Reunion
Twelve Kilometres Street was considerably livelier compared to Nineteen Kilometres Street, had an assortment of stores, more cultivators and a brighter ambience. Most importantly, cultivators’ etiquette, clothing and attitude were normal.
Among the various stores was a store called Small Pill Store, a pill store not part of Pill Cauldron Sect’s assets. Because of Pill Cauldron Sect’s alchemists being more valued than alchemists not affiliated, some chose to sell pills for a living. Stores not under Pill Cauldron Sect were inevitably incapable of offering as much variety and quality. They, however, were more budget friendly.
A clerk at another store going by the name of Immortal Attire cried, “We have a massive sale on immortal attire. Ten percent off all items. Our clothing will ward bugs and insects off, keep you warm in winter and cool in summer, and you will even absorb spiritual qi faster! Come on in! Come on in! You don’t want to miss out on this huge sale!” How true were those claims, well… Mu Yu didn’t know.
There were even Fiend Beast Pub, Fiend Spirit Store and Spirit Beast Pet Store and more.
“Where did you steal it from? Did you pay?”
Xiaoshuai sneaked off while the energy on the street stole Mu Yu’s attention.
“No, she didn’t see me,” answered Xiaoshuai, digging into his bun.
“I keep tell you to pay for things. You wouldn’t work for free, so don’t make others work for free. My poor spirit stones keep disappearing to feed you… It smells pretty nice. Is that nine-tails fiend cat meat? Whoa, this is good. Give me another…”
So much for paying for your food…
Lie Shang turned into an alley and led them into a serene courtyard. The place was small, simple and devoid of ornaments. There were two stone tables and a garden of orchids, Lan Ling’er’s favourite. Xiang Nan was snoring away on a hammock set up using two trees.
Cheng Yan, who had matured even more than before, exited the building in a bright mood. “It’s great to see you back. Mu Yu, you didn’t get into trouble with the unorthodox faction, did you?”
“First Brother!” Mu Yu ran over to give Cheng Yan a hug.
Seeing Feng Haochen come out, Mu Yu ran over to give his shifu a joyous hug. Feng Haochen patted Mu Yu’s shoulder cheerfully. “It’s good to see you again. You really made a flashy entrance in the world of cultivation, huh?”
“I’m innocent! Also, I’m still nowhere as well known as you are!”
Mu Yu didn’t dare to act up when he saw Uncle An – even in spite of Uncle An still being a Golden Core Realm cultivator.
“Hey, Mu Yu, you’re taller than me now.” Lan Ling’er came out all smiles.
“Senior Sister Ling’er, you want a hug? Hehe.” Mu Yu could tell he had gotten over Lan Ling’er as he wasn’t awkward around her again.
“I do! I do!” cried Xiaoshuai, leaping into Lan Ling’er’s arms.
“Eh? Xiaoshuai? You hatched? You’re so cute!”
“I’m so happy you still remember me, Sister Ling’er. I love your hugs.” The only visible part of Xiaoshuai was his tail.
Mu Yu’s sigh of envy when he realised he ignored Ku Mu’s feelings.
Feng Haochen greeted Ku Mu with a smile. “Ku Mu, it’s been decades, hasn’t it? I’m surprised you still look so young. Sit.”
Qing Mei, who had ascended to Primordial Infant Realm, placed a tea set on the stone table and, in a gentle voice, said, “Brother Mu Yu, it’s good to see you again. You had everyone worried.”
Mu Yu smiled awkwardly. “Hello, Sister-in-law.”
Qing Mei poured everyone a cup of tea and sat down next to Cheng Yan.
Ku Mu couldn’t stand the sight before him. He was the only outsider in the courtyard, after all. Actually, they were pretty much all people he hated.
“Come on, we’re all family.” Mu Yu chuckled as he put Ku Mu in a chair opposite Feng Haochen, only for the latter to shoot him a glare.
Once Mu Yu sat down, the awkward situation of having both of his mentors present struck him.
Breaking his prolonged silence, Ku Mu remarked, “You have quite the disciple.”
Feng Haochen stroked his bear happily. “He’s also your disciple, isn’t he?”
“Shifu, um, well…” Mu Yu scratched his head.
“That’s right. He’s my disciple,” Ku Mu provoked.
“Gramps, don’t take me to the guillotine!” Mu Yu sprawled out on the table and mumbled, sneaking glances at Feng Haochen.
Ku Mu stared Mu Yu down.
“It’s all right. There’s no denying you’re Mu Yu’s shifu.”
Mu Yu never expected Feng Haochen to bear a grudge over the matter. Still, it was relieving to hear it from himself.
“You don’t mind?” asked Ku Mu, frowning.
“It’s just a title. You taught Mu Yu a lot and helped him in many ways. As it is with me, you want what’s better for him; we share the same goal. It’s nothing major.”
Ku Mu was irritated he couldn’t get on Feng Haochen’s nerves. He decided to drop the matter and not beat around the bush. “Once you restore your cultivation, rescue Miao Yuyan, and that’ll be the end of our teacher and pupil relationship. Mu Yu will be your disciple.”
“Gramps, that hurts. Am I some commodity?”
“You don’t need to be so stubborn. I knew you were coming. I have a favour to ask of you,” conveyed Feng Haochen.
“You make it sound as if there’s anything you can’t do once you’ve restored your cultivation,” Ku Mu grouched.
“You and I both know recovering cultivation doesn’t happen overnight. I know you had Mu Yu search for dark herb and nine qi soul purifying flowers. I suppose Mu Yu has found them. If we’re to repair my dantian, though, I must do so in Celestial Prison so that it can drain the excess life qi. The problem is Mu Yu can’t return to Moyun Mountains. He, therefore, can’t separate the life qi and death qi there.”
“He can’t separate them here?”
“He could. Having said that, once their life qi combines, it’ll last for a year. I can’t directly separate them once they combine, so I’ll have to wait for a year. That means I’ll have to wait for a year in Celestial Prison before I can restore my cultivation.”
“What’s your point?”
“My point is that recovering my cultivation isn’t the top priority. Instead, I’d like to prioritise this favour I have to ask of you.”
“You think I’ll help you? It’s too early to be in dreamland! Helping you restore your cultivation is as far as I’ll go. Don’t think I’ll give you a yard because I gave you an inch.”
“Not even if it has to do with Mu Yu?” Feng Haochen tugged up the corners of his lips.
“Something that has to do with me again?” asked Mu Yu.
“You got embroiled in a mess somewhere without telling me?” scolded Ku Mu.
“I swear on my life I didn’t!” Mu Yu raised both hands in surrender.
Feng Haochen enjoyed a nip of tea. “There are four people who rival me when it comes to formations. One of them is Formation Sect’s Zhen Tiandao. Another is Xie Bulao. Another is Third Heaven Palace’s formation guardian, and the last one is you.”
“Your point being?” Ku Mu cooled down after he was acknowledged.
“I need you to help me suppress the elemental demons’ powers in the four of them.”
“Nine Heavens Demon Sealing Formation?” Ku Mu swept his gaze over those in the courtyard. “There are another three with elemental demons’ abilities like Mu Yu?”
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