Wayfarer

Chapter 658: Making Preparations

Over the next few days, Xiao Nanfeng continued tutoring the Yuqing disciples in spiritual and physical cultivation alike. His offhand remarks alone were able to stoke breakthroughs, and more and more came to interact with him daily—Human, Earth, Heaven, and even True Immortals.

Xiao Nanfeng was particularly modest, describing these sessions as communal forums in which everyone could help each other out so that the disciples wouldn't feel embarrassed about needing or wanting assistance. As a result, his popularity soared; everyone seemed to address him as Senior Brother Xiao.

In fact, because of how many disciples there were, Xiao Nanfeng was forced to stop his one-on-one consultations and instead switch to impromptu lectures. He was able to answer just about any question with startling clarity, for which he received effusive praise from the audience.

"Senior Brother Xiao's amazing. Master tried to teach me those principles many times, and I was never able to understand them. Senior Brother Xiao resolved my misunderstanding right away!"

"My master's paying attention himself, and he told all of us to do so as well. Apparently, Senior Uncle Xiao's understanding of cultivation is on par with that of the Mountain Lords!"

"He's able to expound on every scripture we've asked for help about—it's incredible!"

The disciples were murmuring to each other in open amazement.

Xia Lan was astounded by the sight.

He turned to Zhao Yuanjiao. "They must be joking. Xiao Nanfeng's only been cultivating for a decade. How could he know so much about scripture and fist techniques?"

Zhao Yuanjiao glanced at Xia Lan. "Are you aware of the 48,000 scrolls of scripture that the Taiqing Immortal Sect owns?"

"I've heard of it. Taiqing's Vault of Scriptures might contain only fundamental and foundational scriptures, but even so, many Taiqing disciples could spend their entire lives cultivating without understanding them all."

"Nanfeng mastered them all in no more than three years," Zhao Yuanjiao told him.

Xia Lan frowned in disbelief. "That can't be. 48,000 scrolls—even if he read them day and night, he wouldn't even be able to finish them all, let alone master them!"

"Not only that, during those three years, Nanfeng explored a large hidden realm, then led his fellow Taiqing disciples to take down spiritbeast lairs all across the Eastern Sea, excavated countless draconic veins, and then explored the Eastern Sea Draconic Palace. Not only that, he laid the groundwork for establishing an empire."

"That has to be a joke!"

"Just ask these Yuqing disciples," Zhao Yuanjiao said, sighing. "See what they say."

Xia Lan glanced at the Yuqing disciples paying rapt attention to his every word. He couldn't help but start to believe those outlandish claims. Xiao Nanfeng wasn't just a talented cultivator; his understanding of cultivation theory and philosophy was unparalleled. Even Yuqing's True Immortals were acknowledging him as their senior.

"Everyone, it's getting late. Considering that it's Mountain Lord Xia's millennium celebration tomorrow, let's stop here. I'll have to rest in preparation as well," Xiao Nanfeng said.

The Yuqing disciples nodded in regret, but Xiao Nanfeng had already taught them plenty, and they would have to reflect and meditate on what he had imparted.

"Thank you for your pointers, Senior Brother Xiao!"

"Thank you for your pointers, Senior Uncle Xiao!"

The Yuqing disciples bowed respectfully as they were dismissed. Only then did Xiao Nanfeng make his way over.

Zhao Yuanjiao and Xia Lan walked up to him. Zhao Yuanjiao was smiling. "Are you planning to become the seniormost disciple of the Yuqing holy land, too?"

Xiao Nanfeng shook his head, smiling. "There are countless disciples scattered among the twelve peaks of the Yuqing holy land. Only a small fraction of them were present."

Xia Lan gave him a strange look. "I can't believe how quickly you're gaining their respect."

Xiao Nanfeng set up a soundproof barrier. "It's all for tomorrow's sake. Didn't you say that the Yuqing holy land would be well guarded? What if I were to encounter a few patrols while escaping with Yu'er? Better to establish a good relationship and make them embarrassed to search me."

Xia Lan rolled his eyes. "What a schemer you are."

"Well? Will we be able to escape? We're making a move tomorrow, after all," Xiao Nanfeng asked.

Xia Lan sighed. He couldn't help but think that he was making the mistake of his life by helping Yu'er elope, but he had already given his word. He had already told Yu'er about the situation, and she was overjoyed. He could hardly change his mind now.

"Everything's going smoothly, save for one spot of trouble," Xia Lan said.

"Hm?"

"Father's keeping Yu'er locked up in a hall with a relic to supervise her. It's known as the Eight-Treasure Glass Lock, and is currently attuned to her. Once Yu'er gets a certain distance away from the relic, it'll alert others to its presence," Xia Lan said.

