Chasing The Moon (Moonlight Mystique) - Chapter 44
Chapter 44
“Yes, of course I can, My Lord!”
Bai Shuo cheerfully raised her head.
She was about to boast about her skills when she suddenly paused.
Standing before her were about ten people, all dressed in blue with matching blue swords. Their sleeves were adorned with cloud patterns, and the leader had sharp features, with eyebrows like swords and eyes like stars.
A cloud was carved on the hilt of his sword, and his entire demeanor radiated an otherworldly aura.
Bai Shuo swallowed nervously.
Goodness, ten immortal Lords!
These must be the elite of the Immortal Realm.
Blue clothes, blue swords, and clouds as their emblem—they were from Yunxiao Mountain. Could he be…. Nan Wan from Yunxiao Mountain?
But wait, weren’t all the disciples from the immortal sects supposed to be headed to the Yi city? Tomorrow is the deadline for the city’s closure, so why are they still wandering around Nanhai City?
Bai Shuo’s mind wandered, but the person waiting for her to continue was growing impatient and asked coldly, “Is your calculation accurate?”
“Yes, accurate, accurate!”
Bai Shuo snapped back to reality.
Noticing the crowd on the street keeping their distance while curiously watching, she lowered her voice and asked, “What exactly would My Lord like me to calculate?”
As Bai Shuo sized up Nan Wan, Nan Wan was also scrutinizing the shabby, bearded Bai Shuo.
Is this the fortune-teller recommended by the Shunfeng Pavilion?
The Yunxiao disciples behind him were clearly skeptical, whispering, “Senior Brother, there are many charlatans in the Three Realms. This one doesn’t seem capable of true divination.”
Nan Wan frowned and was about to speak when Bai Shuo started waving her worn-out fan and spoke, “You’ve been building your foundation for a hundred years, born into a scholarly family in Jiangnan, with one brother and one sister. Your father passed away young, but your mother lived a long, peaceful life and was well-cared for by her children until she passed. Is that correct?”
The disciple’s face changed, and Nan Wan glanced at his junior brother, immediately understanding.
This shabby Taoist had accurately recounted events from a century ago.
He must have some real ability.
Bai Shuo kept a composed face, but her hand was nervously fiddling with a turtle shell behind her back.
She secretly glanced at their expressions and finally let out a sigh of relief.
She had really struck gold this time—the old turtle’s broken thing could even read an immortal’s fate!
With a thud, a finely crafted Qiankun pouch landed on Bai Shuo’s small stall, nearly putting a hole in the rickety table.
The pouch’s opening revealed a corner, and when Bai Shuo peeked inside, she was nearly blinded by the golden glow!
My goodness, at least thirty spiritual beads! How generous!
“Master Taoist, you have impressive skills. If you help me with one task, this will just be your deposit.”
This is only the deposit?
Bai Shuo’s eyes lit up, and she reached out to grab the Qiankun pouch as if it were her lifeline, a big smile spreading across her face.
“What can this humble Taoist do for my Lord? Please, just say the word…”
“Find something. You’ll need to travel far, with a three-day limit,” Nan Wan stated plainly.
Bai Shuo’s hand froze, and she instantly realized why Yunxiao Mountain’s first disciple was seeking her out.
The Yi city seals off immortal and demon powers, and there are Yi people obstructing them.
Finding the heart of the Wutong tree is like searching for a needle in a haystack, and he intends to use divination to get it!
An immortal sect, a grand event across the Three Realms, and they’re cheating like this?
Aren’t they afraid of being caught by the other sects’ leaders?
Ah, that’s right.
The competition only requires that the Wutong tree’s heart be found and recognized within three days; there’s no rule against using unconventional methods.
Even if caught, at worst, they’d be scorned by others.
Compared to the Wutong spiritual artifact, a few harsh words are nothing.
Seeing Bai Shuo hesitate, Nan Wan’s eyes narrowed.
“If you’re willing to go, not only will I reward you handsomely, but I can also guarantee your entry into the Immortal Sect for training.”
This was like a pie falling from the sky!
The half immortals watching the commotion couldn’t contain their excitement—they had clearly recognized the origin of these immortals.
Joining Yunxiao Mountain would be a meteoric rise!
“Well…”
Bai Shuo hesitated, still not refusing, when a disciple behind Nan Wan stepped forward, half-drawing his sword.
