Chapter 40: Drifting Away

At the entrance of the immortal mansion.

Ji Ning came to the entrance to welcome them. Seeing the two at the door, he quickly said respectfully, “Greetings, King Yan and King Qi.”

“Ji Ning, good fortune has come your way.” King Yan laughed heartily.

“Oh?” Ji Ning was startled. Good fortune? Could it be that the Grand Xia Emperor had found a Pure Yang True Immortal to be his teacher?

King Qi beside him laughed, “His Majesty went to find his junior apprentice-brother, ‘Sword Immortal Evergreen.’ Sword Immortal Evergreen is a Pure Yang True Immortal of tremendous power, having fully comprehended the Grand Dao of the Sword. He is a Sword Immortal of considerable renown in the Three Realms… quite suitable for instructing you.”

Ji Ning nodded slightly.

Sword Immortal Evergreen, was it?

“Ji Ning.” King Yan lowered his voice and said, “This Sword Immortal Evergreen is somewhat aloof. When you interact with him, you must be cautious and respectful to your teacher.”

Ji Ning’s heart stirred. Respecting one’s teacher was only proper; there was no need to say more. But King Yan, a Celestial Immortal, called the Pure Yang True Immortal ‘Sword Immortal Evergreen’ aloof and even advised respect for the teacher: “I’m afraid this Sword Immortal Evergreen is more than just ordinarily aloof. Fortunately, I don’t need to take him as my teacher at all.”

“Say less.” King Qi beside him frowned.

King Yan smiled and said no more.

“Ji Ning.” King Qi flipped his hand, and a small azure sword appeared in his palm. “This is Sword Immortal Evergreen’s token. I now give it to you. You only need to crush this token, and Sword Immortal Evergreen will come to find you and take you away. Remember, you must crush it within ten days. After ten days, the token will dissolve into nothing. Given Sword Immortal Evergreen’s temper, he will probably not accept you as a disciple then.”

Ji Ning immediately took the token: “Ji Ning understands.”

“The token is in your hands, so I’ll take my leave.” King Qi smiled at Ji Ning, then turned and left.

“Sword Immortal Evergreen has a rather bad temper. Remember this well.” King Yan whispered a final instruction. “Also, before you leave with your teacher, say goodbye to Xiyue. There’s no need to say more to me. I wish you well—may you truly learn skills, succeed in your tribulation in the future, and become a carefree immortal.”

Ji Ning felt King Yan’s concern: “Thank you, King Yan. Ji Ning will remember.”

“Mm.” King Yan then departed as well.

…

Only a short while later.

Yuchi Xiyue arrived at Ji Ning’s immortal mansion.

“Cousin.” Ji Ning was also reluctant.

He was indeed about to leave. Although not following Sword Immortal Evergreen, he was going to meet the most mysterious great power in the Three Realms, ‘Patriarch Subhuti.’ This trip would likely take decades or even centuries.

“Little brother.” Yuchi Xiyue sat down, holding Ji Ning’s hand. Her eyes glistened with tears, but they were tears of joy. “We cousins have been together for two or three years, and now we must part again. But don’t be sad, little brother. This is your chance—a chance to soar. Even if you couldn’t become a disciple of a Dao Ancestor, becoming a disciple of a Pure Yang True Immortal is still good.”

Ji Ning wanted to tell his cousin that he was going to become Patriarch Subhuti’s disciple.

But…

Earlier, when he came out to welcome King Yan and King Qi, Jiang Jun had instructed him: ‘Remember, you absolutely must not speak of this. If Xiamang Kun finds out and tries to stop you, or even involves the Redbright Dao Ancestor behind him, it will be troublesome.’

“Cousin, after I leave the Grand Xia world, you must take care of yourself.” Ji Ning instructed. “Don’t let your hatred for the Shaoyin clan cause you suffering. Once I become a Celestial Immortal after my tribulation, dealing with the Shaoyin clan will be much easier.”

“Mm, mm.” Yuchi Xiyue nodded. “I understand, I understand.”

…

The cousins talked for a long time. The sky was completely dark before Yuchi Xiyue finally left.

