Seeking a Savior on Danmei AI Translations

Chapter 1

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 12:41:45 +0000

Chapter 1#

No. 001 chapter#

Duan Wei was awakened by pain.

A fine ache spread from his chest, and an irrepressible itch surged up from his throat. He coughed softly and tasted blood.

The sensory connection succeeded, and the world abruptly came alive.

He heard screams ahead, delighted humming laughter, choked curses, and weeping.

The noise struck his ears all at once, and he frowned slightly.

As he opened his eyes, he habitually said to the system, “Give me the files.”

Chapter 2

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 12:41:45 +0000

Chapter 2#

Chapter 002#

There was a barrier between the viewing stands and the square.

With the support of the magic array, those seated above could not only see the match up close but also clearly hear every sound within the arena.

After the students heard the beastman’s words, their hearts sank.

The ancient realm had existed for too long. This beastman remembered every match he had ever fought, knew an enormous number of skills, and possessed keen learning ability—he could master something after seeing it just once.

Chapter 3

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 12:41:45 +0000

Chapter 3#

No. 003 chapter#

The moment the name was spoken, the three teachers immediately knew their students were saved.

Lang Xu of the Wan Chen Flying Star Sect had astonishing talent and formidable strength. Like Young Master Zuoqiu, he was one of the most renowned prodigies of their generation.

They dared not delay and briefly explained the situation.

This school was a free academy established by the sect, and the secret realm was also refined by the sect. It was not a large place, containing only some low-tier demonic beasts.

Chapter 5

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 12:41:45 +0000

Chapter 5#

No. 005 chapter#

The students couldn’t hold back their laughter.

They recalled how at first, before the beast-man, they had been like ants trying to topple a tree—their chances of survival slim, nothing but despair.

Who would have thought that a few rounds of arithmetic competition would pull them out of the mire? Seeing the beast-man get bested now, they all felt deeply vindicated.

The beast-man ignored them, staring only at Duan Wei. “Fine. Next.”

Chapter 6

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 12:41:45 +0000

Chapter 6#

No. 006 chapter#

The master ultimately never figured out what an “Ei Chi” was, only understanding that Duan Wei did indeed have friends outside.

At times like this, the fewer irrelevant people around, the better.

Still, this kid was sent to the academy by the young master’s order, and the young master was currently at the back mountain. After some hesitation, they went to consult the elder, and upon receiving approval, instructed him to call the people in for a chat.

Chapter 9

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 12:41:45 +0000

Chapter 9#

No. 009 chapter#

There was no curfew in the city. Some people had other work during the day and only set up their stalls at night.

While the three were going over their accounts, people began pushing carts over and parking nearby. They shuffled aside a few steps and gestured for Duan Wei to continue.

Duan Wei recounted slowly: “My family was practically the wealthiest in town…”

They’d been rich for quite a few years, until he turned sixteen, when his father and older brother went out and ran into danger. His father died on the spot, and his brother was mauled by a demonic beast.

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chapter 4#

His stomach suddenly felt hollow, and Duan Wei sensed hunger.

He said weakly, “Is there anything to eat? Preferably something soft.”

The students’ hands, which had been reaching for their supplies, paused.

They were here for an assessment, so most had brought dry rations or dried meat. Only a few had brought pastries, and those were all gone.

A Yuan said, “Make do with what we have for now. Once we’re out, we’ll treat you to a good meal.”

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

---
title: "Chapter 7"
weight: 70
date: 2026-08-08T12:41:45.230024+00:00
---

# Chapter 7

## Chapter 007

The second floor's layout was more refined than the first.

When Duan Wei came up, Lang Xu's two companions and Zuoqiu Rong's guards were sitting in the courtyard.

The companions had a favorable impression of him and greeted him with a smile: "You're here?"

Duan Wei nodded obediently and followed the sect members further inside.

The guards' expressions were subtle. When Lang Xu had briefed Wei Xisan, they had all been present, and they hadn't heard anything about him being involved.

