Chapter Sixty-Four: An Opportunity

To confront such a colossal force as the Jade Iron Sect alone, it seemed there were not many ways to go about it. Yet Li Mu might have been somewhat unexpected, for he possessed the Mythic Spirit Tower, that treasure for cultivation which every sect longed to obtain. Unless it came to the very last moment, he would never choose such a path.

A multitude of medicinal herbs arrived, with inferior spirit crystals piled like mountains, but Li Mu swiftly tossed them all into the Spirit Tower. As for that strange state of affairs, Sun Qi and Sun Sanjiu had long since ceased to inquire; they knew Li Mu had many secrets, but chose not to probe further.

Sun Qi and Sun Sanjiu departed from Deyang City, and the bright halls of the Wood Jade Pavilion immediately grew tranquil. Li Mu prepared to leave, facing the empty Wood Jade Pavilion in silence.

"Ying'er, let's head to the Gathering Spirit Array and let my little sister become a cultivator, shall we?"

Li Ying pouted and shook her head. "No, I used to always think about cultivation, but now that it's finally possible, I suddenly don't want to anymore."

Li Mu was left bewildered, and his anger toward the Jade Iron Sect grew even fiercer.

"Big brother, should we go see that old man with the thick eyebrows?"

"Yes." Li Mu nodded, though he knew that the old man was likely a reclusive sage; once seen, it was a stroke of fortune, and it might not be possible to meet him again.

"Look, the writing has appeared again."

Even from such a distance, Li Ying called out, her voice thunderous enough to draw the attention of all nearby. But Li Mu paid her no mind; he too saw the writing—the strange words "Oddity Hall," which had previously vanished, now reappeared. The words were blurry, but to the two of them, it was already an extraordinary occurrence.

The two exchanged glances, feeling a nameless stirring in their hearts, and stepped straight into the Oddity Hall.

Behind the door, the passage was as long as ever.

"Ying'er, you go," Li Mu said knowingly.

Li Ying, having walked this path before, strode forward with her chest proudly heaving, her head held high.

Suddenly, the scene shifted, and once again they entered the maze. But this time, the maze was clearly more complex than before.

Where previously there had been two paths, now there were four.

Li Mu paused in surprise. Before, it had been two choices, repeated eight times; now it was four choices, eight times over—a difficulty many times greater.

The familiar old voice sounded—it was the old man they'd seen before. "One opportunity. If the little girl can make it through, I will grant you a request."

"Thank you, sir," Li Ying replied loudly. The four paths did not faze her; from her eyes, there was no trace of confusion.

She was utterly confident.

Isn't it just four choices each time?

Li Ying did not hesitate, moving forward without pause. In half the allotted time, she reached the end.

At the endpoint, there were four identical doors.

Li Ying stood by the door; the old man was behind her. Both their eyes shone with anticipation.

She opened the door and immediately saw the old man with the thick eyebrows. He looked directly at Li Ying, his aged expression revealing a trace of astonishment.

"Good day, sir."

Li Ying gave a well-mannered salute.

The old man exhaled, gently stroked his brows, and sighed, "So clever—truly unimaginable."

For hundreds of years, he had set up this Four Symbols Maze. Many had entered, but none had exited in such a brief time. Half the allotted time—such a thing should not have been possible. Yet this little girl managed it, relying solely on intuition to find the true path, despite never having cultivated.

Remarkable indeed.

Li Mu followed behind Li Ying and also gave a respectful salute.

The room was unchanged from their last visit, save for a dozen or so blossoms and leaves, which seemed somewhat more mature.

"Speak, what is your request?"

The old man concealed his surprise and spoke kindly.

Li Ying stopped beating around the bush. "I wish to stay with my brother."

"Aren't you together already?" The old man smiled gently.

Li Ying hurriedly waved her hand, explaining earnestly, "No, not just together now—I mean forever."

The old man looked from Li Ying to Li Mu, shaking his head. "That cannot be done."

"Oh!" Li Ying's face fell, lowering her head. "Sir, I feel as though you could do anything. Even though I've only met you once, I've always felt that way."

The old man chuckled, "Silly girl, no one can do everything."

He seemed to recall the long years gone by, and his expression dimmed slightly.

"But..." Li Ying raised her head, her face full of pity and grievance.

The old man looked at Li Mu. "You speak."

Li Mu remained silent, awaiting this moment. He knew the old man, though he may not like him, was kindhearted, especially toward Li Ying; he would not harm them.

"Sir, could you help us leave Deyang City?"

The old man's expression was calm; he neither nodded nor shook his head. "Leaving Deyang City is not difficult, but what will you do once you have left?"

Li Mu was taken aback—indeed, what could he do once he left Deyang City?

At present, in the Cloud Mountain Realm, the Bright Jade Valley and Jade Iron Sect each held half the territory, and he was at odds with both. In other words, within the Cloud Mountain Realm, he had nowhere to go. Wherever he went, either sect might pursue him.

Li Mu's mind turned swiftly, and he quickly spoke, "Sir, could you help us leave the Cloud Mountain Realm?"

The old man looked at Li Ying. "Little girl, is this your request as well?"

"Yes," Li Ying replied hastily, nodding repeatedly. She was young, and her earlier request was childish; now that Li Mu had spoken plainly, she quickly understood.

"Let us see first."

A faint light flickered in the old man's eyes. With a swift motion of his finger, a map appeared in the air before them.

"If you have not seen it before, do not look." The old man's finger traced the image. "This is Deyang City. To leave the Cloud Mountain Realm, where will you go?"

Li Mu had seen the map of the Cloud Mountain Realm before and had considered many things. After a brief thought, he pointed north. "Here."

"Hmm?" The old man showed his doubt. "Explain your reasoning. I cannot let the little girl accompany you to her death."

Li Mu spoke loudly. "The west and south of the Cloud Mountain Realm belong to the Azure Cloud Realm, which in my view is the territory of the Universal Cloud Sect. Going there would be certain death."

"But the east and north are undeveloped lands. Why go north?"

At the border of the new realms, the Cloud Mountain Realm was poorly situated; heading north meant encountering the advancing demonfolk, while east meant the monsterfolk.

"Demonfolk are slightly better than monsterfolk, and it's much closer," Li Mu replied earnestly. From what little he knew, although the monsterfolk resembled humans, they were even more dangerous. The closer to Deyang City, the less time they'd have to escape.

The old man spoke no more, nodding slightly. These two reasons were easy to grasp and clear.

He turned to Li Ying. "Little girl, will you go with him, or stay here?"

Li Ying nodded decisively. "I want to stay with big brother."

"Very well."

The old man flicked his sleeve and spoke quietly, "I shall grant you this one opportunity."