I Have a Compass for Opportunity

With the waist token marking him as a disciple of the outer sect of Five Extremes Mountain, Liou Yuan received a vastly different welcome upon his return to Yanhe City.

He had acquaintances in the government office who couldn’t possibly stop him, and the City Lord Xu Xiang came to meet him personally.

"You’re already at the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer!" Liou Yuan had only left Yanhe City for three years, yet Xu Xiang remained impressive as ever, cultured and dignified.

Feeling Liou Yuan’s current aura, even the calm City Lord was inexplicably astonished.

He remembered how, when Liou Yuan left Yanhe City, he was just a small cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Third Layer, merely starting his journey.

Three years, from Qi Cultivation Third Layer to Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer—such cultivation speed was terrifying, unmatched even within the Jin Dynasty’s royal family.

"Xu Xiang City Lord’s cultivation is still higher." Liou Yuan’s Evil Eyes swept over Xu Xiang’s body, capturing his Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer fluctuations.

"I’ve cultivated for thirty years; you’ve only cultivated for three years—how can we compare?" Xu Xiang laughed bitterly.

Due to Liou Zhen saving Yanhe City from the alien Star Evil, Xu Xiang felt a close affinity toward Liou Yuan.

He mentioned hosting a grand banquet that evening to welcome Liou Yuan’s return.

Liou Yuan shook his head in rejection, explaining his sect mission didn’t allow for grand displays. He then inquired about his old acquaintance, Mr. Ge.

"You’ve returned at just the right time; go check on Mr. Ge."

"After the Calamity-level Star Evil incident, nearly all Qinghe Division cultivators were wiped out, leaving Mr. Ge to bear many duties alone."

"Last year, he was injured by a Star Evil, and has been bedridden for quite a while."

At this, Xu Xiang’s tone paused, his expression tinged with guilt.

"Looks like he won’t make it; a glimpse is better than none."

With no one available, Xu Xiang had no choice but to let Mr. Ge shoulder additional responsibilities, not expecting such an incident.

A Qi Cultivation Third Layer subordinate dying was just a natural occurrence, but knowing Mr. Ge was close with Liou Yuan, Xu Xiang felt the outcome wasn’t favorable, hence his expression.

"Alright!" Liou Yuan’s expression was unexpectedly calm; hearing of Mr. Ge’s circumstances didn’t rouse anger, merely responding quietly.

He then bid farewell to Xu Xiang, heading straight to Mr. Ge’s home.

It wasn’t that Liou Yuan was cold; on the cultivation path, he’d witnessed many cultivators’ deaths.

Forget about a loose cultivator like Mr. Ge—casualties among Five Extremes Mountain outer sect disciples weren’t uncommon.

Though he and Mr. Ge shared past ties, it wasn’t enough to make him emotionally unstable over Mr. Ge’s death.

Mr. Ge’s two grandsons, one had already entered Five Extremes Mountain as an outer sect disciple.

Another had started studying at the academy; now only the elderly and his son and daughter-in-law remained at home.

When Liou Yuan arrived at Mr. Ge’s sickbed, the elderly man’s eyes lit up with surprise, attempting to rise but was pressed down by Liou Yuan.

"Mr. Ge, please don’t move; don’t aggravate your injury." Liou Yuan smiled at the elder.

Before leaving Yanhe City, Mr. Ge was full of vitality, matching even the young in vigor.

Now, his skin was sallow, cheeks sunken, hair completely white.

Though cultivators live longer than ordinary people, their lifespan is limited, especially at early-stage Qi Cultivation.

Once severely injured, their spiritual qi becomes unsteady, aging quickly.

Mr. Ge was in this state; Liou Yuan observed his body’s spiritual power nearly dissipated, limbs leaking spiritual qi like a funnel.

As Xu Xiang City Lord described, Mr. Ge wasn’t going to last.

"What brings you back?" Mr. Ge’s face gained a hint of color; seeing Liou Yuan clearly delighted him.

He watched the youth grow, traverse from Yanhe City to Five Extremes Mountain.

Old people often dwell in the past, especially with someone like Liou Yuan, who experienced much alongside him, leaving indelible memories.

"Sect missions led me to Qingyou Prefecture, and since Yanhe City is in Qingyou Prefecture, I thought I’d check in." Liou Yuan, seemingly casual, withdrew the violet hue from his gaze, smiling as he did when he left.

"And of course, I came to see Mr. Ge."

"Haha, you’re considerate." Mr. Ge, aware his days were numbered, faced Liou Yuan, whose cultivation he couldn’t perceive, with no fear, laughing heartily.

"Want a drink?" Liou Yuan took out spirit wine he’d brought from Five Extremes Mountain, motioning to Mr. Ge.

Mr. Ge, sensing the wine’s aroma, knew it was spirit wine from Five Extremes Mountain—a delicacy he’d never tasted.

His eyes gleamed, nodding decisively, "Drink!"

They chatted by the bedside; Mr. Ge recalled first seeing Liou Yuan during a Star Evil hunt with Ms. Qiao, amazed by Liou Yuan’s skill.

A novice, facing off with Star Evil without a trace of fear, Mr. Ge knew then Liou Yuan would make his mark.

They reminisced about the late Dai Yao, the Yanluo Sect’s retrieval of Wei Ying, and the Di Xi director Liou Yuan personally killed.

The talk spanned day to night, then night to noon.

Mr. Ge’s voice was loud within the room, drinking spirit wine periodically, laughing joyously.

Sunlight reached the snow outside, its pale glow reflected onto the elder’s face.

After a night of excitement, Mr. Ge’s aged face showed signs of fatigue, eyelids gently closing, clutching the spirit wine left by Liou Yuan, falling into deep sleep.

Liou Yuan silently watched Mr. Ge, his eyes continually aglow with violet light.