Chapter Eighty: Departure

Jiang Yan leafed through the Aoki Spirit Transformation Technique in his hand as he sat cross-legged in the quiet chamber reserved for the sect leader, silently awaiting Tang Wan’s arrival.

At the sect assembly, Jiang Yan had announced that he and Tang Wan would be the ones to participate in the demon hunt. He also introduced a series of rewards to encourage the disciples in their cultivation. After employing some provocative words with Nanmen Luo and Mu Yun, he finally succeeded in igniting their enthusiasm for training. As soon as the meeting adjourned, the two returned to their practice rooms to cultivate in earnest.

After instructing Tang Wan to visit the sect leader’s chamber shortly, Jiang Yan went straight back to the quiet room and began studying the Aoki Spirit Transformation Technique, a reward from the sect leader’s system.

The Aoki Spirit Transformation Technique was a spell with healing properties. After practitioners of the wood-based Aoki Technique mastered this, they could transform their internal spiritual power into other forms. This new spiritual power could be directly guided into the recipient’s meridians and used as their own, a truly unique effect.

However, every advantage comes with a drawback. While the technique’s effects were not limited by the recipient’s cultivation attribute, only those who practiced wood-based techniques could learn it.

After scanning through the manual, the incantation for the Aoki Spirit Transformation Technique was firmly etched into Jiang Yan’s mind. With some time before Tang Wan’s arrival, he decided to practice the technique.

“Wood’s intent is to bring forth life, transform wood into...”

He pressed his palms together at chest level, his index fingers upright and pressed together, the other eight fingers intertwined. Slowly, he guided his spiritual energy into his clasped hands.

A sound, like a sword being drawn from its sheath, emanated from his palms. A faint green orb began to glow at the tips of his index fingers.

“Life and death at will, swiftly—” Jiang Yan recited the incantation rapidly, then thrust his palms forward. The green orb at his fingertips shone brightly, detached, and shot toward the chamber door.

Upon reaching the door, the green orb did not pause; it passed through with a soft swish and vanished.

A surprised female voice sounded from outside—it was Tang Wan, who had just arrived.

“Junior sister Tang Wan requests an audience with the sect leader,” her voice rang out.

Jiang Yan sent out a mental wave, and the door to the quiet chamber opened silently. Seeing Tang Wan standing outside, he called out with a smile, “Wan’er, come in.”

Tang Wan entered as instructed, sat on the cushion beside Jiang Yan, and asked, “Senior brother, our sect gains nothing from the demon hunt. Why are you so determined to participate?” She was reluctant to go, and although Jiang Yan assured her he had a plan, her resistance remained.

He raised a hand to stop her, then handed over the Aoki Spirit Transformation manual. “Wan’er, spend the next few days learning the spell in this manual. Try to master the first sequence—Spirit Transformation.”

Spiritual power varied from one cultivator to another, even among those of the same attribute. Of course, different-attribute cultivators could heal each other, but such healing often left hidden dangers.

A year ago, Jin Xiyan, a chief disciple of the Golden Flame Sect, died from sudden internal bleeding while being healed by his sect leader. After consulting with several high-level cultivators, the sect leader received an answer that left him at a loss.

“Too many people of various attributes healed Jin Xiyan; the different spiritual powers left in his body erupted in conflict, causing his death.” That was what the high-level cultivators told the sect leader.

As the chief disciple, Jin Xiyan had always held himself to high standards. Despite his youth, he had survived countless battles—each time narrowly escaping death, often only because elders had risked their lives to save him. Yet each escape left him grievously wounded. The sect leader always brought in the best to heal him, but their differing spiritual attributes, according to the experts, were the reason for his eventual demise.

Due to the hidden dangers of cross-attribute healing, spiritual pills capable of treating cultivators’ injuries were extremely expensive. Even mere medicinal powders, like the transformative Healing Dispersal, rivaled first-grade spirit artifacts in price.

Thus, techniques like the Aoki Spirit Transformation were created to allow for safer healing among cultivators. But their limitation was clear: only those who practiced wood-based techniques could learn them. Practitioners of sharp, offensive gold-based techniques or sturdy, defensive earth-based ones could not.

“Senior brother, did you just use the Aoki Spirit Transformation before I came in?” Tang Wan, after glancing through the manual, lifted her head in surprise, a slight crease on her fair forehead.

Jiang Yan nodded with a smile and handed her another manual. “Sister, memorize these two manuals over the next few days. I’ll teach you the cultivation methods on our way to Linqing Prefecture. It’ll be tough for you, but bear with it.”

“As for the demon hunt, there’s no way around it. Not just Mount Hua—even the Golden Flame Sect must participate every three years. When our sect is promoted to a higher rank, we’ll still have to join.” He looked into Tang Wan’s eyes, explaining patiently.

Disappointment clouded Tang Wan’s delicate features. Ever since her master’s death, she had always felt an aversion to demon hunts. Yet out of trust for Jiang Yan, she suppressed her reluctance. “All right, senior brother, I’ll accompany you this time.”

Seeing her disappointment fade, Jiang Yan shook the manuals in his hand. “Wan’er, commit these to memory. I’ll go over the important points on our way to the Golden Flame Sect. Both will be invaluable during the demon hunt.”

Tang Wan took the manuals with a puzzled look, but when she saw their covers, delight lit up her brows. She hugged the books to her chest, smiling brightly. “Yes, senior brother, I understand.”

...

In front of Mount Hua’s grand gate—

Jiang Yan gazed at the majestic entrance. Since its upgrade, the gate seemed even more imposing, making those who stood before it feel all the more insignificant.

Tang Wan stood at the entrance, gently holding Yun Ying’s little hand, comforting the tearful child. As she wiped away the tears, a gentle maternal glow surrounded her, leaving Jiang Yan momentarily entranced.

“Lin Ke, while I’m gone, take care of Yun Ying. Make sure she keeps up her lessons—she must not miss a single day,” Tang Wan said, leading Yun Ying to Lin Ke and explaining her arrangements. The last part, however, was clearly meant for Yun Ying herself.

Yun Ying’s round cheeks were wet with tears. Twisting her little body, she pleaded, “Senior sister, can’t you stay? Please don’t go.”

Tang Wan picked her up, pressing her cheek to Yun Ying’s, and spoke softly, “Ying’er, I have important matters to attend to. I’ll be back soon. When I return, I’ll test you. If you haven’t made progress, I’ll be upset…”

After some gentle coaxing, Tang Wan glanced at Jiang Yan, who was already atop the Golden-eyed Eagle. She handed Yun Ying to Lin Ke. “Ying’er, while I’m away, you must listen to Lin Ke. Otherwise, I’ll have third and fourth brother spank you.”

“I understand,” Yun Ying said, her face streaked with tears, sobbing softly.

Tang Wan looked at her with aching heart, steeled herself, then turned and leapt lightly onto the eagle’s back. Her voice was choked as she said, “Sect leader, we can go now.”

Standing atop the eagle, Jiang Yan folded his left hand behind his back and addressed the disciples below, “While I am away, Mu Yun and Nanmen will be jointly in charge of sect affairs. For mountain patrols, keep to the area between Qingyang Town and Mount Hua; all other matters will be arranged by your senior brothers. If any enemies come to our gates, you are strictly forbidden to leave and engage them. Await my return before acting.”

P.S.: As Brother Sa’er from the readers’ group said, speed is of the essence. Indeed, the Golden-eyed Eagle is quite burdened; I’d overlooked the importance of speed.