I Slay Gods and Demons in the Deceit Night
Chapter 285 - 204: My Future is Not Determined by Others!

Chapter 285: Chapter 204: My Future is Not Determined by Others!

The sky was gradually brightening.

Outside the ancient relic,

Lin Yan glanced back and exhaled.

The Little White Ape had already disguised itself as the young Lin Yan, carrying a long halberd, and whispered, "Master, rest assured, the tree lord is very steady. After handling the external affairs, we’ll come back to check on it."

"We’ve stayed inside the ancient relic for too long, most of the people outside have already withdrawn... but logically, they should have left some people in a distant Pure Land to monitor the surroundings," said Han Commander as he approached, shaking his head slightly, "We’ll have to walk some distance to find them."

"Then let’s hurry on our way, Mr. Lu is probably getting anxious," said Lv Tang, who, within the seven days inside the ancient relic, had successfully completed the steps from Refining Essence to Qi Refinement.

Besides the supreme town object, the nine petal-shaped town objects were the greatest opportunity.

Although neither Lv Tang nor Han Commander had obtained a town object, they both had encountered different opportunties.

Having passed the Five Elements Cleansing World Bridge and received the baptism of the sun and moon rising together, as well as the opportunity in that hall, it was not surprising that Lv Tang had reached the Qi Refining Realm.

As for Han Commander, it seemed his cultivation hadn’t progressed much currently, and his True Qi hadn’t surged overnight.

However, the benefits he gained were favorable for his future cultivation.

"That person inside, was it a willow tree that became a demon, or something peeled off from Liu Venerate, similar to a lesser deity?" Han Commander mused, "Can we fully trust it?"

"Of course," Lin Yan nodded slightly, about to explain.

"If you trust it, that’s good," Lv Tang waved his hand, "Your abilities are too mystical; I’d rather not ask."

"..."

Han Commander’s expression was complex; he was actually still very curious.

However, from the battle against the Great Elder of the Tribulation Ash, Lin Yan’s skills had become extremely unfamiliar to them.

Transforming into golden light, as if he were a body of Vajra.

He could also transform into rock, making him hard to distinguish.

And those paper effigies, their craftsmanship also astounded onlookers.

These methods, though bearing traces of the Disguise Technique and paper-cutting for horses among others, had already completely exceeded the scope of what those Magic Methods should entail.

"Want to learn?" Lin Yan suddenly tilted his head, asking with a smile.

"Cannot learn," Lv Tang shook his head, "We need to focus diligently on refining our Qi Refinement cultivation, how can we spare the energy to learn those skills?"

"..." Lin Yan still hadn’t adjusted to the Lv Tang of today, always feeling a bit dazed hearing these words coming from the stoic big man.

"What are you looking at? I know my limits. Even if I just add one Sword Skill and practice it diligently for ten years, I might not achieve much,"

Lv Tang huffed, "Not having cultivated to your level, such techniques are merely superficial and useless for us, a waste of effort..."

Hearing this, Han Commander nodded in agreement, "Exactly, cultivating True Qi is the priority! In the future, cultivating a method of attack and a method for protection is the proper way for us to proceed!"

Both of them had also practiced the Concealing Breath Technique and studied Disguise Technique, but they had only mastered the basics.

After all, those unconventional methods, though highly energy-consuming, were of little use in enemy confrontations... Thus, for most people, having a basic understanding and entry-level skill was generally enough.

Practicing another Sword Skill, cultivating another method of protection, proved more useful.

Only the likes of the Zhao Ye people, who had special daily needs, would spend more energy researching some more unique Magic Methods.

"I’ve compiled a booklet of cultivation experiences here which you two can take as a reference. After you’ve read it, report to the High Willow City Sky Observation Bureau and help me exchange it for merit points and receive some reward silver," Lin Yan said as he reached into his robe and pulled out a booklet, handing it over.

"..."

Han Commander fell silent.