“Deal, deal!”
Bai Shuo quickly fastened the Qiankun pouch to her waist and smiled ingratiatingly, “Thank you for your kindness, my Lord. My humble cultivation is of little use, so there’s no need to join the Immortal Sect, but…”
Seeing Nan Wan frown, Bai Shuo quickly rubbed her fingers together.
“But about the payment…”
Nan Wan’s expression softened slightly, and he replied casually, “You won’t be disappointed with the payment. How much do you require?”
“Not much, not much, just ten thousand spiritual beads!” Bai Shuo held up one finger and grinned.
The street fell silent, and the disciple behind Nan Wan almost dropped his sword, shouting in shock, “How much?”
Ten thousand spiritual beads would be half of Yunxiao’s entire treasury!
This shabby Taoist really dares to ask!
Even Nan Wan’s face twitched.
Seeing that Nan Wan wasn’t stopping the disciple from drawing his sword, Bai Shuo knew today wouldn’t end peacefully.
Nan Wan was determined to get the Wutong spiritual artifact, and if she refused, the Yunxiao disciples would likely force her to comply.
In that case, she might as well make a lion’s share of the deal and earn those spiritual beads!
“My Lord, there’s no such thing as a forced transaction. If you think…” Bai Shuo waved her fan, ready to say something sharp, but Nan Wan interrupted.
“Fine, I agree.”
“Half up front!” Bai Shuo pressed her advantage without missing a beat.
“You…!”
The disciple’s face turned green, and he was about to draw his sword.
How could there be someone so shameless in the world?
Bai Shuo quickly jumped up and hid behind Fan Yue, poking her head out halfway.
“My Lord, the place you’re going to is probably not very safe, right? I’m risking my life to do this for you…”
“Fine.”
Nan Wan took a deep breath and raised his hand to stop Ming Xin, squinting as he studied Bai Shuo.
“It seems you’re a sensible person. Ming Xin, give it to him.”
With a movement of his palm, a Qiankun pouch appeared in Ming Xin’s hand, which he tossed toward Bai Shuo with some irritation.
Bai Shuo scrambled to catch it and opened the pouch.
Her eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled.
These disciples of the immortal sects are so easy to deceive. With these spiritual beads, she’d never have to set up a fortune-telling stall with her little disciple to earn a living again.
Knowing Nan Wan’s intentions, Bai Shuo decided to follow him to the Yi city. Without the oversight of powerful immortals or demons, who knows what dirty tricks these disciples might use to grab the Wutong spiritual artifact? Ah Zhao has a simple mind and is sure to suffer for it. If she tags along, she might be able to protect him a little.
“Good disciple,” Bai Shuo said, handing the two heavy Qiankun pouches to Fan Yue and patting his shoulder.
“Go home and wait for me. Once I’ve finished this task, I’ll come back for you.”
The outcome of this journey was uncertain, and she couldn’t bring Fan Yue along. He had no means of protecting himself, and if Nan Wan detected the demonic energy in him, he wouldn’t let him go.
“Let’s go.”
As someone of Nan Wan’s status, he didn’t spare even a glance at Fan Yue.
He looked at the sky before turning to leave.
Bai Shuo was about to follow when someone grabbed her.
She turned to see her disciple frowning deeply.
“I won’t go home. I’m coming with you, Master.”
Fan Yue’s grip on her was like a pair of hot tongs, making it impossible for Bai Shuo to move.
“Be good, listen to me, go home.”
Bai Shuo scolded him in a low voice and tried to pry Fan Yue’s hand off.
“No, wherever you go, I go,” Fan Yue said stubbornly, his lips pressed tightly together.
Not far away, Nan Wan noticed that Bai Shuo hadn’t followed and turned to look at her, his gaze lingering on Fan Yue.
“Taoist Bai?”
The other disciples gathered around, afraid that this shifty Taoist who had just extorted half of Yunxiao’s spiritual beads would try to escape.
“Ah, I’m coming, I’m coming. My Lord, my disciple usually helps me with some divination. Why not bring him along too?”
Seeing that she couldn’t change Fan Yue’s mind, Bai Shuo had no choice but to relent. Fearing Nan Wan might take too much interest in Fan Yue, she quickly pushed her little disciple behind her.
