Chapter 68: The Irremovable Soul Disc

The two of them lunged forward, one after the other, as the butterfly struggled to fly amidst their shadows. Inside the gourd, the soul moth’s true form lay sleeping within the baleful aura, but was suddenly jolted awake. It sensed that one of its soul fragments, released days before, was now in peril.

Foolish cultivators, to think they could destroy me within their own sea of consciousness, even hoping to capture me. They clearly do not understand that our Verdant Lineage is innately gifted with mastery over the soul. In our presence, even mere Golden Core cultivators would dare challenge us.

Within Zi Chenyu’s sea of consciousness, the butterfly was being relentlessly pursued, unable to evade. Suddenly, its body erupted in a burst of light, suspending itself midair as it chanted an incantation.

Dear friends, I welcome you into my dream, to listen as I hum a melody from the jungle.

Zi Chenyu and Zi Fanshan’s eyes grew heavy, and they both drifted into a deep sleep that lasted an entire hour. Zi Chenyu dreamt the same dream as before, identical in every detail. Zi Fanshan, on the other hand, dreamt of his childhood, when he once took something that belonged to another. When the owner came to reclaim it, he hid it under his elder brother’s bed, thereby framing him.

When he awoke, Zi Fanshan saw the butterfly fluttering nearby and shivered with lingering fear. Having vanished from Zi Chenyu’s sea of consciousness, it realized it had been separated from its main body far too long; if it remained out much longer, the main body would perish. Another slumber was out of the question.

Watching Zi Fanshan leave, Zi Chenyu felt a touch of disappointment. This time, the soul moth landed directly atop his head.

After an hour of rest, Zi Fanshan bid his elder brother farewell.

“Chenyu, since the butterfly can only put you to sleep and cannot harm you, keep it with you for now. Perhaps in the future, you’ll find an opportunity.”

Zi Fancheng tried to comfort his son, unaware that the boy was terrified.

In Autumn Pool City, within the small courtyard where Dao Sansheng resided, a group of people finally rested. The building had kept them busy for nearly half a year, and now that it was complete, their task was done. However, Dao Sansheng had not emerged from seclusion since last time, and the group anxiously waited in the courtyard.

Zhao Jinqian was now a well-known figure in Autumn Pool City, the subject of much discussion. Stories abounded of his acquisition of storefronts at low prices, transforming them into towering landmarks.

“Senior Brother Zhao, the renovations on my end are finished. You can move the merchants in. Our sect must have the largest shop in the mall—have you arranged everything?”

Chao Xiong, who had been overwhelmed for months, was eager to hand over the reins to Zhao Jinqian at last.

“I’ve arranged it all. The merchants are ready to move in. By tomorrow, the mall will be open for business. Senior Brother Chao, there’s no need to worry. I’ll report back to Dao Senior Brother shortly.”

Li Zihong, standing aside, kept his eyes fixed on Dao Sansheng’s door.

With a creak, the door opened. Everyone in the courtyard stood up and turned toward Dao Sansheng.

“Be seated. I emerged from seclusion a bit late, just as I reached a critical point in my cultivation. Please, don’t mind the delay.”

With that, Dao Sansheng found a place to sit.

Just as they were about to report on the mall, Dao Sansheng raised a hand to silence them.

“Find someone to sell the mall as soon as possible. We’re no longer doing business in Autumn Pool City. After the trade conference, we should all leave promptly. Rest assured, I will not shortchange anyone—what you’re due will only be increased, not diminished.”

“Sansheng, the mall hasn’t even opened yet! Soon it will be making a fortune every day—who knows how many spirit stones we could earn? Now you want to sell it? I, Chao Xiong, cannot accept this,” he protested.

“If Dao Senior Brother wishes to sell, I, Zhao Jinqian, support the decision unconditionally. Every decision of his has proven right so far—buying the land, now selling the building.”

“I agree as well,” Li Zihong, who had been silent, finally spoke.

