Starting Cultivation During a Trip

”But you noticed it too—Aunt Yun is holding something back from us,” Shi Shougong said in a low voice.

He and Su Shiyu had both been recruited by Aunt Yun only recently to join the Wuwei Sect.

As for this woman, all he knew was that her methods were shockingly unpredictable; she rarely acted, but her Daoist skills were undeniably profound. With such skill, she was surely no small player within Wuwei Sect.

But beyond that, he knew absolutely nothing about Aunt Yun.

For a demon trying to survive in the modern city, that was extremely dangerous.

”Wuwei Sect’s roots run deep, and its internal hierarchy is strict. We’re on the fringes, so naturally there are many things kept from us. It’s just that...”

At these words, Su Shiyu paused slightly.

”Just what?” Shi Shougong pressed.

”I’ve followed her for so many years, and I managed to find out her real-world identity,” Su Shiyu said, voice tense.

”What?” Shi Shougong’s eyes lit up.

He hadn’t expected that Su Shiyu, who always seemed obedient before Aunt Yun, would have such cunning up his sleeve.

Everyone knew that the masters of Wuwei Sect had other identities in the real world, hiding their true backgrounds.

Take Wuma Wuqilu—they’d previously disguised themselves as the businessman Qiu Zhengdao.

And Hai Pig King Tao; earlier, they’d even appeared in public as Zhang Fan’s senior Wang Tiantian.

Aunt Yun, as a master of Wuwei Sect, naturally had a hidden identity in the real world too.

”Who is she?” Shi Shougong asked.

”She’s a Daoist in the Observatory of Profound Mystery!” Su Shiyu whispered solemnly.

...

Gusu City, Observatory of Profound Mystery.

Just past lunchtime, Zhang Fan and the others arrived here, first having vegetarian fare in the temple’s dining hall.

”Can’t believe there’s a Daoist temple like this right in the city center.”

Zhang Fan had never been to Gusu City before, and right outside Observatory of Profound Mystery was a busy shopping street—one of the city’s most bustling spots, tranquil amid chaos, mingling light with dust.

”Observatory of Profound Mystery has a long history. Back when the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance was first founded, their headquarters were once here for a time before moving to Yujing City,” Sui Chunsheng explained.

After witnessing last night’s events, they’d seen Zhang Fan’s skills, dropped their pretenses, and now moved with the faint respect just short of deference—even their conversation became more frequent.

”But most of the Daoists here aren’t cultivators,” Zhan Xinyue said softly.

Cultivators referred to the truly practicing sect members: those whose primordial spirit had awakened, who delved into Daoist skill, seeking the Path of Infinite Pure Yang.

By contrast, many Daoists only studied canonical texts of the sect.

It made sense—the Observatory was in the busiest part of town; steeped in the red dust, genuine cultivation would be incredibly difficult here.

”Few cultivators, but there are experts,” Sui Chunsheng said gravely.

”The one who died last night was from Observatory of Profound Mystery...”

”Huh!?”

Jiang Hu and Zhang Fan exchanged glances, both showing odd expressions.

By now, Zhang Fan already knew everything about last night—the young Daoist who’d died under his Fire Technique, now a charred corpse, had actually come from Observatory of Profound Mystery.

”Wuwei Sect’s reach runs deep,” Jiang Hu couldn’t help but say.

That Daoist had come with Shi Shougong; surely, their whereabouts had been leaked out by him.

”That’s nothing. Observatory aside, even the Daoist Alliance, even among the Ten Great Mountain Gates, Wuwei...” Zhan Xinyue said, voice lowered.

”Xinyue...”

Sui Chunsheng raised an eyebrow, cutting her off: ”Be careful what you say!”

”Was the real thing delivered?”

Just then, Zhang Fan shifted the conversation, asking, as they’d escorted a fake Dharma Jar—surely the real one was safe.

”It was delivered,” Sui Chunsheng nodded, not hiding anything.

”So what’s inside? Can you tell us now? Demons, monsters?” Zhang Fan asked curiously.

”I don’t know either,” Sui Chunsheng shook his head. ”But soon we’ll probably get to see.”

”Come, let’s meet the predecessors of Observatory of Profound Mystery first.”

Sui Chunsheng led the group out of the dining hall, heading for the Three Pure Ones Hall.

The air was fragrant with incense, bells rang, the ancient temple peaceful and harmonious.