Lv Tang pursed his lips, and after a long pause, said, "You haven’t been in the Qi Refining Realm for long, right? When we first met, your cultivation wasn’t even as high as mine, was it?"

Before Lin Yan could answer, he took the booklet, murmuring, "Where did you accumulate so much experience from?"

Logically speaking, all three of them had recently stepped into the Qi Refining Realm.

Thus, they should have been exploring together, supporting each other, researching together.

How then did this lad suddenly produce a book of Qi Refinement experiences?

Being able to present a tangible book of experiences suggested that he had already analyzed his path of cultivation well and achieved a high level in the Qi Refining Realm.

If the supreme town object had ended up in Lin Yan’s hands, then, as the new lord of a Blessed Land by receiving Lord Qingling’s inheritance, it wouldn’t be unexpected for him now as a potential ’Guardian God’ to offer a treatise on the experiences of the Qi Refining Realm.

But something about this lad was off.

"True Qi of the Origin? True Qi of the Orthodox? True Qi of Different Kinds?"

Han Commander flipped through a few pages of the booklet, exclaiming, "Have you really explored the pros and cons of various kinds of True Qi, their impacts, and their future pathways?"

"About that," Lin Yan nodded, "It’s just that I haven’t reached the peak of Qi Refining Realm yet, so strictly speaking, it’s only half... The latter half of the cultivation experiences isn’t meaningful as a reference."

"Not reached the peak of Qi Refining Realm yet? What sort of statement is that?"

Lv Tang’s face stiffened, and he abruptly closed his eyes, sensing the scant strand of origin True Qi within his ancestral aperture at his forehead.

Then the stoic big man opened his eyes, looked at Lin Yan, and remained silent for a long time.

Han Commander started to speak but stopped himself, eventually gritting his teeth and deciding not to ask!

Little White Ape touched the long halberd, muttering, "Comparing themselves to Master, aren’t they just asking for trouble?"

In the thickening atmosphere, the three men and the ape walked for a morning.

Before them, suddenly a soaring eagle cried out long and shrill.

A mystical black eagle came from afar, swiftly closing in.

Upon it stood a man with a severed hand, who was none other than the Inspection Envoy from Qifeng Prefecture.

His martial uncle was the old garrison commander who had suffered from Tribulation Ash, lost control due to an ancient method’s hidden danger, and killed his comrade before meeting Lin Yan in the Pure Land south of Feng City.

"Thought all four of you were buried within the ancient ruins," he said.

The giant eagle had not yet landed when the voice came from above.

The Inspection Envoy leaped down.

He, being in the Refining Essence Realm, originally possessed no small cultivation, nearly at the peak level.

However, having lost his left hand, his strength was impaired, and with his Qi-Blood circulation hindered, he could only be considered mid to lower level in the Refining Essence Realm now.

Furthermore, his Qi-Blood would gradually decline, and the frailty of his elderly years would come prematurely... and any hope of breaking through to the Qi Refining Realm was almost utterly lost.

"Couldn’t die," he declared.

Han Commander stepped forward, glanced at his severed palm, and shook his head, "You had hopes of breaking through to the Qi Refining Realm in your lifetime, impulsive and rash for a moment!"

"How many at the peak of Refining Essence Realm spend their lives never advancing past the conversion from Essence to Qi?"

The Inspection Envoy smiled and said, "Brother Han also wasted ten years, but fortunately, his hardship turned to sweetness. I must confess, I do not have the luck of Brother Han..."

As he said this, he turned to Lin Yan, gave a greeting, and said, "My martial uncle’s matter, the Commander of High Willow City, has already informed me about it, many thanks!"

It was the old garrison commander’s intention to tell his martial nephew after his body perished and his path ended.

But Lin Yan informed the High Willow City Sky Observation Bureau Commander, and the Commander, evidently, had deeper considerations.

"What happened?"

Han Commander looked somewhat astonished.

"Previously, my martial uncle was harmed by someone, and when the ancient method’s hidden danger erupted, he committed a great sin and did not wish to be imprisoned, so he fled. I let him escape, felt uneasy, and severed my own hand as punishment," explained the Inspection Envoy.

