Chapter 237: Chapter 236: A Farewell Journey, The Spirit Control Sect
Weiyuan Immortal City.
The City Lord’s Mansion, in the study.
"Greetings, Mr. Su..." Zhong Qi said respectfully as he performed a deep bow from his knees.
In this world, it was extremely rare for cultivators to perform such a bow; even direct blood relatives seldom knelt to one another.
But the gap between Su Ye and Zhong Qi spanned two major cultivation realms—a difference like that between heaven and earth. Coupled with the debt of gratitude between them, Su Ye calmly accepted the gesture.
"Rise."
"Sit."
Su Ye said impassively, glancing at him.
Zhong Qi sat down stiffly, leaning forward in his seat.
A graceful maidservant in a gauze dress moved with light steps to serve tea.
Boiling spring water steeped the precious Spirit Tea, releasing a delicate, elegant aroma that refreshed the senses.
After a few pleasantries, Zhong Qi explained the reason for his visit.
"You’re going on a long journey?"
"To the Outer Sea?"
Su Ye’s eyes flickered, and he raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, Mr. Su..."
"During the recent chaos in the Immortal City, I made a terrible mistake. I can’t bear to face the people of the city anymore..."
Zhong Qi’s expression was bitter, his heart clearly churning with guilt and internal conflict.
Su Ye fell silent. He knew the full story.
Previously, when the Zhong Mansion had been trapped in the Reverse World, Zhong Qi’s own will had been eroded and branded with its mark.
This vulnerability was exploited by the Blind Saintess.
She had used Zhong Qi to deliver an Array to the Immortal City, one that weakened the barrier of the present world, making it much easier for the Sea of Trees to descend.
Having witnessed the endless slaughter wrought by the Sea of Trees, Zhong Qi—who had luckily survived the war and broken free of the control—was overwhelmed with self-blame.
As a result, he had voluntarily confessed his ’crime,’ hoping the Immortal City would pass judgment upon him.
Ordinarily, he would have been sentenced to death.
However, Su Ye had intervened in the trial and saved his life.
In his opinion, Zhong Qi’s actions were the result of forces beyond his control.
The Blind Saintess’s cultivation level was quasi-fourth-tier.
No Qi Refining cultivator could have possibly resisted her covert machinations.
Zhong Qi... was just unlucky, that’s all.
Besides.
’The entire Zhong Mansion was wiped out. He’s the last of the Zhong Family’s bloodline...’
’If Zhong Qi were to be executed, Mr. Zhong’s line would end completely,’ Su Ye thought.
That was why he had interfered with the trial and saved Zhong Qi.
Even so, having survived, Zhong Qi remained deeply despondent.
Today, he had come to propose a long journey, intending to leave Weiyuan Immortal City for the Outer Sea.
Su Ye frowned slightly.
"Hmm..."
"Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?"
"If you’re willing to stay, I can arrange a comfortable position for you," Su Ye offered.
He didn’t really care about Zhong Qi’s ’crime’.
But Zhong Qi himself clearly cared a great deal.
He cupped his hands in a salute.
"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Su, but..."
"I really... I just can’t face everyone in the city anymore..."
Zhong Qi said, his voice weak.
Everywhere in the Immortal City, familiar sights brought painful memories, deepening his depression.
"Hmm..."
"If that’s how you feel, then do as you wish."
Su Ye wasn’t surprised. He spoke casually, bringing the topic to a close.
’After all, this matter doesn’t really have much to do with me...’
’I was just showing concern for a junior, as an elder should.’
After a moment’s thought, Su Ye asked another question.
"Speaking of which, what’s your plan for the Outer Sea?"
"My plan?" Zhong Qi considered for a moment, then answered.
"My current plan is to go to the Spirit Control Sect’s Sea Region. The Immortal City’s fleet travels there once every three years to trade and make purchases."
"In a few months, the Outer Sea fleet is scheduled to depart as usual. I plan to board that ship and travel to the Spirit Control Sect’s Sea Region..."
