Shi Lang and the family gathered in the hall, and everyone was happy. Yesterday when the two people returned, Shi Yulong was happy and relaxed. However, the happiness was short-lived.
The terran stood up from the table and bowed to ninety degrees before the three elders and their wives. He said while bowing, "I need to leave Tianxue City. I have to go and seek the Spirit Heart Sect."
Everyone fell silent, but soon they calmed down. They all knew that this day would come soon. However, it was still too sudden for them to accept. Shi Yulong and the rest of the people tried to stop Shi Lang when the young man said, "Sir, If not for the fact that my cultivation will not progress if I did not go to the Spirit Heart sect, I would have loved to stay. You all know the allegations I have to complete. Please try to understand."
The elders were reluctant, and Shi Ning said, "It is not like he is going forever. We need to understand his situation too."
The rest of the girls also stepped up. When Shi Lang was gone in the past few months, the three ladies learned a lot and were not the same anymore. The family has also announced that the four ladies will take command of the Shi Family in the future.
Shi Lang was happy, and he left a few things that the King bestowed on him to the four girls and retired to his room after the night. He wanted to go away without any emotional baggage, but the girls knew this, and they all were guarding the window of his room and door in shifts the whole night.
The terran sighed and decided to confront the situation. He stepped out of his room, and Shi Ting appeared in his face. The girl asked, "Where are you going at this hour? Do you not believe that we will let you go in the morning? Are we that much of a nuisance to you?"
Shi Lang smiled, patted her head, and said, "No, I came to talk to you all. Since I will leave in the morning, why not spend the night talking? See, it is a full moon."
Shi Ting turned her head to look at the moon in the sky and nodded as she blew a high-pitched whistle. Shi Ning appeared soon after with Shi Yua and Shi Wei in tow. The terran shook his head and said, "You all... Come, let's go to the garden.
The girls followed him, and they all came to the pavilion in the garden. The moonlight illuminated the place, and a few night-blooming flowers added to the scenery.
Five people sat under the pavilion, and Shi Lang asked, "What is it? Does it make a difference when I leave?"
Shi Yua nodded and said, "It is not about when, but how? You have many connections other than us. Why do you wish to leave without saying goodbye to them?"
Shi Lang smiled faintly and knew this girl was talking about Xiao Nan. He replied, "The connection we shared was that of a business nature. Why do I have to bid her farewell?"
Shi Wei giggled and said, "You are just afraid of the red tie of karma entangling you."
Surprised, Shi Lang shook his head before he replied, "No, I am not afraid of it, but I do not wish for Xiao Nan to entangle in all this."
Shi Yua shook her head and said, "I would have said otherwise, but you are correct too. She may act cold, but she is very considerate."
Shi Lang nodded and said, "I am aware. Let us not think about the things that we cannot control. It will only disturb the thoughts."
Shi Ning and the rest then began talking to him about their doubts. The doubts were not about cultivation but about life and how the world works. Shi Lang suddenly recalled something and burst into laughter.
The girls were surprised, and Shi Lang removed the chain around his neck. The terran had been wearing a ring with a pendant in it. This ring was the space ring he used back in the federation, and he could not access it because of the spiritual bounds of this world.
He put the ring on his finger and sensed it with his spiritual energy. He smiled as his consciousness was able to access. When the girls were confused, he took out his priced communicator and tied it to his wrist.
He said, "Wake up."
The girls were confused, but they saw the bracelet shine, and a voice echoed, "System is unable to detect any data flow. Please input details manually, Agent Ace."
The four girls were shocked and reacted, "Spirit Artifact?"
Shi Lang chuckled and shook his head. He replied, "This is a slightly advanced communicator that I used in my world. It worked somewhat similarly to the communication talismans and had many more uses. However, it does not need spiritual energy to work."
The girls gathered around him as Shi Lang told them about the various features of the communicator. They were mesmerized, and Shi Yua said, "I wonder if Cousin Laoyao can make something like this if he tried to?"
Shi Lang was surprised and asked, "Who is Laoyao?"
Shi Yua smiled and said, "My cousin on mother's side. He is an artifact nerd. He is also studying in Spirit Heart Sect. The last time I heard from him, he was supposed to have entered the inner court. Oh, this is a good idea, I will write him a letter, and he will help you. He is a good man."
Shi Lang faintly smiled and accepted the offer politely. He talked with them for a few more hours. When the horizon lit up, Shi Lang said, "It is time that I leave."
The girls suddenly lost all their enthusiasm, and Shi Lang said, "I am away but never gone. Here, keep these."
He took a bunch of talismans from his space ring and said, "You all keep one and leave one for the elders. If they ever need me, I am just one message away."
The girls were getting emotional, and Shi Lang could not help but sigh. He said, "I am not very expressive, but you all are no less than my family."
That was it, and he expressed how he felt for these four girls. After a few minutes of emotional embracing, they stood up. Shi Yua handed him a letter with her seal placed on it.
She said, "My cousin is called Yuan Yaoloa. Remember to look for him as soon as you pass the test."
Shi Lang nodded, then bade farewell to the Shi Family and left the city on a war horse. At the city gate, he came across Xiao Nan, who did not stop him but said, "I shall wait for you in the central plains."
Shi Lang nodded and replied, "I will look for you when I arrive."
The Terran rode the war horse through the woods, camped at night, and continued his journey the next morning. The Spirit Heart Sect was located at Crown Valley. This valley was as big as a kingdom, but mountains surrounded it.
The Spirit Heart Sect's disciples patrolled these mountains, and none were below the Immortal Soul Realm. This was why the nations could only bite their cheek and tolerate them. After all, none of the Kings wanted to bear the burden of the deaths of their many soldiers.
It took Shi Lang one week to escape the Tian Kingdom's sphere of influence. After another five days to pass through the forests, he finally came to the northern range. However, reaching the Sect will still take him two more weeks. By that time, he will miss the entrance.
At this moment, a voice echoed in his mind, "Lang!"
The terran was surprised and pulled the reins of his mount. The horse stood up on his hind legs. Shi Lang quickly got down on the ground and took out Raksha. The sword trembled, and soon, an ethereal phantom appeared next to him.
Shi Lang smiled and said, "Long time no see."
The sword spirit stretched herself and yawned as she said, "Indeed, long time no see. So, where are we heading?"
"The Spirit Heart Sect.", said Shi Lang.
The lady smiled and said, "I see. How long will it take to get there?"
Shi Lang told her everything and the sword spirit shook her head. She said, "You have one week to get there. I can take you to some uninhabited place near the territory. This way you will be able to keep me hidden too."
Shi Lang nodded and said, "Thank you for your understanding."
Raksha smiled and said, "Don't I know the allure of a sentient spirit artifact? You will be dead in no time."
The two discussed the plan for the future a bit before Shi Lang patted the horse and let it wander on its own. Then he let go of the sword hilt. The blade levitated perpendicular to the ground. Shi Lang jumped over it, and slowly, the sword flew.
Shi Lang remarked, "The fantasy of a sword cultivator has been realized."
Raksha chuckled at this as the two flew away.