Chapter 18: Making Preparations

Chapter 18: Making Preparations

18

Making Preparations

I

On our way to the valley, the disciples will be split into two groups, Duo Lan said.

Tian Jin, Hao Zhen, and Duo Lan had their eyes closed. Just a few moments ago, Duo Lan copied the map of the Glistening Stone Valley into two of Hao Zhens blank jade slips, and all three of them were currently visualizing the map in their minds eye while Duo Lan explained how the Glistening Stone Hunt worked.

The elders will be taking us on a magical cloud. The outer disciples will be dropped off first, near the entrance of the valley, whereas the inner and prime disciples will only descend in a location much deeper inside the valley. This means that were only competing against the other outer disciples and that we dont need to concern ourselves with locations deeper inside the valley. Theres a line on the map about one-third into the valleyits up to that line well be allowed to explore, as outer disciples.

Tian Jin had already noticed that line, and he had already guessed it meant something like that. It wouldnt make much sense if outer disciples and inner and prime disciples were supposed to explore the same area, considering the difference in levels between them. Although it limited them to only one-third of the valley, considering how massive the Glistening Stone Valley was, he didnt think a lack of space would be an issue. Judging by the scale of the map, itd take him about an entire day running to get from the entrance of the valley to that lineand as a second-level redsoul, he was multiple times faster than ever the fastest of graysouls.

Therell be a group of inner elders as well as a prime elder overseeing us outer disciples, but theyll remain out of sight, only making an appearance if we get in any trouble. That means that, for the most part, well be given free rein.

That was in line with what Tian Jin had seen of the Blazing Light Sect so far. As long as the disciples followed the rulesor, at least, werent caught breaking themthey were allowed to do as they pleased, with little to no supervision. Elders could usually only be found in the divisions and halls of the sect, only really interacting with disciples when sought by one of them.

Now, killing different monsters and collecting different magical herbs, even if theyre of the same grade or level, will get you different quantities of contribution points. Duo Lan tossed each of them a jade slip. Heres a list of what each monster is worthincluding what part of them we have to collect to prove that weve killed themas well as what each magical herb is worth.

Tian Jin sent his spiritual power into the other jade slip and skimmed the list. The strongest monster on the list was only at the second level of the Red Spiritual Realm, so he reckoned that this list only had the monsters that could be found in the outer disciples section of the valley, with stronger monsters being found deeper inside the valley.

That was a good thing, though. A single second-level red-grade monster would prove enough of a challenge. As a rule of thumb, a monster at a certain level usually required a handful of cultivators at the same level to kill. Even as strong as he was compared to other cultivators at the same level, Tian Jin wasnt confident hed be able to handle a monster at his level on his own. If he were to act together with Duo Lan, however, he was sure theyd be able to pull it off. Hao Zhen would also be able to offer some help with Ethereal String Puppetry.

Duo Lan went on to point out, on the map, the locations monsters and magical herbs of each set could be found in, and they spent some time discussing which ones theyd be targeting, even coming up with a route of sorts they could take.

Much to Tian Jins confusion, Hao Zhen remained mostly quiet throughout the conversation, seldom offering any suggestions. He kept his eyes closed for the most part, his brow furrowed, seemingly deep in thought. It was only after he and Duo Lan were about to wrap up that Hao Zhen spoke up.

Du Qing, Hao Zhen said, opening his eyes. I think hes planning on doing something to us during the hunt.

Right. Tian Jin narrowed his eyes. He had been so concentrated on the Glistening Stone Hunt itself that he had pushed it to the back of his mind. That gave Tian Jin a pause. Now that he thought about it, it was rather odd how he had forgotten about the situation with Du Qing just like that, considering how much he had been thinking about it these last few days.

Thats a possibility, Duo Lan said, nodding her head, her expression also darkening.

As an inner disciple, hell be heading deeper inside the valley, right? Hao Zhen asked. I assume were prohibited from venturing into the area where inner and prime disciples are hunting, but are they allowed to cross into ours?

No, Duo Lan said, looking rather confident. The elders supervising them will be keeping an eye to stop that from happening. Maybe Maybe an inner disciple could manage to sneak into our section of the valley, but the prime disciples will be very closely supervised. After all, its possible to lose your life during the hunt if the elders dont react fast enough, considering well be hunting monsters. Prime disciples, however, are too important, so therell be multiple eyes on them, and an elder will step in at the first sign of something going wrong.