"The Eight-Treasure Glass Lock?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"A relic of Chiyang Peak, one that plenty in the holy land are familiar with. It's specifically designed to detain cultivators. My mothers made a big fuss about it with my father, and they caused such a huge commotion that others in the holy land have had to step in to mediate. Xiao Nanfeng, I'm sure you must have been mistaken. Father can't be intending for you and Yu'er to elope, or he wouldn't be using such a relic!"

"No, you're mistaken. This is precisely why he's using such a relic and making sure that everyone's aware of it," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

Xia Lan frowned. No matter how the situation evolved, it seemed that Xiao Nanfeng was always able to turn it around to favor his argument.

"Is there a way to disable it?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"No!"

Zhao Yuanjiao jumped in. "It's doable."

"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng and Xia Lan turned toward Zhao Yuanjiao.

"This relic once belonged to the Taiqing Immortal Sect before it was given to the Yuqing holy land out of gratitude for their support during a time of crisis. I know how to deactivate the Eight-Treasure Glass Lock," Zhao Yuanjiao explained.

"How?" Xiao Nanfeng's eyes lit up.

"Master said that you'll have to find a substitute for Yu'er, then use her blood to transfer the relic's attunement to that substitute."

"Mountain Lord Xia is as thoughtful as expected." Xiao Nanfeng's eyes brightened. He turned toward Xia Lan. "Do you have anyone trustworthy to take Yu'er's place?"

Xia Lan shook his head. "Who would dare help Yu'er escape? I'm only doing it because the two of you tricked me into it."

"Don't you have any loyal friends or subordinates after all this time?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed, shocked.

Zhao Yuanjiao shook his head. "I do pity you..."

Xia Lan glared at them. "What nonsense are you talking about? We're on Chiyang Peak. I do have loyal friends and allies, but they wouldn't dare lie to my father!"

Xiao Nanfeng considered Xia Lan. "Well, what about you?"

Xia Lan stiffened, then jumped up in shock. "You want me to take the blame for this? My father would kill me!"

"Don't worry. Once we and Yu'er leave the Yuqing holy land, you can leave, secretly make your way out, and meet us outside," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"No—you're trying to trick me again! I won't let myself be fooled!" Xia Lan shouted resolutely.

Xiao Nanfeng and Zhao Yuanjiao tried to persuade him some more, but to no avail.

"I'll do it, I suppose," Xiao Nanfeng said.

Xia Lan widened his eyes. "What sort of situation is this? How do you intend to elope with Yu'er if you're staying behind?"

"Don't worry. I'll secretly make my way out once you leave with her."

"But what if you get caught?" Xia Lan frowned.

Zhao Yuanjiao nodded. "Xia Lan's right. You can't risk yourself. Let me do it."

"You?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

"That's right. Even if I end up discovered, it won't matter. I'm not the one attempting to escape, after all. The Yuqing holy land might rebuke me, but that's it."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "Very well. If you do end up caught, Senior Brother, blame Xia Lan and me for everything. We'll be gone by then—and with Madam Han's help, I can't imagine they'd hurt you."

"Why blame me?" Xia Lan frowned.

"Aren't you going to leave with us? You can stay behind if you'd like."

Xia Lan shook his head hurriedly. "If I do, I'd become the scapegoat!"

"Then everything's settled," Xiao Nanfeng said. "Tomorrow at the banquet, I'll have to make a big fuss with Senior Brother. Cooperate with us then."

"Aren't you trying to elope with Yu'er? Everyone else does it in secret, afraid that they'll be caught. You intend on making a huge commotion instead?"

"You'll see what's going on when the time comes," Xiao Nanfeng replied smoothly.

Xia Lan: ...

At the foot of Chiyang Peak, in Long Si's hall, Sage Green Lotus and Long Si were taken aback upon hearing a subordinate's report.

"Xiao Nanfeng's instructing Yuqing disciples during his stay here? Is he trying to accumulate goodwill?" Sage Green Lotus sniffed disdainfully.

"What can he do? Once I leave with Yu'er tomorrow, all his plans will be for naught." Long Si chuckled coldly.

"Yu'er's bound to the Eight-Treasure Glass Lock. Be careful," Sage Green Lotus warned.

"With your help, nothing will go wrong! Once I leave with Xia Yu'er, I'll consummate our marriage immediately. You know how I am with taming women. I guarantee everything will be settled even if Xia Xingchen himself chases after us."

Sage Green Lotus nodded. "If something goes wrong, I'll be blamed. You'd better watch out."

"Relax! She won't be able to escape my clutches," Long Si declared confidently.