They asked: "Weren't you looking for Duan Wei? Why is he here?"

The companion said: "He is Duan Wei."

The guard said: "Nonsense. Isn't his name He Lingjin?"

The companion said: "He changed his name. Apparently the old one was unlucky."

The guard was shocked. Since when could you change your entire surname just because it was unlucky?

The companion caught on: "Wait, you know him?"

The guards fell silent together. Not only did they know him, they knew this kid had wanted to climb into the Young Master's bed.

Duan Wei was unaware of the conversation behind him.

He crossed the covered corridor, eventually arriving at a cloud pavilion, and stopped before its door.

The sect disciple who had brought him there left tactfully. The door then opened on its own, revealing a round table inside, with Lang Xu and Zuoqiu Rong seated on either side.

Both prodigies were exceptionally handsome and outstanding, yet their personalities were as different as north and south—one gentle, one aloof.

Zuoqiu Rong took a clear look at the newcomer, and a flicker of surprise crossed his perpetually calm expression: "It's you?"

He had already learned about what happened in the ancient realm from Lang Xu, and knew that the person who won the competition had just reached Qi Refinement, but he had never once considered it might be this youth. Besides, even the name was different.

Lang Xu was pouring tea. Noticing the change in his tone, he asked: "You know him?"

Zuoqiu Rong confirmed from his reaction that they had indeed invited the right person: "I saved him a few days ago."

Lang Xu suddenly remembered what the youth had said. So getting dragged into the ancient realm last time had been because Rong-ge saved him?

He smiled: "Quite the coincidence."

The two parties in question fell silent at the same time.

Being rescued from a disaster could indeed be considered a kind of fate. As for everything else... better left unsaid.

Duan Wei stepped inside and greeted them with a bow: "Young Master. Master."

Zuoqiu Rong saw his open, composed expression, gestured for him to sit, and asked: "Why did you change your name?"

Duan Wei trotted out the same story he had used to deal with the beast-kin.

Zuoqiu Rong said: "So it was the cultivator who sent you to the academy? I hadn't heard last time that he was your master."

Duan Wei said regretfully: "We never formally performed the master-disciple ceremony, but he helped my family, taught me for a long time, and encouraged me to come study at this academy. In my heart, he is my master."

Zuoqiu Rong hummed in acknowledgment.

Lang Xu asked: "Who was it? Do you know him?"

Zuoqiu Rong shook his head: "Never met him. By the time I arrived, he was already dead in the ancient realm."

Four words instantly surfaced in Lang Xu's mind: dead men tell no tales.

Perhaps it was because there was something somewhat peculiar about this youth that he always found himself thinking a little deeper about things.

But he had already probed him and found no issues, so he set the freshly poured cup of tea in front of the other: "Do you know why I called you here?"

Duan Wei glanced at the open windows around them.

This cloud pavilion was located at the edge of the second floor, presumably for enjoying the view. At the moment, the spirit boat was hovering above the academy. From here, one could see the wreckage of the rear mountain, and the cultivators nearby had most likely not yet left.

Lang Xu noticed his gaze: "There's a barrier on the spirit boat. People outside can't see in."

Duan Wei relaxed and took out the token: "Is it about this?"

Lang Xu said: "Mm. The academy's ancient realm comes from the Nirvana Ancient Domain. Heard of it?"

Duan Wei said: "No."

Lang Xu explained a little.

The Nirvana Ancient Domain could be viewed as a secret realm, but being called an "Ancient Domain" meant it was far beyond what ordinary secret realms could compare to.

It had already formed its own world. Every sight Duan Wei had seen in the ancient realm, including the city he had finally asked about at the end, truly existed within the domain.

The domain had opened once a hundred years ago, then vanished without a trace. What they were doing now was finding it and opening it again.

Duan Wei shook the token: "Can this help?"