Only after hearing that Bai Shuo was willing to take him along did Fan Yue finally release her.
Nan Wan glanced at Fan Yue, noting that his true form was merely a locust tree, not even half-immortal.
Uninterested, he impatiently nodded.
“Fine, Taoist Bai, but my business is urgent. Don’t waste any more of my time.”
“Yes, yes, yes, I’m coming right away.”
Bai Shuo hurriedly grabbed Fan Yue and followed, not even bothering to collect her fortune-telling stall.
The group from Yunxiao stopped outside Nanhai City’s gate.
Seeing Nan Wan standing still, Bai Shuo glanced at the sky and cautiously asked, “My lord, I’ve heard that the Yi city will close at midnight tonight. The desolate land is a thousand miles away. At this pace, we might not make it in time.”
Nan Wan gave Bai Shuo a sidelong glance.
“So you know what I’m searching for. Then do you know who I am?”
“With clouds as your emblem and a blue sword in hand, you must be Lord Nan Wan,” Bai Shuo politely replied.
Nan Wan didn’t deny it.
“Don’t worry, Taoist Bai, I have a plan.”
As he spoke, a blue stone suddenly appeared before them, floating and emitting a faint glow with complex runes inscribed on it.
“Is that a Huajian stone?” Bai Shuo exclaimed.
A Huajian Stone isn’t a natural spiritual object but is crafted by skilled artisans who use spiritual stones and formations. It can instantly transport people thousands of miles. For those below the demigod level, even the peak level of Supreme Immortal can only fly with a sword, unable to cover such a distance in an instant, but the Huajian Stone can. As its name implies, it can dissolve the barriers of space.
This thing is incredibly difficult to forge, requiring no less than a thousand spirit stones.
Yunxiao truly lives up to its reputation as a great immortal sect.
“Taoist Bai, you have a keen eye.”
Nan Wan looked at Bai Shuo with some surprise, thinking that Shunfeng Pavilion never lies.
Though this Taoist is greedy and sly, he does have some insight and skill.
“Hehe, My Lord flatters me. I’ve only heard of it, just heard of it. As expected of Yunxiao’s foremost disciple, to even have such a treasure,” Bai Shuo said, greedily eyeing the Huajian Stone.
With such a spiritual item, wouldn’t it be possible to go anywhere at will, traverse all the secret realms of the three realms, and even sneak a peek at the heads of various mountains and halls?
“This item was crafted by my master. Though it’s rare, it can only be used once to reach a location and cannot be used again to return,” Nan Wan said calmly, noticing how Bai Shuo’s gaze was fixed on the Huajian Stone.
So it can only be used once—what a pity! Bai Shuo lamented inwardly. She figured that if such a spiritual artifact could be used endlessly, Yunxiao would have long since dominated the entire immortal realm.
“Taoist, focus your mind. Within the Huajian Formation, if you’re distracted, your spiritual platform could be destroyed,” Nan Wan warned.
He waved a hand, sending a burst of immortal energy into the Huajian Stone. The stone began to tremble, and a three-meter-wide formation spread out from it, illuminating the ground.
The Yunxiao disciples followed Nan Wan into the formation, focusing their minds and protecting their spiritual platforms. Bai Shuo quickly pulled Fan Yue into the formation, mimicking the others by using her weak spiritual energy to shield both herself and Fan Yue.
As the blue light rose and the Huajian Stone emitted a beam that enveloped the group, the ground suddenly shook. A figure as large as a small mountain came running from the city gate.
“You damn Taoist! I’ve finally found you!” The blacksmith Hua Hong, her face painted like a ghoul with heavy makeup, charged towards them with an iron hammer in one hand and a fistful of chicken bones in the other.
Bai Shuo stared at the furious Big Iron Flower, dumbfounded, unable to react for a moment.
“Where do you think you’re going? Give me back my chicken’s life!”
Big Iron Flower reached out to grab Bai Shuo.
Whether it was because the Yunxiao disciples were too focused on protecting their spiritual platforms or because they were terrified by Big Iron Flower’s ghastly appearance, they froze, failing to respond.
Half of Big Iron Flower’s foot stepped into the formation just as it activated.
With a flash of blue light, the formation took effect, and everyone vanished without a trace.
The area in front of the city gate fell silent, with only a few chicken bones dropping forlornly from midair.
