Chapter Seventy-Four: Hearing the News

Ever since Chen Xiaofeng escaped using blood evasion during the opening ceremony of the trading conference, his soul has vanished after his body was found by disciples of the Purple Immortal Palace.

"That's right, Brother Zhang. I heard he took over someone else's body. The elders analyzed it and guessed he's probably at the Qi Refining stage—he could be right among us," said a disciple in blue, glancing around warily.

"Li Tao, why are you so timid? Even the female disciples are braver than you. You're such a good-for-nothing, and you dare say that out loud," another young man in blue sneered.

Li Tao, the one who had just spoken, fumed with indignation. "We're all brothers here. We still have duties to carry out. We're supposed to be searching for Chen Xiaofeng. If not for this meal, the sect wouldn't have given us any time at all."

As the dishes were brought to the table, the group fell upon their food ravenously, falling silent.

Could it be, thought Dao Sansheng, that the Chen Xiaofeng wanted across the city is the very one who escaped into his own sea of consciousness? The one who, upon entering, looked down on him with such arrogance—no wonder, he had the confidence to back it up.

At another table, an old man tapped a child on the head. "Zhier, don't just eat. Did you understand the lesson I just taught you? Look at Chen Xiaofeng—he cared for nothing but high-level techniques, and in the end, he lost his life. Remember, never act recklessly."

Just as the old man finished speaking, a nearby table erupted.

"Old fellow, you can't teach your disciple that way! Chen Xiaofeng acquired a top-tier cultivation technique, you know. Do you know who the old man on stage was at the start of the trading conference, during the meal? Even the three Zi brothers from the Purple clan wouldn't dare offend him. I heard the Purple Immortal Palace could destroy everything with a flick of the wrist, and a Nascent Soul ancestor could kill with a single palm. The technique he left behind has the power to shake the heavens," the speaker said, eyes filled with longing.

A young man at another table stood up. "Then the young woman he took from the Purple Immortal Palace must have soared straight to the heavens. For us wandering cultivators, that's a fortune we'd never hope for in a lifetime." He sighed.

"I heard that girl is Chen Xiaofeng's disciple, Dao Qian'er. She was already exceptionally gifted. We shouldn't bother dreaming—without talent, there’s no point," another man at the table added.

Hearing the name Dao Qian'er, Dao Sansheng's heart clenched. Those beside him—Chao Xiong, Li Zihong, and Zhao Jinqian—all turned to look as well.

"Sir, your order is ready. I'll place it now."

Before the words had faded, Dao Sansheng grabbed the waiter by the collar. Startled, the waiter cried out, and everyone in the hall turned to look.

"Tell me, where did that old man take Dao Qian'er?" Dao Sansheng demanded, face twisted with anger, teeth clenched.

"Sir, I really don't know. The three of them vanished from the stage in the blink of an eye. Even Zi Fancheng doesn't know where they went," the waiter replied, voice trembling on the verge of tears.

"Kid, lots of people like Dao Qian'er—I get it. But you can't chase after a girl all the way to an inn and harass the waitstaff. If you’re so capable, chase her to the upper realms and snatch her back yourself," called a bearded man, rising from a table in the corner.

"Chase her to the upper realms and snatch her back... chase her to the upper realms and snatch her back..." Dao Sansheng muttered, releasing his grip.

"My friend isn't well—please understand," Chao Xiong said, rising to bow in apology.

"It's all right; we've seen all sorts here over the years. But your friend is a bit dangerous—you'd best keep an eye on him, especially with so many people around today," the waiter replied, leaving with the menu.

Dao Sansheng kept repeating that phrase, even as the food arrived. He had no appetite, and neither did the others—they simply watched him in silence.

Within Dao Sansheng's sea of consciousness, the soul disc sat in the center of the land, while Chen Xiaofeng’s soul, which had been asleep for hours, lay nearby. The soul disc gazed out over the boundless waters, lost in thought.

Suddenly, the spirit within Dao Sansheng’s sea of consciousness turned blood red, growing more and more intense. At the table, Dao Sansheng’s eyes became crimson.

Sensing trouble, the butterfly immediately flew over and began chanting an ancient incantation: "Dear friend, I welcome you into my dream. Listen as I hum a song of the jungle."

As the words echoed, Dao Sansheng calmed, his eyes clearing and turning transparent. He collapsed onto the table, falling into sleep. In his sea of consciousness, the tiny figure identical to his own true form now slept at the foot of the soul disc. The disc unfurled its wings, lifting Dao Sansheng onto its lap and gently stroking his brow, easing his eyes closed.

In the dream, Dao Sansheng found himself back in Daojia Village, returning from tending the wild horse spirit beast, humming a tune. The chubby boy hurried to catch up behind him.

"Dao Sansheng, after you put these things in the spirit beast shed, let’s go to your house. I haven’t seen your mother in days—I kind of miss her," Dao Dadan said as soon as he caught up.

Before he could finish, Dao Sansheng gave him a smack. "You just want to eat at my place, don’t you? The food at your manor isn’t enough for you?"

Dao Dadan rolled his eyes. "The manor food is bland and tasteless. I still prefer your family’s cooking."

With that, he helped Dao Sansheng lead the wild horse spirit beast.

Soon the two arrived at Dao Sansheng’s house. His elder sister was waiting at the door. Seeing him return, she paused in her busy work and ran up joyfully.

"Sansheng, you’re back. We can eat now," she said, leading Dao Sansheng and Dao Dadan inside...

Li Zihong, seeing Dao Sansheng collapsed on the table, had Chao Xiong carry him to a nearby inn to rest.

"Waiter, here’s payment for the table," Zhao Jinqian said, placing two mid-grade spirit stones before hurrying after them.

Dao Sansheng lay on the inn's bed, sweating profusely, his body growing cold until frost began to form on him. Li Zihong covered him with a blanket, but it made no difference—the entire blanket turned to ice.

Night fell outside. The three in the room waited anxiously as the sky grew darker and the room dimmer. Strangely, tonight the weather seemed particularly ominous; black clouds pressed low over the city.

A violent wind howled outside, spiritual energy gathering, miniature whirlwinds swirling through the city streets. The frost on Dao Sansheng’s body melted away. The window burst open in the gale, sending objects flying in every direction.

As Chao Xiong moved to close the window, a surge of spiritual energy spiraled in, slamming him into the wall.

“Bang!”

Li Zihong rushed to help him. "Are you all right?"

The spiritual vortex outside was sucked toward Dao Sansheng lying on the bed—one after another, dozens, then hundreds of whirlwinds vanished into him. His body became bottomless, absorbing all the energy until finally it ceased.

The black clouds outside dispersed, revealing the true colors of the sky. The sun had already set, and the sky was painted with the last rays of twilight.