Lang Xu said: "Using it for divination, with luck we might calculate the general location of another token. But even we can't be certain that gathering all these tokens will truly allow us to find the domain."

Duan Wei understood and proactively handed the token to him.

Lang Xu asked with a smile: "That readily?"

Duan Wei said: "The beast-kin already said it can only be used at the city. Until we find the domain, keeping it with me is useless anyway."

He changed tack: "But Master will need to let people know that it's now in your hands."

Lang Xu's smile deepened as he took the token: "Of course."

This youth clearly understood the principle of inviting trouble, and combined with his various performances in the ancient realm, he was obviously a clever one.

He said: "I'll hand it over to Guwang City. They'll handle the divination. Once the domain is found, it'll be returned to its rightful owner. We will never privately keep it. Rest assured on that point."

Duan Wei acknowledged. He was quite assured.

Given the strength and status of these two, if they wanted to take it by force, they had plenty of legitimate methods to do so.

Besides, he had only come here to complete a task. The token was neither here nor there to him. In fact, now that it was tied to this matter, it could even bring them closer.

Lang Xu saw that he showed not the slightest worry or concern, and smiled as he tossed the token to Zuoqiu Rong.

Zuoqiu Rong caught it and looked frankly at the youth: "This token has been a great help to me. If you're willing, you may come with me to Guwang City. From now on, the Zuoqiu family will provide for all your cultivation needs."

Duan Wei blinked at this lofty flower, unable to stop himself from asking: "What if I want a different condition?"

Zuoqiu Rong's expression remained unchanged as he said coolly: "That's fine. Anything but marriage."

Lang Xu: "?"

He knew Rong-ge's temperament well. Answering that directly without even asking what the condition was could not possibly be without reason.

He looked at Zuoqiu Rong, then turned to the youth.

Duan Wei widened his eyes in shock, wearing an expression of "How could you think that?": "What is the Young Master saying? Of course it's not marriage!"

Zuoqiu Rong: "..."

Having got his tease in, Duan Wei knew when to stop: "The Young Master saved me before. Being able to share your burden this time is my honor. I wouldn't dare ask for anything else. But I do have a friend who's very talented at alchemy. If the opportunity arises, I hope we can do business with Guwang City in the future."

Zuoqiu Rong looked at him: "Just that?"

Duan Wei said: "Mm."

Zuoqiu Rong nodded: "Fine."

Duan Wei turned to Lang Xu: "Would the Master also do me a favor?"

Lang Xu's mind was still full of that "marriage" remark, and he asked curiously: "Go on."

Duan Wei said: "It's simple. When you leave, tell my masters that I have an extraordinary bone structure and remarkable talent, that you'd like to find a master for me. Then take me and my friend with you. Once we're past the sect's territory, drop us off at any city. How about it?"

Lang Xu and Zuoqiu Rong were briefly taken aback. The former said: "You're not staying at the academy?"

Duan Wei said: "No."

Lang Xu knew that such a small academy could not contain him, but he hadn't expected him to leave so soon: "Why?"

Duan Wei took a sip of tea and let out a faint sigh: "Staying behind to receive the masters' teachings is certainly stable, but it's hard to weather storms. This disaster in the ancient realm has brought me great enlightenment. I've decided to go out and see more of the world."

Lang Xu: "?"

Zuoqiu Rong: "..."

What disaster could you possibly have had in the ancient realm?

Just an upset stomach, and one you gave yourself by eating too much.

Duan Wei held his teacup and looked back at them seriously, determination written all over his face.

Lang Xu said: "Fine. Let me think about it."

His goal achieved, Duan Wei asked if there was anything else.

Zuoqiu Rong said: "I heard you were injured?"

Duan Wei said: "The Master already looked me over. It's mostly fine now."

Zuoqiu Rong extended his hand: "Let me check again. Make sure there are no hidden problems."

Duan Wei smiled inwardly and calmly offered his hand.

