Julong groggily opened his eyes. In turn of sleeping, he had opted to get back to cultivating to synthesise the Heaven Devouring Vitality Rune with his body correctly. Understandably he didn't have much time to refine the Life Solarity Qi to its final state while out in the wastelands, so he was taking every chance he could during the week they had been given to rest and prepare for their next commission.
Though despite the seemingly calm exterior of the whole town, Julong couldn't help but feel nervous. Naturally, this was due to the Sacred Palace.
They were supposed to arrive after the Sacred Palace, yet it had been a few weeks already and they had not shown up. It was stressful to say the least. Who knew what they were up to? They could even spring a trap on them out of nowhere, something Julong really did fret about - not that he would probably be their target.
Not unless that lapdog Zhao Pan from the Saint Remains Domain pulled some strings of course.
Pushing such rendering thoughts aside he looked into his Dwelling. The remnant Genesis Qi's that he had stored inside had turned out to be a further help in his endeavours as the Heaven Devouring Vitality Rune had managed to grow up to 76% complete and his Genesis Qi Stars to climb to a steady 2,734. While his Qi Star count was impressive, all his accomplishments served to do was make Julong begin pondering about the Ancient Dragon Body which was the whole reason he needed the Rune. A good place to start would be to ask Yao Yao when he got back - she seemed to know a lot about Genesis Techniques. Even irrelevant and pointless ones which no one had ever heard of.
Then again, there was no point in thinking about it at all until he did actually complete the Rune.
Standing up, he looked around the room, finding an ever-elegant Qingchan resting on her bed. As per usual not even a single hair was out of place. He was certain it was because he was with her. In front of him, she would probably never let herself seem unkempt.
For whatever reason...
He liked to pretend he didn't know the reason, but he certainly did. He wasn't that dense.
Making his way to the door of the inn they were staying in, he opened it revealing a frantic Xiao Dai preparing to knock. The look on her face told him everything he needed to know.
It was angry, one filled with rage, yet one filled with fright, almost like that of a cat when they were right next to an onslaught of Genesis Qi.
He narrowed his eyes with a scowl. He always seemed to have a way of jinxing things.
"It's the Sacred Palace, isn't it?"
Xiao Dai only nodded her head.
He looked back at Qingchan who was quietly watching the interaction. "Come on, let's go."
...
Julong and Qingchan were once again back in the Swirling Poison Corrupting Sect, looking at Won Feng with majorly calm faces. Unlike the day before, because of the situation they were not respectfully seated and were awaiting further information about what was possible either their commission or the arrival of the Sacred Palace - again Xiao Dai wasn't exactly clear. It was probably both. Something about new information in regards to their commission that would apparently aid them.
Turns out Xiao Dai was a little overexcited, not that, that was a bad thing. It gave a small amount of time for himself and Qingchan to get ready for departure. As for how far away they really were, well, unlike the Cangxuan Sect stealth airship that they had arrived in, the Sacred Palace didn't seemingly care about how discreet they were. They were just off the horizon, slowly getting closer. No longer opting to teleport like had apparently originally been informed.
"As I'm sure you're aware, the Sacred Palace are on their way, as such we cannot really afford to officially send you out to the wastelands, meaning you will need to leave the town directly. Preferably in a way that will not have you spotted by whoever is leading them." Won Feng explained with a tired sigh.
He apparently wasn't even worried, more so exhausted from how long he had been waiting for them to appear.
"Will you be alright by yourself, Elder?"
Julong couldn't help but worry since he was probably going to face the Sacred Palace practically alone with nothing but a few Alpha-Origin-Experts, of which were weaker than Xiao Dai.
He only gave a shrewd chuckle, which seemed to unsettle Xiao Dai. "Don't worry about me, Julong. I'll be fine. You should be worrying about yourselves. Are you mentally prepared for what you might encounter out there?"
"As ready I can be."
"I second that. Even if we are not I believe it is best to just get it out of the way so we can get back to help out, or leave if need be." Qingchan chimed in.
"What about you Xiao Dai?"
Xiao Dai took particularly long to answer. It seemed as though that was a targeted question like Won Feng knew something they didn't.
She nodded after much hesitation. "I think so."
"Good, because we just found out where the Ancient Serpent Scales reside."
Won Feng finally dropped the bomb they were all waiting for.
"We sent out a few Sect Members to survey the surroundings. At that time they were captured by the Cultists, who were reported to have been seen with them at their ceremonies and rituals. Thankfully they were able to escape and tell us this. While it's not the answer to the commission, it's definitely a lead and a valuable extra for you youngsters from the Cangxuan Sect."
Qingchan's eyes sparkled with excitement. It was a great way to wrap up their business in the area. She had been gone from the Cangxuan Sect for far too long and was starting to miss her lodging.
"Thank you, Sect Master. We will make great use of this information."
Following her words, Julong and herself bowed in unison, quickly followed by Xiao Dai who felt left out.
Amusedly, Won Feng eyed their bowing figures. He only hoped that they found success.
"Use the West exit of the town. While the Serpent Skeleton is to the East, as are the Sacred Palace, meaning you will need to circle around to avoid detection. Go now. I wish you all good luck."
"Thank you, Elder!"