The End of the Immortal Path

Qing Dai pondered for a moment. "It’s quite rare, I suppose."

Ji Meng continued, "How often do I come out for a marriage alliance?"

Qing Dai froze. ’Once in a lifetime?’

Ji Meng said no more, simply turning and walking inside.

This wasn’t the dignified, cold Meng Qiewei.

This was Ji Meng, with her light-footed steps, a smile on her face, and the pleasant chime of a Silver Bell as she walked.

————

「Cloud Mist Peak.」

The Old Yellow Ox watched Jiang Man return. "Your wife speaks that pleasantly?"

Jiang Man paused. "Why do you ask?"

"You’re all smiles," the Old Yellow Ox said calmly.

Jiang Man nodded. "My wife does have a way with words. When she shows up in person, she’s intimidating. But like this, she feels more real... not so frightening."

The Old Yellow Ox took a bite of Spirit Grass. "So what did she propose?"

Jiang Man told him the truth.

"’Have an Evil God counteract them?’" the Old Yellow Ox mused. "’That sounds like a solution from the Immortal Sect. So, have you come up with a plan?’"

"I do. I’m going to see if I can get an undercover assignment from the Zhenyue Bureau, something that will let me infiltrate the followers of that Ancient Well Type Evil God."

"Then, from the inside, I can communicate with the Evil God and win her support," Jiang Man explained.

"And if you fail?" the Old Yellow Ox asked, curious.

Jiang Man froze for a second. "If I’m already backed into a corner, then the answer is even simpler. I just have to get stronger than all my opponents, and fast. Right?"

The Old Yellow Ox said no more and went back to eating its grass.

「The next day.」

Zhuo Bufan’s clan sister came to find him.

"Did Bufan speak with you, Junior Brother?" Zhuo Qingcheng asked politely.

Jiang Man nodded. "He did. You need me to act as an Array Master?"

"Yes. This mission isn’t within the Sect. It’s somewhere quite far, so it will take a significant amount of time." Zhuo Qingcheng asked, "Will that be convenient for you, Junior Brother?"

The scandal of his collusion with the Evil God had blown up, so she couldn’t be certain if Jiang Man was even free to leave.

"It’s not a problem. But what’s the general nature of the mission? And when do we depart?" Jiang Man asked.

’I need to understand the details. If it takes too long and I can’t cultivate or study, I’ll have to refuse.’

’After all, my time is precious.’

"We’ll likely depart in December. The mission is to go undercover at a gathering place for Ancient Method Cultivators."

"Some of our fellow disciples went there before but never came back. We were originally going to put off another attempt, but we recently received a message related to them."

"So we’re sending a support team immediately. I took the opportunity to accept the mission. I’m asking you to join, Junior Brother, because we’ll need arrays for soundproofing, concealing our auras, and so on."

"Besides," Zhuo Qingcheng added, "access to some of the Inner Sect’s Secret Realms requires the completion of off-sect missions."

"Will I be busy?" Jiang Man asked the question that mattered most to him.

Zhuo Qingcheng paused, but she quickly understood.

’Zhuo Bufan did say that Jiang Man needs time for his Cultivation and doesn’t waste a moment.’

"You won’t be busy, Junior Brother. Unless something comes up, you’ll be free to focus on your own affairs," Zhuo Qingcheng said.

’It’s not like the mission requires Jiang Man specifically, but if this deepens our connection, I’m more than happy.’

’Besides, his strength is considerable. He certainly won’t lower our chances of success.’

With that, Jiang Man had no reason to refuse.

’But leaving next month is a bit soon.’

’I haven’t even finished the Hundred Rivers Body Refining Technique.’

’I’ll just have to study it on the way.’

’Plus, I’ll have to borrow the Thirty-Six Books of Ascension again.’

’It’s definitely not as convenient or stable as cultivating within the Sect.’

’But the mission is a chance to earn Spiritual Source, and there’s a Top-grade Skill to be had.’

’I can’t afford not to go.’

’After all, I still need a Visualization Skill, and if I want to be strong enough, I’ll need a Top-grade Technique as well.’

’Before I leave, though, I should ask Ji Hao if he has any ancient artifacts I can... touch.’