Chapter Sixty-Eight: Arrival at the Margins

“When you successfully advance, I’ll accompany you back to the Palace of Absolute Dust. Since leaving the Tai Feng estate, you haven’t contacted your sect, have you? It’s time they learned of my existence,” Liu Junhuai said gently.

Mo Sitong nodded. Though the boy before her was much younger, he possessed a maturity and sense of responsibility far beyond what she had ever seen in his peers. His abilities and experiences were unparalleled, ensuring that his path ahead would be as arduous as it was extraordinary. For a young woman, what mattered even more was that he lacked the selfishness, greed, and ruthlessness common among cultivators; instead, his heart was compassionate, generous, and deeply loyal.

Mo Sitong spoke, “The sect knows I’m safe. The Palace of Absolute Dust has its own secret arts to monitor the state of every disciple who ventures out. Both my grandparents are Grand Elders of the Palace, and my mother is the Palace Lord. Junhuai, if you return with me, you may face difficulties from the sect. Intermarriage between major sects is taken seriously, and from the age of fifteen, countless suitors have come seeking my hand, all turned away by my grandfather citing my cultivation as an excuse.

What I mean is, this time you can accompany me back, but don’t enter the sect. Wait for me outside the mountain gates. My family cherishes me, and I’ll try to discuss it with them. If they disagree, I’ll return to you. When we establish our own sect, your proposal will go much more smoothly.”

Liu Junhuai replied, “Alright, let’s do as you say. When the time is right, I’ll pay a proper visit.”

After that, neither spoke much more. Instead, they simply leaned quietly against each other, savoring this rare warmth.

The silence lasted until sounds came from the cultivation chamber. Mo Sitong stood, quickly pecked Liu Junhuai on the cheek, her face blooming red, then dashed into the chamber.

Night soon fell. Liu Junhuai set up a gathering array in the courtyard, ready to help Mo Sitong advance her realm.

After repeating his instructions to Mo Sitong, Liu Junhuai drew Shen Duoduo and Wu Bini aside.

Mo Sitong sat cross-legged, focusing her breath, swiftly adjusting her vital energy to its peak. She swallowed a piece of Fire-Eroding Lotus leaf; as it dissolved, vast essence fused with her vital force, forming a powerful vortex that surged through her dantian and meridians.

As her dantian and meridians expanded, this fused energy began to break through the barrier to advancement. Mo Sitong’s internal aura steadily rose; after a brief tearing pain in her meridians, the dantian barrier shattered with a series of cracks, and the bottleneck to late Foundation Establishment was broken.

The essence from the lotus leaf continued to merge with her vital force, her aura still rising. Only when she reached the summit of late Foundation Establishment did the gurgling sound of the lotus leaf’s essence fade away.

After stabilizing her realm, Mo Sitong was but a step away from forming her Golden Core.

The others rushed forward to congratulate her. Mo Sitong, smiling with restrained excitement, gazed silently at Liu Junhuai, her eyes misty.

Watching from the side, Ah Jiu shared their joy, her nine heads stretching in nine directions, trying to join the group’s embrace and partake in their happiness.

Riding the momentum of Mo Sitong’s successful advancement, Liu Junhuai ushered Shen Duoduo and Wu Bini into the array to intensify their cultivation, instructing Mo Sitong to watch over them. Then, he slipped out of the chaotic space to continue his journey.

After a day’s sword flight, Liu Junhuai finally arrived at Cloud’s Departure Valley.

He summoned Mo Sitong and the others. As they stepped through the courtyard gate, Wu Shaoyuan and a tall, imposing young cultivator in the early Golden Core stage came out to greet them.

Liu Junhuai approached excitedly, cupping his hands, “Big Brother, you’ve advanced successfully. Congratulations!”

The newcomer was none other than Bian Jizhong, whom Liu Junhuai had long hoped to see again. The two brothers, reunited, were swept up in emotion.

Liu Junhuai introduced Mo Sitong and the others. After brief greetings, Bian Jizhong looked at Liu Junhuai and smiled, “My little brother is truly remarkable. So many scions and elite disciples failed to win Sister Mo’s favor, but with one visit to the estate, you returned with a beauty. How many young talents must be jealous!”

Mo Sitong blushed, “Brother, you exaggerate. I’m not as you say.”

Liu Junhuai asked curiously, “Big Brother, you know Sitong?”

Bian Jizhong laughed, “What young cultivator within a few thousand miles doesn’t know Fairy Mo? Princess of the Palace of Absolute Dust, granddaughter to the famed late-stage Nascent Soul master Gong Peiqin. Eh, little brother, hasn’t your wife mentioned this?”

