Chapter 26: Night Talk

Xu Ziyan saw thoughtful expressions appearing on the faces of the New Disciples and continued:

“Everyone, what is the reason we embark on this path of Cultivating Immortality?”

Her gaze swept over the crowd, and noticing that Xu Dongxue and others also showed signs of contemplation, she pressed on further:

“It is to continuously surpass ourselves! Let me ask you, if you make excuses to avoid the Monster Beast battlefield this time, will your determination to Cultivate Immortality remain firm from now on? Will you continue to avoid setbacks in the future? If so, it would be better to abandon the path of Cultivating Immortality right now and live as ordinary people.”

After speaking, Xu Ziyan stood quietly by the door without saying another word, thinking to herself that she had said all she needed to say; whether they could be enlightened depended on their own comprehension.

The New Disciples stood quietly, lost in deep thought. However, the panic and resentment on their faces had disappeared, replaced by looks of reflection. Finally, Xu Qingxue took a step forward, standing beside Xu Ziyan, and declared loudly:

“I will go!”

Xu Tieniu glanced at Xu Ziyan, then also stepped forward to stand beside Xu Ziyan, saying in a deep, resonant voice:

“I will go!”

Xu Li, Xu Dezhi, and Xu Ling quickly followed, stepping forward together and declaring in unison:

“I will go!”

Everyone had come to understand everything. They knew that this matter was not something they could avoid simply by wishing to, nor was it something Xu Ziyan could help with even if she wanted to. Moreover, Xu Ziyan’s words had ignited their fighting spirit, and the actions of Xu Qingxue and the others had stirred their blood. They were all young—who didn’t have passion? Who didn’t have dreams? So, as one, they all took a step forward and shouted in unison:

“I will go!”

After shouting loudly, they looked at each other, feeling a surge of heroic emotions, and couldn’t help but burst into loud laughter.

Xu Dongxue and the others saw that the situation had turned out completely different from what they had imagined—the New Disciples were not shrinking back as expected—and they felt deeply uncomfortable. They hastily cupped their hands toward Xu Ziyan and said:

“Since your matter is resolved, we will take our leave. We will gather at the Central Plaza early tomorrow morning. You can go there yourselves then; we won’t wait for you.”

“Understood, little niece. No need to see us out!” Xu Ziyan replied courteously.

After the people from the four major factions had disappeared, Xu Ziyan turned to face the crowd before her. After a brief moment of contemplation, she said softly:

“I think we all have a clear understanding of each other’s Cultivation Levels. So, how about this: the top twenty in terms of Cultivation Level will go to the Central Plaza early tomorrow morning. Well, I count as one, so you only need to choose nineteen others.”

The group looked at one another. This time, there were no further disputes, and soon nineteen people stepped forward. Xu Ziyan looked at them and said softly:

“Go back and prepare, then get a good night’s sleep. We set off tomorrow.”

After speaking, she waved her hand and turned to go back into her room. Outside, the remaining disciples looked at one another, then suddenly bowed deeply toward the nineteen in unison, saying:

“Take care!”

The nineteen were taken aback for a moment, then solemnly returned the gesture, replying:

“Thank you!”

Then, without another word, they stood silently for a while before quietly dispersing.

Night.

It was very quiet. The heavy snow had stopped, and a bright crescent moon hung high in the sky, making the night feel even more desolate. Xu Ziyan sat quietly alone on her bed, thinking to herself:

“Tomorrow, we set off to battle Monster Beasts. If I only show the Cultivation Level of the Seventh Layer of Houtian, it probably won’t be enough to handle them. Judging by Xu Dongxue and the others’ attitudes, as soon as we reach Tongyou Valley, they will likely send us New Disciples to the most dangerous areas. In that case, maintaining my displayed Cultivation Level at the Seventh Layer of Houtian really won’t be sufficient! But I also can’t raise my displayed Cultivation Level too high. After all, I only showed the Seventh Layer of Houtian during the day outside. If I suddenly increase it too much, it will definitely attract attention.”

