Chapter 150: Setting Off for Distant Shores

"You are going to Chuzhou?" Nie Fang looked at the refined young man before him in surprise.

Bai Qingzhou bowed with cupped hands and said, "That's right."

The two of them were currently inside the Clear Mind Hall.

"Why are you going to Chuzhou out of the blue?" Nie Fang asked curiously.

"I need to escort He Zuo and He Li back to the Heavenly Master Sect..."

"That is true..." Nie Fang nodded in agreement. "They have stayed at the Profound Sun Sect for quite some time now, so it is indeed time to send them back. Since the two of them have always been close to you, it is most appropriate for you to escort them... When do you plan to set off?"

"Tomorrow, perhaps," Bai Qingzhou replied simply.

"Tomorrow? So soon..."

Bai Qingzhou smiled slightly and said, "There are no major events in the sect recently anyway, and I also wish to go out and gain some experience through travel, so the sooner I set off, the better. Leaving early means I can return early as well."

Nie Fang stroked his beard and smiled. After a brief pause, he leaned forward and asked, "Then are you fully prepared?"

Bai Qingzhou waved his right hand, and several books appeared in mid-air, floating quietly. "Over the past few days, I have already gathered maps and local gazetteers from various regions. Now I have a good grasp of the route, and I can set off at any time."

"I mean, have you prepared your defensive items? The journey is long, people's hearts are unpredictable, and it can be described as extremely perilous..." Nie Fang trailed off, looking as if he wanted to say more.

Bai Qingzhou put away the books before him and earnestly cupped his hands. "Master, rest assured! I have prepared all of these as well. Some time ago, I went to the marketplace and purchased quite a few medicinal pills, talismans, and magic tools. You don't need to worry about this! There will definitely be no problems."

Ever since he decided to escort the two children back to Chuzhou, he had spent most of the spiritual stones he had saved up at the marketplace. He had bought a large number of powerful talismans and medicinal pills, as well as several defensive magic tools just in case.

"That's good then..." Nie Fang smiled with relief. Suddenly remembering something, he said, "Oh, that's right! I have a good friend who runs a shop in Flowing Cloud Market. Help me deliver a letter to him. If you run into any trouble while you're there, you can also go to him for help."

Hearing this, Bai Qingzhou nodded and replied, "Understood!"

Having studied the route over the past few days, he naturally knew the location of Flowing Cloud Market. This market happened to lie directly on the path to Chuzhou, so delivering a letter was merely a matter of convenience.

Seeing Bai Qingzhou agree, Nie Fang gave a wave of his hand and retrieved paper and brush from his [Storage Bag], beginning to write out of thin air using spiritual energy.

Bai Qingzhou waited quietly.

Before long, Nie Fang finished writing the letter, sealed it with his unique spiritual energy, and gave a flick of his finger. The letter fluttered lightly toward Bai Qingzhou.

Bai Qingzhou reached out and caught it. Just as he was about to speak, he felt a strange sensation on his finger—he touched a hard object on the back of the letter.

Pulling it out to take a look, he discovered it was a small crane-shaped piece of paper.

At this, Bai Qingzhou cried out in surprise, "This is the [Wind-Driving Immortal Crane]?!"

"Haha!" Nie Fang let out a light laugh and said, "I didn't expect you to still remember it. That's right, this is precisely the flying magic tool of Yuyun from back then!"

"This..." Bai Qingzhou was somewhat stunned and murmured, "Wasn't this magic tool looted by those villains back then? Why is it in Master's hands now?"

During the battle in the outskirts back then, Li Yuyun was overpowered and killed, and his [Storage Bag] was looted, which naturally included his flying magic tool, the [Wind-Driving Immortal Crane]. He never expected it to turn up here.

"It was sent over by someone from the Boundless Sect. After subduing the Dragon and Tiger Mountain back then, the Boundless Sect discovered the [Wind-Driving Immortal Crane] in the possession of a Foundation Establishment cultivator from Dragon and Tiger Mountain. Recognizing that this magic tool belonged to Yuyun, they sent it back."

