staff was slender, and comparatively speaking, wearing it at the waist didn’t make her look so much like a shepherd. She turned to look at Gu Baiying: “Martial Uncle…” Since it was said that the sect would reimburse the spirit stones this time, she didn’t plan to spend her own money.

Gu Baiying lazily straightened up and asked the shopkeeper: “How many spirit stones?”

“Not expensive,” Jin Feicui stroked the jade bracelet on her wrist and smiled amiably: “Since it’s someone brought by little brother Bai, sister will give you a discount – let’s round it to five thousand spirit stones.”

“Thanks.” Gu Baiying tossed his Qiankun Bag on the table: “Take it yourself.”

Zanxing watched with considerable indignation in her heart. They were both sect disciples, yet Gu Baiying could casually produce five thousand spirit stones, while she found it difficult to save even a few dozen each month. When it came to savings, relying solely on cutting expenses was indeed insufficient.

Seeing Zanxing staring at him, Gu Baiying raised his eyebrows: “What are you looking at? Are you dissatisfied with something?”

“Nothing,” Zanxing smiled: “I just think Martial Uncle’s way of flaunting wealth is particularly charming.”

Gu Baiying snorted softly, didn’t deny Zanxing’s flattery, stood up, and said: “Take your staff properly, let’s go.”

……

When Zanxing returned to the Taiyan Sect, Xuan Lingzi looked at the Panhua Stick they had chosen at Huajin Tower. While it couldn’t be considered particularly surprising, he was reasonably satisfied.

After this, he gave some more instructions about going to the Li’er Kingdom secret realm.

All three inner disciples were in the hall, bowing their heads to listen to their master’s teachings. Xuan Lingzi spoke earnestly: “Children, this is your first time leaving the Taiyan Sect alone to venture into a secret realm. The Li’er Kingdom’s secret realm has existed for nearly a hundred years. Every ten years, all the major sects send newly selected talents there, ostensibly for training, but actually to show off.”

Tian Fangfang spoke straightforwardly: “Show off?” However, with their small numbers, talking about “showing off” was indeed somewhat difficult.

“That’s roughly what it means.” Xuan Lingzi sighed: “Although our Taiyan Sect has a three-hundred-year history, since the war between humans and demons, the sect has suffered countless losses and is greatly diminished from before. These years, in the cultivation world, the newly risen Yinfeng Sect, the Chihua Gate that has never gotten along with us, the Xiangling Sect that once had conflicts with our sect… they’re all eyeing our sect like tigers watching their prey.”

Zanxing: “It sounds like our sect doesn’t have very good relationships.”

Xuan Lingzi choked: “The founding sect master Yushan Shengren was indeed young and arrogant before his ascension… but our sect is much better now!” He said, “What Master means is, on this trip to Li’er Kingdom, Master isn’t worried about the trials in the secret realm itself, but about you facing difficulties from disciples of other sects.”

“If there are blind fools making difficulties, we’ll face them head-on.” Mu Cengxiao spoke: “After all, in this world, the strong are revered.”

Xuan Lingzi smiled with relief: “If you can have this kind of confidence and courage, Master can rest assured. Well, Master won’t say more unnecessary words. Go back and rest well tonight. Tomorrow morning, the teleportation array on Gufeng Mountain will transport you to Li’er Kingdom. Remember, you represent the dignity of Miaokong Hall and bear the glory of the entire Taiyan Sect. When away from home, every action must be measured. We don’t provoke trouble, but we’re not afraid of it either. If there’s trouble you can’t solve, go find your Seventh Martial Uncle and Senior Sister Meng. They have higher cultivation, are well-experienced, and know how to handle things.”

The three agreed, and when they were about to return to their respective courtyards, Xuan Lingzi called out to Zanxing: “Zanxing, wait a moment.”

“What is it, Master?” Zanxing asked.

Xuan Lingzi looked at her: “Since you have a spirit beast, on this trip to Li’er Kingdom, you should naturally bring the spirit beast with you. Spirit beasts and their masters are meant to grow together. Trials can bring you opportunities, and likewise, the spirit beast will also gain something. But…” At this point, he hesitated: “Mimi has shown no special qualities so far, no different from an ordinary pig… cough, ordinary cat. Bringing it along might make it an additional burden. Master is telling you this – how you decide still needs to be your own choice.”

Zanxing only considered briefly before answering: “I understand, Master. I’ll still take Mimi along. Since it has the Silver Wolf Lion bloodline, no matter how thin, I want to try. More importantly, if she left Mimi at the Taiyan Sect, with Hong Su’s feeding methods, Zanxing was afraid Mimi would die suddenly from obesity. For Mimi’s physical and mental health, she should bring Mimi along.

“Fine.” Xuan Lingzi said, “As long as you’ve decided. Go back quickly to pack your things and rest early.”

Zanxing nodded in agreement.

That night, Zanxing didn’t sleep very peacefully. Perhaps because she had things on her mind, she felt somewhat secretly excited when she woke up at night. She only fell asleep hazily when dawn was approaching, and hadn’t slept long when the rooster crowed outside – day had broken.

