A Sect from a Spirit Vein-Chapter 81 - 78: Departing for Ningzhou

Jiang Qingfeng waited in the courtyard for half an hour, but Lu Qian and Lin Le did not emerge. She went to Lu Qian’s door and knocked gently, but the door was ajar and opened with her knock.

She hurried inside, only to find the room empty with no sign of Lu Qian. On the table, there were only a few items: a Jade Scroll, several Storage Pouches, and a Jade Ring.

It was actually the Sect Leader’s Ring of the Yunshan Sect!

Jiang Qingfeng was shocked and quickly pressed the Jade Scroll to her forehead, where Lu Qian had left a letter.

In the letter, Lu Qian wrote that he feared the sadness of parting and would rather avoid a farewell by leaving with Lin Le early. The Storage Pouches contained most of the resources he had organized, which should be added to the sect’s treasury for its future establishment and not to be carried around with him.

The Sect Leader’s Ring was entrusted to Jiang Qingfeng as a token. In his absence, she would act as the interim Sect Leader to facilitate coordination with the soon-arriving Tan Hong and his wife.

At the end of the letter, Lu Qian wrote again, "If you preserve the land but lose the people, both are lost; if you preserve the people but lose the land, both are preserved. Be cautious! If all goes well, I will return in just over half a month. I sincerely hope you take care, Sister!"

Jiang Qingfeng read the letter over and over, lingering for a long time on the words "take care." She put down the Jade Scroll and took out an exquisite sachet embroidered with the words "safe travels" from her bosom.

She had made this overnight, but did not have the chance to give it.

She tied the sachet to Lu Qian’s bedpost and softly said, "Junior Brother, you take care too."

Before dawn, Lu Qian had already departed Lotus Peak with Lin Le. By noon, they had returned to Plum Blossom Marketplace.

Once in the city, they headed straight for the Artifact Refining Workshop District, where Lu Qian sold two Mountain Protection Grand Arrays obtained from Qingli Mountain and Liuhua Valley for 5,500 Spirit Stones.

Lu Qian had intended to study these two arrays, but found that without the corresponding mantras, he was only able to scratch the surface by reviewing the changes recorded in the Array Maps, which proved to be useless. Moreover, his own Five Elements Grand Array was barely passable, not yet mastered, so he decided to exchange them for Spirit Stones for urgent needs instead of hoarding them.

Then they arrived at the Flying Beast Pavilion. Lu Qian had already decided to ride the fastest Wind-Wing Golden Eagle, which could reach Haidong County in just over two days. As for Lin Le, Lu Qian planned to rent a Hanging-Winged Falcon for him.

Due to Lin Le’s low cultivation level, without renting a small Wind-Controlling Beast, he’d have to stop at Yangji Square, which is not the stop of a large Flying Beast in Qingzhou’s Nujiang County, and then travel further. This journey is really dangerous for a Junior Cultivator at the first level of Qi Cultivation.

By renting a Hanging-Winged Falcon, the beast-taming cultivators will be responsible for the passenger’s safety. As long as additional fees are paid, the falcon can wait around Yangji Square until Lin Le finds Tan Hong and his wife, then take the Hanging-Winged Falcon back. The Flying Beast Pavilion is run by a large sect under the control of a Nascent Soul cultivator, known for its excellent reputation, making Lu Qian trust them with Lin Le.

Lin Le listened clearly and was deeply moved.

When Lu Qian pointed out 3,000 Spirit Stones to exchange for two Jade Plaques and handed one to him, Lin Le was nearly numb with a single thought in his mind: no matter what, he must complete the task successfully.

The Wind-Wing Golden Eagle makes a trip every three days, with the next one departing tomorrow morning. Lin Le’s rented Hanging-Winged Falcon can depart at any time, as long as he gives the word.

Lu Qian patted his shoulder: "Since that’s the case, let’s leave Plum Blossom Marketplace together tomorrow morning. You have one day left; go see your mother. Once the sect is fully established, you can bring her to live with you. For now, it’s still safer in Plum Blossom Marketplace."

Lu Qian also gave him 300 Spirit Stones: "Our sect is fair in rewards and punishments. These are your rewards for the task, given in advance so you can settle your mother, and she won’t have to stay in that shanty alley."

Lin Le nodded solemnly, eyes brimming with tears, taking the Storage Pouch and wanting to kneel. Lu Qian lifted him gently and simply smiled, "Go, go."

The two agreed to meet the next morning at 7:00 AM. Lin Le rushed home excitedly, and the reunion with his mother was naturally joyous. Lin Le exuberantly explained all the details, while his mother, hearing about his task, felt both proud and worried. Before she could speak, Lin Le was happily packing.

"Mother, I’m a cultivator now! You don’t need to do anything from now on, just enjoy life. Let’s move out of here. I’ve already found a place." Lin Le carefully packed valuable items, "Forget the useless clutter; we’ll get everything new!"

The mother, used to saving, wanted to keep this and that. But Lin Le proudly puffed out his chest: "Mother, you’re the mother of an Immortal Master now, you’ll be living well from now on, and you should have some style too."

"Alright, alright, my son has become successful; I’ll listen to you." The mother’s hands trembled as she wiped tears from the corners of her eyes.

She saw the half-carved Longevity Tablet on the table and quickly picked it up, treasuring it carefully: "We owe it all to Immortal Master Lu; his great kindness and virtue are something we can never repay in this life or the next."

While mother and son were packing, a timid voice called from outside the door: "Brother Le..."

Lin Le looked up and saw Wu Yan clutching the door frame, tears in her eyes: "You’re moving, aren’t you?"

The mother sighed gently.

Lin Le was suddenly excited at the sight of the girl. Yun Mountain, Lotus Peak, Masters of the Sect, Divine Mysterious Techniques; he wanted to share a torrent of words with her but found them stuck in his throat.

The girl stared at Lin Le, a mixture of joy and sorrow on her face, as tears fell like rain. She softly called, "Immortal Master Lin..."

Lin Le gazed at her, unable to utter a single word.

Just overnight, the paths of clouds and mud diverged.

The mother looked at the trembling, thin girl and couldn’t bear it. She walked over and took her hand: "Miss Wu, I have an idea. I wonder if you’re willing?"

The next day, Lu Qian and Lin Le met on time.

After a few more instructions to the determined young man, Lu Qian, holding the Jade Plaque, followed the servant’s guidance into a small path.

After walking for half a tea’s time, the scene opened up, revealing a huge courtyard where a six-zhang high Golden Eagle stood tall, and a cultivator stood on its head, holding a blue whip that flashed with electricity, shouting loudly.

The Golden Eagle shook its body impatiently and suddenly spread its wings, creating a storm of sand and stones. Lu Qian, caught off guard, staggered backward a few steps.

The cultivator on the Golden Eagle scolded sharply again, bringing the whip down with a crack of thunder, calming the Golden Eagle. Seeing Lu Qian enter the courtyard, he shouted, "This fellow Daoist, come on up! You’re the last one!"

Lu Qian squinted his eyes, seeing the vast back of the Golden Eagle, where ten emerald tents were secured, with several cultivators standing by the tents chatting.

Lu Qian chuckled softly, summoned the Flying Ship, feeling a surge of excitement.

Ningzhou Danxia Sect, Master Chi Yu, here I come.