Zuoqiu Rong probed, declared "No issues," and gave him a bottle of pills before letting him leave.

Lang Xu listened to the footsteps fade into the distance, then looked at Rong-ge. Normally, Rong-ge wouldn't go out of his way like that. He asked: "What is it?"

Zuoqiu Rong said: "He's changed a great deal."

Whether it was everything in the ancient realm or his demeanor just now, it was all vastly different from before. Even when he offered to take him to Guwang City, the other showed no interest.

He said bluntly: "Like a different person."

But it wasn't possession. Possession wouldn't come with the original body's memories.

There was also no demonic energy. He was simply at the ordinary Qi Refinement stage. Moreover, the youth's expression was open and candid, without a trace of guilt or panic.

Given his cultivation and talent, his instincts regarding danger were often accurate. Yet this time, his intuition offered no discomfort. He had only probed because the person didn't match his memory.

Lang Xu was still hung up on that "marriage" remark: "Maybe he was deliberately holding back his true nature in front of you back then?"

Zuoqiu Rong said: "No."

Lang Xu trusted his judgment, but couldn't help asking: "How about you tell me about your history with him, and I'll mull it over?"

Zuoqiu Rong took a light sip of tea and ignored him.

Lang Xu smiled and stood: "Fine. I'll keep an eye on him."

He owed the youth a debt in the ancient realm, and the other was not only the one who contributed most this time, but had also given them the token so readily. They naturally couldn't turn hostile over mere conjecture.

All they could do was keep watch for a while. As long as he did nothing against heaven and reason, it didn't matter. After all, everyone had their own fortunes.

When Duan Wei returned, people were chatting in the courtyard.

The students immediately gathered around him upon seeing him: "What did the Master want with you?"

Duan Wei said: "They were worried it would be dangerous for me to keep the token, and asked if I'd be willing to hand it over to them for safekeeping. I gave it to them."

The students, harboring the uneasy thought that "the academy's reputation is doomed," pressed on: "And then?"

Duan Wei said: "That's all."

The students were taken aback: "Was the Young Master there?"

Duan Wei said: "He was."

The students let out a long breath. At least you still know your place, at least you know better than to try climbing the wall right in front of the Young Master.

Duan Wei took the opportunity to advise them: "If anyone comes asking you about the ancient realm later, just say the token is with the Master. Don't mention me."

The students understood the gravity of it, but they had been placed under a gag order and couldn't speak of the related words. They only said vaguely: "Don't worry. About all your business, Master Lang Xu already specifically gave instructions."

Duan Wei smiled: "Really? He's pretty nice."

The students' greatest fear was his saying things like "he's nice" or "he treats me specially." They pulled him down to sit and began patiently counseling him.

Duan Wei said seriously: "I understand your intentions. This disaster has made me realize that being strong oneself is the best support. From now on, I'll cultivate diligently!"

The students were surprised: "Truly?"

Duan Wei looked back at them sincerely: "Mm!"

The students felt gratified. The senior disciple leading them said: "If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me."

Duan Wei smiled and agreed.

One reason he had used Lang Xu to make his escape was partly because the atmosphere at this academy was rather nice. If Lang Xu hadn't helped, once they learned he wanted to go out and brave the world, they would've kept trying to persuade him to stay.

Better to avoid trouble when possible.

A short while later, another batch of students came aboard the spirit boat.

This group had low cultivation, hadn't participated in the assessment, and couldn't fly on swords. They had gathered below and been sent up by their masters.

Once news of the ancient realm spread, they had been ordered to stay in their dormitories and not move about. Only now did they see their fellow sect members again. Looking at the visibly reduced numbers, they all choked up with sobs.

Duan Wei tactfully stepped back, signaling to Fei Mo and Fu Xingyu nearby with his eyes.

The three didn't disturb them. They got up and left, entering a guest room.

With the group finally assembled, they could at last talk a little.

But with many high-level cultivators on this spirit boat, they still couldn't be too casual.

