Chapter 326 Departure
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I shall ascend beyond the utmost heights, to survey all the peaks beneath.
Though not the highest point, standing on the ridge of White Fur Peak offered a sight where rolling clouds enclosed the towering mountains that laid prostrate at one's feet, filling the onlooker's heart with immense satisfaction.
Having reached this place, the most dangerous part of the climb was considered entirely behind us.
The West Sea Spirit Domain lay just below!
Wang Chen, holding Li Qingxi's hand, together savored the magnificent vista before them.
After crossing thousands of miles over the Jade Dragon, they had finally arrived at their destination!
After a long while, the pair exchanged smiles, with everything understood without words.
Descending the mountain proved much simpler than scaling its heights. Wang Chen summoned his flying artifact and, carrying Li Qingxi, swooped downwards.
In just the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, they landed at the foot of the mountain.
The northern face of the Jade Dragon Mountain range was a contrast in scenery!
The mountainside dropped a thousand feet, transitioning naturally into the dense forest, which in turn gradually gave way to the vast plains.
It was the peak of spring; the bright greenery stretched as far as the eye could see. Warm sunlight bathed their bodies and a gentle breeze caressed their faces, as if to lift them into the air.
This was the West Sea Spirit Domain indeed!
Even at its very edge, Wang Chen could sense a richer spiritual energy than in the regions south of the Jade Dragon Mountain range; even the air here was notably fresher.
No wonder, then, that this was the holy land that loose cultivators yearned for in their cultivation.
Having arrived at their destination, Wang Chen and Li Qingxi did not venture into the heart of the West Sea Spirit Domain. Instead, they found a secluded place nearby to build a hut and live together, cultivating the "Yin and Yang Reunion Secret Technique."
Delving into the Dao of Yin and Yang!
The harmony between the two was like that of a true married couple, living a peaceful life, uninvolved with worldly affairs.
Li Qingxi played the zither, painted, and prepared soups with her dainty hands, while Wang Chen practiced his swordsmanship, crafted talismans, and hunted game in the mountains. Their days were leisurely and content.
This was the happiest and most blissful period Wang Chen had experienced since coming to this world.
One morning, as Wang Chen awoke from his dreams, he reached out to embrace the beauty by his side out of habit.
But his arms found only emptiness.
Her lingering fragrance remained, yet her presence had faded.
His heart suddenly sank, and he immediately rose to search for her inside and outside the house.
In the end, he found a letter left by Li Qingxi on the desk.
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After reading the letter, Wang Chen felt a deep sadness within him.
In fact, after they crossed White Fur Peak, they should have parted ways.
However, Li Qingxi had stayed with him for three months.
Though Wang Chen had anticipated this abrupt departure, he could not help but cling to her tenderness.
If this were a dream, even the longest dreams must come to an end!
Perhaps it was her unwillingness to endure the pain of parting that led Li Qingxi to end their relationship in such a resolute manner.
He wished her all the best in her endeavors!
Wang Chen didn't immerse himself in sorrow. He kept the letter and began gathering up various household items that the two of them had shared into his storage bag.
In the end, he used the Fire Crow Technique to thoroughly burn down the dwelling in which they had lived for three months.
He buried the beautiful memories of the past deep within his heart.
As the embers grew cold, Wang Chen prepared to leave. Suddenly, a streak of light approached from the north, and in an instant, it landed in front of him.
The new arrival was a cultivator dressed in a greenish-gray Taoist robe, carrying a flying sword on his back. He appeared to be in his thirties, with well-proportioned features and a profound presence, his eyes gleaming with profound light.
After a glance at Wang Chen, he greeted him indifferently, "Luo Zhen of the Southern Domain Patrol Department of the West Sea Sect has met fellow Daoist. May I ask where you come from, and do you have a pass for traveling in the West Sea?"
