Feng Qingran glared with her apricot-shaped eyes. “Seventh Senior Brother, why is Master so hopelessly addicted to alcohol?”
A complex light flickered in Mo Jinghong’s eyes. “He has his own reasons. You’ll understand in time.”
“That line again! Can’t I know now?” Feng Qingran puffed out her cheeks, looking utterly adorable.
“Very well. He needs the wine to alleviate his pain. His power has long been ready to advance to the Integration stage. However, due to a hundred-year pact, he cannot advance. He’s been suppressing his realm all this time, and his dantian is in constant agony…”
A flash of understanding crossed Feng Qingran’s eyes. So that was why there wasn’t a trace of spiritual energy within Dutian Peak.
It turned out Master had an excess of spiritual energy within him.
When one has surplus spiritual power, even the slightest ambient spiritual energy in one’s surroundings can cause excruciating pain…
“Then why does Master keep running out? And who exactly forced such a hundred-year pact on him, forbidding advancement?” Feng Qingran was puzzled. A pact to not advance for a hundred years…
Mo Jinghong’s expression grew complicated. “Master is searching for a certain secret realm.”
“The person who made that pact with him is Patriarch Wuji. Patriarch Wuji used underhanded tactics to defeat Master and forced him into that hundred-year agreement.”
Mo Jinghong’s tone turned slightly icy when mentioning Patriarch Wuji.
Feng Qingran narrowed her eyes. Patriarch Wuji?
Su Yanran’s master… But she remembered Patriarch Wuji as someone always upright and honorable, humble and courteous in all his dealings…
For Patriarch Wuji to force such a pact on Master, he must have had ulterior motives, right?
“Seventh Senior Brother, what secret realm is Master looking for?” A trace of doubt appeared in Feng Qingran’s eyes. What secret realm could make a Virtual Divinity stage cultivator so obsessed?
“The secret realm that the winners of the Soul Combat Tournament are entitled to enter. Master suspects there’s something wrong with that realm.” A hint of cool detachment surfaced between Mo Jinghong’s brows, his sleeves stirring though there was no wind, making him look like an exiled immortal.
“Isn’t that realm specifically for nurturing powerful cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage? What could be wrong with it?” Feng Qingran’s eyes flickered, but she couldn’t recall anything specific.
In her memories, Su Yanran had entered that realm too…
“That’s something we’ll only know once we enter it ourselves,” Mo Jinghong said solemnly.
Ye Wentian hadn’t mentioned the Soul Combat Tournament before precisely because he feared they might encounter danger inside that realm.
All these years, Ye Wentian had been searching for that secret realm but hadn’t found a single clue.
Feng Qingran didn’t ask further.
She picked up the Sect Leader’s Token, about to put it away, when Mo Jinghong suddenly spoke. “Wait.”
Mo Jinghong’s slender hand reached out, taking the token from Feng Qingran’s grasp.
“Seventh Senior Brother, is there a problem?” Feng Qingran asked curiously. Did Ye Wentian give her the wrong token by mistake?
“No.” Mo Jinghong’s phoenix eyes were deep and profound as the starry sky.
He gazed at the Boundary Token, at the Spirit Vein Flower that had lost its luster, a shimmering light in his eyes, the corner of his lips lifting slightly. Then he handed the token back to Feng Qingran.
Baffled, Feng Qingran took the token and stored it in her space.
——————
Qingyun Province, Provincial City.
Feng Qingran and Ning Shiyue were in charge of shopping up front…
Mo Jinghong and Baili Wen Yue were responsible for paying the spirit stones behind them.
“Clear River Pavilion! Junior Sister, I’ve heard everything in Clear River Pavilion is genuine treasure, no fakes! Let’s go check it out!” Ning Shiyue exclaimed happily, pulling Feng Qingran towards the entrance of Clear River Pavilion.
Feng Qingran swallowed her words of refusal.
If possible, Feng Qingran would rather not enter Clear River Pavilion.
She was afraid Ning Shiyue might remember something once inside…
After all, the items in Clear River Pavilion were all the leftovers she had picked out for her senior brothers and sisters!
A faint smile touched Mo Jinghong’s crimson lips, amusement flashing in his eyes.
Baili Wen Yue, however, was quite relieved. Finally, these two were going to find a place to rest!
They were supposed to be out gaining experience, but they had spent four or five days just shopping! It wasn’t that he minded the spirit stones, but shopping was pure torture.
The first floor of Clear River Pavilion was incredibly spacious, filled with a dazzling array of merchandise, everything one could imagine.
When Mo Jinghong and Baili Wen Yue followed them in, they found that Feng Qingran and Ning Shiyue seemed to have forgotten them completely.
A handsome young man stood beside them, attentively introducing various items.
At that moment—
A slender, graceful young woman walked towards the two men.
The girl, with her superior looks and soft, sweet voice, said, “Greetings, esteemed guests. Welcome to Clear River Pavilion. Is there anything specific you wish to purchase?”
“No, not needed, step aside.” Baili Wen Yue’s fox-like eyes turned dangerous.
This Clear River Pavilion clearly wasn’t proper. When they encountered male cultivators, they sent pretty maidservants. When they encountered female cultivators, they sent handsome young men…
Clear River Pavilion was definitely up to no good!
The maidservant immediately bowed, her attitude humble. “My apologies for disturbing your enjoyment. I shall withdraw now. However, should you encounter any issues within Clear River Pavilion, please feel free to call for assistance.”
After speaking, the maidservant retreated without so much as a glance at Baili Wen Yue.
Baili Wen Yue: Had he been overthinking it?
When he looked again, Mo Jinghong had already walked over to where Feng Qingran was.
Baili Wen Yue: …
Seventh Junior Brother, you sneaky devil!
“Wow! Junior Sister, this hairpin is so beautiful, I love it!” Ning Shiyue held the exquisite hairpin, overjoyed.
The attendant beside her explained, “Esteemed guest, this is also a sixth-grade defensive artifact. It ensures your hairstyle remains impeccable even during combat.”
