Chapter 188: Chapter 188: The Return Journey
In the next moment, Lin Xiao realized that the system notification was referring to the fact that Yigao's private school had officially begun classes.
This meant that everything in the village was likely proceeding as usual without any issues.
Thinking about returning the next day, he couldn't help but wonder how everyone would react to seeing him again. Strangely, even though he had only been away for half a month, it felt like a much longer time had passed. It wasn't like when he had gone to the county for exams—this time, it felt different. Perhaps it was because of the distance or the many events and encounters he had experienced during this period.
Looking at the sealed box on the table, Liao Pantu spoke up, "You should keep this Icefield Spirit. To recognize its master, it requires a drop of heart's blood. As I'm currently a soul body, I have no use for it. Even if I manage to fully restore my soul, I still need to find my physical body, and who knows how long that will take. Don't argue with me—just take the Icefield Spirit, let it recognize you as its master, and focus on your cultivation. The sooner you help me find my soul and body, the better!"
Since Liao Pantu had blocked any objections, Lin Xiao had no choice but to accept the sealed box containing the Icefield Spirit.
Having agreed to meet Liu Chun in the evening, and with plenty of time left since it was only morning, Lin Xiao decided to explore Yuanling City one last time before his departure.
He strolled through the city's markets, revisiting familiar shops and stopping by Duobao Pavilion to inform Zhong the shopkeeper of his plan to leave the next day. He figured that since he might not be the one handling future transactions with Duobao Pavilion, it was only polite to say goodbye.
As he passed by the Wanwantong shop, a quick glance at their signboard made him realize that the mark on it seemed familiar. He suddenly remembered that while rescuing people in the Icefield Secret Realm, he had seen similar tokens on the storage pouches of two individuals.
It dawned on him that those people must have been from Wanwantong.
This made him think that in the future, he should brief his sect members about such encounters, helping them avoid unnecessary trouble or make better decisions during their missions in Yuanling City.
So, Lin Xiao spent the rest of the day carefully observing the signs of various shops and family crests, planning to document them later to assist his sect members when they traveled to the city.
As he wandered the city streets, his tall figure leisurely strolled by the bustling marketplace, often looking up to examine the shop signs. However, no one seemed to pay much attention to him, as the city's focus was drawn to a newly circulating piece of news.
The Yuan family had announced a hefty reward for anyone who could provide them with an Icefield Spirit!
According to rumors, the Yuan family was willing to offer as much as 100,000 spirit stones for one.
This, unsurprisingly, sparked the greed of many. With one day left before the Icefield Secret Realm closed, many were tempted to rush back in and try their luck. After all, finding an Icefield Spirit could mean instant wealth.
However, there were still many who hesitated, especially after the recent news about the dangerous, inescapable areas within the secret realm.
Speculation also arose about why the Yuan family was so desperate for an Icefield Spirit. Many guessed that it might have something to do with the health of the Yuan family's long-secluded ancestor.
But none of this concerned Lin Xiao anymore.
After wandering the city for most of the day, he returned to the inn by evening. Not long after, Liu Chun arrived, several storage pouches hanging from his waist.
Originally, they had planned to leave the next day, but Lin Xiao, thinking there was no point in waiting, decided they might as well leave immediately. After all, with the teleportation array, they could return in an instant.
It seemed more convenient to bring Liu Chun back at night, allowing him to tour the sect without interruptions the next day.
So, in the quiet of night, Lin Xiao brought out the Qiankun Teleportation Array Plate, placing it on the floor. Liu Chun watched in astonishment as Lin Xiao prepared the array.
Since there was an additional person this time, Lin Xiao added an extra 3,000 spirit stones to ensure a smooth teleportation.
Meanwhile, Liao Pantu had already nestled back into the Soul Nourishing Pendant, eagerly awaiting his return to reunite with his disciple.
A faint white light flashed through the room, and Lin Xiao and Liu Chun vanished from the ordinary inn room in Yuanling City.
The next day, as the Icefield Secret Realm closed and the remaining cultivators were teleported out, they learned of the gray zones on the map—areas that trapped and killed anyone who ventured inside. Many breathed a sigh of relief, feeling lucky to have avoided such dangers.
Upon hearing the Yuan family's reward for the Icefield Spirit, some regretted their missed opportunities, lamenting that they had encountered the spirit but had given up too easily. They now realized they had let 100,000 spirit stones slip through their fingers.
It's unclear if any cultivators had successfully captured an Icefield Spirit, but one thing was certain: the Yuan family hadn't received one.
However, the Icefield Spirit wasn't exclusive to the Icefield Secret Realm. It could be found in any snow-covered region. Thus, while the Yuan family was disappointed, they hadn't lost hope entirely.
But all of this was irrelevant to Lin Xiao.
By now, he had safely returned to the serene, night-covered village of Xiushui, carrying an Icefield Spirit from the secret realm and accompanied by Liu Chun, the talisman master.
Upon arriving in Xiushui Village via the Qiankun Teleportation Array, Liu Chun was somewhat taken aback. He had expected humble conditions, but he hadn't anticipated that the sect would be located in a small village within the mortal realm.
Fortunately, Liu Chun had grown up in a remote part of the cultivation world, so despite the sudden transition from the bustling Yuanling City to a quiet village, he quickly adapted.
However, he also knew that the distance between the mortal realm and the cultivation world was vast. He was even more surprised that Lin Xiao, the sect's disciple, had access to a teleportation array capable of covering such a distance.
After touring the small sect with Lin Xiao, learning about the members' cultivation levels and training schedules, Liu Chun was even more astonished.
Finally, Lin Xiao awkwardly admitted that he was the sect leader, twelve years old, and currently at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.
This revelation shocked Liu Chun to his core, and his expression clearly showed it.
Even though it was dark, Lin Xiao and Liao Pantu, who had emerged from the Soul Nourishing Pendant, could see his reaction perfectly.