The thought of going out had always been on Xu Yuan’s mind, but he had never found a suitable reason.
Now that the Jingjiang Prefecture Residence had been reduced to ruins, Ran Qingmo’s arrival had given him this opportunity.
Although his cultivation speed was extremely fast now, the time left for him was too short.
Xu Changge had taken twelve years to cultivate to the Third Grade Great Grandmaster level with the same resources. Even if his Innate Taoist Body could be faster, by how much more could it be?
Xu Yuan did not have the advantage of leveling up by fighting monsters like in Cang Yuan, and ten years later, it would all be for naught.
He needed to go to certain places to obtain certain items, to enter some Secret Realms. With these, his cultivation progress could be faster.
It would be very inconvenient for his father’s men to follow him, but without anyone accompanying him, it would be dangerous. Initially, Xu Yuan planned to snatch the Soul Ring from that old grandpa at Qin Mo’s place. But now that Ran Qingmo had arrived, this problem could be perfectly resolved.
Besides, Xu Yuan genuinely wanted to go out and see the world.
The current situation was like the calm before the storm, with all parties maintaining relative restraint.
To come to this world and not make a journey would be truly regrettable.
And after listening to Xu Yuan’s request,
Xu Changge’s answer was simple and clear.
Xu Yuan frowned and stared at Xu Changge:
Xu Changge spoke very softly:
"The situation is unstable, dangerous."
On hearing this, Xu Yuan sighed and glanced at the ruins of Xu Residence:
"Where is it not dangerous?"
As he spoke, he cracked a smile: "It’s not dangerous to go to the Imperial Capital, but can you take me back now?"
Xu Changge stared at Xu Yuan for a couple of seconds, his eyes carrying a hint of a weird smile:
"Why can’t you go back to the Imperial Capital, don’t you know?"
Xu Yuan recalled briefly:
"I was bewitched at that time."
Xu Changge’s eyes held a trace of that weird smile, calm and unhurried:
"Back then, you might indeed have been bewitched, but Changtian, do you know? There are many methods in this world to take over someone’s body and control it, but there is not a single method that can completely control a person’s mind and spirit. Even the Enchantress Divine Physique’s spell can only make someone fall in love with her, thereby influencing a person’s judgment.
"The decision you made back then, wasn’t it because you wanted to make it?"
"..." Xu Yuan fell silent at that.
he had indeed been bewitched, but the decision was also indeed his own.
It was because Mu Zhiyun, the Commandery Princess, was indeed very beautiful, which led to the little brain controlling the big brain.
Knowing he had no retort, Xu Yuan asked directly:
"Yes, you’re right, so the question is, can I go to the Imperial Capital now?"
Xu Changge couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation, glancing at Ying’er beside him.
When Xu Yuan noticed, he immediately pointed again to the ruins of Xu Residence:
"Xu Changge, I know you mean well for me. But in fact, it’s all the same wherever I am. Anyone capable of killing me can do it anywhere.
"You’ve seen these ruins. A Primordial Realm expert can move in and out of Jingjiang City at will. If Ran Qingmo hadn’t come, that person who attacked earlier would have made a move against me..."
"He had no chance to make a move," Xu Changge said softly, interrupting.
"You were held up by her," Xu Yuan sneered, glancing at the blood-stained cloth bag containing a head.
Xu Changge watched this presumptuous younger brother for several breaths, not bothering to explain, only softly repeating,
"He had no chance to make a move."
Xu Yuan fell silent, his skeptical gaze flicking across before he reluctantly nodded:
"Alright, since you’ve said so, let’s assume he won’t have the chance to make a move," Xu Yuan remarked.
"...." Xu Changge’s eyes twitched.
Xu Yuan didn’t continue to provoke, but instead asked in a low voice,
"Then can you, Xu Changge, stay in Jingjiang Prefecture all the time? Or can you have an Origin Initial look after me? If a Primordial Realm expert wants me dead, isn’t it all the same wherever I am?"
"...." Xu Changge fell silent.
For a time, the two brothers both lapsed into silence.
a middle-aged man’s voice, as if equipped with a subwoofer, rang out,
"Origin Initial kid, if you’re worried about your brother, this old man can protect him,"
The Saint’s Remnant Soul, which had consciously retracted into the Soul Ring earlier, slowly drifted out at this moment and softly said,
"If you can provide enough soul-nourishing treasures of heaven and earth, this old man is confident in fleeing from those under Second Grade Origin Initial,"
Xu Changge’s expression remained flat, without making any immediate response.
Xu Yuan glanced at the old man.
A middle-aged scholar with handsome features – he indeed closely resembled Cang Yuan in the portraits.
Thinking this, Xu Yuan chuckled and said,
"Old man, we’ve just killed your disciple,"
The Saint’s Remnant Soul shook its head upon hearing this.
Towards Qin Mo’s tragic death, it simply responded lightly,
"Indeed, you did kill him, but all I want is a successor for the mantle. It doesn’t matter who that successor is."
Hearing the other party’s rather cold-blooded answer, Xu Yuan wasn’t the least bit surprised.
The inherent coldness and purposefulness in this Remnant Soul was one of the reasons he dared to bargain for the Soul Ring.
Children talk about feelings; adults are all about interests.
whether this Saint’s Remnant Soul could still even be called human was an unknown.
Is it not somewhat disrespectful to expect such an ancient being to help you wholeheartedly out of emotion?
It was certain that this Saint’s Remnant Soul would not seek revenge for Qin Mo.
After a pause, Xu Yuan smiled and said,
"Successor for the mantle? So are you planning to take me as your disciple?"
Upon hearing this, the Saint’s Remnant Soul gave Xu Yuan a serious look, then a hint of surprise appeared in its eyes,
"Innate Taoist Body?"
After speaking, a smile formed on the lips of the Saint’s soul form,
"If you’re willing to switch to cultivating the technique I’ve created, then I am indeed willing," it said.
Xu Yuan laughed aloud upon hearing this.
This Saint’s Remnant Soul was not the typical omnipresent old man; while it treated its disciples very well, this kindness was more like an investment to help the disciple grow.
Staying by Qin Mo’s side wasn’t out of necessity due to being a constrained soul form, but rather a carefully planned cultivation strategy.
After all, it could come out and confront a Third Grade Great Master with just its soul form. Would it not be a piece of cake to leave Qin Mo’s side?
Qin Mo was just one of many disciples over its long lifetimes; now that this investment had failed, it simply needed to find the next one.
Of course, since there’s an investment, the Saint naturally expects a return.
The return the Saint’s Remnant Soul wanted was simple:
Take over the body to be reborn.
Once a disciple reaches level ninety, also known as Mortal Transcendence in this world, the Saint’s Remnant Soul would begin its own actions.
After helping the disciple cultivate to this point, it’s not excessive to ask for your body in return, is it?
Thinking this, Xu Yuan composed himself,
"I’m not planning to switch my cultivation technique for the time being."
The Saint’s Remnant Soul, feeling somewhat regretful but not overly disappointed, communicated telepathically,
"If you’re unwilling to switch your cultivation technique, then we can still make a transaction...."