After ascending Mount Nine Splendid and entering Sky Moon Cave, Evan Chen finally understood what it meant to discover a hidden paradise!
The entrance to Sky Moon Cave appeared to be an ordinary cave, but once he passed through the restriction array, the dreamlike Immortal Realm inside made Evan feel as if his previous life had been a waste.
Standing on the edge of a cliff, Evan gazed into the distance.
The land before him was a tapestry of blooming flowers, with various top-tier spirit beasts flitting about. From the strange flower clusters, bursts of ethereal immortal light would occasionally emerge.
Taking a deep breath, he felt a refreshing sweetness from his nose to his lungs.
“So this is a spirit cave…”
Evan was so immersed in the intoxicating Immortal Energy that he became somewhat dazed.
“To be precise, it’s a top-tier first-grade spirit cave. How does it feel, Little Uncle?” Laura Nangong added from the side.
“It feels… wonderful.” Evan couldn’t find the words to describe it.
Laura Nangong smiled and made a welcoming gesture. “I usually reside in the Green Bamboo Pavilion, where I keep my best tea. Please join me for a taste, Little Uncle.”
Evan, feeling honored, quickly cupped his hands. “You’re too kind, Master Nangong. Please, just call me by my name.”
Laura Nangong replied, “My master taught me from a young age to respect hierarchy and seniority. How could I dare to call you by your name and disrupt the order?”
Evan smiled awkwardly, realizing that Laura Nangong took these matters seriously, so he didn’t press further.
Soon, Laura Nangong led Evan to her elegant retreat in the bamboo forest.
While Laura Nangong went to brew tea, Evan took deep breaths of the Immortal Energy, feeling instantly revitalized.
“If it weren’t for that incident outside the mountain gate, staying here would be nothing but beneficial.”
After the incident outside the mountain gate, Evan had already decided to leave. Now, experiencing the wonders of the spirit cave, he felt a deep sense of regret.
Half an hour later, Laura Nangong and Evan sat facing each other.
“Little Uncle, do you know where my master is now?” Laura Nangong asked first.
“I was a fellow worker with Big Brother Li in the mining area. That day…” Evan recounted the events of that day.
After listening, Laura Nangong’s eyes showed a hint of disappointment. “He didn’t tell you what he was going to do specifically?”
Evan shook his head. “No. Before we parted, he mentioned a place called ‘Sin Dragon Sea.’ I’m not sure if he went there.”
Laura Nangong was momentarily stunned but quickly regained her composure. She already understood James Li’s destination.
Without continuing the topic, Laura Nangong said, “The Wang Family bullies others. If you need help, Little Uncle, I can send a few disciples to seek justice for you. How about it?”
Evan thought for a moment and shook his head. “No need to trouble you, Master Nangong. Big Brother Li instructed me to seek justice myself after I have achieved some cultivation. I think it’s his way of urging me to improve.”
Laura Nangong nodded slowly. “That does sound like my master. By the way, besides the introduction letter, did my master leave any other messages for you?”
Evan shook his head. “No, that’s all.”
After a brief silence, Laura Nangong took a sip of tea and said, “You saw my daughter at the foot of the mountain. She’s quite headstrong and willful. If you stay in the cave, she might offend you. I hope you understand.”
This was clearly a polite way of asking him to leave, but Evan wasn’t surprised.
After all, he and James Li were just fellow workers in the mining area, not sworn brothers.
“I understand. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
Evan had no intention of staying, and now that Laura Nangong was subtly asking him to leave, he was ready to go.
“Little Uncle, this tea is a rare treasure I’ve kept for years. Have some more before you go,” Laura Nangong said.
Evan took a sip of the tea.
The rich and pure Immortal Energy surged through his body, making him feel extremely comfortable.
This wasn’t just tea; it was practically Immortal Liquid. Evan was thrilled.
Since he had come to this spirit cave, he might as well enjoy the benefits. “After talking for a while, I am indeed a bit thirsty.”
Evan finished the tea in his cup and then poured himself more, drinking it eagerly.
Laura Nangong smiled inwardly but didn’t stop him. After all, he was just a miner who hadn’t seen much of the world.
After finishing a whole pot of tea, Evan felt it was worth it.
“By the way,” Evan said as he took out an old red cloth and handed it to Laura Nangong, “Big Brother Li asked me to give this to you.”
