Starting Cultivation During a Trip

Jiangnan Province, Yujing City.

Taoyuan Square.

The day after Zhang Fan returned, he reported back to the company—along with Jiang Lai, of course.

For this, Wen He had already thoughtfully prepared a modest, not-at-all-formal welcome party to celebrate the two rejoining the team.

Soy milk, milk tea, stuffed pancakes, buns—eat and drink your fill... Such a lavish breakfast party was a rare moment of generosity from their usually stingy boss, Bai Buran.

Jiang Lai looked a bit better in complexion, though she still seemed a little drained.

Zhang Fan saw this and knew it was due to the influence of the Golden Radiance Treasure Box.

”Why not take a couple more days to rest?” Zhang Fan asked in a low, concerned voice.

”I’m fine.”

Jiang Lai shook her head, then was promptly pulled aside by Wen He for some mother-hen fussing—after all, she’d been away for quite a while this time.

”Not bad, a company-paid vacation.”

Jiang Hu, hugging her milk tea and clutching a meaty jia mo stuffed bun, walked over, a little regretful she hadn’t gone on this business trip with Zhang Fan.

Zhang Fan just smiled and didn’t say much. Naturally, they had no idea just how dangerous that East Mountain trip had been.

Whether it was the Rabbit from the Thirteen Zodiacs, the Imprisoned Immortal Temple left behind by the Three Corpses Daoist, or Li Changgeng from White Crane Temple... every step was fraught with danger and life-or-death moments. If Zhang Fan’s skills had been even a little weaker, there was no way he’d have made it back alive to Yujing City.

”By the way, I brought stuff for everyone.”

As he spoke, Zhang Fan hoisted the big bundle from behind him.

”What good stuff did you get?”

Right then, Old Yu shuffled over, squinting as he eyed the parcel Zhang Fan had brought.

”Some East Mountain specialties... Ten pounds of fermented beans, twenty packs of braised chicken—everyone, dig in.”

Zhang Fan cheerfully greeted them, but when he looked up, Jiang Hu and Old Yu had already melted into the crowd.

”...”

”Zhang Fan, come in for a moment.”

Bai Buran stood at the office door, gave a soft call, and closed the door behind him.

Zhang Fan followed him in.

”Was the trip to East Mountain smooth overall?”

No sooner had Zhang Fan sat down than the boss was already asking with concern.

”Boss, didn’t you say you’d come back me up?” Zhang Fan pouted a bit.

That day, after taking out Hai Pig and learning Jiang Lai’s whereabouts, he’d started calling people for help. First that came to mind was Bai Buran—after all, he and Jiang Lai were both his employees.

But in the end, Zhang Fan was already on the high-speed rail back to Yujing before he’d even seen a trace of Bai Buran.

”I was planning to go, but something came up at the last minute.” Bai Buran rubbed his temples, clearly a little headachey.

”...”

Zhang Fan just pouted, not bothering to say more.

”Didn’t Celestial Master Liu go to East Mountain?” Bai Buran shifted the topic suddenly.

”He went to handle the aftermath.”

Zhang Fan glanced up lightly. He had to admit, even though Bai Buran stayed home, he seemed to know everything about what was happening out there. Liu Nanxu running off to the East Mountain—something so secret—even that hadn’t escaped him.

”So the trouble this time was caused by the Wuwei Sect again?” Bai Buran asked.

”Yeah.”

Zhang Fan grunted slightly, but didn’t mention what happened inside the Imprisoned Immortal Temple. Before parting, Liu Nanxu had warned him, whatever happened at Luoxia Mountain, don’t talk about it—even with Bai Buran.

”Even with Bai Buran...”

Right at this moment, Zhang Fan remembered their boss also had that ’Zhenwu Discard’ status.

Just like Jiang Hu, Zhenwu Mountain was a major sect like Maoshan—they wouldn’t just kick someone out for nothing.

Jiang Hu got booted because, when she was young, she fell victim to Wuma Wuqilu’s scheming and got blood on her hands—it wasn’t her intention, but she was still expelled.

But Bai Buran—why was that?

His talent and cultivation level were way above Jiang Hu’s; with those skills, he was top-tier even in Yujing City.

Someone like Bai Buran, why would he be kicked out of Zhenwu Mountain?

But Zhang Fan never really thought Bai Buran had any big problems—first, back then Zhenwu Mountain assigned him to Night is not bright so he could train and have some protection. If Bai Buran was untrustworthy, he wouldn’t merit that kind of trust...

Second, since Zhang Fan joined Night is not bright, the boss had saved him from the Thirteen Zodiacs’ clutches more than once.

”As long as you’re okay. You and Jiang Lai get three days off—rest up.”

Bai Buran noticed Zhang Fan wasn’t saying more and didn’t dig further.

”Thanks, boss.”

Zhang Fan chuckled—the boss really was more generous than usual today.

”Boss, there’s something I wanted to ask.”

Just then, Zhang Fan changed the subject.

”What is it?”

”Are there any hidden masters in Yujing City? The really powerful kind?”

”Hmm?” Bai Buran raised an eyebrow, his gaze growing sharp as he looked at Zhang Fan.

”Who told you that?”

”Celestial Master Liu said Yujing City is hiding a top expert—someone in the nation’s top five,” Zhang Fan said, not hiding anything.

When Bai Buran heard this, he fell silent for a while before finally shaking his head.

”Never heard of such a thing.”

”Even you don’t know, boss?” Zhang Fan was surprised. He didn’t doubt Celestial Master Liu’s words for a second.

”How did Celestial Master Liu say it? He didn’t tell you any details?”

Zhang Fan shook his head. Liu Nanxu only said that staying in Yujing City was very safe, so much so that even someone like the Lord of the Red Palace wouldn’t make a move lightly. Aside from that, he didn’t say more.

”I’ve been in Yujing City for so many years and never once heard about such a master. Even if it’s true, if Celestial Master Liu didn’t fill you in, he must have had his reasons,” Bai Buran said evenly.

”Alright, don’t overthink it. Take the next couple days off after work.”

”Okay.”