“With three out of four in agreement, Chao Junior Brother, please handle the sale—preferably today.”

As soon as Dao Sansheng finished, Zhao Jinqian set off to carry out the task.

Now, Zixian City was brimming with excitement. The trade conference was two days away, set to take place in the central square, surrounded by the city’s most prominent merchants. A stage had been erected in the center, and the festive atmosphere was palpable. The inns nearest the hall were packed to capacity.

At that moment, a chubby youth was running from inn to inn, searching anxiously for someone.

Entering another inn, he hurried to ask the attendant, “Have you seen anyone from the Forging Heaven Valley?”

The boy looked hopeful as he waited for a reply.

“No. Try somewhere else,” the attendant replied curtly before moving on.

In another inn, the disciples of Forging Heaven Valley were staying upstairs. Tu Tianxiong and several elders had arrived days ago, tasked with procuring supplies for the sect.

Tu Tianxiong was conversing with Elder Hu from the inner sect, while Elder Guo Tianmeng sat nearby. Though the official reason was to have Elder Hu and Elder Guo purchase supplies, the real intent was to give Tu Tianxiong experience in handling affairs; the elders were there mainly to oversee.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open and a gentle voice sounded.

“Elder Liu, Elder Guo, forgive the interruption. Senior Brother Tu sent for me; he said he had something to discuss.”

With that, a young woman in her early twenties entered, dressed in a snow-white gown, her long hair flowing as she lifted her skirt slightly and offered a polite bow before taking a seat.

“Tianxiong, is this the disciple you insisted on bringing with you—the inner disciple who watches over Icefire Peak?”

As he spoke, he smiled at Tu Tianxiong. In everyone’s eyes, Tu Tianxiong was already the next valley master; anyone associated with him had a clear advantage.

Tu Tianxiong nodded, then turned to pour tea for Elder Hu, sizing up his junior sister as he set down the teapot.

“I just thought that Junior Sister has been guarding Icefire Peak for so long, earning great merit for the sect. Now that she finally has a chance to travel, she should come along. Otherwise, I’d worry she’d grow moldy if left alone for too long.”

The young woman blushed, her delicate face reddening beneath her bangs. She nodded slightly, fingers twisting the hem of her garment.

“Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother. Jing’er will remember this always.”

Though Tu Tianxiong’s words were pleasant, he cursed inwardly. If not for that arrogant Zi Chenyu personally naming you, I’d never have brought you along. Still, this is your luck; at least now you can enter the Zi family—a dream for so many.

Tu Tianxiong then produced the shopping list and assigned tasks to the three of them, hoping to have most of the supplies purchased before the trade conference began.

In the southern district of Zixian City, in the Zi family’s garden, Zi Chenyu paced back and forth in the pavilion. Before long, Steward Liu approached, and the two of them quietly gathered together.

“If you needed me, Young Master, you could have summoned me directly—why all this secrecy?”

Zi Chenyu said nothing, still scanning the surroundings. Only after a long pause did he speak.

“I don’t trust my father. You know how suspicious he is—ever since I was young, he’s never believed a word I said. He might have even sent someone to spy on us. The other day, when I told him that the butterfly inside us only puts us to sleep, he didn’t believe me at all and asked me repeatedly.”

“All this for that? I thought it was something serious. Young Master, there’s no need to be afraid. The family head is only thinking of the family’s interests. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave; the family head has given me important tasks.”

Steward Liu found the questioning rather pointless and was ready to go.

“No, wait. Tell me, has that person sent any messages, given any tasks?”

Zi Chenyu couldn’t help but ask—the unease of recent days haunted him, persistent even in his dreams. Now, with no word from Dao Sansheng, his anxiety grew.

“No, Young Master, there’s nothing. I really must go—I have a lot to do for the trade conference,” Steward Liu replied, turning to leave.

“Are you sure?”

“Truly, nothing.”

With those words, Steward Liu departed.