She got up to dress and wash, and ate a couple of bites of pastry. Hong Su wasn’t there, so Zanxing put away her Qiankun Bag, fastened the staff to her waist, and carried Mimi to Miaokong Hall.

In Miaokong Hall, Meng Ying stood in the center of the hall. The hem of her snow-white long dress fluttered in the wind, her raven-black hair chignon making her entire face seem to glow. This coldly beautiful girl was a sight to behold wherever she stood.

Seeing Zanxing enter, Meng Ying’s gaze fell on her. Her gaze was also very light, carrying a hint of coolness. Zanxing smiled at her, and Meng Ying nodded slightly and looked away.

She was indeed, as in the original work, a proud, aloof goddess with quite a personality.

Then, Mendong and Gu Baiying walked in.

The child still wore a pink gauze robe, his hair tied into two lotus buns, looking even more like a painted immortal child following beside the young man. This young man was, as usual, wearing pearl satin brocade robes with crimson sleeves and hair ribbon, handsome and elegant with an extraordinary bearing, except his expression remained as arrogantly unrestrained as always.

Looking at the three of them, honestly, standing together, they were truly a feast for the eyes – beautiful young men and women plus a child carved from pink jade, making the spring day on Gufeng Mountain seem clear, bright, and enchanting.

“Why are you the only one here?” Mendong saw only Zanxing in the hall and asked: “Where are the others?”

Zanxing shrugged, about to speak when Hong Su’s voice came from behind the hall: “Young Miss!”

Looking back, there came the others.

Hong Su ran up to Zanxing and stuffed a box into her hands: “Young Miss, this is what Hong Su made personally in the kitchen this morning – all pastries you usually love to eat. Put them in your Qiankun Bag later, and if you get hungry on the road, eat some.” As she spoke, the little girl lowered her head, her voice carrying a sob: “I don’t know if the secret realm is dangerous… Young Miss, you must protect yourself… don’t suffer or tire yourself… Hong Su originally wanted to go along, but they wouldn’t let Hong Su go. Young Miss has never traveled far alone…”

Over there, Liu Yunxin also handed a cloth bundle to Mu Cengxiao, whispering instructions: “Brother Mu, on this trip to the secret realm, we don’t know if it’s cold or warm there. It’s early spring now, and I’m afraid of the sudden cold of late spring making you catch a cold. These days I’ve made some new clothes and shoes. Your Qiankun Bag can hold quite a lot, so take them all…” The gentle girl shyly lowered her head again: “What I made will fit your measurements.”

Mu Cengxiao took her hands, saying tenderly, “The sect has everything. Why trouble yourself so much?”

Liu Yunxin gently shook her head, her expression very sweet and gentle: “It’s not troublesome. As long as Brother Mu can use them, Yunxin is very happy. Brother Mu must protect yourself well. Yunxin will wait here for you to return.”

“Good.” Mu Cengxiao took the bundle and smiled: “I’ll come back early.”

The three people – Meng Ying and the others – standing over there seemed somewhat superfluous. Meng Ying frowned slightly, apparently not very fond of such tender moments. Mendong looked at this scene and spoke with disgust: “Acting like it’s a parting of life and death, quite nauseating.”

Gu Baiying watched coldly and spoke to interrupt the reluctant parting: “Are you done? If you don’t want to go, then don’t go.”

“Coming, coming.” Xuan Lingzi and Tian Fangfang came forward, called Zanxing and Mu Cengxiao over, pushed the three of them in front of Gu Baiying, and like an old father instructed: “Junior Brother, the children are entrusted to you. On this journey, please take more care and don’t let them conflict with other sects… of course, the same goes for you.”

“I know.” The young man was quite impatient: “If you say two more sentences, it’ll be dark.”

The teleportation array was on Gufeng Mountain, near the cliff edge of Chuhong Terrace. Because Li’er Kingdom was too far, sword flying wasn’t suitable, and besides, among this group, only Gu Baiying and Meng Ying could fly on swords. The Taiyan Sect only had one spirit boat, which needed to stay at the sect to guard the mountain. Comparatively, the teleportation array required fewer spirit stones than the spirit boat. Although teleportation would be somewhat uncomfortable, it was the most cost-effective transportation method.

In front of Chuhong Terrace, among five osmanthus trees, a circle of teleportation stones was arranged, emitting silver-white light.

“Let’s go.” Gu Baiying was the first to walk in.

The group followed closely behind. Zanxing hugged Mimi tightly and followed them in.

……

A blue crane cried long and clear at the end of the mountain peaks.

In front of Chuhong Terrace on Gufeng Mountain, water flowed gently, a pool of quiet beauty.

The white-haired man sitting by the chessboard in the hall stopped his movements.

Xuan Lingzi walked in. Shaoyang Zhenren asked: “Have they left?”

“They’ve left.” Xuan Lingzi patted his chest, somewhat dejected: “Sect Master, this is my disciples’ first time traveling far. I’m a bit worried.”

Shaoyang Zhenren didn’t speak, only looked at the scattered chess pieces on the board, his expression showing neither sorrow nor joy.

“Play a game of chess with me.” After a long while, he said.

End of Immortal Seeking Chapter