The next morning.
On the second floor of the wooden building on the slope, in the quiet cultivation room and sitting cross-legged on a low bench by the wall, Chen Mu was in meditation.
An invisible fluctuation emitted from his body, rhythmed like breathing, causing his loose clothes to billow and contract erratically.
Inside the Jade Seed, a hissing sound could be heard as Mana fused into the Divine Orifice Talisman, rapidly restoring the pitted hollow sphere.
After a long while, Chen Mu exhaled deeply and opened his eyes.
This was his thirteenth Divine Orifice Refinement; nineteen days had passed since the last refinement.
“The transformation needed is not only for the Divine Orifice Talisman but also for my own self,” Chen Mu realized.
He currently was not lacking in Primordial Energy, but he could not undergo Divine Orifice Refinement every day.
The Divine Orifice, seemingly only nine layers of Talismans, was in fact closely related to the body. Each Divine Orifice Refinement transformed the Talismans and simultaneously changed his body. However, a complete transformation of the body required time, thus continuous Divine Orifice Refinements could not be achieved.
“Perhaps it is this connection between the Divine Orifice and the body that could reverse the cycle and create the Innate Primordial Qi.”
…
After breakfast, Chen Mu took out a High-Grade Water-Repelling Pearl that he had refined beforehand, preparing to head to the Hundred Refinement Hall to inquire about ferry related information.
But just as he stepped out, he saw a chubby young man appear at the edge of the dense forest on the slope. Initially thinking the other was just passing by, to his surprise, the man headed straight for the wooden building.
“Could this be Mr. Li Moliang in person?” The chubby young man displayed a friendly smile.
“You are…” Chen Mu responded in surprise.
Since arriving at Goose Sheep Mountain, he had kept a low profile. Even when he went to the Market District to sell Red-Eyed Ghost Pattern Pearls, he had altered his appearance and figure.
He hadn’t made many acquaintances, nor had he told anyone his address. How could this person have found him?
“Mr. Li, this small building is truly exquisite, though somewhat secluded. Fortunately, I asked Mr. Liu from the Administrative Affairs Institute, otherwise I really wouldn’t have found the way here,” the chubby young man explained with a smile, sensing Chen Mu’s confusion.
He clasped his hands in apology, sincerity on his face, “My name is Lei Wen; I hope you can forgive my abrupt visit.”
“Lei?”
“The owner of Hundred Objects Pavilion, Mr. Lei?” Chen Mu narrowed his eyes.
Could it be that the short and fat owner had discovered something amiss about the Red-Eyed Ghost Pattern Pearls? Was he sending someone to cause me trouble?
He jolted.
“Mr. Lei is my uncle,” Lei Wen replied with a smile. “My uncle holds your skill in refining High Grade Water-Repelling Pearls in high esteem.”
“Now, my Lei Family urgently needs an expert Artifact Refiner, so I took the liberty of visiting unannounced.”
Fortunately, there had been no problems with the Red-Eyed Ghost Pattern Pearls.
Chen Mu felt relieved.
However, he was puzzled. Goose Sheep Mountain, being part of the Upper Court, was brimming with talents. There were not a few who could refine High Grade Water-Repelling Pearls, so why seek him out specifically?
“On Goose Sheep Mountain, indeed there are not few who can refine High Grade Water-Repelling Pearls, but most have been deployed by Elder Lin of the Administrative Affairs Institute.”
“The Lei Family had no choice but to seek help from the disciples of the Lower Institute, therefore…” Lei Wen said, spreading his hands helplessly.
Lin Family, Lei Family, were they internal family powers of Goose Sheep Path?
Chen Mu contemplated.
He had been at Goose Sheep Path for quite a while and had heard about these two families’ reputations.
“As long as the price is fair, I can provide High Grade Water-Repelling Pearls,” Chen Mu thought for a moment then readily agreed.
“No, no, no. I didn’t come to find Mr. Li for High Grade Water-Repelling Pearls,” Lei Wen said, shaking his head with a smile.
He sobered up and said earnestly, “Mr. Li, having come from Yun Chong Lower Institute, you must already be aware of the changes there.”
What did he mean?