So Du Qing wouldnt be able to do anything to them directly. That was good. Tian Jin knew that as he currently was, Du Qing would be able to easily take his life if he were to take action himself. He could put up a fight against a third-level redsoul, but Du Qing was at the fourth level, and that was a gap he wouldnt be able to bridge.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

Hao Zhen, however, didnt look even remotely relieved. Instead, his frown only deepened. So youre saying an inner disciple could, possibly, venture into our area of the valley?

I see Tian Jin nodded his head, taking a moment to consider Hao Zhens words. But isnt that a good thing? Just like you said, shes probably on our side, so isnt it a good thing that shes someone important?

It probably is, Hao Zhen said, crossing his arms. Its just Well, I dont really like not knowing, I guess. But yes, theres a good chance that if the situation gets dire, shell be able to flip the table by revealing her identity. In fact, despite what she said about you two not getting any special supervision, she probably will be getting some, because of her actual identity. That still doesnt mean we should bet on that, however, because either shes a really good actor, or she doesnt believe that her real identity will be of much help, as she did seem genuinely worried back in her place just now. I dont think shed have bothered calling us over and providing us all with of this information, otherwise. Hao Zhen sighed. As I said, there are just too many unknowns.

Since thats the case, are you sure it wouldnt be better to just ask her about it? Tian Jin asked. I know what you said before about not knowing how shed react if we tried to get to the bottom of the issue, but since weve already determined that shes not working against us, I dont think itll be much of a problem.

Maybe. I I dont know, Hao Zhen said, spreading his hands, a helpless look on his face. But I dont think itll be a good idea to do that right now, not unless we really have to. Before we confront her, I want to have a better idea of what exactly shes doing in the Outer Court.

Tian Jin looked up, pondering the situation. He understood where Hao Zhen was coming from, but he didnt like this tiptoeing business. At this point, he thought Hao Zhen was being too cautious. Still, he decided to respect the other boys decisions.

They walked the rest of their way back to his residence in silence.

III

Hao Zhen lay awake on his bed in his room in Tian Jins house, unable to fall asleep. It had already been a while since he lay down, but sleep eluded him, too many thoughts filling his head.

He wasnt thinking about Tian Jin, Duo Lan, or the situation with Du Qinghe had already spent the entire day worrying about those things. He wasnt even thinking about the strange world he was currently living inor even about his current life at all.

These past few days, he had been either too tired or too busy trying to come up with plans for the future. Now that he was no longer exhausted and didnt have anything else to plan, however, he couldnt help but think about something he had been avoiding dwelling on so far: his previous life.

This was a can of worms he hadnt been intending on opening any time soon, but it seemed like he couldnt suppress his thoughts about them any longer.

He still wasnt sure what he felt about his life as Amyas. He could remember it just as clearly as he could remember his current lifeif not more. At the same time, however, it couldnt be any further away from his current reality.

He had no idea what had happened to his old familyto Amyass familybecause he didnt know how and why he had transmigrated in the first place. How much time had passed since his transmigration? Was it only sixteen yearshis current ageor was it more? Did time even flow at the same rate in both worlds?

Did his old world even still exist?

Hao Zhen sighed. He rolled around and buried his head in the pillow, before letting out a scream of frustration.

This was exactly why he had been avoiding thinking about this. As he currently was, he was just grasping at straws, and each and every possibility and explanation he came up with was a grim one.

Were his old family and friends still alive? If so, what effect had his transmigration had in his previous world? If he transmigrated after having a sudden heart attack or something along those lines Maybe his parents would get over it quicklythey hadnt cared much for him anywayand his friends wouldnt be that affected, either, as he didnt have any he was particularly close with, but his sister

He didnt think Eva would take it well. They bickered all the time, and if he was being honest, she was the reason why his previous life had sucked in so many ways, but she was still Eva. Brilliant, perfect Evasomeone you just couldnt help but love.

He certainly didnt think hed have been able to take her death in stride. In fact, the only reason why he wasnt an absolute mess right now was probably because of how unbelievable his current circumstances were and that he wasnt even sure what state she was in.

Hao Zhen sighed, before standing up from the bed. He then walked around the bed, fixing the bedsheets, which had long since become a mess. Tomorrow he and Tian Jin would be going to the Exchange Pavilion to get their hands on some talismans and pills, and then theyd spend the entire day training. He needed all the rest he could get, and that meant he needed to sleep instead of moping on his bed, pointlessly worrying about things he had no control over.

Shaking his head, he threw himself back down on the bed, letting himself sink into the mattress. He then closed his eyes and waited for sleep to claim him.