The moment Laura Nangong saw the red cloth, she stood up, her eyes slightly reddened.
She took the cloth, and memories of the Lower Realm flooded back, filling her heart with an indescribable mix of sorrow and joy.
“Master Nangong, if it’s convenient, could you send me off? You know I can’t fly,” Evan reminded her as she stood there in a daze.
The sadness in Laura Nangong’s eyes disappeared. She said, “Little Uncle, before my master gave you this, did he really not leave any other instructions?”
Evan thought for a moment and said, “He didn’t mention anything about you. His exact words were, if anyone gives me trouble, to give this red cloth to you. Since I don’t know when I’ll see Big Brother Li again, I’m returning this to you.”
Laura Nangong turned away, her face expressionless.
With a thought, she unlocked the seal James Li had placed on the red cloth:
“Xiu’er, for the sake of our master-disciple relationship, please let him stay in your cave until he finds a better place. From now on, our ties are severed, and we are no longer connected in life or death.”
These words pierced Laura Nangong’s heart like a poison needle. If Evan weren’t there, she might have broken down and cried.
“I didn’t expect you to use this token to secure a cultivation opportunity for this country boy. I, Laura Nangong, will obey your command,” she thought bitterly.
She turned to face Evan, her expression now calm.
“Master Nangong, please send me out of the cave,” Evan said again, seeing her remain silent.
Evan had made up his mind to leave today, no matter what, and find another spirit cave to cultivate in later.
“Little Uncle, I’m afraid you can’t leave.”
Laura Nangong’s words left Evan stunned.
Just now, she wanted to send him away, and now, after seeing the red cloth, she wouldn’t let him go?
“Master Nangong, I know I don’t have the fortune to stay in the cave. I’ve delivered the item, so please let me leave.”
Evan felt a bit frustrated, but as a commoner, he didn’t dare to get angry at a cave master.
“No!” Laura Nangong’s tone turned firm, a stark contrast to her earlier calmness.
Evan’s heart skipped a beat. Was Laura Nangong planning to harm him too?
While he was worried, Laura Nangong spoke again:
“To be honest, Little Uncle, I have a vow with my master. With this red cloth as the token, I must help him complete a task. Since he used this token to keep you in the cave, whether you like it or not, I have to keep you here. Unless you find a better place or my master comes to take you away, I hope you understand.”
Evan was speechless.
Was she going to force him to stay?
After thinking for a moment, Evan said, “Master Nangong, if you let me leave, I’ll explain to Big Brother Li when I see him that I left voluntarily. That way, it won’t count as you breaking your vow.”
Laura Nangong gave a bitter smile. “Little Uncle, a vow isn’t just empty words. It can’t be undone so easily.”
Evan grew anxious. “Master Nangong, if you force me to stay and your daughter kills me, wouldn’t that be breaking your vow even more?”
Laura Nangong understood Evan’s predicament and said, “Don’t worry, Little Uncle. I’ll make sure to keep my daughter in check. Also, due to your special status, it’s not suitable for you to join the sect and cultivate with others. You’ll stay within the Green Bamboo Pavilion area, away from outsiders. How does that sound?”
Hearing this, Evan sighed inwardly and smiled bitterly. “It seems I have no choice. Why ask me?”
Laura Nangong didn’t want to keep Evan either, but her vow with James Li was made long ago. Even though she was now stronger than James Li, she couldn’t break it and had to obey.
Seeing Evan’s troubled expression, Laura Nangong said, “I’ll send a disciple to arrange your accommodation and cultivation matters. I hope you’ll forgive any inconvenience.”
What else could Evan do?
If she wanted to keep him, he couldn’t just fly away.
Seeing Laura Nangong turn to leave, Evan spoke up. “Master Nangong, please wait!”
Laura Nangong stopped, her back to Evan. “What else, Little Uncle?”
Evan spoke frankly, “I dare say, I’m staying today not by choice but because of your vow with Big Brother Li. I won’t forget Big Brother Li’s goodwill, but as for you, Master Nangong, I don’t owe you any favors, right?”
Laura Nangong was momentarily stunned. She understood Evan’s point and agreed. “You’re right. I owe you no favors. In fact, you’ve helped me fulfill my vow.”
Evan nodded to himself. “That puts my mind at ease. I hope you won’t take offense, Master Nangong.”
Laura Nangong said nothing more and flew away.
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