Shen Duoduo was equally surprised, “Big Brother, is Sitong sister really so famous? Wow, and so many suitors—Sitong sister is amazing!”

Bian Jizhong was genuinely pleased by the cultivation levels of Liu Junhuai and Mo Sitong, while Wu Shaoyuan, a little envious, pursed his lips.

Liu Junhuai said, “Let’s not stand around chatting. Come! Let’s go inside and drink!”

He instructed Wu Bini to call Wu Yaohan, and the group gathered in a circle.

“Big Brother, was your advancement smooth? I bet your family is overjoyed?” Liu Junhuai asked.

Bian Jizhong replied, “It went fairly smoothly. The spiritual liquid helped at a crucial moment. Once my grandfather saw my realm was stable, he sent me to find you. He wants you to visit him.”

Liu Junhuai nodded, “No problem. After I accompany Sitong back to the Palace of Absolute Dust, I’ll go.”

Bian Jizhong said, “Then I’ll go with you to the Palace, and on the way back, we’ll swing by my place.”

Mo Sitong looked at Liu Junhuai, “Should we go to Big Brother’s place first?”

“We agreed to visit the Palace first. The Kingdom of Dawan is right on the way. With Big Brother along, if your sect tries to bully me, he’ll stand up for me,” Liu Junhuai laughed.

Bian Jizhong said, “No problem. If you say fight, we’ll fight.” Everyone burst into laughter.

When Wu Yaohan arrived, Liu Junhuai produced Sanggan fruit wine. Mo Sitong stood and poured each cup.

The fruit wine immediately captured Wu Yaohan’s and Bian Jizhong’s attention; Shen Duoduo’s mouth even watered.

After a cup, Bian Jizhong closed his eyes, savoring the ethereal flavor, and opened them after a long moment, “Little brother, you’re incredible—even immortal wine! Any chance you can spare some for me to offer my grandfather?”

Liu Junhuai smiled, “I brewed this myself. Of course I have more. Don’t worry, I’ll make some extra so you can take it to your grandfather.”

Bian Jizhong hurriedly stood and toasted Liu Junhuai.

Wu Yaohan asked, “Junhuai, did you bring Uncle Huan this time?”

Liu Junhuai replied, “I did. He’s in the chaotic space, tending the newly planted spirit herbs. He’s reluctant to leave, but wants us to visit. I’ll fetch him shortly.”

Bian Jizhong quietly asked Wu Shaoyuan, who briefly explained the Mountain and River Gourd. Hearing this, Bian Jizhong’s eyes widened as if they might pop out.

Wu Yaohan said, “Let’s not make him come up—let’s go down instead. Big Brother should see it.”

Bian Jizhong quickly stood and urged, “Yes, yes, let’s go down!” Shen Duoduo and Wu Bini, who had been watching him, covered their mouths and giggled.

Shen Duoduo added, “Big Brother, when we go down, keep your mouth tightly shut!”

Wu Bini deliberately teased, “Duoduo, what do you mean by that?”

Shen Duoduo replied seriously, “I’m afraid Big Brother will be so shocked he’ll lose his teeth!”

Wu Bini retorted, “Duoduo’s lying—how would he lose his teeth? It’d be his jaw!”

Wu Yaohan tried not to laugh loudly, stifling himself until his white beard trembled.

Bian Jizhong felt a little uneasy, wondering if something terrifying awaited them below.

They entered the Mountain and River Gourd, and indeed found themselves in a hazy, chaotic space. Bian Jizhong’s expressions changed rapidly.

As soon as their feet touched down, Ah Jiu descended from above, her nine wings fluttering, nine heads curiously staring at the newcomers. Wu Shaoyuan flopped right onto the ground, while Shen Duoduo and Wu Bini squatted, clutching their stomachs with laughter.

Wu Yaohan and Bian Jizhong, though closer to each other, were still nervous—Ah Jiu’s cultivation was above the Divine Transformation stage, her powerful aura enough to overwhelm them.

Mo Sitong quickly said, “Alright, Ah Jiu, these are our family.” She turned to Wu Yaohan and the others, “Ah Jiu is family too—she’s gentle and won’t harm anyone easily.”

Liu Junhuai went over, patting Ah Jiu’s neck. Ah Jiu lowered her head and gently pressed against him, looking quite docile, which only made the newcomers even more nervous.

Shen Duoduo ran over and called, “Ah Jiu, Duoduo wants to go up!”

Ah Jiu crouched down, letting Shen Duoduo climb on, and flew into the sky. The three newcomers’ astonishment only grew.