Volume Two: Journey Through Qi, Chapter 79: Departure

Wu Hong left, saying he needed to make some preparations.

As soon as Wu Hong departed, Zhang Heng hurriedly invited Yun Xiaotian and his daughter to take their seats. Yet both immediately knelt on the ground, overcome with emotion.

“Thank you, Young Master Zhang, for saving my Yun family. If you ever have need of me, I, Yun, swear I will do anything, even risk my life without hesitation,” Yun Xiaotian declared, making his stance clear. Even now, he still couldn’t understand why Zhang Heng had chosen to help them.

For Yun Yanrou? Impossible.

“Thank you, Young Master Zhang,” Yun Yanrou echoed, bowing deeply.

“Uncle Yun, Miss Yun, I’ve been freeloading at your Yun family for so long—it’s only natural I do something in return. No need to stand on ceremony,” Zhang Heng replied casually, then rose and helped them to their feet.

Once they were seated, Zhang Heng leaned in and whispered mysteriously, “Uncle Yun, Miss Yun, do you know why I like to pretend to be an ordinary person?”

Both shook their heads, baffled.

Of course! Normally, those with talent would want to show it off, wouldn’t they? Who else but Zhang Heng would be so formidable, yet choose to act like a common man?

“Ah, it’s lonely at the top. When a person is too outstanding, he ends up friendless—just like me. That’s why I pretend to be ordinary, because only ordinary people can truly feel the warmth and chill of the world,” Zhang Heng said, somewhat narcissistically.

He was joking, hoping to lighten the mood, but Yun Xiaotian and Yun Yanrou took him seriously.

A twenty-year-old second-tier alchemist with strength comparable to the Heaven’s Origin realm—if that’s not loneliness at the top, what is?

Seeing their earnest expressions, Zhang Heng muttered, “How dull,” then got up and walked away. He glanced back and said, “Uncle Yun, Miss Yun, take your time chatting. I’ll be off now.”

Yun Yanrou wished to rise and see him off, but abruptly stopped.

Yun Xiaotian looked at his daughter’s demeanor. Though he felt a pang of sorrow, he was powerless to change anything.

In the end, they and Zhang Heng simply belonged to different worlds.

Strolling leisurely through the inner quarters of the Yun family, Zhang Heng let out a relieved smile.

Just now, in Yun Yanrou’s eyes, aside from admiration, there was more reverence. That was as it should be; love debts are the hardest to repay, and he had no desire to become entangled.

Alas, since he was about to embark on an adventure, he needed to enhance his strength first! After all, he was still far too weak at present.

With this thought, Zhang Heng began running through the Yun family compound at top speed.

Of course, the first thing to train was the ability to escape, then everything else—this was Zhang Heng’s principle.

After an hour of running, Zhang Heng felt he had gained a deeper understanding of the first stage of the Minor Aurora Phantom movement technique. Satisfied, he returned to his room.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Zhang Heng took out a jar of Ling Spring Water from his spatial ring.

After so much time, his cultivation had stabilized somewhat. It was time to raise his level.

Without hesitation, Zhang Heng began gulping down the Ling Spring Water, drinking until he could take no more, then started cultivating to absorb the spiritual energy.

Repeating this cycle, three days passed.

At the gate of the Yun family, Zhang Heng and Yun Xiaotian prepared to depart.

“Young Master Zhang, will we meet again?” Yun Yanrou gazed at Zhang Heng’s departing figure, finally unable to hold back her words.

She knew Zhang Heng was truly a favored son of heaven, and now that he was leaving, he might never return to this Sandstone City.

After asking, she regretted it. Zhang Heng was so exceptional, while she was just an ordinary girl—how could he possibly care about her feelings?

Unexpectedly, Zhang Heng turned to look at her, smiling gently. “Miss Yun, all things in this world are governed by fate. If it is meant to be, we will meet again.”

Having spoken, Zhang Heng turned and walked away.

After he had gone some distance, Zhang Heng retrieved something from his spatial ring and tossed it to Yun Yanrou, calling out from afar, “Miss Yun, you mustn’t practice your old cultivation method anymore. Use this one instead.”

Yun Yanrou caught it reflexively, gazing at Zhang Heng’s receding figure, her heart a tumult of emotions.

But Zhang Heng had already gone.

When Zhang Heng first met Yun Yanrou, he noticed that the technique she practiced clashed with her innate aura. If she continued, not only would her cultivation stagnate, but she would also suffer backlash.

Therefore, he consulted the system and obtained a suitable technique for Yun Yanrou, thus closing this chapter of their acquaintance.

Arriving at the entrance of the Pill Pavilion, Zhang Heng found Wu Hong already waiting, accompanied by a grey-robed elder with a blank expression.

It seemed the four of them would be the ones searching for treasure in the tomb.

Zhang Heng eyed the old man, struggling to keep from laughing.

He had expected a master, but this man was only fifth-tier in the Return to Ruins realm—really? Trying to act powerful?

Du Gu Bai was aloof and cold, but he had the strength; he was a peerless Sword Saint in the Tribulation Crossing realm, the foremost sword master in the world. But you? One move from me and you’re finished—yet you try to act aloof?

On second thought, it was understandable. The tomb of a Divine Transformation realm expert was indeed attractive to weak cultivators. True experts, however, were indifferent.

Though the Pill Pavilion possessed extraordinary abilities, for exploring a Divine Transformation realm tomb, fifth-tier Return to Ruins realm was sufficient.

Thus, the group set out, with Yun Xiaotian leading the way, as he was fairly familiar with the site, having visited several times.

“Remember, kid, no matter what happens inside, just stay behind,” Wu Hong kept repeating along the way.

He wanted Zhang Heng to gain experience, but worried about his safety. After all, Zhang Heng’s fate was tied to the future of alchemy, so he needed careful protection.

Zhang Heng cheerfully agreed.

It suited him perfectly. If there was danger, the others would handle it; if there were benefits, he’d be first to claim them—not bad at all.

Along the way, they encountered many heading toward the tomb. It made sense; this was just a small place, and the appearance of a Divine Transformation realm tomb would draw many cultivators seeking treasure.

But most of them were too weak—mostly cannon fodder, unlikely to gain much.

When they arrived at the so-called tomb, Zhang Heng was stunned.

Amid endless sand, a colossal pit had suddenly appeared.

What was this? Wasn’t it practically announcing to the world that something extraordinary lay within? He had thought tombs would be concealed, not blatantly obvious like on TV.

Just as the four were about to descend, two people appeared ahead and called out to them.

“Master Wu, please wait,” the young man in front said.

“Oh, it’s the eighteenth prince. What can I do for you?” Wu Hong asked, puzzled. He lived in the capital of Qi and recognized the man.

The two approached at a leisurely pace.

The one in front was Qi Xuan, the eighteenth prince of Qi—handsome, elegant, and remarkably talented.

He came before Zhang Heng and his companions, first bowing to Wu Hong. “Qi Xuan greets Master Wu,” then gestured to the cave entrance, politely asking, “Is Master Wu planning to enter this ancient tomb?”

“Yes,” Wu Hong replied, showing little reaction even to a prince. As a fourth-tier alchemist, even the emperor would treat him with respect.

Qi Xuan did not hesitate, stating his purpose directly.

“I wish to explore the tomb as well, but alas, my strength is lacking. I hope to accompany Master Wu—would you permit it?”