Fei Mo cast a smile at Duan Wei.

He had long since become a savvy operator. The students had barely spoken a few tactful words before he guessed this kid was behind it all.

He tried sign language: What kind of improper relationship do you have with the higher-ups?

Fu Xingyu: "?"

Duan Wei could understand it, and signed back: Not my fault. The original owner's debts.

Fu Xingyu: "?"

Fei Mo asked: Then you didn't blow your cover?

He felt the question was unnecessary the moment he asked. Duan Wei was from the Quick-Transit Bureau; handling this sort of thing was second nature to him.

But the next moment, he saw Duan Wei reply with a smile: Of course I blew it. I didn't even try to hide it.

Fei Mo's hands froze.

Fu Xingyu: "..."

He looked at one, then the other, and asked coldly: "What?"

Fei Mo thought for a moment, then repeated it in English so he too could know about this kid's exploits.

Fu Xingyu stared at him expressionlessly.

Fei Mo stared back.

The air was silent for a moment before Fu Xingyu, maintaining his composed bearing, nodded profoundly and inscrutably.

Duan Wei and Fei Mo said: "Didn't understand, did he?"

Fu Xingyu: "..."

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

---
title: "Chapter 8"
weight: 80
date: 2026-08-08T12:41:45.230247+00:00
---

# Chapter 8

## No. 008 chapter 

Duan Wei and Fei Mo looked at their companion's expression and each tried to smooth things over.

The former said, "Right, English is useless for you anyway, studying it would just waste your focus."

The latter said, "Mm, everyone has their own specialty. We're only good at these things—alchemy still relies on you."

Duan Wei also chimed in, "Mm."

Fu Xingyu: "..."

He composed himself and tried to save face. "I've just been out of practice for too long."

Duan Wei and Fei Mo said in unison, "Mm, that's normal."

Fu Xingyu didn't want to hear that damned "mm" anymore. He stared at them. "If you have something to say, say it."

Duan Wei asked, "How about pinyin?"

Fu Xingyu said, "...Mm."

Duan Wei went out and found the senior disciple leader.

The storage pouch obtained in the ancient realm had already been returned; he remembered there was paper, ink, brush, and inkstone inside.

The senior disciple untied the storage pouch and asked what he needed it for.

Duan Wei made something up on the spot, saying it was rare to catch up with friends and they wanted to work on some arithmetic problems together.

The senior disciple didn't quite understand this refined pastime, but he obliged, silently taking out the items and handing them over.

Duan Wei returned to the guest room and distributed paper to his two companions. He said to Fei Mo, "You write the front, I'll write the back."

Fei Mo acknowledged and used pinyin to tell Fu Xingyu roughly what had been said, the key point being that Duan Wei had slipped up.

Only then did Fu Xingyu understand why his expression had changed. Together, they looked at Duan Wei.

Before long, they received the explanation.

Putting on an act was easy, but once this performance was over, Lang Xu and Zuoqiu Rong would have no doubts left, and everyone would go their separate ways. That was why he deliberately hadn't hidden it.

Soul-searching was extremely damaging. Given his contributions and those two people's natures, they definitely wouldn't forcibly search his soul.

Zuoqiu Rong needed to return to Guwang City, and unless something unexpected happened, Lang Xu would be the one handling that. He had already asked Lang Xu to bring them along when he left. The latter said he'd consider it, but in the end, he would definitely agree.

After Fei Mo and Fu Xingyu finished reading, they had only one comment: professional.

Coming from the Fast Travel Bureau, he was indeed experienced.

The two of them didn't know the full story, and their information was asymmetric, but they both trusted his abilities and destroyed the paper.

Fei Mo got curious and pulled out another sheet, writing: What contribution?

Duan Wei was just about to write when the students arrived.

They had just finished crying their hearts out. Those who hadn't taken the assessment didn't want to make their classmates relive those horrors, so they chose lighter topics to talk about—like that young master.

