Chapter 391: Invitation and Secret Words
After returning to the Unreturning Place, Li Ban heard that Du An had appeared near the Nine Heavens Sea.
"For Du An to travel from the Nihility State to the Nine Heavens Sea in such a short time, he must have used a space-time technique." Priest Yao, who had originally intended to go to the Shattered Realm, hurried back as soon as she heard the news.
"Du An is merely a Star Glow priest," Li Ban said. "He shouldn't be able to use such long-distance spatial magic. Either Xiao Suo or that mysterious Black Robe is helping him."
"Priest Ling Feng of the Nine Heavens Sea's Myriad Ancient Pagoda is currently tracking Du An. I will go help." Knowing Li Ban currently had no time to deal with Du An, Zhu Yao planned to head over herself, just as she had before.
Li Ban thought for a moment before advising against it. "Since Du An possesses the ability to teleport, he might already be gone by the time you reach the Nine Heavens Sea. You would only run yourself ragged and delay your own cultivation."
He knew Du An had become a knot in Zhu Yao's heart, but precisely because of that, she couldn't let him lead her around by the nose.
Zhu Yao understood Li Ban's concerns. "But if Du An doesn't die, I'm afraid I will never be able to advance to Solar."
"I heard the one hunting Du An right now is Priest Ling Feng of the Nine Heavens Sea's Myriad Ancient Pagoda."
"Since Priest Feng is tracking him, there's no need for you to exhaust yourself running over there. Besides—Priest Feng might not even be able to kill Du An." Li Ban turned to gaze into the distance.
At that moment, the sun was setting in the west. The afterglow of the evening sun spilled across the waterfall at the Unreturning Place, casting a brilliant golden light.
"With his identity, Du An won't be killed so easily. I have a gut feeling that he will come looking for me again."
The Ring World's Wizard Embryo Fragment had split in two, falling into both their hands—a clear sign of their destined rivalry.
"Du An's identity?" Zhu Yao was confused.
As far as she knew, Du An was nothing more than a survivor from a minor world.
There were truly many such people in the Wizard World.
Since this involved the Director, Li Ban didn't elaborate, offering only a vague explanation. "It's like how he and I possess Wizard Embryo Fragments from the same world."
Zhu Yao didn't press the issue. "I understand."
She looked at Li Ban. That once somewhat reckless Spirit Awakening priest was now actually at the same Tier as her.
Yet she remained at a standstill.
If things continued like this, he might even surpass her.
But despite knowing she hadn't made progress in a long time, Zhu Yao remained unhurried.
She simply hadn't found the spark that would cause her conviction to fully erupt.
If she couldn't perfectly ascend to Solar, she would rather never advance at all.
"Li Ban, what are your next steps?"
Because Zhu Yao hadn't participated in Li Ban's operation to eradicate Xiao Suo, she only had a partial understanding of their plans.
Li Ban was also considering whether to bring Zhu Yao in.
He could sense that only one last Xiao Suo remained in the Wizard World.
This meant that when they caught this final Xiao Suo, they also had to prevent him from splitting into avatars again.
Therefore, this operation had to be both secretive and comprehensive. They had to intercept Xiao Suo without letting a single piece of him escape.
They needed enough manpower.
With this in mind, Li Ban formally requested Zhu Yao to join their operation.
"Priest Zhu Yao, we will soon delve into the Nihility State to hunt Xiao Suo. If we can kill the Xiao Suo hiding there, we can completely destroy him. However, entering the Nihility State is quite dangerous. I am inviting you to join us, but you must consider it carefully."
Zhu Yao chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. "I've been a Dark Moon priest for decades. If someone like you who just ascended isn't afraid, why would I be?"
"The situation in the Nihility State is quite chaotic," Li Ban warned. "It harbors monsters that are dangerous even to priests. It might delay your advancement."
"Then I absolutely must go." Zhu Yao looked up at the sky. "Right now—I simply can't find the catalyst for my advancement."
"Very well. Cat Girl will also be entering the Nihility State with us. When the time comes, please give her a bit of guidance, provided it's safe to do so."
"Me? Aren't you going to move together with your little wife?"
Li Ban opened his mouth, then sighed in resignation. "Right. I will be operating alone."
Priest Zhu Yao blinked. She wanted to ask why, but held herself back.
The specific reason for Li Ban to act alone was certainly a secret. Unless he volunteered the information, it was best not to pry.
Matters succeed through secrecy.
After Priest Zhu Yao returned to prepare for their foray into the Nihility State, Li Ban headed to the Myriad Ancient Pagoda. He discreetly notified Pagoda Master Qian Jing, and the two later met in a secret chamber.
"Pagoda Master Qian, are the items I requested ready?"
The pagoda master presented a small box and opened it in front of Li Ban.
"I haven't let you down. These are the finest Plain Ring materials we could gather recently."
Li Ban took the box and inspected its contents closely.
The materials were quite excellent and incredibly translucent. The spiritual rhinoceros circulated within them with almost zero resistance.
"Thank you."
Pagoda Master Qian quickly waved her hands. "Priest Ban exchanged his own contributions for these materials. There is no need to thank me."
"Without your help, Pagoda Master Qian, gathering all these materials in such a short time would have been no easy feat. I will remember this favor."
Qian Jing couldn't help but smile.
Before heading to Yingzhou, Li Ban had requested a large quantity of top-tier Plain Ring materials, hoping to have them ready by his return.
Qian Jing had dispatched almost half her subordinates specifically to gather these materials for him, cashing in quite a few of her own favors in the process.
With Li Ban's promise, it was all worth it. After securing the materials, Li Ban vanished, leaving the Myriad Ancient Pagoda.
Pagoda Master Qian Jing stepped out of the secret chamber. Just as she returned to the main hall, she spotted her daughter, Qian Lailai, peering around as she sneaked inside.
"What are you sneaking around for? Come in," Qian Jing said, shaking her head helplessly.
Only then did Qian Lailai run in with a sheepish grin. "Mother, is Priest Ban here?"
Looking at Qian Lailai, who still acted like a little girl despite being nearly fifty years old, Pagoda Master Qian Jing sighed. "He has already left."
"Ah..." Qian Lailai's shoulders slumped.
Ever since Priest Ban returned from the Shattered Realm, he hadn't had a moment of free time.
It was incredibly difficult for her to even catch a glimpse of him.
"Lailai."
Hearing her mother's gentle call, Qian Lailai quickly lifted her head, only to see the worry and resignation in her mother's eyes.
"Mother?"
"Lailai, Priest Ban has already advanced to Dark Moon."
"Ah!" A broad smile bloomed on Qian Lailai's face; she was genuinely happy for him.
"I believe the Patriarch intends for Priest Ban to take over the Unreturning Place's Myriad Ancient Pagoda."
"Isn't that even better?"
Qian Lailai didn't understand why her mother looked so distressed.
"Lailai, completely forget these feelings you have. Don't even entertain the thought from now on."
Qian Lailai's face paled. Her lips trembled slightly as she argued, "Mother, a 6th Tier spirit cultivator lives in his courtyard. That woman even has beast blood in her veins. If she can, so can I."
"That woman you speak of has already become a Spirit Awakening priest. Lailai, Priest Ban's heart simply isn't focused on such matters. A priest cannot be with an ordinary person. Furthermore, I don't want you to become a plaything for a single night."
Qian Lailai completely lost her spirit.
"I... I just wanted to keep him company."