"I’ve sold off all the Zhong Mansion’s properties, and I also have the Spirit Stones I’ve managed to save up over the years."
"My savings should be enough... My skill with Arrays is nearly at the quasi-second-tier level. With this craft, I shouldn’t have any trouble establishing myself in the Spirit Control Sect’s Sea Region..."
Zhong Qi’s tone was steady, his explanation clear and logical.
A quasi-second-tier Array Master was a talented individual no matter where they went.
This was especially true considering Zhong Qi’s cultivation level and age.
Relying on this skill alone, he would have no problem starting over in the Spirit Control Sect’s Sea Region.
After listening, Su Ye nodded slightly and commented,
"A very practical plan."
"I wish you a safe journey."
Su Ye thought for a moment, then took the Whalebone Brooch from his Storage Ring.
He infused a surge of Magical Power into the Whalebone Brooch, leaving his mark upon it.
With a flick of his wrist, he sent the Whalebone Brooch floating over into Zhong Qi’s hands.
"You... or your descendants... may bring this to me, and I will prepare a Foundation Establishment Opportunity for them."
Su Ye said calmly.
By now, a single Foundation Establishment Opportunity was nothing special to Su Ye.
He could casually bestow not just a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object, but even a Foundation Establishment Elixir.
"Thank you, Mr. Su!"
Overcome with gratitude, Zhong Qi solemnly accepted the brooch and knelt, bowing his head to the floor.
After seeing Zhong Qi off, Su Ye’s expression remained calm. He took a small sip of Spirit Tea, lost in thought.
His thoughts weren’t on Zhong Qi, but on something else his visit had brought to mind...
’The Spirit Control Sect?’
Su Ye’s eyes flickered as he mulled it over.
He began to recall information about the Spirit Control Sect.
The Spirit Control Sect was a Golden Core sect, the undisputed hegemon of the Yaoguang Islands’ South Sea Region.
Its status was equivalent to that of the Cyan Profound Sect in the Southeast Sea Region, making both of them regional superpowers.
The sect’s defining characteristic was its mastery of the Beast Taming Skill.
Legend had it that their Golden Core Patriarch had tamed a fourth-tier Transformed Great Demon.
’I believe it was called the Sun-Eating Demon Spider Emperor?’ Su Ye mused.
That fourth-tier Transformed Great Demon... is said to still reside within the Spirit Control Sect to this day, guarding its legacy.
After all, the lifespans of demons are naturally longer than those of human cultivators at the same tier. Even a spider demon, a type not particularly known for its longevity, would live much longer than a cultivator of an equivalent rank.
As the saying goes: a demon outlives three generations; the men may die, but the demon remains.
And for this very reason, even if the Spirit Control Sect currently had no Golden Core cultivators and no fourth-tier Spiritual Treasure—as their patriarch’s life-bound artifact had never reached the level of a Spiritual Treasure—the sect’s power and prestige had not diminished in the slightest.
’After all, a fourth-tier Great Demon is far more flexible than the Cyan Profound Sect’s fourth-tier Spiritual Treasure.’
’The south... This Spirit Control Sect could be a problem...’
Su Ye muttered to himself, thinking aloud.
The South Sea Region.
It was also adjacent to the Mist Sea.
Even closer, in fact!
’So...’
’The Spirit Control Sect... is very likely to become a competitor in the development of the new continent...’
’I need to prepare for that in advance...’
As for hoping the Spirit Control Sect would remain complacent and fail to notice the changes in the Mist Sea... well, that was just kidding himself.
You can fool others, but you shouldn’t fool yourself.
Just as Su Ye was pondering this, his expression suddenly changed, and he spoke in a serious tone.
"Enter."
Qi Chengjian, a middle-aged man with a steady gaze dressed in a yellow brocade robe, pushed the door open and entered.
He cupped his hands in a salute and said in a low voice, "My Lord, I have successfully carried out my orders."
"The target has been successfully captured."
"They are currently being held in the Immortal City’s prison. Do you wish to go and conduct the interrogation?"
"Excellent." Su Ye’s eyes lit up, and he smiled.