As for the restriction on those who participated in the assessment, it only applied to those three books. Everything else could be discussed, so they chattered away about the young master's glorious deeds, hoping to change the newcomers' impression of him.

The former group was greatly astonished. When they learned the young master was writing arithmetic problems with his friends, they came over out of admiration.

Fei Mo and Fu Xingyu listened to their purpose and knew this was the excuse Duan Wei had used to get paper and brush. They were just thinking about what kind of problems to make up when they heard someone behind Duan Wei say quietly, "I only know a few... 'eh,' 'ex'... that cross is 'ex.'"

The person beside him whispered in a tone of newfound enlightenment, "So difficult indeed."

"Tell me about it."

Fei Mo and Fu Xingyu: "..."

No need to ask—it was definitely someone's doing.

What exactly did you do in that day and night?

Duan Wei mixed in a few numbers within the pinyin, and finally added two simple linear equations with one unknown, handing them to Fei Mo first.

Fei Mo lowered his eyes and read through it, solved a math problem, and passed it on.

Fu Xingyu was inexplicably dragged into it. He looked at the exchange between the two—Fei Mo had asked about the contribution, and Duan Wei had replied that he'd obtained a token useful to Lang Xu and the others.

He then nodded, with a solemn expression, and under the burning gazes of these little brats, solved the other equation.

When the final stroke was finished, he suddenly sensed a wisp of spiritual sense sweep over—very light, lingering for only a breath before dispersing, like a brief glance.

Without changing his expression, he handed the paper to Duan Wei and felt a slight tremor beneath his feet. The spirit boat was moving.

Everyone was present, and the spirit boat slowly rose, preparing to set off.

The students immediately lost interest in the arithmetic and ran to the railing to look down.

Duan Wei's trio also ended their exchange and followed them out of the room.

The spirit boat climbed higher and higher, the entire city coming into view.

Morning had passed, and the streets were still filled with pedestrians. As they looked down from above, the people below were also looking up in surprise.

Soon the scenery grew smaller and smaller, left behind as mountains, rivers, and lakes unfolded onto the canvas, the view suddenly opening wide.

The early spring breeze swept across the earth, flying toward the distant, stretching mountain ranges.

Qimu Sect was located on the nearest spiritual vein to the city, sprawling across a vast area.

The sect had already received Wei Xisan's message, knowing that Zuoqiu Rong and Lang Xu were also on the boat, and had specially sent two elders to wait.

Before going down, Lang Xu called over Duan Wei and two familiar students and brought them along to the main peak.

The Sect Leader and the other elders were all present, watching the receiving elders accompany Lang Xu and Zuoqiu Rong over. They smiled and stepped forward to greet them.

After a round of polite pleasantries between the two sides, they got down to business.

Regarding matters of the ancient realm, Wei Xisan had already sent word to the sect along the way.

The matter was concluded. They could question the students about the specifics whenever they had time. Lang Xu was only here to add some supplementary points.

He said, "The ancient realm came from Nirvana Ancient Domain. Inside, we obtained a token, which I've already given to Brother Rong."

Zuoqiu Rong gave a slight nod.

Lang Xu said, "There are two other matters. First, my shishu asked me to keep an eye out for children talented in deduction. Unfortunately, I'd never found one—until this time, I happened to come across a suitable candidate."

He beckoned to Duan Wei. "This child is exceptionally good with arithmetic. We were able to break through the situation easily this time largely thanks to him. Whether he has potential in deduction is still unknown, but I plan to bring him to my shishu for a look."

For a mere Qi Refining stage initial level cultivator, words like "extraordinary bone structure" or "remarkable talent" simply could not be said without choking. Lang Xu had no choice but to lean hard on the arithmetic angle.

He looked at Duan Wei and asked knowingly, "Are you willing?"

Duan Wei put on an expression of shock and excitement, bowing with clasped hands. "Thank you for your kindness, Senior! This student is willing!"

