Chapter 763 - 230: Where the Dao Leads
[First, let me apologize for missing an update yesterday because I was sick. I actually wrote an absence notice, but in my daze, I forgot to publish it and didn’t even realize it was missing.
I apologize to everyone here!
I promise not to make the same mistake next time. If there’s ever a break in updates, I’ll make sure to notify everyone in advance.]
·
Chapter 230 [Direction of Dao] (6200)
Chen Yan stared blankly at the people in the courtyard, momentarily uncertain about why these folks were treating him with such respect.
But instinctively, he returned the gesture by cupping his hands: "Um... Greetings to everyone."
Next, food was distributed, and someone took a plate and gave a portion to Chen Yan. Seeing the person’s friendly smile, he had no choice but to smile back and express his thanks before taking his food and returning to his room.
After he returned to his room, the people in the courtyard began to converse in whispers.
Once Chen Yan was in the room, he listened closely for the commotion outside the courtyard, and after a while, he understood that these people mistook him for someone who had been parachuted in due to connections.
Things like this probably only happen among the preparatory disciples... After all, these people aren’t official sect members yet. Although they have entered as cultivators, in such a formidable sect with Saint’s inheritance, they are all considered grassroots among grassroots, small fry among small fry.
One will only be considered established when they are selected into the sect to become formal Outer Disciples.
Before then, anyone without a background will generally keep a low profile.
Once Chen Yan understood this, he was relieved. However, he didn’t bother to explain, considering his awkward situation. Since they had this misunderstanding, it wasn’t harming him anyway.
After hurriedly finishing his meal, he lay on the bed pondering his plans.
Chen Yan already had a plan in mind. He would wait a few days until someone from the Gu Family arrived to resolve this situation so he could regain his freedom and continue towards the Southern Border’s City of No Return.
If... something unexpected happens, like the Gu Family’s shipping being intercepted, forcing him to be involved, or if he is falsely accused of something.
Then they’ll part ways!
Chen Yan wasn’t afraid; he still had the ring with him and could always escape back to the real world.
His only concern was that if he became a suspect in some case in the Domain Realm, it would become troublesome for him to return in the future.
This is because the ring’s crossing points are fixed!
If he used the ring to escape from the Celestial Demon Yin Yang Joyful Sect, then next time he wants to visit the Domain Realm, he would arrive at the same spot within the Celestial Demon Yin Yang Joyful Sect!
Thinking about this, Chen Yan turned over in bed.
Suddenly! A detail that he had ignored this whole time dawned on him!
The ring, the crossing, the fixed points!!
The first time he used the ring, he ended up on the territory of the Fierce Beast Race! Near the village where the wooden bowl resided!
That place is located on the other side of Evil Land Mountain, far from the Domain Snow Cliff Pass, far from the Snowfield!
The first time he crossed to that place suggested that...
The previous owner of the ring last used it in that location!!
This ring was a possession left behind by the old lady!
Thus, the previous user of the ring should have been the old lady — had she gone to the territory of the Fierce Beast Race before?
And then, within the domain of the Fierce Beast Race, she used the ring!
But this doesn’t quite make sense.
What kind of identity did the old lady have? Venerable Saint!
Why would a Venerable Saint take such a risk and venture to a place where Primordial Qi is suppressed, turning cultivators into ordinary mortals?
Or perhaps...
The last user of the ring wasn’t the old lady?
·
Chen Yan tossed and turned in bed, not quite knowing what to think. Until darkness fell and lights were lit outside in the courtyard, the noise grew as the preparatory disciples emerged from their rooms to gather in the courtyard.
Drawn by the noise, Chen Yan sat up from bed, opened the door, and looked outside.
More than thirty preparatory disciples gathered in the courtyard, all wearing light yellow robes, solemnly queued to leave.
As Chen Yan emerged from his room, those standing close to him smiled kindly, and someone initiated a conversation.
"Fellow Daoist, we’re heading to the evening class, care to join?"
Evening class?
This piqued Chen Yan’s interest.
These preparatory disciples are to be selected and trained for future Outer Disciple candidates.
Three months of training involves various lessons arranged by the sect, evaluating disciples’ aptitudes and talents during cultivation.
Chen Yan had always cultivated independently, without guidance, merely following the instructions laid out in the secret manual left by the old lady.
Experiencing formal instruction from a prestigious sect renowned for its Saint inheritance was something he hadn’t witnessed before, sparking his curiosity — after all, it’s a top-tier sect.
Hmm, just the name is a bit ominous.
After a brief consideration, Chen Yan nodded immediately: "Definitely, let’s go together."
Besides... Zhao Wuji said he’s not imprisoned but a guest and gave him a preparatory token, so everywhere these preparatory disciples are allowed, he could go as well.