CHAPTER 192: CHAPTER 1: THE BEGINNING OF THE JOURNEY

The return of Wen Ruo and Li He added a touch of liveliness to Eden Garden. Of course, it was only a touch. While guiding Li He in Heart Refining, Wen Ruo also gained many insights and had to enter seclusion immediately upon her return.

"Does insight really come so easily? Why don’t I have any? Oh, right, I’m a Body Cultivator. Never mind then," Chen Jiuge quipped self-deprecatingly.

When Wen Ruo emerged from her seclusion, three years had passed.

During these three years, Chen Jiuge had been diligently working towards the reincarnation promised by the Sect Master. He acquired massive amounts of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, which allowed his Body Refining Cultivation to progress rapidly. Furthermore, his foundation was strengthened considerably through occasional sparring sessions with Li Kui.

However, Chen Jiuge still worried that his Dao Heart wasn’t resilient enough. After all, though the hundred-lifetime reincarnation was a shortcut, it was immensely challenging.

Thus, after Wen Ruo emerged from her seclusion, Chen Jiuge shared his concerns with her. Wen Ruo suggested, "Junior Brother, I think you should go on a journey to gain experience. This recent experience helped me realize many of my own shortcomings. If it weren’t for my Eternal Youth Body, passing my Tribulation Transcendence probably wouldn’t have been so smooth."

Chen Jiuge was a prudent man and one who readily took good advice. Following his Senior Sister’s suggestion, he decided to venture out and gain experience.

After entrusting the affairs of Eden Garden and his two new disciples to Wen Ruo, Chen Jiuge began preparing for his journey.

The movements of a Sect Disciple naturally couldn’t escape the notice of Jun Linseng, the Sect Master, especially someone like Chen Jiuge, who was under his particular observation.

Upon learning of Chen Jiuge’s desire to travel and gain experience, Jun Linseng hesitated for a moment but ultimately agreed. After applying a spell to conceal Chen Jiuge’s aura, he advised, "The Protective Techniques you possess are already sufficient. At your level, it’s almost impossible for you to encounter any real danger."

"I’ve applied a magical art to you. It will make your cultivation appear to be around the Divinity Transformation Realm, though you can adjust it yourself. However, be aware that if you raise it too many times, you won’t be able to lower it again. The world of Loose Cultivators is perilous, so be extra vigilant."

Chen Jiuge nodded repeatedly, taking the Sect Master’s admonitions to heart.

With all preparations complete, the next step was to choose his accompanying Spiritual Beasts.

First, a Flying Spiritual Beast was essential. Chen Jiuge chose Ao Li. After all, he had taken Silver King last time, so this time it would be Ao Li. Although a Flood Dragon’s appearance was a bit ostentatious, it wouldn’t pose a significant problem.

Next were Yue Meng and Da Bai. It was time for these two to be properly tempered. Although they weren’t his primary combat Spiritual Beasts, they still needed to possess the necessary strength.

Finally, there was Li Kui, who would act as his bodyguard. Most importantly, Chen Jiuge planned to see if there was an opportunity to capture a young Taowu.

Accompanied by the four Spiritual Beasts, Chen Jiuge smiled at his Senior Sister, who had come to see him off. "Senior Sister, I leave Eden Garden and my two disciples in your care."

"Junior Brother, the mountains are high and the road is long. I hope that the next time we meet, we can address each other as Fellow Daoist."

Only cultivators of the same realm could address each other as Fellow Daoist, an acknowledgment of their equal standing. Chen Jiuge understood the depth of his Senior Sister’s blessing.

With anticipation for the Heavenly Realm, Chen Jiuge mounted Ao Li and embarked on a new journey.

Since this was a journey of experience, it naturally couldn’t be confined to the Myriad Beasts Domain. Therefore, Chen Jiuge’s first stop was the Three Light Domain, the closest domain to the Myriad Beasts Domain.

"Fellow Daoists, we have arrived at Five-Colored Immortal City! Those disembarking here, please do so promptly. Those not getting off can step down for a look. We will be stopping for two hours. The Vestment Robes of Five-Colored Immortal City are quite famous; those interested might want to take a look."

Emerging from a crowd of Loose Cultivators, Chen Jiuge felt slightly embarrassed. "Next time, I’m definitely not choosing the open dorm; it’s just too crowded."

"Actually, I think it was pretty good," said Da Bai. Sporting sunglasses and a thick gold chain, the little boy-like Divine Beast looked quite pleased with himself; the Loose Cultivators inside had been very friendly.

"Good my ass! You chatted with them for a whole month! My heavens, I never realized you were such a chatterbox!" Yue Meng, who resembled a little girl, felt she was about to break down. The lingering strange odor, especially, almost destabilized her Dao Heart.

"Alright, alright, stop bickering. Let’s find an inn first," Chen Jiuge interjected, halting their quarrel.

Da Bai’s chatting had proven somewhat useful; at least he now knew the locations of the major inns and taverns in Five-Colored Immortal City. However, he knew nothing about cave mansions or Secret Realms. After all, such high-end Cultivation sites were irrelevant to bottom-tier Loose Cultivators.

「Purple Inn」

The inn was small and rather secluded. According to the information Da Bai had gathered, it had excellent reviews; Loose Cultivators who had stayed there all praised it.

Curious, Chen Jiuge went to the inn. Upon seeing the proprietress at the registration desk, he instantly understood why all the Loose Cultivators who had stayed there spoke so highly of it.

The proprietress, Nian Yu, was a wealthy and generous Nascent Soul Cultivator.

Dazzled by the proprietress’s prominent assets, Chen Jiuge, somewhat muddle-headedly, rented a superior room.

Sitting in his room, Chen Jiuge silently watched Da Bai, who was still reveling in the memory. He’s not even an adult yet, right? Do Divine Beasts really mature this quickly?

To be fair, the superior room was very well-appointed. It was somewhat similar to the modern apartments of his previous life, only larger and decorated in a classical, antique style. The room also contained a small Spirit Gathering Array, which made the Spiritual Energy concentration within three times higher than outside. At only five Top Grade Spirit Stones a month, the price was quite reasonable.

"Big Bro, a real fat sheep," a Loose Cultivator in a corner of the hall whispered covertly to his elder brother.