He sighed and added, "He had promised not to enter the Tribulation Ash in this lifetime."

"Some time ago, I received a message from the Zhao Ye people, informing me that my martial uncle had become a member of the Tribulation Ash. Since then, I have been uneasy and immensely ashamed," he confessed.

"Having previously received information from Wu Chang, and been informed by the High Willow City Commander, I then knew that his elder still cares for the Human Clan, hiding within the Tribulation Ash, enduring humiliation and bearing burdens."

"Thinking this, my actions that day were not severely mistaken."

As he spoke, he looked at Lin Yan and was about to greet him again.

Lin Yan extended his hand, supported him, then stepped back and greeted him, saying, "Inspection Envoy, you are loyal and righteous, and the old garrison commander cares for the Human Clan. Your lineage commands respect and should indeed receive my greeting!"

"Back and forth, all these civilities, will they ever end?" Han Commander said helplessly, "Prepare some food and drinks, arrange the horses soon, and let’s return to High Willow City."

"Indeed, after many days secluded, lest Mr. Lu might think all three of us were planted in there, never coming out," Lv Tang quickly added.

"Four!" Little White Ape angrily said, "Big dark face, you think I don’t exist?"

"Mr. Lu..." Hearing this, the Inspection Envoy slightly frowned.

"What happened?"

Seeing this, Lin Yan and the others showed a change in expression and promptly asked.

"I’m not sure of the specifics,"

the Inspection Envoy shook his head and said, "But this morning, the ninth temple priest of Qifeng Prefecture was supposed to return to Prefecture City, yet stayed in High Willow City."

"Moreover, the temple’s Guard Army Central Guard, along with that Great General, also left behind thirty people."

"It seems it was the Great Temple Priest of Wutong Temple’s idea, likely related to Mr. Lu."

"Right, this message was specifically sent from the High Willow City Sky Observation Bureau! Officially, I’m only responsible for patrolling around the ancient ruins, using this eagle’s eyes to watch for any disturbances, and Mr. Lu’s affairs shouldn’t concern me..."

He glanced at the four people before him and said, "Now I roughly know why the message was passed to me!"

"Mr. Lu is in trouble!"

Lv Tang turned his head and said grimly, "We need to return at once."

The Inspection Envoy stepped aside and said, "I’m in charge of the area forward, I’ll have someone arrange fast horses immediately."

He seemed to recall something and added, "If you feel the matter is urgent, I can switch to a fast horse to patrol the ancient ruins... This old friend beside me can be lent to you, but due to its size, it can only carry one person."

All four exchanged glances.

"Then I’ll go back first..." Lv Tang spoke up.

"This matter is likely related to the ancient relics." Lin Yan contemplated and said, "I understand more than you do."

"I..." Lv Tang still wanted to speak.

"It’s settled then." Lin Yan held his shoulder and spoke firmly, "You’ve just entered the Qi Refining Realm, but that Great General of the Qifeng Prefecture Guard Army Central Guard is at the peak of the Qi Refining Realm! If something drastic happens, I’m more confident in ensuring Mr. Lu’s safety!"

"This involves the upper echelons of Qifeng Prefecture, to entangle Mr. Lu so deeply, it must be no small matter!"

At this point, Han Commander spoke up.

He was ultimately worried that this impulsive young man might draw his sword against the Qifeng Prefecture’s temple guards at any disagreement.

He looked at Lin Yan and said, "You’re still young with great prospects ahead, a future that’s boundless, and next year you ought to be promoted to garrison commander. It would actually be more appropriate for me to step in..."

"Mr. Lu owes me a great debt, the same as Han Commander!"

Lin Yan leapt onto the eagle’s back and said solemnly, "My future is not determined by Qifeng Prefecture’s high ranks!"

As his voice fell, he said no more. He guided the giant eagle, took flight with a flap of its wings, and disappeared into the clouds!

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