Holding the Sword to Carry Away Senior Sister (Transmigration) - Chapter 42

“Senior Sister.”

Fu Yan walked over, seeing Bai Yueli holding her sword as if preparing to head out. Curious, she asked, “Where are you heading, Senior Sister? Are we entering Chaoyang City together?”

Watching the figure stop before her, Bai Yueli finally snapped out of her thoughts. She shook her head slightly and spoke truthfully, “It’s nothing. I was just worried you might have encountered danger since you were gone for so long.”

Bai Yueli didn’t think there was anything strange about her words; Fu Yan and Shui Liuqing were fellow disciples of the Shui Ling Sect, so it was only natural to hope for their safety.

Fu Yan paused, feeling a slight flutter of something unusual in her heart, but she quickly dismissed it as overthinking. She looked at Bai Yueli and continued, “I’m sorry to make you worry. It just took some extra effort to shake off those bandits.”

“By the way,” Fu Yan looked at the group and asked with a smile, “Everyone returned safely, right? Are we heading straight into the city?”

“Shui Liuqing hasn’t returned yet,” Bai Yueli noted.

The Fengling Sect disciple from earlier added, “Yeah, I saw you two escaping together. Fellow Daoist Fu, did you not see your fellow disciple, Daoist Shui?”

Fu Yan put on a look of sudden realization and explained after a moment’s thought, “Senior Sister Shui was behind me at first, but that Third Leader was incredibly persistent. We eventually split up to escape.” She then scanned the crowd again, feigning surprise. “Is she really not back yet?”

Bai Yueli nodded.

“You needn’t worry too much, Senior Sister,” Fu Yan comforted. “Senior Sister Shui’s strength is above mine; she should be fine.”

The tension (or lack thereof) between Fu Yan and Shui Liuqing was obvious to everyone, so it wasn’t surprising they didn’t return together. Fu Yan had returned first, and Shui Liuqing would surely follow soon. No one suspected a thing, not even Bai Yueli—except, Fu Yan noticed a sudden gaze fixed upon her.

She turned her head subtly and locked eyes with the protagonist, Fang Yu.

He gave her a faint, neutral look and said nothing, but Fu Yan wasn’t as optimistic as the others. Did the male lead notice something?

They waited a while longer until Shui Liuqing finally arrived, panting and looking as though she had just survived a brutal battle. She explained she had been delayed by a skirmish with Lang Meng, and the group finally prepared to move.

“Since everyone is here and the destination is close, let’s set out. We should aim to enter before dark,” Han Shangzhi announced.

Chaoyang City was the largest ancient city in the Northern Region, situated at its very heart. It was a melting pot of powerful families, rogue cultivators, and sect disciples. Experts of the Hedo Stage were common here, and the city was exceptionally prosperous.

As the sun began to set, the convoy reached the city gates. Though it was her first time, Fu Yan was staggered by the sight. The city walls were as high as a sixty-story skyscraper, stretching so far into the distance that the ends were invisible. Legions of soldiers in silver armor patrolled the walls with icy, rhythmic precision. Even though they were only at the ninth layer of Foundation Building, the collective majesty was undeniable.

“Let’s go, it’s time to enter,” Bai Yueli’s voice pulled Fu Yan back to reality. Fu Yan felt a bit like a country bumpkin entering the capital for the first time.

“Cough, right, Senior Sister.”

The entrance fee was steep: five silver taels for mortals and ten low-grade spirit stones for cultivators. Since the sect disciples were hired by Luanjin Fort, Han Shangzhi paid the fees. Once inside, the bustling streets and endless shops of the ancient city left Fu Yan in awe once more.

The mission officially ended at the Luanjin Fort branch office. After the cargo was safely delivered, the group dispersed. Wang Qingyang, seeing that Bai Yueli had caught up to his cultivation level, felt his confidence waver; he merely gave her a deep look before leaving to settle his score with Fang Yu.

Soon, only Fu Yan, Bai Yueli, and Shui Liuqing remained. Han Shangzhi provided the promised compensation: 300 stones for Shui Liuqing and 800 for Fu Yan (due to the extra risk).

“Senior Sister, we should split these 800 stones, as it was thanks to your help,” Fu Yan offered.

Bai Yueli shook her head. “No, you earned that. I already got what I wanted from this trip.” She was referring to her breakthrough.

As night fell, the city lit up with thousands of lanterns. Bai Yueli turned to the two. “The mission is over. Do you have your own plans?”

Shui Liuqing claimed she was heading back to her family. Bai Yueli nodded and looked at Fu Yan.

“I plan to continue my training,” Fu Yan said truthfully. “I won’t return to the sect until I reach the Late Opening Light stage.”

“Be careful,” Bai Yueli advised, her cold demeanor softening slightly. “Do not risk your life for a mere opportunity.”

Fu Yan smiled, finding the concern endearing. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. What about you, Senior Sister?”

“Chaoyang City has specialized cultivation chambers in the south,” Bai Yueli explained. “The secret rooms there are quite unique. I plan to seclude myself there for two months to consolidate my power before returning.”

Fu Yan realized it was time to say goodbye. Looking at the elegant woman before her, she felt a trace of melancholy.

“Then, Senior Sister, I’ll see you at the Great Sect Competition.” Fu Yan kept her tone casual, her clear eyes reflecting the city lights.

“Good,” Bai Yueli replied softly. She turned and walked into the crowd, her white robes eventually vanishing from sight.

Fu Yan didn’t leave the city immediately. She found a tavern and ordered a full table of food and wine, having lived on dried rations and roasted fish for far too long.

As the food arrived, Shui Liuqing walked in.

“You certainly have a sense of timing,” Fu Yan remarked without looking up. “I thought you were visiting your family?”

“That was for Senior Sister Bai’s benefit,” Shui Liuqing said calmly. Bound by the soul contract, she didn’t dare leave without permission.

“By the way,” Shui Liuqing added, “I heard there’s a small-scale auction at the Chunlü Pavilion in three days. Are you interested, Master?”

An auction! Fu Yan had read about them but never attended one. “Fine. In three days, we go.”

Since she was still short on funds for an auction, Fu Yan handed her mission guide to Shui Liuqing. “The sect must have a branch here with a transport array. Go back and collect the 5,000 spirit stone reward for this mission for me.”

“Yes, Master,” Shui Liuqing obeyed and left.