Inside the immortal mansion.

“Brother Jiang, what should I do with this token from Sword Immortal Evergreen?” Ji Ning held the small azure sword. “If I crush it, Sword Immortal Evergreen will come to take me away. If I don’t crush it, it will dissipate after ten days.”

“Leave it to me.” The white-robed Jiang Jun smiled, reached out, and the small azure sword flew into his hand.

“After all, the Grand Xia world is the territory of the Redbright Dao Ancestor.” The white-robed Jiang Jun laughed. “So we can’t act rashly. Fortunately, even a Pure Yang True Immortal takes disciples based on the disciple’s willingness. If you don’t crush it within ten days, Sword Immortal Evergreen will simply think you don’t want to take him as your teacher… And since you’re becoming Patriarch Subhuti’s disciple, they won’t know. They’ll probably think you’re out wandering. Even if much later, when you’re powerful and a clue slips out, and people learn you’re Patriarch Subhuti’s disciple, what of it? In the Three Realms, my master still has some face.”

Ji Ning nodded. “And my two spirit beasts?”

“You can bring your spirit beasts to the Slanting Moon Three-Star Cave as well.” The white-robed Jiang Jun said. “But they cannot become master’s disciples.”

“Being able to bring them is good enough.” Ji Ning nodded in surprise and delight.

“If there’s nothing else, we can set out.” The white-robed Jiang Jun said.

“Mm.” Ji Ning nodded, then immediately called out, “Uncle Bai, Xiaoqing.”

From afar, Xiaoqing flew over with a whoosh and coiled around Ji Ning’s arm. Uncle Bai also came to Ji Ning’s side.

“Uncle Bai, Xiaoqing, we’re about to leave the Grand Xia world.” Ji Ning said.

“Leave the Grand Xia world?” Xiaoqing and Uncle Bai were both stunned.

Leave a major world?

“Where are we going?” Xiaoqing asked.

Ji Ning turned and asked, “Brother Jiang, where exactly is the Slanting Moon Three-Star Cave?”

“Slanting Moon Three-Star Cave—a slanting hook, three star dots. What character does that make?” The white-robed Jiang Jun laughed.

“A slanting hook and three star dots? The character ‘heart’?” Ji Ning understood instantly.

“Right, it’s the character ‘heart.’ The Slanting Moon Three-Star Cave… is master’s cave dwelling. In the vast Three Realms, no one can find where master’s cave is. This place can only be thought of in the heart, sought in the heart.” The white-robed Jiang Jun said.

Ji Ning felt it was extremely mysterious.

Slanting moon, three stars? It was indeed the character ‘heart.’ Patriarch Subhuti’s naming of his cave dwelling was quite interesting.

“Patriarch Subhuti, Slanting Moon Three-Star Cave…” Ji Ning recalled a mythological novel recorded by ancient people from his past life, Journey to the West. That novel was written by ancient people and also featured Pangu, Nuwa, Patriarch Subhuti, and others, but it didn’t mention three thousand major worlds or billions of minor worlds.

Ji Ning had been to the underworld and reincarnated, so he now understood a bit about the Three Realms.

Ji Ning understood.

Every world has some legends. For example, powerful figures like Pangu, Nuwa, Houyi, Kuafu, etc., have long been discussed by countless beings in the Three Realms. Novels like Journey to the West were also influenced by earlier mythological stories. Pangu creating the world and Nuwa creating humans were not original to Journey to the West.

In fact, in the Grand Xia world, there were also novels about immortals, some even recording divine abilities like ‘Heavenly Earth Transformation’ and ‘Candle Dragon Eye,’ compiled into various stories. Some stories were true, some false. Some names were even wrong!

In ancient times on Earth, there might have been cultivators, or even reincarnated immortals who awakened memories and left behind some legends.

…

“In the Three Realms, there are countless legends, even countless fabricated novels. But… the true mysteries of the Three Realms, even though I can already slay Loose Immortals and have received the legacy of the great power San Zao Daoist, I still find the Three Realms hazy and unclear.” Ji Ning sighed inwardly. “The ancient world before—why did it shatter into three thousand major worlds and billions of minor worlds? What exactly is attacking the Six Paths of Reincarnation…”

Mysterious!

