I Outworked the Entire Cultivation World-Chapter 82 - 71: On a Mission
Early the next morning, in front of the Heavenly Interference Sect’s mountain gate.
Jiang Yuebai stood in the square outside the archway, lost in thought, the words Lv Ying said to her yesterday echoing in her mind.
She was not angry, just puzzled as to why Lv Ying’s attitude was inconsistent.
The day they first met, Lv Ying had rushed to embrace her, relieved, asking why she had just returned.
Yet in just a matter of days, she started blaming her for coming back, saying all sorts of harsh words, telling her to leave.
What had transpired in between?
Jiang Yuebai instinctively felt it had something to do with Song Pei’er. When she tried to visit Song Pei’er, Lv Ying yelled at her hysterically to get out.
Jiang Yuebai was in a dilemma, wanting to help Lv Ying, but faced her resistance. She asked Shi Xiaowu and Guo Zhen, but they also were unclear about the situation.
With no alternatives, Jiang Yuebai had to leave it for the time being, going out on a mission, planning to bury her grandfather, explore the cave to find the Foundation Establishment method of the Five Elements Returning to Truth Skill, and then calmly handle other trivial matters upon returning.
Perhaps after some time to cool down, Lv Ying might be willing to tell her. She had already instructed Guo Zhen and Shi Xiaowu to keep a close eye on Lv Ying during these days.
She even left some Ninth-Grade Mid-Level talismans she had drawn, advising them that if they encountered anything they couldn’t resolve, they should seek out Hong Tao at the lnner Affairs Hall.
"I apologize, it’s been many years since I returned to the sect and I’m not familiar with the roads, so I arrived late."
A sixth-layer Qi Cultivation cultivator, with the appearance of a childlike elder with a fairy-like demeanor, approached on foot, as light-footed as a swallow, exuding a posture reminiscent of a Wandering Light Skill.
Although his cultivation wasn’t high, his Daoist robe and horsetail whisk gave him a more Immortal Qi than the True Monarchs of the Sect, resembling the Old Immortal in mortal eyes.
"I am Zhao Wude, greetings to Senior Sister Jiang."
He raised his horsetail whisk slightly, clasped one hand with respect, being courteous yet dignified.
Jiang Yuebai nodded, "There is still one more person who hasn’t arrived."
The mission requires two late-stage Qi Cultivation cultivators to escort Zhao Wude to Qingzhou Yuyang County. Without disrupting the Wuwei Temple, a Daoist Ancestor Statue must be erected in the Daoist Temple, where the Heavenly Interference Sect’s Communication Array will be installed.
The items are with Zhao Wude, and how to specifically execute the task is also his responsibility. Jiang Yuebai and another Inner Sect Disciple named Yun Shang just need to provide protection.
In fact, if not for the presence of a demon-related disturbance that was yet to be investigated, this mission wouldn’t even exist, as Zhao Wude alone could handle everything.
Jiang Yuebai would have preferred taking on the demon elimination task, but she was too slow.
After waiting for a while, Jiang Yuebai heard something from the sky, turning to see a large black eagle flying out from the mist, its golden saddle and bridle gleaming, making a splendid appearance.
The eagle landed, and a heroic red-clothed female cultivator leapt down from the eagle’s back, carrying a Hundred Treasures Box with an expressionless face. She was Yuu Qiuchi, the top combatant at the Foundation Establishment Stage in the Inner Sect.
Zhao Wude hurriedly bowed and did not dare to lift his head. Jiang Yuebai cupped her hands, saying, "Greetings, Master Yuu."
Yuu Qiuchi adjusted the eagle’s reins, casually glancing at Jiang Yuebai, nodding slightly in acknowledgment.
At this moment, Yuu Qiuchi’s gaze crossed over Jiang Yuebai and suddenly she smiled.
"Yun Shang, are you going on a mission today?"
Yuu Qiuchi restrained her proud temperament, walking past Jiang Yuebai directly towards the archway. The two guard disciples saw this and bowed to retreat, not daring to disturb Yuu Qiuchi’s conversation with others.
Jiang Yuebai saw a timid Inner Sect girl in a white robe standing beside the archway, her beautiful eyes lowered, nervously clutching a bald little monkey in her arms.
Yuu Qiuchi approached, and Yun Shang stepped back, lowering her head to avoid eye contact.
Yuu Qiuchi didn’t dare to press closer, Jiang Yuebai noticed a cautious attempt to please from Yuu Qiuchi.
"What mission is it? If it’s dangerous, I’ll go with you."
Yun Shang bit her lip and said nothing, the ugly little monkey in her arms bared its teeth at Yuu Qiuchi, maintaining a hostile attitude.
Yun Shang caressed the monkey’s head and muttered softly, "We don’t get angry with hypocritical people; making others wait is not good, we’ll hurry along."
Yun Shang avoided Yuu Qiuchi as if she was a scorpion, taking a wide detour to Jiang Yuebai and Zhao Wude.