“Are you referring to the dissipation of the Earth Spirit Elemental Energy?” Chen Mu asked tentatively.
“This is a change in the earth’s veins, a thousand-year calamity for Yunzhou, beyond human intervention,” Lei Wen nodded solemnly. “Yunzhou is no longer suitable for us, the Qi Cultivators.”
“So…” Chen Mu’s heart skipped a beat, he feigned ignorance on the surface, and asked in surprise.
“So we must leave Yunzhou.” Lei Wen said gravely.
“Goose Sheep Path is preparing to relocate to Hai Province entirely. The two provinces are separated by the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, and only by using the water route of the Sky-reaching River can we cross them.”
“Years ago, the Upper Court began preparing to construct the ferry. Now that the materials are ready, we are just lacking a high-caliber artifact refiner like Brother Li to assist us.”
“I am here to invite Brother Li to join us.”
“I will provide secret techniques, white jade, Daoist cultivation—my Lei Family will generously offer everything. More importantly, all participants will be able to leave Yunzhou with my Lei Family.”
“My family’s elder is a Divine Orifice Cultivator, and with him, we can safely leave Yunzhou.” Lei Wen looked eagerly at Chen Mu.
Is this a good deal?
Chen Mu was overjoyed.
Just yesterday, he was thinking about how to catch a free ride, and here someone was offering him a pillow as he dozed—Lei Family had taken the initiative to invite him!
“Could you allow me some time to consider?” Chen Mu feigned hesitation.
“Of course, of course.” Lei Wen was unconcerned, flipped his wrist, and a flat wooden box appeared in his palm.
“This is a Mustard Seed Spell, the fundamental of the Mustard Talisman, and also key to the ferry.”
“Brother Li, take a look. If you agree to lend the power of your arm to my Lei Family, keep it.”
“If you still have other concerns, just return the wooden box to my second uncle at Hundred Objects Pavilion.” Lei Wen handed it over with both hands to Chen Mu.
A reward before even joining?
This treatment… It seems the Lei Family really needs people.
“Alright, you can rest assured. I will definitely give a response within three days,” Chen Mu received the wooden box and spoke earnestly.
“Then I’ll await the good news.” Lei Wen laughed heartily, cupped his fists, and left stylishly, not at all worried that Chen Mu would take the reward and not deliver.
…
Watching Lei Wen leave, Chen Mu returned to the wooden building.
But as soon as he entered the room, he immediately released the Truthful Listening Technique to scan the surroundings.
Assuring there were no onlookers, his figure shifted, transformed into a Gentle Breeze, and quickly followed Lei Wen.
For the entire day, he did nothing but follow from a distance.
Observing Lei Wen inviting people around the hut area near the mountain’s foot.
The invited weren’t only artifact refiners but also talisman refiners and alchemists, Lei Wen sincerely invited anyone whose skills were related to talismans and restrictions.
And like with him, upon meeting, he would present a Mustard Talisman Jade Slip, very generously.
During this process, he also saw other Upper Court disciples recruiting Qi Cultivators with specific skills.
Until the evening when Lei Wen returned to the Lei Family’s gathering area on the mountain’s side, Chen Mu returned to the wooden building.
…
“This thing probably isn’t a trap,” Chen Mu thought, touching the armrest of the rocking chair on the first-floor porch.
There had been plans for Goose Sheep Path to build a ferry and relocate a long time ago; the earlier procurement of Water-Repelling Pearls had been a clue, and now it seemed they were about to officially commence.
“Didn’t expect it to be this ostentatious, though.”
He had thought that Goose Sheep Path would do as Jilong Road did initially, finding a secluded place to secretly construct the ferry. Once the ship was ready, they would quietly relocate to Hai Province.
“This is also good; no need to scheme risky ways to stow away, I can participate openly.”
Chen Mu was already tempted.
Before him, black smoke billowed as the flat wooden box given by Lei Wen appeared mid-air.
“This object is likely not just a reward; it’s also a test.”
“Without mastering the Mustard Seed Spell, it might be risky to qualify for participation in the ferry’s construction. The ticket to board might not be safe.”
“This spell, it seems, requires some extra effort.”
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