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Wang Chen returned the greeting, "Loose Cultivator Wang Chen has met Guard Cultivator Luo Zhen. I hail from the Heaven Cloud Mountain range of Dongcang State and do not possess a West Ling travel permit."
The West Sea Spirit Domain is divided into five regions: east, south, west, north, and central. Immortal Cities are numerous, and the number of big and small sects for Immortal Cultivation is countless. The West Sea Sect is undoubtedly the overlord among them.
The West Sea Sect is also the largest Immortal Gate in the Mountain and Sea Realm; the West Sea Spirit Domain is, in fact, the territory under this sect's rule.
Its influence has long since extended to the most remote corners!
Wang Chen had some understanding of the West Sea Spirit Domain and the West Sea Sect. Although his knowledge was not extensive, he had learned about some of the taboos from the Ferryman of the Overmountain Association during his journey.
Luo Zhen's gaze flashed, "You have reached the Purple Mansion Cultivation Level?"
Wang Chen nodded, "I managed to Breakthrough Mansion just half a year ago."
"That's rare."
Luo Zhen praised then asked, "Are you here for our West Sea Sect?"
As he inquired, his left thumb gently caressed the ring worn on his ring finger.
Wang Chen replied candidly, "Yes."
He had endured many hardships to come to the West Sea Spirit Domain, all with the purpose of entering the West Sea Sect. Then, he hoped to find the person Chang Chun talked about, take the path to ascend to the Upper Realm, and avoid the impending great calamity of heaven and earth!
"That won't be easy."
Luo Zhen said, "Your qualifications don't seem to be an issue, but gaining entry to our West Sea Sect is an entirely different matter."
Loose Cultivators like Wang Chen, who traveled from Dongcang State over the Jade Dragon Mountain range to the West Sea Spirit Domain, mostly wanted to join the West Sea Sect. He had seen countless such individuals before.
But the number one Immortal Gate is not so easy to enter!
A thought struck Wang Chen, and he bowed, "Please, Guard Cultivator, enlighten me."
Luo Zhen smiled, "I just so happen to have a recommendation spot available..."
He didn't finish his sentence.
Wang Chen took the cue and immediately handed over a Storage Bag, "I would like to hear the details!"
The Storage Bag contained thirty thousand Spirit Stones, which he had obtained from searching corpses earlier.
Luo Zhen took the Storage Bag and weighed it, his Divine Sense swept over it, revealing a satisfied expression, "Seeing that you are sincere, I shall explain the matter thoroughly."
The number of Cultivators wishing to enter the West Sea Sect is simply too many, and although the West Sea Sect recruits a batch of Disciples every year, they prefer those born in the West Sea Spirit Domain with clean backgrounds and exceptional talent.
For outside Loose Cultivators like Wang Chen, only through a referral could they possibly join the Sect.
Luo Zhen could give his recommendation spot to Wang Chen but was not responsible for the subsequent examinations. Whether Wang Chen could enter the Sect in the end would depend on his own strength.
After speaking, Luo Zhen handed a scroll to Wang Chen, "You're in luck, happening upon me. If it were someone else, they might not have this spot to offer. Work hard!"
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
Wang Chen solemnly received the scroll, "I will work hard."
Luo Zhen first looked stunned, then laughed heartily and tossed Wang Chen two Jade Tokens, "I hope to see you in the Sect three years from now!"
Wang Chen infused a wisp of Divine Soul energy into the Jade Tokens and handed one back to Luo Zhen.
This was equivalent to registering and obtaining a temporary ID, allowing him to move freely within the West Sea Spirit Domain.
For this, Wang Chen paid another five thousand Spirit Stones.
Luo Zhen put away the Jade Token, gave Wang Chen a nod, and then flew away with his Flying Artifact.
Wang Chen watched his figure vanish, clutching the scroll in his hand.
The Jade Token wasn't the focus; the crucial part was this scroll for which he'd spent thirty thousand Spirit Stones.
A chance at the initial examination for sect entry!
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The second release is here.