“But how much should I raise it? It’s been three months since I pretended to break through during that confrontation with the Senior Disciples outside the Main Hall. If I only raise my displayed Cultivation Level by one layer now, to the Eighth Layer of Houtian, no one should suspect anything, right? Alright, I’ll do that!”

Deciding to act immediately, Xu Ziyan got out of bed, went to the table, picked up the Talisman Brush, spread out a piece of Talisman Paper, and drew a new Concealment Talisman. She then slapped it onto herself. A shimmering light flashed, swirling around her body before instantly sinking into her. The Cultivation Level Xu Ziyan now displayed was precisely at the Eighth Layer of Houtian.

She looked herself over and nodded slightly, feeling quite satisfied. Just as she finished tidying everything up, she heard the sound of clothing rustling in the courtyard. Xu Ziyan’s heart tightened, and she quickly turned to look out the window. Then, she heard a few light knocks on the door.

“Who is it?” Xu Ziyan asked softly.

“Ziyan, it’s Second Uncle,” came Xu Haobo’s voice from outside the door.

Hearing this, Xu Ziyan relaxed and hurried over to the door, opening it gently. She looked at her Second Uncle standing in the snowy ground outside and asked quietly:

“Second Uncle, what brings you here?”

“Let’s talk inside!”

Xu Haobo slipped quickly into the room. Xu Ziyan hurriedly closed the door gently and followed him inside. Seeing that Xu Haobo had already sat down in a chair, deep in thought, she decided not to disturb him and stood quietly in front of him, waiting for him to speak.

Xu Haobo let out a soft sigh, looked up at Xu Ziyan, and suddenly started in surprise, saying with astonishment:

“Ziyan, you’re displaying the Eighth Layer? Did you break through?”

Hearing Xu Haobo’s words, Xu Ziyan’s mind raced. She felt that, in such a critical time, revealing some of the truth could also help the Clan. Besides, she truly did not want to stay with the Clan; she wanted to go to the Monster Beast battlefield to gain experience. She was afraid that if her displayed Cultivation Level was too low while her Talisman Crafting skills were advanced, Second Uncle might use protecting her as an excuse to keep her in the Clan. However, Xu Ziyan still held back a little, replying softly:

“Second Uncle, your niece just broke through to the Second Layer of Qi Refining Stage, reaching the initial phase of the Second Layer, so I adjusted my displayed Cultivation Level a bit higher. Second Uncle, what brings you here so late at night?”

Xu Haobo sighed deeply once more, giving Xu Ziyan a long, serious look before slowly explaining what had been happening in the Clan. Finally, with a resolute expression, he said:

“Ziyan, originally I thought you were only a Talisman Crafting genius. Now it seems you are not only a Talisman Crafting genius but also a Cultivation genius. In just three months, you’ve broken through again. This time, for the battle against the Monster Beasts, you should not go. I will arrange for you to go somewhere else.”

Xu Ziyan shook her head gently and looked at Xu Haobo earnestly, saying: “Second Uncle, there’s no need to trouble yourself for me. I will go!”

Hearing this, Xu Haobo grew anxious and said urgently, “Why are you being so unreasonable, girl? I came here in the middle of the night precisely to make proper arrangements for you. Even if you weren’t a Cultivation genius and the Clan’s hope, just for the sake of my Eleventh Brother, I cannot let you take such risks!”

“No!”

Xu Ziyan shook her head firmly and said softly: “Second Uncle, you just said I am a Cultivation genius. Let me ask you one thing: if I follow your advice now and hide away, will my determination for Cultivation remain firm in the future? When I face dangers and setbacks again, should I continue to avoid them? Right now, I have your protection, but what about in the future when you’re not here to protect me? If I lose my firm resolve, would you have me spend my whole life running away?”