In front of the Three Pure Ones Hall, a middle-aged Daoist seemed to have been waiting—seeing them arrive, he came forward.

”Uncle Zhong, it’s been a while.” Sui Chunsheng stepped up and greeted him, clearly acquainted.

”Chunsheng, only two years and now you’re taking charge. Last night was rough, eh? Didn’t think you had those moves...” Zhong Changming patted Sui Chunsheng’s shoulder, praising him.

”Uncle Zhong, it’s not...” Sui Chunsheng’s face twitched, realizing the misunderstanding, and glanced awkwardly at Zhang Fan.

All the dangers of last night—they’d escaped because of Zhang Fan.

”Enough now, your Daoist Alliance elders—your leaders are waiting for you. Go on,” Zhong Changming waved them on.

Zhang Fan felt a flicker of concern: he knew those were the true masters guarding the Dharma Jar.

”Uncle Zhong, these are my friends. They’re here with us this time.”

Sui Chunsheng gestured to Zhang Fan and Jiang Hu.

”Who’s that, huh?” Jiang Hu whispered to Zhan Xinyue nearby.

”He’s the disciple of the Observatory Master, Zhong Changming—runs pretty much everything day to day,” Zhan Xinyue explained simply.

The Observatory Master, Daoist title Master Xuanji, rumored to be over ninety, peer to Zhenwu Mountain’s Chu Chaoran, once spent time in meditation at Zhenwu Mountain. His credentials go way back; now he lives reclusively, removed from secular affairs.

”Junior sister, would you mind looking after these two kids?”

Just then, Zhong Changming called toward the Three Pure Ones Hall.

Soon after, a striking woman walked out. She wore a Daoist Robe, no makeup, but her beauty couldn’t be hidden.

”Aunt Yun.”

Sui Chunsheng and Zhan Xinyue bowed respectfully to the woman.

”Long time no see.”

The stunning woman laughed softly, her gentle gaze passing over Jiang Hu and Zhang Fan, before saying: ”I’m Yun Jianyue...”

”You can call me Aunt Yun.”

”Aunt Yun.”

Zhang Fan and Jiang Hu called out together.

”Handle them for me, will you?”

With that, Zhong Changming led Sui Chunsheng and Zhan Xinyue toward the side hall.

”Is this your first time visiting Gusu?” Yun Zhongyue asked Zhang Fan and Jiang Hu.

”My first time,” Zhang Fan replied.

”Since you’re here, stay a few days. Gusu isn’t as grand as Yujing, but it has a special Jiangnan charm.”

Yun Zhongyue smiled faintly, full of allure; she beckoned a young Daoist over.

”Which of you will stay to move the luggage, and who’ll come with me to register?”

”I’ll move the bags, Zhang Fan, you go register.”

”Mm.”

Zhang Fan nodded, then followed Yun Jianyue’s lead.

Together they reached a small building out back, up to a side room on the third floor. Yun Jianyue took a key from her pocket, opened the darkened room.

Yun Jianyue went in and picked up an oil lamp from the desk, took out a lighter, and lit it.

”Aunt Yun, why not use lights here?” Zhang Fan couldn’t help but ask.

”This building’s all wood, so we use candles lest something catch fire,” Yun Jianyue answered casually.

”Oh, right... Huh?” Zhang Fan froze, sure he’d misheard.

”Zhang Fan, did you arrive yesterday?” Yun Jianyue raised the candle, casting weak light across the dim room.

The room was empty except for stone tablets hanging on the walls.

”Mm, we got here yesterday afternoon...”

At this, Zhang Fan paused, eyes narrowing as he looked at Yun Jianyue’s back.

”Aunt Yun, how do you know my name? Pretty sure I never introduced myself...”

”Of course I know...” Yun Jianyue turned, the candlelight playing over her lovely features, the shadows making her seem ghostly.

”Rooster speaks very highly of you... That Celestial Mother Heart Curse nearly claimed his life,” Yun Jianyue said, a meaningful smile on her lips.

Zhang Fan’s face changed abruptly; instinctively, he stepped back, his guard instantly raised.

”Who the hell are you?”

”I’m Yun Jianyue of the Observatory of Profound Mystery...”

In the dark room, her voice sounded like a dreamy whisper: ”Of course, I have another name...”

”Si Snake—Bai Yujing!!”