The people of Qimu Sect were also happy to see this come to pass. Although the students of the free school were not officially sect disciples and could make their own decisions, they had still been taught by Qimu Sect disciples—it counted as a good karmic connection.

Lang Xu continued, "Second—he read three cultivation-technique-type books in the ancient realm."

The Qimu Sect crowd's expressions shifted slightly.

Lang Xu said, "Only one formation book was brought into the gate by the beastmen. As for the contents after that and the other two books, he flipped through them and tossed them back without understanding them. Everyone present can testify to this."

The two companions and the summoned students all spoke up in turn, confirming that the statement was true.

Lang Xu said, "The speaker may be careless, but the listener takes it to heart. In the future, when they return to the school, someone will inevitably ask about the ancient realm. To avoid unnecessary trouble, I've placed a gag order on them."

These students were right under Qimu Sect's nose; they'd be exposed sooner or later. He had never intended to hide it from the start.

If Brother Rong hadn't said that line, he would have informed them privately.

But with lingering doubts about Duan Wei, he chose to say it face-to-face.

Duan Wei was surprised when he heard this, thinking to himself that Lang Xu was indeed a decent person.

He guessed there was an element of ingratiating himself involved, and he readily took the bait, his eyes full of both worship and gratitude.

Lang Xu had killed so many demonic beasts in the ancient realm and never once been looked at like this by the kid.

He mused over how much of it was genuine, then looked at the sect members.

The Sect Leader and the others showed no change in expression, all saying he had considered everything thoroughly.

Because even they had felt a flicker of concern the moment they heard it—let alone anyone else.

And since Lang Xu dared to say it openly, he surely wasn't lying. Even if they lifted the gag order and questioned the students closely, they'd get the same result.

As for whether the youth had truly not understood those books—by the time they wanted to investigate further, it was already too late. They had tacitly allowed Lang Xu to take him, so they couldn't very well go back on their word now.

Offending Lang Xu over something uncertain would not be worth the loss.

With business concluded, Zuoqiu Rong was the first to take his leave.

The Sect Leader and the others knew the Zuoqiu family was anxious to find Nirvana Ancient Domain, so they did not try to keep him.

Because of his friendship with Wei Xisan, Lang Xu had to socialize a bit more before leaving. He gestured for Duan Wei to go say goodbye to his classmates.

Duan Wei obediently acknowledged and left together with the two students who had testified.

The sect had specially prepared a few small courtyards for the students, who shared the same dining hall as the sect's non-ascetic disciples.

It was already noon by the time Duan Wei's trio arrived—the others were already eating.

The three found a place to sit and began talking about what had just happened.

Everyone was stunned.

They had been so annoyed by this young master over the past few days that they wished he'd leave sooner—yet after just one day and one night, they already felt reluctant. The team leader and A Yuan had both planned to keep an eye on his cultivation from now on. Who would have thought parting would come so abruptly?

All they could do now was give him a few extra words of advice, lest this young master get up to his usual nonsense again.

When Lang Xu came with his companions to pick up the boy, they saw Duan Wei standing in the courtyard declaring solemnly to his classmates: "Rest assured, the Great Dao lies ahead—how could I be swayed by sentimentality? My heart is set solely on cultivation! Though no one helps me reach the clouds, I shall shatter the nine heavens myself! A Yuan!"

A Yuan had caught sight of Lang Xu behind him. Before he could even greet him, he heard his own name and responded, "Ah?"

Duan Wei's face was full of resolve. "If you return to our hometown, remember to burn some paper money for my parents and older brother. Tell my dad, my mom, and my big brother—I'm no coward!"

A Yuan: "..."

The other students: "..."

Lang Xu's trio: "?"

Fei Mo's eye twitched. Fu Xingyu's face was expressionless.

