Because Xu Chen was tired of staying in the space, he asked Gu Yao to show him the situation outside. Despite Gu Yao's reluctance, he complied with this harmless request from the senior.
"Senior, what's wrong?" Gu Yao multitasked, communicating with Xu Chen in his mind.
"I know this guy. Didn't expect him to end up here too. What's your relationship with him? You two seem quite close," Xu Chen sighed, reminiscing about their brief encounter. He pondered whether the young man's presence was due to luck or misfortune.
Wait, considering his stagnant aura, could he have also fallen through a spatial crack? Xu Chen couldn't help but find some amusement in the situation—was this young man lucky or not?
"Remember I mentioned why I ended up in this strange place?"
Gu Yao sensed Xu Chen's gritted teeth as he spoke. Initially viewing him as a formidable senior, Gu Yao quickly realized the disparity between appearance and reality.
"I overheard those people talking. They're from a sect called Lingyun Sect, and this guy is Zhong Changye. He was originally a Golden Core cultivator, but now he's dropped to the Foundation Building stage," Xu Chen chuckled, finding some joy in the misfortune, oblivious to his own lack of a physical body.
Gu Yao, with mixed feelings, corrected Xu Chen, noting that Zhong Changye now goes by the name Qi Changye. He also connected the dots about Zhong Changye falling through a spatial crack like his companion, Night, did.
Xu Chen, locked in the alchemy pavilion for a long time, seized the opportunity to observe the outside world. Encouraging Gu Yao to take him for a stroll, Xu Chen, the senior, continued his commentary in Gu Yao's mind.
Coming outside, they noticed the hustle and bustle as everyone explored the ruins.
"What's this place? Why are they selling such garbage? Look at that spirit herb; it's dim and almost like a weed. Can they really sell that? And the way they handle those herbs over there is wrong. The medicinal properties are all lost. It's equivalent to waste," Xu Chen critiqued, causing a headache for Gu Yao.
"Senior, your constant commentary is giving me a headache. This place is small, and cultivators here lack knowledge compared to where you came from," Gu Yao explained.
Adding insult to injury, Gu Yao revealed, "Senior, I found you in this market."
Xu Chen, pausing, retorted, "What do you mean 'found me'? You got lucky finding the alchemy pavilion. I'm just residing in it!"
Gu Yao, trying to ease the situation, said, "Alright, alright. If you keep distracting me like this, Night will notice something unusual."
After this warning, Xu Chen finally quieted down. They wandered around, bought some talisman materials, inconspicuous spirit herbs, and finally, some spiritual rice, vegetables, and meat before returning home.
Outside the town, a group rested for the night, unaware of a shadow slipping into one of the tents. Seeing this, Tian Fei Yang greeted, "Aunt, you're here. Was the journey difficult?"
His gaze held admiration and awe. The news of his aunt successfully establishing her Foundation had reached him, but it was kept secret to avoid stirring trouble with the Gu and Lu families.
I have to say, Grandfather's arrangements are quite considerate. This time, knowing that there are suspicions about the information regarding the alchemist's heritage, and that this journey could be extremely perilous, if the Gu and Lu families join forces against the Tian family, it's uncertain whether this group will return alive.
However, giving up this journey is not acceptable. If there is indeed an alchemist's heritage, and the benefits fall into the hands of those two families, strengthening their power, the Tian family will also be in a precarious situation. So, they have no choice but to go.
Before departing, Grandfather informed him that he had already contacted his junior aunt, who would join them halfway. With a Foundation Establishment cultivator like his junior aunt leading the way, the Tian family's position would be secure. Now, seeing his junior aunt arrive as promised, Tian Feiyang was overjoyed.
The newcomer wore a green martial outfit, appearing unassuming but youthful, perhaps in their twenties or thirties. Speaking, they said, "Last time I saw Feiyang, you were still a child, spoiled by your mother. In the blink of an eye, you've grown so much. It seems your cultivation has reached the peak of the fifth level, about to break through. Looks like you haven't been lazy. When the Immortal Ascension Assembly arrives, Auntie will introduce you to our sect, ensuring your successful Foundation Establishment."
"Many thanks, Auntie. Feiyang follows Auntie's arrangements." Tian Feiyang obediently accepted, as this was the path Grandfather had arranged for him. However, the appearance of the Longevity Sect token created a sense of unwillingness within him.
"Good child," Tian Ru nodded approvingly. "How about Feirong? Is he still as unruly as described in the letters? I think your mother spoils your brother too much, letting him have his way, neglecting his cultivation."
Tian Feiyang hesitated to criticize elders but replied, "Feirong has made progress recently."
"That's good. You go rest; Auntie is here at night, nothing will go wrong."
...
On the other side, in the Gu family's camp, Gu Yan was also part of the group. Inside a tent, he listened to reports, "You're saying that Guyao and Chi Changye are still in the town, indifferent to the news about the alchemist's heritage?"
"Young Master, our people observed them leisurely shopping in the market, buying quite a lot of ingredients," reported the black-clad cultivator.
"Damn it!" Gu Yan raged, crushing the cup in his hand into pieces. "Such significant news, and they haven't been lured out of the town? Cowardly fools afraid of death!"
Although he now possessed the token and had joined the Longevity Sect, knowing it came from Guyao, Gu Yan couldn't shake off the lingering discomfort.
Guyao had something valuable like this, yet he casually used it to secure an opportunity to leave the Gu family. As the eldest young master of the Gu family, Gu Yan had to employ elaborate schemes to navigate his way. Perhaps, among the Gu family members, he was the one who disliked Guyao the most.
Only when Guyao completely disappears can Gu Yan truly feel relieved. If Guyao dies in the mouths of those demonic beasts outside, even if his uncle, whose life or death is uncertain, returns alive, it won't be attributed to the Gu family. By then, Guyao should have already entered the Longevity Sect, and that person won't have any leverage over him. Gu Yan doesn't believe anyone can surpass the authority of the Longevity Sect.
"Young Master doesn't need to be anxious. From what I know, they will participate in the Immortal Ascension Assembly along with the Tian family. The journey is long, and anything can happen. Whether they will survive to participate in the Immortal Ascension Assembly is uncertain," suggested the black-clad cultivator.
Gu Yan understands the logic, but the frequent news about those two individuals makes him uncomfortable. He also occasionally hears discussions about the origin of his token, prompting him to want to eliminate these troublesome guys early on. Unexpectedly, they continue to evade.
"You're right. Hmph! Thinking that the Tian family can ensure their safety? I'll patiently wait for a while. If I can't seize the opportunity to get rid of those two nuisances, causing some casualties for the Tian family is also good. I heard Tian Feiyang has come too? If he happens to die in the heritage, I wonder how the Tian family will feel."
Gu Yan chuckled sinisterly. The Tian family hasn't been peaceful lately, not only sheltering a member of the Gu family but also causing the Gu family to lose face repeatedly. Does the Tian family really think the Gu family will let it slide?