CHAPTER 547: CHAPTER 509: A FRIGHTENING WORLD

Gourd City is similar to other towns within the secret realm, with high walls built from earthen mounds and bricks, and various engravings carved onto the walls.

The only difference is that Gourd City is constructed larger and more expansive than other cities, with a mountain from the secret realm encompassed within its boundaries.

The peak is also filled with wooden houses, occupied by people.

Among these people are some disciples from Wenda Sect’s Gourd Peak, but even more are dressed in everyday attire different from the sect’s disciples.

Elder Xue brought Tian Lin up to Gourd Peak, and quite a few people below cast their gazes at the flying boat.

Many among them recognized Tian Lin, and in fact, the news of Tian Lin killing a fellow disciple upon entering the secret realm had long spread throughout Gourd City.

Those who knew Tian Lin had a bit of reverence for him, having watched him rise step by step from a Class D student to a true disciple.

Now, with Tian Lin having killed a fellow disciple and still appearing here unscathed, it proved that his strength and background were stronger than theirs.

Hua Hualang?

What about Hua Hualang’s identity?

And those who didn’t know Tian Lin were even more curious and fearful of him.

They knew nothing of Tian Lin’s character, always fearing they might offend this demon in the future.

Because rumors say that even before entering Wenda Sect, Tian Lin had ordered his sword holder, Mei Xiangu, to kill an inner sect disciple of the Tang Family.

Moreover, after entering Wenda Sect, he used overwhelming power to make his sword holder, Mei Xiangu, a true disciple of the sect—

Such a person, who disregarded sect rules and still thrived, was not someone these people, reliant on others, dared to offend.

Tian Lin was unaware of the various thoughts of the people; his attention was instead attracted by two people below, one large and one small.

The tall girl looked clean-faced, with a child’s hand in hers that was as if sculpted from jade. Yet Tian Lin could tell, that child was clearly transformed from a ghost baby.

"After Lord Yunding became immortal, his whereabouts are unknown. Letters from ’Elder Yu’ also reveal no clues about their location. To prevent the sect from losing contact with you, it’s best for you to stay within the secret realm for the time being."

Elder Xue led Tian Lin into the Daoist temple, which was newly built and largely similar in design to the temple outside on Gourd Peak.

Inside the temple, Tian Lin once more saw Elder Xue’s Daoist child.

The Daoist child greeted Tian Lin with a smile, and after returning the courtesy, Tian Lin asked Elder Xue, "All the sect disciples are in the secret realm capturing demons and opening up land; besides land opening, is there anything else a disciple should do?"

"Aren’t you skilled in farming?"

Elder Xue said, "Currently, the food in the secret realm still relies on aid from the outside. If you can cultivate enough food within the secret realm, that would be a significant contribution."

Beside them, Mei Xiangu asked Elder Xue, "Then what should I do?"

Elder Xue equally did not want Mei Xiangu to take risks, but before he could speak, Mei Xiangu already said, "Either way, I don’t want to be cooped up in the city. My Divine Lady Tree hasn’t fed on evil spirits for a long time."

"Tian Lin just killed a disciple of the Tang Family; although that disciple wasn’t a direct descendant, the Tang Family has lost several disciples in succession without being able to retaliate, which has somewhat marred their reputation;

They can’t touch Tian Lin, so they’re likely to turn their attention to you."

Mei Xiangu sneered, "If they want revenge, let’s see if they have the ability—besides, there’s no reason to avoid them by not going out to cultivate."

Elder Xue did not forcefully require Mei Xiangu to stay on Gourd Peak; seeing he couldn’t persuade her, he said, "Whether you go to open land or stay in the city is up to you. Just make sure your grandfather doesn’t blame me when something happens."

After speaking, he had no interest in idle chatter. He simply told the Daoist child, "Take Tian Lin and Sister Mei to find Zhou Mengjiao and let her arrange accommodation."

The Daoist child took the order, leading Tian Lin and the others out of the Daoist temple.

Once they left the temple, Mei Xiangu couldn’t help but curiously ask, "Isn’t Zhou Mengjiao an outer disciple? How come she’s started managing daily essentials?"

The Daoist child laughed and said:

"Nowadays, Gourd Peak has transformed into Gourd City, with an unknown increase in population—I’m not very versed in worldly matters and fear making mistakes, so I requested the Daoist’s approval to have Miss Zhou serve as the Director of the dining halls in the peak.

In the future, all accommodations and sustenance needs on the peak will be managed by Miss Zhou."

Mei Xiangu wondered, "Zhou Mengjiao isn’t that old either, is she? Can she handle this task?"

Managing the accommodations and sustenance of tens of thousands of people is certainly not as easy as it seems. Mei Xiangu once guarded a small village in Beiyed County, and even after the villagers made offerings to her, she was troubled by their accommodations and sustenance for a while.

Hence, she feels that managing worldly matters is even more challenging than cultivation.

"Firstly, within Gourd City, half of those moving in are relatives of the Zhou family disciples, and these people are easily adjusted by the Zhou family.

Secondly, even if there are places where Miss Zhou cannot attend to temporarily, there are many seasoned servants to assist, so since Miss Zhou took over as Director, no mistakes have been made."

Mei Xiangu nodded, and she couldn’t help but think of Wang Yanyu.

Wang Yanyu managed the Su family, and while managing it, turned the Su family into her own family.

Will Zhou Mengjiao, managing Gourd City, turn Gourd Peak into the Zhou family’s property?

Yet, judging by the attitudes of the Daoist child and Elder Xue, they didn’t care about these worldly powers, nor did they seem to have any intention of curbing the Zhou family’s power.

Given Elder Xue’s Nascent Soul Realm cultivation, there’s really no need to fear this or that.

If the Zhou family dared to harbor disloyalty, the elders of the sect could easily obliterate them with a flick of the wrist.

Conversely, if the Zhou family had the ability to eliminate the sect entirely or oppose Wenda Sect, there wouldn’t be a need for such elaborate calculations or gradual plots.

"I see your cultivation has reached the late stage of Golden Core, so you intend to stay grounded and slowly advance to Nascent Soul cultivation, right?"

Tian Lin looked at the Daoist child, directly revealing his thoughts.

The Daoist child smiled and nodded, "In truth, Senior Tian, your keen eyesight has not failed to see through my small intention—ultimately, once we find a passage to another world, we will leave the secret realm and not return.

Therefore, the sect has no intention of fully cultivating the secret realm. As sect disciples, we are also working hard to improve our cultivation to reach the new world."

To the new world, huh?

Tian Lin didn’t know whether the letter was actually from Elder Yu.

However, the appearance of Kong Wu the monk, and the disappearance of Ran Lang, both told Tian Lin that leaving this world wasn’t that difficult.

He had a feeling, in a few years, everyone in this world would leave. Completely turning this abandoned land of the Daqi Dynasty into a dead place with no one residing.

"I heard that this new world has never been struck by divine punishment. It’s more conducive to all things’ growth and more favorable for cultivators to practice.

In that place, some absorb Spiritual Energy and Dao Rhyme in their mother’s womb. They’re born with Qi Cultivation, and even possess an innate understanding of Divine Skills.

In such a world, achieving Nascent Soul is not difficult, and becoming immortal is not just a dream.

After hearing the Daoist child’s words, Mei Xiangu and the Daoist child, along with Cuier and her sister, all looked forward with longing.

Only Tian Lin frowned, unable to help saying, "You must have heard this from Master Kong Wu, right? If there truly is such a world, it’s truly terrifying!"