Yuu Qiuchi did not follow but looked at Yun Shang with concern.
Jiang Yuebai’s curiosity was piqued by the story within.
After approaching, Yun Shang quickly glanced at Jiang Yuebai and Zhao Wude, said her name, and kept her distance, without any intention of engaging in conversation.
Jiang Yuebai observed her and realized she seemed very tense, as if afraid Jiang Yuebai would speak to her.
"Let’s go, we can talk on the way."
Zhao Wude and Jiang Yuebai took out their respective Flying Swords, while several Spiritual Beast Bags hung at Yun Shang’s waist. She opened one and released a Crossing Goose.
Unlike the grand Crossing Goose rented to disciples within the sect, hers was aged, balding, and quite ugly.
The three set off together, led by Zhao Wude, with Jiang Yuebai in the middle, and Yun Shang following from afar.
Earlier, Jiang Yuebai observed that Yun Shang was about the same age as her, but was not a disciple who entered at the same time; she must have been born within the Heavenly Interference Sect and was now at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer.
At their last meeting, the Sect Master mentioned that within five years, those from the Inner Sect reaching the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer included only five, excluding those born in the sect and older disciples.
In reality, there are many late-stage Qi Cultivation disciples both in the Outer and Inner Sects.
Travelling from the Heavenly Interference Sect to Yun Country’s Qingzhou by Sword Control takes about ten days; within a month, there is no Transmission Array set.
Jiang Yuebai was somewhat curious and puzzled about the mission, flying alongside Zhao Wude.
"May I ask, Junior Brother Zhao, why must the Heavenly Interference Sect establish a Daoist Temple in the Mortal Realm? Isn’t it said that cultivators shouldn’t casually disrupt the mortal fate?"
Jiang Yuebai held no airs of an Inner Sect disciple, her attitude friendly, which made Zhao Wude feel goodwill, allowing him to explain slowly.
"Have you ever heard, Senior Sister, that belief creates reality? The faith of living beings in the Daoist path holds an important significance, a reasoning too profound for me to fully comprehend. I only know that all Daoist sects under heaven do likewise, establishing Daoist Temples in the mortal realms to spread and solidify faith in the Daoist path."
"The Daoist Temples monitor public sentiment; seldom impacting mortal fates, only stepping in if an unstoppable calamity befalls humans as an act of merit, influencing the sect’s fortune. Moreover, heaven’s Daoist sects are trifurcated: Loose Cultivators, Immortal Sects, and families."
"Loose Cultivators act freely without restrictions, intervening in mortal life results in Heavenly Dao’s punishment. The Immortal Sects have rules, only establishing Daoist Temples, not joining dynasties, only aiding when mortals request. Cultivation families often govern mortal dynasties, appointing faithful but without prospect Qi Cultivation disciples as state preceptors."
"Regardless, whether Immortal Sects or families, they aim to solidify Daoist faith, promoting sect fortune, similar to how the Sixteen Zen Sects of Xiyun flourish."
Jiang Yuebai questioned with curiosity, "I understand, but this task seems important; why, then, send disciples without prospects?"
Zhao Wude smiled wryly, "Senior Sister, not knowing, earthly desires are hardest to disentangle; emotions and desires enmesh, and without a firm heart to sever mortal ties, one cannot pass Foundation Establishment’s Heart Demon trial, equating to a severed Immortal Path. Hence, cultivators shun immersing too deeply in the mortal world, and only those with no prospects assume mundane governance for the sake of future generations."
"Are you such a person?" Jiang Yuebai asked.
Unembarrassed, Zhao Wude replied, "Indeed, I entered the sect young, later damaging my foundation in conflict, losing all hope of Foundation Establishment, but my wife and child have promising futures. For their sake, I undertook the mission of overseeing a mundane Daoist Temple, to earn Contribution Points for their cultivation."
"Parental love compels foresight. Junior Brother Zhao, your heart commands respect."
Zhao Wude beamed, "Senior Sister overpraises; truly, life in the mortal realm is most pleasurable. I’m called Old Immortal, revered, even high officials wouldn’t dare offend. I must admit, such a feeling is addictively compelling."
"Even if offered a Foundation Establishment chance, letting go of this divine day-to-day is hard. In the Daoist Temple, free from constraints, unless confronted by formidable demons, I’m akin to a king; a simple display of a minor spell impresses all, and there’s never a want for fine wine and delicacies, it’s all exceedingly enjoyable."
Jiang Yuebai chuckled and nodded, "Indeed comfortable."
Yet such a life has its limits, still bound by longevity and the Heavenly Dao, not truly carefree.
Suddenly, the Crossing Goose flew towards the two, Yun Shang clumsily holding the monkey, said, "Um, behind us, someone’s following."
Jiang Yuebai smiled, "Most likely for me, you both go ahead and wait for me half a day at Ningyuan City."
With that, Jiang Yuebai turned her Flying Sword and quickly flew in another direction.