“The Slanting Moon Three-Star Cave is the most mysterious of all the cave dwellings of great powers in the Three Realms. Although I have always lived there, I don’t know where it is. I can only return if master leads me.” The white-robed Jiang Jun sighed. “Let’s go. Pack up your immortal mansion.”

“Mm.” Ji Ning willed it.

Whoosh.

The immortal mansion was put away. Ji Ning stood on the grass by the river, Xiaoqing coiled around his arm, and the Whitewater Hound stood beside him. The white-robed Jiang Jun said, “This trip will take decades. Is there anything you absolutely must do?”

Ji Ning shook his head gently.

Nothing.

Earlier, when he left Anchan Commandery, it was because of the Shaoyin clan; he had been forced to flee. At that time, he had already told Qiuye, the Ji clan leader, and others that he would be gone for a long time. Yu Wei had gone to study with Lu Dongbin. He had also said goodbye to his cousin Yuchi Xiyue and his fellow disciples of the Black-White College.

“Then let’s go.” The white-robed Jiang Jun willed it, and clouds appeared beneath their feet.

The clouds carried the white-robed Jiang Jun, Ji Ning, and the Whitewater Hound, quickly soaring into the sky, bypassing all formations and restrictions, and soon reaching the depths of the high sky.

Soon they reached the void at the highest point.

“Split.” The white-robed Jiang Jun waved his hand.

The gray, twisted void above was directly torn open, revealing a passage within which faint, twisted rainbow light could be seen.

“Go.” The white-robed Jiang Jun casually tossed the small azure sword, which fell from a height of tens of thousands of li down toward the ground.

Then the white-robed Jiang Jun led Ji Ning, Xiaoqing, and the Whitewater Hound directly into the passage.

“Whoosh~~~”

Soon the void passage closed again and returned to normal.

In the Grand Xia world, Ji Ning could no longer be found.

…

Twelve days after the Immortal Destiny Convention.

The Xia Emperor was sitting cross-legged in a side hall of the Heavenly Mang Hall, meditating with his eyes closed.

“Hm?” The Xia Emperor suddenly opened his eyes, a look of confusion on his face. “What is Junior Apprentice-Brother Evergreen doing here?”

Soon, a young man walked into the side hall. The servants and guards seemed not to see him at all.

“Elder Brother.” Sword Immortal Evergreen said.

“Junior Apprentice-Brother, why have you come to see me?” The Xia Emperor asked in confusion.

“It’s been twelve days now. The token I gave you has long since dissolved into nothing.” Sword Immortal Evergreen shook his head. “I didn’t want to come, since Ji Ning didn’t crush the token, and I didn’t want to take him as a disciple. But since Master instructed it, I still came to the Grand Xia world. If Ji Ning is willing, I’ll give him another chance and take him as a disciple.”

“What did you say!” The Xia Emperor was shocked. “Ji Ning didn’t crush the token?”

“No, he didn’t.” Sword Immortal Evergreen nodded.

“But Ji Ning left the Yan Estate long ago. I thought he had been taken away by you, and that you, Junior Apprentice-Brother, with your proud temper, simply didn’t bother to tell me.” The Xia Emperor said in astonishment. “I even checked once before, and he was no longer in the Grand Xia capital. Lu Dongbin, Mahasthamaprapta… they wouldn’t offend a Dao Ancestor over a little brat. Could it be that Ji Ning, being too young and having won first place in the Immortal Destiny Convention but failing to become a Dao Ancestor’s disciple, angrily refused to take a Pure Yang True Immortal as his teacher and left on his own?”

Sword Immortal Evergreen snorted coldly: “Oh? You say he left the Grand Xia capital long ago? In that case, Elder Brother, I’ve done my part. This matter has nothing to do with me.”

With that, Sword Immortal Evergreen turned and left, soon departing the Grand Xia world.

He didn’t care about Ji Ning at all. He had only come because Master had instructed him to.