Chapter 80: Charge!

Qingjin fell into deep thought once more. Soon, his eyes regained their clarity. “I understand,” he said.

“That’s good. The man you faced was the Ren family patriarch. Yet even as he ended his own life so decisively at your front gate, do you really think he would not have left any means to protect his wife and children?” Tao Yutian counseled Qingjin. “Never underestimate an enemy who was powerful to begin with, even if they are now dead.”

“When dealing with adversaries, either watch for the right moment or strike a fatal blow. Repeated, pointless attacks only serve to reveal your own weaknesses,” Tao Yutian continued, his demeanor full of cunning wisdom.

Qingjin nodded.

“Though the Ren family is stronger than yours for now, there is no need to fear them. As long as we take them seriously, they cannot slip from our grasp.

“Now that the construction of the new city has come to an end, you should settle your mind and devote yourself to the training hall. Learn some techniques and secret arts there,” Tao Yutian advised.

Qingjin nodded again.

Upon their return to Panlong territory, Tao Yutian went straight back to the training hall. After arriving home, Qingjin recounted the entire journey to Shen Fangxu, describing Tao Yutian’s actions in great detail.

“I never expected that Senior Brother Tao would value you so highly,” Shen Fangxu remarked with emotion.

Qingjin was speechless.

“By the way, I received a secret letter today. It concerns you.”

“What’s it about?” Qingjin asked in surprise.

“It was delivered by Helan Yi. He said the Xuantian Pagoda, which opens once every five years, is about to open again. He hopes you’ll go have a look,” Shen Fangxu replied.

“The Xuantian Pagoda? The one in Wuding City?” Qingjin asked quickly.

“Yes, that’s the one,” Shen Fangxu confirmed.

The Xuantian Pagoda was a large-scale trial ruin. Every time it opened, countless young cultivators flocked there in search of fortune. Anyone who passed its tests could win all sorts of rare rewards.

“I’d actually like to go,” Qingjin considered aloud. “When does it open?”

“In three months’ time. If you’re planning to go, you should set out now. Wuding City isn’t exactly close,” Shen Fangxu said.

“Then I’ll visit the training hall first and inform Senior Brother Jinyuanzi. If he agrees, I’ll go. If not, I’ll just stay here and complete tasks in exchange for various techniques and secret arts from the library,” Qingjin decided.

“Good, go ahead,” Shen Fangxu assented. Now that Qingjin was a personal disciple, he couldn’t just go off on his own without informing the training hall.

As soon as Jinyuanzi heard Qingjin’s plan, he gave his approval. “This is a great opportunity! Maybe this is your chance to make your name known throughout the Eastern Wastelands. Do your best in the trials—bring some honor to our sect leader!

“Here, take this technique as my gift to you. With three months, you’ll have enough time to cultivate it to the peak of the Qi Refinement realm.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother Jin,” Qingjin said, deeply moved as he held the Blackwater Sutra in his hands.

“Also, bring your younger brother and sister along. They can’t just stay in the territory forever—they’ll turn into little couch potatoes,” Jinyuanzi added.

Qingjin gave a speechless look at his senior brother, wondering if he thought his siblings were simply too lazy and spoiled.

In truth, Jinyuanzi thought, “The lord spends all day idling about, eating and drinking—this won’t do. Better to send them out to stir up some trouble for a change.”

Since his younger siblings were joining, Qingjin naturally didn’t want to leave Ning Qi behind. So, after returning home, Qingjin went to find Ning Qi, only to discover that he was already packing.

“You got word about the Xuantian Pagoda too?” Qingjin asked.

“Yes! It only happens once every five years. I missed the last one for other reasons. This time, I want to try my luck. Are you coming?” Ning Qi asked with a grin.

“I am. Let’s go together. I’ll bring Qingting and Qinghu, too.”

“Deal.”

After speaking with Ning Qi, Qingjin informed his father. Shen Fangxu agreed, wanting the children to gain some experience. “Wuding City isn’t the safest place, so all of you be careful.”

“Understood, Father.”

Qingjin then notified Qingting, but neglected to tell Qinghu.

When it was time to depart, Qingjin realized he’d forgotten to speak to Qinghu.

“Xiaobai, hurry and help your mistress pack. We’re going to Wuding City. Don’t bring too much—we have money with us,” he instructed.

Qinghu was immediately disgruntled. “I’m not going. I want to stay home.”

Isn’t it wonderful to eat and sleep at home?

“No way. The Xuantian Pagoda only opens once every five years. Don’t you want to win some prizes?” Qingjin tempted her.

“Nope,” she replied, content to laze about at home.

“We’ll see all sorts of fierce beasts on the way—whatever we find, we’ll eat. Are you sure you don’t want to come?” Qingjin pressed.

Qinghu hesitated.

Should she go or not?

“There are also many restaurants and inns in Wuding City, with delicacies from all over. Don’t you want to try something new?” Qingjin added enticingly.

“Well, maybe I should go, then?” Qinghu wavered. The lure of good food finally outweighed her desire to lounge at home. Perhaps she’d try a few new dishes after all.

“Xiaobai, your mistress has agreed. Hurry and pack,” Qingjin said with a smile.

“Right away!” Xiaobai replied briskly.

“By the way, what about your fish? Will they be alright while you’re gone?” Qingjin suddenly remembered and asked.

“We’re going to Wuding City, right? Which route?” Qinghu asked.

Qingjin produced a simple map, tracing their route between two locations.

“This is the way we’ll go.”

“That’s fine then. There’s an underground water vein throughout this area. My fish can just follow us along the way,” Qinghu replied.

“Wait, what? You mean to bring all your fish along? You’ll travel on the surface, and they’ll move underground?” Qingjin asked in disbelief.

“Yes, exactly.”

“Can’t you just leave them behind?”

“They’re too young and unruly. If I leave them unattended for long, they might cause trouble—I doubt Father and Mother could keep them under control,” Qinghu said with a silly grin.

Definitely not—they’re sixth-tier fierce fish!

“If they follow us underground, won’t there be great losses? The water veins below are full of dangerous beasts,” Qingjin cautioned.

“Losing a few small fish doesn’t matter. There are so many of them, after all. But if I leave them behind, it could cause a big disaster,” Qinghu replied.

“Alright then,” Qingjin relented, suddenly thinking of the underwater training hall. Perhaps bringing them along was safer. If disaster did strike, at least their family would be rid of a potential threat.

And so, Qingjin and his companions set out at a leisurely pace—on horseback, while Qinghu and Xiaobai rode in a carriage.

Meanwhile, at the entrance to an underground river, a disciplined legion of Lightblade Fish marched in formation, slipping one after another into the subterranean waterway.

Wherever their mistress went, they followed—nothing could deter their loyalty.

Charge!