Chapter 291: Chapter 8: Sima Changyan, The Misty Forest
The residents of Lixi Town noticed that there had been an influx of strange travelers carrying long swords on their backs, giving the appearance of “swordsmen of the jianghu.”
Of course, such occurrences were an annual event; coupled with the fact that these swordsmen from the jianghu didn’t interact much with the locals, everyone saw nothing much out of the ordinary.
Even places like taverns and inns were making a good profit out of it.
As Ling Yunpo strolled through the streets, observing the bustling market stalls, he couldn’t help feeling a sense of antiquity, as if he had been hidden from the world for too long and had suddenly returned to the mortal world.
If the world he had traversed to wasn’t one of Immortal Cultivation but purely an ancient one, he might have been preparing for the imperial examinations at this very moment.
“Eh, isn’t that Ling Yunpo?” A person ahead inadvertently turned around and noticed Ling Yunpo, immediately calling out.
“You are…” Ling Yunpo recognized him after a moment, “Sima Changyan?”
“I didn’t expect you to remember me, ranked sixth,” Sima Changyan said before introducing him to two others, “This is Po Yun Sword Immortal, ranked second on the Immortal Sword Ranking, and his junior brother.”
Having said that, he turned back to Ling Yunpo to introduce the others:
“This is Feng Wuliang, ranked thirty-ninth on the Immortal Sword Ranking; and this is Zhao Zhenjiang, ranked forty-eighth.”
“An honor to meet Po Yun Sword Immortal!” Both men hastily bowed and greeted him.
Ling Yunpo’s mood lifted instantly; Sima Changyan was modest in his demeanor and hadn’t gotten his name wrong; he seemed to be a good person and worth befriending.
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Thus, he said warmly:
“We’ve met before near the Sword Pool, Sister Guan was there too, do you remember?”
“Ha, now that you mention it, I do recall,” Sima Changyan laughed heartily and gestured with his hands, “Since we’ve run into each other, why not gather at the tavern?”
The four of them headed towards a nearby tavern, and it wasn’t long before they were seated, their toasting cups crisscrossing, creating a harmonious atmosphere. Sima Changyan flattered Ling Yunpo, saying:
“Junior Brother Ling, how did you find the expedition to the south of the Hundred Thousand Mountains this time? With your strength, it must have been like cutting through rot and pulling up weeds.”
“Not at all,” Ling Yunpo replied modestly, “But I did indeed encounter no real challenging foes.”
“Speaking of which, wasn’t there talk that the Demon Cult would gather its five paths this time?” Feng Wuliang chuckled, “From the feedback of many fellow sect members since yesterday, it seems to be much easier than any of the previous years.”
“Is that so?” Ling Yunpo feigned surprise.
“Yes.” As the waiter brought over a jug of wine, Sima Changyan stood up to pour drinks for everyone, saying, “Let alone Golden Core True Persons, it seems that even some of the elite Demon Cult disciples were nowhere to be encountered.”
“Having been in the mountains for several days, we’ve gone through Langgan Cave and the Misty Forest, even came face to face with numerous Demon Cult Cultivators, but they were all nobodies.”
“Exactly,” Zhao Zhenjiang chimed in, “The Double-Faced Judge Wen Yang, the Little Heavenly Demon Ai Zhenzhi, the Wrathful Vajra Li Zhong… those difficult Demon Cult villains of the past, but none showed up this time.
“Perhaps they are afraid of us,” Ling Yunpo commented casually.
“That’s a possibility.” Seeing his lack of interest, Sima Changyan didn’t press further, “Let’s drink.”
After three rounds of drinks, Ling Yunpo brought up the Misty Forest, asking with curiosity:
“I heard that upon entering the Misty Forest, one would lose consciousness, and upon awakening, there’s a chance of gaining a Refining Mansion Cultivation? Is there such a profound and mysterious matter?”
Sima Changyan pondered for a moment and said,
“To be honest, I didn’t believe it either, but since everyone spoke so convincingly, I decided to give it a try.”
“After we entered the Misty Forest, we did mysteriously faint. When we came to, we were outside the forest.”
“Upon examining myself, I found no injuries or missing items.” At this point, he paused briefly, his face showing a strange expression. He lowered his voice and said, “Zhao Zhenjiang gained an extra thirty years of Refining Mansion Cultivation.”
“Really?” Ling Yunpo was immediately moved.
If it were five or ten years, that would be one thing, but thirty years… Outside the Hundred Thousand Mountains, wouldn’t all the sects be fighting over this?
“Mhm.” Zhao Zhenjiang said with a bitter smile, “What’s bizarre is that I don’t even know how I got this cultivation. It was only after introspection that I discovered my Purple Mansion had been significantly improved.”
“Could it be that there’s a ghost bride in the Misty Forest choosing a husband?” Feng Wuliang said jokingly, “First, she knocks us out, then picks and chooses, and finally selects Brother Zhao as her groom, bestows thirty years of Refining Mansion Cultivation after an intimate encounter, and then sends us off as a present.”
“Stop joking.” Zhao Zhenjiang shook his head and said, “The Jade Capital Sect Leader even entered the forest in the past, and afterward, he said there was nothing to worry about… Could it be that the Jade Capital Sect Leader would allow a ghost bride to pick Sword Immortals from Shushan as her groom?”
“Brother Ling.” Seeing his interest, Sima Changyan dipped his finger in some wine and drew the location of the Misty Forest on the table, “If you are interested in the Misty Forest, you can also visit this place. Although it’s said to be quite peculiar, the former Sect Leader checked it out and ensured its safety.”
“Thank you.” Ling Yunpo nodded and said.
The four of them continued drinking for a while before they said goodbye to each other and left.
Ling Yunpo hurried back to the inn and saw An Zhisu had just finished bathing, changed into a new Daoist robe, with the water in the bath still emitting steam.
Ling Yunpo: ………
Damn it, what have I missed?!
He was about to speak when he saw his elder sister’s nostrils flaring slightly. She showed a look of grievance and said,
“Brother, you’ve been drinking again?”
What do you mean I’ve been drinking again? I was gathering information, okay? No wonder turning this matter over to Elder Sister is not reliable at all. It’s no surprise that Lin Duanshan was so eager to have Guan Shanyue replace Elder Sister in going back to the town.
Ling Yunpo patiently said,
“Elder Sister, I ran into Sima Changyan on the way, and he discovered the location of the Misty Forest.”
“He did?” An Zhisu showed a slight look of surprise, then took out a sand pen magical treasure from her storage bag, “Then let’s inform them… Should we notify them later? Allow some more time for the turbid qi on your body to refine.”
“No need.” Ling Yunpo immediately shook his head, “The Misty Forest is basically safe. After all, the former Jade Capital Sect Leader had also inspected it.”
“Besides, refining the turbid qi in my body isn’t something that can be done in a short while unless I obtain some secret medicine in the future.” He subtly laid a groundwork hinting to An Zhisu the possibility that “secret medicine can quickly resolve turbid qi,” which would facilitate further excuses, “But as for the Misty Forest, its current location seems to be far from Shushan. If it is later taken back by the Demon Cult, that would be troublesome.”
“But…” An Zhisu hesitated, “You can’t control your sword now and lack the power to protect yourself, which is a hidden concern.”
“No problem, Elder Sister!” Ling Yunpo said with determination, “I am a Shushan Sword Immortal after all! If I shrink back from such difficulties, how would I strive to forge ahead on the path of cultivation in the future? It could affect my Daoist Heart!”
“Alright then.” Seeing her junior brother so determined, An Zhisu could only concede.
If there really was any danger, she would give up her life if necessary to protect him!