Duan Wei had been lectured by them through an entire meal, and after finishing, he still wasn't satisfied. He raised a hand and pointed upward. "When I return, I shall make this sky—"

A Yuan clapped a hand over his mouth. "That's enough, that's enough."

The others reached out to lower his hand as well. "Stop talking, we all believe you!"

If you keep going and Lang Xu realizes something's wrong with your head, you won't be able to leave at all.

Duan Wei confirmed they had quieted down and satisfactorily retracted his divine ability, no longer delivering threats to torment them.

Then he heard a light laugh from behind him—the voice familiar.

He turned around. It was Lang Xu.

Duan Wei: "."

Lang Xu suppressed the smile that was more than a little obvious and asked gently, "Leave now, or do you want a bit more time to talk?"

Duan Wei said, "...Leave now."

Lang Xu's natal sword was far too sharp, so he had deliberately switched to a spiritual sword, gesturing for him to step on.

His two companions also carried Fei Mo and Fu Xingyu respectively.

Duan Wei took one last look at the crowd, said "Take care," and was lifted by the spiritual sword, flying away from Qimu Sect.

The speed of sword flight was extremely fast.

But even so, they flew for nearly two full shichen before stopping—at a bustling city.

Duan Wei asked, "Where is this?"

Lang Xu said, "Tuyu."

He handed over a magic tool. "This can send messages and also defend. If you run into trouble you can't solve, feel free to contact me. I have matters to handle; I'll come back to bring you to see my shishu."

Duan Wei was astonished. "We're really going to see him?"

Lang Xu smiled. "Since I said it, I'll bring you to meet him."

Duan Wei nodded and watched them fly away on their swords.

Fei Mo watched their figures disappear at the horizon and said quietly, "They won't loop around and come back, will they?"

Duan Wei said, "That's unlikely."

Both Lang Xu and Zuoqiu Rong had probed him and confirmed he wasn't a reincarnated soul. A proud son of heaven like that—why would he bother tailing them over a bit of suspicion?

Fu Xingyu cut in, "I can sense others' spiritual sense."

Duan Wei and Fei Mo turned to him, knowing he had only noticed it because of the sign-language English; otherwise, he would have said something earlier.

Fu Xingyu said, "I noticed it on the spirit boat. It was a Nascent Soul cultivator, probably counting heads. Right after that, the spirit boat moved."

Duan Wei and Fei Mo both trusted him—this was a cultivator who had ascended before, after all. Although the dimensional constraints had made him a Qi Refining cultivator again, he had come down in his true body, so he was definitely different from an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator.

With him around, they felt at ease communicating.

Evening was approaching, the afterglow painting half the sky.

Pedestrians moved like shuttles on the streets, vendors hawked their wares, and not far away, a cauldron sat outside an eatery, steam billowing into the air.

The trio picked out an inn and decided to rest a bit before getting dinner.

When the shopkeeper saw their fine clothing and heard they wanted three upper rooms, his face split into a smile as he said "Right away" and quoted the price.

The three stood there calmly, until they caught in their peripheral vision that their companions hadn't moved either, and only then reacted.

Duan Wei looked at his two companions.

His two companions also looked at him.

Their gazes met, and Duan Wei tilted his head toward the shopkeeper, signaling for them to pay.

Fei Mo and Fu Xingyu also tilted their heads in unison, signaling for him to pay.

Duan Wei: "?"

Fei Mo and Fu Xingyu: "?"

The shopkeeper's smile gradually froze.

Lanterns lit up one by one along the street as the three stood under a tree in a secluded spot, checking their accounts.

Duan Wei said, "You could both afford Old Li's steamed buns. How can you have no money?"

Fei Mo and Fu Xingyu said, "Aren't you a young master? Where's your money?"

The two sides looked at each other again.

Fei Mo was the first to speak. "When something happened at your school, ordinary folks all kept their distance—the steamed bun shop was the only one that dared to open. We had no choice but to buy there. What about you?"

Duan Wei said, "...That's a long story."