Hearing this, Bai Qingzhou couldn't help but feel a stirring of emotion. The Boundless Sect still maintained a strong sense of righteousness and did not misappropriate this flying magic tool, which was worth thousands of spiritual stones.

Nie Fang continued, "Now, I am handing this magic tool over to you!"

"This... such a precious item, how could I..."

Before he could finish, Nie Fang interrupted, "You should take it. After all, you are about to head to Chuzhou, and the journey is long. If you possess a Mysterious-grade flying magic tool, even if you encounter a Foundation Establishment cultivator you cannot defeat, escaping should pose no problem at all. This will serve as a safeguard for your life!"

Bai Qingzhou gave a solemn bow and said sincerely, "Thank you for your concern, Master! Then I shall accept it!"

Bai Qingzhou had no reason to refuse. After all, no one would disregard their own life. With a Mysterious-grade magic tool, the success rate for both combat and escape could be greatly enhanced.

"Qingzhou, this journey may take several years. You must take good care of yourself and not act recklessly. If you encounter danger, remember to prioritize preserving your life above all else. Life is the most important thing, do you understand?" Nie Fang said earnestly.

"Understood! I will firmly engrave Master's teachings in my heart!" Bai Qingzhou replied solemnly, cupping his hands.

......

In the small courtyard at the back mountain, Bai Qingzhou looked at the various items floating neatly in mid-air, calculating in his mind.

Currently, he possessed three flying magic tools: the [Wind-Driving Immortal Crane], the [Immortal Wind Condor], and the [Flying Cloud Spiritual Paper].

As for weapons, he had the [Upper Clarity Sword], the [White Sand Sword], and the [Star-Moon Bodhi].

For defensive gear, besides his original [Brass Inner Armor], he also had the Yellow-grade superior magic tool [Flying Sky Shield] that he had recently purchased, which offered exceptional defensive capabilities.

In addition to numerous low and medium-grade talismans, he currently owned a series of Yellow-grade superior talismans such as the [Golden Steel Talisman], [Gravity Talisman], [Divine Travel Talisman], and [Fire Explosion Talisman], as well as several Mysterious-grade inferior [Impact Talismans].

As for medicinal pills, he had dozens of first-tier pills for healing, recovering spiritual energy, restoring mental focus, and fasting. Besides first-tier pills, he had also collected quite a few second-tier pills, namely the [Foundation-Consolidating and Root-Nourishing Pill], the [Yuan-Enhancing Pill], and the [Revitalization Pill].

The more he looked, the more delighted he became. These were all things he had accumulated step by step over the years. His financial standing was quite substantial.

Then he turned his gaze back to the books floating in the air. "I'll leave the cultivation techniques in the sect; I only need to take the maps and local gazetteers."

He calculated the floating spiritual stones once more.

"There are still over two hundred low-grade spiritual stones... That should be enough, right..." Bai Qingzhou muttered to himself.

After checking one last time to ensure everything was correct, Bai Qingzhou waved his hand, and the items floating in mid-air instantly flew into the [Storage Bag] one by one in an orderly fashion.

When all the items were neatly packed, he patted the [Storage Bag] with satisfaction, stretched lazily, and slowly walked toward his room.

The room was completely empty.

Ever since he moved to the small courtyard at the back mountain, he had been living alone.

Because he had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, he no longer needed to consume food, so there was no longer any need for Li Er and Ji Nian to continue serving him.

After consulting the two on their wishes, Bai Qingzhou arranged a management position for Li Er handling handymen, while Ji Nian naturally returned to Ningshui Prefecture to live out her days in domestic bliss with her husband.

Bai Qingzhou sat down before the desk. Unconsciously, thoughts of his fellow sect apprentices arose in his mind. He smiled, unfolded a sheet of rice paper, picked up the writing brush, and began to write...